Review Detail

Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen
ARC received by Harlequin Teen via Netgalley
Release Date: 5-22-2012
Reviewed by: Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say: Daunting, Delightful, and Delicious!

Samantha is not the only one struck with an insatiable hunger! Read Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen, and I am sure you will find yourself hungering for more! Dark Kiss is delectable—so tasty, I devoured it in one sitting!

Yes, this is another book in the angel/demon category, but, even with the aspects that resembled other books, I still really enjoyed it. The only thing that bothered me is the very déjà vu feeling I got because much of the plot line resembled the old WB drama, Charmed. (I mean there’s a Source (of evil) and the Hollow (which sucks good and evil inside it)—both of which are very similar to the television show).

I know quite a few people are burned out on the whole angels and demon scenes; so, I’m going to try to convince you WHY you should read this book.

1.) You don’t have to spend half the book watching the main characters try to figure out who and what they truly are—that’s the biggest thing that bugs me with some paranormal books. It’s so obvious to us as the reader that at times you just want to rear back and slug someone while screaming, “Seriously? They have wings….must be an angel or demon!” It’s not like this with Dark Kiss…right from the start, Samantha figures out who Bishop (we’ll call him Cutie #1) is and who Kraven is (we’ll call him Cutie #2).

2.) There is plenty of action! There wasn’t any down time where the characters were moping in self-pity because “woe is me….the world is ending and I don’t know what to do.” Instead, the characters are straight forward with what needs to be done, and they don’t sit around—they get straight to work. There was never a dull moment!

3.) The hottie guys! Bishop, angel, has been sent to, quite literally, save the world. However, when he falls from Heaven into our world, something goes wrong and he ends up a little disjointed. Enter Samantha who’s touch can open Bishop’s mind and make him sane again. Not only that, but they have an intense pull towards each other. This pull is what creates the romance in the book. Now, I do wish there was more romance because I’m a sucker for it, but I’m hoping that we will see more of that in the second book.

4.) Then we have Kraven, demon, who has also been sent to save the world. He’s dark, sarcastic, and all to willing to kill whatever gets in his way. Let’s say Bishop’s the light that Sam is drawn to, but who can resist Kraven, the dark? I really enjoyed him, and I have a feeling we are going to see quite a bit more from him in the second book. Can we predict love triangle?

5.) The ending is satisfying. While there is plenty still up in the air and much to still be resolved in future books, the ending does not leave you screaming and pulling your hair out. I don’t know about you, but I really don’t enjoy cliffhanger endings. It frustrates me that I have to wait a year in some cases to find out if someone lives or dies. I like when things are wrapped up (somewhat), so I can have some closure but still look forward to the next book.

So…don’t be put off by the fact that it’s another angel book. It’s refreshing in its own way, and the guys are swoon-worthy. I think you’ll find Dark Kiss to be a tasty read, so get sucked into Michelle’s world—you never know what you’ll find!