Reviews

The Darkest Promise by Gena Showalter

mybeastisreader's review against another edition

5.0

#Lazario #KingOfButterflies

I loved this book! Took a while to finish because life.. you know! But Gena never disappoints!
Adventure!
Steamy scenes!
Intense interactions!
Twists!
Great character development!
Fantastic plot!
Humour!
Drama!
Horror!
I mean.. really? What more could a girl ask for?!
Thank you Gena for once again rocking my world with this sexily named Lazario and #LOTU series (even though he’s not a Lord, but he’s defo got a Lady!)

bookloversofantastic's review against another edition

4.0

I forgot how Cameo’s story was just sooo emotionally intense, the effect of her demon is just awful, to see what she’s going through on a usual basis, it’s just sad - without even counting the effect her voice has on others. But that’s why Lazarus is perfect for her, she is his light and he is the one who wants to make her feel joy. If he’s first motivated by getting her in his bed, fighting his own curse, and getting his vengeance, he cannot deny the effect she has on him and how much he wants her to be free and joyful.

Also, I reread it to see a glimpse of Rathbone and come on, I’m sooo excited for his book.
And I totally forgot about Siobhan and Hades, and ohhhh my I wish they would happen and if it does, Hades will have to be ready for the ride of his life

beastreader's review against another edition

4.0

It has been a while since I have read a book in this series. There is a prior relationship between Cameo and Lazarus but nothing that took away from this book. I felt that connection even if it might have been more one sided in the beginning with Cameo having no memory. In fact, it was hot with Lazarus attempting to woo Cameo over. Cameo and Lazarus were good but they were not the only aspect of this book that I really enjoyed. The world as well or I should say Lazarus' kingdom. It was dark and very dangerous like Lazarus. Everything including the creatures are not as they first appear. For example: the unicorns are not fairy dust and rainbows; they are evil killing machines.

Back to the characters. Everyone that made an appearance in this book were interesting. Then there was not only Cameo's memory loss due to the demon, Misery, who possessed her; but, someone else also was going through a transform and that was Lazarus. One final comment I have to make and that is the book cover. The models were exactly portrayed Cameo and Lazarus perfectly. Fans of this series will be happy with this book.

ang088's review against another edition

5.0

One of the best

Love the whole series and this was a perfect fit for Cameo. I've been waiting so long for her story.

booklovinmamas's review

adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

The Darkest Promise is the thirteenth novel in Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series. This was my first time reading this book, and I’m glad I finally made time to read it. I loved Cameo and Lazarus’s book. I was worried I wouldn’t because Lazarus was a villain in a previous book in the series, and he had been unalived. Once again, Gena proved me wrong, and I loved where she went with Cameo’s book and why she ended up with Lazarus. Only Lazarus could give Cameo a very well-deserved HEA. 

Cameo is the Lord (or, in this case, Lady) who is possessed by the demon Misery. The poor woman couldn’t speak without her voice, causing others to cry, and her demon always told her how she made other lives miserable with her presence. Cameo’s first encounter with Lazarus was in a previous book, and she was drawn to him because he actually makes her feel happy for once, especially around him. She wants that connection again and goes off to find him once again. The other Lords are worried about her, and so is Lazarus with how she treats herself and how she wants to find Pandora’s Box because everyone fears what she will do when she gets it. I loved Cameo’s character even more after this book, and I’m glad she found someone like Lazarus who showed her how much he loved her. 

I grew to like Lazarus, and Gena did an amazing job telling his backstory and actually making me feel for his character. I loved knowing he was going to get his revenge on the person who had enslaved him before. He also got help from Cameo, even though he didn’t want her help because he didn’t want to risk her safety, but Cameo is a kickbutt heroine who won’t sit out on a fight. Gena definitely made it funny with the back-and-forth banter between Cameo and Lazarus, and I found myself laughing out loud with these two characters. It was interesting to find out Lazarus’s weaknesses and why butterflies were always surrounding him. 

There is a big plot point that comes into play in this book, and it deals with Pandora’s Box. Who actually has it, and also, what does it have inside it? There’s also the conflict that is happening between Hades and Lucifer, and the battle is about to get more intense between these two. Lazarus will find himself picking a side, and the Lords will realize they definitely need to assist Hades against Lucifer. 

