Danielle G. (iqb2001) reviewed The Darkest Surrender (Lords of the Underworld, Bk 8) on + 87 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
I.LOVED.THIS.BOOK! Gena has gone and done it again. I totally loved this book to pieces. This one is definitely going down as one of my favorites in the Lords of the Underworld series.
I honestly wasn't sure how I would feel towards Strider. In previous books he came across as egotistical and a little douchey. I honestly wasn't really looking forward to him as a hero. He more than made up for all of that in my eyes with this book. He turned out to be so caring and affectionate towards Kaia. He put her needs before his own, even though it could possibly cause him pain. He was everything I love my heroes to be.
Then there is Kaia. Sometimes it's hard for me to warm up to some heroines. I don't always find them to be the perfect match for the hero or they just come across whiny. That was not the case with Kaia at all. She is just made of awesome. She quickly won me over with her spunkiness and quick wit. But not only is she those things, but she is also very vulnerable. She puts up this facade of not caring what anyone thinks of her but it's definitely not true. She is tired of being called 'Kaia, the Disappointment' and is willing to do whatever she can to prove that she has changed.
Kaia just wants to find love and to be loved in return. She recognizes Strider as her consort, which to Harpy's is equivalent to a soul mate and the only person besides fellow Harpy's that they can truly trust with their secrets. She just wants to be with Strider but she has a past with Paris that Strider is having issues getting past. Strider is attracted to Kaia but he knows that Kaia will continuously challenge him and his demon and he doesn't want to take a chance of her defeating him at anything.
I really enjoyed watching these two together. They were both just so right together. They both are fierce warriors who have a great sense of humor. I found myself laughing out loud a few times watching these two interact. They are just so stubborn and I loved it.
Another thing I loved about the Darkest Surrender is that we get to see a little bit of what's in store for the next book which happens to be the long awaited Paris book. I cannot wait to see what happens with his book. I am also curious to see what is going to happen with Kane and William.
I.LOVED.THIS.BOOK! Gena has gone and done it again. I totally loved this book to pieces. This one is definitely going down as one of my favorites in the Lords of the Underworld series.
I honestly wasn't sure how I would feel towards Strider. In previous books he came across as egotistical and a little douchey. I honestly wasn't really looking forward to him as a hero. He more than made up for all of that in my eyes with this book. He turned out to be so caring and affectionate towards Kaia. He put her needs before his own, even though it could possibly cause him pain. He was everything I love my heroes to be.
Then there is Kaia. Sometimes it's hard for me to warm up to some heroines. I don't always find them to be the perfect match for the hero or they just come across whiny. That was not the case with Kaia at all. She is just made of awesome. She quickly won me over with her spunkiness and quick wit. But not only is she those things, but she is also very vulnerable. She puts up this facade of not caring what anyone thinks of her but it's definitely not true. She is tired of being called 'Kaia, the Disappointment' and is willing to do whatever she can to prove that she has changed.
Kaia just wants to find love and to be loved in return. She recognizes Strider as her consort, which to Harpy's is equivalent to a soul mate and the only person besides fellow Harpy's that they can truly trust with their secrets. She just wants to be with Strider but she has a past with Paris that Strider is having issues getting past. Strider is attracted to Kaia but he knows that Kaia will continuously challenge him and his demon and he doesn't want to take a chance of her defeating him at anything.
I really enjoyed watching these two together. They were both just so right together. They both are fierce warriors who have a great sense of humor. I found myself laughing out loud a few times watching these two interact. They are just so stubborn and I loved it.
Another thing I loved about the Darkest Surrender is that we get to see a little bit of what's in store for the next book which happens to be the long awaited Paris book. I cannot wait to see what happens with his book. I am also curious to see what is going to happen with Kane and William.
Diane S. (DJStevens) reviewed The Darkest Surrender (Lords of the Underworld, Bk 8) on + 60 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Thoroughly LOVED it! Fun, fun, fun book...plus really hot. I mostly loved Kaia's (Harpy) attitude i.e., "that's because I'm pretty much sprinkled with awesome" she humbly states :D the fun banter between them is great. Also, really enjoyed how Strider fights his feelings for her, but she totally charms him .. again, really fun book. Paris's story is next YEAIIII!!!
