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Lords of the Underworld #4.5
The Darkest Angel
Un unico destino accomuna demoni e dei, mortali e un amore capace di superare ogni cosa, perfino la morte. Il guerriero alato Lysander è vivo da secoli, eppure non ha mai conosciuto il desiderio, finché non incontra Bianka. Nata direttamente dal sangue di Lucifero, la bella ma letale Arpia è determinata a indurre in tentazione il cuore pure di Lysander. Per quanto si sforzi di opporsi, neppure un assassino di demoni dalla volontà di ferro come lui potrà resistere a lungo...
118 pages, Unknown Binding
First published October 1, 2013
About the author
Gena Showalter
314 books28k followersGena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over seventy books, including the acclaimed Lords of the Underworld series, the Gods of War series, the White Rabbit Chronicles, and the Forest of Good and Evil series. She writes sizzling paranormal romance, heartwarming contemporary romance, and unputdownable young adult novels, and lives in Oklahoma City with her family and menagerie of dogs and cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
June 10, 2017
Lysander: Angel (one of the Elite Seven)
Bianka Skyhawk: Harpy (daughter of a Harpy and a phoenix shape-shifter and great-granddaughter of Lucifer)
Lysander wants to snatch Bianka just to save this world from her dark influence. She is a manipulator, a killer, a liar, a thief and lately she is his obsession.
Lysander is moreover a virgin. He doesn’t like the thought of sex. It looks messy and un-fun. But somehow every time, Lysander thinks of Bianka, he simultanuesly thinks of sex.
Anyway, Bianka needs to be trained. So Lysander grabs her and takes her to his cloud/palace.
“I was not teasing you. I mean to keep you here forever and train you to be sinless.”
But he really does not understand harpies.
“Gods, how—oops, sorry. I mean, golly, how adorable are you? ‘I mean to keep you here forever and train you,’” she said in her best impersonation of him.
....“Be honest,” she said. “You saw me and wanted a piece, right?”
Poor clueless Lysander
For the briefest of moments, horror blanketed his face. “No,” he croaked out, then cleared his throat and said more smoothly, “No.”
…That muscle started ticking below his eye again. “You are a menace.”
Before he realizes what is going on, he is a mess, his life is a mess, his cloud is a mess and Bianka is having the time of her life. And Lysander is virgin no more.
This is one of my favourite couples in the series. They will appear on and off in the next books.
Favourite scene: Lysander and Paris are fighting in a large tub of oil wearing only loincloths.
“Was that fun for you?”
“Yes.”
Naughty Bianka!
Bianka Skyhawk: Harpy (daughter of a Harpy and a phoenix shape-shifter and great-granddaughter of Lucifer)
Lysander wants to snatch Bianka just to save this world from her dark influence. She is a manipulator, a killer, a liar, a thief and lately she is his obsession.
Lysander is moreover a virgin. He doesn’t like the thought of sex. It looks messy and un-fun. But somehow every time, Lysander thinks of Bianka, he simultanuesly thinks of sex.
Anyway, Bianka needs to be trained. So Lysander grabs her and takes her to his cloud/palace.
“I was not teasing you. I mean to keep you here forever and train you to be sinless.”
But he really does not understand harpies.
“Gods, how—oops, sorry. I mean, golly, how adorable are you? ‘I mean to keep you here forever and train you,’” she said in her best impersonation of him.
....“Be honest,” she said. “You saw me and wanted a piece, right?”
Poor clueless Lysander
For the briefest of moments, horror blanketed his face. “No,” he croaked out, then cleared his throat and said more smoothly, “No.”
…That muscle started ticking below his eye again. “You are a menace.”
Before he realizes what is going on, he is a mess, his life is a mess, his cloud is a mess and Bianka is having the time of her life. And Lysander is virgin no more.
This is one of my favourite couples in the series. They will appear on and off in the next books.
Favourite scene: Lysander and Paris are fighting in a large tub of oil wearing only loincloths.
“Was that fun for you?”
“Yes.”
Naughty Bianka!
