Dark Gold

Dark #3

by Christine Feehan

They were masters of the darkness, searching through eternity for a mistress of the light...

Was he a man...or a miracle?

Alexandria Houton would sacrifice anything - ever her life - to protect her orphaned little brother. But when both encountered unspeakable evil in the swirling San Francisco mists, Alex could only cry to heaven for their deliverance...

And out of the darkness swooped Aidan Savage, a golden being more powerful, more mysterious than any other creature of the night. The ageless Carpathian male snatched them from a hideous fate. But was Aidan a miracle...or a monster? Alex's salvation...or her sin? If she surrendered to Aidan's savage, unearthly seduction - gave him the color, the light, the family he craved - would Alex truly save her brother? Or sacrifice more than her life?

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Romance, Paranormal, Vampires, Fantasy, Fiction, Adult

334 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 2000

About the author

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 100 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series, Shadow Riders, Torpedo Ink and her Romantic Suspense novels. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...




IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)

Reviews

[Jessica's Totally Over The Top Book Obsession · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Savage Stars

First read June 2012 re-read January 12,2016

Spoilers



"You had a bad dream, something about vampires, but you do not really remember it. It is all very hazy. You talked to me about it, and if it ever returns to haunt you, you will come to me, and we will discuss it. You always feel free to talk with me about things that sometimes do not make sense. You want me to be with your sister always. We talk about it together and plot together to make her want to stay with me as my wife, as family. You and I are the best of friends. We always look out for Alexandria. You know she belongs with me, that no one can care for her and protect the two of you as I can. This is very important to you, to both of us."-Aidan's compulsion to Joshua


Dark Gold, the 3rd book in the Dark Series by Christine Feehan was a pretty good read for me. It would have been perfect, but it had one of my main pet peeves in it. Cowards and cowardly behavior just seem to tap dance all over my nerves. And the heroine Alex(Alexandria) drove me crazy with her over the top cowardly, live in denial behavior! I totally could understand most of her fear, but it was the way she handled it and the stupid ass stunts she pulled all the way up til the 65% mark. I just couldn't believe the things she did.

"You betrayed me. You betrayed Joshua. I told you what would happen if you went out into the sun. You pretended to yourself that you would see if I was telling the truth. But you already knew it was the truth. You took a chance on destroying yourself, leaving Joshua to strangers, to an uncertain future without protection."-Aidan



"I swear, if you keep using that calm, cool, Alexandria, you-are-hysterical tone on me, I will not be responsible for what I do." -Alex

I get it you went though some bad things and everything is changing and scary but you don't

1. When your lifemate tells you the sun will kill you, run out into said sun just because you refuse to believe you are not human anymore.

2. Go on a date with another man just to prove you are not lifemates and you are still human!

And finally you don't

3. After not feeling a thing for said human date decide, it's not because you are not human anymore and you only want your lifemate. Nope! It must be because you was not attracted to that human so, you go out dancing with multiple men, while knowing the whole time you're forcing your lifemate to watch you date and dance with other men!

I just wanted to yell at my kindle. I mean come on... the 65% mark and you still ain't dealing with this shit. Pull up your big girl panties and get the fuck over it! Alex acted like such a child I just wanted to shake her!

"Aidan says you only think you're in charge but that we have to let you think that because women like to think they're in control, but men have to protect them." Her blue eyes met golden ones over the blond curls. "He said all that, did he? That's a lot of thinks, Joshua. I am in charge, not Aidan." Joshua smiled conspiratorially at Aidan. Aidan mouthed, "I told you so." Both looked at her in complete innocence, their expressions so similar, it unexpectedly turned her heart over.-Joshua, Alex, and Aidan

My Alex and Aidan:



"How could I ever leave you, Aidan? Do you really think I could? I thought you knew everything. Even I knew better. Almost from the very start, I knew better." -Alex

Alex did have some good qualities that kept me from hating her. She was playful and sweet to Joshua her little brother. And when she let her guard down around Aidan she was funny, and Smart. It was really at odds with the stupid crap she would all of a sudden pull. But I could see why Aidan loved her. And all of the stuff happened within a few days and not weeks but still! Aidan was great. He was sexy, playful, understanding, and God the man had the patience of a saint. He had so much charm it poured off the pages. It was so sweet the way Aidan gave everything he had, never thinking of himself. He gave her time, space and independence even if it was hell on him.

