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The Darkest Whisper (Lords of the Underworld #4) [Sabin & Gwen] - Gena Showalter

The Darkest Whisper - Gena Showalter

Another great book in the Lords of the Underworld series. These books just grow on me as I continue to read. I love the setting and the Lords, I loved that the Hunters are the way they are sorta like the religious fanatic kind who fail to see their own faults and the fact they choose to believe whatever they are taught to believe. Galen did a beautiful job there. I wonder how he can manipulate them to thinking he's an angel and not possessed by a demon. Doesn't he have the tattoo like the rest of them? 

 

This is the story of Sabin possessed by the Demon of Distrust , the most fierce fighter of the Lords, the one who took upon himself (and any who would and did follow him) to destroy the hunters for good. years and years have past and still this is the only reason he finds to living - killing, destroying his enemy. The enemy who took loved ones from him.

 

Then he meets Gwen for the first time - locked up by the Hunters in a cell while trying to get her weak enough so she could be used for their devious cause. Gwen despise the Hunters but she is no warrior, never have been, unlike her sisters. She is a "good" Harpy or should I write the worst Harpy ever since she dislike her Harpy side and can't control it whenever she gets pissed off and the Harpy takes charge.

 

At first all Sabin sees is a pure hot weapon to be used in the war against the Hunters. He wants to train Gwen so she would help him on his cause (naturally she would want to avenge her captors). But as they spend more time together he starts to realize his desire for her is much more than the physical one and the way he would do anything to protect her makes it hard on him to even consider using her as a weapon where she could get hurt. Especially since the Hunters want her back and their means of war becomes more and more crazed but mostly organized and specific against the Lords. 

 

Gwen on her side finds it hard to trust Sabin (she doubts herself enough even without his Distrust Demon poking in her brain making it worst) She is so attracted to him, so comforted by his touch but on the same time she really doesn't think she could be this fighter he things she could be. When he brings her to his home in Budapest she agrees only if she can call her Harpy sisters and make them stay with her. Her sisters are the most important thing in the world for her but she fears she would disappoint them by being her scared self and not really knowing how to control her Harpy or being the fierce warrior they are. Her sisters are great fun (and wasn't surprising Anya loves them as well :))and hopefully they would continue to be in the next books. We also get to know about the Harpy's ways which are a bit strange and learn that they are not the trusting kinda type which doesn't help Gwen to trust Sabin more (though she truly wants to). 

 

I was truly going to give this one 5 starts since I REALLY enjoyed it. then came the last chapter and I just got upset :/ I won't write what annoyed me because that would be a HUGE spoiler. I'll just say that I understand the need to "drag" the battle between the Hunters and the Lords but I do think more could have been done to help the Lord's cause. 

 

Besides that I LOVED this book. Gwen is simply a pleasure with her sweet self on the one side and her crazy possessive Harpy on the other :D I loved how the both of them can be bat shit crazy about each other but also fierce in anything they'd do to protect each other. Sabin is so amazingly fierce (yeah, I'm using this word too much because I can find no other to describe just how powerful, possessive, aggressive a warrior he is). I wasn't sure what I would feel about him since he can be annoying in the way he would do and risk anything to get the Hunters down but from the next books you can be sure he won't be THAT obsessive about taking down the Hunters. he's a mated Immortal now, mated to a Harpy who will happily aid him in their war, but he has someone in his life he values more than the need to kill so we'll see a different side to him. 

 

We got a little more of Paris difficulties. I truly feel sorry for him and can't wait for him to be reunited with Sienna (which will suppose to happen in book #9!!! poor thing..). we get to hear a little more of Aeron who is followed by an invisible being which makes Legion very pissed off and naturally VERY possessive (can't wait for the next book about him!). For the first time we have Gideon's POV which isn't as care free as you'd think/ He is more at peace with himself than some of the other Lords which is a nice change (they can't ALL hate themselves..). I guess we'll get more glimpses of what to come with him in the next book since the one after Aeron is his book. We also have more of Torin's POV and learn what's the deal between him and Cameo not to mention a new and really surprising interest. and last but not least we actually hear Amun's voice! 

