Dark Goddess (Devil's Kiss, #2)

May 02, 2011 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of action-packed urban fantasy

Shelves: dark-fantasy, kickbutt-heroine, knights-templar, russian-hero-or-heroine, russian-setting, favorite-or-autobuy-author, part-of-a-series, owned-copy, favorites, character-grieving-loved-one, character-multi-ethnic-heritage, werewolf, monster-hunters, the-chosen-one, wicked-witch, father-daughter-relationship, heroine-i-adore, slavic-folklore, 2011-reading

Last year, I picked up a book called Devil’s Kiss on impulse. It sounded good, with a story about a girl who is the daughter of the leader of the modern day Knight’s Templar. I read this book, and I loved it. So, I was definitely going to continue the series. And Sarwat Chadda has continued the excellent writing in this next installment.

First of all, he writes a character that is complex and surprisingly likable and identifiable. Normally, authors bent on crafting realistic characters will give...more

11 likes · like · see review

Mar 27, 2012 Aisling rated it 3 of 5 stars

I won't go lower than 3 stars with this book, but reading Dark Goddess after Devil's Kiss, it was all rather anti-climatic. I know. Possible apocalypse and scary all-powerful psychic witch, anti-climatic??

But yeah, it was. I felt like the first book had so much emotional depth with sacrificing of Kay, the many twists and turns, this second installment wasn't that great. The wonderful thing about Devil's Kiss was it's ability to get under your skin and really make you feel. Dark Promise didn't r...more I won't go lower than 3 stars with this book, but reading Dark Goddess after Devil's Kiss, it was all rather anti-climatic. I know. Possible apocalypse and scary all-powerful psychic witch, anti-climatic??

But yeah, it was. I felt like the first book had so much emotional depth with sacrificing of Kay, the many twists and turns, this second installment wasn't that great. The wonderful thing about Devil's Kiss was it's ability to get under your skin and really make you feel. Dark Promise didn't really make me care all that much at all. Vasilisa was a boring mere irritation and honestly, I didn't give a crap about whether (view spoiler) What I really want was more relationship development, as a reader, I cared more about how Billi moved on after Kay, than the predictable plotline with 2D villains. So the world might end? Boring. Heard that one before. Gee, I wonder if Billi will save it in time?? With the whole world ending plot, readers already know the world ain't gonna end and somehow our heroine's gonna save the day, what we really want to know about the development and relationships along the journey. We don't care about a stupid child added in as a plot device. There wasn't much to her except that she was childish, and scared of everything, the moment she was introduced I was already groaning with aggravation anticipating the looming dragg-iness she was going to bring.

Stuff I saw coming:
-Losing Vasilisa. Check.
-Billi going on a long search for her. Check.
-Other minor villains in the way. Check.
-Defeating minor villains. Check.
-Billi finding the annoying child. Check.
-Billi facing the bigger threat. Check.
-Billi struggling against all odds but gets through it all. Check.
-The witch is 'dead'. And again, check.

Another sidenote, all Billi's dreams were freaking meaningless. Nothing was confirmed, they just seemed slot in for an 'air of mystery', and to fill up the pages. Not for any purpose but to highlight Billi's inner pain I suppose.

The hardening and sense of duty Billi felt was truly realistic and I appreciated the development in her character, but... well, I'm sorry but nothing else really happened. It never really carried through.

Argh!! What more is there to say?? It just paled in comparison to the first. It wasn't worth the read.(less)

like · see review

Apr 19, 2011 Krystal rated it 5 of 5 stars

Taken from my blog : http://livetoread-krystal.blogspot.com/

Once again it was the cover that drew my eye, a beautiful girl holding a sword...unfortunately not a common cover. I had already read Devil's Kiss, which was terrific and written-well. I finished this book in two days and never had to go back to remember the events of the book-it was memorable by itself.

The novel opens with Kay sorrowful over the death of her friend aka her believed-to-be-soul mate. Immediately the reader is drawn into...more

like · see review

Jan 31, 2011 Angela rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, young-adult, arc, urban-fantasy, read-in-2011

2.5 stars

In DARK GODDESS, author Sarwat Chadda returns to the world of the Knights Templar and their youngest and only female member, Billi SanGreal. After the harrowing showdown between good and evil in THE DEVIL’S KISS, Billi is trying to recover, but reports of werewolf activity thrust her and the other knights back into action. The werewolf hunt takes them to Russia, where an ancient power is searching for a Spring Child to bring about the demise of humankind. In Russia, Billi meets the Boga...more 2.5 stars

In DARK GODDESS, author Sarwat Chadda returns to the world of the Knights Templar and their youngest and only female member, Billi SanGreal. After the harrowing showdown between good and evil in THE DEVIL’S KISS, Billi is trying to recover, but reports of werewolf activity thrust her and the other knights back into action. The werewolf hunt takes them to Russia, where an ancient power is searching for a Spring Child to bring about the demise of humankind. In Russia, Billi meets the Bogatyrs and the arrogant but attractive Ivan Romanov. In a race against time, the two must learn to trust each other in an effort to save the world.

Even more than Chadda’s first book, DARK GODDESS is packed with action and gritty scenes that don’t flinch at violence. This installment mixes together real Russian history, folklore, and legend to create an imaginative conflict. The mythology also expands to include demon hunters similar to the Templars, which made the existence of the Templars themselves more believable, and the references to Arthurian legend become more pronounced. While I wasn’t impressed with the character development overall, this book includes a slightly better relationship between Billi and her father, and it touches on the emotional aftermath of Kay’s death. The book also wraps with a conclusive ending that has a finished feel.

