Deadmen Walking

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best-selling author Sherrilyn Kenyon debuts a sweeping new epic saga sure to appeal to her millions of fans!

Deadmen tell their tales....

To catch evil, it takes evil. Enter Devyl Bane - an ancient dark warlord returned to the human realm as one of the most notorious pirates in the New World. A man of many secrets, Bane makes a pact with Thorn - an immortal charged with securing the worst creations the ancient gods ever released into our world. Those powers have been imprisoned for eons behind enchanted gates...gates that are beginning to buckle. At Thorn's behest, Bane takes command of a crew of Deadmen, and together they are humanity's last hope to restore the gates and return the damned to their hell realms.

But things are never so simple. And one of Bane's biggest problems is the ship they sail upon. For the Sea Witch isn't just a vessel; she's also a woman born of an ancient people he wronged and who in turn wronged him during a centuries-long war between their two races - a woman who is also sister to their primary target. Now Marcelina, the Sea Witch, must choose. Either she remains loyal to her evil sister and almost-extinct race against Bane and his cause, and watches humanity fall, or she puts faith in an enemy who has already betrayed her. Her people over the totality of humanity - let's hope Bane can sway her favor.

Deadmen Walking is the first historical fantasy title in New York Times best-selling author Sherrilyn Kenyon's Deadman's Cross series. It is a tale of passion and loss, emotions that wound and heal...and ultimate redemption.

©2017 Sherrilyn Kenyon (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

Mostly enjoyed the book. Only the Villain was weak

The main characters and crew were rich and engaging. I am happy that the author decided to place the timeline for this series in the past so her modern tales do not have to squeeze in another apocalypse. Besides who does not love Pirates and Voudou. My only complains are want more of the tales and back stories on each crew member... But I know they will li
kely get a book of their own. So I only need to be patient. My real complaint is that the big bad villain and battle to defeat her was weak and half assed. Seriously, the monsters attacking the ship along the journey, had greater battle skills and scenes.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Overall good

I love Sherrilyn's writing style but add audio to it and wow it is awesome. I generally liked the book and story line but I admit I got lost in the characters. There seemed so many I could not keep up. I decided that I am going to just listen to the whole book again because a few times I had to go back and listen again because I had no clue who they were talking about. I liked the witty dry humor of the captain and over all it reminded me a bit of Pirates of the Caribbean. A story for hose rainy days but pay attention less you get lost. Happy reading or listening in this case.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Just not into it

I have enjoyed Sherrilyn Kenyon novels in the past, though, admittedly, I have never been an ardent fan. I think she's incredibly inventive, and is excellent at world-building; indeed, in some cases, I must even applaud her character development skills.

This particular story just didn't do it for me. I'm not overly attached to any of the characters. Sure, Devyl is compelling enough, in a cookie cutter fashion, because it almost seems as though nearly all of Kenyon's male leads are the same character: a sexy as hell badass, whose painful past--often involving some kind of soul-deep betrayal--has rendered him cold and emotionally distant, and practically incapable of love (until, of course, that one perfect female arrives). He's always the hottest, the toughest, the deadliest, etc. He's definitely more an archetype than a fully fleshed-out human being, with character flaws to prove it. Just once, I'd like these badass males to do make some huge misstep, something stupid and embarrassing.

This all brings me to my broader complaint: I think Kenyon's style of romance may not be to my liking. This may be exacerbated by Holter Graham's narration, but more on that in a bit. Even when Kenyon writes strong female characters, they are never quite strong enough to surpass needing that big, badass male to ultimately step in and play hero. It seems like every one of her stories, at least in terms of the romance aspect, comes down to the hero protecting his woman from the culminating conflict, complete with over the top, melodramatic, I'll-die-for-you pronouncements of love before heading into the fray. It's just so trite and uninteresting.

Finally, I am really conflicted about Holter Graham. On the one hand, I think he's a top-notch performer. He has a nice voice, and he does fairly well at varying the characters' voices...though some kind of sound like exact copies of voices he's given other characters in other Kenyon books, and some are just not so great, particularly the females. Nevertheless, my real complaint is his reading style. I don't know if he reads this way in general (as I can't recall hearing him read any non-Kenyon books), or if it is Kenyon's writing, in particular, that incites him to read this way, but he sounds melodramatic, as if he's drenching every single sentence with far too much emotion. It almost sounds like a satirical impression of how a romance novel must be read.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

One of my all time favorites

Ok... so I have no clue were to start this this book. Everything was amazing a love that we got more tidbits on the Malachi and on Thorn. The story and narroration is just amazing. I love all of the books that Sherrilyn Kenyon writes but this is a fave even among those books.
I CANNOT WAIT TILL THE NEXT BOOK!!! *yes I know I used caps lock ;)*

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

A much anticipated book

I have been anxiously awaiting for this book to release and it did not disappoint. While it takes place in the dark hunter world, it is its own story and characters. The narration was peefect for this book. It was an outstanding beginning and I can't wait for the next one!

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

damned this is a good book

I loved it I cant wait to see how far she goes with this series I love this author's works and this is one of her best

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

a must read

loved it, kept driving just so I could listen, a must read for Sherilyn Kenyon fans

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great book!!!!

Sherrilynn Kenyon dosent dissapoint. enjoyed this book from the beginning. Great new series cant wait for the next book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

And let the adventure begin

This is an on the edge of your seat, lump in throat, page turning beginning to another Sherrilyn Kenyon must read. Holter Graham brought the story as well as the characters alive.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Tanya

I like the new characters introduced by the author. But readers night find it difficult to follow the reference to the dark hunter series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful