KNIGHT OF DARKNESS

Author: Kinley MacGregor ISBN: 0060796626 11/2006 PARANORMAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: Time Travel

Welcome to the darkest side of Camelot... For countless centuries, I've been the hitman for the infamous Merlin even though the woman who birthed me sits at the right hand of our enemy, Morgen le Fey. Now both my mother and Morgen have decided that it's time I take my place on their side of this conflict. Normally, telling them no wouldn't be a problem, except for the fact that the good guys I protect think that I'm an even worse demon than the ones we fight. Hmm, maybe they're right. I have to say that I do enjoy maiming anyone who gets in my way. At least until my mother gives me a simple choice: join Morgen's Circle of the Damned or see an innocent woman die. I'm all for saving the innocent but Merewyn isn't as innocent as she seems. And she's none too fond of the fact that her fate is in my dubious hands. Personally, I believe in always taking the easy way out, but leaving her to Morgen is rough even for me. Now the only way to save both our lives is to face the evilest forces ever known-- my mother and Morgen. And two people who know nothing of trust must learn to rely on each other or die: provided we don’t kill each other first. ~Varian duFey

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

There are some fascinating and painful dark passages in KNIGHT OF DARKNESS. Couple that with the hero no one wants and a host of other characters no one likes, and you will understand why this book is so aptly named. It ain't pretty, and folks, neither is the heroine. Well, sometimes she is, but not always, and no, I will not elaborate on that and spoil some of the plot for you. Anyway, the overall tone is as dark as the name, even though there are moments of lightness.

As much as I enjoy the entire setting of Camelot and Avalon the author creates, this book definitely reminds me a lot of the Dark-Hunter books. A lot. A hated hero, a heroine in peril from mystical forces she never dreamed of, sacred marks on the bodies of the few chosen good guys, the b*tch goddess... Oops! I mean b*tch sorceress. Well, if you read any Dark-Hunter books, I doubt you will have trouble seeing the parallels. It's kind of like the same story with a different set of people in a different place. But I still like it.

I am learning to really appreciate the magical, wizardry type of paranormal book more and more. They are such a refreshing change from the vamps and the weres. So, even though this is only my first taste of the Lords of Avalon series of stories and it bears a striking resemblance to Dark-Hunter stuff, I really do look forward to reading the rest in this series.

Shannon Johnson