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Order of the Blade #6
Darkness Arisen
Darkness Hunts Him.
Calydon warrior Ian Fitzgerald refuses to die. Cursed by black magic, he has stayed alive through sheer force of will and unyielding commitment to a mission he is sworn to complete. There is only one thing that can defeat him…and she has just found him.
Desire Torments Her.
Ravaged by her own passions, tarnished angel Alice Shaw is fighting desperately for salvation before all she cares about is lost forever. Her sensual allure, and the forbidden power buried inside her, are outshone only by the burning need she awakens in Ian.
Fierce Passion Ignites.
Raging desire explodes between Ian and Alice, pushing them to the brink of destruction. They cannot afford to succumb, but the cord that binds them will never let them go...not until their most dreaded nightmares come true. Together, they are destined to fail. Together, they will fight to survive the impossible.
Calydon warrior Ian Fitzgerald refuses to die. Cursed by black magic, he has stayed alive through sheer force of will and unyielding commitment to a mission he is sworn to complete. There is only one thing that can defeat him…and she has just found him.
Desire Torments Her.
Ravaged by her own passions, tarnished angel Alice Shaw is fighting desperately for salvation before all she cares about is lost forever. Her sensual allure, and the forbidden power buried inside her, are outshone only by the burning need she awakens in Ian.
Fierce Passion Ignites.
Raging desire explodes between Ian and Alice, pushing them to the brink of destruction. They cannot afford to succumb, but the cord that binds them will never let them go...not until their most dreaded nightmares come true. Together, they are destined to fail. Together, they will fight to survive the impossible.
393 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2013
145 people are currently reading
841 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Rowe
112 books1,536 followersHailed as a "paranormal star!" by J.R. Ward, Stephanie Rowe is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty-five novels. She is the 2018 RITA® winner for Best Paranormal Romance, as well as a five-time nominee for this prestigious award. For more on Stephanie and her books, visit her at www.stephaneierowe.com, or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StephanieRow....
A life-long reader, she began crafting stories at age ten, but didn't realize it was her dream until she was an adult.
Once the light dawned, she immediately left behind "work" as the world defines it and went to "work" as she defines it, which means getting up every morning with a smile in her heart so she can spend the day doing that which makes her spirit sing.
Stephanie believes in learning to listen to your heart in order to figure out what your dreams are, and then opening yourself to the inspiration that will direct you there. She believes we all deserve the right to enjoy life, and for the ride to be as easy as we want it to be, and that we all should accept nothing less than making our dreams come true.
Stephanie lives in New England, and spends every day doing her best to fill it with people, observations and activities that uplift her soul, which include writing, tennis, dancing, friends, and her amazing family.
A life-long reader, she began crafting stories at age ten, but didn't realize it was her dream until she was an adult.
Once the light dawned, she immediately left behind "work" as the world defines it and went to "work" as she defines it, which means getting up every morning with a smile in her heart so she can spend the day doing that which makes her spirit sing.
Stephanie believes in learning to listen to your heart in order to figure out what your dreams are, and then opening yourself to the inspiration that will direct you there. She believes we all deserve the right to enjoy life, and for the ride to be as easy as we want it to be, and that we all should accept nothing less than making our dreams come true.
Stephanie lives in New England, and spends every day doing her best to fill it with people, observations and activities that uplift her soul, which include writing, tennis, dancing, friends, and her amazing family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
March 17, 2013
Reviewer: Bex
Rating: 5 out of 5 Fairies
From the onset of Darkness Arisen, we are thrown into the thick of the action with the reintroduction of the tormented and cursed Ian Fitzgerald and the mysterious death-defying Alice Shaw. Straight away the tension is palpable; this is a perfect introduction to this amazing book.
Stephanie Rowe does not hold back in her sixth instalment. She successfully pushes her characters to explore their motivations, their desires and their fears in a fresh and original way. She also leads her characters into unexplored realms. The author’s imagination and craft have once again astounded me. Stephanie Rowe’s writing certainly inspires a reading in one sitting; she leaves no room for rest or pause.
Ian’s character is a particular favourite of mine, hence my eagerness to absorb his story. To follow such a character, one that has been developing so vividly over the previous five books, and to finally achieve a sense resolution was a pleasure. There’s always a fear when reading a series that the characters become too similar, too unoriginal, the stories too familiar. Without a doubt, readers can successfully push these fears aside. Darkness Arisen breaks so many barriers and boundaries. And Ian’s character has firmly cemented himself as one of my favourite Order of the Blade Warriors.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Fairies
From the onset of Darkness Arisen, we are thrown into the thick of the action with the reintroduction of the tormented and cursed Ian Fitzgerald and the mysterious death-defying Alice Shaw. Straight away the tension is palpable; this is a perfect introduction to this amazing book.
Stephanie Rowe does not hold back in her sixth instalment. She successfully pushes her characters to explore their motivations, their desires and their fears in a fresh and original way. She also leads her characters into unexplored realms. The author’s imagination and craft have once again astounded me. Stephanie Rowe’s writing certainly inspires a reading in one sitting; she leaves no room for rest or pause.
