Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The Darkest Pleasure


Title: The Darkest Pleasure (Lords of the Underworld, Book 3)
Author: Gena Showalter
Genre: PNR

"Why can´t I be normal?"
p.198









Because of reasons I can´t quite explain, I haven´t read the Lords of the Underworld Series until a while ago, even though I´ve heard a lot about Gena Showalter´s books. After I´ve read an interview and review here, I´ve decided it´s about time to change this.

I´m glad I did.

Reyes, possed by the demon of pain, doesn´t know pleasure without pain. Yet one day, Danika steps into his live and changes everything. For her, he´s willing to take on everything, even the gods.

We´ve met Danika in the first book, where she, her sister, grandmother and mother have been kidnapped by the Lords, partly to keep them safe but also to figure out what to do with them, since Aeron, the Keeper of Warth has been ordered by the gods to kill them all. Ever since meeting her then, Reyes hasn´t been able to forget Danika.

*I try to avoid any spoilers for all of you who haven´t read the book yet.*

Now, Danika has been sent to the Lords by the Hunters to act as bait. Even though Reyes knows this, he still can´t change how he feels for her. Both however struggle with admitting the truth about their feelings. Reyes because he´s afraid of hurting Danika through his uncontrollable need to inflict pain. Dannika because she knows who Reyes is and thinks she should hate the man who has once kidnapped her and those dearest to her.

Their story is very compelling and passionate and you can feel with both of them as they try to figure out whether to listen to their heart or the voice of reason and battle each with his/her very own demon. The depiction of the characters´ thoughts and feeling makes you think they are actually real.
At first, I was a little concerned about how the author would deal with the "no pleasure without pain" situation, but while some of the scenes (of which one takes place in a bathroom) are mildly disturbing, they are still in line with the caracter and neverunnecessarily crass or even disgusting. Quite the contrary, Gena Showalter manages to add a very sensual note to the whole play of pain and passion (at least as far as I´m concerned.)
Aeron plays an essential part in this story and he´s shown at his worst, completly overcome by his demon, moody and enraged. I guess you could see this part of the story as a kind of prologue to his book. Even though he is only a secondary character (at least in this book), the desperation and hopelessnes ofhis situation really touched me just as much as the love story between Danika and Reyes. It was also one of the most endearing traits of Reye´s character to see how much he cares about his friend Aeron, how he really suffers with him and blames himself.
I also like the smaller yet still importent side story featuring Paris, which is kind of heartbreaking and makes me hope for the book where he´ll find the right woman.
Besides all that, the war with the Hunters also reaches a new dimension, as one of the major players is revealed.

All in all, The Darkest Pleasure a very intense book with dark and compelling characters and intersting sidestorys that make you want to read the next book as soon as possible.
In the end, the story of Reyes and Danika is completed while other storylines are to be continued in the following book.

My rating: 4.5 of 5


The next book in the Series called The Darkest Whisper.


You can read an excerpt here.

For other books of Gena Showalter and more free excertps, please visit her homepage and her blog.

32 comments:

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

Sounds tempting!

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Beverly said...

Sounds great! I just finished Magic Bleeds! Loved it! Enjoy! Stop by The Wormhole and see what I have been reading!

Anonymous said...

This idea would be perfectly done with camping, it allows a camper
to acquire the utmost relaxation which is the basic objective of the activity.
I also learned that fresh air does not cause any sort of adverse reaction in my children.
Where else can you get nature at its best, other than
Garden city, Bangalore.

Also visit my blog post Straightforward Products For camping Uncovered

Anonymous said...

It does appear, however, that hypnosis can help a person achieve his or her weight loss goals.
Cucumber contains sterols which can help to lower cholesterol and prevent carbohydrates from converting to
body fat. When you're about to start on your weight loss plan, it's a good idea to think about your end
goal and chunk it down into smaller goals.

my page visit the following site

Anonymous said...

With internet radio, you get pretty much what you
want, when you want. If you are already experienced in internet radio hosting,
the Blog - Talk - Radio Premium might be a hosting program you might want to pay
for. Many think that having thoughts of supposed happiness that will never
come is futile and that they are only giving false hopes to those who
need them the most.

my website :: www.online-radioportal.de

Anonymous said...

What is the most important portion is the sincere words that you
put together in the poems that will catch the attention of the one you loved as this
is what you truly want from the romantic poems that you have created for him.
Love poems intensify the feeling of love in the minds of lovers.
Poems can be categorized as; Children's Poems, Love poems, Friendship poems etc.

