Devon’s review of Acheron (Dark-Hunters, Book 12) by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Paranormal Romance released by St. Martin’s Press 5 Aug 08
I credit Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunters series with getting me reading romance after a long hiatus. For the first few books in the series I could be found stalking the bookstores prior to release date, hoping the book had been put out early. The world she created was fascinating, the men dreamy, the romance hot. But over time my ardor cooled, as the rules changed, and the characters grew repetitive and bland. The primary love story never seemed as interesting as Dark-Hunter leader Acheron’s developing stories. Indeed, I never even read Devil May Cry until a couple of weeks ago, and skipped the Dream-Hunters all together. To my surprise, I found myself getting very excited over the release of Acheron. Could it stand up to expectations? Read and find out. Warning: It’s going to be a long review.
A friend joked that Acheron’s story was going to be “torture porn”, and she wasn’t far off the mark. The first 300 plus pages of this book (I read it in html, so I can’t be exact) are difficult to read. Ash’s early life was awful. He suffers horrific physical and sexual abuse by family members, strangers and Artemis. Even as he prayed to die, I prayed he would die also, so we could get on with the next half.
I am not one to think that difficult subjects should be shied away from, but I really found the detail and repetition of Ash’s abuse to be gratuitous and rather disturbing. The night I started the book, my hands were shaking, and I had to get up and walk around. To be fair, I was angry at the characters, not Kenyon, so my emotions were definitely engaged. The writing was powerful (and quite different from her usual style). Although there is no doubt the writing was compelling, there was no good reason for it to go on as long as it did. Feel free to skim, I would have if I hadn’t been reading to review. You’ll get the gist.
My enjoyment definitely picked up once Ash died and we get to see how he came to lead the Dark-Hunters. Then the book moves forward to present day. Finally, some happiness for Ash! The second part of the book is pure vintage Kenyon. Kenyon’s writing can border on cheesy: she tends to use certain phrases and clichés over and over, things can get overly sentimental, and the humor tends to schoolyard taunt rather than witty banter. But when she’s on her game, as she is here, her books suck me in like nothing else.
The heroine (is it okay to say who she is now?) is pretty much standard Kenyon. Intelligent, not classically pretty, sassy to the point of being annoying, deeply empathetic and understanding of her brooding man. In other words, fairly likeable. While she was more well drawn than some Dark-Hunter’s heroines, I wasn’t sure why Acheron would be so attracted to her. Their relationship does get off to an entertaining start, and develops well over all. I just wanted Acheron to be happy dammit. I was glad she was a plain old human though.
This section of the book moved fast and was very entertaining. Have to warn y’all about the cheese, though. There is a serenade, of Nickelback no less, waaaay too many pop culture references (Shia LeBeouf? “10, 000 BC”? “Fergielicious”?), and one hilariously dorky moment. I don’t want to give it away, but it happens right before Acheron goes to rescue his heroine and it involves characters from previous books. Some will find it heartwarming, but I groaned. But it’s Sherrilyn Kenyon, master of cheese, so I always momentarily cringe then dive right back in.
Although I enjoyed this section of the book, it felt a bit too quick, given all that had to be resolved — Acheron’s relationship with Artemis, his relationship with Nick, and his twin, and his mother. Some things were resolved, and some things were set up for the next arc of the story, which I’m looking forward to. If you ask me, 200 pages or so of Acheron abuse could’ve been cut and given over to his present and love story.
As you can tell, I’m all over the place with this book. Hmmm…gotta admit, I think I’d read the second half again. Despite my criticisms, I enjoyed it and was happy to see Ash happy. I wouldn’t read the first half again if you paid me. Thus my overall grade. Don’t bother with this one unless you’ve been following the series. If you are a Dark-Hunter fan, you are likely to be happy. But skim the first part, unless gratuitous abuse turns you on. Fingers crossed that this marks the beginning of a new and fresh direction for the Dark-Hunters. Stryker’s up next.
Grade: B
The Summary:
The most anticipated story in the blockbuster Dark-Hunter series. The never-before-revealed story of the Dark-Hunter leader, Acheron. He was made human in order to escape death, but in death he was reborn a god. . .Eleven thousand years ago a god was born. Cursed into the body of a human, Acheron spent a lifetime of shame. However, his human death unleashed an unspeakable horror that almost destroyed the earth. Then, brought back against his will, Acheron became the sole defender of mankind.
Only it was never that simple. For centuries, he has fought for our survival and hidden a past he’ll do anything to keep concealed. Until a lone woman who refuses to be intimidated by him threatens his very existence.
Now his survival, and ours, hinges on hers and old enemies reawaken and unite to kill them both.
War has never been more deadly… or more fun.
Read an excerpt here.
I’m still waiting for the price of the eBook to be reduced – as much as I want the book I’m not paying the hardcover price of between $19 & $25!