Ian’s character is a particular favourite of mine, hence my eagerness to absorb his story. To follow such a character, one that has been developing so vividly over the previous five books, and to finally achieve a sense resolution was a pleasure. There’s always a fear when reading a series that the characters become too similar, too unoriginal, the stories too familiar. Without a doubt, readers can successfully push these fears aside. Darkness Arisen breaks so many barriers and boundaries. And Ian’s character has firmly cemented himself as one of my favourite Order of the Blade Warriors.
July 28, 2013
I have been reading Stephanie Rowe’s The Order of The Blade from the beginning. And too be honest, by the 6th book in a series, I’ve usually lost my interest. The stories become very cookie cutter. But I’m happy to say that isn’t the case with DARKNESS ARISEN. Ms. Rowe knocks the ball out of the park on this one!
This is the long awaited story of Calydon Warrior Ian Fitzgerald. Our heart broke for Ian, who has been in mourning though out most of the previous books, having lost his Sheva (soul mate). Ian’s has accepted it’s the Calydon’s way, that in order to keep the world safe from evil, that sometimes a warrior’s Sheva must be eliminated, so that the warrior doesn’t go crazy and more innocents is lost. It’s simply a fact for members of The Order of The Blade, the most elite warriors. But the loss of his Sheva has taken its total on Ian and we have been watching him suffer for the last 5 books.
We have even had tiny glimpse into Ian’s past in his Novella, Forever in Darkness. We learn all the men of the Fitzgerald family have a curse, they are doomed to find love and then lose the women who stole their heart, only to have their own grieve drive themselves to take there on life. So Poor Ian doesn’t just have his family’s curse hanging over his head, he is also a warrior of the order of the Blade. Talk about a DOUBLE WHAMMY. No wonder our poor hero is struggle so hard when he discovers that not only has he watched his Sheva die, but also now, he has seen her come back from the dead, no once but twice.
This is where Darkness Arisen takes over...Now that Ian knows that his Sheva is alive out there somewhere, it becomes his mission to find her. The only thing that Ian doesn’t know, that his Sheva, Alice Shaw, doesn’t want to be found. She has her own mission that she needs to complete. Alice has her own dark demons and secrets, the tension between her and Ian starts the minute they met. Watching two poor damaged souls being draw to each other, but fighting it every step of the way was a tension-filled ride for this reader.
Alice and Ian’s journey was full of adventure, angst and suspense. I think I went through all the emotions as I read their story, I went from screaming at the two of them for their stupid self-doubting, to smiling at the incredible love between these two torched soul
There were cries of joy as well has Palm face moment. Stephanie Rowe was able to draw out all the array of emotions. The chemistry between Ian and Alice is off the charts and you can't help but totally fall in love with them.
How were these two people, who needed each other, both carrying their own deep wounds, able to break the Fitzgerald curse? Once they did that, Ian and Alice when had to deal with the Order curse. And finally, the topping on this mountains of problems facing this couple, Alice has her own curse to deal with.
Darkness Arisen is the most intense Oder of The Blade book to date. It’s a roller-coaster of emotions and action what keeps the reader sitting on the edge of your sit during the whole book. I couldn’t put the book down once I started reading.
I highly recommend getting Darkness Arisen and join Ian and Alice on their adventure, it’s a ride you won’t soon forget.
This is the long awaited story of Calydon Warrior Ian Fitzgerald. Our heart broke for Ian, who has been in mourning though out most of the previous books, having lost his Sheva (soul mate). Ian’s has accepted it’s the Calydon’s way, that in order to keep the world safe from evil, that sometimes a warrior’s Sheva must be eliminated, so that the warrior doesn’t go crazy and more innocents is lost. It’s simply a fact for members of The Order of The Blade, the most elite warriors. But the loss of his Sheva has taken its total on Ian and we have been watching him suffer for the last 5 books.
We have even had tiny glimpse into Ian’s past in his Novella, Forever in Darkness. We learn all the men of the Fitzgerald family have a curse, they are doomed to find love and then lose the women who stole their heart, only to have their own grieve drive themselves to take there on life. So Poor Ian doesn’t just have his family’s curse hanging over his head, he is also a warrior of the order of the Blade. Talk about a DOUBLE WHAMMY. No wonder our poor hero is struggle so hard when he discovers that not only has he watched his Sheva die, but also now, he has seen her come back from the dead, no once but twice.
This is where Darkness Arisen takes over...Now that Ian knows that his Sheva is alive out there somewhere, it becomes his mission to find her. The only thing that Ian doesn’t know, that his Sheva, Alice Shaw, doesn’t want to be found. She has her own mission that she needs to complete. Alice has her own dark demons and secrets, the tension between her and Ian starts the minute they met. Watching two poor damaged souls being draw to each other, but fighting it every step of the way was a tension-filled ride for this reader.
Alice and Ian’s journey was full of adventure, angst and suspense. I think I went through all the emotions as I read their story, I went from screaming at the two of them for their stupid self-doubting, to smiling at the incredible love between these two torched soul
There were cries of joy as well has Palm face moment. Stephanie Rowe was able to draw out all the array of emotions. The chemistry between Ian and Alice is off the charts and you can't help but totally fall in love with them.