Anonymous said...

This involves setting a line of hundreds, or
even thousands, of baited hooks near the surface of
the ocean to catch bluefin tuna. The different characteristics that you need to consider
are breaking strength, diameter, durability, abrasion
resistance, flexibility, stretch, knot strength and importantly visibility.
On the reel put on line of about 4lbs breaking strain and hooks of size 14 or 16 are suitable.


my site; Directions On How To Build A Bait Box

Anonymous said...

As the medium is not limited to any particular geographical or demographic region,
advertising on internet radio would give the business an international audience base.
The table top radio connects to the internet using Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable, and searches for stations by country, genre or
call letters. You can see if any of your Facebook friends are listening by clicking on the Facebook link on
the bottom right.

Also visit my web-site :: click through the next document

Anonymous said...

a Bruce Lee workout includes stretching, bending, running, dipping,
kicking, jumping, traditional muscle building exercises, weight lifting, rope skipping, medicine ball handling, etc.
Anyone who dares to make a closer inspection will find the underlying difference.

Many people don't have the time to weight themselves every day, but checking the scale on a regular basis can definitely help when you're working to lose weight and keep it off.



Take a look at my blog post Click At this website

Anonymous said...

If your camera doesn't have this option, try going outside where the light is usually better. The EOS 50D's body design allows the camera to fit perfectly in
hands while taking even the most difficult shots.
This often enables consumers to review each camera individually to get all the
details and find out what is included with their purchase.


Feel free to surf to my blog post Die Quelle für ihre digitale Fotografie » Sony

Anonymous said...

Bears, coyotes, raccoons, and even wolves can be quite unwelcome in your campsite, especially if
they are helping themselves to your food or your dog's food. Third, the online store on camping gadgets can provide you ideas of things that you may need during your adventure. A wet bandanna around the neck not just covers it from the sun, however it also keeps you cool.

Feel free to visit my web page click the up coming website page

Anonymous said...

It does appear, however, that hypnosis can help
a person achieve his or her weight loss goals.
Anyone who dares to make a closer inspection will
find the underlying difference. Do not be tempted to lose weight as quickly as you can, because a
crash diet will have you eating less than a thousand calories
a day slowing down your metabolism.

Here is my web site; giovanietneipd.altervista.org

Anonymous said...

Major follows some sports, primarily during the playoffs.
It is an adventurous game filled with fun and excitement.
This classic game integrates all-out entertainment with vocabulary enhancement in one amazing
game.

my blog post ... Jerome

Anonymous said...

The developers are saying that Defiance is a pixel perfect shooter, so if
you aim at your target's head it WILL be a headshot instead of the invisible dice rolling a 5 and telling you that you somehow missed. The only downside of it in a lot of people's
eyes is the fact that there is no multiplayer content.
The main reason why you would want to do this is simple,
you can unlock the true potential of your purchase.



my site - Http://Www.spielespielen24.de/rennen/Rod-hots-hot-rod-racing

Anonymous said...

This is more important than ever in a world where there are
dozens of different audio formats. It was an entertaining radio program
that played the music people wanted to hear combined with his groovy upbeat personality.
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Duke Red Matter (Part One; CBS, 1956)'Abbott Stables's Duke Red is a thoroughbred destroyed over
a serious injury in an accident, and Dollar
(Bob Bailey)'asked to review a $65,000 insurance claim on the horse'smells trouble when the
stable's business manager is dismissed after filing the claim, and its veterinarian may have destroyed the horse a little too swiftly.

My webpage; radio control helicopter blades

Anonymous said...

There are also significant role that your cake can play in your wedding day.
Couples only fool themselves if they think guests only care about the cake.

The TV crew will embark on the task of helping "sweet" businesses survive and prosper.


Here is my page birthday cake accessories

Anonymous said...

This is more important than ever in a world where there are dozens of different audio formats.

This means that everyone in the whole wide world
can access this new kind of radio and you are assured that the programs as
well as the list of radio stations you are listening to are all automatically updated.

Another radio commercial production tip to chew on is to make sure the audio quality is excellent on any spot your produce.


My website; pandora free radio music online

Anonymous said...

