Book Review: Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Styxx
by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Genre: Urban Fantasy / Romance / Mythology / Paranormal

Ages: Adult. Very adult.

22nd book in the Dark-Hunter series, you can read my review of Acheron here, though I really should re-review it now that I'm a little older and can do it justice.

Description:

Sherrilyn Kenyon's most highly-anticipated novel in the Dark-Hunter series since Acheron is here—the unforgettable story of Styxx, Acheron's twin brother and one of the most powerful beings on earth

Just when you thought doomsday was over . . .

Centuries ago Acheron saved the human race by imprisoning an ancient evil bent on absolute destruction. Now that evil has been unleashed and it is out for revenge.

As the twin to Acheron, Styxx hasn’t always been on his brother’s side. They’ve spent more centuries going at each other’s throats than protecting their backs. Now Styxx has a chance to prove his loyalty to his brother, but only if he’s willing to trade his life and future for Acheron’s.

The Atlantean goddess of Wrath and Misery, Bethany was born to right wrongs. But it was never a task she relished. Until now.

She owes Acheron a debt that she vows to repay, no matter what it takes. He will join their fellow gods in hell and nothing is going to stop her. But things are never what they seem, and Acheron is no longer the last of his line. Styxx and Acheron must put aside their past and learn to trust each other or more will suffer.

Yet it’s hard to risk your own life for someone who once tried to take yours, even when it's your own twin, and when loyalties are skewed and no one can be trusted, not even yourself, how do you find a way back from the darkness that wants to consume the entire world? One that wants to start by devouring your very soul? 

My Thoughts:

I waited eagerly for this book to show up on my kindle at midnight and started reading it immediately. Given that it is eight-hundred and forty-eight pages long and completely engrossing from page one, I did not get any sleep. I wondered how in the world Ms. Kenyon could possibly turn Styxx into a hero, given all the awful things he did in previous novels, but I knew from experience that with her fantastic imagination it would certainly be something to see. Complete. Understatement.

I started to love Styxx as the protagonist immediately; that sad little boy who was neglected and abused just as badly as Acheron, maybe even worse, because he didn't have Ryssa and his father continuously vacillated between hating and loving him. It was easy to pity him at first, then admire and cheer him on.

The majority of Styxx takes place during the same time as the first half of Acheron; every moment, every conversation takes on new meaning from Styxx's point of view. It was utterly fascinating and oh-so very painful. There were times I wanted to kill Acheron and I didn't think anything could do that. The worst of Styxx's torment may have started when he was a older than his twin, but it was just as bad. Sherrilyn Kenyon sure likes her tortured heroes. Emphasis on the tortured.

The romance surprised me in that it started so early. Styxx was such a sweet, innocent young lover. His ever-enduring faithfulness was one of my favorite parts of the whole novel. Beth, however, I wanted to smack upside the head. How could she...do something I can't say because of spoilers? She's a goddess and she was with him for years and yet all the while...grr. Not saying anything more. Despite how much she annoyed me at times, I did like her for the most part, except...I find I really can't say much about her without spoilers. Suffice it to say she is not my favorite of Ms. Kenyon's heroines. She seemed a little lacking in the 'heroics' department. However, she did have a good sense of humor and once she...bother. I liked her more in the second half of the book.

The relationship between Ash and Styxx was brilliantly handled. Their interactions were limited, but when they met...oh, boy. Sparks flew in all directions, sometimes literally. It was so easy to see how alike they are, no matter how much they would like to deny it.

I loved, loved, loved how hints and foreshadowing and characters from the previous novels were worked into this book. I won't say what they were, but I am very interested in what will happen next in the series. I have new questions by the bucket load, especially those stemming from a delightfully shocking little revelation. It's going to drive me mad waiting for answers.

Overall, I loved this book. The fact that I got annoyed with characters just made me enjoy it all the more; that made them more human (figuratively speaking). Plus, who doesn't love to yell at fictional characters? I highly recommend Styxx to anyone who likes the rest of the Dark-Hunter series. I would not recommend reading it out of order. It gives away the ending to Acheron, Night Embrace and Devil May Cry as well as other things. Make sure you have a few to several hours (depending on your reading speed) before opening this book. You won't want to stop.

Rating System: Profanity, Sexuality and Violence

1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).

