Acheron (Dark-Hunter, #22) by Sherrilyn Kenyon - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists

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06/18/08

Justine rated it:

Read in August, 2008

recommended to Justine by: no one
recommends it for: anyone who has read the DH books

This review is a little more involved for me, than most. I am a long time fan of the Dark-Hunter and Dream-Hunter series, by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Some might think this would dispose me to be lenient in my evaluation, fawning with my opinions. However, the opposite would prove to be true; I find that I have such high expectations for Ms. Kenyon’s books, at this point, that there was a better certainty that I would be disappointed. Truly, how could an author possibly deliver on all the anticipation...more This review is a little more involved for me, than most. I am a long time fan of the Dark-Hunter and Dream-Hunter series, by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Some might think this would dispose me to be lenient in my evaluation, fawning with my opinions. However, the opposite would prove to be true; I find that I have such high expectations for Ms. Kenyon’s books, at this point, that there was a better certainty that I would be disappointed. Truly, how could an author possibly deliver on all the anticipation that she has been building for readers such as me, since the introduction of this saga back in 2002, with Fantasy Lover? Serendipity strikes, though, and Ms. Kenyon not only delivers, she surpasses expectations, leaving them in the dust.
Devotees of this series know that Ms. Kenyon can create heroes, villains and anti-heroes that readers cannot help but fall for, cheer for, even when the man of the hour may be the villain of the piece. She is also skilled at taking characters, such as Nick Gautier, and carving out places in our hearts for him, then turning him, so we are not sure if we should cheer him on, or wish him ill, but we just can’t; he is too deeply entrenched in our hearts at this point. Her characters have heart; they have souls; they have dark, cutting edge humor that carries them through some of the darkest places a soul would ever have to travel. The roll call of characters is impressive at this point; the readers of Acheron need to know their Dark-Hunter history, and reviewing a play list before picking up the book might not be a bad idea (unless, of course, you’re a geek gyrl like me, in which case these people are like fictional family members, already.)
Acheron, son of Atlantean gods, born into a human body and cursed by the Fates, attracts readers like no other member of Ms. Kenyon’s cast of players. He struts upon her stage with a feral grace; he is Gothic, grim, and forbidding. Hades, he is downright scary; scarier than most of the villains by a margin so great a new form of measurement might need to be invented. But Ash is also the most heart wrenchingly vulnerable person in this world of damaged souls. This is hinted at in prior books in the series; his loneliness while surrounded by other cursed hunters is legendary. The secrets surrounding Ash are more tightly held than the whereabouts of Jimmy Hoffa’s final resting place or the real special blend of eleven secret herbs and spices. Until now. In this book that bears his name and his emblem, we learn so much about his history, and what forged the God we know in the current timeline of the series.
Ms Kenyon addresses the pressing questions surrounding the relationship between Ash and Artemis, or as Simi calls her, the Heifer Goddess. We learn how and why Ash is such an irresistible, sexy beast. And the learning is not easy; it is a dark, twisted tale of abuse, degradation and despair. The first half of this book is darker than any previous Dark-Hunter or Dream-Hunter novel. The series is known for its blending of tension, sensuality, sharp dialog and humor. This is not absent from Acheron; but the first portion of this story is harsh, so readers must be prepared. Ms. Kenyon deals with issues of mental, emotional, verbal and physical abuse skillfully, but openly and honestly. This honest, but respectful handling of such a terrible subject helps raise this story from the realm of everyday fantasy to literature. Brain candy books are enjoyable, and can certainly get high marks, and are necessary parts of the fictional world. But “literature” asks difficult questions; does not flinch from ugly truths, and reflects our own truths back to us. Ms. Kenyon has achieved literary standing with Acheron. She offers a light and a lesson to those who have suffered from abuses of their own, in their real lives. You can endure; you can triumph; you are worthy of love, no matter what someone else has forced upon you in your past. In the words of Acheron, she also brings home a crucial lesson about power, manipulation and relationships: “just because you can doesn’t mean you should, and sometimes some things have to go wrong in order to go right.” A powerful lesson brought to you by a paranormal fantasy romance.
The second half of this novel brings the reader to present day, in the every day, human world. For a time, anyway. Do not fear; we visit Kalosis, Katoteros, and Olympus before this world tour of torture and redemption is done.
Humor returns in the form of Xiamara, or as most know her, Ash’s demon daughter, Simi. She still craves QVC shopping; ice cream with hot sauce; takes orders from Ash a little too literally; color codes her horns to her clothes; and protects her akri, as she calls Ash, with a devotion that is endearing and a little terrifying. Also, the ex-hunters who make appearances in this book enter into the same quick witted banter with Ash that all of the prior books are renowned for including. Especially rewarding for long time fans are encounters with Julian and Talon. The heroine, Tory, is a delight to get to know through, as well. She is spunky, stands 6’1’’, has a keen appreciation for all things Greek (the older the better); she stands up to Ash, his moods, and she swings a mean hammer. Saying anything else would be telling….
This book really is a powerhouse of a read. The only cautionary comment would have to be that if you have not read the prior books, this may not be the best place to begin. The relationships and histories between the characters are critical to a full understanding, and a finer flavoring of this story. With Acheron, Ms. Kenyon proves once again that she truly is the Author Goddess, spinning tales that sweep you up into a world of dark desires, darker passions, and the enduring strength of the heart and the soul. Truly, this book is the total package; it even tells you how everything ends.
I can’t wait to see where Ms. Kenyon takes us when we read Stryker and Jaden’s stories, the next two installments. One Silent Night is currently scheduled for a November 4, 2008 release. For myself, based on my experience with Acheron, when it comes out, November 4th will be a silent, but satisfying night for this Kenyon Minion.
Author website: http://www.dailyinquisitor.com/hunter/ (less)

