Helpful Score: 8
I'm a new SK fan and have really enjoyed the dark-hunter series. This book really gives in-depth information as to what Acheron went thru growing up as well as growing into manhood and his godhood. I have to admit the beginning was really difficult to read and my heart really went out to the boy that he was and the man he turned into. Really explained a lot as to what made Ash what he is today. I have to say though that if you can't stomach reading of the abuse he went thru, you probably shouldn't pick it up.
I agree with other reviews that part 2 could have had more information. Though the book was very long, it really didn't take that long to read and was incredibly difficult to put down. The second part seemed to lack the important details that we found in the beginning. With that said, I still feel that this is the best dark hunter novel so far.
I agree with other reviews that part 2 could have had more information. Though the book was very long, it really didn't take that long to read and was incredibly difficult to put down. The second part seemed to lack the important details that we found in the beginning. With that said, I still feel that this is the best dark hunter novel so far.
Helpful Score: 7
Finally, we learn about ASH! The book is broken into two parts: Acheron, the human and Ash, the leader of the Dark Hunters. The first part is awesome. The pain and torture of the soul of the man. The second part is a little slower and reads much like a trilogy novel (short amount of space to really make a point to the story) but it is so necessary in the sequence of events of this series.
LOVE IT!
LOVE IT!
Helpful Score: 4
This book could quite possibly be the best book SK has written to date. Acheron is written in two parts. The first part we finally learn about what made Ash, Ash. Hard to handle at times to see the agony this character has dealt with. The second part deals with the here and now.
My only prob with this book is the editing. I felt the second half was cut too much. This is a long book and something had to go. Unfortunately, too much went. The writing was right on the money though. Too bad some editor felt this book would have been to long for people to buy.
My only prob with this book is the editing. I felt the second half was cut too much. This is a long book and something had to go. Unfortunately, too much went. The writing was right on the money though. Too bad some editor felt this book would have been to long for people to buy.
Helpful Score: 4
I love the dark hunter books!!!! yet another excellent book in the series
Helpful Score: 3
THOSE OF YOU WHO LOVE THE DARK-HUNTER ARE GOING TO ABSOLUTE LOVE THIS BOOK. GO ASH
Helpful Score: 3
The dark hunter series is so captivating, it makes you want to read all her books right now. The characters in this book are described in such detail you swear your watching a movie in your head. I loved it. hope you do too.
M.S
M.S
Helpful Score: 3
If you are already a Dark Hunter fan, you will love this long awaited story of Ash. It ties together so many loose ends and finally answers the questions we have all wondered about him. It's best not to start here though, if you have not read the other Dark Hunter books. You need to fall in love with the man Ash became, before you can accept the extreme abuse that he went through to become that person. I cried and cried feeling his pain, no one is more deserving of finding love and a happy ending. The love part of the story was too short, though the book was already long... I wanted more.
Helpful Score: 3
Acheron's tale is the most riviting of all! My heart broke for this mystic character surrounded by such hardship...if only Nick knew of his past...
Helpful Score: 2
I couldn't stand the anticipation for Ash's story, so I skipped quite a few books. The references to the skipped stories were minimal, so it didn't hurt my reading experience. It's definitely one of my favorites in the Dark-Hunter series.
This story is at times just too much... the suffering Ash went through in his human life is beyond comprehension. I felt at the time that this part of the story could have been minimized and more made of his finding love, but when you get there, it does make his ability to trust again more poignant. I did feel like the ending was rushed a bit, which is saying a lot because the book is really long. It didn't feel long while I was reading it, though.
This story is at times just too much... the suffering Ash went through in his human life is beyond comprehension. I felt at the time that this part of the story could have been minimized and more made of his finding love, but when you get there, it does make his ability to trust again more poignant. I did feel like the ending was rushed a bit, which is saying a lot because the book is really long. It didn't feel long while I was reading it, though.
