URBAN FANTASY ROMANCE REVIEW: A League Novel 4: Born of Shadows - Sherrilyn Kenyon

Release Date: 02/02/12

SYNOPSIS:

For Caillen Dagan, a defiant soldier of fortune, survival isn't a right: it's a brutal daily battle. Moving through the Ichidaian universe like a wraith, his brushes with the law and death are legendary. But when an act of rare heroism reveals his hidden birthright, he's forced into a world much more dangerous and cold-hearted than the bloody streets where he was raised - one of obscene wealth and lethal politics. Ferocious and determined, Desideria serves as an official bodyguard for her queen. Born of questionable genetics, she will do anything to prove herself worthy of the weapons she carries and the position she's won by combat. But when she uncovers a ruthless plot to assassinate the queen and overthrow her country's government, Desideria is caught in the crossfire. With assassination contracts out on both of them, Caillen and Desideria must learn to fight together or die alone. And if they fail, their governments will fall into the hands of an unimaginable evil.


REVIEW:

Sherrilyn returns to the “League” with this new outing following Caillen, a thief with a heart and of course fingers as light as a butterfly. He’s quirky, he has great strengths and I also like the vulnerability displayed within the text for him. Add to this a title that has solid action, good pace and of course plot twist after plot twist and you’d think that you’d be in for a whale of a time.

Sadly in this title, that’s not the case as the author feels the need to throw twist after twist in so much so that you don’t know which way is up and of course it starts to feel a little like a Escher piece of art. Don’t get me wrong a lot of the elements that a reader wants is there but the key points of a huge love story doesn’t quite hit the mark and some of the events within lead you to ask questions about whether the author (as well as a certain character) has had a change of heart about themselves. Hopefully all will become clear and whilst this is a reasonable title, it’s certainly not the authors best.

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Belador Code 2: Alterant - Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love

Release Date: 29/09/11

SYNOPSIS:

In this explosive new world of betrayals and shaky alliances, the only Alterant not incarcerated faces an impossible task - recapturing three dangerous, escaped creatures before they slaughter more humans . . . or her.

The way Evalle Kincaid sees it, saving mankind from total destruction should have cleared her name. But when words uttered in the heat of combat are twisted against her, she's blamed for the prison break of three dangerous Alterants.

She has one chance to clear the cloud of suspicion hanging over her. All she has to do is recapture the escapees. But deals with gods and goddesses are tricky at best, and now the lives of all Beladors - and the safety of innocent humans - rides on Evalle's success. The only person she can ask for help wants to see her dead.


REVIEW:

Having read and enjoyed the first title in the series (Blood Trinity) I really couldn’t wait to see if the second book would build upon the success of the first or cause the world to come tumbling down. What unfurled within was a title that was just as exciting, the characters continue to grow emotionally as well as physically as they come to accept their roles in their own world.

Add to this a title that benefits from having two authors as well as allowing great pace and prose to rule the roost and it’s a story that was a lot of fun to read. Cracking good fun and with luck one that will have a good few other adventures within.

URBAN FANTASY ROMANCE REVIEW: Dark Hunter 20: Retribution - Sherrilyn Kenyon

Release Date: 02/08/11

SYNOPSIS:

Hired gunslinger William Jessup Brady lived his life with one foot in the grave - until the day he finally found a reason to live. In one single act of brutal betrayal, he lost everything, including his life. Brought back by a Greek goddess to be one of her Dark-Hunt ers, he gave his immortal soul for vengeance and swore he'd spend eternity protecting the humans he'd once considered prey. Orphaned as a toddler, Abigail Yager was taken in by a family of vampires and raised with one belief: Dark-Hunters are the evil who prey on both their people and mankind, and they must all be destroyed. Brought together by an angry god and chased by ancient enemies out to kill them both, William and Abigail must find a way to overcome their mutual hatred or watch as one of the darkest of powers rises and kills both the races they've sworn to protect.


REVIEW:

The 20th novel in the Dark Hunter series and one that returns to some of the themes explored in the second as Sherrilyn returns to native American myths with her own special twist. The title is wonderfully creative, the characters outstanding and whilst they could have made their own way through on their own to a certain degree, the bonds between them make them almost unstoppable as an elder god or two will attest.

Add to this the wonderful spark of romance, great pace and break neck speed combat and overall it’s a title that will fulfil all the readers needs as this is a cracking addition to the series and one that I really had a hard time putting down. Great stuff.

