laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Dark Desires
3.5 Stars
In desperation, Darcie Finch takes a position as a maid in the home of the enigmatic Dr. Damien Cole. Despite the whispered warnings and strange rumors surrounding his work, Darcie finds herself inexplicably attracted to her dark and brooding employer. But can she trust her heart and her life with him?
Let me preface this review by saying that this is Eve Silver's debut work, and she is a wonderfully descriptive writer. Her Otherkin books remain one of my favorite paranormal romance series. Nevertheless, there are some problematic aspects to this story.
To begin with, there are time period inconsistencies. Chapter one sets the story in 1828 - the reign of George IV, yet a character mentions "Her Majesty". George IV's estranged wife died in 1821. Moreover, several prostitutes are killed and their deaths are referred to as the "Whitechapel Murders" - this is a clear reference to the 1888 serial killer, Jack the Ripper who killed during the reign of Queen Victoria. Perhaps this is nitpicky but, as a lover of British history, it is jarring.
In addition, the blurb describes Damien's "eerie estate". His townhouse is located on Curzon Street in Mayfair and it is neither "eerie" nor an "estate".
Although the gothic overtones are apparent - a naive young woman working for a mysterious doctor with dark and dangerous secrets, the misty streets of London's East End and a serial killer to boot - the atmosphere is not as sinister or uncanny as expected from the genre.
The romance between Darcie and Damien is very satisfying. She is strong and resilient albeit somewhat TSTL at times, and he is sexy and serious. They have intense chemistry and their intimate connection is believable perhaps due to the fact that he is not an aristocrat.
The murder mystery itself has potential yet it is underdeveloped, and the identity of the killer is obvious from the first despite the inclusion of several red herrings.
Overall, a good enough read and the themes and writing are entertaining enough to continue with the series.
3.5 Stars
In desperation, Darcie Finch takes a position as a maid in the home of the enigmatic Dr. Damien Cole. Despite the whispered warnings and strange rumors surrounding his work, Darcie finds herself inexplicably attracted to her dark and brooding employer. But can she trust her heart and her life with him?
Let me preface this review by saying that this is Eve Silver's debut work, and she is a wonderfully descriptive writer. Her Otherkin books remain one of my favorite paranormal romance series. Nevertheless, there are some problematic aspects to this story.
To begin with, there are time period inconsistencies. Chapter one sets the story in 1828 - the reign of George IV, yet a character mentions "Her Majesty". George IV's estranged wife died in 1821. Moreover, several prostitutes are killed and their deaths are referred to as the "Whitechapel Murders" - this is a clear reference to the 1888 serial killer, Jack the Ripper who killed during the reign of Queen Victoria. Perhaps this is nitpicky but, as a lover of British history, it is jarring.
In addition, the blurb describes Damien's "eerie estate". His townhouse is located on Curzon Street in Mayfair and it is neither "eerie" nor an "estate".
Although the gothic overtones are apparent - a naive young woman working for a mysterious doctor with dark and dangerous secrets, the misty streets of London's East End and a serial killer to boot - the atmosphere is not as sinister or uncanny as expected from the genre.
The romance between Darcie and Damien is very satisfying. She is strong and resilient albeit somewhat TSTL at times, and he is sexy and serious. They have intense chemistry and their intimate connection is believable perhaps due to the fact that he is not an aristocrat.
The murder mystery itself has potential yet it is underdeveloped, and the identity of the killer is obvious from the first despite the inclusion of several red herrings.
Overall, a good enough read and the themes and writing are entertaining enough to continue with the series.
lassarina's review
3.0
As a mystery, this works really well. As an homage to the Gothic tradition, it's solid. As a romance, I wavered between believing it and not. I think my problem was that it didn't seem like it could make up its mind whether Darcie was shaped by several traumatic experiences, or oddly untouched by them; she seemed to waver back and forth between a naive hope and belief, and an odd cynicism. The Gothic novel relies heavily on the mysteriousness and possible badness of the hero before revealing that all is well, and I think my awareness of that trope meant I gave Damien (and Darcie's opinion of him) more passes than I would have without that awareness, because goddamn, girl, run.
