Review: Dark Light of Day by Jill Archer

HI! Yep, I'm here...sorry I seem to be doing another absent blogger phase but I have a rather long dissertation/research project that is taking up rather large chunks of my time...plus I've started placement again, Intensive Care this time...which is stressing me out to say the least! But anyway, today I'm part of yet another superb tour hosted by Bewitching Book Tours. This time I was intrigued by the blurb for DARK LIGHT OF DAY by Jill Archer...I'm loving the demon based novels right now!

Title: Dark Light of Day
Author: Jill Archer
Publisher: ACE
Release Date: September 25th 2012
Series: Noon Onyx series, book 1
Source: I received this e-copy via NetGalley from the publishers as part of a Bewitching Books Tour.

Blurb:

Armageddon is over. The demons won. And yet somehow…the world has continued. Survivors worship patron demons under a draconian system of tributes and rules. These laws keep the demons from warring among themselves, the world from slipping back into chaos.
Noon Onyx grew up on the banks of the river Lethe, daughter of a prominent politician, and a descendant of Lucifer’s warlords. Noon has a secret—she was born with waning magic, the dark, destructive, fiery power that is used to control demons and maintain the delicate peace among them. But a woman with waning magic is unheard of and some will consider her an abomination.
Noon is summoned to attend St. Lucifer’s, a school of demon law. She must decide whether to declare her powers there…or attempt to continue hiding them, knowing the price for doing so may be death. And once she meets the forbiddingly powerful Ari Carmine—who suspects Noon is harbouring magic as deadly as his own—Noon realizes there may be more at stake than just her life.

Review:
First Line: 'The wind whipping across my face made it feel like I'd just scrubbed with camphor and bits of glass.'
Dark Light of Day is set in the country of Halja, and it was here that the war between Lucifer's army and the Saviour's army was fought. Only this time...good didn't win. But it has been 2,000 years since that fateful battle has fought and the people of Halja have moved on and leant to live with the demon next door. I find this concept fascinating, I honestly don't think I've ever read anything where the war is over and the evil side won...end of. That's what drew me to this book in the first place. The concept brilliant and the world building that Jill Archer uses is amazing, the powers of those with Waxing and Waning magic (which if I tried to describe would probably just confuse people but in context to the book, works really well) are amazingly detailed and just bring the whole book into another level of reality. I have to say that I didn't really get much of a sense of time, as in due to the vast differences between their world and ours...the magic...the names for things...I couldn't really pinpoint a time in out history where this setting would fit. And I like that, discovering an entirely new way of thinking and order is pretty cool for me so I enjoyed just learning the world Noon and others like her inhabit.

This new and fantasy world while taking some time to get to grips with, never smothered me. It's one this I absolutely hate in a book when you can't just enjoy yourself because you have to keep stopping to connect the dots or flick back to some obscure reference 30 pages earlier to understand the part you just read. That seriously short circuits my temper, thankfully Jill Archer never triggered my famous annoyance :) DARK LIGHT OF DAY was just fun and enjoyable read to sink straight into!

So we've fast forwarded 2,000 years from the war, and meet Nouiomo Onyx, a 21 year old girl just about to start her first day at St Lucifer's academy. There's only one problem...Noon has Waning magic, and she's a girl. It's not really heard of in Halja so needless to say Noon feels like a freak. So much so that she is debating whether or not to declare her magic at the academy. There's one tiny problem though. If Noon does not declare her magic by a certain day of her 21st year...she can be put to death. I don't think Noon has ever really accepted who she is or the power her magic gives her. Her Waning magic causes death and destruction all around her, she can't walk into a garden without all the plant life dying before her eyes. Noon would give anything to have healing (Waxing) magic, like her mother and Night (her twin brother) but instead she's stuck with her father's legacy...and Noon will do all she can to alter her destiny.