How were these two people, who needed each other, both carrying their own deep wounds, able to break the Fitzgerald curse? Once they did that, Ian and Alice when had to deal with the Order curse. And finally, the topping on this mountains of problems facing this couple, Alice has her own curse to deal with.
Darkness Arisen is the most intense Oder of The Blade book to date. It’s a roller-coaster of emotions and action what keeps the reader sitting on the edge of your sit during the whole book. I couldn’t put the book down once I started reading.
I highly recommend getting Darkness Arisen and join Ian and Alice on their adventure, it’s a ride you won’t soon forget.
March 8, 2013
OH MY!! THIS IS A MUST READ!!! I have been desperately waiting for Ian's whole story since his Novella, Forever in Darkness, but NEVER in a million years would I have predicted how Darkness Arisen plays out! This whole series is AMAZING but the direction that Stephanie took with Ian and Alice's story blew me away!!! You still get the amazing Immortal Warriors you have come to know and love, there is still plenty of action, and LOTS of steam, but this one introduces new characters that I think are really going to keep turning this series in that new (but exciting) direction. True to her form though, Stephanie writes with so much emotion and passion that it jumps right off the pages at you as you are reading. You will want to lock yourself away from any possible intrusions (and maybe grab a tissue or two) while you read this one, trust me on that one!! I have to state if you have not started this series you are seriously missing out, it is without a doubt what reading is all about!!!
March 13, 2013
I've been waiting a looong time for Ian's story (I'm not afraid to admit it. I have a slight Ian crush.) and was very excited to get a sneak peak at it! Ms. Rowe just keeps getting better and better. The beach/ocean lover in me absolutely adored the setting for Ian and Alice's story, and I was guessing right up until the end how they would be able to remain together. A good read and, better yet, a fast read. Can't wait for Ryland's story next!!!
March 18, 2013
I was given this book in exchange for a review.
i enjoyed this book and I must say if you are a fan of the Order of the Blade, do not miss out on this one! Ian and Alice are like death magnets fighting with insecurities that give death the upper hand. This book, unlike the others (though similar to Elijah's story) is about a relationship that boasts you up and makes you into the person you are meant to be. Ian and Alice come into their own as they fight to save and help each their friends. It's a weird kind of honeymoon for this two because when the end isn't a flight back home but death.
I honestly have to say though that i expected more. Just like Elijah and Ana's story, the previous books built this up and it made me feel I was in for an explosive read (i stalked the author that's how impatient I was for this book) but again instead of the fireworks i felt like i got fire crackers. That might just be me.
But... THIS IS A SERIES YOU HAVE TO READ!!
Thanks for the free copy Stephanie, I'm waiting on Ry and Catherine's story.
i enjoyed this book and I must say if you are a fan of the Order of the Blade, do not miss out on this one! Ian and Alice are like death magnets fighting with insecurities that give death the upper hand. This book, unlike the others (though similar to Elijah's story) is about a relationship that boasts you up and makes you into the person you are meant to be. Ian and Alice come into their own as they fight to save and help each their friends. It's a weird kind of honeymoon for this two because when the end isn't a flight back home but death.
I honestly have to say though that i expected more. Just like Elijah and Ana's story, the previous books built this up and it made me feel I was in for an explosive read (i stalked the author that's how impatient I was for this book) but again instead of the fireworks i felt like i got fire crackers. That might just be me.
But... THIS IS A SERIES YOU HAVE TO READ!!
Thanks for the free copy Stephanie, I'm waiting on Ry and Catherine's story.
April 29, 2013
Disappointing (: I was really looking forward to Ian's story, especially after reading the novella 'Forever in Darkness'. His Angel made it a very long read, how could she doubt his feelings for her??? I could understand his self doubt and self loathing, because of the curse, but it was just OTT on the negative. And the way the order treated his angel was shocking and almost brutal, I didn't like any of them in this book. In fact the only character I did respect in the book was Cardiff, at least he knew what he wanted...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2013
My least favorite in the serie. Still a great story and a fabulous univers but I didn't feel close to the characters. Alice is too secretive and a bit twisted. A definitely not very grateful toward all Ian did for her. As for Ian, I was very undecided. One moment he is serious, the other too playfull. One moment focus on his honor, curse and all and next only on Alice to finally shut her down. It kind of hot on my nerves amd made it more difficult for me to really appreciate this book.
However, I am very curious about Ry and what Thano became.
However, I am very curious about Ry and what Thano became.
Want to read
July 29, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/29/2021)! 🎁
March 30, 2013
Two thousand years ago from a war between two brother a legacy was born. The Calydon warriors’ purpose was the keep the world safe from evil and when needed to kill a Calydon warrior and/or his sheva (mate) when the Calydon warrior went rogue/mad after finding her.
Ian Fitzgerald’s ancestor Augustus Fitzgerald had brought a curse upon his family by killing the soul mate of a Calydon warrior who was into black magic. The warrior then cursed Augustus and all his offspring to experience love and then to lose said woman and to be so overwhelmed with grief that they killed themselves. Ian is the last Fitzgerald remaining alive and since losing his sheva is fighting the demons that want to take control and have him end his life.
