Into the Dark
by Gena Showalter
HQN Books, 2010
Paranormal
Release date: April 27, 2010
THE DARKEST FIRE Geryon is the guardian of hell, more monster than man. Kadence is the goddess of Oppression, more angel than woman. Together they will enter the flames to battle a dangerous horde of demon lords—and discover a passion unlike any other.
THE AMAZON’S CURSE Zane, a fierce vampire warrior, has been enslaved by the Amazons. Nola, a lovely Amazon soldier, has been cursed with invisibility. Now, these two stubborn enemies must overcome the pasts that haunt them and embrace a love that can set them free…
THE DARKEST PRISON Once, Atlas, the Titan god of Strength, was the Greek goddess Nike’s slave. Now, he is her master. And these sworn rivals destined to destroy each other will be forced to risk everything for a chance at love…
This publication is the re-issue of three short stories previously published elsewhere.
THE DARKEST FIRE is essentially a precursor to the popular Showalter series, THE LORDS OF THE UNDERWORLD. Kadence, as the goddess of Oppression, was once responsible for keeping the worst demons of the underworld (known as The Lords of the Underworld) within the walls of Hell. It’s a long and lonely responsibility, that ends up threatening her very existence, until she bargains with Lucifer for Geryon’s soul so that she can team up with the red skinned, furred and horned monster who is appointed the Guardian of the gates of Hell.
THE AMAZON’S CURSE is a short story from Showalter’s ATLANTIS series, and appears to be from somewhere in the middle of the series. This is the story of the vampire Zane and an Amazon named Nola, who once had been held as a sort of gladiator for the amusement of the gods. When the gods finally release them, it is to place Nola to the Amazon encampment where she is bound, invisible and unheard, and has to watch Zane be worked and starved, as he is imprisoned there. Both come from horribly abusive backgrounds that they struggle to overcome and eventually they find each other and find they share a kindred spirit.
THE DARKEST PRISON is another short story from THE LORDS OF THE UNDERWORLD, belonging somewhere in the middle of the series. In this the two personifications of strength from the Titan and Olympus Greek myths. Atlas, as the Titan, has been imprisoned in Tartarus for thousands of years, overseen by his jailer, Nike. He seduces her, trying to affect an escape, but Nike discovers his deceit and, exacts her revenge by carving her name across his chest so he’s forced to remember her. When this story begins, however, the tide has turned and the Titans have escaped and imprisoned the Olympians in turn. Now, Atlas is the jailer and paybacks are hell –he begins by tattooing his name across her back, and the battle of strength and affection begins anew.
Of the three stories, I was surprised to find THE DARKEST PRISON was my favorite. At first I was more than a little appalled that these characters took such hateful, disfiguring revenge upon each other, but as I read their story I began to understand that as the ultimate representation of physical strength, each of these characters value the strength in the other, even when it reveals the weakness in themselves. Perhaps their affection even builds because they are truly physically vulnerable only to the other. They each take pride in the brand the other has given to them, as they work to overcome the loyalties that they owe to their fellow deities versus the affection they feel for each other.
These short stories are a great intro to two fantastic series.
Assessment: Recommended
Notice: To comply FTC Guidelines, please be aware that this book was provided by the publisher as an ARC (advance reader’s copy) via NetGalley.
