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Zarek's Point of View:Dark-Hunter: A soulless guardian who stands between mankind and those who would see mankind destroyed. Yeah, right. The only part of that Code of Honor I got was eternity and solitude.
Insanity: A condition many say I suffer from after being alone for so long. But I don't suffer from my insanity-I enjoy every minute of it.
Trust: I can't trust anyone...not even myself. The only thing I trust in is my ability to do the wrong thing in any situation and to hurt anyone who show more gets in my way.
Truth: I endured a lifetime as a Roman slave, and 900 years as an exiled Dark-Hunter. Now I'm tired of enduring. I want the truth about what happened the night I was exiled-I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Astrid (Greek, meaning star): An exceptional woman who can see straight to the truth. Brave and strong, she is a point of light in the darkness. She touches me and I tremble. She smiles and my cold heart shatters.
Zarek: They say even the most damned man can be forgiven. I never believed that until the night Astrid opened her door to me and made this feral beast want to be human again. Made me want to love and be loved. But how can an ex-slave whose soul is owned by a Greek goddess ever dream of touching, let alone holding, a fiery star?
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Given the events of the previous book in this series, I was delighted that this volume was focused on Zarek, who had caused so much trouble. This book pairs him with Astrid, a judge sent from Olympus to evaluate Zarek and deliver justice for his crimes. Because this is a romance, they quickly become attracted to each other and I enjoyed the idea of the two of them trapped in a house together during an Alaskan blizzard. Both Zarek and Astrid are jaded and traumatized by their pasts, and it was good to read about them helping each other come to terms and build a relationship. An enjoyable read in a series I'll definitely be continuing.
At last.....another Dark-Hunter book that I could really sink my teeth into (pun intended;-)). I had greatly enjoyed the first book of the series, Fantasy Lover, but the stories in between that book and Dance with the Devil had left me feeling underwhelmed and less than satisfied. As I suspected it might, Dance with the Devil gave me a meatier tale with two well-developed characters that I could totally root for and who were very relatable, as well as getting back to some stronger relationship building. Even though the story took place within a matter of days, much like the previous books, the connection between Zarek and Astrid was more palpable and consequently more believable to me, because they actually spent large swaths of time show more virtually alone together, during which they were able to communicate on a fairly deep level. Their communication wasn't always of a direct nature, since Zarek was bound by the Dark-Hunter code which forbade him from telling anyone about who or what he was. Still, I thought that the author used a very creative solution for getting around that by having Astrid join Zarek in his dreams, where she was able to see the things he dreamed about (nightmares really), and they could talk about some things that he wouldn't be able to discuss when he was awake. It also provided the opportunity for Astrid to give Zarek some much-needed love and kindness in a “safe” environment, as well as a couple more steamy love scenes than would have been possible otherwise. I also liked how, in the dreams, Astrid gifted Zarek with a few small childhood pleasures that he had been harshly denied in his human life. I just think that the hero and heroine being together and interacting in more than just a sexual way for a large part of the book really helped to solidify their burgeoning love for one another.
Zarek definitely earned a place at the top of my most tortured heroes list. I've seen other readers liken him to Zsadist from J. R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and after reading this book, I would have to agree that it is an apt comparison. Zarek's torment was somewhat different from Zsadist's, but no less inhumane and cruel. What was truly heartbreaking to me about it was when I discovered through a bit of research that some Roman slaves really were treated that badly. Sherrilyn Kenyon certainly did her homework on that one. Even in the last book, Night Embrace, I could tell that there was a lot of depth lurking beneath the surface of Zarek's gruff exterior and harsh words, and he certainly didn't disappoint me in this story. Inside, he has a sensitive, compassionate heart and especially around Astrid, he is extremely tender and gentle. He was strong enough to live through 2000 years of loneliness, torture and betrayal, but no matter how brutally he was treated, his tormentors were never quite able to kill that part of him that longed to love and be loved. He just buried it very deeply inside, where I'm not sure even he realized it still existed, making it a challenge for Astrid to find and unlock it. The only thing about Zarek which I would have liked to know that wasn't told, is exactly how he became a Dark-Hunter and what his act of vengeance was. Typically, it seems that the Dark-Hunters were warriors in their human life, but Zarek was a lowly slave. This left me wondering why Artemis decided to grant him immortality, but this part of his backstory was never explored. Otherwise, Zarek was a wonderful character who has become one of my favorite heroes.
