Born of Silence (The League)

I loved this book! When I first heard that Darling is not gay for this book, I was curious to find out how Ms. Kenyon was going to make this happen. She did a splendid job. I was afraid I was going to be disappointed because I liked Darling as a gay man but oh my goodness, I loved him as a straight man. I don't think I've ever cried so much for a book - except maybe Acheron's story.

We also got to see characters from the other books and were introduced to new characters. I loved the dynamics between Darling and those around him. I can go on and on but will stop with this; I highly recommend this book. A definite must-read!

OK. So I am only half way through the book, and had to write a review. While I truly enjoyed her previous books in the series, this one is sad. First, agree with other reviewers that you may have PTSD after this book. If you have ever had any trauma in your real life, you probably want to pass this book up. No joke, the crimes committed against Darling is not for the faint of heart.

Now lets get to the heroine. I can't remember disliking a women so much; I really don't know where to start. She is beyond selfish, and at one point I KNEW she would meet her end (hopefully sooner rather than later) and a real woman would step in to save Darling. Sadly, at the half way point in this book, I see she's here to stay. At one point she is throwing things at Darling because she's mad at him. Seriously?! The man has been tortured by HER own people, and since child hood, and she gets mad so she throwns things at him? She pushes his buttons constantly, and only feels sorry for her own pathetic life. Her apology to Darlings sums up to, "My bad." I really wish at some point he uses his blaster on her, but I doubt that will happen. It concerns me a little that others find her character so amazing. A more self-absored, shallow, idiotic heorine you won't find. She's not the princess, but a bigger spoiling brat you can't find, unless you look at Darling's mother. His family is beyond disgusting, and Darling's restraint against those who have hurt him is the true fantasy in this book. I'm all about a strong female character lead, but can she have any human decency? A caring soul? Kindness? Decency? Why is she not begging him for forgiveness every moment of every day for the pain she has caused,even through ignorance? The excuse of I didn't know doesn't wash. Lady, you're the boss, that line doesn't cut it. If she is Darling's saving grace, God have mercy on his soul.

I don't like leaving leaving a book unfinished, but the next half I don't doubt will be just as painfull. The only saving grace is Kenyon's writing is well done, which is why she got two stars. Sadly what you are reading is all about Darling's torture or the consequences of his torture. I feel bad for Kenyon. Something happen to cause her to write a book like this?

This was a the worst book I have ever read next to her Acheron book. I was very disappointed. I love her other books but this was all about torture,every kind. She kept bring it up all the way through the book and no one really ever fights back. The heroine was terrible, always thinking she is being slighted after Darling is continually tortured. She doesn't even have a comeback when someone comes and puts down Darling to her face she just sits there with her mouth hanging open so stunned she lets the guy get a way with it and she is suppose to be this great resistance leader.
Save your money don't buy this book. Hopefully the next League book will be back to the great writing I know Kennyon can write.

I went into this book convinced I was not going to like it. Darling has been a beloved character for me ever since the start of the League series. And I was absolutely livid about the idea that after three books, Sherrilyn Kenyon was taking a character who had always been gay and making him straight. From the moment I finished Born of Shadows, the idea festered in my head. I complained about it for a year. Then I started reading this book and it blew me away from the very beginning.

Obviously, Darling is not gay and in my heart of hearts, that may always bother me on some level. But Kenyon makes it work. I'm not going to spoil how, because it's part of the journey. In fact, I'm going to try really hard to keep as much of the plot to myself as I can because I don't want to rob you of the shocking twists and turns the story takes us on.

The bare bones are as follows: Darling has been having a super-secret affair with a Resistance fighter named Zarya for two years, but he's been doing it as his alter-ego Kere. She has never seen his face but their love is real and they plan to get married. And then it all goes to hell. Darling's miserable past is slowly revealed over the course of the book and as horrible as it is, what he goes through in the present may actually be worse. The depths of his misery are hard to bear. I question whether anyone can go through what he does and emerge with a soul intact on the other side, no matter the depth of the love or friendship that surrounds him.

Kenyon is the queen of the tortured heroes and while Acheron may always reign supreme as the most tortured, Darling gives him a run for his money --and if you've read Acheron that should tell you a lot. What Darling has, though, that Ash never did is an amazing friend in Maris. I love Maris. He is the glue that holds Darling together when he begins to crack, and I'm so glad this character existed to give our hero some shelter from the storm.

As for Zarya, she makes a mistake that has serious consequences. But I believe she is a good person. And there is absolutely no doubt that she loves Darling with her whole heart. The question becomes whether her love will be enough to help heal him.

The cast of the previous League books feature prominently and Kenyon does a fantastic job maintaining continuity. I loved learning how Darling became part of the Sentella and seeing how Nyk, Syn and the others became his real family. It's also great to see the old characters not just used as placeholders for a happy ending update, but as a real part of the story.

And the ending. It was one heck of an ending. A game changer for the series.

I'm not going to say any more, except that if you are a League fan and were on the fence about this book, I urge you to read it. You'll be moved... outraged... and amazed. Or at least, I was. 4 1/2 stars.

It was okay book, BUT I realy would have like to have been told about the homosexual in the book befor I bought it, if you like to read about that kind of stuff fine I dont, the publisher needs to put a warning out . I love the story of Darling and Zarya , Ms Kenyon is a damn good author, but I would not have bought this book,

If you liked Acheron, you'll love this book. If you're tired of heroes that are tortured beyond belief and you expect your heroines to do more than just stand around gaping at people who tell her how horrible a life her lover has had, then don't bother with this one. I'm honestly surprised that there aren't more negative reviews for this one.

I started out loving Kenyon's books but lately I have become incredibly bored with her writing. I'm really tired with how much detail she puts into torturing her heroes. I like a solid back story, but she goes into such depth on every possible bad thing that could happen that it becomes exhausting and out of balance. A character that goes from hideously tortured, maimed, and mentally unbalanced to happy, sane, and fair, just doesn't work for me. The fact that much of the damage was revealed during drawn out flashbacks and through extensive character dialog just made it that much more tedious to get through. The story gets bogged down by all the misery. Kenyon has gotten as bad about torture as Laurell K. Hamilton has gotten about kinky sex - both can be good for a story, but too much gets monotonous.

I still enjoy her story lines and I'll continue reading her books to follow them, especially this series. But personally, I think this book would have been better if she had cut the length of the book down by a hundred pages and spent less time torturing the believability out of her story.

I have just finished my re-read of the League series, and I'm still in love with every word and every character.

This one is, hands down, my favorite league book, and I've read them all to date. There's something about Darling's story that touches my soul. I found this one to be so well written that I wanted to be Darling Cruel's savior. Thank goodness for Zarya and the power of forgiveness and love.

One of my favorite things is that there is adventure and more than just the love story in each and every book. I feel like I'm reading a whole experience, not just a small slice of someones life with a little spice thrown in. These are the kind of books I keep buying and going back to.

So I felt the need to write a review after I read the one star reviews on this book. I'll admit I actually avoided getting this book because of the terrible reviews it received on the store. Then, after avoiding it long enough, I ultimately bough it, -and it became one of my favorite books in the League series.

So, Darling is supposed to be gay... it's the big issue most people have. However, I do think she makes his team switching work with the plot. There is enough back story for it to work, though you do have to go through the major suffering of his character.

Much like Acheron, Darling really suffers, on so many fronts. You hate Zarya for a while, and you should really continue to hate her, but you can't help but like her. His torture is her fault based on negligence, and that is not okay. But... if Darling can forgive her, I think the reader can.

I don't want to talk to much about the plot because I don't want to ruin it. If you are a real Kenyon fan, you have nothing to lose in reading this book!

This is the first League book that I've read and it was excruciating. Not since Archeron has there been a character with a life that sucked beyond belief. Darling had been beaten, lied on, raped, put in a mental institute, hated by his family, his mother would rather spit on him then anything, called a homosexual...the list goes on and on. It is one thing to have a character suffer and survive a few hard knocks but this goes way beyond that. And as with the book Archeron, I got aggitated at the long descriptions of what had been done to Darling and how often. The exception is Darling had friends in high places yet none were present when all the bad #@!% happened to him. Mari was a breath of fresh air (a homosexual character who was in love with Darling and also trained to be a skilled soldier). His witty bantar was often a nice break but after a while it, too, became annoying. As a matter of fact, all Darling's friends had the same curt mannerisms. And there's Zarya. After courting Darling as Kere (and her never knowing what he looked like because they did everything in the dark) Zarya failed to recognize him when he's captured the Resistence she leads. Darling is tortured, yet again, and one sadistic rebel carves his name in the man's cheek, etc. (more crap to add to his list of wrongs done to Darling) After Darling is freed, he goes on a mad killing spree and Mari, in his fight to save his best friend, finds Zarya and gets her back with Darling. No surprise. After a few weeks, Darling is on the road to forgiving Zarya and they are back in bed. After that, there was explanation after explanation about Darling's life, how he got the scars, how his father was murdered, how he was tortured by his uncle who took over the throne, etc. I kept putting the book down, picking it back up and reading a few pages before putting it down again. Like Archeron, I felt irritated with all the pain and suffering these characters go through and still come out with nothing more than sarcastic personalities while being totally rooted with a few hang-ups. Yes, the book had moments that sped by but the nagging over the wounds Darling suffered and the fact that he wanted it all kept secret to protect others, got old quick. I enjoyed the Hunter series so maybe, sometime in the future, I will try another in this series but for now, I've had quite enough tortured characters to last a long time.

