#BlogTour: The Darkest Torment with #giveaway and review @TLCBookTours
The Darkest Torment (Lords of the Underworld, Book 12)
by Gena Showalter
Paranormal romance
Paperback/eBook: 576 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (June 1, 2016)
New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with her most explosive Lords of the Underworld tale to date, about a fierce warrior on the brink of sanity who will stop at nothing to claim the exquisite human with the power to soothe the beast inside him…
Driven to his death by the demon of Distrust, Baden spent centuries in purgatory. Now he’s back, but at what cost? Bound to the king of the underworld, an even darker force, he’s unable to withstand the touch of another…and he’s quickly devolving into a heartless assassin with an uncontrollable temper. Things only get worse when a mission goes awry and he finds himself saddled with a bride—just not his own.
Famed dog trainer Katarina Joelle is forced to marry a monster to protect her loved ones. When she’s taken hostage by the ruthless, beautiful Baden immediately after the ceremony, she’s plunged into a war between two evils—with a protector more dangerous than the monsters he hunts. They are meant to be enemies, but neither can resist the passion burning between them…and all too soon the biggest threat is to her heart.
But as Baden slips deeper into the abyss, she’ll have to teach him to love…or lose him forever.
“Gena Showalter is a romantic genius.” -San Francisco Book Review
“Showalter writes fun, sexy characters you fall in love with!” -Lori Foster, New York Times bestselling author
“The Showalter name on a book means guaranteed entertainment.” -RT Book Reviews
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The Darkest Torment is the twelth book in the Lords of the Underworld and centers on Baden and Katarina. I will not attempt to give a synopsis of the history, story, and conflicts in this book. There's too much and fans will already be knowledgeable with the facts pertaining to the individual lords and their backstories. Baden is a conflicted, long suffering badass. His demon isn't part of him anymore, but it does make its presence known by offering tempting words promising dark things to Baden. It is up to the man to fight it off.
I have read a handful of books in this ongoing series and each one can be read as a standalone. Usually. Showalter usually gives us brooding males and strong women, all are interesting, their storylines intrigue, plots are complex and easy to follow, and each definitely sizzles and entertains. Consistently.
As an occasional reader of this series I liked this book but I did have problems with it too. That is why I used words like 'usually' and 'consistently' above. For such a dense book I felt some aspects seemed redundant and others not explained enough. I didn't get a true sense of Baden's character. I also did not think there was chemistry between the leads. Katarina could be annoying and as a human bullied Baden. Her attitude became a bit much at times. Baden was downright depressing. The plots and conflicts at times seemed long-winded and drawn-out. I tried to really care for these characters but ultimately did not.
Perhaps my problems stemmed from not reading the entire series in their proper order. I have read other Showalter books--shorter, faster paced, exciting, romantic tales I have enjoyed--but I feel I have to give up on this particular series. Reading is all about the experience and this time around it was simply an okay read for me.
Rating: 3
Cover comment: For such a brooding immortal, this cover model looks too content with his pose to pass as Baden. Cool tats and wristlets though.
Book source: Upon my request, Harlequin sent me an ARC so I could read the book and write a review for this tour.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this book for the tour.
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