Book Reviews of Into the Dark : The Darkest Fire / The Amazon's Curse / The Darkest Prison

Seriously the sexy guy on the cover is the best part of this book.

The Darkest Fire was like Beauty and the Beast in Hell but BORING.

The Amazon's Curse I read as an ebook and liked it alright but it really should be included as an epilogue to The Vampire Bride. It simply is not strong enough on its own and too short to be included in an anthology.

The Darkest Prison is a reversal of The Darkest Fire in which the woman, Nike, is unattractive and the man, Atlas, is the pretty one in the relationship. It was slightly better than The Darkest Fire but that's not saying much. It's really forgettable and doesn't add anything to the mythos of the Lords of the Underworld series.

The other stuff in the book are just that--stuffing. There is no redeeming value to the Kresley Cole interview (and I LOVE Kresley Cole but this came off as more of a love fest between her and Gena Showalter than something written with the fans in mind). And the character interviews were not even mildly amusing. Overall the whole concept was juvenile in execution.

Bottom line: This book was created to gouge the fans.

This is a book of Showalter's three ebooks. The darkest fire tells the beginnings of the Lords of the Underworld demons, but I found it to lack flesh and really you could read the rest of the series and this story would not matter. The same goes for the Darkest prison although it does give the reader a little info on Paris' Sienna. I would not recommend reading the Darkest prison if you have not read the other Underworld stories.

This book was so horrible I kept checking the cover to make sure Gena wrote this. While I typically enjoy this author, the ONLY saving grace is the prequil to the next underworld book.

Very good!

I have to admit the short stories isn't as good as the regular series but it was nice. It lacked the detail and humor she usually have in her books. If you have never read her stuff, this is not a good book to start.

The other stuff, especially the mock interviews between the Lords were hilarious. Again, you have to read her other stuff first. I didn't care for the "Behind the scenes" part. It was a little dull. Also the hunter files weren't really necessary.

Overall, it was a fun little book definitely for the fans that are just looking for a quick laugh.

The short stories were great!!! Also, Gena Showalter included a guide to the LOTU series, so I really enjoyed reading this book. I warn you that only half of it are the short stories, and the other half is some interviews with Gena, the Lords, their ladies, a 3-chapter draft of Gena's original ideas for Pandora's box, a sneak peek in The Darkest Passion, and some insider stuff from the Hunter's personal files!!! It gave me plenty of insight on some of Gena's next books, and which characters they are going to be based on.

P.S. Paris' story is going to be one of the last ones! I am DYING to find out what happens with him!!!

Darkest Fire - Where exactly did the box that held the demons that now reside in the lords of the underworld come from? The box that was once guarded by the legendary Pandora? In this short prequel, we learn the origin of the box and just how the demons of the underworld came to be trapped within.

The amazon's curse - sorry no info here since i did not care for her atlantis series.

Darkest Prison - Ever wonder what happen to the greek gods after the titans took back olympus? what about atlas, the titan of strength? even the mightiest of titans can fall in love. but as with any stubborn male, it takes time before he realizes it. and even then he gives up everything in the end for the one he loves. but will it be enough to win the heart of the greek goddess of strenght and victory? (part of lords of the underworld)

The first story, The Darkest Fire is a prequel to the Lords of the Underworld series and gives us a glimpse into the beginning of the end.

Geryon is the “gate Keeper” responsible for keeping the demons inside Hell and Kadence is the goddess of Oppression who is tied to the wall that surrounds Hell. For hundreds of years she has been coming to inspect the wall. The demons have been growing restless and are determined to break through the wall.

Geryon is surprised to find out that she bought his freedom from Lucifer; you see, he has fallen in love with her but doesn’t think she can love him in return. He sees himself as a monster. Together they discover love in its truest form where beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder. They are unable to stop the demons in Hell and the wall collapses thus killing Kadence.

The story gives the readers a good look into the beginning of the series and shares the secret of Pandora’s Box and the demons that were released when it was opened.

The Amazon’s Curse is the second story and is part of the Atlantis series. This short story is best read after the Vampire’s Bride, although it can stand alone without any problems.

Both Zane and Nola have pasts they are ashamed of but together they realize that the past is what makes them the people they are today. They have been cursed by the Gods, Zane is a slave to the Amazon’s and Nola is bound to the same camp but she is invisible and no one can see her.

As the Amazon’s start fighting over Zane, she is forced to admit that he is hers. She doesn’t want any of the others touching him, much less mating with him. This revelation allows Zane to see her, even though he thinks he is hallucinating. She gives him strength to escape and he gives her the courage she needs to endure. With every truth revealed, they get closer and closer to their destiny.

The Darkest Prison is the final short story and it takes us back to the underworld. The Titan’s have overthrown the Greeks and Nike is the prisoner of Atlas. She is still in love with him but vows not to show it.

Atlas is drawn to Nike and doesn’t know why. He has this need to mark her like she marked him. He now considers her his and will do anything to have her.

These two are your typical star crossed lovers, Gods from opposing sides. Atlas knows that they can’t be together so he sets Nike free and takes her place. She realizes that he loves her and will stop at nothing to save him.

I liked the interaction between these two and felt they complemented each other well. The story may be part of the underworld series but it takes place in the heavens. I really enjoyed this story too.

Into the Dark is a never before published collection of short stories that were originally released as eBooks. A must have for any fan of the series. I enjoyed the short stories and bonus material at the end; however I would recommend that the stories be read in order. I give it 3 ½ Flaming Hearts.