Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Another Side to the Dark-Hunters: Chronicles of Nick

The Dark-Hunters and Sherrilyn Kenyon's world has been around for about fifteen years (published)--and I adore the series. Intensely hot heroes, dark broken men who need great redemption and end up finding the love of a woman is just the thing to heal their past--and then there is all the mythology, pantheons, and things that go bump in the night all over the place. I've always been a romance reader, but one of my best friends just wasn't. It wasn't until I found out she was reading LaVyrle Spencer behind my back that she had even crossed to the dark side.

And because my friend is gothy in nature--and is not entirely opposed to vampires (though she is against gruesome gore), I passed her my Dark-Hunter books for a whirl. Then she really went to the dark side. She loved these books almost more than I did.

The Dark-Hunters can't go out in the daytime, so they have Squires. One of those squires is a kid named Nick Gautier, who is a mouthy little Cajun with a hot-tempered mama. And you don't talk bad about his mama, period. So it was a major plot-turn in one of the books when Nick's mama died. And then Nick killed himself...and incidentally became a Dark-Hunter himself. Which was a bit complicated because he's a few other things besides.

I don't know how Sherrilyn Kenyon keeps her world-building straight, but kudos to that woman. Holy cow.

As if writing about 2-3 of these books a year doesn't consume enough of her time, Sherrilyn decided to write the YA version of Nick Gautier's life, before he becomes a dark-hunter. I wasn't sure I'd dig this series, frankly because I didn't want to get sucked into another of her series, but this one has a more finite life-span of Nick so I figured it was probably relatively safe.

Totally loved them. Reading them has reminded me how much I love the Dark-Hunter series and now I want to go back and reread the series again.

The first one is called INFINITY, the second is INVINCIBLE, and the third is INFAMOUS.

INFERNO comes out in April, and I can't wait to read it.

This series has explained so much in the story world, the other side of the coin if you will. And it really really makes you hope that we can change our destiny...somehow. Everyone has their own side to the story.

Anyway, if you're snowed in like I am today...and are looking for some books to keep you warm, definitely put these on your list to give a whirl. Meanwhile, I've already bought three new books for my big snow day--and I'm set. Whoot-whoot!

What are you reading this week? Anyone else read the Dark-Hunters?

12 comments:

Quantum said...

I read the first Dark Hunter book (Fantasy Lover) many moons ago when I joined the EJ- BB and people were raving about the series.

Looking back through my files I noted that the book was humorous, a bit silly and extremely hot. It introduced me to 'strip reading' the perfect way to read with your partner before bed. "I read a paragraph then you undo a button" LOL

After exposure to the romance universe over several years, I think I am now probably immune to those blushes so perhaps I will re-visit and give it another whirl .... especially as you are so taken with it Hellie!

Thanks for the recommendation .... and a belated Happy Birthday wish. Hoping that DearHunter smothered you with birthday kisses. *smile*

Janga said...

Given your raves for years about Kenyon, Hellie, and equally enthusiastic responses from other readers whom I respect, I'm sure Kenyon must be great at what she writes. But it's just not my cup of tea.

On my Kindle, I have Elizabeth Hoyt's Lord of Darkness, Kieran Kramer's The Earl Is Mine. and Julia London's The Last Debutante along with a stack of ARCs, including Tessa Dare's Any Duchess Will Do, Wendy Wax's While We Were Watching Downton Abbey, and Susan Wiggs's The Apple Orchard--all books I'm eager to read. But most of today I'll be reading and writing about the Navajo. After Friday, I'll have time to read again.

Marnee Bailey said...

I read some of the Dark Hunters. The first, Fantasy Lover, is one of my faves. And I adored Acheron. But some of them have let me down. A little too much schtick, a little too little plausible plot. I did look at these books and wondered if I'd like them but I haven't picked them up.

I picked up Anne Gracie over the weekend while I was maxing and relaxing. The Stolen Princess. I haven't gotten very far though. STaying awake required much effort. LOL

irisheyes said...

I thought I read one of Sherrilyn Kenyon's books years ago, but when I went and checked my list she wasn't there. (Which doesn't necessarily mean I haven't read her because I went for a period a couple of years ago without recording my reads.) In fact, I think you may have given me the book I'm thinking about *I admit shamefaced*. I'll have to dig through some old books and see. I do have to say, though, that I wouldn't pick her up myself. Just not a genre I've been interested in.