Helpful Score: 2
Aside from the 800 pages you will want this book no matter what. If your a true "Dark Hunter" fan then nothing will stop you from actually finding time to read it. I read all the other reviews before I got this one and I didn't believe that the begining of this book would make me be angry, sad, and want to litterly kill those in the book. Trust me have a box of tissue's with you. The book keeps you reading regardless of how long the story seems. It will become a mission just to see what happens and seriously you will wish for the worst to happen to Artemis quite often.
In all the other books I never felt that I should feel bad for Appolimi until this one. There is a great injustice done in the beginining of this book and you can not fault her since you know you would do the same thing.
In all the other books I never felt that I should feel bad for Appolimi until this one. There is a great injustice done in the beginining of this book and you can not fault her since you know you would do the same thing.
Helpful Score: 2
This book was amazing! You finally learn all Acherons secrets in this book. As well as many others connections to him and insights on many things in the dark hunter world. A absolute must read for Dark hunter fans.
Helpful Score: 2
I'll have to go with the 'two novels in one' assessment. Part one [Ash's past] is extremely tortured [like that wasn't apparent throughout the previous novels?]. Part two is the present and brings us the love story.
This would probably be a REALLY tough read for someone with an abusive past. It was tough for me and mine wasn't. I admit I skipped a lot of part one...
Already a fan of the Dark Hunters? Jump in. Newbie and want to give them a try? Don't start here. Go back to the front.
Dark-Hunter
Shadow of the Moon (2008) (in Dead After Dark)
1. Fantasy Lover (2002)
2. The Beginning (2002) (in Sins of the Night)
3. Dragonswan (2002)
4. Night Pleasures (2002)
5. Night Embrace (2003)
6. Phantom Lover (2003) (in Midnight Pleasures)
7. A Dark-Hunter Christmas (2003) (in Dance with the Devil)
8. Kiss of the Night (2004)
9. Night Play (2004)
10. Winter Born (2004) (in Stroke of Midnight)
11. Seize the Night (2004)
12. Sins of the Night (2005)
13. Second Chances (2005)
14. Unleash the Night (2005)
15. The Dark Side of the Moon (2006)
16. A Hard Day's Night-Searcher (2006) (in My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding)
17. Until Death We Do Part (2006) (in Love at First Bite)
18. The Dream Hunter (2007)
19. Upon the Midnight Clear (2007)
20. Devil May Cry (2007)
21. The Dark-Hunter Companion (2007) (with Alethea Kontis)
22. Dream Chaser (2008)
23. Acheron (2008)
24. One Silent Night (2008)
25. Dream Warrior (2009)
26. Bad Moon Rising (2009)
27. No Mercy (2010)
This would probably be a REALLY tough read for someone with an abusive past. It was tough for me and mine wasn't. I admit I skipped a lot of part one...
Already a fan of the Dark Hunters? Jump in. Newbie and want to give them a try? Don't start here. Go back to the front.
Dark-Hunter
Shadow of the Moon (2008) (in Dead After Dark)
1. Fantasy Lover (2002)
2. The Beginning (2002) (in Sins of the Night)
3. Dragonswan (2002)
4. Night Pleasures (2002)
5. Night Embrace (2003)
6. Phantom Lover (2003) (in Midnight Pleasures)
7. A Dark-Hunter Christmas (2003) (in Dance with the Devil)
8. Kiss of the Night (2004)
9. Night Play (2004)
10. Winter Born (2004) (in Stroke of Midnight)
11. Seize the Night (2004)
12. Sins of the Night (2005)
13. Second Chances (2005)
14. Unleash the Night (2005)
15. The Dark Side of the Moon (2006)
16. A Hard Day's Night-Searcher (2006) (in My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding)
17. Until Death We Do Part (2006) (in Love at First Bite)
18. The Dream Hunter (2007)
19. Upon the Midnight Clear (2007)
20. Devil May Cry (2007)
21. The Dark-Hunter Companion (2007) (with Alethea Kontis)
22. Dream Chaser (2008)
23. Acheron (2008)
24. One Silent Night (2008)
25. Dream Warrior (2009)
26. Bad Moon Rising (2009)
27. No Mercy (2010)
Helpful Score: 2
Powerful, ugly, gritty, sad, wonderful...there are so many components to this story that I can not express here what emotions boiled through me as I read this story. Everything you thought you knew about Acheron is blown out of the water and replaced with a past that is so horrible it does not make for easy reading. Learning who he is and why he is, makes the other Dark Hunter books so much more brilliant. Do not be intimidated by the size of the manuscript. It flows page after page for a great read. Sherrilyn Kenyon has produced an incredible book.
