Dark Light Paperback – April 14, 2013

Dark Light started really strong. Gabrielle started out as a great protagonist with a no-nonsense, live-for-today type of attitude—the kind of character that was a lot like me when I was just finishing up high school and starting college. In that way, I immediately felt a kinship with her, even though she could be rude, emotional, and wishy-washy at times. I was like that too. It was part of being young and thinking that my life was harder than most, even when it wasn’t. To me, this was a perfect setup for some great character development. Jennings has a fantastic writing style that perfectly captures Gabrielle’s sarcastic and emotional personality. It was what ultimately kept me reading through a few too many sex scenes, a lackluster plot, and Gabrielle’s lack of character development. Mild spoilers ahead.If Dark Light had maintained the momentum and personality from the beginning, I would have given this book a 5/5 hands down. The problem was, after about the 30 page mark, everything I liked from the beginning (except for Jennings' writing style) steadily got worse until by the end I just wanted to give up. Gabrielle’s personality steadily changed from tough, sarcastic, straightforward, and distrustful to needy, submissive, and willfully obtuse. Pretty much everything about her did a total 180. The only aspects of her personality that remained from the beginning were jealousy and bitchiness. That made it really hard for me to like her, even though she started out as a character that I adored.As the story went on, Gabrielle lost sight of herself and gave up everything that was once important to her. Instead of demanding answers and answering questions straightforwardly, she was in total denial about everything. While I know that all this happens sometimes in unhealthy relationships, I felt that it was too unrealistic given Gabrielle’s personality at the outset. If the relationship had more time to develop down that path, I might have accepted it, but the whole story spans over the course of a few months tops (and most of that time is spent in bed, not hanging out or truly getting to know each other). Not only that, but their love for each other is SUPER SPECIAL! No one can understand how special it is. This “soulmates”/”we’re so perfect for each other” thing needs to stop. Love isn’t perfect, but that’s why it’s amazing. Love takes work and effort, and that butterflies/sparks feeling eventually gets dull and disappears as you and your partner get comfortable with each other. What comes after the butterflies is even better, if you ask me.I found many parts of the story a little too ridiculous to accept, such as Gabrielle’s reaction to Dorian getting her number without telling her how. At many points, she mentions feeling creeped out, but she brushes it off because he’s just so hot. She even says, “Maybe Dorian really is a creeper. A creeper that I wouldn’t mind being accosted by in a dark alley” (page 42). There is so much wrong with that that I don’t even know where to start. Some of the things he says are extremely creepy too, but she barely reacts to it. For example, he calls her “little girl” and “delectable.” Maybe I’m a little old school, but I would be freaked out if some creepy stalker guy (hot or not) got my number, didn’t tell me how, and then called me “delectable.” Who even uses that word, anyway? Certainly not a “25” year old guy. Not to mention the condescending and creepy tone that “little girl” implies. Gabrielle just laughs, pointing out that he’s not much older. I’d nope out of there so fast, he wouldn’t have a chance to open his mouth, much less call me another creepy ass name. But it doesn’t stop there. At many points in the story, Gabrielle is “forced” to go out, despite knowing that people are out to get her. And by forced, I mean asked. Who in their right mind would go out drinking and clubbing when they think someone wants to kill them? Who in their right mind would willingly put their friends and themselves in danger when they are getting death threats? Gabrielle would! This seems like the new excuse for YA/NA authors everywhere to get their protagonists into awful situations: “cuz my friend asked me to go out and just wouldn’t take no for an answer!!1!!!” Please kill me now. Seriously.Also, this is irrelevant, but it bothered me nonetheless: apparently Jennings’ idea of “eclectic” music is pop and R&B. And that’s it. There are countless references to pop and R&B artists: Katy Perry, Maroon 5, John Meyer, Rihanna, blah blah blah. We hear from Gabrielle and Dorian both that they’re down for pretty much anything music-wise, but apparently “pretty much anything” = pop/r&b. It seems that Jennings isn’t very familiar with music outside of pop/R&B but wanted to make her characters “different” and “interesting” by making them have a wide variety of tastes. That’s great and all, but when you name drop pop singer after pop singer as the only artists your character listens to, it becomes hard to believe that they listen to anything else.TL;DR: 2.5/5 rounded up to 3/5 because of unrealistic behavior and unbelievable character development. I loved the writing style. Maybe another series by this author would be better, but I probably won’t be reading the next book in this series.

