Customer Reviews

Night Embrace

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(39)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Sherrilyn Kenyon has created an alternate world of the paranormal. For those readers who enjoy the vampire/action/love story, this series is quite refreshing. The author uses Greek Mythology to create the Dark Hunters a group of men and women who defend humanity from the things that go bump in the night. Dark Hunters surrender their souls to the Greek goddess Artemis when they die and in turn become immortal with all sorts of powers. Each book can be read on its own although there are recurring characters from previous books and broad hints about what is to come with others.

Talon, the main character in Night Embrace, appeared as a side kick for Kyrian in Night Pleasures. Talon was a Celtic tribal chieftan and warrior who was killed by an evil cousin who wished to take over the tribe; in the process his younger sister was slaughtered in front of him. To make matters worse, the Celtic war god cursed Talon for killing his son in a battle. Therefore, Talon is doomed to have any human that he loves die. For centuries he fights Daimons (evil soul stealing descendents of Atlantis) and is very much satisfied with his life.

Naturally, he meets his soul mate and all his carefully buried emotions come roaring back at a very inopportune time for a being whose career is defending humanity. While the characters are what could only be called ultra-alfa males they all have crippling weaknesses and the author uses humor very, very effectively to relieve the horrendously sad existence that most of the Dark Hunters live.

Kenyon's world is totally outrageous and great fun. It is a tribute to her judicious use of humor and mythology that the reader buys into the fantasy. Furthermore, she really knows her mythology because a quick check on some of her inferences and references revealed that Kenyon had done her homework. And finally the world of the Dark Hunter appears to be very complete in the author's mind. The back story is clear so she avoids the problem of dates that don't match or inconsistent myths to support the story. Finally, these are hot books not meant for children although the entire love story is about redemption and finding THE one person that completes the hero and heroine. Definitely a five star keeper.

All I can say is Oh dear LORD... Excellent, superb, amazing writing is here. Sherrilyn Kenyon is such an awesome writer, I can't get over it - and I'm DYING for the Zarrick tale to get out. This story was great, just absolutely phenomenal, as were the other books (I haunt the book stores, waiting for the next novel to come out, buying it the first day - I'm insane like that), and I'm ALWAYS left wanting more! I finish one of her books and then turn it over and begin again.
Very humourous, mixed with serious feelings and plenty o' action, nothing's lacking. I've found Talon incredibly sexy since he was introduced in previous novels, and I was SO glad when this one came out. (And I could totally relate to his love for chicory coffee and beignets! YUM!)

Talon's ego in the beginning was so hilarious, especially his tripped-up thoughts on Sunshine's nonchalant attitude after their hot christening of every available surface in Sunshine's apartment.
Another thing I loved about this novel was Sherrilyn's descriptions of her characters - Sunshine being a "real woman with curves" instead of the slender sticks I usually read about, and the wolf's amazing attraction to the "plus-size model" woman. Of course, her description of Talon's nicely sculpted body wasn't bad either ;-).
I'm also glad Talon recognized his weakness of not being able to leave Sunshine...
Okay, I have NO idea what I'm trying to say but that the Dark-Hunter series is absolutely AWESOME!! If you EVER get a chance to read it, please do so, it's not a waste of time. I am also a very huge fan of Nora Roberts - and if you are, too, you're tastes probably run along the same lines so... you'll probably agree with me when I say sherrilyn kenyon is one of the best.

