No Mercy (Dark Hunters #19) by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Paranormal Romance
September 7, 2010
Hardcover, 343 Pages
St. Martins Press
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: "You I expected better of." He turned his swirling sliver gaze from Sam to Dev and Fang. "You two not so much."
Dev Peliter has always worked the door of the Sanctuary; a bar run by his family. They offer a safe place for all manners of supernatural beings to eat and drink in peace. But after his parents are killed in a battle to protect his sister’s mate and the bar’s protection is revoked by Savitar…Dev begins to wonder if his life doesn’t lie beyond the Sanctuary.
Then she arrives.
Samia Savage. Samia (Sam) is part of an elite Dark Hunter group called the Dogs of War. She was an Amazon queen before being brutally betrayed and murdered. Sam cried for vengeance and Artemis answered. The attraction between Dev and Sam is instantaneous. But Sam is here for a reason. The Daimons have developed the ability to walk in the sun which bodes ill for the Dark Hunters who now have no protection against the Daimons during the day. To make matters worse, Sam may hold the key to bring the Daimons out of darkness forever and allow them to rule the Earth.
In Kenyon’s latest installment in her fantastical Dark Hunter’s series we are given Dev’s story. Dev Peliter has always been a favorite character of mine and I was thrilled to see his story finally arrive. With his witty “no filter” commentary and his over the top paranoid delusions, we are treated to a fast paced entertaining read that balances humor and suspense in perfect harmony.
The chemistry between Sam and Dev is sensual and passionate as usual in Kenyon’s world. Lust morphs to love as these strong yet vulnerable characters find in each other the one thing they need. Dev and Sam both process exceptional fighting skills and even though this is Dev’s story-Sam surges ahead and becomes the ultimate female protagonist as she strides confidently into the war for her life. She saves herself and it fit perfectly with how Sam’s character is portrayed.
The secondary characters add depth and even more humor to the story. Ms Kenyon has a way of creating characters that you cannot help but make friends with. You find yourself thinking about them long after the story is done.The interaction between the main protagonists and the other characters is revealing enough to feel like you are receiving much more then just one storyline. We are able to enjoy Dev and Sam while getting much needed and appreciated development on the main arc. Ms. Kenyon does a wonderful job of balancing the two where neither is sacrificed for the other. I was pleasantly surprised to see some older characters, whom I had thought forgotten about, brought forefront and given active roles in the story. We are given more insight into Nick’s psyche and also glimpses into the other less known factions who are quietly fighting the war on the sidelines.
Even though some say that Ms. Kenyon has to much going on in her stories I find them easy to follow and exceptionally entertaining. Rather like a soap opera.
All in all No Mercy is a humorous and tantalizing addition to the Dark Hunter world and left me with just enough clues in the ending to have me excited for the next installment-Redemption (Jessup’s story) due to release August 2, 2011.
Rating: 4/5
Recent Reviews:
Love Vampires – 3.5/5
Goodreads
Go HERE to see the Dark-Hunter books in reading order
This one I really had to think about when it came time to rating it (still need to post the dang thing). Did I like it? Yes but compared to the earlier books it just didn't have the same feel and I expected a little more from a were mating. I was also thrown off by that odd trip Dev, Sam and the others took. Either way, I LOVE this series and look forward to Redemption. Nice review :-)
Stephanie G
Paranormal Haven
I had told myself that after Bad Moon Rising, I wasn't going to buy any more HB Kenyon books and would wait for the paperback. Well, I failed that with No Mercy. I, too, have loved Dev's snarky unfiltered comments and have always loved his character. I agree with your review, but I also agree with Stephanie G. There is just something missing now in all books after Acheron. I am looking forward to seeing what will happen to Nick. So for now, I guess I'm still a hooked!
PH & Lisa-Kenyon's books were much more romance oriented before Acheron.After Ash she really changed up her writing style. We were being led to his story which the whole series was initially based on. Once his story was told, Kenyon started cleaning house and setting the stage for the ending. Personally, I like it. There is no one who can beat Ash's story so why try.
I haven't kept up with the last few DH books. Maybe it's time to pick it up again. Nice review Tori. :)
Tori, I never thought about it from that angle, but you're so right. I guess I just miss Ash being such a big part of the stories. Now, he barely gets a cameo. I knew the story arc was changing, but you're absolutely right about Ash's book-I really have to stop comparing post books to it. Acheron was just on a whole different level! :)
Lisa-It took me a while to come to and accept that conclusion. I feel like you do you and I know a lot of other peeps do to. Ash was a HUGE part of this series for us. *sigh* I do miss him and Tori.
FV-Come back, we miss you.
I haven't read Bad Moon Rising yet either…I used to LOVE this series..but I just can't get excited now…
I just finished writing my review (won't be posted for a week), and I find myself in line with Stephanie's remarks. It was enjoyable and fun to read, but it just didn't hold up. I don't mind the new story direction (story arc), but I felt that she keeps introducing things in each book, but we don't see where it's all going. Also, I felt that Keynon relied on too many cliche-type plot devices. But I'll keep reading this series. It's amazing!!
Thanks for the review – and the discussion!
Loved this book. the Dark Hunters are made of teh awesome.
great review!
Sigh, why do you keep stealing my comments blogger :(
Where was I, must keep it short.
Nice review, perhaps I will catch up one day
I still have not started this or Chronicles of Nick. BOOOOO on me!!!!!! And Tori, who is Jessup again???? When are we getting our Savitar book, dammit! Will that be the end of the series you think?? Great review, I love that she has been able to keep all the things going on in the overall storyline without it getting to be too much. Do we see Wren?! OK I am don with my questions for now :D
Mandi-Oh noes. :(
Twimom227-I can't wait to read your thoughts. :)
Sparklybearsy-Yea. Thank you.
Blodeuedd-Thanks. Blogger hates me too.
SpazP-Girl, you had it before me. No Wren in this one, don't know when Savitar is coming; I hope soon and no I don't think his will be last book. :)
The DH series is most definitely like a really well written soap opera, endlessly entertaining and a little addicting:) I completely agree that even though she has a lot going on in the series, each book is still easy to follow even if you should skip one:) Fantastic review Tori!