This was the best of the Underworld series in my humble opinion
340888
This was the best of the Underworld series in my humble opinion. It got me hooked. I've watched this movie so many times. It's not your ordinary vampire/werewolf movie. I liked everything about it.
2516855
This was the best out of this series but still lacking
3688314
Anyone who has seen the previous movies in the Underworld series will be pleased with this prequel.  It competently adds flare to the story, and fills in details that do nothing but accentuate the action and plot of the Underworld timeline.

Covens of vampires were once the dominant species.  They were the upper tier in a social structure that placed humans as secondary, and werewolves, animals incapable of controlling their transformation to and from human form, as wild, untamed beasts.  When Lucian (Michael Sheen) was born, however, he became a new breed, a missing link between human and werewolf, a sentient being capable of reason as well as controlling transformation; he was the first Lycan.

Eventually, Lucian is thought of as a hybrid pet/soldier.  The vampires' great plan, in large part due to their leader Viktor (Bill Nighy), is to utilize the Lycans as soldiers, intelligent guard dogs.  When Lucian and his brethren grow weary of their third-class status - not to mention Lucian's budding romance with Viktor's daughter Sonja (Rhona Mitra) - rebellion is afoot.  And by rebellion I mean all out war, bloody battle, beheadings and deadly accurate mega-crossbows that create Lycan-skewers.  The sword combat comprises the majority of the inter-species hostility.  Each vampire carries an Arthurian demeanor as they kill and decapitate with Claymores and Zweihanders, while showing nothing but stoic countenance.  The Lycans' fighting style, on the other hand, is more visceral, nearly feral, as they attack with ferociousness verging on animal instinct.

Aside from the nonstop action that comprises the majority of this film, the underlying tones of racial and social status are perhaps the most powerful.  All the vampires are ghostly white, with overtly beautiful features.  The werewolves are clearly the darker species - growling, snarling, mindlessly rampaging.  In the racial middle are the Lycans - humans make up the social middle - determined to rise above their imprisonment, their slavery, and prove their equivalence.

All vampire aficionados will love this movie.  It's dark, foreboding, and saturated with violence, despite missing some of the orthodox vampire lore.  The lighting and coloring are superb, dark blues complimenting the castles, forests, and cave dwellings of the socially inequal species.  Additionally, the connection to the other movies is seamless.  Great addition to the series.
363704
I always hate the end of a great series and this was a great series.  I was laughing and crying a lot throughout this whole book.  I think this may have been the best of the trilogy.  I'm going to read Damn the Dead next as it is set 3 years later.  Phillip Tomasso does a great job with this series and I hope he continues to do so.
1298826
3.5 Stars.

This is the best one of the series. I found it much more engaging and emotional, Titus and Reeve characters I more easily connected with. I also enjoyed the plot more fully - probably because I had more backstory on these characters, so I was more invested in their well-being and didn't find their emotional arcs as rushed as with the previous two. And more importantly ;) I thought this one was sexy as hell.

I've finally started seeing The Point as something with a heartbeat and this gang of more-bad-than-good characters as real. I'm pretty excited to read the spin-off series to this, because I think it's going to be good!
3407569
I won't retell the story since others have done that so well.  I'll just say that this is the best of the series.  Earlier in the series I had felt that the books had bogged down into just rehashing the same relationships, arguments, and actions and was getting tired of Claudia Bishop's books.  The last couple of books, however, have moved along and we no longer seem the very same situations from book to book.  This one seemed fresh, even with the same people.  The addition of the baby helped a lot, and even the characters seemed to move out of the tight molds they were in.  I liked it very much and think the school near their Inn is probably going to be the source of lots of new material for future books.  This is really a book worth reading
4808868
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Escaping-Darkness/dp/1484114930/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Escaping Darkness</a>&nbsp;was an absolute gem. Although it's a novella, it didn't feel like one because of the thorough plot and amount of emotion involved. Neglected, physically, emotionally, and sexually abused as a child and later tortured by a demigod and the general of the Underworld, Tara is in a place of despair and dark inner turmoil. Yet despite that, or maybe in spite of that, she is one of the strongest characters in the Stone Legacy series. She forges ahead no matter the obstacle and always thinks of others. Though her inner demons are clear and felt, never once did the story drag or become frustratingly self-deprecating. I loved her, truly felt for her, and would want her by my side as a friend.

