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The Esri #1
The Dark Gate
Larsen Vale has a secret: she sees things. Terrible things. Deadly things.
And her latest vision features a strange albino man...and her own death. Haunted and afraid, she trusts no one, not even the handsome cop who seems fascinated with her. Washington, D.C., detective Jack Hallihan has one mission: find the man who is assaulting young women.
But the police have no clues, no leads and no witnesses. And Jack has a deadly secret of his own - a secret Larsen holds the key to. Time is running out. If Larsen and Jack can't learn to trust their attraction to each other, the Gate will be opened - and the world will be forever changed....
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2007
9 people are currently reading
995 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Palmer
67 books1,228 followersPamela Palmer is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Feral Warriors shape-shifter series, the Esri Series, and (coming in 2012) the Vamp City series. Raised in an Air Force family, Pamela lived in eleven different houses by the time she was fourteen. The two constants in her life—her family and her imagination. When her initial career goal of captaining starships didn't pan out, she turned to engineering, satisfying her desire for adventure with books and daydreams until finally succumbing to the need to create worlds of her own. Pamela now calls the suburbs of Washington, D.C. home.
For excerpts, more about the books and characters, and fun contests, visit www.pamelapalmer.net.
For excerpts, more about the books and characters, and fun contests, visit www.pamelapalmer.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 13, 2016
I binge read this book. It wasn't my intention to read cover-to-cover in one sitting; I simply didn't want to put it down.
The Dark Gate was a satisfying mix of paranormal and suspense. I was pleased with the fresh plot - A being from an alternate dimension has slipped through an ancient hidden portal and is terrorizing his way through Washington DC unchecked and seemingly invincible. - a fun ride from an author I'd never heard of before receiving the book.
This is the first book in the Esri series, and I can see myself reading and enjoying the rest of the books.
***I won an autographed copy of this book through GoodReads***
The Dark Gate was a satisfying mix of paranormal and suspense. I was pleased with the fresh plot - A being from an alternate dimension has slipped through an ancient hidden portal and is terrorizing his way through Washington DC unchecked and seemingly invincible. - a fun ride from an author I'd never heard of before receiving the book.
"The night air crackled with malevolence. Threat danced on the humid breeze, raking its nails down Jack's spine while mounting questions pricked his skin, itching like new wool. Never in his life had he felt so off-balance. He'd dealt with rapists before, and murderers. With thieves and car-jackers and gang-bangers. But never had he faced anyone like this - a villain whose powers and abilities defied logic. How in the hell could a man hypnotize cops with a song? One measly song?"The only thing keeping this book from being five stars was that the romance was a little hit-or-miss in my opinion. The sexual attraction was certainly there for our main characters, but I wasn't sold on the emotional connection (outside of pity or protectiveness) I'm just not sure that the love was there. Perhaps a little more character development was needed in this respect?
This is the first book in the Esri series, and I can see myself reading and enjoying the rest of the books.
***I won an autographed copy of this book through GoodReads***
December 8, 2017
This was better and worse than I was expecting. It actually had a good plot. A man was killing and raping people with multiple witnesses every time but no one could ever remember what happened. Jack was the cop on the case, but he had his own problems. He heard garbled voices in his head. He met Larson, and her touch was the only thing to quiet the voices. Larson had her own issues.
As Jack and Larson learned more about the murderer, they realized they were in way over their heads because what they learned didn't seem possible. They learned a lot more about the world around them and themselves while working on the case. The world building was the best part. The murder mystery was okay. There wasn't much to figure out there other than his motive.
The romance was where the story was lacking. It did have its strong points. It wasn't all about sex. The sex was minimal and wasn't described in detail. I didn't feel a strong connection emotionally between Jack and Larson. They went from lust to love quickly without really knowing much about the other person. Neither of them revealed their secrets until they had no choice. It might have seemed more like love if they had decided to trust each other with their deep secrets rather than being forced to divulge them.
As Jack and Larson learned more about the murderer, they realized they were in way over their heads because what they learned didn't seem possible. They learned a lot more about the world around them and themselves while working on the case. The world building was the best part. The murder mystery was okay. There wasn't much to figure out there other than his motive.
