Dark Slayer (Carpathians, #20) - Christine Feehan

416 pages

A rumor has persisted in the vampire world of a dark slayer—a woman—who travels with a wolf pack and any among the vampires who meets her is slain. Mysterious, elusive and seemingly impossible to kill, she is the one hunter who strikes terror into the hearts of the vampires.
Ivory Malinov is that woman, betrayed by her own people, by her family, by everyone she held dear and she hunts during the night with only her pack to sustain her sanity. She has not spoken to or been with any other person for a hundred years other than to feed from or slay. She stumbles across a body on her way back to her lair and discovers—her lifemate.
He is Razvan, branded a hated criminal, detested, feared and loathed by all Carpathians—he is also a dragonseeker of one of the greatest lineages of all Carpathians Held captive nearly his entire life by his grandfather, the Carpathians bitterest enemy, he is seeking the dawn to end his terrible existence.
This is a story of two people, horribly betrayed, wounded in spirit, fighters to the death, who must struggle to unite against a common enemy.
 
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think I've said this for the past 3 Carpathian books I reviewed, but this really is the best Carpathian book so far. Or close to it atleast. Dark Slayer is about Ivory Manilov and Razvan.

Ivory is the sister of the 5 Manilov brothers who purposely turned Vampire because they thought they could rule the world that way. Ivory was tortured and hacked and left for dead by the Mikhail's brother Draven and the vampires under Xavier's direction. However mother earth and the wolves saved her and now she slays the undead along with her wolf pack - with no allegiances to the undead, Xavier or the Carpathian race that left her for dead.

The grandson of the evil mage Xavier, Razvan has been in his grandfather's clutches since he was fourteen and has had his body and mind used for crimes against Xavier's enemies. He's lived only with his honour and endured to save those he loves, but now he's giving up.

Many things are thankfully different in this book. The two meet and don't want to be tied to each other because they're both being hunted, but cant abandon the other nonetheless. Ivory is the warrior in this book, while Razvan is more the calming influence with tremendous inner strength (that just sounds corny now, but you know what I mean)
He had learned long ago that he couldn’t control others or events, only his own reaction to what happened...“I do not control others, Ivory, only myself. I do what I must, no matter the cost.”

I can honestly say these are the strongest characters I've come across in anything I've read so far - both mentally and physically these two have endured and have been honed in the fires of hell. They have a single minded determination to accomplish whatever they set their sights on - be it Xavier or ravishing each other. Despite their strengths, they both have vulnerabilities - and it is lovely how they are there for the other at their times of need. At time I thought there was too much of the inner dialogue - with how they didn't deserve each other and how they had found joy and happiness. But considering both their tortured pasts, the gratitude and joy they found in each other did make sense, and it wasn’t so bad to read.

Razvan's lack of ego is refreshing after all the previous Carpathian men and their i'm-the-best-thing-that-ever-happend-to-you attitude. He's happy following Ivory's lead in areas that are her forte, and they support each other as partners. The part where they Razvan uses his skill at strategy along with Ivory's abilities and tricks the ancient Carpathians had me laughing for quite a while.

A lot of the old characters are back in this book along with some new ones. We catch up with what's been happening in the other lives and how they're fighting the undead, Xavier and they're own extinction with the inability to keep their babies alive. There's also sad re-unions with Razvan meeting his sister Natalya (who I wanted to slap in this book a lot of times) and his daughter Lara and coming to terms with the new knowledge of what Xavier had been using his body for.

Lovely story this. I wondered how the two would meet, how they would reconcile with the Carpathians and whether they would defeat Xavier and where the series will go from this book onwards. Feehan does a almost perfect job on all counts. A lot of things are wrapped up in this book, with enough to keep you waiting for the next book.

Really, this isn't an adequate review. It'll make you laugh, it might make you cry. It'll keep you invested in the lives of these two. So go read the book. (But read some of the previous books first so it makes a lot more sense)
See my reviews on some of the previous Carpathian books here

Read more...

