Helpful Score: 14
I'm not going to go into a lot of plot detail because its been explained before, but I will warn you this, you have to have read at least 80% of the other books in the series in order to know whats going on. As it was I still couldn't remember half of the old plot details from books I've read in the past. If you've read any of the Dark Hunter Series before this you know that Stryker is the evil leader of the Daimons who once partnered with Apollomyi to destroy the human race and is now trying to become the ruler of the world. Son of Apollo but cursed to walk in the darkness like his Daimon brethren he is at the end of his desire to live. He summons War, a demon that does in fact cause War to break out, to kill both Acheron and Nick Gautier, two of his nemesis. In the meantime his ex-wife the equally evil Zephyra is asked by Artemis to kill him but he cons her into living with him for two weeks so he can win her back.
The romance was lukewarm, the character of Stryker as a loving man seemed forced to me. Zephyra, the love interest was mean and cold, which should be a perfect match for Stryker the king of evil, but unfortunately she just seemed like a whiny, ungrateful brat. She also introduces several new characters and plot twists that just add more confusion to an already weird plot. I'm starting to have a hard time keeping up with all of the otherworldly beings and their powers and weird names they have, but maybe I'm just slow. Oh and did I mention that the book is only 310 pages long, which would usually take me a little while to read but it looks like she increased the size of the typeface and spacing to make the book seem longer then it actually is. In total it took me three hours to read, which makes me want my money back. I used to love the Dark Hunters but this book seemed like a forced effort to produce more novels rather than something that took time and heart to write. If this was the first book in a new series I wouldn't have even made the effort to finish the first half of the book. This may be my last Sherrilyn Kenyon novel, but being the stupid person that I am I'm sure I'll buy and read the next crap she produces. If you want to try a new paranormal series that is pretty interesting I would try Kresley Cole's "Immortals After Dark" series.
The romance was lukewarm, the character of Stryker as a loving man seemed forced to me. Zephyra, the love interest was mean and cold, which should be a perfect match for Stryker the king of evil, but unfortunately she just seemed like a whiny, ungrateful brat. She also introduces several new characters and plot twists that just add more confusion to an already weird plot. I'm starting to have a hard time keeping up with all of the otherworldly beings and their powers and weird names they have, but maybe I'm just slow. Oh and did I mention that the book is only 310 pages long, which would usually take me a little while to read but it looks like she increased the size of the typeface and spacing to make the book seem longer then it actually is. In total it took me three hours to read, which makes me want my money back. I used to love the Dark Hunters but this book seemed like a forced effort to produce more novels rather than something that took time and heart to write. If this was the first book in a new series I wouldn't have even made the effort to finish the first half of the book. This may be my last Sherrilyn Kenyon novel, but being the stupid person that I am I'm sure I'll buy and read the next crap she produces. If you want to try a new paranormal series that is pretty interesting I would try Kresley Cole's "Immortals After Dark" series.
Helpful Score: 12
I've read all of Sherrilyn Kenyon's novels, and by far, this is one of the worst. When it first arrived I noticed it was much shorter than most of the Dark-Hunter series novels. Plus the font is much larger, so it truly was a quick read. I don't understand why Kenyon is now trying to make Stryker into a hero. I can't help but wonder if she's just trying to put out as many books as possible. If you haven't read all of the Dark-Hunter series books (or you aren't a die hard fan) I say skip this one--she has plenty of other books out there that are much better.
Helpful Score: 6
While this book in the series isn't one of my favorites...let's face it, Archeron was amazing and will be a hard installment in the series to top. I think Styker's story was important to tell in the overall scheme of the series. I especially like the psychology that is threaded through the series, ie.family and friends. This book in the series will tide me over until the next one is released, I much prefer reading about the Dark Hunters and not the bad guys, but sometimes it's important to see the world from the other point of view.
Helpful Score: 5
Not my favorite in the DH series by a long shot, but I think it was a story that needed to be told in order to get to later DH books (and really, how is Sherrilyn Kenyon ever going to top Acheron?) This story probably didn't need its own book. It could have just as easily been interspersed throughout other stories. But Once Silent Night was a cool twist because you rarely see books where the hero is also a villain. Even though you know Stryker is a complete jerk from reading the other books, by the end you understand his motives and you find yourself rooting for him as well as Ash (though I really did not care for his wife at all, who was just downright cruel). I think this will make him a more effective "bad guy" in future Dark-Hunter books. Im also now excited to see what future is in store for Nick.
