Bad Moon Rising
(Dark Hunter #17)
by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Were-Hunters are both human and animal. The Katagaria and the Arcadian, two breeds of Were-Hunters are sworn enemies. The Katagaria are animals that can take human form maintaining their basic animal nature, whereas, the Arcadian are humans that take animal form keeping their inherent human nature. This transformation takes place during puberty as well as the initiation of their supernatural magical powers. Their hatred of each other stems from ancient mythology and continues to the present.
Fang and Aimee are the Romeo and Juliet of the “Were” universe, two star-crossed lovers of different species, of different patria, Ursulan (bear) and wolf (lykos).
This is their story...
In Bad Moon Rising, Fang first meets Aimee, a bearswan, at Sanctuary. Aimee, the waitress and beloved daughter of the owners, Papa and Nicole Peltier, despises wolves. According to Aimee, wolves are dangerously unstable, ill tempered, uncouth, and ill mannered. However, the Kattalakis brothers, Fang, Vane, and Fury surprise her; they are well mannered, helpful, and respectful, and of course, Fang is the one who intrigues her! He’s gorgeous, muscular, “hott”; yet, she can sense his fierceness, aggression, and FO attitude.
As for Fang...this ferocious, sarcastic, short-tempered wolf falls captive to the adorable Aimee. “...A blond angel... Her eyes are the clearest pale blue eyes he’d ever seen...who had just the smallest hint of a dimple in her right cheek...” Nonetheless, she is a bearswan. WTH? Definitely off limits! Bears and wolves together. No Way!
Yet, destiny intervenes...
A group of Arcadian jackals in search for Constantine, a rogue jackal, confronts Aimee. Surrounded and threatened at knifepoint, Aimee is defenseless and terrified. This. Is. Not. Good! Immediately, Fang and Vane attack! They, with Fury and the other 2 wolf pups quickly diffuse the situation. Fang brutally assaults the lead jackal and rescues Aimee.
“Wolves never fought alone. They fought as a pack. Rabid. Cold. Lethal. And together they could kill about anything that lived...or even those that didn’t.”
The bear clan, excessively grateful, offers their friendship, support, and loyalty to the Kattalakis brothers; and Aimee impressed with Fang’s tremendous bravery, strength, speed, agility, and ferocity is extremely curious about this enigmatic wolf. She wants to know more about him; however, this is no easy task! She quickly discovers that Fang is abrasive, short-tempered, brutal, coupled with a biting sarcasm.
Nevertheless, their sexual attraction and flirtatious banter allow them to face insurmountable challenges, resolve misunderstandings, and miscommunications.
“I really don’t like you” (Aimee).
Fang leaned forward to smirk. “You’re really not supposed to” (Fang).
[...Before he even realized what he’d done, he’d pulled her into his arms and silenced her tirade with a kiss”.
Thus, their adventure begins...
Do I like Fang?
He’s the stereotypical bad boy; sarcastic, defensive, angry, lethal, ostracized, lonely, and withdrawn. He uses humor and obnoxious behavior as a distraction, especially in volatile situations. While suffering a timoria and left to die with his brother Vane, Fang rants obsessively about his life, past loves, and revenge. This of course, annoys the hell out of Vane. With regard to his family, Fang tires of being the omega wolf of the Kattalakis pack; the wolf that others ignore, dismiss; yet, he’s the one the others need to protect the pack.
“He hated how they treated him like their mentally defective distant relation. As if his opinions didn’t matter. Anytime he opened his mouth, one of them told him to shut it...All they saw him as was the muscle they needed. A loaded gun to be used against their enemies.”
Fang accepts, even embraces his reputation; extremely antagonistic, menacing, dangerous; however, as with most bad boy tormented characters, he seeks love and acceptance. Thus, the Beauty and the Beast syndrome; Fang, fearless and feral, cherishes his Aimee.
“Most of all, she loved him. In all the world, she alone had tamed the part of him that he’d never allowed anyone else to see. Always fierce and fighting, he only found peace with her. She’d tamed him.”
Fang’s audacity, fearlessness, and bravery impress me, especially when he faces Savitar’s wrath. Courageously, he surrenders to Savitar, and plans to sacrifice his life to save Aimee and his brothers; however, his actions actually save his own life.
Fang follows the bad boy mantra and believes that he “cannot
offer her anything. Aimee deserves better”. What impresses me most about Fang is that he’s a fighter. He does not give up! Trapped in the Nether Realm, he reaches out to Aimee and Vane as he fights demons and suffers unspeakable barbarity. Selflessly, he relinquishes his soul to the nefarious Thorn to save Aimee’s life, as a result, becomes a hellchaser. Against all odds, Fang loves, is completely committed to Aimee!
Aimee, impetuous, loyal, and patient will do anything; will venture anywhere (to any realm) to save her wolf. She jeopardizes her life fighting demons in the Nether Realm and places her life in danger when she foolishly disobeys Savitar’s mandates. “ I have been through hell for you...twice. Do you really think I want to be in this life without you?”
We’re introduced to new characters and reacquainted with others: Savitar, Thorn, Ravenna, Zeke, Varyk. Plan to see more of them.
Overall, an interesting read! Fang and Aimee...volatile, impulsive, strong-willed, and tenacious. A formidable, compelling couple!
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