I knew after reading about Zarek in Night Embrace that he would need a strong, patient heroine to help him overcome his past, and in my opinion, Ms. Kenyon wrote the perfect mate for him. Astrid is very intuitive and understanding of Zarek, instinctively knowing that he isn't the bad person everyone thinks him to be. I loved that she never took his barbs and sarcasm personally, but realized it was just part of the armor he used to protect that most fragile piece of himself, his heart. This was wonderful, because it meant that there were no silly misunderstandings between them. She also exhibited some bravery in staying by Zarek's side to keep him from being killed by the gods, even though by doing so, she was endangering her own life. Additionally, she showed determination by not giving up on finding out the truth about what happened to Zarek's village, which nearly everyone thought he was responsible for decimating 900 years ago. Overall, she was just a warm, kind, gentle and loving heroine who was exactly the kind of woman Zarek needed in his life.
Dance with the Devil had a fairly broad secondary character palette. Acheron and Artemis returned from previous books, and readers get to know Ash even better. Ash played a strong role in this book, and the depth that was added to his character made him all the more lovable, but still an enigma that leaves me wondering exactly who and what he is. Acheron's little demon companion, Simi, is introduced in this book, and she is mostly cute and endearing, although I will admit that she talks a little too much for my taste. She is a child-like creature who has stream of consciousness dialog, basically no filter between her brain and her mouth, but her heart is definitely in the right place. There are a number of other new characters who were introduced in Dance with the Devil as well including Jess aka Sundown who is Zarek's friend and the first cowboy Dark-Hunter; Sasha, Astrid's Katagari (Were-Hunter) wolf companion; Syra, the first female Dark-Hunter to grace the series; Spawn, the first Apollite Dark-Hunter, and M'Adoc, a Dream-Hunter. There was also a brief mention of D'Alerian, another Dream-Hunter who appeared in Night Pleasures, and several assorted squires. Some of these characters were quite intriguing, but unfortunately, I'm not aware of any of them appearing in their own books as of yet.
While I did enjoy Dance with the Devil a lot, especially when compared with some of the previous books in the series, it wasn't absolutely perfect for me. The author seems to have a habit of throwing supernatural powers into the story for the sake of convenience, and Dance with the Devil unfortunately was no exception. It just wasn't as pronounced in this book as in past ones which made it more palatable. I was also able to take it a little bit better because there were no human characters who were being afforded these powers either. Ms. Kenyon also seems to enjoy creating lots of new characters, as is evidenced above, which usually means new mythology as well, but again unlike previous books, she managed to weave most of these elements in without bringing the story to a screeching halt to do it, which I greatly appreciated. The last thing that was a little bothersome to me was the ending. There was certainly some excitement in the climax, but things just seemed to peter out a little too quickly. Maybe it was because the bad guy wasn't quite as bad as he seemed, so I didn't get the satisfaction of his comeuppance. Also, the final romantic scenes between Zarek and Astrid, while quite happy, seemed to be a little lacking and I felt they needed a bit more zing to them. Overall though, my complaints are pretty minor and didn't detract much from my overall enjoyment of the novel. Dance with the Devil still managed to earn a place on my keeper shelf and has definitely reinvigorated my interest in the Dark-Hunter series which I now look forward to continuing in the future. There are currently 25 novels and short stories (#26 is due to be released in August) in the Dark-Hunter series with Dance with the Devil being the sixth. A complete list of all the books and their recommended reading order can be found on Sherrilyn Kenyon's website.
