Review: Seize the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Seize the Night

(Dark Hunters #7)

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Valerius Magnus is the most hated Dark Hunter. He holds the fact that he is Roman very close to his heart, yet that is the very reason why most of the Dark Hunters hate him. Kyrian, Julian, Nick and even Otto, Valerius’ squire openly ostracizes Valerius because of his father’s actions. It seems that every good deed that Val commits, it is thrown back into his face. Kyrian especially has a reason to hate the ground that Valerius walks on, but Valerius is still a man of noble blood. He doesn’t let this extreme revulsion to him set him apart from the Dark Hunters or keep him from killing Daimons. I loved how misunderstood he was. I wondered how Kenyon would redeem such a character, but she does a stellar job of it.

Tabitha Devereaux, kickass vampire slayer and sex shop owner has her life in check. Everything seems to be going well for her until one mistake with a slip of her hand leaves one of the strongest Dark Hunters seriously injured. Talk about a big oopsie!

With the help of Nick, Tabitha gets Valerius to her home where she is able to care for him until he is better. But she needs to keep his presence a secret because if her sister found out that she was caring for and harboring her husband’s archenemy in her home, trouble will surely arise. As she cares for Valerius, she sees him at his most vulnerable and suddenly realizes that the face of an arrogant Roman he prances around with is simply a facade that hides a vulnerable and tortured man.

I loved - and I mean LOVED - Valerius and Tabitha together. The funny thing about them is that they don’t seem like they would mesh well together. Tabitha is feisty, a thrill to be around while Valerius is contained and a bit of a prude. But when they are together, it’s as if they were made for each other. Every moment is fun and romantic. I absolutely adored them together. I also loved the fact that Tabitha stands up to those who hate Valerius. You don’t often see this on romance. It’s usually the hero who is doing this, so it was refreshing to see a woman who is strong enough to stand up for her man.

Towards the end, Kenyon really plays with your emotions. Major events happen and it really made an already great book into a fantastic one! I got really sucked into the world that Kenyon has built and I don’t think there are any signs of me leaving.

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Dance with the Devil by Sherrilyn Kenyon

 

 

Dance with the Devil

(Dark Hunters #3)

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Zarek is as cold as the Alaska air he breathes in. As an outcast among outcasts, he is the one Dark Hunter that even the most deadliest of gods fear. I was very interested to read his book because in NIGHT EMBRACE, Kenyon shows a different side to Zarek. His attachment to Sunshine, Talon’s girl is strong and what he does for them has me intrigued.

In DANCE WITH THE DEVIL, we see the same standoff-ish attitude that is characteristic to Zarek, but there’s also something I never thought to expect in this book. Zarek shows his vulnerability in slow increments. What’s even more heartbreaking is reading about Zarek’s past. No one can surpass Kenyon’s imagination. She conjures up the most tortured and yet desirable heroes I’ve read in a long time.

The heroine in this book is named Astrid and she is a justice nymph, one who is called upon the Fates to decide whether Zarek lives or dies. When Zarek is attacked and injured, Astrid takes her into her home in Alaska where they spend considerable time together. Though Astrid possess immense power, she is blind and I think the juxtaposition was really unique. This allows her to not base her decisions on Zarek by her eyes, but instead by his words and actions.

Their relationship blooms slowly, but it definitely works in this book. Zarek isn’t the type of person to simply allow anyone close to him. Astrid must break past that barrier and I think Kenyon weaves their story well. All around, this book rocked. I finished it so quickly that afterwards, I felt a little needy. I’m not too worried because there are a bunch more books to read! It’s only the beginning of my newest obsession.

 

 

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Night Embrace by Sherrilyn Kenyon

 

 

Night Embrace 

(Dark Hunters #2)

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Dear Talon,
I’ll hold your spear.
Love,
Ann

NIGHT EMBRACE is the second book in the Dark Hunters series and I have to say that it is definitely my favorite so far! I usually have a problem with Kenyon’s tendency to overdramaticize, but for this book, I don’t think she pulled anything crazy or over the top.

