Fantasy Lover (Dark-Hunter Series Prequel)

Hmmm, "Fantasy" Indeed. . .

I wasn't expecting a romance novel, despite the title, but that's what this was, an incredibly detailed and sexy romance novel. If you've ever dreamed of having a man who loved you just the way you are and only wanted to pleasure you day and night, read on.

In case you haven't realized by now, this book is not for children. It is a bit lacking in plot, especially when compared to Kenyon's later books in the series, but we can forgive her this first try and just enjoy the warmth of the story that is the meeting of Julian and Grace.

Grace is a bright young, self-concious woman with a debilitating history with sex and relationships. In an attempt to make her move forward, a friend brings over a spell book that promises one month of bliss with the ultimate love slave. Needless to say, Grace is less than convinced. But the spell works and brings forth Julian, a demigod who has been trapped in the torture of the spell book for thousands of years.

This book is everything it promises to be and serves as a nice introduction to the entire Dark Hunter series.

21 out of 21 people found this review helpful.

Talk about a romance!

This book, although not officially part of the Dark Hunters series is an awesome start to a world of romance, adventure and fantasy. Once you enter the world of Sherrilyn Kenyon's writings you'll never want to leave.
I loved this read! It's creative and well written. Enjoy!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

It Got Better...

The first half of this book was what I can only describe as...lame. The entire potential for intrigue and mystery in the story was practically handed to you on a platter, and it frankly took the fun out of reading it. Fortunately, after the first half, the story started picking up and the characters began to come alive to me. This wasn't the best romance novel, but the redeeming second half was good enough to encourage me to read Kenyon's popular "Dark Hunter" series - hopefully those novels will start off stronger.


If you enjoyed the storyline, you might also like "The Pleasure Slave" by Gena Showalter. Even though it is second in a series, I found it entertaining and tantalizing enough as a stand-alone novel (and, incidentally, a bit better than "Fantasy Lover"). Also, the strong characters reminded me of the "Sons of Destiny" series by Jean Johnson - also very good.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

4

Sherrilyn Kenyon is a guilty secret of mine that does not seem like much of a secret anymore. I think that I can safely that the cat is out of the bag and in the canary cage. It is not however eating the cream.

While I try to think if those saying even work with what I was trying to say why don't you read my review.

I would be the first person to tell you that the Dark Hunter series all have a very set formula to them. They show all lot of the same things in slightly different ways. For an example there is always a female lead that has some kind of mental/physical problem that the male lead is trying to look for in his prospective partner. In this particular book we have Grace who is a sex therapist who has a phobia of being used for sex because of a past experience and Julian who was cursed into a scroll that is now a book where he has to please the person who says his name three times for a whole month. They meet, bad things happen, and throughout the book they not only overcome them but they fall madly in love. If that was the only thing that this series had going for it I don't think that it would have been much of a pleasure for me.

What I absolutely can not abandon is the mythology behind the books. They have Greek gods, Roman gods, and later even Atlantean gods. Then there is the Dark Hunter and the Were Hunters. I love how intricate the books are and the way that they have so much going for them besides just being really funny and almost illegally cheesy.

That is a warning for all of you who can't stand cheesy scenes where characters dialogue may just kill you because of the complete weirdness of it all. There is an actual scene in the book where Grace has an cartoon/manga moment in which she talks to herself aloud with no one in the room with her on how Julian had better watch out for her. She didn't think it but she full on says it while she is outside with the evil smirk included. So I have to say that chances are if you want to learn something philosophical or meaningful in every book that read read this is not the one for you. Neither are any of the books in this series. However, if you don't mind some really interesting mythology, some steamy scenes, and ignoring some really ridiculous dialogue I think that you will have a high chance of liking this book or any one of the books in the series.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

On book 6...LOVIN IT!

I absolutely LOVE this series. It's everything paranormal with sexiness and action to boot! The Dark Hunters are the rough around the edges type with hearts of gold that the average doesn't see....only meant for their loves they find in each story. I didn't think I would like Zarek when first introduced to him. UNTIL, I read "his" story Dance With The Devil. Now I'm a big fan of his quirky, tough guy attitude. All of the DH's have unique but extraordinary personalities and gifts. It's nice to read a love story from the man's point of view and still enjoy some action packed scenes! Way to go SK!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Forever a Dark-Hunter Groupie!!

I loved the first book for the Dark-Hunter series. I really like the mystical world that Sherrilyn Kenyon created for her series. It truly is a twist on old boring history classes.

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Unbelieveable!!!

I know this was the first book, but once I've read all of them from this series, I will begin again. So far, I've read this book at least three times and can never get enough.

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

'Holy Quacamole!' Haha,

I was so excited to read this when I got it as a gift for Christmas, and now that I read it, I found myself flying by it so quickly. But I loved every short second of it. Only because I am an exceptionally fast reader. But just within the first couple chapters I understood the advise of one reviews printed in the book 'make sure to wear oven mitts when reading.' It's a must have, late night reading.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Yummy

I actually really liked this book it was not what I was expecting and I'm glad I picked it up. I felt that the beginning of the book was something me and my best friend would do for kicks so I really related with the main character. The only reason I gave this a 4 out of 5 stars was because I didn't really feel there was much of anything besides the love story and I know, I know its a romance but I wanted something a little more. This book is more the kind of book to be passed among friends and shared but not to be kept for ones self.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Must Read

I picked up this book on a whim. I flew through it and have since purchased all her books. She is a great author with wonderful stories and imagination. This is a must read for any romance or book enthusiast. Sherrilyn has wonderful writing style. Her stories flow from one book to the next. The characters keep returning with more back stories and new adventures. She remains consistent and does not lose focus on the stories or characters. It is great how she keeps bringing back characters in different ways. The stories are both romantic and full of action. Sherrilyn keeps the stories fresh and with new ideas and she had a great imagination. Check out her other books. She is a must read author. Don't forget about her B.A.D. series. Looking forward to the Nic Chronicles. We is a wonderful character and looking forward to reading more about him. A must read for any one.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Awesome Read!

This was my introduction to Sherrilyn Kenyon and the world of the Dark Hunters and I must say - I'm hooked! I read this book in about 5 and a half hours. I just couldn't put it down. I found the story to be unique and extremely romantic. I won't go into the storyline or plot for fear of ruining it for future readers. I will say that if you are looking for a good book to curl up with - this is the one. I highly recommend all the Dark Hunter books!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

HOT!

This book started the Dark-Hunter series for me. Once I started I couldn't stop. Kenyon made me fall in love with all the characters. Because its a series, it would benefit a reader to read them in order. They build upon each other and the imagination and creativity of Kenyon seems never ending.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

pretty good..

I really liked this book. I got excited when i heard its in a series, but when i found out that the next book is about a character the book only mentions i don't plan on making the series the top of my reading list.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Addicted

This series is highly addictive! once you start your not gonna want to stop! It's incredible! I'm soo inlove with this series!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

I really enjoy this novel by Kenyon. It was both a original and enticing read. It was light hearted and a true fantasy story. Just sit back and enjoy it...I did!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

loved it!!!!

The dark-hunter series is a very exciting. I love all the sarcasime in her books, once you start reading one it's hard not to put it down. and after the first one you just want to read them all and find out what happens next. so i recommend that you read them all.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Utterly Dissapointing

I bought this book with high expectations based on the reviews I'd found on here and the gushing recommendation of fellow Karen Moning readers, I was so dissapointed that I ended up returning the book two days later. It was a poorly written book with bad, and at times corny, dialogue. The hundred and fifty some pages I forced myself to read were repetitive and the plot was thin and predictable. It had a few interesting elements, the book, the greek myth, and I was sad that such great ideas were done so poorly. After the bad writing and overload of 'holy quacamole!' I honestly can't figure what everyone seems to see in this book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Talking about Romance..

Woah, I absolutely fell inlove with this book. I mean wow...She deffinately knows how to add some spice and romance to your life with just a book! The stories of both characters are so touching and you can feel their emotions..it seems so real.. Her character Julian...is every women's dream! I mean damn I wish he was real...and I wish he was mine! I liked the fact that Grace had a low self-esteemed and low confidence of her body. Because only 6% of the women population actually think they are attractive..and to have a guy undress you infront of a mirror and tell you how beautiful you are...is deffinately a booster to your self-confidence.. I usually don't read romance novels anymore..but I couldn't help myself with this book..I could not put it down..I felt as if I was a little girl again and wishing that I was Grace..and that I had found a man like Julian.. If you are thinking about getting this book..Don't think...go and freaking get it because you will absolutely love it!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

An excellent read.

The picture in the antique book could not have been more perfect. Drawn with uncanny precision, the man portrayed in the image was without flaw, godlike and incandescent. Grace Alexander knew the legend surrounding the exquisite engraving: Julian of Macedon, a Greek love-slave who would be completely controlled and devoted to whomever summoned him from the pages of the book. A ridiculous story, really, but as a single woman with her 30th birthday right around the corner, she wishes it might be true. So in a tipsy, girls night out with a slightly off-center friend, Grace calls to the beautiful warrior frozen on the page of parchment. To her astonishment, he comes to her. Even as desire wells inside him for the woman who's called him, Julian feels a terrible relief. He is free from his prison for another full moon. Kissed by the goddess Aphrodite, he has beauty, courage, and strength beyond mortal men. But those blessings led to this curse. All he had is gone, his money, his status, even his greatest accomplishments on the battlefield. He is a nothing but a play toy for any woman who wants him, without even the dignity of being able to choose whom he desires. He lies between the pages of the book as if in a tomb, frozen, mute but conscious of his surroundings and the constant hunger and thirst that tear him apart. He pursues Grace, longing to appease his hunger, quench his thirst and sate the desire that rages inside him. Only she does not want to have sex. She wants to talk. She wants to take him places and give his mind flight. And she speaks of freedom. As Grace learns about the blindingly beautiful man she called forth, she is appalled at his history. Enchanted desire or not, she cannot bring herself to use him as the curse mandates. Her regard for him grows. For Julian, no one has looked at him as if he were a man and not a thing. Desire burns within him to the point of madness, yet his heart quietly begins to love. But can this woman truly break the curse that binds him, or will his newfound love be just another part of his spellbound hell? I could not wait to read this book just because the story line was so intriguing. The incredible conflict inherent in the characters' situations sounded fascinating and I really wanted to explore it. Let me tell you, the book does not disappoint. For something new and very well written, this book is your next best buy!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Highly Recommended

Very goood book, a must read