Friday Reads

One of the accounts I follow on Twitter is Friday Reads.  Here are this week's reads:

 It's Friday!  Here is what I am reading today:

I'm still listening to:

 

Sharon has been putting her Kindle to use!  Today she is reading

 

The demons within; the demons without

Invincible by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Chronicles of Nick series)

Fourteen-year-old Nick always wanted life to be more interesting, but perhaps not this interesting. After he and his new friends defeat a pack of zombies, Nick thought things would settle down a bit. This was not to be. His mom gets a new job working at a club owned by were-bears. His boss is a fanged vampire killer. His new best friend is a demon. At least Nekoda – the girl he hopes will become his girlfriend – is normal. Right?

Someone is killing fourteen-year-old boys in New Orleans, and Nick may be the reason, since he just happens to be a fourteen-year-old boy with some newfound awesome powers. The new football coach is a bit difficult and requests Nick’s help, which either he complies with or he dies. Oh, and Death was sent to teach Nick how to use some of those awesome powers. Just another normal week in the new interesting life of Nick Gautier.

Fans of Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series can feel comfortable giving this spinoff series to their teenagers. The same characters Dark Hunter fans love without the sex and minimal swearing. Having read all of the Dark Hunter books so far, I love reading about Nick’s childhood. Nick is a funny kid…just as he has been a funny adult (pre-incident with Simi and Artemis).

While I can understand why the book is set in a modern time period, the Nick from the original series would have been a teenager 20 years or so ago. This is something that might annoy Dark Hunter fans. We must remember, though, that this series is written for today’s teens.

Full of laughs and snarky attitudes, this is the type of writing I’ve come to expect from Kenyon. What I want to know now is… when is the next book being published?

No Mercy

No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Samia was an Amazon queen. Now she is a Dark Hunter.

Dev is a werehunter of the bear persuasion. A bouncer at his clan’s bar/supernatural hospice, he feels like he’s seen it all. Then he meets Samia.

The two are attracted to one another, more deeply than they care to admit. If that wasn’t bad enough – due to a rule against Dark Hunters and werehunters hooking up – Dev is the only being that Sam can touch without being overwhelmed with his every thought, memory and minute detail of his past. When Sam becomes the specific target of their enemies, Dev vows to do whatever it takes to keep her alive.

This is the 19th book in Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series. Full of action (both out of bed and in it), in many ways it is a lot like the previous books. However, the author is delving more into other realms as each book is published. Overall, it was a quick, decent read.

To Infinity

Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Fourteen year old Nick doesn’t have much in his life. Lucky enough to get a scholarship at a decent school, he doesn’t really have friends there. This isn’t helped by the gaudy, secondhand clothes his mother sometimes makes him wear. But he would do anything for his mother…even face ridicule for the bright tropical shirt.

When a series of events happen to him, Nick finds himself immersed deep in the world of zombies, demons, Dark-Hunters, and other supernatural creatures. What he doesn’t suspect, however, is that he is more deeply involved than almost anyone can imagine.

This spinoff of her popular Dark Hunter series, written for teen audiences, Kenyon introduces us to a teenage Nick. With a personality pretty much the same as his adult version, the super-sarcastic teen manages to deal with the blows life has thrown at him, all while maintaining what is most important to him.

Likes
I think what I like most about this book is that, due to its audience, there is no cliché sex scenes that are found in the Dark Hunter books. Filled with purely action, the book will appeal to audiences regardless of gender.

Plus Simi is part of the story. I love Simi. She is good demons.

I also like that there is more about Nick’s father. I don’t want to give away anything, but it is great to read more about that missing part of his life.

Dislikes
That I have to wait for the sequel!

Bad Moon Rising

Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Fang has always had a close relationship with his sister Anya and their brother Vane. When a series of events fueled by their father’s hatred of his children cause the brothers to be in exile and Fang to be in a deep coma, the Were Hunter wolves find a temporary home at Sanctuary.

Aimee – the only daughter in her large family of bears – is practically smothered by her family’s over-protectiveness. As the only daughter, it is up to her to carry on the family’s place in the Omegrion. Unfortunately, Aimee doesn’t feel anything for the parade of bears that her mother brings before her, instead yearning for the love she cannot have.