While I generally liked Noon's character she does make some idiotic decisions ..mostly because she can't accept who she is. Noon's insistence that she would never fit in, never be looked upon as anything less than a freak leads to some horrible decision making but for the most part I did enjoy her character. Especially after she meets Ari. Earlier in the book we meet an Angel called Peter, who has lived next door to Noon for years, and I thought he would be the main romantic interest. However Peter appears to never really have accepted Noon as the woman she is. He is insistent on finding a spell to give Noon the Waxing (healing) magic she always believed she should have. Ari however, takes Noon for who she is, and I think his acceptance makes Noon believe in herself and her magic more than she ever has before. And I enjoyed watching Noon have mini revelations over the course of the book.

DARK LIGHT OF DAY is more along the adult lines...because yes, there is sex involved  while not the most explicit sex scenes I've ever read, detail is there ;) though I imagine teens who are sort of getting used to the more adult content of some books would find it ok.

All in all, I think DARK LIGHT OF DAY is a new and interesting concept, I liked the characters and loved the world building. I certainly think I will be keeping a close eye on this series as it develops.

My Rating: 3.5/5

Think you might like DARK LIGHT OF DAY? I know I did, but to tempt you some more, Jill Archer has given us a lovely excerpt to show you...enjoy!

Exerpt:
“ I've been watching you, wondering, waiting to see where you’d end up. After all, there are other demon law schools,” Seknecus said, making a moue of distaste that made it clear exactly what he thought of them. “But I was happy to see that you chose St. Lucifer’s.”
Technically my mother chose St. Lucifer’s . . . But there seemed no reason to interrupt just to clarify that bit of misinformation. Seknecus wandered around the room, picking through papers, flipping open and quickly shutting the front covers of various leather-bound books, never meeting my eye. I had no doubt, however, that his attention was fully focused on me.
“So, you see, seeing your name on my List wasn't exactly a surprise, although it appeared much later than I would have liked.”
He did look at me then, with a frown of disapproval. I did my best to look expressionless because none seemed appropriate. It wouldn't do to look amused, bored or, Luck forbid, rebellious. Seknecus stared at me with narrowed eyes and then went back to wandering.
“ You've got some catching up to do,” he said, addressing a copy of Sin and Sanction: Codification & Case Law. “It doesn't matter why or what excuses you've got for yourself. You will be held to the same standards as everyone else, regardless of whose daughter you are. And you've missed a lot of class already.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but he cut me off with a wave.
“Manipulation class,” he clarified. “You’re going to have to work ten times as hard as everyone else just to pass. Quintus Rochester doesn't go easy on students and he’s likely to see your absence during the early part of the semester as a challenge. You know, failing is not an option. Not if you want to live.”

For more information or to buy the book, visit:

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

website: www.jillarcher.com

blog: http://jillarcherauthor.wordpress.com

Review: Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowan

Hello! Well as promised I'm going to zip through all the reviews of every book I read during my week in Cyprus (I read 12 haha) and to start us off here's DARK KISS by Michelle Rowan.

Title: Dark Kiss
Author: Michelle Rowen
Publisher: MIRA Ink (UK) | Harlequin Teen (US)
Release Date: 1st June 2012 (UK) | 22nd May 2012 (US)
Series: Nightwatchers series, book 1
Source: I received an e-copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Blurb from Goodreads:
I don't do dangerous.  Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha-that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing-and I don't know if I can get it back.
Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me....

