Customer Reviews

Night Play (Dark-Hunter, Book 6)

5 star:		(98)
4 star:		(36)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I had no intention of reading any of the Dark Hunter books because I thought they would be too mushy and full of sex for my tastes. I happened to read the reviews and was livid over some of the remarks. These reviewers didn't like Bride being a size 18 because that's . . .uh . . .obese. I bought the book and expected to read about a huge woman waddling across the room crying over her weight all through the book. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Vane, a were-hunter, had just lost his sister. His brother retreated into a coma in wolf form after he and Vane escaped death at their father's command. Vane's mother hated him and also tried to kill him. Having never known parental love nor acceptance from anybody but his sister and brother, Vane was feeling pretty low and hopeless when he saw Bride. He was attracted to her and found himself in her store. Bride was flabbergasted at the attention he was giving her because he was the best looking man she had ever seen. Of course she was going to worry about her size, but she did NOT moan and groan about it any more than was normal. Of course she wanted to be smaller and felt inferior. The reviewer who would like to lose ten pounds has no idea how a size 18 feels. Bride knew there were a lot of people out there like a couple of the reviewers and she couldn't believe he would love her for herself. Gasp! Perish the thought!

Though I thought the first sex scene happened too fast, I enjoyed the book and plan to get the rest of the books in the series. I don't like sex overkill (think the last 3 Anita Blake books ) but I did like this book. Too bad there aren't more Vanes walking around. Maybe there wouldn't be so many people with body image hang-ups.

Ms. Kenyon is an amazing talent in the genre of paranormal romance! I wish she could turn these dark-hunter stories out faster! Night Play is a Were-Hunter story and is amazing as any of the previous stories in this series! Normally I tend to get bored with a series if it drags on to much...this is SO not the case with Ms. Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series.

This book has it all! Yummy dark hero, Vane who we met in Talon's story (who just so happens to be a wolf, Vane not Talon) yummy dark secondary characters (Fang, Fury...), a great heroine named Bride (who is not a perfect size 2 but instead a woman that is more average then we really want to admit too), and a storyline that is action-packed as well as the added historical detail to the myth of the Were-Hunter! Vane and Bride have incredible chemistry, and their romance not only made me laugh out loud a few times, it also made me sigh! *AH, ROMANCE*

If you have been a die hard loyal reader of Ms. Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series this is a must read that you need to pick up. If you are new to the very talented author, and her great series, then get ready to order her older stories. Old friends, and favorite characters are included in this story, and we are even introduced to new characters. Plenty of potential for new stories for this series! I'm so excited!!!

This was a very fast read, and one that I was loathed to put down until the last page. This is one author, and one series that I highly recommend without any reservations to the romance reading fan!

Official reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

Like many that have been waiting most impatitently for Vane's book I didn't put it down until I had read it from cover to cover. A fantastic book!!!!

Night Play continues on the legend that is the Dark-Hunters, Were-Hunters, Dream-Hunters and the gods and fates that still love to meddle in the lifes of us mere mortals. The main story between that of Vane and his heroine Bride is one many can relate to. Bride isn't a "perfect" model thin heroine with superficial woes and complaints, she is a real woman, with real issues, a realistic weight and a heart of gold. You find yourself understanding and empathising with her from the first moment you meet her.

Adding to the great story of Vane and Bride is the reaccurance of some familiar characters that add to the story and also to the whole series. Kyrian, Amanada and Tabitha return to help Bride with some tough decisions, Val and Otto make an appearance to not only progress the story but prepare us for Val's up and coming book, Acheron is back with more great fortune cookie pearls of wisedom and a bit more of his background comes out and Nick, the wise cracking, hawaiian shirt wearing, charming cajun squire (can you tell he's my fav character??) is back with dating advice that would make you cringe if you weren't doubled over in hysterical laughter.

All in all an amazing read! Good on it's own but if you want to fully appreciate it and get a full understanding of the Dark-Hunters and Were-Hunters so far I would suggest locking yourself away for the weekend and enjoying all the books in the series so far.

6 stars, 2 thumbs up...A great book from the Paranormal Romance master of them all! Way to go Sherrilyn.

I read the other reviews of this book before reading it and I was somewhat worried that I might not enjoy it. I was wrong. All the people whining about how unrealistic Bride is, that she is obsessed with her weight, that she should have just been pleased that Vane wanted her so badly, etc clearly don't understand the woman. Some jerk had just used her viciously, harping on her weight. Of course she will be self conscious. Of course she'll wonder why Vane wanted her after 5 years of being told she wasn't worthy of love. And to those who say the concept of a hot stud like Vane wanting a size 18 woman...not all guys are attracted to size 4 women...thank god.

I'll agree this isn't the author's best effort. Personally so far I'd say Night Pleasures or Dance with the Devil are the best. But it was a good book that appealed to me as woman who sees herself as far from perfect. And it made me laugh. The first scene with Fury when he meets Bride and tries to explain where Vane is had me laughing so hard I cried.