Her relationship with Peter is lovely and made me ache. I adore that boy to death, and I wish I could hug them both. Malachi is fascinating, mysterious and emotional and a bit of a bad boy without even trying. Tara's connection with him was fantastic, too. I really, really appreciated how the author refrained from using a love triangle, which would have diminished the depth and honest goodness of these relationships.

What's more, the plot is fast paced and multi-faceted, picking up from where book one ended and adding to it but having its own storyline. Though I would suggest reading book one like I did, it isn't necessary, either. There were quite a few twists that surprised even me, too.

You should know that human trafficking is involved, yet it's well written and not too explicit. It fit the storyline and setting; it didn't feel contrived or inserted for shock value.

<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Escaping-Darkness/dp/1484114930/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Escaping Darkness</a>&nbsp;is a wonderful addition to the Stone Legacy series. Like a Matryoshka (Babushka) doll, both the plot and characters were cracked open to reveal layers upon layers, adding great depth to already fantastic characters and world. Although book one, The Stone Guardian, is more Paranormal Romance, I'd say&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Escaping-Darkness/dp/1484114930/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Escaping Darkness</a>&nbsp;is more Urban Fantasy. The sweetest of vengeances and of loves combined to deliver one great HEA for characters who deserve it, this novella is a treat for YA PNR and UF lovers alike. I look forward to the rest of the series and hope it continues along the same vein.

>> eBook provided by the author in exchange for a review. <<
2639111
Darkness Avenged is the tenth storyline in Alexandra Ivy's Guardians of Eternity and oh, what a ride. There are three overlapping storylines that culminate in a final scene where the major players all seek retribution against the one vampire who has betrayed them all. At the end of Fear the Darkness, the Dark Lord had been destroyed and the tortured vampire Gaius had escaped through the Veil in search of someone long thought dead.

The main storyline focuses on vampires Santiago and Nefri. Nefri has been ordered by The Commission to locate Gaius. Gaius for all intents and purposes is lost to this world but he is also Santiago's sire. Santiago is the one person who will be able to locate the missing vampire-presumed taken to the afterlife when the Dark Lord was defeated. Having come through the Veil a mere shadow of his former self, Gaius is lost to a darker power when he is promised the return of his beloved and long dead mate. When Santiago discovers it is Nefri who must hunt down Gaius for The Commission, he decrees himself guardian of the beautiful and enigmatic Clan Chief as she endeavors to locate the missing vampire who is wreaking havoc on the emotions of everyone and everything.

Secondary to Santiago and Nefri's story, Chicago Vampire Clan Chief Roke suddenly finds himself enchanted by the little witch Sally as she is held prisoner at Styx's estate. As the King of the vampires, Styx knows that Sally was once a trusted friend and companion of Gaius, and both, at one time, lived behind the veil. Styx needs to know what has happened to the man he once called a friend and Sally is the ticket to that information. But Sally refuses to reveal the information in fear that the more sinister side of Gaius takes his revenge. The others will soon learn that Sally is much more than a witch when she is able to break through the vampire King's warded estate to discover the truth to her witch heritage and powerful legacy.

Thirdly, part of the storyline focuses on Gaius-a vampire so tortured by the Dark Lord, that he was willing to give up his soul to see his beloved mate one last time. This particular part of the storyline followed Gaius as he struggled with the illusion that all would be right in his world once his mate was brought back from the dead. Gaius is no longer the strong and beautiful vampire, but a mere puppet possessed by something much stronger and much older than anyone thought possible. We have followed Gaius throughout the series-cried when he lost his mate: heartbroken when he pledged himself to the Dark Lord: and defeated when we realized there was no turning back for the once brave and powerful vampire.

All three storylines will cross paths as Gaius brings everyone together for a final showdown in a warehouse where a powerful magic must be contained. When the source of everything evil is finally revealed, one vampire will be dust, another will go in search of his missing mate, and still another will retreat to the other side of the Veil to start a life with his family and new love.

