When Darkness Comes

By: Alexandra Ivy

Narrated by: Arika Rapson

Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

It's been a hell of a day for Abby Barlow. In just a few hours, she's survived an explosion, watched her employer die, had a startling dream, and now she finds herself in a seedy Chicago hotel with the sexy, unearthly Dante, a man she both desires and fears.

For 341 years, Dante has stood as guardian to The Chalice, a mortal woman chosen to hold back the darkness. A terrible twist of fate has now made Abby that woman. Three hours ago, Dante would have used all his charms to seduce her. Now she is his to protect. And he will do so until his very death.

A terrifying plan has been set in motion, one that will plunge Dante and Abby into an epic battle between good and evil - and a desperate race to save their love.

©2006 Debbie Raleigh (P)2013 Tantor

This Book was a pleasant surprise

i was not sure if I would like this book based on the reviews to it. But this was a very enjoyable book; I like the reader and the story line very engaging. To think I may have missed this book because of the reviews. If you like paranormal romances take a chance on this one.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Is this a book or a college lecture?

What disappointed you about When Darkness Comes?

Well I only made it halfway through this book before I finally gave up and am calling audible today to get my credit back. The narration was terrible. I feel bad for the author cuz the book has potential but when read by Rapson the cute quirky humor just sounded well cheesy. Her voice was monotone to where I had a hard time distinguishing between the two main characters. This is my 1st review and I have listen to several hundred books. I just wanted to warn you to save your credit. I do think the print version would be worth the time because there is a good story here. But the narrator just ruined it for me.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Arika Rapson?

I can think of atleast 10.

11 of 12 people found this review helpful

HE WAS SEX ON LEGS & SHE WAS CHAINED TO HIM - Mmmm

Good start to a new paranormal series filled with all sorts of supernatural creatures - vampires, zombies, wizards, witches, demons and magic.

What a yummy vampire he is and to quote Abby - handsome with black biker boots, black jeans, black silk shirt, big muscles bad boy Dante was quite simply sex on legs (and I agree) along with tender, thoughtful, kind and besotted with Abby. The h/h were supernaturally hooked up nearly from the start and they finally went from being pursued to being the persuers when they decided to take their fate in their own hands. Along the way the pair meet different entities, had a few near misses, became closer and then, early in the book, they became lovers.

It was a slight 'Mills & Boon' type listen - nothing was ever too dark, too violent, too evil, too exciting, too sexy (well you get the picture) so if you like your vamp stories on the dark side this may disappoint you. But don't get me wrong, it was still a very enjoyable listen.

Worth a credit? Yes and I'm looking forward to the next instalment as this book was written in 2007 and the series is up to book 13 now so I hope Audible will continue to add this series to it's impressive library.

15 of 18 people found this review helpful

Not the Lover I would have hoped for.

A mediocre book, I couldn't really get into the story, it was a bit slow and didn't keep my attention well. There wasn't much build up for the characters either. I felt like this book skipped the getting to know you part and went right in for the "I know you better than you know yourself" story line. So to me the romance was rushed and I felt like the relationship was missing that spark because they might have felt it but I surely didn't. Another thing that annoyed me was that the supposedly super sweet Dante often called Abby a shrew, a nag, ill-tempered or something similar but at the same time was sooooo fascinated with her. I just didn't get why because she was all of those things. I rolled my eyes every time he called her lover, it was just lame sounding. There was also a weird cadence to the story where something would happen and then later they would talk about it as if it hadn't happened yet. I thought it would have been better to bring it up at the time. Plus Abby would question things that made her sound ignorant of everything, but when she got the answer she would question it again making her sound like she knows better. The narrator was a bit monotone but overall she wasn't too bad. I won't be continuing with this series.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Darkness

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was hard finishing this audio book. I have read and reread it over and over in eBook and loved it. However, I didn't I liked the narrator.

What was one of the most memorable moments of When Darkness Comes?

In the book when she became the Phoenix. Audio I don't know.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

She was okay, not horrible but I seem to have to keep making myself listen to it.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Going by the eBook then yes.

Any additional comments?

Not sure if it was worth using a credit on it.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

An ok story

This wasn’t the greatest paranormal romances I’ve ever listened to but, it was entertaining, overall. It just seemed to have some slow spots, in the plot, and I found my mind drifting. The narration was ok except the male voices weren’t very masculine. I’m not sure if I will continue the series or not, I’m going to think on it a bit.
-V from Kansas

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Story better than the performance

Good start to a new demon world series. The narration could have used some work. I put the audio speed at 1.25X's because the narrator has long pauses after EVERY sentence, to drastic. It also made her low raspy voice a bit easier to deal with. I enjoyed the story, the humor bantering back and forth between Abby and Dante. Wished it gave more history of the Phoenix and the Dark Prince back story. What events brought about the need for the Goddess to hide when before she didn't? What happened prior to the Chalice 400+ years ago. Lots of questions unanswered in the end..... Maybe the questions will be answered in the next books. On to book 2 for me. Happy reading "listening" romance lover.

Good!

Love this book, I wish there were two narrators to distinguish the male and female hero and heroine of the story.

Oh my!

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed Dante and Abby's love story. The back story of witches, demons, and a phoenix makes for an intriguing storyline. The sex scenes are tame and the violence is mildly descriptive.

Absolutely love this series!

I love the story, it is very entertaining and exciting, I highly recommend this book.