Eve of Darkness (edit title)

• Rated 5 stars

“ Its basically a different twist to Cain and Abel in a biblical sense, dealing w/ executing demons, and two brothers fighting each over for love of a woman. Its filled w/action, heating passions, and hidden agendas. It remained me of L.A. Banks's Vampire Huntress series w/ strong heroine and dealing various supernatural creatures.”

• Rated 2 stars

“Evangeline Hollis, more often called "Eve", gets dropped between a brotherly feud of Biblical proportions. Well, actually, the two brothers are Biblical. Going by "Alec Cain" and "Reed Abel", the famous sibling rivals now have a lot more to fight over: including Eve. Eve, meanwhile, happens to fall into their world by acting as a temptress or "apple" (as in forbidden fruit) that neither brother can resist. Thus, Eve becomes "Marked" and must spend her life banishing demons from the Earth.

Overall, I have to say that I like the idea of EVE OF DARKNESS much more than how the story is told. I rather like the idea of angels, demons, and Biblical stories used in urban fantasy. However, the problem comes in that this story would much more comfortably fit under "paranormal romance" than "urban fantasy". Nearly every plot point turns back to the heavy attraction between Eve and the brothers...and lots and lots of sex. It almost seems that Day steps back from exploring the interesting elements she already has going for her in the story (angels, brother rivalry, a girl drawn to two men) and instead covers with throwing more and more sex or new elements at the reader. I'd happily give up the werewolves that appear at the end for some more development.

In the end you'll like or hate Eve depending on how you react to passages like this (all over) in the book:


"I will get you out of this," he said, struggling against his body's reaction to the sight of her. He was so hard it hurt.

Her gaze dropped and her lips parted in a silent gasp. She pointed viciously at his erection. "Put that thing away! It's gotten me into enough trouble as it is."


EVE OF DARKNESS is full of good ideas, but the execution leaves the entire story lacking. I'm torn between giving the second volume a try and saving my money. On one hand, the possible rivalry between the brothers could be great--if only Day would delve into the relationship fully. (Har har, and by "developing relationship" I don't mean the sex everyone seems to be 'delving' into all the time.) Still, the idea is so original that I almost want to hope that the second book in the series would, perhaps, manage to find a better balance than EVE OF DARKNESS.”

• Rated 4 stars

“(4.5 Stars)

When 18 year old Evangeline Hollis has a chance encounter with an all too sexy stranger an ends up giving up her virginity to him, she knows that she’s hard pressed to ever find another man Alec Cain. Ten years later, Eve is an up-and-coming interior designer and has just received a job interview with real estate tycoon, Raguel Gardara . The last thing on Eve’s mind is that she’ll run into yet another devastatingly handsome stranger, who just so happens to eerily resemble Alec. Never being one to engage in casual sex, Eve just can’t understand what suddenly makes her decide to have hot, passionate sex in the hallway of her potential employer’s hallway with yet another complete stranger.

It turns out there’s a reason these two incredibly hot men look so much alike – they’re brothers. But not just any brothers – the infamous Cain and Abel of biblical times! Not much has changed between the brothers since their birth, including their intense rivalry with each other. Unbeknownst to Eve, her dalliance with the two brothers’ results in her receiving the Mark of Cain, which means she’s now basically a warrior for Jehovah and has to hunt the demons that live on the mortal plain. The only problem? Eve’s agnostic, which makes for an interesting time when you’re supposedly now in the service of the Almighty.

Between trying to survive demon attacks, dealing with celestial bureaucracy, and being stuck between two sexy-as-sin brothers, both of which who are determined to lay claim to her, Eve’s life has definitely a whole lot busier than it used to be.

Eve of Darkness is the first of S. J. Day’s (aka Sylvia Day) new urban fantasy “Marked” series. I found the premise of this book completely original and fresh within the ever-popular urban fantasy/paranormal genre. I must admit that I was a bit reluctant to read the series. It just didn’t seem like it would be all that exciting. Wow, was I ever wrong! From page one I was sucked into this action-packed, high-octane, and wickedly sexy new world that Ms. Day created. Not only did I love the relationship between Eve, Alec, and Cain, but I also loved the twists that were added to the biblical stories I’d grown up hearing. Ms. Day pens a well-written and endlessly inventive new series that I absolutely love. I highly recommend this new series to fans of the paranormal and urban fantasy genre. Ms. Day does not disappoint.

