Review: The Darkest Secret (#7)

The Darkest Secret by Gena Showalter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ok, so I went into this book with some reservations. First of all, the protagonist, Amun, doesn't speak. He signs. He can speak....but because he is the keeper of the demon of secrets, he chooses not to. (Because he reveals secrets, often painful/upsetting/otherwise bad info that he doesn't want to know, much less repeat.)

Well, I was surprised at how effortless and completely UNannoying it was to read Amun's dialogue. All of his parts were in italics - which was either the translation of his signing or his thoughts when mentally communicating with Haidee, who turns out to be his woman.

Haidee - she is a human (well, mostly) and a hunter, as well as one of the people that was directly involved in Baden's death. (Baden being the a Lord that was killed ages ago. He was well loved, and the other Lords have never really gotten past his death.) So anyway....Haidee. Strider kidnaps her and brings her back to the Lord's compound and he kinda has the hots for her, but he also kinda wants to kill her. He knows she has to die - because he's still looking to avenge Baden's death.

Amun is locked up in his room, having just returned from Hell.....fresh full of new demons that are slowly killing him from the inside out. Haidee is locked in the room next door to his. One night, she hears Amun calling to her (mentally) and she claws her way through the wall (ok, well, she finds a door that had been plastered over) and goes to him. She thinks he is her boyfriend Micha - and she begins to comfort him. And for some reason - Amun's demons are scared of Haidee and because of this, his health immediately begins to improve.

And true to all LOTU books - we all know there are hardships and battles and super hot sex.....and things will probably all work out OK in the end. Yep. This is why we love Gena Showalter books. Are they predictable? Yes and no. Chances are - there will ALWAYS be a happy ending. That's the predictable part. The rest - well....that's what I love about GS's books. You just never know how everyone is going to get through it all for their HEA.

I'll admit, the book was a little confusing at first - with Haidee spelling her name two (slightly) different ways - her calling Amun by another name and all that jazz. So, for me, the book started a little slow. But it definitely picked up the pace after a few chapters. I ended up really loving Amun and Haidee as a couple - I found their relationship to be very sweet and (of course) passionate.

Now - I'm anxiously waiting for Strider's story (which is next) and I HOPE there is going to be one for William. I just LOVE him - and with every book, I find myself wanting the books to focus on him more and more.

Review: The Darkest Lie (#6)

The Darkest Lie by Gena Showalter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the story of Gideon and Scarlet. Gideon - possessed by the demon of Lies and Scarlet - possessed by the demon of Nightmares.

Of all the LOTU books I've read, this one might just be my favorite. I love the character of Gideon....and have throughout the series, so I'm glad he finally got his own story.

There were some great twists involving their demons and Gideon and Scarlet seemed to have more emotional ups and downs as compared to some of the couples from previous books. And maybe it's just because I really liked Gideon, but the sex seemed to be much hotter in this one than some of the previous ones. Hmmm.

What I didn't like: Well - it's more of a minor annoyance, really. Gideon is the keeper of lies, right? So....this means he can't ever utter the truth or he suffers tremendous pain. If he wants to tell someone they're pretty, he has to tell them they're ugly. If he's hot, he has to say he's cold. Everyone that knows him knows how to translate his "Gideon-speak"....but it does get kind of annoying for the reader. But, because of Gideon's character, I did find myself kind of charmed by his "affliction".....eventually.

I can't wait for the next book in the series - this one did a good job of setting it up! Well, setting up the next TWO books, actually.

Review: The Darkest Passion (#5)

The Darkest Passion by Gena Showalter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was the story of Aeron and Olivia. Aeron - possessed by the demon of Wrath and Olivia - a warrior angel sent to kill Aeron. Only, she can't do it. She sees the good in him and can't make herself kill him. Instead, she chooses to fall from the heavens to be with him.

OK - so....what I liked: I enjoy the relationships between the couples and the characters. That's never a problem with any of the Lords of the Underworld books.

What I didn't like: Everything is always tied up so neatly....in the span of just a few pages. I don't mind the resolutions, but sometimes....I would like to see a better explanation. I don't need the conflict resolution tied up and presented to me in a neat 3-page package.

One more thing.....the relationship between Aeron and his demon "pet", Legion. Let's just say it got creepy. It didn't go too far, thankfully, but it did go creepy. Just sayin'.

But as with all of the LOTU books, they are quick reads and are always entertaining and enjoyable. I think Showalter's writing style is better suited for YA books (that's how they sometimes read to me....other than the hot sexy parts). But as long as she keeps writing for this series, I will keep reading them.

