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. ( )

S.J. Day is a new author for me. In the sea of urban fantasy, I thought that this book had a pretty original spin: Evangeline Hollis has been Marked as one of God's warriors and is caught in a romantic triangle with Cain and Abel (yes, the biblical brothers). Eve of Darkness, the first book in the series, tells her origin story - how she came to bear the mark of Cain and how this changed her life.

I was intrigued by this book for a couple reasons: first, it's been blurbed by a couple of authors I like - Patricia Briggs and Jeri Smith-Ready - and second, the protagonist is Asian, which appeals to me since we don't often see Asian protagonists in urban fantasy and I'm part Asian myself.

Eve of Darkness is a good book. Not the best thing I've ever read but the story has a good pace, the characters are interesting if somewhat predicatable, and I really like the biblical spin on things. That was really novel. I'm not entirely sure that I'll rush out to pick up the second book in the series but it's definitely something I'll keep in mind for later.

Originally published at http://ireadgood.wordpress.com ( )

I received this book as an Early Reviewers copy. I read quite a bit of paranormal/supernatural urban fantasy, but I just could not get into this one. The storyline was overly complicated and the theology was confusing. The sex scenes were also, in my opinion, more gratuitous than hot. I was unable to finish it, and won't be looking for more from this series. ( )

This is a fun read, that really stands out from the rank and file of urban fantasy novels, although the premise does remind me a little of the television show Reaper. Eve is a Mark, a hunter of the supernatural and damned, who is torn between two brothers, the biblical Cain and Abel. As a recent recruit, she is busy learning the ropes while dealing with Infernal creatures such as the tengu and the Nix. When Infernals start appearing with no scent or sign of their identity, is Eve way over her head?
This book, the start of a new series, has a lot going for it, and most of my criticisms have to do with personal preference more than anything else. Eve is a strong character, and I like that, although receiving her Mark gives her superhuman abilities, it's often her intelligence that gets her out of trouble. I tend not to like books that use Bible stories, demons and angels as plot devices---a preference that the agnostic Eve herself might understand. However, the world here is multi-cultural, with the Infernals being creatures out of various world myths, and I like that, and I also like the notion of the archangels as Mafia kingpins----it's just amusing.
What I didn't like about the book: the first chapters of the book are very, very steamy, and I found myself wanting to skip over all the sex scenes. I'm not a romance reader, and I dislike both Alpha males and love triangles, particularly when they involve two men fighting over a woman. (Yeah, it may be flattering, but to me it always seems to rob the woman of choice.) So I really liked Eve better than Alec Cain and Reed Abel, who seemed both condescending and somewhat superficial; sure Eve was talented and intelligent, but the brothers were initially drawn to how hot she was. As the book moved on, however, the sexual content was a bit toned down, and I found myself being curious about how the brothers came to be rivals. (There are hints throughout the book, borne up by the brothers' personalities, that the Bible doesn't tell the whole story). So I do plan to read the next book (of which I also have an ARC, whee!), because I think the story has real potential and I'm eager to spend more time with Eve! ( )

As a consequence for sleeping with the wrong man, the life Eve's created for herself has been ripped away. Finding out if she's strong enough to survive what her life has become, is the stuff Urban Fantasy dreams are made of.

Humans ignorantly co-existing with creatures of good and evil. Uniquely fierce and amusing Baddies not down with G.O.D. Heavenly hierarchy taking shady corporate rat race shape, where even Angels have gray or dark motives. Just enough old testament nuggets to add heft and substance without going into preachy snore territory. Full fleshed out characters and motivations. This book is sexy as hell, but it doesn't detract from the story quality. Day weaves the tension and action like a pro, so it adds depth and texture to the motivations of the players in this drama. ( )

I fell in love with this book as soon as I started reading it. I highly recommend it to everyone I know that reads this type of book. I plan to pick up the next books in the series as soon as I can.

I absolutely love the characters of Cain and Abel. They want she writes them makes me want to be a mark so I can see both of them ( )

I loved this book so much I'm going to ask the library system I work for to buy it as well as the rest of the trilogy. I can't wait for the next 2 books. No need to go into the storyline as the other reviewers have already done so. This is just such a fresh take & so action packed that it's a must read for anyone that enjoys this genre. Hats off to S.J. Day, what a great first book! ( )

This is my first ever review so bear with me. I like to read horror and supernatural type books and collect vampire books.

I enjoyed reading "Eve" and will look for the two following books scheduled to be released.

