laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
The Darkest Night
3.5 Stars
Synopsis
Ashlyn Darrow is afflicted with the ability to hear the voices of past conversations. In an attempt to end her nightmare, she seeks out a group of men rumored to possess supernatural abilities. What she finds is the Lords of the Underworld, immortal warriors possessed by the demon spirits they willfully released from Pandora's box. Ashlyn is soon swept away by her attraction to Maddox, the warrior who holds Violence within, and must cope not only with the passion he ignites but with external forces bent on destroying the only family she has ever known.
Review
Disclaimer: Began this book a few month ago when I first started reading paranormal romance and couldn't get into it. So, this is my second attempt at reading the book and overall, I am pleased that I gave it another chance.
The Darkest Night suffers from first book syndrome - it is slow to start and there is an overabundance of exposition. Moreover, the details of the world building are forced rather than being allowed to unfold naturally. Nevertheless, the mythology meshes well within the plot and the take on Pandora's box is original and intriguing.
The focus of the book is the developing relationship between Maddox and Ashlyn. While they are a compelling couple with intense chemistry, it is only toward the end that the action heats up and a bigger story line begins to appear. Ashlyn is a likeable heroine - she definitely holds her own without being too kick ass and does not wait around to be rescued by her "tarnished prince". Maddox is tortured, sexy and possessive but never feels the need to walk all over the heroine (not that she would let him). The manner in which his personal curse is resolved and how he comes to terms with the demon inside him are highlights of the story.
Regarding the secondary characters, the other LOTUs are appealing in their own right, although the angst and aggression that characterizes their interaction is contrived and overdone. The villain is very one-dimensional and there is very little indication that he constitutes any real threat. Anya, the warriors dubious ally, is especially intriguing and I look forward to discovering her true motives.
Despite its problems, the basic concept of tormented warriors seeking forgiveness, redemption and love is very appealing and I will continue reading the series.
3.5 Stars
Synopsis
Ashlyn Darrow is afflicted with the ability to hear the voices of past conversations. In an attempt to end her nightmare, she seeks out a group of men rumored to possess supernatural abilities. What she finds is the Lords of the Underworld, immortal warriors possessed by the demon spirits they willfully released from Pandora's box. Ashlyn is soon swept away by her attraction to Maddox, the warrior who holds Violence within, and must cope not only with the passion he ignites but with external forces bent on destroying the only family she has ever known.
Review
Disclaimer: Began this book a few month ago when I first started reading paranormal romance and couldn't get into it. So, this is my second attempt at reading the book and overall, I am pleased that I gave it another chance.
The Darkest Night suffers from first book syndrome - it is slow to start and there is an overabundance of exposition. Moreover, the details of the world building are forced rather than being allowed to unfold naturally. Nevertheless, the mythology meshes well within the plot and the take on Pandora's box is original and intriguing.
The focus of the book is the developing relationship between Maddox and Ashlyn. While they are a compelling couple with intense chemistry, it is only toward the end that the action heats up and a bigger story line begins to appear. Ashlyn is a likeable heroine - she definitely holds her own without being too kick ass and does not wait around to be rescued by her "tarnished prince". Maddox is tortured, sexy and possessive but never feels the need to walk all over the heroine (not that she would let him). The manner in which his personal curse is resolved and how he comes to terms with the demon inside him are highlights of the story.
Regarding the secondary characters, the other LOTUs are appealing in their own right, although the angst and aggression that characterizes their interaction is contrived and overdone. The villain is very one-dimensional and there is very little indication that he constitutes any real threat. Anya, the warriors dubious ally, is especially intriguing and I look forward to discovering her true motives.
Despite its problems, the basic concept of tormented warriors seeking forgiveness, redemption and love is very appealing and I will continue reading the series.
lynseyisreading's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this. I'm actually quite surprised by it. I met a lot of characters in this book. And I mean a lot! I think by the end there was around 10-12 "Lords", each with a different demon associated with him, which is going to take some memorizing. Of the ones I met, some of their demons seem almost impossible to live with. I have no idea how Showalter is going to give each one a HEA. But I look forward to finding out! This particular book is based on Maddox who carries the demon Violence within. My only negative was a slight lack of action (I appreciate a good fight/chase/escape scene in my books, especially in a book full of immortal warriors) and that the setting stayed the same for almost the entire book, but I'm thinking this was because so much time needed to be dedicated to the back-story of how the Lords came to be, meeting each Lord and obviously we had to give our leading two time to fall in love. Aw.
geo_ix's review against another edition
5.0
I don't care what no one says. I love Black Dagger Brotherhood. I love Immortals After Dark. And I now love this.
I didn't think I would, as I'm not much into the demon thing besides White Hot Kiss, I've stayed away from them. Maybe I do like them but can't get past it before I pick the book! Don't know. Anyway. This story was awesome! It's all about making the ultimate sacrifice for the one you love.