Rachel A. (ra7) reviewed The Darkest Surrender (Lords of the Underworld, Bk 8) on + 1010 more book reviews
An enjoyable entry in the Lords of the Underworld series. I liked Kaia's spunk and humor. This was fun and had some laugh-out-loud moments. I was on the fence about Paris's story, but I changed my mind after reading his snippets in this one.
Cheri Z. (StormieLady) reviewed The Darkest Surrender (Lords of the Underworld, Bk 8) on + 5 more book reviews
Another excellent book by Ms Showalter!
Excellent and rather different addition to the LOTU series. So different, in fact, that one almost wonders if it was actually ghost-written by Kresley Cole (author of the Immortals After Dark series). Suddenly the characters have a sense of humor? Suddenly they're wearing t-shirts with funny sayings? Now there's the great Harpie competition? Umm borrowing from your friend much, Gena? I haven't been enjoying the LOTU books that much lately and actually thought to quit reading, but if Showalter is going to turn this series into an IAD knockoff, well more power to her. Can't get enough of Kresley Cole.
Stider was funnier and sexier than he ever was in the other books, Kaia was entertaining and strong, the Harpies a great group altogether. Some good side story with both Kane (star of book 13) and William.
Stider was funnier and sexier than he ever was in the other books, Kaia was entertaining and strong, the Harpies a great group altogether. Some good side story with both Kane (star of book 13) and William.
Great read I I just love this series.
I love the Harpies. Seriously if Showalter decide to drop the whole Lords of the Underworld plot and just wrote about the harpies, I would be happy. Not that I'm not happy now with the Lords of the Underworld.
That being said, the book was made of awesome. So much fun and needless violence. Loved it. Strider turned out to be a sweetheart and all the dialogue was so endearing. And what a great sense of humor!!!!
A must read.
That being said, the book was made of awesome. So much fun and needless violence. Loved it. Strider turned out to be a sweetheart and all the dialogue was so endearing. And what a great sense of humor!!!!
A must read.
What is there not to love about Strider. His inner monologue is hilarious at times. Not to mention his constant ego checks or lack there of sometimes. He's thinks very highly of himself but for good reason. In the previous book I wasn't all that thrilled about him but now that we get to dive into his character he changed my mind.
He is competitive (afterall his demon is defeat), full of himself, and possessive. However he is sarcastic, funny, protective, and caring. He cares about Kaia and all of his friends. So much so that he oftens takes their personal problems as challenges for himself. Especially with Kaia who is just as bad as he is at times. Plus he is hot. Who doesn't love reading about a hot alpha male character. I know I do :-)
She keeps him on his toes. She's just as possessive, competitive, and full of her self as he is. But she protects her family at all cost. She is incredibly strong willed and even better at fighting than Strider. So she is a good match for him
He is competitive (afterall his demon is defeat), full of himself, and possessive. However he is sarcastic, funny, protective, and caring. He cares about Kaia and all of his friends. So much so that he oftens takes their personal problems as challenges for himself. Especially with Kaia who is just as bad as he is at times. Plus he is hot. Who doesn't love reading about a hot alpha male character. I know I do :-)
She keeps him on his toes. She's just as possessive, competitive, and full of her self as he is. But she protects her family at all cost. She is incredibly strong willed and even better at fighting than Strider. So she is a good match for him
Lenna W. (bratz54) -
Happy to see Strider & Kaia finally together, these two are so much alike it was sad seeing Strider to think nothing of his or her feelings, while Kaia would throw herself at him and his feelings. Think the gladiators were bloodthirsty wait until til you read this book and the Harpy Games that takes place, those women are bloodbathing. Kaia and her sisters are to be pitted up again the clans of Harpys including their 'lovely' mother, to win the missing piece of the artifacts the Paring Rod, but to win this Kaia has to face up to the hatred that she dealt with since she was 14 and what she partake in to cause all the hatred. We get to see what Paris has found out to find his woman, Kane is in hell so as William, but Kane was told by the Fates that he is to start the big boom 'actually the big 'A". Something big is staring to brew.