I have waited impatiently for Talon's story and now that I had the opportunity to read this book, it has made my faith in Sherrylin's talent even stronger. Talon, first introduced in Night Pleasure (Kyrian's story) is enjoying his chicorry coffee and warm beignets at Cafe Du Monde, while taling to his best friend Wulf on the phone. He notices a group of Diamons waiting to make a meal out of any tourist. Regretting having to leave his warm cofee and beignets, he gets to meet a woman who turns his life upside down. Sunshine Runningwolf is a starving artist who has " the attention span of a sick flea." After their meeting, Talon can't keep Sunshine out of his head, while their enemy have their own plans to destroy them both. Cumulus, a Celtic God who hates Talon and has vowed to make him and his suffer, and Dyonisus, a Greek God wanting to gain his Godhood, join forces with Stynx. Stynx wants to keep Talon and Acheron occupied while he sets his plans to get vengaence.This book is fantastic from beginning to end, it grabs your attention completely and sets in motion a joyride that will keep you glued to your seat. "Night Embrace" has so many aspects that you will be dumstruck once you start reading.
In this book we finally get to meet Zarek, the psychotic SOB, according to Nick. Valerius, the Roman general who both Kyrian and Julian would die to get their hands on. And Vane and his brother Fang, Katagari slayers who help Talon and Acheron more than once. These characters will turn this book into an enjoyable ride for the readers as it delves more deeply into the personalities of each one of them
This book is so multifaceted, first we have the wit and humor the characters posses, and then we have the seriousness and the danger. Both being opposite extremes that anyone will be able to enjoy.
The ending blew me away since it has the most heart wrenching scenes I have ever read, especially Acheron's. The ending is the essence of the book and it's well worth anything since it gives you what I consider one of the best parts of the book and scenes that will be unforgettable for anyone reading it. You don't even have to like the book to consider the last scenes the best you have ever read.
What I appreciated mostly in this installment on the Dark Hunter Series was how the reader gets to know more of Acheron's past and the many demons that haunt him. Since "Night Pleasures" Acheron became one of my favorite characters and learning more of him in this book became a treat. The book really gets you to understand many of his peculiar actions and you finally discover what his real hair color is. For that you will have to read, I will not spoil it. Now, I'm waiting for the next installment, Zarek's story, which I'm sure will be just as enjoyable and fun packed as Talon's.
I really recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance, with a lot of action and Greek and Cetic gods messing with people's lives. It's one of the best books I have read and one of the only ones that have held me entralled to know what happens next. I rarely find a book that could fill up my expectations, but believe me, "Night Embrace" will do much more than that. It will break your heart and then mend it again. Yes, it is that good.

Ana Rodriguez

What do you get when you take a Dharma character (In this case Sunshine our heroine) and Talon the sexy Dark Hunter? Answer: A book that you will not be able to put down regardless of what you have to do or should do. Ignore the ringing phone, the laundry, and all the other chaos that makes up your day and read this book!

Ms. Kenyon manages to take her quirky humor, fun characters, and sexy hero's and combine them all into a fast paced read that transports you to present day New Orleans and makes you wish for a dark hunter all your own. Old friends from her previous dark hunter books (Julian, Kyrian, and Nick) visit and add their own mark to the story.

Sunshine is a new age, health food loving artist who is the product of flower children parents. She is friends with Selena (Fantasy Lover) and comes across some Daimon's on her way to a coffee house (she hates coffee but her friends love it). Talon comes to her rescue but get injured by a mardi gras float so Sunshine takes him home to her Pink loft. Talon awakens in a pink nightmare but is instantly drawn to Sunshine. He can't help his feeling for her despite the oath that he took and the promise never to feel again. Ms. Kenyon then gives us a lot of background information about Talon's past which is heart breaking and makes you understand why Talon is the way he is and you find yourself cheering Sunshine on in her attempt to win the heart of her dark hunter. Soon they realize that they share more of a past then either one of them thought which adds to the excitement of evil that is lurking in the shadows of the French Quarter.

This book is action packed and I can't wait for the next installment of this series. Do yourself a HUGE favor and add this book to your MUST READ list! You won't be sorry!!

Since stumbling across Sherri's website almost 2 years ago I have read almost everything she has written, and have never once been disapointed. NE was probably one of the best of the lot!!

All too often romance books are nothing but cookie cutter versions of each other, but not one of Sherri's. The whole series has been carefully planned out, and in conjuction with the website http://dark-hunter.com a whole other world is opened up to the reader.