"Oh, I see how it's going to be." Alexandria glared at the two of them, but her dimple appeared despite her best effort at ferocity. "You guys are planning to gang up on me." They looked at each other, exchanging a smile. "Yes,"-Alex, Aidan and Joshua

My Joshua:



"You have heard the word compromise before, haven't you? You do comprehend its meaning?" He looked thoughtful, taking his time before replying. "As I understand it, compromise means you do what I say as soon as I command it. Is that about right?" Alexandria pushed at the solid wall of his chest. "You wish, Mr. Savage. It's never going to happen."-Alex and Aidan

Aidan and Alex's relationship was a push/ pull but there was some sweet, playful moments. When Alex finally committed to Aidan as a lifemate, they had a great relationship. Alex became supportive, and caring. She also felt bad for the way she acted. Joshua, Alex's little brother was so adorable, he stole every scene he was in. The way Aidan and Josh ganged up on Alex like a team was too cute and made for some laughs. One of the things I loved about this book was it was really funny, it help take some of the sting out of the Alex crap. Gregori was in this book too and he just broke my heart. I know his book is next and since I have read the whole series 4 times now I know he gets his HEA but I still wanted to hug him in this book. God I love Gregori!! Over all even with the stupid things Alex did I still liked this book. Just not as much as the first two.

"Sometimes adults can't live together. I'm used to doing things my way, and Aidan is set in his medieval ways." "What's medieval ?" Joshua wanted to know. "Ask Aidan. He's good with answers," she replied resentfully." Medieval refers to the days of knights and ladies, Joshua. Alexandria thinks I would have made a great knight. They were men who served their homeland with honor and always rescued and took care of fair maidens." Aidan drained the contents of a third glass of ruby liquid. "A fitting description, and quite a compliment. Thank you, Alexandria." Stefan coughed behind his hand, and Marie hastily turned to look out the window. Alexandria found a reluctant smile curving her soft mouth. "That's not all I could call you, but for now, we'll leave it at medieval."-Alex, Joshua, and Aidan

https://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessi...

[Sophia Triad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aidan Savage and Alexandria Houton

Alexandria is a good girl who looks after her younger brother alone. She would do anything for him. Unfortunately one night when she least expects it during a dinner job interview, she and her brother will meet the ultimate evil. A vampire.

"I am the nightmare of foolish humans, the vampire come to feast on the living. You will be my bride, share my power, my life.
He said it perfectly seriously, and Alexandria was torn between needing to cry and hysterical laughter.

Although clueless about this world, Alexandria makes vampire video games, so she is not sure what to believe after this declaration.

The disgusting creature realises that Alexandria is suitable for being his mate, so he abducts her and bites her.

Carpathian Aidan Savage has been chasing this particular vampire for a while now, so when he finds Alexandria with him, he thinks that she is evil too and that her younger brother is one of her soon to be victims.
Thankfully he will realise soon that Alexandria is a victim too. And not just that. She is also his mate. He just needs to convince her that he is one of the good guys.

"I am here to help you," he murmured softly, almost absently, to the boy. He reached inside himself, found a calm, tranquil pool to rest in, and sent himself seeking outside his own body and into the woman's. He could not believe he had found her after all these long centuries. But it must be. Only finding his lifemate could bring about these astonishing changes in him.
She was fading away, not fighting anymore. His will surrounded hers.
You will not leave me. Take my blood, which is freely offered to you. You must drink in order to live.

Alexandria is in denial for most of the book, while Aidan is super sweet and understanding. Unlikely the first two books in the series, this time the Carpathian gives some time to his mate to understand and adapt.

What can I say? Vintage vampire romance at its finest.

[Maria Clara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, muy cerca de un 4/ ¿Qué puedo decir? Aunque, quizá, la puntuación que le doy no sea muy alta, me encanta cómo escribe esta mujer y sus vampiros.

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is it about these Carpathians? I can't seem to stay away from these books. This time I lasted three months. I started reading this book, and soon I was fully immersed in this world of dark sensuality and supernatural beauty, where the creatures of the night are a race of ancient immortals who live on blood. They fight against their own dark natures, and against their brethren who have succumbed to the darkness and became the evil vampires who pray on humans and destroy them. They walk through centuries hoping they will find the one woman who will be their other half, their salvation from the darkness inside of them.

Poor Alexandria was just trying to get a job when she encountered the vampire who would change her world irrevocably. And the whole time she was dealing with foul creature, I was waiting for Aidan Savage to make his appearance. As typical for Carpathians, he made a dramatic entrance. I was like, "It's about time!"

