Author: Gena Showalter
Series: Lords of the Underworld #11
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
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Fierce immortal warrior. Host to the demon of Disease. Torin’s every touch causes sickness and death—and a worldwide plague. Carnal pleasure is utterly forbidden, and though he has always overcome temptation with an iron will, his control is about to shatter.
She is Keeley Cael. The Red Queen. When the powerful beauty with shocking vulnerabilities escapes from a centuries-long imprisonment, the desire that simmers between her and Torin is scorching. His touch could mean the end for her, but resisting her is the hardest battle he’s ever fought—and the only battle he fears he can’t win.
"My inability to rile you is maddening."This is Torin’s book. I repeat this is Torin’s book.
"I'll yell at you if it'll make you feel better."
"That would be extremely helpful, thank you."
I have waited sooooo long for this book (I think we all have). I’ve been anxious to read with whom Torin was going to end up with.
What do we know about Torin?
Torin is a Lord of the underworld and keeper of Disease. That means that if he ever touched anyone, that person is going to get infected and eventually either die or if he/she survives then that person will become a carrier (which is actually very rare). If a person becomes a carrier, then Torin or any of the others Lords will have to kill that person. Torin is also responsible for some plagues. It is for that reasons that Torin prefers to remain alone, in his room, always behind his computer screen (he’s quite a hacker). But something has changed.
In The darkest Craving, Cronus gave to Torin the All- Key (a relic that has the ability to free its owner of any lock) to “safe guard” it for him. Torin in return requested a woman with the ability to touch him and not sicken. Cronus gave a woman to him named Mari. Mari was bound to stay with Torin an hour everyday for a month. After the hour was over, Cronus would flash her away. Until Torin gave in and touched her. Before her hour was over, Torin decided to follow the girl where ever Cronus flashed her after she left him. What Torin didn’t know though, was that Mari’s “residence” was actually a prison designed by Cronus for his enemies. And the worst of all his enemies occupied the cell next to Mari’s.
Keeleycael, ala The Red Queen, is the worst enemy to have. She’s probably the most powerful being in the series and the only survivor of her kind, the Curators (she’s my new favorite heroine in the series as well). Having been betrayed by every man in her life, Keeley doesn’t trust men, especially the man who just killed the only friend she had in Cronus’s prison, Mari. She’s been waiting ages to get her revenge and since her powers have just regenerated, why not start with the easiest target, Torin!
Torin never meant to kill Mari but Keeley refuses to listen to reason. Torin is a dead man walking. But is her really??
I fell in love with this book from chapter #2. A page turner, highly entertaining and a true Gena style. After the last book in the series, which was quite disappointing, I was worried about this one. How could I not, since Torin was a very special lord and he deserved a very special HEA.
Now the question you are all (mostly) wondering about “How could Torin touch Keeley when his touch meant her death or even worse becoming a carrier?” Well, my lips are sealed, aka read the book! I can say though, that you don’t have to worry about that “department” because Gena had a lot to offer. That woman knows how to write. The chemistry between Torin and Keeley was scorching hot. The pages were on fire. Torin was no shy hero. He was actually nothing like I expected him to be. All alpha hero, great sense of humor and a body to die for. Keeley, was a surprise as well. I expected her to be a cruel, unfeeling creature but we got a betrayed woman wanting to wreak vengeance for the injustice done to her. A little spoiler* did you know that the weather reflected her moods? That was AWESOME!*
The secondary characters rocked as well. Most of the Lords were present and many more. I especially loved: the secondary story about Cameo and Lazarus (pls be the next book in the series), William and Gilly (Gilly’s birthday is coming!! Can you guess William’s present to her?) Hades, oh Great Hades (he was a big part of the book), all the other lords and couples, mostly Sienna and Paris (who you know I double love), Urban and Ever, Maddox and Ashlyn’s children have changed A LOT and of course, Anya who’s quite jealous of Keeley (don’t mention that to her though) and mischievous as ever. Yeah, I think I loved everything about this book. Can you blame me?!
Moreover, we got some scenes with Viola (who I don’t know if I should kill or pity), an angel named Axel, who is seeking information from William, the legendary couple Atlas and Nike (who we met and loved at The Darkest Prison) and Galen. What is that I hear about Galen being Keeley bff??? One thing is for sure! Galen is back and no longer the enemy.
Did I mention that someone also came back from the dead? Yeah, someone did. Who that may be?
Humor, suspense, action, a hero who can't touch and a heroine who craves to be touched and has an agenda, the book is bound to captivate you!
So, should you read the book?
You absolutely must! :)
*ARC provided by Harlequin/ Rockstar promotions in exchange for an honest review*
P.S. Read in one sitting! It was that good.
Excerpt
They would be a couple, she decided. Touch— pleasure—had been denied her for far too long. A fact his presence had never allowed her to forget. He’d had other girlfriends so he knew how to handle a romantic relationship. They could do this, could make this work. And they would be vigilant, cautious, never courting danger.
All she had to do was get him to agree.
There was no better time to try. “I’m dirty,” she an- nounced. “Absolutely filthy, and I’m going to take a bath.”
“Good for you.” So mocking.
So unaware of his coming fall.
“Be a dear and help me remove my dress,” she said. A strangled sound left him. “It has no ties, no zipper.
You tug it on and off.”
“Well, good news, then. As strong as you are, you shouldn’t have any problems.”
His gaze swept over her and heated. He licked his lips, as if he could already taste her. “What game are you playing, princess?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes. And why the hell are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m a hero. I’m not a hero. I’m a villain.”
Did he not realize that only made her want him more? “Well, be a good little villain and help me out of my dress.”
“No.” His tone dovetailed into guttural as he added, “I’m not going near you.”
He’s definitely tempted. How thin was his control? “Very well. I’ll near you.” Hips swaying, she closed
the distance between them. She reached out.
He jerked away only to return—closer.
She wrapped her fingers around his wrists and guided his hands to her hips.
He resisted. At first.
“Relax, warrior. We’re protected by our clothes.”
His fingers clenched around her and held on tight. Did he think she would f loat away like a forgotten balloon?
“What’s…next?” he gritted.
Not exactly surrender, but close enough.
She leaned forward, careful as her breath fanned over his ear. “All you need to do is feel good.”
“I can do that.” He tugged her against him. Suddenly they were f lush, the softest parts of her cradling the hard- est parts of him. A growl rose from low in his chest as if, in this stolen moment, he’d regressed into little more than an animal. “I’m doing it right now.”
The pleasure…thoughts of being careful evaporated like mist. “Would you like to do more?”
“More. Yes.” His lips parted as he fought for breath. Eyes glazing with a wildness she’d never seen from any- one other than condemned prisoners, he squeezed her hard enough to bruise. “I’m going to take more, and you’re going to like it.”
About The Author
Wow, one sitting huh? That does sound promising! I've never read and Showalter books, but she's been on my radar for quite a while now. Great review!
ReplyDeleteBrittany @ www.spacebetweenthespines.com/