Dream Chaser [Mass Market Paperback]

Xypher the Skoti who appears in Dark-Hunter novel "Devil May Cry" takes the lead role in "Dream Chaser". Granted a month of mortality by Hades before he again has to endure further centuries of torture, Xypher is determined to track down and exact his revenge upon Satara; the demi-goddess responsible for turning him Skoti. Unfortunately Xypher instead finds himself handcuffed to medical examiner Simone Dubois with Atlantean manacles which entwines their fates.

Simone is nominally aware of the Dark-Hunter world around her and accepting of the supernatural; having had the companionship of Jesse the ghost since the age of ten following the deaths of her brother and parents. As a medical examiner with the ability to interact with deceased victims ghosts' Simone finds herself discreetly handling the more unusual cases; fully aware of the widespread panic that would be unleashed if the general populace realised nasty things that go bump in the night really do exist. Finding herself dealing with the first casualty of a Dimme attack (the Dimme who escaped her imprisonment in "Devil May Cry") Simone soon finds herself the target of supernatural attacks herself whilst falling in love with a Skoti demon.

Simone is the type of person to never take anything at face value and so completely disregards Xypher's "don't get too close" attitude; able to empathise with the deep pain and anger he carries inside, and it certainly doesn't hurt that he's totally easy on her eyes. Xypher in turn begins to fall in love with Simone; the first person ever to treat him with kindness, yet he is unable to even contemplate a future together; remaining unwilling to sacrifice his opportunity of revenge and aware he only has another three weeks left on Earth.

Acheron makes several appearances (roll on August when his book is released) and yet another highly intriguing character is introduced; Jaden an immensely powerful demon with his own hidden agenda. Other couples meet and fall in love amid the action packed story line and the growing relationship between Xypher and Simone is liberally sprinkled with demon battles and further deaths. "Dream-Chaser" is the first Dream-Hunter book that I have enjoyed as much as SK's Dark-Hunter series; but this may be because Xypher acts like a Dark-Hunter rather than a Dream God, and in fact he reminded me heavily of Zarek; the wonderful hero from "Dance With the Devil". His looks, dry humour, acerbic wit and general air of danger have certainly made him a favourite character of mine. My one small gripe with this book was that Simone's friends referred to her as Sim. Every time this happened I thought Simi may have popped in to join in the fun and barbecue some bad guys.

Xypher is back on Earth for one month and he is not the only non human that is visiting New Orleans. His heart is cold with vengeance, the one that betrayed him will have to pay...big time. If there is one thing that Xypher wants is to be accompanied back to Hades with his betrayer. This need courses through him, dark...violent and with a single minded focus there is nothing that will keep him from the path he set out to walk. Or so he thought.

Besides the same occupation as a medical examiner, Tate and Simone share a life of the bizarre and supernatural. Tate is beside his job also a squire and Simone has a gift to talk to the dead, she even has an in-house-ghost named Jesse. It is at one of their lunches that Tate tells her of the murders with a peculiar cause of death, especially since one of the corpses heart started to beat again and subsequently caused to scare the daylights out of the examiner on duty.

Together they seek answers and it is in that moment that Xypher crosses its path with Simone. With an enemy bound to kill it manages to get a bracelet slapped on Xypher and Simone's wrist, thereby irreversibly binding a human to a dream God. Suddenly the stakes of the game gotten a whole lot more interesting but also dangerous, for weakness is something that Xypher does not adjust to.

It feels good to be back in New Orleans! The third novel in the Dream-Hunter series is an improvement on its predecessor Upon A Midnight Clear. With some of the old characters and a few new ones Sherrilyn Kenyon spins an entertaining tale that holds some interesting new information for those who are well acquainted with both the Dark and Dream-Hunter series.

A trademark of Sherrilyn Kenyon's writing is the back and forth of brisk interaction between characters which is intertwined with humor and you'll receive it almost from page one. The fast paced conversations, the witty banter and a good dose of sarcastic attitude gave this novel a bite of its own. Every character brought their own dynamic personality to the story making it a joy to get to know them. Tate and Jesse are incredible sidekicks as they enhance the story and emotions of Simone and in doing so it created a stark contrast with Xypher as a tortured hero that won't allow himself to have any feelings.

Xypher and Simone together have an endearing touch as Simone tries to thaw Xypher's heart out and let him taste some of the joys in life. Bit by bit their love story unravels in to one of passion and understanding, holding a few twists along the way to keep me turning the pages in anticipation what would come. It is with Jaden that Dream Chaser introduces a new character in the already vast and crowded world of Sherrilyn Kenyon and whom demands my immediate attention. With his calculated and cold attitude it triggers my interest even more and the last moment of him in the novel only wets my appetite for what is to come.

For me Dream Chaser missed out on an important issue and this is the love story. Endearing and heartwarming as it was, it is also not as well fleshed out as I would like to see it. It is again that in a period of days the love between the main couple commences while the plot wears a bit thin and demands too many pages. Simone and Xypher have an incredible verbal interaction together but hardly have any sensual tension until two third of the novel is read. I felt that the plot and love story where not in balance with on another making it slightly more action driven.

The Dream Hunter series has not won me over at the moment, on the contrary, it is struggling for life, desperate for that one story that makes this series soar to greater heights and initiates a great plotline series wise. Book # 3 Dream Chaser is an improvement, I would say it was an intriguing read. Nevertheless I believe that the journey of love holds the foundation of a story like this and it should make me want to venture in to the Dream Hunter world, relentless to let me go until I finished reading the very last words. Unfortunately I don't get that feeling yet.

Reviewed by Leontine
Courtesy of Realms on our Bookshelves

Well, I'm a big fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon, having read all of her books and even branching out to her Kinley MacGregor books. The first two Dream Hunter books were good but not as good as her Dark Hunter series. This was, as the previous review says, on par with one of those earlier books.

Xypher is a hero to be admired. He's endured inconceivable pain and understandably is wary around people. He still has great capacity for love though, you will see if you read this book.

Simone is a perfect match for him. Her humour to his sullen-ness and her light to his dark is a classic match and again works in this novel. Their chemistry is unbelievably hot and Kenyon involves the reader, making them have an active role in wishing these two to stay together. The love story itself is sweet and yet complicated as most great love stories are. All in all I would say Kenyon has hit her stride with these books. Well done!

If you want the backstory to this book you'll find it in 'Devil May Cry'. You can read this story without it but it's nice to see returning characters and know the backstory before reading it.