Catherine M. (Catherine1) reviewed The Darkest Passion (Lords of the Underworld, Bk 8) on + 60 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
When I first started reading this book I didn't think I'd like it very much. Every time I turned a page Olivia was crying again. I don't require my heroines to be emotionally dead, but come on, you're embarrassing me and I'm not even in the scene! I feared that she'd spend the whole book sobbing at the drop of a hat. That is definitely not the heroine for me. Luckily, Olivia bounces back pretty quickly. She's still a little bipolar at times, but for the most part she becomes well adjusted.
This book was a quick, light read. I know that they're supposed to be angsty and tortured with the demons and all, but that's not how this series comes across to me at all. They had some really funny parts in this book. I liked watching Aaron struggle with himself. He cracked me up when he'd cave to her pressure and compliment himself on what a great guy he was. I wouldn't have been surprised if his demon had slapped him on the back and congratulated him for taking one for the team (metaphorically of course).
Watching Olivia learn to be human was also entertaining. She had the right idea in making sure she experienced the most in life. If you're going down, you might as well make it worth it. The angel council seemed pretty harsh. I don't know whether humanity should be worried or not with these guys pulling the strings.
Legion, and Aaron's blindness toward her, got old really quick. What a selfish creature. I didn't enjoy so much page time devoted toward her and after her actions in the bathroom (trying to avoid spoilers) toward the end I wonder what part she's going to have in the future of the series. Also, Aaron's willingness to do that-thing-to-save-them-all (vague again!) was totally upsetting to my romance-reader heart. It was really depressing because I didn't see a way out of it. Even though he was upset about it, it still pissed me off that he even agreed. That's not the way it's supposed to happen! The author did choose the one route I didn't see him taking, so it all worked out. Sort of...
The events at the end kind of seemed to come out of nowhere. I thought Olivia's explanation for why she was able to help Aaron was pretty weak. You argued that? And it worked? Also, meeting that friend toward the end left the book with a somber note. You're happy for Olivia and Aaron, but you still can't help but feel bad.
It was a toss up between 3 stars and 4 stars for this book. I swung toward 4 because even though the end seemed really weird and out of place, I had a good time reading it and was entertained.
This book was a quick, light read. I know that they're supposed to be angsty and tortured with the demons and all, but that's not how this series comes across to me at all. They had some really funny parts in this book. I liked watching Aaron struggle with himself. He cracked me up when he'd cave to her pressure and compliment himself on what a great guy he was. I wouldn't have been surprised if his demon had slapped him on the back and congratulated him for taking one for the team (metaphorically of course).
Watching Olivia learn to be human was also entertaining. She had the right idea in making sure she experienced the most in life. If you're going down, you might as well make it worth it. The angel council seemed pretty harsh. I don't know whether humanity should be worried or not with these guys pulling the strings.
Legion, and Aaron's blindness toward her, got old really quick. What a selfish creature. I didn't enjoy so much page time devoted toward her and after her actions in the bathroom (trying to avoid spoilers) toward the end I wonder what part she's going to have in the future of the series. Also, Aaron's willingness to do that-thing-to-save-them-all (vague again!) was totally upsetting to my romance-reader heart. It was really depressing because I didn't see a way out of it. Even though he was upset about it, it still pissed me off that he even agreed. That's not the way it's supposed to happen! The author did choose the one route I didn't see him taking, so it all worked out. Sort of...
The events at the end kind of seemed to come out of nowhere. I thought Olivia's explanation for why she was able to help Aaron was pretty weak. You argued that? And it worked? Also, meeting that friend toward the end left the book with a somber note. You're happy for Olivia and Aaron, but you still can't help but feel bad.
It was a toss up between 3 stars and 4 stars for this book. I swung toward 4 because even though the end seemed really weird and out of place, I had a good time reading it and was entertained.
Stacy W. (whatstacy) -
Helpful Score: 3
Long book, at over 430 pages you might think that you would never get to the end. There are alot more stories going on besides Aeron and Olivia. I still find Showalter's characters fascinating and likable (the good guys anyway). But at times this book seemed to drag for me, occasionally the book was bogged down by the dialogue in Olivia or Aeron's head, and Legion's tantrums. And I was not really satisfied by the ending. Even though i was not 'head over heels' about this installment, by no means am i dropping this series. My issues with this particular book do not sway me from the series as a whole. I still love all the Lords of the Underworld and Olivia is a charming character. And I'm glad Legion got what was coming to her for trying to trap Aeron. We get some glimpses at some new characters and some old ones pop back up (Baden) and I can't wait to see what will happen next.
www.texasreader-stacy.blogspot.com
www.texasreader-stacy.blogspot.com
Helpful Score: 2
This was one of the best in the whole series for me. I was up past 3am last night finishing this book, I just could not stop reading. I've loved Aaron since way back when and was really excited to read his story. I loved Olivia, when she wasn't cracking me up (her visit with Gideon) I was feeling her sorrow (having fallen and lost everything she once held dear and at times thinking after all that Aaron would still reject her). The book was long and I was glad for it, I didn't want it to end. There was just enough strife balanced with hope.
