“An honorable man forged in Hell” – Review: STYXX by Sherrilyn Kenyon
fame, a rare few into the arms of royalty. Rarer still are those born with an
innate sense of honor and loyalty, traits that can be nurtured or destroyed.
Warriors are taught strategy and skilled in weaponry, but to show courage in
the face of impossible odds, kindness to those who would destroy you is
something only the most honorable of men can claim.
the Dark-Hunter world Sherrilyn Kenyon has created. So many wonderful magical
possibilities, yet even in that world there is great tragedy and pain. Even the
gods of that world have limits, flaws and horrible faults. From the first
mention of Ash, I wondered about the dark past he must have, why he would
tolerate Artemis as he did without turning bitter and still show such love and patience with his
charges. I would have let the Simi eat
her by now. Then after reading ACHERON, I was both heartbroken for his past and
happy for the future he would have with Tory.
Styxx. There are always two sides to every story. If he was such a horse’s end,
then what made him that way? Children aren’t born evil and cruel, some
circumstance of life had to turn Styxx into the monster Kenyon portrayed him to
be. There was no other excuse. I had to know why and hoped she would write his
story. Going into it, I knew it would be very hard to read STYXX.
my heart to shreds as Kenyon did with STYXX. Throughout the book I actually
cried the entire time while reading (and I’m so not a crier). Some were happy, some sad. Having read
ACHERON, I knew what was coming as I read through Styxx’s side of hell. I ached
for the sweet little boy he’d been to never have known such horrors at the
hands of those who should have loved and protected him. I cheered the young man
as he went into battle much too soon, leaving his beloved Bethany behind and I
wanted to slap his useless piece of dirt family for what they put him through,
yes even Ash.
and child destroyed me. I couldn’t stand it and as I got close to the end I
began to think “No. No way. She has to give him a happy ending. Some kind of
closure at least.” With all the gods’ magic, especially withBeth’s doting father being the Egyptian
god Set,how can no one give him the only dream he ever wanted, ever asked for
himself? Styxx gave so much of himself to many. He simply wanted to leave in
peace with Beth and their child. Was it too much to ask of those who destroyed
him? I don’t want to give away the ending, except to say it ended the best way
possible for all involved and quite a few mysteries were resolved. At this
point, I’m even rooting for Artemis to find someone who makes her happy and
maybe can teach her how to love. (I personally hope and suspect that it’s
Nick.) Now there’s real potential for character growth.
If you’ve read any Dark-Hunter book,
even if you loathed Styxx and didn’t want Kenyon to give him his own book, you
have to read STYXX. I warn you though, it is rough on the soul. At least 70% of
the book takes place in ancient times.There is a great deal of violence, forced
sexual situations and horrors that aren’t for the weak of stomach or heart. If
you have the strength to make it out of the dark.Beyond that is a story of
honorable man forged in hell, light in chaos and in the darkest of nights a
beautiful love that transcends time, life and death. And of course, a bit of
well-deserved justice for those gods who tormented him. I anxiously wait to see what Kenyon has in store for her world.
Publisher’s Description: Just when you thought doomsday was over…
Centuries ago Acheron saved the human race by imprisoning an ancient evil bent on absolute destruction. Now that evil has been unleashed and it is out for revenge.
As the twin to Acheron, Styxx hasn’t always been on his brother’s side. They’ve spent more centuries going at each other’s throats than protecting their backs. Now Styxx has a chance to prove his loyalty to his brother, but only if he’s willing to trade his life and future for Acheron’s.
The Atlantean goddess of Wrath and Misery, Bethany was born to right wrongs. But it was never a task she relished. Until now. She owes Acheron a debt that she vows to repay, no matter what it takes. He will join their fellow gods in hell and nothing is going to stop her.
But things are never what they seem, and Acheron is no longer the last of his line. Styxx and Acheron must put aside their past and learn to trust each other or more will suffer.
