Devon’s review of Dead After Dark by Sherrilyn Kenyon, J.R. Ward, Susan Squires and Dianna Love
Paranormal Romance Anthology released by St. Martin’s 2 Dec 08
This anthology was truly a mixed bag. One story I loathed, one I loved, one I liked, and one…meh. At least I had a clear reaction to each, that makes it easier to review. I can’t wait to finish this review, because then I can check out other’s reviews. So let’s get to it, shall we?
Shadow of the Moon by Sherrilyn Kenyon
This story features Fury Kattalakis, Katagaria wolf, brother to Fang and Vane, and familiar to longtime readers of the series. After many years, Fury comes across Angelia, the Arcadian wolf who stabbed and betrayed him hundreds of years ago. The (gag) connection between them is still there, though.
Yeah, whatever, I’m going to cut to the chase. I loathed Angelia. HAAAAATE! I can’t ever remember hating a heroine this much in my life. She stood idly by (twice) while Fury was tortured, both in the past and in the present day. She was involved in some really repugnant stuff. Perhaps if the story had been longer, with more time to develop her psychological issues and her redemption…but I could not believe that she turned from a cold bitch to realizing her love for Fury in 24 hours. Man, I wish Zarek had killed her with his pointy claw jewelry. Poor Fury got screwed. Sherrilyn Kenyon’s usual style is much in evidence, but if you haven’t read her before, please don’t start with this one.
Grade: D
The Summary:
Angelia has fought her entire life to make herself strong. Now, with her patria under fire, she has to protect her people from Fury and his werewolf clan. Vowing to bring him to justice, Angelia sets out alone…until the hunter becomes the hunted, and the only way for her to survive is to trust the very wolf she’s sworn to kill.
Read an excerpt here
The Story of Son by J.R. Ward
I’m very curious to find out the reader reaction to this story. I absolutely loved it. I thought it was pretty sick and twisted in tone. If Ward ever turns her hand to Southern Gothic or something, I’d buy it. I mean, a vampire who has been kept prisoner in a basement for 50-odd years, and who doesn’t even have a name? And the career-obsessed lawyer who’s kidnapped and thrown in there with him?
Son’s situation is treated with the gravity it deserves, not some glowy, sentimental way. And he was quite an appealing character, vulnerable, odd, with an inner strength. I totally bought their attraction and love story. The genius of J.R. Ward’s writing is that it is so immediate and vivid, I find it easy to suspend all disbelief or qualms.
Despite the fact that I thought this was a fascinating and romantic story, I must point out the issues that troubled me (once I wasn’t totally caught up in the story). Astute readers have pointed out the penchant for isolating her characters. In this story, we have an extremely isolated hero, and a heroine who becomes isolated along with him, even in their HEA. The hero is so vulnerable, and will be so dependent upon the heroine, that I found it off-putting. The guy needs therapy for sure.
I’m also sometimes put off by Ward’s characterization of strong women. In the throes of passion, Claire thinks about how she has always felt like a “man in a woman’s body”, I guess because she is career oriented and not girly. Yeesh. She doesn’t find fulfillment until meeting her man, of course, and totally changing her life to suit his. Sigh…oh well. ‘Cuz I still love this one. Great story, great characters.
Grade: B+
The Summary:
Claire Stroughton is a beautiful lawyer who would rather spend the night with a legal brief than the man of her dreams. Then a routine client meeting turns dangerous—and deeply sensual—when she is held captive by a gorgeous man with an unworldly hunger…
No excerpt found
Seize the Night by Susan Squires
This is the only story with a historical setting, and it is connected to Squires’ Companions series. Followers of the series will get the most out of it, I think. This is my first read by Susan Squires, and I found the concepts of “Harriers” and “Aspirants”, especially the role that sex plays, to be a bit unclear. I enjoyed the story though. The hero, Drew Carlowe, and the heroine, sad vampire Freya, had good chemistry and the romance developed nicely. I did find the two characters to be a little bland. And there was something off about Freya, a distance and otherness, which was interesting, but kept me from really getting into the story. Overall, the story kept my interest, and left me curious about the series and what Squires can do with a longer length.
Grade: B-
The Summary:
When Drew Carlowe returns home to win back a lost love, he is quick to dismiss rumors that his estate is haunted by a stunning young ghost…until one passionate encounter leaves him mystified—and aching for more.
