Dark Beginnings (Includes: Lords of the Underworld, #0.5 & #3.5 & #4.5)

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Dark Beginnings (Lords of the Underworld 0.5, 3.5 & 4.5)

by Gena Showalter (Goodreads Author)

4.28 of 5 stars 4.28 · rating details · 1,728 ratings · 51 reviews

This title includes three new stories, Lords of the Underworld, from "New York Times" bestselling author Gena Showalter.

"The Darkest Fire" - He is the guardian of Hell, more monster than man. She is the goddess of oppression, more angel than woman. Together they will enter the flames to battle a horde of demon lords - and discover a passion unlike any other...Discover the...more

Kindle Edition

Published (first published April 16th 2010)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 2,992)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Jul 21, 2011 Catherine Forbes rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: LOTU fans

Shelves: gena-showalter, demons, para-romance

I thought I would absolutely love this book, which includes three short stories, three chapters of Maddox’s original story, interviews with the Lords and ladies and of course, an interview with Gena Showalter herself. I was a tad disappointed, but it was my own fault for having overly high expectations.

The Darkest Fire takes us back to before Pandora’s Box was created. We are introduced to Kadence, Goddess of Oppression and Geryon, the Guardian of hell. Together they embark on a dangerous task,...more I thought I would absolutely love this book, which includes three short stories, three chapters of Maddox’s original story, interviews with the Lords and ladies and of course, an interview with Gena Showalter herself. I was a tad disappointed, but it was my own fault for having overly high expectations.

The Darkest Fire takes us back to before Pandora’s Box was created. We are introduced to Kadence, Goddess of Oppression and Geryon, the Guardian of hell. Together they embark on a dangerous task, to find and destroy the demons responsible for damaging the wall that separates the realm of hell from the world of humanity. After watching each other for centuries, they find their attraction for each other runs a lot deeper. And now that they are working together, they can only succumb to one another’s love and try to survive.

The Darkest Prison lets us delve into the heavens and see Nike, Greek Goddess of Strength, at the mercy of Atlas, Titan God of Strength. Their hate for each other is strong, but something slithers underneath. Love. They say there is a fine line between love and hate, which sometimes merge together. This was the case for the God and Goddess, but love finally overruled. However, with Nike imprisoned for eternity with the rest of her people, Atlas struggles and refuses to accept it.

The Darkest Angel moves our attention to Bianka, Harpy sister of Gwen. Unknown to her knowledge, she is the object of temptation for an angel named Lysander. Lysander has never felt desire before, but he feels that and more for Bianka when he watches her. But he dislikes the woman’s sinful ways and wishes to change her, to make her good. He captures her and hopes to ‘train’ her to become sinless. But everybody knows not to mess with a Harpy. Lysander finds himself falling even further into temptation.

The first two stories were so short; I couldn’t get attached to the characters. The last one was my favourite, but somehow I can’t get into the whole I-will-die-for-you-in-the-matter-of-a-few-pages thing. Love at first sight is fine, but really a romance needs to be fleshed out more.

A few things I liked in these stories; Geryon’s appearance (is it odd I found it hot?), Sienna with Cronus and the wedding in the last.

The interviews in total were okay. William did make me giggle at times, but it wasn’t as funny as I thought it would be. It was nice to hear some things from Gena Showalter, like for example; she is planning on writing a book about William. Also, it was nice to know she does no planning, but everything she just comes up with in the moment.

Awakening Pandora is three chapters of the first Lords book Gena started writing before scraping the idea. I found it hard to read and definitely preferred the new path she went with. It is about a thief stealing the box, only to have it opened and Maddox appearing.

A fun read, even though it wasn’t the best, but nevertheless, a must have for fans of the Lords.

© Catherine Forbes 2011(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jun 08, 2010 Kasey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, series, romance-four-star, contemporary, pnr-uf

I had already read The Darkest fire and The Darkest Prison in ebook format in the past (and enjoyed them), but The Darkest Angel (the 3rd story in this three-story book) is what earned the 4-star rating from me.

Can you say unresolved sexual tension?

Well, a good chunk of the story is just that. And it is HAWT! Great build-up. Reminds me of Gena's pal's books (Immortals After Dark) in the way the sexual tension develops and builds.

So, suffice to say, the "climax" was rather deeelish. I think Lysan...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 03, 2012 CriCra CriCra rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: venduto

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Feb 18, 2011 Filipa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: english-books, own, paranormal, anthologies-short-stories, 2011-reads

The Darkest Fire:
This short story is exactly that. Short. Nonetheless, is cute and shows that love is always present in our existence no matter you live or die like the characters of this anthology. It always persists. No matter if you are ugly or gorgeous.
It shows the beauty of the souls and the bonding of two people who cherish each other.
It is a good beginning for LOTUS series. I always wanted to know how the High Lords ended inside Pandora’s Box.

