In Review: Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Released: 2002                          pages                 

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 0-31297-997-5

                                                      

The prequel to the widely popular Dark Hunters series, is really lacking in the Dark Hunter aspect. It does take place in the same world, and some of the players are talked about, but the story focuses on Grace and Julian.

Julian has been trapped in an ancient tome, cursed to be a love slave to his summoner for an entire month. He’s a demi-god, the son of Aphrodite, and a most magnificent male specimen.

To celebrate her birthday, Grace’s friend Selena decide that they should try to summon Julian, because Grace could use some loving after the horrendous relationship that she’d been in,  but she doesn’t believe in magic, so when Julian does appear its all the more shocking.

The story is touching and well written. Grace slowly breaks down Julian’s walls with compassion, getting to know him as no other has before. And Julian returns that tenderness completely, having learned humility, and what’s really important in life.

It isn’t as action packed as the normal Dark Hunter series, but there is still enough that the story isn’t all sap. Fantasy Lover is a perfect introduction to the complex world of the Dark Hunters, where the enemies aren’t really pure evil, most are misunderstood, or their motives and desires push them into the harsh actions that are perceived as plain evil.