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clairedrinkstea's Reviews (1.09k)
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House of the Rising Son - Aricles & Bathymaas
New story.
Set over the course of a few years 12,252 BC until 12,257 BC it follows the innocent love between Goddess of Justice Bathymass and old soul farmer/warrior Aricles.
Wonderful and heartbreaking. A lovely prelude to Styxx. If you've read Styxx you can see the story of Aricles and Bathymass mirroring that of Styxx and Bethany - twins, reluctant but skilled warrior, hidden and forbidden love, difficult childhood, innocence, a stream, [a] Galen offering his wisdom and horrid villain.
If you haven't read Styxx, it's a great supporting story, though not necessary it really does enhance Styxx. It also doesn't spoil by whichever order you read them.
Also (and it will come to no surprise to anybody who has read any Dark Hunter novels and short stories) Apollo is a totally &@!*#%
Phantom Lover - V'Aiden & Erin
Dream Hunter short originally in Upon the Midnight Clear.
A nice story and a good introduction into the Skoti and Oneroi. V'Aiden is not who he seems though Erin brings out the best in him. Erin, though 'only' Human, does give the feeling that she is something other than what she seems - an extremely creative woman - however the story does not expand and it may be that as a Dark Hunter addict it does seem that all the main players are or turn into something 'other'.
Winter Born - Dante & Pandora
Were Hunter short originally in Stroke of Midnight.
Nice story with two strong leads, you want more exploration of Dante and his 300 years especially his dynamic with his fellow Katagari (primary form as an animal) Panther brothers. Pandora is a good match as an Arcadian (primary form as a human) Pantheress. Nice cameo by Acheron and Simi whilst the story takes place at Dragon Con.
A Dark-Hunter Christmas - Gallagher
Originally published in The Dark-Hunter Companion
Joey and sweet story about Dark Hunter Gallagher feeling the loss of his family 70 years into service. Simi brings Christmas Magic and points out that Gallagher still has family, just not the one he had when he was alive.
New story.
Set over the course of a few years 12,252 BC until 12,257 BC it follows the innocent love between Goddess of Justice Bathymass and old soul farmer/warrior Aricles.
Wonderful and heartbreaking. A lovely prelude to Styxx. If you've read Styxx you can see the story of Aricles and Bathymass mirroring that of Styxx and Bethany - twins, reluctant but skilled warrior, hidden and forbidden love, difficult childhood, innocence, a stream, [a] Galen offering his wisdom and horrid villain.
If you haven't read Styxx, it's a great supporting story, though not necessary it really does enhance Styxx. It also doesn't spoil by whichever order you read them.
Also (and it will come to no surprise to anybody who has read any Dark Hunter novels and short stories) Apollo is a totally &@!*#%
Phantom Lover - V'Aiden & Erin
Dream Hunter short originally in Upon the Midnight Clear.
A nice story and a good introduction into the Skoti and Oneroi. V'Aiden is not who he seems though Erin brings out the best in him. Erin, though 'only' Human, does give the feeling that she is something other than what she seems - an extremely creative woman - however the story does not expand and it may be that as a Dark Hunter addict it does seem that all the main players are or turn into something 'other'.
Winter Born - Dante & Pandora
Were Hunter short originally in Stroke of Midnight.
Nice story with two strong leads, you want more exploration of Dante and his 300 years especially his dynamic with his fellow Katagari (primary form as an animal) Panther brothers. Pandora is a good match as an Arcadian (primary form as a human) Pantheress. Nice cameo by Acheron and Simi whilst the story takes place at Dragon Con.
A Dark-Hunter Christmas - Gallagher
Originally published in The Dark-Hunter Companion
Joey and sweet story about Dark Hunter Gallagher feeling the loss of his family 70 years into service. Simi brings Christmas Magic and points out that Gallagher still has family, just not the one he had when he was alive.
If you're expecting an Alice in Wonderland retelling with Zombies this is not the book for you. The Alice mets Zombies theme is more metaphorical than literal as the protagonist, Alice Bell's transition into a strange world is really an awakening of sorts into a world were monsters are real.
On the night of Alice's 16th birthday her mother, father and little sister are killed. The trauma and reasons behind it stimulate something within Ali into seeing Zombies. She always discounted these creatures as the crazy ramblings of her drunk paranoid father. How wrong she was! This incident then propels Ali into a world of Good versus Evil and a literal fight for survival and vengeance. Ali is strong and determined. She cares for her family, her friends and isn't self-centred. Her determination and drive is the main reasons I like her. She feels guilt over her family - a mix of responsibility and survivors guilt - but does not spend the entire book dwelling on, being overly emotional or annoying with it (as I've read in other books) she finds an outlet and uses this to her advantage.
At a new school Ali meets Cole Holland and it's not love at first sight but a mix of infatuation, intrigue and desire. Cole feels the same. This is not like Twilight (thankfully!) as Ali is her own woman and resists Cole until they get to know each other better. Their attraction to each other is strong but not annoying or clingy and Cole acts as a strong mentor and trainer into this new world and their relationship forms into a partnership as they see and appreciate the strengths in each other.
Kat, Ali's best friend, is the light hearted character needed within the book and offers a good balance reminding you that they are teenagers at the end of the day with teenage priorities other than dusting Zombies.
The "twist" at the end was not a shocker but worked setting the series up nicely.
I picked this up as a Gena Showalter fan knowing full well as it's a young adults book it would not be explicit. I have tried other young adult books by Ms Showalter and didn't enjoy them. This one I REALLY did!
It's an enjoyable read that will fill an afternoon or a couple of evenings.
On the night of Alice's 16th birthday her mother, father and little sister are killed. The trauma and reasons behind it stimulate something within Ali into seeing Zombies. She always discounted these creatures as the crazy ramblings of her drunk paranoid father. How wrong she was! This incident then propels Ali into a world of Good versus Evil and a literal fight for survival and vengeance. Ali is strong and determined. She cares for her family, her friends and isn't self-centred. Her determination and drive is the main reasons I like her. She feels guilt over her family - a mix of responsibility and survivors guilt - but does not spend the entire book dwelling on, being overly emotional or annoying with it (as I've read in other books) she finds an outlet and uses this to her advantage.
At a new school Ali meets Cole Holland and it's not love at first sight but a mix of infatuation, intrigue and desire. Cole feels the same. This is not like Twilight (thankfully!) as Ali is her own woman and resists Cole until they get to know each other better. Their attraction to each other is strong but not annoying or clingy and Cole acts as a strong mentor and trainer into this new world and their relationship forms into a partnership as they see and appreciate the strengths in each other.
Kat, Ali's best friend, is the light hearted character needed within the book and offers a good balance reminding you that they are teenagers at the end of the day with teenage priorities other than dusting Zombies.
The "twist" at the end was not a shocker but worked setting the series up nicely.
I picked this up as a Gena Showalter fan knowing full well as it's a young adults book it would not be explicit. I have tried other young adult books by Ms Showalter and didn't enjoy them. This one I REALLY did!
It's an enjoyable read that will fill an afternoon or a couple of evenings.