Monday, September 12, 2011

Review: The Darkest Surrender

THE DARKEST SURRENDER
(Lords of the Underworld #8)
Gena Showalter
Paranormal Romance
426 pages
Harlequin
Available September 27th
Received from publisher for review

THE STORY
Strider, keeper of the demon of Defeat and one of the Lords of the Underworld responsible for opening Pandora's Box, is big on winning. In fact, if he's challenged and loses–whether something big or small–he writhes in pain for days. To avoid this scenario, he tries to steer clear of people who might provoke his demon, but unfortunately the one person who challenges him most is a woman he finds himself unable to stay away from.

Kaia, a harpy and gifted fighter, wants a man who doesn't want her back. After being repeatedly shot down by Strider, she decides to turn all her focus and attention on the Harpy Games, a series of events where the different clans battle one another for supremacy and the honor of being the best and strongest fighters. Unfortunately for Kaia, she has an unpleasant history with her fellow harpies, a mistake as a child earning her the nickname The Disappointment, a moniker that's stayed with her for a thousand years.

When Strider learns Kaia is to fight in the games and would benefit from having a consort, a man who could support her and share blood with her in order to accelerate her healing, he lets his protective instincts take over and goes to her side. There, he learns that first prize is one of four artifacts that can destroy Pandora's box, and by extension the Lords themselves. Battling the desire to secure the artifact with his desire for Kaia, knowing stealing the prize would result in not only her banishment from her kind but very possibly her death, Strider enters into his greatest challenge yet.

MY THOUGHTS
The Darkest Surrender is the latest foray in the the realm of the Lords of the Underworld, a group of damaged and tortured alpha men so brilliantly executed their stories play out in crisp detail in our minds while our emotions are teased, tested, and tormented. Many times in a series of this length the books can become tired, following a set formula with characters and conflicts substituted in each installment, but Ms. Showalter manages to avoid this pitfall and keep us invested on every possible level. While there is the basic romantic formula of two characters with problems they must overcome in order to be together, each of the different relationships featured in this series feels unique, the romance progressing at a speed that suits both protagonists and their personalities, and the individual battles they fight forward the overall story arc beautifully. We are always left satisfied with the couple we've just read but are also undeniably craving the story of the next characters in line.

Kaia is perhaps one of the strongest heroines yet, her combination of sharp wit and even sharper claws with an underlying stark vulnerability making her a pleasure to read about. She doesn't play games or seek to hurt Strider through his demon as many a lesser woman might, instead making her feelings known despite the rejection she knows she'll face. She craves and desires him without ever crossing the line into pining, she supports him and his quest for the Paring Rod without smothering him or forcing her opinion on him, and she fights for what she wants while accepting the possibility that the outcome may not be in her favor.

Strider is a true match to Kaia in every way, meeting her strength and stubbornness with equal intensity and offering her the same blunt honesty she gives him. His truths are laced with a touch of unintentional insincerity, however, as he attempts to vehemently deny the depth of his attraction to her, thereby being truthful in mind while lying to himself in heart. The romance between the two of them is incredibly and deliciously slow-burning, the passion continually igniting and then being snuffed out with quickly exhaled breaths of fear on both sides until finally the flames begin to raze their impressive defenses, swallowing all the trepidation and hesitation with the incandescent burn of formidable love. As we read, we continually check the pads of our fingers for blisters the heat emanating from them is so strong, making the possibility of it manifesting itself physically through the conduit of the paper pages a very real one.

In addition to a gloriously tense and fully combustible relationship, Ms. Showalter also entertains us with her trademark sense of humor, forcing us to experience the gamut of emotions while reading as we laugh at their antics, ache at the emotional distance separating them, and then glory in the warmth of their happiness. Strider's continual self-adoration and mental ego-checks keep us giggling aloud as do Kaia's interactions with her hilarious sister Bianka, providing us comforting moments of levity in the midst of a very serious and dark world. A breathtaking cast of secondary characters rounds out this highly recommended read, giving us snippets of individuals whose stories have been slowly building book after book and are finally making the move toward center stage without ever overshadowing our leading couple.

Rating: 4.5/5

33 comments:

  1. Sounds great. I need to read this series some time. It's rare when a series is still interesting going into the 8th book. Kudos to the author for knowing how to keep things fresh.

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  2. OMG! I am so jealous! :) Thanks for the great review. I cannot wait to see these two go head to head, in many different ways! heh.

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  3. Another series that I need to read. This sounds fantastic with it strong heroine and delicious slow burning romance. Wonderful review Jenny :)

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  4. I haven't read any books from this series. But I think I have to get to it. Your review is very intriguing and I absolutely love this gorgeous cover.

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  5. Wow, I could feel the heat just coming from your review! These characters seem like they're very well done and believable. I always love stories with a great cast of characters and I think I might quite enjoy this one.

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  6. Guess who has only read book #1 in this series? *raises hand* I start SO many series and never continue on with them...I have a problem! :)

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  7. I am with Smash---so jelly! I can't wait to read Strider's book :) He is just awesomesauce all the way around!

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  8. Alison - I really enjoy this series:) Some books are of course better than others, but this one is my favorite yet:)

    Ash - You're welcome! LOVED both of them, they were funny and sweet and I just adored them.

    Nic - I blew threw the first 6 books in this series really quickly and then I've had to wait for them to come out. I really like the way she writes her characters:)

    Nimue - I hope you try it! I think they're getting better as they go:)

    Kris - I love a slow burning romance, so Strider and Kaia were favorites of mine. Plus, their story started in the last book so I feel like I've been waiting for them to finally get together:)

    Jacinda - I do that sometimes too:) It's hard to find the time for a whole long series when new books come out every week! If you get a chance though, this series is worth catching up on in my opinion:)

    Felicia - Strider just made me happy. He was awesome!

