Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Review: The Darkest Lie by Gena Showalter

Title: The Darkest Lie (Lords of the Underword Book #6)

Author: Gena Showalter

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Harlequin

Authors website: http://genashowalter.com/








*Warning! This review contains minor spoilers!*


The Darkest Lie focuses on my favorite Lord of the Underworld Gideon. Gideon is the keeper of lies and cannot tell the truth. If Gideon speaks the truth he feels immense pain throughout his body. In this book we get to see how much pain Gideon will go through just to hear the truth come from his lips. There are times that he feels telling the truth is completely necessary; that he believes in that so much, that the pain is worth it to him. Those scenes made me feel great respect for him.

We learn in the previous book, The Darkest Passion, that Scarlett, a prisoner in the LotU dungeon, is Gideon's wife. Gideon wants to find out the truth since he can't seem to remember Scarlett or their wedding day. Gideon has had visions in the past, and the things that he has remembered is tattooed on his body. Such as Scarlett's eyes and her lips. Gideon decides to take Scarlett away from the fortress to soften her up in the hopes that she may tell him more about their past. This is one part of the book I didn't enjoy. I thought it was too much back and forth between Gideon and Scarlett. I understand that Scarlett is guarded because of the past, but it's pretty obvious that Gideon can't remember a thing. Even though he doesn't remember anything, he feels that Scarlett must have been a special person in his life. Therefore he is patient and allows her to talk and do anything to him. Gideon is willing to endure anything to learn the truth. I felt as if Gideon was a wimp! I mean I didn't expect him to jump up and punch Scarlett, but to allow her to stab him with a fork over and over. That just didn't make any sense! He pleaded with her just to tell him something, and Scarlett would take her sweet time dragging it on and on. I was so frustrated with this that I had to put the book down. I actually did that several times before I decided to just skim through those parts. I didn't feel a connection between Gideon and Scarlet until later in the book when we learn the truth about their relationship and what really happened. One thing that I did love was the connection between their demons. I had a feeling their demons were a little different that the other ones. I thought the scene where their demons finally come "together"was hilarious but also very sweet because that meant Gideon and Scarlett were connected.

One thing I was very upset about was Gideon's love scenes. I got all hot and bothered by the description of Gideon. He's gorgeous, check! He's got a great body, check! He's got a nipple piercing, CHECK!! Then we get to the first time Gideon and Scarlett get it on. Gideon can't last!!! I mean, he's in and he's done! And what's worse is that it almost happens again the 2nd time they get together! Now anyone that knows me knows that I enjoy my smut. Gena write some of the best smut out there. But to have poor Gideon be such a lousy lay?! Oh Gena why?? Why couldn't it be Amun or Kane or someone. Why my poor Gideon?? I don't want to hear that it was because Scarlett turned him on so greatly that he couldn't last. No woman wants to read that. We want to read about passion, and them going at it for a long period of time. I mean he didn't even last a minute y'all! I know you may think so what it's one love scene, but I'm a smut lover people! And my view of Gideon as this hunky, strong warrior is gone. So I might be switching teams moving on to Team Strider as my favorite. I hope she doesn't do this to Strider!

I was happy to read about the other Lords in the book. Strider, my 2nd favorite Lord, and Amun had their own separate story lines in the book. We get to learn a little more of Amun because his book, The Darkest Secret, is the next one to be released. I'm anxious to read that one because Amun's not doing pretty good at the end of The Darkest Lie. Strider also has his hands full. He has decided to bring the Lords back a little 'pressie' and has a hard time with it. He has some great lines in his scene and I'm looking forward to reading his book. Especially now that he might be my new favorite. Yes I am fickle people!

I'm going to be honest people. I wasn't feeling this book. And no, it wasn't because Gideon's sex scenes sucked. I had a hard time getting into the book at the beginning. In fact, I didn't really start to enjoy it until I reached pg. 200 when the book started focusing on the other Lord's. Scarlett came off as being bitchy, foolish, and she just couldn't seem to make up her mind about anything. Yeah she has a kick ass demon in her, but she is by far my least favorite female in the series. I just found her relationship with Gideon to be annoying. *smh* Therefore I'm giving The Darkest Lie *3* Bells.

Photobucket

I was so excited and anxious to read this book that I am a little bit disappointed that I didn't love the book, but I'm okay with that. I'm just glad that I now know more about Gideon. I consider myself a very open minded reader. I know what I like and what works for me. I know there will be lots of others that loved this book and I respect that. But at the end of the day, it's my opinion that matters the most to me. Gena will always be my favorite author and I will continue to be one of her biggest supporters even though I didn't love the book. This has not been the first time that I didn't like a book, and I'm sure it won't be the last. I will continue to chant her name, for she is still great! *chanting* Gena, Gena, Gena!!


Photobucket

12 comments:

  1. Great review! I have a couple books to read before I start this one. I'm a Reyes girl, so while I enjoy all the Lords, none of them do it for me like he did. Sigh... Can't wait to read Gideon :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful review Bells! like you said to you its your opinion that matters the most, we all have our own tastes, some books resonate more with others than they do with us, thats life! Its a shame Gideons book didnt rock your socks hun, and a lousy lay NOES! dont do that to our delicious lying Gideon! Scarlett could have a grip on her like a python snake but we still want our Lords to last more than a blink. come on!! =P

    I do adore the Lords, and some are always gonna be better than others, Im waiting anxiously for PARIS!

    Its funny you mentioned liking the demons, i adored Aerons demon, he was all with the "MINE" so i look forward to seeing more of Gideons demon. I'll tweet you my thoughts on the book lol!

    A-a-a-rooo!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I really need to read this series. I'm sorry you didn't like this one, it's my understanding it's one that that many have been waiting for.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for understanding Bear. I've always been questioned when I don't like books that others have loved, so I felt it was important for me to be true to myself. I'm not longer afraid to say what I want regarding books that I read. Like you said, we all like different things. :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. GREAT review, thank you for breaking it down for us on Gideon's issues, I've read glowing reviews and it's refreshing to get another perspective on this one. I just finished Aeron's book and am going to wait a while to pick up Gideon's. He's never been one of my favorites (I'm super fickle too) but I really want to know what's happening with Strider since she started a good story for him in Darkest Passion as well.
    I gotta say, I really hope William gets himself a book.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Never be afraid to voice your opinion. I loved this book but there have been books that others love and I was like, "Meh" towards them.
    I think the demons the Lords hold are hilarious.
    Great review Bells!

    ReplyDelete
  7. how disappointing! I just gave up on reading the Darkest Passion... I just don't love this series and don't have time for things I am not in love with right now.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Excellent review Bells. I have to be honest and say I read the first 2 books of Ms. Showalter's Lords of the Underworld series and barely got through them. Just not my cuppa. However I did like Gideon as a secondary character. Too bad the characterization and chemistry wasn't better penned between the H&H.

    Thanks for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very nice review Bells..I haven't read this series *hides* but I definitely want to :) It's a bummer when the anticipated ones don't work out so well :(

    ReplyDelete
  10. I haven't read this series, I still plan on it though because I know you love the previous ones! This is seriously one of your best reviews yet. It felt so honest and straight forward- loved it.

    And... yeah, I'm with you, no one wants a one minute man in their romance novels. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you Jules! A minute man is the worst thing that could be in a romance novel. I am going to have to write up his scene so you can really understand my frustration with it. Oh man, Gideon is on my boyfriend list and I'm going to have to do a scene for him. HAHAHA!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dude, make that scene on "Anti Smutty Monday-ness" haha

    ReplyDelete