I feel it happening. The pressure builds. My skin prickles. And the only thing that tames the darkness, getting it back to resting peacefully inside me, is to unleash it. I have to let it wreak havoc, and I quite enjoy the mayhem.Analeigh Price comes into my life and does the one thing I despise—question me about my past. She can pretend she wants to get to know me all she wants, but she’s not … she’s not ready for the truth. I won’t become a better person for her, because I am who I am. She can’t fix me, because my wounds are unfixable.
You see, I’m not like everybody else. Oh, no. I’m different. My humanity was stripped from me long ago, and those who are responsible are about to be paid a visit. You’ve never heard a story like mine, because I’m unlike anyone you’ve ever met. I’m no hero. I’m the guy you don’t want to piss off, because once the darkness within me is unleashed, it’ll be too late to get away.
What’s my name? It’s Donovan. Donovan James. But the darkness is taking over, and it’s only good at one thing, so I must go.
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After only reading one book from this author before (War), I wasn’t sure what to expect. All I knew was that I enjoyed her writing so much that I had to give her another try. No Regrets! Darkness Within was a twisted story that kept me on edge right to the end. I loved how it was phrased as a romance when it was most definitely NOT romantic. It lulled me into a false sense of security and warmth, rooting for the unlikely couple, surprising me with my gullibility and my assumption that this story would be predictable in any way. It quickly made me learn to expect the unexpected.
The hero, Donovan, who was no hero, was an intriguingly multi-layered character who offered many reasons to go along with his thirst for vengeance. How can you argue with his pain? He gave truth to the argument of Nature vs. Nurture and being a product of your environment. Poor kid. I gloried in his bloodlust and felt satisfaction for every name ticked off of his list. I wanted to fight his enemies for him, beat down anyone who betrayed the little bit of trust he had left, and hug him to give him a glimpse of light. But Donovan wasn’t interested in escaping his darkness. He only wanted to learn to better navigate, making his shadows become such a part of him that they would be indistinguishable from the rest of him. No more hiding. No more pretending. It’s messed up, but I wanted that for him. A life where he was able to have the freedom to be who he needed to be.
Murder isn’t a joke, but the way Donovan tells it, I couldn’t help my chuckles. Guy’s a riot. Isabel Lucero won me over with this story. With its roundabout turns and spirals leading me into a maze of mayhem, I actually didn’t want the book to end. I’m hoping the author has more of this story to tell.
Darkness Within is indeed dark, but it’s also sad, tragic, overwhelming and oddly, about acceptance.
Donovan James grew up in a horrible way. Being sent into the system he was abused both mentally and physically and was left with scars that few would understand. He doesn’t know how to be normal or at least that’s how he feels. And trust definitely doesn’t come easy for him. He has one friend, Nick, a co-worker, who he shares part of his childhood with but there’s no one else who comes close. That is until he meets a kindred spirit. One who understands his darkness and even has someone in common with him. One who accepts him just the way he is and doesn’t expect him to be any different. I think this is when he finally understands all of the emotions he’s never experienced before. This is an amazing book. There’s so many twists and turns, just when you think you have it figured out you’re met with more things you question. Thankfully by the end they’re all answered and everything is clear. I’m so glad I read this book. It’s not your typical love story but then again, is there really such a thing? Everybody’s story is different!