Autry's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews 
 Hancock and Honor was both tough as nails, and brave enough to forge ahead in war torn countries for the greater good of the people. One has an outpouring of support for people in need and willing to risk her life to provide aid. The other is willing to jump out of airplanes and drive for days on end for a mission. Sympathy has no place in Hancock's life; emotions allow things to get messy and complicated, screwing up his missions, risking his men's lives. 
 From the start of Hancock and Honor's relationship it was clear it would be two hardheaded individuals battling each other and the terrorist looking for her. Each one bringing in a very strong, dominate personality into a very tense situation. It takes a long while before each one realizes their feelings for each other. Unsure of how their situation plays out, they both decide to give each other their all for at least one night. That night was the night that broke through Hancock's walls and the relationship takes flight from there. 
 Darkest Before Dawn was a long awaited novel to many readers; it however did not live up to my expectations. I did not really feel any type of emotion towards Hancock or Honor until 60% of the way through the book. It was a real struggle to continue to read the dialogue between the two. It seemed to read in circles, she would always remind Hancock and his men of her stance on her job and how no one will tell her that where she will work. And in his response, or yelling at her, he reminds her what will happen to he if he leaves her behind or the terrorist finds her. I had many times while reading, my mind couldn't believe anyone would think or act as Honor and Hancock were. 
 There would be a great amount of spoilers if I listed everything that made me think this is not up to Maya Banks standards. It almost as if someone else wrote the first half of this novel, then Maya stepped in to finish it up. The last couple of chapters are where the intensity cranks up and KGI actually becomes part of the novel, until then they are barely mentioned. Overall I am disappointed in Darkest Before Dawn, more novels have been confirmed and I hope they will be filled with new, fresh ideas that draw the read in from the start. 
 Review copy provided for an honest review.