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narteest's review against another edition
4.0
My review on this is biased, I've waited so long for Cameo's book and I think it has definitely met my expectations. I was happy with it. And loved reading it. More full review later.
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Cameo's book has long been coming. It was hinted a few books back who her love will be but with Showalter potentially changing the ship, I waited and held my breath in hopes that it was the one I wanted for Cameo - and it was! This series is my guilty pleasure read. I don't like reading PNR usually. I can't deal with corny lines and supernatural/paranormal romance usually. There's too much mating and bonding and whatnot. But the Lords of the Underworld is an exception! It's romance focussed, yes, but there's also a plot going on that makes the story pretty interesting, plus it doesn't take itself too seriously. We get all the good moments, and we can laugh about it too. Granted, her last few books have been hit and miss for me (Hit: Torin and Paris; Miss: Kane and Baden), but as a loyal fan on these books, I read all of them.
So. Cameo and Lazarus - yessss btw! They were perfect for each other. Lazarus was amusing, while Cameo was heartbreaking. I noticed that a lot more of the recent books contain the big moment towards the end where characters split from each other in one final dramatic sweep of conflict. Cameo and Lazarus don't do that in this one (not like in Torin's), and now that I come to think about it, I don't think it happened often in her earlier books.
Anyway, just to skim over the details (yes, this is going to be a very pointless review on this book since I'm having a very hard time thinking about it in a non-biased manner), Cameo is strong as a person, and I love that she kicks ass, and loved it more when she uses her demon to bring everyone to their knees, literally. Which is in part a shame that she loses Misery at the end (sorry, spoiler), I did feel that was a bit unnecessary but in saying that, the demon WAS making her miserable. As for Lazarus, that guy was as sweet as he was cruel, as per his name. Sweet to Cameo of course, in the way that he would always make her remember him no matter how many times she forgot. His story was also really strong too! I loved seeing how he dealt with his own crisis.
This particular book is different from the other LOTU books in only one sense - the main focus is our only female Lord. Thus, we see her struggles as much as we saw the other twelve struggle. It felt different to me, because of this, yet I didn't dislike it. Since we're always seeing the male acting pretty much alpha dominant (and yet, this was also not taken too seriously) and the female always strong-but the prize, in a way of thinking to the struggle the lords go through. This time Lazarus is the prize, and Cameo is the one gunning for it. And Lazarus is a really awesome prize.
I do wish Lazarus' story could be tied up a bit more - cough, cough, his army. I want to see how he gets his army and gets to his kingdom, seeing as they existed when he was in the spirit realm and not the real one. And I'm still a bit confused about his history (since I'm currently rereading Darkest Surrender, and glimpsing Lazarus pre-Cameo).
Overall, out of the later books in this series, Darkest Promise is pretty good in comparison to a few. I still miss the feel of the earlier books, but like Torin's, I was pretty amused by Cameo's.
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Cameo's book has long been coming. It was hinted a few books back who her love will be but with Showalter potentially changing the ship, I waited and held my breath in hopes that it was the one I wanted for Cameo - and it was! This series is my guilty pleasure read. I don't like reading PNR usually. I can't deal with corny lines and supernatural/paranormal romance usually. There's too much mating and bonding and whatnot. But the Lords of the Underworld is an exception! It's romance focussed, yes, but there's also a plot going on that makes the story pretty interesting, plus it doesn't take itself too seriously. We get all the good moments, and we can laugh about it too. Granted, her last few books have been hit and miss for me (Hit: Torin and Paris; Miss: Kane and Baden), but as a loyal fan on these books, I read all of them.
So. Cameo and Lazarus - yessss btw! They were perfect for each other. Lazarus was amusing, while Cameo was heartbreaking. I noticed that a lot more of the recent books contain the big moment towards the end where characters split from each other in one final dramatic sweep of conflict. Cameo and Lazarus don't do that in this one (not like in Torin's), and now that I come to think about it, I don't think it happened often in her earlier books.
Anyway, just to skim over the details (yes, this is going to be a very pointless review on this book since I'm having a very hard time thinking about it in a non-biased manner), Cameo is strong as a person, and I love that she kicks ass, and loved it more when she uses her demon to bring everyone to their knees, literally. Which is in part a shame that she loses Misery at the end (sorry, spoiler), I did feel that was a bit unnecessary but in saying that, the demon WAS making her miserable. As for Lazarus, that guy was as sweet as he was cruel, as per his name. Sweet to Cameo of course, in the way that he would always make her remember him no matter how many times she forgot. His story was also really strong too! I loved seeing how he dealt with his own crisis.