Evangeline "Eve" Hollis is a 28 yo interior designer and a sinner (or Mark) drafted by God to kill his enemies (demons, feral fey, rogue interdimensional beings, warlocks and various other nasties).

Marks work for absolution of their sins. Every sinner has a trial, the Lord presides over the case. Christ is the public defender. If convicted, an archangel is the bail bondsman. The Marks do the hunting and collect a bounty. Earn enough bounties and they work off the penance.

Eve is marked by Reed Abel who is a handler in charge of assignments. His brother, Alec Cain, (yes the last names are a sign of their relationship), is God's primary enforcer and was also Eve's first true love 10 years earlier.

Shortly after being marked and before she is trained, Eve pisses off a water demon and is pissed on by a gargoyle. I suggest you find and read this book to see what happens.

Thanks! ( )

S. J. Day builds an interesting world in Eve of Darkness, one peopled with Heaven's angels and the demons of Hell. It's interesting to see heavenly beings with human failings - but sometimes it's a little difficult to believe that this is how God's army would act. However, the characters are engaging and the story is engrossing - and I'm looking forward to reading the other two books in the series. ( )

If you like Laurell K. Hamilton, I think you will like this book. It has the bad-guy hunting, and the ass-kicking, and sex. BUT! This story has a different twist, it's angels and people working for God against demons.

One thing I was waiting for, and never happened, I was waiting for Eve to ask what God thinks about the premarital sex. Especially since the mark makes Eve hypersexual. I'm hoping some of the later books tell us what God thinks about some things that most Christians preach.

I also wish that the story didn't start at the "end" of the book, then jumped to the beginning and went straight to the end from there. It just didn't flow nicely with the last chapter being the first. (It basically went 5, 1, 2, 3, 4)

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though reading the original description I thought it would be preachy. Also, I forgot to mention, Eve is agnostic and isn't very well rehearsed in the Bible, so you can read this even if you've never paged through the Bible before, and... some of the Bible stories are "in reality" different than what was written. ( )

This book was thoroughly entertaining. I had equal parts of action, sex and intrigue. I have to say one of my favorite parts was death by lime jello! Quite amusing!
This book has religious themes with out being overbearingly preachy and shows the darker side of it.
Action packed and fast paced, definitely an escape from reality! Will definitely pick up the next installment! ( )

So, I have always been one of those people who buys books at random. If I see it and it looks even remotely appealing, I generally end up with a copy. That is what happened with my newest acquisition, “Eve of Darkness.” It just stared me down from the shelf, its sweet cover-art refusing to allow me to look away. And when I read the back cover and discovered that it was the first book in a new series, and that the next two books would be released by July, I was sold.

The premise of the book was pretty compelling. I mean, there are a lot of ‘supernatural’ books out there today. It seems like everyone and their dog is jumping on the bandwagon, writing books about demons and werewolves and vampires and faeries. Now don’t get me wrong, I love the majority of those books. But this series is about Angels and other main players in the bible. How original is that?

The books center around a woman named Evangeline (Eve) and a stairwell tryst that results in her being punished with the mark of Cain. Cain also happens to be the last name of Eve’s first love, who took her virginity and left without a trace a decade earlier. Of course, the story wouldn’t be complete without Cain’s brother. And Abel is alive and well in this book. In fact, he was the one trysting with Eve in the stairwell. And the one who did the marking. Nefarious.

Being marked initiates a change that gives Eve super-human senses, makes her impervious to the effects of mind-altering substances, and (for some reason) makes her hornier than a person has a right to be. Lucky for her Cain swoops in to facilitate her life-change. Once the change is complete, it is he who advises Eve that the marked are pretty much the assassins of the angels. (That is the short description.) And that she must now spend her life hunting down and killing Infernals (the various and assorted demons and other such damned that roam the earth.)

The book actually started off weird for me, because it felt like you were walking into the middle of something. But, the pacing quickly reasons itself out, and the story flows really well. It was a very well written first installment for the series, answering the questions that needed immediate answering as well as leaving enough unfinished to leave you wishing you could start on the next book. Fortunately, the next book comes out in June, so the wait won’t be too excruciating. (Come on, I know for a fact that I am not the only one who has been waiting impatiently for the next Laurell K. Hamilton book for a freaking year!!)

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by both the quality of the plot and the dimension of the character dev elopement. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a breath of fresh air in a played-out genre. I easily give this book 4 stars. ( )