Exina's Reviews > The Darkest Night

July 12, 2013

"We’ll wait there and let the Hunters come to us.”
“That’s it? That is your plan?”
“Well, that and kill them.” The fragrance of roses became stronger as Lucien’s eyes glittered menacingly.
“It’s a good plan.”

The Darkest Night is a great opening book of the Lords of the Underworld series.

Smartly built alternative mythology, gradually measured tension and multiplying conflict.

Maddox is the least significant Lord for me, so the first book being his is really smart, because his personality doesn’t outshine the story and the characters of the other Lords. The Darkest Night successfully keys up the readers towards the rest of the characters and the series.



He is the Keeper of Violence, not a surprise that he has violent urges to destroy, kill, maim, punch the wall, etc. Furthermore he is suffering a horrible extra curse every day. His protective instincts revive toward Ashlyn, so he also can be tender and caring.

Mine, mine, mine. She was more important than breathing, more necessary than food or water or shelter. In a thousand lifetimes of war and violence and rage, she gave him kindness. Serenity. Compassion. Trust.

Ashlyn’s character is more intriguing to me, I liked her very much. Sweet and insanely brave. Her ability of hearing every bygone conversation in a place, and understand it in every language is exceptional.

The love story

With Ashlyn, Violence was not truly violent. Instead, the spirit was made into something beautiful. Dark, yes. Always dark. But sensually so. Not evil, but needy. Not destructive, but possessive. Two days ago, he would not have thought such a thing was possible.

The basis of the affection is that they mutually calm each other: Ashlyn tames Maddox’s demon, and Maddox dissipate the voices Ashlyn hears. A bit hasty, but sweet.



Secondary characters
The Lords’ characters are so tempting that they surely make you continue reading the series. The reunion with the other group of warriors centuries after they had departed hopefully generates some further conflicts. Both Lucien and Anya’s and Reyes and Danika’s story is nicely prepared.

“I don’t understand how he can be this fierce over one woman,” he faintly heard Lucien say.

ha ha... yet!

“No woman should have to barter her body to escape a prison,” she said, angry at herself. The image of Reyes swam before her eyes again, and she found herself adding, “But I’ll think about it.”

- Danika

My favorite quotes.