*****SPOILERS********
That being said... I did NOT like the ending...how we were lead through so much strife, so many obstacles, so many impossible can't see your way out situations, just for Mrs. Gena to wrap it all up in 3 pages, tie it up with a neat pretty little bow and there you go. I was like "What! it was that easy?" The Angel Counsel would not relent when Lysander begged for Olivia to not have to kill Aaron in the first place and they were the ones who stripped her of her wings in the first place... and in 2 pages she just goes to them and begs and says I need him and they say ok.
I hated (still do) Legion. Someone compared her to Simi in the Dark Hunter books. I would totally disagree, that's an insult to Simi. Ok, so Showalter peaked my interest with the attraction between her and Galen... and I kind of like that he's on his way to Hell to find her, supposedly to kill her but we all know that he was so taken with her during their "time together" in the bathroom. So that might be interesting. But I hated her with Aaron, it was sick and disgusting the thought of him sleeping with her.
I hated that he's no longer paired with Wrath. I hated that he no longer has his tattoos and wings... I don't like that at all, to me he's not Aaron w/o those elements, ah gosh... those beautiful black wings are gone! sob...
Him having to leave Baden behind was heartbreaking. And it'll be forever before they find that damn box and are able to free him.
Gideon has also been one of my favorites ever since he was introduced, but I don't like it when the Hero is paired with someone he already knows, even if he's forgotten her. So I'm a little disappointed that Scarlet was once his wife. Also how long does it take to grow those hands back.
The Lord I most want to read about is Torin. Can't wait!!! I'm most worried about William... don't know where this thing w/ him and Gilly is going and I don't know if I want them to be together or not, it's a little creepy because she is so young and because of the abuse she suffered, but still he's connected to her and she him... then there's that prophecy... so I'm worried she might be his downfall. So anyway... even though I thought the ending was plucked outta nowhere I still loved this book. To me Aaron and Olivia had the best chemistry of them all.
*****SPOILERS********
That being said... I did NOT like the ending...how we were lead through so much strife, so many obstacles, so many impossible can't see your way out situations, just for Mrs. Gena to wrap it all up in 3 pages, tie it up with a neat pretty little bow and there you go. I was like "What! it was that easy?" The Angel Counsel would not relent when Lysander begged for Olivia to not have to kill Aaron in the first place and they were the ones who stripped her of her wings in the first place... and in 2 pages she just goes to them and begs and says I need him and they say ok.
I hated (still do) Legion. Someone compared her to Simi in the Dark Hunter books. I would totally disagree, that's an insult to Simi. Ok, so Showalter peaked my interest with the attraction between her and Galen... and I kind of like that he's on his way to Hell to find her, supposedly to kill her but we all know that he was so taken with her during their "time together" in the bathroom. So that might be interesting. But I hated her with Aaron, it was sick and disgusting the thought of him sleeping with her.
I hated that he's no longer paired with Wrath. I hated that he no longer has his tattoos and wings... I don't like that at all, to me he's not Aaron w/o those elements, ah gosh... those beautiful black wings are gone! sob...
Him having to leave Baden behind was heartbreaking. And it'll be forever before they find that damn box and are able to free him.
Gideon has also been one of my favorites ever since he was introduced, but I don't like it when the Hero is paired with someone he already knows, even if he's forgotten her. So I'm a little disappointed that Scarlet was once his wife. Also how long does it take to grow those hands back.
The Lord I most want to read about is Torin. Can't wait!!! I'm most worried about William... don't know where this thing w/ him and Gilly is going and I don't know if I want them to be together or not, it's a little creepy because she is so young and because of the abuse she suffered, but still he's connected to her and she him... then there's that prophecy... so I'm worried she might be his downfall. So anyway... even though I thought the ending was plucked outta nowhere I still loved this book. To me Aaron and Olivia had the best chemistry of them all.
Ashley (ashleyhoffenberg) -
Helpful Score: 1
** spoiler alert ** The 5th installment in the Lords of the Underworld Series was one hell of a ride!
Synopsis from Goodreads:
For weeks, the immortal warrior Aeron has sensed an invisible female presence. An angel--demon-assassin--has been sent to kill him. Or has she? Olivia claims she fell from the heavens, giving up immortality because she couldn't bear to harm him. But trusting--and falling for--Olivia will endanger them all. So how has this "mortal" with the huge blue eyes already unleashed Aeron's darkest passion?
Now, with an enemy hot on his trail and his faithful demon companion determined to remove Olivia from his life, Aeron is trapped between duty and consuming desire. Worse still, a new executioner has been sent to do the job Olivia wouldn't....
SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!
This was the most anticipated book of the series, for me. Aeron has always held the most interest for me. Very intriguing character. What crappy predicaments the characters found themselves throughout this entire book! It was one shitty scenario to the next. It definitely made you continue to read the book.