The Darkest Prison:
This short-story is mu...more

like · see review

Jun 14, 2011 Francesca the Fierce ~Eyelet Ecstasy~ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: anthologies-novellas, genre-paranormal-romance, series-lords-of-the-underworld, angels-demons, books-read-2011

This review was posted at Under The Covers

The Darkest Fire - LOTU # 0.5
3 Stars

Bringing you back to where it all started in a way. However the Demon Lords as we now know them are really not in this story. This is the story of Geryon, Guardian of the Gates of Hell, and Kadence, Goddess of Oppression.

He is not beautiful, how could a true beauty like Kadence want to even look at him. He feels like this from page one. Always beneath everyone, considered as low as a dog. With his almost demon-like app...more

like · see review

Jul 19, 2012 Robyn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: lords-of-the-underworld-series, 2012, part-of-a-series, paranormal-romance

From the three stories in this book, the Darkest Angel was definitely my favorite, followed by the Darkest Prison. The Darkest Angel is the story of Lysander (the angel who watches over the Lords of the Underworld demon posessed gods from the series by Gena Showalter). I wasn't sure I would like the story, but I've read nine of these books, and my mind kept wondering back to how Lysander met his harpy and how they came to be. This novella is a fun, humerous and steamy read.

The Darkest Prison I...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 14, 2011 Sath rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance, het, reviewed

Since I've already read the first 2 novellas in this book, this is just a quick review of the 3rd novella - Lords of the Underworld 4.5 "The Darkest Angel".

Lysander is an Angel. Respectable, pure hearted, incredibly goodlooking. (And he also happens to be the mentor of the female Angel that has been stalking Aeron in recent novels).
Bianka is a Harpy, and the sister of Gwen (the harpy from book 4).
Lysander notices Bianka playing bizarre games of 'who can break the least bones while jumping off a...more Since I've already read the first 2 novellas in this book, this is just a quick review of the 3rd novella - Lords of the Underworld 4.5 "The Darkest Angel".

Lysander is an Angel. Respectable, pure hearted, incredibly goodlooking. (And he also happens to be the mentor of the female Angel that has been stalking Aeron in recent novels).
Bianka is a Harpy, and the sister of Gwen (the harpy from book 4).
Lysander notices Bianka playing bizarre games of 'who can break the least bones while jumping off a cliff', becomes a little bit obsessed with her and kidnaps her. Tells himself it's for the good of society to keep her in captivity and that he's going to try and reform her. Turns out it's Bianka that reforms Lysander to her way of thinking.

Overall it was a bit of a pants story. I Actually liked Lysander, not suprising, as I usually like Angel characters. But Bianka ruined it. I hate harpys. I wish Gena had never written them into book 4. I like urban fantasy, but Bianka was all Urban and no Fantasy. She talks like a 15yrold high school girl, eats only junk food, and uses a mobile phone, and urgh.. so much.. I just tried to skip through it. The fact of it is, that these two characters had nothing in common apart from mutual sexual attraction, and thats not a great basis for a romance book.

I was much more interested in the snippets of side story about the other Angel and Aeron keeper of Wrath.

At the end of the story there was a brief telling of Gwen and Sabin's wedding. Which was yet another awful idea, since neither of them are remotely christian.. Sabin is a demon and Gwen is a half demon harpy.. why are they getting married in a church? It's probably just to appeal to the average American reader, but it didn't work for me.

Please forgive me but I'm going to keep reading these books because I'm a sucker for continuing a series once I've started it.

See my other reviews of the Lords of the Underworld series:
← #4 The Darkest Whisper | #5 The Darkest Passion →(less)

1 like · like · see review

Sep 18, 2010 Shawna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: LOTU fans

Shelves: 2010-reads, anthologies-novellas-shorts, captive-kidnapped-hostage-slave, enemies-to-lovers-opposites-attract, exotic-wild-settings-survivor-lovin, favorite-romance-series, hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst, hero-celibate-virgin-virginesque, heroine-abused-traumatic-past-rape, heroine-kickass-spirited-strong, humorous-at-times-or-fluffy-fun, i-read-no-longer-own-sold-swapped, gena-showalter, pnr-angeldemon-fae-magic-witch-misc, quick-read-romance, revenge-deception-secrets-lies, series-lords-of-the-underworld, tattoos-piercings-body-art, hero-cold-cruelbrute-dark-dangerous, 4-stars, greek-egyptian-misc-mythology, paranormal-romance

4 stars – Paranormal Romance Anthology

The Darkest Fire is an okay LOTU prequel story, but I didn’t really gain any further insights into the series and it’s just a bit too short. 3 stars.

The Darkest Prison is a pretty good LOTU ‘enemies to lovers’ story that I enjoyed. 4 stars.

