Listened to audio narrated well by Holter Graham. Kalder is retrieved from hell by Thorne, no longer a dead man but alive once more, betrayed by family, all that he thought he knew about himself wasn't quite true. Cameron has been playing a boy for a long time, her brother is a self righteous pain in the ass, but she's not giving up Kalder. There's a lot of other peoples story floating amongst Kalder and Cameron's story. Crossover characters were great to see, weaving all the series together. Some spots got repetitious but still a good read.
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Audiobook- excellent narration
4.5 Stars
Death, devils, pirates, princes, demons, love and friendship. All that and there was still some room for smexy time ! You know SK knows how to smex her characters right ! Just thinking about it all hot and bothered. Somebody grab me a fan it's hot in here. If you love her other series you'll love this one.
Man that was a fun ride. I can't tell you anything without ruining the story. it does pick up just after book 1 so go read that one first. it would also help if you read her Dark Hunter Series at least too. She pulls characters in from her other books and doesn't reintroduce them nor tell their back story. You'd be missing out on some seriously good characters if you don't. Acheron, Simi, Thorn, and a few other favorites make an appearance and set up for the next book. The ending is a humdinger of a cliffhanger. You have been warned. ( )

In this second Deadman's Cross book set in 1717, some time has passed and the evil Vine is loose and gunning for someone other than her ex-husband Devyl Bane the Captain of the Sea Witch. The crew is made up of damned souls who have been given a second chance by Thorn, the Devil's son, who rebelled against his father and fights for the side of the angels who treat him like crap because when they see him they see his father. Every one of them carries the deadman's mark which ties them to Thorn. Thorn can take them back to Hell at any time. Otherwise, they can't die, though if their bodies are obliterated they will wind up in Hell again, or if someone else comes along with the power to send them back to Hell or if a creature comes looking for a host to live in they might lose their bodies and find themselves in Hell. The idea is that they will do enough good that they will erase the deadman's mark and earn a real human life and a second chance.

Among those on board are Mr. Death, the proper quartermaster, Kalder, a merman, Belle Morte, the doctor, Sancha, the drunk surly woman at the wheel, Simon, a shapeshifter, and Roach, the wily Frenchman. Also, there is the ship herself, Mara who is a Deruvian or one of the tree folk. She can take human form as well as her tree or wooden form. Vine is her sister who has gone bad. The Captain is a sorcerer supreme among other things who will do anything for his ship or his crew whose main mission has been to fight demons who have been escaping from the several gates of Hell trying to hold them in.

When we left off, Kalder, the merman had just given his life over to take Cameron and Paden Jack's place in Hell. Cameron and Paden are Seraphim, creatures who are descended from the Archangel Michael and who fight demons. Thorn manages to get Kalder out of Hell, and away from Vine, but not before Vine did her damage. She brought Kalder's dead baby brother, Muerig, to Hell and tortured him. Then she returns him to the Sea Witch only it's with the understanding that he'll have to choose between sending Muerig or Cameron, whom he cares deeply for, back to Hell. The Captain won't allow anyone to be sent to Hell. Not on his watch.

To make matters worse, Kalder's old mentor Chthamalus, a demon, shows up to tell him that Kalder's brother and the woman he believes to be his mother, the one who killed him, is alive and ruling Wyneria, the Mermaid kingdom which he thought had died off. They have learned of his new situation of being alive (when he sacrificed himself by taking The Jacks places he lost his mark) they believed that he was after the throne and are coming after him to attack using the powerful and crazy Malachai, a creature that can tear the world apart. Kalder has Chthamalus create a portal to send them all to Wyneria.

There is treachery in Wyneria and Kalder finally finds out who his mother is. Paden, meanwhile is still trying to take his head off for paying attention to his sister and Cameron and Kalder wonder, as they are falling for each other, how they can possibly be together as they are so different and want different things in life. Cameron just wants to own the tavern she works in and Kalder feels he needs to continue to work off his debt aboard the Sea Witch. And what about their children? They'd be cursed with her Seraphim abilities and a mermaid like Kalder.

But first, they must contend with the Malachai and the people controlling him. This was an amazing book that keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire way through. I was quickly flipping through pages and staying up late to finish it. It holds many surprises that will keep you guessing what could possibly come next. I've come to care a great deal about these characters since the first book. You can't help it. Each of the unique characters has their own compelling tale that draws you to them. Kenyon is a master storyteller and I can't wait to read the next book in this series especially since she left this one on a bit of a cliffhanger. I can't recommend this book or this series enough.

Quotes

Out of death there is life. Out of devastation comes hope. Out of tragedy comes strength. Out of your pain comes wisdom. Out of sorrow comes insight. You will never know how high you can soar until you’ve learned to fly with wings that were broken by enemies and re-forged by your own determination to succeed and let no one hold you down ever again. You show them all that their cruelty will not define you. That you will not live by their rules or dictates. You are your own master and they will never have power over you again. Let nothing hold you back. Let nothing hem you in. You set your course and you fly to the heavens. A beautiful, imperfect creature, capable of love and trust, even after betrayal. Capable of mastering courage in the midst of utter terror. And capable of delivering mercy even after all you’ve been through was cruelty. You will rise above the ashes of the future they attempted to burn to the ground a stronger creature, steadfast and more determined than ever to see this through. For there is mothing more terrifying in this universe that the Soul Determinator. For it will not be stopped and it will not be daunted. So go on and bring on your worst if you must, and I will deliver unto you me very best. For you will not defeat me. Not now. Not ever. I will not allow you to.

-Sherrilyn Kenyon ( Death Doesn’t Bargain p 239-40) ( )

Yo Ho Ho, Sherrilyn Kenyon takes no prisoners with DEATH DOESN’T BARGAIN, the second book in the Deadman’s Cross series. The Deadman were given a chance to redeem their soles by being part of Thorn’s Hellchaser army. They are tasked with killing the demons who escaped their prison and threaten mankind. This Historic Fantasy takes place in 1717. It is mermaid, Kalder Dupree’s and Sephirii, Cameron Jack’s story.

I made the mistake of reading DEATH DOESN’T BARGAIN without reading book one, DEADMAN WALKING. It took a few chapters for me to get all the characters straight and figure out what was going on. After I did, I loved this story. I want to go back and read book one to find out what I missed.

I really enjoyed Kalder’s character. We discover a lot of interesting things about his past and his lineage. He is not all that he appears. He is a good (mer)man, despite his cruel upbringing. He carries a lot of guilt, some of it unwarranted. He is selfless, always putting others before himself. Cameron is an interesting compliment to Kalder. She is sweet, caring, curious, and honest. They have a yin-yang relationship.

The Deadman have many interesting adversaries. It keeps the plot exciting. I love that DEATH DOESN’T BARGAIN takes place in the Dark-Hunter Universe, and that characters like Acheron make an appearance in the novel. The story frequently reminded me of a more serious Pirates of the Caribbean. However, it does have its funny moments.

As always, Sherrilyn Kenyon’s writing style is exemplary. You feel like you are in the proper time-period. I really liked the epilogue. I am highly anticipating the release of book three, AT DEATH’S DOOR. Followers of Kenyon’s Hunter Legends Series should enjoy this book. Furthermore, people that like pirate fantasies with a paranormal twist. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. ( )

hb