Scan barcode
msrxlady's review against another edition
2.0
Lackluster for me, and quite predictable. When neither of the main characters really seem to have a flaw, it makes them a little flat. Still, I finished it and was a little entertained.
shawniebooks's review against another edition
4.0
Another good read from Eve Silver. I love a great Gothic romance.
nix_jinx's review
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
steph01924's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars for a romance novel, which for me means it was quite good. A SBTB recommendation that worked out well! I've come to lower my standards on writing quality when reading romances (before you jump down my throat, let's be truthful with one another that most romance novels are not going to be winning any Pulitzer's, okay? They're fun and entertaining and there's no shame in that, but...yeah.) but this actually felt very well-done; it was atmospheric and smooth.
It did lose me a bit somewhere in the middle (everyone is quite attracted to everyone else so EASILY and quickly--Damien and Darcie hardly had any conversations where she wasn't just gawping at him before they surrendered to mutual lust--but, then, I suppose this IS a romance novel) and everything turned out to be a lot more above-board than I expected, but it was entertaining. And Damien, refreshingly, wasn't an alpha-Duke, he so I possibly liked it even more for that.
I'm definitely going to check out the rest of this series!
It did lose me a bit somewhere in the middle (everyone is quite attracted to everyone else so EASILY and quickly--Damien and Darcie hardly had any conversations where she wasn't just gawping at him before they surrendered to mutual lust--but, then, I suppose this IS a romance novel) and everything turned out to be a lot more above-board than I expected, but it was entertaining. And Damien, refreshingly, wasn't an alpha-Duke, he
Spoiler
was actually just a very nice, very focused man who had some sadness in his life and closed himself off to the worldI'm definitely going to check out the rest of this series!
lee25's review against another edition
3.0
[b:Dark Desires|29850558|Dark Desires|Eve Silver|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1460043011l/29850558._SX50_.jpg|783278] wasn't for me, but that is probably my fault; I was hoping for something creepy but this was more of a romantic suspense novel.
The main characters are mostly likeable - although Darcie always jumping to the wrong conclusion and putting herself in danger became a bit annoying.
An entertaining enough read, but not my thing.
The main characters are mostly likeable - although Darcie always jumping to the wrong conclusion and putting herself in danger became a bit annoying.
An entertaining enough read, but not my thing.
alkora's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bhavani's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: 3.5 stars
One of the first things I thought of when I started reading the book was who drew the anatomical renderings of the human body in the 19th century. Based on what I know of the century, drawing is considered a female accomplishment. If this is the case, did anatomists hire male or female artists to draw for them if they couldn't do it themselves? Is this another case where women drew these observations, got paid a measly sum, and was left out of medical history, as women so often are? Did these anatomists ask their female family members to do it for them? I need to lookup more information on the history of medical sketch artists.
I like that Darcie saved her life by sewing the wound on her hand and accidentally pouring alcohol on it, preventing her from getting an infection and dying without adequate medical care. Not that adequate medical care during this period would have helped her, given that not many people knew or accepted hygienic practices to prevent infections.
The book's funniest moment is when Darcie decides to investigate the two men carrying a trunk to the carriage house and discovers they are carrying linen and contraband French brandy. Their interaction made me laugh out loud. It's a misunderstanding of epic proportions.
There were just two things that annoyed me. Why did Darcie lean against the carriage house wall and sink against the doorsill every time she was overwhelmed by Damien's presence? This seems to me like an overreaction.
Reading Dark Desires reminded me of gothic romances popular in the 1800s, which led Jane Austen to make references to it in Northanger Abbey. Except in Dark Desires, the heroine is not a gently-bred country girl. There's a good reason why she is so fearful of the outside world and finds it hard to trust others. With incomplete information from people warning her against Damien and having lived on the streets where every movement is to be feared, is it any wonder why her imagination runs amok?
One of the first things I thought of when I started reading the book was who drew the anatomical renderings of the human body in the 19th century. Based on what I know of the century, drawing is considered a female accomplishment. If this is the case, did anatomists hire male or female artists to draw for them if they couldn't do it themselves? Is this another case where women drew these observations, got paid a measly sum, and was left out of medical history, as women so often are? Did these anatomists ask their female family members to do it for them? I need to lookup more information on the history of medical sketch artists.
I like that Darcie saved her life by sewing the wound on her hand and accidentally pouring alcohol on it, preventing her from getting an infection and dying without adequate medical care. Not that adequate medical care during this period would have helped her, given that not many people knew or accepted hygienic practices to prevent infections.
The book's funniest moment is when Darcie decides to investigate the two men carrying a trunk to the carriage house and discovers they are carrying linen and contraband French brandy. Their interaction made me laugh out loud. It's a misunderstanding of epic proportions.
There were just two things that annoyed me. Why did Darcie lean against the carriage house wall and sink against the doorsill every time she was overwhelmed by Damien's presence? This seems to me like an overreaction.
Reading Dark Desires reminded me of gothic romances popular in the 1800s, which led Jane Austen to make references to it in Northanger Abbey. Except in Dark Desires, the heroine is not a gently-bred country girl. There's a good reason why she is so fearful of the outside world and finds it hard to trust others. With incomplete information from people warning her against Damien and having lived on the streets where every movement is to be feared, is it any wonder why her imagination runs amok?
kellyyoungbl's review against another edition
3.0
Just okay..
This book had potential. I enjoyed the storyline and its uniqueness, but I felt the book did not live up to its potential. It should have been more? More dark, more romance, more buildup, more surprise? Execution was not 100%
This book had potential. I enjoyed the storyline and its uniqueness, but I felt the book did not live up to its potential. It should have been more? More dark, more romance, more buildup, more surprise? Execution was not 100%