Scan barcode
alexandra_92's review
5.0
Torin, the best Lord of all! Also, I am betting that there will be books for Cameo, Viola and William. But Cameo people!!! And Lazarus too!
readermonica's review
4.0
In THE DARKEST TOUCH we finally get to see if Torin is able to get his HEA. Torin's obstacles to having a fulfilling long term relationship are massive. Torin harboring the demon Disease makes him such a heart wrenching character. His inability to participate in even the most basic physical contact with others made me want him to have a soul mate all that much more. Poor Torin can't risk skin to skin contact with another without infecting them with a disease that would not only kill the person but could quickly spread to others as well. Not even his fellow immortals are completely immune to the power of his Demon therefore making even them unavailabe to Torin. That is until Torin crosses the path of the Red Queen, Keeleycael.
Keeley is a Curator and although affected by Torin she can withstand and survive contact with him. Keeley is one of the strongest female characters that I have come across and has endured centuries of captivity and has endured some remarkable physical tortures in order to gain her freedom. Torin valiantly tries to fight their mutual attraction and do what he feels is right, but as they spend more time together Torin finds it harder and harder to resist her. One of my favorite lines in the book is when Torin describes Keeley as "A living, breathing Sugar Plum Fairy, Dragon Edition" and that pretty much sums up Keeley.
THE DARKEST TOUCH was an enjoyable read with plenty of dry wit and sarcastic humor. But surprisingly I didn't enjoy THE DARKEST TOUCH for the reasons that I expected. I am a Showalter fan and wanted Torin's HEA just as much as the next reader, yet I found myself looking forward to the secondary threads more than the main story. There were also situations and knowledge that felt odd. Even with their explanations they didn't feel right. I'm not so sure that the way things were justified was as satisfying as I would have liked, but were acceptable for the most part. It's a nit picky complaint that didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. Although I was happy that Torin and Keeley's story was worked through I found myself becoming much more interested in the secondary characters and the development of their stories that will come down the line. Cameo (Misery)/Lazarus, Baden, Pandora, Cronus, and Rhea, Galen /Legion, William/ Gilly, and Hades are all stories that I am very much looking forward to reading down the line. You get a lot in this book and at almost 500 pages you definitely get your money's worth!
You can find more from me at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/
Keeley is a Curator and although affected by Torin she can withstand and survive contact with him. Keeley is one of the strongest female characters that I have come across and has endured centuries of captivity and has endured some remarkable physical tortures in order to gain her freedom. Torin valiantly tries to fight their mutual attraction and do what he feels is right, but as they spend more time together Torin finds it harder and harder to resist her. One of my favorite lines in the book is when Torin describes Keeley as "A living, breathing Sugar Plum Fairy, Dragon Edition" and that pretty much sums up Keeley.
THE DARKEST TOUCH was an enjoyable read with plenty of dry wit and sarcastic humor. But surprisingly I didn't enjoy THE DARKEST TOUCH for the reasons that I expected. I am a Showalter fan and wanted Torin's HEA just as much as the next reader, yet I found myself looking forward to the secondary threads more than the main story. There were also situations and knowledge that felt odd. Even with their explanations they didn't feel right. I'm not so sure that the way things were justified was as satisfying as I would have liked, but were acceptable for the most part. It's a nit picky complaint that didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. Although I was happy that Torin and Keeley's story was worked through I found myself becoming much more interested in the secondary characters and the development of their stories that will come down the line. Cameo (Misery)/Lazarus, Baden, Pandora, Cronus, and Rhea, Galen /Legion, William/ Gilly, and Hades are all stories that I am very much looking forward to reading down the line. You get a lot in this book and at almost 500 pages you definitely get your money's worth!
You can find more from me at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/
allingoodtime's review
4.0
3.5 stars
You guys, I haven’t read a Lords of the Underworld book since September! That’s 5 months! Unacceptable. One of my reading resolutions for this year (2020) is to not overextend myself on my reading commitments, and this is a prime example as to why I wanted to make that resolution. I’ve greatly enjoyed many, if not most, of the books I’ve read in the last several months. But I’ve been missing my old favorites, like the Lords. It was great to get back to them. Especially with Torin’s story since I’ve always had a soft spot for him.
