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booklovinmamas's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Darkest Promise is the thirteenth novel in Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series. This was my first time reading this book, and I’m glad I finally made time to read it. I loved Cameo and Lazarus’s book. I was worried I wouldn’t because Lazarus was a villain in a previous book in the series, and he had been unalived. Once again, Gena proved me wrong, and I loved where she went with Cameo’s book and why she ended up with Lazarus. Only Lazarus could give Cameo a very well-deserved HEA.
Cameo is the Lord (or, in this case, Lady) who is possessed by the demon Misery. The poor woman couldn’t speak without her voice, causing others to cry, and her demon always told her how she made other lives miserable with her presence. Cameo’s first encounter with Lazarus was in a previous book, and she was drawn to him because he actually makes her feel happy for once, especially around him. She wants that connection again and goes off to find him once again. The other Lords are worried about her, and so is Lazarus with how she treats herself and how she wants to find Pandora’s Box because everyone fears what she will do when she gets it. I loved Cameo’s character even more after this book, and I’m glad she found someone like Lazarus who showed her how much he loved her.
I grew to like Lazarus, and Gena did an amazing job telling his backstory and actually making me feel for his character. I loved knowing he was going to get his revenge on the person who had enslaved him before. He also got help from Cameo, even though he didn’t want her help because he didn’t want to risk her safety, but Cameo is a kickbutt heroine who won’t sit out on a fight. Gena definitely made it funny with the back-and-forth banter between Cameo and Lazarus, and I found myself laughing out loud with these two characters. It was interesting to find out Lazarus’s weaknesses and why butterflies were always surrounding him.
There is a big plot point that comes into play in this book, and it deals with Pandora’s Box. Who actually has it, and also, what does it have inside it? There’s also the conflict that is happening between Hades and Lucifer, and the battle is about to get more intense between these two. Lazarus will find himself picking a side, and the Lords will realize they definitely need to assist Hades against Lucifer.
There were other POVs in this book, too, that intrigued me and kept me entertained. I’m not sure what to think of Viola right now, but she could grow on me. She is demon-possessed with Narcissism, so that could be the issue I have with her. I’m curious about her character and trust Gena where she’s going with her.
I can’t wait to read Gilly’s book next, and I’m glad to know she doesn’t end up with who I thought she would end up with. I’m one reader who was okay with her finding someone else because William is a player, and he acts more like a big brother than a lover.
This was yet another great installment in the LOTU series, and it’s up there for being one of my favorites. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and finally be caught up.
Audiobook Review: I’ve been switching from reading this series to listening to the books. I really enjoy listening to Max Bellmore bring the story and characters to life, and I definitely recommend the audiobooks if you prefer listening to your books. His narration is fantastic!
Story Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Steam/Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Lords of the Underworld Series and I recommend reading in order.
Would I recommend this book/series? Yes. I recommend this series to readers who love reading Paranormal Romance series with interconnected, action-packed, romantic storylines with characters that deserve much-needed HEAs.
Genre/SubGenre(s): Romance | Paranormal Romance
Trope(s)/Element(s): Fated Mates | Enemies to Lovers | Tortured/Demon Possessed Heroine | Kickbutt Heroine | Alpha Hero | Morally Grey Hero
romancejunkie1025's review against another edition
5.0
a masterpiece as always miss Showalter never strikes a bad note with her Lords of the Underworld series. I guess the series is coming to an end but I have loved every minute of it
bookloverchelle's review against another edition
4.0
Cameo has never known, and will never know, true happiness. If she does her demon wipes her memory and she's back to her typical, miserable, self. Cameo hunts down Lazarus, someone she can see in her mind but can't remember how or why. Lazarus remembers, and still craves, Cameo but does not want to make anything easy for her. Her voice may make those around her miserable but he craves her every word, especially since he remembers their time together. As they fight together to protect Lazarus's kingdom Cameo's memories come back to her. But will her inner battle with her demon make her walk away from her one chance at true love? Another great read in the Lords of the Underworld series, excited to finally read Cameo's story. This definitely cannot be read as a stand alone but starting from the beginning is worth it! Can't wait to continue the series.
erinremen's review against another edition
5.0
Officially my new favorite!