URBAN FANTASY ROMANCE REVIEW: Dark Hunter 1: Fantasy Lover - Sherrilyn Kenyon

Release Date: 07/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

It might sound like a man's favourite fantasy - to live forever, destined to be the lover of thousands of women. But for Julian of Macedon, it's a nightmare. Once he was a proud Spartan general; now he's a love-slave, his essence magically held captive in a book, cursed to spend all eternity pleasing women. Then, one day, Grace Alexander summons Julian to fulfill her passionate dreams - and sees beyond the fantasy to the man himself. Long years as a sex therapist, listening to other people's bedroom problems, have taken a lot of the fun out of the physical side of love for Grace. But with or without sex, the rules of the enchantment cannot be changed - Julian is hers for the next month. And, as their time together slips by, Julian and Grace find more to share than sympathy and conversation and they begin to wonder if love might be within their grasp. That leaves only one question. Is love enough to break a 2,000-year-old curse?


REVIEW:

Last month I had the chance to read Christine Feehan’s First novel in her Dark Carpathian series and I was a little surprised when the first in Sherrilyn’s Dark Hunter landed. Not that it’s a bad thing but when you’ve had to jump into a series feet first and you’re not sure if the waters going to be deep enough to break your fall you do get a little worried especially when you get the chance to dip your toe in a while later.

What unfurls within this, the first book, is a story of love, of soul searching questions and above all else a quest to discover that the freeing of one can lead to the freeing of all in an altruistic sense. It’s cleverly written, the characters have an appeal that many readers will enjoy and perhaps best of all it’s a title that is quite easy to slip between the sheets with. Back that up with a solid understanding of overall story arc, some decent prose and good characterisation and the reader will be in for if not a treat, something that will leave them sated.

NEWS: Chronicles of Nick Update from Artemis

Hail Mighty Readers,

Our spy network at Zeitghost have been doing some digging and managed to sneak the following out to us under the noses of Vampiric Daimons. Here we’ve managed to obtain some future information about the second title in the Chronicles of Nick Young Adult series, Invincible. A tale that tells his "true" past.

"Nick Gautier's day just keeps getting better and better. Yeah, he survived the zombie attacks, only to wake up and find himself enslaved to a world of shapeshifters and demons out to claim his soul.

His new principal thinks he?s even more of a hoodlum than the last one, his coach is trying to recruit him to things he can?t even mention and the girl he?s not seeing, but is, has secrets that terrify him.

But more than that, he?s being groomed by the darkest of powers and if he doesn?t learn how to raise the dead by the end of the week, he will become one of them..."

To view the book trailer visit, here.

To read a snippet go here.

Once again thank you to Codename: Artemis for this intel.

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Belador Code 1: Blood Trinity - Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love

Release Date: 19/10/10

BOOK BLURB:

Atlanta has become the battlefield between humans and demons. All her life, Evalle Kincaid has walked the line between the two. Her origins unknown, she's on a quest to learn more about her past - and her future. When a demon claims the life of a young woman in a terrifying attack and there's no one else to blame, Evalle comes under suspicion. Now she's on a deadly quest for her own survival. Through the sordid underground of an alternate Atlanta where nothing is as it seems, to the front lines of the city where her former allies have joined forces to hunt her, Evalle must prove her innocence or pay the ultimate price. But saving herself is the least of her problems if she doesn't stop the coming apocalypse. The clock is ticking and Atlanta is about to catch fire ...


REVIEW:

A novel of two authors and one that benefits not only from the experience of the more prolific but also title that also picks up a serious flavour of the other.

It’s a title with strong characters, a smart female lead and one that also leads to forgiveness and understanding. It’s a beautiful novel and when added to some great dialogue as well as a huge overall arc, really makes this novel something different.

Finally, the way in which this title has been created really is going to be interesting to see where this series goes in future instalments and hopefully will build upon the success of this one.

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Dark Hunter 19: No Mercy - Sherrilyn Kenyon

Release Date: 07/09/10

BOOK BLURB:

Shapeshifter Dev Peltier thought he knew it all. But one night when a Dark-Hunter, who is also an official member of the Dogs of War, sashays into his bar, he realises that he might have met his match. Samia, aka Sam, was one the fiercest Amazon warriors in her tribe. But an act of brutal betrayal made her a Dark-Hunter and she's been angry ever since. Live fast, fight hard and enjoy the night. That's her motto. But as old enemies and new move into New Orleans, she realises that Dev just might be the only hope she and mankind have to save the world.


