The Dark-Hunters, Vol. 1 [Paperback]

WOW - I have to say I was astonished at how well done this manga is. I love Kenyon's Dark Hunter series of novels, and I was excited but hesitant about the prospect of them being adapted as manga (and not comics as many other bestselling series are, such as Anita Blake). Thought I love the full-color that comics come in, the black and white manga seems to flow better and allow the story to be equal to the art.

First, this was an excellent adapatation. I had only intended to glance through it when it arrived yesterday, but instead found myself reading straight to the end! The Dark Hunter series has a lot of underlying mythology that is important to the storyline - in particular, Kenyon's twist on vampires. The manga managed to capture the key parts without losing the richness of the original novels. It also retained the humor found throughout the series. This volume adapts the first half of "Night Pleasures," and even though I already know how it ends, I can hardly wait for volume 2. This manga has a more noticeable amount of text due to the necessary backround information, but it was presented in a good way.

Second, Kenyon was careful to stay true to manga's Japanese origins. The manga reads right to left, and according to her website the artist is Japanese, and subsequently so is the art style. The quality of the paper and printing is very high. I didn't notice any typos, and the text was clear even in the wordy sections. The art is fantastic. I love how the artist rendered the characters, especially Tabitha (goth chick). The characters have the quality many describe as anime (big eyes, expressive faces, teenage-looking). Though I liked it, it took some getting used to after reading the books and imagining them differently. I do wish the cover was a little more flashy (as volume 2's cover looks to be).

Fans of the novels should really enjoy the manga, but newcomers unfamiliar with the series can also enjoy it. Though I recommend reading the books as well (because they are just so good!), the manga can stand alone and be enjoyed without the books. Highly recommended!

While Kyrian of Thrace was out fighting the Romans, his wife was at home welcoming them into her bed. For a chance to kill the wife who betrayed him, Kyrian swore his allegiance to Artemis and fights as a Dark-Hunter in her army against the daimon predators. Artemis has Kyrian's soul and he is immortal until something finally kills him. Believing all women are treacherous, Kyrian has spent over twenty-one hundred years alone. Every night Kyrian prowls the streets protecting humans from, not only the normal evils of humanity's nature, but also from daimons out to steal their very souls. After being ambushed one night, Kyrian wakes to find himself handcuffed to a beautiful human female.

Amanda Devereaux just wants to be normal. The rest of her large family can practice spells, hunt vampires, and do all the paranormal stuff. Amanda has rejected and suppressed her powers since she was a child. Unfortunately for her, fate will not leave her in peace. Mistaken for her vampire hunting sister, Tabitha, Amanda is kidnapped and handcuffed to the most handsome and arrogant man she has ever laid eyes on. As much as she hates the thought, Amanda and Kyrian are stuck with each other. Once free of the cuffs, Amanda is still marked for death. By day she can go and do whatever she pleases, but until Kyrian can find and kill the daimons toying with them, Amanda must spend her nights either by Kyrian's side or within his fortress of a home. Amanda is the key to everything. Should Amanda die, so does Kyrian, and humanity is doomed.

***** FIVE STARS! I have always wanted to read the Dark-Hunters series, but never had the time. So I am thrilled to find out that the series is being released as a graphic novel, manga style. Manga style basically means everything is backwards. The beginning of this graphic novel is where the back normally is. The right page is read before the left page. On each page you must read/view the panels right-to-left as well. Do not worry. Within a single minute you will have the rhythm and the action begins.

This volume is NOT a stand-alone story. It ends at a dramatic spot and will be continued in the next volume. This manga novel does not just ooze drama; it hemorrhages with excitement in a paranormal world that will surprise you. Most excellent! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Adapting a book series into graphic novels can go either way -- you might get a "Dresden Files," but you also might get saddled with an "Anita Blake."

Fortunately Sherrilyn Kenyon's adaptation goes more the way of the former. "Dark Hunters 1," a manga adaptation of the second book of in her Dark Hunters series, is a thoroughly solid fantasy story that mingles Grecian-inspired fantasy, action and some sizzly romance -- and the main problem is that some of the characters are from Kenyon's first book, which leads to some headscratchers if you haven't read it.

Since her twin sister is a hardcore vampire hunter and her family is immersed in the supernatural, Amanda Deveraux has always revelled in the normal (even though her resolutely normal, boring fiance ditched her).

Then one night she gets mistaken for her sister clubbed on the head, and finds herself handcuffed to a brain-meltingly gorgeous man who also happens to be a vampire. Or rather, a Dark Hunter named Kyrian. Not only must they escape the warehouse and get to safety, but they must find a way to uncuff themselves... which is a bit difficult since they were made by the god Hephaestus, only a god or a Hephaestus-forged key can free them. Cue awkwardness.

Unfortunately, the cuffs are only one problem -- there's an evil Apollite intending to kill Kyrian and his comrades in arms, and Amanda's sister Tabitha might be the next target. Reluctantly Amanda becomes involved in the world of the paranormal, especially since she's falling in love with Kyrian despite his sarcasm and chilliness. But he has some nasty issues with women that the centuries haven't erased...

Personally I've never gotten around to reading the Dark Hunters series, or any of Sherrilyn Kenyon's other books, so I came into "The Dark Hunters Volume 1" not really knowing much about the plot. Fortunately this manga translates the story so well that even a newcomer can understand what's going on, although I have to say that I was a bit befuddled by the references to Kenyon's first Dark Hunters book (like Julian -- what exactly is the story with this guy?).

Joshua Hale Fialkov does an excellent job adapting Kenyon's story into manga form -- there's a solid mix of romance, action (an explosive car chase in Kyrian's Lamborghini) and comedy from the usual hijinks that come from being handcuffed together ("I can't go with you standing there!"). What's more, there's some well-written exposition on what the Dark Hunters and Apollites are, how they came to be (lots and lots of Greek mythology!), and their strengths and weaknesses.

Claudia Campos' art is also quite good -- it's fairly realistic and very well-drawn, with lots of sharp black lines and strong definition. And there's some manga influence: some big eyes, pretty swirly hair, and some gruesome moments as we see how Kyrian died. I was rather distracted by Amanda's now-you-see-them-now-you-don't lips, though.

The main characters are also pretty good. Amanda is a pretty ordinary young woman with a boring job and life... as well as plenty of guts, courage and freaky relatives/friends. And while he sounds like a standard romance trope (bad boy with a heart of gold and a tragic past), Kyrian is a pretty well-done character -- he's gloriously sexy and sarcastic ("Oh gods, I kissed a human!") and after many a dropped hint, Kenyon reveals just how he got so cynical about women. Well, who can blame him?

"Dark Hunter 1" is a solid manga adaptation of Sherrilyn Kenyon's book, although it's likely to leave you howling in frustration when you hit the big fat cliffhanger. Definitely worth reading.

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