I really enjoyed Cami and Lazario's story. Heartbreaking and satisfying in every way. Thank you for yet another glorious read that transfers us all to wondrous places. Does not matter if you write young adult or romance, you truly excel at storytelling!
I really enjoyed Cami and Lazario's story. Heartbreaking and satisfying in every way. Thank you for yet another glorious read that transfers us all to wondrous places. Does not matter if you write young adult or romance, you truly excel at storytelling!
abumblebeee's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
Cameo, keeper of the Demon of Misery, has never known true happiness....well not that she can remember. Until she returns from the spirit realms and has only the name Lazarus to hold onto. Rather than blow her one possible shot at happiness, she reenters the spirit realms to find Lazarus and maybe happiness.
I've been waiting for Cameo's love story, after going through 12 books with her completely miserable and unable to talk, it was refreshing to see her personality in this book. Lazarus is the perfect compliment to her and they both have to battle their inner demons if they have any chance at being together. The stories are all coming together, and I love seeing the sparks of relationships in books to come. It gets me more excited for the continuation of this series. Can't wait for the next book in June!
Cameo, keeper of the Demon of Misery, has never known true happiness....well not that she can remember. Until she returns from the spirit realms and has only the name Lazarus to hold onto. Rather than blow her one possible shot at happiness, she reenters the spirit realms to find Lazarus and maybe happiness.
I've been waiting for Cameo's love story, after going through 12 books with her completely miserable and unable to talk, it was refreshing to see her personality in this book. Lazarus is the perfect compliment to her and they both have to battle their inner demons if they have any chance at being together. The stories are all coming together, and I love seeing the sparks of relationships in books to come. It gets me more excited for the continuation of this series. Can't wait for the next book in June!
jeanay's review against another edition
4.0
hi guys i finished my book and i'm like almost to the
most recent book in the series i can't believe i spent this whole month on this series i'm gonna be in the worst book slump ever but anyways the main guy character reminds me of the guy of another book the author wrote bc bitches are more focused on revenge than their love life like come on bruv go to therapy or something. but this guy is a lil better bc he ends up giving it up for her and telling her the truth of
something and ugh i'm in love him like they had a
little mud fighting fun scene from the previous books and it was eute. but i’m so dumb to not realize the connection of the whole conflict like i shouldve guessed it bc butterflies kept on being repeated but i was like how tf is he gonna survive but the way the author executed the whole thing was really good respect. i love the main girl too like she can be annoying sometimes but i don't blame her w her whole misery thing going on but she's so idk how to describe her like she's different from the other main characters who are more outspoken and shit like that but she's snarky and shit and i respect that i love mean bitches main characters. omg but the side stories tho like why most of the time the side stories be so good but they end up not being the next book tf like i want the side story of the girl trapped in the mirror and her revenge enemies to lover shit w the guy that got her trapped in it but idk if the author is gonna write it but i hope she does. and there's another of the girl who narcissistic and i can't wait to read hers like she's funny. anyways rating this book 9/10 it was good but i did get bored sometimes but maybe its be have a bad attention span but it lived up to my expectations
most recent book in the series i can't believe i spent this whole month on this series i'm gonna be in the worst book slump ever but anyways the main guy character reminds me of the guy of another book the author wrote bc bitches are more focused on revenge than their love life like come on bruv go to therapy or something. but this guy is a lil better bc he ends up giving it up for her and telling her the truth of
something and ugh i'm in love him like they had a
little mud fighting fun scene from the previous books and it was eute. but i’m so dumb to not realize the connection of the whole conflict like i shouldve guessed it bc butterflies kept on being repeated but i was like how tf is he gonna survive but the way the author executed the whole thing was really good respect. i love the main girl too like she can be annoying sometimes but i don't blame her w her whole misery thing going on but she's so idk how to describe her like she's different from the other main characters who are more outspoken and shit like that but she's snarky and shit and i respect that i love mean bitches main characters. omg but the side stories tho like why most of the time the side stories be so good but they end up not being the next book tf like i want the side story of the girl trapped in the mirror and her revenge enemies to lover shit w the guy that got her trapped in it but idk if the author is gonna write it but i hope she does. and there's another of the girl who narcissistic and i can't wait to read hers like she's funny. anyways rating this book 9/10 it was good but i did get bored sometimes but maybe its be have a bad attention span but it lived up to my expectations
desiree_mcl's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
Listened to this on audio. I really liked the narrator. He did a good job.