Helpful Score: 4
The book had less pages with larger text. I understand why it came out after Acheron. I don't know about you, but I needed a breather. I also needed some kind of an ARC or 2 into new DH characters - a slight change in the storyline direction. The DH series was getting kinda crazy with everyone knowing everyone and everyone finding true love & life mates. (don't get me wrong, I LOVED every minute of it, loved every DH book, but it seemed like the potential storyline was nearing the end of a run) I mean, with Acheron I felt as if the DH series could have ended with that book- It was spectacular. I would have been saddened but content if the DH series was ended.
BUT I really wanted more, but not more of the same ol' same ol'. I wanted the DH's to continue and was super excited to find One Silent Night.
Unlike many other reviewers I liked this book. A lot. I was actually looking forward to hearing about Stryker and his past. I was also looking forward to finding out why he was such a baddie and what kind of woman is attracted to him and why. (I mean the 'bad' guys have lives too.) SK writes a great story. More ARCs were introduced into the DH story lines, newer darker characters-Jared, Davyn and Medea. And well, Nick's story was a spectacular surprise- one that I didn't see it coming and I don't think it was hinted at in other books.
Loved the plot twists and the trio's truce- which did satisfy my need for a DH continuation, an potential evolution of the entire DH story line. Whoot! As I said before, Acheron could have been the finale - a series closing book. One Silent Night leads in with so many arcs that it is possible for me to want to pick up another DH book and not worry about it being more of the same. New faces, new plots, new twists are sure to be plentiful in the upcoming books by SK.
If I didn't read this book, I think I would miss out in the future books to come- meaning that there are a lot of small details and key elements and a lot of insider bits that make reading all of SK books so much fun.
On the down side... The book was really, really short. Unless you are a fan it really is not worth the money compared to all the other books by SK. If I was new to SK & her Dark Hunters I would have been less then pleased with this book and quite possibly may not read anything else by her. I really would have liked to see SK put a bit more into the Striker story- see it evolve into more. But as an Arc book, it does it's job.
I suggest that if you haven't read much or any of the Dark Hunter/Dream Hunters series that this NOT be the first book you read. But for all you Dark Hunter fans- it's a must read- There are some sparkling gems and some diamonds in the rough in this story.
BUT I really wanted more, but not more of the same ol' same ol'. I wanted the DH's to continue and was super excited to find One Silent Night.
Unlike many other reviewers I liked this book. A lot. I was actually looking forward to hearing about Stryker and his past. I was also looking forward to finding out why he was such a baddie and what kind of woman is attracted to him and why. (I mean the 'bad' guys have lives too.) SK writes a great story. More ARCs were introduced into the DH story lines, newer darker characters-Jared, Davyn and Medea. And well, Nick's story was a spectacular surprise- one that I didn't see it coming and I don't think it was hinted at in other books.
Loved the plot twists and the trio's truce- which did satisfy my need for a DH continuation, an potential evolution of the entire DH story line. Whoot! As I said before, Acheron could have been the finale - a series closing book. One Silent Night leads in with so many arcs that it is possible for me to want to pick up another DH book and not worry about it being more of the same. New faces, new plots, new twists are sure to be plentiful in the upcoming books by SK.
If I didn't read this book, I think I would miss out in the future books to come- meaning that there are a lot of small details and key elements and a lot of insider bits that make reading all of SK books so much fun.
On the down side... The book was really, really short. Unless you are a fan it really is not worth the money compared to all the other books by SK. If I was new to SK & her Dark Hunters I would have been less then pleased with this book and quite possibly may not read anything else by her. I really would have liked to see SK put a bit more into the Striker story- see it evolve into more. But as an Arc book, it does it's job.
I suggest that if you haven't read much or any of the Dark Hunter/Dream Hunters series that this NOT be the first book you read. But for all you Dark Hunter fans- it's a must read- There are some sparkling gems and some diamonds in the rough in this story.
