Stygian by Sherrilyn Kenyon – a Review

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Description:
–MAJOR SPOILER WARNING-
While the books don’t have to be read in order, if you haven’t read Dragonsworn, this synopsis will contain massive spoilers for DS. We just wanted to warn you!

-MAJOR SPOILER WARNING–
Born before man recorded time, I lived for thousands of years, believing myself to be something I’m not.

Someone I’m not.

Lied to and betrayed by gods, Daimons, and Dark-Hunters, I’ve struggled to find my way in a world where I’ve been cursed since the moment a vengeful goddess prematurely ripped me from my mother and planted me into the womb of an innocent woman who thought me her son.

Trained as a slayer and predator, I’ve learned to fit in and stay low. To become a tool for evil. Until I was sent to kill the one woman I couldn’t. My hesitation cost her, her life.

Or so I thought. In an act of betrayal that makes all the others pale in comparison, I’ve learned that things are not what they seem in this world and that my Phoebe still lives.

Now I will have to travel into the very pits of Hades to try and save her, even as everyone around me attempts to steal what little soul I have left. There’s only one person at my back and I’m not sure I can trust her either, for she was born of an enemy race. Yet sometimes the road to redemption is one that singes us to our very core. And if I fail to find the answers I need to save Phoebe, more than just my wife will die.

We will lose the world. Both human and Daimon. 

                           ~Urian of the House of Aricles

***Please note that this book was previously titled BATTLE BORN and retitled to STYGIAN

Review;

Ms. Kenyon has done it again, caused me to have more questions by books end then answers.  So much happened in this book that she had me scratching my head going, ‘oh so that’s the connection’, and then at other times going ‘pardon, come again, what did I just read?’  Yes folks this was a confusing book to read at times and by books end I had more sticky notes attached to my ipad then you could imagine. It was the only way I could keep all the info straight and semi co-herent in my brain, lol! Yes there was a good chunk of Stygian where I felt like I was re-reading either Kiss of the Night, Acheron, One Silent Night, Styxx, and Dragonsworn but the scenes were craftily re-worked to be seen from Urian’s POV.  Pieces of Urian’s story that I wasn’t quiet sure of, or felt like a mystery needing solving suddenly fell into place thanks to these re-worked scenes.  Through these scenes we got to see sides of Ash, Stryker, Apollymi, Styxx, Savitar, Davyn, Paris and other characters that we weren’t privy to before.  All of these characters played major roles in shaping Urian into the creature he is today. Yes I said creature because he is rather unique to their world.  Thanks to Ms. Kenyon finally writing Urian’s story we learn that he is part human, Atlantean, Apollite, and Egyptian, and has the blood of three pantheons running through him.  We learn he has special powers and when used one of his arms lights up with special symbols that come directly from the Source.  Urian’s uniqueness also allowed him to prey on the most corrupt souls and not go Trelos(insane in the Daimon/Apollite world).  This also allowed him to go longer in between feedings and also be able to sustain his Apollite wife Phoebe.  Since Urian has the blood of Apollymi, Bet, Set, and Ash running through him, the final fate of the world is now running through his veins and bloodline.  He’s just as important to the world as Ash is, if not more now.

On top of learning everything we needed to know about Urian, we also get a good look at the Apollite/Daimon world.  How they are forced to live, what they’ve endured all these years at the hands of not only the gods/goddesses but the human world as well.  It puts their existence into a whole new light and makes us look at them differently.  It really wasn’t their fault at all, but stupid Apollo because he’s a man whore, and accidentally through Bethany for falling in love with Styxx and giving her allegiance/protection to the wrong side unknowingly.  If she hadn’t done that, then the Apollite curse wouldn’t have happened, Acheron wouldn’t have been killed thus causing Apollymi to destroy Atlantis and sink it to the bottom of the ocean. One little mistake and it triggered a huge chain reaction that affected so many in the end. 

Throughout Stygian we not only learn about Urian and get his perspective on his life, the Apollites, Daimons, and the Dark Hunters, but we also had a lot of surprises regarding other characters and events that have happened throughout the series.  One being exactly how Artemis creates her Dark Hunters, and I’m not saying because it was a big surprise to me and it’s Urian who figures this out.  Two of the biggest surprises in regards to characters for me were Apolloymi and yes I dare say it Stryker.  Who knew Apollymi and Stryker both possess a heart and could actually care about someone other then themselves.  I wish I could say more about these two, but I’d be giving away even more spoilers in this review and you know how I hate spoilers.  😉  Let’s just say they aren’t as bad or awful as we were first led to believe. Everything they’ve done so far has always been in the best interest of those they love and hold dear.  I’m actually glad I have a whole new perspective regarding these two characters.  They’ve really grown on me and it’s all Urian’s fault, LoL!!  Darn you Urian and Ms. Kenyon!!

As I attempt to wrap this review up because I could seriously keep going here as we learn so much in Stygian you’re probably wondering why I haven’t mentioned anything about Urian’s love life/HEA.  All I’m going to say to that is read the book because it’s another part of his life that shapes him, and in the end I was very surprised regarding his HEA.  Am I happy about it, yes, is it one of that events that made me go; “pardon, come again, where’d this come from” yes it was but I loved every minute of it, along with the whole book.  I loved every moment of Stygian, her characters once again carried the story, the humour was there to lighten the mood when needed, and at other times the intensity was there punctuate a moment.  I’m glad we finally got to see what the life of an Apollite/Daimon means.  It’s a part of the Dark Hunter world that needed telling so thank you Ms. Kenyon and Urian.  For anyone whose a fan of this series it’s a must read. 

Until next time my fellow Menyons, happy reading!!

Reviewed by Marcie