Book stuff: Acheron
So after work yesterday I walked to the closest B&N and got the very last copy of Acheron on the shelves in the store (mind you, there were probably additional copies in the back). This is a romance novel the size of a dictionary, people, and I finished in almost one sitting – I had to walk home, and it’s easier to do that in one piece if you don’t have your nose buried in a book.
I had trepiditions about this one. I love the Dark-Hunter series to little bits and pieces, and Acheron is one of my favorite characters, so I was worried the book wouldn’t equal the hype. Thankfully, I was wrong. I liked the love interest, Tory, and Ash was amusingly awkward but without losing the Ash coolness that’s characterizes him throughout the rest of the series. Some thoughts in numerical list form, because I’m way too lazy to write full paragraphs here:
- Nick continues to make epically idiotic decisions. EPICALLY.
- I was amused to see that one of my personal predictions, that Styxx would impersonate Ash to save the girl, actually did come true, and in almost exactly the situation I envisioned.
- On that note, I really want a Styxx story. He’s a classic irredeemable character who has been redeemed, and I love stories with heroes like that.
- First read through I was concerned that Artemis was being overly demonized, but upon thinking about it…no. It was about right. I have some sympathy for her, because I think she is lonely, but she’s also innately selfish to a degree that would be psychotic in a human character, and she’s done way too much to Ash to be forgiven.
- One of the things I was worried about was the tease we got in Devil May Cry – that Ash’s girl would hate him. But I don’t think Tory did for long, and honestly? It was understandable.
- I think I’ll find I’ll reread this one a lot, but mostly the second half. The first half, about Ash’s mortal life is important to fully understand his issues – his major, major issues – but it’s painful enough that it’s difficult to read. Especially when, if you’re like me, and you’re reading on the public transit system and tear up at the drop of the hat.
In any case, already rereading a day later and thoroughly enjoying it again. Stryker’s book is next, in time for Christmas, and I can’t wait.