Since book one of this series, my curiosity has piqued on Syn and Darling. I find their characteristics very interesting…Syn is a surgeon and computer whiz, and Darling is an expert on explosives and rumored to be gay. Both of them are founders of the group Sentella, which is headed by Nykyrian (an ex-top-notch assassin of League group).

This book, Born of Silence, entails the story of Darling Cruel. If you have bought the book, the book cover is a dagger with a skull and snake curling around it. I have questioned myself what it means. My curiosity is sated after reading this book. Well, don’t be fooled with the feminine and endearment tone of the name, Darling, because he is not what everyone depicts him for—a homosexual and helpless being. His last name, Cruel, should have been a giveaway. He is very lethal. He is trained by the best in the League…Nykyrian. Don’t ever threaten or put his love ones in harm’s way, or everyone who threatens their lives will be six feet under the ground in a split second. Better yet, your head will be on a spike as decoration outside his palace. On the other hand, he is sweet, loving, kindhearted, and diplomatic as long as you don’t piss him off.

I really have enjoyed Darling’s story. The Motley Crue is back, which makes the story more entertaining. If you are familiar with Sherrilyn Kenyon’s writing, her stories will always make you cry and laugh, except for Chronicles of Nick (which is pure of craziness and humor).

There’s one thing I did not like about this book. The love and hate of Darling and Zarya was prolonged, in which I thought unnecessary. It’s just my opinion. Otherwise, Darling rocks!

There is no one who can write tortured heroes like Sherrilyn Kenyon and what she did to Darling really made me sick. It stopped reading for over a week at a certain moment. In comparison Zarya looked like a spoiled brat complaining about imagined slights and threatening Darling with some things, knowing full well what has happened to him. I really, really disliked her at those moments.
Darling has suffered at the hands of his uncle for decades, especially after he saved his mother’s life by claiming her lover was his own. Being gay is not something tolerated in this world, and that is the second thing that really kept throwing me. How could a whole civilization condemn Darling for that, make cruel jokes and hate him blindly.
Lucky for Darling, he has one very close friend who is really gay, who stands by him. As do his friends at the Sentella, who come to his rescue when the Resistance has kidnapped him, and have been torturing him for months. Months Zarya has been searching for her lost lover, not once guessing he is her own prisoner.

After so many years of brutal torment, being betrayed by Zarya was the last straw for Darling. Something broke inside him. He has killed his uncle with his bare hands, killed all the guards who have abused and tortured him since he was a child at his uncles command, and gone after the doctors and nurses in the mental institutions his uncle put him in to be abused some more. He has hot wired himself, his palace and his city with bombs, so no one will dare to kill him for fear those bombs will go off. And Darling, or his alter ego Kere of the Sentella, is brilliant when it comes to weapons and explosives.
His friend Maris is despairing, and finally sets out to find Zarya, as she will be the only one who can bring back Darling’s sanity…

I really felt for Darling, I have never read anything worse than what has happened to him. I really had trouble continuing this book, but Sherrilyn Kenyon is a really compelling story teller. In the end I had to know what would happen next.
Darling is a very honorable character, always protecting his family even though they despise him, and wanting the best for his people, who also hate him. His uncle sure did a great job blackening his name. But he was still a child! So how could they all believe that about him?

I did enjoy meeting all the previous main characters in this series, when they came to Darling’s aid a few times. Zarya did really love Darling, and when she finally realized Darling and Kere are the same person, she was horrified by her own actions and of those under her command. I liked the parts where Darling took charge of his empire and really ruled, outwitting his enemies.

I really am not sure if I will read more books by Sherrilyn Kenyon though. She goes too far with the torture and abuse, while her heroines remain unscathed for the most part. The worldbuilding is also kind of simple and with unexplained technology, travelling from planet to station to planet in a matter of hours or less. The only part that is sci-fi is mentioning the different races, planets and interstellar politics, but nothing is really elaborated on. Yes I am a bit disappointed.

7 stars.

© 2014 Reviews by Aurian </p>

I have stated numerous times that I would read and love anything Sherrilyn Kenyon wrote up to and including a soup can. I read Acheron and was probably one of maybe 5 people worldwide who didn't think it was too intense. That being said, Born of Silence devastated me. It was so intense, so dark so unbearably harsh that I almost stopped reading it. Fortunately my love of all things Kenyon took over and I was able to read this story.

In Born of Silence, Sherrie has mastered the art of the tortured hero. All of The League heroes have been battered and bruised, overcome tremendously horrid childhoods to become amazing men who fight for right and eventually find love. Darling's story was the darkest of them all. Honestly the darkest of any of Kenyon's Heroes, IMHO. And yet the sneaky Ms Kenyon pulls it off, it is still at its core, a love story between two people who have nothing in common except that they have everything in common.

Zayra, born into the aristocracy before her father was betrayed and named a traitor, her family destroyed she fought her way to the top and became the leader of the Resistance, determined to overthrow the corrupt Cruel family. *sidebar.. I love that The hero's name is Darling Cruel it leads a sinister tone to the entire book.. and tells us so much about him, he is a darling from a Cruel family.. Ok back on track* Zayra is in love with Kere, one of the five founding members of the Sentella, the largest organized group against the League. One that stands for justice not corruption, greed and avarice. He comes to her cloaked in darkness and no one really knows what he looks like.

Darling Cruel, born to be king.. his father was betrayed by his jealous brother, leaving him in charge of Darling and his siblings. Darling has spent his life fighting for his family doing anything to make sure they are safe. He is determined to survive and rule his country. His one stroke of luck in his entire life was that his evil uncle hired a League Assassin to keep track of him and make sure he didn't betray him. What good old Uncle Arturo never realized was that when he hired Nykerian, he had given Darling a friend for life. One who taught him more than how to survive but how to win. Finally, Kere has discovered a way to save his family, not betray his friends and marry the woman he loves.. instead...

Zayra and Darling have so much to battle through, they have to first and foremost forgive each other for some stuff. Although, I did tend to get a little irked at Zayra when she would get mad about how she was treated.. yeah, not gonna spoil it but... Besides forgiving each other they had to unite a world battered by years of being ruled by the scum of the galaxy, who ruled with a malicious heart born of envy and they had to fight both the resistance and the aristo's. I did chuckle at Sherrie's use of the media. Something anyone from this world would understand. Propaganda to the masses almost destroyed Darling more than once.

This story is hard for me to even write about. I couldn't stop reading it and believe me I wanted to. Many times. I don't think it was the torture itself but rather who was doing the torturing. It really gives an insight to how a good person can act like an animal in certain circumstances. It explains how throughout history, you hear stories of decent men raping and pillaging the innocent along the way. And yet it doesn't excuse them or forgive them it makes you think.

We do get to catch up on the rest of the Sentella and there are a few kick ass scenes that seriously must be read. One scene where poor, beleaguered, effeminate Darling tossed Nykerian over his shoulder and across the room.. OOOPS. Another when Darling announces just who and what he is.. we also learn a lot about Maris and his family, the good (Maris) the Bad (Most of the rest of his family) and the Ugly (ok, they are all beautiful but they are way ugly inside).

I think in many ways this book has so much power to it because it really is about human emotions... Greed, Envy, Malice, Love, Loyalty, Betrayal, Forgiveness, Revenge... it runs the gamut and plays into pieces of ourselves. Throughout the intensity and darkness Sherrie throws us some of her trademark wit.. it is like a light in the darkness that is this story. All things said, yes you should read this book but do not expect a perfectly wonderful story.. or one where yes the hero has a tortured past but we are removed from it. We see it up close and personal and consequently fall deeply in love with this Darling man..

Shauni

My last review of a Kenyon book wasn't very flattering. I had reviewed Born of Shadows, and I had felt, like a few other reviewers that something was missing, and that it was sub-standard to her other books. I had also hoped that the next book would be equal to the masterpieces of hers I so adore; Born of Fire, Born of Ice and Acheron, etc. Well, I got what I asked for.

Born of Silence is simply magnificent and it now joins the ranks of Born of Fire, Born of Ice and Acheron for me. Nobody, and I mean nobody, can write a tortured hero or heroine like Sherrylin Kenyon. I don't know how she does it, and in a lesser writers hands it would never work, but she pulls it off brilliantly! Now, I don't want to spoil the story for you, because it is absolutely terrific, though I am putting in some spoilers, which I warned of in my title, but I do want to discuss the characters and some of the issues brought up in the book.

I knew that Darling had a very difficult child and adulthood under the cruel thumb of his horrible uncle, but I had no idea how horrific! While Acheron is the ultimate in tortured heroes, followed by Nyk and Syn, Darling has now joined their ranks. I suffered with him when I read his tale. There were points, where I had to stop reading, get up and breathe, because my heart was breaking for his character.

