Reviews

The Darkest Assassin by Gena Showalter

birdloveranne's review against another edition

5.0

Loved it!

booklovinmamas's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Readers who read Gena’s spin-off series of LOTU, Angels of Dark, will recognize the MMC, Bjorn, immediately in The Darkest Assassin. Here was one reader who was ecstatic to know Bjorn was getting his book, especially after Gena left us spiraling with what happened to him. I needed his book and was happy to know he was going to end up with someone like Fox.

If you are new to the series, you could technically read this novella and not feel left out on what you missed from the other books in the series. It’s a good introduction, but I definitely recommend reading LOTU from the beginning and also reading the Angels of Dark series, where Bjorn is first introduced. Readers who have read the LOTU/AOD series get another additional book to the series, which is always a plus.  

The FMC, Fox, is possessed by the demon Distrust, and when the demon takes over, she doesn’t have control over what she does, and now the Sent Ones want her dead. Bjorn is tasked to kill her, but instead, he holds her captive, and the more he gets to know her, the more he questions his assignment. 

I loved getting to know Bjorn finally through his POV because I had only known through other POVs from the Angels of Dark series. He’s been through a lot, especially with being forced into a marriage he didn’t want and not being able to get out of it. I was curious about how Fox was going to play into this, but I knew Gena was going to use her writing magic to make things happen so that Bjorn could have a HEA. 

I really liked Fox, and I didn’t doubt I wouldn’t because Gena always writes kickbutt and sassy heroines, and Fox was no different. She was perfect for Bjorn in every way because she wasn’t going to make it easy for him. She was making him question his duty of killing her the whole time while also fighting his attraction. Yes, this has the Enemies to Lovers storyline, and Gena knows how to write this trope so well. 

I give this novella five stars, and I’m so glad I finally made time to read it. If you haven’t read this series, you are missing out. Get to it! 

Story Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Steam/Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the LOTU series but can be read as a standalone for readers wanting an introduction to the series. 

Would I recommend this novella? Yes, definitely.

Genre/SubGenre(s): Romance | Paranormal Romance

Trope(s)/Element(s): Fated Mates | Enemies to Lovers | I Was Sent to Kill You | Angels | Demons

naomilane's review

5.0

This book is absolutely amazing and brilliant and all the things you're hoping for. It brings you right back to the Angels of the Dark world with our favorite characters while being absorbed into the LOTU storyline. Like, my mind is blown and I couldn't have hoped for a better story. Seriously. Feels like old school LOTU and I love it.

Gena managed to write the perfect novella, the pacing is just right, Fox and Bjorn work great together and the way they meet is priceless, one of my favorite thing ever. I loved the story and how everything got together with the Lords, and how Gena is preparing us for William's book. Speaking of William, we also get to see him in this book and his heroine too! I swear to god, I lost my mind and my heart stopped beating for a few seconds.

So, if I had one word for this book it'd be BRILLIANT (and maybe Axel). It felt like coming home and I couldn't be happier.

Disclaimer: I was able to read an early copy of this book as I work for the author.

alexperc_92's review

5.0

I received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Review and blog tour can be found on *Milky Way of Books*

I'm always in for yet another story set in the Lords of the Underworld universe. A world so diverse and dimensional that has long since transpired the borders of mythology. To be honest, I loved Fox more here than Bjorn (who acted many times like a jerk).

True the romance and the heat levels were high but I loved how strong Fox was and tried many times to overcome Distrust, her own insecurities and be a badass.
The war is also becoming more serious and the cameo appearance of William will probably make the next book much more addicting and highly anticipating. Finally, I also hope that the rest of the Sent Ones gang will get their own stories.

lauren_reading's review

dark emotional funny

4.25

tanyad74's review against another edition

4.0

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. 
One of my favorite things about Gena Showalter's books is her female characters and Fox is no exception. She's fiesty, smart-mouthed and kick-ass! I loved her from the start. The fact that Fox does something directed by her demon is a sign that she hasn't gotten good control of it yet. It also means that she is going to regret some of her actions. The Distrust demon takes over and causes Fox to do something that puts her on the kill list for the Sent Ones. She knows it as soon as she comes to her senses. Fox prepares herself for being attacked. She doesn't have long to wait! Bjorn shows up at the most inopportune time. But you can't catch this fox unprepared!

 

Bjorn has not had an easy life, but now he has his boys and a great gig being a Sent One. His situation makes you feel for him, and when he experiences the little happy times with Fox, it just made my heart swell. I really felt he deserved that time. His relationship with Thane and Xerxes is so great and I'm thankful he has that kind of support, it is just sad that he's been celibate for so long. His time with Fox felt like an awakening for him. I really enjoyed seeing the changes that happened for him.

 

The Darkest Assassin was a fun, quick love story with characters that go through a fair amount of growth. We get a glimpse of William and his potential mate, which made me even more excited for The Darkest King. There is not a lot of movement in the war. But I'm sure we'll see more of it in the full sized novels. We were hyper focused on our couple and I loved every minute. The Darkest Assassin is also a great explanation of the Sent Ones becoming involved in the war and how they all end up in hell. Great little tidbits in here, with a big heart-warming love story. Definitely all the characteristics of a fun Gena Showalter book!

 

BOOK TRAILER

 

“I love this world…this is Gena Showalter at her best!”—J.R. Ward, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“The Gods of War series is my new obsession.”—Christine Feehan, #1 New York Timesbestselling author

"One of the premier authors of paranormal romance. Gena Showalter delivers an utterly spellbinding story!"-Kresley Cole, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Gena Showalter never fails to dazzle."-Jeaniene Frost, New York Times bestselling author
 

This review was originally posted on Rantings of a Reading Addict

alexa_ayana's review

3.0

Hmm..
Aku suka karakter h/h cuma chemistrynya kerasa diburu2. Dan bete aja harus tahu latar belakang mrk berdua, tension dll dari narasi penulis. Banyak kejadian yang kek Abg aja, gak dewasa banget. Ada sekilas adegan yang munculin calon mate William, si cewek seperti normal Gena's heroines type berusaha tampil tangguh dengan perpaduan kelakuan kekanak2an, selalu basah dan gaya ngomong sok smart. Bosen aja n gak gitu menarik lagi sejujurnya. Tapi memang style wanita "badass" versi penulis selalu gitu. Seharusnya lbh banyak showing not telling. Jd kyk pembaca disuapin fakta aja dan harus percaya cinta sejati bisa tumbuh dalam 10 hari dibawah kondisi penuh peluh dan orgasms.

eleme7's review

2.0

Rushed ending

ashliesydel's review

4.0

OMFG I love Fox. Like I have a girl crush to the point where I want to sniff her hair. I wish this was a full novel vs a novella. The chemistry between Fox and Bjorn was off the charts!

Their meeting is the BEST first impression of all time. I was literally still imaging it days after I had finished this story.

I want to know more about Fox's background. I feel like more could have been done/explored. I hate that this was so short. I adore the bromance/bond that the three angels share and want more of that.

Since I'm reading this series in order, I was a bit disappointed with some of the overlap/spoilers of William's story. I haven't even read it yet and I was turned off by his chick. Wasn't feeling the snippet of interaction that was presented. So that was unfortunate.

So yeah, Fox is now my favorite person.

jillreadsabook's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0