The romance was where the story was lacking. It did have its strong points. It wasn't all about sex. The sex was minimal and wasn't described in detail. I didn't feel a strong connection emotionally between Jack and Larson. They went from lust to love quickly without really knowing much about the other person. Neither of them revealed their secrets until they had no choice. It might have seemed more like love if they had decided to trust each other with their deep secrets rather than being forced to divulge them.
December 30, 2012
I enjoy this elf world setup, but I did not like the development of the story and sources of conflict.
I like the plot, how the Esri affect humans, and the Esri plans. Esri are elf creatures from a parallel dimension. I like the character definitions. Some humans are immune to the Esri because their ancestors had elf blood in them. The Esri call these humans Sitheen. This is book 1 in a 4 book series.
The story suffered due to weak plot devices and false assumptions to create conflict. It could have been sooo much better.
When Larsen was a child she had premonitions of people dying which came true. The biggest problem is that Larsen believes she is evil because she has visions. She won’t tell anyone about her visions. Finally at the end of the book she tells someone and is surprised when they tell her you’re not evil, it’s just a bad vision. Then she has a happy ending. Too artificial for me - having all her angst and actions (throughout the book) revolving around this one false fear. I repeatedly wanted to shake her and make her tell Jack about the visons. But no, this was used to create conflict and angst. Jack knows she’s keeping a secret. Several times she lies as part of keeping the secret. This was not interesting.
Jack too kept a secret from Larsen until close to the end of the book. He wanted her trust, yet he didn’t share his secret about hearing voices. It felt wrong. The author didn’t develop this well.
At the end Jack looks at her with desire and says “we need to talk.” Larsen falsely assumes he is going to break up with her - oh more angst! But no, a page later, he simply tells her he wants to keep seeing her.
A few other “kind of stupid things” annoyed me. For example they discover that holly touching someone stops the Esri’s power over them. So they tie holly to a guy. But the holly keeps falling off, and when it does the guy attacks them. This happens more than once. Why didn’t they secure the holly better?
We are never in the bad guy’s head. The book could have had more depth if we were in the heads of Baleris and maybe his servant Tarrys.
Sex scenes include a rape, (vaguely referred to, no details), two partial sex scenes, and two regular sex scenes - no details. These were generic, not hot.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 267 pages. Swearing language: moderate, including religious swear words but not often used. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 5. Setting: current day Washington, D.C. and Virginia. Copyright: 2007. Genre: fantasy romantic suspense.
I like the plot, how the Esri affect humans, and the Esri plans. Esri are elf creatures from a parallel dimension. I like the character definitions. Some humans are immune to the Esri because their ancestors had elf blood in them. The Esri call these humans Sitheen. This is book 1 in a 4 book series.
The story suffered due to weak plot devices and false assumptions to create conflict. It could have been sooo much better.
When Larsen was a child she had premonitions of people dying which came true. The biggest problem is that Larsen believes she is evil because she has visions. She won’t tell anyone about her visions. Finally at the end of the book she tells someone and is surprised when they tell her you’re not evil, it’s just a bad vision. Then she has a happy ending. Too artificial for me - having all her angst and actions (throughout the book) revolving around this one false fear. I repeatedly wanted to shake her and make her tell Jack about the visons. But no, this was used to create conflict and angst. Jack knows she’s keeping a secret. Several times she lies as part of keeping the secret. This was not interesting.
Jack too kept a secret from Larsen until close to the end of the book. He wanted her trust, yet he didn’t share his secret about hearing voices. It felt wrong. The author didn’t develop this well.
At the end Jack looks at her with desire and says “we need to talk.” Larsen falsely assumes he is going to break up with her - oh more angst! But no, a page later, he simply tells her he wants to keep seeing her.
A few other “kind of stupid things” annoyed me. For example they discover that holly touching someone stops the Esri’s power over them. So they tie holly to a guy. But the holly keeps falling off, and when it does the guy attacks them. This happens more than once. Why didn’t they secure the holly better?
We are never in the bad guy’s head. The book could have had more depth if we were in the heads of Baleris and maybe his servant Tarrys.