Helpful Score: 1
Loved reading Archeron's story....I must tell you it is difficult to read how he came about being who he is and what he suffered, but it truly gives insight into him. Loved this book.
Helpful Score: 1
I knew that this book was going to be unforgetable...it's Ash for goodness sake. What I wasn't prepared for was the mind-blowing experience of reading his story. Kenyon is an amazing artist to be able to write such a story from imagination. I felt like I was there with Ash while he grew up and I cried for him everyday that he lived. Please read this book, you will become a better person for it. Part two as always brings Kenyon's witty charm and great love story that we as Dark Hunter fans have come to love.
Helpful Score: 1
Gosh...I feel like such a minoriety with all of those 4+ stars and my little 3 star. I love, love SK. I read all her books and love them all. That said, I read them like some people watch soap opera's for mindless enjoyment. This was a much deeper read. That is not why I gave it a lesser review, I was just a little disappointed. While I always love the poor-broken-spirtually-defeated-men-get-the-girl-who-changes-them-and-they-become-whole angle I felt in this story too much time was spent to the beating down and not enough time spent on the God-hood and his abilities and the love he found in Tory.
Part 1: Wow... How much is one person to endure? It was hard to read. I took it to get my mind off a 5 hour flight with a little hot guys and steamy sex imagine my surprise! His sister, how many times can one person screw up in the name of love, seriously the most loving thing she could have done was leave him alone. I think part 1 could have been much shorter and still have the same impact. Although the section was beautiful and heart wrenching it was just a bit too much.
Now Part 2: Ash was a bit more the kick butt Ash we have come to count on as leader of the Dark-Hunters but, still I saw him more crippled and broken than vunerable. I wish there was more of a love story there for him and Tory. I know the premise in the Dark-Hunter world is someone struggles and fights against the love that is destined to be but, I felt after all Ash and been through that less time could have been spent on the hideous abuse and more on the love story being created. Seriously...a virgin...come on why is the girl always a virgin just waiting on her Dark-Hunter love to come along. Really...I was disappointed. I did like Tory's character she was kick ass even before she had the means to be.
Overall it was a good read. I laughed, I cried, I gasped out loud what more could I want. I guess maybe my hopes were so high for the Acheron book that my standard could not be totally met. So I say if you are into the D-H series read it. I'm very glad that I did, but it wasn't my fave.
Part 1: Wow... How much is one person to endure? It was hard to read. I took it to get my mind off a 5 hour flight with a little hot guys and steamy sex imagine my surprise! His sister, how many times can one person screw up in the name of love, seriously the most loving thing she could have done was leave him alone. I think part 1 could have been much shorter and still have the same impact. Although the section was beautiful and heart wrenching it was just a bit too much.
Now Part 2: Ash was a bit more the kick butt Ash we have come to count on as leader of the Dark-Hunters but, still I saw him more crippled and broken than vunerable. I wish there was more of a love story there for him and Tory. I know the premise in the Dark-Hunter world is someone struggles and fights against the love that is destined to be but, I felt after all Ash and been through that less time could have been spent on the hideous abuse and more on the love story being created. Seriously...a virgin...come on why is the girl always a virgin just waiting on her Dark-Hunter love to come along. Really...I was disappointed. I did like Tory's character she was kick ass even before she had the means to be.