Review:
First line: ' "This is going to hurt like hell." The grim thought was confirmed by the look on the Gatekeeper's face, but Bishop didn't want anyone's pity. After all, he'd volunteered for this.'
Set in the city of Trinity DARK KISS makes you wonder what could be lurking in the shadows of our world...and ensures you never look at a first kiss quite the same way. Angels, demons and soul sucking creatures known as Grays can be found here - and that can only mean one thing...a butt load of trouble for Samantha Day.
Sam was a normal 17 year old girl, that is until one kiss changed her life forever. Usually Cute guy + kissing = fun.... not Cute Guy + Kissing = becoming a soul sucking monster!! Well, that's what happened to Sam...and believe me, that was only the beginning. Suddenly Sam is always hungry but food can't satisfy her hunger, and she suddenly has the urge to kiss every boy she meets...including her best friends ex boyfriend.
The next day, Sam stumbles across Bishop...an angel sent from heaven to lead a team of angels and demons to find and deal with the Grays and their leader. There's only one problem, Bishop's head got messed up on the trip from heaven to earth. Now he can't see the searchlights to lead him to his other team members...and if he can't find them in the allotted time, they will be lost forever. So imagine his surprise when Sam can see the searchlights. Leading Bishop to the first member of his team (a demon called Kraven) Sam believes she has done a good thing. That is until Bishop pulls out a wicked golden dagger and stabs Kraven through the heart....and it only gets weirder from there! Family issues for both Sam and Bishop (yes, the angel does have family roaming the earth) along with one over excited team member and a corrupt angelic guard make sure this motley crew are always on their toes!

If I wasn’t feeling so flustered, I might have thought he was being cocky. I mean, please. A kiss that could change my life forever?But I kind of believed him. And after months of trying to be a perfect angel after the shoplifting incident, I wanted to push the edges of my comfort zone just a little bit.And this was special — a boy I liked who might like me in return. I couldn’t just walk away.This time I kissed him, tangling my fingers into his black hair and pulling his mouth toward mine as if I couldn’t resist. I hadn’t kissed many boys before, so I hoped I was doing it right. It felt right. In fact, it felt really right. My lips parted as the kiss deepened. His fingers dug into my waist. This felt like something out of a movie — one of the romantic ones I never watched because they made me feel uncomfortable. I didn’t want to try to relate to all of those emotions, those declarations of love and eternal devotion. I mean, spare me the drama.“You’re delicious,” Stephen whispered before he kissed me again and my heart felt like it was pounding right out of my chest.And then it got weird. *From Chapter 1*

Samantha is a good lead...despite her lack of a soul. Something has kept her from becoming like the other Grays, we have absolutely no idea what it is until about 50% of the way into the book. As it's often referenced (to the point where it began to get on my nerves), Sam is 'special'. Stephen says it (kissing guy), Natalie (leader of the Grays) repeatedly, Bishop and Kraven say it a lot too. All right, I got the point the first 3 times!! Until the kiss Sam was a normal girl, but apparently her soul was preventing her from reaching her full potential. Either way, she can now see the future, zap evil demons who get on her nerves...yes Kraven, I mean you...and many other cool things. The reason behind which is all explained and something I totally did not see coming. I was minding my own business, having a pleasant (if predictable) read and then WHAM! Curve-ball that shot the story way up. It certainly piqued my interest...and since it was not 100% resolved I'm now anxious to find out where that curve-ball will lead us! All I know is that Sam's life will never, ever be the same again!
Despite the fact that Sam makes some very stupid decisions, overall I was impressed by her character. Bishop you can't help but like, and Kraven...well...he's a mystery that I'll take pleasure unravelling ;)

In general I did quite like DARK KISS, but I'm going to take some points off for the overuse of the word 'special', that's the sort of thing that really bugs me. I'd still recommend it as it's a darn interesting last 50% and I certainly think this series has a lot of potential. As long as the word special doesn't crop any more...I think we'll get on just fine :)

My Rating: 3.5/5

Review: Sanctum Angels by Edenmary Black

Edenmary will be giving away a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour as well as to the host with the most comments on her stop (excluding the author's and the host's). So leave me a comment for your chance to win!

Hi again guys. Today I'm hosting Edenmary Black as part of her tour with Goddess Fish! Sanctum Angels is Book 1 in the Shadow Havens series.

Title: Sanctum Angels

Author: Edenmary Black

Publisher: eBookIt.com

Release Date: 3rd January 2012

Series: Shadow Havens, Book 1

Source: I received a e-copy of this book as part of the Goddess Fish tour in exchange for an honest review.