A Dark-Hunter Christmas – This is a short 16-page bonus novella that can be found in the back of Dance with the Devil, but I'm not sure if it is in every edition. The story is that of Gallagher, a relatively young Dark-Hunter (only about 100 years), who was newly introduced for this tale. Readers will get to see yet another side of Acheron and Simi that adds a bit more depth to their characters, and also get a brief visit with a bunch of the Were-Hunters from Sanctuary as well as Tabitha (Seize the Night). I don't know if Gallagher will play a part in any future Dark-Hunter stories or if he might someday get his own, but I felt like I got to know him well enough to think that he would make a good hero. Overall, this was just a quick, heartwarming holiday-themed read that emphasizes the importance of family and how people don't necessarily have to be related by blood to consider themselves family. For some reason this novella is no longer listed in the recommended reading order for the Dark-Hunter series on Sherrilyn Kenyon's website. I know of one other story that disappeared from the chronology which is now included in another full-length novel, so I'm not sure if that's what happened to this story as well or not. Rating: ****1/2 show less
Zarek definitely earned a place at the top of my most tortured heroes list. I've seen other readers liken him to Zsadist from J. R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and after reading this book, I would have to agree that it is an apt comparison. Zarek's torment was somewhat different from Zsadist's, but no less inhumane and cruel. What was truly heartbreaking to me about it was when I discovered through a bit of research that some Roman slaves really were treated that badly. Sherrilyn Kenyon certainly did her homework on that one. Even in the last book, Night Embrace, I could tell that there was a lot of depth lurking beneath the surface of Zarek's gruff exterior and harsh words, and he certainly didn't disappoint me in this story. Inside, he has a sensitive, compassionate heart and especially around Astrid, he is extremely tender and gentle. He was strong enough to live through 2000 years of loneliness, torture and betrayal, but no matter how brutally he was treated, his tormentors were never quite able to kill that part of him that longed to love and be loved. He just buried it very deeply inside, where I'm not sure even he realized it still existed, making it a challenge for Astrid to find and unlock it. The only thing about Zarek which I would have liked to know that wasn't told, is exactly how he became a Dark-Hunter and what his act of vengeance was. Typically, it seems that the Dark-Hunters were warriors in their human life, but Zarek was a lowly slave. This left me wondering why Artemis decided to grant him immortality, but this part of his backstory was never explored. Otherwise, Zarek was a wonderful character who has become one of my favorite heroes.
I knew after reading about Zarek in Night Embrace that he would need a strong, patient heroine to help him overcome his past, and in my opinion, Ms. Kenyon wrote the perfect mate for him. Astrid is very intuitive and understanding of Zarek, instinctively knowing that he isn't the bad person everyone thinks him to be. I loved that she never took his barbs and sarcasm personally, but realized it was just part of the armor he used to protect that most fragile piece of himself, his heart. This was wonderful, because it meant that there were no silly misunderstandings between them. She also exhibited some bravery in staying by Zarek's side to keep him from being killed by the gods, even though by doing so, she was endangering her own life. Additionally, she showed determination by not giving up on finding out the truth about what happened to Zarek's village, which nearly everyone thought he was responsible for decimating 900 years ago. Overall, she was just a warm, kind, gentle and loving heroine who was exactly the kind of woman Zarek needed in his life.
Dance with the Devil had a fairly broad secondary character palette. Acheron and Artemis returned from previous books, and readers get to know Ash even better. Ash played a strong role in this book, and the depth that was added to his character made him all the more lovable, but still an enigma that leaves me wondering exactly who and what he is. Acheron's little demon companion, Simi, is introduced in this book, and she is mostly cute and endearing, although I will admit that she talks a little too much for my taste. She is a child-like creature who has stream of consciousness dialog, basically no filter between her brain and her mouth, but her heart is definitely in the right place. There are a number of other new characters who were introduced in Dance with the Devil as well including Jess aka Sundown who is Zarek's friend and the first cowboy Dark-Hunter; Sasha, Astrid's Katagari (Were-Hunter) wolf companion; Syra, the first female Dark-Hunter to grace the series; Spawn, the first Apollite Dark-Hunter, and M'Adoc, a Dream-Hunter. There was also a brief mention of D'Alerian, another Dream-Hunter who appeared in Night Pleasures, and several assorted squires. Some of these characters were quite intriguing, but unfortunately, I'm not aware of any of them appearing in their own books as of yet.