Ian realized in the short novella Forever in Darkness who is sheva was but there was a twist. He’s seen her die 3 times. Each time she comes back but she doesn’t know who he is and she is destined to die again.
Ian has found Alice again and the opening underwater scene was spectacular. Ian is a man who has always been angry fighting the curse that was put upon his family and he finally found his sheva again but she is a Angel with her own destiny. Will these two be able to finally break both of their preordained fates?
Ian Fitzgerald’s ancestor Augustus Fitzgerald had brought a curse upon his family by killing the soul mate of a Calydon warrior who was into black magic. The warrior then cursed Augustus and all his offspring to experience love and then to lose said woman and to be so overwhelmed with grief that they killed themselves. Ian is the last Fitzgerald remaining alive and since losing his sheva is fighting the demons that want to take control and have him end his life.
Ian realized in the short novella Forever in Darkness who is sheva was but there was a twist. He’s seen her die 3 times. Each time she comes back but she doesn’t know who he is and she is destined to die again.
Ian has found Alice again and the opening underwater scene was spectacular. Ian is a man who has always been angry fighting the curse that was put upon his family and he finally found his sheva again but she is a Angel with her own destiny. Will these two be able to finally break both of their preordained fates?
April 3, 2013
Well Stephanie all I can say is wow. I hate to admit it but I bought this book and put it aside for a few days for fear that it wouldn't live up to expectations. I read the first 5 in a row and feared that having gone a few months with out my Order of the Blade boys what if I'm disappointed. But alas, I said ***k it, and started the book ... like a loud crack of a Mace being pulled out of a Calydon arm I was sucked in and taken on another fantabulishous ride! I hang my head in shame for doubting you!! It was fantastic from the character development to the introduction of new characters to where everything took place (love the underwater stuff!!) I am sooo looking forward to the next book and the new series! I will continue to force my friends to start this series as EVERYONE needs to read it. You are truly an amazing author!!Stephanie Rowe
December 10, 2013
I was really looking forward to this book because I liked the novella so much. I had such high hopes after reading the short story of Ian leading into this full story. The book was not awful, but it was not what I was expecting or hoping for. It was still good though. I thought this was going to be my favorite. Sadly, it was not. I am looking forward to reading of Ryland and his obsession (it seems) with angels.
March 16, 2013
Stephanie does an amazing job with Ian's story. Ian and Alice have many obstacles to their being together but the sheva bond triumphs in a spectacular way as we enjoy our Calydon warriors throughout the story, often wondering what will happen in the next moment. Awesome read certain to make you want even more!
March 16, 2013
Another hit for miss Stephanie Rowe! Ian is just do tragically wonderful and his poor angel Alice.. Oh my! A must read!
July 2, 2019
Ian was a tough one. He didn't fall as quickly for his mate as the others, and that just made it so much better when he finally did. 😍🤗
March 14, 2020
Finally!
After all the build up and agony of seeing Ian struggle with his curse, this is the book where we see a happy ending there! If you are not familiar with Ian's story, have no fear - this book catches you up and you can probably even get away with not reading the novella showing a little snippet of things to come.
Ian is cursed to lose his fated mate and then kill himself. It seems, however, that Ian is determined to be stronger than the curse that has plagued his family for generations. You see, he has already lost his mate a few times and has yet to give in. Did he go a little crazy? Sure, but it is all gearing him up for the hardest battle of his life with the highest stakes.
Alice, Ian's fated mate, is an angel. She's been dying on him for a little while now, but one of the side effects of that is a bit of memory loss. Ian doesn't hesitate to catch her up, though, with sexy results. This story gives us a much better understanding of the black magic at play in the larger scheme of things. Who knew that Ian's ranting and raving would actually tie in nicely with the big story? Not me!
There is a lot that happens in this installment, which gives us a glimpse of things to come in the angel hunt, gives some back story to the big bad, and hints at possible future books for the warriors. Overall, I was extremely happy with where Ian ends up here, and that's the goal.
After all the build up and agony of seeing Ian struggle with his curse, this is the book where we see a happy ending there! If you are not familiar with Ian's story, have no fear - this book catches you up and you can probably even get away with not reading the novella showing a little snippet of things to come.
Ian is cursed to lose his fated mate and then kill himself. It seems, however, that Ian is determined to be stronger than the curse that has plagued his family for generations. You see, he has already lost his mate a few times and has yet to give in. Did he go a little crazy? Sure, but it is all gearing him up for the hardest battle of his life with the highest stakes.
Alice, Ian's fated mate, is an angel. She's been dying on him for a little while now, but one of the side effects of that is a bit of memory loss. Ian doesn't hesitate to catch her up, though, with sexy results. This story gives us a much better understanding of the black magic at play in the larger scheme of things. Who knew that Ian's ranting and raving would actually tie in nicely with the big story? Not me!
There is a lot that happens in this installment, which gives us a glimpse of things to come in the angel hunt, gives some back story to the big bad, and hints at possible future books for the warriors. Overall, I was extremely happy with where Ian ends up here, and that's the goal.
