Book Review – The Dark Prince by S.L. Jennings

The Dark Prince (BOOK #2 in The Dark Light Series) - If you are new to this series, you MUST READ #1 first!!! —> Dark Light (check out my review of #1 but just know that #2 is a 5-STAR PLUS read, for me)

I. Am. ELATED!! This book gutted me in the most intense way. I was romantically floored, then distressed, and in the end? Ah ah ahhhhhh! I’m not saying.

Okay so like… you know when you start a book and it’s good, but our fellow readers are talking about other books that also look good (and that they are enjoying) and you question if you want to check those out right away, just in case? You become a book glutton and can’t focus on just one. You “book-hop” (I’m kind of guilty of this). But I can’t help it ’cause I’m looking for that ultimate book-rush and, if I’m not 100% (or close to that) connected… I can be distracted. Tempted away.

Not with this one. “The Dark Prince” snared me from the very start and it did not let me go. I didn’t wonder… I didn’t wander. THIS was the only thing I wanted to read. And considering the fact that I liked, but did not fall “crazy-in-love” with, book #1 (other than falling for Dorian of course, that was inevitable), #2 had to be really something to make me obsess the way I did, with it.

I know this is my truth. My past. My present. My future. It is what I knew all along and, like a freaking idiot, ignored because my beautiful illusion was so much better than my tragic reality.

And it was people. IT WAS SOMETHING BIG!!!!!! I’m in love with every character in that book, and I was heartbroken for, and because of them, too.

“How do you know him?”

Donna crumbles into chest-heaving sobs. “Oh please, no! Please, Gabriella! Don’t tell me… don’t tell me it’s him. Don’t tell me he’s the one!”

She knew. For months she read it in my aura. She knew I was involved with someone and something had changed me. She knew I had fallen in love. She just never imagined it could have been with the epitome of all that is corrupt and immoral in their world.

With him.

This book ran me through a gamut of emotions, but didn’t rush me through them. At times I simmered, and at times I boiled over but the author always allowed me to feel it. Every single scene is doused in intoxicatingly emotional (and often excruciating) detail. But not… overboard, if that makes sense? Not “over-the-top”. This time, I did not eye-roll. This time, the author tricked me. This time, the reveals surprised me (even if I saw them coming… she one-upped me). This time, I felt every single moment, and, “paranormal” or not, I believed it.

Even as fear flows through me in staggering ripples, all I want to do is bury myself in his arms and let him ease my trepidition. Trepidition I feel for him.

How stupid can you get, Gabs?

I get you, Gabs. After all, I too, am a Dark addict.

I delighted in it’s rush, wallowed in it, indulged some more, and eventually… I broke. My heart. It still hurts so bad, and so good, too. And that’s all I ask for in a read.

I feel my eyes pool with fresh tears, unable to blink them away. And why would I? This is the end. There’s no use in trying to stifle my agony. It’s true; I am dead inside. Without Dorian, without the beautiful illusion of love and true happiness, I am but an empty shell. Even the mirage of my life that pacified me for twenty years cannot pull me back from the ledge. I can’t go back to that. Meeting Dorian – loving Dorian – has altered my entire being. Life without him is death.

You know when in a book, the love is good, the relationship is finally smooth-sailing but after awhile of good and “easy”, and lots of it, it can get well… for lack of a better word… boring? You might skim a scene or two, or heave a sigh and wonder when the action will start again? When the emotional discord will re-present itself? Not this. There was just something about them… that was magical (LOL! I know, considering the subject matter ). Their private moments were verrrrryyyyy romantic, sure (sappy?) but no. I could have lived forever in their bliss. When it was good, it was awesome and there was A LOT of it. Ahhhhhhh the wonderful relief. I loved (love) it.

BUT!!!!! And maybe it’s ’cause I knew this “but” was hovering… and maybe it’s that that kept me on the edge of my seat even during the “smooth-sailing” but when things got rough… LOOK OUT!!!! And it was so much, so many different ways, for so many different reasons and all of them, to me… while I was gasping in shock, I was also “understanding” why.

