Book Review: The Guardian

How long has it been since we've seen a legitimate Dream-Hunter novel?  Dream Warrior came out in 2009 I believe?  Two years is a while.  Nonetheless I was really looking forward to this one and if anything, after reading the back cover, wanted to know once and for all.....What the heck happened to D'Alerian?!  I mean you would think that the "missing God of dreams" mentioned on the back cover is D'Alerian right?  That's what I thought.  And I got extremely excited for this book.

One thing I love about Sherrilyn Kenyon's books is the fact that she doesn't just stay with one character concept from book to book.  There's always the introduction of new races, pantheons, orders and hybrids.  I mean granted the first few books had the same idea, but as the series went on, characters became more and more...different.  In this case, Egyptian demigod hero and a Dream Huntress/Katagari Jackal/human heroine.  Yeah, took a while to get that straight.

However, despite the complexity of genetics, Lydia and Seth made this a truly light and enchanting read.  Like most romance novels, there is clear attraction and chemistry between the two main characters.  Unlike most romance novels that I have read in this day and age, there was more lightness to their chemistry.  What I mean is that they took it really slow, which made it realistic in a way.  This book felt a lot lighter to read than most romance novels.  There was a lot more story to it than just getting these two together in the end.  As much as this book served to introduce and develop two more characters to our ever-growing Dark Hunter family, it also moved the plot further and pretty fast too.  But I really really do hope that we will be able to tie everything together later on.

In addition to the protagonists, we also get to re-visit characters that we all know and love.  I mean, when was the last time we saw Jaden and Solin?  And some new things that we learn about those two in this book too.  It really was great to see them again and to actually learn more about them.  I really hope that Solin will get his book sooner rather than later.  With fully back story.  He truly deserves one and I think his character needs to develop any further.  Jaden, well, I hope that we will see more of him.  I know that Sherrilyn Kenyon is weaving his character the same way she wove Acheron's so it'll be a while before we finally get his whole story.  I just hope that she writes it the same way as Acheron.  With every detail.  It's what I love about this universe.

And then there was D'Alerian.  I first blogged about him here.  Since Night Pleasures, he has been one of those characters who have been showing up here and there, doing something small, helping out and so forth. He's been around for a while.  We learned about him the most in Dream Hunter; his family, parentage.  We felt his sorrow for his life.  Honesty, the last time we saw him, he was captured and we don't know what happened to him.  We learn what happened to him in this book, but we just learn what happened to him.  I just don't think that telling the readers in a paragraph really does this guy justice.  At the very least he deserves a more dramatic exit, but I really hope that there's some way to bring him back for a later book.  He was one of my favourites and I think that he deserves a book no matter what.  So please please, if you read this Sherri, please!  Thank God I got that out!

And just as a bonus, there is also a bonus scene released for this book.  It's a single chapter scene that complements the book and should be read AFTER you read The Guardian.  Not joking there.  Redemption can be found at Heroes and Heartbreakers.  And you want to read this.  Savitar makes an appearance.  (You will need to register to the website in order to view it, but it looks like you can link your Facebook account as well).

Happy Reading!!

*side note: just as I was writing that bit about D'Alerian, my playlist just happened to start playing A Million Tears by Groove Coverage.  How appropos...  It's really strange how the world works.

Acheron's Heroine

Let's admit it.  Most of us were hoping that Artie would be reformed and would be the perfect heroine for Ash.  Okay, well, I admit I was one of those people.  It just made sense.  It was the perfect way to get her to learn the lessons of her past.  And she and Ash looked like the perfect couple.  Even Tory might have thought so at the very beginning in Nashville.

I was so wrong.  In the many reviews and testimonies I have heard and read on forums, I saw that many people asked why Tory was Ash's heroine.  I personally didn't see that when I read Dream-Hunter, in fact I didn't even think about Ash getting a heroine.

Then Acheron came out and when I came to read part two, I was very surprised.  I asked myself why a random woman would be his heroine...but then I remembered Dream Hunter. As I was reading the subsequent books, I was getting a better feeling about her but I still wasn't convinced.   


After re-reading Acheron, I did get a better feeling about her after realizing that I was skipping over the really fine details. She really was perfect, especially given Ash's past.  Of course he would be curious about the woman who didn't want to jump him.  Maybe that's the mark of an arrogant guy, but Ash is far from arrogant deep down.  We all know that.  While outwardly he is a leader who doesn't want to be messed with, he is unsure on the inside.

She`s smart and sassy and more than slightly OCD.  She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to tell it like it is.  Maybe a lot of the people in Ash's past did tell it like it is, but they also made it sexual.  Tory told him to eat his breakfast and that she makes killer baklava.  And the best part is, she isn't afraid to tell the entire world that Ash is her's.  That honestly sealed the deal all on it's own.

