Born of Fury by Sherrilyn Kenyon – a Review

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Description:
Setting: Ichidian Universe

The war is on…

Counted among the fiercest Andarion warriors ever born, Hauk is one of the five founding members of the Sentella- an organization that has declared war on the League that rules the Ichidian universe with an iron fist and terrifies it with an army of well-trained assassins. Hauk’s enemies are legion, but he fears nothing and no one. He will do whatever it takes to survive and protect his Sentella brethren.

Sumi Antaxas is one of the best assassins the League has ever trained. In her world, failure is not an option and she has never met a target she couldn’t execute. So when she’s assigned Hauk, she believes it’ll be a quick and easy mission.

But nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and Hauk is far better trained and skilled than his dossier shows. More than that, as she pursues him, she stumbles upon the key that will bring down not only Hauk, but the entire Sentella organization.

In the race to report her information, she is overtaken by enemies out to end her as effectively as she intends to end Hauk. Now her only key to survival is the one man she’s been sent to kill. And Hauk doesn’t trust her at all.

The only question is, will he help her to live… or send her to her grave.

Review:

OMG Sherrilyn has done it again. Born of Fury is book 8 in her League series and another fantastic addition to it. I have so much floating around in my head that I want to say I just can’t figure out where to begin. It rocked, and blew me away with everything.  I finally learned about Hauk and the Andarion culture . Ever since I first met Hauk in the beginning of the series in Nykerian’s book I’ve been intrigued by him and wanted to learn more. I’m so happy he finally got his story told, and what a story. Born of Fury had me howling with laughter many times, well at other times I wanted to slap a few characters silly and give them a beat down for their treatments of Hauk, and of course other times near tears over some scenes.

Once again Ms. Kenyon spun her magic and pulled me in from the first scene. She had me sitting on the edge of my seat, turning page after page wanting to see what has going to happen next, and then of course when I get to the end of the book I’m sad because I know I have to wait an entire year before I can read the next installment and be entertained by this wonderful cast of characters and brilliant story telling and world building by my favourite author.

I absolutely love this cast of characters in The League series and was so happy to see all of them return in this one to help their friend Hauk. The banter and chemistry that Kenyon creates with these characters to me is the driving force of the series. Her characters literally run away with the story and keep the reader riveted to what’s unfolding on the pages. On top of the core group of Sentella members making appearances in this one, Ms. Kenyon now introduces us to the next generation of League characters in the kids. If what I saw in Hauk’s book with the kids is any indication, I feel she can keep writing this series forever. The kids are just as amazing and bring laughter and trouble wherever they go, just like their parents. Let’s just say there’s never a dull moment when this motely crew get together. Sorry I got a little off track there, it’s just so hard to keep focused on just Hauk and his story because everyone who makes an appearance adds a little something to the story to keep it entertaining.

Hauk, absolutely love this character, he’s everything I hoped for and more. He’s fearless, intelligent, powerful, sexy [(in Sumi’s words, her sexy beast 😉 ]and will do anything and everything to keep those he loves safe and secure from his enemies. Including giving up his chance at love, and doing right by his family and following through with Andarion customs where his dead brother’s widow is concerned. Now don’t even get me started on her, I couldn’t stand Darianna, and absolutely loved the scene where Sumi handed her butt to her. I was so happy to see Darianna got what she had coming to her in the end. Sumi is a brilliant heroine and I absolutely loved her as Hauk’s mate, even though she was sent in by the head League Commander to take him in and eventually take down the Sentella. It isn’t until we learn more about Sumi that we see why she is with the League and why she takes this assignment. The poor girl really had no choice because if she didn’t do what her commander ordered, she’d never see her daughter that was taken from her when she was born.

I loved the romance between Hauk and Sumi, and the way Kenyon writes it and develops it is nothing short of magic. Even though they are constantly fighting their way out of situations and dodging their enemies, somewhere along the line both learn to trust one another and realize that they are stronger together then alone. Somehow they find the time to show each other how they really feel and their romance takes flight from there and no matter the problems Hauk knows he’s going to face back home from his family, he’s not willing to give up his Sumi. Even though Hauk is Andarion and there are customs to follow, he’s willing to suffer the consequences, and Sumi is no different. She never once wavers once she commits herself to Hauk and she stands up to everyone who opposes their union, or tries to bring harm to Hauk. She may not be Andarion born, but Sumi acts and handles herself like a true Andarion warrior and lady where Hauk and his grandmother are concerned.

This was an amazing addition to an already amazing and very creative series from Sherrilyn Kenyon. Each one of her characters brings their own special personalities to each story and this one is no different. Hauk is the type of character you can’t help but admire and love. His loyalty knows no bounds and he will do anything and everything to keep those he holds dear safe. I absolutely loved the scenes with him and Darice (his nephew), Thia (Nykerian’s girl), and Sumi’s daughter Kalea. In these scenes we get to see a whole other side of Hauk that endears us even more to him. Even though he’s a fierce Andarion warrior, he’s also got a very loving and nurturing side to him and we see it come out in these scenes, and also with Sumi. There isn’t a single thing I didn’t love about this story. The only thing that made me sad was when I read the very last line because I knew I’d have to wait a whole year to read the next book which I’m sure is going to be just as good as Hauk’s.

Until next time, happy reading my Kenyon Menyons.

Reviewed by Marcie