I also loved Zarya, even though one terrible, unwitting mistake of hers nearly caused the destruction of her and Darling's relationship. However, there was no doubt in my mind that Zarya loved Darling completely. I also liked that she wouldn't let anyone, including Darling, put her down, even after her mistake. Like many other of Kenyon's heroines, she's strong and feisty and holds no prisoners. I have always appreciated that Kenyon wrote the women characters with incredible strength, though most of them often had suffered tragic pasts and verbal/physical/sexual abuse as well. Zarya is no different. I, however, love that out of great tragedy, the heroes and heroines in the story forge great strength, no matter how horrific their suffering. I think Kenyon is saying there is hope for us all, no matter how much suffering we've been through, which is a great message. I loved the positive messages she put in her book, which went along the lines of; some people are just bitter and they are going to dislike you no matter what, don't let it bother you, get on with your life and be happy. Very sage advice.

The one thing I was afraid of, as other reviewers, is how Kenyon would explain why Darling, who was introduced as a gay character in the other League books, was actually heterosexual. I would not have been happy had she given a flimsy explanation for why he pretended to be gay. However, the explanation in the book made a lot of sense - and was heartbreaking - as to why he had to masquerade as a gay man for half his life, and how much horrific prejudice and physical/sexual abuse he had to endure because many people around him, including his sadistic uncle, were homophobic. I really appreciate that Kenyon fleshed out how difficult it is to be a gay man in society, although Darling's suffering was obviously taken to a great extreme. And then of course there is Darling's best friend Maris, who is a proud gay man. I found the friendship between Maris and Darling to be wonderful and I adored Maris. I wish we could get a novella for his story. He is a wonderful character.

The story itself is an adrenaline rush. I never knew where Kenyon was going to take me next and I loved it! Many books have become predictable to me, I guess because I read so much and I'm noticing that authors sometimes tend to re-use the same storylines as their earlier books or other works. So, reading something that had me at the edge of my seat is always welcome and appreciated.

So, to conclude, this book is totally worth the money you spend on it. I highly recommend it and I'm not one to give five star reviews easily. A book has to truly impress me; make me care about the characters, make me think, and of course, I have to love it, before I will even think about giving it a 5 star review. However, this is Sherrilyn Kenyon and she is a master of her craft, so I didn't hesitate for one second to buy Born of Silence, and it was more than worth it. Kudos to the author; she's done it again!

I absolutely loved this book!! All 614 pages of it (if I was still living in the Paper Age). Darling is definitely now on my list of favorite tortured heroes of all time!! What happens to Darling is possibly worse than some of what Acheron went through, but we don't have to read about it for 400 pages like we did with Ash. Its just spread out equally across the 614 pages of this book. This story is the epitome of why I love Kenyon's writing! And while a lot of this book is dark and brutal, there is also a large amount of humorous and tender moments.

In the beginning I was really worried about reading this book because I knew it involved a lot of homophobic context and also simply for the fact that Darling was never actually gay as we all believed...only pretending. Trust me, he had very good reasons for his secret. Also, the over-all tone of this book is that homosexuality is okay and homophobia is wrong. So I was comfortable with that. Plus, Maris, Darling's best friend forever and the main-secondary character is a gay man. A very flamboyant and effeminate gay man...who used to be a warrior!! Honestly, he was my favorite character in the book!!

Now, back to Darling: As Kere, he is feared, fearless, respected and in love. He has all his comrades at Sentella and his secret love, Zarya. As Darling, he is afraid, hated, vulnerable and lonely. And don't forget the scars! On the outside, on the inside, and all around him. All he has is Maris. The best friend who knows almost all of his secrets. The untouchable friendship between Darling and Maris happens to be [IMO] one of the strongest factors in the story. Darling never would have survived without Maris. So Darling's journey to a HEA begins...

While Darling is spending his time on my list of favorite heroes, Zarya plays a strong heroine. Yeah, she does some really stupid things in the beginning, but she is truly and totally devoted to Darling. I'm so glad Darling forgives her fairly quickly for her mistake because I don't think I could have survived them fighting and hating each other for most of the book. The two basically go from lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers, causing Darling to be conflicted on what to do with Zarya: "You are my heaven... And you will always be my eternal hell." There is love there, but also a sense of betrayal and danger. Zarya, she doesn't care about how Darling looks or how many times he's been raped. She loves him for the man he is and leader he could be. "I don't need the light to see you, Darling. Your heart shines brighter than any sun ever could." I love how she sits up in bed and guards him while he sleeps in her lap. How awesome is that?!

Thoughts on the future:
♦ I can wait to see the after-effects of that little "display" put on by a few of the Sentella members at the end
♦ I'm really looking forward to Maris's book. He and Ture were adorable at the end of and it is time for Maris to finally have someone that loves him in the way he deserves to be loved. I'm also really curious on how well their relationship will be accepted into society because of how many homophobes appeared in this book and they repeatedly verbally/physically attacked Darling.
♦ I'm looking forward to Hauk's book almost as much as I am Maris's
♦ Bite me now, but I am even hoping for Fain's story to come soon.
♦ ...and is something wrong with me that I kinda want a book about Kyr??

I'm really loving this series and it's sad that it isn't extremely popular. I guess the big rave is still vampires and shifters...not tortured alien smuggler/assassins with space ships.

Born of Silence (The League #5)

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

5 stars

Reviewed by: Joelle

Format:Hardcover

Published: Grand Central Publishing

Source:purchased copy Genre: Paranormal Romance

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About Book

Death Stalks Them All...

Kere is the second most infamous member of the shadow organization known as Sentella. An explosive engineer who strikes terror into the hearts of the League, the bounty on his head is truly staggering. No one knows his true identity.

The daughter of a traitor, Zarya Starska grew up hard on the back streets of hell- her family hunted to the brink of extinction. But Zarya dreams of a different life and a different world. A world where the harsh hand of the Caronese emperor doesn't destroy his subjects. As a Resistance leader, her goal is to topple the government that needlessly ruined the lives of her family and comrades-in-arms. In this deadly quest, the only person she can trust is a mysterious man known only as Kere.

By The Light Of Day...

Kere has a dark secret and a brutal past. As he aids the Resistance, he's actually working to bring down his own family- the Cruels- so named for the viciousness in their blood that runs so deep, no other name would do. Born and bred from one of the oldest and noblest families in the United Systems, Kere's real name is Darling Cruel. And the one thing he wants most is to see his uncle, who stole the crown by murdering his father, pay for his crimes.

If You Tell A Lie Long Enough, It Becomes The Truth...

In order to protect his mother from execution, Darling's entire life has been built on a lie that he dare not breathe a contrary word about. His hands tied by his uncle's cruelty. No one has ever seen the real him. No one except Zarya. She's the only person he's ever fully trusted with the truth. But when she betrays him by allowing a weapon he designed solely for her to be used against him, all bets are off.

The Hero Is Now The Monster...

Betrayed to the deepest level, Darling becomes an enemy even worse than his uncle. His goal is not only to reign, but to kill every Resistance member he can find. He won't rest until all of them are dead and that includes Zarya.

The Twisted Hand Of Fate...

Zarya is the only hope to reach the heart of the man her people once considered their ally. A man who hates her with a fury so great that she knows it's just a matter of time before he kills her. But if she can find the part of him that once trusted her, the part of him that once loved her, she might be able to save not only her own life, but those of her people.

It's an impossible mission.

Too bad she doesn't play the odds

My Thoughts

I have been reading this series for some time and I am totally enjoying it ! I have so say that this story has touched my heart made me cry so many times throughout this story. This is one of the best books that I have read this year.It was such an emotional read.The characters were riveting .

I loved this story it was engaging and mesmerizing.So much action and adventure and drama, amazing friendships.True love for both family and friends.Truly and engaging story and you have to applaud all the work that went into this story it is wonderful and heart wrenching.

Got to love Kere he is also known as Darling Cruel is leading a double life handsome and deadly not matter what face he wearing. The overall story was a very tragic one .I felt the story tugging at my heart strings constantly.Kere he endured so much throughout his life it was amazing he remained sane.

The story was about fighting about injustices and a group of men trying to make there world a better place.The men of this elite group were very powerful and dangerous men who were kings and princes of there own country banded together in a secret group. You have to admire all the characters in this story they all have there own story and own tragedies but, all have carved out a life for themselves .They have developed unshakable friends willing to give there lives for one another.

The story reminded me a little bit of Acheron story one of Ms.Kenyons books.Reminding us that we pay for the sins of others and the games they play with other peoples lives while the less honorable ones hold all the glory and power.

Zarya is a warrior working on the assumption of wrong information and her actions are hurting innocent people.She is a dangerous warrior herself leading a rebel group.During her service she meets Kere known as Darling Cruel heir to the throne of his country.This couple have a wonderful romance even though in the years the have been together she does not truly know who he is really but, Kere is hoping for a lifetime with her even after he reveals himself that she will love the real him and have faith in him and have there love survive.

