Thursday, September 15, 2011

Review: The Darkest Surrender by Gena Showalter

PhotobucketThe Darkest Surrender
Book 10 in the Lords of the Underworld series

Author: Gena Showalter
Publisher:  Harlequin
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ISBN:  9781459213852
Release date: September 27, 2011
Author's website:  Gena Showalter
Possessed by the demon of Defeat, Strider cannot lose a challenge without suffering unimaginable pain. For him, nothing stands in the way of victory. Until Kaia, an enchanting Harpy, tempts him to the razor's edge of surrender.

Known among her people as The Disappointment, Kaia must bring home the gold in the Harpy Games or die. Strider is a distraction she can't afford because he has an agenda of his own—steal first prize, an ancient godly artifact, before the winner can be named. But as the competition heats up, only one prize will matter—the love neither had thought possible.…
*staring and drooling over cover*  Oh I'm sorry!  I'm supposed to be telling you how I felt about The Darkest Surrender. Let me just tell you that I LOVED IT!!  Every single page of this book was entertaining and it kept me riveted from beginning to end.  Now it's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Gena Showalter's work and have labeled her as my favorite author and there is a reason for that.  The proof is in The Darkest Surrender.  Not only is it well written, but it includes all of the great characters that readers of this series has grown to love and enjoy.

The book is centered around my favorite Lord of the Underworld, Strider.   He is possessed by the demon of Defeat and must win anything that is challenged to him or his demon gets cranky and inflicts him with pain.  He is paired with Kaia, a harpy that did something hundreds of years ago that brought much shame on her family.  She has much to prove and enters the Harpy games to restore her family's honor.  Now these two have liked each other for a while but never gave into the attraction and just remained friends.  But now things are different as Strider's feelings for her deepen and he finds himself doing things he never thought he would do. He knows how important this game is to her and does everything he can to show her support.  Kaia is touched by this and works harder because she wants to make him proud of her.  *swoony sigh*  These 2 were made for each other and Gena does such an excellent job writing the moments in which they fall in love with each other.  They are by far my favorite couple in this series so far.  They are fun, hot for each other, and work as a team. 

I'm giving The Darkest Surrender a rating of:
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All in all people...THIS BOOK ROCKED MY SOCKS! It is definitely one my fave books of 2011 that I have read so far. So many great moments and Stider is the sexiest Lord of the Underworld!!  We also get to see all of the other awesome characters in The Darkest Surrender. Kaia and her sister Bianka have some really entertaining conversations and always make me laugh. William is one of my favorite characters in the series and does something hardcore in this book! Gosh I can't wait to read his book! I loved the sidestories that were going on as well as they seemed to be setting up some of the future books in the series. We know that Paris's book is next so we get to see him in action as well as Kane. There is so much that we don't know about Kane and I hope that we do in the next book. I'm anxiously awaiting for The Darkest Seduction so that I can revisit these wonderful characters again!  Now excuse me, I must get back to worshiping at my Gena altar again.  *chants*  Gena, Gena, GENA!!  


GIVEAWAY! 

Because I loved The Darkest Surrender SO much, I want to giveaway a copy!  Please read the instructions below to enter:
  • You MUST be a follower of my blog, Hanging With Bells.
  • This contest is open to everyone! If you're in the US, winner book will be ordered through Amazon.  If you're not, book will be ordered through Book Depository, so if they deliver to you, you'll get it! Click here to see if they do.
  • You MUST answer the following question:  Who is your favorite LotU and why? 
Please include your email in your comment so I can contact you if you win!  Giveaway ends 9/21/11 at 12 PM EST.  Winner will be chosen using random.org and winner will be announced the same day on the blog.  Good luck!

33 comments:

  1. Oh yay, 5 Bells! Cant' wait for this one. (no need to enter me, I just wanted to say I'm super glad you liked it because that means I'll like it too :)

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  2. Please don't enter me. After I went back and re read it a second time I have to agree with you. It was a great story line and William-OMG- he's so bad!

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  3. I can't wait for Striders book and thanks for the giveaway!!! My favorite LOU is Lucien followed closely by Sabin. For some reason these two are just a little more hot, sexy and alpha then the others ;)

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  4. YAY BELLS!!!!! I love Strider! And, um, Strideymonster too:) So excited for Paris's story next, he needs a HEA asap:)

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  5. I just love the Lords and can't wait to get this. Thanks for the review and giveaway.

    vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. It is so hard to pick a favorite. I love them all while reading their books. For the longest time I couldn't wait for Aeron and Paris' books but we now that Aeron has already gotten his HEA and we sorta have an idea about Paris' I'm not in as much of a hurry for his.

    I am looking forward to Kane's - Keeper of Disaster...can't you just imagine trying to get busy and the ceiling falling on you!

    There were so many great scenes with Strider and Kaia in the last book that I am ready to read this one now!

