Acheron Book Discussion
Aug. 6th, 2008 02:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dark_x_huntressThe big enchilada has arrived!!!
Talk to me guys, was the book what you expected? Why or why not? Were you right about Ash's heroine?
EDIT: MY COMMENTS BELOW THE CUT
Holy cow! I just finished Acheron and I'm still speechless! I stayed up until 4 a.m. to read it and I still didn't finish it before I passed out from exhaustion.
Can I just say that Ash's past broke my heart? I mean we all knew that he had endured cruelty as a human but I don't think anyone ever imagined it was like this. All he wanted was to be loved and instead he got the exact opposite. The worst part is that though this book is fiction, there is a lot of reality in the way people treated Ash. We are a cruel race that thrives on making those who are different suffer.
There are, unfortunately a lot of Ash's in the world today.
While Acheron's entire past is one big tragedy, nothing affected me more than Ash's reaction to his sister and nephew's deaths. The one person who loved him (as much as was possible for her) despite what he had done was brutally taken from him. That's the moment that did it for me, that's when it hit me how horrible his life had been. Up until now we knew little more about Acheron than his Dark Hunters did, and now we know why he fought so hard to keep his past a secret. Who would want to remember that kind of life? His past held the secret to bringing him down. His memories were beating him down without him even knowing it sometimes!
When I finished reading about his past, all I wanted to do was give Ash a big hug. I also realized that the woman who captured his heart would have to be patient, tender and yet a warrior in her own right.
Enter Tory. I'm glad she wasn't Artemis' equal in terms of beauty, that would have pissed me off. She's attractive but not gorgeous, plus she's a tall woman so Ash doesn't have to worry about stepping on her when he walks around.
Tory was patient and kind to Ash even when she thought she hated him. I love that she actually had the nerve to throw a hammer at him. It's what Ash needed. An ego-buster. He knows he's irresistable to mostly everyone and Tory isn't immune to his magnetic pull, but here's the kicker... SHE'S STRONG WILLED ENOUGH TO FIGHT IT. She gets annoyed at him and let's him know it and she doesn't let him boss her around either. Tory is the perfect woman for Ash in every way, she makes him feel special but she also keeps him grounded and doesn't let him get away with too much. Plus she totally put Artemis in her place: Below her.
There's a lot of "human" moments for certain characters who were normally portrayed as anything but. Ash of course is humanized even more, he referees children's basketball games, plays with the Howlers, and best of all he blushes when he does something klutzy. Who knew an all powerful god could blush?
And Appolymi has never seemed more human. Sometimes I forgot that above all she is one thing: A mother who misses and suffers because she is forever separated from her son. Her reaction to Tory's hug made me realize that she too, needs someone to love her.
We got to see the side of Ash we didn't know existed. The normal one. Being a ref for a young kids basketball game? His relationship with children is the only insight we ever had on him emotionally. That revealed a lot about Ash and I loved it.
One thing I was a little disappointed in: The length of the second half of Ash's life. I would have liked to see more interaction between Ash and Tory, his reaction to her treating him normal and them going out to do simple, everyday things. However, all in all I adored this book. Acheron has been a huge mystery to his Dark Hunters and to readers alike. That curiousity was forced to build until, I'm sure a lot of us, wanted to explode.
BTW: Do you think Artemis will be able to sink her claws into Nick the way she did with Ash? I doubt it, he seems to be more bitter than Ash and has an idea of how Artemis works. I do think it will be interesting when he meets his love. He's a bitter, raging, sneaky man with a grudge who just happens to be connected to Stryker in the worst possible way. Hmm, should be interesting to see where this ends up.
Remember, if you're going to include spoilers in your comments, please put "SPOILERS AHEAD" in the subject line so others won't be spoiled (unless they want to).
Other Dark Hunter discussions can be found HERE.
Talk to me guys, was the book what you expected? Why or why not? Were you right about Ash's heroine?
EDIT: MY COMMENTS BELOW THE CUT
Holy cow! I just finished Acheron and I'm still speechless! I stayed up until 4 a.m. to read it and I still didn't finish it before I passed out from exhaustion.
Can I just say that Ash's past broke my heart? I mean we all knew that he had endured cruelty as a human but I don't think anyone ever imagined it was like this. All he wanted was to be loved and instead he got the exact opposite. The worst part is that though this book is fiction, there is a lot of reality in the way people treated Ash. We are a cruel race that thrives on making those who are different suffer.
There are, unfortunately a lot of Ash's in the world today.
While Acheron's entire past is one big tragedy, nothing affected me more than Ash's reaction to his sister and nephew's deaths. The one person who loved him (as much as was possible for her) despite what he had done was brutally taken from him. That's the moment that did it for me, that's when it hit me how horrible his life had been. Up until now we knew little more about Acheron than his Dark Hunters did, and now we know why he fought so hard to keep his past a secret. Who would want to remember that kind of life? His past held the secret to bringing him down. His memories were beating him down without him even knowing it sometimes!
When I finished reading about his past, all I wanted to do was give Ash a big hug. I also realized that the woman who captured his heart would have to be patient, tender and yet a warrior in her own right.
Enter Tory. I'm glad she wasn't Artemis' equal in terms of beauty, that would have pissed me off. She's attractive but not gorgeous, plus she's a tall woman so Ash doesn't have to worry about stepping on her when he walks around.
Tory was patient and kind to Ash even when she thought she hated him. I love that she actually had the nerve to throw a hammer at him. It's what Ash needed. An ego-buster. He knows he's irresistable to mostly everyone and Tory isn't immune to his magnetic pull, but here's the kicker... SHE'S STRONG WILLED ENOUGH TO FIGHT IT. She gets annoyed at him and let's him know it and she doesn't let him boss her around either. Tory is the perfect woman for Ash in every way, she makes him feel special but she also keeps him grounded and doesn't let him get away with too much. Plus she totally put Artemis in her place: Below her.
There's a lot of "human" moments for certain characters who were normally portrayed as anything but. Ash of course is humanized even more, he referees children's basketball games, plays with the Howlers, and best of all he blushes when he does something klutzy. Who knew an all powerful god could blush?
And Appolymi has never seemed more human. Sometimes I forgot that above all she is one thing: A mother who misses and suffers because she is forever separated from her son. Her reaction to Tory's hug made me realize that she too, needs someone to love her.
We got to see the side of Ash we didn't know existed. The normal one. Being a ref for a young kids basketball game? His relationship with children is the only insight we ever had on him emotionally. That revealed a lot about Ash and I loved it.
One thing I was a little disappointed in: The length of the second half of Ash's life. I would have liked to see more interaction between Ash and Tory, his reaction to her treating him normal and them going out to do simple, everyday things. However, all in all I adored this book. Acheron has been a huge mystery to his Dark Hunters and to readers alike. That curiousity was forced to build until, I'm sure a lot of us, wanted to explode.
BTW: Do you think Artemis will be able to sink her claws into Nick the way she did with Ash? I doubt it, he seems to be more bitter than Ash and has an idea of how Artemis works. I do think it will be interesting when he meets his love. He's a bitter, raging, sneaky man with a grudge who just happens to be connected to Stryker in the worst possible way. Hmm, should be interesting to see where this ends up.
Remember, if you're going to include spoilers in your comments, please put "SPOILERS AHEAD" in the subject line so others won't be spoiled (unless they want to).
Other Dark Hunter discussions can be found HERE.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 08:49 pm (UTC)I was hoping for that HEA, but never really believed it actually would be her. But now I'm more than happy that my hopes have been fulfilled! Can't imagine a better HEA for Ash, really =)
no subject
Date: 2008-08-08 04:51 pm (UTC)I loved Ash's dorkiness the most though. His love of Manga, music, the height issues and the clumsiness (slipping off the ladder, forgetting to take the guitar off BEFORE trying to go to the bathroom) was so sweet. Who knew that an all powerful god could be such a klutz.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-07 03:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-07 10:46 pm (UTC)SPOILERS AHEAD
Date: 2008-08-07 07:12 am (UTC)MILD SPOILERS AHEAD, mainly opinions though:
I enjoyed it immensely. Seems like I've been waiting SO long for this book. Ash's past was heartbreaking and extremely well written. Ash's present was pretty cool, but it seemed so short. I wish there'd been more, dunno, attention given to exploring Ash and his HEA's growing feelings for one another. I guess I was hoping to connect more. But even if it wasn't quite as heated and intense a love affair as I would've liked, it was very, very sweet and I'm so happy that Ash has someone he can count on now.
MAJOR SPOILER AHEAD:
My favorite part - when Ash decided he wasn't going to take it anymore and refused to give up his future with Tory in exchange for the journals and walked away from Artie for good. *sniff* Excuse my language, but our poor used and abused Acheron isn't gonna take that shit anymore! GO ASH!
Re: SPOILERS AHEAD
Date: 2008-08-07 10:51 pm (UTC)And Tory bitch slapping Artemis? Priceless.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-07 03:25 pm (UTC)I wasn't surprised at who she was. Everyone's speculation was right. I'm happy that she can hold her own. Was unhappy that there wasn't enough 'getting to know each other' time. IMHO.
I found myself rooting for just about everyone, with the exception of one. Wee! Artie gets her come-uppance.
BTW, Hallowed are the Ori. And I wonder how Adria would fit into this world?
no subject
Date: 2008-08-07 10:54 pm (UTC)In regards to Adria, I have a feeling she'd be worse that Artemis. Artie doesn't care about humans so long as they don't get in her way. Adria thrives on human worship and will destroy those she can't convert.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-07 06:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-14 06:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-08 04:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-14 06:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-08 05:32 am (UTC)AT THE BOOK SIGNING
*SNOOPY DANCING*
EEEEEEEEEE!
Ok...just had to get that out.
O__O
no subject
Date: 2008-08-08 04:43 pm (UTC)Make sure you tell me how it was! I swear if it's the last thing I do, I'm going to meet her, even if I have to sell my sister AND her boyfriend.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-08 01:53 pm (UTC)Omg, Ryssa and Appie's death still haunt me. I know they're not real but the way the whole situation played out and how Ash heard his nephew calling for him but couldn't respond...it kills me. That's why I see Artemis' betrayals as so much worse than everyone else's. I mean, her damned selfishness took the only things he was bothering to continue living for, despite all the suffering. :(
On a random sexiness note: that crawling thing Ash did!!!! I about had a coronary at the hotness. *fans self*
no subject
Date: 2008-08-08 04:49 pm (UTC)Despite his bitterness, he's still a good guy, he just tries not to be. His reluctance to rape Tory proved that. Also being able to stand with Ash and fight Stryker temporarily contradicts his attitude.
I'm guessing the only way Nick will be free from Stryker will be if he finds a woman who will bind herself to him like Tory did with Ash.
I found Ash's clumsy moments endearing. He went from being the scary Goth guy in the first book to the tall, dorky guy Tory fell in love with. It was cute that he would blush in front of her when he did something dorky.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-09 06:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-14 06:14 am (UTC)I wish there had been more Simi moments because I just love her.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-14 04:38 pm (UTC)SPOILERS
Date: 2008-08-14 03:04 am (UTC)Finally finished it last night!!
OMG...
*
*
*
*
*
I was so psyched that I got his heroine right!! She so rocked!!!
I always disliked the heifer-goddess...but when Ryssa and Appie died...
I so wanted to gut her like that Promethius guy...over and over and over again... with wild animal to feed on her in between!
gggggrrrr!
I had 2 disappointments...
1. it ended...and not enough of the romance
...ok, it's 3 things!
3...they didn't get to torture and kill Artie. :(
Does that make me vengeful and bloodthirsty?
*shrugs* ...I'm good with that. ;p
Re: SPOILERS
Date: 2008-08-14 06:29 am (UTC)Tory so rocks, she's caring but tough, she doesn't let Ash get away with anything, she's the right balance of tender love and tough girl.
I agree with your 3 disappointments completely. At least Tory should have taken a strap to Artie so that for once she could suffer the pain and humiliation that she inflicted on Ash.
Re: SPOILERS
Date: 2008-08-14 04:55 pm (UTC)then dead...since she feared that too.
*blinks innocently* wha? ...just sayin'
no subject
Date: 2008-11-10 09:42 am (UTC)I discovered the DH series at the beginning of September and have read the whole series through Acheron in order.
I agree with most of the opinions here. I would say more but I'm typed out as I have left an extremely wordy review HERE (http://community.livejournal.com/darkhuntercntr/876.html) at my dark hunter community.
no subject
Date: 2008-11-23 09:56 pm (UTC)