 

This book was less action in my eyes then the other since most of it was Gwen and Sabin and what happens between them. We had the ending's action naturally but there wasn't the "usual" hunt for the artifact. So if you're waiting for the Lords to obtain another artifact getting them closer to Pandora's box you are in for a disappointment. In my eyes it's not a bad thing since we get to learn a lot more of the Hunter's schemes and had more time to get to know the Lords. I do think I feel quite comfortable with them and who is who :)

 

 

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As promised in my previous reviews here are the "Classified Files" containing all the details on all the guys! YAY! :)

 

They can be found on the "Into the Dark" Novel - containing the pre-novella "The Darkest Fire" (LotU #0.5) and "The Darkest Prison" (LotU #3.5) novella but also more cool staff like Q&A, behind the scenes etc. Later on Gena published just the Companion part (without the novellas) in a book called "Darkest Facts" (so you don't need this one if you have the other..).

 

Just to let you know the data on the Warriors was published just before the 5th book (meaning we had those guys story already - #1 Maddox, 2# Lucien, #3 Reyes, #4 Sabin) so MOST spoilers will naturally be of these guys, BUT surely some information about the other characters will be revealed during those books so I'm saying - thread with care! :)

 

I'll be adding this data to all my further reviews of this series.

 

ENJOY !

 

BUDAPEST CONTINGENT

 

Maddox / Violence (Book #1)
Height: 6'4'' 
Hair: Black 
Eyes: Violet (Note: eyes glow red when angry) 
Butterfly tattoo: Upper left shoulder, wrapping around to his back 
Other distinguishing marks: Demon’s skeletal face becomes visible through subject’s skin when subject is angered. 
Preferred weapon: Fists

Demon culpability: The stabbing death of Pandora, and thereby the disappearance of her box, can be traced directly to Violence. In modern society Violence is deemed responsible for street-gang warfare, rape, murder and terrorism.
Notable background: Curse resulting from Pandora’s slaying caused the subject to be killed each night and resurrected each day for centuries. Curse has now been broken—methods unclear. Subject still erupts into fits of violence and should be presumed volatile and highly dangerous.
Achilles heel: Recent emotional attachment to human female Ashlyn Darrow, former para-audiologist for the World Institute of Parapsychology who now resides at Budapest fortress. I cannot help but believe that if her mentor, the late Dr. Frederick McIntosh, hadn’t hidden from her the true purpose of her work at the Institute, Darrow would not have defected to the Lords’ camp. Note: Darrow is believed pregnant with subject’s child. Due date to be determined. 
Objectives: Capture Ashlyn Darrow if possible, use her as bait for subject to rescue, capture subject and imprison him until such time as Pandora’s box is found. Note: Beware Darrow’s ability to stand in one place and hear every conversation that ever took place there. Utter silence will be needed for any recon or capture missions. The element of surprise is crucial.

(show spoiler)

 

Lucien / Death (Leader of Budapest Contingent) (Book 2)

Height: 6'6'' 
Hair: Black, shoulder-length
Eyes: Mismatched—one brown (normal eye) and one blue (believed to allow subject to see into the spiritual world) 
Butterfly tattoo: Upper left shoulder, front of chest 
Other distinguishing marks: Face and body are covered in scars. Subject emits an odor of roses presumed to be linked to his demon. 
Preferred weapon: Knives. Beware poisoned tips.