There were other POVs in this book, too, that intrigued me and kept me entertained. I’m not sure what to think of Viola right now, but she could grow on me. She is demon-possessed with Narcissism, so that could be the issue I have with her. I’m curious about her character and trust Gena where she’s going with her.

I can’t wait to read Gilly’s book next, and I’m glad to know she doesn’t end up with who I thought she would end up with. I’m one reader who was okay with her finding someone else because William is a player, and he acts more like a big brother than a lover.

This was yet another great installment in the LOTU series, and it’s up there for being one of my favorites. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and finally be caught up. 

Audiobook Review: I’ve been switching from reading this series to listening to the books. I really enjoy listening to Max Bellmore bring the story and characters to life, and I definitely recommend the audiobooks if you prefer listening to your books. His narration is fantastic! 

Story Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Steam/Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Lords of the Underworld Series and I recommend reading in order.

Would I recommend this book/series? Yes. I recommend this series to readers who love reading Paranormal Romance series with interconnected, action-packed, romantic storylines with characters that deserve much-needed HEAs.

Genre/SubGenre(s): Romance | Paranormal Romance

Trope(s)/Element(s): Fated Mates | Enemies to Lovers | Tortured/Demon Possessed Heroine | Kickbutt Heroine | Alpha Hero | Morally Grey Hero

romancejunkie1025's review against another edition

5.0

a masterpiece as always miss Showalter never strikes a bad note with her Lords of the Underworld series. I guess the series is coming to an end but I have loved every minute of it

bookloverchelle's review

4.0

Cameo has never known, and will never know, true happiness. If she does her demon wipes her memory and she's back to her typical, miserable, self. Cameo hunts down Lazarus, someone she can see in her mind but can't remember how or why. Lazarus remembers, and still craves, Cameo but does not want to make anything easy for her. Her voice may make those around her miserable but he craves her every word, especially since he remembers their time together. As they fight together to protect Lazarus's kingdom Cameo's memories come back to her. But will her inner battle with her demon make her walk away from her one chance at true love? Another great read in the Lords of the Underworld series, excited to finally read Cameo's story. This definitely cannot be read as a stand alone but starting from the beginning is worth it! Can't wait to continue the series.

erinremen's review against another edition

5.0

Officially my new favorite!

I really enjoyed Cami and Lazario's story. Heartbreaking and satisfying in every way. Thank you for yet another glorious read that transfers us all to wondrous places. Does not matter if you write young adult or romance, you truly excel at storytelling!

abumblebeee's review against another edition

4.0

3.5

Cameo, keeper of the Demon of Misery, has never known true happiness....well not that she can remember. Until she returns from the spirit realms and has only the name Lazarus to hold onto. Rather than blow her one possible shot at happiness, she reenters the spirit realms to find Lazarus and maybe happiness.

I've been waiting for Cameo's love story, after going through 12 books with her completely miserable and unable to talk, it was refreshing to see her personality in this book. Lazarus is the perfect compliment to her and they both have to battle their inner demons if they have any chance at being together. The stories are all coming together, and I love seeing the sparks of relationships in books to come. It gets me more excited for the continuation of this series. Can't wait for the next book in June!

jeanay's review against another edition

4.0

hi guys i finished my book and i'm like almost to the
most recent book in the series i can't believe i spent this whole month on this series i'm gonna be in the worst book slump ever but anyways the main guy character reminds me of the guy of another book the author wrote bc bitches are more focused on revenge than their love life like come on bruv go to therapy or something. but this guy is a lil better bc he ends up giving it up for her and telling her the truth of
something and ugh i'm in love him like they had a
little mud fighting fun scene from the previous books and it was eute. but i’m so dumb to not realize the connection of the whole conflict like i shouldve guessed it bc butterflies kept on being repeated but i was like how tf is he gonna survive but the way the author executed the whole thing was really good respect. i love the main girl too like she can be annoying sometimes but i don't blame her w her whole misery thing going on but she's so idk how to describe her like she's different from the other main characters who are more outspoken and shit like that but she's snarky and shit and i respect that i love mean bitches main characters. omg but the side stories tho like why most of the time the side stories be so good but they end up not being the next book tf like i want the side story of the girl trapped in the mirror and her revenge enemies to lover shit w the guy that got her trapped in it but idk if the author is gonna write it but i hope she does. and there's another of the girl who narcissistic and i can't wait to read hers like she's funny. anyways rating this book 9/10 it was good but i did get bored sometimes but maybe its be have a bad attention span but it lived up to my expectations