Publication Date:May 1, 2008 Shipping:Eligible for Super Saver Shipping Promotion:Buy 4 eligible items in the 4-for-3 promotion offered by Amazon.com and get 1 of them free.Terms and Conditions Availability:Usually ships in 24 hours
GREAT DARK SERIES THAT STANDS ALONE - DONT COMPARE IT TO ANYTHING ELSE!!!August 1, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Four and a half stars really!!
First let me address some of the kill-joy reviews here - I have not read J.R. Ward's books - which am sure are fabulous. That being said - comparing this book to others that are similar in style - is doing this series a tremendous disservice to the readers reading reviews on this book and others to come. As an example - how many times has the subject of "blood-mate - soul mate - mate" made popular by Feehan been expounded on - yet there are some authors that have successfully injected this similar theme and created a great paranormal series/story? I don't have to name all the series - I am sure you will know what I am talking about.
I applaud Ms. Showalter for her originality and bravado for creating this series. Paranormal stories/series are getting harder to write, invent and deliver - since a lot of authors are now delving into the romance/paranormal world and fresh ideas are getting scarce. Hence fans are getting more critical over the stories.
A lot of reviewers have done an excellent job at giving the synopsis and complexity of the storyline - so I will skip that part.
I really enjoyed this book - it was a "dark" paranormal and Showalter has created a plausible, mysterious and haunting setting with Lord of the Underworld series. What a remarkable and fabulous job she's done at depicting immortal warriors that have been condemned by the Greek gods of mythology to exist with the demons that were released from Pandora's box. Each warrior is forced to house within themselves the demons of Death, Doubt, Disease, Violence, Disaster, Pain, Wrath, Promiscuity, Misery, etc. Residing in a remote castle in Budapest, each stoically fight their inner demons for centuries as well as desperately trying to keep these miseries from the human population.
Maddox and Ashlyn make a wonderful pair. After centuries of loneliness and Violence plus having a second curse to add to -diying every night at midnight - its small wonder that Maddox falls in love with Ashlyn - her pureness, staunch belief in him and her kindness is his undoing! How cant he help falling in love with a human girl that shows her bravado at trying to "protect" him from his friends because she cares about jhim! Both characters were wonderful together - creating hot chemistry! The story was well told I was intrigued wanting to read and find out how Ashlyn would break Maddox from his curse midnight curse!
I can't wait to read about Torin - Keeper of Disease - and who is going to be brave enough to touch him! Or Kane - where Disaster follows his wake!!! Oh, lets not forget sexy Paris - with his Promiscuity problem!!
I for one am glad at any unanswered questions - as one reviewer quite eloquently puts it - that's what sequels are for!
My favorite of the three.....so far :)July 30, 2008 This was my first Lord of the Underworld book and my favorite so far. Gena Showalter created a compelling world and a riveting character in Maddox, the host of the demon Violence. The book takes off running right from the start and doesn't stop and it's filled with, well, violence.
Maddox and Ashlyn are my favorite in the series and the sacrifice that Ashlyn makes for him is just, wow. She was willing to give him everything just so he could have an easier existence and that his friends could leave the house and travel.
A lot of people say Lords of the Underworld is a rip off of such and such but I don't think so. No book is completely original nor do I think it too much a leap of faith to imagine a group of men with preternatural powers living together without being classed a BDB ripoff.
*If your still not convinced on whether or not to pick this series up Gena Showalter has a website with several chapters to read from on each book. It's a great way to see if you will like them.*
Fun FantasyJuly 17, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Anytime an author can create a new family of characters and make you care about them in the first chapter you know you have a fun read ahead. This book qualifies and makes you want to read the rest of the series as soon as you turn the last page!
3 1/2 STARSJuly 14, 2008 2 out of 3 found this review helpful
A brotherhood of six Greek warriors, occupy a virtually impenetrable Budapest fortress. Each has been inflicted with a curse for messing with that darn Pandora's Box: Maddox the keeper of Violence, Lucien of Death, Reyes of Pain, Aeron of Wrath and Paris of Promiscuity. However, it is Maddox (and this is HIS book), who fares the worst by inciting Zeus over the death of Pandora. He's given a second curse. He must die every single day for punishment, not to mention, Zeus' amusement.