Sex scenes include a rape, (vaguely referred to, no details), two partial sex scenes, and two regular sex scenes - no details. These were generic, not hot.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 267 pages. Swearing language: moderate, including religious swear words but not often used. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 5. Setting: current day Washington, D.C. and Virginia. Copyright: 2007. Genre: fantasy romantic suspense.
December 30, 2012
2.75 stars. I didn't care too much for this book, but I liked the series, especially books 2 and 3.
September 10, 2013
I WON THIS BOOK FROM GOODREADS GIVE AWAYS.
THIS BOOK IS CRIME-DRAMA, MEETS PARANORMAL ROMANCE, VERY FAST, THRILLING READ.HARD TO PUT DOWN. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO READING MORE FROM THIS AUTHOR!!!!
THIS BOOK IS CRIME-DRAMA, MEETS PARANORMAL ROMANCE, VERY FAST, THRILLING READ.HARD TO PUT DOWN. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO READING MORE FROM THIS AUTHOR!!!!
December 26, 2013
First Reads Review - The Dark Gate by Pamela Palmer
This is actually the second book I've read by Pamela Palmer, and I didn't realize when I signed up to win this one that it was the same writer (because I apparently don't pay attention too well). If I had noticed I might have avoided it, because the vampire romance that I read of her's, A Blood Seduction, was not good. It was creepy and rape-y and, well, I guess I shouldn't preface this book with talking about a different one, but I just want to explain where I was at approaching this book. I was ready to dislike it. Instead, however, I found a rather standard but completely decent story involving some magic and elves. A huge step up from vampires, in my opinion.
Of course, apparently the rape had to still be in there, this time with a mind-controlling elf that enters into the human world to conquer. Hurrah, I guess, and at least this time he's not the main romantic interest. No, this time the guy is a cop with voices in his head and the woman is an attorney with visions of the future. Death visions. It was mainly well done there, except that the "strain" between them where she doesn't want to tell him about her visions seemed a bit too extreme. Even with magic and knowing he hears voices, she doesn't expect him to be cool with her having a power that can help them? It seemed a bit artificial given everything else that was going on, but it didn't stop them from being cute together.
This is also a story that puts the two characters together and there is this immediate connection, this immediate true love. Again, it's not terribly done, but it did make me roll my eyes a few times. Everything is very dramatic, which I guess is standard for these things, but it seemed a bit more so here, where plot points hinge on characters being too emotional or too distracted to see something that really should be quite obvious. So Sabrina just witnessed magical healing, but then refuses to believe that her father might be controlled, even though she kind of accepted that before. Just because she's a teen girl?
So while this was a fun enough book, and the sex was good and the characters were decent, it just never really got going. The plot is interesting enough, and there are vague hints that there is a deeper setting than the one that is shown. But nothing really comes together. The action, the drama, the characters, they all remain rather shallow, and while they provide a good enough time, they don't manage to do anything really great. They remain firmly planted in the decent, in the good, but that only earns three stars out of five in my book.
This is actually the second book I've read by Pamela Palmer, and I didn't realize when I signed up to win this one that it was the same writer (because I apparently don't pay attention too well). If I had noticed I might have avoided it, because the vampire romance that I read of her's, A Blood Seduction, was not good. It was creepy and rape-y and, well, I guess I shouldn't preface this book with talking about a different one, but I just want to explain where I was at approaching this book. I was ready to dislike it. Instead, however, I found a rather standard but completely decent story involving some magic and elves. A huge step up from vampires, in my opinion.
Of course, apparently the rape had to still be in there, this time with a mind-controlling elf that enters into the human world to conquer. Hurrah, I guess, and at least this time he's not the main romantic interest. No, this time the guy is a cop with voices in his head and the woman is an attorney with visions of the future. Death visions. It was mainly well done there, except that the "strain" between them where she doesn't want to tell him about her visions seemed a bit too extreme. Even with magic and knowing he hears voices, she doesn't expect him to be cool with her having a power that can help them? It seemed a bit artificial given everything else that was going on, but it didn't stop them from being cute together.
This is also a story that puts the two characters together and there is this immediate connection, this immediate true love. Again, it's not terribly done, but it did make me roll my eyes a few times. Everything is very dramatic, which I guess is standard for these things, but it seemed a bit more so here, where plot points hinge on characters being too emotional or too distracted to see something that really should be quite obvious. So Sabrina just witnessed magical healing, but then refuses to believe that her father might be controlled, even though she kind of accepted that before. Just because she's a teen girl?