Stephanie G. (thestephanieloves) reviewed The Darkest Surrender (Lords of the Underworld, Bk 8) on + 241 more book reviews
Strider just has to win. Whatever the competitionwhether it be a friendly bet or a battle that sheds livesDefeat, the demon he is plagued with, forces him to win, no matter the cost. Everything is a dangerous, vengeful, radiant, and sometimes even erotic game to Strider, which is why, naturally, he is enticed by the idea of the Harpy Games. As he gets to know Kaia and involved in the challenge she sets forth, his screwed-up personal demons will make winning harder than ever before, and they just may lead him to falling for an equally screwed-up girl. After all, she is a Harpy aka a descendant of Lucifer aka the master of all things demonicno biggie. Yeah. He's got it bad.
The Darkest Surrender is testament to the fact that Gena Showalter is one of the leading ladies of paranormal fiction. EVERYTHING about this book is so well donethe plot, characters, romance, tone, transitional flowall of it.
The gradual love is at once tender and entertaining; to me, it was the perfect romance because it's realistic, well interlaced with the actual story, and of course, sizzling hot. The way Strider and Kaia clash is so funny because it couldn't be more obvious how similar they are, and thus in his opinion, all the more wrong for each other. As for the relationship, it is deliciously, wonderfully bad. The thick sexual tension, amusing banter, and explosive chemistry and feuding portray their attraction flawlessly, which impressed me greatly. The fact that this book isn't just a romance definitely earns it brownie points.
Kaia's unabashed (and publicly declared) crush on Strider demonstrates the kind of girl she is: an unstoppable force, a fiery temper, passion incarnate. Strider, who's way more reserved and tormentedswoon!wants to deny his lethal attraction for Kaia but can't seem to control himself around herand that isn't his demon talking. His desire to dominate the one girl no one else can control, the one girl who scratches everyone else, but treats him to the tenderest of caresses, is both his sickness and cure. The way he slowly discovers how much he really needs her, and not just sexually, is heart-melting and exactly the kind of love us romance readers live to read about.
I love how Lords of the Underworld takes place in a world of various species; typically, paranormal romance series involve one type of being (vampires, zombies, etc.), but nope, here, we have Harpies, demons, Fae, Phoenixes, gods, and other creatures of Greek mythology, so in and of itself, this series is the motherlode of the supernatural. So fascinating and creativeprops to Gena Showalter for developing such an elaborate, magical, livable world. How I'd love to just climb into one of her books and be one of the characters.
Not having read previous installments in the series, I was a bit confused by the Realm of Blood and Shadows and the worlds in which the book takes place, but the plot and characters are so original and intricate, that I feel The Darkest Surrender works fine as a standalone novel. That being said, the perfectly entwined storylines of the various other LordsPromiscuity, Doubt, and Disaster, to name a fewleave room and anticipation for the next books; I'm definitely eager to keep with with and try the series from the beginning now.
I'll end on a note praising the snarky and hilarious tone, which is applicable for pretty much of Gena Showalter's novels. Her style is genius, in both the way she personalizes her characters, and the witty one-liners that deserve gold medals. Even if you don't like the story, you will fall in love with the way Showalter writes, which is why you should at least give this series a chance.
Pros: Amazing characters // Humorous, with plenty of wit and sass to go around // Complex, prolonged plot that completely absorbed me // Secondary characters' stories are just as intriguing, making me want to read the previous and next books in the series // Can be read as a standalone, although having a grasp of what the series is about may be helpful in understanding setting
Cons: Some scenes are unnecessarily drawn out // The constantly shifting stories get a little confusing at times
Verdict: This is the kind of book that will make you become obsessed with paranormal romance. From the entirely consuming fictional world constructed, to the lovable, flawed, and vibrant characters, to the unconventional romance with a sigh-worthy "ever after," The Darkest Surrender is a book will preoccupy you in the most frustrating and fulfilling way. Definitely give these sexy and tragically dark Lords of the Underworld a try; Gena Showalter does not disappoint!
Rating: 8 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): An engaging read; highly recommended.
Source: Complimentary copy provided by Romance Novel News in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Carolyn!).
The Darkest Surrender is testament to the fact that Gena Showalter is one of the leading ladies of paranormal fiction. EVERYTHING about this book is so well donethe plot, characters, romance, tone, transitional flowall of it.
