I think that for the most part, its a matter of personal preference. Im very picky about that kinda thing so i would definitely read them in order. There are several different story archs that span a number of books and i think you'd get the most out of the series if it were read in order. On the other hand, i have known a few people that didnt read them in order and they were fine with that.

I don't feel that you have to read them in order to know completely what is going on, but I think you will find out things about characters that story appears in earlier books when they are reintroduced in later books (who gets with who & etc).  It is a series that I enjoy & hope you do also.  I have to read things in order and admit that I did read this series in order as I found Kenyon with Fantasy Lover and have reading most of her books ever since.

I prefer to read them in order, as the characters overlap.  But I've found with most series that after you get past the world building in the first 3 or so books, order is less important.

If you read them in order, a time line will be established and all the interaction of the characters will be easier to follow.

The early ones stand alone pretty well.  After the first 5 books or so, it becomes more important to have read some earlier ones.  There are also some books that are more important than others as far as the main story line.  I've pretty much given up on the dream hunter books, but I'm still reading the others.  FWIW, my favorites are the first nine books of the series.

I agree about reading them in order. I to am very picky this way.

However, I have to disagree with Karen in that my favorites were later as I felt they began to relate more to the bigger story. I had a hard time with book 1 purely due to the context of the storyline I found corny. But I would put these in my top 5 favorite series that I have read to date. (Still lots to read :-) Acheron which I think was book 19 was one of the best of the series in terms of revelation to the storyline.

I have had lots of difficulty trying to get through the Nick's Chronicles, they seem very slow, although I can see there importance to the storyline.

Anyway, just my two cents......

Shannon

When I find an author like her that I like I get all the books that they have published. I also have read I think one of the first ones called Night Play and was able to follow it pretty well. Have to go through my books of hers and put Night Pleasures on here since I have more than one copy of it. Let me know if you'd like it. April. Send me a PM @ kijero.

I love the Dark Hunter series! It's one of my faves! I still haven't read all of them but I am pretty close. I don't read them in order...I started with Bad Moon Rising and then just went from there I find a character that interests me and pick up that persons book. I have never had any problem following the story line or felt like I was missing anything by reading this way. I am usually very against reading outside the reading order, but It has worked out for me this time. Enjoy reading the series, they are glorious brain candy!