Book 4), Dance with the Devil (Dark-Hunter

Man oh man, what a story! Zarek I simply loooooooove you!
SK manages to infuse into her books 'main men' who are real ... they may be sexy "beasts" but SK's message (if you ask me) is that you always need to look under the exterior: don't judge a book by it's cover! Just because these guys are a little rough around the edges doesn't mean they don't have their own stories to tell or that they can't make absolutely awesome 'heros' in a romance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Zarek's character is deep and dark .... but there is a heck of alot more underneath .... which I will leave you to discover; Astrid and Zareks's story is simply beautiful.
This was the first dark-hunter story that I have read and it was one of the best books I have read lately ..... SK also writes as Kinley MacGregor and 'Born in Sin' is another book she has written lately that has simply hit me somewhere in the region of the heart (and is a story that I will never forget ... which is exactly the same as I feel about 'Dance with the devil') ..... these 'leading men' are different from the norm and are heart-wrenchingly superb!!!!!!!!
I suggest that you borrow, buy, or rent this baby, cause it will be the best book you lay your hands on ....... but hey, make sure you like something with a twist of sci-fi or supernatural type stuff in it (cause I don't want to encourage someone who may put a nasty review on this site or anyother cause it wasn't their cup of tea!)
SK please keep this wonderful series coming ... I can't wait to read more and more of your work!!
Good reading, Kristina
PS I should also mention that the sex scenes in this novel are simply sublime too ..... this book is a total package!

OK now I hardly ever give a book a 5 star rating so this was a first in quite a while. I have to be really emotionaly touched by a story to give it a 5, this story did that. I always knew that Zarek's Story was going to be good. He is such a lost, tortured soul that it would be powerful, I just didn't realize how powerful.
Sherrilyn writes of a man who has never known any form of love or compassion. He assumes that he is worthless and that everyone should treat him that way. He has been alone for so long that even though he craves companionship, he has no idea how to talk to someone. You could actually feel how lonely he was and see the pain in his eyes.
Astrid is a Nymph (not Nympho, yet) who has come to judge him. She must decide if he is to live or be put to death. She is blind while on Earth and must use her heart to find the truth. When she meets Zarek, she knows that this man is not like any she's met or judged before. There is a real possibility that he is innocent.
An evil Dark-hunter killer is sent to dispatch Zarek. He want his revenge and is now after Astrid as well. Zarek must fight the fight of his life to save the one person in the whole universe that means more to him than anything ever has. He is willing to die to save her.
I laughed and cried reading this book, mostly cried. I know I just finished this book but I already want to reread it. The love scenes are hot but also so very tender that it makes your heart ache. There is humor in this book mostly provided by Simi and Sasha. There is danger and excitement. There is love.
I really can't recommend this book enough. It was simply a wonderful treasure.

When things go badly in New Orleans, Zarek is again exiled to the Alaskan wilderness. Certain that his death was immanent; his soul purpose in living was to piss everyone off. What else is new? So it was with great surprise that while seriously injured from a fight with blood squires, Dark Hunter's and Artimis's creature to kill the Dark Hunters-Thanatos, he finds himself in the home of an enchanting blind woman who lives alone in the woods with a wolf. Astrid was sent to judge him insane and a threat to humanity, or innocent of all the crimes against him. Blind only while deciding how to serve justice she is terrified by Zareks "spit in your face" attitude. However, while his words are gruff his actions speak differently and so she struggles to figure out what Asheron sees in him that would deem him innocent.
DANCE WITH THE DEVIL is the long awaited (and wondered) about story of Zarek, the slave become Dark Hunter that killed the village of people he was sworn to protect and was therefore banished to the harsh wilderness of Alaska almost a millennium before. Although this story, I think, is more intense than the previous installments, I would have been disappointed had it been anything less. I was amazed that the intensity Zarek portrayed in NIGHT EMBRACE wasn't lost within the pages of his story. Somehow, buried deep within Zarek is a true hero that has given up on himself even as he fights to protect the lives of others. Astrid is a heroine unlike any other that will have your jaw dropping as she sorts thru two thousand years of gruesome history to pass judgment. And as always, Ms Kenyon has woven her lighted hearted humor with the newest cast members added to the Dark Hunter world as well as one we all love to hate. So, in true Dark Hunter fashion, be prepared for another heart-stopping page-turner from Ms Kenyon with an astonishing ending!
To those of you who have never read a Dark Hunter novel, this is an excellent novel and yes you could read it as a stand alone book, but if you went back to read the other stories, you will spoil some of the endings for yourself.

Zarek - the big, bad Dark Hunter who is the master brooder -- so far. I have been reading the Dark Hunter series in order so who knows who else is around the corner !! Anyway, this was a fun addition to the DH series. Zarek finally confronts his demons and learns the details that have haunted him for 900 years. I don't try to read too much into story lines (only the author knows for sure). But I see the "A" of Astrid and "Z" of Zarek -complete opposites. He lives in the frigid cold of Earth, Astrid lives in an alternate, warm reality. Both characters have their agendas and don't venture too far off course until they come together. Ms. Kenyon often uses her books to introduce other characters. By the time we get to Ash's story, we will have a good history of him. That is one reason why I keep the books --to go back and review some details that are re-revealed in the current book. I look forward to the next installment and see what DH guy has up his sleeve. As I mentioned in another review, I want to see a story devoted to the Squires.

This has to be one of my top 5 books. I just LOVED it, especially how Astrid saved Zarek (tormented to the extreme). Zarek needed it- which is an understatement. This book is packed with emotion, you can't help but feel the need to save Zarek and wish for his HEA. Even more so when you catch a glimpse of the poet inside of him... WOW... SK knocks one out of the park with the "soul mate" factor, which plays a huge part on how I rate a book. This is such a wonderfully crafted story, I think it will be hard for ANY other Dark Hunter book to compare to this one, but we'll see. If you haven't started reading this series, put it in your TBR pile! They are packed with action, emotion, good vs. evil, alpha males and a whole other world to lose yourself in. Bravo Ms. Kenyon!

I wasn't all that excited to read Zarek's story. He's angry, mean, surley (all with reason) and I just couldn't get in to his character in the last book. But since I wanted to read the whole series all the way through I read it. It was good. But there's so much anger throughout the whole book that it just wasn't as good as the others in this series, IMO. What I loved about it though was finding out about Zarek's past and the things that happened to him to make him the way he is. Those parts of the book actually brought tears to my eyes. What can I say, I'm a sap! Still a good read and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.