The relationship of this couple will become a rocky one.Loyalties will be tested. While reading this story you are rooting for a happily ever after for Kere but, your thinking that his happiness is doomed from the very beginning to many obstacles to overcome.

This story was very intense and full with tons of intrigue and danger at every turn you are seeing secrets unfolding constantly throughout the story making it a griping read.Love the characters of this story Kere the most and Zarya too but, there we many times I wanted to kick her butt saying wake up and smell the coffee amoung other things like dumb b****just wake up and see whats right in front of you!The story is full of family drama and betrayal.Unlikely friendships were forged.Darling Cruel is a man one who you can respect and follow.He has friends who would give there life for him and he do the same in return.We see forgiveness from a man you never thought to see knowing such a betrayal is really unforgivable.

There are so many great things you could say about this story and never end.It was quite the page turner and kept me up into the wee hours of the night.When I starting reading this series I thought hum... this is not my kind of thing but, I was immediately sucked in to the there plots and characters of each story .Just loved them all! Kere's story is my favorite to date.This book has gone into my keeper pile and will be re-reading this story again before the year is out but, this time with a box of tissues next to me.

Recommended read to all !. If you are not reading Sherrilyn Kenyon's you need to be she is an incredible author and her books are not to be missed.

Simply and amazing read....

I've been a fan of this series and was excited for Darling Cruel (love that name) to get his own book. This was a heavy tome to get through, however, because of all the terrible things in Dar's life. Darling is the oldest son and heir to the throne of a fairly large, wealthy country. When his father is assassinated by his own brother, the uncle appoints himself as regent until Darling comes of age to rule on his own, which is 30.

As a child of 12, Darling is really at his power hungry uncle's mercy, and his uncle intends to keep as much money and power as long as he can. Darling was taught by his father to protect his family and stand up for his friends. He draws his uncle's drunken rages onto himself instead of his younger sister and brother. He claims that the disheveled man sneaking out of the palace was his lover, not his mother's to save her from execution. That got him labeled as gay and his uncle sent him to a mental hospital to be "cured". The list of abuses goes on and may be difficult reading for abuse survivors. The regent's plan is to break Darling or to make him seem to be an unstable leader so that the parliamentary type leaders will keep the regent in power until the much younger brother is of age.

As always, when there are tyrants and greedy politicians there will be rebellion against them. Zarya Starska has been leading the rebellion against the government for years. Her father founded it after his wife and daughter were killed by the regent. Her father, a good friend and councillor of the last king, had disagreed with the regent and had been declared a traitor. When his wife went to plead with the regent, he killed her and her daughter and declared the rest of the family traitors, seizing their property and wealth for himself. The rebels see themselves in a "Robin Hood" type role and are sometimes assisted by members of the feared Sentella fighter group.

This series has primarily been about the founding members of the assassin level trained fighters whose identity is a highly guarded secret. For the past several years, Zarya has been having an increasingly more serious and passionate and deeply close relationship with one of the Sentella fighters, Kere. She knows every inch of his body, every scar, deep emotional secrets, but she has never seen his face. He tells her that he wants to marry her, spend the rest of his life with her, but he needs her to promise not to freak out when she finds out who he is when he's not fighting with the Sentella. She swears nothing could make her not love him.

Darling has all his legal ducks in a row. He just needs to get his family to a safe place so that they can't be used as leverage, and he's ready to wrest his throne from his uncle's hands. In the middle of getting his sister from school, the rebels attack him with a paralyzing weapon that he only made for and gave to Zarya, shoot his sister,leaving her for dead, and take him prisoner. Zarya is not among them. The rebels include men he saved in an attack just a month ago, but since they gagged him immediately,he can't say anything. The men strip him naked, beat him and even cut his finger off because he tries to keep Zarya's ring on. When Zarya learns what the men have done - capture the prince as a hostage for ransom- (this is what she thinks, they don't tell her they shot the sister) -she comes to look at him and even spits on him, and does not know who he is, her beloved Kere. It goes downhill from there...

Without giving away any more plot, and lots more happens, there are some really serious themes that run through the story. They revolve around people's ability to be cruel to each other and the great damage that hateful words and messages can do to a person's soul. But also the power of forgiveness and friendship in healing and maintaining good mental health for people who have been damaged by abuse, either physical or verbal. Darling and his best friend, Maris, have made a family of great supportive friends who they know they can count on always within the Sentella group. They've found that the family they chose was a whole lot better than the ones they were born into. I think the last major theme was to be ready to forgive yourself, stay true to who you are and respect　yourself, and other people will come around. And if they don't, that's their problem.

To me, those messages are worthy, but did the hero have to suffer quite so much? There was still a lot of action and a HEA, mostly, and it's always nice to have old friends from previous books pop in to help, but it was still a heavy read.

Heat factor hot.

Reviewed by Suzanne & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

Kere is a lethal assassin and also one of the founding members of the Sentella, an organization whose aim is to fight injustice where they find it. But, he is also Darling Cruel, the next Ruler of one of the most powerful kingdoms in the Universe and also one of the most despised men in space. Humiliated and tortured on a daily basis to keep his family safe no one really knows the true Darling Cruel, not even the woman he loves, Zarya , the leader of the rebels who oppose his family rule and knows him as Kere, an ally to her cause. But, her love for Darling is tested when her men drag him to her in chains without his mask.....and she fails with devastating consequences.

I admit I was highly skeptical about this book, I mean Darling was gay right? So what's he doing with a girlfriend? I was told it would all be explained in the book to my complete satisfaction, and I admit I am not as devastated as I thought I would be. In any other authors work apart from Sherrilyn Kenyon's I may have still been disgruntled, but been as Ms Kenyon seems to take great delight in torturing her heroes more then any other author I have ever read, her coming up with Darling being gay in a severely homophobic society who enjoys watching his pain and humiliation kind of makes sense.

But despite being apprehensive about the gay thing, I have been looking forward to this book, although I don't really like her Dark Hunter series (there are exceptions, Vane and Wren yum!) the League series has captured my imagination. Logically I know that it is basically Dark Hunters -in -Space, but something about it makes me pre-order each new book in the series. This book wasn't that much different from the others, only to time it was Darling's turn on the rack and Zarya's turn to sooth him, and I liked both of them and they definitely had on the page chemistry. I did find their relationship a little bit hard to swallow at first because of previous events, but by the end, much like the gay issue, I accepted it.

What I liked most about this book was the way at the end the game has been changed, and I can't wait to see the impact this has on the next book In the series, which I believe in Hauk's although it looks like there will be a novella for Maris towards the end of year.

Although this wasn't much different from any of the other books in the series, I did enjoy it and will be eagerly waiting for the next book.

I was excited to get this book. I thought, "Finally! Darling's story." Little did I know that Darling's story was going to be one of the absolute toughest books I've ever read.

Sherrilyn Kenyon has a gift in writing characters and storylines that absolutely rip you to shreds before you see the light at the end of the tunnel and know there's a happily ever after. With Darling's story, it's about a man who is forced to live a lie to help protect a family he feels doesn't care one iota about him. A man who finds the one person who makes him feel like he's the man he's supposed to be only to have that person devastate him in the worst way possible. Finally, a man who must learn that what you see at face value isn't what the people who matter most use to judge you.

Darling had a very hard, very cruel life. Forced to grow up when he father was assassinated by his uncle, Darling did what he had to in order to protect his mother, brothers and sister. They all, in their own way, resented Darling for what he did or the lies he was forced to live, but only because of their impact on them...not necessarily what it meant Darling gave up for them.

Luckily for Darling, the one thing he was ever grateful to his uncle for was hiring Nykarian Quikades to protect him. The moment Nykarian discovered what was happening behind closed doors to Darling, he brought him under his wing and he joined the Sentella as a founding member. Under the identity of Kere, he became an outlaw and protector of those like his alter ego. It was while fighting the good fight with the Resistence battling his uncle's rule that Darling met the woman that would bring him the greatest pleasure and the ultimate pain of betrayal, Zarya - leader of the Resistance. He loved her and wanted to marry her, but he hoped the truth about his identity (something he hoped to reveal to her after his attempt to win his freedom from his uncle) wouldn't cause her to leave him.

I didn't think Zarya would ever be redeemed, in my eyes, after what happened to Darling. As Darling fought for his life and then begged for his death, it was Zarya laughter on the other side of a door that was his ultimate undoing. It was Zarya lack of follow up on what her people were doing with their prisoner, that caused the biggest issue for me. If maybe she had bothered to ask what they were doing she may have found the person she spent five months trying to locate and negated all the truly horrible, horrible, horrible (I can't say it enough...horrible) things that Darling had to endure. While Zarya doesn't deserve all of the blame in what happened, she does hold a lion share of it just because she never stopped to ask what was happening. That said, Zarya was the one that was able to bring Darling back from the brink. And when I say brink, I mean holding onto the edge by the nail of his pinky finger brink. Darling was a man who seemed broken beyond repair. It took the love, compassion and undeniable regret of the woman he loved with all his being to bring him back.

