The Darkest Fire

Lords of the Underworld Prequel

By: Gena Showalter

Narrated by: Max Bellmore

Length: 1 hr and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

He is the guardian of hell, more monster than man. She 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....

Don't miss this sizzling prequel to Gena Showalter's breathtaking paranormal series, The Lords of the Underworld. Though they carry an eternal curse, the Lords of the Underworld are irresistibly seductive - and unimaginably powerful.

Don't miss the other books in the Lords of the Underworld series.

©2008 Gena Showalter (P)2008 Audible, Inc.
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A. All characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

it was good

I read Gena Showalter books years ago. i was hoping to start a new series by her. The writing is wonderful but I didn't care for the story. perhaps I will return to this series one day.

Its a start!

While I wasn't super intrigued by this short story, it did give me a starting point on the Lords of the Underworld. I began reading the Lords of the Underworld at book 5 off of a sale. I was super confused in the beginning since I didn't know the back story. Then I read this book followed by book 1. Since this is only about $2, I think it is a good read just to get a little info on how things start.

The narration was great and I really enjoy listening to Max. While this story wasn't the most amazing story, it was a decent read.

I will say that I was originally put off by book 5 because the series is a bit dark and is a very different approach to romance but if you take the time to actually listen to it you will quickly become enamored and come to love it.

Sweet!

While I liked this book, it ended way too soon. However, it was a splendid introduction to the Lords of the Underworld. The Darkest Fire was magical and romantic. I was not crazy about the end, but was glad their love prevailed

It is only the beginning

A lot of my friends that I have met in different Facebook author groups swear by this series. I have to admit that I have given this series a pass glance and have forgotten about it. Now since a group on Facebook is doing a reading challenge it is forcing me to stop putting this series off and just dive in feet first.

This is the prequel to the Lords of the Underworld series. This is about how everything started. I enjoyed this quick little intro to this world. I loved Geryon. He is a tortured hero and that is one of my things. I love a damaged sole that finds love with someone that does not see what is on the outside but what is within. Kadence is that person who has loved Geryon since she first saw him. I am glad that the two of the found love with one another.

I am ready to see if the series will keep my interest like this story did.

And so the LOTU begin!!!

This is where it all truly began. The Lords of the Underworld started with a love story. A love story between a Goddess and the Guardian of Hell. Could two people want each other so much and deny each as much as these two? Both thinking the other is too good for them? Thinking themselves unworthy?! These two do not realize their worth and that hell can be its own sort of paradise for two people who really should not be there but have jobs to do? Their adventure to save the wall could ultimately destroy them both or bound them in unforeseen ways, creating a future that will form the Lords of the Underworld! Give me more!

Spellbound

Since listened to it, the only time I shut it was to charge my mp3 or had to sleep. It was great.

EHHH!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

i tried this one since it was short and quick and practically free. Wanted to get a taste for this author since she seems to get rave reviews in the genre i like. I wish i could say that i was now going to jump right in and get all her titles but alas, sigh, i don't think i will. I normally don't even give a review if i don't like a book. i try and stick with the positivies i feel about books. This one wasn't even that memorable. i think it could have been half an hour instead of the three something it ended up.

Shrug, what can i say? Not bad!! Really well written! Just not memorable or stirring in anyway. I didn't get a viceral reaction which is what usually makes me fall in love with an author and read everything they have written. Not so much with this one. Sorry! I just wasn't at all moved and it wasn't something i will think about in the future.

Would you be willing to try another book from Gena Showalter? Why or why not?

Probably not. See what i wrote above.

What does Max Bellmore bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I loved his smooth, deep voice! He was GREAT!!

What would have made this romance irresistible?

No idea. It was lacking something but i am not sure what.

Good Series Start...

This was a nice prequel which helped put some of the pieces of the series together. It was too short though. Narrator was good but a little slow in the reading.

Not bad if you’re bored

Great performance but story is undeveloped. Not a complete waste of time but could be better.

Enjoyable Quick Listen

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narration made the male lead sound a bit too much like a brainless brawn, but the writing does lend itself that kind of stereotyping. It's a bit of a beauty and beast story, and the heroes probably shouldn't have been drawn from some weird melting pot of religious / mythological iconographies if the author was trying for the kind of suspension of disbelief that the "fantasy" genre is famous for.

That said, if you're looking for a fun, fluffy listen it's not bad.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The male lead - his sense of community and responsibility was easiest to identify with.

Did Max Bellmore do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

I find I really have a hard time listening to men trying to mimic female voices, and Bellmore read the male lead in a way that conveyed a sense of brainless brawn. The characters were recognizably distinct, and the narration was worth the sale price.

Any additional comments?

This ain't Shakespear, and with that kind of expectation, it's enjoyable.