Dark Curse (Carpathians, #19) - Christine Feehan

400 pages

Rating: 5/5

Lara Calladine is haunted by childhood memories of being held prisoner in an ice cave and kept sane by the whispered stories told to her by her imprisoned aunts. They instilled mage and Carpathian magic deep within her and then helped her escape. She has spent years searching for the cave in hopes of finding the answers to the riddle of her past as well as finding her aunts who may have given their lives saving her.


Nicolas De La Cruz has returned to the Carpathian Mountains--his homeland--on orders from his eldest brother, Zacarias, to bring news of a conspiracy to the prince of their people. He is weary of his long existence and plans to end it away from his brothers where they will be unable to stop him once he has fulfilled his duty.

Lara and Nicolas paths collide in an explosive adventure that rocks the Carpathian world

I know when i reviewed Dark Secret i said i probably wouldn't like any of the South American Carpathian men because Rafael was just so obnoxious to me, but i think Nicolas more or less redeems all the brothers in this one. Eventually.

The prologue itself got me completely involved in the book and with Lara. I've been looking forward to reading more on Razvan, Xavier and the past between the mages and the Carpathians, and this book added a lot to that story.

Nicolas is here to tell Mikhail about an old conspiracy against the Carpathians which they believe is now being carried out. But before that can happen, he sees Lara. The whole scenario of how Lara and Nicolas meet was absolutely ridiculous and seemed completely out of some cheesy movie

He sees her and bites her. She stabs him with her knife. He uses the Carpathian binding words and gives her the knife back so she can kill him if she wants to:

"It is not my choice. Life or death is the choice of my lifemate. If you reject my claim, then you are condemning me and I willingly die by your hand."

All this in the half a page since he's met her.

And Lara's words more of less sum the whole situation up :

"You might be the hottest man in the village, but your brain is about the size of a pea"

Lara was the small girl who Natalya had seen through Xavier's knife in Dark Demon. She's Razvan's daughter and here to rescue her aunts. And there's more of her horrible childhood with Razvan and Xavier in this book.

In the beginning, Nicolas thinks he knows whats best for Lara and makes decisions for the both of them without any regard to her needs. What ended up was a very very bad trip down memory lane for Lara and a huge awakening for Nicolas. I liked Nicolas after that.

Lara finally helps with the answers for why the Carpathians aren't having kids - a solution which means she cannot be converted to a full Carpathian until the problem is solved.

Dark Curse also brings back Vikirnoff and Natalya, who is Lara's aunt - my favourite couple. They do a suspense filled double date back to Xavier's cave to rescue Lara's aunts - the same ones who were in dragon form in Dark Demon.

This book didn't end in the typical Feehan manner. Dark Curse went from a woman who was ready to do anything it took to get away from the man who had bound him to her to a couple who needed each other for their very breath. It added more characters and more promising stories in the books to come.

The only part i didn't like was the constant reference to spiders in all of Lara's spells. But i figured that wasn't reason enough to keep this great book from a 5 stars.

I like the latter part of the series where the stories are more varied and more captivating compared to the ones at the beginning. Although they all were good in their own manner. The only thing i can say now is Write Faster Woman!! I know Feehan has quite a few series running, but i cannot wait to find out what happens next in Razvan and Ivory Malinov (Dark Slayer, releasing September 1st 2009)

Read more...

Dark Demon (Carpathians, #16) by Christine Feehan

531 pages

Rating 5/5

For as long as she can remember, Natalya has been fighting demons: first in the form of childhood nightmares, then later, immortal creatures that kill and prey on the innocent--including her own twin brother. Whether Carpathian or vampire, she slays those who murder by night, and as no equal--until she is seduced by the very thing she considers her enemy...

A Carpathian who has seen nearly everything in his endless existence, Vikirnoff doesn't think he can be surprised anymore--until he faces a woman who rivals him as a vampire hunter. A formidable and gifted warrior in her own right, Natalya has a nature that is strangely familiar--yet alien--to his own. Who is this mysterious female who fears no one--not even him? Natalya could be the key to the survival of the Carpathians, but all Vikirnoff is certain of is that she is the key to his heart and soul...

