Acheron (Dark-Hunter, Book 12) [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover]

Sherrilyn Kenyon (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 5, 2008

The most anticipated story in the blockbuster Dark-Hunter series. The never-before-revealed story of the Dark-Hunter leader, Acheron.  He was made human in order to escape death, but in death he was reborn a god. . .

 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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

PRAISE FOR SHERRILYN KENYON

"Kenyon is the reigning queen of the vampire novel."--Barbara Vey, Publishers Weekly

“An engaging read.”—Entertainment Weekly on Devil May Cry

“Kenyon’s writing is brisk, ironic, sexy, and relentlessly imaginative. These are not your mother’s vampire novels.”—The Boston Globe on Dark Side of the Moon

 

From the Back Cover

Finally, the story of the Dark-Hunter leader, Acheron, is revealed…

He was made human in order to escape death.

Eleven thousand years ago, a god was born. Cursed into the body of a human, Acheron spent a lifetime of shame. But the strongest steel is forged from the fires of hell…

But in death, he was reborn a god...

Acheron’s human death unleashed an unspeakable horror that almost destroyed the earth. Then, brought back against his will, he became the sole defender of mankind. Only it was never that simple. For centuries, Acheron 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.

“Brisk, ironic, sexy, and relentlessly imaginative.”—Boston Globe

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 736 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; First Edition edition (August 5, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312362153
• ISBN-13: 978-0312362157
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 2.2 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (712 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,375 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In the past two years, New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon has claimed the #1 spot twelve times. This extraordinary bestseller continues to top every genre she writes. With more than 23 million copies of her books in print in over 30 countries, her current series include: The Dark-Hunters, The League, Lords of Avalon, BAD Agency and the Chronicles of Nick. Since 2004, she has placed over 50 novels on the New York Times list. The preeminent voice in paranormal fiction, with more than twenty years of publishing credits, Kenyon not only helped to pioneer, but define the current paranormal trend that has captivated the world.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#10 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

#22 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#28 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#30 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#69 in Books > Teens

#10 in Books > Romance > Fantasy & Futuristic

#22 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#28 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#30 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#69 in Books > Teens

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 71 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The epic continues April 9, 2009

By Lauren Clozza

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Acheron is the latest romp in the Dark Hunter series. This is the book that answers all the questions about the book's protagonist, Ash. I must admit, the first half of the book is very sombering...the tortre Ash must endure is heart-wrenching. Yet, if it was not for all Ash had endured...would he be the same god we have come to love? Everyone who reads the series knows Ash is a god; they know who his parents are...yet as the God of Destruction he does have a kinder side for the meek and defenseless. And while it is the humans that tortre him...he still defends and protects them. Case in point: Tory is Ash's equal and while searching for the mythical land of Atlantis she makes some amazing discoveries...and while Ash feels for her, he must discredit her in order to save the humans and the earth. Yet his curiousness for her is unending and he asks Savitar for enlightenment on why Ash can't foresee Tory's future. Tory sees Ash as the perfect companion and delves into his past to understand the mangod. Acheron is a great addition to the series and while it does answer some questions...it raises many more. I can only say that I am glad the series continues and can't wait to find out what is coming next...maybe Artemis will finally get what's coming to her. One can only hope! --- Another book I would highly recommend is--Sirens-- by Geo Tin: Sirens (Mass Market)--a great novel that follows the same formula of mythology.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Acheron- A Joyfully Recommended Title November 20, 2008

By M. Nix

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Eleven thousand years ago, Archon's three illegitimate daughters, The Fates, accidentally cursed Archon and Apollymi's son Apostolos. The curse would kill them all so Archon wanted the babe killed. To save her unborn child, Apollymi had the infant raised by mortals. When Apostolos and his twin brother Styxx were born it was apparent that Apostolos was not identical in every way to his twin. To them, he was an abomination. He was named after the River of Woe. They called him Acheron.

Present Day:

Eleven thousand years is not long enough to banish the horror of his past. Acheron doesn't get close to anyone and he doesn't trust. He still thinks he is unworthy of love. Then he meets Dr. Soteria Kafieri. Tori is an archeologist trying to uncover the mysteries of Atlantis. She is determined to finish her father's work and bring dignity back to her family. Acheron is determined to keep his past hidden. If it means ruining Tori's good name to do it, so be it. Tori uncovers more than ancient artifacts. She now has the power to destroy Acheron and the world, but she doesn't know it. As they begin to fight a battle that will either save or kill them all, Tori becomes the one person who may finally be able to save Acheron.