As always, the hero is a tortured soul. Talon has lost something that he holds dear. But he doesn’t allow it to run his life now. I loved Talon’s lighthearted attitude. He was fun, flirty and soo damn sexy. The first part of this book has lots of sex in it (not that I’m complaining) so Kenyon really established Talon as the ultimate sex warrior. She even comes up with some very interesting positions. I’ll make note of those, thank you very much.

Another great thing about this series is Sunshine. She really sparkled in this book. I loved her quirky ways and her unique spirit. She compliments Talon well and I loved that they were so willing to give up their world for each other.

With a strong romance and an even stronger camaraderie between the Dark Hunters, I can say I’m very excited to see what’s in store for Zarek!

 

 

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Night Pleasures

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

(Dark Hunter # 1)

Many would be proud of me to see this review. I, myself am feeling quite accomplished because I have gone back to the beginning and started to read this series in order. This time, Angela can’t boot my butt for reading out of order. After all, it only makes sense to read a series in order, right?

Here’s what I thought about the first book in the Dark Hunter series:

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK:

- I LOVED the flashbacks into Kyrian’s past. His story with Theone is a sad one and I can’t help but feel sorry for him. SK does a great job of taking the vampire mythology and changing it up a bit with the Roman influences and the Dark Hunter ways. It’s fresh and interesting. And I can’t resist a warrior!
- SK is really good at dialogue. I mean, really really good. Whenever Kyrian is having a conversation with Ash, Talon or Nick, it’s always entertaining. Those guys are a trip and its fun to see the lighter side to these dark warriors.
- There’s some hot sex scenes in this one, people. Enough said on that count.
- What’s interesting is that SK leaves clues and details of other characters in this series that makes me want to read their stories as well. In just one book, she’s got me hooked!

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE ABOUT THIS BOOK:

- SK has the tendency to overdramaticize. Events that are highly unlikely or in no way coincidental happen and sometimes I have to stop myself from literally rolling my eyes because, duh it’s going to happen in an SK book. She likes to weave her stories so that everything fits together in the end, but sometimes it’s just not believable. For example, what are the chances that Cliff, Amanda’s boyfriend is the one getting attacked in an alley after he did some mean things to Amanda? Apparently quite high because it ALWAYS seems to happen in a Dark Hunter book. Surely the Daimons could attack another guy in New Orleans right? But no, it HAS to be Cliff. For that, I can’t give this book a perfect rating.

I’m going to read the next book, NIGHT EMBRACE soon. Talon seems promising. And sexy. 

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon

 

Acheron 

(Dark Hunters #15 )

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

This book killed me.

Sherrilyn Kenyon really outdid herself on Ash’s book, revealing the deepest and darkest secrets one could reveal about a character. Not a single layer of Ash’s life was kept hidden. And it was both beautiful and terrifying to read.

The book starts off with Ash’s mother, Apollymi and her actions to keep her baby boy safe. Striped from her womb and placed into another pregnant mother’s belly, Ash’s most critical moments of his life occur and he’s not even born yet!

When Ash's new mom gives birth, she discovers that she has two sons. But one, Ash, has eyes that startle the family. They believe him cursed so they shun him, disowning their son even before they even know him.

Fast forward years later and Kenyon tells Ash’s story through the naive eyes of his older sister, Ryssa in the form of diary entries. This part of the book is the hardest to get through. Reading about what happens to Ash’s through his sister’s eyes made me feel helpless. But I also felt that Ryssa continued to make the same mistakes over and over again where Ash was punished with the consequences. There were many instances where I wished Ryssa would stop her endeavours to help her brother because it only made things worse.

And then there is Artemis, the goddess whom I loved to hate. I do not like her. At all.

While I did enjoy the small bubbles of joy and love she brought Ash, she was still a terrible “friend”. And that is all I’m going to say about her.

The rest of the book is set in present time with an Ash that is all goth-ed out. Seeing him now and knowing what he endured, it made me consider his character in a different way than if I had just read the part of the book set in the present.

Kenyon does a great job of incorporating both parts into one cohesive unit, using Ryssa’s diaries as a prized possession that many people would like to get their hands on. Storia included.