July 26, 2014
About the book: Release Date March 25, 2013
Darkness Hunts Him. Calydon warrior Ian Fitzgerald refuses to die. Cursed by black magic, he has stayed alive through sheer force of will and unyielding commitment to a mission he is sworn to complete. There is only one thing that can defeat him…and she has just found him.
Desire Torments Her. Ravaged by her own passions, tarnished angel Alice Shaw is fighting desperately for salvation before all she cares about is lost forever. Her sensual allure, and the forbidden power buried inside her, are outshone only by the burning need she awakens in Ian.
Fierce Passion Ignites. Raging desire explodes between Ian and Alice, pushing them to the brink of destruction. They cannot afford to succumb, but the cord that binds them will never let them go…not until their most dreaded nightmares come true. Together, they are destined to fail. Together, they will fight to survive the impossible.
Some background information: The Calydons are a race of ancient immortals cursed with a dark side. Each Calydon is destined to meet his soul mate, to be so drawn to her that he is unable to resist bonding with her through the rituals of his race... but their destiny is to destroy each other and all they care about the moment their bond is complete.
*********
REVIEW: DARKNESS ARISEN is the sixth storyline in Stephanie Rowe’s Order of the Blade fantasy series and focuses on Calydon warrior Ian Fitzgerald and Angel Alice Shaw.
Ian Fitzgerald has lived a lifetime (six hundred years) of suffering, hoping to avenge the family name and break the curse placed upon his ancestors for the death of a warrior’s soul mate hundreds of years in the past. But the Calydon warriors hold sacred their vows and oaths, and the belief of brothers before mates, had led to warrior’s gone rogue and the deaths of many women over the centuries. Ian is the last of his family, cursed to go rogue when it is his destiny to kill his own mate before she has the chance to walk away with his heart. But Ian is in love with Alice and is determined to find a way to avoid their ill-fated future.
Alice Shaw knows what it is like to die. For years the sea has called to her and her Magean destiny awaits. Like the other Fallen Angels, Alice knew that she would suffer as had all the others when the demons came for her soul. But on this day, as she faced the anger of the ocean, she would find herself in the arms of the warrior who continues to rescue the wounded angel every time she seeks to fulfill a promise made to another many years before. But unlike Ian, Alice is having difficulty remembering her past involvement with her soul mate, and it takes everything in Ian to trigger Alice’s memory of the past.
This is my first Stephanie Rowe novel and as I have said in the past- you must read a series in order-especially one as detailed as The Order of the Blade. Throughout a good portion of the novel I was treading in deep waters, as lost at sea, as the heroine of the storyline felt. To update my Order of the Blade information, I had to go back and read reviews and excerpts from the first five books. I struggled with my enjoyment and felt like an interloper at a party to which I wasn’t invited. It was difficult to enjoy the storyline when I knew nothing about the Calydon warriors and their history, but I will give praise to Stephanie Rowe, because she did include plenty of background information as it pertained to both the current hero and heroine of this particular storyline. My lack of information about the previous storylines in the series is not the fault of the author.
Saying that, the first part of the storyline was difficult for me. Not that is was heartbreaking or sad, but the heroine’s endless need to die over and over had me hoping she would finally succumb to her death wish. Not only did the heroine’s need to die bother me but the inevitable suicide and death wish of the hero doubled the difficulty at times. At one point, it was like watching a ping pong game of whom would die first then come back to life. And in this, Alice was not an easy character to like. She refused to acknowledge or accept her power, and in doing so, her fear of failure, left many people to suffer needlessly. The little faith she had in her abilities caused too much sorrow for the warriors struggling to save the lives of their friends.
The storyline changes when it is revealed that Fallen Angels, who have sinned or are no longer pure, become one of the Magean (a group of underwater beings sentenced to live out eternity under the sea). And it is Alice’s intent to trade in a favor, with the Magean to discover the whereabouts of a friend to whom she had made a promise many years before. But something goes wrong in the underworld, and Ian and Alice are given 72 hours to make good on a promise or die upon their return.
The relationship between Ian and Alice is inevitable. They are destined to be together as are all soul mates that have met each other in previous lifetimes. But Alice’s refusal to accept that inevitable forces Ian to make decisions he would have never done otherwise. He places his fellow warriors in danger trying to prove to Alice that their bonding is unavoidable and something that will probably kill them both. But in the end, a missing warrior will be found, another will be on the verge of going rogue, and the Angel of Death looks for release from this world.
DARKNESS ARISEN is a well-written and interesting storyline with plenty of detail and information. I was pleased that Stephanie Rowe integrated the history of the Calydon warriors with this particular storyline because without it I would have given up very early in the book. When I have a few spare weeks to myself, I will go back and read the Order of the Blade series from book one. Having read only one storyline I am intrigued with the author’s ability to weave a story. My only wish is that I was able to read the series from book one.
Copy supplied by the author
READING ORDER:
Darkness Awakened
Darkness Seduced
Darkness Surrendered
Forever in Darkness
Darkness Reborn
Darkness Arisen
www.thereadingcafe.com
Darkness Hunts Him. Calydon warrior Ian Fitzgerald refuses to die. Cursed by black magic, he has stayed alive through sheer force of will and unyielding commitment to a mission he is sworn to complete. There is only one thing that can defeat him…and she has just found him.
