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.
First…this review will be riddled with spoilers. Read on at your own risk.
I’ve been reading for about ten hours straight. My husband actually started a pool at work about what page I would be on by the end of the day. He has lots of faith in me b/c he thought I would be finished by 5 o’clock. Not even I can read a 700+ page book in seven hours.
Now that Ash’s heroine has been revealed, I have to wonder…was her name originally Victoria? When I read that her name was Soteria, I laughed my butt off. For years there have been discussions on who Ash’s heroine was and it most said Tory b/c her name was Victoria. So I was really amused when I read her name.
When I read that Ash’s book was going to be split up into two parts, past and present, I was thrilled. I really don’t enjoy books that flash back every few pages. Right when I get immersed in whatever time period I’m reading, it changes. So I was very satisfied at how the book was split up. Now that I’ve read it, I can see that it couldn’t have been done any other way. Flashing back wouldn’t have worked in this book. To understand Acheron in the present, you have to know about Acheron in the past.
I cried. When I got to around page 200, I was thinking that another 200+ pages of Acheron’s past would be too much to handle. How many horrific things should one person have to endure? Right when I would think that it couldn’t possibly get any worse for Acheron, it did. In Part 1, one of the more emotional things to read was the relationship between Acheron and Ryssa. Ryssa loved her brother deeply, yet part of her was disgusted at what he was (a whore). The fact that she knew that becoming a whore wasn’t Acheron’s choice made her feel even more guilty than she already did. You quickly see that Ryssa will do anything to protect Acheron, yet at times her protection comes at a high cost to Acheron. Even then, during his human life, no one gives him unconditional love like Ryssa does. That makes her death even more horrifying, especially considering that it could have been avoided if it weren’t for Artemis. The bitch.
Was there anyone that wanted Artemis to be the heroine? I don’t think there was, yet I think that many (including myself) thought that she very well may be. After all the DH books, we read how Ash was bound to Artemis. We also knew that Ash hated her. What we never really knew was why. And was his hatred enough to get him a heroine other than the heifer-goddess? The answer to that question is a resounding YES. Artemis is a vile goddess and I don’t know that I would ever be interested in reading her book, as I suspect Kenyon will ultimately set up. The things she did to Ash are unspeakable. She watched him die the most vicious death a human being could. Just watched. Right after he found his sister and his nephew murdered. All b/c she wouldn’t admit her relationship with Acheron to the Atlantean gods. And that was just one of the horrific things that were done to Acheron at Artemis’ hands. Little did Artemis know that Acheron’s death would unleash the wrath of Apollymii on the world, destroying Atlantis and sending the world back to the stone age.
Another emotional relationship to read about was Ash and Apollymii’s. In his entire human life, no one wanted Ash. Now he learns that he has a mother who not only is a goddess, but is willing to destroy the world to avenge his death. A mother who would willingly touch him and not be shamed. This is powerful stuff, people. Though there are many times Ash wants nothing more than to go to his mother, he knows that to do so would be the end of the world. That just made me so sad. The one person that would fully accept him, he can’t go to.
Now go onto the present…2008. Ash is a powerful god and leader of the Dark-Hunters. The only ones that know about his past would never breathe a word of it. Ash has found a place he belongs, though knowing that his words alone could bring the end of the world is a pretty big weight on his shoulders. He first meets Tory when he attends a lecture she’s giving on discovering Atlantis. Though he’s been to many such lectures over the years, nothing truly threatening has been uncovered. That all changes when he realizes that Tory has found a diary of Ryssa’s. In tact. A diary that could possibly contain everything about his past. Not only that, but discovering Atlantis could…you guessed it…end the world.
After he discredits her, Ash doesn’t expect to see the oddly endearing Tory again. He underestimates her determination to find Atlantis and then realizes that Tory isn’t going away as easily as he had hoped. Ash offers to help her translate Ryssa’s diary, deciding that staying close to her is the best way to make sure she doesn’t dig up things better left buried.
As she starts to get to know him, Tory realizes that her original opinion of Ash’s character is way off the mark. Not only that, but she knows that Ash has secrets as well as a painful past. This is something that Ash says to Tory after she flippantly tells him that he has no idea how hard things can be for people.
It’s easy to look at people and make quick judgments about them, their present and their pasts, but you’d be amazed at the pain and tears a single smile hides. What a person shows to the world is only one tiny facet of the iceberg hidden from sight. And more often than not, it’s lined with cracks and scars that go all the way to the foundation of their soul.