Blurb:

Warning: The following work contains descriptive material and scenes of explicit sexual encounters between consenting male and female adults. It is intended for adult readers only. 

When Priana Grey walks into a bank, she isn’t expecting to be taken hostage by a violent thief; nor, is she expecting Detective Joe Cafaris to offer his life for hers. The stepdaughter of fallen angels of the Sanctum, she has concealed her true nature to move among humans for years, but Joe’s courage astounds her. Although she knows that falling in love with a human is a disaster, she just can’t ignore what she feels.

Joe is a tough loner, cool in the most dangerous situations, but he’s not ready for the scorching desire he feels for Priana. He has a million logical reasons to walk away, but his heart wants something else. 

Priana’s stepbrother, Keirc, warns that she’ll find only misery with Joe, yet he guards a perilous secret of his own. His lover, Iridea, is the daughter of Sebastien Galaurus, a ruthless vampire who leads the Demesne, a powerful supernatural haven quite unlike the Sanctum. 

When a stunning crisis forces Priana into the heart of the Demesne, a maelstrom explodes in the shadow of supernatural havens on the brink of war, where fallen angels, vampires, weres and daemons call the shots and humans are viewed as critically frail - a place where men and supernaturals can die.

Review:

First Line: 'Priana Grey’s hands and feet were freezing. Her arms felt like wood and a thin trail of blood was snaking its way down her palm from the fine wire binding her wrists. She wiggled her fingertips but couldn't risk moving more. The man with his fist in her hair would only yank her backward again and the gun at the end of his other hand looked as long as a bowling alley.' 

Sanctum Angels certainly gets off to a fast paced start. We meet Pria when she's been taken hostage by a psychotic bank robber who has a personal grudge against one of the Detectives on the local Police Force. Him taking Pria and 3 others hostage is the way he draws the Detective out into the open with the intent of shooting him. Pria can't let that happen. She can't let harm come to an innocent human so despite her hands being tied with wire and a gun to her head Pria kills the armed robber. How you ask? Well Pria isn't exactly human...she is the daughter of a fallen angel and a pureblood vampire, giving her certain gifts. Gifts she uses to save Detective Joe Cafaris. 

From the moment they lay eyes on each other both Pria and Joe feel an attraction. Heck, Joe even thinks Pria looks pretty in her hospital gown and I'm telling you...you have to work damn hard to make one of those ugly things look good! From there their relationship progresses in a believable manner...they have their hurdles but this couple seem set to overcome anything thrown their way! 

I loved Joe as a character, he's really sweet fumbling his words because he can't quite believe that Pria is talking to him. Joe is one of those steady, reliable guys who is loyal and honest to a fault. A man who also puts his life on the line in Pria's defence. She'd be blind to not notice what's right in front of her. Pria is also a very well written character...at no point did I hate her and I found her independence by living among the humans added to her character. She has the power of life and death in her hands but will only use it when she absolutely has to. Don't get me wrong she can be tough...and you don't want to be in her way if she's angry with you...But I don't think I could ever hate anyone who owns a bakery :)

Pria could easily bet that he’d never known anyone like her and by all the laws of sense, she should run from this, yet she couldn't. She just freaking wouldn’t. It had been years since she’d felt this way about a male, supernatural or not. Still, she needed him to know that she didn't consider relationships lightly. “I’m not casual with men,” she said quietly, hoping he’d get it. “I didn't think you would be,” he said quickly.
“I haven’t been with anyone in a long while, Joe, because sometimes men…look at me and think they see something that’s not there. Or they want to have some kind of relationship without heart and that’s not me.”
“No,” he assured her, seeing that Pria had probably looked like a fantasy to many men. “I don’t find sexual relationships like that easy. “Well, I mean I like sex, but that’s not what I had in mind.”
Fucking idiot…“Well,” Joe said, starting to backpedal. “What I meant to say was that I am not 

looking for a sexually casual relationship with you even though you are one of the 

most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.”