REVIEW:

It seems like only yesterday that I reviewed the first Infinity story featuring Nick in Sherrilyn’s Young Adult series, so I was a bit surprised when the new Dark Hunter novel landed. Sherrilyn is definitely prolific so it’s always a worry about whther its quantity over quality alongside relying upon the author’s name to sell the title.

What unfurls within this offering is a mystery with classic Urban Fantasy heroes who strive to achieve their goals whilst dealing with their own personal struggles and insecurities. It’s quirky, it’s definitely got great dialogue and an old favourite or two also appear. Great fun and something that will happily occupy your time. On a subsequent side note you can read this without having read the previous titles, however, a lot of the in jokes and sub reference will leave the initiate reader wondering what’s happening alongside trying to figure what they’re missing.

NEWS: Sherrilyn Kenyon Book Trailer

Hail Might Readers,
Our friends at Zeitghost have let us know about the book trailer for Sherrilyn Kenyon's forthcoming title, No Mercy. To view the trailer please go here.

To keep up to date with Sherrilyn's news please visit her website here.

Falcata Times review of the title will be appearing on the 8th September 2010.

Thank you,


Gareth

SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW: Born of Night - Sherilynn Kenyon

BOOK BLURB:

In a world where the price of magic is life itself, a group of seemingly immortal sorcerers appears to have cheated the system. But only one man knows the true origin of their power, or understands the true cost. Now Kamala - born to poverty and abuse, the first woman to claim a Magister's power - will seek her rightful place among these mages, and lay siege to their secrets. The monk Salvator will claim his father's throne, and test his faith against a legendary darkness. The beautiful Siderea Aminestas, consort to Magisters, will be offered the thing she desires most - at the cost of her human soul. And an ancient Evil thought long-destroyed begins to stir anew, corrupting kings, shattering alliances and ultimately threatening to unweave the very fabric of human civilisation. A mystical bloodline was cultivated to withstand this darkness, and its power must be wakened. But this will demand sacrifice of its warriors - and corruption is rife.


REVIEW:

To be honest whilst I loved another of Sherrilyn’s books I really couldn’t get into this one. I felt that it was not only clichéd but also one that really didn’t bring anything new to the fore. The principle characters not only got on my wick but also didn’t do anything other than fall into each others arms, they were flat, one dimensional and just seemed to be there as if forced with basic substandard soap opera lines. Whilst there are a number of positive reviews out there I do wonder if they’d read the same novel as me as this one was not only dated (originally released in the 80’s) but also a book that really didn’t do anything for me. Other authors have had similar plots and made it their own but when you have truly irritating substandard characters with a substandard plot then you know that this wouldn’t have even gotten a £1 video budget. A great shame to be honest.

NEWS: Sherrilyn Kenyon Sneak Peak

Hail Might Readers,
Our friends at St Martins Press, Piatkus and Zeitghost wanted us to let you know about a cracking option.

Yep thats right a chance to get a sneaky peak at Sherrilyn's new book Born of Night. Here you can read the first nine chapters for FREE. Yep you read that right, FREE.

Also we have managed to sneak a peak at the Book Trailer that whilst short does demonstrate the length to which the Quorum have gone to try to supress it. So join the League Assassins in thier fight against corruption by signing up to become one of Kenyon's Minions at one of the following sites:
Live the League (Official League site)
Sherrilyn Kenyon (Author Website)
Sanctuary (Official Dark Hunter site)

Your help to the resistance is vital.

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Bad Moon Rising - Sherrilyn Kenyon

BOOK BLURB:

Fang Kattalakis isn't just a wolf. He is the brother of two of the most powerful members of the Omegrion: the ruling council that enforces the laws of the Were-Hunters. And when war erupts among the lycanthropes, sides must be chosen. Enemies are forced into shaky alliances. When Aimee, the woman Fang loves, is accused of betraying her people, her only hope is that Fang believes in her. Yet in order to save her, Fang must break the law of his people and the faith of his brothers. That breech could very well spell the end of both their races and change their world forever. The war is on and time is running out...


REVIEW:

OK I’m coming at this as a person who hasn’t read the other novels in the Dark Hunter series, which may come as a bit of a shock considering the sheer volume of these titles. Yet I still found this title to be easily read even without knowing who was who.

Whilst I don’t have the knowledge that many others will come into this book with, the backstory of the tale is easy to pick up with some old fan friends coming to play in this latest outing. The romance is solid and with a Were version of Shakespeare being played out within the text I did find the combat a little slap dash and wished that it had been a bit more solid. Still a fun read and something a little different. Will definitely look into more of Sherilynn’s work.