Acheron is the baddest of the bad boys. He's sex personified. To see him is to want him. He is a legend in any time. He rules with righteous indignation and he never breaks a promise. Acheron is one of the most compelling characters I've ever read about and as such his story needed to be as well. Acheron is that, and more. Part one delves into Acheron's past. It's brutal, agonizing, and terribly unjust. No mere mortal could have survived such pain and torture. Acheron is constantly persecuted and violated. It is emotionally draining to read.... He suffers unimaginable pain and anguish. He brings new meaning to the phrase "tortured hero". Sherrilyn Kenyon excels at creating descriptive scenes and imaginative characters. Part two is just as thrilling and action-packed as all of the Dark Hunter stories. Battles, car chases, gods, demons, and more make every page exciting. At first, I wasn't sure how things would work between Tori and Acheron, but Tori quickly proved to be the perfect woman for him. Her strength and compassion shines on every page. After reading Acheron my hatred of Artemis is justified, and even if Acheron weren't a god, he still would be to me. There is no man more appealing, more charming, or more sexy than him. There is also no one more deserving of a happily ever after. Acheron is a story of revelations and confirmations. Questions are finally answered and doubts are cast aside as Acheron's story is told in its brilliant entirety. If you thought you loved him before, wait until you read this! Sherrilyn Kenyon raises the bar once again with Acheron. It is an epic tale that surpassed my highest hopes. It totally rocks!

Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed Read more ›

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Acheron - I didn't want the book to end! August 6, 2008

By Michelle Radtke

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I spent August 5th into the 6th reading Acheron and was not disappointed in the least with the story line. Acheron's past is what it was and needed to be explained in the graphic detail that it was. In fact, SK was pretty tame in my opinion of the sexual horrors that Ash underwent as a human. I was pleased to see that she talked to the reader prior to the start of the book and gave us a warning of the darkness that was part of Acheron from his past and that it wouldn't be a pretty picture. Acheron's past made up who he was in the present and NEEDED to be explained the way it was and in doing so answered so many questions of mine from the DH series. The present storyline of the book wowed me as well and I did a happy dance to know that his heroine was who I thought she would be! Past DH characters were brought into the storyline and Simi as usual came thru as endearing and funnier than hell like all good quality demons should be! Acheron was a FANTASTIC read and wrapped up the DH portion of the series nicely. I'm still thinking about the book today and continue to wait with anticipation on where the series will lead too next. Congrats to SK on a job well done and thanks for taking me along for the ride. I wouldn't have missed reading the DH series for the world.

71 of 91 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Years of anticipation....Sapped of life in one day December 23, 2008

By Avid Bookworm

Format:Hardcover

Acheron (Dark-Hunter, Book 12)

First, I would like to say that I am a Sherrilyn Kenyon/Dark Hunter RABID FAN. I buy all her books the day they hit the store, and even have my copy pre-paid and special ordered to ensure that I get a copy whenever possible.
I waited for Ash's story with the anticipation of a child for Christmas to hurry up and get here...only to find coal in my stocking.
This book ACHERON in one word: VAPID
Ash's story was to be the BE ALL of all the Dark Hunter books. He was the leader. He was ALL POWERFUL. He was a GOD....
He was a wimp in "Acheron" and his love interest Tory was weak. Ash's powers in previous DH books were more impressive than used in his own story. His battle was to be so much more intense and harder to overcome than those previous stories he participated in, only to be a big flop. The plot was thrown together. The story was more about his horrid and abusive past and what made him the Dark Hunter Leader. 400+ pages of anguish that could have been done in far less pages and then 400+ pages of sappy wounded animal and weak dim wittedness. It was like 2 stories in one. The first half/story was overkill. The second half/story felt like a "hurry up and get this over with" story. I can not express how sloppy and poorly written the story/plot and character development was for this book.
Recent books by Sherrilyn Kenyon have been rather weak in their story lines, as though they are hurried stories rather than well thought out characters and plots. ACHERON was the worst of them. To have grown to love the Dark Hunters, the characters webbed through the books, the intense stories...... and to be rewarded with the most anticipated story of the series being a HUGE disappointment.
I can only hope that Miss Kenyon takes a moment to look back at her older DH books and then look at the vapidness of her most recent ones and does her fans a favor by adding more heart and thought to her stories, even if that means slowing down. I, for one, would rather wait longer for a better story than to pay $30 for a vapid disappointment. Read more ›