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  9. Great review Jenny! It was worded perfectly and you captured your feelings into words. I am so happy that we got to read him my friend since we were obsessed with this book! *hugs*

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  10. I soooo can't wait to read this one. Strideyman is my FAV!! In this series

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  11. Ive only read her YA series... This one sounds kinda naughty...;O

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  12. I read the first 2 books in the series and loved them but then I got caught up in other books, etc... sounds like I need to get back to these hunka burnin' studs!

    Fantastic review! Thanks for sharing and reminding me to read my 'big girl panties books' every once in a while. Teehee... been reading way to much YA!

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  13. Bells - I adore you and I'm glad we got our Strider fix, I wasn't sure how much longer I could wait for him:)

    dpbussie - He's amazing, I loved every minute of him!

    Tina - Haha it is:) Gena writes some very sexy leading men.

    Kristi - Their is a veritable buffet of studs in this series:) I read a ton of YA too and it's fun to get back into the PNR after being on a teen angst kick:)

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  14. I don't really like long standing series since it does to get repetitive but good to know that it doesn't happen even eight books in.

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  15. I've read all of the series up to this point and have this book pre-ordered and I can't wait to read it. Sounds like another great one.

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  16. I THINK I read the first book in this series a long time ago.... Maybe it's time for a quick reread and catch up!!! How hot is that cover?!?

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  17. Okay, I don't remember if this was one of the series you told me about as whilst we walked down the romance isle at B&N, but I tell you...I WANT TO LICK THAT COVER! Seriously, that has got to be one of my favorite covers EVER! I really want to read this series, Jenny. Especially knowing that book 8 received such high marks. Lately, once authors get too far the books start to go down hill. I'm so excited. Especially to hold a book with such a tantalizing cover! YUM!

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  18. I'll be honest, I've had a hit or miss relationship with this series. That said, I find that characters that I really like I haven't been disappointed in reading their stories. I'm curious how Paris's and Torin's books will turn out. My favorite Lord, however, is Lucien. LOL, I guess I'm a little morbid.

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  19. Jenny - She does a really good job keeping things interesting in this series:)

    Mary - This is my favorite so far. I have a feeling Paris will beat this one, but for now Strider is my newest fictional crush.

    Ashley - DO IT! Just buy them all and sit down one weekend and enjoy the Lords. They're yummy.

    Jen - I want to lick it too. Repeatedly. Is that too much information?

    Rummanah - There are hits and misses in this series for me as well, but Strider's I thought was brilliant. And I can't wait for Paris and Torin, I feel like I've been waiting forever for them! Torin is still a ways off I'm sure:(

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  20. Many times in a series of this length the books can become tired, following a set formula with characters and conflicts substituted in each installment, but Ms. Showalter manages to avoid this pitfall and keep us invested on every possible level.

    Wowza! This book (and the series in general) sounds flipping amazing! Witty female character, strong male character, and a sizzling romance? Yes please!

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  21. *bangs head in the wall* I still have not read book 1 even though I bought it 2 years ago

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  22. *sobs* I haven't read a single book in the series. What's my problem with HAWT, drool-inspiring covers? *kicks self*

    I'm always on the look out for a series that doesn't get stale, so thanks for the review, Jenny! :)

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  23. I needs this whole series! Oh man... so many book boyfriends. Oh and it's Showalter! I think I am such a fan even though I haven't read enough of her! Yes... I'm getting this one!

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  24. I think I read up to book # 4. I need to catch up on my Adult reads! I love the whole concept on Pandora's box. Nice review!

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  25. Oh my gosh, this sounds so cool! I don't normally read adult books but I love Gena Showalter and this one seems so awesome! :)

    Awesome review, Jenny!

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  26. Oh, drool. I love me a hot, tortured Alpha male! And Gena does do great tortured Alphas. Plus, her female characters aren't wilting flowers. No way. I forgot she had a new one coming out -- one more for the TBR!
    Mary @ BookSwarm

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  27. OMIGOSH OMIGOSH I need this one, Jenny. I LOVE this series and I LOVE Strider. I am so glad to hear that this one was great!! =D I love a strong heroine. =)

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  28. Yikes. How is it that I've yet to start this series, Jenny? I have book uno on my shelf. You'd think by now your reviews would have convinced me, eh? I think, perhaps, I'll need to pick it up for a wee bit of late night pleasure. That sounded dirty, and I meant it. :)

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  29. Great review! I can't wait to read this book! I have it pre-ordered. This series is one of my favorites. Love Gena's writing :-)

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  30. Sounds awesome!
    I've just added to my list :)

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  31. I have heard so many great things about this series. My sister has read all the books, and she loves them. I really need to check them out too! Great review!

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  32. I've read the first two books in this series and they were just ok. While I've always been interested in Strider, when I read the description of his book I just couldn't do it. It sounded too much like a corny Harpy Olympics. but I really liked your review and I am so tempted to read this book now.

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  33. I love this series! I think I may have missed the last one. And I need to read this one! This is the absolute best line, Jenny-"we continually check the pads of our fingers for blisters the heat emanating from them is so strong, making the possibility of it manifesting itself physically through the conduit of the paper pages a very real one." Laugh, Laugh, Laugh!!

    It's always such a joy to read your reviews!

    Heather

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