'Fantasy Lover (Julian of Macedon)' in the Dark-Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon follows the story of Julian, a 2000-year-old warrior cursed to be a love slave trapped in a book. When summoned by Grace, a psychologist with past sexual hang-ups, their relationship evolves beyond the initial expectations. As Grace helps Julian navigate the world and understand love, they both face danger and compassion, leading to an intriguing and suspenseful plot that intertwines romance, Greek mythology, and psychological complexities.
The novel is a blend of romance, adventure, and Greek mythology, providing a fun and light read with a fast-paced plot that keeps readers engaged. Sherrilyn Kenyon introduces readers to the Dark Hunter series through this book, setting the stage for a series full of paranormal romance elements and unique character dynamics.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book includes themes of sexual slavery, trauma, and emotional abuse, which may be sensitive for some readers.
Has Romance?
The romance is central to the plot, developing significantly throughout the novel between Grace and Julian.
From The Publisher:
Dear Reader,
Being trapped in a bedroom with a woman is a grand thing. Being trapped in hundreds of bedrooms over two thousand years isn't. And being cursed into a book as a love-slave for eternity can ruin even a Spartan warrior's day.
As a love-slave, I know everything about women. How to touch them, how to savor them, and most of all, how to pleasure them. But when I was summoned to fulfill Grace Alexander's sexual fantasies, I found the first woman in history who saw me as a man with a tormented past. She alone bothered to take me out of the bedroom and onto the world. She taught me to love again.
But I was not born to love. I was cursed to walk eternity alone. As a general, I had long ago accepted my sentence. Yet now I have found Grace-the one thing my wounded heart cannot survive without. Sure, love can heal all wounds, but can it break a two-thousand-year-old curse?
Julian of Macedon more
Ratings (39)
Incredible (4) | |
Loved It (12) | |
Liked It (13) | |
It Was OK (6) | |
Did Not Like (4) |
Reader Stats (76):
Read It (42) | |
Want To Read (19) | |
Did Not Finish (3) | |
Not Interested (12) |
4 comment(s)
Fantasy Lover introduces us to Grace Alexander, a sex therapist who has never had a relationship with a good man. She was hurt by her last "boyfriend". Her best friend, Selena, an Oracle, believes she has just the right man for Grace. She's found a book which is said to hold Julian of Macedon. On Grace's birthday, she talks her into going through the steps to call forth Julian. Grace, believing the entire thing to be nothing more than a good laugh, is shocked when later that night, Julian appears in her living room, naked in all his grace.
Julian, after convincing Grace he is from the book, tells her that he is "stuck" there until the next full moon. She's feeling a bit put out, how can she entertain this man for 30 days? She has a life and a job.
Julian cannot believe Grace's lack of "response" to him. He's always called upon to service women, most times to the point where he's locked away with them for the entire 30 days to be used for nothing but sex. It's what he's come to expect, so he has no idea how to handle Grace's rejection.
The two of them, forced to spend time together, grow closer and soon Grace can no longer deny her feelings for Julian. The problem? Grace refuses to become involved with a man, even one as seductive as Julian, when he doesn't love her and on top of that, must leave in 30 days.
This is the first book I've read by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I found the audiobook at the library and decided to give it a go. The description of the story sounds a bit kooky, but the book was a joy to listen to. The story is funny and romantic. I've heard it's the "weakest" of the series, so I'm excited to read the rest.
On paper, this book is exactly my cup of tea. Time travel is my jam. In actuality, the whole thing was pretty underwhelming. I thought this book seemed dated and the plot was very predictable. Meh would be the best way to describe it. Not bad enough to quit. Not good enough to make me want to read others in the series.
It's so weird that I apparently read this before - it had a 4 star rating and it shows I read it in 2021 - because I don't recall it at all, and it showed as unread on my kindle.
Anyway!
This May 2024 read may or may not be a re-read. But 4 stars was seriously low-ball, so I bumped it to 4.5, rounding up. This is a really lovely story, that made me cry several times. Julian's backstory is just devastating, and frankly I think he needs to start killing deities.
I liked Grace too, but this book was honestly carried by Julian and his heartbreaking arc. I can definitely see myself reading this again. And, hopefully, remembering it next time.
I love the Dark Hunter series and feel that this book does not get enough love. Although not technically part of the core series this does give us the story of Julian and Grace Alexander who are regulars in the series.
Julian is the son of a Spartan and Aphrodite, who has been the victim of one of his brother's anger. He has been trapped in a scroll/book for thousands of years to serve as a sex slave to the one that summons him for one month. Over the years he has lost hope and a part of himself in the process.
Grace is a sex therapist who clearly does not practice what she preaches. After a very nasty past experience she has laid off the intimacy and been a skeptic of that relationship. On her 30th birthday in a drunken whim she accidentally (or not) summons Julian. In a crazy twist it is found out that she is the one who is able to break the curse set on him.
This is more a a true romance book and not a lot of the action and vampiric/ daemon action that the series is known for. There are some steamy moments that could make anyone want their own sex god. As the book progresses you see the subtle and the not so subtle changes that happen in our lead characters and their relationship.
What can you read after
Fantasy Lover?
About the Author:
In the past two years, New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon has claimed the #1 spot twelve times, and since 2004, she has placed more than 50 novels on the New York Times list. This extraordinary bestseller continues to top every genre she writes. With more than 23 million copies of her books in print in over 30 countries, her current series include: The Dark-Hunters, The League, Lords of Avalon, BAD Agency, Chronicles of Nick and Nevermore. A preeminent voice in paranormal fiction, Kenyon helped pioneer and define the current paranormal trend that has captivated the world. She lives with her husband, three sons, a menagerie of animals and a collection of swords.
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