Styxx

Dark-Hunter, Book 22

By: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Narrated by: Fred Berman

Length: 31 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

The most highly-anticipated novel in the Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series since Acheron is here—the unforgettable story of Styxx, Acheron's twin brother and one of the most powerful beings on earth

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.

Yet it's hard to risk your own life for someone who once tried to take yours, even when it's your own twin, and when loyalties are skewed and no one can be trusted, not even yourself, how do you find a way back from the darkness that wants to consume the entire world? One that wants to start by devouring your very soul?

©2013 Sherrilyn Kenyon (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“[A] publishing phenomenon . . . [Sherrilyn Kenyon is] the reigning queen of the wildly successful paranormal scene . . . Just one example of arguably the most in-demand and prolific authors in America these days.” —Publishers Weekly

“Kenyon's writing is brisk, ironic and relentless imaginative. These are not your mother's vampire novels.” —Boston Globe

Waited a long time for this book

After Acheron this is my second favorite tale. Just as good. I sometimes think even better. You have to read to understand but Styxx carried so much more, and I feel his burden in a personal way being the eldest from a bad home life. If you know, you know.

Forever and always...

I love this book! Styxx and Bethany story was so moving. such a fantastic storyline.

Heartbreaking

Absolutely love it. Make sure you reread Acheron before this for all context, but this is one of my favorite books

Someone else's eyes

I never thought that I would find a book that was more heart wrenching then Acheron's was....boy was I wrong! I knew going into this book that we would be seeing a lot of what we saw in Ash's book but threw Styxx's eyes. With that being said as hard as it was for me to make it threw the first half of Ash's book it was doubley hard to make it threw Styxx's. I knew parts of this book was going to be sad and having me cry b/c of the premeises to the book but to add end his story ( yes it is a lot worse then what Ash dealt with) was heart wrenching soul crushing. I know we had to hear his story and relive some of Ash's but there came a point were I was like common on already!!!! Enough is enough! I honestly believed that this book could of been edited down some and we still would of gotten the full effect of it. Why every 2 seconds we had to be reminded of the degradation these 2 were put threw is mind boggling and then it seems as if she was trying to top the degradation that we saw done to Ash in his book and she just went way beyond my comfort zone with it. (and I would bet to say just about everyone's comfort zone)

While I normally love Sherry's writing and absolute love the Dark Hunter series this book is not one I will ever read again. I am happy though that I did read it b/c it tied up a lot of loose ends and answered a lot of questions that have been dangling out there since the start of this series. I just wish I would of waited to borrow in stead of purchase this particular book. It was def. not an easy listen. While I was very sad that Holter was not the reader Fred actually redeem him self with this one. I did dread hearing him read this as I have not been a fan of his in the past but he did wonderful!

I can't really say much more with out spoiling the book but there are twist that you have never saw coming in this book and that is the only reason I am telling you that it is still a must read! It is true that there is 3 sides to every story.

love it best ever

I will listen to it 100 x times love Sherrilyn Kenyon best ever!! sga s

So much harder to listen to than Acheron....

Wow. I didn't think another book in this series could be more heartbreaking than Acheron, but Kenyon proved me wrong. Like Acheron's, this book is about his twin brother Styxx and his experiences growing up from his point of view. You have only seen him through Rissa and Acheron's eyes....and boy how different things really were.

If you are easily triggered by abuse, torture and rape the majority of this book is not for you. I found it harder to get through than Acheron's story and the hard parts were more than half the book. I think only the last 9 to 10 hours flashes forward to the 2000's where we pick up Talon's story and then goes through current day. I'm glad I stuck with it because it makes you appreciate the ending, and of course new events that shape the future world, but I couldn't binge it like the others.

I won't spoil anything, but hang in there, everything will work itself out and the hate and disappointment you may feel for some characters will pass.

The story was really good, but very heavy and emotionally draining at times. Definitely worth a credit and a must read for those invested in the series.

Styxx was smashing!

Love the narrator ... Story line was outstanding and over all it was a great listen ... Always kept me coming back to hear what happens next.

Best Book Ever!

Would you listen to Styxx again? Why?

I would and I will! This story has so many twists and turns that it was like riding a rollercoaster! My emotions were all over the place, and I loved every minute of it!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Styxx?

When Acheron was reading Ryssa's diary with Soteria.

What does Fred Berman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Where do I begin. He brought it to life! His characterizations and voices were so flawless that I forgot he was only one person narrating. He is just that good! Also, I had the ebook companion and I definitely found I enjoyed the narration better.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were many! However, I cried hard when Styxx described lying alone in his room, feeling isolated from his brother, sister and nephew who were in the next room laughing. Wow! What a powerful image of a lost and neglected child!

Any additional comments?

Ms Kenyon did the impossible with this book. She actually had me disliking Acheron! That is huge! He has been the hero since the beginning, and now I see that like all hero's he has flaws that hurt not just himself, but his own brother. Wow! The other thing I admire about Ms Kenyon is that she could keep this book and all her books so consistent while continuing to unravel an ever evolving plot is nothing short of amazing to me! I can't wait for the next installment!

Story line Disappointing so far

I'm only 4 hours into it and right away I am disappointed. In this book the sister is made out to be totally selfish - basically totally different than in Archeron. I've thought several times about stopping this book and re-listening to Archeron. Hope I'm making sense. This Styxx character isn't anything like the Styxx character in Archeron, nor is the sister. I will add to this review once I finish.

As for the narrator, Fred Berman is awesome. He should always narrate Greek characters :-).

The Best Narration Ever!!!

Where does Styxx rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Styxx ranks #2, only because Acheron is my #1 favorite!! A lot of people complained about the content of the story, but I wasn't worried about it because there was a point the author was trying to make...and she really made it.

What other book might you compare Styxx to and why?

I would compare it to Acheron simply because it's the story of his twin brother, and you really learn how much the two's live's were actually a lot alike.

What about Fred Berman’s performance did you like?

Fred Berman is a great story teller. He isi simply amazing at creating the voices of the many charecters inthe story and puts so much emotion into them that it's a pleasure to listen to and follow the story with interest.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It definitely was, if not for having to work, I would have.

Any additional comments?

I actually read this book after listening to Acheron. I felt that I would get the full effect of the story by purchasing the audio book, and I was right. I only wish that Fred Berman had actually done both Styxx and Acheron...he's awesome!!! Only complaint was that there were a few contradictions with the sister, and I didn't like the way Acheron was made to seem cold in certain respects but overall, I loved this book!!