Review: Inferno by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Inferno

Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Series: Chronicles of Nick, Book Four
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: YA Fantasy
Format: Hardcover, 451 pages
Release Date: April 9, 2013
Source: Mid-Columbia Libraries
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Synopsis from Goodreads:

The heat is on, and a new threat to humanity has risen…

Nick has his driver’s license and he’s not afraid to use it. But turning sixteen isn’t what he thought it would be. While other boys his age are worried about prom dates and applying for college, Nick is neck deep in enemies out to stop him from living another day. No longer sure if he can trust anyone, his only ally seems to be the one person he’s been told will ultimately kill him.

But life spent serving the undead is anything except ordinary. And those out to get him have summoned an ancient force so powerful even the gods fear it. As Nick learns to command and control the elements, the one he must master in order to combat his latest foe is the one most likely to destroy him. As the old proverb goes, fire knows nothing of mercy, and if Nick is to survive this latest round, he will have to sacrifice a part of himself. However, the best sacrifice is seldom the sanest move. Sometimes it’s the one that leaves your enemies confused, and you even more so.

And sometimes, you have to trust your enemy to save your friends. But what do you do when that enemy is you?

My Review:

I am still super surprised at how much I love this series. I was so tentative when I picked up the first book, Infinity, but I have fallen completely in love with this series. You guys know that I typically only read young adult, but this series is a prequel series to Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter series which currently consists of 25 books. I am so intrigued by all the characters in these books that, depending on how the last book in the Chronicles of Nick series ends, I may end up picking them up.

This book was amazing! Nick begins to learn more about his powers and how to control them in this book. He also discovers a secret that causes him much heartache. We see the repercussions of the bullying problem from the last book, but quickly move on to bigger and more dangerous things. Everybody is after Nick and his powers. Adarian’s time is running short and everyone wants to get to Nick so they can enslave him once he becomes the full-fledged Malachai.

The book mainly consists of Nick learning more about his abilities and struggling with heartbreak. But his training is quickly accelerated when a plot twist makes it imperative that he learn how to control his powers…right now.

I know I’ve talked about the POV Sherrilyn Kenyon writes these books from in previous reviews, but it’s worth mentioning again. This book is written in third person omniscient so we can see everything that is going on. I’ve never liked books written in this perspective, but I honestly can’t see these books being written any other way. It is so infuriating at times because you know everything and you just want to jump into the book and scream at Nick that he’s headed straight for trouble, but you can’t. You just helplessly watch as the story unfolds.

I still haven’t figured out who the good guys and bad guys are, by the way. I’m pretty sure that Caleb is good… maybe. We see a new side to his character which made me believe in him more, but with the way these books work, you just never know. He could turn at any second. But seeing this new side of him made me fall in love with him even more. He is definitely my favorite character.

I want Acheron to be good. I just don’t know if he is. Also, I was a little confused by his character. In one scene in this book, Nick mentions that Ash doesn’t know what he really is. I was under the impression that he knew, but then thought maybe I just assumed that. But then later in the book, Ash is reassuring Nick that he won’t turn out like his father. So does he know what Nick is or doesn’t he? If anybody has read these books and knows the answer please let me know in the comments below!

Overall, I loved this book. The characters have found their way into my heart and I am completely in love with the story and the world that Sherrilyn Kenyon has created. Nick has made a ton of progress in defeating his worst enemy, himself, and continues to grow as a person. His ability to battle the evil that lives inside of him is astounding and he is truly a good person at heart. I have faith that he will be able to hold onto his humanity. This book didn’t end on a huge cliffhanger, but then I read the epilogue and was confused and left wanting more. Unfortunately, the final book in the series, Illusion, doesn’t come out until March 15, 2014. *Tears* Happy reading all!