Desire Torments Her. Ravaged by her own passions, tarnished angel Alice Shaw is fighting desperately for salvation before all she cares about is lost forever. Her sensual allure, and the forbidden power buried inside her, are outshone only by the burning need she awakens in Ian.
Fierce Passion Ignites. Raging desire explodes between Ian and Alice, pushing them to the brink of destruction. They cannot afford to succumb, but the cord that binds them will never let them go…not until their most dreaded nightmares come true. Together, they are destined to fail. Together, they will fight to survive the impossible.
Some background information: The Calydons are a race of ancient immortals cursed with a dark side. Each Calydon is destined to meet his soul mate, to be so drawn to her that he is unable to resist bonding with her through the rituals of his race... but their destiny is to destroy each other and all they care about the moment their bond is complete.
*********
REVIEW: DARKNESS ARISEN is the sixth storyline in Stephanie Rowe’s Order of the Blade fantasy series and focuses on Calydon warrior Ian Fitzgerald and Angel Alice Shaw.
Ian Fitzgerald has lived a lifetime (six hundred years) of suffering, hoping to avenge the family name and break the curse placed upon his ancestors for the death of a warrior’s soul mate hundreds of years in the past. But the Calydon warriors hold sacred their vows and oaths, and the belief of brothers before mates, had led to warrior’s gone rogue and the deaths of many women over the centuries. Ian is the last of his family, cursed to go rogue when it is his destiny to kill his own mate before she has the chance to walk away with his heart. But Ian is in love with Alice and is determined to find a way to avoid their ill-fated future.
Alice Shaw knows what it is like to die. For years the sea has called to her and her Magean destiny awaits. Like the other Fallen Angels, Alice knew that she would suffer as had all the others when the demons came for her soul. But on this day, as she faced the anger of the ocean, she would find herself in the arms of the warrior who continues to rescue the wounded angel every time she seeks to fulfill a promise made to another many years before. But unlike Ian, Alice is having difficulty remembering her past involvement with her soul mate, and it takes everything in Ian to trigger Alice’s memory of the past.
This is my first Stephanie Rowe novel and as I have said in the past- you must read a series in order-especially one as detailed as The Order of the Blade. Throughout a good portion of the novel I was treading in deep waters, as lost at sea, as the heroine of the storyline felt. To update my Order of the Blade information, I had to go back and read reviews and excerpts from the first five books. I struggled with my enjoyment and felt like an interloper at a party to which I wasn’t invited. It was difficult to enjoy the storyline when I knew nothing about the Calydon warriors and their history, but I will give praise to Stephanie Rowe, because she did include plenty of background information as it pertained to both the current hero and heroine of this particular storyline. My lack of information about the previous storylines in the series is not the fault of the author.
Saying that, the first part of the storyline was difficult for me. Not that is was heartbreaking or sad, but the heroine’s endless need to die over and over had me hoping she would finally succumb to her death wish. Not only did the heroine’s need to die bother me but the inevitable suicide and death wish of the hero doubled the difficulty at times. At one point, it was like watching a ping pong game of whom would die first then come back to life. And in this, Alice was not an easy character to like. She refused to acknowledge or accept her power, and in doing so, her fear of failure, left many people to suffer needlessly. The little faith she had in her abilities caused too much sorrow for the warriors struggling to save the lives of their friends.
The storyline changes when it is revealed that Fallen Angels, who have sinned or are no longer pure, become one of the Magean (a group of underwater beings sentenced to live out eternity under the sea). And it is Alice’s intent to trade in a favor, with the Magean to discover the whereabouts of a friend to whom she had made a promise many years before. But something goes wrong in the underworld, and Ian and Alice are given 72 hours to make good on a promise or die upon their return.
The relationship between Ian and Alice is inevitable. They are destined to be together as are all soul mates that have met each other in previous lifetimes. But Alice’s refusal to accept that inevitable forces Ian to make decisions he would have never done otherwise. He places his fellow warriors in danger trying to prove to Alice that their bonding is unavoidable and something that will probably kill them both. But in the end, a missing warrior will be found, another will be on the verge of going rogue, and the Angel of Death looks for release from this world.
DARKNESS ARISEN is a well-written and interesting storyline with plenty of detail and information. I was pleased that Stephanie Rowe integrated the history of the Calydon warriors with this particular storyline because without it I would have given up very early in the book. When I have a few spare weeks to myself, I will go back and read the Order of the Blade series from book one. Having read only one storyline I am intrigued with the author’s ability to weave a story. My only wish is that I was able to read the series from book one.
Copy supplied by the author
READING ORDER:
Darkness Awakened
Darkness Seduced
Darkness Surrendered
Forever in Darkness
Darkness Reborn
Darkness Arisen
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January 5, 2021
I really do feel that this should be at least 4 stars, I love this series and I flew through the second half, I couldn't put it down. But I started this book at a bad time and then kept picking it up every few months, reading some chapters, putting it down, and repeating this pattern. So I don't really know what happened at the start and was a little confused - that was me though not the book. I've started a reread of the series because I want to get the full experience out of the rest of the series and have all of the knowledge I should have had going into this. I'll also probably re-rate this when I reread which I wouldn't normally do, but I don't feel like my experience this time in any way reflects how it would have been had I read this at a better time in my life.