It is truly magnificent to see Torin outside of his bedroom. Better yet, outside of the fortress. While I appreciate his skill with computers and electronics, and his expertise in these areas has helped the Lords in so many ways over the years, Torin has always been left behind. Who knew the guy could still fight so fiercely all these years later? And just like Keeley, it was my pleasure to watch him work in that way.
Keeley kept me a bit confused through the first half of this story. She reminded me of Anya (The Darkest Kiss) quite a bit (no surprise they don’t like each other at first) with her attitude and false bravado. Yet, she wasn’t as spunky and fun as Anya. There are things we learn about Keeley as the story progresses that helped me to understand the sometimes-flighty forgetfulness she seems to have.
Just like Keeley, I was getting quite annoyed with Torin’s push/pull of her and their possible relationship. Of course, I could totally get where Torin was coming from; but he wasn’t doing either of them any favors with his constant change in plans when it came to the two of them together. The amazing chemistry the two have is, I’m sure, the main reason Torin couldn’t stick to his guns.
I love that Keeley never rejects him for the reasons others in Torin’s life have rejected him throughout the years. Her reasons aren’t often great, but she has a pretty low self-esteem no matter that her attitude seems to say the opposite. So, in retrospect, it’s understandable when she doesn’t always make the best choices in their relationship. She doesn’t trust anyone to actually care about her for who she is rather than what she can do.
One thing that has bugged me in the last few stories is the way the other Lords react to the new mate, so to speak. Each time they treat the new woman with so much suspicion and scorn, even though they had been through the same thing and had to somewhat threaten the family in order to get them to accept the new person. It’s a bit annoying. Especially when it comes from the Lord that just recently found his life partner, so it should all still be fresh.
Of course, I still loved revisiting one of my favorite series. These characters just make me happy. I cannot wait so long to continue this series. There’s still so much to read about them all.
You can read more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
You guys, I haven’t read a Lords of the Underworld book since September! That’s 5 months! Unacceptable. One of my reading resolutions for this year (2020) is to not overextend myself on my reading commitments, and this is a prime example as to why I wanted to make that resolution. I’ve greatly enjoyed many, if not most, of the books I’ve read in the last several months. But I’ve been missing my old favorites, like the Lords. It was great to get back to them. Especially with Torin’s story since I’ve always had a soft spot for him.
It is truly magnificent to see Torin outside of his bedroom. Better yet, outside of the fortress. While I appreciate his skill with computers and electronics, and his expertise in these areas has helped the Lords in so many ways over the years, Torin has always been left behind. Who knew the guy could still fight so fiercely all these years later? And just like Keeley, it was my pleasure to watch him work in that way.
Keeley kept me a bit confused through the first half of this story. She reminded me of Anya (The Darkest Kiss) quite a bit (no surprise they don’t like each other at first) with her attitude and false bravado. Yet, she wasn’t as spunky and fun as Anya. There are things we learn about Keeley as the story progresses that helped me to understand the sometimes-flighty forgetfulness she seems to have.
Just like Keeley, I was getting quite annoyed with Torin’s push/pull of her and their possible relationship. Of course, I could totally get where Torin was coming from; but he wasn’t doing either of them any favors with his constant change in plans when it came to the two of them together. The amazing chemistry the two have is, I’m sure, the main reason Torin couldn’t stick to his guns.
I love that Keeley never rejects him for the reasons others in Torin’s life have rejected him throughout the years. Her reasons aren’t often great, but she has a pretty low self-esteem no matter that her attitude seems to say the opposite. So, in retrospect, it’s understandable when she doesn’t always make the best choices in their relationship. She doesn’t trust anyone to actually care about her for who she is rather than what she can do.
One thing that has bugged me in the last few stories is the way the other Lords react to the new mate, so to speak. Each time they treat the new woman with so much suspicion and scorn, even though they had been through the same thing and had to somewhat threaten the family in order to get them to accept the new person. It’s a bit annoying. Especially when it comes from the Lord that just recently found his life partner, so it should all still be fresh.
