Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon
St. Martin's Press
Contemporary/Historical, Paranormal
Full length, Spicy
Review by Xeranthemum

Eleven thousand years ago a god was born. Cursed into the body of a human, Acheron spent a lifetime of shame. However, his human death unleashed an unspeakable horror that almost destroyed the earth. Then, brought back against his will, Acheron became the sole defender of mankind.

Only it was never that simple. For centuries, he has fought for our survival and hidden a past he’ll do anything to keep concealed. Until a lone woman who refuses to be intimidated by him threatens his very existence.

Now his survival, and ours, hinges on hers and old enemies reawaken and unite to kill them both.

War has never been more deadly... or more fun.

♥ ♥ ♥

This is a hard review to write because spoilers abound. There are multiple scenes that make you tear up or gasp in horror. There are multiple scenes where you want to hold Acheron close and protect him even though you know it can’t be, will never be. Ms. Kenyon has an emotional grip on her readers as she takes them on a journey that starts with Acheron’s unusual birth. The scene is tragic, gripping and well written. I dare anyone to read that passage and come away unaffected. If you are a mother, it will make the shock and dismay double. And how it was written makes all that came after equally, if not more, painful to read.

The story is broken down into three sections and told from three different POVs. It is well written, well edited and drenched in the richness that is the Dark Hunter world. Everyone is going to have an opinion on this book. I simply cannot fathom anyone not having a scene or a piece of dialogue that they can’t wait to share with someone who reads this series. There is the incident with soda; there are the battles, the revelations and the friendships. I usually laugh during the scenes with Simi but in this story, you’ll find tenderness for her too. There is a great redemption, a shocking betrayal (more than one actually) and passionate yearnings. The best thing is the hope, the laughter and humor, and the love.

Soteria Kafieri is a character many will talk about. Is she right for our Ash? Was she written well enough to compliment our hero? Did Tory’s character satisfy what fans have been clamoring after for years? I can only speak for myself. I liked her sass, her reason for being involved and her giving nature. I think the purity of her soul is what Acheron needed and it came through was satisfying clarity. I liked her choice in friends, her innocent view of the world and yet she was never TSTL (too stupid to live). Tory was accomplished, knowledgeable and strong. I believed she was very similar to Ash’s sister but with a 21st century woman’s empowerment and courage. In short, I believe pairing Acheron with Soteria worked.

Saving the best for last, Ms. Kenyon presented a cohesive plan to present to readers during the climax. It was devious and clever and involved cameos from some of my favorite Dark Hunters from earlier books. I got the feeling of family, of belonging and felt totally immersed in the world of Ms. Kenyon’s mind. To tell the truth, even 700 pages were not long enough; I wanted still more.

And you know something else is coming. Jaden is a character that tweaked my curiosity and I’m fascinated by him. He appears much more in this story and plays a part that you know will lead to more. Just when I think my Dark Hunter journey is complete with Acheron’s HEA, Ms. Kenyon delivers teasing and intriguing tidbits about Jaden. What a rich world this is.

If you have been following the Dark Hunter series and even if you have a huge keeper list, make room for Acheron. His book is huge, he is big and since he’s an Atlantean god, he belongs on your TBR list. I’m very proudly adding him to my keeper pile. But not until after I re-read this book again, especially the soda part. Did I mention Ms. Kenyon has a killer wit? I love her style, I love her writing and I love her Dark Hunters. And Asheron Parthenopaeus found love. Isn’t life great?

Comments:

Date:  Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 9:54 PM

Your Name: Dena
Your Comment: I have loved every Sherrilyn's Dark and Dream Hunter books. Every book I always liked hearing about Acheron. It was a plus when he was in them and part of the story too. I am so thrilled that Acheron now has his own book. I have had it on my wish list forever and I am waiting patiently, actually I'm not, it can't get here soon enough for me to read! Thanks for a great review with more info on my favorite Atlantean.