Exina's Reviews > The Darkest Passion

"Better a fool who plays the game than one who remains on the sidelines."

The Darkest Passion is the fifth book of the Lords of the Underworld series, the story of Aeron, keeper of Wrath and Olivia, a fallen angel.

It’s an amazing, thrilling, heartbreaking, exciting story. I have only one serious problem with it: Olivia’s character. I’ve read this book twice, and even for the second read I see Olivia as selfish.

Olivia, a former joy-bringer, now a newbie warrior angel, is assigned to execute Aeron, because he had unintentionally summoned a little demon, Legion, from Hell, and bounded her to himself. But Olivia is so fascinated by Aeron that instead of accomplishing the command, she chooses to fall.
A respectable sacrifice, but the problem is that she makes it mainly for herself and not for Aeron. She knows that another executioner will be sent to Aeron, and there is no way to escape his fate. But until then they have fourteen days, so she wants to have fun! Because she deserves it…

“I watched you,” she continued, “as well as those around you, and I… ached. I wanted you, and I wanted what they had–freedom and love and fun. I wanted to play. I wanted to kiss and to touch. I wanted joy of my own.” Her gaze met his, bleak, broken. “In the end, I had a choice. Fall…or kill you. I decided to fall. So here I am. Yours.”

After arriving to the fortress, endless conversations start about if she should stay or go. She is hysteric and importunate. She constantly reminds Aeron of her sacrifice. And now what does she want? To have fun, to have sex, to pierce her navel, to dye her hair, to persuade Aeron to accept his upcoming death, and until then to have fun with him.

“She wanted Aeron here with her, yes, but he apparently needed time away to reflect on how lucky he actually was to have her. That wasn't egotistical of her, she told herself. Truth was never egotistical.”

A little bit arrogant, our angel, isn’t she?

When Aeron is injured, all Olivia can think about is that she can’t enjoy her nine days left with him, if he dies before his execution.

When Olivia thinks that Aeron (view spoiler)[is having sex with Legion in order to save the demon from the bargain she had made with Lucifer, and save his friends as well, (hide spoiler)] all Olivia can think about is the consequences of this act for her. HER broken heart, HER pain, HER hurt. Never thinks about how Aeron feels (view spoiler)[being forced to have sex someone whom he considers his daughter. (hide spoiler)]

And after everything is revealed, and everything seems hopeless, and Aeron storms out of the room helplessly, what does she think???

“He didn't gently shut the door behind him. He slammed it, rattling the pictures on the walls. After everything she'd just agonized over, realized and decided, a little compassion--and a goodbye kiss--wouldn't have been amiss.”

She has one great moment though, when she is finally given the opportunity to help the Lords. I really appreciate her bravery.



But at the end, she just whines some more, and instead of (view spoiler)[saving Aeron, she demands him back from the High Council just because SHE deserves to be happy. (hide spoiler)]


No, I’m not jealous. Aeron is not my type. He is too morose. But he is also fierce and caring. Admirably caring.

He was disciplined, distanced and brutally honest. He trusted no one but his friends. Weakness was not a trait he tolerated. And yet, to those he loved, he was kind, nurturing and solicitous. He placed their well-being above his own. ... This man, he isn't evil, despite the evil inside him. He's kind. He's considerate. He's capable of great affection and boundless loyalty.

He has so much burden on his shoulders and now Olivia also pins herself on him. His deeds are highly respectable. His decision at the end is heartbreaking.

Legion is selfish too, yes, but it is in her demonic nature. Her bargain with Lucifer is surprising, and gives new perspectives for the series. She is a credible and perfectly drawn antagonist. And most importantly, she improves! When she finally realizes the consequences of her deeds, she does her best, the only thing she can do to help and avenge Aeron.

The story and secondary characters
Complex, coherent, well-worked-out storyline, where everything has significance.

The quest for the artifacts goes on in the Temple of the Unspoken Ones. I loved Strider:

The Unspoken Ones. Without a doubt. Strider let out a breath. They should have remained the Unseen Ones, as well. 'Cause damn.
Win.
No challenge has been issued yet, moron. Thank the gods, he added, just for himself. Would he be able to defeat these things?

New demon-possessed immortals show up, and unexpected ones appear ((view spoiler)[Baden and Pandora! How fantastic it is to meet them like this! Hope we’ll see them again later. (hide spoiler)]) And Galen! Yes, Galen! Very intriguing.



All in all
Aeron is an unforgettable hero.
The secondary characters are amazing.
The antagonists are creepy, disgusting, provoking, and outrageously evil.
The enemy is very capable, with powerful allies.
There is action, drama, oh, so much drama, so many tears, bargain after bargain, unexpected twists and turns.
I could go on, but it seems impossible to say more at this point of the series, without giving away important details. Only the development of the romance, especially Olivia’s character was not satisfying for me.