A searing Lords of the Underworld tale by New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter, featuring a beastly prince and the wife he will wage war to keepHe is ice… her. According to ancient prophecy, she is the key to avenging his past, saving his realm and ruling as king. All he must do? Steal her from the man she loves—and marry her.
She is fire…
Gillian Shaw has suffered many tragedies in her too-short life, but nothing could have prepared the fragile human for her transition into immortality. To survive, she must wed a horned monster who both intrigues and frightens her…and become the warrior queen she was born to be.
Together they burn.
As a rising sense of possession and obsession overtake Puck, so does insatiable lust. The more he learns about his clever, resourceful wife, the more he craves her. And the more time Gillian spends with her protective husband, the more she aches for him. But the prophecy also predicts an unhappily-ever-after. Can Puck defeat fate itself to keep the woman who brought his deadened heart back to life? Or will they succumb to destiny, losing each other…and everything they’ve been fighting for?
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The unexpected twists in this story are spectacular. The antipated pairing doesn’t take anything away from the story. If anything, it highlights that kindness shown after being badly treated can lead to hero worship syndrome.
Puck has been betrayed, and in order to achieve his goals he resorts to manipulation and betrayal himself. Being possessed by the demon of indifference, he doesn’t feel any emotions, until he meets Gillian.
Gillian has had a tough life until William rescues her. Of course she thinks that they are fated mates, but William is cursed. Falling in love can lead to a his demise. When Puck makes a bargain with Gillian, he only has revenge in mind. Gillian manages to break through his “Ice Man” countenance and they soon find that feelings are getting involved. Of course William is none too happy about the situation. He acts like a child whose favourite plaything has been taken from him. His behaviour is hilarious and frustrating at the same time. Thank goodness he comes to his senses, and sees things for what they really are.
I love Puck’s and Gillian’s interactions as madenning as they are at times. The realisation of what they really feel for each other is quite enlightening. She sees past his exterior and chips away at his defenses until he comes to his senses. They have to take into account the prediction of the Oracles, but together, they can achieve anything.
The conclusion of this story is more than rewarding, and it will be interesting to see how the next story develops. This one is very entertaining.
Love this series!
Just as with her other books this was a fantastic read.
Yes, I know there are a lot of people truly annoyed but to be honest, I never expected the HEA as a couple for William and Gillian… after all, if it was meant to be, the ‘Ever Randy’ would have kept it in his pants.
If you want a bit of adventure, humour, heat and the chance to see Gillian reach her true potential, then I highly recommend.
A wonderful read.
This is another author that is really great to read.
I have followed Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series for a few years now and must say that I was reluctant to start this one. I was a die hard William and Gillian fan and hated the idea of her with anyone else. But Showalter did not disappoint and made me love Puck and Gillian even more because their love is based on more than Gillian’s past. Once again the story line sucked me in and I can’t wait to read the newest installment.
I have to say I was happily surprised that GS did not do the expected and give Gillian and William a HEA but instead threw a curveball named Puck into the picture. Sadly there will be many fans who have wanted Gilly/Willy and they will be highly disappointed. I must admit that I never cared for that pairing; I saw Gillian’s affections for William as hero-worship and his for hers more of a safe alternative to his fate. Still, I’m hoping that this series winds up sooner than later;I really don’t want more stories of peripheral characters-give me Hades and William and I’ll be happy!
Thoroughly enjoy this authors series. I find the story very entertaining. So looking forward to the next book.
I have read numerous books written by Gena Showalter and enjoyed all of them. But why are the women impulsive and dense, forever biting their lower lips?
You don’t get what you always thought you wanted for her. But you find out she gets who she needed in the end.
Love, love, love this series! Thank you Gena; can’t wait to read the next book!
Gillian has been a broken child for so long! William has been her comfort, her savior but even though many of you will not admit this, he has also held her back. Puck is unexpected! He is unbelievably strong, surprisingly gentle and unaware of Gillian’s past. In Puck’s world Gillian is finally able to grow up, to become the woman she was meant to be and to go through new trials to create a stronger woman. Puck supports and admires Gillian’s growth. This may not be the story the readers wanted or expected but it is the story that Gillian needed and Puck is the man she was destined to conquer!
Wow…love this series. You will not be disappointment.
Absolutely love and highly recommended this whole series
Was so upset this didn’t go the way I expected with William. However Gillians transformation is amazing. I absolutely love this entire series!
I was not as on board with the William/Gillian ship as others were, so I was excited to see that Gillian would have another ship!!! I also loved Puck. He is perfect for Gillian in so many ways. As usual, great world building and story telling from Showalter!
Loved this book! Great reading
This was going to be a tough one for me. Everyone has read for YEARS how Gillian was in love with William. Prince of Hell no less, but beautiful and deadly. Gillian grew up with the biggest crush on our dark hero. But fate is fickle and another heroes creeps in to win her heart. Puck the Undefeated is trapped by the Oracle’s fate to love and die by Gillian’s side. But fighting fate, his future, and his family is a tough task even for an undefeated warlord.
Gillian is nearing 18 and has decided to put her foot down with William; lover her or leave her, it’s about time she took hold of what she wanted. When a trick goes awry to turn her immortal, Gilly nears death and it seems there’s nothing left to save her. Puck has spent eternity denying his brother Sin’s betrayal. Fate has told that one of them would fall in love and destroy the other. But a new fate has arisen when the Oracles tell him that the small human Gilly can be bound to him and help him save his brother and his people from turmoil. An unbreakable bound is formed between them that leave Gilly stranded in Puck’s world for hundreds of years. As she grows and trains to become her own warrior-ess, Puck attempts to resist the temptation of falling in love with is own wife.
I was leery of Puck, but ooooh lordy did he WIN ME OVER! I though maybe, JUST maybe William would finally see the light and stop being an idiot immortal. But no, I have officially switched teams! Puck, while alpha-male and domineering is downright sexy and sweet at the same time. He may be gruff and silent but he obviously cares for his little Gilly and I loved their interactions. Watching Gillian finally grow up was an experience. I loved her Shawazons and the women she built and supported alongside her in Puck’s home realm. In true Showalter fashion this book is filled with amazing paranormal action and lore. I can’t imagine the brains it takes to build such wonderfully curated worlds! Though the book could’ve been a tough sell for the Gilly/William fans, i think she did and amazing job pushing an alternative to Gilly’s future. Can’t wait for more!
Sometimes what we think we want isn’t really what we need.
Gena Showalter always takes me on an epic adventure. Her love of characters and masterful storytelling has taken me on journey after journey. Each story as exciting and original as the last.
As a reader, I sat down, buckled up, and clung tightly to the words Gena has penned. The twists and turns often more surprising than what I could have ever imagined. The Darkest Warrior is an excellent example of what Gena Showalter can do.
Many, many books ago we met Gillian. Not much longer after that we fell in love with her fascination with WIlliam. In our minds, they were endgame. Their destiny was set, and it was with each other.
Alas, it was not to be. And it is okay!
Puck is everything Gillian needs in a woman and he all she needs in a man. Their love: complicated and epic. It’s not an easy love, but a strong one nonetheless.
You will love this latest installment in the Lords of the Underworld series. Everything about this book is GOLD! It has it all: betrayal, brotherly love, humor, tears, joy, peace, pre-destiny, and so much more!
Read this book and LOVE it!