It was just so Ash. And I really think it was a turning point for Tory and her feelings for him. She judged Ash on his clothes, his hair, what she thought was his age. What she didn’t bother to do was look beyond all that. When she did, she finally realized what a special person (she had no idea) he was.
Of course Artemis isn’t going to let Ash go so easily. Nothing is ever easy in the Dark-Hunter world, especially not for Ash. What I so loved reading was how Tory accepted him for who he is. After she read the journal that laid all his secrets bare and then cried for him, I got misty. Especially since Ash was expecting the worst. There were still times when he would expect rejection from Tory that would just wrench my heart. And her acceptance of him just made me love her that much more.
I first started reading this series back in February of 2002 when Fantasy Lover came out. I have waited seven long years to read Ash’s book. While I can’t say that I appreciate the wait, it was well worth it. After reading this book that I have waited so long for, I almost expected to feel some sort of let down. I don’t. I loved reading about Ash getting his happily ever after, which he deserves more than any other fictional character I have ever read. Kenyon couldn’t have written a better heroine for him than Tory. I have to admit that it’s highly unlikely that I will read the first half of the book again. I will be re-reading the second half, though, and soon. Also, even though Kenyon obviously opened up several other potential plot/story lines, it didn’t take away from Ash.
There is much that I didn’t get into here, including Nick. The book ended with Artemis repeating almost the exact same words to Nick that she said to Acheron eleven thousand years before.
“Would you be my friend, Nicholas? I promise you, you won’t regret it.”
In this long ass review, I still haven’t done Acheron justice. I would say I’m speechless, but as we all can see, I’m not.
5 out of 5.
This book is available from St. Martin’s Press. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
ACK. This books looks so good!! Between Breaking Dawn and this, have you slept in the past 48 hours?
I assume I must read all the books in Kenyon’s series. Or can you tell me which ones I can pick and choose if I decide to pick this one up?
You are the true pimpy pimpage ladies of the blog world! 😛
Great review. I found it so difficult to write about this book without spoilers! I don’t know that I consider Artemis a vile goddess. I think she’s just a goddess, and as far as gods and goddesses go in the mythology, they’re mostly uninterested in human affairs except when it suits them (e.g. Apollo and his trophy mistress, the fact that there are no freebie favours, etc.). Ultimately, this results in vile things for Ash, but I don’t find Artemis inherently vile, just incredibly selfish. And I think it makes Apollymi’s rage more powerful because she actually cares when most gods wouldn’t. I loved the first part, can you tell? 😀
katiebabs, I haven’t read the entire series, but I enjoyed Acheron a lot. I’d recommend reading Night Embrace, though (it features Ash quite a bit, as well as the complexity of his relationship with Artemis), and maybe Dream Hunter, plus the one that reveals more about the Apollites/Daimons (can’t remember which one that was). Just so you can keep track of who’s who in the second part.
Can’t wait for this one.
I managed to keep scrolling and have not been spoiled yet. I am sooo excited to read this book, but I am going to savor it b/c I think it may be the last one, if the series can’t keep me interested.
I bought the book yesterday. I’ve been a bit sick the last couple of days, so I’ve been resting on the couch lost in Acheron all last night and most of today so far.
I’m about midway through the book (not quite up to the second half yet) and I agree with everything you’ve said about the first half. Wow. Fantastic. The punch it packs hit hard in the gut.
Sadly, Kenyon lost me there for a while. I haven’t read the last three DH books. I hope I won’t be too confused when I get into the second half.
This book has really brought me back to my original love of all things DH.
Now I really have to run and go finish reading… 🙂
*sigh* I really wish I could work up some enthusiasm for this book, but SK lost me after Seize the Night. I hated the Nick developments, and I just can’t keep all the mythology and background info straight in my head. It is actually stressful for me to read these.
One spoilerish question…does Ash get his soul back, or did he never actually lose his? Does his book change the direction of the entire series?
KB – You *cannot* pick and choose in this series if you want to keep your sanity.
I agree whole heartedly with your review. I also have been waiting since Fantasy Lover for this book. I have to say that I cheered when Tory yelled at Ash. But my fave part was when all the former dark-hunters showed up to help Ash go after Tory, and he realized he wasn’t as alone as he thought.
I have already re-read my fave parts. I can hardly wait for poor Nick’s story…
Excellent review. Part 1 just killed me. Horrible, awful stuff. Part 2 seemed just a bit weaker to me. But, I gave it a B. Might need to change the grade now that I’m thinking it over. I wrote the review write after I finished reading it. It was such an emotional reading experience that I think my brain just couldn’t articulate what I was thinking.
I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed Ash’s heroine though. I thought the name was kind of dumb, but I LOVED her sarcastic, edgy nature. I had quite a few LOL moments while reading Part 2. I think the levity of Part 2 helped break me out of the funk Part 1 had put me in.
And can I just say that I really love Simi? Just saying. 🙂
And I cannot wait for Fang and Aimee’s book. Or Nick’s. He totally surprised me in this book. I really wasn’t expecting what happened to happen (if that makes sense). 🙂
I’m blocked from Blogger @ work so I’m test commenting from my phone.
There is so much of this book I didn’t get into. There’s just too much. Nick (who I’m starting to dislike), Simi (who was as entertaining as always), and Ash getting drunk off Sprite whereas alcohol has no effect on him.
I just loved the book from cover to cover. Ash has always been such a badass and we finally see what’s beneath all that bad-assiness.
Still not finished w/Acheron yet! Thank you again for the copy of the book, ladies!
I am not up to present day yet. But I never thought i would find myself so torn up about Ash and Artie. It’s so…. sad. The love that they had, and how it was never *quite* enough even with the intensity. And the way they love each other, but more for themselves than for each other. I have cried for her, for him. I fell asleep last night thinking about the book, and for some reason, the Rascal Flatts song, “What hurts the most” just popped into my head.
I am only up to pg 328.
What Hurts The Most lyrics
I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house
That don’t bother me
I can take a few tears now and then and just let them out
I’m not afraid to cry every once in a while
Even though going on with you gone still upsets me
There are days every now and again I pretend I’m ok
But that’s not what gets me
What hurts the most
Was being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was tryin’ to do
It’s hard to deal with the pain of losing you everywhere I go
But I’m doin’ It
It’s hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I’m alone
Still Harder
Getting up, getting dressed, livin’ with this regret
But I know if I could do it over
I would trade give away all the words that I saved in my heart
That I left unspoken
What hurts the most
Is being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was trying to do
What hurts the most
Is being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was trying to do
Not seeing that loving you
That’s what I was trying to do
Anyone agree? I never thought I could actually like Artie. She is still selfish and callous and horrible spoiled. But in *her* way, she did love him.
I am glad that I didn’t stop reading this series even when it all got so convoluted that I gave up trying to understand. This has to be the best book she has written. And I have been a hardcore Zarek fan.
I’ll shut up now.
Casee, I agree with everything. With all the build-up, I’ve always said SK would have to write one amazing book to do Ash justice. She did. I freaking loved it all. I just wish Part II could have been longer (because I’m a greedy heifer who’s never pleased, I guess).
I haven’t been all that excited about the Dream-Hunter books (I read Dream Chaser just last week), but this one put SK right back up there on my auto-buy list.
Thanks for the review.
Actually Casee, you are incorrect in thinking that all SK fans wanted a Mary Sueish heroine. I DID want Artemis to be redeemed and stay as Acheron’s partner (as she has been for the past 10 books or so), throwing someone else in last minute as a true love seems incredibly forced. And now I feel completely justified in not reading or bothering with any other new books in the series. So disappointed.
Ok–I have to add my 2 cents….well, maybe a lot more than 2. Some will echo the positive sentiments above…but some will actually criticize (GASP!!!!) parts as well! Please bear with me……
I am a HUGE fan of this whole series…although some of the books I enjoyed more than others, I have never enjoyed a hero more than Acheron in all my years of reading romance novels.
It’s never been easy reading about the torture that many of the Dark-Hunters have had to endure (i.e. Zarek in Dance With the Devil), but Ash’s history surpasses anything I wanted to imagine. I will probably never read portions of Part 1 again. It’s a dark journey of necessary explanation, however not a journey I wish to repeat.
I found the accounts of Apollymi’s love for her son to be extremely well written and she has actually become a character I love. As always I absolutely adore Simi–she will forever be entertaining and I actually hope she never gets a book of her own…because I think it will take away some of the goofy innocence that makes her so funny and lovable. (Despite the fact that she’s slept with Nick)
As to part 2 of the book…I truly enjoyed it…however there were some aspects that I didn’t love.
