Whitney C. (CollegeKid0010) -
Helpful Score: 3
I have to be straight-up honest. This book was hard to read. From the very start I knew it was going to be a lot different than the other novels simply because of Gideons wicked sense of humor and never-ending sarcasm. And I was okay with that, until the sarcasm became cheesy and redundant about two pages in. The only two things that snagged me and kept me trudging through were (1) Scarlets background and (2) Gideons blue hair. Gotta love a modern/mythological man who walks around with electric blue hair!
Further into the story, either I got used to the cheesiness or it ended, Im not sure which, but the majority of the book flowed without many problems. I did find several typos, unusual mistakes for Showalters books.
I felt like the story itself didnt have a lot of structure, it was just kind of one event after another with the usual mix of the other Lords coming and going, though to a lesser extent than in previous books. I did love that there were surprisesno, Im not telling!because when I first started reading, I thought I knew pretty much what was going on. But its a complete turn around in the middle of the story. I can appreciate Scarlets fears and insecurities that develop afterward, but how those came to dictate her got annoying. I was so relieved when Gideon was finally like, Okay, tough love time because it forced her back into the confident, kick-ass woman she is. The irony of almost everything Gideon said wasnt lost on me thoughI think I laughed more times reading this book than any other.
Now, as noted in my review of The Darkest Pleasure, I reserved judgment on Aeron until I could see how it ended with Legion. I admire that he ventured back into Hell, sans Wrath, to rescue her. I found it utterly stupid that only Amun and William accompanied him. I mean, I realize that not all of the warriors could have gone, but going into the most dangerous place known to humanity with three warriors just seemed lacking in common sense to me. But, the act of it puts Aeron in the decent guy category.
Oddly enough, Ive kind of started to like Cronus, though Im sure thats a mistake. Even when hes being self-serving, he has more depth of emotion in Lie than in any of the others. Consequently, my favorite scene in the whole book was when he sat down next to Gideon with a bowl of popcorn and goes, This is what humans enjoy during spectator events, is it not? NO! Or maybe my favorite scene was when Gideon discovered that his demon is oh, sorry. Spoiler.
I wasnt much on the end battle though Even in Mnemosyne deserved it.
Anyho, Im looking forward to Amuns book, which is supposed to be next. According to my Which Lord of the Underworld do You Belong With quiz, hes my man. Stay tuned, fans!
www.whitneycarter.wordpress.com
Further into the story, either I got used to the cheesiness or it ended, Im not sure which, but the majority of the book flowed without many problems. I did find several typos, unusual mistakes for Showalters books.
I felt like the story itself didnt have a lot of structure, it was just kind of one event after another with the usual mix of the other Lords coming and going, though to a lesser extent than in previous books. I did love that there were surprisesno, Im not telling!because when I first started reading, I thought I knew pretty much what was going on. But its a complete turn around in the middle of the story. I can appreciate Scarlets fears and insecurities that develop afterward, but how those came to dictate her got annoying. I was so relieved when Gideon was finally like, Okay, tough love time because it forced her back into the confident, kick-ass woman she is. The irony of almost everything Gideon said wasnt lost on me thoughI think I laughed more times reading this book than any other.
Now, as noted in my review of The Darkest Pleasure, I reserved judgment on Aeron until I could see how it ended with Legion. I admire that he ventured back into Hell, sans Wrath, to rescue her. I found it utterly stupid that only Amun and William accompanied him. I mean, I realize that not all of the warriors could have gone, but going into the most dangerous place known to humanity with three warriors just seemed lacking in common sense to me. But, the act of it puts Aeron in the decent guy category.
Oddly enough, Ive kind of started to like Cronus, though Im sure thats a mistake. Even when hes being self-serving, he has more depth of emotion in Lie than in any of the others. Consequently, my favorite scene in the whole book was when he sat down next to Gideon with a bowl of popcorn and goes, This is what humans enjoy during spectator events, is it not? NO! Or maybe my favorite scene was when Gideon discovered that his demon is oh, sorry. Spoiler.
I wasnt much on the end battle though Even in Mnemosyne deserved it.
