Born To Darkness by Suzanne Brockmann (Fighting Destiny #1)
Paranormal Romance
March 20, 2012
Hardcover
Ballantine
Reviewed by Helyce
In Born To Darkness, Ms. Brockmann takes us on a fantastical rollercoaster ride of epic proportions! We are transported about 40 years into the future to a world that seems familiar but has made major advancements in technology, science and medicine. A small privately funded company, the Obermeyer Institute is a research facility whose main purpose has been to seek out and train those individuals who possess the ability to use more than the 10% of their brains that science has for years claimed that humans use. These special humans are known as Greater-Thans and through specialized training have been able to develop telepathy, telekinesis, extreme strength, self healing and in some cases the ability to reverse the aging process.
All the good that the Obermeyer Institute does is negated by an evil company called The Organization which has developed a drug called Destiny that allows anyone to become a Greater-Than; those who can afford it anyway. Highly addictive, Destiny may promise you eternal youth, if it doesn’t kill you first. Even then, the drug is in high demand; it’s secret ingredient making any Greater-Than a major target.
I simply loved this book! As a fan of Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooters series I’ve come to expect strong characters, lots of action, adventure and intrigue and in Born To Darkness she totally delivers. I was pulled in from the beginning as we meet Shane Laughlin, a blacklisted Navy SEAL who is down to his last $40. He is clueless as to what the Obermeyer Institute (OI) does, but agrees to an interview thinking he’s got nothing to lose. At the very least, he should be able to get a job as part of their security team. On his last night before heading to OI, he heads to a bar to blow off some steam and this is where he meets Dr. Michelle Mackenzie. Immediately, they have a connection and it isn’t long before they’ve gone back to her place for some private time. Shane doesn’t know it, but Mac works for OI; in fact, she’s one of their highly trained Greater-Thans. This will pose major obstacles for these two as Mac immediately pulls away from Shane, but he’s not giving up. In fact, he’s just as determined that they give their relationship a try. Mac may not have a choice as she realizes that her integration levels seem to have been enhanced by her being intimate with Shane. As the institute’s doctors study this new and strange phenomenon, they realize that Mac may not be the only Greater-than affected by this new information.
What I especially enjoyed about this book is that we are treated to not only one romantic entanglement, but THREE. Yes, THREE! And each situation is given ample time without taking away from the other. All this, while totally delivering Brockmann’s trademark of highly suspenseful and intricately woven stories with a fabulous paranormal twist. Who doesn’t wish they were telepathic or could move things with their mind and most importantly, turn back time for that once youthful appearance? In this she weaves a very believable and possible future. And even when you think you know something, you don’t. There is a huge twist at the end that brought tears to my eyes as I could not believe what she was doing to one of the characters. This book has everything you look for in a romantic suspense and more! I hope I don’t have to wait a whole year for book two.
Rating: A
Recent Reviews:
Reading With Monie – 5/5
The Good, The Bad, and The Unread – A+
Goodreads
Author’s Website l Series Listing
Today, I have one brand new copy of Born to Darkness to give away. To enter, just leave a comment. Open to all through March 23.
Woohoo! I have my fingers crossed for this one. Have added it to my “to read” pile :)
Can’t wait to read this one! I love Suaanne Brockmann.
You gave it an A! It brings hope to my heart, maybe we all needed a change because I’m still pissed at her Izzy’s book and it’s been a year, I don’t even want to talk about that book.
And there are three romantic subplots?! Oh boy! No wonder the book is so long. I’ll read it this weekend and then I’ll be back.
Please don’t count me in since I already bought the book! ;)
Hi Brie! I am behind on the Troubleshooters, so I’m not familiar with Izzy’s story. I’m very intrigued by your comment though! And yes one main romance and two sub plots…one is m/m-did I mention that?
wow i didnt know she did paranormal,have been a fan of her troubleshooters series,cant wait to see how new series willbe
I agree – 3 romantic subplots are a lot! This sounds great!
OMG, I can’t wait to read this. I love SB’s Troubleshooters stuff and am really looking forward to seeing how she handles paranormal. It’s not my usual preference, but I’ll read anything she writes.
Three for one. An A. Suspense, love, tears. Suzanne Brockmann at her BEST. I want. Super review H :)
I am a huge fan of the Troubleshooters books so I am really looking forward to this new series!
I had never read of Suzanne Brockmann book until I started working here at the library. My boss loves her and got me hooked, I’m completely addicted to her stuff now.
That sounds like that movie with Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro, but with lots of romance in it, I’m intrigued…
Greater-Thans? Count me in, please.
Michelle
Glad you liked it so much. Looking forward to reading this one, I like humans with psychic powers.
Awesome review!!! I love the way Suzanne Brockmann writes! I can’t wait to read this! I am sure I will love this just as much as The Troubleshooters! Thanks for the giveaway!
Really looking forward to reading to this book! I’d love to win a copy.
I had someone tell me last week I should try this author. Great review. thanks for the chance to win :)
I actually started reading romance with Suzanne Brockmann books and she keeps getting better and better. I cannot wait to read this new series!
Oh please enter me! I love Suz Brockmann..
I’m going to have to check this one out.. Helyce, great review! It sounds fabulous!!
Great review! I have been dying for this book to be released. Would love a chance to win.
