Dance with the Devil Book Discussion.
Ah here we are, discussing Dance with the Devil. I happen to know that for a few of you, this is your favorite book so I'm very excited to read what you all have to say. The only thing I have to say is that if you want to mention things that happen in future books, please put something in the subject line of your comment along the lines of "Spoilers for..." and mention the book. There are a few people who haven't read all the books and don't want to be spoiled. Other than that, I don't object to mentioning a few other details just warn others okay? Also, if you're new and want to comment on older discussions that's fine as well!
My Thoughts on Dance with the Devil
Ah Zarek. I know a lot of you have been waiting for this book to be discussed and to tell you the truth, Zarek is not one of my favorite Dark Hunters (I don't hate him, he's just there for me), but he is certainly the one who suffered most in his mortal life and still bears the scars of that. Zarek is a complex character, I think he's the poster boy for the Dark Hunter motto "Mad, Bad and Immortal." His sarcasm is unrivaled and makes him at times very amusing, though I doubt that his intention is to be amusing. He tends to snarl at anyone who tries to help him and you can't help but understand why. The only thing he's ever known in his mortal life and as a Dark Hunter is cruelty and coldness, everyone who crossed his path at one point or another has been cruel to him, lied to him or betrayed him, with the exception of Sunshine (Remember that Astrid did lie to him about who she was). What surprised me the most was that despite the life he was unfairly condemned to, he still wants to help others, even if it's anonomously. I mean, instead of kicking out the mink and her kits when he found them living in his stove, he let them stay. He also saved them when Thanatos came looking for him (he got the crap bitten out of him but that's not the point), proving that Zarek does care about protecting the innocent, whether they're human or animal. He has a good heart but covers it with so many layers of sarcasm, harshness and crudeness and that's what, in my opinion, has endeared Zarek to so many people.
Astrid, seems at first like a pampered justice nymph, shy and easily intimidated, however it doesn't take long to find out that she may be blind but she can take care of herself and quickly loses her initial fear of Zarek. She stands up to him, possibly like no one ever has before and can easily match his sarcasm, which at first catches Zarek off guard. He does try to intimidate her several times in the beginning but to no avail, she doesn't back down and often leaves him speechless or frustrated, a first for Zarek. Astrid is an admirable character, she, like Zarek, also bears the scars of betrayal, she has lost hope that there is innocence, joy and happiness in the world, so when Acheron and Artemis come and ask her to judge Zarek, she balks at the idea. She's a determined and stubborn woman who realizes there's more to the cranky, crude Dark Hunter than meets the eye.
Aside from Zarek and Astrid, this book is filled with adorable Simi moments, in fact, I believe this is the first appearance of Simi in her demon form (she appeared in dragon form in Embrace the Night.She's just a sweetheart and this book shows just how much Acheron loves her. She's unbelievably innocent and loves Ash unconditionally, a first for him. Some of my favorite Simi lines include:
"Simi," he comanded. "Take human form.
..."Whatcha want, akri?" Simi asked Ash.
"Kill Thanatos."
"Oh, goodie! I get to make the redheaded goddess mad!"
"Ooo, let's see, I need to get my spicy barbecue sauce. Definitely some oven mitts, 'cause he's gonna be hot from being flame-broiled. I need to get a couple of them apple trees to make wood chips so the meat be nice and appley tasting. Give it that extra yumminess, 'cause I don't like that Daimon flavor. Ack!"
And my personal favorite:
"Simi? Is that you?"
"Yes. C'est moi. The little demon with hornays."
She's just so cute, almost makes me want a Simi of my own. Almost. She could barbecue my cousin for starters. Then I'd think about siccing her on my sister's boyfriend. Simi would have fun for sure, but she's a bit of a handful and a little rebellious.
So what did you all think about the book? About Zarek and Astrid? How about Miss Simi?
Please don't hesitate to comment on older discussions that you've missed!
Fantasy Lover
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Night Pleasures
Night Embrace
Kiss of the Night
Night Play
My Thoughts on Dance with the Devil
Ah Zarek. I know a lot of you have been waiting for this book to be discussed and to tell you the truth, Zarek is not one of my favorite Dark Hunters (I don't hate him, he's just there for me), but he is certainly the one who suffered most in his mortal life and still bears the scars of that. Zarek is a complex character, I think he's the poster boy for the Dark Hunter motto "Mad, Bad and Immortal." His sarcasm is unrivaled and makes him at times very amusing, though I doubt that his intention is to be amusing. He tends to snarl at anyone who tries to help him and you can't help but understand why. The only thing he's ever known in his mortal life and as a Dark Hunter is cruelty and coldness, everyone who crossed his path at one point or another has been cruel to him, lied to him or betrayed him, with the exception of Sunshine (Remember that Astrid did lie to him about who she was). What surprised me the most was that despite the life he was unfairly condemned to, he still wants to help others, even if it's anonomously. I mean, instead of kicking out the mink and her kits when he found them living in his stove, he let them stay. He also saved them when Thanatos came looking for him (he got the crap bitten out of him but that's not the point), proving that Zarek does care about protecting the innocent, whether they're human or animal. He has a good heart but covers it with so many layers of sarcasm, harshness and crudeness and that's what, in my opinion, has endeared Zarek to so many people.
Astrid, seems at first like a pampered justice nymph, shy and easily intimidated, however it doesn't take long to find out that she may be blind but she can take care of herself and quickly loses her initial fear of Zarek. She stands up to him, possibly like no one ever has before and can easily match his sarcasm, which at first catches Zarek off guard. He does try to intimidate her several times in the beginning but to no avail, she doesn't back down and often leaves him speechless or frustrated, a first for Zarek. Astrid is an admirable character, she, like Zarek, also bears the scars of betrayal, she has lost hope that there is innocence, joy and happiness in the world, so when Acheron and Artemis come and ask her to judge Zarek, she balks at the idea. She's a determined and stubborn woman who realizes there's more to the cranky, crude Dark Hunter than meets the eye.
Aside from Zarek and Astrid, this book is filled with adorable Simi moments, in fact, I believe this is the first appearance of Simi in her demon form (she appeared in dragon form in Embrace the Night.She's just a sweetheart and this book shows just how much Acheron loves her. She's unbelievably innocent and loves Ash unconditionally, a first for him. Some of my favorite Simi lines include:
"Simi," he comanded. "Take human form.
..."Whatcha want, akri?" Simi asked Ash.
"Kill Thanatos."
"Oh, goodie! I get to make the redheaded goddess mad!"
"Ooo, let's see, I need to get my spicy barbecue sauce. Definitely some oven mitts, 'cause he's gonna be hot from being flame-broiled. I need to get a couple of them apple trees to make wood chips so the meat be nice and appley tasting. Give it that extra yumminess, 'cause I don't like that Daimon flavor. Ack!"
And my personal favorite:
"Simi? Is that you?"
"Yes. C'est moi. The little demon with hornays."
She's just so cute, almost makes me want a Simi of my own. Almost. She could barbecue my cousin for starters. Then I'd think about siccing her on my sister's boyfriend. Simi would have fun for sure, but she's a bit of a handful and a little rebellious.
So what did you all think about the book? About Zarek and Astrid? How about Miss Simi?
Please don't hesitate to comment on older discussions that you've missed!
Fantasy Lover
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Night Pleasures
Night Embrace
Kiss of the Night
Night Play