”

• Rated 4 stars

“The first chapter of this book is actually the last. What events have led to Evangeline Hollis fighting a demon dragon in the public restroom at Qualcomm Stadium in her flip flops? Well, I guess you will just have to read on to find out…

Six weeks ago, Evangeline Hollis (Eve) was an interior designer. She was called to Gadara tower for an interview with Raguel Gadara himself. After waiting patiently, Eve was informed that Gadara was too busy at this time and would have to reschedule their meeting. This is a power play he uses against the interviewees just like a football coach might use his time-outs to “ice” the kicker. She had been waiting for an opportunity like this and was disappointed. But she left Gadara tower with an air of confidence, not wanting Gadara to know he could throw her off of her game. On her way out, a hunk of a man (who bares a striking resemblance to someone from her past), shoved her into a stairwell and kissed her passionately. Pleasantly surprised by this mystery man’s suddenness, Eve allowed the tryst to continue and was shocked when he touched her arm with his palm and it burned. “Bear the Mark of Cain” were the words ringing through her ears as she looked up to see massive white wings enfolding her.

Alec Cain and Eve have met before. When Eve was a young woman of 18, she caught Cain’s eye. (Yes, that Cain…) For her safety, he left and tried to forget about her. That has since become impossible. His brother Reed, also known as Abel, has Marked her. Reed is now her handler and Cain has chosen to be her mentor in order to protect her. The stories are true. These brothers do not get along and this new working relationship puts them a little too close for comfort. Their supervisor, the Archangel Raguel, is the head of the North American firm. As there are seven Archangels, there are seven firms around the world.

Being a Mark means you are now a servant of God and employed in the fight against the Infernals. Eve, being and agnostic, is having a little trouble with her new assignment. She has yet to be trained and is thrust into the field where many dangers await her. The brothers have to work together to keep their love, Eve, safe and keep the Infernals from taking over and starting the apocalypse.

What I liked:

I really like the characters Cain and Abel in this book. They provide a different story line which I find refreshing. I read alot about Vampires, Fairies, demons and Werewolves, so reading about Angels is a nice departure. Not that the Angels are any kinder than the aforementioned monsters, but just different.

The Angels are still jealous of Jehova’s fondness for humans. They now serve him here on earth and to fit in with the humans they are stripped of their powers for most of their tenure. Once a year they are allowed to use their powers to train new Mark’s, but they must rotate the training, leaving only one Archangel with their powers at a time. The rest of the time they are acting as businessmen/women running corporate fronts to raise the cash to keep their firms running smoothly. Imagine Archangels acting as CEO’s. It’s like heaven has gone corporate and the results are not flattering.

What I didn’t like:

I don’t know if this falls under the category of “didn’t like” because I still can’t decide if I liked this part or not. The Archangels doing the nasty kinda freaked me out a little. I mean, do I really need to hear about how Sarakiel can sound like a porn star when she is getting freaky with Reed (Abel)? I see where this is going, with the Archangels being jealous of the humans over Jehova’s favor, and their steady decline from grace. But their hunger for power would have been enough to express their discord without the explicit sexual trysts. This book is filled with plenty of equally explicit sex on the human level. On the other hand, when do you ever read about angels doing anything beyond their station? These angels definitely have human qualities and this is very different from the norm. I like the ingenuity.

Last word:

Ms. Day takes on the classic good vs. evil story from a new and exciting point of view. I really enjoyed reading Eve of Darkness and I am looking forward to the next book in this series, Eve of Destruction. Lucky for me, there are 3 of these books coming out within 3 months, so I won’t have long to wait for Eve’s next adventure.”

• Rated 4 stars

“Fascinating mythology and interesting characters filled with mystery, action, suspense and some hot romance. I really enjoyed this first installment of the series and look forward to the next novel.”

• Rated 0 stars

“so far so good.”

• Rated 4 stars

“A very different take on angels. The book is a fun romp through celestial bureaucracy.”