Of course, I still loved revisiting one of my favorite series. These characters just make me happy. I cannot wait so long to continue this series. There’s still so much to read about them all.
You can read more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
catherinelefay's review
3.0
3.5 tenía todo el material para ser uno de los mejores libros de la saga pero me canso el tira y floja, y lo poco que aprovecharon la historia de la Red Queen, de todas maneras no deja de ser muy bueno, los libros de Gena siempre lo son.
dedicatedreader's review
5.0
Did I smile on every page that had Keys and Torin in them? YES!
This story was awesome and it was the best so far in the series. Finally the long wait is over and I got the chance to read it and I am happy to have had the chance to do so.
Did I say the main characters had me smiling like a crazy person..?
The red queen was awesome and Torin....you love like a dream but so does your woman.
A great great book! One you have to love
So thank you very much madam author this was another great one and eye opener for the whole series in general!
And have you all seen the cover? total pointers for that. It had my heart racing!
This story was awesome and it was the best so far in the series. Finally the long wait is over and I got the chance to read it and I am happy to have had the chance to do so.
Did I say the main characters had me smiling like a crazy person..?
The red queen was awesome and Torin....you love like a dream but so does your woman.
A great great book! One you have to love
So thank you very much madam author this was another great one and eye opener for the whole series in general!
And have you all seen the cover? total pointers for that. It had my heart racing!
abbielairson117's review
4.0
Ok, so I love Torin and the amount of times he said dude was so funny. But with Keeley, I just did not like her at all. She was wayyyyyy too immature. Like I don’t know any woman that immature. It bugged me so much.
lucyhargrave's review
4.0
I adore Gena Showalter’s Lord of the Underworld series and have always had a tiny soft spot for Torin. None of which explains why it has taken me so long to read The Darkest Touch, but I’ve read it now and thats the important thing!
I never realised how funny Torin was before this book. It felt like his character came alive; he wasn’t just the tormented one who couldn’t touch anyone. I mean I basically fell in love with Torin because he was the tortured one unable to touch anyone, but in this book I learnt he was so much more. He has a wonderful sense of humour, he can be selfish, is often impulsive and nearly always protective of those he loves.
“Princess, your temper tantrums make you as defective as an open-ended condom.”
Now I also loved Keeley or The Red Queen...
Full review available here: buff.ly/1VjBk4G
I never realised how funny Torin was before this book. It felt like his character came alive; he wasn’t just the tormented one who couldn’t touch anyone. I mean I basically fell in love with Torin because he was the tortured one unable to touch anyone, but in this book I learnt he was so much more. He has a wonderful sense of humour, he can be selfish, is often impulsive and nearly always protective of those he loves.
“Princess, your temper tantrums make you as defective as an open-ended condom.”
Now I also loved Keeley or The Red Queen...
Full review available here: buff.ly/1VjBk4G
bobsvoid's review
5.0
"You may have the world's worst SSTD," she said, "but I throw the world's worst temper tantrum."
Interesting, but not applicable. "Are you chastising me or applying to be my sidekick?"
My sweet, sweet Torrin finally got his time to shine with a book in the series that has become one of my favorites. The keeper of Disease has spent thousands of years denying himself the pleasure of touch because he doesn't want to infect and kill people. An accident brings Torrin into the clutches of the notorious Red Queen-Keely.
My girl Keely is as psychotic as they come...it's absolutely wonderful. There's a few things I absolutely adore in a woman and other than being a shameless hussy, it's being a shameless psycho. She spent a good portion of the beginning of the book threatening to take Torrin's life. And just like me, it seems he can't help but be attracted to such a woman.
"My greatest flaw is my total lack of flaws. Do you know what a burden it is, being perfect all the time?"
She fluffed her hair. "Yes, actually, I do."
The greatest part of these two was their acceptance of their flaws. Keely gave zero fucks about the fact that Torrin is a walking-talking-plauge (or SSTD skin-toskin-transmitted disease) waiting to happen. Hell, she welcomed it. Sweet Torrin was stubborn about that, but he at least accepted her psychotic tendencies..it was the least he could do.