Profanity:

I rate it a 10.10 for strong, frequent language including 108 uses of the f-word (no, I didn't count them all; my kindle did).

Sexuality:

I give it a 10.10 in sexuality for multiple scenes of sexuality and rape, as well as multiple references, innuendos and fade-aways. Most were not graphically described.

Violence:

I rate it a  9.10 for extreme violence including torture and ghastly wounds of all varieties.

                                Lieder Madchen

Book Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Everneath
by Brodi Ashton


Genre: YA Fantasy / Romance / Mythology / Re-telling

Ages: 14 and up

Musical Accompaniment: Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri 

Note: I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.




Description:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her boyfriend—before she’s banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance—and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen.

Everneath is a captivating story of love, loss, and immortality from debut author Brodi Ashton.

My Thoughts:

This book is stunningly beautiful.From the writing and characters to the flawless blending of myth and reality, it is perfect. Not to mention the gorgeous cover, I mean, really, what girl doesn't dream of a dress like that?

What caught me most was the writing. It was dramatic and completely character-centric. No unnecessary words or long, rambling paragraphs. Yet it never felt rushed and flowed naturally throughout. I loved how the author managed to portray such intense emotions with such subtlety. I also truly love what she did with two of my favorite myths, Orpheus and Eurydics and Hades and Persephone.

Nikki is wonderful. She's so quiet that you don't always notice, but she has a will of steel. Knowing that she has little time before she is lost to torment and death, her greatest wish is to make it easier on the people she leaves behind. Especially for Jack.

Ah, Jack. My favorite character. He's a really, really nice guy with hints of a rebel that sneak out with an eyebrow piercing. He doesn't know where Nikki has been for so long, but he knows that she's been hurt. So he is what she needs most; a friend. He never pushes too hard, but he never gives up. He may take a step back at certain revelations, but never for more than a moment.

Cole is an entirely different kettle of fish. He's dark through and through, and has undoubtedly done terrible things, but is he completely irredeemable? Perhaps, perhaps not. It should be...interesting.

I would recommend this book to just about anyone, but especially lovers of mythology and beautiful, beautiful romance. And to people who don't mind shedding a few tears over a magnificent ending.

Rating System: Profanity, Sexuality and Violence 
1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).

Profanity:
I did not notice any swearing.

Sexuality:
I rate it a 2.10 for some hints.

Violence:
I give it a 5.10 for something comparable to murder.

                              Lieder Madchen

Shady Glade's Book Battle Sign-Ups!

Sign-ups are open for the 2012 Book Battle at The Shady Glade! The theme (nominated by yours truly) is retold fairy-tales, myths and legends. If you know of any wonderful books in that genre that you would like to see win, go here to nominate them so they can duke it out for the top spot. If you want to become a judge or moderator, sign up here. I was a judge last year and I'm signed up again. If it is even a fraction of as much fun as it was last time, it will be worth it. So go SIGN UP! And tell Alyssa that Lieder Madchen sent you. :)

Once you have signed up, go here to spread the word and enter to win a book of your choice or a mysterious prize. Good luck and have fun!

                                    Lieder Madchen

Book Review: The Medusa Amulet by Robert Masello

The Medusa Amulet
by Robert Masello

Genre: Historical Fiction / Adventure / Thriller / Mystery / Fantasy / Mythology

Ages: 15 and up

I received an ARC of this novel through Goodreads.

Description:

What begins as a simple investigation quickly spirals into a twisting, turning tale of suspense and intrigue, a race against time that carries Franco across continents and centuries in a desperate search for this ultimate treasure—and a work of unimaginable power . . . and menace.

Aided only by a beautiful young Florentine with a conspirator’s mind and dark secrets, Franco is soon caught up in a life-and-death struggle from which there is no escape. Relentlessly pursued by deadly assassins and demons of his own, in the end he must confront—and defeat—an evil greater than anything conjured in his worst nightmares.

My Review:
This book was a fairly typical action-adventure story with a touch of the supernatural. The plot was interesting and the characters decently written, but there was nothing really special about it. The ending and the identity of the mysterious villain was very predictable but not unsatisfactory.

I rather liked the idea of the Medusa legend being used to give immortality. However, when you have all of the villains in history to choose from, why pick the most obvious? I mean, really, I probably would have guessed his identity even if there weren't a bunch of German-named bad guys running around.

