Liviania’s review of Tempt Me with Darkness (Doomsday Brethren, Book 1) by Shayla Black
Paranormal romance released by Pocket 26 Aug 08
Dorm rooms come with tiny shelves. Textbooks and course packets claim about half of that space. It makes it even more common for people to borrow “fun” books. Two of my friends read Tempt Me with Darkness before I even had a chance. And it’s an excellent example of why TGTBTU considers a C a good book. None of us would declare it a fabulous story or anything, but all of us enjoyed it.
Why did it work so well for a bunch of college girls near finals time? Because it’s straightforward and raunchy. Tempt Me with Darkness aims to entertain, which makes it a wonderful novel to pick up and relax with. While entertaining, the novel has several flaws that will keep me from rereading.The main problem is the hero, a former knight of King Arthur cursed to live forever (without orgasm) after he had a one night stand with Morganna when she was expecting more. Basically, he’s bad with women in general. Marrok first believes his heroine is Morganna in disguise and treats her accordingly. (Their first time together comes rather close to rape.) Olivia is reasonably upset by this but still enjoys the sex and accidentally marries Marrok. (He, on the other hand, knowingly marries her.) At least, it’s the magical equivalent of marriage if marriage were life-threatening due to a lack of sex.
Olivia doesn’t provide much counterbalance. Yes, she gets angry, but things seem to always turn out Marrok’s way unless she goes behind his back. Her modern sensibility clashing with his overprotective nature would be more amusing if she had more personality. She has a standard traumatic past, a job at an art gallery, and bad survival instincts. Shayla Black offers information about her but she still felt bland.
On the other hand, I do want to read more about the other Doomsday Brethren. They play smaller parts than the h/h but have more likeable personalities and intriguing relationships. Snarky brother and sister Bram and Sabelle were my favorites, but I liked several of the others. Black also adds interest in their stories by bringing Marrok and Olivia’s relationship to a HEA and providing a climactic battle but leaving the other plot threads open.
It happens off page but several women are brutally raped. It’s done to be upsetting and prevents the book from just being light, fluffy fun. I’m really tired of rape being used to communicate how terrible a villain is. There are other terrible things than can be done to people.
Fans of Black or paranormal romance will probably enjoy Tempt Me with Darkness. Fans of the Matter of Britain should know the book really has nothing to do with King Arthur legends aside from sharing a few characters. It’s a decent read as long as you can stand the hero acting like a jerk. (To be fair, a major part of the book is him learning to be less of a jerk.)
Grade: C-
Summary:
He’s an immortal knight hungering for satisfaction. . . .
As soon as Marrok sees Olivia Gray, he’s sure they met in eons past. He’s felt her soft, gentle curves writhing in pleasure beneath his own powerful body. . . Morganna! For centuries, towering Marrok, once the mightiest of King Arthur’s warriors, has endured a terrible curse the witch cast upon him when he spurned the witch.She’s a modern woman about to discover ancient magic. . . .
Olivia shares a mystical—and irresistible—connection with brooding Marrok. Soon after the sexy warrior appears in her erotic dreams, he abducts her, demanding she uncurse him. Their intense passion is more powerful—and intimate—than either of them has ever known. Olivia may be the key to unlocking the diary that will break Morganna’s hold on his life. But in the wrong hands, the book also holds the power to destroy magickind. As they search for answers, a ruthless wizard returned from exile is building an army of evil. When he discovers Marrok and Olivia have the diary, only their love—with the help of a powerful group of magical Brethren—can save them.
Read an excerpt here