The Darkest Angel is Lords of the Underworld story #4.5 that takes place between The Darkest Whisper and The Darkest Passion and tells the tale of innocent, pure-hearted warrior angel Lysander, a demon assassin, who finds...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 30, 2010 Sparklybearsy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book contains:

Three short stories:
The Darkest Fire
A Lords of the Underworld prequel
The Darkest Prison
A Lords of the Underworld Tale
The Darkest Angel

Also:
The Bonus Guide:
Twenty(ish) Questions with Kresley Cole
Classified Files: From the Private Records of Dean Stefano
Behind the Scenes: Creating the Lords of the Underworld
At home with the Lords of the Underworld
Round table: the women of the underworld speak
Frequently asked questions
Sneak peek of The Darkest Passion
The Sacred Scrolls
Glossary...more

like · see review

May 24, 2010 Gokce ~Muslin Myst~ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, adult, books-i-ll-never-part-with, books-i-own, favourites, hero-i-loved, heroine-i-loved, paranormal-romance, race-angels, race-demons, series, supernatural, book-lords-of-the-underworld, books-that-own-me, author-gena-showalter, race-immortal-warriors, cover-guy-oh-my, in-my-harem

I loved this intermission to the Lords of The Underworld series. It had three different stories from three different timelines, one, way before the forming of Pandora's box, one, right after Titans overpower Greeks, and the last one about fierce Gwen's older sister Bianka and an angel named Lysander coming after The Darkest Whisper. I absolutely loved all three stories, sad at times yet very loveable. But my favourite must be the second one, with a Greek Goddess and a Titan God. Their story was...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 17, 2010 Rebecca (Bec) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gena-showalter, immortal, 2010, angels-and-demons

So I didnt know when or where this book should be in the series and that kind of annoyed me. I tend to go on GR alot and I guess I need to look at official Author pages instead. I started reading The darkest passion and was missing small bits and pieces. Turns out (if you havent read it) read this one before The Darlesk Passion, especially if you are particularly Anal about reading orders like myself. I know people say it doesn't matter etc etc. but I HATE HATE HATE reading things out of order a...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 28, 2010 Mary rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book has a compilation of 3 stories one of which is about Lysander & Bianka and how they meet.

I enjoyed all three stories but what I liked most about this book was not only that it was a light read but the fact that William (Willie) interviews the Lords of the Underworld individually. William has me literally laughing out loud with his smart ass comments and in one scene he has an altercation with Kane (Keeper of Disaster).

Great read!

1 like · like · see review

Nov 14, 2010 Kiki Dufoulon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a good book, packed full of useful Lord info and fun tidbits. I loved the short stories, especially The Darkest Angel. Lysander is deff swoon material and Bianka is one hard-core chic.

I also really enjoyed reading The Darkest Fire, which not only introduced the Highlords, but explains how and why the Box was made as well as puts a face to Kadence (Goddess of Oppression).

The interviews in the Bonus Guide are also good, William's are hilarious. I loved the way he took the hand out of al...more

like · see review

Jan 11, 2013 Cory rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ok so ANY book that has Bianka(the harpy) making Lysander(the angel)oil wrestle with Paris(lords of the Underworld) OMG I thought I would pee my pants laughing......this had three great stories, but the third one on just how Lysander hooked up with Bianka, was price list. It also has tons of really funny tid bits about LOTU....with William as the interviewer!

like · see review

May 15, 2010 Alexis-Morgan Roark rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ooops! I actually read, "Darkest Angel," in "Heart of Darkness."

I enjoyed Bianka's story more than Gwen's. Not sure why.

I think Gwen whined to much for me...which continues in this story as she prepares for a big event.

The whole angel/demon thing really did it for me. Lysander trying to save her was beyond ironic when we all know who actually needed saving.

I was thankful to the shout out to the One True God and that there is actually something BIGGER than all of this. Thanks, Gena.

Anyway, great...more

like · see review

Jul 27, 2011 ShoSho rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal

It seems that I like the novellas more that the main books. this one was really good . I was reading it on my way home and couldn't stop myself from laughing out loud.
there is this hilarious scene in it .the oil tub , so so funny loved it.
this review is for the darkest angel .
I loved the three of the stories.

like · see review

Jul 25, 2011 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The questionnaire at the back of the book that William put together to ask the Lord's was hilarious. I laughed my ass off. Seriously I had tears in my eyes I was laughing so hard. It's that kind of humor that makes the series so amazing.

like · see review

Apr 21, 2011 Suzanne the Mighty ~Satin Seductress~ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance, on-bookcase-but-not-read, author-goddess-gena-showalter, lover-the-cover, mythology-gods-and-goddesses, anthology, angels

