Darkness Divides: with the short story ""Playing With Darkness""

The Sensor #3

by Susan Illene

The blood and violence never ends—it only stops long enough for Melena to relax her guard, to think she might actually survive. For the past year, she’s worked hard to pick up the pieces of her life. The supernaturals in Fairbanks are tolerating her, the angels are shielding her from her enemies, and she’s getting stronger as her body changes into…something else. If not for the man she loves being locked away in Purgatory, she might even believe she could be happy.

But for a sensor, peace is always an illusion. A magical explosion is about to rock the earth between Alaska and parts of Canada, bringing with it a new wave of fear. People she cares about will be hurt and she’s going to need answers. Are her enemies trying to flush her out of hiding or are they up to something even more sinister? It will take all of her newfound strength and the help of every ally she’s got to put a stop to their plans.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Vampires, Paranormal, Fantasy, Angels, Romance, Magic

1 pages, Audio CD

First published April 20, 2014

About the author

Susan Illene served in the US Army for eleven years and worked as a human resources specialist and an Arabic linguist. She served two deployments to Iraq, and after leaving the army, she studied history at the University of Oklahoma. She currently lives with her husband and two sons.

Reviews

[Elise ✘ a.k.a Ryder's Pet ✘ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Why would he want to stay with her after finding out she was going to die? He was just setting himself up for a lot of pain.”
I gave her a meaningful look. “Because sometimes even a short period of happiness with someone you love is better than none at all.”

I'm highly disappointed in the characters, okay; more like character Melena, not showing more emotions. I get she needs to be strong and all that, but come on, EVERYONE needs to break down sometimes. Everyone needs to have weak moments. It's what makes a person human, and it also make a person stronger, because only then you can get yourself together and become stronger.. At least that's my opinion... I'm glad that Lucas is out now, but I hate the fact that he has to go through even more pain by having his torturer bound to his woman so that he's constantly around her. Enough is enough! Haven't he gone through enough?!

[Kara-karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series, folks. While it's not a mind-blowing urban fantasy like Written in Red by Anne Bishop or the latest Kate Daniels from Ilona and Gordon Andrews, it's still a helluva lot better than a lot of new urban fantasy authors I tried recently. Lauren M.Roy, James Elliott, Dana Cameron and Leigh Evans come to mind as authors of the series I unfortunately have absolutely no desire to continue.

Susan Illene on the other hand is a solid four stars urban fantasy read, where I pretty much like the plot, main characters and a slow development of the world they live in.

Melena, the sensor, who fell in love with her nephilim guardian, has this down-to-earth, matter-of-fact practical ruthlessness I particularly adore in my heroines. She does what needs to be done and doesn't suffer from unnecessary guilt or righteous indignation before or after.

In fact, she and Lucas, her lover, who has a very bad name in the world of supernatural suit each other perfectly. When she is in trouble he is ready to destroy everything and everyone to help her, and when he is in trouble, aka stuck in Purgatory with a 60 years sentence of daily torture, she finds a way to break in, wreak havoc and shoot anything in sight, so she can get him out.

I loved Melena in Purgatory! She was amazing, and the way archangels punished her afterwards was particularly fun. And no, I can't tell you what it was, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it too.



I am anticipating all hell breaking loose in the next book and having more time with my favorite torturer *grinning*. He is a funny, awkward character, that man, and now he can't get away from Melena, so it will be fun! Recommended.

[Daisy Delfin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if I will keep on reading this series, after finishing the first book. But the audio edition was free in my subscription for a limited (and now passed) time, so I gave the second book a shot. More things come together and I started to really enjoy the series. So I binged as much as I could, before I had to return the audiobooks. I listened to them till book 3 (another two books).

I for sure enjoyed there series and will pick up the 4th book on KU.

[Lianne Pheno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avis tiré de mon blog :

Un tome à la hauteur des précédents, bien que j'ai trouvé la fin un peu facile j'ai passé un excellent moment.

