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Born of Darkness

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The battle between light and dark is about to spill over into the city of New Orleans.
Two sides search for a powerful weapon that could tip the balance.

After the gods defeated the titans, it was prophesied that another war would come. One that could mean the end of not only Olympus, but the mortal world as well.

Lana Cormier has never quite fit in her world. Found wandering the streets of New Orleans as a small child with no memories, her past is a mystery. Until one night she steps into the wrong alley and stumbles upon a world that belongs to myth and legend. One that may be the key to who she is and where she comes from.

One thing is certain; the strangers she encounters in that alley are dangerous. One of them radiates something so dark, powerful, and terrifying, he would give the boogeyman nightmares. She knows she should run, but instead finds herself drawn to him as a darkness of her own begins to awaken. Now, she’s about to become a pawn in a long-prophesied war.

When she learns the truth of both their pasts, will they be on opposite sides of the war?

Will she choose to accept her destiny? Or embrace her fear and write a new one; defying fate, prophecy, and every power the gods possess?

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 24, 2019

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About the author

Stephanie Hoffman McManus

22 books430 followers
Stephanie is a New Adult romance author who debuted her first series in Spring of 2014, but her love affair with books began at an early age. She consumed them from the moment she learned to read, loving nothing more than to get lost in the fictional worlds that came to life on the pages. Creating her own stories was something she always enjoyed but never pursued until she wrote Finding Ever After, her first novel. It has been a dream come true ever since.

She has many passions outside books, including hiking, traveling, drawing, painting, design, baking and cake decorating. Prior to the release of her first novel, she was running her own bakery and cake shop in the small coastal town where she was born and raised and returned home to after moving away for college. Becoming an author has been an incredible journey, one she hopes never ends.

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5 stars
79 (70%)
4 stars
24 (21%)
3 stars
7 (6%)
2 stars
2 (1%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Johnaka- Amity Book Blog.
1,162 reviews16 followers
June 24, 2019
Born of Darkness by Stephanie H. McManus
“Gods/Goddesses, prophecies, are they real? 5 stars”

I’m stuck on how to review Born of Darkness. I don’t know how to review it and make you want to read it without giving too much away. I loved that McManus went the prophecies and Gods/Goddesses route. I think it’s one that isn’t done enough and she nailed it. The whole time I felt for Lana our heroine because she didn’t know who she could trust and believe. One wrong move and she could kill humanity as we know it.
I cannot wait to see where McManus takes this series. Born of Darkness is the building blocks of the series. Right when I was sold is when it ended. Lets just say I cannot wait for book 2.
Plot-5/5
Characters-5/5
Heat-5/5
Writing style-5/5
Overall-5/5
Profile Image for DMCechak.
1,689 reviews21 followers
June 23, 2019
One of the Most Amazing Books I’ve Ever Read!

Stephanie H. McManus has created a splendid opening story in her new series, Touch of Chaos: Born of Darkness (book 1).

The complexity and character development are superior to many of the ‘gods of the past’ books I have previously enjoyed reading. And the emotional bond created between the reader and the tortured cast of this book is deep and dark and beautiful in it’s pain.

This author has become one of my favorites because she writes with an intellectual intensity that also pleases the romantic reader.

Well done, Stephanie, and thank you for creating such an enjoyable journey into the darkness!
Profile Image for Dawn Burger.
100 reviews
July 1, 2019
This book has a little of everything I love- it’s definitely a 5 star read! I love Greek mythology, this is a modern twist on an old tale and it has twists and turns I’ve never heard. It’s action packed, suspenseful with the hint of romance. It’s a fantasy but it’s also about friends and family, loyalty and trust. I can’t wait for book 2.
Profile Image for Madeleine.
4,052 reviews10 followers
March 17, 2021
This is my 1st book by this author and boy I am blown away. This book was outstanding and the characters were amazing. Gods, Goddess, secrets, twists, turns, Greek mythology, danger, adventure all rolled up in one. I can not wait for the next book!
Profile Image for 2TNWalkers.
713 reviews6 followers
March 16, 2021
Good read

Well written, ends on a cliff hanger, but all the players were sorted out. Different take on the Hades and Persephone trope. Not sure whose side to be on.
Profile Image for MoodyReaderHMB.
289 reviews17 followers
August 14, 2019
Born of Darkness is the first book in the Touch of Chaos series. I geek out when I have series that involves Greek mythology. I stumble upon this little gem, while looking to see what was new out there. I’m so glad I did. This story is mainly about Lana, a girl that was adopted in New Orleans and never fit it. She was different from everyone and always felt like a freak. She was working at a Mardi Gras ball where she stumble upon two men roughing up another one. Ever since the meeting with the handsome strangers her life has been turned upside down.

