Gwen’s review of Devil May Cry (Dark-Hunter, Book 11) by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Paranormal romance published 7 Aug 07 by St. Martin’s Press
This is the latest entry into Kenyon’s long-lived Dark-Hunter series. The heroine is one of Artemis’s koris, Katra, and the hero is a Sumerian ex-god named Sin. This book is centered around a new fight with a new pantheon’s baddies. These baddies are actually badder than the Daimon baddies.
This entry into the Dark-Hunter world introduces another pantheon (Sumerian) and a new set of bad guys (the Gallu and the Dimme). None as familiar to us westerners as the Greek pantheon, though, and this leaves the reader a little at sea. This fact shouldn’t be fatal to a story if that story is well-told and interesting. But, this story is well-told, just not that interesting.
In Devil, I felt like Ms Kenyon never gets very invested in Katra’s deeper feelings and motivations. She talks about Kat’s immetiate motivations, her immediate reactions, some of her immediate feelings, but we never get much more than superficially involved. I felt that at the end of the story I didn’t know Kat a whole lot better than I did at the beginning. Among many things, I wanted to know more about how she felt about having to depend on another for sustenance, after an unfortunate encounter with one of the demons. We never know, though.
I felt like the male lead character was more developed than Katra, but I didn’t like him very much, so I didn’t care. He was too sarcastic and too unappealing to me to begin to care about him much. I felt sorry for him, but only because Ms Kenyon reminded me over and over how betrayed Sin was, how wronged he was, etc. etc.
Let me equivocate a bit by stating the absolute fact that I have always liked Sherrilyn Kenyon/Kinley MacGregor novels. Tons. Perhaps I’m just tired of the whole D-H thing, but I’m interested in other paranormal series similar to the Dark-Hunters. Well, then, perhaps I’ve been overexposed to the D-H’s, but it’s been months since I read a D-H novel. Perhaps it’s just run its course with me.
However, I’ll be picking up the next one. Is that sick, or what? I’m such a sucker for these stories.
If you’re a dyed-in-the-wool D-H fan, you’ll enjoy this book, but perhaps not love it. If you’re new to the whole D-H craze, I wouldn’t start with this book – it picks up several existing characters mid-stream and will be confusing. Start with the first book in the list below, Fantasy Lover – it’s fantastic, as are most of the subsequent entries (especially Zarek’s story, Dance With the Devil – loved it).
Grade: C+
Here’s the book blurb:
Trust of any kind died in him the moment Artemis tricked him, but now he must rely on another woman or see an annihilation of biblical proportions. Enemies have always made strange bedfellows, but never more so than when the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Now a man who knows only betrayal must trust the one person most likely to hand him to the demons. Artemis may have stolen his godhood, but this one has stolen his heart. The only question is will she keep it or feed it to the ones who want him dead?
Read an excerpt.
Here are the other Kenyon Dark/Dream-Hunter books:
NOOOOOooooo!!!! I’m so disappointed! My last hope that Artemis was not going to be Ash’s heroine has now died . . . I thought for sure Artemis and Sin would be paired up and hoped he could get a little revenge in while falling in love with her, and somehow redeeming her as well. Crap.
I’m pretty tired of the DH novels, as well. I think I’ll be reading this one, and then Ash’s 2 books (whenever they finally get published) and that’ll be it.
I knew Kat was the heroine for Sin. I also remember reading somewhere that we would get to know who Ash’s heroine in ‘Devil may cry’. Oh I could be wrong. Since Kat is off the list I guess we have to wait and see. (Or the other hand) I would not mind Artemis being Ash’s heroine. (please dont get angry with me). I just feel, there is a softer side to Artemis and she really does like Ash. The DH’s are her way of keeping Ash closer to her. On the other hand if there is another heroine for Ash, I wont mind that too.. So lets wait patiently for Ash’e books.
I’m such a suck that I want this book, but am quibbling over paying the hardcover price. It sounds like I need to wait for the paperback as I will not be able to resist forever.
I OD’ed on this series a long time ago. I read the first 5 or 6 and then got fed up when they became so much sequel bait for the next one.
She does get great covers though. I am tempted by the covers.
I liked the book, overall. Perhaps I liked it so much because I disliked the last few so much. I was a huge fan of the early series but then it just gets repetitive, doesn’t it? None the less, I was happy with this installment.
I want to read this entry in the series, but I plan to wait for the paperback.
I believe that Ash’s heroine was supposed to appear in Kenyon’s The Dream-Hunter. My money is on Tory/Victoria. I think that Katra will turn out to be the daughter of Ash and Artemis. Maybe Kenyon did not fill in details about Kat in this book because of the appearances she made in previous ones.
Kay
It’s strange how quickly SK went from an auto-buy on the release date, to a I’m not even paying attention anymore. I will read this I’m sure, but I forgot it was even coming out. I’m just thrilled Katra won’t be Ash’s heroine, b/c I had read a lot of speculation that she was, and I didn’t like her that much. I think she’s going to be Ash/Artemis’ daughter too.
You know, I’m just hanging in there with this series until Ash’s book releases. Except for die-hard DH fans, it’s become almost impossible to figure out what’s going on and who is who. I’ve read every one of the DH books, but she seems to be writing for her uber fans now that hang on every word and discuss every scene and clue. But casual readers like me need more “reminders” and I feel like SK has forgotten that not everyone is as involved as her forum posters.
The first Dream Hunters book didn’t work for me because it was so muddied up with Greek and Atlantean mythology. Now you’re saying she’s added Sumerian mythology? Damn! But I’ll have to read it anyway just so I’m not completely lost when Ash’s book(s) comes out. 🙁
You’re so right, Bev!
She says we’ve met Ash’s heroine in the first Dream-Hunter book.
Devon – You won’t be disappointed in your conclusions with Sin’s book.
My fav D-H novel was Zarek’s. I loved him and his smart mouth (multiple ways to interpret that). My next fav was Unleash the Night – that was a wonderful story.
ITA with Bev too. She’s kinda lost me. Just too much. Too many threads, too many characters, too many inconsistencies. I’ll give this one a go. Sounds better than the Dream Hunter.
My favorites are Valerius (Seize the Night) and Zarek (Dance with the Devil).
I have read two. I think. I plan to read this one at some point. If I ever see it again. LOL
god I hope Artemis isn’t ash’s heroine… in fact I don’t think I would read them if they are. Sez the chick who hasn’t really read the series yet but has all of them.
You can have it back at any time.
I’ll throw the book at the wall if Artie is Ash’s heroine.
I HOPE that Ms. K will put in Katra as Ash and Artie’s daughter. Ash needs someone to confide in since he doesn’t really trust Artie anymore. In my opinion, he would make a great father. Everyone already can see that by the way he treats Simi.
I absolutly love the books and think that maybe things will work out for Acheron.
this is the first d-h novel i read it was awsome! iloved it this is thhe first time i’ve been interestd in a non-manga book in quit a while.i wich i could find a book tht continues on the story of sin and katra. i’d say this book has a 8.6 out of 10 only because theres no hoy gay dudes.that would make my day.