As we journey through the world of Sanctum Angels we also meet a pair of lovers who seem doomed from the very start. Kierc and Iridea are one of the other couples in this novella and their relationship has a very Romeo and Juliet feel to it. Kierc is Pria's stepbrother and son of the founders of Sanctum whereas Iridea is the daughter of the leader of Demesne and his Mate. Sanctum and Demesne are two opposing supernatural havens and it is often referenced as to the undoubtedly negative reactions from their respective parents this relationship would receive...see what I mean? You know how that story ended...well you'll just have to read Sanctum Angels if you want to know more :)

I enjoyed Sanctum Angels from start to finish, Edenmary Black has created a new world full of angels, vampires and daemons that thrilled me from start to finish. Sanctum Angels is crammed full of goodies including a blossoming romance, a political war and naturally a all out battle between the forces of good and evil...all in only 178 pages! I would recommend Sanctum Angels to all lovers of Paranormal Romance who are looking to get stuck into a new authors work!

My Rating 4/5

Excerpt:

Ilea picked up the skirting of her gown and rushed through the richly carpeted halls of the elaborate underground Demesne haven she’d shared with her Mate for centuries. By the time she reached Sebastien’s study, her flaming hair had come undone from its tight chignon and her face had grown hot. Saan was dying and a tiny thought she’d kept buried for the past two nights would find Sebastien’s ear whether he wished to hear or not. Drawing breath, Ilea whipped the black double doors nearly from their hinges to stride to the dark, massive desk in front of her Mate. A small group of the Demesne’s vampire warriors were with him but they stepped swiftly from her path.

“Leave us,” she ordered.

The warriors of the Demesne were unused to taking orders from their leader’s Mate, whom they rarely saw, but left after Sebastien gave them a fast nod. Hearing his Mate’s pounding heart, Sebastien sat quickly, as if the air had been knocked from his lungs. “Has our son passed?” he asked quietly.

“He lives but he may well pass before the morning unless something is done,” Ilea gripped the edge of the desk and leaned over it, into her husband’s perfectly sculpted face.

“Call your brother at the Sanctum and seek his advice,” she commanded. “Ask him to send one of the angelic healers. It is the only thing that can save our son.”

Sebastien had thought this might be requested of him, but he had also expected Saan to recover, having his mother’s daemon blood and his own vampiric blood.

“Andrieu is not my brother. I cannot contact anyone at the Sanctum,” he said.

Ilea pulled her hand back and brought it forward in a mind-numbingly fast arc to connect with Sebastien’s jaw. Her Mate’s head bounced backward against the high back of his carved chair, yet he didn’t lift a hand. “You could not have heard what I asked,” Ilea said. “Call Andrieu and ask…no, Sebastien …beg him to send an angelic healer. Tonight.” Ilea’s eyes were changing to the silver swirls associated with strong emotion among daemons. “Do it,” she hissed.

(From the Prologue) 

About the author:

Edenmary Black has been writing since she could clutch a pencil. She has always been fascinated with the mysteries of the paranormal and loves the question all writers answer when they pen fiction. For her, it's all about that magical, "What if?” When not working her keyboard, she enjoys long walks with her golden retriever, reading and spending time with her family, all of whom are male. She spends far too much on lingerie and is very, very weak for chocolate. Visit her at www.edenmaryblack.com. 

Review: Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione

Hey everyone, just finished Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione, I love this series!

Title: Immortal Rider

Author: Larissa Ione

Publisher: Piatkus (UK) | Grand Central Publishing (US)

Release Date: December 1st 2011 (UK) | November 22nd 2011 (US)

Series: Lords of Deliverance, book 2
Source: My personal copy

From Larissa Ione's website:

The prophecies were there but no one listened.  Until now.  They are the Lords of Deliverance and they have the power to usher in Doomsday . . . or prevent it.