This is the third (or fourth, if you count Fantasy Lover, as I do) of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series, and if you've read Talon's story you'll be familiar with Zarek, the surly, murderous Roman ex-slave. Zarek has been banished to Alaska for the past 900 years for burning down the village he was supposed to protect, and killing everyone in it. Acheron managed to persuade Artemis to give him one more chance, and in Midnight Embrace Zarek joined the other Dark-Hunters in New Orleans. But there he made a serious mistake: killed two police officers in full view of mortals. Now he is back in Alaska, knowing that he won't go unpunished - someone, soon, will be sent to kill him.
And then it happens: he's been tracked down by Thanatos, the killer of Dark-Hunters. In trying to escape, he is hurt and thinks that it's all over, but then he wakes up in a comfortable bed in a warm house, with a beautiful - and blind - woman taking care of him. Pretending that she cares about him and wants to look after him. She has to be pretending, doesn't she? After all, no-one has ever really cared about him. No-one has looked after him. Everyone he's ever known has betrayed him or used him to gain pleasure from his pain.
What Zarek doesn't know is that Astrid is a judge: an Olympian justice who has been ordered by Artemis and Acheron to judge and pass sentence on Zarek. Artemis, of course, wants him dead, but Astrid suspects that Acheron really wants her to find him innocent. And yet, in all her centuries of judging Astrid has never, ever found a single person innocent of the crimes alleged against him. Zarek, too, seems like a hopeless case. He rejects her, threatens her companion (a wolf who is actually a shapeshifter), has no manners or social graces, refuses to answer her questions. And she knows about his past, his murderous acts.
And yet... there's something about him...
Gradually, Astrid begins to learn about Zarek's past. The illegitimate son of a Roman officer, he was the household whipping-boy. His father, his half-brothers and all the servants treated him cruelly and mercilessly. By the time of his death, in his late twenties, his body was so scarred and misshapen that Artemis, without even asking had `healed' his wounds and given him a `normal' appearance. But no-one had ever thought to show Zarek kindness, or teach him how to behave with courtesy. He has been rejected by his own kind, the Dark-Hunters, every bit as much as in his life he had been rejected by mortals.
But, as Astrid finds herself falling in love with him, she wonders how she can possibly find him anything other than guilty for the crimes of his past. Unless... is it possible that they weren't his crimes at all?
Zarek's story is heartwrenching. But in Dance With The Devil we also find out much more about Acheron, so much so that I can't wait for his story. Just who - or what - is Acheron? What happens to him when he loses his temper and even gods quake before him? I both liked and hated him in this book: after all, he's known the truth about Zarek all along and still abandoned him to 900 years of painful exile.
But I see that Kenyon isn't planning on satisfying our curiosity any time soon; the next book in the series is about Wulf, Talon's apparent friend mentioned in Midnight Embrace (I say apparent because, although Talon claimed Wulf as his best friend, he barely thought of the man in most of the book). There's also a very strange extract from something else at the end of this book, completely unexplained in any way - although it's called A Dark-Hunter Christmas, it makes no sense on its own and it's clearly part of a long story, there is no publication date or any other information given.
Loved Zarek; roll on Acheron!
wmr-uk

Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series has created the most tortured hero yet manifested in the form of Zarek. We last left off with the emotionless warrior banished to doom for the happiness of Sunshine and fellow hunter Talon and the mess he stirred up in New Orleans. His controller Ash compromises with the haughty Artemis on her decision to send nymph Astrid to judge his fate and whether Zarek is beyond redemption. She unexpectedly falls in love with the haunted man as she delves deep into his psyche and bitter past. Dance with the Devil bounces with a sparkling roguish charm and exuberant characters that Ms. Kenyon passionately shapes to life. Even this entry is not as imaginative as her past effort, Ms. Kenyon compensates with more engaging characters like the freakish hoot Simi and the complexed Daimon villain Dionsyus. The Greek mythic characters jump off the page in another captivating tale of vendetta and poignant love. Ms. Kenyon's dialogue, especially dances with the fast pace of the tale that sends her legions of fans under a magical spell.

I read all of Sherrilyn Kenyon's book and I think that this book is by far the best in the Dark Hunter Series, not an easy accomplishment.
Zarek is probably the most dangerous of all Dark Hunters. Seen as unstable Dark Hunter and a danger to all, he is hunted by his kind and a force more dangerous than the Dark Hunters. However, there is much more to Zarek and his 900 years of isolation in the wilds of Alaska. Beneath the the seemly cold-hearted Dark Hunter beats the soul of a man who was never wanted during his human. He was beaten and abused, hated to the extent that he was physically and emotionally crippled. Worst of all, he knew no love. A man who yearned but never knew a single soul to treat him with a moment of kindess. Like a wounded animal and doesn't allow anyone near him nor touch him. My heart bleed for Zarek as his story unfolded and the abuse of his life was reveled. Then, there is Astrid the justic nymph who is called to judge him guarded with only her pet wolf. Although blind, Astrid is allowed to "see" the true side of Zarek and falls helplessly in love with this man. Astrid has so much compassion and fire in her soul that Zarek is torn by wanting the star that he feels that he cannot touch.
Miss Keynon created so a dramatic, yet complicated characters Zarek and Astrid that I couldn't put the book down. From Zarek's put downs, to bad ass handsome Dark Hunters, to the Blood Rite Squires sent to help hunt down, to the on-going of jealous Gods and Goddess...this books has it all.
It also gives more glimps into the complicated sexual and unhealthy relationship between Acheron and Artemis( for those who wanted to know more about them...this books give a lot of information). That plus the addition of Ash's loveable demon Simi adds a comic delight to this story. This book has everything and if you love SK's other works...you'll no doubt love this one.

Awesome plot and storyline. I'm so glad I ignored the negative comments. Zarek and Arstia loves developed into something so strong that she went against all odds to stay with him because she knee all hope wasn't lost. He changed his ways and was willing to give everything once he discovered someone could love him and believe in gim. The ending is just so beatufully. There so much going on here.

Ms. Kenyon just keeps getting better. Zarek is just SOOOOOOO Yummy. He's more complex than Kyrian or Talon, which makes him quite an interesting character to read about. Ms. Kenyon has developed him better than she has Kyrian or Talon, might be because she likes him better, I most definitely DO. Readers will also get glimpses of more hunters in this novel. Finally readers also get to see a female Dark Hunter, YES! Not just hear their names tossed out. Read to find out about her. I want to see more of the females make a guest appearances as well as a novel about a female dark hunter. I hope Zarek still makes appearances though.
I can't wait for the next YUMMY installment, as the SIMI says "The SIMI has needs!" The Catbunny Too. More Acheron please, and definitely more of the SIMI, she's adorable.

Like all of Kenyon's previous novels, I give this one 5 out of 5. The story takes place right after Night Embrace (Talon's Stroy/book 3 in the series if you count Fantasy Lover {Julian's Stroy}), when Zarek leaves New Orleans & is reassigned back to Alaska. When, in Night Embrace, Zarek was seen killing a Daimon (whom the cops thought was a human, duh!) & was seen on the local news, almost getting in a fight with Valerus, tricking Sunshine & making a deal with the enemy (though he stops short of the deal when he finds he was tricked), & other bad things- the mother of the Dark-Hunters, Artemis, wants him dead. He's in isolation anyway, its not like he can do any good or be missed! But Ash persuades her to let him be Judged as guilty or innocent, before she decides his fate. Ash sends in Astrid. A justice nymph that had yet to find anyone she judged as innocent, her judging was used on other Dark-Hunter rouge accounts, & she isn't as heartless in her judging fate as she seems. Blind, so she can judge fate with justice rather than physical attributes, & given one week to find if the cold-hearted Zarek can care for anyone but himself, & a companion to make sure the bad boy doesn't try anything harmful to her (like some other DH's did) she is given Sasha. A Lykos male who silently bickers with her about why he has to stay as a wolf & eat from a dog dish on the floor, & that she has no right to give his clothes to Zarek (just b/c he is a wolf, so Zarek thinks he just a normal animal rather than a shape shifter, doesn't men that she can make up some excuse about why a mans clothes (Sasha's) are in the house & let Zarek use them). But her judging is interrupted when, after she finds Zarek & the week is almost over, she finds that that she is not the only one who wants to decide the fate for this Devil of a Dark-Hunter...