Darling also had a very unique relationship with his best friend, Maris. Forced to live the lie of being gay, it was Maris who helped Darling pull off the charade. Maris was the only person who knew Darling Cruel for his true self and would go to any lengths to ensure Darling was happy. While Darling loved Maris as a brother-in-arms, Maris was in love with Darling. Darling knew of Maris' feelings, but never exploited them. He was the one person he trusted and would protect. So it wasn't a surprise to find that while Darling skirted on the edges of sanity, it was Maris who could still connect with Darling and Maris who knew that it would be Zarya to save him. I loved Maris for knowing exactly what to do to save that man that he loved, even if what would save Darling wasn't him. It was a truly selfless act.

This was, by no means, an easy book to read. The storyline had dealt with prejudices and abuse that would have pushed a less stronger person over the edge well before it did Darling. The prejudices by the people that Darling has sworn to protect are probably the worst. Not only do the subjects of his governorship resent him and believe the lies spread about him, so do his family. The name calling and disregard for privacy are very, very hard to take at times. The abuse Darling suffered was just as gut wrenching. It truly demonstrated the strength of Darling's character that he was able to survive and become the born leader he was at the end.

An absolutely fabulous read. It won't be easy to get through, but the journey Sherrilyn Kenyon takes us on it well worth it. As with all the other Sentella members, Darling has to scrap bottom before he can get his happily ever after. His bottom was truly horrible, but in the end, it made his happily ever after well worth it.

Kenyon
5
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Born of Silence, the newest entry in The League series by Sherrilyn Kenyon, just blew me away.

She takes a character we've always known one way and has him do a 180 degree turn. Darling is completely believable and I absolutely love him.

Darling goes by many names, we know two of them, Darling Cruel and Kere, the name he has taken while he works with the Sentella, who are working against the League and helping the Caronese Resistance fighters against the ruling family--his.

Darling's father was murdered by his older brother, who then took over the empire and basically took Darling hostage for many years. Darling protected his mother from an archaic law and by that one act, took on a lifetime of abuse and punishment at his uncle's hands.

The only thing good in his life (when he escaped his uncle for short periods of time) was Zarya Starska. Head of the Resistance and daughter of a family murdered by Darling's uncle. Zarya has fallen in love with Kere and has no idea that he is actually Darling. When Darling asks her to marry him, then goes to rescue his family before they get married, fate takes a horrible twist and they almost lose each other forever.

Only Maris (Darling's best friend), is willing to take a chance that Zarya may actually be able to bring back the Darling they all know and love from the absolute brink of insanity.

You have to read the book. I can't tell you any more than that without giving it away--it's far to good a read.

I love nearly everything that Ms. Kenyon (The AG) writes and reread her series repeatedly. Always a good read and I always find something new I missed the last time around.

If you like The League series and have somehow missed this one, please, pick it up. It's highly worth it and I will be looking out for the next one, which will be about Dancer Hauk,

Darling Cruel lives a double life. To most of the Ichidian universe Darling is thought of as a weak gay noble with a feeble mind but that is far from the truth. He must put on a show for his treacherous Uncle. Darling must never threaten his Uncle's position until the perfect time for him to take his rightful spot on the throne. He has honed his mental and physical skills by taking on a second identity of Kere, a founding member of the rogue Sentella organization. As Kere, Darling can express his darkest thoughts through physical violence, fighting for his people that have been mistreated under his Uncle's rule. One woman has captured Kere's heart and trust, but how will she handle it when she discovers his true identity?

Zarya Starska grew up a royal but was thrust out when her father was betrayed by Darling's Uncle. Now, Zarya is leader of the resistance, fighting the royal government against its mistreatment of the people. She never thought it was possible but she has fallen in love with Kere a Sentella warrior. She may have never seen his face but she knows his spirit and loves him dearly. When it looks as if they might start a life together and she might see the real Kere, he disappears.

Just as Darling's dreams of love and retribution are coming to fruition he is betrayed by the only person he ever let himself be vulnerable with. A weapon he forged as Kere and gave to Zarya for protection is used against him and his beloved sister. The betrayal doesn't stop there and it precipitates his decent into madness. Scarred, abused and betrayed, Darling descends into a dark and lonely place. The only one who might possibly bring him into the light is Zarya. Will he give her a chance to rebuild his broken soul?

Sherrilyn Kenyon's Born of Silence is a dark gripping romance that engulfs the reader with its powerful heartfelt story. This is my first League story and I can tell you that you don't have to read the previous four stories but I'm sure it would help you enjoy some of the secondary characters more. After reading Born of Silencen, I am definitely ready to go back and dig into the previous novels. Ms. Kenyon has built an amazing and intriguing world with characters that are fierce and sensual.

Born of Silence is at times hard to read because of its brutal story. Darling and Zarya have both led difficult lives but Darling's suffered such abuse it's hard to imagine it's possible for him to have kept his sanity. The atrocities he has suffered at the hands of people who should have protected him are so terrible it's hard to forgive them. Darling constantly battles his enemies and his self-hatred. The scars on his face are only the tip of the horrible things he must overcome. You have to wonder; is it possible for him to love and let himself be loved?

Zarya and Darling have an epic love story in Born of Silence. They share plenty of passion and love. They begin the story with love and trust but then lose it and must re-earn them again. Their journey is a long and arduous one but it is truly worth it. Ms. Kenyon has masterfully crafted an all-encompassing love affair in Born of Silence.

There is one character that is so important to the story and that is Darling's best friend Maris. Without Maris I don't think that Darling would have survived most of the things that have fallen upon him. Maris brings much comic relief to this sometimes tragic tale. However, Maris' scenes are tipped with pain as it is obvious that he is truly in love with Darling. One of the reasons that I love Maris so much is that he can see through his love to what his friend truly needs and he makes sure Darling gets it.

If you're a fan of brooding heroes and tough as nails heroines who share sizzling chemistry and a one of a kind paranormal story that will take you on a thrilling journey then Born of Silence is for you! I thoroughly enjoyed this story about love, loss and never giving up. I'm Joyfully Recommending it!

Reviewed by Miranda
For Joyfully Reviewed

I am a big fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon's and I have read all of the books in the Dark Hunter and League series. Darling's suffering gives Acheron's a run for its money. I am glad that Darling channels his surname instead of his first name his reaction to the abuse he has endured. *Minor spoiler* He does not suffer in silence throughout *End Spoiler* I found the reasoning behind Darling's pretending to be gay pretty credible, although I think the ending with his mother seemed to make no sense. Also, Sherri throws in her obligatory bad previous boyfriend story, but it takes a backstage to current events. I think the bromance in this story is more compelling than the romance and I find myself wanting to know more about Maris and his HEA.

We get a lot of Nykyrian and Syn in this one as well as appearances by all of the past couple As always the book is well-written and at times so emotionally draining you'll want to take a break. I rarely give a book a "5", but even with the few minor detractions mentioned above, it is a solid addition to the League series and lends further credence to Sherrilyn Kenyon's place as one of the top paranormal fantasy/romance writers.

Wow, finally Darling Cruel has his story told, and what a story. Sherrilyn Kenyon tore out my heart with Acheron, and Styxx and now Darling, luckily she does give them great love interests and good families and friends. This was another hard story to read, but well worth it. So glad that favorite characters from previous entries make appearances in these stories, it's great to see how they and their families have continued to grow. Darling was always a favorite character of mine, so it was great to see some happiness finally come into his life. Can't wait to see what's in store for the rest of the Sentella.

This is my favourite one so far. So much tragedy and pain. (And laughter) Some parts made me gasp out loud, laugh, cry and in some places if the characters were real I would have done violence myself!! This league family is growing and I love every one of them. Once again I can't recommend this series enough.

I wanted to give this book a 5-star but because of the amount of cruelty, torture, disfigurement, I can barely remember the story of Darling and Zarya.
The abuse in Darling's past, while it was not great it was necessary for character development. And I understand that something BIG had to happen to resolve the situation Darling was in - but...... it kept going and going, and going (past and current). The examples and stories Maris had to relate to Zarya were never ending.

On the positive: Love the interactions with the gang (Syn, Maris, Caillen, the Hauks, etc.) and their teasing banter. It always makes me laugh. I was glad to hear Maris' back story.

Well anyway, I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the books I have read by Ms. Kenyon and while Acheron's story was difficult - it is one of my favorites. (The details weren't too many and too explicit.) I liked the book - but I didn't love it and honestly, I can't imagine wanting to read it again. (as I often do with my favorite books.)

Darling is the most tortured, most gentle assassins out there, also the most laughed at and a most disrespected man. Thanks to an awful life with a terribly cruel nasty guardian and family. Really things are beyond bad for this man, it is very hard to read in parts. Get the tissue box out and hold it ready. His friends are some of the most powerful and dangerous out there, they have been his only base to sanity for so long. Unfortunately, things are going to get worse than ever and they may not be enough to keep him sane anymore. Even the woman he thinks he loves may not be the one she thinks she is.
Dark, gritty and filled with torture, lies, and anger. This is not a light read, nor a pretty one. There is a very sweet romantic hope in it. If you have read The League books you have to read this one.

