REVIEW: The Darkest Touch by Gena Showalter

In The Darkest Touch by Gena Showalter, As a Lord of the Underworld, Torin is a host to the demon Disease. He has lived centuries waging war against evil. But he is unable to even give his best friends a simple handshake without them falling ill and potentially dying. Touch is the thing he most craves in this world. Until he meets the Red Queen, Keeley. As they battle together to find his missing friends, Torin fears losing control and giving in to what he wants. He would do anything to be able to caress her beautiful skin or kiss her lovely red lips, but could he live with the guilt or would it consume him when she sickens from his touch?

‘Keeley was temptation wrapped in desire, dipped in ecstasy and rolled in satisfaction, and there was no doubt in his mind she’d been designed simply to torture him.’

Keeleycael has been imprisoned for longer than she can remember at this point. And she has some vengeance to seek once she’s finally free. Then sexy, brutal Lord Torin appears in her life and she feels emotion for the first time in forever. They are a match mentally and even in battle. But he cannot touch her without the worry of harming her. Keeley is nothing if not resourceful. After all, she is the all powerful Red Queen. If anyone can find a way for them to be together while also helping his fellow friends, it is she. And Keeley won’t give Torin up without a fight.

“I’m more than the most powerful immortal on earth, you know. I’m a person. With feelings and everything! I’m worth more than a barrel of whiskey.”
“You’re worth more than anything,” he said quietly.
“I have a heart and it’s quite capable of being br– Wait. What?” she asked.

The Darkest Touch had such an mixture of intense and violent scenes, but also with humor and passion, that it is hard to describe aptly. It worked absolutely perfectly for Torin and Keeley’s stormy relationship, though.

I’ll be honest: this book has been really tough to review because so much happens over the course of the story that I didn’t want to give too much of it away. Plus there were just so many characters, what with this being book eleven in the series. I would highly recommend reading some of the previous installments before jumping in here or a lot of it won’t make sense.

That being said, I am a true fan of Gena Showalter’s writing style and I think this book highlights precisely what draws me to her novels. The plot was complex with many different twists and turns. And the characters were so well-developed that I could picture them in my mind with no difficulties through every scene. There was an almost macabre sense of humor both Keeley and Torin shared (and the other Lords of the Underworld) that I personally thought was hilarious. I know not everyone will enjoy it as much, but I thought it really fit the characters well and made their conversations – and internal dialogue – so much fun.

I got such a kick out of both Keeley and Torin. Her bravado in proclaiming herself the best at everything, the most all powerful being ever was both funny and very telling. Keeley was basically looking for acceptance and to be truly loved for once in her long, long life. That Torin, a man who could not even touch her skin without making her sick was the one to adore her, felt like it was cruel at times. But he was also a fierce warrior, which ended up being a turn-on for Keeley, and which meant he would do anything to protect her.

Torin had some of the funniest internal monologues I’ve ever read. He had that bad boy attitude and swagger, but he was also a man who longed to be able to touch those he loved. Even a simple hug could kill someone. The scenes detailing his craving for contact were so incredibly heartbreaking that I couldn’t help but feel bad for him. Keeley was the perfect mate for Torin, I thought, because she challenged him and wasn’t afraid to tempt fate by kissing him or going even further. They also had a wonderful quirky back-and-forth dialogue (with lots of inventive nicknames) that kept the scenes moving along quickly.

I think fans of the Lords of the Underworld series will be happy to finally get Torin and Keeley’s story. It was not an easy road for them in the least, but she eventually got her Prince Charming, and he won the hand of his Sugar Plum Fairy. 😉

Book Info:

Published November 25th 2014 by Harlequin HQN | Lords of the Underworld #11

From New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter comes the long-awaited story of Torin, the most dangerous Lord of the Underworld yet…

Fierce immortal warrior. Host to the demon of Disease. Torin’s every touch causes sickness and death—and a worldwide plague. Carnal pleasure is utterly forbidden, and though he has always overcome temptation with an iron will, his control is about to shatter.

She is Keeley Cael. The Red Queen. When the powerful beauty with shocking vulnerabilities escapes from a centuries-long imprisonment, the desire that simmers between her and Torin is scorching. His touch could mean the end for her, but resisting her is the hardest battle he’s ever fought—and the only battle he fears he can’t win.