No excerpt found
Midnight Kiss Goodbye by Dianna Love
This one was okay, but underwhelming. Everything in it reminded me of something else. We have a secret band of warriors with telepathic powers who fight dark supernatural forces. We have a hero who had to leave his lover for her own good, but has watched over her from afar. Despite his stalking and powers, he has neglected to realize that his ex is a witch. There are evil immortal warriors. The brotherhood is connected to a Goddess (a Celtic one), and there are a bunch of other figures from various pantheons popping in and out. Even the storytelling, the description and dialogue, sounded familiar. The only refreshing thing was the inclusion of Indian mythology and religion, though I was not sure about the accuracy of the usage of the word “Hindu.” I think I’m just burned out on this type of story.
Grade: C
The Summary:
Trey McCree possesses an insatiable desire for Sasha Armand—and supernatural powers that could endanger her life as a human. But when they team up to stop an evil warlord, Trey discovers that Sasha can do way more than drive men wild…
Read an excerpt
Check it out of the library and read the Ward. And let me know what you think!
Overall Grade: C+
With these four tales of paranormal romance, it’s never been hotter to be close to death…
LOL @ your thoughts on the SK novella. I completely & totally agree with you. I always thought he’d end up with Bride’s sister (since that was how it seemed to me when I read Bride’s book). Since Angelia had never even been referenced before and then we find out she’s his lost love? Yeah, no.
And I felt like he’d basically been emasculated by her in all ways, so it was hard for me to look at them as a couple. It was just wrong on so many levels.
Do you know if the Ward story is available as an ebook stand alone? Because I really want to read that story but I have no interest in any of the other authors.
So far I’ve read the Kenyon short, but I haven’t been able to get into any of the other stories yet. I’m very turned off to Ward at the moment, but your review gave me hope for a revival!
Anyway, totally agree on the Kenyon story. I really like the Dark-Hunter stories, but I don’t think she does them justice when she writes shorts. HATED Angelia as well. Thought she was more reprehensible than Dare even because she just stood by feeling superior and justified while others were tortured/killed. Really wish Fury was given a better heroine.
Bridget–Emasculated is a really good way to put it. It was so disappointing that he’d stick by such a bee-yotch. Did you read the Ward?
Sarah–I don’t know. Good question. I doubt it, but perhaps later on down the pike.
Jess–ITA on Angelia. I was revolted by the fact that she stood by. And her attitude was toxic. It was a bummer. Let me know what you think of the Ward. It was definitely different from the more recent BDB books. No product placement and cheesy slang.
Devon-Yes, I did read the Ward. I’ve yet to review it myself, because I’ve been trying to figure out exactly how to describe what I felt after reading it. 🙂
A few thoughts: I don’t think she should’ve set the story in Caldwell. The reason I say that is because MIchael is DEFINITELY not a Brother. He’s too sweet, even though he’s not…if that makes sense.
I thought the sex was hot and reminded me that Ward can write a really smokin’ hot love scene, though I think they fell in love WAY too fast. It didn’t seem realistic at all.
I thought the end was just…odd. If she had just created a new vampire story that was otally different from the BDB world, it would’ve been a lot better. Maybe that’s just me, though. 😀
Devon – This is a complete 180 from the BDB books (to the point where I questioned if it was set in the same universe). I kind of hope it is because I felt like there were some unresolved issues at the end of the story.
Much like the Kenyon it was just a little too short to accomplish all it wanted to, but I much prefer this to a possible 400 page mess filled with lessers and shitkickers. Anyway, it’s got me excited about Ward’s writing again, and perhaps a little interested in seeing if this style caries over to Rev’s book.
Thanks again for the great reviews!
Didn’t it seem odd that a vampire could be living in Caldwell for so many years and never come across another vampire? They were still in Caldwell at the end there, weren’t they? On the same estate?
I thought it could almost be a jump off for another series, or a subplot.
I hope Reh’vs book has a good romance!
Yeah, I didn’t get how they could live in Caldwell for 9 years and never meet another vamp. Especially when the towns entire population appears to be either vampire or lesser.
Other problem, no discussion of Claire mortality. What happens when she eventually dies?
Also, why was he able to survive and thrive on her blood? That was always an issue.
On second thought, I think I’d rather it was just a different mythology all together. The (further) plot holes this would create in the BDB universe would ruin the story for me.
I believe we have hit on the reason that authors frequently, and openly, publish under alternative names. So that people can make the distinction between their worlds in their minds while reading. Robb and Roberts being one case in point.