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07/16/08

Julie (jjmachshev) rated it:

bookshelves: 2008-reads

Read in August, 2008

recommended to Julie (jjmachshev) by: julie@drulie.com

Whew. I finished "Acheron" by Sherrilyn Kenyon in the wee hours of the morning. Even though I picked up the book on Tuesday, I held off starting in on it until after work on Friday because I KNEW that once I started I wouldn't put it down until I finished it. I was right. Acheron's story was larger than life, just like Acheron himself. My emotions ran the gamut from despair to joy as I read his story. As others have commented, the first part of the book was almost painful to read...more

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06/01/08

Heather rated it:

bookshelves: paranormal-romance

Read in July, 2008

recommends it for: Everyone in the whole wide world.

This book was beyond amazing. It lived up to, and exceeded EVERY expectation I had before I started reading this.

I am not going to give away any spoilers here... but if you have questions about specifics, please message me and I will answer whatever you want.

This book begins just before Acheron's birth and about 1/2 of it is dedicated to his HORRIFIC childhood and young-adult life. This part of the book is so heart-wrenching, that I was in tears a number of times, as we...more

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08/24/08

Laura rated it:

bookshelves: paranormal-romance

recommends it for: fans of paranormal romance novels

Wow, there is so much to this novel it’s hard to process. First let me say it is really two novels in one.

The first novel is about Ash’s past….428 pages of intense pain, suffering, torture, you name it. IMO, this part of the book is too long. Yes, I would say that even if I didn’t have an abusive past myself. And let me warn you the first 94 pages are the hardest to take. Blackbook, this is going to be very hard on you, too. Ash was never wanted by his human parents. ...more Wow, there is so much to this novel it’s hard to process. First let me say it is really two novels in one.

The first novel is about Ash’s past….428 pages of intense pain, suffering, torture, you name it. IMO, this part of the book is too long. Yes, I would say that even if I didn’t have an abusive past myself. And let me warn you the first 94 pages are the hardest to take. Blackbook, this is going to be very hard on you, too. Ash was never wanted by his human parents. When he was seven years old he was given to his uncle (who hated him too), and his uncle turned Ash into a sex slave (what they call a whore). This continued until Ash was almost twenty. Yeah, we’re looking at over 10 years of daily gang rape on a child, as well as sexual slavery, sterilization, torture, beatings, and starvation. Eventually this ended with castration, his tongue being cut out, and death where he was gutted from his neck to his groin. And then there was Artemis, who is also fond of beatings and torture. That’s your 428 pages of misery.

Now some of this was important to help us understand the major events in Ash’s life and in the history of Atlantis. And these events helped move the plot along. But that’s not true of all the torture/beatings scenes. IMO this section could have been reduced by 100 pages. It got to the point where the reader becomes numb to the horridness of it all. The violence is just so excessive, and you know anytime Ash takes breath it will end in some misunderstanding where he is made to suffer something horrendously painful. Yes, it is much, much worse than the violence and torture in Ward’s BDB series for Z and V. And much worse than what Zarek suffered in his Dark-Hunter novel. Horrifyingly worse.