Anyho, Im looking forward to Amuns book, which is supposed to be next. According to my Which Lord of the Underworld do You Belong With quiz, hes my man. Stay tuned, fans!
www.whitneycarter.wordpress.com
Helpful Score: 2
The series is losing steam for me. Gideon and Scarlet were OK, side story about Aeron/William/Amun adventures OK, Strider/Haidee - zzzzzz. Nothing really stood out for me, not enough time with past favorites. I didn't like Anya that much in her book but she's the only female character who is remotely memorable in any of these stories. Every book needs more Anya.
In terms of the main couple, Gideon and Scarlet, they had an OK story. Trying to find their way together with their painful history was interesting. The plot twist toward the end almost seemed unnecessary to me. I was irritated with Showalter because early in the book there was a scene that suggested Scarlet is Cronus' daughter after all. I kept waiting for that to be resolved - just a red herring.
I've had Darkest Lie on my bookshelf for a few months now. I just couldn't pick it up. I was tired of the series and the feeling that nothing ever really happens. I really liked Aeron/Wrath (Olivia - meh) and the ending of that book ruined the entire thing for me. I thought it kind of detracted from who Aeron is at the end - you take away "half" of him and expect him to be the same?
There isn't enough progress in the overall mythology and the stories about the Lords aren't as fun anymore. I didn't really care much about Gideon, Strider, and the rest of the B-team lords, why do they keep getting their own books but we never hear about Paris or Torin? I think I'm done with the series for now. I do like William and might take up the series again if/when he gets his own book.
Darkest Lie wasn't a bad book, but I just think the series is running out of gas.
3 stars.
In terms of the main couple, Gideon and Scarlet, they had an OK story. Trying to find their way together with their painful history was interesting. The plot twist toward the end almost seemed unnecessary to me. I was irritated with Showalter because early in the book there was a scene that suggested Scarlet is Cronus' daughter after all. I kept waiting for that to be resolved - just a red herring.
I've had Darkest Lie on my bookshelf for a few months now. I just couldn't pick it up. I was tired of the series and the feeling that nothing ever really happens. I really liked Aeron/Wrath (Olivia - meh) and the ending of that book ruined the entire thing for me. I thought it kind of detracted from who Aeron is at the end - you take away "half" of him and expect him to be the same?
There isn't enough progress in the overall mythology and the stories about the Lords aren't as fun anymore. I didn't really care much about Gideon, Strider, and the rest of the B-team lords, why do they keep getting their own books but we never hear about Paris or Torin? I think I'm done with the series for now. I do like William and might take up the series again if/when he gets his own book.
Darkest Lie wasn't a bad book, but I just think the series is running out of gas.
3 stars.
Ashley (ashleyhoffenberg) -
Helpful Score: 1
In the 6th installment of the series, Gideon, Keeper of Lies, is confronting Scarlet, Keeper of Nightmares. He wants answers, because at the end of Aeron's book, The Darkest Passion, Scarlet dropped a major bomb on Gideon: She's his wife!
Say what?
Gideon doesn't understand why he can't remember her, although he's had some sort of odd memory about her because they share a special tattoo. She is utterly pissed off that he left her in Tarturus and never returned. However, she can't deny her lust for him, and he certainly can't deny his yearning for her.
Gideon Speak takes getting used to, but it makes Gideon ever so likable. You see, he can't utter a single truth. If he does, his demon gifts him with immense physical pain. So Gideon has to always say the opposite of what he means. "I hate you", never "I love you"; "I want to kiss you" instead of "I want to kill you." "Devil", never "Angel." Can you imagine the frustration this poor man must feel? Thankfully, Scarlet understands his distorted messages, but they definitely do not start out their reunion on a happy note.
Scarlet is a fierce and feisty female who doesn't trust a damn soul. And you don't blame her once you learn about her past and the people who have completely betrayed and deceived her and treated her like dog poo. All due to a little thing called jealousy. [Who the hell holds that demon?] However, she pretty much beats down Gideon to an emotional pulp throughout the book, and you wonder how much more the poor man can take! Even though she's had it as rough as one can have it, I still feel Gideon is too damn good for her! She is definitely not a favorite of the LOTU females.