I think this was my favorite so far, I love Zarek as a character he's something else. He's so well developed and just a great character overall. It's about time he came into his own. Astrid I fell in love with from page one and Sasha ohhhh I hope she writes a story about him he's awesome and so snarky! I absolutely love these books.

After each book, I fall in love with the hero. The first book gave us Julian, then Kyrian and then Talon. But after this book, Zarek might be my favorite. Ms. Kenyon sure knows how to create heros that are to die for. And we can't forget the heroines. Each heroine seems to compliment their hero so perfectly. Anyway, this book is like the others, a fast read. You won't be able to put it down. Zarek is the last person anyone wants to be around. He has been isolated for so long and has built up walls to protect himself. But Astrid slowly chips away at the walls. The book has humor, action, suspense and love. It's a great book and I highly recommend it.

I almost didn't read this book. I had read the other stories about Kirian & Talon and had caught glimpses of Zarek's character. I just didn't think he was something to read about. I also wasn't sure about the setting being in Alaska instead of New Orleans. Alaska...romantic?
I am SO glad I read this! Of course Zarek is an a-hole...his past is horendous. The book will definitely pull at your heart strings with the emotion that is portrayed in Zarek.
It was snowing and miserably cold in Alaska but it was warm and inviting in Zarek & Astrids cozy 'home'.
The humorous touch of this story just added to the enchantment and I could not put this story down for wanting to know where the next paragraph was going to take me.
This book is a keeper for me!

THIS IS A GREAT BOOK AND MY FAVORITE
If you are looking for adventure and passion combined then this it it.
If you are into these kind of books, then this one will get you hooked on the series.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
It seems to me that it is getting harder and harder to find an author who can make their readers completely connect with the characters as if you were one of them.
Well for Sherrilyn Kenyon, She has done it and more than once I might add!!!!!!!!
Throughout this whole book I could not put it down, ever page was a world waiting to be read.
I was so lost in the book that come the last page I was sad because it ended. LOL
I felt their fears, hopes, passion, rage, laughter and it still amazes me that the second time I read it I still connected.
When a book can bring you emotions then you know it is a very good book and the author knows how to write to capture her audience.

Z definately desereved every happiness from here on out and I do hope he gets it. His past was so sad..... I will keep the rest a mystery, don't want to spoil your reading. Since a book is like a movie, if you know too much then there is no point in reading or viewing it yourself.

I am now collecting her whole set of Dark Hunters, I am awaiting for them to arrive. I can not seem to get enough of them..... Keep them coming Sherrilyn!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy reading.

It is a complex web of gods and worlds that Kenyon weaves, but it is also a fascinating one. Her books are have just the right amount of romance, soulmate seeking and intricate supernatural plots. This story is about the Dark Hunter Zarek, who is kept apart from his co hunters, because they either can't stand him or fear what he keeps inside. He has messed up once again and Astrid is sent to judge and/or decide whether he should be executed. I enjoy the way the Hunters stories link into specific historical timelines and mythical worlds of Gods. A really good supe/para read.

Sherrilyn Kenyon's imagination blows my mind. I found myself sobbing less than half-way through this book (and I'm not a crier) when, as a reader, I was taken into Zarek's unbelievably horrid childhood. I felt so much pain reading those passages, that I ached to make this hero feel better, to make him warm, and bake him bread (if you read it, you'll understand). On top of that strong emotion, I laughed out loud at the sarcastic witty dialogue and fell in love with newly introduced characters like Simi, the demon and Sasha, the timber wolf.

I absolutely loved this book!!!!!!!!!! From the hero who wants only to remember how to laugh, and the heroine who longs to feel emotions long left dead inside her, this book grabs you and sucks you in.

This is without a doubt the best Dark-Hunter book so far and one of my favorite books overall.

The only reason you will not like this book is if you, simply, do not have a heart. My heart clenched so many times for Zarek that I wanted to reach in and just hold him even though he would shove me away. I hate using the "rollercoaster" clique but this was an emotional one. Too often you read romance books where the focus is simply on the woman. Kenyon shatters that by giving us a wonderful tale of a hero who has human feelings and human actions (despite not being human).

I love this book and I love Zarek. This is the book that keeps me reading the series. If you love the heart-clenching feeling like I do, you will love this book.

I absolutely LOVED this story! In Dance with the Devil, Sherrilyn Kenyon gives us Zarek and Astrid story. Zarek, an ex slave of a Roman officer, has been exiled to Alaska for the past 900 years and has made it his business to make everyone hate him. However, that becomes impossible when he is taken in by a blind woman who has a wolf as a pet; or so he thought.....Astrid, a nymph, has been sent to judge Zarek for his most recent actions while he was in New Orleans, which left two officers in critical condition! With each snide remark, she is starting to believe this will be and easy judgment; however, Astrid never expected a tender or compassionate gesture. This was incredibly beautiful and I simply loved Zarek!! So far, this is the best story in the series! Keep 'em coming, Sherrilyn!

THIS IS A GREAT BOOK AND MY FAVORITE
If you are looking for adventure and passion combined then this it it.
If you are into these kind of books, then this one will get you hooked on the series.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
It seems to me that it is getting harder and harder to find an author who can make their readers completely connect with the characters as if you were one of them.
Well for Sherrilyn Kenyon, She has done it and more than once I might add!!!!!!!!
Throughout this whole book I could not put it down, ever page was a world waiting to be read.
I was so lost in the book that come the last page I was sad because it ended. LOL
I felt their fears, hopes, passion, rage, laughter and it still amazes me that the second time I read it I still connected.
When a book can bring you emotions then you know it is a very good book and the author knows how to write to capture her audience.

Z definately desereved every happiness from here on out and I do hope he gets it. His past was so sad..... I will keep the rest a mystery, don't want to spoil your reading. Since a book is like a movie, if you know too much then there is no point in reading or viewing it yourself.

I am now collecting her whole set of Dark Hunters, I am awaiting for them to arrive. I can not seem to get enough of them..... Keep them coming Sherrilyn!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy reading.

It is a complex web of gods and worlds that Kenyon weaves, but it is also a fascinating one. Her books are have just the right amount of romance, soulmate seeking and intricate supernatural plots. This story is about the Dark Hunter Zarek, who is kept apart from his co hunters, because they either can't stand him or fear what he keeps inside. He has messed up once again and Astrid is sent to judge and/or decide whether he should be executed. I enjoy the way the Hunters stories link into specific historical timelines and mythical worlds of Gods. A really good supe/para read.

Sherrilyn Kenyon's imagination blows my mind. I found myself sobbing less than half-way through this book (and I'm not a crier) when, as a reader, I was taken into Zarek's unbelievably horrid childhood. I felt so much pain reading those passages, that I ached to make this hero feel better, to make him warm, and bake him bread (if you read it, you'll understand). On top of that strong emotion, I laughed out loud at the sarcastic witty dialogue and fell in love with newly introduced characters like Simi, the demon and Sasha, the timber wolf.