This is one of the reviews I don’t want to say too much, because I don’t want to give away anything. Lana, character is hilarious and truly acts like someone from Louisiana. She is nice, but got full spice in her attitude. Aiden is the brooding asshole, but yet mysterious and a hot mess. For my favorite character Damon, the man is a flirt and cracked me up a lot. The supporting characters and they are many truly brought out the plot and mixes the new world with the old world. This book was hot in its own way, but did not have a lot of steamy scenes, which I was actually happy about, for the storyline. I can’t wait until the next book. Stephanie McManus truly brought New Orleans to her readers. I highly recommend this one and will be added to my favorites for 2019.
Profile Image for DMCechak.
1,689 reviews21 followers
June 25, 2019
Journey Into Darkness

One of the Most Amazing Books I’ve Ever Read!

Stephanie H. McManus has created a splendid opening story in her new series, Touch of Chaos: Born of Darkness (book 1).

The complexity and character development are superior to many of the ‘gods of the past’ books I have previously enjoyed reading. And the emotional bond created between the reader and the tortured cast of this book is deep and dark and beautiful in it’s pain.

This author has become one of my favorites because she writes with an intellectual intensity that also pleases the romantic reader.

Well done, Stephanie, and thank you for creating such an enjoyable journey into the darkness!
Profile Image for Yadira.
8 reviews
July 14, 2019
OMG

I have found a new favorite author that ranks up with Amelia Hutchins and Laura Thalassa . No spoilers here but OMG I loved this book it was the perfect mix of heat and actions. The heroine is strong , she is a fighter and the chemistry between her and Aiden is 🔥🔥🔥🔥 . The characters are well fleshed out enough for me to invest in them . The world building was descriptive enough that I could picture in my mind the locale but not so over descriptive where I skipped it . Major cliffhanger though so be prepared for that . Looking forward to book 2 !
Profile Image for Lacy.
292 reviews5 followers
August 2, 2019
Loved it

This is my first dip into God and Goddesses and I'm glad I choose this one!! The storyline was superb and kept me wanting more. A few reviews said it's 5\5 steamy but I highly disagree, there is one part that's steamy, A bit of flirtation and steam like thoughts but the book is definitely PG, hoping for a 18+ in the next one. I will be saving Stephanie's author page and seeing if she has an email for notices. I only have about a handful of authors i get emails from so to me she is that good!!
Profile Image for Lisa.
772 reviews34 followers
September 11, 2019
Greek Mythology Fans

I'll be honest, I picked this up cause of the cover and the summary sounded interesting. What I got was much more. This is a great beginning to a continuous story that I wish the rest of the books were written cause I'd be buying them all in a heartbeat. I really liked it. If you like Greek mythology you gotta read this. That ending was a killer so please dear author don't make me wait too long. Action packed, twists, turns and I can't wait to dive back in. SO MUCH FREAKING FUN!!!! Oh, I love Aiden and his shadows, he's pretty hot!!
Profile Image for J A prime.
40 reviews1 follower
September 12, 2019
The Greek gods were nothing like this in mythology class!

I have to say I took a chance on reading this book but I'm so glad that I did. It has everything that's makes a great story - just a shame it left it induce a cliff hanger. I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment. I can't remember if I bought this or got it for free but either way I will be buying the next one.
3 reviews
July 1, 2019
Wow!!

Can not wait to see what happens next!! I don’t know what exactly I was expecting, but I am absolutely in love with these characters. And who would ever believe you might actually be rooting for the bad guy??
71 reviews2 followers
July 8, 2019
Here’s my review

So I can have book 2 right now!! Right??!! Hey it was worth a try ;) great book, amazing first book to a series that looks like it is going to be a complete emotional f#7k. That is ok I like my books twisted and a little jagged around the pages.
720 reviews4 followers
June 26, 2019
This book captivated me

I'm not a mythology reader generally,I get lost in the gods, but this book not only made me excited but made me want to know more.
23 reviews
July 1, 2019
Love it

I was so engrossed by this book. I read it in one day. I can’t wait for book number 2.
Profile Image for Alyssa Sonnier.
86 reviews
July 15, 2019
Wow

This story pulled me in instantly!!! I am dying for the next book in this series and kind of depressed that I can’t just binge read the whole series lol
July 16, 2019
Loved it!

This book sucked me in, and just got better the more I read. I love it, and I can’t wait for more. Fabulous!
3 reviews
July 23, 2019
Omg

Such a great book! Even though it doesn’t have many reviewers. Loved! Also, I never write reviews so you know it’s good.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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