Search - The Darkest Lie (Lords of the Underworld, Bk 9)

I have to be straight-up honest. This book was hard to read. From the very start I knew it was going to be a lot different than the other novels simply because of Gideon’s wicked sense of humor and never-ending sarcasm. And I was okay with that, until the sarcasm became cheesy and redundant about two pages in. The only two things that snagged me and kept me trudging through were (1) Scarlet’s background and (2) Gideon’s blue hair. Gotta love a modern/mythological man who walks around with electric blue hair!

Further into the story, either I got used to the cheesiness or it ended, I’m not sure which, but the majority of the book flowed without many problems. I did find several typos, unusual mistakes for Showalter’s books.

I felt like the story itself didn’t have a lot of structure, it was just kind of one event after another with the usual mix of the other Lords coming and going, though to a lesser extent than in previous books. I did love that there were surprises—no, I’m not telling!—because when I first started reading, I thought I knew pretty much what was going on. But it’s a complete turn around in the middle of the story. I can appreciate Scarlet’s fears and insecurities that develop afterward, but how those came to dictate her got annoying. I was so relieved when Gideon was finally like, “Okay, tough love time” because it forced her back into the confident, kick-ass woman she is. The irony of almost everything Gideon said wasn’t lost on me though—I think I laughed more times reading this book than any other.

Now, as noted in my review of The Darkest Pleasure, I reserved judgment on Aeron until I could see how it ended with Legion. I admire that he ventured back into Hell, sans Wrath, to rescue her. I found it utterly stupid that only Amun and William accompanied him. I mean, I realize that not all of the warriors could have gone, but going into the most dangerous place known to humanity with three warriors just seemed lacking in common sense to me. But, the act of it puts Aeron in the “decent guy” category.

Oddly enough, I’ve kind of started to like Cronus, though I’m sure that’s a mistake. Even when he’s being self-serving, he has more depth of emotion in Lie than in any of the others. Consequently, my favorite scene in the whole book was when he sat down next to Gideon with a bowl of popcorn and goes, “This is what humans enjoy during spectator events, is it not?” NO! Or maybe my favorite scene was when Gideon discovered that his demon is— oh, sorry. Spoiler.

I wasn’t much on the end battle though… Even in Mnemosyne deserved it.

Anyho, I’m looking forward to Amun’s book, which is supposed to be next. According to my Which Lord of the Underworld do You Belong With quiz, he’s my man. Stay tuned, fans!

www.whitneycarter.wordpress.com

The series is losing steam for me. Gideon and Scarlet were OK, side story about Aeron/William/Amun adventures OK, Strider/Haidee - zzzzzz. Nothing really stood out for me, not enough time with past favorites. I didn't like Anya that much in her book but she's the only female character who is remotely memorable in any of these stories. Every book needs more Anya.

In terms of the main couple, Gideon and Scarlet, they had an OK story. Trying to find their way together with their painful history was interesting. The plot twist toward the end almost seemed unnecessary to me. I was irritated with Showalter because early in the book there was a scene that suggested Scarlet is Cronus' daughter after all. I kept waiting for that to be resolved - just a red herring.

I've had Darkest Lie on my bookshelf for a few months now. I just couldn't pick it up. I was tired of the series and the feeling that nothing ever really happens. I really liked Aeron/Wrath (Olivia - meh) and the ending of that book ruined the entire thing for me. I thought it kind of detracted from who Aeron is at the end - you take away "half" of him and expect him to be the same?

There isn't enough progress in the overall mythology and the stories about the Lords aren't as fun anymore. I didn't really care much about Gideon, Strider, and the rest of the B-team lords, why do they keep getting their own books but we never hear about Paris or Torin? I think I'm done with the series for now. I do like William and might take up the series again if/when he gets his own book.

Darkest Lie wasn't a bad book, but I just think the series is running out of gas.

3 stars.

Continuing great series, each book has something new and exciting to look forward to. GS my new fav author.

I wasn't that into this book until a twist is revealed over half way through... that was a good twist and then the book had me. I like Gideon, but Scarlet wasn't my favorite. I felt for her and all she went through... but besides her cool powers she just didn't grab me. As I said I loved the twist and from there on out my eyes were eating the words right off the pages.

At first I liked the side story with Aaron/Amum/William... but after awhile I was like gosh, what was the point in bringing Amum, he was utterly useless by the end. I was irritated at Aaron for risking his friend's life just for Legion and Amum nearly gives up his life more than once on this adventure... you'd have thought they were out to rescue one of the Lord's wives or a Lord himself. Seemed like a suicide mission just to get Legion back, whom I really dislike and have no interest in. I had thought Galen would play a bigger role in getting her out of Hell, because they obviously had a connection in Aaron's book, but there wasn't much Galen in this book.

The best story in this book for me, and unfortunately the smallest, was Strider finding Haidee. Love, love, love where this looks like it's going! Unfortunately I think Amum's book is up next, could be wrong, I will read it just to keep up with the series, but I have no interest in Amum.

It took me 2 weeks to get thru this book. I can usually finish a book in 3 days. But translating "Gideon speak" (lies) slowed the book for me and had me putting it down again and again. Even though i struggled with the "lies" translation, this was just as great a story as the others. I love the Lords of the Underworld series, so I pushed thru. Gideon and Scarlet are great characters and i would have appreciated them more without having to translate every conversation, and their story was a little confusing. Were they married and his memories were erased? Or were her memories planted? Amun, William, and Aeron head to HELL to get Legion back and what a journey that was! (But i won't spoil it) We find out a lot of info about Cronus and Rhea's war and Strider finds another demon. The battle at the end of the book with Scarlet was great and funny at the same time. Can't wait until the next one, will it be Strider or Amun's story?

www.texasreader-stacy.blogspot.com

I loved this Book. The Characters were great. My favorite so Far. I couldn't wait for this book to be listed, So I went ahead and bought it. Now I'm gonna post it so someone else can enjoy it.