January 31, 2023
2.75 Stars
February 15, 2020
Chronologically, The Darkest Angel is between Sabin’s book, The Darkest Whisper and Aeron’s story, The Darkest Passion. So we get a little bit from Sabin and Gwen, as well as an appetizer from Aeron and Olivia’s story.
But the best is Paris’ appearance. Oh, Paris, my favorite Lord! Normally I’m pretty satisfied with my imagination, but Paris and Lysander’s oil wrestling is something I definitely want to see for real. I guess I’m not the only one…
Okay, back to Lysander and Bianka…
Lysander is a warrior angel, one of the Elite Seven. As an assassin, his only goal is to destroy demons. His calm and sense of duty are unflinching. But as every angel, he has one potential downfall.
Bianka is the daughter of a Harpy and a phoenix, spawned from the bloodline of Lucifer. She is a thief, a liar, a killer.
Lysander’s plan is to hold her captive and train to be sinless.
Bianka’s plan is to drive him utterly insane with lust.
She is untameable, playful, and naughty. Soon Lysander’s iron control is cracked and Bianka realizes that she doesn’t really mind to be captured after all.
I loved their interactions, their bantering:
Their first time together is one of the finest, most perfect erotic scenes I’ve read so far. It is sensual, intimate, and full of emotions.
The ending is just perfect!
Love, love, love this story! Oh, and I do want my own cloud!
But the best is Paris’ appearance. Oh, Paris, my favorite Lord! Normally I’m pretty satisfied with my imagination, but Paris and Lysander’s oil wrestling is something I definitely want to see for real. I guess I’m not the only one…
Okay, back to Lysander and Bianka…
Lysander is a warrior angel, one of the Elite Seven. As an assassin, his only goal is to destroy demons. His calm and sense of duty are unflinching. But as every angel, he has one potential downfall.
When they found this… thing, this abomination, they happily destroyed it before it could destroy them.
Lysander had finally found his.
Bianka Skyhawk.
Bianka is the daughter of a Harpy and a phoenix, spawned from the bloodline of Lucifer. She is a thief, a liar, a killer.
Lysander’s plan is to hold her captive and train to be sinless.
Bianka’s plan is to drive him utterly insane with lust.
She is untameable, playful, and naughty. Soon Lysander’s iron control is cracked and Bianka realizes that she doesn’t really mind to be captured after all.
I loved their interactions, their bantering:
She stuffed another scarf in her purse.
“Put it back, and I’ll give you a kiss,” he gritted out.
“Here’s a proposition for you. Steal something from this store and I’ll kiss you.”
Their first time together is one of the finest, most perfect erotic scenes I’ve read so far. It is sensual, intimate, and full of emotions.
The ending is just perfect!
“You have not committed an unpardonable sin.”
She gulped. “And if I do?”
“I will fall.”
Love, love, love this story! Oh, and I do want my own cloud!
May 1, 2016
This series is my Current obsession !
June 8, 2020
"The Darkest Angel" is a novella that takes place right after "The Darkest Whisper".All the characters are making themselves ready for the upcoming wedding between Sabin and Gwen,except for the carefree harpy Bianka Skyhawk who also is a phoenix shape-shifter.She gets abducted by the Beautiful and stoic Warrior Angel Lysander,who takes her to the heavens to make a good person out of her.But she is the first and only woman he have ever desired,and with Bianka tempting him mercilessly..he will soon have to surrender.
Lysander and Bianka are two very extreme forces that actually complemented each other, each giving the other what he or she lacked.Both in strength and stubborness they equaled,and damn they were mad for each other!I love it when Bianka made Paris oil wrestle with Lysander on that tub-that was so hilarious that i fell over my bed with laughter!
What i found more romantic was that Lysander was a Virgin and had never even kissed anyone before Bianka,gosh i found that soooooo sweet!
Lysander and Bianka are two very extreme forces that actually complemented each other, each giving the other what he or she lacked.Both in strength and stubborness they equaled,and damn they were mad for each other!I love it when Bianka made Paris oil wrestle with Lysander on that tub-that was so hilarious that i fell over my bed with laughter!
