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    The Darkest Promise
    The Darkest Promise
    The Darkest Promise
    Audiobook12 hours

    The Darkest Promise

    Written by Gena Showalter

    Narrated by Max Bellmore

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with a sizzling Lords of the Underworld story about an iron-willed sovereign and the somber beauty who melts him with a glance. Possessed by the demon of Misery, Cameo isn't allowed to experience joy. If she dares, her memory is wiped clean. With no other recourse, she sneaks into a land more fantastical than any fairy tale, determined to find the one man with the key to her redemption. Lazarus the Cruel and Unusual rules his kingdom with a single unwavering focus: to build his army and annihilate his enemies. Nothing distracts him-until Cameo. He is relentless in his quest to make her smile.and seduce her into his bed. As dark forces conspire against them, threatening to destroy the fragile bond they've forged, the once-calm Lazarus grows crazed. Every heart-stopping kiss and wicked touch causes Cameo to teeter on the brink of happiness. But if she falls, she risks forgetting him forever.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateJun 13, 2017
    ISBN9781501948763
    The Darkest Promise
    Author

    Gena Showalter

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    Reviews for The Darkest Promise

    4.5/5

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    • 5/5
      Tortured falls for melancholy only to be transformed into something miraculous. The latest book in this Series is just as dark and depressing as the previous ones. For those who have not read the previous books, this book can be read as a standalone. Ms. Showalter does an excellent job of re-capping the events up to date. She also creates a deeply moving story of two lost souls.

      Cameo is one of the few women who are part of the Lords of the Underworld. She is literally cursed with the demon Misery. Just her voice or even a small hum from her can elicit a suicidal spiral. One would think the strongest are those who are happy and joyful. Not so, just her presence will suck the joie de vivre from everyone. This is everyone except Lazarus. Lazarus is known as the Cruel and Unusual king in the realm of Grimm and Fatica. He also has a past with Cameo she cannot remember.

      Both Cameo and Lazarus are characters mired in angst. They are marinated in sorrow and cooked in despair. When it comes to violations, Ms. Showalter ups it several notches because it is more than just physical pain. Both Cameo and Lazarus's free will have been stricken from them. They are forced to do things they do not want to do. This heinous transgression upon a person's mind is an intimately private abuse. I felt badly for both characters and wished only vengeance upon the perpetrators. It is questionable if either can be sane after centuries of torment. I am fond of books which make me feel some kind of emotion. This one definitely makes me feel sadness tinged with righteous anger. Who does this kind of thing? Only evil.

      Still, this is a paranormal romance so there is a happily ever after, albeit a slightly bittersweet one. The romance part is conflicted as Lazarus seems to be weakened by Cameo's proximity and love. The sex parts are erotic with plenty of edging and deferred gratification. This amuses me and I enjoy Cameo's frustration.

      What can be confusing is all the different Greek demi-gods warring with each other. Mix in a dash of angel mythos and it all goes to hell in a handbasket. For those who do not have a basic knowledge of Greek mythology, this series can be confusing. For those who enjoy Greek mythology, Ms. Showalter does a great job of showcasing just how petty the Greek gods and goddess can be. I'm not surprised by their cruelty and heartlessness. Fits right in with their selfish desires. This plays well in this complex world Ms. Showalter has created. With each realm she adds, it becomes more interesting and interconnected. This book provides a couple of big reveals which makes more sense about Pandora's box. The theme for this series should really be, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned". This paranormal romance is recommended for readers who enjoy dark anti-heroes and edgy erotica.
    • 3/5
      All along the series until now I've felt that this heroine had the worst demon, (misery), (followed by book 11's, disease). Not only is she miserable all the time, (like she's smiled twice in the past 2,000 years or something), but even if she ever did have a little joy in her life it would be erased from her memory anyway, and everytime she says anything aloud everyone around her feels like slitting their own wrists to escape the misery washing over them. (By the way, all of her friends already know sign language because of their friend who's housing the demon of secrets, why does she never once use that to avoid making everyone sad??). Comparatively, for example, the demon of untruth just forces you to sarcastically say the opposite of things, to convey whatever you really mean... It's like the difference between a pea shooter and a bazooka. So I really wanted her to have a HEA. I like who she was paired with, but it just felt like they both held onto the same misconceptions for like 90% of the book, and it got old. The answer to the hero's problem was very strongly hinted at early on, right to his face, but still he bumbled about until nearly the very end. I was more hopeful about the heroine's journey, she starts out with some pluck, but part way through she kind of loses that and just becomes mopey and self-defeating. Which was lame to read on and on about. By the time she makes a particularly drastic decision (at the worst possible time, with no precautions, etc.) near the end, it was an effort to root for her any more. So overall, I'm not particularly happy with this one, but I was still entertained and don't regret reading it, so three stars.
    • 2/5
      I really did like this, and was so happy for Cameo to finally get her HEA, but it just didn't hook me the way the earlier books in the series did. Overall I might have given it a 3 or 3.5 if it hadn't taken me months to read it because I kept putting it down. Also, now that I know of the new HEA paring for the next couple, I'm massively underwhelmed. Still, I guess I'm glad Gena's at least writing sex scenes again! (2.5 stars)
    • 4/5
      Gena Showalter’s THE DARKEST PROMISE is an excellent addition to the Lords of the Underworld series. Immortal, Cameo, is possessed by the demon of Misery. Any time she acquires a joyful memory the demon steals it away. Everyone who is around her feels dread, except for, Lazarus the Cruel and Unusual. Lazarus wants Misery, but if she allows herself to be happy, she’ll end up forgetting. This contemporary PNR is suitable for adult audiences. Gena Showalter continues to do a fabulous job with her character development. I’ve always felt bad for Misery. I feel that her and Torin has two of the worst demons. Not that being possessed by any demon would be pleasant. I like that Lazarus is persistent and unaffected by Cameo’s demon. His gift for reading minds is a plus. I like that Misery’s godchildren, Urban and Ever, were in this story. I also, appreciate Viola, keeper of Narcissism, presence. She is good for a laugh. The plot was clever and well executed. There was a lot of action and interesting twists. The Lords of the Underworld series continues to be thrilling and feel original. After thirteen books, I still can’t get enough of this series and look forward to continuing following it. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
    • 4/5
      It has been a while since I have read a book in this series. There is a prior relationship between Cameo and Lazarus but nothing that took away from this book. I felt that connection even if it might have been more one sided in the beginning with Cameo having no memory. In fact, it was hot with Lazarus attempting to woo Cameo over. Cameo and Lazarus were good but they were not the only aspect of this book that I really enjoyed. The world as well or I should say Lazarus' kingdom. It was dark and very dangerous like Lazarus. Everything including the creatures are not as they first appear. For example: the unicorns are not fairy dust and rainbows; they are evil killing machines. Back to the characters. Everyone that made an appearance in this book were interesting. Then there was not only Cameo's memory loss due to the demon, Misery, who possessed her; but, someone else also was going through a transform and that was Lazarus. One final comment I have to make and that is the book cover. The models were exactly portrayed Cameo and Lazarus perfectly. Fans of this series will be happy with this book.