I love Cameo and Lazarus together. It didn't matter what they were doing, I loved when they were in the same room together.
However, even though I love them, when I got to thinking about what happened in this installment besides Cameo and Lazarus, I couldn't think of much.
Also there were things that were mentioned or done and then never brought up again, which was frustrating.
And this may sound like a weird thing to be slightly annoyed with but Cameo and Lazarus got together too easily. There were issues that came up but they were barely blips on the radar and easily brushed aside or dealt with. I don't want their journey to be so hard that I just don't want them together in the end but I need a little hardship or at least something that's not so easily dealt with.
Overall I liked this and I'm interested to see how Puck and Gilly's book goes.
Listened to this on audio. I really liked the narrator. He did a good job.
I love Cameo and Lazarus together. It didn't matter what they were doing, I loved when they were in the same room together.
However, even though I love them, when I got to thinking about what happened in this installment besides Cameo and Lazarus, I couldn't think of much.
Also there were things that were mentioned or done and then never brought up again, which was frustrating.
And this may sound like a weird thing to be slightly annoyed with but Cameo and Lazarus got together too easily. There were issues that came up but they were barely blips on the radar and easily brushed aside or dealt with. I don't want their journey to be so hard that I just don't want them together in the end but I need a little hardship or at least something that's not so easily dealt with.
Overall I liked this and I'm interested to see how Puck and Gilly's book goes.
naomilane's review against another edition
5.0
You know, when you haven't read a book in a long time and you forget how much you loved it and then you read it again and remember, that's what I'm feeling right now. I read this book way before it came out, almost two years ago and at the time never wrote a review. I decided to reread it because the next book will be out soon and I wanted to dive back in the series. Best choice I've ever made.
The Darkest Promise is one of my favorite book from the Lords of the Underworld series. It's so poignant, powerful, with a strong hero and an even stronger heroine.
Cameo wasn't my favorite character, she never caught my interest but Gena really knows how to surprise her readers. I rediscovered this heroine throughout this book, it took me 13 books but I can definitely say I love Cameo. Being in her head, seeing how her demon truly affects her, really got to me. She's so kind and loving despite having to fight Misery 24/7, I loved her courage and how freaking strong she was. This one is for us, ladies. A powerful, confident heroine, able to defend herself and her man, not afraid to fight...and win.
I instantly liked Lazarus this book just sealed the deal. I loved everything about him, his confidence, his cockiness, how sweet and caring he was with Cameo, how utterly unaffected her demon made him, he made her feel powerful, he never brought her down, never thought less of her, always encouraged her to fight and kick ass. Lazarus himself was tough, pretty damn powerful and nearly untouchable and the fact that he saw an equal in Cameo right from the start made this book so much better.
Power couple you say? Hell yes! One of the best, strongest couple I know and I loved them together. I immediately connected with them, how their relationship quickly but surely developed. Lazarus remembered her but Cameo did not, that's why she went looking for him in the first place. Gena did a great job with this aspect of the story, she didn't make us wait too long for a reunion but she didn't rush things either, she found a pace that worked and she went with it.
If I had to choose one word to describe them, it'd be precious. I found their relationship so deeply moving and entertaining, I became emotionally invested, I shook my kindle, I yelled at it, it was great!
Another thing that really worked for me in this book was the world building, LOTU is a big series with a lot of different characters/realms yet Gena managed to woo me all over again. I was enchanted by the realms and how Gena described everything in such a vivid way, I was right there with Cameo. She even made me love Viola, a character I didn't care for and now I can't wait for her story.
Speaking of secondary characters, this book rocked. They never overshadowed the main couple but they were necessary to the story and, to be honest, they all were awesome. I already talked about Viola but she was not the only one. Hades is becoming one of my favorite as well as Siobhan. Rathbone, one of the nine kings of the underworld, captured my interested in a big way. William, of course, he will always hold a special place in my heart. So many untold stories waiting to be written, I cannot wait to read them all!
The Darkest Promise did keep its promise, a fantastic story about a spectacular couple, ready to face and battle everything and everyone for their happy ending.