I won't lie, I was a bit cross with the other Lords and women for their treatment of Keely. The girl saves your friends and protects your home, yet you little hypocrites have an issue with her? This brings me to my one issue with Torrin, that boy got a big mouth. If you've read you'll know what I'm talking about. Other than that, I absolutely LOVED this book.
"Old enough that I can only use one pickup line appropriately-hey baby, you better call life alert because I just fell for you and can't get up."
Pick up line...pickup line...she racked her brain until she found an explanation and brightened.
"Mine would be-roses are red, violets are blue, if you don't do what I say, I will kill you."
seejennread's review
3.0
I'm glad the sexy times were back (mostly) but Keeley felt like a reboot of Anya after a while. I'm also getting really bored with all the new realms and different mystical creatures she keeps introducing. Faeries and curators and Giants? Doesn't feel like the original LOTU at all.
aliterarylion's review
5.0
Gena Showalter is finally back!
This book was so much fun! One of my favorite characters in the Lords of the Underworld series finally got his happy ending and leading lady. I have liked Torin since the beginning and I always wondered how Gena Showalter would figure out his story. Torin is the handsome hacker who is the keeper of Disease. He will cause sickness, and eventually death, to anyone he touches. It was refreshing to see Torin come out his shell and become the alpha male he was meant to be instead of the quarantined computer whiz. His female that was destined for him was Keeleycael, the Red Queen.
She was such a superb character that was well written and so much fun. She is an all powerful immortal who is able to withstand Torin's curse. I was so impressed how Showalter was able to finagle the intricacies of the predicament and make it work. Keeley is ranked my second favorite female lead in the series behind Anya. She is essentially a reincarnation of Persephone: she had a relationship with Hades, emotions affect the weather, and her appearance changers with the seasons. What a cool power!
Winter: Blue skin with navy hair.
Autumn: Auburn hair with peaches and cream complexion
Summer: Blonde hair with blue eyes. The quintessential OUATIW Red Queen
Spring: Pink hair with green leaves and light skin
Keeleycael is an immortal Ramona Flowers with better taste in men.
Torin and Keyes relationship together was adorable. Their humor was a bit off-kilter was perfect for their dynamic. They were sweet as well as steamy. I liked how he referred to her as a fairy or a princess constantly. I am also looking to William and Gilly's story, if they ever have one. The looks he would he send her are volcanic.
For those who might have given up on the Lords of the Underworld series, this book has rekindled Showalter's literary fire.
This book was so much fun! One of my favorite characters in the Lords of the Underworld series finally got his happy ending and leading lady. I have liked Torin since the beginning and I always wondered how Gena Showalter would figure out his story. Torin is the handsome hacker who is the keeper of Disease. He will cause sickness, and eventually death, to anyone he touches. It was refreshing to see Torin come out his shell and become the alpha male he was meant to be instead of the quarantined computer whiz. His female that was destined for him was Keeleycael, the Red Queen.
She was such a superb character that was well written and so much fun. She is an all powerful immortal who is able to withstand Torin's curse. I was so impressed how Showalter was able to finagle the intricacies of the predicament and make it work. Keeley is ranked my second favorite female lead in the series behind Anya. She is essentially a reincarnation of Persephone: she had a relationship with Hades, emotions affect the weather, and her appearance changers with the seasons. What a cool power!
Winter: Blue skin with navy hair.
Autumn: Auburn hair with peaches and cream complexion
Summer: Blonde hair with blue eyes. The quintessential OUATIW Red Queen
Spring: Pink hair with green leaves and light skin
Keeleycael is an immortal Ramona Flowers with better taste in men.
Torin and Keyes relationship together was adorable. Their humor was a bit off-kilter was perfect for their dynamic. They were sweet as well as steamy. I liked how he referred to her as a fairy or a princess constantly. I am also looking to William and Gilly's story, if they ever have one. The looks he would he send her are volcanic.
For those who might have given up on the Lords of the Underworld series, this book has rekindled Showalter's literary fire.