I liked Tory–I liked her sass and her fire and of course her complete acceptance and love of Ash. However what I thought was lacking was a truly exceptional quality about her. I think Ash is the most exceptional hero I’ve ever read….but there didn’t seem to be a matching quality in her….something that made me truly feel and believe that THIS, out of ALL the women in the world…was the most amazing woman to match the most amazing man in existence. I think the fact that she was fated to be Ash’s…and therefore a blank spot in his ability to see the future…was what enabled her to even initiate an interest from him…not so much because SHE was so remarkably different. Yes she was sassy and at first didn’t like what he did…but she was no more immune to him than any other female. I also think that the fact that she accepted him completely wasn’t really a unique feature about her….I mean come on…do you really think that if any other woman in the world was given the close interaction, personal knowledge of Ash as a person, be the object of his interest and given the explanation and understanding of his past WOULDN’T accept him totally?!?!?! Yes I’m glad Ash found his love…I just wish SHE was as amazing as an INDIVIDUAL to be what I had hoped her character would be. I did love how she confronted Artemis in the end…but I wish she had kicked her ass a little more…Other Dark-Hunter heroines have done a hell of a lot more to their opponents who deserved it a lot less than Artemis!
Another element I wish had been more prevelent was Ash’s aura of invinciblity in Part 2. One of his character traits that I loved so much in all the previous books was that “badder than anything else on the planet” thing he had going on. Knowing he was so powerful and could do just about anything or kick anybody’s ass was so appealing and sexy. He was such a victim in Part 1– I needed more of the “Bad-Ass” in Part 2–and instead…he still seemed to be still be written as a victim in so many parts. I liked learning about the other sides of who he was emotionally…but really wish there had been a little more of the “invincible” quality. He seemed to be a bigger “Bad Ass” in everyone else’s book than in his own.
To answer earlier questions—Ash never regained his soul because he never lost it in the first place. This isn’t the last book as referenced in the Author’s Note, as well as pretty obvious future hero choices from other books. Some characters’ stories I’m looking forward to are Savitar, Zakar from “Devil May Cry “, Urian and Deimos.
Some that I don’t care so much about are Aimee and Fang (any hero that doesn’t “storm the castle” to claim his mate and waits as long as he has seems wimpy) I can’t even begin to imagine how SK is going to do a book about Strykker as a hero–which she references in the Author’s Note. She also mentions the upcoming story about Jaden…could be interesting, but I’d rather read about the others above first. I’m also losing interest in Nick. All the other Dark-Hunters were truly BRUTALLY BETRAYED by the ones they hated. Nick doesn’t realize that Ash’s accidental condemnation of him was what caused his death. He hates Ash because he thinks Ash didn’t protect his mom and refused to bring her back to life. His reason for hatred is based on his OWN misconception–we the reader know the truth. Therefore, Nick’s behavior seems to be childish in comparison to the betrayals suffered by previous Dark-Hunters—ESPECIALLY Acheron!!! Come on—after everything Ash has been through, we’re supposed to feel sorry for Nick?
I also do not want Artemis to have her own story….ever….unless SK strips Artemis of her powers…. makes her human and a victim of some horrible act of violence (which I would NOT have a hard time reading about) thus giving her some kind of perspective of her past actions, I will never find her to be a viable heroine worth reading about. Her selfishness, brutality and horrible abuse of Acheron disgusts me. I really wish that SK had written about Katra discovering the true extent of Artemis’ actions to Ash and have Kat condemn her mother and force her mother to change her actions under the threat of losing her daughter’s love. Now that is a scene I would have truly enjoyed!!!!
Despite what may seem to be an overly critical review of this book, I really did like it! I just felt it lacked a few elements in light of the long and anticipated wait that could have made this my “all time favorite book”. I still LOVE the series, Acheron and SK! I think SK is a BRILLIANT writer–despite the confusion of the series if you don’t read them all and in order—those details, multiple characters and gradually unraveling story are so much of what has me…and the world… hooked on her world of Dark-Hunters.
I agree with you julied. I loved the booked…I think Ash is an awesome character, but I, too, would have liked him to be a little less insecure in the 2nd part.
Also, not to be a perv, but I wish he and Tory would have had more love scenes. There were so many of him with Artemis. I think his soul mate deserved the same amount of love scenes, if not more.
GODS THIS IS ONE GREAT BOOK AND I COMPLETELY AGREE. The second part of it I would read again with no problem but the first part I cant it was emotionally draining and so painfully because SK is that damn good. I felt Ash’s pain and cried from him in the first half of the book. So the second part was like THANK YOU! He deserved Tory so much and their relationship is so wonderful and even though Ash is with her. I still love him all 6’8 black hair red streak and 11 thousand years of him. HE’S HOT lol. I cant wait to read more about them and this is truly on of the best books I have EVER read.