Despite these potential strengths, the book didn’t come together to me. Even though there was constant action, character development suffered for it. None of the characters showed much change or growth, and the storylines regarding Kay’s death and Billi’s relationship with Ivan were presented in ways that felt inconsistent with Billi’s character. The main plotline also felt slightly repetitive, because it dealt with another type of Oracle that immediately became associated with the Templars. Even with her training, Billi again comes off as less competent and weaker than expected. The villains also sometimes seemed ineffectual, and the battle scene descriptions often felt choppy or disjointed.

For those who love an action-filled book with folklore and fighting, this book will be a perfect fit. For me, however, I couldn’t enjoy it because I didn’t observe any authentic development in the characters. In future books, I hope Chadda continues to bring his gritty edge to the action, while also incorporating greater character development and a more believable romance.

Note: This review refers to an advance reader's copy.
(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 06, 2011 Pam Vlieg rated it 4 of 5 stars

Let me just get this out of the way: OMG WTF YAY FTW!

Sarwat Chadda’s second book in the Billi SanGreal series is mind-blowingly epic. So epic in fact that I just want to download a list of praising adjectives from a thesaurus and just put all of those in a text and call that my review. Sarwat is a master at mixing lore and handing them to you in a mash up that will literally have you anticipating each sentence. Usually when I am inundated with a mash up of different lore I immediately dislike th...more Let me just get this out of the way: OMG WTF YAY FTW!

Sarwat Chadda’s second book in the Billi SanGreal series is mind-blowingly epic. So epic in fact that I just want to download a list of praising adjectives from a thesaurus and just put all of those in a text and call that my review. Sarwat is a master at mixing lore and handing them to you in a mash up that will literally have you anticipating each sentence. Usually when I am inundated with a mash up of different lore I immediately dislike the book *cough*CharlaineHarris*cough* and am unable to enjoy the work.

In Dark Goddess Billi is faced with life after Kay’s death. She is in a depression and resents being forced into the life of the Templar. On a random patrol she is surprised by a Werewolf and saves a small child from being eaten and that is where the book takes off at a break neck pace to the finish and oh my what a finish.

In this book we have Billi starting a flirtation with a Romanov Prince, saving a Spring Child from the epic witch Baba Yaga and learning to become the Templar she wants to be. Sometimes books suffer from what we call the Sophomore Slump but Dark Goddess if anything improved the story of Billi and Chadda’s writing was tight. I am a visual reader and a motion picture plays in my head as I am reading and with Dark Goddess at no point did I have to stop and assign the movie playing in my head characteristics.

These books are so well written and fascinating that I know whenever I start one that I will be incapacitated until I can finish. I only hope there will be more in the Billi SanGreal series. I can’t press upon you enough to read these books. If there is one set I am going to be pushing this year it is this.

Billi SanGreal and her battle are important on so many fronts. Not often do we get a YA character that is not white, that the cover hasn’t been white washed, and more than that Billi is a beacon for feminism: she is strong and needs no one to survive. A true to life self rescuing princess. (less)

like · see review

Mar 09, 2011 Kristen My Bookish Fairy Tale rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The second installment in the Dark Kiss series was just as action-packed and high energy as the first novel. We continue to follow the life of 15 year old Billi SanGreal as the Templar Knights continue to try to save mankind from all that is Unholy.

Billi and Pelleas set off in search of a renegade werewolf. The Knights have made a truce amongst the local werewolf pack. As long as the werewolves don't hunt humans, the Knights will leave them be. But every once in a while a werewolf will go rogue...more The second installment in the Dark Kiss series was just as action-packed and high energy as the first novel. We continue to follow the life of 15 year old Billi SanGreal as the Templar Knights continue to try to save mankind from all that is Unholy.

Billi and Pelleas set off in search of a renegade werewolf. The Knights have made a truce amongst the local werewolf pack. As long as the werewolves don't hunt humans, the Knights will leave them be. But every once in a while a werewolf will go rogue and break the truce. During their hunt, Billi and Pelleas come across a local farmhouse. The entire family has been slaughtered except for a little girl, Vasilia. As Billi battles her way through the two werewolves she saves the young girl and barely escapes. But Vasilia is no ordinary girl. She is special, very special. She is the Spring Child, an orcacle with more power than anyone should wield, let alone a 9 year old girl.

But the Knights aren't the only ones who know that Vasilia is the Spring Child, so do the Polenitsy, a werewolf pack from Russia. The all woman pack are working in service to Baba Yaga, mother nature herself. Baba Yaga needs the Spring Child in order to bring devastation to the Earth, to plague it back to the way it was when the Earth just started. Baba Yaga believes that mankind is killing Earth and needs Vasilia to make this happen.

Billi and the Knights go to Russia in search of Vasila after she was kidnapped by the Polenitsy. The Knights team up with the Bogytars when the reach Russia, a group much like the Knights, or at least that's what they were told. Here Billi meets Ivan the young Romanov prince who is supposed to be the heir to the throne. After Ivan learns of the great deceit amongst his people he leaves with Billi in serach of Vasilia and Baba Yaga.

Will they make it in time to save the young girl and the rest of mankind? Or will they just just a little too late?

Sarwat did not disappoint with Dark Goddess. The same brilliant storyline and writing style as Devils Kiss. Sarwat kept me on my toes throughout the entire story. He effortlessly tells Billi's story and had me captivated the whole way through. I cannot wait to see where Sarwat takes his story next.(less)

like · see review

Nov 14, 2011 Alvina rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: available-for-swap, buntelan, fantasy-fiction, punya

Pernahkah Anda membaca atau mendengar cerita tentang Ksatria Templar? Kisah-kisah mereka sering diceritakan dalam peristiwa Perang Salib, dan pernah muncul juga di cerita Da Vinci Code yang kontroversional itu. Buku ini menceritakan salah satu Templar muda yang bernama Billi SanGreal. Setelah pertarungannya di buku pertama melawan Malaikat Agung, Michael. Kali ini Billi dan Ksatria Templar lainnya berjuang untuk menghentikan seorang Penyihir yang bernama Baba Yaga menghancurkan kehidupan alam be...more Pernahkah Anda membaca atau mendengar cerita tentang Ksatria Templar? Kisah-kisah mereka sering diceritakan dalam peristiwa Perang Salib, dan pernah muncul juga di cerita Da Vinci Code yang kontroversional itu. Buku ini menceritakan salah satu Templar muda yang bernama Billi SanGreal. Setelah pertarungannya di buku pertama melawan Malaikat Agung, Michael. Kali ini Billi dan Ksatria Templar lainnya berjuang untuk menghentikan seorang Penyihir yang bernama Baba Yaga menghancurkan kehidupan alam beserta isinya.