The second novel in this book is about Ash’s present, and how he finally fell in love after 10,000 years of existence. It took me a while to warm up to Tory. I remember her as a kid on Geary’s boat in “The Dream-Hunter.” And I couldn’t understand Ash’s attraction to her as an adult. Of course she is attracted to Ash, but who wouldn’t be…the man is SMOKING HOT!!! (naughty grin). But when she falls in love with him I could finally feel the chemistry between them, because Kenyon changed her personality so it worked better with Ash’s. This one has an incredibly sweet HEA ending. It’s the kind of HEA ending the fans of Ash always wanted for him. Lots of questions are answered in this novel for Dark-Hunter fans. Lots of info is finally given to fill in the holes in our knowledge. Many of the Dark-Hunters we know and love return in this novel, and that is great fun. Yes, this is a very important book in this series. Heart-wrenching, but a must read for sure!

(less)

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09/23/08

Kim rated it:

bookshelves: 2008, dark-hunters, paranormal

Read in November, 2008

Wow. Wow. I’ve been anticipating this book for two months while I journeyed through the Dark-Hunter world. It lived up to all of my expectations, and more. A lot of reviews have maintained that the beginning is too much, and too long. I think it was necessary to fully understand Ash, and what made him who he is now.

The first half introduces us to Acheron’s horrible human past in 10,000 BC. He parents were two Gods, but he was born to a human. His human family despised him...more

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07/16/08

KarLynP rated it:

bookshelves: read-2008

Read in August, 2008

**NO SPOILERS**
Loved it. Best in the series, hands down. It is an emotional read, but I think some of the reviews (on here and on other boards) are over doing it a bit when reviewing the first part. I think its scaring some fans away! Truth is it is an emotional, bitter-sweet tortured hero story with an HEA. It's a captivating, enthralling, and non-stop page turning read. It is also funny and heart warming with some surprising twists that will make dark-hunter fans cheer! I think JR Wards...more

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05/15/08

Mahlet rated it:

bookshelves: paranormal-romance

Read in August, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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1 comment

03/21/08

Christel rated it:

bookshelves: sherrilyn-kenyon

Read in August, 2008

recommends it for: the Entire world

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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4 comments

08/25/08

Michelle rated it:

bookshelves: disappointments-and-or-sucked, guilty-pleasures

Read in August, 2008

I hated most of this book.

Book 1 Acheron's torturous human life: Good stuff. Artemis was always a bitch.

Book 2 Present Day: Crap shit. Did someone else write this book? I wasn't buying any of it, and I had many moments of extreme eye-rolling.

I don't know what was worse, the horrible music and cheesey serenade in the club, or Acheron saying he wanted Tory on a platter. It didn't seem like those were things he would do or say at all.

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08/03/08

Gina rated it:

bookshelves: erotic, fantasy, own, paranormal-supernatural, romantic-suspense

Read in August, 2008

No Way could this book have been better!

Boy, this answered every question I ever had about Ash. The man is a god, in every sense of the word. Now, I usually don’t buy hardcover, as a rule. I can’t afford it. But no way in hell was I waiting for paperback for this one. I think every Dark-Hunter fan out there waited too long as it is, LOL, myself included!

The more he was tortured, in any way possible, the more my heart broke. I sobbed through the first half of the book....more No Way could this book have been better!

Boy, this answered every question I ever had about Ash. The man is a god, in every sense of the word. Now, I usually don’t buy hardcover, as a rule. I can’t afford it. But no way in hell was I waiting for paperback for this one. I think every Dark-Hunter fan out there waited too long as it is, LOL, myself included!

The more he was tortured, in any way possible, the more my heart broke. I sobbed through the first half of the book. My heart shattered every time he had to endure such onslaught. Every time my kids came out of the playroom, they saw me with red eyes, tears and a box of kleenex, no word of a lie. My daughter, 7, asked me why I read books that make me so sad. Oh, I can’t wait until she’s old enough to read this series.

And just the thought… If he hadn’t been through what he’d been through, he would not be the same Acheron we know and love. While we knew he was a God and know who his parents are, he is still unlike any God we’ve read. Selfishness runs thick in that bunch, but even as the God of Destruction, he is filled with compassion for everyone who are more or less defenseless. While it was humans who tortured him so thoroughly, still, he would protect right to the end. While I agree with some that it was a little much, I can understand why the book was written that way. I think, honestly, that if it hadn’t dragged on, we wouldn’t have understood Ash as well as we do now.