Suites aux évènements du tome précédent (et du 2.5 aussi) Melena se retrouve seule. Enfin elle a toujours ses amis mais le vide laissé par Lucas et les rêves qu'elle fait la nuit le voyant torturé ne l'aident pas.
Un jour une terrible explosion magique à lieu, blessant grièvement sa fille adoptive. L'explosion a eu lieu dans une ville elfe cachée dans le grand nord et peu de temps après Melena est appelée sur place pour enquêter et trouver le coupable après que Micha, le frère de Lucas, qui enquêtait avant elle disparait sans laisser de traces.
Elle va donc devoir trouver le coupable assez vite car qui sait ce que certaines personnes mal intentionnées pourraient lui faire ...

Melena est une femme très résolue. Elle ne se laisse pas démonter et si un problème arrive, elle fait tout pour le résoudre. Elle n'hésite pas une seule seconde à foncer dans le tas, même dans la situation la plus dangereuse. C'est la qu'on voit l'ex mercenaire/militaire qui prend vraiment de la vraisemblance parce qu'on imagine peu quelqu'un d'autre aller comme ça faire des expéditions en solitaire armée des armes les plus puissantes.
Mais avec Melena ça passe vraiment, c'est vraiment le type du personnage. Même si elle est déprimée par la situation elle est toujours à 100% et encore plus déterminée quand les personnes qu'elle aime sont en danger.

Par contre j'ai moins aimé Lucas dans ce tome, il fait trop "mâle alpha" qui ne veut pas que la femme qu'il protège se mette en danger, même pour lui. Bon c'est compréhensible mais bon, il la connait depuis toujours, il devrait savoir que ça ne marchera pas avec elle !

En fait j'ai eu l'impression que ce tome était un peu la fin du précédent. Il parle des conséquences mais en dehors de ça il n'avance pas vraiment l'histoire principale. Un tome un peu en retrait quoi. Surtout que la fin est un peu facile, dans le sens ou je n'ai pas senti le danger en comparaison avec avec les précédents. Plus porté sur l'action aussi à la fin, enfin l'action brute, c'était pas une bataille de livre d'aventure c'était boumboum tout saute dans tous les sens.

Mais sinon comme je le disais ce tome est quand même bien dans l'esprit de la série, l'enquête est sympa et nous fait découvrir plus en détails les autres races surnaturelles et nous permet de mieux saisir les relations entre chacun des peuples. Ça c'était vraiment très sympa et j'ai bien apprécié ma lecture.

16/20

[LeslecturesdeMylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://www.leslecturesdemylene.com/20...

17/20 - J'ai adorééééééé ce troisième tome, la pauvre Melena ne sait pas où donner de la tête et les chapitres sont tous plus intenses les uns que les autres !!

[Chani · Rating 4 out of 5]

L'histoire est sympa, mais toujours le même souci avec la trad.

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good continuation of the Darkness series. This third book had lots of action, a nice flow as the theme from prior books was picked up and enhanced with new ideas and information. It felt somewhat flat at the end, possibly because of unresolved issues. Doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but the reader is aware there is more to the story as a few important threads are not concluded. On to book four, the series has been a wonderful read so far. It's been a pleasure to find a book featuring a strong female character, but it's equal frustrating, after three books, the guys still underestimate her abilities and strength- it makes for conflict, but also makes the men appear weaker for their hardheadedness.

[Jules Poet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Micah, Nick, Derek and Melena help out at a fae reservation/fae city because of a magic blast in order to find the culprit and rebuild part of the fae city.
Melena goes on a journey to purgatory to save Lucas.
Zoey attacks.

I won't say more because I don't want to spoil too much.
I can say that I definitely give this book 5 stars. I think Melena totally kicks ass. I think the fae reservation sounds awesome. Purgatory is well detailed and interesting. And I am soooo looking forward to listening to more from this series. The rest.... you'll have to listen to/read for yourself :)

Susan Illene continues to amaze and Cris Dukehart continues to be an awesome narrator!