The relationship between Santiago and Nefri is fraught with the usual tug of attraction between two souls meant to be together. Their sexual encounters are both loving and hot, and you know that together they will make a formidable pair. As a powerful Clan Chief, Nefri is held in high esteem and worshipped by many who have heard about her powers. It will take a strong vampire, sure in himself, to become consort and mate to such a powerful Chief.

DARKNESS AVENGED is an exciting storyline that answers many of the questions building in the previous books and novels. Alexandra smoothly blends three parallel stories into one imaginative narration of good vs evil, heartbreak and sorrow, love and lost. With her amazing cast of familiar characters readers will feel at home in Darkness Avenged. If you are a fan of Alexandra's GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY, Darkness Avenged is a must read. There is NO WAY you can skip this installment.

see all of my reviews at : thereadingcafe(dot)com
238335
The Darkest Kiss is a real beauty and the beast tale. There's Lucien, the keeper of Death--scarred and tormented--and Anya, the goddess of anarchy--gorgeous and strong--who loves him. She sees past his scars and is able to love Lucien, as well as his demon. And Lucien is able to find comfort and happiness with Anya.

Lucien's demon is Death. He's tasked with escorting the souls of the dead to their final resting place, whether that's Heaven or Hell. This is an emotionally stressful job because he sees what Heaven and Hell are like, and he's left yearning for the peace Heaven offers but knows he'll never have. And because Lucien can see a soul's last few moments of life, the knowledge he's left with becomes a burden he doesn't want. Lucien has a very intimate view of life and death; he's even had to escort the soul of the woman he had loved, and that has left its mark on him. To make sure that no other woman could ever love him again, he scarred his own face and burned part of his body to keep them away. But when he finally meets Anya, the goddess of anarchy, in person, he meets the one woman who sees his scars as beautiful and can see past them to the man he is underneath.

When I read the first book in the Lords of the Underworld series, The Darkest Night, Lucien was one of two warriors that really intrigued me. He's the scarred leader of the warriors and the incarnation of Death, so he was shrouded in mystery and I was dying to know more about him. We also meet Anya toward the end of The Darkest Night, but she was just the disembodied voice of a goddess and we only got a glimpse of her when she appeared to Ashlyn. So she was just as much of a mystery as Lucien. But we get the full scoop on them in The Darkest Kiss. And apparently the kiss of death is irresistible.

In The Darkest Kiss, we learn that Lucien is just a man scarred, literally and figuratively, by his past. By lost love, his job of escorting souls, and just wants peace and happiness for himself and his friends. Anya want to be able to find a man that she can finally trust to love and give all of herself to. She wants people to see that she is important and not minor in any way. Both want acceptance, peace, happiness, and love--and they find all of that in each other.

The search for Pandora's Box is in full swing, and they find out that they need four artifacts, guarded by Hydra, to locate the box--the All-Seeing Eye, the Cloak of Invisibility, the Cage of Compulsion, and the Paring Rod. The four artifacts are spread out all over the world and can be found somewhere in these four locations: South Africa, the Arctic, the States, and Egypt. While all of this is going on, Lucien is ordered by Cronus to kill Anya, Paris finds and loses a woman who stirs him like no other, and Aeron escapes the dungeon leaving death in his wake.

With Aeron's escape in The Darkest Kiss, Reyes and Danika's story is set up further for The Darkest Pleasure. And Paris and Sienna's story is also set up and introduced when he was captured by Hunters in this book. The Lords of the Underworld series just keep getting more exciting with each new addition.
2531481
I think I'm stuck with the task of reading all of the Lords of the Underworld series (oh, poor me!), but I will say that they are starting to blur together in my mind. What I really like, and we see it again and again (and again!) in this volume, is the  admiration that our unlikely heroes feel for strong females with strong wills. Between that and the rather inspiring (ahem) intimate scenes, there's always something to catch the reader's attention. The characters all have plenty of personality - good, bad, and eccentric - and that's just fine with me. I'm also a sucker for mythological references, and they are here a-plenty. In short, I'll keep reading, and these short features are like petit fours on the dessert tray, with some extra background for anyone who's interested. When they all blur together too much, I suppose I'll have to find time to read all of them over again (once she finishes writing them all).
3242490
***Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy***

The Execution Underground is a great example of a wonderful paranormal romance series. With sexy heroes and strong heroines, characters you can care about from one book to the next, and an interesting setting, the series has become one I get excited about whenever a new book is released. IMMORTAL HUNTER, however, fell a little short for me, compared to the prequel novella, SHADOW HUNTER, and book one in the series, TWILIGHT HUNTER.

