(I don’t think Eve would feel comfortable fighting demons in just a bra, but she looks damn sexy)
Eve of Darkness – S.J. Day
April 28, 2009
Paperback, 368 pages
Tor Books
Urban Fantasy
At the age of eighteen, Eve loses her virginity to a hot, mysterious guy named Alec Cain – yes Cain, as in the dude from the bible. He abruptly leaves her and they never see each other again. Ten years later she see a guy that looks quite similar to Cain and all of a sudden she finds herself having sex with him in a stairwell. During this encounter she is Marked, and this vaguely familiar looking man happens to be Reed Abel, brother to one Cain.
So the first paragraph totally makes it sound like this book is all sex, and it is not (although those brothers are a fine pair and trust me, the sex is hot).
The Mark is her “punishment” for Cain’s attraction to her. He could not keep his lust from her, so she now will lead a life finding demons that have crossed the line and ridding the Earth of them, very similar to a bounty hunter, except she is working with century old men and sending demons back to Hell. Cain is the head Mark and her mentor and Abel is in charge of assigning her the demons who she is suppose to go after. A love triangle is set up, not one I would complain about if I were her. Cain and Abel have lots of issues in the past (refer to your bible for further explanation) and they are both attracted to Eve, which causes tension galore.
Once Eve is Marked, her body becomes a big mess of hormones and she has a hard time keeping her eyes off of the smexy men. However, she is totally pissed that her life has taken a turn she had no control of, which dampens her mood so to say. She starts learning the ins and outs of being a Mark all while Cain and Abel bicker and kill each other (don’t worry, they come back to life), and play the political game with the archangels. She also has to start worrying about taking God’s name in vain, because each time she does, her Mark burns. God is always listening.
As if that were not enough, there are demons out there that are going out of their way to terrorize her and for some reason have no distinguishable marks or smell. It takes a lot of time to hone your skills as a Mark and train to fight these evil demons, time that Eve does not have. The three of them have no choice but to move forward in the investigation. Having to put her trust in the two men that put her in this position in the first place is no easy task, but she has to in order to survive.
I love how this book starts and ends. The first chapter is awesome with tons of action and a very tension filled moment then it flashes back to six weeks earlier. The end of the book is the beginning of the first chapter again. So you will definitely want to pick up the second book, Eve of Destruction to find out what happens. Good thing it is already out!
The more I read, the more I find it difficult to find heroines I really like and S.J. Day did a good job with developing Eve. She is not perfect, which I enjoy. Although this is fantasy and Eve has newly acquired super powers, crap still happens to her and it reflects “real life” the way which I enjoy reading more than a heroine that walks through the story in a fantasy wonderland.
The middle of the book was a bit flat. I think the world building contributed to it and the fact that the beginning starts out so strong with the action in the first chapter and the romance (or maybe just “straight up sex” is a better term) between her and the brothers that when you get past that, it took awhile for things to get exciting again.
However, the second book has been set up nicely and I do want to find out what happens to this threesome. S.J. Day did a nice job writing a book with an Urban Fantasy feel, and adding some nice, steamy romance scenes.
I didn’t love the fact that we went back six weeks in the past and stayed there the entire book, but I have to admit, it does make you want to read the next one – like now.
Rating – 3 Stars
Series includes:
Eve of Darkness – April 28, 2009
Eve of Destruction – June 2, 2009
Eve of Chaos – June 30, 2009
Visit S.J. Day’s site.
Glad you enjoyed yourself with Eve, Cain and Abel! I didn't experience a dip in the middle of the story but perhaps I was just too caught up in this threesome to notice LOL
And I wants me such an stair moment too, I so fell for Abel right there and then ;D
I just bought the first 2 books, and cannot wait for the 3rd. Loved your review – I might have to move this one close to the top of my tbr pile!
Haha, just what i thought the first time I saw it. Yup sexy, but I don't wanna fight any demons looking like that.
Leontine – It is quite a hot love triangle!
Stacy – It is nice all three come out so close together.
Blodeuedd – LOL. I don't think Cain and Abel would mind ;)
I agree with your review. I liked the book but it wasn't one of those books I couldn't put down. The reviews of the 2nd and 3rd book are good so of course I'll read them, I do want to know what happens!