[Niquie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the book I finally admitted Susan Illene may not be good at writing romance. I don't even understand the point of the side pairing. It was hinted in the first bk that these two characters might have something going on, then it was dropped in bk 2, brought back here only to be dropped again. I liked Lucas in his short story more than I liked him here, and it's hard to root for a couple that seems to be lacking something important. I did like the other side pairing so fingers crossed.

[Rachel Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most satisfying and best book in the Sensor Series yet! Even though there are lots of things left in the end that are obviously for the next book, I took a big sigh of relief when this book was finished. Lots of action, lots of questions answered, and if possible - more love for Lucas and Melena after everything they go through in this book. Can't wait for the next one!

[Leafrustler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I ask myself why I am continuing to read this series.

[Cissou33 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ilm'a manqué quelque chose pour retrouver la flamme du T2. Néanmoins j'ai appréciéce T3. Melena est une héroïne qui se bat, vit à 100 à l'heure, je l'adore. Elle est forte et arrive à mettre de côté ses sentiments pour survivre même s'il lui en coute beaucoup. Il y a peu de Lucas/Melena et j'aime autant que je déteste. Je déteste par ce que je suis frustrée, déçue, que j'ai tellement envie de les voir réunis plus souvent et profiter enfin de leur amour, d'imaginer leur vie de couple. Et j'aime parce que ça change tellement d'autres livres genre Romance Paranormale, j'aime qu'il leur soit difficile d'être ensemble que ce soit à cause des choix qu'ils ont fait ou encore des événements qui les éloignent.
L'étonnant retournement de situation avec Kerbasi promet des situations croustillantes

[Kathy Zuercher Diveley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melena

The local fae village is attacked, and many die. Mikha is asked to help find the culprits, but is kidnapped. Melena finds out Zoe instigated the attack, and now has taken over Nik's terratory.

[Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Story in this Series

As the story continues we get to follow our Sensor to all sorts of places she Hannover been to before. Lots of danger and action as she continues to get into tuff situations.

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

[Eloise Luxart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. I listened to this on audible. The narrator is top notch

[Loucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

L'intrigue générale avance, on découvre de nouveaux personnages. Cette série n'est pas un coup de coeur mais me plaît tout de même beaucoup.

[Auriane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aufgrund des Endes von Darkness Taunts musste man ja auf jeden Fall den dritten Band der Reihe weiterlesen. Ich glaube, ich wäre verrückt geworden, wenn ich auf die Veröffentlichung hätte warten müssen. Der dritte Band setzt allerdings 1 Jahr nach den Geschehnissen des letzten Buches an, was in meinem Fall dazu führte, dass ich häufiger verwirrt geschaut habe, ob ich denn gerade wirklich das dritte Buch lese.
Lucas ist in dem Engelsgefägnis, Purgatory, wo er regelmäßig gefoltert wird, als Bestrafung dafür, dass er seiner Pflicht, dem ihm zugeteilten Sensor, Melena, nicht beschützen konnte. Im Gegensatz zur verräterischen Zoe wurde Lucas zu 60 Jahren in dem Gefägnis verurteilt. In dem vergangenen Jahr, wurde Lucas aber von dem Erzengel Remiel einmal auf die Erde begleitet, damit Melena sein Blut trinken kann und dafür unsterblich wird.
Die Geschichte setzt nun an, als es eine magische Explosion gibt, die Melena und ihre Freunde in vielerlei Hinsicht stark trifft.
Wie man an dieser kleinen Zusammenfassung erkennen kann, haben sich viele Ereignisse abgespielt, die oft als Nebeninformation oder als kleine Rückblenden preis gegeben werden. Diese Informationen werden durch das ganze Buch verteilt, so dass der Leser sich irgendwann genau zusammengepuzzelt hat, was genau vorgefallen ist.
Edit: ich habe natürlich Buch 2.5 übersehen ^^ Chained in Darkness aus der Sicht von Lucas (das war ein Wunsch, der wirklich sofort in Erfüllung ging)behandelt die Zeit zwischen dem zweiten und dritten Band aus seiner Sicht. Spannend!!!!