With demons invading their realm, circumstances force the wolves and bears to work together to in unsuspected ways.


Fans of the Dark Hunter series have been waiting for this story.



Likes

Um…*thinking* *thinking* Better understanding of the Peltier clan.

Dislikes

In comparison with other books in the series, this one fell very flat.

Some of the text I think was taken directly from other books that overlapped the time period of this story. Not rewritten from another view, really, but I felt like it was just copied and pasted.

Silent Night

One Silent Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Ruler of the Daimons, Stryker, unleashes an ultimate evil in hopes of finally killing off two of his enemies: Acheron and Nick. Unfortunately, his plan backfires.

Artemis sends one of her servants to kill Stryker. Much to his surprise, the assassin is his ex-wife, Zephyra. Even more to his surprise, they have a daughter.

Stryker convinces Zephyra to give him two weeks to prove that he still loves her. If he doesn’t prove it, he will willingly let her kill him.

Meanwhile, the duo must deal with a nasty demon problem – mostly caused by that the evil god that Stryker let loose. Can Stryker work with his enemies to save few of the only beings he has ever truly loved?

Dream a little dream...

The Dream-Hunter by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Upon the midnight clear by Sherrilyn Kenyon

These are two books of the books in the Dream Hunter sub-series.

The Dream-Hunter tells the story of Megeara (Geary), a professor of ancient history. Much of her close family has died in pursuit of Atlantis, something that she really wants no part of. Nonetheless, after agreeing to a deathbed request from her father, Geary finds herself deep in the search for proof the mythical island city’s existence.

Arik was once a Dream Hunter. Now a Skotos – a Dream Hunter who has gone rouge, preying on humans who dream vividly, his latest target is Geary. Their dream relationship is a highly sensual one. So sensual, that he wishes to taste Geary’s delights in the flesh. Arik makes a deal with Hades in order to become a human for two weeks in return for Geary’s soul.

With their worlds now intertwined, Arik promises to help Geary get what she wants – proof of Atlantis’ existence. Unfortunately, there are others who would rather see them dead. Can Arik keep Geary and her team alive…and keep from giving Hades the soul of a woman he is falling in love with.


Upon the midnight clear

Aidan - He is a world famous actor turned recluse after his closest family and friends turned against him.

Leta - She is a Dream Huntress who has been asleep for centuries, after a harsh battle with an evil foe.

When that foe awakens, so does Leta. She is determined to stop the evil Dolor from coming to full powers and destroying the world. In order to stop him, Leta goes to the home of Dolor’s human target: Aidan. Once there she must convince the jaded actor to open his life to her. What neither of them counts on is that in this battle they also open their hearts to one another.

All About Ash

Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Acheron has long been a mystery to those who know him. Not one for sharing personal information, even those closest to him really do not know his history. Ash is more than happy to keep it that way.

Chronicling his life as a human, this book takes us through Acheron’s first secret birth to the Atlantean goddess Apollymi and his second birth to a Greek queen to his death by the hands of his Greek goddess lover’s twin brother – Apollo. To call his human life wretched is being kind. Yet instead of taking revenge upon the human race, he instead is their greatest defender.

Eleven thousand years after his birth – and death – Acheron is still defending humans. He is also – in many ways – still alone in the world. While there are many he counts as friends, and a few that he even calls family, Acheron aches for the type of love he has never experienced: the unconditional, romantic love of another.

Tory is a professor who is about to announce to the world that she has discovered the mythical city of Atlantis. When Acheron heckles her at the announcement of her discovery, Tory is angry and ashamed. When he later insists on being her bodyguard, she finds herself attracted to this mysterious hunk of a man.

Ash hopes to keep Tory alive – and the secret of his life before becoming a Dark Hunter buried deep in the ocean. Can he succeed without losing more than his heart?

Likes

I really enjoyed the first part of the story, which is about Acheron’s life as a human. I would even hazard saying that the first part of this book is the best writing of the series. While it was descriptive in the abuse he endured, it was also a very well written story. Told mostly through journal entries written by Acheron’s human sister, Ryssa, we not only learn of Acheron’s past, but of the mysterious woman and child whose deaths called Apollo to curse his own race of people.