Thanks,
Randi
as a big fan, i can’t wait to read this one. i hope this goes for international cause i’d love to win it
I love her Troubleshooter series. I have high hopes for this one.
I adore Suzanne Brockmann’s books. So excited to read this one!
Awesome. I’ve had this book in my tbr for a while. (Though I have to say I just looked at the price and it might be in my tbr for while LOL).
Big fan of Suzanne Brockmann. She always manages to ground the roller coaster ride of a plot in believable, sympathetic characters that you can’t help but root for.
Looking forward to starting a new series with Suzanne Brockmann. She is one of my all time favorites.
I love her Troubleshooters series! Jimmy Nash is one of my favorite heroes. He is soooo baddd-I lovez him. He’s my precious.
I preordered this one ’cause I’m a fan, but after I read prequel “Shane’s Last Stand” i knew I’m gonna love Shane, too.
Love the review, helyce!:)
PREQUEL????? What? Where?
Oh, read it! It came in february , it’s short and it explains how Shane was discharged.Here’s the link:
http://www.suzannebrockmann.com/FD1aSHANESLASTSTAND.html
Oh Thank you so much! Thank goodness for one-click purchasing on Amazon. It’s on it’s way to my kindle right now! Her website is awesome! She’s got a whole page with pictures of the “characters” from Born To Darkness! It’s so cool, but they don’t look like any of the people in my head! Oh well!
This is definitely going into my must read pile!!!
I love all of Brockmann’s books. Looking forward to reading this one. Would love to win it. Thanks for the giveaway.
This book sounds amazing :)
Thanks for the chance to win it!
I’ve seen one of the trailers for this book and to be honest I wasn’t very impressed, but thanks to your review the book sounds really interesting and I would love to give it a try.
greetings, Melanie
WOW an A! Sounds wonderful. Thank you for the excellent review.
I like the sound of this one – adding it to my wishlist.
I got snagged by the storyline the first time I heard about the book, and with all the great reviews I’ve seen so far, I would love a chance to win a copy.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
Thanks to everyone who stopped by today! Good luck to you all!!!
this book sounds awesome!! and i love when there is more then one relationship that occurs.. (as long as each gets their own story time)..
thanks for the chance to win! (fingers crossed, this sounds amazing!)
Sounds like the start of a great new series!
Thanks for the review and giveaway. Count me in, please.
Not normally a paranormal fan, but it’s Suzanne Brockmann, so I will follow her anywhere. I can’t wait to read this one!
Born to Darkness sounds like a fantastic story, I love that it’s set in the future, and I can’t wait to read it.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
I’ve been a long time fan of Ms. Brockmann and would love to win her latest. I read the sample from Amazon and thought it sounded really interesting.
Judi
I’m a huge fan of the Troubleshooters series! Sure that a paranormal romance will be just as good – can’t wait to read Born to Darkness.
kacbooks(at)hotmail(dot)com
I LOVE Suzanne’s Troubleshooters’ series and am really looking forward to her new series :-) Definitely count me in!
smaccall AT comcast.net
I am sooooo excited for this book! It’s getting me to actually read a paranormal :)
Love Brockmann! So looking forward to this series!
This book looks awesome. Great cover. Suzanne is a new author for me and would love to win and read this book. I love to read and always looking for new books and authors to check out. Definately adding to my must buy list.
I have this book on by TBR list and would love a copy.
Thanks for the opportunity!!
xmelaniexthomasx(at)aim(dot)com
I love the premise with the companies, reminds me of Heroes (but hopefully better!).
Sounds great! I stopped reading Suzanne Brockmann a while ago, but this sounds like the perfect opportunity to start again!
I really like the Troubleshooter series and want to read more books by Suzanne Brockmann.
I enjoyed your review. The book sounds very good.
OOh I have had this book on my wishlist every since I saw its cover and read a guest post by Suzanne on the huge casting process a few months ago, and now seeing your praising review I want it even more!! Please please Gods of Random take mercy on your humble servant I’m offering cookies!
Thank you for the giveaway Helyce! :-D
I’m taking a chance on winning this one, but I’m going to buy it immediately if I don’t. It sounds fantastic!
Sounds great! I haven’t read this author before so I’m definitely go to have to check it out.
I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to this new series! Great reviews only whet my appetite.
I love her books so please enter me in the giveaway :)
reginamayross@gmail.com
sounds likes another great book
sandy@thereadingcafe
Great review. I want this book bad!
I love Suzanne Brockmann, and I’m looking forward to reading this new book.
After an A review, who wouldn’t want to read this one?
Thanks for the awesome post! I’ve been reading such wonderful reviews about this book and I love Suzanne’s Troubleshooters :) Thanks for the giveaway!
This sounds like a fantastic read. Thanks for the chance.
mmafsmith at gamail dot com
Count me in! Love the cover and curious about Brockman’s book! :D
I would love to read this book. It sounds really good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
I would love to read this- she ROCKS!
Thanks for the chance to win!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com
Thank you for the chance to win this book. The premise sounds really intriguing
Love this author and looking forward to this new series
I love Suz Brockmann’s books but I must admit I was a bit wary about her foray into the paranormal world. You liked it so much that I must put my mild wariness aside and give it a go ASAP. Pick me! :D
This book is on my list! Thanks for the review :D
I haven’t read anything by Suzanne Brockmann, but this sounds really good.
Hi
A navy SEAL!! This book sounds interesting. Please enter me in the contest!