I absolutely loved this book!!!!!!!!!! From the hero who wants only to remember how to laugh, and the heroine who longs to feel emotions long left dead inside her, this book grabs you and sucks you in.

This is without a doubt the best Dark-Hunter book so far and one of my favorite books overall.

The only reason you will not like this book is if you, simply, do not have a heart. My heart clenched so many times for Zarek that I wanted to reach in and just hold him even though he would shove me away. I hate using the "rollercoaster" clique but this was an emotional one. Too often you read romance books where the focus is simply on the woman. Kenyon shatters that by giving us a wonderful tale of a hero who has human feelings and human actions (despite not being human).

I love this book and I love Zarek. This is the book that keeps me reading the series. If you love the heart-clenching feeling like I do, you will love this book.

I absolutely LOVED this story! In Dance with the Devil, Sherrilyn Kenyon gives us Zarek and Astrid story. Zarek, an ex slave of a Roman officer, has been exiled to Alaska for the past 900 years and has made it his business to make everyone hate him. However, that becomes impossible when he is taken in by a blind woman who has a wolf as a pet; or so he thought.....Astrid, a nymph, has been sent to judge Zarek for his most recent actions while he was in New Orleans, which left two officers in critical condition! With each snide remark, she is starting to believe this will be and easy judgment; however, Astrid never expected a tender or compassionate gesture. This was incredibly beautiful and I simply loved Zarek!! So far, this is the best story in the series! Keep 'em coming, Sherrilyn!

I finished this book over a month ago and am just now getting to write the review, it left a lasting impact on me though. I was too excited for Zarek's story to begin with and so happy for him by the end of it. Astrid and Zarek were so perfect for each other, and seeing a soft side of Zarek that was not addressed much in the previous book was wonderful. I love to see the big bad ass being tender, but don't we all?

Sasha was an amazing character as well, and to be honest as mentioned in the synopsis above, it really was nice to read the conversation between the wolf and Astrid and often times it was amusing. I did enjoy that Sasha kept Astrid in her place when she wanted to get a bit high handed.

This review isn't much of one, almost on purpose. I really loved the book. I recommend it, though I recommend reading them in order, if you do so you'll love the idea of Zarek's story before you even get to it. As always, amazing secondary characters, and twists and turns. Love this book and love all the others I've read.

I wasn't expecting to like this installment in the series, mostly because Zarek is not the most charming of Dark-Hunters. I was pleasantly surprised! I ended up like this quite a bit, despite Zarek's surliness. It helps if it hasn't been *too* long since you read Night Embrace (Talon's story), because there's a lot of reference to Zarek's part in that book. There were a few things that didn't make sense to me in this, not the least of which was the story behind Astrid's blindness. She's supposed to lose her sight while she's judging someone, yet she can use her "companion", Sasha, to see. Isn't that cheating? Regardless, this troublesome little detail isn't enough to get in the way of the true purpose of the story, which is to tell a love story about the gods.

This book is one of my all time favorite books. Is it because of the great writing style? No! Is it for the depth and great literary message? Of course not! This is truly my guilty pleasure - it is one of those books I will go back and read again and again. I usually reserve my five star ratings for books I consider perfect in every aspect, but the story line in this one was so great that that alone made it five stars for me. I love Zarek's character and the romance between him and Astrid kept me turning the pages so much so that I could ignore the simple-like dialogue and rampant cliches.

The time it would to write all the things that work well I do not have the words for. What I will say is that I am excited to be a part of this reading experience. It's sexy, fun and fascinating. I actually felt sadness and joy for characters that are in this book. Take your time and enjoy this book all.

I for one, fell in love with Zarek. I wanted to take him home with me and make him warm and happy. This was a very touching story and broke my heart. For all his life Zarik has been tortured in one way or another. It makes you want to make everything all better.
Now, I am not usually big on fantasy novels, but I have to recommend the Dark Hunter novels. They are not like your normal romances and gives it something a little different to liven things up. I have read all four books in the series so far, and have to say Go For It! You will not regret it. Ill be looking for the next book to come out. Impatiently. Enjoy!!!!

I loved this! It's only the 2nd book in the series I've read - the first was Night Play which is only mediocre at best - but now I will have to read more books in the series. I love how she ties in classical mythology with the vampire and werewolf myths - it really works here. In this book, the 2 main characters are likeable and their relationship and love scenes aren't gag-inducing like Night Play and others in the genre I could name. You really get into the story and care about what happens to the characters. The minor characters - like Acheron and Simi - also add interest to the story. I look forward to finding out more about some of these characters in her other books. A great read!

I've read the first four books of the series and I feel like this is the first book where I was ripping through the pages from page one to the last page. Kenyon has really taken this storyline to a whole new level, I could not stop reading and really fell in love with Astrid and Zarek. I felt emotionally bound to the characters and though Zarek's story was heartbreaking I love the idea that Zarek conquered his demons. If you liked this book, I recommend reading J.R. Ward's "Lover Awakened," another redemption read. Cheers!

I loved this novel from start to finish. I was completely drawn in as if I were there with the characters too. And I even began feeling their emotions and rooting for them to win. This novel is beyond words!!!!

Homer couldn't have written a more tortured Greek hero and yet managed to give us the happy ending we're all rooting for. Sherrilyn manages to create yet another hero we're all dying to have for our own. She blends the right amount of emotion, laughter and sadness, and leaves us satisfied at the end that Love does conquer all...even heroes who have never known the meaning of the word.
Run, don't walk, and get this book. And if you haven't read a Dark-Hunter book before--where have you been? Get them all because they are well worth the read (and re-read).

About six months ago I picked up my first Sherrilyn Kenyon book, Fantasy Lover. What an excellent book, and I must admit I was hooked. So I then grabbed the other books in the series and not a one disappointed, however, Dance with the Devil enthralled me. This story about Zarek was just amazing. SK always makes me laugh, she does an awesome job of putting her hero's with heroines that honestly seem to lead creedence to the fact that true love does exist. This story is no different. Zarek was such a tortured soul and Astrid was exactly the woman he needed. I can admit that there were times I teared up when reading this book and I dare anyone who read it to say that they didn't. This is definitely my favorite book by SK and I can honestly say that she has gained a fan. I anxiously await more stories in her "Dark Hunter" series.

i have read all of the dark hunters i can get my hands on and have loved every minute of every one. if you enjoy the tall dark and dangerous you will absolutly love the latest of Sherrilyn Kenyon. i started from the beginng and i really must suggest that you do to: Fantasy Lover, Night Pleasures, Night Embrace,Dance with the Devil,and Kiss of the Night. Comming soon is Night Play; and i have been waiting for months to get my hands on this one.
Dance witgh the Devil is Zerek's book and a more deserving man to find true love i have never seen. i got so caught up in the book that i was feeling everything the characters were. during the book my emotions went from anger, to wonder, to hope, sadness, and laughter, even outrage at times.
There are very few books i connect with, but with Sherrilyn Kenyon i am as much a part of the story as Zerek and Astrid.
I have loved this series from the beginning, and i will love it to the end, and every page in between. i just can't wait till Acheron's story comes out! i hope it will be soon! i am just itching to get my hands on it!

