Unleash the Night (Dark-Hunter, Book 9)

Accompanied by her study group, Marguerite D'Aubert Goudeau steps into Sanctuary with the sole purpose of exploring the old haunt of her deceased friend, Nick. She misses her best friend horribly and feels a connection to him as she sits and surveys the dangerous looking bar. While taking in her surroundings, Marguerite feels the weight of a heavy stare, and soon realizes it comes from the unkempt man who is placidly bussing tables. For unexplainable reasons, she is somewhat fascinated and feels herself drawn to this man, who seems so far removed from everything, and everyone, around him. Wren Tigarian has merely existed since his childhood. Being a Were-Hunter crossbreed of snow leopard and white tiger, Wren has been rejected by every person around him his entire life. He lives and works at a bar called Sanctuary, owned by the Peltier family, and more importantly, located on neutral ground. It is the only protected place, where those who would see him dead dare not violate. Wren has no use for people, were or not, and views life from behind a silent yet threatening demeanor. His apathy toward his existence never wanes... until one extraordinary woman steps into his life. When the taunts and actions of one of Marguerite's acquaintances start a nasty fight involving Wren, the hands of fate begin to turn. Though they are an unlikely match up of were and "society child", Wren and Marguerite soon work together to uncover secrets of Wren's past; secrets that some would gladly kill to keep from being discovered. Do I expect a fascinating and absorbing read from Ms. Kenyon's Dark Hunter series? Absolutely! She has a talented gift of including action, sensuality, tragedy and humor in her stories that keep me coming back for more. For this reason alone, Ms. Kenyon holds a position at the top of my "auto-buy" list. When I picked up Unleash the Night, I was filled with eager anticipation. I'm happy to say that I truly could not put it down, and pretty much ignored everyone around me while I was engrossed in the story. The Tigard, Wren, is portrayed as strong and deadly, yet his awful past creates a heartbreaking vulnerability. This beguiling combination had me shivering in lust one moment, and aching with sympathy the next. Marguerite is also very likeable, if a little flat. However, I was more than willing to let pass her implausible reactions to situations that cropped up simply because of my overall enjoyment of the story. While not fire-poker hot, there was a smooth sensual chemistry between Marguerite and Wren. Admittedly, Unleash the Night was not as fully developed as other stories in the Dark Hunter series. And there were some questions that were raised, such as: What happened to nice old Mama Lo Peltier? However, I rather see this story as a foundation of new things to come. While Acheron was sadly absent, the introduction of Savitar makes me think that he is destined to become quite a powerful player in the Dark series; at least once the multitude of Acheron fans finally have their request of receiving Ash's book granted. All in all, Unleash the Night is a fun and fabulous read! I highly recommend it and will happily continue to watch for anything that Sherrilyn Kenyon offers! Jolie Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I started reading the Dark Hunter series years ago, and when I get a gift card to an ebook retailer, this is one of the first ones I go for. I love the world of the dark hunters, or the Arcadians and the Katagaria. Unleash the Night is the story of Wren Tigarian and Maggie Goudeau. Wren is a one of a kind Katagaria, a hybrid between a tiger and a leopard. He can take human form, but his natural state is that of an animal. I love Wren. He strong and beautiful, though he’s been an outcast his whole life. His parents despised him, and even the people who are honor bound to provide him a safe place to leave can’t stand him. It’s gotten to the point where he believes he’s as awful as everyone says he is, and yet he perseveres, day by day, somehow managing to retain a good heart. Maggie is the wealthy, pampered daughter of a US Senator. She doesn’t like her life, though, and doesn’t share her friends’ snobby attitudes or better-than-everyone-else outlooks. She’s told what to do, where to go, how to act, and follows along only because she loves her father and wants him to love her, too. When Maggie meets Wren, everything changes. She draws him out of his anti-social shell (but only her), and he unwittingly teaches her to stand up for herself and what SHE wants. Wonderful story, developed superbly, with great feels. Plus we get to see some well-loved characters from previous (and future books). I haven’t read the series in order, but since each book progresses the series storyline, I’d recommended starting at book 1 and going from there if you can. This is a series I’ll re-read over and over again.

I was delighted to finally see Wren's character explored more thoroughly, and wow, was this one thorough! All of the Dark Hunters and Were-Hunters are wounded souls and it's wonderful to go along for the ride while each one is marginally tamed by the passion and love of a sincere woman. The book moves quickly, gets you sucked into the plot because you want to know more about Wren and why he's constantly dancing on the razor's edge as well as push those tawny dredlocks out of his eyes... And while it's always nice when the heroine winds up with a hero who knows how to love her like nobody's business, make her eyes roll in her head with how attentive he is in the sack... or on the floor, or in the swimming pool... It also helps that he's stinking rich. This tale is rich in fantasy and romance, yet the characters have real personalities that you can feel connected to. The only problem that I see coming down the pike as this series continues is that, like with this book, we're going to need a decoder ring or score card to keep all the players and places in order. Still, if you want to fall in love with a brooding, wounded stud who needs love, gentleness and understanding, Wren is your man and this is your book!