While I did enjoy Dance with the Devil a lot, especially when compared with some of the previous books in the series, it wasn't absolutely perfect for me. The author seems to have a habit of throwing supernatural powers into the story for the sake of convenience, and Dance with the Devil unfortunately was no exception. It just wasn't as pronounced in this book as in past ones which made it more palatable. I was also able to take it a little bit better because there were no human characters who were being afforded these powers either. Ms. Kenyon also seems to enjoy creating lots of new characters, as is evidenced above, which usually means new mythology as well, but again unlike previous books, she managed to weave most of these elements in without bringing the story to a screeching halt to do it, which I greatly appreciated. The last thing that was a little bothersome to me was the ending. There was certainly some excitement in the climax, but things just seemed to peter out a little too quickly. Maybe it was because the bad guy wasn't quite as bad as he seemed, so I didn't get the satisfaction of his comeuppance. Also, the final romantic scenes between Zarek and Astrid, while quite happy, seemed to be a little lacking and I felt they needed a bit more zing to them. Overall though, my complaints are pretty minor and didn't detract much from my overall enjoyment of the novel. Dance with the Devil still managed to earn a place on my keeper shelf and has definitely reinvigorated my interest in the Dark-Hunter series which I now look forward to continuing in the future. There are currently 25 novels and short stories (#26 is due to be released in August) in the Dark-Hunter series with Dance with the Devil being the sixth. A complete list of all the books and their recommended reading order can be found on Sherrilyn Kenyon's website.
A Dark-Hunter Christmas – This is a short 16-page bonus novella that can be found in the back of Dance with the Devil, but I'm not sure if it is in every edition. The story is that of Gallagher, a relatively young Dark-Hunter (only about 100 years), who was newly introduced for this tale. Readers will get to see yet another side of Acheron and Simi that adds a bit more depth to their characters, and also get a brief visit with a bunch of the Were-Hunters from Sanctuary as well as Tabitha (Seize the Night). I don't know if Gallagher will play a part in any future Dark-Hunter stories or if he might someday get his own, but I felt like I got to know him well enough to think that he would make a good hero. Overall, this was just a quick, heartwarming holiday-themed read that emphasizes the importance of family and how people don't necessarily have to be related by blood to consider themselves family. For some reason this novella is no longer listed in the recommended reading order for the Dark-Hunter series on Sherrilyn Kenyon's website. I know of one other story that disappeared from the chronology which is now included in another full-length novel, so I'm not sure if that's what happened to this story as well or not. Rating: ****1/2 show less
It's ironic to me that my favorite Dark-Hunter book was about Valerius, and my second favorite should be about his brother, Zarek. All the hunters are emotionally scarred (they became hunters because of a great betrayal), but Zarek is almost feral. Even other Dark-Hunters fear him because he's so unpredictable and vicious. Only Acheron can see past all that. So, when the gods decide Zarek must die because he is too dangerous, Ash demands he be judged first. Astrid, a justice nymph, is sent to determine if he is worthy to live. His life, and ultimately his heart, is in her hands.
I loved this entry to the series. When Astrid comes to Zarek, she is blind - as justice must be. He is harsh and brutal is coversation, but takes tender care of show more her never-the-less. These two made a dynamic couple, and the story was fast-paced with a lot of action. I didn't think another book could top this until I got to Seize the Night. Still, this cemented my commitment to the entire series. Highly recommended. show less
I loved this entry to the series. When Astrid comes to Zarek, she is blind - as justice must be. He is harsh and brutal is coversation, but takes tender care of show more her never-the-less. These two made a dynamic couple, and the story was fast-paced with a lot of action. I didn't think another book could top this until I got to Seize the Night. Still, this cemented my commitment to the entire series. Highly recommended. show less
4.5 stars
This is the 4th book in the Dark-Hunter series.
Zarek is a Dark Hunter who's been mostly banished to Alaska because he destroyed a village he was supposed to protect--900 years ago--and rather than killing him outright, this is his "second chance." Between his human life as a hideously abused slave, and his centuries of isolation, he has a not-undeserved reputation for insanity. In Night Embrace, he showed up in New Orleans to help out, and got himself noticed, so he's expecting the assassins any day now.
When Thanatos, the killer of Dark Hunters shows up, Zarek can't help fighting, but he knows it's all over. Except that he ends up waking up in a warm, soft bed, and finds himself in the company of the beautiful, compassionate, show more and blind Astrid.
Astrid is the strictest of the Olympian judges, known for never having found a subject not guilty, and she's been tasked with judging Zarek. She's also scrupulously fair, and burned out on her job. Every time she's ready to pronounce Zarek guilty, he does something that makes her wait, and reevaluate.
Of course, they fall in love (look at the spine--it's a romance), and it's sweet and poignant--Zarek having never in all those centuries known affection, and Astrid being torn between her duty and emotions.
And in the process, a lot of things are cleared up, things which got to be pretty darn infuriating.
Zarek has got to be one of the most extremely tortured heroes I've read. His absolute devotion to duty in spite of all he's been put through is both admirable, and just a wee bit too much for me. His temper does... heh... temper it somewhat, but I still found it a little too good to be true that he never, in all those centuries, was even tempted to turn on those colleagues who'd long ago turned their backs on him. Still, it was only a half-star's worth of irritation.
I see why this series has such devoted followers. What I'm still struggling with understanding is that as much as I've loved all the books in this series that I've read, I don't feel invested in it. show less
This is the 4th book in the Dark-Hunter series.
Zarek is a Dark Hunter who's been mostly banished to Alaska because he destroyed a village he was supposed to protect--900 years ago--and rather than killing him outright, this is his "second chance." Between his human life as a hideously abused slave, and his centuries of isolation, he has a not-undeserved reputation for insanity. In Night Embrace, he showed up in New Orleans to help out, and got himself noticed, so he's expecting the assassins any day now.
When Thanatos, the killer of Dark Hunters shows up, Zarek can't help fighting, but he knows it's all over. Except that he ends up waking up in a warm, soft bed, and finds himself in the company of the beautiful, compassionate, show more and blind Astrid.
Astrid is the strictest of the Olympian judges, known for never having found a subject not guilty, and she's been tasked with judging Zarek. She's also scrupulously fair, and burned out on her job. Every time she's ready to pronounce Zarek guilty, he does something that makes her wait, and reevaluate.
Of course, they fall in love (look at the spine--it's a romance), and it's sweet and poignant--Zarek having never in all those centuries known affection, and Astrid being torn between her duty and emotions.
And in the process, a lot of things are cleared up, things which got to be pretty darn infuriating.
Zarek has got to be one of the most extremely tortured heroes I've read. His absolute devotion to duty in spite of all he's been put through is both admirable, and just a wee bit too much for me. His temper does... heh... temper it somewhat, but I still found it a little too good to be true that he never, in all those centuries, was even tempted to turn on those colleagues who'd long ago turned their backs on him. Still, it was only a half-star's worth of irritation.
I see why this series has such devoted followers. What I'm still struggling with understanding is that as much as I've loved all the books in this series that I've read, I don't feel invested in it. show less
Again, another book that I really liked but which doesn't warrant any higher than a 3 star rating because of the quality.
I think, in this instance, Zarek was a little bit too tortured. And the thing with the circumstances under which he was banished, and the one about the circumstances under which Artemis made him a Dark-Hunter are riddled with plot holes which really affected the quality of the story.
Kenyon is disappointingly inconsistent. Sometimes her pacing is spot on and then other times the plot and pacing go off on one and it's jarring. It's a shame. So much potential for these books - but despite the faults, they're still extremely entertaining reads.
By the way, has anyone else picked up the parallels between this series and the show more Black Dagger Brotherhood Collection series? They share a lot of similarities ... show less
I think, in this instance, Zarek was a little bit too tortured. And the thing with the circumstances under which he was banished, and the one about the circumstances under which Artemis made him a Dark-Hunter are riddled with plot holes which really affected the quality of the story.
Kenyon is disappointingly inconsistent. Sometimes her pacing is spot on and then other times the plot and pacing go off on one and it's jarring. It's a shame. So much potential for these books - but despite the faults, they're still extremely entertaining reads.
By the way, has anyone else picked up the parallels between this series and the show more Black Dagger Brotherhood Collection series? They share a lot of similarities ... show less
Dance with the Devil
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Zarek has been isolated for so long he doesn't know how to play nice with others and many view him as insane. Astrid is the justice nymph assigned to pass judgment on him, but she is actually the only one who sees past his dark façade to his underlying need for truth and love.
Review:
A fantastic read!