Actually, this was a very unique premise and something that sets this PNR apart from others with the typical vamp's, were's and demons. It plays well off the Greek Mythology of Pandora, who was supposedly the first woman on earth, ordered in creation by Zeus. When Pandora's Box was opened it spread evil all over the world---hate, anger, sickness, poverty, etc. So, it was quite interesting to see Showalter give a new interpretation to the age old myth, ascribing the evils to each of these men. It helps understand why Zeus was so ticked, too---to see his creation destroyed. Although, he sure was wicked, to give Pandora that Box, while giving her curiosity, at the same time. Sneaky! Back to Maddox. He really messed up and he's been a tad angry about it ever since, then to add the curse of violence on top of it all. Well, it left him the most dangerous of the clan.
The daily grind of the warriors appears fairly repetitive. They must each deal with their individual curses. They also search the perimeters of the property for any intruders and have no hesitation to kill anyone encroaching on their territory. They seldom have these issues, as locals give them lots of breathing room. The townsfolk share legends about them, some believing they are Demons, while others believe they are Angels. But, all are fairly sure they possess supernatural powers. Only the bravest will try to decide if they are good, or evil.
In steps Ashlyn! A very naive, virginal, young lady with lots of personal baggage and voices in her head. She's been involved with a team of paranormal researchers for quite some time and developed keen interest in the fortress inhabitants. She sets out on a personal quest few would dare, let alone a woman alone, to see if their supernatural powers may help her conquer her own demons---the voices. I couldn't help the little intrusive thought---try Haldol.
This is where the problems start for me, which is why I took stars off of what could have potentially been a solid 5 star read, with just a little more development. Ashlyn came across as a fairly wimpy character...not one who would have the bones to stand up to such a risky, potentially lethal adventure.
When she and Maddox have their first encounter, she isn't as horrified as one might expect. Equally, Maddox's first assessment of Ashlyn had me shaking my head wondering how a romance could develop between these main protagonists, as he came across as primitive and rather cavemanish. Then we suddenly start to witness Maddox's sensitive side---way too sensitive to appreciate, considering the circumstances. He became somewhat of a wimp, too, so they were matched in wimpiness, at least.
Overall, the chemistry between these characters was lacking, seemingly contrived and pushed too fast. There was no WOW moment, for me, when reading about them. I didn't even find myself upset with one of the most gut-wrenching scenes toward the end of the book. I also would have liked to see more of a relationship between the men. Their stories came across as almost separate and did not play off each other well. Devotion to one another was lacking for the most part. A basically insensitive lot, with no enduring qualities. However, I'm still impressed with the creativeness of the series and do plan to read the next two, because it did provide a number of hours of good entertainment. I don't feel most that love PNR will be disappointed. But, I do hope the next book shows positive growth.
Facinating new series......July 14, 2008 I am so excited. I now have something to look forward to, which after my "falling out of love with JR Ward and the BDB" ....I've needed.
Showalter is introducing a "new" world that is inhabited by immortal warriors who let loose some demons from Pandora's box, ticked off the gods, and ended up with demons "living" inside their bodies as punishment. These are a group of "tight knit" warrior/friends who each has his own demon to fight. Death, Pain, Wrath, Promiscuity, Violence, Doubt, Lies are just a few of the demons that have each taken up residence in a warriors body.
Maddox is the warrior who "houses" the demon Violence.
Maddox is a wonderful hero....strong, tortured, protective, and deeply in love with Ashlyn. Although this book is very different that the BDB by JR Ward, it has some of the same themes....burdoned warriors with intense feelings towards the women who are meant for them, and strong male bonds with their "brothers".
I was hooked on this book from the beginning. The only negative is that I can already see it now. There are enough warriors to write about to keep this series going on for a lifetime. I don't have great luck with authors who do that....they tend to loose steam....ex. Ward's BDB (sorry I can't move on past this)! This one is definitely worth the read and there are MANY warriors that I am interested in hearing more from. I hope that Showalter has a plan in mind for them, and not just one to "sell more books!" They each deserve stories as quality as Maddox and Ashlyn's.