While many people disliked these, from the reviews I've seen, I loved it. I loved the pandora a box idea, that they must eventually become one with their inner demon or it will control them. I liked that the demons are things like promiscuity, disease and violence. It gives each man something he hates about himself that he must eventually accept. Violence reminds me of Rhage in BDB, whom I loved because he genuinely doesn't which to hurt anyone with his demon, and is cursed to hell every night of his life. While I say it reminds me of BDB, it's not the same story by a long shot. Sure, there are similarities, but not enough to not want to read it due to already seeing something like it.
Like BDB there is a faction of people trying to destroy them that can fight blah blah blah, but it's different. So just deal with it.
I didn't think I would, as I'm not much into the demon thing besides White Hot Kiss, I've stayed away from them. Maybe I do like them but can't get past it before I pick the book! Don't know. Anyway. This story was awesome! It's all about making the ultimate sacrifice for the one you love.
While many people disliked these, from the reviews I've seen, I loved it. I loved the pandora a box idea, that they must eventually become one with their inner demon or it will control them. I liked that the demons are things like promiscuity, disease and violence. It gives each man something he hates about himself that he must eventually accept. Violence reminds me of Rhage in BDB, whom I loved because he genuinely doesn't which to hurt anyone with his demon, and is cursed to hell every night of his life. While I say it reminds me of BDB, it's not the same story by a long shot. Sure, there are similarities, but not enough to not want to read it due to already seeing something like it.
Like BDB there is a faction of people trying to destroy them that can fight blah blah blah, but it's different. So just deal with it.
lakecake's review against another edition
3.0
This book was ridiculous. I mean that in kind of a good way...but yeah...ridiculous.
sunnydee's review against another edition
2.0
2 von 5 Sternen
Es tut mir leid, aber ich kann nun mal nicht mehr Sterne geben. Ich kann mir durchaus vorstellen, dass es Leser gibt, die diese Reihe abgöttisch lieben, aber auf mich wirkt das alles entweder albern oder unnötig aggressiv, testosterongeladen, düster und hat mich die meiste Zeit angewidert oder deprimiert. Ich will definitiv nicht mehr davon.
Die Geschichte an sich mit der Büchse der Pandora und den Kriegern, die jeweils von einem Dämon besessen wurden, fand ich eigentlich richtig gut. Leider passt mir die Umsetzung gar nicht. Es wirkte alles extrem übertrieben auf mich. Auch der Sprecher las diese Geschichte teilweise sehr übertrieben vor. Die Frauen wirkten als schrien sie die ganze Zeit und die Männer wirkten übermäßig aggressiv und kühl. Ich werde die Reihe nicht weiter verfolgen.
Es tut mir leid, aber ich kann nun mal nicht mehr Sterne geben. Ich kann mir durchaus vorstellen, dass es Leser gibt, die diese Reihe abgöttisch lieben, aber auf mich wirkt das alles entweder albern oder unnötig aggressiv, testosterongeladen, düster und hat mich die meiste Zeit angewidert oder deprimiert. Ich will definitiv nicht mehr davon.
Die Geschichte an sich mit der Büchse der Pandora und den Kriegern, die jeweils von einem Dämon besessen wurden, fand ich eigentlich richtig gut. Leider passt mir die Umsetzung gar nicht. Es wirkte alles extrem übertrieben auf mich. Auch der Sprecher las diese Geschichte teilweise sehr übertrieben vor. Die Frauen wirkten als schrien sie die ganze Zeit und die Männer wirkten übermäßig aggressiv und kühl. Ich werde die Reihe nicht weiter verfolgen.
rosetyper9's review against another edition
5.0
First let me say, just so that it is not mistaken or lost in translation somewhere else in this review, this book is HOT. It is so hot I had to take breaks and fan myself while reading, not really, but you get the idea. I love the characters in this book, and the story premise, I was surprised when I started reading since I had never read a book, romance or otherwise, that was based on the Pandora's Box legend. I enjoy the witty banter between the "Lords" as well as the interludes that explain each of the demons and a bit more about the guys. I am curious about Cameo...being the only women in the bunch...if her demon (sorrow) affects her any differently than it does the men. I can't wait to see her book...and I hope that Torin is in it. This story line is fresh and new and sure to be a crowd pleaser all the way through the series. I am wanting Amun (secrets) and Aeron's (Wrath) stories already...jeez...on to the next book.
Jan 2016 - Reread: I still enjoyed this book. It was still as hot as before but I found it a little disjointed this time around. Oh well. Still a good one.