I did just found out yesterday that today is release day for Elizabeth Hoyt's LORD OF DARKNESS. So, that has shot to the top of my list. I picked up CRYSTAL COVE by Lisa Kleypas from the library this past weekend and I also have 2-3 of Sarah Mayberry's backlist left on my NOOK (which I'm avoiding because I really, really don't want to be done reading her!) And I finally found Anne Gracie's AUTUMN BRIDE at the store yesterday, after searching for a week!

I was in a reading slump a couple of weeks ago and now I can't choose! LOL

Terri Osburn said...

Like Janga, Kenyon is not my thing. Doesn't mean these aren't awesome books, I'm sure. I do wonder if kiddo might like the YA ones.

I've been starting and stopping books for a couple of weeks now. Landed on a Women's Fiction of sorts from an author I found by accident on Amazon. It's called Flavors by Emily Sue Harvey. I really liked the voice in the opening pages so I bought it. Southern lit and I'm liking it so far.

Kristen Higgins new one showed up on my Kindle today so that one will be next.

P. Kirby said...

If I recall correctly, I made it through the first Dark Hunter book and, um, never read on because the men are way too alpha for me (annoyingly so, read like caricatures). Different strokes, ya know.

Currently reading, Fallen by Lauren Kate (YA) and Back to the Bedroom by Janet Evanovich. Just finished Grave Mercy, another YA, by Robin LaFevers. So far like Fallen, and also liked Grave Mercy, which had a nice mix of suspense (protag is an assassin) and romance. Back to the Bedroom is on the backburner because Fallen is a library book and it's due this Thursday.

I've developed a bad habit of constantly searching for deals under $2.99 and have a shite-load of books on the Kindle. Don't know which to read next.

Maureen said...

Reading...what is that? Sigh, been working on the format issues and haven't picked up a new book in...days. If I could read right now, I'm not sure what I'd want to read... There's several new mysteries coming out in a week...

My sis loves the Kenyon books, I've never read them. Happy you found something you did, Hellion!

Ter - Kristen has a new one? Her books are fun...what is it called?

Di R said...

I haven't picked up Kenyon, but I have to say I really enjoyed her speaking at RWA. She was very inspirational.

I picked up the new J.D. Robb today, but I am not allowing myself to read it until I finish the affiliation paperwork for RWA. ARGH! I may never get to read my new book.

Di

Maureen said...

I have to do that affiliation paperwork, too. I have to stop putting it off... We're such a tiny chapter, I sorta resent all this folderol.

The new JD Robb is out?

(No, don't do it. You know you'll start it and not put it down until you're done. You have things to do! Stop it! Don't even go there!)

Di R said...

Calculated in Death is sitting beside me. I could swear I can hear Roarke calling my name.

Di

Hellie Sinclair said...

Q, I admit I'm a huge fan of the humorous bent of the books: the sarcasm, the wit, the occasional silly situation, but she does balance it with the dramatic plot point (like they're in hell literally and have come out of it unscathed..)--which can also be humorous in the Over The Top category, but I still enjoy them. They're candy-crack. :) Excellent strategy for using said books, by the way, I'll have to pass your recommendations onto Deerhunter. :)

Janga, I understand, but your ARCs sound delightful! I have Hoyt's newest--YES--but the Downton Abbey one sounds AWESOME. Will have to track that down.

Terri, Kiddo might enjoy them. :) I have Kristan Higgins newest too...decisions, decisions!

Pat, yes, the men in these books are unabashedly alpha--that's half the fun for me. Alpha and high-handed, but broken and redeemable to balance it out. :) It works for me. I know it doesn't work for everyone. I adored Grave Mercy--and can't wait for the sequel!! :)

Di, I would love to hear her speech. I have read it on her website and it makes me cry. I'm sure I'd be even more of a mess just hearing it.

Mo, come on, you know you want to...just the first chapter...it's JD ROBB!

Hellie Sinclair said...

Oops, I can't believe I missed Marn and Irish the first time. Eek.

Marn, I totally agree--some of the events were a bit too much over the top, even if most of the characters are gods and demi-gods. *LOL* So there are a handful I have reread and more than I didn't...but need to to keep up with the world-building.

Irish, you do have an embarrassment of riches at your disposal! I suggest 'inney-meeny-miney-mo'.