Son of Darkness [Hardcover]

Josepha Sherman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1998

A Renegade in his own world, now he's New York City's only prayer.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Roc; Book Club edition (1998)
• ISBN-10: 1568658281
• ISBN-13: 978-1568658285
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,397,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Beginning, Now Let's Have A Sequel, April 17, 2002

By 

mayfayre "mayfayre" (New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Son of Darkness (Paperback)

Although all of the favorable reviewers seem to agree that this book begs a sequel, it isn't dependent upon one because the conflict is resolved by the end of the story. It's just that the two main characters, Denise Sheridan and Ilaron Highborn, have finally become a team by the end of the book, and the reader just wants to see more of them.

This book provided an interesting view of the Unseelie court of Faerie, somewhat different than that of Laurell K. Hamilton or Emma Bull. This is a place of no sun, no joy, no love. Pain and torture are everyday occurances and advancement within the society is through assasination. There is no such thing as family loyalty. It is a much darker and bleaker place than other depictions.

Ilaron Highborn is considered to be a heretic within that culture because he has decided to turn away from the Darkness. Even though he renounced his claims to the Unseelie throne, no one believes him because no one tells the truth there. He escapes to the human realm and sets himself up as an art dealer. Ms. Sherman has created an interesting character in Ilaron, and fleshes him out by explaining the adaptations he's had to make to deal with exposure to the sun and the ever-present iron, which is deadly to the Faerie. Denise Sheridan is a curator of Mesopotamian art at a NYC museum, which is a thinly disguised copy of the Metropolitan. She is an annoyance to the museum director who considers her department not flashy enough to bring in the crowds and the money. Her work brings her into contact with Ilaron, and her historical expertise ultimately puts her in jeopardy.

While this isn't a romance, per se, there is a growing relationship between Ilaron and Denise based upon two rather lonely people from totally different cultures coming to understand and appreciate the other. Of course, this being an urban fantasy, there other beings involved - the ruler of the Unseelie who is trying to destroy Ilaron, a group of cultists who want to kill Denise, and a released Assyrian/Babylonian Demon of Disease who is set loose in NYC and wants to destroy Denise because she has the knowledge to banish it. Innocents and not-so-innocents are harmed, battles occur, and ultimately one side triumphs. I really enjoyed this book and hope that someday there'll be a sequel.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars These characters deserve a sequel!, November 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Son of Darkness (Paperback)

I really enjoyed reading this book! The characters were intriguing and you could feel them evolving as the story progressed. Ilaron's struggle with his dark side and Denise's intelligence and wit were a striking combination. They definately deserve a chance to grow further. Why not five stars? Well, the plot was slightly forced in areas and the motivations of the villians were somewhat shaky, but the chemistry between the two protagonists kept me hooked. Please, Ms. Sherman, write a sequel!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super - Sequel is a Must, September 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Son of Darkness (Paperback)

This was my first introduction to Josepha Sherman's writing and it certainly will not be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The two main characters were wonderfully written. Ilaron and Denise are quite a team. I really cared what happened to these two people. This, to me, is a sign of good writing; a book that I will keep and read again. How many times have we each picked up a book only to become so uninvolved with the characters that we finish it just to be finishing it, and give it away to the library or some person (usually someone we don't like) as quickly as possible. I hope the author writes about these people again. I sense many good, interesting stories in their future. The interaction and humor were outstanding, especially Ilaron's reaction to the human world that we take so much for granted. Definitely a book to be read at one sitting.