Demon culpability: Death is ultimately responsible for deciding which souls ascend to heaven and which are ushered to Hell. It’s believed that the subject uses his bias against the Hunters not only to kill their bodies, but to unfairly ensure that their souls never make it to heaven. 
Notable background: Subject is believed to have disfigured his own face and body centuries ago in a fit of rage, indicating an unstable temperament and a harmful nature. Subject can travel outside his body and has been known to transport himself from one location to the next faster than the eye can see, making him a unique threat. 
Achilles heel: Two of note. The first, when subject’s…soul, if that’s what it is, leaves his body, that body is left vulnerable. That might be the perfect time to strike. Second, subject seems to have grown attached to Anya, minor Greek goddess of Anarchy. Also noteworthy: Anya is believed to have been bound by a curse herself, possibly hampering her powers. Recon team to investigate further in the hopes of exploiting the knowledge for the greater good. 
Objectives: Take a divide-and-conquer approach by separating subject from the minor goddess of Anarchy so subject will suffer. If we can kill the goddess, forcing Death to separate soul from body, he will be most vulnerable. Note: The minor goddess has a penchant for petty theft, incendiary behavior and general insubordination. Following a recent confrontation in Chicago, she has been deemed a nemesis of the angel Galen and thus her permanent capture is of particular interest to the Hunters.

(show spoiler)

 

Reyes / Pain (Book #3)
Height: 6'5'' 
Hair: Dark brown
Eyes: Brown Butterfly tattoo: Chest and neck 
Other distinguishing marks: Deeply tanned skin; frequently sports scars caused by self-mutilation Preferred 
weapon: Daggers; sword; guns

Demon culpability: Physical pain and suffering throughout the ages are attributed to this demon’s acts of random cruelty. 
Notable background: Subject has been witnessed going to excruciating lengths to cause himself pain. Jumping off rooftops and cutting his flesh are among his pastimes.
Achilles heel: Subject formed an attachment to human female Danika Ford following her kidnapping at the hands of fellow Lord Aeron. I personally did my utmost to recruit Danika to our cause, even convincing her to stage her own (second) kidnapping so the demons would rescue her and unwittingly bring a spy into their midst. The woman showed tremendous potential but was ultimately seduced by the dark side and aligned her loyalties with the Lords. I count her defection as a personal failure. 
Objectives: Separate subject from Danika. Imprison him until Pandora’s box can be found. Demonstrate to Danika the consequences of choosing the wrong allegiance in battle.

(show spoiler)

 

Paris / Promiscuity (Book #9)
Height: 6'8'' 
Hair: Varying shades of brown and black 
Eyes: Blue 
Butterfly tattoo: Lower back 
Other distinguishing marks: Subject is widely regarded as the most physically appealing of all the Lords. 
Preferred weapon: Sword

Demon culpability: Out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and infidelity all can be laid at Promiscuity’s doorstep. 
Notable background: Subject weakens without frequent physical release and cannot have sexual relations with the same woman twice. Subject has been known to seek out male partners as a last resort if no women are available, though he does not appear to enjoy such forays.
Achilles heel: While imprisoned in Hunters’ research facility in Athens, subject formed a fascinating bond with the late female Hunter Sienna Blackstone (R.I.P.) and managed to overcome his demon’s aversion to repeated sexual contact with the same woman. Since his untimely escape to Budapest, he has been reported to be relying heavily on ambrosia to regulate his moods and get him through the day.
Objectives: Exploit subject’s dependence on ambrosia if possible. Perhaps even arrange for him to receive a tainted batch. Dangle the promise of information about Sienna in order to lure him back to Athens facility for further testing.

(show spoiler)

 

Aeron / Wrath (Book #5)
Height: 6'6'' 
Hair: Military-cropped, brown
Eyes: Violet 
Butterfly tattoo: Middle of back 
Other distinguishing marks: A pair of black gossamer wings hidden by slits in his back when not in use. Face and body are covered with tattoos of war scenes, weaponry and the demon’s victims. Two eyebrow rings. 
Preferred weapon: Subject does not discriminate and embraces any weapon at his disposal.

Demon culpability: Wrath ostensibly preys only on victims it considers deserving of punishment. However, this pretense of meting out “justice” is clearly the demon’s twisted attempt to rationalize its killing sprees and evil deeds so it can continue to cause harm without consequences.
Notable background: Subject was taken over by bloodlust due to a curse of unknown origins and nearly killed human female Danika Ford in addition to her maternal grandmother, mother and older sister. Though the bloodlust seems to have passed, subject continues to be considered a menace to society.
Achilles heel: Subject views himself as godlike and humans as fragile and beneath him; however, his current determination to repay his fellow demon Paris for deeds unknown might prove a weak spot to be exploited. Subject is also devoted to the female demon minion Legion and has sworn to protect her from harm. Additionally, subject appears to be having apparent hallucinations that an invisible presence is spying on him. 
Objective: Use subject’s devotion to fellow Lords and the minion Legion against him. Recon team is also determining ways to turn his hallucinations to the Hunters’ advantage.

