Inferno-Chronicles of Nick by Sherrilyn Kenyon – a Review

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Description:
Setting: Modern New Orleans

The heat is on, and a new threat to humanity has risen…

Nick has his driver’s license and he’s not afraid to use it. But turning sixteen isn’t what he thought it would be. While other boys his age are worried about prom dates and applying for college, Nick is neck deep in enemies out to stop him from living another day. No longer sure if he can trust anyone, his only ally seems to be the one person he’s been told will ultimately kill him.

But life spent serving the undead is anything except ordinary. And those out to get him have summoned an ancient force so powerful even the gods fear it. As Nick learns to command and control the elements, the one he must master in order to combat his latest foe is the one most likely to destroy him. As the old proverb goes, fire knows nothing of mercy, and if Nick is to survive this latest round, he will have to sacrifice a part of himself. However, the best sacrifice is seldom the sanest move. Sometimes it’s the one that leaves your enemies confused, and you even more so.

And sometimes, you have to trust your enemy to save your friends. But what do you do when that enemy is you?

Review:

Once again Ms. Kenyon has hit the jackpot.  Inferno picks up right where Infamous leaves off and continues to take the reader on a wild adventure.  Just when I think events and storylines will finally come together and start to answer some of my questions, she goes and throws another curve, introduces new characters and completely turns my thoughts upside down.  As much as I want to curse her for that, I can’t because it keeps me coming back for more, time and again.  This series is one that is forever keeping me on my toes wondering where the heck she’s going to go next and how will it affect Dark Hunter Nick, and his future self, Ambrose.  If anything, that is the hardest part of this series for me because I’ve read all her DH books, and know what’s happened there, but in this one, I never know what’s coming next, what choice Nick makes that may alter the future, etc.  How she’s making it all work is beyond me, but who am I to question a genius at storytelling.

Within Inferno we get to see Nick starting to come into his own more, with regards to his Malachai powers.  We start to see the internal battle he will face daily between his humanity and the darkness of the Malachai powers he was born with.  One can’t help but root for Nick to face those dark moments and over come them.  There are moments in the book where we see the lure of the dark powers attempting to over come Nick, but at the last moment something happens to turn him away from those dark calls and remember why it’s so important to stay to on the right path and do the right thing.  Nick has a good kind heart, one his mom is forever making sure stays beating and walking the good path.  Speaking of Nick’s mom, she is one fierce and protective momma and anyone who tries to hurt her Nick had better watch out.  I really like Cherise and believe that her humanity and blood that flow in Nick will play a vital part in which path Nick will eventually take.  Everything that she has instilled in Nick always comes through in the end to help him make the right choice to beat back the darkness within him.  The scenes with Nick and his mom are touching and very heartfelt.  The love they have for each other just flows off the pages.

Cherise isn’t the only one who is forever influencing Nick and his humanity.  We also get to see a lot of Acheron in Inferno and his relationship with Nick.  They are very close friends and seeing this budding relationship and how well they get along with each other really makes me sad because I know what’s coming down the road.  If anyone’s a Kenyon fan like I am, then you know what I mean.  As much as Ash is a big influence and help to Nick in Inferno, so too is Caleb.  We really get to see the friendship between Nick and Caleb grow. No longer is Nick just a responsibility to Caleb due to Adarian and his powers over Caleb.  These two have become friends who would die for each other, and we see this in conversations between the two of them even though they don’t openly admit it. 

Along with the friendships, Nick’s growing Malachai powers, and of course trouble knocking on Nick’s door at every turn, Kenyon does throw a few twists and surprising moments into Inferno.  For instance, the most feared and evilest creature in the universe actually having a heart and being capable of love.  Yes people, we see Adarian vulnerable and giving up his life to save the one person he ever treasured, Nick’s mom.  I was shocked when I read this scene(still rubbing my butt from my fall off the couch), since Adarian is rotten to the core, but I’m hoping that this may be a good sign and in Nick’s favour. Another scene that had me reeling was one with Artemis, in the distant future.  As she’s hiding from Ambrose who at this point is full on Malachai, she seems to have a epiphany of sorts and realizes that if she is to survive and possibly save what’s left of humanity and Ambrose from his darkness then she needs to step up to the plate.  Yes folks, it looks as though there may be redemption in the cards for the old heifer goddess down the road.  I’m still on the fence over that idea since I still can’t stand her for everything she put Ash through in his life before he met Tory.  However, any scene she’s in with Nick she seems like she’s changed, and really cares for him.  I just hope this doesn’t mean that she will be his HEA.  I don’t want the two of them together, too much bad blood and history there for my liking.   Having said that, Artemis isn’t the only one with redemption in Inferno.  Kody is redeemed in Nick’s eyes too, and we also learn who and what exactly Kody/Nekoda is.  On top of that we see a scene from one of Nick’s futures and learn that he and Kody are together, so I guess I can only take that for what’s its worth and with a grain of salt since nothing in this series is set in stone. Events both past, present and future are forever changing where poor Nick is concerned.  I wouldn’t wish his situation on my worst enemy.

As for the rest of the book, I loved every moment of it.  I found it a fast read, fast paced, with lots of action and drama.  Of course it wouldn’t be a Kenyon book without her classic Kenyon humour and fantastic one liners/comments.  I really enjoyed the interactions between Nick and Caleb this time around, I’m becoming  a fan of Caleb and would love to see him get his own story down the road.  I also enjoyed the flashes to the future where we get to see different scenarios that could happen for Nick/Ambrose.  If we go by those flashes into the future, are we seeing one of Nick’s HEA’s, or is there someone out there we have yet to meet.  Can Nick handle the full force of the Malachai powers and stay to the good, or will he eventually succumb and become what Ambrose is telling him he can’t let happen?  Will Nick/Ambrose be able to save their mom or will she still suffer the same demise?  These are just some of the questions that have popped into my mind well reading this book.  I have many more, but I don’t want to make your heads spin, cause trust me, mines spinning enough for all of us.  Inferno is a great addition to the Chronicles of Nick series.  It has everything a Kenyon fan could ask for and more.  I can’t wait to read the next installment.  If the epilogue has anything to do with what’s in store for Nick next, then rest assured we are in for one wild and very funny ride in Illusion coming out spring.  Enjoy and happy reading.

Reviewed by Marcie

For all you Kenyon fans anxiously awaiting Styxx’s book in September, there’s a little something to tide you over courtesy of Ash’s blog on the Kenyon website.  I for one hope this plays out in Styxx’s book.  To read Ash’s blog just follow this link; http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/character/acheron/