This is where Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series jumps the shark, in my opinion. This is NOT a romance novel, instead, is a book that expands on and expounds Kenyon's world and Kenyon's mythos. Boring, and not what I wanted....Alexion (real name: Ias) is a ... well, I'm not exactly sure what he is. A very powerful being that is second only to the gods. He is Ash's right hand and it is his job to execute Dark-Hunters who turn against Ash and start killing humans.He has no personality. Except being horny. And that's not a personality, in my opinion. Kenyon has created such good heroes up until now (good as in well-developed) and this is weak. Really weak. I can't enjoy reading about a hero who has about as much personality as a piece of cardboard.There was nothing sexy or attractive about this character.....Then we have our heroine, the Dark-Huntress Dangereuse St. Richard. She goes by "Danger." Yeah, I can't believe it either. I was rolling my eyes a lot. Especially at the cheesy lines:What he wouldn't give for a taste of Danger.Nothing better than the feel of Danger.Really?! REALLY!?!?!!?Anyway, she was murdered by her husband during the French Revolution for being the daughter of an aristocrat. She has more personality than Alexion, but I didn't find her very compelling. She is a great fighter, and sassy, and brash. But she wasn't caustic or irritating like Tabitha (from Seize the Night was). Still, I wasn't exactly thrilled to be spending time with her and I wasn't attached to her. I didn't care if she and Alexion killed each other, had sex with each other, or died for each other... Whatever.I just can't ever get into a story where two immortal, powerful, near-unkillable beings who have no real problems and also eternal life fall in love with each other. I just don't care. I need at least ONE human to relate to.....Part of the reason I feel so "meh" about this couple is that their love story takes a backseat to Kenyon's world-building. This isn't really a love story between Alexion and Danger - it's a book about who Ash really is, what demons really are, how the gods feel about each other, Ash's past, blah blah blah I don't care. Listen, I'm not reading these books because Kenyon is some master fantasy storyteller, okay? I'm reading them because (usually) they are sweet love stories with falling in love and kissing. Usually I can count on Kenyon to give me some adorable love stories about redemption and trust, and also write really good kissing and sex scenes. She just bores me to tears when she tries to leave this formula and instead explain to me all about the mystical creatures in her world. I don't care....So with a couple of boring protagonists and a dominating theme of "this is my mythos," I cannot recommend this book in good conscience. Unless you are a huge Kenyon fan and the idea of exploring her world with a fine-toothed comb appeals to you....Oh, and the plot is very, very STUPID. So stupid. Basically, the Dark-Hunters are being approached by a demon named Stryker who is trying to convince them that Ash is not a good person and is instead an evil man who doesn't care if they die.This is ridiculous because Ash is the one who gave them immortal life, granted them revenge on their enemies, made them all millionaires, and also gave them servants. I have NO IDEA why they would ever doubt and hate him, and Kenyon does not give me any good reason to believe they would revolt.This same demon is encouraging them to eat humans, because absorbing humans will give them amazing powers (according to him.) WHY WOULD YOU EVER PUT YOUR TRUST IN SOMEONE WHO IS TRYING TO CONVINCE YOU TO KILL AND EAT PEOPLE?!?!?!!? I just couldn't understand the rampant stupidity in this book.Basically, Kenyon is setting up this whole book so Acheron = Jesus and Stryker = Satan. Stryker comes along and tries to convince everyone that God Acheron doesn't really love them and that they should turn their backs on Him him. But Jesus Acheron really loves all his little children Dark-Hunters and it hurts him personally to see them turn away from his light and salvation goodness and mercy.It's very heavily borrowing on Christian themes.(view spoiler)[ At the end, the Dark-Hunters have to stand to the right if they stand with Jesus Acheron and stand to the left if they doubt Jesus's Acheron's love. Those who stand to the left are smote down. (hide spoiler)]
