The Darkest Touch

The Darkest Touch was a good, quality read by Gena Showalter.

I was not as impressed by this book as I was by all the other Lords of the Underworlds books. My favourite character was Torin and I was hoping for so much more, and sadly Gena did not meet my expectations. That not to say that this book wasn't excellent, because it was amazing, I just had higher expectations (probably because Torin was always my favourite).

The plot of the story follows smoothly along with the rest of the novels in this series. I had expected Gena to stray from the overall plot a little bit, but she followed it nicely. This book fit well into the series.

Keeleycael was not my favourite female counterpart. I found that she was rather boring, despite being built show more up to be a strong female lead. She was well developed, but I just felt like she didn't fit with Torin. I felt like she would have fit better with a character more like William or Paris instead of Torin. But, she was still incredible! Gena made her fit into the story well. Personally, she just wasn't the type of character I had hoped Torin would be with.

Overall, this book was good. I would definitely suggest people read this series! It continues to get better and better with each book. The series is not lacking or slowing down at all!

Four out of five stars - due to Keeleycael being a little on the boring side, and not seeming like the perfect fit for Torin (in my eyes). show less

Where do I begin...first off...I LOVE LOVE LOVE TORIN! I had been waiting for his story. Now I know that everyone was taking bets that he would end up with Cameo but I wanted more for him. I was hoping for a woman strong and courageous enough to risk his touch and bring him all the things he envied his friends. Was he a little more snarky than usual, oh most definitely but after all this time and all the things he had recently endured wouldn't that be expected. Besides don't you remember the saying about watching out for the "quiet ones"? His t-shirt collection....I want it.
Keeley. At first I thought she was straight up nuts. Once again, being locked away for centuries with limited contact to others would have a tendency to warp a show more person. As for her neediness...um hello, daddy gives her to a king who abuses her. Her next man sells her for a barrel of whiskey. Last love promises her the world only if she weakens herself because he's afraid of her strength....oh yea, and tell me again how any woman's self-esteem and confidence wouldn't take MAJOR hits.
Love the banter, the sexual tension and how neither will back away from a fight. The discovery Keeley makes in each new realm when folks pretty much poop themselves when they realize who she is... things she must have done and put in her time out box for memories since she's been around forever and has waaay too much to deal with.
What touched me is when they are reunited with the rest of the lords and Keeley notices how even though they love him and missed him no one attempts to get physically close to Torin. She feels that if they did indeed love him that much they would risk it to show him how much he is loved and appreciated. (Her time locked away taught her a thing or two.)The "fighting" between Keeley and Anya is hilarious. Anarchy vs the Red Queen...new hairdos for everyone! Let's not forget ladies night out!
Now the side stories did take up some time. We see Cameo and Lazarus and find out more about why they are together and just what he's been up to. Baden in the spirit realm brings new insight. Galen, Hades and Lucifer all have some pretty important scenes and bring much more history and information to the table.
Keeley knows why Pandora's box was guarded the way is was, the hidden treasure in it, how to use the four artifacts and guess what....there's a cure for all the lords. She can help them. Now with that being said it's not going to be an easy quest for any of it but oh, the adventure along the way is going to get even better. Who'd have thought that Hades of all people would be the one to give Keeley the secret to being with Torin and not getting sick. And how freaking simple a cure....why didn't others think of it. Exactly what Torin thought when Keeley explained it to him.
I'm just happy that Torin found his mate and finally happiness. Now to see who's the next to fall, my vote is William. That obsession he has with Gilly turning 18 soon has to mean something. show less

While imprisoned in Cronus's dungeon, the hero unwittingly kills a young mortal who happens to be the friend of a very powerful Queen across the hall. The Queen in question, who's been imprisoned in her cell for centuries vows vengeance. She only has to remove one more marking from her skin and she'll regain her powers. They both escape pretty quickly in the story and although the heroine knows deep down the killing of her friend wasn't his fault, she's controlled by her fragile temper. She's got to be the funniest character I've read about in a long time. She's the all powerful being yet she's sarcastic, snarky, insecure and lonely. She's crazy! Absolutely lonely but supremely entertaining. Finally! We get Torin's story. And holy shit show more is it a stunner! By far my favorite in the series, hands down. Though his character is tortured by guilt and lonely, he finds the humor in life. He's just as sarcastic, powerful and yet fragile as she is. The chemistry between the two is off the charts but their romance was a realistic one considering it's a paranormal. There wasn't and quick fix to his demon and I like that. The heroine knows very well that she's n for a lot of sickness and pain when she touches him. Yet she's willing to take the pain with the pleasure The hero's constantly breaking up with her because of the guilt of making her sick. But my god, this book is one hell of a ride. I'm willing to ignore the obscene number of stupid t-shirt sayings because this was an amazing story. I really hope this isn't going to be the last one of the series because it was written with a sort of 'signing off' tone. All the loose enough were tied up and all i's were dotted. It would seriously depress me if this was the end. show less

Ok, this is more like the old Gena. Steamy, explicit sex, and no preaching Jesus. Only real complaint is that her heroines are starting to feel too similar - "quirky" and super arrogant, princessy yet bloodthirsty... Just kinda want a different type next time. I hope Cameo's or Honey/Legion's book is next! They're both really interesting and unique to me. That would hook me back for sure :)

Ok, this is more like the old Gena. Steamy, explicit sex, and no preaching Jesus. Only real complaint is that her heroines are starting to feel too similar - "quirky" and super arrogant, princessy yet bloodthirsty... Just kinda want a different type next time. I hope Cameo's or Honey/Legion's book is next! They're both really interesting and unique to me. That would hook me back for sure :)

“I’m sorry I tried to break up with you. I’m sorry I told the others about the brimstone. I’m sorry for every time I made you sick. But if you can forgive me, and I’m begging you to forgive me, if you give me that chance you just promised me, and I’m begging you to give me that chance, I will stay and do my best to make you glad you did. Not because you can find my lost friends, or the box, but because I’m lost without you.” At first she gave no reaction. “Please, Keeley.”

After eleven books in the series I have found my favorite lord. Torin for so long has stayed back, mostly in the background but it was his time to shine and he was brighter than the sun. And he found the perfect match for him. I kinda liked him show more with Cameo but when K. entered the picture Cameo was forgotten. But since Gena Showalter is a tease she hinted that Cameo's happy ending is coming sooner. That will be true of course if we don't get into a Paris situation where we will have to wait years for it. I am still waiting for Jill and William to happen.

I have now three couples that I want to see them happening and I hope that the next books will be about them. Those couples are Cameo and Lazarus, William and Jill and Galen and Legion. I know the last pair might seem bad to some, but for me they are OTP. Everyone deserves a second chance. show less

The Darkest Touch by Gena Showalter

Lords of the Underworlds, book 11. Paranormal romance. Best as as part of the series.
After the opening of Pandora’s box, immortal warrior Torin carries with him the demon Disease. Torin can’t touch anyone without killing them. No one can touch him either. For years he has watched his brother Lords and demons find true love. He knows that will never be for him. It’s tragic and sad. When confronted with the Red Queen, Keeley, he can’t resist her

Poor tortured Torin. I feel for him, I really do. To not be able to touch or be touched for hundreds of years? But dude, the “I have to leave her for her own good”, over and over again is bad form. Either do it or better yet - realize the decision is show more hers. The touching, the guilt over and over was too much.

In the beginning - way to commit: “he was totally in like with her”
His T-shirts are amusing. “Got for it, she’s beautiful and totally into you” said alcohol.

I did like the banter and her ultimate power. Plus quite a bit of throwaway humor. show less