Ha, I know this doesn’t make me that popular with the ‘its a perfect novel” people but I didn’t read the first part… started it and grew irritated. Okay, I admit I really can’t stand books with depressing things in them because they make me feel depressed… never finished Lovley Bones because I couldn’t stop crying. But I didn’t have that reaction when I started Acheron, I jsut couldn’t get into it, I thought I would at least find it interesting. And wow, why did it start out as Ryssa diary… big reason why I didn’t read the first part I felt mislead and a tiny bit cheated.
The second part I really enjoyed though… but it seems I haven’t seen one thing mentioned yet that bothered me. Ash still has self-esteem issues, big ones… the scene after he and Tory get it on sort of eeked me out.
I did reread the second part.
ShellBell–I’d wait if I were you. Or check it out of the library. 25 bucks for something where you may be skipping a couple hundred pages? And believe me, you may.
Sylvia–You bring up some really good points. I think the fact that we were seeing Ash’s abuse through another’s eyes (Ryssa) added to the ick factor. A bit voyeuristic. Damn I hated it. I would’ve skipped too.
Oh, there were so many things I wanted to bring up, but the review was already so long. I’m like I left out this, and and this, and this. Ash’s self esteem issues got a bit annoying after awhile. It was so repetitive. I didn’t mind it too much, because I’m a bit of a mama bear, so I just wanted to rub his back and make him a bowl of pasta. But I’m surprised some readers didn’t see it as a wussification of da man. I had avoided all reviews until I was done, so I’m going to check some out today.
Oh God, self-esteem issues? Between that and the torture porn, I really am glad I haven’t gotten into the Dark Hunters books. Whiny heroes make me grind my teeth. LOL.
They didn’t used to be whiney. But they sure are now.
Boring, ya know?
Haha! That’s an excellent way to describe yourself. I’m somewhat the same way, so I wonder if I’d feel that way about Ash or just end up annoyed.
I still haven’t even cracked this open yet. Not sure I ever will, to be honest. Mostly I just wanted to know who his heroine was and if I was right in all the speculating I did. I wasn’t, in case you were wondering. 🙂
Thank you very much!! your review was right on target! at first even when the book wasn’t out yet I told a friend that I was a little afraid because after all the waiting, SK could come up with something that wouldn’t do Ash’s justice..specially since her previous bks weren’t as good as the first ones of the serie. Plus, she had said that Ash’s story was going be 2 books instead of one, I said to myself Noooooooooooooo!!! and expected the worse.
But she made it..althought I have to confess that it felt a little strange to see Acheron as the Hero after all this time, to see this “vulnerability” we have seen in previous heroes characters, I found it weird because he always has been so mysterious..it was so surreal..LOL!
Anyway..I totally agree with you, SK stretched a little too much Ash’s past life and abuse..I mean ok..one time it’s fine..but to go over and over about it? thanks but no thanks…the only thing I liked about that first part was that SK filled in the blanks about how Atlantis got destroyed, how Ash died and what happened after that, how he came into his powers, Apollimy blowing up the atlantean gods, How Ash got Simi..etc…things we could just imagine because not enough details were given through previous books.
The second part was very good, I liked the heroine..*jumps up and down singing I knew it was her! I knew it was her* I wondered how SK was going to solve the Arty/Ash/S. situation..and I wasn’t disappointed..:) one of my favorite scenes..when Artemis got her ass kicked! Woohoo!! LOL! I loved it!
Overall it was a good book, I couldn’t put it down even when I skiped those pages in the first part (and I skipped a lot)
I can’t wait for the next one..Striker isn’t it?
Ms. H.
Yeah, no doubt there was a bit of the whiny. At one point, Holly, I swear I thought of you, and your feelings about Sam Starret. I was like, Oh, Holly would not like these developments at all.
Gwen did you read it yet?
Helgabi, it was a tough book to put down. I bitched about the first part, but I polished it off so quick!
Stryker’s next, and we’re apparently heading into Jaden’s arc. We’ll see, but the series could use some refreshing.
Sam Starret?? *gag* Thanks for the heads up on that. LOL
Finally got around to reading Acheron. I really want to read One Silent Night, so I had to read Acheron first (and I’m far too anal to read any series out of order). I did enjoy Acheron, not my favourite of the series but a lot better than some offerings on recent years. Like a few other posters, I found the first part of the book (i.e Ash’s past) far too long winded. Ash has never been a favourite of mine, so maybe that was why I just got sick and tired of the continual references to his suffering, and maybe also why my emotions really weren’t too engaged in the first part of the book. The pace definitely picked up for me in part 2 but even then there were a few too many cheesy moments for me. I’d probably give Acheron a B-, better than Dark Side of the Moon, Dream Hunter and Upon a Midnight Clear but not as good as Dance With the Devil and Night Play.
Ok, so I realize that I’m in the minority here but I really enjoyed the first part. Not so much as torture porn, but as really good story telling. (At least by SK standards…) I’m halfway through the second half now and it’s the same old predictable cheese.
I’m pretty saddened to see the same bs being strewn about for such an amazing and deep character, especially when she went through all of the trouble to give him such a detailed history. I will probably re-read the first part again, but I could do without the hokey pop culture references and cookie-cutter story line.