And I say he met his match in Tory. While continuing the hunt for Atlantis, swearing to prove her family weren’t just a bunch of crazies, she makes amazing discoveries, and it hurts Ash to have to discredit her, even though his actions are to protect the whole of the earth. Yet, he can’t forget her. He can’t see her future like he can most people, and it shakes him. He even turns to Savitar for advice, even though Sav isn’t supposed to tell him anything.

Tory and Ash are a truly perfect combo. While she had an inkling of what Ash may have suffered in his past, she finally understood why he is the way he is, even if it was horrifying to read, and her compassion and love for the man/God in front of her only grew.

Even scared, she is furious and fights back. No matter what she does, she does because of Ash. And I was truly hoping that Artemis would get the ass-whipping of her life. I just wish that she got more than what she got. But the series isn’t over - I can’t wait for her to finally get what’s coming to her. The more she treated Ash like a slave and nothing better, like something to be own, the more I yelled and cursed her, my fist balled tight while the other held the book. LOL, even my daughter told me to watch my mouth, LOL!

I think the best part of the book was when the gang showed up to back Ash, without question, just because he needed their help. While Ash thought he had ‘friends’, he truly didn’t know what he had until then. And if it hadn’t been for Tory being in his life, he still wouldn’t know it. No longer does he half to live his life alone.

Then the ending of the epilogue sent a shiver down my spine. My heart is aching for Nick, and I so hope - I pray - that he isn’t going into an alliance with Artemis. He is going to bite off more than he can chew, and I so hope that he and Ash will be able to team against her.(less)

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04/24/08

Jen rated it:

bookshelves: favs, kenyon-macgregor

Read in August, 2008

Well I finished the book last night. I am going through that book depression where I have finished a book that I waited so long for. This book was so worth the wait though.

What a simply amazing book. Like everyone else, if I could give it 10 stars I would. I am so impressed with the story of Acheron. I laughed, cried, fumed, ached and then cheered at the end.

After reading the first 2/3 of the book, I wanted/needed Ash's woman to be someone special. And Kenyon gave us...more

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11/10/08

Eyre rated it:

(review of isbn 1427204721)

bookshelves: paranormal, read-in-2008-approx

This was by far the best of the series! All of Acheron's secrets are revealed. It's emotional, cathartic, and just plain addictive. If you're looking for a light-hearted story--this isn't for you, but if you need an emotionally intense read to suck you out of your own reality, then this is the book you need to get.

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11/12/08

Kenjii rated it:

bookshelves: romance-futuristic-paranormal-sci-f, sherrilyn-kenyon

Read in December, 2008

recommends it for: any and everyone! fans of PNR, Dark Hunter fans

This book would be among my top favorites of 2008, and perhaps my favorites of all time. It is not often I am urged to re-read a book (never has that happened halfway through the book).

Acheron's life as a human is one that is spent being tortured, beaten, sold as a sex slave, and rejected by the only family he's ever know. Yet, when he is given the power to take revenge against those who have caused the most damage he simply accepts the burden to protect humankind. There are so any f...more

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01/05/09

Michelle M. rated it:

bookshelves: paranormal-romance

Read in January, 2009

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Fascinating and heartbreaking to finally learn the background of this intriguing character. I thought that the biographical aspect of the story was engaging and didn't have the same issues others did with the amount of detail. I think that Ash is very complicated, and that every event highlighted gives an important clue into his personality and motivations.

And btw. Ash first meeting Savitar--I love it.

That being said, I HATE Tory.

When we were introduced to her...more

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08/22/08

Lori rated it:

bookshelves: 2008, paranormal-romance, sherrilyn-kenyon

Read in December, 2008

***Spoiler Alert***

I don't even know where to begin with this book. It's by far my favorite in the Dark Hunter series and may be one of my all time favorite books period. From the beginning of the series you can't help but fall in love with Ash. By the time you get to his book, 25th in the series if you include all of the short stories, you want to know what makes him tick. So many questions get answered in this book. It's a brutal, painful journey for both Ash and the reader b...more

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08/09/08

Jeneral rated it:

Read in August, 2008

recommends it for: those who like their hawt vampires on the epic side

(I've kept specific spoilers out, but if you don't want to be spoiled at all, you might want to skip. But if you don't want any spoilers at all, why are you reading reviews?? :-P)

Since Acheron is really the volume that wraps up a lot of the Dark-Hunter saga (though it hints at things to come, so the story is definitely not over), I thought I'd start by talking a little about my experience with the series.