Overall it was a good read. I laughed, I cried, I gasped out loud what more could I want. I guess maybe my hopes were so high for the Acheron book that my standard could not be totally met. So I say if you are into the D-H series read it. I'm very glad that I did, but it wasn't my fave.
Helpful Score: 1
Great Book! It's like 3 stories in 1 all about Acheron. Waited along time for Ms.Kenyon to write about him and she did not disappoint.
Helpful Score: 1
I am not going to give a big review but this was the best book in this series. We see Acheron's past what he had to deal with since the day he was second time born (in the first couple of pages you will know what it means. His as life was documented by is sister Ryssa (Apollo's then lover that was killed as well as their son and started the Apollites curse), Little did Ash know there were many journals including the way to kill Apollo and his twin plus other secrets that no one should know about. Its the reason the brought Acheron and Tory together. Tory and her team discovered many more items like another Atlantian dagger, coins but also a journal that she was showing to the world, she is still trying to clear her family's name but a certain man would find ways to ruin her. Acheron was in no mood to deal with anymore people thinking they found Atlantis. He was thinking the Doctor has something that wasnt anything of importance but when he saw his sister writing on a journal about his birth that was uncovered from the ruins of his formal home/prison. Now he finds out her team also discovered another journal and this one is even worse cause this one has many secrets about Acheron and also the goddess that owns him, he is in a race again time to find that journal before it gets into the wrong hands and to bring destruction to the world.
Defiantly a 5+++ read
Defiantly a 5+++ read
Helpful Score: 1
really good read its entertaining, kinda repetative at times but still well worth picking up
Helpful Score: 1
FINALLY! All those questions that came up but that were never answered are finally answered here.
Helpful Score: 1
By far the best book by this author that I have read so far. I like the length of this book as well as the detail in Ancient times. I thought the first half could have been a little shorter but it was still great. The author also only had a few steamy scenes in this book which I kind of enjoyed. Lots of Romance novels are all steam and no context or story line. I find that Kenyon keeps a really good story going.
Helpful Score: 1
Love this series but this one was hard to get through because of the actions taken on Acheron. If you love the series, it is a must read.
excellent read. finally sums up one of the characters in the series. sad, but excellent read. D:-)
I thought this book was great!!!
I love this book - have read it twice and think it is the best of the Dark Hunter serie. Getting to know Ash is a treat and it answers a lot of the long standing questions from the earlier books.
If you like the Darkhunters,you will love this book. It explains a lot and tells you how it all began..Have read it twice.Well worth the time reading it..
This is the store of Ash from his birth to present day and it was unexpectedly brutal learning about his childhood. That being said, it certainly explains so much about the Ash that has been such a big part of the Dark-Hunter series. His character relaxes almost too quickly in this version as he meets his future mate but, overall, a satisfying completion of why he is who he is. We certainly learn a lot more about his mother and Artemis, which is so very helpful. I would not have missed this chapter of the series for anything even though the first 400+ pages about his early life we hard to deal with.
This has been a terrific series. And, this book one of the best books in it.
Mary Ruth
This has been a terrific series. And, this book one of the best books in it.
Mary Ruth
This book is amazing! Definitelty my favorite in the Dark Hunter series!
One of the most violent, abusive books I've ever had the displeasure to read. Yes, Ash was abused. Do we have to read about it in detail? Do we need it spelled out? Movies get panned for gratuitous violence, so should books. The first half of this book is torturous. Yes, I admit it hit close to home and maybe that is why my reaction is so strong against it. There is nothing therapeutic about reading this.
The second half is bearable. But by the time you have been through the emotional wringer and torture of the first half, one can't get enough pleasure from this half to redeem the book.
These books are meant for escape. There is no escape offered in this one. Just cold, hard, brutal, horrible, events.