Aeron/Paris: Those two seriously make me tear up. Paris' decision to save Aeron instead of Sienna made my heart cry now that Aeron knows, he feels he owes everything to Paris. Paris feels he made the right decision, but Aeron sees that he is suffering greatly. Where is the justice?
Olivia/Aeron: Olivia was a great heroine! Being of angel status, she did not know how to deal with human emotions. After she falls, she is bombarded with an onslaught of them. Poor girl! She gets to deal with pleasure, pain, sacrifice, anger, distrust, temptation (ha!), and love in a matter of days! Her POV was so refreshing because she was so pure and new to personally experiencing humanity. That delicate angel showed serious courage in this book! I can't believe she went up against Galen. She is truly a joy-bringer and I was routing for her all the way through! It took her some time to slice through Aeron's thick facade but she did it! I loved her as the heroine, and I hope Aeron fills her life with tons of fun! *wink* Those penis jokes near the end had me rolling on the floor. They were so unexpected and out of character for Aeron, and I just LOVED that we got to finally see his playful side.
Lysander: I was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable with his severe interest in Olivia. I know he is responsible for her and all, but it became WAY creepy for me there, at the end.
Legion/Aeron: Does their relationship remind you of Acheron/Simi from Dark-Hunters? I mean, to a degree, Simi definitely never crossed over the line Legion has, but she would definitely kill a bitch in a nanasecond for Ash. LOL.
Is there Hope in Legion's future? (CRAZY!!)
Twistful ending: What a hell of a twist at the end, with Baden/Pandora, and Sienna/Wrath! Holy crapola! I do truly hate that Aeron was separated from Wrath, after centuries of torment and finally learning to live together. Sienna/Wrath is going to prove very interesting in coming books. I am absolutely scared for Paris in these upcoming books. HE IS GOING TO LOSE HIS MIND! We have so long to wait for his HEA. :(
Gideon/Scarlet: I can't wait for LIES AND NIGHTMARES! I could feel the heat dripping off of him when he was around her. But what is this wife stuff? >:O
Bring on more Lords! Woot!
Synopsis from Goodreads:
For weeks, the immortal warrior Aeron has sensed an invisible female presence. An angel--demon-assassin--has been sent to kill him. Or has she? Olivia claims she fell from the heavens, giving up immortality because she couldn't bear to harm him. But trusting--and falling for--Olivia will endanger them all. So how has this "mortal" with the huge blue eyes already unleashed Aeron's darkest passion?
Now, with an enemy hot on his trail and his faithful demon companion determined to remove Olivia from his life, Aeron is trapped between duty and consuming desire. Worse still, a new executioner has been sent to do the job Olivia wouldn't....
SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!
This was the most anticipated book of the series, for me. Aeron has always held the most interest for me. Very intriguing character. What crappy predicaments the characters found themselves throughout this entire book! It was one shitty scenario to the next. It definitely made you continue to read the book.
Aeron/Paris: Those two seriously make me tear up. Paris' decision to save Aeron instead of Sienna made my heart cry now that Aeron knows, he feels he owes everything to Paris. Paris feels he made the right decision, but Aeron sees that he is suffering greatly. Where is the justice?
Olivia/Aeron: Olivia was a great heroine! Being of angel status, she did not know how to deal with human emotions. After she falls, she is bombarded with an onslaught of them. Poor girl! She gets to deal with pleasure, pain, sacrifice, anger, distrust, temptation (ha!), and love in a matter of days! Her POV was so refreshing because she was so pure and new to personally experiencing humanity. That delicate angel showed serious courage in this book! I can't believe she went up against Galen. She is truly a joy-bringer and I was routing for her all the way through! It took her some time to slice through Aeron's thick facade but she did it! I loved her as the heroine, and I hope Aeron fills her life with tons of fun! *wink* Those penis jokes near the end had me rolling on the floor. They were so unexpected and out of character for Aeron, and I just LOVED that we got to finally see his playful side.
Lysander: I was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable with his severe interest in Olivia. I know he is responsible for her and all, but it became WAY creepy for me there, at the end.
Legion/Aeron: Does their relationship remind you of Acheron/Simi from Dark-Hunters? I mean, to a degree, Simi definitely never crossed over the line Legion has, but she would definitely kill a bitch in a nanasecond for Ash. LOL.
Is there Hope in Legion's future? (CRAZY!!)
Twistful ending: What a hell of a twist at the end, with Baden/Pandora, and Sienna/Wrath! Holy crapola! I do truly hate that Aeron was separated from Wrath, after centuries of torment and finally learning to live together. Sienna/Wrath is going to prove very interesting in coming books. I am absolutely scared for Paris in these upcoming books. HE IS GOING TO LOSE HIS MIND! We have so long to wait for his HEA. :(
Gideon/Scarlet: I can't wait for LIES AND NIGHTMARES! I could feel the heat dripping off of him when he was around her. But what is this wife stuff? >:O
Bring on more Lords! Woot!