Baba Yaga ternyata sedang mencari seorang Anak Musim Semi untuk disantap jiwanya. Yak, mungkin agak seram kedengarannya, tapi dengan cara itulah Baba Yaga akan mendapatkan kekuatan tambahan. Anak Musim Semi itu bernama Vasilisa, yang dipercaya merupakan seorang Avatar, Sang Oracle super. Vasilisa memiliki kekuatan besar yang diincar Baba Yaga untuk meremajakan kembali kekuatan miliknya sendiri, sehingga kelak Umur Baba Yaga akan bertambah panjang dan sihirnya bertambah kuat. Celakanya, Vasilisa sudah ia miliki, sedangkan waktu upacara pada saat bulan pertama hanya bersela kurang dari seminggu lagi. Billi dan Para Templar harus mencari dan menemukan anak itu, sebelum Baba Yaga berhasil menciptakan Fimbulwinter, bencana dahsyat yang akan membersihkan muka bumi dari para manusia.

Petualangan Billi berlangsung di Rusia, karena di sanalah Baba Yaga bertempat tinggal. Di kegelapan hutan belantara dengan pasukan manusia serigala yang menyembahnya. Templar membutuhkan bantuan, terutama karena mereka akan berada di daerah yang asing. Karena itu mereka meminta bantuan kepada Pasukan Bogatyr yang bercokol di Rusia. Tapi berhasilkah mereka mendapatkan Vasilisa kembali? Karena jika tidak, maka pilihannya hanya dua, membunuh Baba Yaga yang sangat sulit untuk dilakukan, atau membunuh Vasilisa, agar mencegah kekuatan yang dimilikinya dikuasai Sang Penyihir jahat itu.

Sejujurnya ketika mengetahui bahwa ini adalah cerita yang asing di telinga saya, saya mencari beberapa referensi dari google. Dari Google saya menemukan bahwa ada sebuah dongeng kuno juga yang menceritakan kisah Vasilisa dengan Baba Yaga, tentu dengan versi lain. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasiliss... . Di cerita lainnya saya menemukan bahwa ada tokoh bernama Koschkei, yang mana sebutannya sama persis dengan Koschkey di cerita ini, yaitu Koschkey yang Tidak Bisa Mati.

Jadi begitu membaca kisah di buku karangan Sarwat Chadda ini, Anda bisa menikmati banyak dongeng yang terangkum padat dalam satu cerita. Tidak ketinggalan sedikit kisah cinta juga disisipkan di dalamnya. Tapi kelemahan novel ini menurut saya adalah kurangnya cerita Templar di dalamnya. Cerita Billi di sini juga lebih ke personal, bagian ke-Templar-annya hanya ditunjukkan ketika ada aksi berkelahi. Tokoh yang kuat di buku ini justru ada di Baba Yaga. Mungkin karena judulnya Dark Goddess, jadi yang dibahas Sang Penyihir ya? Sementara dari segi terjemahan, ada beberapa dialog dalam bahasa Rusia yang saya tidak mengerti, sehingga agak sulit memahaminya. Dari segi typo, masih ada beberapa kata yang salah eja dan hilangnya beberapa tanda petik pengawal dialog.

Secara keseluruhan 3/5 bintang untuk Dark Goddess. Dongeng-dongeng kunonya itu yang menakjubkan.
(less)

like · see review

Feb 12, 2011 Karen Ball rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-challenge

Billi SanGreal is the only female member of the Knights Templar, who now live in London and hunt werewolves (among other Unholy critters). While battling a pair of them in East Anglia, Billi rescues a child, who turns out to be one of the most powerfully psychic Spring Chidren ever. Untrained, she has the power to tamp down the eruption of Mount Vesuvius... from London. When the werewolves reappear and kidnap her, Billi and the Knights must find her before she is given to the ancient Russian god...more

like · see review

Feb 25, 2012 Alison rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

The second in the Billi SanGreal series. This is a great adventure story with fantasy elements. Billi and the rest of the Knights Templar, depleted after the events of the first novel The Devil's Kiss, rescue a little Russian girl from werewolves at the start of the novel. The little girl, Vasilisa, is a Spring Child; as well as being a mind reader, she is strongly sympathetic to the natural environment and reacts to it. The werewolves are an all female pack, wanting to take her to Russia and sa...more

like · see review

Mar 13, 2012 Elena rated it 4 of 5 stars

Stavo aspettando questo libro da quando ho letto l'ultima pagina del precedente, spero davvero non sia l'ultima avventura di Billi SanGreal.

Billi è a tutti gli effetti una componente dell'Ordine dei Templari e, come tutti i suoi compagni, deve continuare affrontare quello che loro chiamano il Conflitto Tenebroso.
Durante un inseguimento di un lunatico, un lupo mannaro, provano a proteggere una famiglia alla quale questo sembra molto interessato. Della famiglia riescono a salvare dalle grinfie dei...more

like · see review

Nov 07, 2011 sinta nisfuanna rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: rezeki-gratis

“Aku mencintainya dan aku membunuhnya. Aku tidak memiliki pilihan” [h.322]

Membunuh bukan hal yang menyenangkan, kecuali bagi seorang psiko. Billi SanGreal tidak pernah memilih untuk menjadi seorang templar yang jalannya selalu bersimpangan dengan membunuh. Hidup yang menuntunnya untuk bertindak sebagai pelindung umat manusia dengan pedang yang siap membabat Yang Tak Kudus.