While I eventually was Team David, for the first forty pages or so, he drove me insane with the little self-pity party he had going on. IMMORTAL HUNTER is a perfect example of the if only they had communicated just a little more romance trope used to an extreme. Eventually, you realize that both David and Allsun made mistakes and had something they kept from the other, but in the beginning, there was a bit too much whining for my taste. Luckily, the chemistry between David and Allsun is hot, so as soon as she shows up, it starts to get better. Chemistry isn't everything though, and I do wish we got a bit more of the taste of the emotional intimacy between David and Allsun  after all, they had at one point been engaged  instead of just the physical part of it.

As always,  the other Execution Underground guys captured my attention. (I desperately cannot wait for Shanes book  super geeky intelligent occult and tech nerd? Sign me up!) The interactions between the men at the meetings are pretty great and were responsible for the majority of the humor of the book, and like previous books, some of my favorite bits too. Those parts always feel the most real to me, and thats saying something when were talking about a secret society that hunts demons, werewolves and vampires. Also, with all the action and fighting, its not a surprise that like the other books in the series, IMMORTAL HUNTER gets a little gruesome, so be forewarned.

Overall, SHADOW HUNTER still holds the place as my favorite Execution Underground story, but Im definitely on board for the entire series, and while not perfect, IMMORTAL HUNTER is a fine addition. With plenty of action and sexiness to distract from the issues I had, it was a quick, dramatic, read that fits right in with Ballengers style. Im still pining for the inevitable conclusion, with Damons story, but in the meantime, the Execution Underground series is coming along nicely.
3546536
This book was the best of the Immortals After Dark series.  I LOVED the relationship between Cade and Holly.  Their verbal sparring was very funny.  Cade was a likeable "bad boy" and a great contrast to Holly's uptight prude.  There was lots of action and the romance was satisfying.  I highly recommend it.
782357
I am not partial to most YA series since, as an adult, they no longer speak to me. Cassandra Clare was a recommend from my niece as someone who handled romantic relationships in a more sophisticated manner, and with this last installment I am very happy to say she delivers.  The complexity of feeling between the main characters throughout the Infernal Devices series has been a wonderful surprise. This book however is by far the best in the series. Not only did it wrap up most of my questions, but it also addressed the emotional complexities and heartbreak that an immortal character faces over time.  I enjoyed Tessa's choice to open her heart again even in the face of another overwhelming heartbreak. It was fearless. Very well done, Cassandra!
1622401
I know this series has been controversial in terms of its quality as compared to the Percy Jackson series, but I think it has been just as good as PJO, just written differently with the third person POV as well as great deal more characters.  I think having those characters enriched the series in a way, because even though I didn't like all of them, we got to see the demigod world from more than one POV.  Of course, Percy can do no wrong in my eyes and the series wasn't complete until the Son of Neptune and he reentered the story, but I enjoyed this series just as much as PJO.
And the Heroes of Olympus series has finally ended, five years later.  I finally like Piper, who has finally come into her own.  She isn't scared of what other people think of her anymore, is confident in her friendships, and isn't worried anymore about Jason wanting to be with Reyna.  I really liked how at the end (SPOILER ALERT) she sat on the roof of the Zeus cabin with Jason, just as she had in her Mist-memories in the Lost Hero.
I also didn't hate Jason.  Even though Jason somehow managed to get injured right at the beginning (again!), I actually enjoyed his character in this book, since he actually knew who he was and what he wanted.  He has a purpose now, I think.
I also really enjoyed having the POVs with Nico and Reyna.  Nico has been one of my favorite characters since he was first introduced in The Titan's Curse, so I was glad to finally see inside his head.  He also has some really cool powers.  I'm glad that he's finally decided to accept Camp Half Blood as his home, that he's going to settle down and be happy.
I am most likely in the minority, but I was not disappointed that Annabeth and Percy did not have POVs.  I had thought that it was going to be the 7 + Nico and Reyna, which would have been way too many.  Seven in the House of Hades was too many.  I wasn't looking forward to that, until I found out there were only five.  As long as Leo and Nico had POVS, I was happy.  Annabeth and Percy had twice as many POVs in the House of Hades, and they're taking a rest after being in Tartarus. They aren't emotionally and physically at their best, which is why they have smaller roles in the Blood of Olympus. I was okay with that.  They deserve some time off.
Finally, Leo.  He's one of my absolute favorite characters.  I know he has his bad points, but every character does.  Characters are able to be liked because they have flaws, not because they're perfect.  I think the ending with him (SPOILER ALERT) ending Gaia was suitable, based on how she had affected half his life, by killing his mother and then making him blame himself for her death.  I also loved how Leo hadn't forgotten Calypso, that he mentions her quite often.  Some of those scenes made me squeal so loudly and I "ahhed" at cuteness of it all.  I'm happy that in the end (SPOILER ALERT) he rescued Calypso.  I assume he later found a way to contact his friends, but I'm happy that after thousands of years, Calypso was finally someone's priority.
The ending was emotional.  The way it ended... I always roll my eyes when I see this in reviews, but it really was explosive (literally).  I was also somewhat surprised and very heartbroken.  It had a very open ending, and there were some things mentioned earlier in the book that make it clear that there's going to be some of series coming later.  This isn't the end.  The end of this series yes, but not the end of seeing the demigod world, not by a long shot.
1981653
This was by far my favourite of the series so far. The book continues in the same intense way as the previous books in this series. I was unable to put this book down and was turning pages long after I should've have been asleep!