This has got to be my favourite book ever. I know i know i've said that for quite a few of the Carpathian Series, but if Feehan can actually top this one, then hats off to you lady.

Dark Demon had equal quantities of everything - romance, mystery, great characters, great situations, amazing conversations.. you know everything you want in a good book.

Natalya is part mage, part Carpathain and all woman. She's a movie addict with hilarious results - like calling the vampire Freddie Boy. She has grit and determination. She featured for half a page in Dark Secret (book 15). She's a woman on the run. The Vampires are searching for her as she can see the past of an object when she touches it, and they want her to find something for them.

She goes against everything she has been taught (basically being that the Carpathians will kill her if they find her) and still saves Vikirnoff's life and helps him heal as well after the two of them face a couple of vamps.

Vikirnoff, who i loved in Dark Destiny, has been in search of Natalya since and now finds her in the Carpathian mountains fighting off Vampires with no fear. Always assuming his lifemate would be someone who loved home and hearth and not a fiesty smartmouth with a will and mind of her own, he's not sure what to make of her, but is captivated none the less.

I loved these lines in the book which summarised it best:
"He was beginning to realize having a lifemate was difficult. Living with her wasn't about what he wanted, or even needed. Being a lifemate was about supporting Natalya even when everything in him wanted something else. Her personality required a certain amount of freedom and it didn't always matter what he deemed best."

While learning to trust each other, they have their own adventurous time fighting off vampires, entering the cave of the dark mage Xavier and learn of family ties, betrayal and manipulation in Natalya's life. Throughout Vikirnoff is with her. I can't really add more without giving away more of the story - but this book does bring new characters and a larger plot against the Carpathians to life.

This book had a lot more happening in it than the other ones, and the ending was absolutely amazing - not the normal, she converted, small vampire fight and they lived happily ever after - a lot more here.

The attraction between these 2 is sizzling...and at the same time actually believable in a beyond the fairy tale way (am i still making sense?) I loved the part where Vikirnoff completely loses it during Natalya's conversion into a full Carpathian. This is the first book i think where Feehan actually showed the man showing fear and this much of concern - making me like Vikirnoff all the more.


And then there were lines like these that made Natalya and Vikirnoff my favourite couple:

I love when Vikirnoff first meets her in the forest and he orders her to leave the fight expecting her to obey:
Vikirnoff: "Get out of here. I will take care of this while you make your escape."
Natalya: "You've got to be kidding me!..You couldn't fight your way out of a paper bag right now."

Vikirnoff: "You will not address your lifemate with such disrespect. Do as I say at once and leave this place. The battle has only begun and you must remain safe. He will not die if you do not incinerate his heart"

Natalya: "Keep your orders for someone who wants to be hunter's mouse. And these things should come with an instruction manual on killing them."

Vikirnoff : "I do not want to embarrass you and force your obedience."

Natalya: "Are you out of your tiny little mind? Do your women actually obey when you say jump? And don't think for one moment that you could force my obedience. You don't want to start a war with me."

Vikirnoff : "The vampire is going for as much blood loss as possible to weaken me. If I try to
protect you, which I must do, I will divide my strength."
Natalya: "Well, try not to let it happen. I've got enough to take care of without worrying about protecting an amateur. I'm a little busy here if you don't mind. Silence would be appreciated."

Natalya: "Die already! Sheesh, the least you could do is put yourself out of your misery and get it over...If there's one thing I can't stand, it's a whiney vampire."

"You're like the little engine that could, except you can't."

"This is just great news. My intended is the undead waiting to happen. Do I have a neon
sign stamped on my forehead? If you're a bloodsucking evil monster, willing to murder and wreak havoc, please apply."

Will definitely be reading this one again...

Read more...