Sherrilyn Kenyon is such a phenomenal story teller. This book kept me up VERY late at night completely caught up in her world. I had listened to this on audio book, and usually I can do other things while listening to books, but I was so caught up in this book I often found myself stopping what I was doing to listen intently. I have only read 3 books in this series, 1, 3 and 5. I know I am missing some of the character background and the world had developed more in book 4 but I didn't have too hard of a time picking up on things. You should be fine if you read at least one of the other books before this one, and the more you read before it the better it will be. The world is well put together, exciting and intriguing and the characters are breathtaking. It has been a very long time since a book in part or as a whole has kept my attention so tightly. So the coveted 5 stars for a fabulous book!

Kenyon is such an incredible author. The League books are all simply amazing. She writes with such stunning empathy and humanity.
In these books you witness the absolute worst humanity has to offer. We've all heard about it, or seen it on TV or in movies. Kenyon makes you FEEL it, along with the awe inspiring love she brings to her characters.
These books make you think. About what you do, what you say, and how what you do affects those around you. Sherrilyn Kenyon is such a powerful author, by reading her books, and by opening your heart and mind to her stories, she can make people want to do better. To BE better. I can't think of anything more worthwhile.
All of my compliments and thanks to her for sharing her beautiful gift with us all.

I have read every Sherrilyn Kenyon book, and admittedly love the Dark Hunter series the best, but have been loyal to The League books as well. The latest installment, Born of Silence, reminded me of her book: Acheron. But it was far darker, and half-way through I thought to myself "Am I going to have PTSD just from reading this?" The book was hauntingly graphic, and disturbing on a horrific level. I truly felt like she had pushed the boundaries from romance/sci-fantasy to horror. Some of the imagery in this book will haunt me for quite some time. I understand that Kenyon enjoys her tortured heroes, but in this book she takes torture to an extreme. I would suggest if you have a weak stomach, to skip this one in the series. I hope that Kenyon gets out of whatever "writer's funk" she is in and presents a bit of a lighter story in the next installment of the series (The Guardian is also really dark). One more book like this one, and I will have to stick with her YA books (Chronicles of Nick) only.

After finishing this book it dawn on me that Ms. Kenyon's characters are all emotional doormat. (I admit that Nick's series aside, I read all of Ms. Kenyon's books) To her credit, Ms. Kenyon expertly show the main characters' suffering in a passionate and poetical prose that no matter how many times I read the same abuse - refaced as they are - they never fail to tug at my heart. Also the `she/he flushed me to the gutter and hell and feed me to the devil but I can't help but love her/him' is the main dynamics of romance in her books. Like I said, I read enough of her books that I wish Ms. Kenyon will find a new way to make her books and characters interesting other than these familiar lines of emotional battery.
In this book, Darling really is that emotionally battered and more so that I am glad to see him kick major havoc when he did. I even love that he had that dark season in his life because it made him more human to me. He is one dark tortured hero that can melt any red blooded heroine's heart.
The heroine, for her part is typical Kenyon heroine - really miserable when she thinks she deserved her suffering but selfishly a shrew when temperature got hotter than she likes. *spoiler* When Darling throw her in the kitchen she even promised herself that she can suffer anything to get Darling back but when she receives not even a tenth of what Darling suffered in her watch she turn around and said no one is worth her suffering in the kitchen. *end spoiler*
Zarya isn't as memorable, IMO, as Desideria. She is that woman who loves fiercely, loyal, beautiful, and can fight her own battle. She sounds familiar to any Kenyon readers and like I said a generic Kenyon heroine/character but as this book's heroine a strong one that fits the hero.
As a whole, Darling and Zarya's story is full of emotional angst, put your heart to the washer and back. Ton's of physical and emotional torture. It is about a man trying to regain and hold on to his kingdom and woman. It is about secrets kept by family and friends and said secrets being revealed in a dramatic way. And ultimately, it is about the sentella revealing its face - which is pretty much left as a cliffhanger at the end of the book.
The book is long as it is filled mostly with previous characters that to me are not necessarily needed except to show how happy the past characters are. In the end, you can either love this book because of its emotional grip on the reader or would just skip through lots of pages because they are filled with familiar scene from previous books - just refaced and renamed. For me, if I did not meet and liked Darling and Maris from the previous books, I would not have put much effort to read his book. I can even say that the bromance tie between the hero and a secondary character appeared stronger than the romance between the hero and heroine. This will be a blast to read for those who are new to this author and for returning readers who would not mind reading familiar storyline.
Lastly, I hope with the cliffhanger, this series would be given a new breath. As it is I am afraid that like the author's other series - dark hunter series - it would go downhill from here. As for the price...all I can say is thank God for libraries. Worth to pay it only if you are collecting books, IMHO.

Fifth in The League science fiction-romance series revolving around a group of friends and assassins trying to claw their way past horrible pasts. The couple focus is on Darling Cruel and Zarya.

If you must read this, borrow it from the library. It's not worth owning.

My Take
Why does Kenyon come up with these names? Is it all part of the space opera mindset?

I usually enjoy the over-the-top action and the whole love-of-a-good-woman romance, but this latest is more about the disgustingly cruel, horrific childhood Darling has experienced than anything else. And it has so many holes, that I'm surprised I can find any page left to turn. At one point, Kenyon states that his mother must hold herself chaste for the rest of her life and later she says that the succeeding governor traditionally releases her from this vow.

The laws the CDS pass or allow to pass including that lame one if someone should assassinate Arturo, the license they give Darling's uncle, his mother...oh, man...his mother is such a piece of work, the obliviousness of everyone around Darling as he grew up, no, I'm sorry. I'm just not buying that an empire that has survived this long can be this obtuse.

After everything said about his mother, Kenyon has her show up for the wedding and telling Zarya that she loves her son but that her son has always been cold from the moment he was born. Oh, well, in that case, it makes perfect sense to allow her son to be tortured, beaten, and raped on a nightly basis so she can continue to have affairs. To constantly push him away and never provide any inkling of love or support. Tossing in his siblings every once in awhile as they range from expressing utter hatred to love.

Arghhh, the whole reason for this story is so contrived. Puh-lease. Once Darling had founded the Sentella, he could have hidden his family safely and fought back against Arturo. Kenyon continually uses Darling's supposed homosexuality and his apparent weakness as the reason why the CDS doesn't want him as the Governor. Neither of these reasons would have even existed if he'd stood up for himself after his family was safe.

Kenyon has Syn repairing Darling's face and we're left believing that nothing has changed. Nothing that is until Zarya sees him. And we get no explanation for why Kenyon has led us on. On the one hand, Kenyon has Darling taking down League assassins left, right, and center and then she turns around and says that with his damaged eyesight and lack of depth perception that he's helpless. Kenyon. Pick one or the other.

If Zarya is so concerned that the Resistance is continuing to attack because they think she's being held against her will, why doesn't she recruit some person known for their ability to detect truth or falsehoods and broadcast an interview about her love for Darling?

Normally, Kenyon has everyone confessing in the end as to how they were held to the awful roles they had to play, thinking they were protecting the others. Naw, there's just Drake whining his heart out and hurting Darling even more in the process this time.

This is a tragedy of a space opera. It has two redeeming values: the love and consideration Darling has for his best friend and most loyal supporter, the gay Maris, and the twenty basic rules laid down by Darling's murdered father Drux.

The Story
Darling plans to overthrow his uncle, but in protecting his sister from potential fallout, Darling is captured and his sister injured. It will be months before he is found in his torture chamber and healed. A torture chamber in which his own allies are slowly killing him in the most disgusting and perverted ways. A chamber from which he can hear his beloved fiancée laughing and talking while he hangs in the most unimaginable pain.

The Characters
Darling Cruel is the heir to the Caronese Empire which his family has ruthlessly ruled for more than 3,000 years. It's got the weirdest laws and Kenyon never does explain about this supposed dual nature of his. Nor do we ever learn why he can't drink liquor in public. The Gerents seem to be a cross between a House of Lords and a ruling council. [And, just for the record, "degredation" is actually spelled with two "a"s.] Darling is one of the founders of the Sentella where he is known as Kere. His siblings include Ryn, a bastard son by Drux's mistress Kirren, Drakari, and Annalise. His mother is Lady Natale.

Maris Sulle is Darling's oldest and dearest friend. He's had Dar's back since they met at the age of five. As an adult, he's only safe on Caron because he is the Andarion ambassador to Caron as arranged by Nykyrian. Tamara is the woman Maris almost married. Chief Agent Safir Jari is a League assassin and the only brother who will still speak to Maris. Kyr Zemen is the prime commander of the League and, in spite of being his oldest brother, hates Maris and Darling.

Zarya Starska is one of two remaining members of her noble family and she no longer trusts anyone. Arturo is to blame in some form for the deaths of the rest--her father Zalan was murdered by his best friend. Her mother and oldest sibling had gone to plead with their old family friend, Arturo, to rescind his judgment against Zalan. The friend who had them both murdered. Her sister Sorche is all that remains to her since her brother Gerrit`s death in battle. And she's in love with Kere even as she leads the Resistance against the Cruel dynasty. [Resistant members? Really?] Ture is one of her best friends and the cook at a restaurant.

