Thursday, September 19, 2013

Review: Dark Lycan

Dark Lycan (Dark - Book 24) by Christine Feehan

Publication Date: 09/03/2013
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Hardcover
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 400
ISBN-10: 0425268330
ISBN-13: 978-0425268339

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Hardcover)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Christine Feehan on the WEB: WebsiteTwitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Books in the series:

Dark Prince (1999), Dark Desire (1999) Dark Gold (2000), Dark Magic (2000), Dark Challenge (2000), Dark Fire (2001), Dark Dream {Short Story} (2001), Dark Dream (2010), Dark Legend (2002), Dark Guardian (2002), Dark Symphony (2003), Dark Descent {Short Story} (2003), Dark Descent (2010),
Dark Melody (2003), Dark Destiny (2004), Dark Hunger {Short Story} (2004), Dark Secret (2004), Dark Demon (2005), Dark Celebration: A Carpathian Reunion (2006) Dark Possession (2007), Dark Curse (2008), Dark Slayer (2009), Dark Peril (2010), Dark Predator (2011), Dark Storm (2012), Dark Lycan (2013)

Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.


Excerpt from Dark Lycan, courtesy of the author's website.

Synopsis:

Tatijana of the Dragonseekers spent centuries encased in ice with her sister, trapped in limbo between life and death, never speaking to a soul other than those who tormented her. Now, she has been freed from her frozen prison by an unknown descendent. Awakened in human form, Tatijana yearns to explore the modern world in which she now lives—a world with more mysteries than she is prepared for.

Fenris Dalka has returned to the Carpathian Mountains after a long absence to be with his brother. He is scarred by centuries of battle, and every hard-won victory. But the real reason for his return home could prove deadly if discovered by the wrong man—or woman. Upon his arrival, he is compelled by a beautiful and enigmatic stranger who carries the scent of fresh earth, of forest, of the night itself.

In time Tatijana and Fenris will discover all that unites them—their secrets and pasts, their predators, and the hot flush of passion that stirs their souls. Yet just as surely, seduced into the silvery darkness of a full-moon night, they’ll also discover everything ancient and evil that exists to destroy them.


Thoughts:

In 1999 Christine Feehan published her first book in the Dark series, Dark Prince. Who knew that fourteen years later, readers would still love Feehan's Carpathian vampires. Book 24, Dark Lycan was released this year to the clamor of anxious fans. Known to some as the queen of paranormal romance, Feehan was writing this type of sensuous romance long before it reached the height of popularity it now receives. Her world building is flawless, her characters are sharp and edgy and sometimes most definitely dark. Fans of the series and new readers a like will fall in love with the latest installment in this long-lived series.

As a meager reviewer there is not much I can add to the great words and accolades that other authors, reporters and fans have written about Christine Feehan. She is ultimately one of my favorite writers. Her books contain a certain atmosphere about them that not many authors can achieve. They are gripping, erotic and just plain good! She has written four different series and all of them have been highly acclaimed. She's a master at the genre and definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Dark Lycan is definitely a change from previous books in the series. Feehan uses a werewolf theme to add to her Carpathians in this one, with great results. I liked the idea of a hybrid, vampire-werewolf that was nearly indestructible. It sets up several battle scenes that will take your breath away. Feehan has a knack for writing the kind of fight scenes that will have readers on the edge of their seats. Though this is technically a romance, it is chalk full of action and moves at a breakneck speed.

Tatijana was a brilliant heroine. She has had a very traumatic past, but she doesn't allow it to define her. She is strong willed and determined yet she also allows herself vulnerability when it comes to Fen. The lifemate bond is hard for Tatijana to accept because of her of her past. She does not want to be controlled or forced to do anything. But she quickly learns that Fenris is not your average Carpathian. He is able to show his feelings and treat her as an equal instead of a subordinate or sexual slave.

Fenris is a hybrid himself. A vampire with werewolf blood. If the lycans knew his secret they would stop at nothing to kill him. Because of the mixing of blood, he is a fierce fighting machine. He is strong and courageous, loyal and hot and sexy to boot. Not a bad hero in my book. I liked the way that Feehan made him a horse of a different color so to speak. He was someone readers would take seriously and he was a perfect match for the fiery heroine, Tatijana.

I really enjoyed this book. It really holds up to the standards that readers expect from Feehan. Often when you have a series that is so long-lived, the stories start to suffer. But not so with this one. I think it adds a whole new dimension to the series and will probably take the series in a much different direction. Feehan knows how to shake things up and she certainly did that with this book. The hero and heroine were excellently written. The bad guys are truly bad and readers will latch on to the action with baited breath. 

Besides you've got to love a good werewolf tale. They are truly my favorite paranormal characters and in Feehan's book, they are strong and captivating. I loved the way she wrote her were's and I think readers will agree. Feehan also does a great job of integrating characters from previous books into Dark Lycan as well. Readers will get to revisit previous story lines, catch up with their favorites and even see their children. This was a great addition to the series.

Dark Lycan is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!




About the Author:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan has over 40 novels published, including four series.  Each of her four series has hit #1 on the NY Times. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature for 1999. Since then she has been published by Leisure Books,Pocket Books, and currently is writing forBerkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards. 

She is pleased to have made numerous bestseller lists including the New York TimesPublishers WeeklyUSA TodayBookscanB. DaltonsAmazon,Barnes and NoblesWaldenbooksIngramsBordersRhapsody Book Club,Washington Post, and Walmart. She has received numerous honors throughout her career including being a nominee for the RWA’s RITA.  She has received a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times and the Borders 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award

She has been published in multiple languages and in many formats, including large print, palm pilot, e-book, and hardcover.  In October of 2007 her first manga comic, Dark Hunger was released in stores.  This was the first ever manga comic released by Berkley Publishing and it made #11 on Publisher’s Weekly Bestseller’s List. Her ground-breaking book trailer commercials have been shown on TV and in the movie theaters. She has been featured on local TV, appeared on the The Montel Williams Show, and her book Dark Legend was featured on the cover ofRomantic Times Magazine

Christine Feehan has also appeared at numerous writers’ conventions and book signings including: Romantic Times ConventionGet Caught Reading at Sea CruiseCelebrate Romance ConferenceEmerald City Conference, and numerous Romance Writers of America Conferences.

No comments: