Recommendsday Review - Dark Side of the Moon

Dark Side of the Moon is the ninth novel in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series. It's also the one I read first. Generally, I always read a series in order, but for some reason this one came into my hands before any of the others. While I probably would have gotten more of the asides and references if I had read the previous eight books, I was able to quickly understand the rules of the world and enjoy the storyline without that background knowledge.

Synopsis (from the book blurb):

Susan Michaels was once the hottest reporter on the Beltway Beat until a major scandal ruined her life and left her writing stories about alien babies and Elvis sightings. Life as she once knew it is over, or so she thinks, but then she gets a lead on a story that could salvage her extinct career. She heads to the local animal shelter, expecting a hot news tip, which she gets in the form of a major police cover up. . . for a ring of soul-sucking vampires out to take over Seattle. So much for saving her credibility.

And it that isn’t bad enough, she gets talked into adopting a cat and finds she’s allergic to it. A cat that turns out to be a shapeshifter who claims to be an immortal vampire slayer on the prowl for the same corrupt cops. Her first thought: seek professional help.

But as Susan’s drawn into Ravyn’s dark and dangerous world, she comes to realize that there’s a lot more at stake than just her defunct career. Now it’s no longer a question of bringing the truth to her readers; it’s a matter of saving their very lives and souls.

Ravyn’s life was shattered over four hundred years ago, when he mistakenly trusted the wrong human with the truth of his existence. He lost his family, his honor and his life. Now, in order to save the people of Seattle, he’s forced to confront that nightmare all over again, and to trust another woman with the secret that could destroy him.

In the world of the Dark-Hunters, life is always dangerous. But never more so than now, when a very human woman can shatter their entire world with just one story. The only question is...will she?

As said above, I was at a slight disadvantage when reading this book simply because I haven't yet read any of its predecessors. I do stress the word "slight," Kenyon does a fantastic job of ensuring that even first time readers are able to quickly orient themselves within the Dark-Hunter world. As such, however, I'm reviewing this book as the single title I read and not a portion of a larger series.

Dark Side of the Moon is a remarkably quick read despite its length. Susan is a smart, ultra-sarcastic heroine who all but leaps off the page. Maybe it's because I'm ultra-sarcastic myself, but I instantly adored her. She's tough and spunky, though not above succumbing to the occasional moment of weakness. From her go-getter attitude to her cat allergy, Susan was simply real to me. Ravyn is a tormented, angry, undead shapeshifting Dark-Hunter working off centuries of pent up hurt and anger. He shifts into the form of a panther (or cat), irritating Susan's allergies among other things. From outside appearances, the two couldn't be less suited for each other. At the same time, despite differences in age, lifestyle, and even species, the two are similar. It's at that similar level they bond. Well, that and sex. Good sex. Lots of good sex.

The story that unfolds between Susan and Ravyn is not unheard of (there are only so many storylines in existence), but it is engaging nonetheless. I found myself caring about Susan and Ravyn as I read and had a hard time putting the book down until I had finished it completely. I especially liked the interplay between Ravyn and his estranged family, and the introduction of other Dark-Hunters and Squires. It quickly immersed me in the world of the novel and the players of import. I'm now interested in back tracking to read those eight previous novels I missed, just to learn more about the Dark-Hunters and their story. Also of note, the subplots in this story were fantastic. The subplot between Archeron and Nick was tension filled and obviously foreshadows future storylines and problems to come. Likewise, the subplot with Dark-Hunter Cael and his Apollite wife Amaranda is completely engrossing. I so want to know what happens to them in future books. This is one series with which I definitely want to become more acquainted.

Now, I have read reviews (after finishing the story) where some long time fans of the Dark-Hunter series expressed their disappointment in Dark Side of the Moon. Maybe, if I had read the beginning of the series first, I would feel the same way. Without previous stories to compare this one too, however, I didn't find it lacking. There were references and quickly introduced characters I could tell would have meaning for readers of the entire series, but they weren't offsetting as a first time reader. I didn't find the story disjointed or fragmented. While some of the characters could have had more depth, it was not a crippling flaw, and with so much story packed into the pages, I can understand glossing over a few areas. I would definitely recommend this novel to other paranormal lovers.

Rating: 4/5

~Lily

Book By Its Cover - Infinity: Chronicles of Nick

Today's book we'll be judging solely on its cover is Infinity: The Chronicles of Nick by Sherrilyn Kenyon.


Synopsis:

At fourteen, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends. . .until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity.

Nick quickly learns that the human world is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one: a world where the captain of the football team is a werewolf and the girl he has a crush on goes out at night to stake the undead.

But before he can even learn the rules of this new world, his fellow students are turning into flesh eating zombies. And he’s next on the menu.

As if starting high school isn't hard enough. . .now Nick has to hide his new friends from his mom, his chainsaw from the principal, and keep the zombies and the demon Simi from eating his brains, all without getting grounded or suspended. How in the world is he supposed to do that?

Lily's Thoughts:

Infinity: The Chronicles of Nick is a YA prequel, or sorts, to Kenyon's wildly popular Dark-Hunter series. While the Dark-Hunter series is very much for adults (and features an older Nick), Infinity tells the story of Nick's early life and is suitable for teens.

As for the cover, I think it is fantastic. I love the blue tones, blazing out of the golden symbol, like light emanating from within it. The use of color in this way underlines the paranormal, mystic qualities of the story. Symbols are used in some of Kenyon's other works, and I'm glad that theme is continued here, although it isn't clear what the symbol is. I also like that the figure on the cover (likely meant to be the teenage Nick), is in shadow, facing away and down. His stance indicates solitude and sorrow, elements that will undoubtedly play a role in his overall story. He seems apart from the symbol (a symbol of a group of which he wants to be a part, perhaps?), eclipsed by the light it shines. It makes him seem like an outsider. Or maybe it's foreshadowing the journey that will awaits him, shining a light on the path he will take, drawing him into it. Either way, it's intriguing.

I have read some of Kenyon's Dark-Hunter novels, so I know a bit about Nick as a man, shaped by events both within and beyond his control. Even without that knowledge, however, this cover would catch my eye. The cover is well rendered and beautiful, and has a distinct paranormal vibe to it. I look forward to the story itself.

Helena's Thoughts:

[Helena is currently consumed by the paranormal monster that is vet school finals. She will return to add her opinion of the cover just as soon as she is able.]

edit: I am back...but my brain is still pretty fried. :)


I have not read any of Kenyon's novels but I am no stranger to her pretty covers, typically depicting a dark brooding male figure (yums!). This cover though seems to have a manga vibe almost and on a completely different note, reminds me of this:

...which is not a bad thing, just a funny little aside I had to share. Dark and brooding male is definitely included: check. These characters appeal to women and girls of all ages. I think one look at this picture and many teens will pick it up...the light rays just seem to call out to you. The poor boy looks like he needs a hug or a huge burden lifted off his shoulders. :( (And this review is becoming more candid and less professional...oh well lol remember brain is fried, more complicated sentences don't exist in my world right now) When I get addicted to a series, I always wonder what the character's earlier years were like, so the concept is definitely an appealing one. Kenyon also serves to hook younger girls onto a series that they can "grow into" so to speak. Nicely done, pretty, sparkling, glowy (is that even a word?). . . "high five" Kenyon.

"It's not you...ok, it totally is"

A month or so ago, there was an entry at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books about Breaking Up With A Series. This struck me as interesting because I've recently been thinking about a once-loved series that I just don't care enough to read anymore. Now, I fully admit that I'm a series addict. If a character and world truly grabs my attention, I want continuing stories of the characters and their lives. I will hold on to a series when even the rats are jumping ship. But sometimes a series just...fizzles, so badly that you have to let it go before it takes you down with it. And with the fizzle comes a certain amount of disappointment, like a trusted friend letting you down.

That said, I was very surprised by some of the series and authors discussed on the SBTB blog. The most notable authors/series named were JR Ward and the Brotherhood Series, Sherrilyn Kenyon and the Dark-Hunter Series, Laurell K. Hamilton and the Anita Blake Series, Christine Feehan's Carpathian Series, Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse Series, and Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Series. (Damn, that's a lot of links).

Some of these shocked me. Tired of JR Ward? Perish the thought. The woman could sneeze on paper, have it published, and I'd probably spend hours trying to decipher the meaning of the water marks on the page. Likewise, I'm still deeply in love with Harris's Sookie series, and not just because of True Blood. I feel like the world Harris has built is just really starting to be explained. While I don't like the increasingly darkening mood the series has taken, I still consider it a must read.

I've never read any of the Anita Blake books. Same goes for the Carpathian novels and, from what I hear from Helena (and I trust her implicitly...where books are concerned), I'm not in a great hurry to break the binding of a Feehan novel anytime soon. I haven't read enough of Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series to pass fair judgment. As for Evanovich's Stephenie Plum series, I'm praying I stay interested. I only picked up this series (now 15 deep) about a week ago. I've finished the first two and I'm infatuated. It's quirky, it's smart, it's sassy, and it's completely relatable on a very basic woman-cursed-by-Murphey's-law type way.

Now, there are series that I'm ready to have "the talk" with. You know the talk, the one that begins with "It's not you, it's me..." and ends with me eating a pint of extra creamy mint chocolate chip ice cream and wishing I'd started the convo weeks (months, years) earlier.

Men and books. Both can lead you to mainline Häagen-Dazs.

Yes, that totally deserved its own link.

The first series on my list, and it pains me to say this, is Lynsay Sands' Argeneau Series. Looking back, we've had a rockier relationship than I'd like to admit, the Argeneau's and I. The first two books hooked me, they really did. The next few seemed a bit long, but only because the out of order sequencing and release of the titles lead to a great deal of repetition. At least that's what I told myself.

But things did get better for a while. The novels eventually straightened themselves out and the story lines started getting stronger. I had such high hopes. Then the nagging feeling that I'd read this all before started to settle in. The world is fascinating, like no other vampire world I've read before, but the main characters are all so similar. Still, the situations and world building of the series kept me interested...all the way to the ninth (and in my opinion strongest) book.

Vampire, Interrupted really is a worthwhile read. Unfortunately it is also the last worthwhile read in a series that has passed its prime. The last two installments, so forgettable I can't remember their titles and don't care enough to look them up, were a collection of recycled characters and themes so bland that I jumped ahead pages at a time just to make the reading go faster. Then, when I finally got to the end of the last, I realized I simply didn't care. I didn't like the main characters, I didn't feel any chemistry between them, and even though the story ended on a cliffhanger, I have no real interest in seeing the matter resolved. I've reached the end of the Argeneau series, whether the series continues or not.

You just aren't meeting my needs, Argeneaus. I'm sorry. I'll always look back on the good times.



So, what series do you think have passed their prime?

~Lily