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?