Customer Reviews

The Dark-Hunters, Vol. 1 (Dark-Hunter Manga)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

WOW - I have to say I was astonished at how well done this manga is. I love Kenyon's Dark Hunter series of novels, and I was excited but hesitant about the prospect of them being adapted as manga (and not comics as many other bestselling series are, such as Anita Blake). Thought I love the full-color that comics come in, the black and white manga seems to flow better and allow the story to be equal to the art.

First, this was an excellent adapatation. I had only intended to glance through it when it arrived yesterday, but instead found myself reading straight to the end! The Dark Hunter series has a lot of underlying mythology that is important to the storyline - in particular, Kenyon's twist on vampires. The manga managed to capture the key parts without losing the richness of the original novels. It also retained the humor found throughout the series. This volume adapts the first half of "Night Pleasures," and even though I already know how it ends, I can hardly wait for volume 2. This manga has a more noticeable amount of text due to the necessary backround information, but it was presented in a good way.

Second, Kenyon was careful to stay true to manga's Japanese origins. The manga reads right to left, and according to her website the artist is Japanese, and subsequently so is the art style. The quality of the paper and printing is very high. I didn't notice any typos, and the text was clear even in the wordy sections. The art is fantastic. I love how the artist rendered the characters, especially Tabitha (goth chick). The characters have the quality many describe as anime (big eyes, expressive faces, teenage-looking). Though I liked it, it took some getting used to after reading the books and imagining them differently. I do wish the cover was a little more flashy (as volume 2's cover looks to be).

Fans of the novels should really enjoy the manga, but newcomers unfamiliar with the series can also enjoy it. Though I recommend reading the books as well (because they are just so good!), the manga can stand alone and be enjoyed without the books. Highly recommended!

While Kyrian of Thrace was out fighting the Romans, his wife was at home welcoming them into her bed. For a chance to kill the wife who betrayed him, Kyrian swore his allegiance to Artemis and fights as a Dark-Hunter in her army against the daimon predators. Artemis has Kyrian's soul and he is immortal until something finally kills him. Believing all women are treacherous, Kyrian has spent over twenty-one hundred years alone. Every night Kyrian prowls the streets protecting humans from, not only the normal evils of humanity's nature, but also from daimons out to steal their very souls. After being ambushed one night, Kyrian wakes to find himself handcuffed to a beautiful human female.

Amanda Devereaux just wants to be normal. The rest of her large family can practice spells, hunt vampires, and do all the paranormal stuff. Amanda has rejected and suppressed her powers since she was a child. Unfortunately for her, fate will not leave her in peace. Mistaken for her vampire hunting sister, Tabitha, Amanda is kidnapped and handcuffed to the most handsome and arrogant man she has ever laid eyes on. As much as she hates the thought, Amanda and Kyrian are stuck with each other. Once free of the cuffs, Amanda is still marked for death. By day she can go and do whatever she pleases, but until Kyrian can find and kill the daimons toying with them, Amanda must spend her nights either by Kyrian's side or within his fortress of a home. Amanda is the key to everything. Should Amanda die, so does Kyrian, and humanity is doomed.

***** FIVE STARS! I have always wanted to read the Dark-Hunters series, but never had the time. So I am thrilled to find out that the series is being released as a graphic novel, manga style. Manga style basically means everything is backwards. The beginning of this graphic novel is where the back normally is. The right page is read before the left page. On each page you must read/view the panels right-to-left as well. Do not worry. Within a single minute you will have the rhythm and the action begins.

This volume is NOT a stand-alone story. It ends at a dramatic spot and will be continued in the next volume. This manga novel does not just ooze drama; it hemorrhages with excitement in a paranormal world that will surprise you. Most excellent! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Adapting a book series into graphic novels can go either way -- you might get a "Dresden Files," but you also might get saddled with an "Anita Blake."

Fortunately Sherrilyn Kenyon's adaptation goes more the way of the former. "Dark Hunters 1," a manga adaptation of the second book of in her Dark Hunters series, is a thoroughly solid fantasy story that mingles Grecian-inspired fantasy, action and some sizzly romance -- and the main problem is that some of the characters are from Kenyon's first book, which leads to some headscratchers if you haven't read it.

Since her twin sister is a hardcore vampire hunter and her family is immersed in the supernatural, Amanda Deveraux has always revelled in the normal (even though her resolutely normal, boring fiance ditched her).

Then one night she gets mistaken for her sister clubbed on the head, and finds herself handcuffed to a brain-meltingly gorgeous man who also happens to be a vampire. Or rather, a Dark Hunter named Kyrian. Not only must they escape the warehouse and get to safety, but they must find a way to uncuff themselves... which is a bit difficult since they were made by the god Hephaestus, only a god or a Hephaestus-forged key can free them. Cue awkwardness.

Unfortunately, the cuffs are only one problem -- there's an evil Apollite intending to kill Kyrian and his comrades in arms, and Amanda's sister Tabitha might be the next target. Reluctantly Amanda becomes involved in the world of the paranormal, especially since she's falling in love with Kyrian despite his sarcasm and chilliness. But he has some nasty issues with women that the centuries haven't erased...

Personally I've never gotten around to reading the Dark Hunters series, or any of Sherrilyn Kenyon's other books, so I came into "The Dark Hunters Volume 1" not really knowing much about the plot. Fortunately this manga translates the story so well that even a newcomer can understand what's going on, although I have to say that I was a bit befuddled by the references to Kenyon's first Dark Hunters book (like Julian -- what exactly is the story with this guy?).

Joshua Hale Fialkov does an excellent job adapting Kenyon's story into manga form -- there's a solid mix of romance, action (an explosive car chase in Kyrian's Lamborghini) and comedy from the usual hijinks that come from being handcuffed together ("I can't go with you standing there!"). What's more, there's some well-written exposition on what the Dark Hunters and Apollites are, how they came to be (lots and lots of Greek mythology!), and their strengths and weaknesses.

Claudia Campos' art is also quite good -- it's fairly realistic and very well-drawn, with lots of sharp black lines and strong definition. And there's some manga influence: some big eyes, pretty swirly hair, and some gruesome moments as we see how Kyrian died. I was rather distracted by Amanda's now-you-see-them-now-you-don't lips, though.

The main characters are also pretty good. Amanda is a pretty ordinary young woman with a boring job and life... as well as plenty of guts, courage and freaky relatives/friends. And while he sounds like a standard romance trope (bad boy with a heart of gold and a tragic past), Kyrian is a pretty well-done character -- he's gloriously sexy and sarcastic ("Oh gods, I kissed a human!") and after many a dropped hint, Kenyon reveals just how he got so cynical about women. Well, who can blame him?

"Dark Hunter 1" is a solid manga adaptation of Sherrilyn Kenyon's book, although it's likely to leave you howling in frustration when you hit the big fat cliffhanger. Definitely worth reading.

I enjoyed this adaptation of SK's book Night Pleasures. But like so many others, faded pages, two blank pages and etc. I did enjoy it despite the printing issues.

And I look forward to the following volumes.

It finally arrived. Long awaited and delayed two months. The good news is that is was a good interpretation of the first half of Night Pleasures. The bad news is there are several pages that were faded and two that were practically blank. I expected this to also be the entirety of Night Pleasures, but alas, it's not. Here's the kicker. Don't be angry at Amazon for this one, folks. Locally, Barnes and Nobles had five copies of this book and, you guessed it, all five were misprints.

Normally with my reviews I like to summarize the plot a bit in my own words to start it out but for some reason I just don't think this one needs it. If you read the blurb for this manga version of the already very popular Dark-Hunters novel, Night Pleasures, you can get a pretty decent idea of what this manga is about. Why? Because they've done such a great job of translating the novel into a manga.

It's been a few years since I read Night Pleasures but it all came flooding back when I picked this manga up. I'm very new to the manga format but it really has been growing on me. It's fun to see a 'comic book' version of a story I've already enjoyed and they've made it teen friendly! The sensuality is toned down and the nudity is carefully hidden making this a great one for younger readers who might not be ready to trudge into the Dark-Hunter novels which do get a bit erotic at times.

Fans of vampires and manga should definitely pick this one up, even if they've never heard of the Dark-Hunters series. The mythos is well done and the series has great characters and romance. I do feel that if you're a fan of the series but don't care for comic books and such this one isn't for you. Some readers who aren't familiar with manga may find the backwards to front layout confusing and annoying. I did love the art though and can't wait to pick up the next installment!

As a companion to Night Pleasures, the first book in the Dark Hunters series, this is enjoyable. It's a quick retelling of the first part of Kyrian and Amanda's story. The art is quirky and entertaining. For someone unfamiliar with the story, though, it might feel a bit thin. There's simply not enough room for art AND the whole story.

My recommendation is existing fans pick this one up. Newcomers to the Dark Hunters series should start with the novel.

Let me say that I am in no way a huge Manga fan. My daughter reads Manga and she is constantly trying to get me to try them. I on the other hand, would rather have a book rich in words than a book rich in illustrations. Call it the bookworm in me, but books are made to be read, not to enjoy an illustration with dialogue like a comic book. So after constant nagging from my daughter, I caved into to reading a Manga novel. I did have one requirement -- it has to be a Manga based on a book by an author I know. So decided to start my Manga journey with The Dark-Hunters series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

While I wasn't a big fan of the illustration -- due to the fact that Kyrian looked too girlish ---the writing was actually great. Granted, author Sherrilyn Kenyon edited this book and it was from her voice, so it made it a better experience than what it would have been if done by just any Manga author I think. I loved the witty dialogue throughout the Manga that was true to the authors voice. I actually read it so fast that the book was devoured within an hour.

If you are skeptic in reading Manga, I suggest that you do the same thing I did and read a Manga book from an author you love already. Consider it an easier transition into the world of illustrated and comic book feel of books.

got some bugs that need to be worked out for kindle edition. did a fairly good job of adapting night pleasures to manga. if you enjoy the series and like manga DEFINETLY get this. (just get the actual book and not the kindle version)

I originalally purchased this book by mistake, didn't realize what it was, but to my amazment I really enjoyed it. I plan to buy other volumes.