Wren Tigarian ist ein Einzelgänger. Er spricht zu niemandem. Er ist nicht nur ein Wesen zwischen Mensch und Tier, sondern auch ein Mischling zwischen Tiger und Schneeleopard und das macht ihn zum absoluten Außenseiter, selbst unter Seinesgleichen (Were-Hunters). Von seiner Geburt an von den eigenen Eltern nicht beachtet, wächst er völlig zurückgezogen auf. Nach dem mysteriösen Tod seiner Eltern findet er Unterschlupf in der Bar „Sanctuary“ , wo Wesen wie er – Were-Hunters unbehelligt bleiben. Dort lebt Wren seit 20 Jahren und redet außer zu seinem einzigen Freund einem kleinen Affen zu niemandem. Er ist allen anderen unheimlich und fast alle haben Angst vor seinem unberechenbaren Temperament. Er lebt völlig zurückgezogen bis zu dem Tag, als Marguerite D’Aubert, Tochter eines prominenten U.S. Senators in der Bar auftaucht. Er ist völlig fasziniert von ihr. Maggie hasst das Leben, welches ihr Vater ihr aufzwingt. Sie fühlt sich eingeengt und ständig beobachtet. Sie fühlt sich als Außenseiter ihrer Familie und Umgebung und ist sehr einsam. Sie will dieses Leben, Tochter eines berühmten Vaters, nicht führen. Von dem Moment an wo sie Wren in der Bar sieht fühlt auch sie sich von ihm sehr stark angezogen. Doch das Schicksal scheint erst einmal gegen sie zu sein. – es ist unmöglich, dass ein „Were-Hunter“ wie Wren sich mit einem „Menschen“ einlässt, oder eine Senatorentochter mit einem Kellner einer Bar. Und trotzdem.... Beide merken, dass sie etwas ungewöhnlich Starkes verbindet. Doch das Schicksal scheint erst einmal gegen sie zu sein. Seine eigenen Leute jagen beide, weil sie befürchten, dass er – ausgelöst durch Maggie – krank und verrückt geworden ist, da er sich auf einmal ganz anders verhält. Außerdem wird ihm auch noch vorgeworfen seine eigenen Eltern getötet zu haben ... Sie haben Angst, dass Wren und Maggie ihre Spezies durch Entdeckung bedrohen. Nur zusammen mit einigen „Freunden“ von Wren , die nicht glauben, dass er verrückt geworden ist können sie entkommen. Doch noch einige Sprünge durch Zeit und Ungewissheit vergehen bevor sie Wrens Unschuld beweisen können... Ich fand das Buch einfach klasse. Ich war von der 1. Seite an gefesselt von der Geschichte. Beide Hauptfiguren haben mit jeder Seite an Charakter und Stärke dazu gewonnen. Man konnte ihre Entwicklung sehr gut mitverfolgen. Anfangs waren beide noch sehr zurückhaltend, z.T. unsicher. Gegen Ende des Buches haben Sie sich – ganz allmählich- zu selbstbewussten Wesen entwickelt. Das Buch ist nie langweilig, weil Sherri durch immer wieder neue Wendungen und Ereignissen die ganze Geschichte spannend hält. Also mir hat das Buch wirklich von der ersten Seite an gefallen. Man trifft auch alte Bekannte wieder wie Julian, Bill und Vane, das gefällt mir persönlich auch immer gut.. ;-D. Auch wenn man Ash diesmal nicht angetroffen hat, dafür aber ein anderes mächtiges Wesen – Savitar – mindestens genauso mysteriös... Ich vermute von ihm werden wir die nächste Zeit nocheiniges hören ...;-).

I really loved this book. Wren is so different from the other dark hunter heroes and it was hard not to feel for him. I am glad he got a happily ever after and I recommend this book highly.

What a glorious continuation of this series. Wren has been mentioned in previous books, as one of the may were-beasts at the New Orleans Sanctuary. But this is his tale, and what a tail he has. A hybrid were-tiger, were-leopard wren has never fit in anywhere. Even at the Sanctuary they barely tolerate him. Maggie is the daughter of a senator, living in her father's shadow and scare to put a toe out if line in case it reflects badly on him. The last thing she needs is a troublemaker in her life ... which is what Wren and her father both believe Wren is. But Maggie has different ideas. When Wren is accused of a crime he didn't commit and is sentences to death it's a life and death race to find the proof they need to keep him alive. And doesn't that come with one or two little shocks. My only niggle with this book (but it's not big enough to lose a star) is the insinuation all the way through this book that Maggie's mother, who took her own life, may have had some sort of connection with the were world. But it's never fully explored. Every time I read a new book in the Dark Hunter series I can't believe how much I enjoy it as it becomes my new favourite. It's a true testament to SK's consistent skill in writing about this wonderful fantasy world she's created. Unleash the Night is no exception! I absolutely loved it, and am now looking forward to Dark Side of the Moon.

love the whole series, catches your attention and keeps it going to the end

Sherrilyn Kenyon is amazing. She knows how to write to her audience and make you feel apart of the Dark-Hunter World