The character development of Zerek was fabulous -- I can't say enough about that -- and I'm not into tortured heroes! What got me the most was that he even felt rejected after death (by the other Dark Hunters), that their uneasiness around him felt as agonizing --to him-- as the physical pain he endured in his lifetime.
Very well done! And very easy to empathize with.
The only thing I would recommend to SK for future novels is that there were times when she told me what the charater was thinking/feeling rather than to show me and/or to let me figure it out by myself. Readers are pretty intelligent and don't need EVERYTHING explained.
Other than that -- excellent story! I will continue to read the series.
I want to let you know that when I read this, I was having a very bad day, so I grabbed this book (because my friend told me Zarek's use of cliche would cheer me up), some chocolate and a glass of my favorite Zinfandel and a few hours later, I was crying, and my personal situation took on a whole new perspective.
Thank you, SK, for a very unforgettable protagonist.

I recently was introduced to Sherrilyn Kenyon in Night Embrace and I lover her. I am a huge fan of anything paranormal/vampire or involves immortals. Ms. Kenyon has outdone herself with this one. Zarek by far is my favorite. This book is an excellent addition to her Dark-hunter series and would be an excellent stand alone.

I love how Ms. Kenyon is teasing us with Artemis and Acheron (characters that are crucial to each story but I can feel they have one of there own in the future.)

It is a great read and I would recommend anyone would enjoy it.

As a human, Zarek was a slave, a whipping for the Roman elite. As a Darkhunter, he's everything he's not supposed to be - a feeder, a loose canon and lone wolf who has serious issues with authority. The justice nymph, Astrid, has to look beyond the scars, snarls and generally bad manners to see his soul and save his life and Zarek is anything but helpful.

Sexy, action packed still poignant, this installment in the Darkhunter series ranks as one of my favorites. Kenyon has done it again.

This is the third book that I read from this author but this is the first review I have felt compelled to write. "Dance with the Devil" is essentially similar in its basic plot to her other dark hunter books. A tall devastatingly attractive male from centuries before meets up with a modern-day female and they fall in love, etc. But this particular book had a greater input of humour and angst than the other two and its primary distinguishing feature from the other dark hunter books is the pathos. Zarek is a man with a tortured past and when I say tortured, that's T-O-R-T-U-R-E-D with capitalised letters! At first, Zarek's attitude is cultivated to annoy or at least to estrange him from people including the reader. Yet snatches of his humanity become evident in scenes cleverly woven into the plot. Irresistibly, the further along the book, we become increasingly drawn to the mystery of him. At this point I would like to point out that this genuine attraction to Zarek is at odds with the previous book's main protagonists. "Night Embrace" had a gorgeous enough hero who strangely left me cold while the heroine, Sunshine, while pretty and "supposedly" funny only managed to annoy me. Here, our hero, Zarek, and our heroine, Astrid can only captivate, particularly after their classically enchanting meeting. Through Astrid's eyes, we are able to observe Zarek's former life - to understand why he is the man he is and to suffer with him the almost unfathomable depths of torture that he has undergone and somehow survived through. Interspersed with our growing sympathy is the humour derived from the magnificent wolf companion of Astrid (who incidentally would also make a really good hero in a future instalment of the series - one can hope). The angst come mainly from the death sentence that our hero seems to be barely escaping from. The other characters in here are also intriguing - in particular, the magnificent Acheron and his complex relationship with Artemis plus her jealousy of his demon. Enough said, I think. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. In fact, I am just about to read this book again - as soon as I finish this review.

I'm getting so tired of purchasing books that are REPRINTS but the publishing houses are putting brand new dates! How can they do that? Its still the exact same book!! I've wasted so much money buying books, getting into the 2nd chapter and realizing I've read it. They need to do more than a tiny and sometimes not at all little blurb on a page often not seen when purchased electronically.

After reading Kyrian's story in Night Pleasures, which I could barely put down...a very engrossing read, I was hooked on the Dark Hunter series. I quickly picked up Night Embrace (don't judge the book by it's less than ideal cover) and was surprised that I found myself liking the second book a little better than the first one which I had completely devoured. They're both excellent, fast paced, engaging reads, and with each book in the series you learn a little bit more about the head Dark Hunter, Acheron, usually referred to as Ash by his Dark Hunter friends.

Kenyon's third book of this series, Dance with the Devil, is Zarek's story, who is introduced in the previous book, and instead of taking place in warm, sunny New Orleans, with the the usual bits of humor scattered here and there--and yes, there are some pretty funny moments in both of the earlier books-- we get a darker story set in a the cold of Alaska. I found myself really sympathizing for Zarek. Here's a guy who as a mortal was seriously abused and unloved. Centuries later he still has nightmares of his youth and carries the scars of a tortured past. Can anyone blame him for being less than a social-butterfly? Nine hundred years of isolation in Alaska's frigid wilderness is more punishment than anyone deserves and the irony of it all is that he really never did much of anything to deserve this punishment. Artemis, you ought to be seriously punished yourself for all of the unfair things you do and get away with, all in the name of being a "god".
All in all, this book is well worth reading. I didn't enjoy it as much as the first two Dark Hunter novels, but you will also learn more about Acheron (and Simi) in this book. Of course we are all waiting for Ash's story. Now that is THE Dark Hunter novel that I can't wait to get my hands on.
I also recommend that you read Kenyon's novela, Dragonswan in the book Tapestry, and V'Aidan's story in the novela, Phantom Lover from the book Midnight Pleasures. I also enjoyed the novela Darkfest by Amanda Ashley of the same book. Guess I'll sit back and try to be patient while waiting for Wulf's story to come out in the spring 04.
Can't get enough of those Dark Hunters!!!

Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series has extended to more than a dozen books, but this book will still be among my favourite 3 (along with Night Play & Seize the Night). It's the beginning of the series, where Kenyon was still relatively consistent with her characters (ignoring the whacked-out motherly Artemis in Fantasy Lover - wtf on that) and hadn't yet started thinking of the series as a cash cow with impossible portents of doom and gloom and a multitude of past characters with amazing superpowers.

Zarek is one of the best heroes, attractive, honourable, and oh-so-vulnerable, and, in a twist from the norm in Kenyon's books, doesn't flaunt being good-looking and rich and powerful. Astrid is a likeable character, a strong female in the vein of all Kenyon's females.

The story is well-paced, has a pair of fantastic h/h for us to care about, and takes place in Alaska, thus minimising the ridiculous parade of side characters and morass of inconsistences that plague Kenyon's other books. What's not to like?

Early in the Dark-Hunter series (book #4), the anti-hero Zarek (the ultimate bad boy, oooh leather) has been exiled to sub-zero climes in Alaska by the `bitch goddess' Artemis. He finds salvation in his love for the Greek Nymph of Justice, Astrid, who is called to judge him for damning crimes - a superb read especially for those who have a soft spot for super hot bad boys... I admit I downloaded several of the music references, e.g., Nazareth's Hair of the Dog

This was the best Dark-Hunter thus far but I still have a few to go. The romance was HOT but it was the suspense that was gripping. I could barely put the book down at the end of a chapter in order to find out what came up next.