Zarek is the epitome of the tortured hero and is my favorite Dark Hunter so far. His tragic childhood and traumatic life experience are so sad and heart-wrenching that I found myself crying all over my Kindle – I really hope the thing is waterproof. One aspect of Zarek’s characterization that I do find troubling is the implication that he is borderline inhuman due to the cruelty to which he has been show more subjected. However, the descriptions of his actions clearly indicate that he has an abundance of humanity even more so than many of those around him. Astrid is also a particularly likeable heroine and I loved that fact that she is able to "see" beyond Zarek’s surface antagonism to the soft and caring heart beneath. Their relationship is steamy and sensual but also sweet and touching.
The secondary characters are also engaging, particularly Sasha, whose spiteful banter with Zarek is simply hilarious, and Simi, who is one of the most adorable character’s I’ve ever encountered. Her comments about Artemis are just to die for!
As in the previous installments, the romance takes center stage but the side story involving Thanatos’s desire for revenge and Acheron’s need to protect Zarek even from himself are engaging and provide a good backdrop to the romance. I am slowly working my way through the books but the more I read about Acheron and his love/hate relationship with Artemis, the more excited I am about getting to his book.
The story is well-written and the dialogue is excellent. The dream sequences are cleverly incorporated into the main plot, which is often one of the most difficult things to do but is accomplished quite successfully here. I never found myself questioning my suspension of disbelief.
In sum, Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series is exceedingly entertaining and Dance with the Devil is a prime example. Although the books do not really need to be read in order, I do recommend it so as not to miss out on the early appearances of characters who feature in later installments. show less
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Zarek has been isolated for so long he doesn't know how to play nice with others and many view him as insane. Astrid is the justice nymph assigned to pass judgment on him, but she is actually the only one who sees past his dark façade to his underlying need for truth and love.
Review:
A fantastic read!
Zarek is the epitome of the tortured hero and is my favorite Dark Hunter so far. His tragic childhood and traumatic life experience are so sad and heart-wrenching that I found myself crying all over my Kindle – I really hope the thing is waterproof. One aspect of Zarek’s characterization that I do find troubling is the implication that he is borderline inhuman due to the cruelty to which he has been show more subjected. However, the descriptions of his actions clearly indicate that he has an abundance of humanity even more so than many of those around him. Astrid is also a particularly likeable heroine and I loved that fact that she is able to "see" beyond Zarek’s surface antagonism to the soft and caring heart beneath. Their relationship is steamy and sensual but also sweet and touching.
The secondary characters are also engaging, particularly Sasha, whose spiteful banter with Zarek is simply hilarious, and Simi, who is one of the most adorable character’s I’ve ever encountered. Her comments about Artemis are just to die for!
As in the previous installments, the romance takes center stage but the side story involving Thanatos’s desire for revenge and Acheron’s need to protect Zarek even from himself are engaging and provide a good backdrop to the romance. I am slowly working my way through the books but the more I read about Acheron and his love/hate relationship with Artemis, the more excited I am about getting to his book.
The story is well-written and the dialogue is excellent. The dream sequences are cleverly incorporated into the main plot, which is often one of the most difficult things to do but is accomplished quite successfully here. I never found myself questioning my suspension of disbelief.
In sum, Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series is exceedingly entertaining and Dance with the Devil is a prime example. Although the books do not really need to be read in order, I do recommend it so as not to miss out on the early appearances of characters who feature in later installments. show less
Kenyon has created a work of literary and paranormal romantic genius with her Dark-Hunter series. I recommend starting at the beginning though, with Fantasy Lover - which strictly speaking is not about a Dark-Hunter, but introduces you to the world she has fabricated. As the fourth book in the series, Dance with the Devil is probably her best one so far.
Zarek, who was a supporting character in the previous book Night Embrace, is seen as a villian (or at least quite insane) by most of those around him. Sentenced to death by the goddess Artemis for harming those he is sworn to protect, Acheron - believing in Zarek’s innocence - convinces her to have him “judged” first by a justice nymph. Enter Astrid. She has never judged a man show more innocent in her whole long life, but is determined to give him a chance to prove he is not a danger to others - even as he scares her with his abrasive and uncivilized attitude…can anyone see where this is going?