I started this book around midnight, read until my eyes wouldn't stay open anymore, went to work (all the while thinking about getting home to read Dark Light), went home and finished it, then immediately started The Dark Prince. I. Could. Not. Get. Enough!When Gabriella Winters turns twenty, her ordinary existence and sense of identity is shattered when she receives a journal belonging to her birth mother. Not only does she start to learn about her parents, but she also learns the reasons why they're not around, the reason why she is, and also what she is. Dark Light follows Gabi as she tries to understand her new role and how it fits (or doesn't) into the only world she's ever known."A year ago, I was human. At least I thought I was."The world that S.L. Jennings has created is awesome! When I read the book blurb, I wasn't sure. Magic? Hmmmmmm. It could work, but what if it's lame? Let me tell you-not lame! In fact, it was exactly the opposite. There was a lot of detail and world building that went into Dark Light, but at its core, there was a tremendous relationship filled with angst and adult content. I ask you: is there anything better? Not in my opinion, there isn't!Shortly after her birthday, Gabriella meets and quickly becomes enamored with Dorian Skotos. Tall, built, piercing cerulean eyes, dark hair, rich...basically sex on a stick; Dorian is equally as interested in Gabi. The relationship that builds between these two characters is awesome and the tension, electric! Some may feel that all the sex these two have is over the top. I can assure you, I'm not one of them! All the sex scenes were steamy, sexy, and hot, hot, hot! I absolutely loved Dorian and Gabi together--their banter, their tension, the physicality. Loved it all!The one thing I was on and off with was Gabi. It's not in the writing of her character, because in my opinion the writing was great! It's the character herself. Look, I know that she's young, she's struggling to figure out who the hell she is and what that even means, but I sometimes felt she was a little dense. Even worse, it's not because she's stupid. Stupidity would be forgivable. If that were the case I could say, "It's not her fault. She's just dumb," and move on. But no. This character is by no means dim. It's because she chooses time and time again not to see what's right in front of her. Sometimes I just wanted to shake her and scream, "WAKE THE HELL UP!" Other than those frustrating moments, I really liked Gabriella. She's strong, she's a lover and a fighter, and she's got a mouth on her that would rival me and my friends. We could definitely hang out.The supporting cast is just as great as Gabriella and Dorian and there's an antagonist you'll love to hate. On top of that, there's a serial killer on the loose that adds a little fear factor to the story. I can't say enough great things about this book. So run, don't walk, to your computer or nearest book store and buy Dark Light. While you're there, you may as well pick up The Dark Prince too. Trust me on this one. You'll finish Dark Light and immediately need to move on to the next part in Gabriella and Dorian's story. It's that good!

The PlotGabriella is a twenty year old woman living what everyone can agree is mediocre. She has no Idea the direction she wants to take her life in. She is undecided about her major, works in retail and hasn’t experienced any meaningful love relationships. This all changes on her 20th Birthday when she discovers she is a one of a kind being, something that has never been seen before. She has a destiny to fulfill but first she has a choice to make. There was quite a major plot twist but one I think that everyone can see coming, that is of course, Gabi.The CharactersThe characters were all intruiging in their own right. Gabriella, is a bit niave that she couldn’t seem to work out certain aspects of the story/events. “What Dorian has been trying to relay to me all along. What I have been trying like anything to run from since my 20th birthday, still trying to hold on to just a shred of normalcy. He knows who I am. He knows I’m the Dark Light, and the beautiful dream boasting colorful images of love, contentment and a future with the alluring man I so desperately love disintegrates right before my eyes, morphing into a horrifying, bloodcurdling nightmare”. Dorian first meets Gabi while at a club and they stare at one another like no one else exists. His presence and the subsequent meeting leaves a lasting impression. He is an enigma for sure, mood swings , mysterious trips to greece and his mysterious changing eye colour. The naughty moments between the two characters were hot and their is definite chemistry between them and not just the magical element. “Because it’s easier to pretend with someone who hardly knows you than to be yourself with someone who loves you for all that you are.” The backing characters were fun and interesting too – Morgan (Gabi’s best friend ) has a small amount of magic in her too and brought some nice lightheartedness to the dialogue. The conflict between Gabi and Jared was intense but I did find myself more rooting for Dorian. I enjoyed the budding romance taking place and although it did come across as an obsession between Gabi and Dorian, the real issue at hand was her magical abilities and the impending issue of her asension.The SettingThe story takes place in Colorado Springs, although we know that Dorian’s heritage is in Greece. It was interesting to have a character that was from another country and learn the true meaning of Dorian’s surname.The WritingThis book was the first book that I have read by the author. I did find the first couple of chapters a little bit on the slow side but as the story started getting going it flowed beautifully and I got through the book very quickly. I couldn’t flaw her writing style or pace.What I didn’t likeThe only thing I could possibly say that I didn’t like was , how little that Gabi seemed to connect the dots surrounding Dorian. I think as a reader it was quite obvious what was going to emerge at the end.I highly recommend this book. I didn’t realise that it was released in 2012, but it still is a very good Paranormal Romance. It produces a lot of FEELS. I need to run and get the 2nd book, Dark Prince , like now. There are so many characters to relate to and fall in love with. It’s a great story, this is completely different from what I usually read but I will dip into Paranormal Romance again.. I’m glad I gave this book a chance and hopefully it’s opened me up to the genre as a whole.