The Titan Rulers, Cronus and Rhea, have large roles in this book, as they are continually at each other's throat. Cronus aids the Lords, and Rhea aids the Hunters - the human fighters out to destroy the Lords. Gideon and Scarlet find themselves smack in the middle of the B.S. that Cronus and Rhea are constantly dishing out. The Goddess of Memory also plays a big role, and throughout the book you are wondering whose memory was really tampered with...
I thoroughly enjoyed the side stories of Strider, Amun, and William. William has quickly become one of my favorite in the LOTU universe and I so look forward to his story in the future. I don't have much draw to Amun, the Keeper of Secrets, but I am feeling serious pain for him and hope his book is all roses and puppies, and not more fire and brimstone! Strider definitely stood out for me during his parts and I am much intrigued by the Keeper of Defeat.
Conclusion: 3 / 5 stars. I did like the book but it did not speak to me like some of the others. I warmed up to the couple in the end when Scarlet finally showed true compassion and love without jerking Gideon back and forth. I also routed for their demon's reunion!
Say what?
Gideon doesn't understand why he can't remember her, although he's had some sort of odd memory about her because they share a special tattoo. She is utterly pissed off that he left her in Tarturus and never returned. However, she can't deny her lust for him, and he certainly can't deny his yearning for her.
Gideon Speak takes getting used to, but it makes Gideon ever so likable. You see, he can't utter a single truth. If he does, his demon gifts him with immense physical pain. So Gideon has to always say the opposite of what he means. "I hate you", never "I love you"; "I want to kiss you" instead of "I want to kill you." "Devil", never "Angel." Can you imagine the frustration this poor man must feel? Thankfully, Scarlet understands his distorted messages, but they definitely do not start out their reunion on a happy note.
Scarlet is a fierce and feisty female who doesn't trust a damn soul. And you don't blame her once you learn about her past and the people who have completely betrayed and deceived her and treated her like dog poo. All due to a little thing called jealousy. [Who the hell holds that demon?] However, she pretty much beats down Gideon to an emotional pulp throughout the book, and you wonder how much more the poor man can take! Even though she's had it as rough as one can have it, I still feel Gideon is too damn good for her! She is definitely not a favorite of the LOTU females.
The Titan Rulers, Cronus and Rhea, have large roles in this book, as they are continually at each other's throat. Cronus aids the Lords, and Rhea aids the Hunters - the human fighters out to destroy the Lords. Gideon and Scarlet find themselves smack in the middle of the B.S. that Cronus and Rhea are constantly dishing out. The Goddess of Memory also plays a big role, and throughout the book you are wondering whose memory was really tampered with...
I thoroughly enjoyed the side stories of Strider, Amun, and William. William has quickly become one of my favorite in the LOTU universe and I so look forward to his story in the future. I don't have much draw to Amun, the Keeper of Secrets, but I am feeling serious pain for him and hope his book is all roses and puppies, and not more fire and brimstone! Strider definitely stood out for me during his parts and I am much intrigued by the Keeper of Defeat.
Conclusion: 3 / 5 stars. I did like the book but it did not speak to me like some of the others. I warmed up to the couple in the end when Scarlet finally showed true compassion and love without jerking Gideon back and forth. I also routed for their demon's reunion!
Donna B. (mizbucky) reviewed The Darkest Lie (Lords of the Underworld, Bk 9) on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Another great installment in the Lords of the Underworld saga! While I can't say this one was my favorite of the series it was still very good. Showalter weaves such a wonderful tale, you can't help but become engrossed in their world. In The Darkest Lie we learn about Gideon's story & how he comes to find his love, Scarlet. We also get 'updates' on what's going on with the other characters...which I love. You won't be disappointed. Like the other reviewer I couldn't wait for the book so I bought it...I also am passing it along now for someone else to enjoy.
donna
donna
Christine (imaginethat) -
Helpful Score: 1
Continuing great series, each book has something new and exciting to look forward to. GS my new fav author.
