Review – Scent of Darkness by Christina Dodd

Posted May 4, 2020 by Carole in Book Reviews / 14 Comments

Scent of Darkness by Christina Dodd
Series: Darkness Chosen #1
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Publication Date: July 3, 2007
Date Read: April 26, 2020 (2nd Read)
Length:  416 pages
Source: Purchased
★★★★☆

A thousand years ago, a brutal warrior roamed the Russian steppes and struck a sinister bargain. In return for the ability to change at will into a coldhearted predator, Konstantine promised his soul—and the soul of his descendents—to the devil.

Then one day a dangerous prophecy reveals the truth: One family has been chosen to battle the darkness—or face damnation.

Ann Smith loves her dynamic boss, Jasha Wilder, but her daring plan to seduce him goes awry when she encounters a powerful wolf who, before her horrified eyes, changes into the man she adores. She soon discovers that she can’t escape her destiny, for Jasha is Konstantine’s descendant, and Ann is the woman fated to break the curse that binds his soul.

My Review

I enjoyed this book quite a bit.  This was a re-read for me.  I first read this book around the time of its original release, which was 2007, and didn’t remember a whole lot about it besides the fact that the Hero is able to turn into a wolf and I liked it.  As I read the book, there were some things that were somewhat familiar but in a lot of ways, it was like experiencing the story all over again for the first time.  I am really glad that I decided to pick this one up again.

I love the set up for this series.  The Wilder family is descended from a man that made a deal with the devil years ago.  Since that deal was made, only male children have been born and each of those children is able to transform into a predator once they reach puberty.  These are violent men who don’t form attachments or marry but take what they want.  Jasha’s father broke tradition when he married his mother and hid his family from the larger family. 

Jasha knows that his family is in danger from his mother’s prophecy.  Jasha is the oldest and is quite the businessman, owning a winery.  He is the oldest of the four children in his family and he is able to turn into a wolf at will.  Ann works for Jasha as his assistant but has wanted him for a very long time.  She doesn’t realize that when she goes to see him at his home that she is going to get more than she bargained for. 

I found this book to be really exciting.  I think that the fact that these characters are faced with a situation that is bigger than they are is really interesting.  Their goal is really just to keep their family safe and despite the fact that their abilities come from a deal with the devil, they do want to do the right thing.  I liked that the enemy could pop up anywhere and really that anything could happen. 

I did like Jasha and Ann and thought that they did make a good pair.  They did have a lot of chemistry and liked each other before the book actually began.  I thought that Ann’s history was really interesting and I liked the fact that she was able to accept everything going on as quickly as she did.  Jasha really did care for Ann although he sometimes did need to learn to include her in the decisions that were being made. 

I would recommend this book to fans of paranormal romance.  I found this to be a fast-paced story with a rather unique premise.  I am looking forward to continuing my re-read of the series very soon!

Darkness Chosen Series
Book #1 – Scent of Darkness
Book #2 – Touch of Darkness
Book #3 – Into the Shadow
Book #4 – Into Flame
About the Author

New York Times bestselling author CHRISTINA DODD builds worlds filled with suspense, romance and adventure and creates the most distinctive characters in fiction today. Her more than fifty novels have been translated into twenty-five languages, featured by Doubleday Book Club, recorded on Books on Tape for the Blind, won Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart and RITA Awards, and been called the year’s best by Library Journal. Dodd has been a clue in the Los Angeles Times crossword puzzle.

Author Links: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

14 responses to “Review – Scent of Darkness by Christina Dodd

  1. RO

    I read the entire series and fell in love with it. Very good writing! Hugs, RO

  2. I don't know this one but it sounds like a good one for PNR. I'm off those right now but I'll consider it when I swing back that way. Great review!

    Anne – Books of My Heart

  3. This is a great time to reread favorites. It can be like visiting an old friend you haven't heard from in a while. I had an accidental reread a while back. I started reading and said to myself, "This all seems so familiar." A quick check on my blog revealed I had already read and reviewed it!

  4. I read this book YEARS ago and now you are reminding me to read this series again. I remember loving this family so much.

    Great review.

  5. I read some Christina Dodd years and years ago when I first started reading romance but I haven't read any of her stuff in the last 15+ years. I like the sound of this series and should definitely give it a try!