Patti – That is a good way to put it..I could put it down, but I still liked it. I am curious about the second book.
I enjoyed this one as well and have Eve of Destruction on the 'tbr' shelf. :) I can't wait to see how this story ends. :)
M
I loved the review. I've been waiting for all three to be released but I'm glad to hear you liked it.
Michelle and Tricia – I haven't gone through her website in much detail, do you know if the third is it? I know it probably wraps up the story but I wonder if she is totally done with Eve?
Hi Mandi!
Oh, this sounds great! I'm already loving it.
I just won this book and can't wait to read it now. It sounds very hot *fanning* Yummy!
Dottie :)
Dottie – Oh yes, you will need a fan on HIGH to cool yourself off for these brothers.
This review is awesome! Have you started on the second one? Cause your in for hell. Lets just say, I am speechless.
Great Review Mandi!
I've been really excited about this series. And I love the covers but you did point out the obvious: Does she like fighting with her bra exposed? Maybe. On the cover she sure looks comfortable with her ensemble. ;)
I'm really a fan of the love triangle. Although it starting to become a trend in the UF/romance genre but I'm not desensitized enough to not want it or enjoy it.
;) VFG
Great! Another series to start!
Actually, it sounds like lots of fun. I love me a triangle!
Thank you for the review! I'm glad you enjoyed the book. :)
In answer to your question about whether the series is finished with CHAOS, it isn't. The first three books are launch books to a continuing series.
And as for her lack of clothing on the cover… I couldn't get the art department to put some clothes on her (I tried and tried, but no luck), but I did write an explanation for the outfit in the book and Eve is definitely aware of how silly it looks. ;)
Hmm, this definitely sounds like an interesting book. I love the Cain/Abel plot element. I might have to pick this one up. :) Great review!
I Heart Book Gossip – Have the second in my tbr pile!!
VFG – Yes, the triangle has been showing up a lot. But this one works..I am definitely more a Cain fan in this one:)
Renee – I know..so many books. My tbr pile is looking a bit tippy.
S.J. Day – I have heard authors don't have much say on their covers:) Like I said..it is a very sexy cover!! Not a lot of women that could look that good holding a gun:)
So glad to hear there is more Eve!! Very good news!
Heidenkind – It is a nice twist to a UF book.
Awesome review Mandi!!
I love the whole Cain and Abel thing going there. The staircase situation… hells bells… why cant that be me!!!! =(
Anyway… I love the review. Kim at Darque Reviews is hosting a contest for the 3 books now… so I am crossing my fingers to see if I win… if I don't I will be buying these!
Hope you have a wonderful day!
I haven't even read an excerpt and I'm already fanning myself reading your review. Do you know if this bk is available as a e-book download?
Cecile – I swear next time I walk into a staircase I will think of this book. Maybe I will have a phantom pain on my arm :)
Smokin hot – I know it is NOT available on Kindle..I do not know if it available in another format.
I see that you're currently reading an Elizabeth Hoyt. Hurray! She's one of my faves.
Kate – yes..I actually just sat down..on page 20 ;) I am such a historical romance fan, I don't know why I have never read her!
Hey Mandi!! I see Sutton found his way to your place!!!
Girl, all I will have to do is think of a damn staircase now and that will be imprinted in my brain!
Oh Sutton..and Axle.
*Giggles* I may never take another elevator again..stairs only! ;) You never know who you will meet.
I love your review. I just went to visit the author's youtube channel yesterday. There isn't much, but the videos are pretty cool. (channel sjday7 if I'm not mistaken). I feel like getting these books on my next trip to the bookstore. =)
Great review! I have Eve of Destruction but decided to wait till Eve of Chaos came out, so I could read them back to back. I think at this point unless something changes, I'm on Cain's side. Love the hot, tough guy on the motorcycle thing, Cain has going. :)
Linda Ellen – Thanks! Let me know how you like them!
Fantasy Dreamer – I'm a Cain girl myself…very hawt on a bike.
I've had this ARC on my TBR pile for months and just not got round to it yet. Must crack it open soon!