Posted At: Riverina Romantics
Rating: 5/5 *
Romance Rating: 4/5 <3


I have never cried from reading a book before. Never. And guess what? This book made me do just that. I don't know what it was about this book that grabbed my heartstrings the way it did, but by the time I read the final word on the last page, my eyes were tearing and I had a huge grin on my face.

That is how you know you read a good book.

I honestly don't know what to say about this one. Amun and Haidee were such a perfect match for each other. My heart was already being twisted when it came to Amun, all because of how the previous book ended and this one began. Just picturing him and his condition was enough to make me wish I could just make it all disappear. It was torture. But I'm so glad Haidee had the personality she did, because any other woman would not have been able to complete Amun the way she did. She was every single complement to our beloved demon, and made him so much more than he had been reduced to. They saved each other from their own personal hells--and gave each other a happiness that neither believed they would ever have.

Him and was incredibly passionate and caring man. He was lucid enough, everybody had, everything he did, screamed to the loyalty and commitment that could rival even the most pure hearted creature. He never once did anything selfishly. It was all for the betterment of his friends, even at a great cost to himself. He didn't see it as anything negative. He believed the sacrifices were pivotal to improving the lives of his brothers and their loved ones. Never once he regret anything he did for them. He was a complete giving soul, and those gifts were worth anything he endured. I have never believed a character to be nobler than him. It was mind blowing, and brought me such joy to experience it from his point of view.

And dear God, Haidee! I cannot imagine having to go through what she had to endure. I don't think I would've remained sane. She was a very strong woman, she had to be. Her determination, her wit, and her loyalty--once it found its true place--were unshakable. All because of the mistaken identity, she was able to open her mind to a whole new world of possibilities. Even though she didn't understand why, she embraced it, and she discovered her life would have been forever incomplete. Her bonding to Amun was so deeply believable. Had it been done any other way, I don't think I would've bought it. She was truly an amazing and strong woman. The things in her past, the hell she was shoved into, it would've made any normal woman died of a heart attack. But Haidee push through it and excelled. She beat her past. She defeated her fear. And she won love.

This installment of my beloved Lords was beautiful. It has definitely earned a spot on my favorite shelves.

I love the LOTU, but I had my doubts when GS said she was pairing Amun with Haidee. Amun, in my opinion, is the strongest of the warriors...he's proven it time and again by keeping their secrets! How the heck was he going to fall in love with the woman that was responsible for Baden's death! No freakin' way, right? Wrong...which just goes to show, Gena Showalter knows what the heck she's doing! Not only did it happen, but I was cheering them on along the way!
I didn't think I'd like Haidee, but I have to say...after reading the book...that she has turned out to be one of my favorite heroines. She ranks up there with Anya now.
The Darkest Surrender can't come soon enough! I can't wait to find out what happens!

I'm a big fan of this series by Gena Showalter. The heroes are great alpha men but the women hold their own in every way. In this case I was eager to see how Amun could become a leading character without being able to talk. Showalter did a neat job of isolating Amun and Haidee for much of the book thus enabling communication to only need to happen between them. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop and found her story fascinating. Great to finally see Amun's thoughts too instead of just the silent warrior. My only gripe is the ending. I felt it was too neatly wrapped in a bow. I know it's a paranormal book so things can be made right with a wave of a wand but it was simply too neat and it didn't give me the feeling of satisfaction that I expected.

Now Strider and Kaia are going to be a fabulous adventure! They're going to drive each other crazy before they figure out they're perfect for each other. I can't wait to see them fight it out!

This is the first book in the Lords of the Underworld series that was not about one of the original "Budapest" Lords, that I liked as much and possibly better! Amun just might be my new favorite Lord, I do like the strong, silent type!!!!

Love Amun, and Haidee's backstory just fascinates me.

One of my favorites from the series.

The Darkest Secret
4 Stars

Synopsis
Following his visit to Hell, Amun, Keeper of Secrets, is possessed by malevolent demons that endanger him and those he loves. Enter Haidee, a Hunter sworn to annihilate the Lords, who is the only one capable of quieting the demons. Due to their inexplicable connection and attraction, Haidee and Amun set out on a journey to release the demons and come face to face with an even more malicious adversary.

Review
Not as exciting as previous books. There is no progression in the Hunters vs. Lords war or in the search for the final artifact leading to Pandora's box.

Nevertheless, the romance between Amun and Haidee is sweet - they have definite chemistry and an excellent emotional connection. Their telepathic bond and its explanation as well as their fire & ice dynamic are particularly enjoyable.

Haidee's backstory is intriguing and makes it easier to identify with her and understand her prior actions, although the fact that she is responsible for Baden's death is glossed over too easily.

Unfortunately, Amun is not as well fleshed out. He is the strong/silent type and has largely been ignored in the series thus far, so it would have been nice to get more insight into his personality. The journey through Hell is an entertaining motif, however, for an even better example, I recommend Body of Sin (book #4 in Eve Silver's Otherkin series).

Unfortunately, the other Lords barely put in an appearance and they are sorely missed. Moreover, there are a couple of annoying issues such as Strider's unreciprocated interest in Haidee, which is unnecessary and distracting, and his ridiculous vacation scenes with William and Paris. These had me considering whether or not to skip Strider's book until Kaia turned up to add life to the party, so onwards toward The Secret Surrender.

I'm done with this series. I just couldn't finish this one.

http://romancing-the-book.com/2011/05/review-the-darkest-secret-by-gena-showalter.html

Received for Review
Overall Rating 4.00
Character Rating: 3.75
Story Rating 4.25

I am going to admit this upfront, I read this book out of order and will be reading it again when I get to it in series rotation. I only say this because most of the time I love seeing characters from other books in the series and this time I didn't feel that connection (though I do feel like I WILL feel that connection later).

What I Loved: I really loved the connection between Haidee and Amun! It was immediate, over-powering, and just something that did not feel forced. The lie/secret between them actually plays out very well over the course of the story and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Most of the time I only feel sorry for one of the people in a couple but this time both were equally wronged/secretive/harmed/hurt. My heart broke for each of them and rejoiced for them when called for. This was just one of the stronger couples I have read and loved each and every minute of it!

What I Liked: Normally I would love this but I liked seeing the "Lords. I am a little behind in this series and reading one a month so I have been introduced to them. That being said it was kind of fun to piece together who has fallen in love, who is still waiting, and what they have conquered to this point. I think it will be a different kind of appreciation the 2nd time I read this book but I thought how everyone weaved into the story was very well done!

Complaints: None

Why I gave it a 4 (and may bump it up after the 2nd reading down the road): This was a fantastic book with a strong love story. The book did a great job of moving the series story along without losing any pacing. Great job overall!

Who I would recommend it too: PNR fans. This is a fantastic book and series. I still recommend reading them in order but each of them does have a contained story.