Ash is extremely complicated.  Tory is simply straightforward.  Maybe that's all that Ash needed at the end of the day, someone who cared enough to really let into his life.  Maybe Artie would have made for a more interesting story on paper, but Ash never would have had the happy ending that he ultimately deserves.  

Acheron: Book Review

I could barely contain my excitement when Ash's book finally came out.  We've all gotten the little bits and pieces of him when we were reading the other books, but this really pulled everything together.  Ms. Kenyon was not fooling around when she said that she was going to give us Acheron's entire past.  Literally from the very beginning, just moments before he was born.  Yes, it was an exceptionally long book, but it was definitely well worth the time to read it from cover to cover.  Twice over at that!

This was the book that evoked a lot of emotion in me.  Though the other novels did have their moments of laughter and tears, this one brought out a lot.  It was in a different format than the other novels though.  The book was divided into two parts; the first part spanned Ash's life from moments before birth until he became the leader of the Dark-Hunters - on a side note, the short story "The Beginning" was also featured in here as well.  The second part was set in the present day and read like the previous novels.  

All the heroes and heroines of the previous novels did have some sort of tragic past and usually with the element of betrayal, which is a huge theme in this series of books.  Acheron's past was told to readers in bits and pieces over the course of the previous books and it was in here that we finally got every detail of it.  And we finally know exactly what he is - which seems to be a little bit of everything now that I think about it....

Going through it, even for a second time, it is hard to believe that a person can go through all that pain and suffering, let alone for thousands of years.  And still retain a degree of sanity.  Yes, I know it's just a story and anything goes, but to be able to write it so vividly that it's believable is quite another feat if I may say so myself.  

On the topic of Tory for Ash, I remember being quite skeptical about her at first.  I honestly thought it would be Artie and that there would be some sort of insane plot twist that caused her to reform her selfish ways.  That was complete wishful thinking on my part.  I initially didn't know how to feel about Tory though.  I loved her intelligence and determination.  I wasn't sure if an academic type would be good for Ash's personality, but then again I didn't know his whole past. I thought he needed someone with the tough-girl attitude, along the lines of a Dark-Huntress but not a Dark-Huntress.  In the end, he just needed someone who was more or less normal.  Human.  Tory really did fit the bill.  And I love how she really is the only human to really hate and love him.  I mean he did seriously piss her off in Nashville after all. 

Over all, great read.  You will cry.  If you don't you will want to.  Seriously, I don't think there is another book written this well. 

Just a little bit of trivia: Soteria is Greek for "salvation".  Very suiting for Ash's heroine.  I think so anyways. 

Question: Is there ever going to be an explanation on Apollo, Artie, and the need for blood? 

Retribution: Book Review

**POSSIBLE SPOLIERS** READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!

So Sundown finally has a book.

I don't think we've really seen or heard from him since "Dance with the Devil" when he and Zarek were taking down Artie's Dayslayer, so it was really nice to see that the "original" hunters are starting to get their books. 

So this book seems to take a new direction.  New mythology and pantheon - The Cherokee/Aboriginal (politically correct) and new apocalyptical storyline, which is definitely going to last for one more book and may go on for a few more if it's going the way it's going.

I bought this the day it came out and finished it within the week, which also happened to be the week that I was on vacation.  After not having read a DH novel in at least 4-6 months, this was a VERY refreshing read, though I must say that I had forgotten many of the minor details of previous books. 

Once again, absolutely in love with the characters.  The one thing I love about Ms.Kenyon's characters are that they have human qualities.  They're not perfect people in anyway, despite the fact that some of them are gods.  They make mistakes, they believe that they are told, they live life to the fullest, and they are still capable of death (or some form of no longer existing). 

The pace and flow of the book was really good.  It wasn't overly focused on one thing and it was easy to tell how much time had passed.  I also really enjoyed the reincarnation storyline as well.  It brought in a fresh new story for us readers and I really really hope that we can see more of it in Renegade's book next year. 

It was so nice to finally figure out what happened with Jess and why he became a Dark-Hunter.  I remember reading in a previous book that "Julian of Macedon, Kyrian of Thrace, Sundown Brady and Jamie Gallagher were all killers in their own times" (I forgot which book it was from) but all had a reason to do what they did.  They didn't exactly live pretty lives. 

I don't know if I really liked the character of Abby for Jess.  The title of the book denoted vengeance.  An eye for an eye.  And that was exactly what she was after.  I thought she was a little bit naive to just believe a bunch of people who picked her up right after her parents are killed, though given the circumstances, I can't really blame her.  She was a kid, people wanted to take care of her and she let them.  Some part of me asked myself why she wasn't questioning things as she got older and started to come to an understanding of the world she lived in.  It's by nature that human beings want to live, and I couldn't figure out why someone wouldn't have thought that the family she grew up with who knew they weren't going to live long lives weren't fighting and scheming to live a little longer. 