July 19, 2017
Luv Ian but not Alice. Book started out good but took a long dive to bad with her continuous ranting about what she couldn't do as an angel. She practically couldn't do anything useful not even save lives even though she is the angel of life. Finally at the end of the book, literally the last few chapters, she discovers that she is the little engine that can and does something amazing.
Don't know how Ian put up with her whining for so long. Won't miss her and don't want to hear from her again.
Don't know how Ian put up with her whining for so long. Won't miss her and don't want to hear from her again.
August 29, 2023
3.5 stars
I do really enjoy this series, even this story up to a point. The “angel” in this story is selfish and hypocritical. Im half way through this book and it’s very frustrating. The FC seems extremely childish in her ways and I’m pretty weary of her character. She is single minded in what she wants to happen and won’t even contemplate suggestions from Ian. Alice has angel rules she won’t break but is angry when Ian won’t break his Order rules on killing innocents. It doesn’t make any sense to my mind ,like at all.
I do really enjoy this series, even this story up to a point. The “angel” in this story is selfish and hypocritical. Im half way through this book and it’s very frustrating. The FC seems extremely childish in her ways and I’m pretty weary of her character. She is single minded in what she wants to happen and won’t even contemplate suggestions from Ian. Alice has angel rules she won’t break but is angry when Ian won’t break his Order rules on killing innocents. It doesn’t make any sense to my mind ,like at all.
July 31, 2021
Order of the Blade 1-5 was fast and amazing. This book is sooooo slow. I finished the prior books within hours of picking them up. I have struggled to get through this one. It’s been weeks of trying to push through it. The first half was torturously slow. The second half was OK. Alice was infuriating and whiny. Such a victim of her own rules. Gah!
The chemistry between Alice and Ian was a joke. I’m looking forward to Ry’s book. I’ll keep pushing through for that reason alone.
The chemistry between Alice and Ian was a joke. I’m looking forward to Ry’s book. I’ll keep pushing through for that reason alone.
August 17, 2021
Have to say…
It rocks!!! Happened to find this series as I was checking out other recommendations for reading. Love this series and author. Always happy to find a great new one since I read so much!A 500+ year old curse, immortals who refuse to give up, damsels in need with plenty of steamy passion, these books are great!
It rocks!!! Happened to find this series as I was checking out other recommendations for reading. Love this series and author. Always happy to find a great new one since I read so much!A 500+ year old curse, immortals who refuse to give up, damsels in need with plenty of steamy passion, these books are great!
May 10, 2020
Hooked
Sometimes you start a series, and the more you read the slower the series is? Not with The Order of the Blade, each and every book captures your interest. They are almost impossible to pit Dow! Highly recommend
Sometimes you start a series, and the more you read the slower the series is? Not with The Order of the Blade, each and every book captures your interest. They are almost impossible to pit Dow! Highly recommend
January 22, 2021
Adore
I absolutely adore this series. Each of these warriors and their loves has a hard road to buck the sheva curse and find that love is the answer, along with some faith and hope.
I absolutely adore this series. Each of these warriors and their loves has a hard road to buck the sheva curse and find that love is the answer, along with some faith and hope.
February 6, 2020
I am loving the whole series. Cannot put them down. Brilliant.
December 30, 2020
The ending was worth it
I found Alice to be a bit annoying in the beginning. I found the first half of the book to be a bit slow. However, the last half of the book read much faster. Ian and Alice in the last half of the book made this a good read.
I found Alice to be a bit annoying in the beginning. I found the first half of the book to be a bit slow. However, the last half of the book read much faster. Ian and Alice in the last half of the book made this a good read.
November 1, 2022
I have been quickly making my way through the Order of the Blade series until this book. Overall it was a good read but Ian is definitely not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree and Alice is definitely the most “in denial” of all the females thus far.
February 25, 2017
Dark! Plot moved quite quickly, lots of new players in the war on demons.
June 24, 2015
This is my second to least favorite book in the series.
I really liked all the places that Ian travelled to in this story. It was nice to see the story set in different places. It was awesome learning about Ian and why he functions the way he does. Stephanie does a great job at writing his story as she always does.
Alice was one of my least favorite females in this series. I thought the dynamic with Ian was off. They didn't have great chemistry for most of the book. She seemed too distant from Ian, which was purposeful. This woman is a closed book, lives in her own world and could care less about being happy in life or understanding other people's happiness since she has never experienced it. I personally think she's the most conservative and ungrateful female in the whole series. For being the angel of life you would think that she could live life a little more and learn to love anything about life but she is the exact opposite of this. One of her lines in the book is "I don't laugh"; this is not an appealing character trait. She's also a hypocrite at various times in the book. I did not like that Alice was lying to Ian for most of the story. She wanted to keep everything to herself which was very frustrating.
