This is a reread for me. I read it for the first time years ago, and it was the book that introduced me to Gena Showalter. My original grade for it was an A but it seems like my tastes have changed a little over the years because this time around I have to give it a B.
If you’re reading this series in order and are about to start this one, you should know that this book is written in third person. The first two books, Awaken Me Darkly and Enslave Me Sweetly, were written in first person and seemed to be independent of each other. Here their characters are tied together, making the books feel more connected. I, personally, think the series reads better in third person, but if you’ve loved the first person setup in the first two books, you might be upset when you get to this one. Just an FYI for you all.
Mishka and Jaxon were great characters. I especially liked Mishka. Here was a girl who could be just as cold and badass as any guy out there. Maybe even more so. 
She’s killed and she’s tortured, all without feeling the need to martyr herself in guilt. Seriously, I get so tired of heroines in Romance being cast as incapable of hurting another person, even if it means saving their life. But that’s not the case with Mishka. She may regret having to do it, but she doesn’t let her feelings cripple her. She was a very strong character.
I loved that the alien bad guys weren’t written as black and white. The very nature of their race was so sad. How can you not feel for a group of people that behaves like that because that’s how nature dictates they have to be? I really liked that I, just like the characters, had mixed feelings over how I felt about one of the bad guys. There was really no clear cut answer and it was hard not to like him. I’m also very interested in seeing where the storyline that was left open will take us.
The feelings between Mishka and Jaxon developed easily, the only conflict in the relationship came from outside circumstances. At times it made it feel a little too easy, but her stories are entertaining so it didn’t bug me much. As with most of her books, Showalter can write some pretty sexy scenes. I felt that Mishka was a little too vulnerable and innocent at times, but overall I really enjoyed watching them come together. I found it absolutely hilarious that it was Jaxon who longed to cuddle and discuss their feelings. I loved that the author flipped that stereotypical role on its head.
I was not impressed with Jaxon’s friends. By the end of the book I was wishing that some of them would walk in front of a bus. I didn’t mind Eden and Lucius, or the hilarious Devyn, but I really, really disliked Dallas and Mia. How apt that those two would be best friends! Mia’s hypocritical attitude toward Jaxon consorting with “the enemy” grated, considering how her own romance developed. The fact that she would ignore his wishes–even when he was right there begging her to stop–makes her a shitty friend. Especially because she was only pushing so hard to hurt Mishka to get revenge, not because she wanted to protect him. I was pretty ticked that she was forgiven so easily. Dallas was irritating, but I was able to understand where he was coming from. He was pretty messed up over the changes to his body and wasn’t thinking very clearly, so I made allowances. Mia has no excuse other than being an ass.
Despite any gripes I had, I really enjoyed rereading this book and am looking forward to continuing on in the series. And if I hate one or two characters…well, I’ll just ignore them and fantasize about them being hit by said bus.
Favorite Quote:
“Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours. Tell me what you’re feeling.” He stiffened. Closed his eyes for a moment and moaned. “Good God. I just realized I’m Cathy.”
“I don’t understand.”
He gave a wry shake of his head. “I’ve got a beautiful woman underneath me, and I’m asking to discuss our feelings and future. Hell, I want to discuss them. I’m pathetic.”
Do not melt. Do not freaking melt. “Look, Jaxon, it’s not you. Okay? It’s me. I can’t do relationships.”
“Like I haven’t heard that one before. Like I haven’t said it before.” Shaking his head, he began to withdraw from her.
About Catherine
I’ve never read anything of Showalter’s beyond LOTU. Nice review.
Thanks. I like the LOTU, but this is my favorite series by her.
I have a feeling if I re-read some of my books I would also be giving them a lower rating.
I really like this series. I felt for Mishka and I’ll admit I flipped to the back of the book to make sure they would end up together. Of course I knew they would before even starting the book but I just needed some reassurance. I can’t be the only one who does that, right?
LOL, you’re not. I used to do it all the time. I actually just had this discussion with someone semi-recently. I can’t remember when or why I stopped, but I don’t seem to do it anymore.
I totally loved Mishka. She did what she needed to do and she didn’t whine about it incessantly. I was thrilled to get a heroine who felt just as capable of violence as a man. I get really tired of seeing women portrayed as incapable of hurting someone no matter what.
I am have been wondering about a lot of books I read before if I would still love them..scary thought.
But back to this one, it does sound cool
Some of them are wonderful for me, but some of them make me wonder what I was smoking.
I can’t honestly remember what happened in this story. I’m either getting forgetful or it has blended with other reads. I do know that I liked it because I have read all the books in this series so far. Gena is one of my favorite authors though. Your post has me looking forward to a Dark Taste of Rapture.
I can’t wait for that one.
I adore The Alien Huntress Series – and the covers… gorgeous…
Great review Catherine.
Thanks, Dani. I agree about the covers. Some of them are fabulous.
I have read a lot of Gena Showalter’s books (and loved them!) but the only ones I’ve read in this series are Seduce the Darkness and her story in Deep Kiss of Winter. I have Ecstasy in Darkness on my shelf and have heard great things about it– but I seriously need to haul it over to a book store and get the earlier books in this series! I also need to catch up on my LOTU reading! Heading into Lie’s book next
P.S. Were the books good and interesting to read in 1st person? I have not read a lot of paranormal romances written that way….
I just finished Ecstasy in Darkness a couple days ago. I thought it was a lot of fun. The bickering and humor between the heroine and her best friend was great.
Mmm, I really didn’t enjoy the first two books being in first person. It ended up feeling hollow and underdeveloped. I expect a full picture of the relationship and the hero and heroine. In a first person romance I just don’t get that. It’s like reading in a vacuum. Plus, Mia grated on me, so reading her book was not fun. Nails on a chalkboard come to mind.
In all books? Even romantic UF?
No, only when I buy a Romance with a capital “R”. I go into those expecting a well rounded view of both the hero and the heroine and the opportunity to watch them both fall in love. I have a different set of reader expectations when I read other genres.
Yeah, good point. When you’re paying good $$ for romance you better get the romance.
Exactly. It’s all about what I expect to see in the genre. When I read an Urban Fantasy I want to be totally immersed in the main character and their life or journey. Whether it’s third person or first person (although I honestly can’t think of any third person UF’s) I expect it to be all about the MC. So I never expect a love interest to get as much focus, even if I whine about wanting it.
I think I read this before but I’m not sure since it was so long ago. I only read the one and moved onto the LOTU series.
I have been wondering lately if I would still love the books I read two years ago. My tastes seem to have changed so much plus there is a sense of repetitiveness now that I just didn’t have when I first started reading so much.
Any-hoo, good review.
I would recommend treading softly when rereading some of the ones that you used to idolize. Sometimes it’s great, but sometimes it’ll kill your warm memory.
That is weird that the pov change with this book. I haven’t read this series but it has been on my wish list for a long time. Thanks for the great review
I thought it was kind of weird too. I started with this one and then backtracked, so it was a shock to see the first two books were in first person.