Dislikes

While I’m happy that Acheron finds a woman to love and who loves him, I wasn’t as pleased with the writing of that part of the book. It felt like Kenyon was trying too hard to show that underneath his tough guy appearance, Ash is really a softie. Readers of the series already know this.

Other
We've seen Tory before. She was in the first of the Dream Hunter books - The Dream Hunter.

of gods and goddesses

Devil May Cry by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Once upon a time, Sin was a god. Then Artemis stole his powers. Now he is the last of his pantheon. Considered a Dark Hunter, though really he isn’t, Artemis wants him dead before he gets a chance to kill her.

Katra is the daughter of Artemis and Acheron. She has powers beyond imagination. Her mother has asked her to kill Sin. Thinking him to be an unfeeling, inhumane monster, she agrees.

Of course, few things are what they appear. What Kat thought was an inhumane action was really full of mercy. Sin isn’t fighting Daimons. He is fighting something much, much worse: a race of demons whose bite infects their victims, making the victims one of them.

Katra and Sin are drawn together, using their powers to fight off the gallu demons and to hopefully keep them from releasing an even worse race of demons, the Dimme, all the while falling in love.


Another departure from the Dark Hunters as main characters, this book is actually one of my favorite in the series. Katra may seem familiar to readers of the series. She was Cassandra’s bodyguard in Kiss of the Night.

Kat can be a bit too sarcastic at times. Other than that, the book was a decent, fast paced read. Again, I enjoyed learning more about Acheron and other beings in the Dark Hunter world.

Love can be Dangerous

Sins of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Ias was one of the original Dark Hunters. It is due to him that there is an out clause. Acheron saved him from an eternity as a shade, and now Ias serves as the Alexion, the judge, jury and, if deemed needed, executioner of rogue Dark Hunters.

When he is sent to judge a group of Dark Hunters, Alexion doesn’t expect to find his true soul mate in Dangereuse St. Richard, an unbelievable impossibility. Both know their time is limited, but they try to make the most of it while also trying to save those Dark Hunters who can be saved.

This is the first Dark Hunter book I’ve read that has featured a female Dark Hunter. Also unlike the other Dark Hunters, Danger is short. She stands at least a foot and a half under the others. That doesn’t keep her from being one kickass Daimon killer, though.

While the story itself was Ok, what I really enjoyed was learning more about Acheron outside of his visits to the Dark Hunters. And Simi. She is, by far, the best character in the whole series. I adore Simi.

One of these things is not like the other

Seize the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

A loner even in a world of loners, Valerius has a reputation for being distant and patronizing at best. Hated by most of the Dark Hunters, Squires and everyone else, he has come to terms with his fate. The Fates, however, have a surprise in store for him. Her name is Tabitha, and her twin sister’s husband considers Valerius to be his greatest enemy (besides Daimons, of course).

Often considered to be the crazy one in a family that counts a voodoo priestess, a sorceress, and a gypsy fortune teller amongst its members, vampire hunter Tabitha is nearly as deadly to daimons as the Dark Hunters. After deflecting a major Daimon attack – and accidentally stabbing Valerius in the meantime (she thought he was a Daimon), she finds herself in quite the quandary.

The two couldn’t be more different. Impeccably dressed, serious Valerius. Goth chick, fun loving Tabitha. But as they fight to rid New Orleans of an ancient demi-god with a major grudge against Tabitha’s twin and the influx of Daimons he brings along with him, the two find they are falling more in love.


I think this is one of the better written books of the series. There seemed to be a bit less repetition than previous books, which is always good. Plus, there are some major happenings in this novel that affect the whole series…and I don’t just mean the relationship between Tabitha and Valerius.

Animal Instincts

Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Vane Kattalakis isn’t what you think by looking at him. Sure, he is one fine specimen of a man. But that hunky exterior hides his wolf nature. Vane is a Were-Hunter wolf. Unfortunately for him, his pack is out for his blood.

Just to add a bit of complication to his life, Vane finds himself attached to Bride, who just happens to be human. Can Vane convince Bride to be his mate – and that his world is indeed real?

There’s a lot of humor in this book. An example: Bride’s parents are both vets. Her father is even well known for urging people to neuter or spay their pets. This is a joke that comes up often.