Dark Destiny (Carpathians, #13) - Christine Feehan

383 pages
Rating: 5/5

Her childhood had been a nightmare of violence and pain until she heard his voice calling out to her. Golden and seductive. The voice of an angel. He had shown her how to survive, taught her to use her unique gifts, trained her in the ancient art of hunting the vampire. Yet he could not bend her to his will. He could not summon her to him, no matter how great his power. As she battled centuries-old evil in a glittering labyrinth of caverns and crystals, he whispered in her mind, forging an unbreakable bond of trust and need. Only with him can she find the courage to embrace the seductive promise of her...Dark Destiny

Dark Destiny is different from the other books in the Carpathian Series in that Destiny is a Vampire Hunter - making her the first woman Carpathian in this role.
Nicolae is the voice she turned to when as a psychic human child she was ensnared by a vampire who then killed her parents and brutalized her. With no other way to save her, Nicolae teaches her to become a hunter and kill the vampire…and he’s there for her every step of the way after that.
The dynamic between these 2 is interesting in that they've known each other almost all of Destiny's life. So even though she fights the attraction between them, she realises she needs him for her very sanity. Destiny was infected with Vampire blood by the vampire who captured her when she was younger and the infected vampire blood burns her because of which she cannot exchange blood with Nicolae.
Nicolae's solution and his attention and care for Destiny makes him one of my favourite Carpathians. This is one great story, that you have to read.

I like both Von Shrieder brothers, and i love Vikirinoff's sense of humor and his conversations with Nicolae.

That's another thing you'll love about this book - the quirky conversations between Destiny, Nicolae, Vikirnoff and even Mary Ann. And then there are the ones that fit in the 'words of wisdom' category:

Destiny: "Have you forgotten that you had to warn us I was tainted?"
Vikirnoff: "Your blood is not who or what you are. It merely runs in your veins. If a human has cancer growing in his body, does that make him a tainted being? Do not allow this vampire to run your life any longer. He does not own you. He is long gone from this world. Let him stay dead."

Destiny: "You know, MaryAnn, I'm beginning to think you make it up as you go along, you and Father Mulligan."
MaryAnn's eyebrow shot up. "Are we supposed to have the answers? You don't have the
answers—how would we? You can only keep moving ahead, Destiny. You keep your eyes open and with luck you see the pitfalls before you step into them, but you embrace life and live it as best you can."

Read more...

Dark Legend (Carpathians, #8) by Christine Feehan

382 pages
Rating: 5/5

Gabriel

He woke deep within the ground, and the first sensation he felt was hunger. An overwhelming hunger for blood that demanded satisfaction. But as he hunted the dark streets of Paris for prey, a voiced called to him, soothing, calming, giving him the strength to control his craving. Francesca Del Ponce was a healer, a woman who radiated goodness as powerfully as the sun did light. But surely his obsession with her would turn him as his twin brother had turned, leaving the world with two monsters instead of one.

Though he knew she would be like hot silk in his arms, though he knew the taste of her would be addictive, he feared for her life and his soul if he took her. Then with one mind-shattering vow she gave herself--"I offer freely, without reservation, I offer my life for yours as is my right"--and with a firestorm of long-forgotten feelings, he glimpsed salvation


I loved this book the most so far. Its very different from the other books - a much more developed storyline with an amazing ending.

I've been waiting for Gabriel and Lucien's stories for a while now, and it does not disappoint.
Francesca isn't your typical female lifemate - she's made a life of her own and the book doesn't have much of the arrogant male references that the other books seem to have. One thing I've noticed is that the older the Carpathian male, the lesser "male amusement" Feehan adds in the book. Also, Gabriel makes an effort to give her space and court her as such. They have a much more believable and natural relationship that the other couples have had. The fact that there was a wider plot and more characters than just the typical blood and sex and rebelling-but-eventually-giving-in-female is what makes this a good book.

Gabriel's relationship with Lucien is awesome (I'm running out of proper adjectives to use i think, but the sentiment is the same) The fact that they're so close that Gabriel cannot but help connect with him even when he thinks Lucien is a Vampire and Lucien, despite the games he's playing, cannot help coming to his brother's aid is what makes this my best book of this series.

I kept wondering throughout the book but the ending, despite hoping (anticipating) it still was a welcome surprise.