The gradual love is at once tender and entertaining; to me, it was the perfect romance because it's realistic, well interlaced with the actual story, and of course, sizzling hot. The way Strider and Kaia clash is so funny because it couldn't be more obvious how similar they are, and thus in his opinion, all the more wrong for each other. As for the relationship, it is deliciously, wonderfully bad. The thick sexual tension, amusing banter, and explosive chemistry and feuding portray their attraction flawlessly, which impressed me greatly. The fact that this book isn't just a romance definitely earns it brownie points.
Kaia's unabashed (and publicly declared) crush on Strider demonstrates the kind of girl she is: an unstoppable force, a fiery temper, passion incarnate. Strider, who's way more reserved and tormentedswoon!wants to deny his lethal attraction for Kaia but can't seem to control himself around herand that isn't his demon talking. His desire to dominate the one girl no one else can control, the one girl who scratches everyone else, but treats him to the tenderest of caresses, is both his sickness and cure. The way he slowly discovers how much he really needs her, and not just sexually, is heart-melting and exactly the kind of love us romance readers live to read about.
I love how Lords of the Underworld takes place in a world of various species; typically, paranormal romance series involve one type of being (vampires, zombies, etc.), but nope, here, we have Harpies, demons, Fae, Phoenixes, gods, and other creatures of Greek mythology, so in and of itself, this series is the motherlode of the supernatural. So fascinating and creativeprops to Gena Showalter for developing such an elaborate, magical, livable world. How I'd love to just climb into one of her books and be one of the characters.
Not having read previous installments in the series, I was a bit confused by the Realm of Blood and Shadows and the worlds in which the book takes place, but the plot and characters are so original and intricate, that I feel The Darkest Surrender works fine as a standalone novel. That being said, the perfectly entwined storylines of the various other LordsPromiscuity, Doubt, and Disaster, to name a fewleave room and anticipation for the next books; I'm definitely eager to keep with with and try the series from the beginning now.
I'll end on a note praising the snarky and hilarious tone, which is applicable for pretty much of Gena Showalter's novels. Her style is genius, in both the way she personalizes her characters, and the witty one-liners that deserve gold medals. Even if you don't like the story, you will fall in love with the way Showalter writes, which is why you should at least give this series a chance.
Pros: Amazing characters // Humorous, with plenty of wit and sass to go around // Complex, prolonged plot that completely absorbed me // Secondary characters' stories are just as intriguing, making me want to read the previous and next books in the series // Can be read as a standalone, although having a grasp of what the series is about may be helpful in understanding setting
Cons: Some scenes are unnecessarily drawn out // The constantly shifting stories get a little confusing at times
Verdict: This is the kind of book that will make you become obsessed with paranormal romance. From the entirely consuming fictional world constructed, to the lovable, flawed, and vibrant characters, to the unconventional romance with a sigh-worthy "ever after," The Darkest Surrender is a book will preoccupy you in the most frustrating and fulfilling way. Definitely give these sexy and tragically dark Lords of the Underworld a try; Gena Showalter does not disappoint!
Rating: 8 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): An engaging read; highly recommended.
Source: Complimentary copy provided by Romance Novel News in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Carolyn!).
Sheri B. (bradybunch) -
I have stuck with this series because I really like the paranormal sexy brooding man-thing. Oh and the stories are pretty darn good. I don't think this one held me as some of the earlier ones did. I agree the main characters are strong and we knew them from before (Strider and Kaia) but the diaglog from Kaia really started to grate after awhile. She may be a bada** but her humor became not so funny. Also, the violence got kinda old too. Beat completely to a pulp and then everything is ok. I know they are supernatural beings but, still. What I did like was the underlying stories of Kane and Paris. This set up nice lead-ins to the next two installments. Many previous characters had lots of air time here. The end of the book was the best. Kaia stopped trying so hard and her rapport with Strider became more believable. I actually started liking her. Looking forward to Kane's story.
Heather D. (daylily77) reviewed The Darkest Surrender (Lords of the Underworld, Bk 8) on + 236 more book reviews
Gena Showalter is amazing!