Ancaman atas ketentraman umat manusia tak pernah usai, kali ini bumi terancam dengan ada penyihir kuno, Baba Yaga, yang ingin...more “Aku mencintainya dan aku membunuhnya. Aku tidak memiliki pilihan” [h.322]

Membunuh bukan hal yang menyenangkan, kecuali bagi seorang psiko. Billi SanGreal tidak pernah memilih untuk menjadi seorang templar yang jalannya selalu bersimpangan dengan membunuh. Hidup yang menuntunnya untuk bertindak sebagai pelindung umat manusia dengan pedang yang siap membabat Yang Tak Kudus.

Ancaman atas ketentraman umat manusia tak pernah usai, kali ini bumi terancam dengan ada penyihir kuno, Baba Yaga, yang ingin mempercepat datangnya kiamat. Namun, Baba Yaga membutuhkan Vasilisa untuk dapat mewujudkannya karena kekuatannya yang dapat mengendalikan alam. Sosok kunci Vasilisa, sang anak musim semilah yang kemudian menjadi rebutan antara ordo templar dan loony, manusia serigala yang menjadi pengikut Baba Yaga.

Dilema memenuhi benak Billi jika gagal menghabisi Baba Yaga, dia harus membunuh sang Vasilisa yang terlanjur melunakkan hatinya. Keputusan pun semakin sulit ketika Billi terinfeksi darah manusia serigala yang otomatis membuatnya harus tunduk pada Baba Yaga. Alhasil, petarungan tidak hanya terjadi di luar tapi juga di dalam diri Billy.

Membaca awal cerita terdapat beberapa hal yang agak tidak sinkron dengan serial pertama; Devil’s Kiss. Semisal tentang Kay yang digambarkan Elaine sebagai sosok yang bisa melihat masa depan [h.47]. Padahal jika ditelusuri kembali, Kay tidak bisa melihat masa depan, kecuali saat pertama kali bertemu dengan ordo templar. Sebenarnya hal tersebut tidak berpengaruh pada cerita, tapi tetap saja rasanya agak janggal.

Terlepas dari ketidak-sinkronan, saya berani berkata petualangan Billi SanGreal kali ini lebih seru dibandingkan ketika berhadapan dengan Malaikat Agung, Michael. Pertarungan hampir tidak pernah surut, perasaan waswas dan merasa diintai terus menghantui sejak awal cerita, bahkan saat cerita berbaur dengan romantisme, tidak membuat kisah menjadi lembek.

Kekuatan alam akan selalu menang

Satu lagi yang membuat buku ini menjadi spesial, adalah isu lingkungan yang diusung hingga membuat Dark Goddess bukan sekadar cerita fantasi ‘kosong’. Bobroknya bumilah yang menjadi latar belakang keputusan Baba Yaga untuk mempercepat kiamat. Sehingga agak sulit untuk tidak memaklumi [bahkan mendukung] alasan sang antagonis, ketika secara realita alam memang mulai memasuki kondisi sekarat.

Saya sedikit menganjurkan kalian membaca Devil’s Kiss sebelum Dark Goddess supaya keningmu tak perlu berkerut saat Billi karena mengingat masa silam. Namun, jika tidak pun tak apa karena jalan ceritanya sendiri tidak terlalu dipengaruhi oleh serial pertamanya. Oiya, jempol untuk desain sampul Dark Goddess, I Like it!(less)

like · see review

Nov 06, 2011 Dion Yulianto rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: buntelan, available-for-swap

Pengabungan antara fiksi-fantasi dengan tema-tema kontroversi dalam historika dunia, itulah yang mungkin hendak disampaikan oleh Sarwat Chadda dalam Dark Goddess. Novel Dark fantasy yang merupakan sekuel dari novel pertamanya, Devil Kiss, ini memungut topik-topik menarik dalam sejarah dan geografis dunia, untuk kemudian dipadukan dengan tren fiksi bertema vampire dan manusia serigala yang saat ini sedang booming pasca meledaknya Twilligt dan Vampire Diaries. Dalam novel ini, penulis menggunakan...more Pengabungan antara fiksi-fantasi dengan tema-tema kontroversi dalam historika dunia, itulah yang mungkin hendak disampaikan oleh Sarwat Chadda dalam Dark Goddess. Novel Dark fantasy yang merupakan sekuel dari novel pertamanya, Devil Kiss, ini memungut topik-topik menarik dalam sejarah dan geografis dunia, untuk kemudian dipadukan dengan tren fiksi bertema vampire dan manusia serigala yang saat ini sedang booming pasca meledaknya Twilligt dan Vampire Diaries. Dalam novel ini, penulis menggunakan kelompok Ordo kesatria Templar sebagai kelompok pejuang utama. Ordo yang pernah menjadi begitu populer lewat The Da Vinci’s Code ini dimunculkan kembali dalam bentuk yang lain, yang lebih fantastis. Jika dalam sejarah, ordo ini dibentuk sebagai pasukan pelindung Yerusalem semasa Perang Salib, maka dalam buku ini mereka dipersiapkan untuk menghadapi perang yang sebenarnya—perang melawan iblis dan kegelapan yang diwakili oleh Makhluk Tidak Kudus (vampire, ghoul, manusia serigala)

Adalah Billi atau Bilqis Sangreal, anak dari ketua Ordo Ksatria Templar yang menjadi inti cerita dalam novel ini. Gadis yang baru berusia 15 tahun ini terpaksa harus menjalani berbagai latihan keras dan beragam pertempuran karena tanggung jawabnya sebagai salah satu dari Ksatria Templar. Dalam kisah di buku pertama, Billi dikisahkan melawan Malaikat Michael yang hendak menghancurkan dunia, sementara dalam buku kedua ini, Billi dan Ksatria Templar harus menghadapi seorang dewi Bumi dari Rusia, sang Baba Yaga, sang Ibu Rusia. Dewi purba yang kekuatannya terikat pada elemen alam ini membutuhkan roh seorang Anak Musim Semi, atau anak yang memiliki kekuatan khusus—mungkin mirip dengan anak indingo. Untuk tetap bertahan, Baba Yaga harus menelan seorang Anak Musim Semi, dan Billilah yang kali ini harus melindungi si anak tak berdosa itu dari serbuan para manusia serigala yang merupakan anak buah sang dewi.

