INTO THE DARK

Author: Gena Showalter ISBN: 9780373774517 4/2010 PARANORMAL Publisher: HQN

Three otherworldly tales from the master of paranormal romance…and a brand-new Lords of the Underworld bonus guide! The Darkest Fire—a Lords of the Underworld prequel Geryon is the guardian of hell, more monster than man. Kadence is the goddess of Oppression, more angel than woman. Together they will enter the flames to battle a dangerous horde of demon lords—and discover a passion unlike any other. The Amazon's Curse—a tale of Atlantis Zane, a fierce vampire warrior, has been enslaved by the Amazons. Nola, a lovely Amazon soldier, has been cursed with invisibility. Now, these two stubborn enemies must overcome the pasts that haunt them and embrace a love that can set them free… The Darkest Prison—a Lords of the Underworld tale Once, Atlas, the Titan god of Strength, was the Greek goddess Nike's slave. Now, he is her master. And soon these sworn rivals destined to destroy each other will be forced to risk everything for a chance at love…

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

INTO THE DARK is Gena Showalter’s companion to her Lords of the Underworld series, comprised of four short stories, interviews with the author and characters, the case files from their mortal enemies, and a glossary that covers terms, characters, places, myths, and legends pertinent to the series. The first three short stories have only been available as ebooks up until now, and serve as both back story and foundation for the past of the Lords, their Hunters, the gods and goddesses, and how the Lords became joined with the demons who came flying out of Pandora’s box when curiosity compelled them to open it.

The first story, The Darkest Fire, began very darkly at the gates of Hell and moved ponderously through its sulphurous subterranean confines. I plodded along until I was suddenly hit by the impact of love between the tortured guardian of the gate and his corresponding goddess from the other side, who helped to keep the wall impregnable. The relationship built and swelled until I was overwhelmed by Showalter’s beautiful tale. And then it all made sense.

The Amazon’s Curse was another revealing story. It strengthens my understanding of the Lords and their predicament and renewed my compassion for them.

The Darkest Prison tells another tale of love and devotion, though twisted it may be, between Nike and Atlas from two of the warring factions underpinning the realms of The Lords of the Underworld—the Greeks and Titans. It shows how, just as in many of Showalter’s novels, love knows no bounds and often crosses party lines, much to the consternation of both the lovers and their companions.

The rest of the pieces in this book are welcome resources for keeping names and faces straight in this series. The interview between authors Showalter and Kresley Cole is highly entertaining and revealing. The rest serve as useful places to find those tidbits that explain the motivations of all these tortured hunks (and hunkettes in the case of Anya, Cameo, and others) and the loves of their lives.

I will keep this delightful compendium close by my side as I venture forth into future romances of the Lords of the Underworld. Believe me, if Showalter sticks to her plan of a book for each lord, and she truly writes 100 books in the series, I (and all her readers) will definitely need to refer back to this work frequently.

Susan Barton