There's nothing like reading a book and being captivated by a tortured hero. There's just something that lures us to these mysterious souls who think of themselves more demon than angel. Reyes is a wonderful character that makes you wonder if men like him actually exist -- without the demon part. I find The Darkest Pleasure a more enjoyable read because the pain Reyes feels is immense and all kinds of conflicts get bigger. (Did that sound right?) I also find the other two Lords of the Underworld books before this have been written to lead up to this story. Reyes goes out of his way for Danika while she is trying to figure out which groups of people she should trust and what to do to save her family. She tries hard to be a strong person for Reyes and for her family that is in hiding and on the run.

Reyes and Danika don't actually meet in person until chapter five, but that didn't bother me. The story stuck with me long after I had finished reading it and I think this is reason enough to say The Darkest Pleasure is better than the previous two (three if you count the prequel 'short story' entitled The Darkest Fire that can only be downloaded). Why did it stick with me? Because Paris, the Keeper of Promiscuity, makes an incredible sacrifice. Yes, there's blood involved, but that's not it. I almost cried. Gosh, this guy deserves a happy ending but I'm not hearing it, not yet. Maybe in another book...

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I'm not sure I like the open ending. Seems like there should be another book to tie up loose ends. It's a shame not all the warriors found love, poor Paris. But another good book.

***edited*** Well I guess there is another book that releases in September 2009 ( )

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Showalter's Lords of the Underworld series centers around a group of immortals who are possessed with the demons who were once imprisoned in Pandora's Box.

In TDP, the story focuses on Reyes, The Keeper of Pain. Since the time that the former guards of the Gods killed Pandora and unleashed the demons of destruction each member has carried around their own personal demon. Neither can exist without the other. Reyes has lived with the urge to receive pain since the time the demon entered him. He can only receive pleasure through pain. As we've seen the first two novels- Reyes is constantly cutting himself to stay sane- the urge is that strong.

It goes way beyond that in this story. Not only does he cut himself, he commits violent acts of suicide on a regular basis- just to ease his torment. (Of course he's immortal so he never really dies, but you get the idea.)

He's learned that he cannot take a woman as well, because the urges the demon inside him inflicts on them leads them to inflict pain on those around them after he's gone from their lives.

Imagine his dilemma when he meets Danika- a woman he's been drawn to from the first time he lays eyes on her- no, even before that, because her scent had been luring him from the time she entered the Lords of the Underworlds' castle.

Of course he can't have her. To Reyes she is an angel he refuses to corrupt. And too, Aaron, one of his Underworld brothers and the Keeper of Wrath, has been ordered to kill Danika by Cronos, the newly made King of the Gods. Aaron has been driven insane by his desires and is no longer fighting the urge to kill, despite the fact he senses Danika and her family are innocents, and Reyes is torn between defending Danika or ending his friend's life.

No one knows exactly why Cronos wants them dead, least of all Danika- but by the end of the tale everything has come to light and Danika finds she is more than she ever dreamed she could be. In more ways than one.

I'm just having a blast with this series! Not overly complicated, they are like crack candy to me- irresistible, quickly consumed, and just as addicting!

I liked The Darkest Pleasure better than the last one (The Darkest Kiss), mostly because I liked the heroine so much more. (Danika's smart, vulnerable, and courageous- and though frightened she's determined to never be ill-prepared again.)

Be warned, what Reyes endures to receive his pleasure is almost icky- one scene in particular. But, thankfully, none of that really entered their bedroom- and he has some of the most romantic lines in the series thus far! ( )

3rd installment in the series; one of the best of the series; great male character, very tormented; strong tension between the hero need to protect and the heroine need to save her family; will read more ( )