38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
is sure to be a hit with readers who love powerful emotions, sizzling romance and HOT alpha heroes., September 7, 2010
This review is from: The Darkest Hour (A KGI Novel) (Mass Market Paperback)
The Darkest Hour (A KGI Novel) by Maya Banks
Contemporary Suspense- Sept. 7, 2010
4 1/2 stars
The Darkest Hour is a blazing start to a series that is guaranteed to only get better!
Maya Banks captures the readers' imagination with several hunky and exciting men that seem larger than life but still retain their humanity. I was quickly absorbed in the main character, Ethan, his brothers and the entire crew of the KGI. (I especially liked the introduction of the single KGI female on the team P.J.. I hope she gets her own story!)
Ethan is drunk and hung over. It is the anniversary of his beloved wife's death. He blames himself and feels an utter failure. He regrets the mistakes he made that resulted in a rocky marriage before his wife died. But his life is suddenly altered when he receives a mysterious package that claims that his wife is still alive and a captive. Shocked and disbelieving he knows this must be some sick joke but the more he looks at the data sent to him, the more he is convinced that this is his second chance. Filled with hope and determined to save her Ethan tries to enlist the aid of his brother's special ops group KGI. Although his brothers are not convinced the woman imprisoned is Rachel they agree to help extract her. But Ethan's heart knows the truth.
Her mind shattered, Rachel barely remembers her name and dreams of a strong protector who never comes. Drugs and torture have taken their toll and when a strangely familiar man comes to rescue her she must decide if she can trust him. But how can she when she can't even rely on her own memories?
This story is a great introduction to the exciting and fascinating KGI team. Ethan's scarred emotions make him a very vunerable and sympathetic character. And Maya Banks has some interesting plots twists that keep this novel at a quick and thrilling pace. I could feel the confusion that Rachel felt as she tried to sort out her memories. She is a strong character who is able to overcome adversity and forgive. Their relationship felt very realistic and heartfelt. I was amazed at how many intriguing characters the author was able to juggle in this story and still keep it a clear read. But that only means more books!!
Maya Banks is known for her scorching romances and believable characters. While this not as racy as some of her books it still packs a lot of heat. This first in the KGI secret ops series does not disappoint! It is sure to be a hit with readers who love powerful emotions, sizzling romance and HOT alpha heroes.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
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26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Tempting new series, October 6, 2010
This review is from: The Darkest Hour (A KGI Novel) (Mass Market Paperback)
`The Darkest Hour' is the first book in a hot new series from erotica author, Maya Banks.
Maya Banks is a bit of a `hit and miss' author for me. Sometimes I love her books (I would count `Colter's Woman' amongst my favourite erotica reads). And then sometimes I really despise her books (`Colter's Lady', for instance). But I am always willing to give her a try.
I was pleasantly surprised by `The Darkest Hour'.
The premise of the series revolves around KGI (Kelly Group International). This is a family-run group established by six brothers who have various backgrounds in the Army and SEALs. The KGI are private military contractors, of sorts. They do the tough jobs no one else will touch; hostage extractions, assassinations, and murky political surveillance.
We are first introduced to the Kelly family via middle brother, Ethan. Ethan is in a downward spiral following the tragic death of his wife, Rachel, in a plane crash in South America. Ethan has cut himself off from his family and become a recluse in the wake of Rachel's death, which is also tainted by his own guilt for his perceived involvement.
When we meet him the first year anniversary of Rachel's death is upon him, and Ethan is drinking himself into oblivion. Until a package arrives, showing surveillance pictures of Rachel and tangible proof that she is alive. Alive, but held hostage in a drug cartel's base camp.
Ethan rouses the KGI group together to save his beloved wife.... but even second chances come with complications. Rachel may be back, but she has demons to face, and so does Ethan.
I really enjoyed this book. To begin with, I love the series premise. The KGI will no doubt provide many a steamy book - I love the combination of tough army men, with the camaraderie of a family-run organization. I think there's a lot of possibility in this series, and I will definitely be sticking with it.
Secondly, I loved the fact that although this is a fairly outlandish erotica/romance read, there's a lot of emotional angst and characterization behind the characters. Rachel is, of course, the character with the most turmoil - and Maya Banks really doesn't pull punches with Rachel's post traumatic stress and agonizing recovery.
But I also loved the fact that Ethan is recovering, both from his wife's death and her return. Not to give anything away, but Ethan is harbouring some guilt over the way he treated Rachel before she left for South America. Her return from the dead is a miracle to Ethan, but at the same time he is worried about what she will remember of their imperfect marriage... and that worry turns to guilt over not being 100% elated by her return. I loved the emotional connection Maya Banks made with the characters; it made for a surprisingly fulfilling read.
I did have one or two problems with the book, however...
Because there are six Kelly siblings it was a little hard to keep track of everyone and I felt that the brother's weren't given enough page-time to be distinctive. On the one hand I thought their family dynamic came across beautifully, and the Kelly's were definitely a formidable clan. But I felt a little disconnected from the individual brothers. Ethan was obviously well developed because this is his story. But twins Nathan and Joe have a `blink and you'll miss them' appearance. Donovan `Van' is the quiet recluse and therefore virtually invisible. Sam and Garrett seemed to be the two Alpha brothers, and were given the most characterization of any other brothers, but still not enough for my liking. But Maya Banks also throws into the KGI/Kelly mix employees like Sean (who is also the town cop) and Rio, and there are a lot of men to keep straight in your head. I would have been fine if Banks had simply referred to some of the brothers, without introducing them in this book (I think Nathan and Joe could have remained off the page, merely mentioned by the family members to be formally introduced in scene in later books?).
There's also a second storyline about a runaway girl called Rusty who ma and pa Kelly take in off the street. This was a little `huh?' for me. I'm sure this story will come to fruition in future books as Rusty grows and matures, but in this first book it felt out of place running concurrently with Rachel and Ethan's emotional story.
On the plus side, the sex is hot. This is a guarantee in a Maya Banks book.... she alternates between rough and sensual, smutty and romantic. There's a little something here to push everyone's buttons. And because the emotional stakes are constantly raised between Rachel and Ethan the sex is even more intense and frantic. I loved it.
I had a few problems with `The Darkest Hour', but overall I thought this was a great and tempting introduction to a wonderful new series. I will definitely be reading more books in the KGI series.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
4 1/2 Stars - Great start to the new KGI series, September 8, 2010
A protective alpha hero and a vulnerable heroine will almost always work for me but this one had me crying off and on for almost the entire first half of the book. I loved it! There was just enough of a suspense plot to enhance the romance but the hero and heroine's relationship was front and center which is the perfect mix for me.
I consider myself a fan of Maya Banks but her books are hit and miss. This one was a total hit and probably my favorite book of hers she's written to date (I've read them all). Add in the sexy brothers with a military background and a strong sense of family and I can't wait to read more--I'm sold on this series.
Because Banks also writes erotic romance I think it's worth mentioning that this is not erotic romance. While the sexual language used was explicit the one or two love scenes were an integral part of the story and the emphasis was on the emotional intimacy.
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