Fellow Sentellans include Caillen, an Exeterian prince; Desideria Denarii de Orczy is a former Qillaq princess married to Caillen and they have a daughter Lillya; Chayden Aniwaya is Desideria's older brother; the Andarion Hauk brothers--Fain is the oldest brother; the half-human, half-Andarion Nykyrian Quiakides is an Andarion crown prince, a former League assassin, and the leader of the Sentella; Kiara is Nyk's pregnant wife; Syn is assassin, doctor, and the son of a serial killer; Shahara is Syn's wife, Caillen's oldest sister, and the most lethal tracer in the Nine Systems and she and Syn have a baby boy--Devyn; Nero Scalera is Trisani and Darling's cousin; and, Jayne.

One of the most brutal rulers Caron has ever known, Arturo is the Grand Counsel, Darling's regent until he is old enough--30--to take over as ruler. Darling highly doubts Uncle Arturo intends for him to live long enough.

The allies who capture Darling include Clarion Lubomir, Pip, Davon, and Timmon.

The Cover
The cover is a top and bottom gradient of black bleeding into an off-center middle of towering red clouds in a red sky with the author's name, title, and graphic image in holographic colors. The focus is on the hilt of a sword around which a dragon-like creature is twisting.

The title certainly reflects Darling's childhood for he evolved and the adult that he is was Born in Silence.

After reading this book, I find the amount of torture and horror the character Darling lived through makes the ability to believe he still was an amazing, generous, wonderful, caring person almost impossible. The book is basically a detailed list of every possible terrible thing that can happen to a person, and yet, he's still sane and a wonderful human being willing to help others and be fair. Based on the litany of horrendous things Darling went through, I can't imagine someone being so generous to volunteer to go through it for almost 16 years without lashing out and killing their torturers before then. And then to have the ability to connect with someone and fall in love seems almost impossible.

This was a great book. Love the characters. Love the way this book includes all characters from the previous books. A must read. If you have read the Acheron/Styxx books and their brutal history, you can't even imagine what Darling endures. Could not put this book down. Sherrilyn Kenyon never seizes to amaze.

This is my first book of hers and i am in the middle of the book as of now. All i can tell you is this is a good freaking book. I have not read since harry potter and i am a little older and i am excited to read this so i would recommend anyone who likes reading to give this a look. It is so interesting and i saw it on the best selling type of list and I'm a huge fan now. Im going to try to read all of them!! This is like gold and i am so glad i got this book.

I LOVE Sherrilyn Kenyon but this book made me so mad at times I could have SPIT. I read the entire book as I will read everything she writes, but almost none of the characters and their behaviors were believable to me. Darlings Mother always thought he was gay??? really??? Come on, she is one that KNEW he wasn't and not only let her son throw himself under the proverbial bus with his claim to cover for her in the first place, she makes his life even more miserable because of it??? And once she was "safe", could he or SHE not come out with the truth and reason for the lie??? really??? And Zarya is angry with Darling and then sorry??? really??? She dares to compare her time in captivity with Darlings??? Between Nylan, his bitch of a wife and Gilan, I don't know which character was the biggest stretch. Unless you believe Nylan kept his lifestyle secret from his wife...right...and how about the behavior 180 from Gilan...this guy is such a pig but goes all true blue when his brother & son are abducted? I believed the first 100 pages mostly (although why Kere couldn't trust Z with his true identity is beyond me) and the last 100 pages but the in between not at all. It took 19 months to find Darling/Kere, but the Sentella, etc. located Z in a couple of weeks??? really??? I'm looking forward to next book, if only to remove the taste of this one. (I really do love Sherrilyn Kenyon VERY VERY MUCH)

Just finished the latest of the League books and I absolutely loved it. In previous books it was mentioned that Darling Cruel was gay, and since this is not a m/m romance people wondered how she would get around that. Well, I can tell you that the explanation for the masquerade was brilliant. There is a lot of sadness in this story, as well as a lot of joy. Even though it is a full-length book, I could not put it down until I had finished. Several times I was moved almost to tears. If you liked the previous books in this series, you will love this one.

Darling Cruel was heir to the Caronese Empire until his Uncle Arturo committed fratricide. Over the years since the assassination of his father, his uncle has brutally abused his nephew; he has accepted the torment and even pretended to be a homosexual to keep his mother Natale and his siblings (Drake and Lise) safe. Now twenty-eight years old, Darling is still considered a minor and under his uncle's vicious thumb.

Ever since her family was murdered, resistance leader, Zarya Starska is obsessed with destroying the cruel family running the empire with iron fists who killed them. Zarya has allied with legendary masked Sentella warrior Kere. She is perhaps the only one to see the warrior unmasked. However, when the Resistance captures Darling, they treat him as inhuman as his uncle has. As his mind teeters on a breakdown, Darling vows vengeance against the Resistance and his uncle.

The latest Born of League outer space thriller (see Born of Night, Born of Shadows, Born of Fire and Born of Ice) is loaded with action, intrigue and romance. Darling is an intriguing protagonist who shows signs of insanity from the latest betrayal. Zarya is the only hope to bring him back from the brink, but she has issues too. The lead pair makes for an exciting emotional roller coast ride. No matter what Ms. Kenyon writes readers know it will be a winner.

Harriet Klausner

Great Book but very frustrating at times I felt like I wanted to scream..
I was very curious about this book and didn't think she would write one about darling. I first became curios when I read the league book about Sins son and they said that ship held Darling Cruls only daughter and I was confused because I thought that he was gay.
I was excited when this book came out because it answered a lot of questions that I had.
I couldn't take my eyes off the pages it is that additive Kenyon is a wonderful Author...

I was so excited to see this book and snatched it up. Within the first couple of chapters I began to worry that I was not going to enjoy this one. What happened to the Darling of previous books? The one we anticipated and wanted to read about? Obviously some aspects would change, but I felt like I was reading a completely different character and was cheated out of his story. I've found this author's books a mixed bag for my tastes in the last couple of years. She continues to put out excellent writing, but some of the stories are so dark that there is no joy in it for me and no main characters to really get behind. Unfortunately, this book appeared to be going on the same path as Acheron, and I was not putting myself through that again. I usually try to finish a story to the end, but I had to put this down. Your personal tastes will dictate if you love or hate this book, but I want people to be forewarned before spending their money.

This book is a rollercoaster of emotions and I wouldn't have it any other way. It's funny and insightful about the emotions surrounding true forgiveness and forgiving yourself. The only negative would be that it gets quite wordy at times and it tends to drag during those wordy scenes but other than that it's the perfect blend of action, sci-fi, romance, drama, horror, and adventure.

I JUST FINISHED THIS LATEST INSTALLMENT IN THE LEAGUE NOVELS AND CAN'T OVERSTATE HOW MUCH I ENJOYED THE BOOK. AFTER READING SO MANY SERIES THAT DETERIORATED TO SHORT STORIES PRETENDING TO BE BOOKS IT WAS SUCH A TREAT TO DELVE INTO A WHOLE NOVEL! TOO MANY AUTHORS RESORT TO AN OUTLINE, BARELY SKETCHED IN, USING WIDE MARGINS AND WIDE SPACING TO STRETCH TO THE MINIMUM REQUIRED TO GET PUBLISHED...

"BORN OF SILENCE" TELLS A COMPLETE STORY IN GREAT DETAIL. AT FIRST I THOUGHT 600 PAGES WAS EXCESSIVE, BUT THE DETAILS DRAW YOU IN TO LIVE WITH THE CHARACTERS AS THE STORY DEVELOPS. I LOOK FORWARD TO FUTURE REFERENCES TO THIS COUPLE AS THE SERIES CONTINUES, AS I ENJOYED REUNITING WITH CHARACTERS FROM PAST NOVELS IN THE SERIES.

SHERRILYN KENYON HAS DESIGNED A WHOLE NEW WORLD WE GET TO VISIT WITH EACH INSTALLMENT, AND LETS PAST 'STARS' EVOLVE AS TIME PASSES IN THAT WORLD. I'VE READ HER OTHER SERIES AND ENJOYED THE BOOKS, BUT I THINK I GET MOST INVOLVED WITH THE LEAGUE... WE'D ALL LIKE TO BE THE 'GOOD GUYS' AND SAVE OUR WORLD.

This book was amazing...I have always loved the League books and this is a great addition to the series. I was always interested in Darling from the beginning and wanted to know his story. I was not disappointed. I dont want to spoil anything for future readers but this book will make you cry and laugh. It was great to see Nyk and Syn, Nero, Hauk, Fain, and the others. I was hoping the next book would be Nero but I love Hauk too. Thanks Ms.Kenyon for another great book. I am glad Darling was able to have his happy ending.

I am 3 hours into the audio book and its nothing but bile and bitterness and the destruction of humans by humans. Enough already. Zarya is a whit and an idiot. How the heck can she be any kind of leader when knowing what kind of men she leads she does not follow up on what they do to prisoners. I used to love anything Sherrilyn Kenyon wrote but if from now on all she writes are houndreds of pages of torture and crippling the human spirit I can live without her books.

I have read all of Ms. Kenyon's books and have particularly enjoyed the League series in the past. Just finished the book and I'm on the fence with this one.
Pros:
-Great involvement with other characters we have enjoyed in all the previous books (big saving grace)

-Was excited to get a story about Darling, a character that has been very entertaining from previous books - did anyone ever think he was REALLY gay or going to stay that way? Some reviewers are mad he wasn't really gay... that's a different type of genre if you want to read that story line...

-Great costume detail and jewelry during a state dinner and other vivid imagery of people/places/surroundings. SK knows how to create a picture.

Cons:
-Clear gay rights political agenda being pushed the entire book. Darling's friend Maris is a bit much and the "it's ok to be gay theme" is in every 10-20 pages (and it's 400+pgs) and takes over the entire tone and message... I pick up a romance novel with a certain expectation of the type of romance and love story I'm going to get (I no longer read JR Ward's Black Dagger brotherhood for the same reason, though she had two main characters that were young gay men). I don't want to read a leading story arc about this type of relationship. It could have been explained early to the reader it was all a coverup and then moved on...

-Confusing plot related to Darling's mother and other family and his sexuality. They all thought he was gay (well his mother and brother - never said his sister believed it) but his mother was the one caught having an affair and would have automatically been killed so he covered for her and she then believes his lie he's gay and treats him with disdain??

-Zarya was a really weak leading lady. There wasn't a lot of discussion of her leading the resistance, other than she did because her father started it (she's so not a bad ass -though maybe twice she "does a move" so we are to think she is capable as some of our other leading ladies from SK books... and she is just as "outraged" that she is kept in a holding sell and briefly sold into slavery (though this was weird - she never really was sold and several months past and the slaver still owned her and was "about" to sell her) and thinks it's comparable to the months of brutality that Darling endured. What?!?!

-The book starts with them being together and you are a little confused as to why, how they met (I think this is revealed in the 300's) and the overall time ordering of the plot gets you a little lost.

*Big sigh* it was a bit of a mess from my perspective. I spent an entire day reading it and maybe there was to much going on or maybe the book was trying to be to many things (checking off the list of the winning formula)? Many people compared this book to Acheron - in a good and bad way. I really did enjoy Acheron, thought it was amazing and cried through parts of his story. I didn't feel that connection to Darling or his pain and circumstances. I don't know if it's because the reader could handle A's pain and journey because we knew him from so many books and we were vested compared to this where there were SO many "rabbit trails" or disconnected subplots in Darling's story that the impact got watered down?

Check it out at the library, don't buy (I won't ever read it again - unlike other League novels which I've read multiple times) and be ready for a rocky ride...

I have read and enjoyed quite a few of Ms. Kenyon's books in the past, and was looking forward to BORN IN SILENCE. Unfortunately, I found it to be not up to her usual standards of romance and adventure, and was thrown by the amount of torture and pain the hero went through. Not something I want to spend 600+ pages reading about. The author's introduction seemed a bit melodramatic, however the sentiment was just. This isn't to say I won't read another book by Ms. Kenyon, but I will be a little more reserved in my hopes.

Good story but the name, Darling Cruel, is disconcerting. Not my favorite. So much torture. Physical, emotional and mental. I skimmed a lot of the book. Having said that, I finished the book and cared how it ended. The characters were well drawn and you've got to love a hero that will walk through fire for those he loves.

I was so looking forward to this book after the other Born books, only to be disappointed. The selfish heroine so undeserving of Darling. All the back story and very little of it taking place in the here and now (I thought this was a major no-no with authors) This book lent nothing to the overall series and this is from someone who has read EVERY SINGLE Kenyon book.

yes, a bit gritty, but grabs you by your eyeballs and doesn't let you go until the author chooses to end the ride. it is impossible not to hero worship her main characters, to envy the loyalty that bonds them to each other, to smile at their banter. sherilyn kenyon proves herself as a very gifted and mature writer with this one. if you like jr ward, you'll like sherilyn kenyon.

I actually really liked this book it had all my favorite components of a good sherrilyn Kenyon but I agree with some of the negatives such as how could zarya have forgotten about a prisoner that was pretty dumb but one unresolved issue I think should have been addressed is that the sentella sold zarya into sex slavery and tfen when she's back they all just accept it but I'm a little disappointed that these guys who abhor sexual abuse againt women would actually do that again but at the same time u kinda aee why they would make such a poor decision I just wouldn't have expected them to go there I mean they had to have known what would happen if she became a sex slave namely that she would be victimized although j kinda don't think they thought that far ahead like j said not disgusted just dussapointef

Once again Mrs. Kenyon goes way beyond the realm of excellance. You thought that Acheron had it bad wait till you see what Darling has to face with in his life. I am not going to spoil it for other readers telling you what the story is about. Just make sure when you sit down to read this book you have a box of tissue beside you. This is a heart felt story of someone that faces life's hardships but still comes out to be the bigger and better man.

Out of all of her series, I like The League the most. This book in particular exposes a character that has always been quiet and mysterious. Once I found out all the horrible things he went through he became such a personal character to me. After shedding many a tear for his horrors during the reading I was overjoyed at his accomplishments.
I don't like to give plots or basically tell the story. If I did, you would miss out on a great read. It's long, it's harsh and it sets up what I'm sure is to be an epic battle aganist The League. If your a fan of the series don't miss buying this one.

What else can I say that everyone else hasn't already said? This is my favorite league book, and perhaps favorite book Kenyon has penned so far. I loved how old characters from the other books reappeared. I loved the depth of character. There are so many great scenes in this book. It was so good I read it in less than 24 hrs, and want to go back to re-read the series. A must read for any fan of the series or Kenyon's work in general.

98 pages in and was already skimming. Enough with the violence. Thought Acheron was brutal, this author gets off on torturing her male "heros". No more SK for me thanks - I feel sick! Waste of an hour!

Great book and Great series can't wait to read the next Sherrilyn Kenyon is one if my favorite authors I started with dark hunter series and when I read all of them i started this series u can't put them down

i ordered this book on my kindle so i could get it as soon as possible and I recieved it at 3 a.m. it was so good i did not put it down until 9 in the morning when i finished it.
I enjoyed how she was able to tell darlings story showing us how he wasnt homosexual with a plausible reaon. i enjoyed the character interation and almost couldnt believe how it first started between darling and zarya. i give it five stars and say this is a wonderful addition th the league series and gives us a look at what future books may bring

This book is hard to put down. The League series has rich characters and the story line keeps your interest. I would recommend anyone you enjoys fantasy but does have adult themes (abuse and explicit sexual passages.

As far as I'm concered Born of Silence was my favorite of the League novels so far. I spent as much time crying as I did laughing over some of things that were happening. Darling went to H... and back more times than you can count but he always emerged a better person than any one he had to endure for the good of his empire.
Try to enjoy the books as a collection and it will be better than racking Sherrilyn over the coals about what you did'nt like. Personally I can't wait for her next books in all the catagorys she writes in.

A book is worth reading if it can make you think and test all of your emotions. To me, this book was the ultimate test - I laughed and cried right along with these characters. Darling's story is one of courage, friendship, love, and determination. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing one rise from adversity like a phoenix from the flame. Keep them coming Ms. Kenyon!

I just can't get into this new series. I am back reading the dark/dream/were hunters series for the fourth time. The league series just doesn't compare. I hope SK keeps adding to the hunter series too.

and was hooked! Now I have all of Sherrilyn Kenyon's series. This is by far the best and saddest of the series, but it has a very good ending that left me giddy! Let's just say I had to read it three times before I decided to tel-ass to the bookstore and buy the entire series! :)

I LOVE THIS BOOK AND STAYED UP ALL NIGHT READING. THIS BOOK TOLD OF DARLING PAIN AND OTHER PEOPLES PAIN. YOU WILL HAVE A HARD TIME UNDERSTAND THIS BOOK IF YOU HAVE NEVER WALK A MILE IN THERE SHOES. I LOVE SHERRILYN BOOKS AND LOOK FORWARD TO READING THE NEXT BOOK. SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO WRITE DOWN OUR FEELINGS IN ORDER TO FACE ANOTHER DAY.

I have read all of the books that Sherrilny Kenyon has wrote and I have loved them all, of course some are better then others, but this one is one of the best. I loved this book because it had a great story, but you also revisited some of the older characters. Keep up the excellent work Sherrilyn Kenyon! I will be waiting for the next one.

I don't have words to describe how much I enjoy Ms Kenyon's books, but this one hit very close to home and couldn't have possibly been written better. Not only was I over the moon to finally get Darlings story, I just love getting into these books with ALL the characters and their little quirks. I love the by-play between them, the cracking on each other and the love that is evident under every joke AND threat... I couldn't have been happier with Darling & Zarya's story....

I have read all of the books that Sherrilny Kenyon has wrote and I have loved them all, of course some are better then others, but this one is one of the best. I loved this book because it had a great story, but you also revisited some of the older characters. Keep up the excellent work Sherrilyn Kenyon! I will be waiting for the next one.