The Darkest Whisper (Lords of the Underworld, #4) in Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group

Feb 11, 2010 Zeek rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites-pnr, favorites-all-time, pnr, favorite-heroine, favorite-hero, angels-gods-demons

Showalter's Lords of the Underworld series is about a group of former guardians to the Gods who ages ago opened Pandora's box and unleashed hell. Unfortunately, as payment for their deeds, they were each assigned a demon from the box to inhabit them to keep the chaos unleashed in check.

After all this time the Lords have learned to live with their misdeed, however noble their thinking might have been at the time. It's not easy to keep their own personal demons in check, but they're dealing.

In The Showalter's Lords of the Underworld series is about a group of former guardians to the Gods who ages ago opened Pandora's box and unleashed hell. Unfortunately, as payment for their deeds, they were each assigned a demon from the box to inhabit them to keep the chaos unleashed in check.

After all this time the Lords have learned to live with their misdeed, however noble their thinking might have been at the time. It's not easy to keep their own personal demons in check, but they're dealing.

In The Darkest Whisper we get Sabin's story, the Keeper of Doubt. Living with constant thoughts of doubt and despair- not only about himself but projected on others, Sabin keeps the worst of his demon's effects for the battlefield, where he spends the majority of time to keep those around him safe. When the Lords are sent to a pyramid in Egypt to uncover an artifact that will destroy the box that once held their demons- for if the box is destroyed, so are they- he encounters something even more dangerous to him then his demon ... the love of his life.

Gwendolyn the Timid is an immortal Harpy, but she's never learned to control the dark creature that lives inside her. When a group of fierce warriors rescue her from imprisonment, she's helplessly drawn to the leader. But she's so afraid of the Harpy inside her she's sure she cannot trust herself to be around him.

Fate, it would seem, has other ideas. They eventually join forces to battle a group of humans who want nothing more than the destruction of the Lords and as Sabin teaches her to accept the part of herself that frightens her the most, they draw even closer in a dangerous passion that neither can deny.

However, all is not completely what it seems with Gwendolyn and a dark secret may eventually destroy the burgeoning love arising between them.

I gobbled this book up in one sitting. The Darkest Whisper is the kind of paranormal romance that keeps me coming back to this genre over and over. Full of angst and steamy passion as well as mythic story telling, this one is my favorite Lord of the Underworld book so far!

Sabin is so surprised by the feelings he has for Gwen, he puts up little fight. Sure he knows he should stay away- for her own good- but the protective instinct she awakens in him keeps him by her side. He's fierce in his love and I just loved him.

Although Gwen initially comes off as a scared little rabbit, it all changes when she meets Sabin. He makes her want to defeat her own demons and as she learns to trust him, she learns to trust herself. Her complete love for Sabin makes their love story a joy to read.

Showalter did an excellent job of keeping these too on a tense wire without having them fight each other to create it. Yeah, they were unsure about the love they felt, but mostly because the dark parts of themselves were so destructive. It was a great hook and I'm glad she found it!

I have to mention too that I loved that Showalter included a little peek at each of the previous Lords (as well as their mates!). Anya was completely endearing in this book, more so then in her own, and she totally came off like one of Kresley's Cole's Valkyries- a group of women I just love reading about! More so than any other book in this series, this story encompassed all the Lords and it made for a richer read!

This is paranormal romance at its best! ...more

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Apr 27, 2011 Peep (Pop! Pop!) rated it it was ok

Shelves: read-in-2011, liked, manly-alpha-man, adult-cravings

I don't know how I feel about Gwen. Usually I like if the heroine is a little timid and then toughens up but I'm still on the fence with her. I mean, being a Harpie is in her blood. It's a part.

I liked Sabin as the keeper of Doubts. Whenever that demon was let loose, I always got this intense feeling. Like, if this were a movie the camera would zoom in on the target.

I love that Gena keeps the rest of the characters an active part of her books. Unlike a certain other series about brothers that h I don't know how I feel about Gwen. Usually I like if the heroine is a little timid and then toughens up but I'm still on the fence with her. I mean, being a Harpie is in her blood. It's a part.

I liked Sabin as the keeper of Doubts. Whenever that demon was let loose, I always got this intense feeling. Like, if this were a movie the camera would zoom in on the target.

I love that Gena keeps the rest of the characters an active part of her books. Unlike a certain other series about brothers that have seem to forgotten about the rest of the brothers! I didn't like Anya before but I do like whenever she pops up in these books. Like the time she stole those cars and told them, "You don't have to thank me (smiling) your horrified expressions are gift enough". Hahaha. Only Anya could pull that off. And maybe William.