What i found more romantic was that Lysander was a Virgin and had never even kissed anyone before Bianka,gosh i found that soooooo sweet!
November 5, 2018
I really enjoyed this shortie between Bianka and Lysander, i only wished it was a full length Novel rather than a novella... Im sure interested in the teasers between Olivia and Aeron also, cant wait for next book.....
September 20, 2018
2.5*
This was just ok, as is typical of most novellas unfortunately I found the characters and relationship needed more building especially as Lysander was a judgemental hoity toity ass for most of the book and wanted to change Bianca into what he felt she should be like rather than say..... The damn Harpy he knew her to be! Bianca was ok as an h but I'd have preferred her to be harder on Lysander,though she wasn't a doormat and did know that she deserved better.
Considering Lysander pulled his head out of his ass after a conversation with Olivia I'm still not satisfied with his turnabout nevertheless it was an ok read and I'm on to the next.
This was just ok, as is typical of most novellas unfortunately I found the characters and relationship needed more building especially as Lysander was a judgemental hoity toity ass for most of the book and wanted to change Bianca into what he felt she should be like rather than say..... The damn Harpy he knew her to be! Bianca was ok as an h but I'd have preferred her to be harder on Lysander,though she wasn't a doormat and did know that she deserved better.
Considering Lysander pulled his head out of his ass after a conversation with Olivia I'm still not satisfied with his turnabout nevertheless it was an ok read and I'm on to the next.
February 23, 2019
Lysander. That's reason enough to read this. One of the Elite Seven and hot as hell. I wished it was a full length novel!
January 6, 2019
I am SO ready for The Darkest Passion and Aeron's story, especially now after reading this SS with snippets about Olivia and her crush on Aeron. It should be a good one considering she was once one of the angelic "joy-bringers" and has since become one of the warriors, who is ordered to kill him for letting little Legion outta hell.
(Read as a part of Heart of Darkness anthology @ Mar 2010)
"His goodness somehow balanced her out ... they were two extremes and actually complemented each other, each giving the other what he or she lacked."I really enjoyed Lysander & Bianca's story. Bianca, Gwen's Harpy sister, is a riot. Showalter picked a perfect match for her, an angel.
(Read as a part of Heart of Darkness anthology @ Mar 2010)
June 13, 2017
Love Bianka and Lysander...the book is even better the second time around!
June 15, 2020
5 Stars
My face is hurting from grinning and smiling.
I love sassy heroines who aren't afraid of doing what they want when they want and Bianka was definitely that. Sassy, witty, and courageous. I loved her so much in this book. Bianka and Lysander were perfect together, I loved their story and the ending made me so emotional.
My face is hurting from grinning and smiling.
I love sassy heroines who aren't afraid of doing what they want when they want and Bianka was definitely that. Sassy, witty, and courageous. I loved her so much in this book. Bianka and Lysander were perfect together, I loved their story and the ending made me so emotional.
February 23, 2023
Loved reading about these two again, and I can't wait to continue on again!
*First Read June 14th, 2013*
This was a fantastic read, I loved reading about this couple, and I can't wait to continue the series!
*First Read June 14th, 2013*
This was a fantastic read, I loved reading about this couple, and I can't wait to continue the series!
October 12, 2021
The Darkest Angel by Gena Showalter review.
Synopsis:
Winged warrior Lysander has been alive for centuries, and yet he's never known desire--until he meets Bianka. Spawned from the bloodline of his enemy, the beautiful but deadly Harpy is determined to lead the untouched Lysander into temptation. He may try to evade her attempts, but even the most iron-willed demon assassin can resist for only so long....
“Got anything to drink here?”
“No.”
“Eat?”
“No.”
“Wear?”
“No.”
Slowly the corners of her lips lifted. “I guess that means you like to go naked. Awesome.”
His cheeks reddened. “Enough. You are trying to bait me and I do not like it.”
This novella was a healthy mix of funny and smutty. It was *chefs kiss*
‘Lysander, a goody-goody, was her consort.’