(show spoiler)

 

Torin / Disease (Book #11)
Height: 6'5'' 
Hair: White, shoulder-length
Eyes: Green 
Butterfly tattoo: Stomach 
Other distinguishing marks: Always wears long black gloves Preferred weapon: As subject is confined to the Budapest fortress he has dubbed “the House of the Damned,” he does not generally use weapons but is believed to have gun and sword training.

Demon culpability: Disease is responsible for at least two known plagues that resulted in thousands of casualties. This demon is also at the root of cancer deaths and all additional pestilence, most recently the dreaded Swine Flu pandemic. Notable background: Subject is unable to touch another living being skin-to-skin without infecting it with disease; subject wears protective clothing at all times and maintains his distance from others to prevent such an occurrence. Subject chooses to hide in the Lords’ fortress rather than accept the public blame he deserves for the illnesses he continues to cause, despite his “attempts” to keep the world “safe.”
Achilles heel: Subject’s battle skills have likely diminished due to his confinement. He could be the weak link of the Lords and vulnerable to capture. A suspected relationship with female Lord Cameo has distracted the subject, and could also be used to Hunters’ advantage. 
Objectives: Exploit the subject’s unique vulnerabilities and use this weakest link to take down the rest of the Lords. If we could somehow arrange for subject to touch the other Lords, they would not be killed, but they would never again be able to touch their loved ones without killing them. Such a realization might just cause them to turn themselves in.

(show spoiler)

 

GREECE CONTINGENT

 

Sabin / Doubt (Leader of Greece Contingent) (Book #4) 
Height: 6'7'' 
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Gold-brown 
Butterfly tattoo: Right ribcage and waist 
Other distinguishing marks: Wears a necklace believed to be a gift to him from his deceased friend, Baden, demon of Distrust, the Hunters’ first victim. 
Preferred weapon: Subject used to rely on knives, guns, throwing stars et al, but now, like the coward he is, he prefers to hide behind his Harpy bride for protection.

Demon culpability: The vilest of all demons whispers insecurities into the ears of anyone within reach and causes crippling, at times life-threatening self-doubt. This demon and the despicable creature who houses it are directly responsible for the suicide of my beloved wife, Darla, eleven years ago. 
Notable background: I find it impossible to write objectively about my most deeply hated foe. This monster who calls himself a man seduced my faithful wife away from me with false promises and dirty lies and coaxed her to betray my secrets. When he’d gotten what he needed from her, he let his demon go to work, and the next thing I knew, my wife had slashed her wrists.
Achilles Heel: His single-minded devotion to Gwendolyn the Timid, his Harpy wife. Due to recent complications at our Chicago training facility, we are uncertain as to the extent to which we might be able to use her against him. But sometimes it is better to ask for forgiveness than permission. 
Objectives: Secretly, without Galen’s knowledge, separate subject from his wife. Seduce her, as subject likes to seduce other men’s wives, and arrange for subject to find her dead, bleeding body.

(show spoiler)

 

Gideon / Lies (Book #6)
Height: 6'3'' 
Hair: Dyed Blue 
Eyes: Blue, kohl-rimmed 
Butterfly tattoo: Right thigh 
Other distinguishing marks: Multiple piercings and general Goth appearance Preferred weapon: All of them. Subject seems to have no specific preference, using whatever is nearby.

