Book Review: Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen

• Paperback: 452 pages
• Publisher: Mira Ink (1 Jun 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1848451245
• ISBN-13: 978-1848451247

One kiss can change everything . . .

Samantha's never been special. 

She's always the girl who blends into the background. 

Until a surprise kiss from unattainable crush Stephen.

Now suddenly every guy in school is clamouring for her number.

But Samantha s newfound popularity comes at a dangerously high price a desperate need to devour human souls.

Enter Bishop a street kid with secrets as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. He s immune to her mesmerising new power and her only hope of salvation. Together, giving into the darkness inside of them, is their strongest weapon to combat a terrifying demonic threat.

Once you ve embraced the dark, can you ever go back again?

Samantha thinks everything about her life is dull and predictable. But then one night at the club she and her best friend, Carly, love, Samantha’s crush finally notices her. And Samantha can’t resist when kisses her. But the kiss changed her far more than she could ever have guessed. Now she’s hungry all the time, and not just for food.

Bishop has a mission on Earth and if he fails, it could mean the end of everything. Two angels and two demons must together against a mutual enemy to keep the universe balanced. Neither side factored in Sam.

When Sam meets Bishop she thinks he is a street kid, and one who isn’t all there. But they discover her touch soothes him, helps organise his thoughts. And soon both crave the touch. But romance can’t be on the cards for them. Because Bishop is an angel, and Sam is one of the things he must stop to save the world. 

Dark Kiss was an interesting take on the recent surge of angel novels hitting the YA market again. It had original characters that were like nothing I had ever read before. Samantha struggles with who she is becoming and questions everything around her, not taking anyone’s word for it. She is fiercely loyal and protective and really, just wants to do the right thing.

Bishop isn’t like other angels in other novels. He is dark and brooding and committed to his mission and struggles with his mounting feelings for Sam. 

There are many loose ends left at the end of this book, leaving us questioning what will happen in the second installment, and ensuring that the wait will be agonising.

Perfect read for any YA, angel, romance etc fan. A welcome addition to the genre.