Reading NE was like taking a trip back through New Orleans as Sherri captured it outstandingly, (of course she lived there for so long it shouldn't have been hard) every scene could be so clearly seen in my mind. Sunshine, while slightly ditzy, was a refreshing change from the usual boring advertising executive or marketing type heroines we are subjected too.

Talon, Acheron, Nick, Zarek, Val, Kyrian...each of them all have unique powers, coming from their unique differences, which will lead to unique stories.

Although it is adviceable to read the books in the right order, Fantasy Lover, Night Pleasures followed by Night Embrace, the books will still be an amazing read on their own.

I rate NE as a 5 star book because Sherri has taken the time (about 20 years or so) to combine real greek mythology into a highly believeable and proveable vampire series with a real twist. Those of us with imagination will never ever be disapointed reading a book by Sherrilyn Kenyon!!!

Alright, so I'm probably a total dork when it comes to Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series BUT...did you know that you can read a few of her novels at the same time? Night Embrace & Kiss of the Night ( Talon's best buddy Wulf's story) start at almost the exact same point time in the Dark-Hunter world. Zarek's story, Dance with the Devil, bridges the two.

Cope with me , I know it is geeky, but if you carefully switch off between the three- chapter by chapter- you learn a lot more about the characters in the series ( namely Acheron) AND the series as a whole makes a hell of a lot more sense!

If you've lived under a rock & haven't read Night embrace before, this is the 3rd book in Kenyon's addicting series. It follows Talon, a celtic warrior who was so terribly betrayed by his own family that 1500 years later as a vampire-esque Dark-Hunter he still feels the pain. Protecting the citizens of New Orleans during the annual Mardi-gras celebration, our vampire vigialante is run down by a float due to some mischievious gods hatching a plan. Coming to his rescue is Sunshine Runningwolf, artist, great character, & Talon's wife re-encarnated!

With steamy love scenes, action, fights, mythical gods, demons, werewolves, & vampires how could this book be anything but a winner? If you don't have a copy what are you waiting for?

Check out the other Dark-Hunter novels in chronological order:

Fantasy Lover - Julian's Story

Night Pleasures - Kyrian

*Dragonswan - (a Tapestry anthology recently published as a full novel)

Night Embrace - Talon

Phantom Lover - V'Aiden (in anthology Midnight Pleasures)

Dance with the Devil - Zarek

Kiss of the Night - Wulf

Night Play - Vane

Stroke of Midnight (anthology containing short story of were-panthers)

Seize the Night - Valerius

Sins of the Night - Dangerouse & Alexion

Unleash the Night - Wren ( 2nd were story)

Dark Side of the Moon - Ravvyn ( 3rd were story due out in May 2006)

Okay, I must not be the target audience for the Dark-Hunter series. I rate it 3, maybe 3.5 stars tops. I should have stopped when the hero describes the heroine as smelling like patchouli and turpentine - I did not relate to artist, Sunshine at all!

The premise of this paranomal series is good and I really liked Fantasy Lover, but some of the "hip" dialogue and repetitive adjectives in this book get a little old after awhile. Similar to Night Pleasures, this is an average story strung together by several Hot sex scenes - I do have to give the author credit for doing those well! I liked Talon, adore Acheron, and like Zarek. I know Zarek will be featured in another book and eventually Ash will have his own story, so I will probably continue reading the series to see how things play out.

I give this book three stars for the cheesey humour (though really it leans much closer to getting 2 stars than 3) - it does provide cheap entertainment, and I'm tempted to think the writer is purposely writing a parody of the romance genre - but I'm not sure. It's hard to believe the relationship between her two main characters, as from the start of the book, the male lead is nothing but a walking gigantic erection, and the female lead is throbbing with painful need to be taken by the male lead from the word "go". I do wish the author had spent more time developing the characters as believable in their interaction with each other. I've read other books in this series - and its the same for those as well. The only saving grace is the campy humour of it and the side characters, in terms of keeping me reading. I find I'm skimming past "the good parts" of the book to get back to the cheesey dialogue. Actually - the sex scenes get on my nerves too. Its the same thing over and over again - and what's with all the constant hissing, growling, and moaning. All the main lead has to do is look at the main female lead, and she's either moaning with desire or hissing with desire... which then makes the male lead growl with desire. It gets old fast, and continues to add to the flat dimensions of the characters. As a couple, they are completely unbelievable. I find myself rooting for the bad guys to succeed in their diabolical schemes. At least the villains in the book are more fun to read about.