Sins of the Night3 StarsSynopsisThe Dark-Hunters in Mississippi are being led astray and Dangereuse St. Richard calls Acheron for help. Ash sends in his right hand man, Alexion, who is tasked with investigating, judging and, if necessary, executing wayward Dark Hunters. Danger is wary of Alexion's intentions but the two must work together if they are to thwart the nefarious scheme of a powerful enemy.ReviewThe story moves away from the established group of Dark Hunters in New Orleans and readers are introduced to a host of new characters none of whom are developed properly. Even Danger and Alexion are treated very superficially and I am surprised that the author who gave us Zarek and Valerius wrote a character as one-dimensional as Alexion. The romance lacks chemistry and the plot is utterly predicable with one cliche after another. Moreover, the allusions to popular culture are excessive and unnecessary, and it is a pity that the first female Dark-Hunter heroine isn't more kick-ass (where is Tabby when you need her). There are a few highlights to the book. First and foremost is the new and compelling information concerning Acheron's origins, which means that followers of the series should read this one to discover the interesting tidbits. Another is the explanations regarding the Charonte demons - I just love that Simi, she is so adorable! Finally, Stryker is a truly despicable villain and he makes my skin crawl - it will be excellent to see him eventually get his comeuppance (hopefully). Overall, a so-so addition to the series. It is a good thing that the next book focuses on a were-hunter because this Dark Hunter story definitely fell flat.
What do You think about Sins Of The Night (2005)?
Wha Wha... first book involving a female dark-hunter! We are taken away from New Orleans and all the goings on there and thrust into Mississippi to an uprising that occurs. We are introduced to Alexion, Acheron's right hand man and enforcer extraordinaire. There he meets Danger and we see the book unfold. I liked this one because the ending was not the typical dark-hunter gets soul back because the love of their life wins it for them.Being introduced to Xirena the demon and her subsequent encounters were quite comical. Especially the meeting between her and Simi. I also love that each of the characters misfortune (why they became a dark hunter) are usually steeped in history of some kind.
—Ravioli Rachel
I’ve read the first books in the series many months ago and now I thought that it was time to keep reading. At the beginning, I had some difficulties with the world-building but soon I found my way into the story again. To be honest, it wasn’t the best book in this series. I found it kind of predictable.The story is a little different in this book, because the main male character is not a typical Dark-Hunter. Alexion was a very interesting character and I was glad to read about him. I really liked his relationship with Acheron and Simi. He’s wise and brave, the best combination.As for the female main character, Danger. Well, it’s not that I didn’t like her. I just found her plain and boring. She wasn’t anything special and I would prefer someone more interesting for Alexion.The story was good but not amazing. I wanted to read more about Alexion, Acheron and Simi and I loved the scenes with the three of them. Of course I will keep reading this series because I believe that the author is very talented and I want to know more about some characters.
—Maria
I love Acheron, he can’t help but spoil Simi, it’s so sweet, a demon with a shopping addiction. I didn’t much care for the female lead in this one, Dangereuse, I just couldn’t get into the character and connect with her. Acheron is in the line-of fire in this with Stryker a daimon/god, out to turn the Dark-Hunter’s against him and destroy him. Alexion is a Shade sent to protect Danger with some pretty nifty tricks, like being able to warm up his body temperature just my thinking it and the ability to see into people’s past, the turning the television on and off at will is also pretty handy. Lots of hot steamy scenes and some emotional ones, like when Danger got stabbed and was dying and her hand fell away from Alexion’s face that was so heartbreaking. "Alexion threw his head back and cried out as pain tore threw him. In that moment , he hated Acheron. He hated Kyros. He hated Stryker, but most of all he hated himself for not being able to protect her". Danger seemed to bring the life back into Alexion, bring out his fun side, I am glad that they got their happy ending. This wasn’t as enthralling for me as the previous Dark-Hunter books, but it was still an enjoyable read.
—Jessica `~Blahyze~`