But…in many ways it is way to similar to the other books in the series. Not my favorite, but not at the complete bottom of the list either.



Unleash the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Wren Tigarian is an outcast even amongst the outcasts who live at Sanctuary. A blend of two were-animals – snow leopard and white tiger – he was shunned by his family at birth, and barely taught how to live with his powers – even by those who took him in when orphaned. Now he is quiet, fearful and quick to lash out at those around him. A complete loner.

Daughter of a senator, Marguerite grew up in a wealthy world that she never quite fit in with. Missing her study partner, Nick, she talks the rest of their study group in to “slumming” it by going to the bar he dearly loved. It is there that she meets the stunning Wren.

When lies about the death of his parents at his own hands lead to a death sentence to be proclaimed, Maggie and Wren must find a way to prove his innocence while staying alive.

This books was...well, ok. Honestly, even for a romance novel it felt like there were too many sex scenes and not enough plot and character development. It's my least favorite of the series so far.

Dark Side of the Moon by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Susan was one a top investigating reporter. After a major news scandal, she is now a top reporter…for a tabloid. When the lead her boss sends her on and a frantic call from her best friend both end up being about the same thing, Susan finds herself immersed in the world of Dark Hunters, Daimons and Were-animals. She also finds that she’s falling for Ravyn, a Dark Hunter who happens also be a Were-leopard. The least of their problems? She’s allergic to cats.

Most of the books in this series that I’ve read so far have been set in the American South, primarily in New Orleans. This one, however, takes us to the opposite side of the country. Seattle.

As with the other books, there’s a lot of humor. There are also some revelations about some of the other reoccurring characters of the series. Unlike the other Dark Hunter novels I’ve read that feature Were-animals, this one actually highlights a Dark Hunter, instead of just having one as a background character.

looking ahead a bit

I’m scheduling posts for the next week or so. They are mostly reviews of the Dark Hunter series that I’ve been reading.

While I’m away I hope to read a few books…including at least one YA novel that is set in the Dark Hunter world. Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon is the first in her Chronicles of Nick series, which stars the once Squire, later Dark Hunter Nick Gautier. I can’t wait to start reading it. First, though, I want to finish the weighty tome that is Acheron.

Darkness falls

Dance with the devil: a Dark-hunter novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon

In life, Zarek was the lowest of the low of slaves. Brutally beaten, spit upon and generally abused, it is no wonder that he still suffers emotional scars even after many centuries. As a Dark Hunter, he has spent the last 900 years banished to Alaska. Still, after all those centuries, Zarek is alone and unwanted.

Artemis wants him killed. Acheron wants him first judged by a Justice nymph named Astrid. And Zarek…well, no one ever asks him what he wants.

Astrid has never found a man to be innocent. When she encounters Zarek, he is gruff and biting, but she senses something about him that causes her too look beyond his tough exterior. Zarek doesn’t like the way she makes him feel. He doesn’t believe he is human, or should be treated so decently.

Meanwhile, the monster that Artemis sent to kill Zarek won’t return to his “home”. Instead he is running loose in Alaska, looking for Zarek.

Can Astrid break through Zarek’s shell and help to heal his deep wounds? Can Zarek keep Astrid alive?

Of the books I’ve read thus far, I think this is the best written one.


Kiss of the night. by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Wulf Tryggvason is forced to live in near solitude. The only humans who can remember him five minutes after he walks away are those of his bloodline. Unfortunately, there is only one left. Then he meets the beautiful Cassandra Peters, a half Apollite/half Human woman who remembers him from their previous encounter. Wulf finds himself drawn to her more and more. Is it only because she remembers him?

Cassandra Peters holds the fate of the world in her hands. She is the last in the line of Apollo’s Apollite descendents. Her death will destroy the world. Even as a half-Apollite, she will die on her 27th birthday, which is quickly approaching.

When it turns out that their erotic dreams were a little more than dreams, and that Cassandra is carrying Wulf’s child, he must do all that he can to keep her – and their child – alive. Even though it means hiding in Apollite territory.

A little far fetched – even for paranormal romance – this story isn’t as tight as some of the previous. However, it is still a fun read. The author has a way with words and a great sense of humor that comes through in all of her books.