But with Nexus Radio the only settings you have to worry about are where you want to save your
files and what file type you want to save it as. Much of your best players marketplaces in the
united states are supervised. Perfect for long trips and for up to date information
on road conditions ahead.

Visit my website radio bob ()

Anonymous said...

(Game scheduled for December 15th with Utah State playing Toledo).
Leveling up to defeat all the enemies can be time arresting so apprehend to absorb
a acceptable bulk of hours anniversary day accepting the a
lot of out of this game. Making your game play is the next phase you'll be focusing on.

My website: midland mortgage ()

Anonymous said...

(Game scheduled for December 15th with Utah State
playing Toledo). It is an adventurous game filled with fun and
excitement. Moreover, there you could also play Scrabble in
the internet, TV game shows or game consoles.

my blog post; just click the following post ()

Anonymous said...

Both drugs have also been denied FDA approval the
first time around and are awaiting news on their second attempt.

Avocados- Although not my favorite, are high in fats, the good ones.

Expect to lose all that extra flabbiness as you melt off all your unwanted fat.


my site; read on ()

Anonymous said...

"Worked All Zones Award" is the same concept with time zones.
So your personal, non-commercial, watercraft is exempt from a licensing requirement.
What s more is that 2G phones can come in a tinier
and slimmer package, even its batteries.

my web page - radio recorder free

Anonymous said...

You don't have to hit the gym for two and three hours each day to lose weight, but it does help to squeeze in 30 minutes of physical activity each day. For many working to lose weight, one failure is enough to get them off the path to success. Now, the average healthy amount people are supposed to lose is 2 pounds per week.

Here is my web site - www.5-10kgabnehmen.de []

Anonymous said...

It is the A Funeral Poem which can lift the soul of these small children, though they may not even
know what death means. Apart from the above said love and poems of war
there are other genre too. On the other hand children spend most of their time with their mothers, who love deeply, scold harshly, they worry extremely but
in the end they make you what you are.

Look at my blog post; poems **

Anonymous said...

What is the most important portion is the sincere words that
you put together in the poems that will catch the attention of the one you loved as this is what you truly want from
the romantic poems () that you have created for him.
Of course, when it comes to song and ordered modulations and reinventions, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears should
be believed. Norton is publishing all eight of her poetry books in one volume as The Collected
Poems of Ai.

Anonymous said...

That's like Houston Texas being without a Country station. So your personal, non-commercial, watercraft is exempt from a licensing requirement. Perfect for long trips and for up to date information on road conditions ahead.

Check out my web-site radio listings ireland ()

Anonymous said...

Broadcast satellite "in the Star on the 9th," was
successfully launched in June last year, it can be said is a milestone in the field of live satellite event.
Regular workshops ensure that the staff at PVM Radio subdivision is not only up to date with the latest technological innovations,
but also ensures that the customers from diverse backgrounds are offered the best
possible services to suit their tastes. But mostly BBC
Radios 4 and 5 because, being speech orientated, they're more like what I do, so I can learn lots from them.

Look into my web site - radio egypt cairo ()

Anonymous said...

Dominion: Intrigue is a standalone expansion for the award-winning Dominion
card game that shook the gaming world in 2008.
Caution: when a hole is made in a can, there may be metallic
edges that can cut one's mouth. Making your game play is the next phase you'll be
focusing on.

Also visit my website grand rapids press ()

Anonymous said...

The internet is fueling the success of music because it can be listened
to at any time of the day and anywhere in
the world. It was an entertaining radio program that played the music people wanted to hear combined with
his groovy upbeat personality. These channels
offer a variety of genres for the user.

Look into my weblog :: radio disney next big
thing ()

Anonymous said...

You might need heavier line and tackle to account for powerful river flows.
You will also want to have a supply of different lines that you can use.

But here's my top 5 to consider with choices for both types of water included:.

my page ... just click the next website

Anonymous said...

It iis based on computer with electrographic sensor technology.
The only downside of it in a lot of people's eyes is the fact that there is no multiplayer content. Preparing to apply to the dozens of other game development companies for video game jobs will enable you to expand and diversify your list of possible employers, and your chances of getting hired will increase tremendously.

Look at my webpage; Webseite

Anonymous said...

Enjoying the service of Odyssey - Streaming - Radio is so easy.
Often, long term schedules with a bit of breathing room work best.

Another radio commercial production tip to chew
on is to make sure the audio quality is excellent on any spot your produce.


My website ... radio energie tachometer