I loved reading about Bianka and Lysander’s story! Plus it made way for the events to come in the next book featuring Aeron! Can’t wait.
“I’ve been ready for you my entire life. I just didn’t know it until now.”
Holy fuck. That line actually made me bawl like a baby..
4/5 Stars!
Synopsis:
Winged warrior Lysander has been alive for centuries, and yet he's never known desire--until he meets Bianka. Spawned from the bloodline of his enemy, the beautiful but deadly Harpy is determined to lead the untouched Lysander into temptation. He may try to evade her attempts, but even the most iron-willed demon assassin can resist for only so long....
“Got anything to drink here?”
“No.”
“Eat?”
“No.”
“Wear?”
“No.”
Slowly the corners of her lips lifted. “I guess that means you like to go naked. Awesome.”
His cheeks reddened. “Enough. You are trying to bait me and I do not like it.”
This novella was a healthy mix of funny and smutty. It was *chefs kiss*
‘Lysander, a goody-goody, was her consort.’
I loved reading about Bianka and Lysander’s story! Plus it made way for the events to come in the next book featuring Aeron! Can’t wait.
“I’ve been ready for you my entire life. I just didn’t know it until now.”
Holy fuck. That line actually made me bawl like a baby..
4/5 Stars!
October 16, 2021
I just love this book so much.
Considering how short it is, it made me feel all the emotions! I was laughing and heartbroken and rooting for Bianka and Lysander like nobody’s business.
I loved Bianka’s vulnerability with her Sent One and just wanted to protect her from Lysander at times. He finally sees the right path but my heart actually broke at times.
I just love this book so much
Considering how short it is, it made me feel all the emotions! I was laughing and heartbroken and rooting for Bianka and Lysander like nobody’s business.
I loved Bianka’s vulnerability with her Sent One and just wanted to protect her from Lysander at times. He finally sees the right path but my heart actually broke at times.
I just love this book so much
February 11, 2024
You know what, reading this book before reading Darkest Passion (as intended) would have been super helpful and probably would have left me feeling less lost about what was going on. Anyway, not the biggest fan of Lysander or Bianka. Their story felt very flat and they both came off as 1 dimensional. Also after reading this and reflecting on Lysander's behavior in Darkest Passion, he's straight up a hypocrite so I can't stand him. This was thankfully a short read and I'm glad to be done with it.
April 11, 2018
Enjoyed rereading this short story, part of my favourite and only guilty pleasure PNR series, this was also one of my favourite novellas, mostly because it features side characters who are just so cute together. Bianka is definitely not a pushover, and Lysander's goody two shoe-ness learns different ways to be "good" - or in this case angelically bad.
July 26, 2017
Özlemişim be ..
Lysander ve Bianka merak ettiğim bir çiftti ve bulunca hemen yapıştım 🤗 Pegasus çevirse de herkes bu güzelliği okusa 😏 Long live Gena Showalter 💚
Lysander ve Bianka merak ettiğim bir çiftti ve bulunca hemen yapıştım 🤗 Pegasus çevirse de herkes bu güzelliği okusa 😏 Long live Gena Showalter 💚
July 27, 2024
I like the world of the Lords of the Underworld a lot, but this novella is just......how could angels be so boring...although the God's shinning and righteous army is hardly any fun, but still. LOL
October 15, 2020
Not to be missed!
I couldn't put this book down. You've got to love a harpy. Even an angelic being can't help wanting his downfall, Bianka. Bianka is my hero. I can't count the many times she made me laugh, smirk, or want to wack Lysander on the head. She turns he own cloud against him... sorta. That was so freaking funny.
I highly recommend this book and series. I also suggest reading the books in order. Not that you need to in order to understand whats going on. But it will make your reading experience more enjoyable.
I couldn't put this book down. You've got to love a harpy. Even an angelic being can't help wanting his downfall, Bianka. Bianka is my hero. I can't count the many times she made me laugh, smirk, or want to wack Lysander on the head. She turns he own cloud against him... sorta. That was so freaking funny.
