Dream Warrior (Dark-Hunter, #16; Dream-Hunter, #4) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Feb 03, 2009 The Flooze rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance, vanquished_2009, owned

I've loved the Dark Hunter series from the first book I read. I've been impressed with Kenyon's hold on her mythology and been intrigued with the mounting intricacies threading through the series as a whole.

But with this latest installment, and the full introduction of the new story arc, I find myself confused. In the last few novels, we've become increasingly aware of the Source and been introduced to a slew of new characters in relation to it. We've also learned some secrets about existing ch I've loved the Dark Hunter series from the first book I read. I've been impressed with Kenyon's hold on her mythology and been intrigued with the mounting intricacies threading through the series as a whole.

But with this latest installment, and the full introduction of the new story arc, I find myself confused. In the last few novels, we've become increasingly aware of the Source and been introduced to a slew of new characters in relation to it. We've also learned some secrets about existing characters that will ensure their continued involvement in the series.

While pleased that the author is willing to put a new spin on the series to keep it fresh, I can't help but feel a tad disappointed.

Dream Warrior introduces this arc's big bad wolf, Noir. His appearance on the scene and rise to power is just thrown at us, only to be explained as an afterthought halfway through the novel. Compared to Kenyon's strong and thorough detailing of the Olympian pantheon, the introduction to this new and cruelly ambitious group seems ill-constructed. Noir and his cohorts do not have the suave appeal of Stryker. Nor do we understand Noir's motivation in his bid for power-unless you like the reason "just because."

This new arc seems slapped together and disjointed. While I liked Jericho, the romantic relationship seemed forced, as did everything else until the action started midway through.

Although Kenyon is trying to keep our interest by making these new foes mysterious, (only dribbling info on them here and there) she's not succeeding in fostering intrigue. And in the meantime, her attempt to keep us guessing prevents us from bonding with the characters (heroes and foes alike). I find myself so lacking in information about this new group that I don't really care about them. And it's not that it's a Dream Hunter novel-I loved Xypher's story and thought that the interaction between Arik and Solin was brilliant in the first Dream Hunter.

For this new arc to work, I think Kenyon needs to tighten the concepts further and start offering more backstory. And she needs to hurry before we feel so distanced from the characters that we give up all together.

Have to say though, I love Zarek and Bob. I love any appearance from Psycho-ass. And the new demon pal Asmodeus adds a fun touch. He reminds me of Kish from Sin's story.

I'll carry on and read the next story, because, of course, I am completely addicted. But I do hope that by the next installment, Kenyon will have tightened the reins on the new elements and made the intricacies of her universe's mythology interesting and coherent again. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review