And for the life of me I cannot get a good mental picture of those tiny wings! I keep trying and trying but nothing can make me imagine a decent tiny pair. A pair that flutters under her shirt but also makes her go super fast and are big enough to be grabbed. It just bothers me! I didn't care for her sisters like most everyone else did. But that just might be because I get annoyed easily!

I've said this before, but I love how Gena reminds us of who is carrying what demon. Even when I think I have them sorted, I get confused. It's nice to have that refresher now and then. Saves me having to flip back for reminders.

I didn't like Paris' storyline in this one (was it this book?). All the pining and sadness was totally making me sad... and made me enjoy his parts less. I was shocked when Gideon did what he did that resulted in his torture!

I liked most of this book but got super annoyed at the ending. Are you kidding me? It was right there! How could they be OK with that? How could they? I was expecting more anger but nope, everything is OK because we're a family. Not! Though, I did like when everyone laughed because one of the bullets connected. That's about the only part of that whole scene that was believable (and funny).

P.S. You know those Hunter's really annoy me!
P.P.S. Does anyone know when/if Torin's book will come out. I really want to see how that will play out! Also Cameo's book. I always feel so bad for her. ...more

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Jun 18, 2010 Nisha rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy-romance, dangerous-or-bad-boys, alpha-heros, gods-and-elements, urban-fantasy, angels-and-demons

I don't know why I do it, but before I start a book, I sometimes think that I will be bored but I might as well finish the book so I can read about the next hero in line. Which is crazy considering that i think that this is the best LOTU so far.

Gwen is a timid harpy, an oxymoron, who has managed to get captured by the Hunters. She's pretty powerful though, even if she can't control her beast, so the Hunters are completely terrified by her. When the Lords come to break up the research or whatever I don't know why I do it, but before I start a book, I sometimes think that I will be bored but I might as well finish the book so I can read about the next hero in line. Which is crazy considering that i think that this is the best LOTU so far.

Gwen is a timid harpy, an oxymoron, who has managed to get captured by the Hunters. She's pretty powerful though, even if she can't control her beast, so the Hunters are completely terrified by her. When the Lords come to break up the research or whatever for Pandora's box, they come across Gwen and the other women captured for the Hunters' nefarious breeding plan. Sabin, the Keeper of Doubt, the Lord who managed to drive all of his previous lovers to suicide, sees Gwen and is attracted. Unfortunately, she has some serious self-esteem issues, and for obvious reason, his demon is having a field day. But thankfully, Gwen is more than she seems, and once she gains control of her harpy, she's stronger than anyone else on the team (possibly exempting Anya, since she's a Goddess). This is especially nice since the Hunters and their Leader, Galen, seem to be getting an upper hand.

I really liked Gwen. She seemed like a floppy type of heroine, but by the end, she's pretty badass. Sabin, i did not expect to like, but he managed with the help of his demon.

The biggest problem I saw was the Good/Evil breakdown. It really pissed me off that the author was tackling absolutes. I thought we outgrew that back in high school. I was also disappointed that the beginning of this book was so strong, but by the end, it was kinda limp - as if the author was just writing to finish the story. I know because I do that, sometimes.

I did enjoy the bits about Gideon, the Harpy Intervention, Kane (and his eye on a harpy) and new plot with super children. I was not so happy with Aeron and Paris. They were pretty effed up for this one, no question about it - even if Aeron did have a demon groupie and an angel/romantic interest following him.

Its a good addition, but hopefully GS works the plot better so that it doesn't sound so childish. I still enjoyed it enough to give it 5 stars and truth be told, its the best one in the series, so far. ...more

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Feb 19, 2010 Kia rated it really liked it

This book was definitely my least favorite out of the first four in the series. I think I felt this way because this was my least favorite couple of the first four, but I still really loved it. I absolutely love this series. In a whole it's an amazing paranormal romance series. The men, the heroines, the history, the suspense. It's such a fun story to get wrapped up in. There are, however, a few things about this series that I don't really care for. I feel like the romance could be more unique t ...more

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Dec 28, 2009 Seena Seena rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-fav-s

5 out of 5

This book by far my favorite of the series.

Sabin & Gwen by far my favorite couple. Sabin I loved with a passion. So strong and loyal to his friends. And once in love falls hard!!!

Grrrr now I have to wait for the next book!

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