Demon culpability: Lies has infiltrated politics worldwide, resulting in false promises from world leaders and the disintegration of modern society. 
Notable background: Subject is unable to tell the truth without experiencing terrible pain. My forefathers were able to capture and contain subject for a prolonged period of time and, in the course of limb-regeneration experiments, removed subject’s feet. Unfortunately, subject ultimately escaped with the aid of his demon cohorts and both his feet have since grown back. The feet we removed, however, we are still in possession of. We exacted revenge in Chicago recently with the removal of both subject’s hands, but again were unable to contain him for long. We now have the removed hands, as well.
Achilles heel: Unknown. It is impossible to learn anything of use from this disgusting liar. 
Objective: Capture this demon once and for all and rid the world of his offensive presence. Also, continue with experiments of the removed limbs, using them to hopefully create our own immortal warrior.

(show spoiler)

 

Cameo / Misery (What about her? :( )
Height: 5'7'' 
Hair: Long, black 
Eyes: Silver 
Butterfly tattoo: Lower back, wings spreading around to both hips 
Other distinguishing marks: Her voice is enough to make you want to kill yourself. Earplugs are needed when around her. 
Preferred weapon: Semi-automatic, long-range rifles

Demon culpability: Misery is responsible for mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. The fact that both are reported at higher rates today than ever before suggests that the demon’s reach is increasing.
Notable background: Subject causes profound emotional anguish in everyone around her. Additionally, subject was, until recently, believed to be the lone female Lord of the Underworld. New events suggest that additional female Lords might in fact exist.
Achilles heel: Subject is believed to have a relationship with Torin, keeper of Disease. Subject will be closely observed for any physical or emotional vulnerability that might pave the way for an opportunity to capture her. But because of the supposed relationship with Disease, protective gear will be needed when apprehending her.
Objectives: Recon team is exploring ways to force subject to use her voice to our advantage.

(show spoiler)

 

Amun / Secrets (Book #7)
Height: 6'6'' 
Hair: Brown 
Eyes: Brown 
Butterfly tattoo: Right calf 
Other distinguishing marks: Dark skin 
Preferred weapon: Things of an exotic nature.

Demon culpability: The demon of Secrets fosters a lack of communication that contributes to individual issues such as the breakdown of marriages and global problems such as breaches of national security and the inability to achieve world peace. 
Notable background: Subject is unable to speak without the secrets of the world pouring out of his mouth—as I regrettably experienced first-hand at our Chicago facility. Also of note, when he speaks, you hear the voice of the person whose secret he is revealing.
Achilles heel: Subject’s fear of speaking might be utilized to our advantage.
Objectives: Capture and interrogate subject in the hopes of discerning the secrets he keeps and using them against the Lords.

(show spoiler)

 

Strider / Defeat (Book #8)
Height: 6'5'' 
Hair: Blond Eyes: Blue 
Butterfly tattoo: Left hip 
Other distinguishing marks: Subject was created, not born, yet has a birthmark on the right side of his buttocks. Small, brown and jagged at the edges.
Preferred weapon: Subject embraces all weaponry.

Demon culpability: The demon of Defeat is determined to win at all costs and will do whatever it takes to ensure victory. Defeat has brought about the downfall of athletes worldwide due to its encouragement of illegal tactics like steroids to obtain a win. 
Notable background: Subject cannot lose an argument or battle without succumbing to intense physical agony and prolonged sleep.
Achilles heel: Subject’s inability to lose gracefully. 
Objectives: Issue a challenge the demon cannot refuse, one that leads him straight into a trap.

(show spoiler)

 

Kane / Disaster (Book #10) 
Height: 6'4'' 
Hair: Mixture of brown, black and gold 
Eyes: Hazel 
Butterfly tattoo: Right hip 
Other distinguishing marks: We are still searching. 
Preferred weapon: Rifles and other long-range weaponry

Demon culpability: Disaster can be held accountable for everything from traffic accidents to construction site fatalities to plane crashes. It is harmful, often lethal, to anyone and anything it comes into contact with. 
Notable background: Subject is unable to move without causing ceilings to collapse, vehicles to explode and other assorted catastrophes to occur. Miraculously and despicably, subject seems to escape injury from such incidents, but those around him are less fortunate.
Achilles heel: Unknown 
Objectives: Recon team is exploring ways to isolate and capture subject and channel the incidents he causes into a strategy that will be advantageous to us.

(show spoiler)