Storia was a great woman for Ash. She didn’t fall for his good looks and I loved that she had a passion in her life.

The only thing negative I have to say about this book is that some scenes in part one dragged on a little too long and it impacted the pacing a bit. And I have to wonder how a man like Ash can overcome his tortured past. I will not say it was an easy thing to do, but the Ash in part two seems different and not at all how I suspected someone who endured something so traumatic and heartbreaking. But then again, it’s also part of the reason why I love Ash just the way he is.

 

 

Guest Review: Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Retribution

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

(Dark hunters # 20)

Reviewed by Angela

As a big fan of The Dark Hunter series, I couldn’t resist reading this book as soon as it was released.
In this installment, we finally get to meet William Jessup “Sundown” Brady. Jess was a famous gun slinger, an outlaw cowboy, a badass of the West if you will. *sucker for the bad boys*
We first meet Sundown in Zerek’s book (Dance with the Devil). He was the cowboy who helped our Z get his HEA. Although becoming a Dark Hunter is a long Story, it is explained and revealed how Jess became one.

If you don't already know, most of the Dark Hunters have a tormented past and that's usually the very reason they become a Dark Hunter….. For Retribution.

Our hero here definitely has a reason for requital . This outlaw has found love and lost it tragically. He was betrayed by the only one he trusted. Bart Wilkerson, his confidant, sidekick, best friend, father figure whom had a similar interest.....His Matilda. I won't go into details because if I do, I will just give up spoilers everywhere. (I probably will anyway but I will try to keep it to a minimum) It is obvious that this love triangle will not end well.

Because Jess is an immortal and unknown to the humans as a Dark Hunter, he was force to watch Matilda from afar. He watched her live her life without him. Anonymously, he took care of her financially and her family line over the course of 1138 year span.. And that's where our Heroine comes in. Abigail Yager is a descendent of Matilda Aponi. She was orphaned young, was taken in by the Daimons/Apollites and used as a pawn. She started to hunt for Dark Hunters and was damn good at it. In the process, she had set off a series of events that will bring Jess, Ren, Sasha, Choo Co La Tah and herself on a journey to, well, pretty much save the world.

Though this book is good, it is not my favorite among the series. You do see the typical banter among the characters, there is some action and there are twists in the story. But it lacked the Dark Hunter character I have come to expect from Kenyon. It lacked steamy hot scenes and the romance was not as strong IMO. This story is more based on Native American Mythology than the Greek Mythology / DH vs. Daimon story I am used to. ~Way to throw me off Kenyon~

We do get a glimpse of a typical DH story at the end of the book. It's a bonus story of Ash and Tory as they deliver their baby! Now here we see the usual characters; Ash, Tori, Nick, Kat, Simi, even Nick, Apollymi and Artemis. I give this short story 5 Stars!!!

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I love Kenyon's writing and the magical world she had created in this series.

Favorite Lines:
~Don't let yesterday use up too much of today. -Cherokee Proverb
~Jess: "I though you were communing with Chocolate tonight." Ren shook his head. "Choo Co La Tah". "Ah Potato, Potahto......"
~”Jess: Got to say, dying would really wreck my best day. Been there, don’t that…..Artemis forgot to give me the T-shirt.”
~Jess: “Why’d he <Ash> call you?” Zarek gave him a droll stare. “My charming personality.”
~Abby: Please don’t drop me.” He actually winked at her. “Not on your life.” (Jess)
~Jess: “C;mon, punks,” he goaded. “You want to fight or sniff each others’ crotches?”
~Simi Explains a Charonte Custom: “When a new baby is born you kill of an old annoying family member who gets on everyone’s nerves which for all of us would be the heifer-goddess…..you just gotta say no thank you. You a mean old heifer-goddess who need to go play in traffic and get run over by something big like a steamroller or bus or something else really painful….”
~Ash and Artemis: “She, a pathetic human, really means that much to you?” “I would die for her”.
~The Happiness on your face when first you touched him was enough. I only wish you’d been there when your daughter was born……..Let’s hope the future is much kinder to all of us than the past has been.”