Eve of Darkness
S. J. Day
(c) 2009

Do you believe in God? If you had become the latest pawn in the most famous sibling rivalry, would you believe that? Evangeline Harris has to believe things she has spent her whole life denying, and try not to get killed in the mean time.

Who?
Evangeline Harris: An atheist interior designer in her late 20s
Alec Cain: The biblical Cain, a demon hunter trying to make up for his sins
Reed Abel: The biblical Abel, trying to make himself more in God's eyes, and prove himself
Raguel: The leader of the North American demon hunters, an archangel

What?
When Eve was 18, she fell in love with Cain. They spent one night together that proved ruinous for Eve in many ways. First, she was ruined for other men, no one could make love to a woman like Cain could. Also, she now bears the mark of Cain, is being trained as a demon bounty hunter, and is caught between Cain and Abel who both express deep feelings for her. Eve is trying to stay alive while she searches for a way to remove the mark.

Where?
California

When?
Modern day

Why?
Eve is trying to stay alive while she searches for a way to remove the mark. Both Cain and Abel want something from God and Eve's love (or lust). Raguel has his own intentions, which he is keeping close to his heart.

Favorite Parts:

The action in this book is great. It was very intense all the way to the end, and I could NOT put it down. I loved Eve's independence, and the way she throws herself into everything head first. She doesn't just accept the turns in her life, she is looking for a way out, but knows that she has to deal with the here and now also. There are also a lot of great lines in the book. I'll leave my other favorite parts out, because they would be spoilers.

A few of my favorite quotes from the book:

Alec's voice could turn driving directions into foreplay. (p. 2)

Never let it be said that God didn't have a flair for the dramatic. (p. 12)

Cars traversed Beach Blvd. at the customary California pace, a unique speed somewhere between distracted leisure and impatience. (p. 132)

"I'm good at it," he corrected. "Don't you enjoy being good at something, regardless of what the something happens to be?" (p. 134)

He had become jaded enough to admit that an outward sense of style and a mutual fondness for rough sex was not enough of a foundation for any sort of lasting relationship. (p. 256)

Sexual tension and chocolate, could anything be more divine? (p. 282)

Least Favorite Parts:

There were a few odd point of view shifts. While most of the story is told through Eve's eyes, there is the occasional passage told from either Cain or Abel's POV. It read as though the author wanted to tell us something Eve couldn't see, but the alternate POVs were not consistent. My only other complaint is that Cain and Eve were almost too perfect. I'd like to see some more flaws, but perhaps those will come out in the next books. There was quite a bit of sex, which didn't so much offend me, I just wasn't sure it was necessary to the story.

Recommend?
Most definitely

To whom?
Adults who are into urban fantasy and strong female characters. People who want to fall in love with the "bad boy". There is some graphic sex and language, so I would not recommend to anyone who would be offended, to children or to teens.

I received this book in the Early Reviewer program. I regret that I co not know where it is and can not read it and review it. When I find it, I will read it and update this review.

OK Series ( )

Fans of the steamiest sort of urban fantasy/paranormal romance should enjoy this book. This is much less tame than genre favorites like the Dark Hunter and Anita Blake series'. For those who like hot, explicit sex scenes and plenty of bloody ass-kicking (and I know I do), you owe it to yourself to pick up this book.

I have to admit that, for me, the characters outshone the storyline. They could have been doing anything for all I cared. Eve is a fantastic protagonist that manages to be both strong and vulnerable, a combination that most authors can't pull off. And even though one is inherently more likable than the other, both brothers, Cain and Abel, are irresistible.

I can't wait to get my hands on the other books in the series. ( )

Sproingg...thud. That was the sound of me jumping on the "Eve of Darkness" bandwagon. S.J.Day has penned a fascinating tale twined around the ultimate legend regarding good and evil--the story of Cain and Abel. Of course, in Day's version the Bible didn't quite get the whole story...and so far neither do we. But I got enough hot sex, mythological mystery, and rumbling action to keep me glued to the pages.

Eve lost her virginity to a rock-star, handsome and sexy stud on a Harley. Then he disappeared. Although it's ten years later, she's never forgotten him. When she catches sight of a man that closely resembles him when leaving a job interview, she's stunned by the almost magical sexual pull. Though she knew better, she couldn't seem to help herself...and now she's been given the mark of Cain. Her new job will be to take out Infernals (demons, werewolves, and a multitude of other assorted evil critters) under the guidance of a kind of heavenly corporation run by angels. As if that's not enough to blow a girl's mind, Eve has become the bone (HAH HAH HAH) of contention between two brothers...rather famous brothers actually--Alec Cain and Reed Abel.

I loved this story. I'm guessing the author has probably received a fair share of nasty-grams from the Moral Majority--unless they're too uptight to read paranormal romance! I personally found her twisted take on the age-old story riveting and very, very clever. Poor agnostic Eve, thrown into the middle of an ancient rivalry of Biblical proportions. She's attracted to, feels for, and is torn between the two brothers whose enmity is total and unending. It's very easy to identify with Eve. A normal woman with a normal childhood who gradually grew away from organized religion is now suddenly faced with a reality she can barely grasp. God and Satan exist, and so do Heaven and Hell, not to mention the factions of the heavenly host and satanic minions living here on Earth, trying to keep the eternal battle a secret from humans.

"Eve of Darkness" begins with the ending in a way. The rest of the book smoothly unfolds the story so far and the action is mostly non-stop. While there IS an ending, readers should know that reading this first book will only make you drop whatever you're doing to rush out and buy the next to continue with Eve's story. That's what I plan to do first thing tomorrow. S.J. Day's entry onto the paranormal romance/urban fantasy scene gave me a thrill and a hunger for more. ( )