**Considering that i'm bout 25 books behind in my reviews, i'm just publishing what i have regardless of the order of the series. The books i liked, like this one i wrote up automatically, the others i've kinda forgotten already. Sigh

Read more...

Dark Hunger (#14), Dark Secret(#15) by Christine Feehan

Dark Hunger (part of the Anthology "Hot Blooded" / Carpathians # 14): Whaaa? That is all i have to say about this book. It just seemed like such a waste of time reading it i'm wondering what Christine Feehan even took the time to write it. So ok, it introduces another ancient Carpathian family sent out by Vlad and the Jaguar women are back. Since they're 5 brothers, there will be more stories about them in the future. But what this book really has is only sex.
Sigh. There is a reason i don't like Anthologies.


Dark Secret (Carpathians #15):
367 pages
Yikes. I'm not sure i'm going to like any of the South American Carpathian Brothers. The only parts i liked in this book where where Colby was hitting Rafael.
This was the first book where the woman accuses the man of rape, which actually made no difference really since her sentence was something along the lines of "you raped me but i want you again"
As not 'interesting' as the characters of Colby and Rafael were, there was nothing but hard sex (just like the Anthology. I hope there aren't any more books on the De La Cruz brothers if all stories are going to be like these). They argued, they had sex. They argued some more. They had sex.
I really like Vikirnoff's conversations and i guess the next book will be on him and Natalya. I'm also guessing with Natalya's story lays the foundation for a lot of the future plots in the coming books when it comes to the Vampires? Just guessing.
And what is with the corny book cover?

Read more...

Dark Prince - Christine Feehan

I don't know about this one. I honestly wanted to slap both these people. Most of the time (specially when he's thinking to himself) Mikhail is an arrogant jackass and Raven she's just a plain ole-slap-me-idiot. And foolishly* enough the one thing i found completely annoying was Mikhail constantly calling her Little one. Yeah, that is exactly how every woman wants to being a relationship. Although i can see why this would be someone deepest darkest fantasy if they are erm.. not so little. Well ok, so he's centuries old and maybe that explains why he would want to call his lifemate little one not (!) but why would she be ok with this?

It begins kinda weird, Mikhail is the prince of the Carpathians who are basically a race of people who need human blood to survive but are more like Angel with added powers rather than the other blood sucking fiends you see in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (sigh, i miss her). He's thinking of ending his boring existence when he has a telepathic conversation with a woman out on a holiday in his neck o the woods. Immediately he must know her and have her. Which he does, first by becoming an owl ** so he can spy on her outside her window and then later feeling her up mentally when she's asleep. Sigh. And that was just the first 6-7 pages.

Anyway, most of the other pages are covered with their supposed*** erotic sex wherein Mikhail is nibbling her and drinking her blood and she's doing the same without knowing that she is. Her arguments with him are mostly irritating and you just wanna slap her and tell her to get it over with.
The ending is interesting enough - humans hunting the Carpathians thinking they're vampires and a Vampire hunting them as well. Not bad.

The book leaves a couple of things out, like why the Carpathians cant have children or why they die in the first year and why none of them are girls? No explanation there. Feehan lays the whole premise about how human women cannot become Carpathians as they cant handle the change and will lose their sanity whereafter she promptly forgets about it when it comes to Raven turning Carpathian. But hey, its her book.
The devotion that these guys seem to have for their women is kidna nice though. I mean, its a bit over the top just like everthing else, but pretty nice none the less.

What i really did liked were Jacques and Gregori, although they don't have much in this book. They feel like they have potential to become interesting books in themselves and i only hope Feehan does not give them annoying bimbos like Raven.


*And i say foolishly because there really are so many things idiotic in this book. And yet i did read it. But then again, nowadays i seem to be able to read every print on the milk carton with mighty interest, so I'm not sure what it says about this book. It does seem to say a lot for my foolish state of mind. I need to get back to something like Grapes of Wrath soon.
** yes, they can shapeshift into any bird but they choose to become owls. Must be some old Hogwarts hang up
***and i say supposed because somehow reading things like white hot lightening and velvet sheath is just plain hilarious. Erotic it is not.

Read more...