This was a fantastic book! The descriptions of Zarek’s mortal life, as a slave to a Roman family 2,000 years ago, almost moved me to tears. The banter between Astrid and her werewolf companion Sasha is highly amusing, the introduction to Simi - Acheron’s demon companion who exists as a tattoo on his body - is hysterical, and the quoting of the Little Prince by both main characters was so poignant, that I signed that book out of the library right away. Oh, and it takes place in Alaska…a cool (cold really) location for this story about a man who can’t stand the sunlight; an immortal condemned to spend the last 900 years and the rest of eternity not being able to freeze to death! Plus there are some great fight scenes as Zarek carrys out his role as a Dark-Hunter, which is killing soul-sucking Daimons. But this time things aren’t so easy as the Daimons find a way to fight back….
And as always Kenyon maintains and expands on the overarching subplot about Acheron, and who and/or what he really is. Can’t wait for her to write his book, but somehow I think that would be the end of the series. We can’t have that now, can we?
A reread, can't say how much I love Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter books. Definitely some fantastic storylines and plotting going on here. Not only is each individual book incredible, but the overall plot arc (especially about Acheron) just keeps you on the edge of your seat. show less
Zarek, who was a supporting character in the previous book Night Embrace, is seen as a villian (or at least quite insane) by most of those around him. Sentenced to death by the goddess Artemis for harming those he is sworn to protect, Acheron - believing in Zarek’s innocence - convinces her to have him “judged” first by a justice nymph. Enter Astrid. She has never judged a man show more innocent in her whole long life, but is determined to give him a chance to prove he is not a danger to others - even as he scares her with his abrasive and uncivilized attitude…can anyone see where this is going?
This was a fantastic book! The descriptions of Zarek’s mortal life, as a slave to a Roman family 2,000 years ago, almost moved me to tears. The banter between Astrid and her werewolf companion Sasha is highly amusing, the introduction to Simi - Acheron’s demon companion who exists as a tattoo on his body - is hysterical, and the quoting of the Little Prince by both main characters was so poignant, that I signed that book out of the library right away. Oh, and it takes place in Alaska…a cool (cold really) location for this story about a man who can’t stand the sunlight; an immortal condemned to spend the last 900 years and the rest of eternity not being able to freeze to death! Plus there are some great fight scenes as Zarek carrys out his role as a Dark-Hunter, which is killing soul-sucking Daimons. But this time things aren’t so easy as the Daimons find a way to fight back….
And as always Kenyon maintains and expands on the overarching subplot about Acheron, and who and/or what he really is. Can’t wait for her to write his book, but somehow I think that would be the end of the series. We can’t have that now, can we?
A reread, can't say how much I love Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter books. Definitely some fantastic storylines and plotting going on here. Not only is each individual book incredible, but the overall plot arc (especially about Acheron) just keeps you on the edge of your seat. show less
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Sherrilyn Kenyon was born in Columbus, Georgia in 1965. She attended the University of Georgia. She has written novels and nonfiction works using both her real name and the pseudonym Kinley MacGregor. The name was created when she started writing historical romances. She writes several series including The Dark-Hunters, The League, Lords of show more Avalon, BAD Agency and the Chronicles of Nick. In 2018 her title, Death Doesn't Bargain, made the bestseller list. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Canonical title
- Dance with the Devil
- Original title
- Dance With The Devil
- Original publication date
- 2003-12
- People/Characters
- Zarek of Moesia; Astrid; Acheron "Ash" Parthenopaeus; Simi; Artemis; M'Adoc (show all 12); Valerius Magnus; Apollo; Sasha; Spawn; Thanatos; Otto
- Important places
- Alaska, USA; Olympus; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlantis
- Dedication
- For all my readers -- thank you so much for all the e-mails and wonderful support you have shown me and the series, especially the ladies of RBL, Sanctuary and HunterLegends. To Lo, Nick, Tasha and Brynna who keep me sane and... (show all) who help run the loops and DH bbs. To Janet for the tremendous support you give and work you do. For my husband and boys who are always the highlight of my day and who remind me that happy-ever-afters really can happen. And especially for Kim and Nancy who not only allow me to explore the outer limits of the DH world, but who have also allowed me to share my universe with all of you. God bless and protect you all. Hugs!!
- First words
- NEW ORLEANS
THE DAY AFTER MARDI GRAS
Zarek leaned back in his seat as the helicopter took off. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"Believe me, princess, I won't."
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 3,106
- Popularity
- 5,622
- Reviews
- 59
- Rating
- (4.16)
- Languages
- 7 — English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 28
- ASINs
- 10