• Rated 4 stars

“So, I have always been one of those people who buys books at random. If I see it and it looks even remotely appealing, I generally end up with a copy. That is what happened with my newest acquisition, "Eve of Darkness." It just stared me down from the shelf, its sweet cover-art refusing to allow me to look away. And when I read the back cover and discovered that it was the first book in a new series, and that the next two books would be released by July, I was sold.

The premise of the book was pretty compelling. I mean, there are a lot of `supernatural' books out there today. It seems like everyone and their dog is jumping on the bandwagon, writing books about demons and werewolves and vampires and faeries. Now don't get me wrong, I love the majority of those books. But this series is about Angels and other main players in the bible. How original is that?
The books center around a woman named Evangeline (Eve) and a stairwell tryst that results in her being punished with the mark of Cain. Cain also happens to be the last name of Eve's first love, who took her virginity and left without a trace a decade earlier. Of course, the story wouldn't be complete without Cain's brother. And Abel is alive and well in this book. In fact, he was the one trysting with Eve in the stairwell. And the one who did the marking. Nefarious.

Being marked initiates a change that gives Eve super-human senses, makes her impervious to the effects of mind-altering substances, and (for some reason) makes her hornier than a person has a right to be. Lucky for her Cain swoops in to facilitate her life-change. Once the change is complete, it is he who advises Eve that the marked are pretty much the assassins of the angels. (That is the short description.) And that she must now spend her life hunting down and killing Infernals (the various and assorted demons and other such damned that roam the earth.)

The book actually started off weird for me, because it felt like you were walking into the middle of something. But, the pacing quickly reasons itself out, and the story flows really well. It was a very well written first installment for the series, answering the questions that needed immediate answering as well as leaving enough unfinished to leave you wishing you could start on the next book. Fortunately, the next book comes out in June, so the wait won't be too excruciating. (Come on, I know for a fact that I am not the only one who has been waiting impatiently for the next Laurell K. Hamilton book for a freaking year!!)

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by both the quality of the plot and the dimension of the character dev elopement. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a breath of fresh air in a played-out genre. I easily give this book 4 stars.”

• Rated 4 stars

“A fascinating story about Cain & Abel and their affections towards one woman, Evangeline. Can't wait for the next book!”

• Rated 4 stars

“Eve of Darkness (Marked, Book 1) by S.J. Day
Mass Market Paperback - April 28, 2009
4 stars

S.J. Day's new series Marked is: fresh, imaginative and high octane. It blends a hunky hero to die for and a gutsy heroine, thrown into circumstances that are enthralling as well as nail-bitingly suspenseful.

There is a war going on, but most humans don't see it. The Marked are those special chosen and/or cursed to fight these unholy terrors and save humanity.

Evangeline has never been religious; she has a good life and is content. The only thing she doesn't have is a man. The problem is that after she met Alec, no other man has matched up to him and she knows none ever will. Alec left her after one night and completely ruined her for any other man.

When Eve is unexpectedly attacked, years later, by a man that looks eerily similar to Alec, she finds her life irrevocably changed. She is now `marked' and dragged into a world of good and evil. Suddenly, the real Alec comes to rescue her and Eve discovers that he too is `marked'. Because Alec cares for her, she has been targeted as his one vulnerability. Ironically, he left to save her from his dangerous life, but there is no fighting destiny. Now Eve has a fast learning curve in this new game of life or death. Even as Eve is drawn to Alec, she knows he's not healthy. The only sane thing to do is try to reverse the `mark', even if she dies trying.

From the first page, this book pulled me in! It is a fast thrill ride that NEVER lets up. I particularly enjoyed how Eve explores this new world of: angels, demons, shifters, etc. The novel is filled with mystery and shady characters that will leave you wondering where they and the story are leading.

For those who love Urban Fantasy and dark paranormals romances, this series is sure to please your palate. However, I do have to caution for those readers that enjoy a pat ending, this is the first of the Marked series and the author does leave the ending at a HUGE cliffhanger. Luckily the next installment is coming soon. If you can't stand the stress, I would suggest waiting to read all the books at once, if you can wait!

Reviewed by Steph from Bookaholics Romance Book Club ”