I highly recommend this book and series. I also suggest reading the books in order. Not that you need to in order to understand whats going on. But it will make your reading experience more enjoyable.
January 2, 2025
Recycled review from 2016: Just finished re-reading this novella and I can't believe that I didn't mention a certain scene the first time I reviewed The Darkest Angel. The Lords of the Underworld series is one of my favorite paranormal romance series and though there have been many, many lines and scenes that have been spectacular in one way or another, my favorite funny moment takes place in this novella. When Bianca takes control of Lysander's cloud, requests his robe changed into a loin cloth, places him in a tub of oil, summons Paris, and makes them wrestle is bloody frakkin brilliant!!! I loved it the first time I read it and re-reading it made me like it even more. Gena Showalter rocks my world.
Original review from the After Dark anthology: I'm currently reading the Lords of the Underworld series and since I want to get to the next book, I only read Gena Showalter's novella The Darkest Angel. It was really, really good. I absolutely love this series and it was fun to see things from the harpy, Bianca's POV as she is almost as much fun as Anya, the goddess of Anarchy. Though they've been mentioned, this is the first time angels have actually been introduced in the series. I thought Lysander was great and really enjoyed meeting Olivia, who happens to be the heroine in the next book. That being said, I'm off to start reading Aeron and Olivia's story.
If I read the other novella(s) in this anthology my rating will probably change. I can guarantee that the other stories will not compare to this one.
Original review from the After Dark anthology: I'm currently reading the Lords of the Underworld series and since I want to get to the next book, I only read Gena Showalter's novella The Darkest Angel. It was really, really good. I absolutely love this series and it was fun to see things from the harpy, Bianca's POV as she is almost as much fun as Anya, the goddess of Anarchy. Though they've been mentioned, this is the first time angels have actually been introduced in the series. I thought Lysander was great and really enjoyed meeting Olivia, who happens to be the heroine in the next book. That being said, I'm off to start reading Aeron and Olivia's story.
If I read the other novella(s) in this anthology my rating will probably change. I can guarantee that the other stories will not compare to this one.
July 2, 2018
A GOOD FUCKIN NOVELLA.
Dammmnn GS sure knows how to write a good romance
ONWARD TO MY NEXT REVIEW THEN BACK TO MY BOOK CAVE
Dammmnn GS sure knows how to write a good romance
ONWARD TO MY NEXT REVIEW THEN BACK TO MY BOOK CAVE
January 14, 2019
5 Sexy Angel Stars!!
Oh Lysandy, you sexy angel. I do love a good virgin hero story. This one did NOT disappoint.
I love Bianca too. We met her in The Darkest Whisper (Sabin & Gwen's book). Loved her even more in this one and all the things she does to Lysander's cloud. Freaking hilarious.
I also liked how we get to see L before he's a minor-ish character in the next book as his former charge, Olivia, is the heroine of that book.
All in all, is this novella necessary if you're reading LOTU? No. Should you still read it? Hell yes.
Dear Future Me,
If you don't re-read this the next go-around, Mal, you'll regret it.
Kthanksloveubai,
Past Me.
Oh Lysandy, you sexy angel. I do love a good virgin hero story. This one did NOT disappoint.
I love Bianca too. We met her in The Darkest Whisper (Sabin & Gwen's book). Loved her even more in this one and all the things she does to Lysander's cloud. Freaking hilarious.
I also liked how we get to see L before he's a minor-ish character in the next book as his former charge, Olivia, is the heroine of that book.
All in all, is this novella necessary if you're reading LOTU? No. Should you still read it? Hell yes.
Dear Future Me,
If you don't re-read this the next go-around, Mal, you'll regret it.
Kthanksloveubai,
Past Me.
November 18, 2017
Hadi zalımların zalımı Genacığım bir hatadır yapmış Lysander'ın kitabını novellaların arasına koymuş ama seriyi çeviren yayınevini ne yapmalıyız? Bu güzelliği çevirmeden geçmek de başka bir suç değil de nedir, söyleyin lütfen!
