Publication Date - 18th September 2009
Paperback - 384 pages
Genre - Paranormal Romance
Source - Purchased
Rating - 3 out of 5: I liked it
Book Info - 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 swept 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 an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction -- and a soul-shattering test of love...
My Thoughts - The Lords of the Underworld are immortal men who are each possessed by a Demon Lord who escaped from Hell centuries ago. Maddox is the keeper of Violence. He often suffers from violent rages so he stays within the confines of their large home. He was also cursed by the gods because he killed Pandora, the keeper of the box where the demons were originally secured after their escape from Hell (yes, it's Pandora's Box). Because of this curse Maddox has to be killed every night at midnight in the same way that Pandora was killed - by being stabbed six times in the stomach. He has to spend all night in the depths of Hell, only to return to his body again the following morning.
One night he meets Ashlyn, who has her own special ability - she can hear all conversations that have ever taken place in any given area. When she meets Maddox she is stunned to realise that the voices stop whenever he is around. As seems to be fairly common in the realm of Paranormal Romance, Maddox takes Ashlyn captive believing that she works for a group of Hunters who want the Lords dead.
What drew me in straight away was the premise of the story. I loved reading about the way these men, who are all essentially good men, battle on a daily basis with the demon that lives inside of them. Maddox often has to try and keep his demon in check to stop himself from bringing destruction to everybody and everything around him.
Ashlyn is also an interesting character to read about. She is incredibly feisty and is not afraid of anything - not even the group of overly-muscled, demon-possessed men holding her captive. The romance between Ashlyn and Maddox holds some very passionate moments as well as some tender ones as she works to tame both man and demon.
My only complaint would be the insta-love aspect. The whole novel takes place over about three days and I just felt that it all happened too quickly between them. I really can't imagine any woman instantly falling in love with the demon-possessed man who is keeping her locked up.
Summary - Despite this problem I had with the speed with which the romance happened between Ashlyn and Maddox, I still found it a really enjoyable novel and I will be starting the next book in the series straight away. I can't wait to read about how the other men live with their demons.
Other books in this series:
0.5. The Darkest Fire
1. The Darkest Night
2. The Darkest Kiss
3. The Darkest Pleasure
3.5. The Darkest Prison
4. The Darkest Whisper
5. The Darkest Passion
6. The Darkest Lie
7. The Darkest Secret
8. The Darkest Surrender
Other reviews of this book:
Bailey's Dark Fantasy Reviews / Dear Author / Feeling Fictional
Is it insta-attraction or insta-love? I can cope with the first developing into the second, but insta-love can get a bit old. Still, I really enjoy Showalter's writing and the premise sounds intriguing - definitely a must-read I think.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely insta-love - although there is a lot of attraction there too ;) I think you'd like this series Shelagh.
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