“The very thing that draws me to you is the very thing I hate.”

“You don’t mean that,” I find myself whispering.

“Yes, I do. And you have to accept that. I’ll never be anything other than Dark. No matter how much I wish I could be.”

I was devastated. And while this one can be plenty melodramatic, it didn’t have that over-the-top “oh come on!” feel to it. I was right there with them, with her, every step of the way.

So what’s it about?

Decisions, political alliances (paranormal power and all that – dark vs. light – you know how it goes). Black and white. And all of the grey in between. But SO much more than that.

Best friends, lovers, ex-lovers and scattered loyalties. Rules and breaking them. Rules and upholding them. Adjusting, adapting, coming together just to break apart again. Being hurt. And hurting others. Selfishness. Self-sacrifice. Oh I swear I think I cried for everyone at some point or another, in this book. Bad guys. Good guys, and trying to figure out who is who. This is what our heroine has to contend with, and every single thought in her head was me. I was her. And what incredible growth. So well thought out, so perfectly timed. Her growth, her realizations, and her occasional faltering did not feel contrived. She was real in all of her humanity, her mistakes, her feelings, her healing. One step forward, two steps back, and I was taking those steps with her.

I told myself that it would be alright, that Dorian would be enough for me to leave my hopes and aspirations behind. But all the while I had been trying to be enough for him, I never truly considered if he, and all that his presence represents, would be enough for me.

This book compared to #1? Leaps and bounds, my friends. Leaps and bounds. In writing, in story flow (from scene to scene it was seamless – as if the author was living it with them). In the character growth, and intensity. BUT!!! I appreciate book #1 (Dark Light) that much more now, after having experienced this one. Book #1 is worth it just to get to #2 (after all, I did like it. Especially the 2nd half.) .

Whether you’re into paranormal or not, if you love experiencing incredible romance and devastating emotional pain in your reads and if you love to question the truth, possible betrayal, and who to really trust  (whether they be human or paranormal, they all felt human to me) then THIS IS FOR YOU!!!

“And how would you know that? You aren’t even human!” I feel hurt, angry tears spring to my eyes, and I quickly blink them away.

“And neither are you!” he shouts, his voice nearly vibrating the room.

*hrmph*… you both could have fooled me. Very human indeed. You know… along with all of the cool super-power stuff.

I would do anything to be going into book #3 right now. I’m not ready to leave their world. My throat just got tight again… *sniff sniff*

5 STARS. PLUS!!!!

Here’s the reading order —> The Dark Light Series

You wanna read how crazy we all went reading this one together? This should say it all. This many people, with this strong of a reaction can’t be wrong.

Maryse’s Book Blog: Oh. No. He. DIDN’T!!! He just made me fume and I just KNEW!!! Ugggghhhh!!!! Ohhhh I love reading. *smirk*

Gi: My dark prince?!

Patricia: buhahaha you too huh? !?!!!?!!!? i know…….  if they check my bag at work i am so busted! !!! crack i tell ya crack!!!!!!

Maryse’s Book Blog: Gi you can KEEP your dark prince. GAH!!!! How could heeeee? *sniff* but I love him…. *sniff*

Barbara: Niko is just as awesome..

Gi : Oh my gosh u going love him!!!!

Maryse’s Book Blog:  Oh no. Nonononono it just got worse. Nooooooooooo

Gi: Yup, hate that b@&$@&$&@!

Nikki: ugh that book was so full of angst at times, i loved it!

Sasha: I know exactly what part you are talking about, I had tears rolling down my face

Maryse’s Book Blog: S.L. Jennings I hope you are writing #3 right now ’cause uggggghhhhhhhh! Okay so I haven’t met Niko yet…

Maryse’s Book Blog: No but I’m in pain. Absolute pain.

Syreeta Jennings: It’s 424am where I am but yes, book 3 is on its way! And no worries…you will meet Niko soon

Patricia: sweet jesus i am at 49% and have to go to bed!!!!!!! crap! !!!!! pain nooooooo how they just did bow chicka wow wow …….NOOOOO! !!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Gi: I’m so in pain. I finish it today!!!!

Jennifer: It does get better… or worse… depending on where you are!

Rosie : ^^^ insert evil laugh

Nikki: How fun would a book be if there wasn’t angst?! Lol.

Rachel: I’m 45% into the dark prince and I’m OBSESSED! I can’t stop reading!

Patricia: no worries?????????? fils de pute! !!!!!!!!!! i am not getting any sleep tonight….guess i wont be winning mommy of the year in the morning

Maryse’s Book Blog: Ha! I’ll be up all night, too!

Jennifer: The only words I have for this book was that my heart was ripped out of my chest then shoved back down again! This book killed me!!! But loved every minute of it!

Maryse’s Book Blog: Wow Syreeta. I LOVE Gabs in this. Her every thought is perfect. Exactly want I’d think. Leaps and bounds… ”One day down…” OMG I love that line.

Syreeta: Thank you, Maryse! I’d like to think we grew together

Sandy: Just started it:) now ill pribably be up all nite lol

Ena: You must have hit the BOOM in TDP but wait there are more. Yes Dorian landed himself in timeout for quite awhile for that one

Nardia: Ok ok I have only started ready Dark Light!!! I have the next one downloaded ready and waiting for me to finish the first……don’t tell me anymore!!!

Trina: 2:00am and I have to try and finish DP!! I can do this!!!

Carol: Couldn’t agree more loving the dark prince was up till 3 am only half way.

Keighley: I’m only at 15%, loving it so far but haven’t reached anything that’s ripped out my heart- now I’m scared!

Jennifer: Lol, i was that way with Jared.

Julie: Ok ive got this on my kindle. I need to read it next to find out what all the fuss is about.

Jeannie: I need to stop checking in on this page because my TBR is starting to make my brain implode

Brittany: Love this series!! New favorite

Rosie: OMG I love that series!!!! It is amazing! Mrs. Skotos

Brandie: … I absolutely loved these books. I think I may spontaneously combust waiting for book 3!

Melanie: Just finshed Dark Prince. I love that me and Gabs made the same choice. It makes me think the characters actually can hear me yell at the book. And the ending…..I guess even if you are a supernatural badass you should use the peephole hehe. I need the next book asap.

Maryse’s Book Blog: Ok I passed out, but woke up at regular intervals for more. I’m at 80% and I 5 star LOVE this book. The intensity doesn’t let up, and it flows so well. Many times I have been gutted and on the verge of tears, and GABS … Just wow. Love everything about her.

Jennifer: I totally agree! This book had my stomach in knots with me sitting on the edge of the couch!! LOVE IT!!

Maryse’s Book Blog: *giggle* love this —> “… all I want to do is slap the Dark out of him…”

Ena: Yep just wait for the final BOOM. But this one is like in your face BOOM

Jennifer: I second what Ena said! Just you wait, hee hee. I am kinda liking Niko A LOT though,

Maryse’s Book Blog: It’s hard to read with an inch thick of tears in my eyes. Very hard.

Sasha: Blink rapidly, let those babies roll and read on!!!

Angela: That book was amazing just wait till the end it will knock your socks off, your mouth will be left wide open for quite some time.

Sandy: Oh know im still on book one, lol must read faster

Patricia: Man…..that was awesome!!!!!! I have no words, just a question…how in the heck am I gonna come up with something to read after this????? I have no clue?

Trina: Ohhhh NOOOO!!! Maryse Black, your crying???? Damn, damn!!!!! I’m only half way through chptr 14.

Jamie: LOL!! Dorian has ruined us ALLLLLL!!!

Maryse’s Book Blog: Awesome you guys. An absolute must on my top 2013 list without a doubt. Okay, time to review… *phew* what a ride.

Tagged as: 5 stars, love triangle, paranormal romance, S.L. Jennings, super-angsty, urban fantasy