July 7, 2026
2.75 Stars!This was...I'm not sure if the issue is that I haven't read The Darkest Whisper yet or what (I'm going to, but library holds came in in the wrong order XD), but I didn't feel as connected(?) to people. It's clear we meet Bianka and Lysander in that book, so maybe it would have fit a little more if I'd read in order. Or maybe my issue is the fact that I feel like things suffered storywise because this is a novella, so it was short and compressed and we didn't have time to get a connection.
I did like that things were reversed/flipped with Lysander being the virgin and Bianka kind of showing him things. I also liked the way he started to realize things about her, before he acknowledged his feelings, but like when he first brought her to his cloud and he realized what was going on with the food and things like that.
The whole thing with their breakup was interesting and I did like Bianka calling him on the whole "who are you to decide?" aspect. Her comments about fighting, on the one hand, I agree with her thought process. On the other, she shouldn't have had to fight alone. But then again, Lysander needed time to remove his head from his posterior.
I liked getting to know a little more about Olivia and I'm curious about how things will work out with her and Aeron. Now I have to go hope Whisper is available from my holds so I can see how Gwen and Sabin get together! Plus, there's references to oil wrestling that I'm slightly interested in.
January 6, 2019
La historia de Lysander y Bianka me hizo reír un montón!
Las arpías son sumamente divertidas!!! Cada ocurrencia que tienen...
Lysander y Bianka son dos seres que ni loca habría pensado que terminarían juntos...!!
Ahí donde lo ves... el super ángel jefe de todos y la arpía más incorregible...!!!
Pero me encantaron!! y fue genial como Gena introduce un grupo más de gente a la historia... nc cómo nc marea con tantos personajes!!
Las arpías son sumamente divertidas!!! Cada ocurrencia que tienen...
Lysander y Bianka son dos seres que ni loca habría pensado que terminarían juntos...!!
Ahí donde lo ves... el super ángel jefe de todos y la arpía más incorregible...!!!
Pero me encantaron!! y fue genial como Gena introduce un grupo más de gente a la historia... nc cómo nc marea con tantos personajes!!
September 18, 2020
Great little novella in this series. Sure we take a break from all of the Lords and the path of their quest, but Bianka is such a fun force of nature. I love her spunk. She's not going to take any crap from her angel. He thinks he can control her and mold her the way he wants...so not what is going to happen. She turns his world upside down in the best way possible. I love how she torments him to break him out of his narrow way of thinking.
February 20, 2020
Super fun addition to the series.
I adore this couple they have such banter and originality.
Lysander is tough and innocent and cant keep his eyes off Bianka.
Bianka is stubborn and tough and oh sooo sassy
As a couple they are fireworks and sweetness.
All up thoroughly enjoyable addition to the series and a definite favorite. Cannot wait to continue on with Aeron's story.
I adore this couple they have such banter and originality.
Lysander is tough and innocent and cant keep his eyes off Bianka.
Bianka is stubborn and tough and oh sooo sassy
As a couple they are fireworks and sweetness.
All up thoroughly enjoyable addition to the series and a definite favorite. Cannot wait to continue on with Aeron's story.
January 30, 2021
This was so fun, and covered so many of my favorite tropes lol.
November 19, 2019
I absolutely loved lysander and bianka's book!!!!!full of non stop action,steamy love scenes and hilarity!!!Gena does it again!!!!!a definite MUST READ!!!!!
February 11, 2020
4 stars
This was a very enjoyable story but Lysander had an attitude that made me not like him that much. He learned his lesson in the end but before that, he could have used a kick in the nuts. Bianka...well, she's a harpy and admittedly crazy but I liked her very much. Despite their bad start, it was nice to see Bianka and Lysander work things out and get their HEA.
This was a very enjoyable story but Lysander had an attitude that made me not like him that much. He learned his lesson in the end but before that, he could have used a kick in the nuts. Bianka...well, she's a harpy and admittedly crazy but I liked her very much. Despite their bad start, it was nice to see Bianka and Lysander work things out and get their HEA.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews