Helpful Score: 7
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Let's see if I can manage to write a review about this book without spoiling the previous sixteen installments for anyone. Seriously, the best compliment I can give this book is that I'm thankful there are sixteen other books plus three novellas, so maybe it won't be so painful and hard to wait for the new one to come out next year!
For any newcomers to the series, and if you are indeed a newcomer I suggest you get to the library ASAP to rectify the situation, the Dark series is a paranormal romance series about the Carpathians, a race of supernatural tough guys (and ladies) fighting grossly horrible baddies at every turn and trying to save their race from extinction. There are about a million other storylines woven in and, naturally, a love story in every book, and the happily ever afters are the stuff that saccharine headaches are made of; with winter and foul weather days just around the corner I definitely recommend these books as a great way to wait out a blizzard.
This book grabbed me from the word go and absolutely refused to let go. Seriously, I stayed up way too late on the night before the first day of school reading until I literally could not keep my eyes open anymore. So many story arcs from previous books get resolved in this book, and all it did was make me even more excited to see what direction the series is going to go in next. I definitely applaud the author for keeping the series going so strong after so many volumes. I think a lot of other authors would have (and let's face it, have) jumped the shark a long time ago (cough cough Janet Evanovich yeah I went there cough cough.) There's action, suspense, romance (of course,) fear, love, you name it.
Easily my favorite thing about this book was the relationship between and characterization of Ivory and Razvan. Ivory is a truly kick ass lady who absolutely does not accept no for an answer. She is strong and has overcome a truly awful past to become a strong and vibrant power in her own life in the present. Even though she has every right to be rabidly pissed off at the world and everyone in it, she isn't! She goes out of her way to do what's right on a cosmic level, even if that puts her at odds with other people.
Razvan, on the other hand, is a completely chill dude, which is (I'll admit) a departure from the norm for Carpathian novels. Typically Carpathian guys are alpha almost to an annoying degree and toe the line between interesting and "if I knew you in real life I'd punch you in the face." Razvan is completely different- he has a well-defined sense of self and is defintiely no pushover, but he doesn't stomp around and boss people around and brood and do unattractive things like that. Instead, he treats life as an opportunity and seeks to enjoy every minute of it, an attitude which, given the horrific backstory he has to deal with, is indeed remarkable.
I'm really trying to think if there's any criticism I have of this book. Um, it ended too soon? Does that count? If you're into paranormal romance and haven't started this series yet or are interested in exploring what the paranormal romance genre has to offer, do yourself a favor and start with the first book in the series (Dark Prince) and read in series order. As with any series, some are better than others, but I think you'll find you enjoy them as a whole.
Let's see if I can manage to write a review about this book without spoiling the previous sixteen installments for anyone. Seriously, the best compliment I can give this book is that I'm thankful there are sixteen other books plus three novellas, so maybe it won't be so painful and hard to wait for the new one to come out next year!
For any newcomers to the series, and if you are indeed a newcomer I suggest you get to the library ASAP to rectify the situation, the Dark series is a paranormal romance series about the Carpathians, a race of supernatural tough guys (and ladies) fighting grossly horrible baddies at every turn and trying to save their race from extinction. There are about a million other storylines woven in and, naturally, a love story in every book, and the happily ever afters are the stuff that saccharine headaches are made of; with winter and foul weather days just around the corner I definitely recommend these books as a great way to wait out a blizzard.
This book grabbed me from the word go and absolutely refused to let go. Seriously, I stayed up way too late on the night before the first day of school reading until I literally could not keep my eyes open anymore. So many story arcs from previous books get resolved in this book, and all it did was make me even more excited to see what direction the series is going to go in next. I definitely applaud the author for keeping the series going so strong after so many volumes. I think a lot of other authors would have (and let's face it, have) jumped the shark a long time ago (cough cough Janet Evanovich yeah I went there cough cough.) There's action, suspense, romance (of course,) fear, love, you name it.
Easily my favorite thing about this book was the relationship between and characterization of Ivory and Razvan. Ivory is a truly kick ass lady who absolutely does not accept no for an answer. She is strong and has overcome a truly awful past to become a strong and vibrant power in her own life in the present. Even though she has every right to be rabidly pissed off at the world and everyone in it, she isn't! She goes out of her way to do what's right on a cosmic level, even if that puts her at odds with other people.
Razvan, on the other hand, is a completely chill dude, which is (I'll admit) a departure from the norm for Carpathian novels. Typically Carpathian guys are alpha almost to an annoying degree and toe the line between interesting and "if I knew you in real life I'd punch you in the face." Razvan is completely different- he has a well-defined sense of self and is defintiely no pushover, but he doesn't stomp around and boss people around and brood and do unattractive things like that. Instead, he treats life as an opportunity and seeks to enjoy every minute of it, an attitude which, given the horrific backstory he has to deal with, is indeed remarkable.
I'm really trying to think if there's any criticism I have of this book. Um, it ended too soon? Does that count? If you're into paranormal romance and haven't started this series yet or are interested in exploring what the paranormal romance genre has to offer, do yourself a favor and start with the first book in the series (Dark Prince) and read in series order. As with any series, some are better than others, but I think you'll find you enjoy them as a whole.
Helpful Score: 6
I loved this book. It is Razvan's story which I have been so looking forward to. But it is mostly Ivory's story and I think it is the best book yet. It is very emotional about two tortured souls, both mentally and physically, and how they find each other. The bonding of Ivory and Razvan as they learn to trust each other is heartwrenching and wonderful. It takes the two of them working together to go after and defeat the evil mage.
Helpful Score: 4
Much better than the previous few installments. She did a great job on ivory's story and I stayed up all night finishing it. I sort of fell out with this series a couple of books ago but this one re-hooked me!
Helpful Score: 3
I have followed Feehan's Dark series since the beginning and like most of her fans, I have my favorite couples. While Ivory and Razvan are not my favorite, the pair is strong and Feehan has created a heroine that is strong and decisive. Their story moved the entire series plot along giving a partial resoluation to several of the ongoing problems facing the Carpathian race.
The mythology of the series and the interplay of the larger issues have in some ways taken the series beyond a simple gothic romance formal. While their is still a "main" couple in her novels, the many other characters, mythos and plot devices are more in a fantasy genre at this point. I wonder if someone new to the series could pick up book 17 and get the same experience that a long time reader does.
I must say that while I appreciate Mrs. Feehan's work with the Carpathian language and history, the Carpathian words in the actual story is useless to me and fairly off-putting.
After the build-up of many novels, I found I had mixed feelings with the final confrontation with Xavier. It was a bit of a let down on one hand, on the other, I was happy that it didn't go on for half the book.
I would recommend this book to fans of the series - like many, I couldn't wait for the paperback and will keep my hardback copy with all 16 other books! However, I would imagine that people new to the series start with an earlier book in the series!
The mythology of the series and the interplay of the larger issues have in some ways taken the series beyond a simple gothic romance formal. While their is still a "main" couple in her novels, the many other characters, mythos and plot devices are more in a fantasy genre at this point. I wonder if someone new to the series could pick up book 17 and get the same experience that a long time reader does.
I must say that while I appreciate Mrs. Feehan's work with the Carpathian language and history, the Carpathian words in the actual story is useless to me and fairly off-putting.
After the build-up of many novels, I found I had mixed feelings with the final confrontation with Xavier. It was a bit of a let down on one hand, on the other, I was happy that it didn't go on for half the book.
I would recommend this book to fans of the series - like many, I couldn't wait for the paperback and will keep my hardback copy with all 16 other books! However, I would imagine that people new to the series start with an earlier book in the series!
Helpful Score: 2
I have been reading the Dark Series for several years now, and for the past few years I have not felt a connection to any of Feehan's books...until this one! I really liked this book. Her books were starting run together for me, they were predictable and I felt like it was always the same story(characters interchangeable). This book had a new feel and it didn't follow the same old story line. Ivory and Razvan were the outsiders of the Carpathian world and with that they brought a new spin to the series! I really enjoyed this read! I would definitely recommend it!
Helpful Score: 1
(spoiler alert) Book 17? I feel it is time to move away from this series. I was bored, bored, bored, and skimmed thru most of the book. I have read 16 books worth of the chanting and healing spells, and I don't need to read the Carpathian words for beloved a hundred more times. This book started off well enough but lost it's spark quickly. I forced myself to finish it because i wanted to know if they finally defeated Xavier. Xavier has been an enemy throughout the series, but his final scene was disappointing. After so much buildup to his death you would think it would have been more than the few pages it was given. It did leave the series with a new enemy, a master vampire who has taken on part of Xavier's dark energy. And Razvan was reunited with his sister and children (some he didn't know he had). But I don't think i will continue with this particular series unless there is absolutely nothing else to read
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www.texasreader-stacy.blogspot.com
Helpful Score: 1
This was much more brutal and disturbing than other titles in this series. The mage used nasty creatures to fight his battles and they were viscous - dismembering and tearing huge chunks of flesh from the hero and heroine. The H/H spent lots of time in the ground healing in between bouts of fighting.
I liked both Ivory and Razvan, who were at different times and places both tortured beyond all endurance by the mage, Xavier. I think the saddest thing about the book was the betrayal of Ivory by her brothers seconded by the mental abuse Razvan endured for centuries at the hands of Xavier. This is a sad tale, told in brutal terms but a well written story that grabs your heart right from the first chapter and just doesn't let go. Another fine installment in this ever darkening series.
I liked both Ivory and Razvan, who were at different times and places both tortured beyond all endurance by the mage, Xavier. I think the saddest thing about the book was the betrayal of Ivory by her brothers seconded by the mental abuse Razvan endured for centuries at the hands of Xavier. This is a sad tale, told in brutal terms but a well written story that grabs your heart right from the first chapter and just doesn't let go. Another fine installment in this ever darkening series.