The main characters were both likable and had pretty good chemistry. David was smart and interesting while Olivia was quirky and kind of fun. The only thing that ruined their relationship for me was their names, and that is purely personal. My brother, who is six years older than me, is named David. My sister, who is four years younger than me, is named Olivia. So the scenes where they were kissing - or worse - were just wrong to me.

This book wasn't bad, it just wasn't for me. I would recommend it as a light action thriller for a rainy day.

Content Ratings: Profanity, Sexuality and Violence
1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).

Profanity:
I rate it an 8.10 for multiple uses of the f-word.

Sexuality:
I give it a 6.10 for a vague scene and a couple of fadeaways.

Violence:
I rate it an 8.10 for lots of violence, multiple murders, mutilations and general gore.

                          Lieder Madchen

Book Review #68: Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Acheron

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Genre: Adult Fantasy / Mythology / Romance

Ages: Umm, older than me. By a lot.

Book 12 in the Dark-Hunter Series (Yes, I am reading them out of order)

Amazon Description:

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.



My Review:

Hmm, I am finding it impossible to rate this book. On one side, I would give it 4 stars for great characters, plot and originality. On the other, there were many times I nearly quit reading it in the first half because there was so much utter nastiness going on.

I loved Acheron, Ryssa and Soteria (Tory), but Artemis made me want to vomit, as did several other characters. (Mostly the ones featured in the first half of the book.) Of course, these were the evil characters that made me feel sick, but still.

I found the mixture of mythology and modern action (What isn't there to love about an Atlantean god who dresses like a punk and gets drunk on Sprite?) to be fun and different, but still, there was so much nastiness that I honestly don't know quite what to say about this book. There were some points that were almost physically painful to read, and others that made me laugh. I don't know that I have ever been quite so conflicted over a book before. On one hand it was wonderful, on the other it was awful. Maybe I shall read it again when I am 40 or something.

Content Ratings: Profanity, Sexuality and Violence

1 (mild) through 10 (extreme).

Profanity:

I give this a 9.10 for quite a bit of strong and mid-level profanity.

Sexuality:

10.10. Way too much for me. I was skipping pages like mad.

Violence:

Also a 10.10. It was not so much the quantity of violence as the nature of the violence that earned it this rating. Imagine the worst kinds of torture, multiplied over 20 years and more.

                                                          Lieder Madchen

Book Review #48 King of Ithaka by Tracy Barrett

King of Ithaka
by Tracy Barrett

Genre: YA Fantasy / Greek Mythology / Re-telling
Ages: 13 and up

Telemachos has long been without a father, and Ithaka without a king. Now, with suitors threatening to force his mother, Penelopeia, into marriage in order to take the kingship, Telemachos has to find out why Odysseus never returned.

Aided by a centaur and a runaway, guided only a seer's cryptic advice, he sets sail for the court of Nestor. On the way they encounter many bizarre creatures, but their biggest danger may be from their fellow men.

I have always loved Greek mythology and the Odyssey in particular. The strange lands and stranger people have a way of sparking the imagination and creating new dreams and worlds in your mind. Telemachus and Penelope, or, in this instance, Telemachos and Penelopeia, have always interested me more than Odysseus. He was off having adventures for years, while his son grew up without a father and his wife kept the kingdom together as best she could without a husband. It was interesting to read about what life might have been like for them.

This book is written in a modern style, with Telemachos and his friends speaking and behaving like modern teenagers. He spies on girls and steals alcohol, goofing off like any other 16-year-old boy might, but he isn't what I would call wild. He is very much  a boy at he beginning, but hardships and experience set him on the road to being a man.

There is just a little bit of romance in this novel, but that is not what the story is about. It is about learning what is more important than strength, courage, and generosity. It is about learning to see reality instead of building too much on wishes and beliefs. It is about learning to stand on your own two feet, but still understanding the value of friends.

Content Ratings:

I give this a 1.10 in profanity for some brief mild language.


This book rates a 2.10 in sexuality for some references and innuendos, mostly of the teenager variety, but also some oblique references to prostitution.

There are several scenes of violence, most of them mild, as well as murder and attempted murder.

                                              Lieder Madchen