Masalah semakin rumit ketika Billi dan Ksatria Templar menemukan fakta bahwa Anak Musim Semi yang mereka lindungi adalah juga seorang Avatar—kekuatannya hampir serupa dengan Baba Yaga. Gadis kecil itu mampu mengendalikan letusan Gunung Vesuvius yang mengubur kota Naples, Italia. Dan, Baba Yaba hendak menggunakan kekuatan itu untuk kembali meletuskan gunung berapi super Yellowstone untuk menimbulkan zaman es atau fimbulwinter.. Kali ini, pertaruhannya adalah seluruh umat manusia yang hendak dimusnahkan oleh Baba Yaga. Dan, ketika akhirnya kawanan manusia serigala itu mampu merebut si anak musim panas, Billi dan para Ksatria Templar harus berkejaran dengan waktu untuk merebut kembali si Anak Musim Semi. Mereka mendatangi Rusia, rumah bagi Baba Yaga sekaligus bertemu dengan ksatria Templar ala Rusia, yakni Bogatyr. Dan, pertempuran dan perkelahian pun tidak bisa dielakkan lagi.

Sepanjang 480 halaman, pembaca akan disuguhi perang berdarah, cabikan cakar serigala, sayatan pedang, hingga tembakan pistol. Namun, penulis dengan lihai juga mampu menyisipkan benih-benih romantisme dalam kadar yang tidak terlalu berlebihan. Inilah yang membuat novel aksi ini tidak membosankan untuk dibaca, karena efek aksinya dapat, bumbu-bumbu romannya juga ada—berselang-seling seperti hutan pinus dan hutan cemara di Rusia. Keunikan dari novel ini terletak pada kepiawaian sang penulis dalam meramu unsur mitologi dengan peristiwa-peristiwa dan tempat-tempat nyata dalam sejarah. Kota-kota dan bangunan-bangunan di Rusia pun mampu ia deskripsikan dengan begitu nyata, sehingga membuat pembaca diajak mengunjungi sebuah tempat yang begitu eksotis di luar Eropa dan Amerika.

Menarik juga mengamati bahwa penulis tampaknya hendak mengangkat isu lingkungan melalui Baba Yaga. Gunung Vesuvius, Super Volcano Yellowstone, Hutan Tuguska, Siberia, Bencana Chernobyl, hingga zaman es akbar yang menjadi simpul-simpul penggerak cerita menjadi indikasi bahwa novel ini menawarkan sesuatu yang lebih. Permainan psikologis dengan karakter yang abu-abu di dalamnya juga menjadikan novel ini begitu kompleks, namun tetap simpel. Melalui sang manusia serigala, kita terpaksa meninjau ulang apa peran dan posisi manusia di muka bumi ini.

“Kalian memerkosa dan menjarah. Kalian menyedot Bumi hingga kering dan membunuh sesama kalian. Spesies apa yang menjadi sejahtera di bawah dominasi manusia? Tidak ada satu pun. Bumi ini bukan milik kalian. Kekayaan planet ini seharusnya dinikmati oleh semua, bukan cuma dilahap oleh satu spesies yang mengaku bahwa mereka telah diberi hak oleh Yang Maha Kuasa.” (hlm 364) #jleb!

Walau mengangkat isu lingkungan, novel ini tidak kehilangan gregetnya sebagai novel fantasi. Pertempuran berdarah yang disuguhkan di dalamnya dijamin akan memuaskan para pecinta karya aksi. Pertautan yang digunakan penulis juga cukup logis dan masuk akal, sehingga pembaca digiring pada pemahaman bahwa mungkin saja ada kekuatan-kekuatan misterius yang senantiasa mengintai manusia di balik kegelapan, termasuk dalam hal ini adalah kekuatan Alam. Lalu, bagaimana akhir dari pertempuran Billy melawan para manusia serigala itu? Siapakah pengkhianat yang sebenarnya? Dan, apakah Billi akan jatuh cinta dengan seorang pangeran muda dari Rusia? Pokoknya silakan dibaca sendiri dan rasakan ketegangannya. Satu catatan kecil, catatan di cover belakang mungkin sedikit agak menyesatkan hehehe jadi lebih baik menikmati bab demi bab dalam novel ini dan jangan terpaku pada kalimat “melawan binatang buas dalam diri sendiri” karena Billi akan lebih banyak bertarung melawan serigala jadi-jadian itu secara fisik.

“Alam akan selalu menang” Vasilia memaki kembali mahkota itu. “Chernobyl adalah buktinya.” (halaman 479). Mari kita jaga Bumi!(less)

like · see review

Feb 05, 2011 All Things Urban Fantasy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-by-abigail

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

I was hoping, really hoping, that Billi and I would get along better in DARK GODDESS than we did in DEVIL’S KISS, but after the first chapter, I realized if anything, she was worse.

