Review: The Dark Underworld by D.L. Blade

My Review:

The Dark Underworld is the second book in The Chosen Coven series, and it is just as action-packed as the first! From the first scene where Mercy finds herself buried alive to the shocking and selfless ending, this fast-paced read will keep you in suspense!

A year has passed since the conclusion of the first book, and Mercy has changed. No longer naive to the supernatural world, Mercy has spent the last year strengthening her skills and controlling her powers. She is a strong, independent, and determined hunter, and her mission is to rid the world of vampires.

I love the depth of her character as well as the other characters in the story. Each is richly developed, which makes it easy to become invested in their journeys. For example, though she is a fearless warrior, Mercy struggles with her identity throughout the story.

Mercy deals with a ton of distressing and stressful paranormal and familial situations, and she always seems so confident and sure of herself. However, in the midst of the chaos, Mercy is still someone’s daughter, and she is still dealing with the pain of betrayal and rejection. She also feels such shame and guilt and fears that she is unloved by her mother, even after all her mother has done. The complexities of her character are fascinating. Mercy might be a strong and brave coven leader, but she is also a wounded and confused daughter. This might be why she keeps the people in her life at a distance and really only relies on herself.

Of course, Caleb and Dorian won’t be held at arm’s length. They both love Mercy, and she loves them. This love triangle continues to be a fascinating subplot in the story, and since the story is told from dual perspectives – Caleb’s and Mercy’s – you learn more about their conflicted feelings.

This is a wonderful addition to The Chosen Coven series! The story is a bit darker in tone than The Dark Awakening, and the world is even more richly developed and immersive. This book delves even deeper into the vampire and witch world, which I found vivid, complex, and fascinating.

I also love the many twists and turns, the terrifying actions of the antagonists, and the selfless heroism of the “good guys.” And, there is a major twist at the end of the story that I did not see coming! It’s shocking and fabulous!

Thank you so much to D.L. Blade for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!

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Rating:

Favorite Parts:

• The immersive story. This story is full of action, and there is never a dull moment.
• The supernatural world. These elements are unique and interesting.
• The setting because much of it takes place in Rhode Island. Shout out to my home state!!
• The character progression and development. The story has great character arcs.

Recommendations:

This is the second book in the series, so I recommend reading The Dark Awakening first. Check out my review of The Dark Awakening here! Readers that enjoy paranormal stories with a bit of romance and a ton of action will love this immersive story!