The second half is bearable. But by the time you have been through the emotional wringer and torture of the first half, one can't get enough pleasure from this half to redeem the book.
These books are meant for escape. There is no escape offered in this one. Just cold, hard, brutal, horrible, events.
This is one of Sherrilyn Kenyon's best books. I practically inhaled it. It is a must read for all who are reading the series.
Good book. Was a quick read, despite it's length. As other reviewers have said, the first part is the better half. The second part could use a little more depth and fleshing out of the characters and situations . . . too much going on in too few pages. I'd recommend NOT reading this as the first introduction to the series . . . too many characters you wouldn't know, too many references to past books, situations and life-forms that need more explanation to be understood. I thought the amount of volunteer work Ash did was a bit of overkill--and ALL in NOL??? As others have commented, I too, was a bit bothered by the handling of artifacts.
I'm stubborn, I like to read stories in order... so when I was getting closer to this book, I was getting more and more restless. I've been waiting to read the story of Acheron since the moment he was introduced.
I don't want to spoil this story, so bear with me as I try to describe it without giving too much away. What I didn't realize when I started this book was that it was 816 pages. Yikes. The worst thing was that there was approximately 400 pages of abuse. The first 400. I teared up 3 times. It was so frustrating. Worst of all was his sister, Ryssa, who was only ever kind to him but ended up making it worse for him. After the first few hundred pages, I think we got it.
After all of that... I really enjoyed it. I liked this story a lot. It answered a lot of questions. Some of which were pretty much hinted at. That being said, after reading other reviews on this story, I must agree with most reviewers. The author is not the best writer. I feel as though if I have to read the words "he was shocked," "he couldn't believe it," It's the same things over and over again. Kenyon could at least crack open a thesaurus once in awhile... or better yet, just leave those statements off. They kind of ruin the story for me.
Regardless of a few frustrations, and a battle that well.... sucked as far as battles go, it was good. I loved it. I'm glad it was made.... albeit next time could do without so much abuse. I am giving this 5 stars because the story was good and it's Acheron. I could never give him less than 5 stars. ;)
I don't want to spoil this story, so bear with me as I try to describe it without giving too much away. What I didn't realize when I started this book was that it was 816 pages. Yikes. The worst thing was that there was approximately 400 pages of abuse. The first 400. I teared up 3 times. It was so frustrating. Worst of all was his sister, Ryssa, who was only ever kind to him but ended up making it worse for him. After the first few hundred pages, I think we got it.
After all of that... I really enjoyed it. I liked this story a lot. It answered a lot of questions. Some of which were pretty much hinted at. That being said, after reading other reviews on this story, I must agree with most reviewers. The author is not the best writer. I feel as though if I have to read the words "he was shocked," "he couldn't believe it," It's the same things over and over again. Kenyon could at least crack open a thesaurus once in awhile... or better yet, just leave those statements off. They kind of ruin the story for me.
Regardless of a few frustrations, and a battle that well.... sucked as far as battles go, it was good. I loved it. I'm glad it was made.... albeit next time could do without so much abuse. I am giving this 5 stars because the story was good and it's Acheron. I could never give him less than 5 stars. ;)
Iread most of thw Dark Hunters bool & loved everyone of them. This book i couldnt hardly put down. You have to read this book to know Acheron, go to the frist book to all of them to know all the dark Hunters and there lifes.
Fantastic book!!!! Not wanting to spoil the book but I'm glad to finally get Archeron's story. The book definatly explains where he came from. The first part of the book is very detailed on the verge of gory but it was needed to paint the picture of the horror in his life. The second part of the book started slow but I thought it was along the same pace as the other books in the series.
The long awaited story of the father of all dark-hunters. Despite it's massive length the story keeps you entertained and excited all the way through.
The best book that I read of Sherrilyn Kenyon. I love the Carpathians series.
Very good, the best one of the bunch.
