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Description of  Eve of Darkness (Marked Novels)

Eve of Darkess is the first in a new series of Urban Fantasy titles from S.J. Day. The series title is "The Marked" and centers on Eve Hollis, a beautiful young woman who has found herself as a pawn in a game between Heaven and Hell. A one-night stand with a man named Alec Cain has forever changed her life. This man is THE Cain, the Cain of the Old Testament. Ten years later, another encounter with a mysterious man has left her with a brand, the Mark of Cain. A divine punishment or perhaps a reward, Eve learns that she has become one of "The Marked". Endowed with superhuman abilities, Eve becomes a bounty hunter, hunting down demons, warlocks, and other assorted creatures. Where there is Cain there is also his brother, Abel and Eve will find out there is no love lost between the two ancient siblings. Now the idea of a superhuman, supernatural-hunting protagonist isn't exactly an original concept. There's Buffy, Anita Blake, and many others. So what sets Day's series apart from the others? First off, the characters are just plain fun. The concept of Cain and Abel, essentially on the same side, but still ready to fight to the death as soon as they see each other, makes for an interesting dynamic and places Eve in the middle of the two powerful entities. The dialogue is lively, sardonic, and had me smiling many times throughout the book. The book opens with Eve having to battle a dragon in the men's room at a pro football game...now THAT'S the way I love a novel to grab my interest right off the bat! From there, Day turns the clock back to show us how Eve got her brand and her initial encounter with Abel where she learns her fate. The other thing that works is that the story is sexy without being tediously romantic like so many other urban fantasy series. This is one that both men and women will enjoy. Great start to the series! Eve of Darkness will be out in May from Tor Books.