"There just aren't enough stars in the universe to rate this story!"
Sherrilyn Kenyon has once again revealed she is a woman
with amazing talent when it comes to weaving a modern myth.
That her gift for writing is not limited by her knowledge,
but rather how fast she can unleash it. I had the privilege
of reading Dance with the Devil, which is the latest Dark
Hunter story about Zarek. He is a dark and battered soul.
One wonders how Sherrilyn will reach such a cold and lonely
man. Never fear, dear readers, no one is completely out of
reach when an author like Sherrilyn is involved. Zarek is a Dark Hunter who has been banished to
Fairbanks Alaska as punishment for the loss of life over
900 years ago in a village he was to protect. Held
accountable for their deaths Zarek has been trapped in the
barren environment knowing that should he leave, the
goddess Artemis who ultimately controls the Dark Hunters,
would kill him. But to appease the leader of the Dark
Hunters, Acheron, she (Artemis) grants him this reprieve
and keeps Zarek isolated. The time has come that Zarek should be judged for his
actions. Is he beyond redemption or not? Artemis thinks
not. Acheron thinks otherwise. An impartial party must be
sent to judge him so they call upon Astrid, the nymph of
Justice and the youngest sister of the Fates. Known for her
impartial decisions, she has yet to find a person worthy of
being truly innocent of their deeds. Now while life isn't hard enough for Zarek to deal with
there is one other complication. Thanatos, an immortal
dayslayer, has been unleashed and his need for vengeance
against Zarek is palpable for he holds him accountable for
his wife's death over 900 years ago. The odds just keep
building against the Dark Hunter. So one can't help but
ask: How can he pass through such insurmountable odds? Will
Zarek be able to find the will to fight such odds when
there has been no happiness to his life? Can one woman find
the redemption in his soul and awaken the light that truly
burns there? As this book unfolds, Sherrilyn builds upon this
amazing world of Greek, Roman and Atlantean characters that
are apart of the modern world. She introduces us to more of
her colorful cast of characters giving each their own
unique identity and important role to this story and the
stories yet to come. So prepare yourself to have your funny
bone tickled, your spine tingled and your eyes opened wide
in amazement. I truly can't say enough for how well rounded this
story was. I laughed, cried and held my breath as the
events unfolded. For as you read this book you truly learn
that there really aren't any villains...but rather a lot of
hurt that has directed the actions of so many creative
mythical beings. And while every action creates another
reaction, it is also important to understand that life
holds a balance. And Sherrilyn has demonstrated this so
well in this book. All I have to say is that there truly
aren't enough stars in the universe to rate this book.
Reviewed by Mindy Lobaugh
Posted November 6, 2003
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