Zarek was such a project! and Astrid getting to him was a delight and agonizing at the same time. Acheron played a big roll in this and he is one sexy dude! You will love Simi and 'Scooby' was a howl!!!!

Nice, light read. Look forward to the next.

I just finished Kiss of the Night, which was a fine book, but I was somewhat disappointed. I didn't know why for a bit, but then I realized just how much I had enjoyed Dance with the Devil. The book was full of depth, meaning, and there was a real connection with the hero. The issues seemed more personal, and the reader was allowed to sympathize with a genuine fleshed character rather than the typical Fabio-esque stereotype.
I think that Kenyon's plotting and character development was more complex in this novel, which left the reader expecting the same level of commitment in future plots. While I sincerely hope that Ms. Kenyon does not deliberately torture all of her heroes to produce the torn and angst-ridden souls, I do expect a similar level of connection in her novels since now it is obvious that she can achieve it. This is a very genuine novel that does not condescend to the reader or depend on any assumptions.

I absolutely adored this book. Zarek was a perfect hero. His life was so cruel, but Astrid knew just how to soothe him and heal his wounds. I loved reading about them. And I loved learning more about Ash. And Simi was hilarious :)
All in all, another great, amazing, perfect book you'll fly through. I can't wait to read the next in the series!

after discovering the dark hunter series only a few months ago by a fortunate mistake, it took me one book(Night Play) to be become a fan. after that i began to read the series by order and came to this book which is by far the best of the lot. the male lead is one of the most tortured of heroes that i've come across and all his suffering through the ages is so intensely and realistically(within the bounds of the genre) portrayed, that i bawled my eyes out in places. but it was more poignant to see him fall in love with the female lead who, i'm happy to say is an worthy partner for him.

we also get intriguing insights into some other characters including the incomparable Acheron who appeared to be more gray that he usually does. there appears to be a more machiavellian twist to him that was not so apparent before which of course, makes his all the more interesting. but the love story always remains in the forefront which is the way it should be. all in all this is a great book and a must buy for all the series fans and casual readers alike, especially those who have a penchant for dark(pun unintended.), tormented heroes.

Out of all her books I would have to say that Dance with the Devil is my FAVORITE. I've always loved KM/SH's books for her incredible heroes. She always makes sure that the guy falls in love with the girl on the inside. The heroes are always worthy of love that the never receive. This book makes me cry every single time that I read it because of one scene in the book when their talking about their favorite book. Zarek's had the toughest time (in my opinion) out of all the heroes. Even though I think that SH doesn't need to improve on their relationship 1000000 stars out of 10. I think that she could have spent a little more time developing Astrid. Anyways doesn't matter because this book was EXCELLENT>

He uses his sharp tongue and gruff exterior as protection against further insult and pain. In two millennia no one has ever bothered to look beyond Zarek's blanket hostility and punishing rage. But after 900 years of exile a judge is sent by the gods to determine if he redeemable or better off dead. Astrid. The only person in 2,000 years who didn't cringe at his touch.
Keep the Kleenex handy. Zarek will steal your heart.

I loved this book and could not put it down! Zarek is a classic tortured hero. Astrid is chosen to judge whether Zarek lives or dies. This book made me laugh and cry at times. Fans of the Dark Hunters will love this book. If this is your first time reading about the Dark Hunters, I recommend reading the other books in this series. Pick up this book you won't be disappointed if you like paranormals.

Okay....I said that last book. But this time I mean it. I loved the story of Zarek in Alaska. I felt connected to his character instantly and was rooting for him the entire book. The poor dialogue that marred book 1 and 2 was gone. Ms. Kenyon is getting better with each book. I look forward to eventually reading Acheron's story.

Dance With The Devil was a very enjoyable read. The characters of Zarek and Astrid were both extremely well written. Their relationship was interesting to follow because it took a while for Zarek to warm up to Astrid, which was understandable given his horrific experiences. The action was a page turner. I would highly recommend this book for paranormal romance lovers.

I loved this book. Zarek's story was such a heart breaking one. Both his mortal life and his life as a Dark Hunter were so lonely and painful for him. Astrid comes to earth to judge him... Their story is awesome!

Another brilliantly written book with a great plot. I loved it.
It's definately my favorite book of the series so far. I felt so sad for zarek and am really glad it ended well. He deserved to be happy

led Zarek to the brink of madness. Some feel he long ago stepped over the edge. Now it's for Astrid to judge. In all the year's she's judged Dark-Hunters, she's never found one truly innocent...but she's never met Zarek. Is there more to him than the hard facade he presents?

Kenyon has a talent for writing books that will rip out your heart. This was one of her best!

I am a die hard Sherrilyn Kenyon fan..

Every last on of these Dark-Hunters I can honestly say I fell in love with.I really hope in my next life I can meet one of my own....

Keep up the good work....

P.S. Ms.Kenyon I have one small request, would it be possible for you to create a Hispanic and African American Dark-Hunter?..

I cannot recomend this book highly enough! I loved it! This is a very touching story about a man who has had no love in his life, but practically on the eve of being put to death he falls in love with the very woman who is to judge him. This book is fast paced and interesting, with lots of other colorful characters; including a child-like demon, a mind reading dog, and gods galore. A must read!

Zarek....Mad, Bad, and Misunderstood. Zarek is condemned to live his Immortal life in Alaska for a Crime he did not commit & Because of this supposed "Crime" is black balled by the rest of the Dark Hunters.
Behind his Sarcasm, Anger, and cynicism lies the soul of a poet looking for his "Star". This novel is absolutely great & will pull on your heart strings. Kenyon has a Knack for making totally believable and Lovable characters.

This one had more fun, sarcastic humor, and fatastic creatures then any of the others so far -- and Zarek is the sexiest Dark Hunter so far. By far. I enjoyed the Alaskan setting and SK's vivid descriptions of Zarek's history, his feelings, suffering, and -- triumphe :)

I am a new reader of ms kenyon's books, but already i have read all her dark hunter books! All though Vane's story was my most favorite, this ranks pretty close to his. Zarek's story is just so emotionally draining yet it could not have been told in any other way. His life just seemed to be a total nightmare, even after becoming immortal. I thought he was played like a total jerk, yet knew there had to be more to the man, I am so glad I read this story! It answered alot of my questions about him and yet left me wanting to know more about Valerious. I recommend this book to any and all who love a good paranormal romance, or even a good book, but I would warn those who read this book, you won't have enough with just one of these dark hunters, you'll want to read them all!

Okay, I know it has been said before but Simi totally stole the show. I am dying to read Ms. Kenyon's newest book simply because I love Simi. A demon who loves to eat people and things with barbecue sauce...a character straight from my own heart. I swear, I have almost never enjoyed reading a book more. Even while typing this I can feel my lips peel back in a demonic grin thinking about Simi's character. While I read what she said, I cackled in delight and vowed to keep on reading these books, just to read about Simi and learn more about her and Ash. I have to say, Ms. Kenyon has definitely hooked me forever with this character.