    See told you I can't pick a favorite...

    mmafsmith at gmail dot com

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  7. Oh, my favorite LotU is definitely Maddox! I love them all, but he's the one I keep going back to. That scene where he tells Ashlyn he'll get her Tylenol? Love it!

    rwschwarz11ATgmailDOTcom

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  8. Ok asking me to pick a favorite is like asking me to pick between Bones and Vlad (in that other pesky series that I refuse to pick one from)! If pushed/shoved/and told that I would absolutely have to pick one --it would be Strider oddly enough. He is just the right amount of sassy for me :)

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  9. So what you're sayin' is I can expect parts of this book to make one of your Monday Smutty Goodness posts. ;-)

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  10. I have not read any of the Lords of the Underworld and would love to. Thank you for sharing this awesome giveaway opportunity:) I am a follower, Denise Zaky

    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

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  11. you know how bad i want this book!!!!! i mean seriously i tell u this all the time. so pls pls pls and ill love you forever and ever!!!!!!!! bells!!!!!! seriously and then i want paris asap as well so put that on your list to send me too when it comes out thanks !!!

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  12. I'm lagging I haven't read them yet... But you could fix that ;)
    kuuipo228 at g mail dot com

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  13. My favorite Lord is Reyes keeper of Pain ...remember the bathroom scene. My heart goes out to that man. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

    jnmt3@hotmail.com

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  14. I am going to have to go with Lucian, he's hot sexy and a bit of an alpha :)

    GFC follower

    june111(at)att(dot)net

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  15. I don't have a favorite; I've not read any of Gena's books as yet. Am I deprived or what?

    thumbelinda03@yahoo.com

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  16. I think it is just so wrong to pick just one, isn't that favoritism? :) Ok I would have to Paris. The poor man is suffering since his woman was killed. It's breaking my heart to see him suffer.
    beckerjo at verizon dot net
    GFC follower

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  17. Since I am FORCED to choose, my favorite LotU is Lucien. So deliciously male!!

    GFC: Mary Preston

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  18. Would love to start reading this series! Unfortunately I don't have a fav LotU (yet) since I haven't read any of the books:( Hope to change that soon. Thanks for the giveaway!

    *GFC Follower
    yadkny@hotmail.com

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  19. Strider is my favorite!!!! I've been waiting for this book!

    Ladysarahofscots(at)gmail

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  20. So sorry, you needed a why. Have you seen how much he is in these books? His demon fascinated me, and incant wait to see how he and Kaia come together.

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  21. Strider is my fave Lord!! His humor and wit has me hysterical everytime!! Plus I love the concept of his demon and can't wait to see him "surrender"!!

    kaialotu@easy.com

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  22. Can I "like" the previous comment?

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  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  24. I love all the Lords but Torin has such a soft spot in my heart. Perhaps it's the sad fact that he can't touch another living creature without killing it.However, I think there is more to Torin than he's given credit for. I think within despite his demon, there is someting more there. I can't wait until Gena does Torin's story. I mean we're women right-the unattainable-the things we can't have is always the lure for us so yeah Torin Keeper of Disease is my favorite. Email: nikkitrueblue@hotmail.com

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  25. I love them all. :) Reyes might be a little more favored because it was his book I actually started with. But Lucian, just grabs at me.And even though he's not a LOTU I love hi character and cannot wait for his book.Thanks for this opportunity.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  26. TORIN! I know he's going to get his book last, which bums me out. But he's the one that has the most to overcome. I dont know how Gena will pull Torin off, but I know she will. I can't wait to see how!

    Although, Reyes is a verra verra close second!

    Annie
    alltherhage AT gmail DOT com
    GFC follower: Under the Covers

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  27. I love her books, and my favorite is Gideon why I don't know. He just kinda grew on me lol

    feiderwATgmailDOTcom

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  28. My favorite is William since he always cracks me up!

    GFC follower
    lilazncutie1215[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  29. Hard to pick a favourite, but if I have to, I would say Strider. Thanks for the awesome giveaway, I can't wait to read this!

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

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  30. I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed this book. So bad. I was not all that interested in Strider until Amun's book. But now....Must.Have. Your review makes me even more excited! I am literally dying to experience the back and forth between these two serious forces of nature!

    As far as my favorite Lords, I'm going with Aeron and now Strider. I'm throwing William in there because he rocksauce sexy, too.

    THANK YOU!!!!!! ♥
    ash @smashattackreads.com

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  31. Er, I forgot to explain WHY! Aeron holds a special place in my heart. I’m a sucker for tortured souls, and this dude has been dealt a whammy. While he is bitter and not the most kind man in the room, my heart is forever touched by his story. I’m amazed at his ability to withstand some of Wrath’s demands, and endure the bloodlust for so long, with no release.

    He needs me to tuck him in at night. :)

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  32. I have never read any so I can't possibly choose but some of these sound like I'd likey very much!

    musicalfrog at comcast dot net

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  33. That is a tough question, but I guess that I will say Lucien.
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

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