There is no logical reason.
If I were a rabid fangirl like J.R. Ward’s fans, it would be b/c of Sherrilyn Kenyon. She’s one of a handful of authors that I’ll forgive for anything and continue reading. I think like many authors, Sherrilyn Kenyon wasn’t expecting her Dark Hunter series to become as successful as it has. The Dark Hunter world (including were, gods, etc) got big, fast. That’s why I have forgiven her for the complete lack of inconsistency in her world building. Something that is going on in one book will be written completely different in another book. The Greek mythology in this series is so complex that I couldn’t wrap my mind around it even if I was taking notes. The way that the books have been released completely out of order when it comes to the fictional timeline has thrown me off. I’ll be reading a book and then think “I don’t remember this happening” or “How did I miss that?”. The most likely answers are “Because it didn’t” or “I didn’t miss anything”.
For the last few years, I have said that as soon as I read Acheron, that I wasn’t going to read the series anymore. Then I read Bad Moon Rising which came out after Acheron. Bad Moon Rising was one of the singular worst books in the entire series. Half of the book took place way back in the day that Vane’s story took place, but from Fang’s point of view. Aimee’s continual denial of Fang got old. Mama Bear (Bernstein Bears anyone) was a bitch with real claws. It just felt like snatches were taken out of a book here and there, some things added and then put into print as Bad Moon Rising.
I’ve gotten a pretty good idea of what she’s doing with Nick and can I just say WHAT THE EFF???? Why do we need to know about Nick growing up when we already know who he turned into. And not even Dark Hunter Nick. I remember Nick from the first three books so why would I pay money to read what I already know?
After reading Bad Moon Rising, I didn’t even try to say that I wouldn’t be reading the series anymore b/c I will. The whole fiasco that Nick is going to have to go through (and if he ends up with Artemis I will be pissed) [Holly says: he’s so going to, she needs to face the music already] hasn’t turned me off the series. I know I will continue reading this series until it dies a slow painful death. I won’t be as excited as I was years before when a new book would come out. I might not even read it the first month it’s out. But I know I’ll read it. I won’t try to deny that.
What author would you forgive for anything? Why?
When I heard Kenyon was going to turn Nick into a YA series. I threw a hissy fit. Why on earth would she do this? Doesn’t make sense. Now we have to wait another 10 years for Nick?
Don’t even get me started on her re-released Born of whatever series. Still, I heart her and will probably buy more dark hunter books. Vicious cycle.
I’m with you on Kenyon. She’s one of the few authors I’ll forgive of anything. Though I must say, I really loved Bad Moon Rising and I’m glad, b/c I bought it in hardcover, lol. Linda Howard is another author I’ll forgive. I didn’t dig her last release too much, but I’ll still be buying her next release, whatever it may be. Hmmm, Lisa Marie Rice is another author, though to date, she’s never done anything to make me need to ‘forgive’ her, lol. Great post 🙂
I have to admit to not reading anything since Acheron. I planned on reading BMR but when it came out in HC I just didn’t get it. The whole Stryker thing pissed me off as well – do I NEED to read about a baddy? Uh, no. And don’t get me started on Nick – those plans need to go away and other need to be drawn up.
Followed the link on twitter because the post title caught my eye.
First I really don’t see anything that needs to be forgiven. Any event described by 2 people is going to sound different. As for doing back story. I’ve seen that with pretty much every author that gives a secondary character their own book. Filling in the details. Too me its what makes her characters come alive.
As for the YA stories.. I think a lot of people are missing the whole point. They are for a different audience. Young Adult. Why would you get pissed that she is starting to offer the DH world to teens.. if you read them great.. if you have teens even better.. you can talk about the books with them.
I love how she tells a story, and will continue to buy what she writes whenever I can.. be it DH or another series.
Sherriyln Kenyon and J.D. Robb — I would forgive them anything. Even an author is allowed to have a so-so book every now and then.
The Nick thing did annoy me a bit — OK more than a bit. I will also have to agree with Holly. Nick and Artemis.
As for her Born series — I really liked them.
I don’t wanna watch it die a slow horrible painful death!
But does that make me a coward if I stop reading at Acheron?
Dammit! *stomps her foot*
I got series fatigue with Dark Hunters back about book 9 and just haven’t picked them back up. Not that Kenyon done anything, I just have no stamina.
I have quite a few authors who have my undying loyaly. Sarah Mayberry, I love pretty much everything she writes. Jim Butcher, Dresden Files is one series I have managed to stay with. Anne McCaffrey, I pretty much read anything by her. Elizabeth Hoyt and I can and have forgiven Laura Lee Guhrke for a few sins! LOL
Wena – exactly! Why does the villain need his HEA? He doesn’t…he should just die. lol
Nick and Artie – I want Nick to be happy and I personally can’t see that happening with Artie. She’s a bitch. lol
I hadn’t heard about the YA thing…WTF? That makes no sense to me. Why???
Iokijo,
There’s a lot Kenyon needs to be forgiven for: inconsistent world building, breaking the rules of her world, etc. She decided to start this series and set certain rules for it, then broke them when they were no longer convenient for her. As a reader I find that frustrating.
Tracy,
I’ve been saying since Artie gave Ash Nick’s soul that she’d be his heroine.
The thing I don’t understand about Nick is..why the eff he’s so whiny. Ann-oy-ing.
As for me…I’m not sure I can forgive her. I stopped reading many books back for the reasons I mentioned above and though I’ve been mildly tempted by 1 or 2 of her newer releases, mostly I’m just glad I’m not banging my head against the wall in frustration as I read them.
The author I always forgive is Hannah Howell. I just can’t seem to give her up.
I’m not sure I can go with the Nick and Artemis thing simply b/c of the fact that Holly was wrong about Acheron and Satara. Heh.
The Stryker thing pissed me off too. Like we need a story about an irredeemable character? I can’t even think of him as a hero b/c he’s so far from that.
Finally, a vote I can participate in! I’ve read all of SK’s books, except for the BAD series.
I think her books have been more about world building than romance for the last several books. I still buy them, but I don’t love them anymore. I refused to buy BMR in hardcover, (btw, is it out in paperback yet?) It’s a bummer, because she wrote really wonderful love stories…and love scenes.
Off to vote…woohoo!
I’m with you on this one, I keep reading them because I can’t help myself.
Tracy- I felt the exact same way about Stryker’s book. Why the hell do we need his book for? He’s a bad guy, they’re not supposed to get happy endings, WTF?
I’m annoyed about the Nick thing to but like Casee, I’m not going to say that I’m going to stop reading them because I know myself well enough to know that’s probably a lie. I love the Dark Hunters and I’ll probably be a loyal reader for a long time to come.
Though it pains me, I’m gonna have to agree with Holly, it’s so going to be Artie and Nick. Dammit.
I agree with what you said, New Moon Rising was a huge disappointment for me and I just couldn’t wait for it to end 🙁 But I will continue to buy and read Kenyon’s books, because I just loved the previous ones.
Sherrilyn Kenyon is definitely an author I can forgive and continue to love even when I stop buying and or reading her books. It helps that I’ve met her in person a few times and found her to be so warm, gracious and incredibly grateful for her readers. She’s got a great attitude and really writes for her audience.
I admit that I haven’t read one of her books since Acheron, but I would still like to. In fact, I think y’all will end up inspiring me to pick the series back up this month as you spotlight Kenyon’s work here!
One more thing, I sure as hell hope Holly is wrong about Artemis and Nick. I don’t want to see her with anyone! LOL.
I can and have forgiven Kenyon, I just love her characters so much. I am however still pissed about the whole Nick thing and really hope that she redeems herself with his story.
The authors that I can forgive is Tara Janzen (her last book was a disappointment hoping the next one redeems her), Nora/J.D., Julie Garwood, Jillian Hunter, Christine Feehan, Kresley Cole, Gena Showalter.
Sherrilyn Kenyon is definitely one I have forgiven several times. But even with hiccups, I still enjoy the books. Will read until I stop enjoying.
– Though must admit I am a bit slower at picking them up these days.
And I liked Strykers book, I found it interesting to have baddies as the Hs for a change.
The Nick chronicles are definitely YA, but must admit it doesn’t fuss me, as Nick is one of the things I have forgiven her for, I got bored of him several books ago.