She got it at the end.  But still, she seems like the kind of person who just believes what she is told and that's the end.  I wonder if she'll develop more in Ren's book.  I hope so...she's the Butterfly :)

A few things I really liked:

- The reincarnation storyline, especially the twist with Ren, Jess and Coyote. 
- The "Dark-Hunter fairy tales" from Kiss of the Night made a brief reappearance
- Sasha and the laughs that went along with him being present
- The featured car: Audi R8 Spyder.  I want one now...

Well, those are my thoughts.  Happy reading everyone!

Perception

It's one thing to tell someone how to live their life, it's another to be the person who has to live it. Just because you would do something differently, didn't mean they would. People rise and fall by their own choices and experiences. The mistakes were theirs to make.

- Dream Chaser

I've finally found the words that I've wanted to say for a long time.  I'm just a bit sad that someone else has already said them, but nonetheless, they have been said. 

For a long time I've always wondered why we all feel that everyone needs to be like us.  I can agree that we are the best and our views are what is right.  But the concept of "right" and "wrong" are purely based on our values.  Our values are what we need most to live and to live with ourselves; aka our conscience.  Uniqueness is what makes the world go round...and a hell of a lot less boring.  Basically, if we told everyone else that we are right, and that they should live their lives one way, that would kill the unique. 

No one has to like everything.  At the end of the day, there is a difference between liking something and valuing it, and then there is tolerating it.  Tolerance in that you are aware of it's existence, but you do not necessarily count it in your life or your own existence.  Tolerance also comes with a heavy amount of respect.  You leave it alone, even though it's not someone you would do or beleive in yourself. 

The revalation that Simone had in the restaurant when she was talking to Xypher really nailed this belief of mine and explained it in a way that I never could before.  Everything between right and wrong, and love and hate, are based on our perceptions.  No one's beliefs are exactly the same, ever.  And to never pass judgement for another's actions until you get the entire story from all sides. 

Nothing ever really is the same...is it?

DH Goes to Hollywood

So it looks like the film rights to Ms. Kenyon's series has been sold to Amber Entertainment.  Follow the link for more info:

Dark-Hunter & CON Go Hollywood

I don't really know how to feel about this to be quite honest.  I was wide-eyed and shocked when I heard -via facebook of course >.<

Excited?  Yes of course!  At long last we can all see the fight scenes and battles for real.  And all the characters will have their own faces.  I just really really hope that Amber will do the series the justice it deserves and not deviate too much from the original story.  I really really really want to see Ethon!!!

Acheron's Words of Wisdom from Devil May Cry

In re-reading Devil May Cry I saw that there is a lot that can be learned from the words.  All of Ms.Kenyon's books have those passages in them that will touch you.  Here are just a few that I found inspiring.  I think we can always learn a thing or two from Acheron.

All the quotes below are taken from Devil May Cry (2007)

"I can't answer a question I don't know the answer to.  You can't hate to the extreme without having loved someone first.  When all the hatred is shoved aside, is there any love left? I honestly don't know"   - Acheron

"The first betrayal, even as severe as it was, could have been easily forgiven had your mother just apologized and meant it. Had she come to me and promised she would never hurt me again, I would have laid down my life for her. Instead, she let her pride get in the way. She was more focused on punishing me for her imagined embarassment than she was on the future we could have had together."   - Acheron

"If you have any care for Sin at all, don't leave him in darkness.  It's not fair to show someone the sun and then banish him from it.  Even the devil may cry when he looks around hell and realizes that he's there alone."  - Acheron

"When you love someone, truly love them, friend or lover, you lay your heart open to them.  You give them a part of yourself that you give to no one else and you let them inside a part of yourself that only they can hurt - you literally hand them a razor and a map of where to cut deepest and most painfully into your heart and soul.  And where they do strike, it's crippling - like having your heart carved out.  It leaves you naked and exposed, wondering what did you do to make them want to hurt you so badly when all you did was love them.  What is so wrong with you that they can't keep faith in you?  That no one can love you?  To have it happen once is bad enough...but to have it repeated?  Who in their right mind wouldn't be terrified of that?"   - Acheron

 

Invincible: Book Review

For some reason, I there isn't much to say about this installment to the Chronicles of Nick. I found it a little bit confusing to be quite honest.  I found it a little bit hard to follow and it took a little bit more effort in order to understand what was going on and get through the novel.  There were also some parts I found repetitive and wrapping the fact that this is and isn't a prequel series around my head.  The book itself was written to be understood by teen, which works because this is a teen series.  I did like the book, and I did get to enjoy it by the end, but by then there were only about 20 or so pages left.  Overall, I would have to say that it was good, not overly great, but not quite as bad either.   It's just average in my opinion.  I had a hard time getting through it, but it did get better in the end. 

