Books The Darkest Night (Lords of the Underworld, Book 1)
Books and Publications Average Rating:

Rating: - 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.

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Rating: - GREAT DARK SERIES THAT STANDS ALONE - DONT COMPARE IT TO ANYTHING ELSE!!!
Four and a half stars really!!

First let me address some of the kill-joy reviews here - I have not read J.R. Ward's books - which am sure are fabulous. That being said - comparing this book to others that are similar in style - is doing this series a tremendous disservice to the readers reading reviews on this book and others to come. As an example - how many times has the subject of "blood-mate - soul mate - mate" made popular by Feehan been expounded on - yet there are some authors that have successfully injected this similar theme and created a great paranormal series/story? I don't have to name all the series - I am sure you will know what I am talking about.

I applaud Ms. Showalter for her originality and bravado for creating this series. Paranormal stories/series are getting harder to write, invent and deliver - since a lot of authors are now delving into the romance/paranormal world and fresh ideas are getting scarce. Hence fans are getting more critical over the stories.

A lot of reviewers have done an excellent job at giving the synopsis and complexity of the storyline - so I will skip that part.

I really enjoyed this book - it was a "dark" paranormal and Showalter has created a plausible, mysterious and haunting setting with Lord of the Underworld series. What a remarkable and fabulous job she's done at depicting immortal warriors that have been condemned by the Greek gods of mythology to exist with the demons that were released from Pandora's box. Each warrior is forced to house within themselves the demons of Death, Doubt, Disease, Violence, Disaster, Pain, Wrath, Promiscuity, Misery, etc. Residing in a remote castle in Budapest, each stoically fight their inner demons for centuries as well as desperately trying to keep these miseries from the human population.

Maddox and Ashlyn make a wonderful pair. After centuries of loneliness and Violence plus having a second curse to add to -diying every night at midnight - its small wonder that Maddox falls in love with Ashlyn - her pureness, staunch belief in him and her kindness is his undoing! How cant he help falling in love with a human girl that shows her bravado at trying to "protect" him from his friends because she cares about jhim! Both characters were wonderful together - creating hot chemistry! The story was well told I was intrigued wanting to read and find out how Ashlyn would break Maddox from his curse midnight curse!

I can't wait to read about Torin - Keeper of Disease - and who is going to be brave enough to touch him! Or Kane - where Disaster follows his wake!!! Oh, lets not forget sexy Paris - with his Promiscuity problem!!

I for one am glad at any unanswered questions - as one reviewer quite eloquently puts it - that's what sequels are for!

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Rating: - My favorite of the three.....so far :)
This was my first Lord of the Underworld book and my favorite so far. Gena Showalter created a compelling world and a riveting character in Maddox, the host of the demon Violence. The book takes off running right from the start and doesn't stop and it's filled with, well, violence.

Maddox and Ashlyn are my favorite in the series and the sacrifice that Ashlyn makes for him is just, wow. She was willing to give him everything just so he could have an easier existence and that his friends could leave the house and travel.

A lot of people say Lords of the Underworld is a rip off of such and such but I don't think so. No book is completely original nor do I think it too much a leap of faith to imagine a group of men with preternatural powers living together without being classed a BDB ripoff.

*If your still not convinced on whether or not to pick this series up Gena Showalter has a website with several chapters to read from on each book. It's a great way to see if you will like them.*

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Rating: - Fun Fantasy
Anytime an author can create a new family of characters and make you care about them in the first chapter you know you have a fun read ahead. This book qualifies and makes you want to read the rest of the series as soon as you turn the last page!