Neben dieser irritierenden Tatsache, war es ein nicht gerade netter Schachzug der Autorin, erst diese Romanze zwischen Melena und Lucas zu entwickeln, um ihn dann noch in ein Foltergefängnis zu werfen.
Zwar konzentrierte sich die Geschichte so wieder nur auf Melena, aber besonders elegant gelöst war das nicht.
Es sind auch eher 3,5 als 4 Sterne, aber ich drücke ein Auge zu, weil es trotzdem interessant zu lesen war und ich wieder gespannt bin, wie es weitergeht. Ich schätze, aber dass die Reihe mit dem zweiten Band ihren Höhepunkt erreicht hat (das wäre dann ähnlich zu Halfway to the grave, dort war auch der 2. Band bisher eindeutig der beste).

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot thickens as the line between friend and foe blurs. As Melena grows to trust the supes who share her home, she grows to see her own kind as the potential enemy. Who should she trust? And how will she deal with the newest crisis in Fairbanks without her Nephilim by her side?

Fairbanks is hit with a blast of magic that leaves Melena's home in chaos. She struggles to determine the source of the attack and finds that it may be more disastrous than she had originally thought. The Fae lands in the U.S. seem to have born the brunt of the magical blast and are found to be its originating source. Micah is called away to uncover who's behind the magical blast, and when he disappears in the effort Mel, Nik, and Derrick are called away from Fairbanks, leaving it vulnerable to Zoe's siege.

Mel and co return to find their home on the mend (with the humans going about their daily lives), though taken over by sensors and others of Zoe's supernatural forces. Now, it's up to Mel to take back the home she's made for herself in Fairbanks, and to do that she'll need her Nephilim freed from his prison in Purgatory.

SideNote: That Purgatory battle was SO ON POINT!! Mel is such a badass chic, I LOVE HER!!

After all is said and done, Mel finds her punishment for freeing Lucas to be less than favorable (understatement)—though she doesn't regret her actions in the slightest—and Lucas struggles mentally with the consequences of Mel's actions, though 'How can he stay mad at her? He loves her too much.' And so, Lucas is forced to accept Mel's decisions and the resultant horror of guardian-babysitting-duties, and the two of them kick some major ass in the battle for their home.

In all, I couldn't have asked for a better reunion. Illene continues to impress and enthrall me with the story that she weaves for Mel and the gang. I continue to be awed by both Mel's and Lucas's character growth, and I cannot wait to find what the next book with have in store for these two and their growing family.

[Teresa Vogt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not even Purgatory will not keep this woman from her man. Fae explosions may delay her but mission Lucas will always be first.

This review is from: Darkness Divides: Book 3 (Sensor Series) (Kindle Edition)

Make way, Melena is going into purgatory to get her man out ! Zoe may have taken over Fairbanks and Nik and his followers need her help but since she is stealing the portal back from Zoe Mel might as well get what she wants out of it.. and one bad ass break into purgatory to get Lucas out is on her mind. The dome hiding the Fae has been destroyed causing Emily to undergo brain surgery to save her, Micha is on hand but goes to the Fae city to find out what happened to cause such a huge explosion. Missing they send for Nic and his Alpha wolf and Melena to find the people responsible for the destruction of their defenses, and Micha's disappearance, well she finds the answers and prevents Nic and Derrick from landing her and them into the middle of a hostile take over from Zoe and Mel's Father. Once she has broken into purgatory and gotten Lucas out the Angels give her a punishment, show the Guardian of Purgatory how to be more human. Talk about the impossible ! This is Mel, where there is a will she will find a way. Susan Illene makes her characters come to life entertain you and show that women are not the weaker simpletons men like to think of them. The book has some steamy sex in it and you wouldn't enjoy it without near as much.

[Poetic Puppy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would suggest you read Chained by Darkness and Tempting the Moon before you read this novel as it will add to your enjoyment of the series.

