The Darkest Secret (Lords of the Underworld, Book 7) ebook

3.5-4 stars

This was a pretty good story. I liked Amun and Haidee and their story was enjoyable but I had a bit of trouble getting into it as much as the previous books.

Haidee is a demon assassin. She was among some of the early victims of the demon infested immortals and ended up unknowingly drafted into the war against them. Haidee found that every time she died, she woke again a few days later with only her bad memories of her past lives and never good ones. Haidee hated the demons because of how her life was ruined and joined the hunters through the years to help fight against the demons.

Amun is one of the immortal warriors that was responsible for opening Pandora's box and unleashing the demons onto the Earth. As a way to imprison the demons and punish the warriors responsible, the Greek gods decided that the warriors would be made hosts to the demons. Amun became the host to the demon of secrets. He hears everyone's dirty little secrets and is mostly silent in order to keep all those secrets inside.

In the previous book, Amun agree to help another LotU with a task in Hell. When they were down there, Amun became infested by many lower level demons that infused him with an evil aura so bad that anyone near him is driven to do evil things. They were rescued by angels but because Amun is dangerous, the angels stuck around the fortress of the LotU to guard Amun and kill him if necessary. While all this was going on, Strider captured Haidee who he thought was just another hunter (although he soon realized she was more than a regular human). Strider managed to get her back to the LotU fortress and she ends up locked in a room next to Amun's.

There's a link between Amun and Haidee (explained later in the story) that enables her to hear him calling for her help and propagates the attraction/connection between them once she manages to make it to his room. Haidee finds that Amun's infestation seems to recede when she's near and his mind clears and he's able to function again. They find that there's a chance that Haidee can help Amun get rid of his infestation completely but to do so, they have to make a perilous journey. While on this journey, Haidee and Amun get to know each other and realize that they both have some responsibility for their past issues and that they can't deny the need to be together in the future. There are some major issues to get through but they do end the story with a HEA together.

This was an enjoyable story. I liked both Haidee and Amun. I'm not sure why I didn't get into this story as much as previous ones (I almost rated it 3 stars) but there were some external distractions that might have been affecting me. It also might be partially because I didn't like Strider's interest in Haidee...she's Amun's and Strider (who hasn't exactly endeared himself to me) is supposed to be falling for his woman in the next book so no way was I liking that! There were a few points that I wasn't thrilled with but regardless of that, the story was pretty good and I liked the characters so I'd still recommend this story and series. :)

* note - I listened to the audio version of this and the narrator did a very good job.

Amun and Haidee's book was more like the original books in the series in that if focused on their story and not the story of 5 other people and situations. I was riveted and read it faster than I have read a book in quite some time. I LOVED IT!

Although (spoiler alert!) I'm kind of disappointed in some of the guys inability to forgive Haidee for her killing Baden...I mean I understand they loved him but for all of the death they have dealt and revenge they have reaped on the hunters...I would think they'd understand her need for vengence.

But I am so excited the series moved away from several different storylines and really told the story of Amun and Haidee...it was romance at it's finest with just the right amount of danger and suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat...who's next? Oh yeah Strider...and Kaia? haha Him I'm most angry with right now...he didn't want Haidee but didn't want her with Amun...what kind of crap is that...but it seems he came around in the end and hopefully once he finds his one true love he'll understand and accept better.

Then after Strider is Paris (singsong voice) I've been waiting for his story since book 3 I think...I'm sure it's just because I'm a hopeless romantic and seeing Paris so unhappy for the last 3 or 4 books has broken my heart but I can't wait.

As always, another Lords hit. Gena Showalter knows how to make me fall in love with each and every one of her characters, of her immortal warriors. She knows how to captivate me, ensnare me and keep my attention until the last word on the last page.

Re-reading her books never gets old. It's as good as it was the first time.

In this one, the quiet Amun falls for - who seems to be - their enemy. Haidee was captured by Strider in the previous book. She's the Bait the Hunters had used in Ancient Greece to kill their friend and fellow Lord, Baden. Of course, as is Gena Showalter's style, things aren't what they seem, there's always more to it, just scratch the surface and voila, things are revealed! And, as always, we get tidbits about the others - William, Strider & Kaia - and of course that you just want to dive into the next story to read all about them!

I loved how both characters grew to love one another, they had a connection they weren't aware of and, in Haidee's case, 'dream guy' gets a whole new meaning, quite literal, in fact. There was an oh-no moment toward the end, but it was solved because love prevails and nothing is impossible. Not when you have Angels on your side. Which brings me to Zacharel and his story, Wicked Nights, the first book of the spin-off series, entitled Angels of the Dark. Read it!

Read these books, as well. You won't be sorry. 4 1/2 - 5 stars for my babies. I shall never tire of them and I am not ashamed to admit I am addicted to them.