The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter (‘Lords of the Underworld’ series Book #1)

 The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter

‘Lords of the Underworld’ series Book #1

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages – Publisher: HQN Books (May 1, 2008 ) – Language: English – ISBN-10: 0373772467 – ISBN-13: 978-0373772469

Back of the Book reads:

HIS POWERS ~ Inhuman

HIS PASSION ~ Beyond Immortal…

All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she’ll be swepts into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member – a man trapped in a hell of his own.

Neither can resist the instant hunger than calms their torments … and ignites and irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction – and a soul-shattering test of love…

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25-Jul-08 to 28-Jul-08

Review: Good!

What can I say? I’m a sucker for a happy ending. I believe this one could have used a little more work, though.

I thought it just a little weird how Maddox became so attached and protective of Ashlyn when they just met. It was weird how the connection kind of just slammed together, and I thought that the only reason Ashlyn was attached to Maddox, at the beginning, was because he ‘quieted’ the voices that continuously ran through her mind. But they grew closer a lot faster than I’ve read in a novel before, and it left me slightly uncomfortable.

Despite her gift/curse, I thought Ashlyn a very strong and self-reliant person. She did what she though was necessary, for Maddox. She didn’t get it at first, and I could understand the horror of it all if I’d be in her shoes, but I’m glad it was finally explained to her. I can’t imagine what someone would go through, knowing how she grew up, to watch them ’attack’ at Maddox every night.

And Maddox … wow! Even for a warrior, cursed with housing the demon of Violence, to him, everyday blended together until is just is what it is. Ashlyn broke him out of that shell right at the beginning, and it was a little weird watching how it all came together.

What I liked… how the book was more of an internal war – Maddox battling his demon, Violence, and not wanting it to affect Ashlyn. But the demon grew attached to Ashlyn just as fast as Maddox did, and now both would do anything to protect Ashlyn. Ashlyn soothes his demon just as much as Maddox being around calms the voices she constantly hears.

Earlier, when I became interested in the books, I looked up some of the reviews, and wondered why some where comparing this series to Ward’s ‘Brotherhood’ series or Kenyon’s ‘Dark Hunter’ series. After reading the first novel, I thought this unfair. Showalter created a world completely different, basing most of the entire series on Greek mythology. While some things are reminders of other series, ie: gods, powers, etc…, I thought Showalter did an excellent job in creating her own world for her characters. I look forward to all of the novels in the series.

Rating: