Paranormal Heroes Who Do Evil Deeds

Anne Marble · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 593

Today, while looking through paranormals, I got really frustrated. I was in the mood for heroes who had done evil deeds in the past -- maybe even verged on being evil. But in the new books, at least those I looked at, none of the "dark" heroes seemed "dark enough."

Many of them were dark creatures, such as demons or vampires, but most of those were good or just misunderstood. That's fine to a point, but I wanted them to have some teeth (pun intended). Twisted Evil

And most of them are guardians who protect the world from evil creatures. That's fine, but once in a while, I want a paranormal hero who is really dark.

So can anyone recommend paranormal heroes who have really done evil deeds in the past? Even heroes who verge on being evil and have to be redeemed?
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Diana · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 1044 Location: Washington DC

Definintely Lynn Viehl's Darkyn books. There is definite world-building here so I recommend that you read them in order.

If Angels Burn
Private Demon
Dark Need
Night Lost
Evermore

Okay, they are fighting against forces even darker than themselves, but these are real bad boys. These books are dark and very erotic and a lovely guilty pleasure for me.
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Anne Marble · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 593

MaryK · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 177 Location: Denham Springs, La

CD · Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 655 Location: London, UK

I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for but would definitely recommend Michelle Sagara's "The Sundered" books starting with "Into the Dark Lands", with the caveat that they are pure fantasy, not paranormal. It is, however, an unusual fantasy in that the whole plot is centred around the love story, and what a love story it is - dark, complex, heart-breaking. It's a love story that just stays with you and you can't stop thinking about it.

If you're looking for "heroes" that commit evil deeds, you really can't get any worse than Stefanos. I don't use the work "evil" lightly but there's no doubt that what he does is evil - repellently breathtakingly evil. But Sagara makes you so invested in Stefanos' and Sara's feelings for each other that, despite their conflicting natures and everything else that seperates them, you want it to somehow work out.

All four books have been reissured recently so grab them. I would, however, suggest to have the second book to hand as the first does end on the mother of all cliffhangers...
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Trish B · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1119 Location: Mid-Atlantic, USA

Rather obscure, but I think Cyndi Friberg's Born of the Shadows may fit the bill. Gideon is an almost-fallen angel and by that I mean that he was a close friend of Lucifer's before The Fall and he has issues with God, the archangel Michael and his "brother" the angel Gabriel. He's walking the line between good and evil and the question for his character is will he be redeemed or will he fall like his friend? He has some dark motives and plans when he comes to earth (circa 12th century Palestine) to the monastery where his brother Gabriel is living as a monk. There he meets a young woman, Naomi, who was orphaned and raised by Brother Gabriel. She immediately becomes a pawn in his dark games, but could she also be his redemption?

graceC · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 441

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I know what you mean. Somebody needs to get Anne Stuart onto that. Smile

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You took the words out of my mouth! But I doubt Anne Stuart would start writing paranormal following others. She seems to always write according to her own 'muse' (for lack of better word) no matter how her books were received by her readers (and I love her for that!!)

Nicole · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:11 pm Post subject:

Karen Marie Moning's new set of books has a darkish seeming hero. The only two out right now are Darkfever and Bloodfever. They were B reads for me.
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Terese · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 250

I would suggest the CJ Adams and Cathy Clamp series. The first book is Moon's Web. The hero is an unreformed assassin. Not a government sponsored sniper-type assassin. No, a gneuinely cold hearted I-kill-people-for-money type assassin. Don't know why I liked Tony so much, but there you go. It helped that he came to love the woman who hired hin to kill her.

sula · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 352 Location: Virginia

How bout the Dark Moon Rising series by Keri Arthur?
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Cyl · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 130 Location: Mississippi

I liked the sound of Cyndi Friberg's Born of the Shadows and looked it up on Amazon. I have one question: What the "H*CK" was up w/that cover?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/1596321318/sr=8-1/qid=1212907300/ref=dp_image_text_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1212907300&sr=8-1

I much prefer this version of the cover, even if it is still a bit odd

http://cyndifriberg.com/ra.html

Terese · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 250

Trish B · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1119 Location: Mid-Atlantic, USA

Diana · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 1044 Location: Washington DC

Just remembered another -- To Hell with Love by Sherri Erwin. It was DIK'd here. Original and enjoyable. The hero is Hades. Really.
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Terese · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 250

If we're including ebooks to this list I would suggest Michelle M Pillow's King of the Unblessed. Although King Merrick doesn't reform (in other words, become a gooey marshmallow even with his captured queen) I bought his love for the heroine. I think you can find this book at www.fictionwise.com