Publication Date: 09/02/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Books
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 432
ISBN-10: 0425271447
ISBN-13: 978-0425271445
(Received for an honest review from Berkley Books)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound
Christine Feehan on the WEB: website, twitter, facebook, goodreads
Books in the series:
Dark/Carpathian
1. Dark Prince
2. Dark Desire
3. Dark Gold
4. Dark Magic
5. Dark Challenge
6. Dark Fire
7. Dark Dream
8. Dark Legend
9. Dark Guardian
10. Dark Symphony
11. Dark Descent
12. Dark Melody
13. Dark Destiny
14. Dark Hunger
15. Dark Secret
16. Dark Demon
17. Dark Celebration
18. Dark Possession
19. Dark Curse
20. Dark Slayer
21. Dark Peril
22. Dark Predator
23. Dark Storm
24. Dark Lycan
25. Dark Wolf
26. Dark Blood
Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.
Excerpt from, Dark Blood, courtesy of the author's website.
Synopsis:
The fates of a warrior reborn and a seductive Dragonseeker are irrevocably entwined in the new Carpathian novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan, “the queen of paranormal romance” (J. R. Ward).
At long last you are truly back with us...
Zev Hunter was an elite warrior, a dark-blood dealer of death to rogue Lycans who preyed on mankind. He was a loner, never given to personal attachments, and damned fierce at his job. But Zev begins to question his past and his purpose when he awakens in the darkness of the sacred cave of warriors—and is soothed back to consciousness by the sensuously familiar voice of one woman, the woman who has haunted his fantasies for centuries. She was Branislava, member of the Dragonseeker clan…
Mother Earth called the ancients to witness your rebirth…
For this half-mage, half-Carpathian temptress, the ritual of awakening Zev to the council of warriors was the only way to save him. Locked away for his own protection, the time has now come for his rebirth, for his blood to stir with that of the ancient warriors before him. He has been assured by Branislava that their fates are entwined, that their spirits are woven together for eternity and that his new purpose in life is beyond imagining.
Now, with a blood-sworn vow of honor, mercy and endurance, and under the influence of a siren as bewitching as Branislava, Zev begins to wonder what his purpose is, what it means for the future of the Carpathians and what it is about his rebirth that he has to fear…
Thoughts:
Christine Feehan brings readers the latest book in her long-running Carpathian series, Dark Blood. The Carpathian series is essentially a vampire series that started before the vampire craze took over the literary world. Dark Blood is the final book of three in the series that focuses on lycans. Feehan has included many other paranormal characters in this series and readers continue to get a look inside the vampire/lycan relationships with this one. A good addition to this series!
What I liked:
Feehan is considered by many to be a pioneer in the paranormal romance genre and her legions of fans will attest that she is well loved and respected as a writer. Feehan was a paranormal writer before it was popular. I have read several of the Carpathian novels and I am always fascinated by the world building. Feehan has not only developed her own Carpathian history and customs, traditions and mannerisms but also a Carpathian language and she has added tons of other supernatural players to her game. That takes a lot of work. We are 26 books into this series and I am still finding out new things about the Carpathians that I never knew before. That is quite a feat!
Zev Hunter was quite the hero. He didn't just show up out of no where. Feehan has given readers a taste of him throughout the last few books, as well as, the heroine. It has been understood by readers that Zev is an elite hunter. He is one of the best of the best. He was willing and did lay down his life for another, in turn causing him to essentially lose his own life. The is no back down or no quit in him. He is alpha to the bone! I have to admit that was kind of enticing in a primal sort of way. I wasn't surprised at all by his aggression in or out of the bedroom. What was surprising was the fact that he asked Bran for consent. He didn't have to, they were life-mates, but gave her that respect and that honor. I liked the fact that he was totally confidant in her abilities to fight as well. He didn't feel the need to belittle her or not to trust her. He had his savage moments, but he was still very true to the character that Feehan was going for. I enjoyed him, even in his darkest moments.
What I didn't like:
This one definitely had a bit more repetition than was necessary. I understand that in a long lived series like this one, the author has a certain responsibility to new readers, to kind of rehash what has gone on before this book. Mind you, this is not a series I would recommend starting this late in the game. But there will be some. However, the repetition was not of that sort. The repetition in this one wasn't past history, it was in phrases, words, and even fight scenes. How many times does the current reader need to be reminded that Zev, is an elite hunter? Or that Bran smells and tastes like cinnamon and honey. The fight scenes seem to have been lifted from the previous chapter here and there with very little changes. I suppose I wanted more variety and less filler.
One of the things that got on my nerves a bit was the rehash of a previous villain. Feehan is an excellent writer. She can dream up a villain that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. She didn't need to go back and basically grab one from a previous book. Xavier was dead, he should probably have stayed dead. Instead readers get one of his triplet brothers, who had never been talked about before. What's more his name is Xaviero, one letter difference. Eke gads! Now that's a rehash, a repetition and just a big no-no.
Bottom Line:
Probably not my favorite book by the author. She is a goddess where paranormal romance is concerned but perhaps it's time to let this series go and start on something new. Or there needs to be something very original and different to get this series going in a different direct. The repetition in this one was bit too much. The fact that I got the hero couldn't make up for all the same ol' stuff. I love Christine Feehan, she is one of my all time favorites, but this book was good, not great.
Dark Blood is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Giveaway Details:
The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Dark Blood by Christine Feehan.
~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, September 29th.
1. Please leave a comment about whether or not you have read other novels by Christine Feehan. If so, what's your favorite and why?
2. Please fill out the FORM.
7 comments:
I haven't read this author's books. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I have read a ton of Christine Feehan books and I'm never disappointed. Every author has a hiccup now and then but I can always find something that I like.
I have not read this author's books yet, which is a shame because the list is extensive. With the long winter coming I might get started on them. Thanks
This is the only series I have read of Ms. Feehan's. I am currently one book behind in the series but recently snatched it up when it was marked down on kindle so I plan on catching up very soon!
I've read all the rest of the prior books in this series and several other of her books. My favorite one, so far, is Dark Legend. It brought back to life a couple of legendary characters who were thought to be dead, and the relationships were very complex.
Have never read this author
I have not read any books by Christine Feehan. Thanks for having the giveaway.
ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com
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