I discovered the Dark-Hunter series in 2002, when it consisted onl...more (I've kept specific spoilers out, but if you don't want to be spoiled at all, you might want to skip. But if you don't want any spoilers at all, why are you reading reviews?? :-P)

Since Acheron is really the volume that wraps up a lot of the Dark-Hunter saga (though it hints at things to come, so the story is definitely not over), I thought I'd start by talking a little about my experience with the series.

I discovered the Dark-Hunter series in 2002, when it consisted only of "Fantasy Lover" and "Night Pleasures." I bought Night Pleasures on a whim - my grandfather had just died, and I needed something to read on the plane that would hopefully distract me. I read the entire novel in one sitting on the flight from Orlando to Buffalo, and I've been hooked on the series ever since.

What I love about it is that it's more than just a romance series. Sure, guy gets girl and there's plenty of hot sex scenes, but what kept me coming back was the through-line. The undercurrent of story arc, the world that Kenyon built, that tells you that there's more to the story than the happy ever after. Most of that undercurrent centered around the mysterious and oh-so-sexy Acheron. He's sexy. He's aloof. He's compassionate. He's calloused. He's twelve thousand years old.

I have to say that I approached this book with cautious optimism. Frankly, the quality of the D-H books had declined of late. I'd stayed up all night to read "Dance with the Devil" and "Seize the Night," for instance, while the last two or three had taken me the better part of a week to read. But Acheron (the character) obviously means a lot to Kenyon, so I had the hope that she really focused to make this book a good one.

And I wasn't too sure in the beginning. The first 400 pages or so are of Acheron's life as a human, some 12,000 years ago. The author's note warned that he went through some shit, and she wasn't kidding. As I was reading it, it seemed a bit much. Not as in "Oh, that poor man, how much more can he take?" but "this is really close to becoming self-parody." Anything that could go wrong, went wrong. Anything that could be misconstrued, was misconstrued. It got to the point where I was waiting for him to slip on a banana peel, step on a rake, or have a piano fall on his head.

But then. THEN. Immortality. And the book take a hard right and goes from "pretty good" to "OH HOLY CRAP." Then you get to the present day, and it was (for me) unputdownable. It was beautiful closure, it was a reunion with characters we hadn't seen in a while. And as much as I hated to admit it, I understood why those first four hundred pages were necessary. I've teared up before when reading good, sweet sex scenes. But I've never actually cried. Till this book.

(There are a few things about Kenyon's writing that I don't like. Some laziness in her writing -characters have a "hot kiss" without much more description than that sometimes. I'm gonna need more to go on. And there's lots of "He gave her a _____ look." Like I've said other places, if it's done enough that I notice it, maybe it's being used a little too much. But they're minor quibbles, and something I know I'm going to get in a Kenyon book, so I get over it.)

The best part about this book, to me, is how it ties together the whole series so far. When you see the movie "The Sixth Sense" for the first time, you find yourself wanting to watch it again, with the new perspective of the surprise you learned at the end. Reading "Acheron" made me want to re-read the entire Dark-Hunter series, now that I have this new perspective on Ash. I want to go back and read all those little dropped hints, now that I know what he's talking about, and what he went through. Even the books that I only read once and said "Meh, I don't see reading THAT one again." So I'm about a third of the way through "Fantasy Lover", and I'm making my way through the whole thing.

Acheron more than makes up for the mediocre volumes of late. It makes those volumes readable. I find that amazing.(less)

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08/08/08

Sangeeta Joshi rated it:

Read in August, 2008

recommends it for: Anyone who reads Sherrilyn Kenyon

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

I finished this book in two days. After the last two or three Dark Hunter books, which were lackluster to say the least, and the rewriting of the hisory of key characters in Devil May Cry, I wasn't as excited to read Acheron's book. I'm glad to say that Sherri came through when she told me that I would not be disappointed. This book was well worth the wait.

The first half of the book was brutal, depressing and brought tears to my eyes. And the jumping around of the dates was confus...more I finished this book in two days. After the last two or three Dark Hunter books, which were lackluster to say the least, and the rewriting of the hisory of key characters in Devil May Cry, I wasn't as excited to read Acheron's book. I'm glad to say that Sherri came through when she told me that I would not be disappointed. This book was well worth the wait.