Very good book! Helps to understand the others as well...a big piece of the puzzle. A MUST READ!!!!! Was very hard to put down...poor acheron...
I love this series and Acheron was my favorite until Styxx came out. Great characters and compelling storyline.
OMG i cryed so hard when he was killed. I would have killed her long ago but he can't and live. Soooo emotional. read it at least twice a year.
Great book, one of my all time favorites.
This was the first book from this author that I have read. It was a good story, but I didnt enjoy the very long first two parts of the book that tell of his life. The last part of the book was pretty good.
Ive skimmed dark hunter books before, so I was interested. But its universe + back-story seemed as complicated as Babylon 5, impossible for a newbie. So, I thought that a character origin novel would be a good introduction.
All Acherons child abuse stories do NOT make a good first impression. Whod want to connect with a character undergoing relentless humiliation? Pretty soon, in each situation, I found myself thinking, whats the worse betrayal that could happen to Acheron now? At that point, it became predictable.
I found the first part tiresome, and I almost quit several times. But, I soldiered on to see the origin of the dark hunters.
During the second half of the story, I could NOT keep my suspension of disbelief. Now, I love paranormal stories, and Im right there with you if you ask me to believe in vampires, greek gods, werewolves, demons, magic, and Atlantis.
What I couldnt believe is that they found a diary that had been under the sea for 9,000 years. Then, how does the top-notch archeologist treat this priceless artifact? She carries it around in her backpack, like a school notebook. She doesnt even protect it with a padded envelope.
Hasnt SK gone to a museum, or talked to a real archeologist? Live bombs are treated less carefully than medieval books (only 2000 years old, and written on leather(vellum), not paper). Such books are kept out of the sun, and within temperature& moisture controlled environments.
OK, maybe magic or advanced Atlantian technology preserved the book, but the author never mentioned it. Neither did the archeologists. Nobody in the book said, Wow, thats some kind of ink that stays on the vellum for 9000 years, under the sea. The modern ink on my paperbacks smear if I touch it with a sweaty finger
All Acherons child abuse stories do NOT make a good first impression. Whod want to connect with a character undergoing relentless humiliation? Pretty soon, in each situation, I found myself thinking, whats the worse betrayal that could happen to Acheron now? At that point, it became predictable.
I found the first part tiresome, and I almost quit several times. But, I soldiered on to see the origin of the dark hunters.
During the second half of the story, I could NOT keep my suspension of disbelief. Now, I love paranormal stories, and Im right there with you if you ask me to believe in vampires, greek gods, werewolves, demons, magic, and Atlantis.
What I couldnt believe is that they found a diary that had been under the sea for 9,000 years. Then, how does the top-notch archeologist treat this priceless artifact? She carries it around in her backpack, like a school notebook. She doesnt even protect it with a padded envelope.
Hasnt SK gone to a museum, or talked to a real archeologist? Live bombs are treated less carefully than medieval books (only 2000 years old, and written on leather(vellum), not paper). Such books are kept out of the sun, and within temperature& moisture controlled environments.
OK, maybe magic or advanced Atlantian technology preserved the book, but the author never mentioned it. Neither did the archeologists. Nobody in the book said, Wow, thats some kind of ink that stays on the vellum for 9000 years, under the sea. The modern ink on my paperbacks smear if I touch it with a sweaty finger
Not for new readers to the series
This book is amazing!I read it in one day and didnt want it to end...
11,000 years ago, a god was born. Cursed into the body of a human, Acheron spent a lifetime of shame. But the strongest steel is forged from the fires of hell...
Acheron's human death unleashed an unspeakable horror that almost destoyed the earth. Then, brought back against his will, he became the sole defender of mankind. Only it was never that simple. For centuries, Acheron 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.
Acheron's human death unleashed an unspeakable horror that almost destoyed the earth. Then, brought back against his will, he became the sole defender of mankind. Only it was never that simple. For centuries, Acheron 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.