If you are enamored with the DH series, this is a must read book. If you are new to the series you can enter with this text and not be lost. The plot is good with lol humor and the scenes are steamy. An added bonus is a little bit more about Acheron is revealed. The author consistently briefs her readers, in each book, about the origins of the DH's so a newcomer to the series will not feel lost. A fantastic way to start the series would be to read Fantasy Lover first and then Night Embrace, Night Pleasures, Dance with the Devil, Night Play, Seize the Night, etc. I have enjoyed this writer as Kenyon as well when she writes as MacGregor. If romance is your genre, then the texts will make a nice addition to your library.

Simply put, Dance with the Devil is one of the best books I've read all year. It made me laugh, cry and wish to see more books written about the Dark-Hunters... great novels written by Sherryilyn Kenyon. I've read all three to date, and am hoping that Sherrilyn keeps the stories coming! This book drew me in and I couldn't put it down the entire day ... I finished it in one sitting and have place it on the shelf with my "must keeps"... which include books by Jayne Ann Krentz, Rachel Gibson, and Kay Hooper. Definitely put this one on your MUST READ list and you won't be sorry!

Sherrilyn Kenyon has a nack at the tragic hero love stories and this one is a good example of this talent.

You really start to feel for Zarek in this book. You can't help but feel for him once you start reading about all the pain that he has gone through.

Again a work of art.

Tired of getting hurt and feeling like her judgements are totally wrong, Astrid-sister to the Three Fates-has called it quits. But when a friend asks her to judge one more man, she accepts, after all what else can she do. But Astrid's in for the time of her life when she meets Zarek, former Roman slave, present bad-ass. From Alaska's winter's to dream-spirits and sex on the beach, Zarek and Astrid's adventure is hard enough without Zarek's "strike first" attitude. But when Astrid's life is in danger, he give's it his all to make sure she's safe. This was a real eye-opener and I am glad it's part of my collection.

This book is totally fabulous. Zarek is just plain sex appeal, he makes you want to throttle him one minute for his crossness then be the one to absorb all his passion. He is as hot as is all the Dark-Hunters. Can hardly wait to see if there is a next Dark-Hunter story maybe about Jess??
I really like the way Sherrilyn Kenyon refers to previous Dark Hunters to keep you in touch with all of them while reading about the new ones. Please keep these Dark Hunters Coming!!

Sherrilyn has not let me down. I saw Night Pleasures at the store and i thought I would give it a try, now I can't get enough. I raced out and got Dance with the Devil. Zerek's story made me cry and root for the good guy. When Astrid was sent to judge him he didn't feel that he should fight destiny. But I'm glad that he won her love and could trust someone he cared about. Ash and Artemis fight long and hard to decide his fate but it's Astrid who has the last word. You'll laugh, you'll cry you will be glad that you got this book. Read it and then you will want to buy the others, just like me.

This book is awesome. I didn't know stories like this were written until I read Fantasy Lover. After that I had to read the rest to see if they were just as good, and I wasn't disappointed. Dance with the Devil is a good story of a misunderstood person triumphing over his obsticles.

Sherrilyn Kenyon weaves such fascinating tales and creates such lovable characters, my favorite of which is Zarek, from Dance with the Devil. This book keeps you on the edge of your seat and by the end, you will have fallen in love with the prickly, yet big-hearted Zarek. Each character leaps off the page and into your heart. Dance with the Devil is an unforgettable read that earns itself a special place in any library.

These books would be better if the author actually remembered what she had previously written and therefore did not contradict herself.

For example: on page 339 of "Dance with the Devil" she described Archeron thus: "His long blonde hair flowed around his shoulders".

On page 8 of "Seize the Night" however she says that Archeron "......wore his long black hair loose and flowing around his shoulders".

On page 242 of "Dance with the Devil" the author says "Zarek stripped his own clothes off" and yet just one page later on 243 she says: "Zarek moved away from her only long enough to remove his clothes".

This kind of sloppy writing detracts and distracts from some rather unusual ideas that deserve either a) a writer of more discipline or b) proof-readers who knows what they are doing.

The other thing that detracts from what would be interesting stories is the insistance that all her primary male and female characters seem to suffer from a severe sex addiction and the inability to control it to the point where it interferes with the flow of the story.

On top of that the sex scenes are so repetitve that having read a couple of them, the reader is free skip forward a couple of pages in any and all of the books to pass over the "seeing stars" and "hissing" with passion bits.

It's a shame because the basic themes are interesting....the above instances are distractions from what should be good stories.

Wow, wow, This was a page turner and I did not want to put it down. This a great story Her heros are always so hot. and as with all her stories and really makes you want another book in the series to be out now. I love how she visits past and fuutre characters in ther stories. you do get to see what happens in the Happy ever after. I reconmend all her books. Highly

This book is awesome. I didn't know stories like this were written until I read Fantasy Lover. After that I had to read the rest to see if they were just as good, and I wasn't disappointed. Dance with the Devil is a good story of a misunderstood person triumphing over his obsticles.

Sherrilyn Kenyon weaves such fascinating tales and creates such lovable characters, my favorite of which is Zarek, from Dance with the Devil. This book keeps you on the edge of your seat and by the end, you will have fallen in love with the prickly, yet big-hearted Zarek. Each character leaps off the page and into your heart. Dance with the Devil is an unforgettable read that earns itself a special place in any library.

These books would be better if the author actually remembered what she had previously written and therefore did not contradict herself.

For example: on page 339 of "Dance with the Devil" she described Archeron thus: "His long blonde hair flowed around his shoulders".

On page 8 of "Seize the Night" however she says that Archeron "......wore his long black hair loose and flowing around his shoulders".

On page 242 of "Dance with the Devil" the author says "Zarek stripped his own clothes off" and yet just one page later on 243 she says: "Zarek moved away from her only long enough to remove his clothes".

This kind of sloppy writing detracts and distracts from some rather unusual ideas that deserve either a) a writer of more discipline or b) proof-readers who knows what they are doing.

The other thing that detracts from what would be interesting stories is the insistance that all her primary male and female characters seem to suffer from a severe sex addiction and the inability to control it to the point where it interferes with the flow of the story.

On top of that the sex scenes are so repetitve that having read a couple of them, the reader is free skip forward a couple of pages in any and all of the books to pass over the "seeing stars" and "hissing" with passion bits.

It's a shame because the basic themes are interesting....the above instances are distractions from what should be good stories.

Wow, wow, This was a page turner and I did not want to put it down. This a great story Her heros are always so hot. and as with all her stories and really makes you want another book in the series to be out now. I love how she visits past and fuutre characters in ther stories. you do get to see what happens in the Happy ever after. I reconmend all her books. Highly

This is my favorite of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series. Zarek's history made me cry. It gives you an insight of why he is the way he is. Relationships with other recurring characters from other dark-hunter series are further developed. Reading some of the other dark-hunter series would be very helpful. Overall a great story.

For all of you that have read the prior Dark-hunter Novels, you know that no one can be as tragic as Sherrilyn Kenyon. Her characters have such character(for lack of better term) that there really is no choice but to fall helplessly in love with each of them. Zarek is surely no exception. You might even love him more when you get to know him. Yes, it's a romance, so you know how it will end, but it's everything in the middle that makes it all worth while. Very worth while. Real emotion and snappy dialogue make this book a must. Grab your kleenex.

