The Darkness Within by Charisma Knight
Sugar & Spice Press
Interracial/Multicultural Paranormal Romance (m/f/m)
ISBN: 978-1-936668-39-7
Reviewed by G Loch

After being trapped in an abusive marriage, Althea May Johnson snapped once she found out her husband was cheating on her. Catching him off guard, Althea taught her husband the meaning of fury from a woman scorned. That single moment of fury unleashed magical powers within Althea. With her failed marriage behind her, Althea becomes involved with Quinton a sexy vampire, and Vukasin, a virile werewolf. As Althea becomes more adept in her magical craft, Quinton and Vukasin notice a change in her that’s not for the better. Will Althea let all the hurt and the pain from her failed marriage ruin her future with the two men she loves the most?

The Darkness Within by Charisma Knight is a story full of incredibly graphic sex scenes. This story jumps right to business opening up with a scorching scene that could rival anything shown on late night cable channels. As the story is slightly rushed, I felt overwhelmed. The fast pacing of the story hinders you from truly getting a feel of the characters. For instance, you have to assume what kind of character Althea was before her failed marriage. Too frequently personalities and past events are told instead of revisited. Vukasin and Quinton seem to lack well rounded personalities. Perhaps if more time was focused on the male characters instead of Althea’s past, I would have been able to relate to the story more.

The Darkness Within by Charisma Knight appears to be the beginning of a series where the paranormal element is being used uniquely. Alongside the typical werewolves, witches, and vampires, incubi and human guardians of evil spirits – the Collectors walks among them. The ending of the book seems open ended giving a sense of anticipation to inquire what will happen with Vukasin, Quinton, and Althea. As this story holds great promise, it is my hope that if there is a sequel more time is spent in character development. Despite the little to no character development, Ms. Knight is able to create a world that readers simply want to immerse themselves in. That is simply one of the reasons why I wouldn’t hesitate to read another story penned by Ms. Knight.