{REVIEWS} EVE OF DARKNESS and EVE OF DESTRUCTION (MARKED #1,2) by SYLVIA DAY

Series: Marked #1
Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: 1/8/13
Format: Paperback (reissued)
Pages: 348
Source: Received from publisher for review

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bared to You

Years ago, Evangeline Hollis spent a blistering night with a darkly seductive man she can’t forget. But that evening of addictive pleasure has become a disaster of biblical proportions: She’s been branded with the Mark of Cain.

Thrust into a world where sinners are marked and drafted to kill demons, Eve’s former one-night stand, Cain, is now her mentor—and his equally sexy brother Abel is her new boss.

Now Eve has become the latest point of contention in the oldest case of sibling rivalry in history...

Cursed by God, hunted by demons, desired by Cain and Abel... All in a day's work.

 

Having heard tons of praise for author Sylvia Day, but not having read any of her books for myself, I had somewhat good expectations for Eve of Darkness. I enjoy a lot of the adult urban fantasy books that I read. I loved Eve of Darkness.

The story places the reader immediately into the Marked world. It was definitely attention-grabbing, but it did take me a bit to gain my bearings. I actually even double-checked to make sure I didn't pick up the second book in the series. Once I realized that the story was going to go back and fill in the details, I was okay. The Marked world was pretty cool and definitely fascinating. There is a good amount of religious aspects to the story, but I wouldn't let that put you off if you are afraid to read books with religion. I found my background with religion to be helpful to me with the world-building, but I admit that I'm afraid my grandmother would be devastated! Nevertheless, though there are angels, I wouldn't shy away from Eve of Darkness if you don't like angel books. This read to me as more of a demon hunter story. And it rocked.

Eve is a badass. Minding her own business, she gets dragged into this insane world where she must fight demons and grapple with a world in which she is a pawn. Eve just sort of accepted the situation, which may be a tad unrealistic, but I was just happy that I didn't have to read about her denial of reality for pages on end. It should also be noted that Eve is biracial, Japanese/American. I loved her ethnicity and wanted to point that out for those looking for more diversity in their books.

As for the men in Eve's life, Cain and Abel. Yes, that Cain and Abel. These two have been fighting since the beginning of the world, and the battle for Eve is no exception. The man are seriously sexy, seriously aggravating and seriously dangerous. I kind of loved them. They both have been involved with Eve, both seem to care for her. I'm not sure whose team I'm on, but I'm definitely leaning towards Cain. AND...this book is suuuuper steamy. Like, steamy enough that I was blushing and trying to hide my book as I was reading on a plane. YUM.

Overall, I would say Eve of Darkness was pretty fantastic. Despite my initial confusion, I quickly fell in love and read the book in a matter of a couple hours. I will say that if you read it, definitely have book two, Eve of Destruction on hand because you will need that book immediately.



Favorite Quote:

  Reed ran the bitten side of the apple from the hollow of her throat down to her cleavage. Shivering, Eve reached behind her and gripped the edge of the counter. He lowered his head slowly, watching her, giving her time to pull away. His tongue touched her skin and slid up the trail he'd made in a long, slow glide. His teeth nipped at her chin, then he moved to take her mouth.  ~pg. 69




Series: Marked #2
Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: 1/29/13
Format: Paperback (reissued)
Pages: 432
Source: Received from publisher for review

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bared to You

Class is in, but Evangeline Hollis is struggling to get through the requisite training to be a full-fledged Mark. When her class goes on a field trip to an abandoned military base, passing the course isn’t just a matter of pride…it’s a matter of life and death. There’s a demon hidden among them, killing off Eve’s classmates one by one. As the body count mounts, a ragtag team of cable TV ghost hunters unwittingly stumbles into the carnage. Now keeping the Mark system secret competes with the need to keep the “paranormal researchers” alive. With Cain on assignment and Abel on an investigation, Eve must fly solo on her hunt to stop a killer before he strikes again.

 

*** This review will be spoiler-free for Eve of Destruction*** 

 

 

 

This book. THIS BOOK. I thought Eve of Destruction was going to kill me. The story picks up soon after Eve of Darkness ends, and did not quit surprising me and holding me on the edge until the very end.

 

I was a little worried at the beginning of Eve of Destruction. Second books in a series, particularly Urban Fantasy, sometimes feel a bit lacking to me. The world has been established. The characters have been formed. It's time to get to business. I did not feel let down at all in this installment of the Marked series. Eve has survived her first few weeks of being a Mark; now she must train. Her training sends her off to a "boot camp", where she is under the guidance of her Archangel. Training doesn't go as planned, at all. In fact, things are going to hell, in the literal sense. Marks are dying, in a supposedly safe environment, and Eve needs to figure out who is behind the carnage, or she will be next. What's worse is that her guys, Cain and Abel, aren't there to save her now.

 

Cain and Abel. These two... man, I can't even believe how much I like these guys. They have been at odds since the beginning, and I love the way the antagonize one another. In the last book, I couldn't decide which guy I liked the best, but I think I'm totally Team Alec Cain. He is so sexy and fun and I honestly believe he is so in love with Eve. As for Reed Abel, I do like him, too. I think there's a lot more going on with him than I originally thought, though we don't get much from his point of view. Despite being the "good" brother, he is definitely a little rough(er) around the edges when it comes to Eve. And though she wants to be with Cain, she is without a doubt drawn to Abel and his wicked ways. The chemistry between Eve and the brothers is intense. And deliciously complicated. She loves one, but is drawn to both. I was a little sad that Eve of Destruction had fewer steamy moments (no judging me), but I did love what few moments I got.

 

Eve of Destruction had a HUGE plot twist that I did not think would come until further down the road. I was completely blindsided, and I felt majorly distraught. But, I have to say, that it was well played by Day, because I am dying, DYING for Eve of Chaos. That book will be a drop everything and read for me.

 

Favorite Quote:

  He loved who Eve was and that wasn't going to change, but he also missed the eighteen-year-old girl who'd given her innocence to him. That was one of the penalties for his sin, the same penalty his parents had paid when they gave in to temptation -- you can take what you shouldn't, but in the end you still won't get what you wanted.  ~ pg 82


  "Right now, I could tell you to cool off with a shower and an ice pack. I could tell you to find the blonde who has issues with you and knock out some stress that way. I could suggest that you slip away and get yourself off without me. But I'm not going to do any of those things, Eve, because I need to be your go-to guy." He paused, then, "And I need Abel to not be that guy."  ~pg 225

The Marked Series

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