Melena has to deal with Lucas’ absence as best she can. Thankfully for her, the sensor is soon caught up in yet another supernatural crisis that just might help to distract her. A magical explosion rocks Fairbanks, injuring some and killing others; while the human population think it’s just an earthquake, Melena knows different, the question is who is responsible?

What I love about Melena, in this book and throughout the series, is her sheer determination to keep going. If you’re in pain, find a way to deal with it. If people don’t like you, who cares. If you have a problem, find a solution. It seems no matter what happens to Mel, she finds a way through. We could perhaps attribute this trait to her time in the army, but it seems to be more about who she is, than what she was trained to be. While we get to see more of Mel’s determined nature and see just how far she’s willing to go for those she loves, we also get to witness some not so inspiring changes in some of the other characters. (I’m not going to ruin it by saying who).

Read it and enjoy, because things can only get better for Mel from here on out… Right?

[JadeShea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darkness Divides begins when a magical explosion brings about a lot of destruction and pain to lots of people. Melena is asked to help find the person responsible, and when she does they are going to need the help of Lucas. But the problem is he's in purgatory for a very long time. Melena is going to do what she can to stop the horrible things that are happening, but she may be too late.

This one was good, but a little bit frustrating. I kind of hated how Lucas acted at times, but other then that I really did enjoy the book. It was nice to see how Melena acted around a whole lot of new sups, and how she handled the situation with Emily. I don't want to say much more because it will give it all away. But I did enjoy this one, and I look forward to more.

[Casha · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far I think book 2 is the best! The 1st half of this book was only ok to. The interviewing of the Fae residents got a little repetitive and it was hard to believe that a powerful Nephilim could get kidnapped. The book picked up and started to get really good when Melinda decided to burst Lucas out of purgatory! I did love the actions scenes, Melinda’s smart mouth throughout the book and of course the steamy sex. Also the deal Lucas and Melinda had to make to keep them out of purgatory, I thought was genius on the author’s part.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly believe this could be a great upcoming new fantasy series. Theres nothing i dislike about it as it really follows in the footsteps of mercy thompson and rachel morgan but has many differences that really individualize it. The heroine is much more bad ass as a previous soldier who really know the use of grenades and rpgs and has no problem using them. Shes a sarcastic hardass but a real softy on the inside. Just dont piss her off or you may receive a bullet to the eye. :3

[Keith · Rating 2 out of 5]

The MC is not as bad as she was in the first 2 books, mostly because she now has superpowers of her own and no longer feels the need to tell herself over and over that she is a strong independent woman, yet she continues to act like a rebellious child. Her powers also mean she no longer needs to be saved by her psychotic superhuman love interest, even though she continues to engage in behavior that would be suicidal in anyone who was not the author's pet.

[Ana Reinhard · Rating 2 out of 5]

this one was all about talking a lot. it was boring to me.

I hope in the next book we get to rad more about Lucas and their relation ship or I'll stop reading.

Also it was over annoying the at the author crept referencing back to the tow side stories she wrote. I mean I got the bigger picture but I just felt like I misses something. why not make it part of the main plot than. I hate reading side stories....

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

A really good read, however the book starts a year after the last and there is missing bits that are difficult to put together.... Melena is my new favourite heroine ... strong female lead who doesn't need a man to save her.... I like Lucas but I still feel he doesn't treat Melena like he loves her, its like she's a possession. I don't feel their connection at all only hers. Sexual content so not suitable for younger teens. Excellent read

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book but I felt like it dragged about half way through. Although, I am glad she rescued Lucas. However, I will give this a four star rating based on action, romance, supernatural, and etc. I still am going to read the next book. This series has caused lost of sleep, but for a very good reason. Here comes Clashes.:)

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good sequel. Susan does a good job of introducing new conflicts when old ones are resolved without it feeling like a corny cliff hanger or worse; a desperate attempt to continue a dying series (which this isn't). I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Carolyn Short · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I could not put this book down. alot of action and emotion. Ihe cover was perfect because Melena really kicked butt and took names. She is fiercely protective of the people she claims as her own. I can't wait for more. Looking forward to more lessons with Kerbasi.