So while this was a fun enough book, and the sex was good and the characters were decent, it just never really got going. The plot is interesting enough, and there are vague hints that there is a deeper setting than the one that is shown. But nothing really comes together. The action, the drama, the characters, they all remain rather shallow, and while they provide a good enough time, they don't manage to do anything really great. They remain firmly planted in the decent, in the good, but that only earns three stars out of five in my book.
October 1, 2010
This book was so formulaic, it could have been a Mad Lib. There aren't any flaws with the writing. There's just nothing to the plot or the description of the romance that does anything to make the story really pop.
It could be worse, but it could be so so so much better. Lost races with better powers than humans, and people with ancient bloodlines are interesting concepts and potential plots.
But if it weren't being written to fill a specific formula, those potentials could have really taken off, and made an awesome book.
It could be worse, but it could be so so so much better. Lost races with better powers than humans, and people with ancient bloodlines are interesting concepts and potential plots.
But if it weren't being written to fill a specific formula, those potentials could have really taken off, and made an awesome book.
September 14, 2013
I don't give spoilers, so if you want to know more about this novel, read it!! Nicely written fantasy/paranormal romance. Smooth transitions, good pace, and likeable characters. Descriptives were excellent and the conflict of emotions between the hero and the heroine kept me reading nonstop. The only negative thing I can say was the ending did feel a little rushed. ~A.S. Johnson, author
July 28, 2008
Don't even bother reading the back cover. This one's a stinker.
February 1, 2012
I enjoyed this book and I liked the suspense but in my opinion they kind of rushed to the end. When did the characters fall in love ? I didn't see it. They just suddenly were .
April 7, 2022
DNF and will never recommend it to anyone. Plot is awfully weak. A FEMALE prosecutor who choose to run after she had a vision of an acquintance of an acquintance got raped. Yes, she saw her own demise in said vision but surely she should try to prevent it without harming herself. Absolutely not my chosen of heroine.
January 7, 2018
Jane’s review pretty much covers all my issues with this book.
December 13, 2019
Was a bit slow to start but suddenly found myself hooked . Will definitely be reading the rest of this series .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2013
Absolutely, without a doubt, Loved this book! "The Dark Gate" is an urban fantasy sure to keep you turning pages. Read this in one setting not willing to put it down until finished. Fast read, fast pace, fascinating novel.
As you start reading you think it's going to be a police mystery but it's so much more. Jack Hallihan is a Detective in the Washington, D.C. Police Department with a crime that consumes him with it's seemingly impossible execution. Brutal rapes committed in front of witnesses that no one, not even the victim, can remember. To make matters worse he has a secret that he believes is driving him crazy. Jack only hopes he can solve the mystery surrounding the case before he loses his mind.
From Jack's first encounter with Larsen Vale he is hopelessly attracted. Hopeless in that he has pretty much decided he'll never have a wife and the children he longs for and because Larsen is know as an "Ice Bitch extraordinaire." Larsen has her own secrets she's been protecting since she was eight years old. Secrets that she considers a curse and prevents her from forming relationships with anyone, male or female. Fate has it's own plans for both of them when Larsen's curse plunges her into the middle of Jack's rape case, turned murder case.
Truly don't want to ruin any of the twist and turns that make the book so much fun to read. And it is a fun read.
Mrs. Palmer creates delightful, believable characters. Jack is so engaging with his charm, humor, and kick butt badness. Larsen captures your sympathy with her loneliness and the reasons for it. Attraction is undeniable. Trust is something neither of them are willing to extent to the other.
This is an absolute DO READ for anyone over the age of 17 if you are into urban fantasy and even if you're not would still recommend for you to give it a try. Can be read as a stand alone book. Luckily there is another book "Dark Deceiver" that continues the supernatural elements introduced in "The Dark Gate". I have it and it's next up to be read!