Darkest Fire, LOTU 0.5

5 Stars

I wasn't expecting to like this that much as after reading the first three books of the Lords of the Underworld series I already know that this isn't going to end well for the Goddess of Oppression. However, after a few pages I was hooked and I really enjoyed this really short (90 pages approx) story. It is a Beauty and the Beast story, with a beautiful woman and an ugly man-thing. But you can see why despite his appearence, although he does have some very cute littl...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 07, 2011 ♥ Sarah ♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-elsewhere, ilbn

I read The Darkest Fire (#0.5) and The Darkest Prison (#3.5) novellas in the anthology: Into the Dark. See my review for it here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I read The Darkest Angel (#4.5) in the anthology: Heart of Darkness. See my review for it here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

like · see review

Mar 02, 2011 Elisabeth Rodrigues rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: LOTU fans

Recommended to Elisabeth by: Luisa

Shelves: 2011-reread, paranormal-romance, borrowed

Like a movie with all the DVD extras. 3 short stories - all of them good and somehow pertinent to the Lords of the Underworld and then lots of fun extras - an interview with Kresley Cole (another favourite author of mine), information about each Lord, the hunters notes.

like · see review

Mar 18, 2012 Jaimie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I know I read these short stories but I honestly can't remember much about them. Not sure why I didn't put a review up right after I read the book.

like · see review

Jul 16, 2012 Nichole rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I laughed so hard at Bianka in The Darkest Angel (Lords of the Underworld 4.5)- loved her and Lysander together. Enjoyed the other stories too but The Darkest Angel was by far my favorite.

like · see review

Jan 03, 2012 Keira oliver rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-sexy

love it, will be great to use for a quick referance too love the bits in with william and gilly asking questions

like · see review

Jun 18, 2010 R*beth*h Hart rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was great! So creative I love the varitaion in this book compared to a novel. This book really lets you know the author, how she feels about what she writes and what's to come. I absolutely loved the created interviews and the lord-girls meeting about their men. Like many others I am sure I am glad she changed up her storyline for the Lords and did not go with her original write up. My favorite part was the interview between Gena and her favorite author Kresley Cole. I love the stories that...more

like · see review

Jan 04, 2012 Aleksandra rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, anthology, first-reads, novella, paranormal, romance, 2011-read

The Darkest Fire - 3.5 of 5 rating.

The Darkest Prison - 4 of 5 rating.

The Darkest Angel - 4.5 of 5 rating.

like · see review

Apr 07, 2012 Melody rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-fantasy, 3-stars

2 stars for "The Darkest Fire"
2 stars for "The Darkest Prison"
4 stars for "The Darkest Angel"

like · see review

Jul 15, 2012 Tami rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Great couple of stories!! I really enjoyed the read. I especially liked the interviews.. LOL..

like · see review

Feb 05, 2013 Kimberley rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Good book but did not enjoy as much as I enjoyed the other books, found the endings rushed in all three parts.

like · see review

Mar 15, 2011 Emmi marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite-author, a-series

Check to see if the interviews are in this edition.

like · see review

Dec 31, 2011 Casey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

not bad!! short stories and back ground!!

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (2)

Genres

Romance > Paranormal Romance

72 users

Romance

38 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

38 users

Paranormal > Demons

22 users

Fantasy

14 users

Anthologies

10 users

Paranormal > Angels

10 users

Adult

10 users

Adult Fiction > Erotica

4 users

Fantasy > Mythology

3 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Gena Showalter

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in paranormal and contemporary romances, as well as young adult novels. Her series include White Rabbit Chronicles, Angels of the Dark, Otherworld Assassins, Lords of the Underworld, Alien Huntress and Intertwined.

Her novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan Magazine, and Seventeen Magazine, and have been transl...more

More about Gena Showalter...

Books by Gena Showalter

The Darkest Night (Lords of the Underworld, #1)

The Darkest Kiss (Lords of the Underworld, #2)

The Darkest Pleasure (Lords of the Underworld, #3)

The Darkest Whisper (Lords of the Underworld, #4)

The Darkest Passion (Lords of the Underworld, #5)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Dark Beginnings

1 trivia question

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Dark Beginnings

“Bianka," he said, his patience clearly waning. "This is not a game. Do not make me bind you to my bed."
"Ohhh, now that I like. Sounds kinky." She darted around him running her fingertips over his cheek, his neck. "You're as soft as a baby."
He sucked in a breath, stiffened. "Bianka."
"But better equipped."
"Bianka!"
She patted his butt. "Yes?” — 21 people liked it

“I haven't have fun for a long time," Kaia said with a pout.
"Me, either. Except with myself, but I don't suppose that counts."
"It does the way I do it.” — 16 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Dark Beginnings
avg rating	preview: Dark Beginnings Goodreads rating: 4.28 (1728 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11298943-dark-beginnings?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328334861l/11298943.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11298943-dark-beginnings?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Dark Beginnings by Gena Showalter[/url]

Dark Beginnings (Lords of the Underworld 0.5, 3.5 & 4.5)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website