The opening scene involves Billi and another Templar fighting werewolves. A little girl, Vasilisa, barely escapes after witnessing both her parents brutally attacked and (mostly) eaten right in front of her. The next chapter picks up with Billi complaining about having to sha...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jun 24, 2011 Shannon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

This is the second in the Bili SanGreal series and I think it is even better then the first! In the first book we see Billi struggling against who she is. She is angst ridden and for good reason. Don’t get me wrong, we don’t have a moody teenager for no reason, this girl has some serious drama going on. Her family is part of the Knight’s Templar and that means she is too. She has never had a normal life and there isn’t likely to be one in her future.

This time around she is dealing with with a se...more

like · see review

Jan 27, 2011 Reading Teen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Well, once again Chadda delivers. I really enjoyed this book as much, if not more than the first one!

I loved that it was mostly set in Russia, I love the Russian accent.

Did you know I can read with a perfect Russian accent in my head?

Billi saves a little girl from nearly getting slaughtered by a werewolf (deep, deep down she's sorta a softy). The child turns out to be an oracle, the Spring Child. And everyone wants the Spring Child; the Bogatyr (Russian mob types) and the Polensity (man-killin'...more Well, once again Chadda delivers. I really enjoyed this book as much, if not more than the first one!

I loved that it was mostly set in Russia, I love the Russian accent.

Did you know I can read with a perfect Russian accent in my head?

Billi saves a little girl from nearly getting slaughtered by a werewolf (deep, deep down she's sorta a softy). The child turns out to be an oracle, the Spring Child. And everyone wants the Spring Child; the Bogatyr (Russian mob types) and the Polensity (man-killin' werewolves). I love the fact that there were werewolves in this book. It just made it so intense, and believe me when I say man killers, all the werewolves were woman. Intense, strong, dangerous, not-so-feminine woman.

So, of course, Vasilisa gets kidnapped and that's what takes Billi to Russia. Once the book was set in Russia, it was such a fun read. Before Russia, Dark Goddess was just intense. Now it's fun and intense at the same time. Russia is were Billi meets mysterious, handsome, strong, Ivan Tsarevich and let me just say... WOW! I just loved their chemistry and how they worked together. They made a great couple. Yes, yes, there was more kissing in this book. So double whammy for me! Werewolves & kissing = one great book!

Chadda describes the palace were Ivan lives right down to what the murals on the ceiling looked like. I just love the description in this book. I love when the author just paints a picture for me, in my head. The clothes Billi wore in this book were so beautiful. The cars the Bogatyrs drove were amazing. I could just smell the money that was dripping off the Bogatyrs.

I enjoyed the fact that Billi and her father seem to have more of an understanding in this book. They get along pretty well, like some healing has taking place or maybe Billi has grown into her duty as a Knights Templar. There was more Templar action, romance, double-crosses, gun battles and many other things to look forward to in Dark Goddess.

Let me just say, if a third Devil's Kiss Novel was coming out today, I would drop everything (hopefully, I'm not holding a child in my arms at the time), to stand in line and wait for hours to get my greedy, little hands on it!

-Amy http://ReadingTeen.net/(less)

like · see review

Mar 29, 2011 Chrislives4books rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: magiks, haunted-or-resorected, kiling-buster, scary-others, the-end-of-the-series, vampire, demons, family-curse-or-secrets

In this book Billi is a great character. How the author SARWAT CHADDA made Billy in the first book soft hearted and then through all the hardship make her cold hearted in the second book but still found a way to turn her back to the good side. After the death of Kay in the first book she felt responsible (which she only was because he loved her and turned into a ghul so it was her duty to kill him and save all the fist born).
Then involve her in a heart felt second journey where he had to make...more

like · see review

Feb 01, 2012 Kimberly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

I discovered Sarwat Chadda's books early this year because of my sister, who loves reading but isn't as avid as I can be, and was totally taken aback by Billi's adventures and almost 'forced' me to read them aswell - I am very glad I did.
Her favourite remains Devil's Kiss, the prequal to Dark Goddess, and although I enjoyed that one very much, this book immediately became my instant fav. The first book paints a real good strong start, but for me it felt that the sequal truly gripped Billi's char...more

like · see review

Jun 27, 2012 Debora rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: da_autori_e_caseeditrici, fisicamente_posseduto, read_2012

“Dark Kiss” è il secondo romanzo della pianificata trilogia urban fantasy YA Devil’s kiss/Billi SanGreal series, scritta dall’autore, amante della storia, Sarwat Chadda.

Pensavamo di non arrivare mai a leggere questo Dark Kiss a causa della possibile sospensione della trilogia, che era stata commissionata a Chadda, per via dei bassi profitti ottenuti con Devil’s Kiss, primo romanzo della trilogia. In Italia, invece, la Mondadori ha deciso di regalarci anche questo secondo volume, sempre autoconcl...more “Dark Kiss” è il secondo romanzo della pianificata trilogia urban fantasy YA Devil’s kiss/Billi SanGreal series, scritta dall’autore, amante della storia, Sarwat Chadda.

Pensavamo di non arrivare mai a leggere questo Dark Kiss a causa della possibile sospensione della trilogia, che era stata commissionata a Chadda, per via dei bassi profitti ottenuti con Devil’s Kiss, primo romanzo della trilogia. In Italia, invece, la Mondadori ha deciso di regalarci anche questo secondo volume, sempre autoconclusivo, tutto incentrato sulle epiche avventure della giovanissima Billi SanGreal, templare impavida e dall’anima ormai fredda e spietata.

Le avventure di Billi, in Dark Kiss, riprendono proprio dopo pochi mesi dalla morte dell’Oracolo, Kay, suo unico amico d’infanzia e compagno; morte causata e determinata fisicamente proprio dalla stessa Billi pur di fermare la nuova Decima Piaga (la morte di tutti i primogeniti). Questa era stata scatenata dall’Arcangelo Michele, con l’aiuto inconsapevole di Billi, aveva intenzione di riavvicinare l’uomo a Dio.