As you start reading you think it's going to be a police mystery but it's so much more. Jack Hallihan is a Detective in the Washington, D.C. Police Department with a crime that consumes him with it's seemingly impossible execution. Brutal rapes committed in front of witnesses that no one, not even the victim, can remember. To make matters worse he has a secret that he believes is driving him crazy. Jack only hopes he can solve the mystery surrounding the case before he loses his mind.
From Jack's first encounter with Larsen Vale he is hopelessly attracted. Hopeless in that he has pretty much decided he'll never have a wife and the children he longs for and because Larsen is know as an "Ice Bitch extraordinaire." Larsen has her own secrets she's been protecting since she was eight years old. Secrets that she considers a curse and prevents her from forming relationships with anyone, male or female. Fate has it's own plans for both of them when Larsen's curse plunges her into the middle of Jack's rape case, turned murder case.
Truly don't want to ruin any of the twist and turns that make the book so much fun to read. And it is a fun read.
Mrs. Palmer creates delightful, believable characters. Jack is so engaging with his charm, humor, and kick butt badness. Larsen captures your sympathy with her loneliness and the reasons for it. Attraction is undeniable. Trust is something neither of them are willing to extent to the other.
This is an absolute DO READ for anyone over the age of 17 if you are into urban fantasy and even if you're not would still recommend for you to give it a try. Can be read as a stand alone book. Luckily there is another book "Dark Deceiver" that continues the supernatural elements introduced in "The Dark Gate". I have it and it's next up to be read!
July 16, 2024
Absolutely, without a doubt, Loved this book! "The Dark Gate" is an urban fantasy sure to keep you turning pages. Read this in one setting not willing to put it down until finished. Fast read, fast pace, fascinating novel.
As you start reading you think it's going to be a police mystery but it's so much more. Jack Hallihan is a Detective in the Washington, D.C. Police Department with a crime that consumes him with it's seemingly impossible execution. Brutal rapes committed in front of witnesses that no one, not even the victim, can remember. To make matters worse he has a secret that he believes is driving him crazy. Jack only hopes he can solve the mystery surrounding the case before he loses his mind.
From Jack's first encounter with Larsen Vale he is hopelessly attracted. Hopeless in that he has pretty much decided he'll never have a wife and the children he longs for and because Larsen is know as an "Ice Bitch extraordinaire." Larsen has her own secrets she's been protecting since she was eight years old. Secrets that she considers a curse and prevents her from forming relationships with anyone, male or female. Fate has it's own plans for both of them when Larsen's curse plunges her into the middle of Jack's rape case, turned murder case.
Truly don't want to ruin any of the twist and turns that make the book so much fun to read. And it is a fun read.
Mrs. Palmer creates delightful, believable characters. Jack is so engaging with his charm, humor, and kick butt badness. Larsen captures your sympathy with her loneliness and the reasons for it. Attraction is undeniable. Trust is something neither of them are willing to extent to the other.
This is an absolute DO READ for anyone over the age of 17 if you are into urban fantasy and even if you're not would still recommend for you to give it a try. Can be read as a stand alone book. Luckily there is another book "Dark Deceiver" that continues the supernatural elements introduced in "The Dark Gate". I have it and it's next up to be read!
As you start reading you think it's going to be a police mystery but it's so much more. Jack Hallihan is a Detective in the Washington, D.C. Police Department with a crime that consumes him with it's seemingly impossible execution. Brutal rapes committed in front of witnesses that no one, not even the victim, can remember. To make matters worse he has a secret that he believes is driving him crazy. Jack only hopes he can solve the mystery surrounding the case before he loses his mind.
From Jack's first encounter with Larsen Vale he is hopelessly attracted. Hopeless in that he has pretty much decided he'll never have a wife and the children he longs for and because Larsen is know as an "Ice Bitch extraordinaire." Larsen has her own secrets she's been protecting since she was eight years old. Secrets that she considers a curse and prevents her from forming relationships with anyone, male or female. Fate has it's own plans for both of them when Larsen's curse plunges her into the middle of Jack's rape case, turned murder case.
Truly don't want to ruin any of the twist and turns that make the book so much fun to read. And it is a fun read.
Mrs. Palmer creates delightful, believable characters. Jack is so engaging with his charm, humor, and kick butt badness. Larsen captures your sympathy with her loneliness and the reasons for it. Attraction is undeniable. Trust is something neither of them are willing to extent to the other.
