Devil May Cry (Dark-Hunters) [マスマーケット]

Man, I just love it when an author releases a book in a series that answers a lot of questions. Kenyon has given us answers in spades here: who is Katra, why is Ash tied to Artemis, what is Savitar, and more. Wonderful, action packed story with the steamy romance readers have come to expect from Kenyon. My only disappointment? Kenyon introduced a "Dream-Hunter," Xipher, who I actually want to know more about (not like the disappointing Arik), that won't get his own book until 2008.

Now, please bring on Ash's story, so people can stop griping that the last two books "have too much Ash," "have too little Ash," or just weren't his story.

I've been following Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series right from the beginning and, at first, was avidly eating up every single book and desperate for the next one. Sad to say, I've come to the point where I think she needs to wind up the series ASAP. The books have become dull and predictable. I could tell you exactly what each hero - whether Dark-Hunter, Dream-Hunter or Were-Hunter - is going to be like and what their issues are. They're all gorgeous, they've all got massive chips on their shoulders and they can all be cured by the love of a gorgeous woman - instantly.

Sin is no exception - and, please, WHAT is with the ridiculous names? Sin? Xypher? Zakar (far too similar to Zarek)? And in this book we get Deimos and Damien and many references to Daimons; way to confuse your readers! Sin is a Sumerian ex-god, and he's every bit as whiny as the rest of Kenyon's heroes. He's apparently a Big Bad but, as with all of her characters who are introduced as Big Bads, he's really a misunderstood and hard-done-by good guy. What a surprise!

The heroine is Katra, and unfortunately I'd already been spoiled for the big reveal of Katra's place in Acheron's life because some idiot in Kenyon's publishing company thought it would be a great idea to release this title in hardback, and to release the two following it in paperback. So I read the paperbacks first and finally caught up with this one when I already knew who Kat was.

Far too much of the plot seemed hopelessly contrived. Apparently, Kat is eleven thousand years old... and still a virgin? Yeah, right. Apparently, it would be a disaster on a massive scale were Acheron to find out who Katra really is... and suddenly, two pages later, he knows and it's no big deal. Yet again, we have Acheron missing and unavailable for most of the book, because yet again he's committed to being Artemis's sex-slave and again she's made him extend his promise. That's getting TIRED as an excuse to have him unavailable to help. Also, it's a bit too late, Kenyon, to try to redeem Artemis, given the way she's been set up. If the plan is for readers to feel sorry for her so that she can be Acheron's love-interest... well, then I really will stop reading.

The relationship side of the book is barely credible. Kat and Sin meet when Kat's supposed to kill him. Within hours they're having sex. Within a day they're inseparable. Within a couple of days, apparently millennia of bitterness and enmity are set aside. Except, of course, we have the Big Communication Screwup and suddenly he hates her again. Yawn.

And then there's the Big Danger that they join forces to fight. Seriously, if I never read the words 'gallu demon' again I'll be deliriously happy. Boring. Big-time. I'm usually an avid reader. I never fall asleep reading books. I fell asleep several times reading this one.

Extremely disappointing, hot on the heels of several other disappointing books in this series. I'll give the Acheron books a chance, but if they're as bad as current set-up suggests they might be - because he's starting to look incredibly whiny and poor-me as well - that's it for me and it'll be bye-bye Kenyon.

Wait for the paperback! This is the second book in a row from this author (who I've loved, loved, loved in the past!) that is disappointing.

I read a LOT of romance/paranormal/mystery books every month, between 20 and 30, and I'm going to spend my money elsewhere in the future.

The plot is thin and confused by the introduction of too many characters that yet again require tedious background stories in order to make sense. Where was the editor on this book??? This wasn't so much a Dark Hunter tale as much as a horror novel with sex.

Where's the love story? The refreshing writing that grabs a reader from page one? Its sadly missing in the effort by Kenyon. The violence in her novels is growing more frequent and is basically sickening. I can read the daily newspaper for everyday senseless violence.

I was bored by the last novel and this one just plain grossed me out.

Yes, it was great to have answers to some long overdue questions but this book does NOT measure up to the previous ones in the DH series. I'm back to re-reading my past favorites.

This is the first time I've taken the time to write a review. And I did it this time because I couldn't believe that everyone else thought this was a great book. Must be the "Emperior's New Clothes" syndrome at work!!

Cindy