Sexy, powerful and immortal, Limos is on a crash course with destiny.  She's been marked as Satan's bride and her jealous fiance wants her all to himself.  The only way this Horseman can keep herself - and everyone else - safe to keep her distance.  But not even Limos can save herself from the secrets she's kept . . . or resist the seductive allure of one very brave human.

Arik Wagner knows the saying 'love hurts' better than most, yet he never thought stealing a kiss from Limos would land him in hell.  Literally.  It takes all his military training to survive the demon torture, but once he's topside, Arik realises that the agony has just begun.  With the Apocalypse looming and Satan demanding his bride, will Arik and Limos surrender to the dark desire smouldering between them?  Or will giving in to their passion unleash hell on earth?

Review:

I am a HUGE fan of Larissa Ione, her Demonica series is awesome and I am so glad that characters from that series keep popping up in the Lords of Deliverance (Wraith especially). The Lords of Deliverance series is focused around the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and Immortal Rider concentrates on the one and only female Horseman...Horsewoman...erm...not too sure on that. Either-way, her name is Limos and if her seal ever breaks then we're all in trouble as Famine will be loosed.

Contrary to popular belief, the Horsemen aren't actually evil until their seals break, if that happens start praying for a miracle because these warriors will show you no mercy. Not only will Limos become famine if her seal breaks but she will have to return to her fiancée's side. The same man who she has spent the last 5,000 years running from. Satan. Betrothed to him as an infant Limos has fought tooth and nail to avoid having to marry the ultimate evil and for 5,000 years she has succeeded. Until the day Arik steals a kiss. Then everything goes to hell...Literally.

Arik (who you may remember as Runa's brother from the Demonica series) is a member of the paranormal military division R-XR and from the day he first set eyes on Limos he's found her attractive...despite the fact she broke his ribs. So he can't resist stealing a kiss from this gorgeous warrior woman. Unfortunately Satan doesn't take kindly to anyone 'messing' with his bride and mere seconds later Arik is dragged into the depths of hell itself. He is then subjected to an entire month of torture at the hands of demons who attempt to get him to say Limos' name while in misery. Why? Because this is one of the ways Satan can legally force Limos into the depths for hell to become his bride. Though I think he just enjoys torture too. However Arik is resistant and, with a little help, manages to pull off the most miraculous escape of the century. But it costs him dearly, he will be forever changed...and hunted.

"Damn," Arik breathed. "I need to help-""You can't." Ares's voice was intense but level, a sign of respect from one warrior to another. "You'll only lead the demons back to them.""So when can I go back?""Don't you get it, Arik?" Limos asked softly. "Lucifer is after you. My brother owns your soul. You will forever be a liability to your own race. You belong with us now" 

I love these two characters, Limos especially. She is a brilliant heroine. She initially seemed a bit strange as she has a lot of clashing personality traits. Outwardly she's a very girly-girl, painting her nails constantly, drinking sugary sweet cocktails. But you know there is a kick-ass warrior who can take on the best (and probably win). Her brothers may have a protective streak when it comes to her, but she definitely doesn't need coddling. And God help you if you cause her to break a nail, then she'll probably kill you...and slowly at that. Limos has a dark past, full of secrets she keeps from her brothers. But as Limos and Arik become closer, his unnerving ability to call her on things she doesn't want to admit comes dangerously close to exposing the terrible truth she hides. Will the revelation of these secrets bring Arik and Limos closer, or will they drive away the only man she has ever loved. More importantly, will her family come out of this in one piece?

This entire book is packed full of action, there are many surprises along the way for all the Horsemen. Thanatos (whose book is next) is given a great set-up and I'm jittery knowing I have to wait to find out what happens. I cannot fault Larissa Ione, I loved Eternal Rider but I have to say that this even tops that. The best book f hers I've read so far and I seriously can't wait to see what happens to Than given the revelations in here.