The Darkest Promise is one of my favorite book from the Lords of the Underworld series. It's so poignant, powerful, with a strong hero and an even stronger heroine.
Cameo wasn't my favorite character, she never caught my interest but Gena really knows how to surprise her readers. I rediscovered this heroine throughout this book, it took me 13 books but I can definitely say I love Cameo. Being in her head, seeing how her demon truly affects her, really got to me. She's so kind and loving despite having to fight Misery 24/7, I loved her courage and how freaking strong she was. This one is for us, ladies. A powerful, confident heroine, able to defend herself and her man, not afraid to fight...and win.
I instantly liked Lazarus this book just sealed the deal. I loved everything about him, his confidence, his cockiness, how sweet and caring he was with Cameo, how utterly unaffected her demon made him, he made her feel powerful, he never brought her down, never thought less of her, always encouraged her to fight and kick ass. Lazarus himself was tough, pretty damn powerful and nearly untouchable and the fact that he saw an equal in Cameo right from the start made this book so much better.
Power couple you say? Hell yes! One of the best, strongest couple I know and I loved them together. I immediately connected with them, how their relationship quickly but surely developed. Lazarus remembered her but Cameo did not, that's why she went looking for him in the first place. Gena did a great job with this aspect of the story, she didn't make us wait too long for a reunion but she didn't rush things either, she found a pace that worked and she went with it.
If I had to choose one word to describe them, it'd be precious. I found their relationship so deeply moving and entertaining, I became emotionally invested, I shook my kindle, I yelled at it, it was great!
Another thing that really worked for me in this book was the world building, LOTU is a big series with a lot of different characters/realms yet Gena managed to woo me all over again. I was enchanted by the realms and how Gena described everything in such a vivid way, I was right there with Cameo. She even made me love Viola, a character I didn't care for and now I can't wait for her story.
Speaking of secondary characters, this book rocked. They never overshadowed the main couple but they were necessary to the story and, to be honest, they all were awesome. I already talked about Viola but she was not the only one. Hades is becoming one of my favorite as well as Siobhan. Rathbone, one of the nine kings of the underworld, captured my interested in a big way. William, of course, he will always hold a special place in my heart. So many untold stories waiting to be written, I cannot wait to read them all!
The Darkest Promise did keep its promise, a fantastic story about a spectacular couple, ready to face and battle everything and everyone for their happy ending.
1_romance_reader's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing
Love love loved it. I'm a huge fan of the LOTU and love every single one of them so when I heard this was about Cameo and Lazarus I was thrilled. This definitely did not disappoint. A perfect addition to the series. We also got a little peek at William and the sent one's which was a great addition.
Love love loved it. I'm a huge fan of the LOTU and love every single one of them so when I heard this was about Cameo and Lazarus I was thrilled. This definitely did not disappoint. A perfect addition to the series. We also got a little peek at William and the sent one's which was a great addition.
geo_ix's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it, like I knew I would. I had to force myself to put it down and go to sleep last night and then when I woke up early I couldn't stop myself from reading again when usually I wait a few hours to wake up properly. I really just NEEDED to know what would happen. I'm now really unsure where this series is going to go.
Either way, I'm excited for the next book by Gena. This was just as witty and steamy as all the others. I found myself laughing and genuinely feeling happy so much throughout that I know I'll be thinking about this book for a while.
Spoiler
We had Viola show a bit of attraction to the guy after her, which I'm all for because he's a beast! And we saw more of William and the mention of his future having two possible outcomes with two different women which I'm REAL eager for, and also Hades and the chick he stuck in the mirror. There was also a man that was identical to William, which I still don't know what that's meant to mean... but honestly, I thought this would be the last book and all these other couples would be a spin off series, either in the angel series connected to this, or a new spin off... but I don't think that's the plan? There was small bits showing Galen but not enough to think he'll have a book next or even if ever, but since Viola had POV's in this, I think it's suggesting she's next. That could also be said with Hades, because of mirror girls POV's but I don't think that's the case.Either way, I'm excited for the next book by Gena. This was just as witty and steamy as all the others. I found myself laughing and genuinely feeling happy so much throughout that I know I'll be thinking about this book for a while.