This book tells Cains story as the new prophet following the death of his uncle at the hands of the MC. Events take a turn for the worst for Cain as he slowly comes to realise that the Cult and everything he held to be true was in fact a massive cover up. Cain is deceived by his own brother, his own flesh and blood has turned against him and leads the Cult in his place. Thrown in to jail and his own personal hell; salvation comes in the form of a women in the cell next to his. A women that has now been branded a cursed women of Eve. Slowly they form a connection and realise they need each other. Together they form a plan to take back control and put right everything that Cain now realises is a falsehood!

There are shocks galore in store and several times I found I was holding my breath unable to read fast enough.

Tillie Cole is an amazing story teller with a fantastic imagination. There were plenty of times in the book when it was really hard to read and I had to take a break only because of the nature of the book. Reading about children as young as 8 being taken by grown men is heartbreaking but oh so true. The emotions I experience whilst reading this book ranged from deep sorrow to rage and for me that is the sign of a great author that can evoke such emotions in their readers.

This book is dark and disturbing and does cover in depth a variety of taboo subjects.

I'm glad this one didn't finish on a cliff hanger as I would be compelled to keep reading but I really need to read something a lot more light hearted now before I can carry on. I will eagerly wait for further books in this series but equally I'm looking forward to trying her other books. She is an amzing author. Bravo Tillie loved loved love the Hades Hangmen <3
4297033
I just read the entire series in one weekend and I will tell you that I was afraid to read Convicted.  This series, Consequences, Truth and this last book, were very tough to read, not because they were boring but because they were so damn good with all the twists and turns and sadness and heartache, and above all love that it really took a toll on my emotions.  BUT, I am so thrilled that I did because this series will forever be one of the best ones that I have ever read.  This book brought closure to all the mystery and intrigue in the first two books.  Yes, I hated Tony in the beginning, but he slowly redeemed himself through his actions with Claire, but it is enough to satisfy the suffering Claire went through at his hand, can she come out of this unscathed or does the pain and suffering finally take a toll on her health and her emotions. Will the law catch up with Tony?  Who else was involved in all the deaths?  Are some of the good guys really the bad guys.  This book finally gives us all the answers we are looking for.  Aleatha Romig certainly knows how the weave a web of mystery and these books were all fascinating.  I loved every single book in this series.
1395257
In my humble opinion this was the best one of the series.
A little darker than some of the earlier ones, but very well written.