All in all a fantastic read and I recommend it to anyone who loved a good action packed romance (though you should read Eternal Rider first).

My Rating: 5/5

Review: The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter

Time for another review I think...The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter is the first book in the amazing Lords of the Underworld series. Check it out...

Title: The Darkest Night

Author: Gena Showalter

Publisher: MIRA Books

Released: September 2009
Series: Lords of the Underworld, Book #1
Source: My personal copy

From Gena Showalter's website:

All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she'll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member -- a man trapped in a hell of his own.

Neither can resist the instant hunger than calms their torments . . . and ignites an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction -- and a soul-shattering test of love . . .

Review:

Ok firstly, I love the cover! It's just, wow...I love the fact that it has the butterfly tattoo included, something all the Lords have, the design is great because it's bold and masculine...just like the Lords. Anyway this book is Maddox's story, Maddox lives in Budapest with five of the other Lords of the Underworld. As for what a Lord is....well once they were the loyal guardians of the Greek Gods and Goddesses. When a guardian needed to be appointed to guard a box (dimOuniak) inside which were demons too destructive that they could not be trusted even in Hell, (sounding familiar?) Zeus appointed Pandora as the guardian, something the Lords did not agree with about as they each believed that they were stronger than Pandora and she shouldn't guard something so important. To prove their point, all of the Lords stole the box away from Pandora and her guards, and released the demons inside.....once the demons were released however, the box vanished leaving the Lords unable to recapture the free demons. Zeus, as punishment, cursed each guardian to become a host to a different demon and cast them out of Olympus. Thus the Lords of the Underworld were born.
Several thousand years later Maddox, who is the keeper of Violence, lives in Budapest with five other Lords; Lucian (keeper of Death), Torin (keeper of Disease), Reyes (keeper of Pain) and Aeron (keeper of Wrath) and Paris (the keeper of Promiscuity). Each Lord is driven to do different deeds by their demon, else they can suffer horrendous pain. Needless to say that, as the keeper of Violence, Maddox loves a good fight. 
Maddox was the one responsible for Pandora's death after he's stolen the box from her. As punishment for Pandora's murder Maddox is subject to another of the God's curses. At 12 midnight every night, Reyes is forced to stab Maddox six times (as this was how Maddox killed Pandora) and once his body is dead Lucien escorts Maddox's soul to hell where he tortured for a good few hours. Possibly a little harsh? This nightly punishment takes up the majority of Maddox's life. As for what's left... he can't be around people for long without the stirrings of violence forcing him to lash out.
Maddox has never known love until the timid Ashlyn Darrow seeks out the Lords for help. Born with the ability to hear voices from the past (meaning she stands in one spot and is able to hear every conversation that has ever taken place there) Ashlyn is looking for a way to control her ability, and boy does she find one in the form for dark and brooding Maddox. His presence brings silence to her, where as Ashlyn's presence soothes Violence and reduces Maddox's need for it. Soon both the man and the demon crave her and brave little Ashlyn will change his life for all eternity.


All in all this is an enjoyable book, pretty well written with a new take on the Pandora's box legend and a good one at that. The men are all have troubled pasts and are haunted by the things their demons have done throughout their lives. The Lords aren't evil...but they aren't exactly angels either and their take on everyday things is certainly different as they don't exactly have much interaction with humans (well...except Paris anyway). The sex scenes between Ashlyn and Maddox are pretty graphic but don't take up a huge chunk of the book, just the right amount considering the length of the book. We get to meet some other Lords about half way through, Danika (a human kidnapped by Aeron) who causes Reyes no end of trouble, and a Goddess whose agenda is unclear. All in all an interesting story that held my attention throughout.


I look forward to reading Torin's book as he's a very intriguing character, unfortunately it's not published yet! Though I have the other Lords to keep me company while I wait, not a bad deal at all! Book 2 is Lucian's tale. Can't wait!


My Rating: 4.5/5