One of the elements I had a hard time getting my head around was the idea that this is a time-warp (I really have no idea what else to call it).  It came to light in Infinity that time itself was going to change and it may even change what we all know and understand about the very first Dark Hunter novels.  Like Nick meeting Simi in Infinity; that never happened in the first novels and that's part of the reason why Nick is the way he is now.  It's really just understanding that this is not truly a prequel series in the sense of the word - it does go through the events of Nick's life before we meet him in Night Pleasures, but with Ambrose in there "changing" the course of the history, it isn't truly telling us, as readers, what really happened with Nick.  I'm not saying that this is a bad or negative thing.  It's just extremely different and I have never seen any author undertake this kind of writing before, especially with the amount of detail that is present in the series to begin with.  It's rather impressing! Actually, what I really want to know is how Nick's meeting with Simi is going to affect the outcome of Seize the Night...

If there was one thing I did not like about this novel, it's simply the fact that I feel there is too much filler material in it.  Much of it was repetitive, such as Nick's inability to get a girlfriend or ask a girl out and his battle with his conscience, which I do understand is needed since the series is about him battling good and evil within himself as well as in his world.  I also wish that we saw more of the characters we know and love instead of getting introduced to new ones all the time.  Especially now, since a lot of characters are still in need of their own books. 

What I did love was the number of quotes I could gather from this book.  I absolutely love Ms. Kenyon's incorporation of life lessons in few words in all of her novels.  It's one of the things I look forward to reading the most, whether it is serious or just comedic, I definitely take them with me in life as well.  Here are a few:

There are those born to succeed and those who are determined to succeed.  The former fall into it and the latter pursue it at all costs.

Your destiny is shaped by choice, never by chance. Beware the decisions you make, no matter how small, for they will be your salvation...or your death.

There are some things sorry can't fix.  Life is all about regrets.  Don't let those regrets be that you've hurt someone who really loves you.  Keep those to a minimum.  It's bad enough that you have to carry then through a single lifetime.  When you carry them through a thousand, it's brutal.

Now I really want to know what the time-warp deal is about.  Infamous next year!

Family Matters

I wrote my last blog entry pretty much entirely based on a quote that Ms.Kenyon has said about her books, and then I remembered another one that I found very...well, profound. 

We have three kinds of family - those we are born to, those born to us, and those whom we let into our hearts

 - Simi Parthenopaeus

I love Simi.  She's one of my favourite characters because of the fact that she is , what I believe, the heart of this series.  She has her moments, whether they be serious or comic relief.  And she's quite wise despite her cute and spoiled child attitude (wisdom does come with age, and Simi has 13,000 years under her belt). 

It's true that family does not have to be biological.  Family is those you are closest to at heart.  People who piss each other off at the best of times but love each other at the worst.  Blood may be thicker than water, as the saying goes, but it doesn't always mean that the hearts are tied together with that kind of bond. 

Remember that Ash, Simi and Alexion are a family, and none of them are related by blood.  And the Peltiers are a classic DH example of pissing each other off at the best of times and loving each other at the worst of times.  And then....need I mention the star couples of each book? 

I can say that this hits home.  I'm not exactly close with my biological family, but I do know that I love them no matter what.  My mother gave me life, my father raised me.  I'm never going to be able to pay them back.  And I hope that my children feel the same way, when I get around to that I mean.  But I can say that I also have a best friend that is more like a sister to me, and we don't have the same genetics.  I consider her family as well. 

Family is important.  Even Dark-Hunters, no matter how alone they may be or vow to be, all know that deep down inside.  They just find out in their own special way.

And on a side note, to all my family out there (as well as my readers, online family and work family):  I may not say it a lot, but I do mean it. 

I LOVE YOU!!!

The Three Sides to Every Story

If there was anything that I learned from Sherrilyn Kenyon - and I'm speaking generally, not just her DH novels - it's this:  there are three sides to every story.  There are the views of each person involved, and there is the truth.

Truth is relative.  Each person belives what they will based on what they have seen, heard or felt.  Which pretty much means that there are various versions of "the truth" in any given situation.  Therefore, it's really hard to make the call as to who's right and who's wrong. 

We determine what's true based on what we see with our own eyes and/or what we know about the person telling us their side of the story.  Have they said something before that we haven't believed.  If they have, we are not as likely to believe them.  Even as humans, we're prone to error.  It's almost impossible to side with anyone unless we have seen things happen with our own eyes.  Yet we do anyways.  There are those of us who will make those judgement calls, and determine what the feel is "truth".  That's how it always is.  That's what we're taught to do.  To make decisions that we feel is right.  As long as we can justify that decision to believe whom or what we will, it's considered to be the truth. 

Whatever "actually" happened?  That's anyone's guess.  And it's open to interpretation. 

So there really are three sides to every story.  The two that everyone knows about.  And the one that is going to be ever evasive...