Retribution (Dark-Hunter Novels, 15) Mass Market Paperback – March 27, 2012

I have been a fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter Series for some time. Retribution takes the Dark Hunter stories off in a different direction that may not sit well with some people but that I found to be enjoyable. Sherrilyn introduces a pantheon and a plethora of new characters and new powers while still keeping the Dark Hunters true to who they are and maintaining the mythological roots that have been laid down in previous novels. Even though there is new Native American lore lacing through this Dark-Hunter novel there is still much of what we've come to expect. Daimons, Gallu Demons, defending humans, and tough, scarred heroes who reach their own redemption.While for some reason I didn't originally think I'd like Sundown's character much, I ended up quite enjoying him. He was funny and witty and had me smiling with some of the lighthearted jokes that he came out with. Abby was a good companion for him. They had a history together and he helped her learn, accept and uncover more about herself and her history. Secondary characters such as Sundown's squire Andy, were great additions. Since Nick's big change, I kind of missed the squires an their relationships to the Dark Hunters. Andy reminded me of when I first encountered Nick and his flashy car and the coffin coffee table he had at Kyrian's house. And of course there were pop-ups of familiar faces such as Talon, Zarek, Sin, Sasha and even Nick had a Cameo. Notably absent in the this story (until the Bonus scene at the very end) was Ash. Not even a phone call, more like an honorable mention.The one thing I do hope is that Sherrilyn doesn't end up putting too much on her plate. While the addition of Native American lore worked in this book, I fear she could end up losing or forgetting about other characters and other plot lines that were hinted at in previous books. When she first introduced Savitar, I was really eager to hear his story, uncover who he was and see what was in store for him. He quickly became a favorite of mine and I'd hate to have his story or plot line dropped because something else like this new Native American plot pushes it aside. Or I hate to see a struggle to combine the different plots and then the underlining story becomes overwhelming and confusing It's a fine line to walk, but I do need to know more about Savitar, Jaden and Jared. They all were very important and in this book they were non-existent. Not even mentioned.With all that said, I did enjoy Retribution. It had the fun, wit, thrills and action I've come to expect from Kenyon. Yes, there is so much more to learn and uncover but isn't that the point? Every book leaves you wanting to know more about a new character, wanting to uncover more of their stories and see how their lives will be changed in the future. Every book is an addition to the whole and I still want to see where these stories are going.

Sundown was just about to get married to the woman he loved when he was shot in the back by his so called friend. He is so incensed and wanted revenge in the baddest way and when he died he vowed to get it. Artemis heard his cries for revenge and she talked him into selling his soul to get that revenge and becoming a dark hunter.Abigail has wanted revenge on the man who killed her parents and her adoptive family has lied to her since she met them because they want something from her. She is out to kill and get revenge on the man who she thinks killed her family, Jessup brady and now after killing other dark Hunters she is about to learn the truth, but can she handle it?I just finished this one 2 days ago and while I really enjoyed reading about Sundown and getting to really know him, this story didn't do for me what some of the others have. I can't quite put my finger on what it was about this story that just didn't have me hanging on for dear life wanting to read each page, not able to put the book down.There was so much information about how Sundown became the Dark Hunter he is now that is kind of took away from the flow of the story for me. I'm all for information and getting to know the characters but it seemed like the whole book was filled with more info than we really needed to know. Between that and the fact that Abigail was so hell bent on revenge, had grown up with a family who brain washed her into thinking killing the dark hunters was a good thing and getting revenge for her parents killings was the right thing to do and then to have her do a 180 spin in the other direction so easily when she thinks she saw Jessup kill her parents really made it hard for me to like this book as much as I liked the other ones in this series..The fact that she so easily jumped his bones and fell in love with him, it seemed so anti-climactic in the end. I will say that I love the Native American story line and in my opinion the best part of the book is at the end when Ash comes into the story.I will continue to read the books but I do hope that the next few books get back to the characters that we know and love.

This is the twentieth book in the series and features Jess 'Sundown' Brady and Abigail. We first met Jess in Zareks story (Dance with the Devil) when he went up to Alaska to help save Zarek from being killed. Another character we haven't heard from much since that story also re-appears in Retribution - Sasha (Astrid, Zareks now wife's wolf protector). This story heavily centres on Native American mythology (don't know if that's the right term to use) which opens up a whole new branch off the main Dark Hunter 'tree' for the author to explore. Jess actually knew Abigail when she was a child as he was great friends with her mother however Abigail's mother and father were murdered when she was a child and the killer looked exactly like Jess so Abigail has been hunting him to kill him all of her life. Jess wins their fight and takes Abigail back to his home where she starts to believe that he didn't actually kill her parents and following a steamy scene in a car wash starts to actually develop feelings for him and him for her. Can their relationship bloom as she has to be prepared to sacrifice herself for murdering one of the guardians?This wasn't my favourite, I've got to say. I did still enjoy the book but I just couldn't bring myself to actually like Abigail, maybe it was something to do with her murdering all of those Dark Hunters at the beginning of the story, who knows? I did however like Sundown and the Native American aspect to the story. As I said not my favourite but still a good book and worth the read.

Enjoyable read.I really embrace that SK has integrated native American folklore/mythology to our wonderful DH world.For a DH, Jess is up there as one of my favourites. I really like the individual she's created with Jess. I enjoyed peeling back the layers to Jess's character as his story unfolds and I hope we get to re-visit him as I feel SK has left alot of room for evolution with both his and Abigail's characters. Would've liked a bit more Jess and Abigail dynamics but I think there was so much going on with the new pantheon to introduce. Having said that, I welcomed the updates in the book from other DHs. I really want to explore the extent of Jess's powers and how/if Abigail will eventually master hers.Am getting really excited with the increasing references to Lucifer and can't wait to see how he will feature in the DH world.It was difficult to really feel the anxiety of an apocalypse in this story since Coyote was a bit of a soft bad guy, which I think is intended by SK (?) as I think he is a precursor for a real big bad ugly villain in the future. Can't Wait!I have to admit also that the bonus really was the update on Ash and Tory. Can't get enough. It just feels too long to wait until my next DH dose....

I've read all of the DH series so far and I have to say that this isn't the best. I'd normally read a book in around two days (getting completely obsessed!), however this took over a week. It's a slow start but did get better. Also some of the Native American legends were a but difficult to follow at times.

As always the Dark Hunters are amazing. Great story and a twist from the norm using the Native American pantheon as opposed to the Greek and Celtic. A great epilogue giving us the greatly awaited birth of baby Parthenopaeous. Also great to have the same narrator. I'd give it 10 stars but I only have 5!

Sherrilyn Kenyon is my favourite author. Can never wait to start her books and then don't want to put it down until it's finished. The Dark Hunter series is exceptional. Those who must protect the human population at any cost and those who would end us so evil can reign supreme.