Customer Reviews

The Darkest Night

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As a fan of paranormal romance and in particular JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood my searches for what to read next kept taking me to this series. That's not to say the two are comparable, because they aren't. But if you like continuing story arcs with multiple character POV's, sexy, sexy love scenes, the occasional bloody fight and tortured yet strong alpha males who become kittens once they meet their prospective mates then you might like this too.

The premise for Gena Showalter's world is quite elaborate. Centuries ago a group of immortal warriors released the demons from Pandora's Box. (Yes the Pandora's Box) As punishment the Greek gods cursed the warriors, forcing each to act as host to one of the demons, sort of like a duo personality. Maddox, this books hero is the keeper of violence and because he was unable to control his demon in the beginning and killed Pandora. (Yes the Pandora) Maddox was additionally cursed to die each night at the hands of his fellow warriors, burning in the pits of hell until morning (which can`t be fun) The Lords of the underworld now live in a secluded castle in Budapest, each struggling to coexist with their own personal demon. The other warriors possess things like disease, wrath, death, pain, doubt, promiscuity, lies, and disaster, all of whom getting their own book as the series progresses.

Our heroine here is Ashlyn Darrow. She works for the World institute of Parapsychology and has come to Budapest with her team to investigate the warriors. Poor Ashlyn has a curse of her, born with the ability to hear any conversation that has ever taken place in the location where she is standing. These voices in her head have ruined her life and she'd do anything for a moment's silence. Maddox finds Ashlyn in the woods outside the castle and even though he thinks she's `bait' sent by the `hunters' (bad guys) he is instantly drawn to her. For Ashlyn it's a miracle, because even though she finds this violent and bloody (he's just killed some hunters) man terrifying the voices have stopped. Now she can't bear to be separated from him and Maddox can't help himself either (they never can) carrying her back to the castle and into his chambers. Of course he's going to have to explain himself to the other men, if he can leave Ashlyn's side long enough and what happens at midnight when his friends have to kill him? That's sure to put a damper on the ole love life.

The premise for this series is original and exciting and I will definitely be continuing on. Despite the fact at times I was overwhelmed by Greek Mythology and couldn't keep track of who was who and cursed with which demon. I also had trouble with Ashlyn and found her to be written too young and virginal to ever handle a man like Maddox (maybe I was just jealous though?)

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.

If you have started this series and love it as much as I do, then also read The Darhunter Series by Sherilynn Kenyon! I first read her books and was looking for something along the same line and found it with Gena Showalter's series...this is an amazing series and I will continue to buy the newest books available in this series :)

Showalter tells a story that is utterly hypnotising. Maddox is such a tortured soul. Despite being a violent man due to his curse, he struggles with everything that he is and isn't to regain control and protect Ashlyn from those wanting to harm her. He struggles like none other to be gentle -- like a giant cradling a little fragile angel without knowing why he is doing so. There is so much conflict as Maddox fights against the other cursed men, against himself, and to prove to Ashlyn that he can be her man. After so many years of existing and barely living, he finally finds his everything with Ashlyn. I feel so much pity for him as he tries so hard to love -- a foreign emotion to him until he meets her. He has been waiting for what seems like an eternity for her.

With Ashlyn's ability, she keeps hearing voices wherever she goes, but she is in awe when she finds peace and quiet whenever she is with Maddox. There's just something about him that draws her to him, even though she had witnessed the kind of destruction he can cause. She is giving towards him and tries to protect him from the other immortals and the human Hunters who want to put an end to him, despite her own fragility and mortality. I like Ashlyn because she is strong, brave, and thinks for herself. She is also willing to do anything to save her cursed lover. He would do the same for her.

The cast of characters are very well written and the story is pumped with action. The romance is sensual, hot, and darkly beautiful. Maddox and Ashlyn's passion for each other can't be denied. I'd bite my own lip while reading. I also have to admit that the way Maddox speaks in English is entertaining -- only because I'm imagining his speech to be accented. Despite their own hells, love does conquer all in this story. I don't have any negative critiques for this book. Showalter's Darkest Night is highly recommended. This is a great book to introduce readers to the Lords of the Underworld paranormal romance series. Straight men aside, who wouldn't want to read about sexy immortal men who are trying to save the world?