I don't know why I let this book linger for so long on my to-be-read shelf. It is simply amazing. Zarek is the ultimate tortured hero and the justice nymph Astrid is his perfect foil. This is such a wonderfully dark book that it amazes me how the author can bring me from tears to laughter a few pages later. Well written, well plotted, well done. This is an intense, riveting read that I simply could not put down.

This is the story about Zarek who is hated by Kyrian and Julian. You find out in the story that Zarek is actually misunderstood. I really liked this character the best because he is really the underdog, plus he had a horrible upbringing. THis is one of my favorites

This is, by far, the best of the Dark-Hunter series. It's absolutely wonderful. Kenyon writes of Zarek and Astrid's story, and she writes it so beautifully that the characters become more than just a name in a book. I couldn't put this book down. The same day I got it is the same day I finished it.

I am a big fan of the Dark-Hunter series and can't wait until the one after "Seize the Night" comes out. I have every book of hers in the Dark-Hunter series and they are all wonderful.

Zarek is by far the best leading character so far. He is dark and mean and has every right to be. But has an inner sensitive side that only his love can reveal. Another one I could not put down until finished and wanted more!

I gave this book two stars simply because it does have a certain entertainment value. Let me tell you, I wanted to read this book for what seemed like an eternity. Wow, was this a let down!

Basically this was Sweet Valley High Goes to Hell. Any horror elements were grafted onto some of the most inane dialogue and lack of character development I've ever read. Zarek spits out dull quips like a seventh grade boy denied his PSP. I didn't believe for a minute he was the violent psychopathic troublemaker everyone else said he was. And for a former slave to be a spoiled brat is just ridiculous.

Astrid has all the wit and savvy of a bowl of oatmeal. The gimmick where she can see through the eyes of her wolf companion happened way too many times. It made for dull storytelling. The whole beauty bonks beast bit is beyond cliche.

What more can I say? This is awful. It's bubblegum, but not bubblegum fresh out of the package. No. This has been stuck under your seat on the subway for a few weeks. Leave it there.

I have read all of the other dark hunter books and this one is just as good as the others. Sherrilyn Kenyon creates characters that you just fall in love with. You really don't have to read the other dark hunter books to enjoy this one but the other books explain more about the hunters. Fantasy Lover and Night Plaesures are really great!!!!!

The vendor was quick in shipping my order. The product arrived in excellent condition. I'm looking forward to reading the book and I will continue to purchase products from the vendor. I've read other books by Ms. Kenyon and I like her work. Quick read.

This a keeper and so far is my favorite I have all Sherrilyn Kenyon dark hunters books and so far Zarek's is the best, he is the kind of men that really makes you want to hold him and and kiss him and do nasty thing to him all night long...I cry a lot reading about him. And Astrid as his lifemate was send to judge him is very strong and you can tell that she was born for him.

Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down

My favorite of the Dark Hunter series to date. Sherrilyn made me feel what was happening throughout the book. A combination of laughter and tears with a welcome twist at the end. And as a bonus, for those who have a thing for Acheron, we find a more indept characterization as well. Extremely Good Reading.

So far I have read the first five books in the Dark Hunter series. As my title suggests, Sadly, Sherrilyn has done it again. Here is another book that was delivered prematurely. Great concept, extremely poor delivery. The characters are as flat as paper dolls. Did I mention cliche? Just as in the past, this book is stock full of them.

The dialogue is trite, even stupid at times. The hissing and growling have returned, along with about six other exceedingly overused phrases. The chapters are agonizing long with what I can only term as filler - adding nothing to the storyline, (but at least she is pushing out a 300 plus page novel). . .

The biggest travesty I see with the entire Dark Hunter series is that although the concept is intriguing and has tremendous potential, the shortest road is taken in the writing. The predictability of the story lines, the cliche characterizations, the amateur dialogue, the sophmoric sex scenes, ignorance of subject matter (research doesn't appear to be high on the list prior to pushing out one of these books), all add up to a HUGE let down.

These books define the cliche that follows romance novels. I wouldn't use them to line my waste paper bin.

I am mystified at the over-rating of these books.

Honestly appalling and truly underdeveloped as a concept, the plot of this book had so much potential. At its core, it is a classic romance/thriller setup: the innocent heroine, driven to help the surly handsome man with his dark past even as he pushes her away. The author's intention to spice up the conflict by developing her "Dark-Hunter" race and throwing in some mythological references is perfectly fine. The book could have been positively delicious if it were well-written at all.
The fact is that this author's writing style is clunky, heavy-handed, and rife - no, DRIPPING - with cliches. Her dialogue is insultingly cliched as well.
This author personifies the reasons why so many people make fun of romance novels - it's ill-concieved and badly written. The only thing the author seems to have spent time on are the sex scenes. She certainly didn't research any mythologies or her setting (Alaska) ...

I love all books by Ms Kenyon, however, it was kind of too predictable. Without reading one knew pretty much the outcome. As always Acheron is simply great and Simi is a new character who one just have to love.

Out of the Dark-Hunter series, this is the best book, and best hero, so far. It's amazing that a hero like Zarek can take so much pain and can actually learn to love. A bit corny, but the humor makes up for that.

If you like Sherrilyn Kenyon novels and know what you're getting into, no doubt you'll love this torrid and sexy love story of the oh so troubled hero and his oh so beautiful (and blonde, of course) love interest.
If you want a well written supernatural tale with elements of realism, try Charlaine Harris or Laurell K. Hamilton. Kenyon's characters are more shallow than a papercut, and it hurts just as much to read about them. Zarek for instance, is supposedly 900 years old, but (despite being reminded of that every page) I jsut didn't believe he could be older than seven. A spoiled, obnoxious seven. He lives in Alaska, but does Kenyon describe the breathtaking scenery or the rugged and fascinating people there? No, she just has Zarek whine about how poor, poor him, he has to live there. (Violins please.)
My sister recommended this series, and I tried, I really did, but every page has flat and pathetic dialogue that makes me cringe. If you like this kind of thing, you know who you are. If you're not sure if you'll like it or not, save yourself seven bucks and read somethign else.

Ugg- This was horrible. If you have any pity or compassion in you, skip this one! I can't believe it's in the romance section since I can't remember a single part about the romance. I did not need to read in graphic detail about the horrors inflicted upon the hero as a small child - "maimed" would have covered it.

I'm so disappointed - I really enjoyed the other books before this one.

I'm throwing this one in the trash.

I really like this book, but not as much as the first two in this series. There were some very awesome moments, but I found myself growing tired of the endless descriptions of how Zarek was a slave over and over. It got a bit redundant and definitely hampered the mood. I loved Simi! We need more of her and Archenon! Spoiler: I really like how Astrid was able to tame Zarek in his dreams and they were able to be together in the end.

each character take us to another place in time. I like how they interweave. I want to visit these places and gett to in this authors books. Thank you better than having to fly o an over crowded plane to get to where these characters live and breathe.

Although this is termed book 5 in the original release it was book 4. Can a damaged immortal warrior be brought back to humanity by the love and spirit of a blind girl? Absolutely terrific read. I think this is one of the most heartbreaking stories in the series. A wonderful read and a must read. I would recommend that these are read in order as they flow into each other.