This particular book is different from the other LOTU books in only one sense - the main focus is our only female Lord. Thus, we see her struggles as much as we saw the other twelve struggle. It felt different to me, because of this, yet I didn't dislike it. Since we're always seeing the male acting pretty much alpha dominant (and yet, this was also not taken too seriously) and the female always strong-but the prize, in a way of thinking to the struggle the lords go through. This time Lazarus is the prize, and Cameo is the one gunning for it. And Lazarus is a really awesome prize.
I do wish Lazarus' story could be tied up a bit more - cough, cough, his army. I want to see how he gets his army and gets to his kingdom, seeing as they existed when he was in the spirit realm and not the real one. And I'm still a bit confused about his history (since I'm currently rereading Darkest Surrender, and glimpsing Lazarus pre-Cameo).
Overall, out of the later books in this series, Darkest Promise is pretty good in comparison to a few. I still miss the feel of the earlier books, but like Torin's, I was pretty amused by Cameo's.
mybeastisreader's review against another edition
5.0
#Lazario #KingOfButterflies
I loved this book! Took a while to finish because life.. you know! But Gena never disappoints!
Adventure!
Steamy scenes!
Intense interactions!
Twists!
Great character development!
Fantastic plot!
Humour!
Drama!
Horror!
I mean.. really? What more could a girl ask for?!
Thank you Gena for once again rocking my world with this sexily named Lazario and #LOTU series (even though he’s not a Lord, but he’s defo got a Lady!)
I loved this book! Took a while to finish because life.. you know! But Gena never disappoints!
Adventure!
Steamy scenes!
Intense interactions!
Twists!
Great character development!
Fantastic plot!
Humour!
Drama!
Horror!
I mean.. really? What more could a girl ask for?!
Thank you Gena for once again rocking my world with this sexily named Lazario and #LOTU series (even though he’s not a Lord, but he’s defo got a Lady!)
bookloversofantastic's review against another edition
4.0
I forgot how Cameo’s story was just sooo emotionally intense, the effect of her demon is just awful, to see what she’s going through on a usual basis, it’s just sad - without even counting the effect her voice has on others. But that’s why Lazarus is perfect for her, she is his light and he is the one who wants to make her feel joy. If he’s first motivated by getting her in his bed, fighting his own curse, and getting his vengeance, he cannot deny the effect she has on him and how much he wants her to be free and joyful.
Also, I reread it to see a glimpse of Rathbone and come on, I’m sooo excited for his book.
And I totally forgot about Siobhan and Hades, and ohhhh my I wish they would happen and if it does, Hades will have to be ready for the ride of his life
Also, I reread it to see a glimpse of Rathbone and come on, I’m sooo excited for his book.
And I totally forgot about Siobhan and Hades, and ohhhh my I wish they would happen and if it does, Hades will have to be ready for the ride of his life
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
It has been a while since I have read a book in this series. There is a prior relationship between Cameo and Lazarus but nothing that took away from this book. I felt that connection even if it might have been more one sided in the beginning with Cameo having no memory. In fact, it was hot with Lazarus attempting to woo Cameo over. Cameo and Lazarus were good but they were not the only aspect of this book that I really enjoyed. The world as well or I should say Lazarus' kingdom. It was dark and very dangerous like Lazarus. Everything including the creatures are not as they first appear. For example: the unicorns are not fairy dust and rainbows; they are evil killing machines.
Back to the characters. Everyone that made an appearance in this book were interesting. Then there was not only Cameo's memory loss due to the demon, Misery, who possessed her; but, someone else also was going through a transform and that was Lazarus. One final comment I have to make and that is the book cover. The models were exactly portrayed Cameo and Lazarus perfectly. Fans of this series will be happy with this book.
Back to the characters. Everyone that made an appearance in this book were interesting. Then there was not only Cameo's memory loss due to the demon, Misery, who possessed her; but, someone else also was going through a transform and that was Lazarus. One final comment I have to make and that is the book cover. The models were exactly portrayed Cameo and Lazarus perfectly. Fans of this series will be happy with this book.
ang088's review
5.0
One of the best
Love the whole series and this was a perfect fit for Cameo. I've been waiting so long for her story.
Love the whole series and this was a perfect fit for Cameo. I've been waiting so long for her story.
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
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!