Jan 2016 - Reread: I still enjoyed this book. It was still as hot as before but I found it a little disjointed this time around. Oh well. Still a good one.
folkofthebook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
an excellent start to a promising PNR series, this just hijacked my spooky season reading. if you're a fan of Kresley Cole, you're gonna enjoy this (and if you haven't read her yet, what are you doing? go start Immortals After Dark!)
set in a dark castle in misty budapest, the lords of the underworld are cursed with hosting the demons they accidentally set free from pandora's box. with that curse, they are burdened with their demons power: disease, wrath, promiscuity, misery, etc.
this book follows Maddox, cursed with Violence, and Ashlyn, who has the power to hear all conversations that took place in any location she's currently in (love when an FMC has her own gifts).
instalove (maybe arguably fated mates?, forced proximity, hurt/comfort are just a few tropes thrown in.
as its a first book, there's a decent amount of worldbuiling and character-meeting to get readers acquainted with the world, but i think the plot was solid enough as well. i'm intrigued by the other characters and their demons, and i can see the through-line plot forming (the Institution).
i will definitely be continuing this series!
set in a dark castle in misty budapest, the lords of the underworld are cursed with hosting the demons they accidentally set free from pandora's box. with that curse, they are burdened with their demons power: disease, wrath, promiscuity, misery, etc.
this book follows Maddox, cursed with Violence, and Ashlyn, who has the power to hear all conversations that took place in any location she's currently in (love when an FMC has her own gifts).
instalove (maybe arguably fated mates?, forced proximity, hurt/comfort are just a few tropes thrown in.
as its a first book, there's a decent amount of worldbuiling and character-meeting to get readers acquainted with the world, but i think the plot was solid enough as well. i'm intrigued by the other characters and their demons, and i can see the through-line plot forming (the Institution).
i will definitely be continuing this series!
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
4.0
Bought on Audible
What I Loved: Ashlyn was the perfect mate for Maddox. She was smart, feisty, innocent, and brave. She makes her own decisions, stands up for what she believes in, and loves Maddox with all her heart. Maddox is a beautiful alpha male who unfortunately shares his body with Violence. Maddox is stubborn, protective, kind, caring, and cautious. Violence is arrogant, mean, domineering, and yet in the presence of Ashlyn is held at bay. Lord and Beast fall for Ashlyn making you swoon many times during the telling of their love story.
What I Liked: Gena was great at giving you a look into the world of the Lords. We got to meet Reyes, Danika (spitfire), Lucien, Anya (rebel that made me laugh), and the rest of the Lords. The way they were woven into the story made me want to learn more about them. The mythology and lore was very well-written also making you want to learn more about the world that the Lords deal with everyday.
Complaints: None
Audio Specific Review: Max Bellmore did a pretty good job reading the book. I didn't really like his voice for Reyes but both Ashlyn and Maddox he did a really good job with.
Why I Gave it a 4.5: This was a fantastic story with wonderful leading characters. The book has a wonderful pace and there were very few lulls in the story. I really found myself enjoying the book more than I thought I would!
Who I would recommend this too: PNR readers who love series read. You won't be disappointed.
Author Website:http://genashowalter.blogspot.com
Other Books in the Series:
The Darkest Night
The Darkest Kiss
The Darkest Pleasure
The Darkest Whisper
The Darkest Passion
The Darkest Lie
The Darkest Secret
The Darkest Surrender
The Darkest Seduction
What I Loved: Ashlyn was the perfect mate for Maddox. She was smart, feisty, innocent, and brave. She makes her own decisions, stands up for what she believes in, and loves Maddox with all her heart. Maddox is a beautiful alpha male who unfortunately shares his body with Violence. Maddox is stubborn, protective, kind, caring, and cautious. Violence is arrogant, mean, domineering, and yet in the presence of Ashlyn is held at bay. Lord and Beast fall for Ashlyn making you swoon many times during the telling of their love story.
What I Liked: Gena was great at giving you a look into the world of the Lords. We got to meet Reyes, Danika (spitfire), Lucien, Anya (rebel that made me laugh), and the rest of the Lords. The way they were woven into the story made me want to learn more about them. The mythology and lore was very well-written also making you want to learn more about the world that the Lords deal with everyday.
Complaints: None
Audio Specific Review: Max Bellmore did a pretty good job reading the book. I didn't really like his voice for Reyes but both Ashlyn and Maddox he did a really good job with.
Why I Gave it a 4.5: This was a fantastic story with wonderful leading characters. The book has a wonderful pace and there were very few lulls in the story. I really found myself enjoying the book more than I thought I would!
Who I would recommend this too: PNR readers who love series read. You won't be disappointed.
Author Website:http://genashowalter.blogspot.com
Other Books in the Series:
The Darkest Night
The Darkest Kiss
The Darkest Pleasure
The Darkest Whisper
The Darkest Passion
The Darkest Lie
The Darkest Secret
The Darkest Surrender
The Darkest Seduction