This is an absolute DO READ for anyone over the age of 17 if you are into urban fantasy and even if you're not would still recommend for you to give it a try. Can be read as a stand alone book. Luckily there is another book "Dark Deceiver" that continues the supernatural elements introduced in "The Dark Gate". I have it and it's next up to be read!
August 9, 2007
I cheered for the Nocturne line when it was first announced. I have been reading along, sometimes finding fantastic books, other times disappointed.
I was thrilled by The Dark Gate. This, finally, was the sort of book I thought Nocturne was looking for. I think it's a fantastic debut novel and I can't wait for the sequels to this book.
Larsen Vale is a high-powered attorney, known as an Ice Bitch. She doesn't connect with people, always remaining aloof and apart. The reason? She has a secret: she has death visions, episodes in which she sees the death of those she cares about. For years, she's harbored the slight belief that she's somehow responsible for them. For years, she's thankfully been vision free, but now, she's having visions again and they all center around a strange, albino man.
Jack Hallihan is a D.C. detective working a high-profile case. He's seen Larsen Vale before. She's gorgeous and unavailable. She's also the answer to his curse. Jack has a secret too: He has voices he can't understand in his head, sometimes drowning out his thoughts and growing steadily louder. They drove his father mad and he's sure he's headed the same way, but when Larsen touches him, all that noise goes silent.
This is not a light book, by any definition of the word. There is graphic language, there's graphic action and consequences. I am a fan of seeing consequences to negative action, and while I think we could have been told a little bit more about what those consequences are, ultimately the mention that there would be some was enough for me.
I do agree with a couple of other reviews I read where it was mentioned that, after all the struggle, the solution at the end seems to come fairly easily, but I bought into it and it didn't ruin the story for me at all. Very much a book worth reading.
I was thrilled by The Dark Gate. This, finally, was the sort of book I thought Nocturne was looking for. I think it's a fantastic debut novel and I can't wait for the sequels to this book.
Larsen Vale is a high-powered attorney, known as an Ice Bitch. She doesn't connect with people, always remaining aloof and apart. The reason? She has a secret: she has death visions, episodes in which she sees the death of those she cares about. For years, she's harbored the slight belief that she's somehow responsible for them. For years, she's thankfully been vision free, but now, she's having visions again and they all center around a strange, albino man.
Jack Hallihan is a D.C. detective working a high-profile case. He's seen Larsen Vale before. She's gorgeous and unavailable. She's also the answer to his curse. Jack has a secret too: He has voices he can't understand in his head, sometimes drowning out his thoughts and growing steadily louder. They drove his father mad and he's sure he's headed the same way, but when Larsen touches him, all that noise goes silent.
This is not a light book, by any definition of the word. There is graphic language, there's graphic action and consequences. I am a fan of seeing consequences to negative action, and while I think we could have been told a little bit more about what those consequences are, ultimately the mention that there would be some was enough for me.
I do agree with a couple of other reviews I read where it was mentioned that, after all the struggle, the solution at the end seems to come fairly easily, but I bought into it and it didn't ruin the story for me at all. Very much a book worth reading.
March 19, 2011
~* 3.5 Stars *~
I was surprised by this suspenseful paranormal romance. Larsen Vale and detective Jack Hallihan are both strong and reasonably developed and the plot was tense and imaginative. I believed in the chemistry between Larsen and Jack and liked that the development of that relationship seemed to follow a natural course instead of getting pushed into it too soon in the story. There was a real sense of danger here, too, that I enjoyed.
The Dark Gate isn't a flawless book by any means, and I tend to prefer a book with a bit more meat on it's bones, a story with more than one dimension. I think The Dark Gate is a very good Silhouette Nocturne - one of the best I've read - and while it is a little thin on depth, the single thread of the story is quite original and suspenseful. I will be checking out the sequel, Dark Deceiver.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
I was surprised by this suspenseful paranormal romance. Larsen Vale and detective Jack Hallihan are both strong and reasonably developed and the plot was tense and imaginative. I believed in the chemistry between Larsen and Jack and liked that the development of that relationship seemed to follow a natural course instead of getting pushed into it too soon in the story. There was a real sense of danger here, too, that I enjoyed.
The Dark Gate isn't a flawless book by any means, and I tend to prefer a book with a bit more meat on it's bones, a story with more than one dimension. I think The Dark Gate is a very good Silhouette Nocturne - one of the best I've read - and while it is a little thin on depth, the single thread of the story is quite original and suspenseful. I will be checking out the sequel, Dark Deceiver.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
September 29, 2012
Umm... I liked this book but was often confused. I loved the romance between Larsen and Jack. I thought their characters were well developed. However, I was not a big fan of the suspense. I felt like the reader was kept in the dark too long! I get the build up of suspense; however, the reader is not told much of anything about the nemesis (you are kept in the dark right along with the h/h). I'm sure your saying what is wrong with that, well I just felt like it took too long and then quickly wrapped up in the end. I found myself reading just to finish and not necessarily for the enjoyment of the story. I know you are wondering why I gave it 4 stars (actually 3.5) well its for the romance. THe romance was beautifully written and I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
I purchased the next book in the series prior to reading this book. I am not sure if I will read it. The paranormal aspect of the story was just not interesting to me. I hope the next book explains it better and makes it more appealing.
I purchased the next book in the series prior to reading this book. I am not sure if I will read it. The paranormal aspect of the story was just not interesting to me. I hope the next book explains it better and makes it more appealing.
August 18, 2014
*I was lucky enough to win this book in a goodreads contest. My review is my review and is not the authors/publishers/etc. I was not payed to review this book and it is sorely my own thoughts and opinions of the work I won.*
Larsen see's things, and see's a albino man one day, along with her one death. (albino man : spoiler alert! ha). Jack Hallihan is on a mission to find a man who was been assaulting women/raping them, without the women actually seeing the man's face.
A necklace goes open that has something to do with a "gate" opening and now Larsen and Jack are on a mission to find out who the man is, and what everything has to do with everything else. While having an attraction to one another.
I actually enjoyed the book and the romance, along with the action and other tidbits of characters. What I didn't like so much was that in parts, the book was slow and I couldn't get past it, and found myself slowly reading and dragging along because I couldn't get into it.
Otherwise, I enjoyed it.
Thanks for the book Mrs. Palmer!
Larsen see's things, and see's a albino man one day, along with her one death. (albino man : spoiler alert! ha). Jack Hallihan is on a mission to find a man who was been assaulting women/raping them, without the women actually seeing the man's face.
A necklace goes open that has something to do with a "gate" opening and now Larsen and Jack are on a mission to find out who the man is, and what everything has to do with everything else. While having an attraction to one another.
I actually enjoyed the book and the romance, along with the action and other tidbits of characters. What I didn't like so much was that in parts, the book was slow and I couldn't get past it, and found myself slowly reading and dragging along because I couldn't get into it.
Otherwise, I enjoyed it.
Thanks for the book Mrs. Palmer!
April 5, 2010
I must admit I was uncertain about this book, but since I thoroughly enjoyed her Feral Warriors Series books I thought, why not? Normally not a suspense/thriller fan, I was suprised at how much I enjoyed this book, and found that once I started, I couldn't put it down. Even more suprising was how much I enjoyed the suspense/thriller elements. In an nut shell, the story centers around the Esri, an enchanted race of immortals who are looking to unseal the gates to the human world; and the small band of humans who are immune to the Esri enchantment out to stop them. Besides the suspense, I enjoyed the lead characters,and thought Palmer created other memorable characters. I hope the author will continue this series with the other characters. I would definately recommend this book to fans of romance who love suspense/thriller/action stories, and look forward the second book, The Dark Deceiver.
April 28, 2011
I was rather disappointed in this book. The plot line was good but it gets pulled down by rather irritating characters. The heroine has a reputation of being the Ice Bitch of the divorce lawyer set and yet she comes off as a simpering idiot and coward. The hero starts off as a potentially alpha male type but flounders his way into helping to save the day against the Esri - mythical creatures who are supposed to be "an ancient evil" who "has found its way back into our world". Instead the antagonist just comes off as a power hungry rapist.