That said, it is really well constructed as a mystery and made me happy on that score, and also successfully half-convinced me that a random character was The Problem, although maybe that's a lifetime of suspicion from too much vampire LARP coming out. (If you're looking for a really good Gothic romance, though, look to the second book in this series, His Dark Kiss, because it's better.)
That said, it is really well constructed as a mystery and made me happy on that score, and also successfully half-convinced me that a random character was The Problem, although maybe that's a lifetime of suspicion from too much vampire LARP coming out. (If you're looking for a really good Gothic romance, though, look to the second book in this series, His Dark Kiss, because it's better.)
ahyggelibrary's review
4.0
A bit more gruesome then I was expecting, but perfect for fans of Stalking Jack the Ripper. I pictured Samuel West (the actor) as Damien.
fictionalkate's review
2.0
When I started reading this book I found it more amusing than I think the author intended. It was just a bit silly(?) I suppose.
It begins with Darcie getting a job from the handsome and mysterious Dr Damien Cole. He's a bit shady - what with him only taking her on because he owes a favour to the local madam and the fact that when she first meets him he has a dead body in his carriage... but he's so wonderfully kind to her and handsome that Darcie is willing to forgive any strangeness on his part.
Odd things happen. There's a bit of a mystery and after 350 pages there is a perfectly tolerable ending. But maybe this category of gothic romance isn't for me.
Darcie made me laugh with how she perceived Damien.
I liked that Damien's odd notions regarding science and bizarre theories for the time are now what most people accept as modern medicine. I also thought it was great how much of a modern thinker he was regarding Darcie and her skills as an artist. Yes she's a woman but she's talented. Although... he did feel a little lecherous to me.
The beginning was entertaining but it did start to drag a bit after the first third of the book.
It begins with Darcie getting a job from the handsome and mysterious Dr Damien Cole. He's a bit shady - what with him only taking her on because he owes a favour to the local madam and the fact that when she first meets him he has a dead body in his carriage... but he's so wonderfully kind to her and handsome that Darcie is willing to forgive any strangeness on his part.
Odd things happen. There's a bit of a mystery and after 350 pages there is a perfectly tolerable ending. But maybe this category of gothic romance isn't for me.
Darcie made me laugh with how she perceived Damien.
Spoiler
He's been seen with bloody clothing the same night the previous maid disappeared without a trace. But he's so nice so that's okay. And the fact that he has dead bodies in his carriage, able to procure body parts for dissection at a moments notice? Well... he does look awfully good without a shirt so I'm sure he's a good guy. Oh no! He's been seen at the scene of the crime for all the grissly murders in Whitechapel recently. Hmm... well that is something a bit worrisome. But he's just too divine in bed to think anything bad of him!I liked that Damien's odd notions regarding science and bizarre theories for the time are now what most people accept as modern medicine. I also thought it was great how much of a modern thinker he was regarding Darcie and her skills as an artist. Yes she's a woman but she's talented. Although... he did feel a little lecherous to me.
The beginning was entertaining but it did start to drag a bit after the first third of the book.
honorinette's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
shawn1again's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
maplessence's review
2.0
My reasons for reading this novel were not my usual reasons.
❤ The stunning cover. I mean, just look at it! [bc:Dark Desires|29850558|Dark Desires|Eve Silver|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1460043011l/29850558._SX50_.jpg|783278]
One of my favourite covers of all time.
❤ Kindle freebie.
OK I'm lying. These are quite usual reasons for me!
❤ The stunning cover. I mean, just look at it! [bc:Dark Desires|29850558|Dark Desires|Eve Silver|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1460043011l/29850558._SX50_.jpg|783278]
One of my favourite covers of all time.
❤ Kindle freebie.
OK I'm lying. These are quite usual reasons for me!