Dark Soul Vol 5 by Aleksandr Voinov

5 STARS

Dark Soul Vol 5 - Books 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15

So my power went off this morning due to a tree breaking in half and dropping over the hydro wires just down the street. I had a fully charged e-reader and time to spare, so, I decided to finish up the Dark Soul series. 

OH MY! I don't give out 5 stars easily, but this volume definitely merits them for many reasons. 

There were touching moments that grabbed my heart, not the least being the puppy. There was tension and not only sexual. There were moments of introspection on both Stefano's and Silvio's parts that I found myself nodding along to. I loved Dangerous!Silvio in Dark Frost. And Donata. Oh, my LORD that woman is sexy and hot and tender and well, let's just say that she fulfilled the promise from the first volume of the series. That moment in the kitchen... STELLAR. As well as what followed. 

This is a terrific series. Not easy to read. It's tough, gritty, bloody and violent; but it's also sweet, warm and tender on occasion, the right occasions. :) 

And I know that the quote is... "The saga comes to an end...", but I can't help but want more of Stefano, Silvio and Donata.

Dark Soul Vol 4 by Aleksandr Voinov

4 STARS

Dark Soul Vol 4 - Books 8, 9 & 10

They fascinate me. All these characters just fascinate me. Stefano and Silvio, of course, but Donata and Franco too. This is one thing that the author does well, I think. Create memorable and layered characters - no cardboard cutouts here!

A purely shallow moment - I must say that the image of Silvio in his leathers, on his bike... OMG, so damned hot. :) 

What also has totally hooked me is the evolution of Stefano. Up until Dark Temptation I was thinking of him being in his early 40s, but he's younger. early 30s. and NOW I understand him a lot better. *LOL* Or I think I do. 

I love Aleksandr's writing and I love this series. I HIGHLY recommend it.

Dark Soul Vol 3 by Aleksandr Voinov

4 STARS

Dark Soul Vol 3 - Books 5, 6 & 7

I forgot to review this when I finished it. :/ 

But I can tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed it. :)

Dark Soul Vol 1 by Aleksandr Voinov

5 STARS

Dark Soul Vol 1 - Books 1 & 2

I had barely begun the second of the two stories in this volume, Dark Secret and there I was, adding all the rest of the Dark Soul Series to my MUST HAVE wish list. 

This series really isn't for everyone. Gritty is almost too gentle of a word to describe it. It's dark, it's violent, it's intense and it explores things that most people would rather relegate to the very back shadows of their minds. I will be honest, I spent most of the first story, Dark Soul with my eyes like this - 0.0 - while I devoured it. Horrified and fascinated at the same time. *LOL* 

The main characters of Stefano and Silvio are two of the most intriguing men I have ever read about and I cannot wait to discover more about them. I hope to learn more about Stefano's wife, Donata, as well. The wee glimpse we got as well as Stefano's thoughts about her have piqued my interest. 

So, it's really not for the faint of heart, REALLY NOT, but, man, I really, really enjoyed it. And it gets 5 stars because it's so far outside my comfort zone and Aleksandr made me care about the characters so that I can't wait to read the rest of the series.