I really enjoyed this one. It's easily one of my favorites in this series (the other being Dark Side of the Moon). A heroine who isn't a perfect size 4 is nice. I can identify with her and her insecurities. And Vane is just hot. I knew this when he appeared in Night Embrace. But the character in this book isn't what I expected. He's far more sensitive and gentle than I would have thought. Normally I like the really alpha types but I was just really enchanted with the care with which he treated Bride. And his interaction with Fury is hysterical.

Vane Kattalakis is a Were Hunter with no pack. Bride McTierney is a normal human being. In this installment of the Dark Hunter series, Kenyon gives us a better understanding of the Katagaria and Arcadian worlds.

I enjoyed this novel, as I have the other Were novels. I thought the plot was well crafted and the action paced well. The supporting characters have a depth themselves, especially if you've read the other books in the series.

Bride is a a sensible heroine and I appreciated her size. Vane is a lovable sort of hero and despite him being described as feral and dangerous on numerous occasions I had trouble seeing him as anything else than a big, loving puppy.

I enjoyed their story and look forward to reading Fury's, which I hope Kenyon will write soon.

What a great addition to the Dark Hunter series. I was caught at the first page and read it in one sitting.

Although Vane is a Were-Hunter instead of a Dark Hunter he is just as gorgeous and heroic. He and his brother have been exiled and sentenced to death by their father. If that isn't bad enough their mother also wants to kill them.

After escaping the death trap where they were left to die by their father, Vane takes his brother, Fang, to the Sanctuary of the were-bears. Wandering down a street in New ORleans he finds his way to Bride Mctierney's shop.

From the first he has been attracted to Bride. Today Bride's boyfriend for the last 5 years has dumped her. She has realized that he used her to get in with some of her family who own a TV station. Now that he is a news anchor he no longer needs her.

Vane feels Bride's pain and tries to help her. They wind up in bed and later the mate mark appears on Vane's hand. HE knows it has to be Bride who is his mate, so he determines to protect her for the next 3 weeks. If she doesn't accept him by then he will be unable to mate until she dies.

Between fighting off his father's pack, who are trying to kill him, and protecting Bride, as well as looking after his brother. Vane has alot on his mind. And women do not mate or anything else like the females of the pack.

With appearances by various characters from the other novels, he finally makes a way and a life for himself and Bride.

I need to write this review, and it is my first ever, because kenyon has helped renew my love of reading. After 3 kids, youngest being 1 1/2yrs, I never have time for myself. Like most moms,family first, mom last..reading never...until now. I have never liked romance novels before but being a fan of Buffy/Angel, I became addicted to the dark hunter series because of the paranormal flare the romance part was a major bonus!! ...you really should read the books in order to fully grasp the series. This series and particularly this book had me so captivated I finished each book in a day. I have never been so into a book like this before. But, I am so flawed by the ignorance of people. This was by far my favorite book of the series to date and it was not in spite of but rather, because of bride's imperfections yes she is overweight but also like most of us hypercritical of herself and yet she is still a strong, determined woman. ***newsflash*** average american woman...size 14... get over the size thing, we are not a society of Kate Moss' gee look how she kept herself paper thin..right now that's healthy.

With a realistic, likeable heroine & a good guy who has a laundry list of problems but is still macho & not whiney, this is one of the best books in Kenyon's Dark-hunter series!

The first in depth look into the were-hunter world brings us to Vane & Fang the brothers who helped Talon rescue Sunshine Runningwolf several books back in the story. We rejoin them as they are about to die...but not if Vane has his way. Yet not everything can go to our hero's plans & things are further complicated when temptation becomes to much for our hero in the form of Bride McTierny, Sunshine's volumptious friend. Fangs dead weight but Vane has a few tricks up his sleeve (or under his paw) and another brother to join him. I can't wait to see Fury's story!

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)

Like most fans of the Dark Hunter series by Ms. Kenyon, I was anxiously awaiting this next installment, "Night Play." It didn't disappoint!

One of the best things about this book is that it blends fantasy elements with realistic situations so well, you get caught up in this wonderful world of gods, Daimons, Dark Hunters, and, as in this story, Were-Hunters. This book really describes the Were-Hunters in a way the others haven't up to this point. It introduces lots of new fun characters, mostly Were's, who I can't wait to see more of.

This is the Were-Hunter, Vane's, story. We first met him in "Night Embrace," and he's half human, half wolf. Amidst all sorts of conflict he meets a woman he can't seem to stop thinking about, Bride McTierney (also seen in "Night Embrace").

One of the many reasons this book shines is that Bride is a REAL herone with body-image issues. I felt Bride was very realistically portrayed in our world that puts SO much emphasis on being a stick-figure. The jealousy and self-doubt she feels when comparing herself to others was written very well. The jealousy others express towards her when they see her with a hottie like Vane is also portrayed well.

I liked how SK described Vane's physical attraction to Bride (and the several ways he's attracted to her physically & the reasons).

This book also shows more of favorites like Acheron, Simi, Kyrian, Amanda, Tabitha -- and we get a better look into the lives of the Peltiers of Sanctuary, Valerius & the Squire, Otto, who was first seen in "Dance with the Devil."