Knight of Darkness

I try to stay away from all that Arthur and the Roundtable rubbish. There are so many out there that it has just become repetitive and boring. Yet, the cover of this book really grabbed me in the local bookstore and so I bit my tongue and bought it. I have to admit I was pleaseantly surprised. These books are nothing like the King Arthur we know. Especially, since Arthur is dead and so is Geneviere. (Thank goodness, I really despised that two-faced tramp). Granted, in the book, the whole Lancelot/Geneviere thing was all a misunderstanding thanks to a few gossiping men. This book takes on all new characters and basically covers a war being fought between good and evil. The two main characters find themselves stuck in the middle of a tug-of-war between the good and evil. Those of you interested in reading this book might like to know that I have not read the first in the series and it did not effect the reading of this one in any shape or form. This is definitely a stand alone book. Also, I would recommend it to anyone for a refreshing fun read.

Kinley Macgregor has written an entertaining, warm, romantic story. I loved it and I am glad to see her return to the roots of her best writing. Varian is a dark, brooding, intensely attractive male. He is half dark and half light due to his heritage. Lancelot is his father and Narishka, one of Morgan's allies is his mother. Because of his mother he has never been trusted as one of the Knights of Avalon. Arthur made him a knight against the wishes of every one of the other knights. He has learned not to trust anyone and never to love. He is the Merlin's assassin. His mother is determined to turn him to the dark and provide information and help in overthrowing Avalon. Merewyn was a beautiful princess. She made a deal with Varian's Mother to escape marriage to a man she detested. But as with all bargains with the Adoni, she lost everything. For hundreds of yrs she has been condemed to a hag's body and a servent to Narishka. When one of the Grail Knights, of which there are only six, is killed. Varian is sent by Merlin to find out who killed him and what they found out from him. ONly Varian can cross the borders of Camelot and AValon easily because of his blood. He is captured and tortured by Morgan and his mother. Narishka offers Merewyn her beauty and freedom if she will capture his attention and force him to join Morgan's Circle of the Damned. Merewyn jumps at the chance, but when she finds the kindness and nobility in Varian she schemes and takes a chance to help him for his promise to help her escape from Camelot. Joined by the mandrake, Blaise, they make their way into Val sans Retour, the valley of no return. Many adventures and forgotten people make for a wonderful journey only to face the army of Morgan again. I loved it. Such a wonderful journey I didn't want it to end, and there are few books that good out there now. Do not miss it. I can hardly wait for her next book in this wonderful series. I have to say I usually do not like books set within the arthurian legend but this one is totally fantastic and the first book SWORD OF DARKNESS was also excellent. Last but not least the cover is awesome. This is what a knight should look like not so pretty but handsome with a very rugged face. I loved the cover.

This, the second book in the Lords of Avalon series was very good. As good as the first one, there is something to be said just for that. Sometimes a new series can run out of steam during the second book. However, that's not the case here. Ms. MacGregor has created a rich alternative universe for us to tour. I love how she has taken everything we thought we knew about Arthur, his knights and even Camelot, and completely turned those ideas upside down. The Lords of Avalon, (the men themselves), are wonderfully in the grey area of good and evil. After living for over 1500 years, even the best of them have some really nasty traits. This creates some great conflicts for them. The villains are not all black and white either. They are deliciously evil and some are downright psychotic, but are they all as they seem? I look forward to finding out.

Okay fans of Sherrilyn Kenyon/K. MacGregor we can all exhale. Ms. Kenyon has redeemed herself from the mess that was her short story in "MyBigFatSupernaturalWedding." I almost gave up on the DarkHunter series due to that story. As a Black woman, I felt slighted. Finally, a black DH and his story bites. BUT, I digress, Varian and Merewyn's story is so very entertaining, exciting and fun. Blaise is back and so are a host of new interesting characters. This book is funny, sexy, heart-breaking and just plain wonderful, it is on the level of Kyrian's book. THE LORDS OF AVALON's series is awesome. Both books are absolutely Can't misses.

Centuries ago, Merewyn made a bad bargain with Narishka, one of Morgen Le Fay's chief allies. To escape an unwanted marriage, she surrendered her beauty and gave herself into Narishka's service for one moon cycle, not realizing that in Camelot, the cursed land where Morgen rules, there is no moon cycle. For ages, she has suffered her deformity and the abuse heaped upon her by her mistress' minions. That all changes when Narishka and Morgen decide that it is time that Varian, Narishka's son by Lancelot, join their cause. Thus, Merewyn's beauty is restored and she will be allowed to keep it and be free if she can seduce Varian into their service. Since Varian is considered evil by those who are good, though it is not an opinion shared by those who are truly evil, Merewyn sees no harm in trying. Then, she truly gets to know him and can no longer betray him. Instead, she helps him escape. Together with Blaise, the mandrake, the trio takes flight to the Valley of Despair that lies between Avalon and Camelot. If they can get through it, they will reach this generation's merlin and safety. First, they must get past THE Merlin, Nimue, and all the dangers inherent in the valley, as well as avoid the revenge of two scorned witches. ***** The legends of Camelot have been done so often that even if you love the story, it almost gets old. Then, something like this comes along, and makes it all new and wonderful again. Ms. MacGregor has given the Grail quest new life. The story is fun and fresh, loaded with amusing moments, passion, and heart-rending choices. This series is even better than the Night Hunters, and that is saying a lot. *****