A seguito della morte di Kay, Billi si ritrova a combattere anima e corpo per i Templari, spegnendosi poco a poco ed abbracciando la filosofia di vita del padre Arthur dove, per sopravvivere, un Templare si vede costretto a bandire i sentimenti ed a vivere unicamente per la “causa”.

Sarà l’incontro/salvataggio di Billi con una piccola veggente, il nuovo possibile Oracolo, che spingerà la ragazza a dover prendere in esame il suo comportamento nonché a dover affrontare la morte di Kay che, tutt’ora, sembra lacerarle l’anima.

Vasilisa, il nuovo Oracolo, verrà rapita nuovamente da sotto il tetto dei Templari dai Licantropi e verrà portata in Russia dove l’intero battaglione dei guerrieri di Dio dovrà recarsi per salvarla ed evitare così che venga soggiogata da parte di un’antichissima strega, scatenando così di fatto la fine dell’umanità.

Billi si ritroverà ad una corsa contro il tempo per salvare l’Oracolo, se stessa ormai prossima a soccombere al morso di un licantropo, il suo compagno di avventure, il Principe Ivan, e l’intera umanità dall’avvento del Fimbulvetr (nella mitologia norrena, uno dei segni che annunceranno la venuta del Ragnarök, la fine del mondo. Letteralmente significa "terribile inverno", e consisterà appunto in un primo inverno che avrà la durata di ben tre anni).

Anche questa volta Sarwat Chadda ci ha dimostrato di essere un abilissimo scrittore, in grado di trasmettere attraverso un’avvincente romanzo YA urban fantasy, messaggi forti ed importanti come l’importanza della Fede, degli affetti, dell’ecologia e la forza dell’animo umano; il tutto, però, senza apparire al lettore invasivo, saccente o chiaramente intenzionato a indottrinare. Chadda scrive e trasmette i suoi messaggi con naturalezza e l’imparzialità che dovrebbe essere sempre parte integrante dell’essere scrittore.

In Dark Kiss il messaggio trasmesso è forte ed importante: la Terra sta morendo e non continuerà sempre a subire l’egoismo umano. Un giorno si ribellerà e, anche se non sarà attraverso la spietata ma creatura pagana Baba-jaga, in qualche modo arriverà a farci comprendere il messaggio con le buone o con le cattive. Che ci piaccia o meno.

Un altro aspetto molto importante nella scrittura di Chadda è la sua capacità di mescolare e amalgamare con grande naturalezza varie religioni, etnie e leggende diverse.

Nulla nei libri di Chadda è totalmente inventato, a partire da Baba-jaga, Chernobyl, ai Templari per arrivare agli stessi Romanov. Perfino i nomi dei personaggi (nonché alcuni personaggi stessi), vengono ripresi miti, leggende, parabole o anche semplici fiabe e, soprattutto, tutti sono perfettamente funzionali alla trama, reale e moderna, e al romanzo.

Un romanzo certamente da leggere e assolutamente consigliato per chi desidera una lettura accurata, fantastica e avvincente: impossibile non amare Billi, con tutto il suo caratteraccio. (less)

like · see review

Nov 17, 2010 Iffath added it

I really enjoyed the first installment, Devil's Kiss; it was an amazing novel and I have to say I felt a bit weary about what could top it, would Chadda be able to create an equally fantastic sequel? Or would it all go down the drain? But when I starting reading Dark Goddess, I was amazed yet again because this story was even better than the first one and I enjoyed every minute of it.

In this book, the action is taken place across London and Russia; the Russian setting was beautiful, it introduce...more I really enjoyed the first installment, Devil's Kiss; it was an amazing novel and I have to say I felt a bit weary about what could top it, would Chadda be able to create an equally fantastic sequel? Or would it all go down the drain? But when I starting reading Dark Goddess, I was amazed yet again because this story was even better than the first one and I enjoyed every minute of it.

In this book, the action is taken place across London and Russia; the Russian setting was beautiful, it introduced us to the chilly streets of Moscow and all of the Russian folklore, including that of the legend of Baba Yaga. Ivan was an interesting new character; he and Billi were so alike in more ways than one, and I really liked that. He coped well under all the pressure that was loaded onto him which is a good trait to have , but I still think my favourite character had to be Vasalisa - she was very wise for her age and I felt myself warming to her immediately. The things she was able to do creeped me out just a little bit, (admit it, they were pretty scary! Except maybe the flower bit, that was just cool), but it was also very fascinating and got me thinking about what would happen if she was taken to Baba Yaga and what would become of the world then.
Baba Yaga has her reasons though, her plan to destroy the human race makes sense, after all, is it not the humans that are helping to contribute to the damage that is being done to the planet? Although it's Billi's job to protect mankind, just reading will make you understand how much of a threat we humans really are to the Earth.

I think Billi's character developed more in Dark Goddess. There was more interaction between her and her father and it actually felt like they were father-daughter, rather than just people who fought together. I think Arthur still treats Billi less like his daughter and more like a Templar but I think that's just what it's like when you have a life like theirs.

Reading my review properly, I've realised I haven't gushed as much as the book deserves, but I shall put it all into a sentence that I have written somewhere on the blog before (more or less): THIS BOOK IS EFFING AMAZING I WANT TO PUT THE WHOLE BOOK ON HERE BECAUSE EVERYBODY NEEDS TO READ IT. READ IT. READ IT. READ IT. Read it?