The first half of the book was brutal, depressing and brought tears to my eyes. And the jumping around of the dates was confusing to say the least. It suddenly dawned on my that Ash's sister Ryssa was the same Ryssa who was Apollo's mistress. The revelation that she wasn't loved or cherished by Apollo came quite as a surprise. Why else would Apollo curse his own race? It's not as if the child Ryssa bore him was his only son. There is no word vile enough to describe him. The best I can come up with he is the twin to Artemis in his cruelty. More so, I'd say, considering it was Apollo who killed Acheron.

I didn't think I could hate Artemis more after reading the things she's done. But to actually read what she did, KNOWING how Acheron felt about it--touching his back, holding his hair, breathing on the back of his neck...she was like a spoiled child who was denied a toy. And the way she retaliated, I want a way to kill her without the world ending. I think Sherri tried to redeem her...again at the end, but I wasn't buying it. And when she repeated the same words to Nick, well that proved that she hasn't changed. Can never change. Nick is an idiot if he falls for her false words.

Ash's heroine. I'm pleased with who she turned out to be. There were plenty of debates as to who she would be. Artemis, Cynthia, someone we hadn't met. She was a good match for him and proved to Ash that there was someone out there who he could trust and who wouldn't betray him.

I'm not sure how I feel about Styxx. Considering everything that he'd done to Ash, I think Ash forgave him too easily. What Styxx did for Ash in this book doesn't even the scales. At least, not for me.

There were some humorous moments with the ever present Simi, Ash and his heroine.

I didn't think there was a Dark Hunter more tortured than Zarek--I was wrong. What Acheron was put through, the agonies he suffered, again and again, puts him at the top. I'm glad that even though Acheron has his Happily Ever After, he's still the leader of the Dark Hunters, and he wasn't emasculated.

The one person I felt myself feeling sorry for in this book was...Apollymi. I've always despised her, right along with Artemis. But we get a clearer picture of what made her the way she is. Although I found her actions to be less than believable in Devil May Cry, I fully believed in the whole picture Sherri gave us in Acheron. Turning the whole Atlantean Gods to stone was too good for them.(less)

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07/23/08

Alathea rated it:

bookshelves: a-t-f, dark-hunters, hardcover, kenyon--macgregor, own, paranormal-romance, series, vampires

Read in August, 2008

recommends it for: everybody who's ever read a DH book

He will be born when the moon swallows the sun and Atlantis is bathed in total darkness.

Eleven thousand years ago a new god was born. Cursed into the body of a human to escape death, Acheron spent a lifetime of abuse and humiliation. His human death almost destroyed the Earth and plunged the once thriving civilization back into the Stone Age. Brought back against his will, he became the sole defender of mankind.

For millennia he fought for our survival alone and hidden a p...more

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12/27/07

Lisa rated it:

bookshelves: fantasy, fiction, paranormal, paranormalromance

Read in August, 2008

O.M.G. - Finally. Finally we know what happened to Ash. All of it and it broke my heart over and over. Just when I thought nothing worse could happen to him something worse did. We now understand the origin of the "sometimes visible" handprint around his throat and neck to groin scar. Apollo is really a bastard. This book just killed me. There was so much heartache, so much love - I never really liked Appolymi prior to this book - so much sacrifice and in the final section of the book ...more O.M.G. - Finally. Finally we know what happened to Ash. All of it and it broke my heart over and over. Just when I thought nothing worse could happen to him something worse did. We now understand the origin of the "sometimes visible" handprint around his throat and neck to groin scar. Apollo is really a bastard. This book just killed me. There was so much heartache, so much love - I never really liked Appolymi prior to this book - so much sacrifice and in the final section of the book the humor and sarcastic wit we all know and love.

I'm just almost at a loss for words over this story. Almost.

Okay, let's start with at the beginning. Good lord I always knew the ancient Greeks were some really sick tickets in regards to their sexual appetites but damn this went beyond what I imagined. Poor Ash. How one human, but then even then he was more than human wasn't he, could endure so much horror is inconceivable. All the times he asked to die and was denied shattered me, don't even get me started on him finally beind dead and at peace only to have Artemis trick him into being brought back. One thing I'm more than annoyed about is that Appolymi didn't have anyone watching over him. She had no clue any of this was happening to him. I understand she didn't want him exposed but really - no peeks to check on him at all? So he suffered twenty one years of abuse of the hands of humans and Artemis. He died at the hands of Apollo for something he didn't do. Like always punished for the deeds of others. So much suffering.