I was also annoyed by the reincarnation bit in here - not because I have issues with it in general - but how it was used in this book. From the moment the characters were on the page, the writer rammed it down our throats about how this flighty female lead was Talon's soul mate via the rebirth of his dead wife. Where's the artistry in the storytelling? It was just ridiculously unbelievable in terms of their relationship. I have certainly read much worse though, so I can't give it below 2 stars - but I've also read much better. I've read better from this author, actually... so I'm wondering if this book was just something she shot out to hit a deadline. I will try some of the other books in this series, to see if they get better - but I suspect I'll be checking them out from the library, rather then spending the money on them.
For a really good vampire/paranormal romance with some substance, I would recommend Halfway to the Grave: A Night Huntress Novel by Jeaniene Frost - or some of Laurell K. Hamilton's early Anita Blake series - before it started getting into the group orgy stuff.

You're sitting all alone somewhere. Perhaps a waiting room, maybe it's jury selection, whatever. You're alone with your thoughts. Then a stranger walks in. She sits down and proceeds to describe her sexual fantasies to you in graphic detail. Her fetish is bad-boy bikers. Leather-clad, tatoo-covered, extremely muscular, very tall men with penises that go "wall to wall." Her fantasy is the guy who gets around. She wants a guy who can go all night until she is "bow legged." You sit there praying your cell phone would ring, a fire alarm would sound, you start to have a stroke, anything just to get away from the creepy woman. I could never be a therapist!

Now you know the experience of reading Night Embrace. Sherrilyn Kenyon has crafted a world with all the depth of the old Hollywood movies. You know, where the buildings were nothing but facade? The setting is New Orleans, but only to fit in Mardi Gras. Otherwise, there is zero atmosphere. There, a vampire (OK, not exactly, but he's basically a vampire) named Talon. He's rescued by an artist named Sunshine. Sunshine is a rip-off of Dharma Finkelstein, only more of a tramp and far less witty. In one really creepy scene, she and her mother discuss Talon's penis size while he stands before them naked. Apparently, this book was written for goldfish, as we get repetitive descriptions of his naked body roughly every three seconds. In the rare moments not spent describing Talon's body, we get a couple of tidbits about his character. For example, since everyone around him has died, he has learned to suppress all feeling. Well, except for envy, pain, happiness, sadness, anger, fear, pleasure... He's practically Vulcan. Then he meets Sunshine. It's lust at first sight. And then, like with all one-night-stands, they fall in love and live happily ever after. OK, I'm just assuming that. Fortunately, I realized that I didn't have to be having a stroke to get out of this conversation. All I had to do was put down the book. So, after two days of wading through Kenyon's sordid fantasy life, I broke free!

Now, I'm off to find a good book...

I LOVED this book. I love all of her Dark Hunter books so far, but this one is the absolute best! I was cracking up while I read it. It was absolutely hilarious. When Zarek comes to town and meets up with Talon, Ash and Valerius I was literally laughing out loud. Sherrilyn Kenyon truly has an amazing way with words. In this one book alone she made me laugh (very hard), cry (almost), get angry, smile, and wish that the world she has created were real. I would reccommend this book to anyone. It is sure to delight romance fans, action/suspense fans and vampire fiction fans alike. The only problem I had with it was that I wanted to find out more about Zarek and especially Ash. I can't wait until the next book "Dance With the Devil" (Zarek's story) comes out! I will wait with bated breat until next December. She is supposed to write a story about Ash, and I cannot wait for that one. READ THIS BOOK, you WON'T be disappointed. I'd give it a million stars but the limit is five.