It could have been a great storyline, but was somehow destroyed by endless carving sex. Sorry, I don't mind to have sex or erotic in a book. But it was just to much, a bit less would have had a better development in the storyline.I thought she is a strong characters, but the storyline made her needy and very annoying that she can't be without him, craving him constantly it was at the start already annoying but it got more and more, for such strong character, misplaced.As well I found it a bit weird that she didn't think that Dorian could be dark, because of his futures, blue ice and black hair like her father, I guess that some thought the same when reading this book that she is not that smart, not to find out that something is just not right with Dorian.I quite like Dorian character but would have liked more dark things from him. More dark charisma, just more. I found some parts just to predictable.As well Gabrielle could show a bit more respect for her parents, she thinks about it, but does the opposite, it make her mean. And her friendship with Jared is just not right, he is so in love with her and she also and kicks her love away, very weird behaviour.So I hope the second part has more action and better conversation between characters.

I read Born Sinner before I read this book and I think that's the reason I am struggling to rate this. So I am going with 3.5 stars....I liked and I didn't like Gabriella at the same time. I loved the fact that she was just a normal girl coasting along getting drunk in life with no real plans and the fact that she is 'special'.  But she didn't see what was in front of her face for ages and she isn't stupid. It made me want to scream!The sex was hot and so was Dorian (but the fact he has blue eyes was mentioned waaay to much)! I loved Dorian!The storyline was great and original but I did get a bit fed up at all the detail about clothes, places etc, there was so much and it took away a bit of enjoyment for me trying to digest all that detail. Maybe it's me? I've had a hectic day and i just wanted to immerse myself in a non complicated book?I'm torn, I want more Dorian and I want to see what happens but because of the above I am not sure. I might break my cardinal rule and go and read some reviews on book 2 before I decide......

Now I love a good fantasy book I read them all the time so some grip me from the start and grow and build into a Hugh climax ending which leaves you desperate to buy book 2, alas this did not, however It did start off quite promising and like every fantasy book you need to learn and get to know the characters first, so I persevered and finished it.Well in the end it was awful the main characters apart from jarred irritated me to no end as far as I was concerned this book was all about sex and believe me that's all Gab and Dorian did nothing else, to me there was no romance between them just sex which got more s and m as time went on it was very graphic which I found unnecessary.WHERE WAS THE MAGIC I love fantasy books for the magic and the romance but this was just erotic sex throughout I found myself towards the end skipping the pages as I got so board of her needy character.I will not be downloading book 2

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover right? Well, I have to admit on this occasion I did and I'm very glad. The beautiful design is what made me look at this book when I was browsing through amazon one day. Then I read the blurb and it got me even more interested. I read some reviews then bought this and the second in the series The Dark Prince together for a great price.Fifty Shades of Paranormal Grey? Yes there were times that this reminded me of the popular trilogy and Dorian definitely had a little CG vibe going on but even more mysterious and possibly even hotter!This was a great read. It initially took me a little while to get used to the writing style--first person, present tense is usually not my thing--but once I did I began to feel comfortable. Gabriella is a young woman who I think many, like myself, will relate to. I liked her from the off. Her strong personality and independence was a welcome change from some of the more needy woa-is-me types that you often find in romance stories. Early on in the story she finds out some astonishing information about who she really is and instead of feeling sorry for herself she chooses to deal with it her own way, by herself in an attempt to protect her family and friends."It's Just...I never wanted to be some dainty damsel in distress. I never wanted to be rescued. I've never been that girl."During her journey of self discovery she meets Dorian...hmm yes, sexy, smouldering Dorian. Well, what can I say about this gorgeous alpha male other than the fact that he's mysteriously hot, dark, flirtatiously seductive... shall I go on? I found myself falling under his spell as well as Gabriella and all though he was dominant in ways, he was also quite tender. And even though and I found myself wondering if he could be trusted, and still do, I think i've found myself a new hero to get all giddy about.The story itself was a little slow paced and even though it is paranormal romance there wasn't a lot of anything paranormal, in fact I would say it was more like contempory romance with a little bit of magic for the most part. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of the magic element instead of just being told it existed but I'm hoping for a lot more in the next book. There wasn't much in the way of action in this either. It seemed to focus more on the relationship between the two main characters which certainly wasn't a bad thing. I really got to know the characters and the chemistry between Gabriella and Dorian was really great. There was quite a bit more sex than I was expecting (which was HOT!) but I'm not complaining at all. I loved the fact that their developing romance was the focus of the book and almost wanted to skip the parts where Dorian wasn't in it because I missed him so much!I really think that S.L. Jennings has done a great job with the character building in this book and has started the series off nicely. The plot moved on slowly but surely. We still have a lot of questions, mainly about Dorian and even more so after the cliffhanger we were left with at the end of it. (I gasped!) Now I'm expecting really good things from The Dark Prince and I'm certainly going to jump straight into the second installment. Thank god I bought them both!Linsey @ mybooksnthings.com