Side note: Apollo and Artemis? Now that's a seriously perverse relationship. It almost came across as incestuous at points which was strange for me.

Speaking of Artemis. She has always been portrayed as selfish bitch throughout the series but this book really brought it to the forefront. Ash definitely has more restraint than anyone I've ever met because I would have definitely killed her and damn the consequences; or at least let Simi take a BIG bite out of her. I'm glad we really got to see the evolvement of the relationship in detail so that no one will really sympathize with her again. Although it doesn't seem to be stopping her that she's lost Ash - she's already plotting her next move by trying to befriend Nick. I'm pretty sure I threw up a little in my mouth when she used the same line on him she did on Acheron. "Will be you my friend Nick. I promise you won't regret it." Yeah riiiiiight bitch. Everything you touch gets harmed, even Katra your own daughter. Interesting they didn't mention her "grandchild" except at Ash's wedding. Hmmmm... wonder why that is?

Tory. Tory. Tory. LOVE her. I was worried I wouldn't. I'm so glad I was wrong. I love how Apollymi saved her and even provided her with some of her own powers to protect her. I bet Tory visits her a lot in the future. I found it interesting that Ash was intriqued by Tory the same Artemis was intriqued by Ash when they first met. Tory didn't want him in her bed. Tory wasn't hot with lust with him like every single other person he had ever met (with the few immune exceptions) thanks to the gift of his bitch aunt all those centuries ago. Tory didn't seem afraid of him. Tory wasn't like anyone he had ever met and it was fun to read his confusion. His irritation with her, his trust in her without knowing why, his amusement at her OCD (loved that she had BTW) and his desire for her were all great things to read. I loved that he never thought twice about having her at his back on the motorcycle or in the gym at the basketball game. It happened without him even realizing it. I also loved that she was always so considerate of the things he was uncomfortable with. She made a conscious effort to not pull his hair, to not feed from his neck, to not cringe at his eyes which she found beautiful, to not pull away from anything about him. I loved her total acceptance of him and of Simi. And I loved that she was unwilling to expose him or his past, giving up her life long quest to embrace her future. I really think that sealed the deal for Artemis that she truly had lost him for eternity this time.

Side note: So sprite make Ash drunk? Interesting....

I also think that Tory making it clear they were going to be a team and work things out together was a great thing to happen to Ash. He truly was no longer walking through life alone. Of course, the show of support from the Were's, former Dark Hunters and current Dark Hunters overwhelmed him. It made me choke up although I knew that they would all die for him, including Styxx (WHAT - now that surprised me) after all these centuries of his sacrificing for them. Zarek definitely voiced it the best, which was surprising but very fitting.

Poor Nick. I think he has a lot of heartbreak in his future. At least Ash doesn't have to bargain for his soul as Artemis turned it over to him immediately. Still, I don't understand Nick's blaming Ash for his mother's death. He had been poisened and was incapacitated. He loved Cherise like a mother and tortures himself over her death more than Nick could imagine. I hope there is a reconciliation down the road, I don't see how there can't be although I do see Nick pretty broken before it can happen.

Grrrr.... over Artemis' little dig about there won't be any more Dark Hunters going free because there's no one else she wants to bargain with for their souls. Selfish sadistic bitch to the end. At least we have Tory to balance that out reminding Ash that Artemis exposed her only play and they would just find a way around it. Again, love Tory. Talk about a soothing presence Ash needs in his life.

So that's it I guess. Finally we know the whole story with Ash. What's most interesting is how the Dark Hunter world has changed for SK. Originally Ash's book was going to end the series and now? I foresee so many more books down the road. I for one, am gleefully grateful for that fact. This world is my favorite escape.

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07/07/08

Celeste rated it:

bookshelves: favs, kenyon

recommends it for: Paranormal romance

This book was amazing! I felt like I waited on this book for so long and usually when that happens I get so hyped up about a book that it completely doesn't live up to my expectations. However, this book totally surpassed ALL my expectations! All I can say is this book totally brought things full circle for the Dark Hunters to me. I wasn't expecting the layout of the book either, the first half of the book is about his past, and holy moly, is there a LOT of past to tell! I think Kenyon did an am...more

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