The Dream Hunter by Sherrilyn Kenyon

The Dream Hunter is the latest paranormal romance from Sherrilyn Kenyon. It is the first book in a new series, but shares many plot and character details with her popular "Dark Hunter" series.

The basic plot:
This particular book is the only one in 8 months that actually enticed me to finish it. I like my romances with a lot of plot and I wasn't disappointed.The hero of the story, Arikos, is a Greek god of dreams cursed to feel nothing except when he is in the presence of someone who feels strongly. Enamoured of the emotions he feels through Mageara, an archaeologist in search of the city of Atlantis, he makes a deal with Hades:two weeks as a human in exchange for Megeara's human soul.

****Some Possible Spoilers****

The heroine, Megeara, isn't a 'faint in his arms the first time she sees him' sort of girl. Throughout the first half of the book, she is extremely distrustful of Arikos and rightfully so. (Wouldn't you be suspicious if you pulled a drowning man out of the Mediterranean with no other boat in sight?) Arikos is more of an anti-hero than a hero. In his desire to be with Megeara as a human, he trades her life to Hades, an action he later realizes was selfish. Even knowing this, be not afraid: like all romances, there is a "Happily Ever After."

****End Possible Spoilers****

This book and the books in the "Dark Hunter" series require the ability to suspend disbelief; you are, after all, reading fantasy when you read paranormal romances. Gods and goddesses and other fantastic characters are integrated into the modern world, where very few humans are aware of their existence.

What I love most about Kenyon's novels, in general, are the strong heroines and the engaging plot lines. If you have not read Kenyon's work before, I recommend starting with Night Pleasures, the first novel in the "Dark Hunter" series, to familiarize you with some of her characters before you read this book. It certainly can stand alone, but some of the irony will be lost and new readers may even be a little confused.

Another thing I need to mention:Kenyon is imaginative and does not shy away from sexual detail, so if you like gentle romances, you probably won't enjoy her books as much. That being said, this book was an enjoyable read.