The Guardian: A Dream-Hunter Novel

Although this was the second time I've listened to this brilliant Dream Hunter book (first time was over a year ago!) it is the first time I've review it, and I was still captivated from start to finish.

Well, what do we want from our paranormal/romance books - an imaginative and interesting plot, preferably written by a gifted author, with great paranormal characters and creatures, a hunky leading male who has a good romantic chemistry with his love interest (hopefully it includes some 'hot n heavy chapters) all brought to life by the voice of a brilliant narrator. Well this ticks those boxes............. and more.

Worth a credit? Apart from the above criteria, it was also very very touching, traumatic and tense and I have found all of SK's books to be credit worthy - so it's a definite YES from me.

With the completion of this book, I have now read every one of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter/Dream Hunter/Were Hunter/Hellchaser books. These might look like four different series, but they are all part and parcel of one big series, and should be read in order for the full benefit. I would suggest that anyone who loves the paranormal romance genre to do so. They are, collectively, an absolutely fantastic ride through the Dark Hunter world. Her imagination and world building is really unparalleled in her genre. I can't find the words to do the series justice.

However, some books taken alone within the series have been "misses" for me. Still enjoyable, but missing some indefinable spark. In each book, there are two main characters who conquer various obstacles to find true love, fairly typical of any type of romantic fiction. A good book along these lines allows the reader to "feel" the relationship between the two main characters. In some of her books she does this very well. In others, not so much. It's usually her shorter books that leave me wanting a better connection for the lovers in the book, and I was a bit worried when I saw that this was a fairly short book. Thankfully though, I really felt and enjoyed the relationship between Lydia and Seth.

The reader, Fred Berman, did an excellent job. His inflections added to the drama and tension, and he did a fine job with Lydia's voice. It's often hard for a man to do female voices, but he does it well, without making it sound too high pitched or over the top.

The story was good. Loved the main characters, but I've decided that I'm glad Iistened to this instead of reading it. I think Fred Berman did a fabulous job with the characterization of this book. I'm not sure reading this would have captured my attention as well as the audiobook did.

I have all her books. Paperback and through audible. I have truly enjoyed everyone of them. I recommend if you start to read/listen to her books that you start at the beginning or you won't understand all the different characters. But the book is so well written you would enjoy it any way.

Like many of Sherrilyn’s books, Seth is a tortured hero. It’s hard not to reach into the pages and give him a hug. I’m a huge fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon and have been slowly working my way through all of her books. I have not been disappointed. Some of my favorites are Dance with the Devil, Devil may Cry, and Born of Night. I will defiantly re-listen to the dark-hunter series again in the future. Sherrilyn also goes by the pseudonym Kinley MacGregor and I plan on trying some of them out next, but alas I will have to read them in book form since Audible doesn’t have them yet.

I love the themes Sherrilyn gives her readers. Love, trust, redemption and the power to survive.

This story tugged at my heart strings. I just love the humor and grace this author gives her characters.

Seth-obviously! For all of the punishment & tortures that he has endured-he hasn't lost his capacity for kindness, empathy and caring for someone other than himself. He cloaked all of these emotions through his bravado and intimidation of 'ruthlessness' because he had to survive his servitude to Noir and Azura. These same characteristics are seen as 'weakness' to his master so he knows better than to have any evidence of them lest he be punished more because of it. It was a little hard to take with Seth's interaction with Noir. With all of the sadistic punishments-physical and mental character assasinations, Seth's self worth was loathsome at best. The only emotions that remained were violence and hatred. But in spite of it all- Seth wanted to be loved and cherished. Learning about his childhood-self serving bitch of a mother; who to gain favor of Seth's total bastard of a father, broke a five year old's legs and left him to die in a desert. A father who rejected him as an infant. Being sold by his foster family to indentured servitude just before his demi-god powers were starting to develop. Amongst the repeated beatings- he was also raped. NO ONE ever helped Seth through all he indured-so much that even a mere touch was sheer agony for him. Despite all that- he kept Lydia away from his master because he knew what tortures that she would be subjected to. Although Seth initially was using Lydia as a bargaining chip to trade her for the 'key ' that Solin had to bring back for Noir to overtake Olympus- he hid Lydia in his room and did't tell Noir about her. The interaction between her and Seth develops over his learning how to use a laptop. During the times that Seth was summoned to either Noir or Azura for respective tortures-he cared for Lydia with food, clothes and use of his elaborate bathroom. Seth let Lydia sleep in his bed while stayed up-mainly because he has nightmares, but also because he wanted to protect her from prowling demons. When Lydia discovers what Seth has gone through his whole life-her heart aches for him and she wants to free him from his miserable life. Despite his constant distrust in people- Seth fell in love with Lydia. Lydia recognizes how much inner strength Seth possesses and his reaction to the world when they escape Noir's realm. Lydia discovers that she is in love with Seth-she shows him that touch and tenderness can and does exist between people. I also liked Jared-who was sincerely sorry for his part in Seth's enslavement and wanted to help him despite his own tortured situation.

Acheron- his story was similar to Seth's. Also Zarek's story had some elements that were similar. Both Acheron and Zarek had to endure unending servitude to others who were sadistic in their treatment of them. Yet they still possess the innate capacity to empathize
with others and willingness to care for someone other than themselves. While they berate themselves for showing such "weaknesses" when they weren't shown the same courtesy-they do so all the same. Because it was the right thing to do. They would even protect
those whom they love with their very lives.

Ah-yes! Mr. Berman was the narrator for my favorite Sherrilyn Kenyon book - Night Play. I always liked this book in print, but when I heard it on audible.com- I was in love!!! His narration of this book made it come alive for me with excellent portrails of Vane and Bride. Mr. Berman also narrated Ms. Kenyon's other books Dream Hunter (which was my first book in print of hers), and Dream Chaser (which first introduces us to Seth). I love Mr. Berman's voice and his characterization of Ms. Kenyon's books. The accent that he uses for Seth is very compelling and sexy. When he reads the bedroom scenes-they are hot! I often find myself looking for either Mr.Berman or Holter Graham as the narrators for her books. They both put such conviction and passion into their narrations. So much so that you believe that you are not only being read to but that you are participating in the story and the male leads are talking to you. Mr. Berman and Mr. Graham could both read the phonebook to me and I would melt. Love them both!!!!!!

Yes but unfortunatley I didn't. It took me over two days to listen to this book.

It does have a happy ending-although it left me wanting to learn more about what happened to Seth, Lydia, Jared and Noir.

The book started out confusing but I caught up after the 2nd chapter. I kept getting confused on the names of the characters, my slowness not Mrs. Kenyon's fault. Great performance by Fred Berman. He is one of my favorite narrators next to Holter Graham. They both do such a wonderful job reading Sherrilyn Kenyon's novels. This was a wonderful story full of excitement and love. It was a little too short but... I never want the book to end.

i have listened to this one several times and i never tire of it. love the intonations and inflections of Berman's voice - really adds an extra uumph to the characters. love the story. an absolute must.

I liked this book. However, there were times I thought it jumped around a bit. Those times were a bit hard to follow, but then in a couple of minutes after that- I figured it out.