In THE DARKEST TOUCH we finally get to see if Torin is able to get his HEA. Torin's obstacles to having a fulfilling long term relationship are massive. Torin harboring the demon Disease makes him such a heart wrenching character. His inability to participate in even the most basic physical contact with others made me want him to have a soul mate all that much more. Poor Torin can't risk skin to skin contact with another without infecting them with a disease that would not only kill the person but could quickly spread to others as well. Not even his fellow immortals are completely immune to the power of his Demon therefore making even them unavailabe to Torin. That is until Torin crosses the path of the Red Queen, Keeleycael.
Keeley is a Curator and although affected by Torin she can withstand and survive contact with him. Keeley is one of the strongest female characters that I have come across and has endured centuries of captivity and has endured some remarkable physical tortures in order to gain her freedom. Torin valiantly tries to fight their mutual attraction and do what he feels is right, but as they spend more time together Torin finds it harder and harder to resist her. One of my favorite lines in the book is when Torin describes Keeley as "A living, breathing Sugar Plum Fairy, Dragon Edition" and that pretty much sums up Keeley.
THE DARKEST TOUCH was an enjoyable read with plenty of dry wit and sarcastic humor. But surprisingly I didn't enjoy THE DARKEST TOUCH for the reasons that I expected. I am a Showalter fan and wanted Torin's HEA just as much as the next reader, yet I found myself looking forward to the secondary threads more than the main story. There were also situations and knowledge that felt odd. Even with their explanations they didn't feel right. I'm not so sure that the way things were justified was as satisfying as I would have liked, but were acceptable for the most part. It's a nit picky complaint that didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. Although I was happy that Torin and Keeley's story was worked through I found myself becoming much more interested in the secondary characters and the development of their stories that will come down the line. Cameo (Misery)/Lazarus, Baden, Pandora, Cronus, and Rhea, Galen /Legion, William/ Gilly, and Hades are all stories that I am very much looking forward to reading down the line. You get a lot in this book and at almost 500 pages you definitely get your money's worth!
Happy Reading!
Monica
**I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.**
Book Description:
From New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter comes the long-awaited story of Torin, the most dangerous Lord of the Underworld yet…
Fierce immortal warrior. Host to the demon of Disease. Torin’s every touch causes sickness and death—and a worldwide plague. Carnal pleasure is utterly forbidden, and though he has always overcome temptation with an iron will, his control is about to shatter.
She is Keeley Cael. The Red Queen. When the powerful beauty with shocking vulnerabilities escapes from a centuries-long imprisonment, the desire that simmers between her and Torin is scorching. His touch could mean the end for her, but resisting her is the hardest battle he’s ever fought—and the only battle he fears he can’t win.
Excerpt:
They would be a couple, she decided. Touch— pleasure—had been denied her for far too long. A fact his presence had never allowed her to forget. He’d had other girlfriends so he knew how to handle a romantic relationship. They could do this, could make this work. And they would be vigilant, cautious, never courting danger.
All she had to do was get him to agree.
There was no better time to try. “I’m dirty,” she an- nounced. “Absolutely filthy, and I’m going to take a bath.”
“Good for you.” So mocking.
So unaware of his coming fall.
“Be a dear and help me remove my dress,” she said. A strangled sound left him. “It has no ties, no zipper.
You tug it on and off.”
“Well, good news, then. As strong as you are, you shouldn’t have any problems.”
His gaze swept over her and heated. He licked his lips, as if he could already taste her. “What game are you playing, princess?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes. And why the hell are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m a hero. I’m not a hero. I’m a villain.”
Did he not realize that only made her want him more? “Well, be a good little villain and help me out of my dress.”
“No.” His tone dovetailed into guttural as he added, “I’m not going near you.”
He’s definitely tempted. How thin was his control? “Very well. I’ll near you.” Hips swaying, she closed
the distance between them. She reached out.
He jerked away only to return—closer.
She wrapped her fingers around his wrists and guided his hands to her hips.
He resisted. At first.
“Relax, warrior. We’re protected by our clothes.”
His fingers clenched around her and held on tight. Did he think she would f loat away like a forgotten balloon?
“What’s…next?” he gritted.
Not exactly surrender, but close enough.
She leaned forward, careful as her breath fanned over his ear. “All you need to do is feel good.”
“I can do that.” He tugged her against him. Suddenly they were f lush, the softest parts of her cradling the hard- est parts of him. A growl rose from low in his chest as if, in this stolen moment, he’d regressed into little more than an animal. “I’m doing it right now.”
The Darkest Touch
Copyright © 2014 by Gena Showalter
About the Author
Gena Showalter is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author whose books have appeared in Cosmopolitan and Seventeen magazines, as well as Entertainment Weekly. Her novel Red Handed has been optioned by Sony Television. Critics have called her books “sizzling page-turners” and “utterly spellbinding stories,” while Showalter herself has been called “a star on the rise.” Her mix of humor, danger and wickedly hot sex provides wildly sensual page-turners sure to enthrall.
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