Besides having a good plot, the only other thing going for the book is the chemistry between the main characters. The back cover is very good advertising for a product that just falls short. Because this is the first in the series and because the plot line itself is good, I may give the series a second chance and read the book 2.
Besides having a good plot, the only other thing going for the book is the chemistry between the main characters. The back cover is very good advertising for a product that just falls short. Because this is the first in the series and because the plot line itself is good, I may give the series a second chance and read the book 2.
December 3, 2014
This was a really good book and it definitely got me wanting to read more in this series. I liked the characters, even if they did get on my nerves a little, and the story line was good. There was plenty of stubbornness, emotions, suspense, good imagination and creativity, a dab of steaminess, and a good ending that leaves you wanting to see what might happen next. I liked the way this was written and it kept me turning pages. This was a surprising good read that kept me on my toes and waiting for the other shoe to drop. I would really like to read more and see what happens with the quite a few of the other characters. I'm liking the brother and archer. That looks promising. ;) A good book for reading anytime or anywhere. Enjoy!
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May 30, 2007This is from the Nocturne Silhouette series. It is good for a quick read. It is about a man and woman who join forces to keep an evil elf from coming though a dark gate to hurt mankind. The elf has the ability to control minds and those that he can not control - he tries to kill. The hero and heroine can not be controlled. So they are trying to stop the Elf and not get killed themselves. The story was pretty good and was not "silly" as it might sound. The author did make it sound like a reasonable storyline the way that it was written. The description of the Elf is not what you would expect.
March 29, 2013
Lauren Vale has death visions and Jack Hallihan hears voices. It seems that Lauren's gift quiets Jack's...so what a perfect relationship, if they can learn to trust each other. Baleris, a dark elf (read evil), has come through the gate for the key and once he returns to fairie, he will release hell on earth. Jack and Lauren have to use their gifts together in order to stop Baleris.
This book is action filled from the first page. I enjoyed the romance as well as the mystery. My first book by this author but definitely not my last.
This book is action filled from the first page. I enjoyed the romance as well as the mystery. My first book by this author but definitely not my last.
June 25, 2010
A quick paranormal from the Silhouette Nocturne line that's heavy on the romance and action and light on the sex. The story is engaging and not as ridiculous as it sounds, considering our evil villain is a dark albino elf who's crossed the dimensional barrier to retrieve a magical amulet and boatloads of virgins. Our heroes are both immune to the elf's enchantments, and spend most of the book keeping secret from each other their own special abilities. Despite these drawbacks, however, the book is nicely done and recommended for a quick break from reality.
February 9, 2012
Larsen is suffering from visions showing her loved ones dying. This has made her withdraw from most people not to get hurt. Jack has heard voices all his life but now they´re just getting louder and louder, he´s afraid he´s going to lose it. When a threat appears, someone is targeting women and paralyzing the witnesses, Larsen and Jack join forces since they seem to be the only ones not affectable by the albino man and his minions.
Suspense, angst, action, romance and elves, a paranormal book with more angst than fluff.
Suspense, angst, action, romance and elves, a paranormal book with more angst than fluff.
January 4, 2013
I started this book and literally could not put it down. The first chapter or two are a bit slow, but the story quickly builds momentum to where you need to know what will happen to these characters. I also loved how the point of view would change between Larsen and Jack and how they ended up helping each other in the end. I will admit I stayed up way too late to read this one and I was happy I did despite being a little tired today. I definitely look forward to reading the rest of the series (although probably not tonight since I do need SOME sleep).
January 30, 2008
Love, love, love this book! Okay, Pam is a good friend of mine, but even so, this is an excellent contemporary paranormal romance. Better yet, it's the first in a series about the Esri. I've gotten a sneak peak at the next two and they are fabulous, too! My recommendation: if you like a great romance, a unique paranormal world, and a plot that keeps you guessing put Pamela Palmer on your must read list.
June 11, 2024
Read this book before joining Goodreads , so I rated this just by what I feel after I finish read. Of course I already forget the story and it's been more than 13 years. I plan to do a re-read when I have time to complete the Esri series
February 19, 2009
The hero and heroine (Jack and Larsen) must stop a dark elf from taking a magic jewel to fairyland through a magic portal.
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