Dark Goddess is an enthralling installment, full of action, enchantment and battle scenes that will leave you speechless. Thanks again to Sarwat for letting me take part in his blog tour for Dark Goddess and for my (very pretty) review copy of it :)(less)

like · see review

Mar 29, 2012 Star (The Bibliophilic Book Blog) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

As when I read Devil's Kiss (the first book in this series), I could not put this book down!! I love Billi and the world she lives in - it's gritty, painful, and oh, so real. With a slick plot and great characters, the story will keep you intrigued until the end. As the only female Templar, Billi's got a lot to give and a lot to prove. She's already lived through hardships and mourning, but this adventure will put all of her resolve to the test. Will Billi be able to save the world this time???...more

like · see review

Feb 28, 2011 Angela rated it 4 of 5 stars

OMG. Amazon werewolves, guys.

Do I need to say anything more?

Well, probably, because there is a lot more going on than just the Amazon werewolves. But they're a highlight.

The first Billi SanGreal novel, Devil's Kiss, is one of my favorite paranormal books - and in the opening chapters of Dark Goddess I remembered why. The paranormal creatures in these books are the bad guys. Well, mostly. Chadda is a savvy enough author to put in some shades of gray. But those Amazon werewolves? They're not "kiss...more

like · see review

Jun 15, 2011 Barbara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Billi SanGreal and the Templars continue to intrigue in this second book in the series. As the book opens, Billi is still grieving the lost of Kay, her soulmate. But before she can do much grieving, she and the others fight off werewolf attacks and rescue a nine-year-old girl whose gifts cause an epic battle. The action moves from London to the cities and forests of Russia with the author doing a great job of mixing legends, lore, and heart-stopping action scenes. There are even references to Ra...more

like · see review

Jun 25, 2011 Bookworm1858 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2011, sffp, ya-read

Dark Goddess by Sarwat Chadda
Hyperion, 2010
376 pages
YA; Paranormal
3.5/5 stars

Source: Library

So I read but didn't properly review the first book starring Bilqis SanGreal, Devil's Kiss, for the YA Blogger Book Battle where it lost its bracket because I did not feel connected to Billi and her world. I thought there was immense potential within the characters though and I thought the action was kick-butt so when I saw the sequel staring me in the face at the library, I took the hint and checked it o...more

like · see review

Dec 12, 2012 Caroline rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-favs

Its been a long time since I read the first book {Devil's Kiss} in this series. When I first picked up this book I was slightly confused because I had forgotten what went down in the first....
But after I bit I remembered & started to really enjoy this book. It was a great 2nd novel in the series. Billi is one tough chic & I fell for Ivan! :0)
The writing was perfect & imaginitive. Some parts seem to drag on a bit but not long enough for me to put the book down or fall asleep! It wou...more

like · see review

May 27, 2011 Vi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, romance, teen

Billi is a rebellious teen with an awful responsibility to help protect the world from the Unholy (read: vampires, ghuls, werewolves, etc.) as part of the sworld-wielding Templars. Billi still hurting from the pain of the death of her best friend Kay is now thrust into a battle that determines the fate of the world. The Polensity, a tribe of women warrior werewolves, are searching for a Spring Child to sacrifice to Baba Yaga to bring about Fimbulwinter--the end of the world through a freezing co...more

like · see review

Oct 12, 2011 NList rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read the first and second book in this series back to back. I liked the second book slightly better than the first. The series reads like an adult series...but the heroine is in her teens.

Billi's world is harsh. There is no dressing up in leather and looking like a beauty queen while fighting. The fighting is ugly and real. Billi barely scrapes by in a lot of her fights. She has experienced real loss.

Billi would benefit from more love and attention. Maybe it would soften her just a tad. Howe...more

like · see review

Feb 01, 2012 Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars

To my surprise, it absolutely possible to read this book without knowing previous one. It was enjoyable, even if all action seemed to be too quick, like the author didn't had time to write with more details. Plot was good but the love part? Absolutely unnecessary! Beginning of it was very good but as the time pass, this part of story just... become dull. It looked like even Chadda knew that it's not going to work out: "It's diseaster, I know... Whatever, I have to put it here."
Anyway, it was qu...more

like · see review

Dec 07, 2011 April rated it 3 of 5 stars

I liked this one better then the first one, but I blame that on the fact that I love books with werewolves in them. In this book, Billi and the other Templars have to save a girl with powers from being sacrificed to Baba Yaga to make her stronger. It has some violence in it and if I remember correctly, a kiss or two. It was a great read and the author could write another book with Billi in it but it doesn't really need another book written to feel complete, in my opinion. Also, I sort of hoped f...more

like · see review

Dec 01, 2011 J.Elle rated it 2 of 5 stars

These books are too all-over-the place for me. Last we grappled with demons. Now, we’ve moved to werewolves. Yes, I realize the Knights Templar handle all kinds of things like this, but I feel like there needs to be continuity between the books, rather than swift jumps from place to place. I didn’t feel that Billi’s discovery of a super psychic child was enough of a connection. Also, I’ve never been enamored with folklore of any sort and this was bursting with it. I’m not interested enough in th...more

like · see review

Oct 28, 2012 Aude rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult

Après avoir lu le premier tome, je suis tombée par hasard sur le second tome qui venait tout juste de sortir, alors je n'ai pas pu résister, surtout vu comment j'avais accroché avec le premier tome ! Ce tome-ci est tout aussi sombre et rempli d'action. Après avoir fait tomber Michael, Billie, son père et les Templiers se retrouvent à devoir combattre une déesse Russe, Baba Yaga, qui veut faire tomber sur la planète le Grand Hiver, pour punir les hommes du mal qu'ils font à la planète, afin de la...more

like · see review

title link	preview: Dark Goddess
avg rating	preview: Dark Goddess Goodreads rating: 4.07 (852 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8471992-dark-goddess?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360569234l/8471992.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8471992-dark-goddess?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Dark Goddess by Sarwat Chadda[/url]

Dark Goddess (Devil's Kiss #2)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (8)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Sarwat Chadda

Books by Sarwat Chadda

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Dark Kiss

Quotes from Dark Goddess