It's was hard to relate to Alice when she was a weak character. I mean weak, like a weak person. During most of the story she doesn't take any risks. She is too afraid of the "rules". It's not even just the rules, she is just plain scared. She could have saved her mother's life if she would have just brought some dirt to mom and she couldn't even do that because she was too scared… scared of what? I'm not sure since there was no imminent threat at the time. Overall, this was a good story to the series to explain Ian but I will not be picking up this book again. I've read the other stories a few times but it is so hard to pick this one up, I just don't want to hear from Alice again.
I really liked all the places that Ian travelled to in this story. It was nice to see the story set in different places. It was awesome learning about Ian and why he functions the way he does. Stephanie does a great job at writing his story as she always does.
Alice was one of my least favorite females in this series. I thought the dynamic with Ian was off. They didn't have great chemistry for most of the book. She seemed too distant from Ian, which was purposeful. This woman is a closed book, lives in her own world and could care less about being happy in life or understanding other people's happiness since she has never experienced it. I personally think she's the most conservative and ungrateful female in the whole series. For being the angel of life you would think that she could live life a little more and learn to love anything about life but she is the exact opposite of this. One of her lines in the book is "I don't laugh"; this is not an appealing character trait. She's also a hypocrite at various times in the book. I did not like that Alice was lying to Ian for most of the story. She wanted to keep everything to herself which was very frustrating.
It's was hard to relate to Alice when she was a weak character. I mean weak, like a weak person. During most of the story she doesn't take any risks. She is too afraid of the "rules". It's not even just the rules, she is just plain scared. She could have saved her mother's life if she would have just brought some dirt to mom and she couldn't even do that because she was too scared… scared of what? I'm not sure since there was no imminent threat at the time. Overall, this was a good story to the series to explain Ian but I will not be picking up this book again. I've read the other stories a few times but it is so hard to pick this one up, I just don't want to hear from Alice again.
August 3, 2015
A train wreck...
This is by far Rowe's worst writing in this series so far. Up until now I have enjoyed the series, but this book took a very hard turn in to stupidville. There were a few times that I started to put the book down and say forget it, but as my title states it was like a train wreck.. I knew it was bad but I couldn't look away!
The incorporation of angels into the series would be ok if these were good, wholesome angels that we expect when we consider what are supposed to be heavenly beings. But this Angel lies and swears and fornicates! She was definitely a weak link with poor judgment, nonexistent decision making skills, and abandonment issues. Then it gets even more weird with evil water bound "angels" that glow and have tails... This book, in my opinion just went too far left. I really didn't care for what she did with the character of the main Calydon warrior in this book either.
I gave the book 2 stars because it at least ended on a good note. But Stephanie Rowe whatever you smoked when you wrote this book please leave that alone and go back to writing about fierce warriors meeting strong women worthy of the Order.
This is by far Rowe's worst writing in this series so far. Up until now I have enjoyed the series, but this book took a very hard turn in to stupidville. There were a few times that I started to put the book down and say forget it, but as my title states it was like a train wreck.. I knew it was bad but I couldn't look away!
The incorporation of angels into the series would be ok if these were good, wholesome angels that we expect when we consider what are supposed to be heavenly beings. But this Angel lies and swears and fornicates! She was definitely a weak link with poor judgment, nonexistent decision making skills, and abandonment issues. Then it gets even more weird with evil water bound "angels" that glow and have tails... This book, in my opinion just went too far left. I really didn't care for what she did with the character of the main Calydon warrior in this book either.
I gave the book 2 stars because it at least ended on a good note. But Stephanie Rowe whatever you smoked when you wrote this book please leave that alone and go back to writing about fierce warriors meeting strong women worthy of the Order.
January 2, 2016
Well... After the two not so good (IMHO) previous books, I decided that, should this one not meet my expectations, I wouldn't go further in the series.
The introduction of angels and demons in the background of that fantasy universe did bother me and still bothers me. Demons are ok, nasty, spiteful creatures (yeah, what do you expect from demons, after all!?) but angels who swear, lie and fornicate, sorry I expect something else from heavenly creatures. Even if I can understand that angels -for the story's sake- can have sometimes doubts or issues as to what to do in a tricky situation, this book went too far. Alice is an angel of life, and yet, refuses to acknowledge her power, she has little faith in her abilities (why?) and is afraid to break the rules (what rules?). I didn't buy it. You expect an angel -of life, no less- to be a badass but she's weak, too scared to take the helm of her own life.
Ian was awesome, and I loved his strength to battle the curse. As I want to know what and who is Ryland, I'll read #7.
The introduction of angels and demons in the background of that fantasy universe did bother me and still bothers me. Demons are ok, nasty, spiteful creatures (yeah, what do you expect from demons, after all!?) but angels who swear, lie and fornicate, sorry I expect something else from heavenly creatures. Even if I can understand that angels -for the story's sake- can have sometimes doubts or issues as to what to do in a tricky situation, this book went too far. Alice is an angel of life, and yet, refuses to acknowledge her power, she has little faith in her abilities (why?) and is afraid to break the rules (what rules?). I didn't buy it. You expect an angel -of life, no less- to be a badass but she's weak, too scared to take the helm of her own life.
Ian was awesome, and I loved his strength to battle the curse. As I want to know what and who is Ryland, I'll read #7.
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