Review: The Darkest Angel (#4.5)

Heart of Darkness: The Darkest Angel\Love Me to Death\Lady of the Nile by Gena Showalter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

OK - I only read "The Darkest Angel" by Gena Showalter. It's the first story/Novella in the book. So my rating is based only on that.

So far in the LOTU series - I have not been a fan of the novellas. They seem to take away from the main focus of the story - although I'm sure there is a higher purpose to them that will be revealed at some point.

But this book was an exception. It DOES keep inline with the current progress of the story. And I quite enjoyed it. Granted, my expectations were low....but it was a good (albeit quick) read.

This one focuses on Lysander and Bianka. Lysander is an angel from Heaven who kidnaps Bianka, a Harpy, and he is determined to turn around her wicked ways. But of course, he soon finds himself falling for her....blah blah blah....you know the rest. It's a romance novel, right?

The one thing about Gena Showalter's books and stories that sort of irk me....her characters constantly hiss. Not like snakes hiss....but it's always "he's hissed in a breath" or whatever. Surely there is another word that can be used occasionally. Does it always have to be hiss? Just an observation.

But at the end of the day - this was a good story - and definitely worth the time.

Oh - and I have to mention.....it does set up the storyline that is featured in the next book, The Darkest Passion. So don't skip this one just because it's a novella

Review: The Darkest Whisper (#4)

The Darkest Whisper by Gena Showalter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely LOVED this one! I truly did not expect to to enjoy Sabin's story as much as I did - since he wasn't one of the Lords that I considered a favorite. In fact, I really didn't consider him at all.

The strength of this series is the fact that each book continues to keep you updated on other couples, even though each book has one couple as it's primary focus. I think it gives the entire LOTU universe more depth.

Gwen the Harpy and Sabin, the Lord possessed by the demon of Doubt. Who knew they would make such a perfect couple?

Review: The Darkest Prison (#3.5)

The Darkest Prison by Gena Showalter

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The story of Nike and Atlas.....

I'm going to guess this little novella was written to introduce the characters because they'll appear in some of the other books....and the author couldn't think of any other way to introduce them.

I'm not a big fan of just kind of slapping a story together and throwing it out there - and The Darkest Prison gives off that vibe.

I mean - go ahead and read it...it's short....it will only take you an hour or so....but really, Gena....you can do better.

Review: The Darkest Pleasure (#3)

The Darkest Pleasure by Gena Showalter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reyes and Danika - Lord of the Underworld, possessed by the Demon of Pain and human female who is desperately fighting the attraction to the very entity she should fear and hate.

I really didn't think I was going to end up loving this book as much as I did. I loved that Reyes wants Danika so badly, but more than that, he wants to spare her the pain of having to hurt him in order for him to feel sexually satisfied....although that does change eventually.

One thing about this series that I love most is that storyline continues book after book. All of the players are (essentially) on the same mission and each book tells a different point of view of the journey. Also, beloved characters and couples appear frequently and you get to know what's going on with them.

Review: The Darkest Kiss (#2)

The Darkest Kiss by Gena Showalter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The 2nd book of the LOTU series - the story of Anya and Lucien. Goddess of Anarchy and Demon of Death. What could be hotter, right? I love that Anya is wild and crazy free spirit while Lucien is oh so serious. But opposites attract and you can guess the rest.

The thing I love most about this whole series is that there is a continuous storyline through all the books. All of the characters are working for the same goal and each books gives you a different perspective on the LOTU universe, while keeping you updated on characters from previous books.

Review: The Darkest Night (#1)

The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ok, so Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series got me hooked on the paranormal romance genre. That being said - I don't expect any other books to come close to those.

But Lords of the Underworld does come kinda close. While I don't enjoy Showalter's style of writing as much as I do Cole's....the books are fascinating....the LOTU universe is deep and well defined....and they are super-quick reads. (I average one about every 24 hours.) I think Showalter is more suited to writing young adult fiction....which I think she does also do, although I haven't read any of it. I don't know, maybe that's just a personal preference thing.

Anyway....

This is the first book of the series. (Let'd just pretend the HORRIBLE prequel didn't exist, ok?)

The story of sweet Ashlyn, a human with some very unhuman abilities, and Maddox, the most dangerous and violent of all the Lords.

More of the tortured man - woman who saves him stuff. Gah. I can't get enough of it.

Review: The Darkest Fire (#0.5)

The Darkest Fire by Gena Showalter

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This book is terrible! I would give it negative stars if I could. I'm glad I had friends that told me that this book is NOTHING like the rest of the series - otherwise I would have stopped with this one.

Skip it and just go straight to the next book. Trust me. You won't be lost....this book isn't important in the grand scheme of the rest of the series.