Alexandria didn't sign up to be a lifemate, to live in the darkness, to have to drink blood to survive, but Aidan had little choice but to change her, since she had been fed on twice already by the vampire he destroyed, and forced to drink its blood. The third time was when he thought she was a vampire herself and was going to bite her to kill her. But meeting her was fortuitous to him, because he sees colors. That's a sure sign to him about something....He knows she's his lifemate, and he's selfish enough to want her to live and to be in his world, for she is his salvation. But Alexandria won't come into his world alone. She has a little brother that she loves dearly, and has cared for alone, since her parents died.

This Carpathian book started very dramatically, and the tone didn't abate. Simply put, I really enjoyed this book. I guess it goes without saying that I am a pretty big fan of this series. I like the uniqueness of it, the old world Carpathian men with their heavy air of mystery and magic. I like the dramatic, flowery language, the scary fight scenes in which the nasty vampires pull all sorts of monstrosities out of their bag of tricks, only to be vanquished by the Carpathians and their lifemates. I like the elegant nature they have, their constant struggle with the dark side, and their reliance on their women to save them. Their behavior is on the edge of what's acceptable in a modern day romance. They don't have much qualms against carrying their lifemates off and 'convincing' them that their future is tied to their own. Some are a little more cavemanish than others (Rafael I'm talking to you). In the spectrum of un-PC-ness of some of the Carpathians , Aidan was practically a New Age male. I feel that Aidan tried to give Alexandria room. Her situation was tough in that he really didn't have much choice about changing her since the vampire had already started the conversion, and she would have died if he didn't give her his blood. He did try to give some freedom and time to adjust, as much as possible. Alexandria was in denial about her new nature, and I can't blame her too much. I'd be a bit upset if I found out I had to stay out of the sun, and drink blood to survive (Although I don't think I'd mind the hot guy saying I was his lifemate too much). Not to mention the fact that her new lifestyle would preclude her being a full mother to Josh in some ways (no baseball games and stuff like that). Aidan really showed a lot of patience with her, only getting mad when she freaked out and ran out into the full sun, and got one heck of a sunburn. Otherwise, they had a fairly gentle courtship for a Carpathian and his lifemate.

It's hard to condense down what appealed to me about this book. It was fun and interesting. When I read this series, it's unlike any other that I've experienced, and in a good way. I like this world, although it's pretty dark and scary. I like the concept of these ancient males searching through centuries for their other halves. I like the humor and the passion, the intensity of emotions that the characters experience. And the action scenes are very good also. Although I can't typically read these books back to back, when I pick one up, I fall in deep and enjoy the time I spend reading them. Dark Gold was no different.

Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.

[Azet · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dark Gold" is the third instalment in the "Dark"-series about the Carpathian creatures who turns into heartless vampires if they succumb to the beasts inside them.To stop any of that happening they need to find their lifemates,and its highly heartbreaking that there are so few female Carpathian women left in the world which results to it being almost impossible for the carpathians to find their lifemates .Aidan Savage is one of the ancient carpathian males who rescues his lifemate human Alexandria Houton and her little brother from a monster who wishes to destroy them.

Alexandria Houton is one of the most independent woman i have ever stood upon in this genre,she refused to surrender to the bond between her and Aidan-and in turn leads him on a merry chase.She really hated his world and what it would mean to be a carpathian.It stood against everything she believed in and it took half of the book where she always tried to run away from her feelings for Aidan.It was pretty much realistic take on her character,since she is a boss of her own and are fiercely independent.But she have a great loving heart that are ready to die for the people she loves.Once she accepts her nature she finally finds the courage to love a dominant male like Aidan.The whole journey was worth it.

Aidan Savage is the golden-haired Carpathian i have longed to get to know better.Like his name he is savage,powerful,untamed,ruthless,seductive and so in control of himself that it stunned him to lose just that control when he finds his lifemate in Alexandria.He have after all waited for over centuries for her,and for his sake i was relieved for him to finally find her since he also was awfully close into turning into a monster.He never wavered when it came to his all-consuming love for Alexandria.He had to teach himself to give her space and let her follow her heart.He also loses his heart to her little brother Joshua who i found very smart for being a seven year old boy and i loved it when Joshua and Aidan ganged up against Alexandria.I also found Aidan`s jealousy so hilarious and sweet in the way he tried to scare her suitors off,gosh how i fell off my bed laughing at those scenes!Aidan as a lover is savage!Those scenes were so steamy and molten hot that my room GOT HOT!Christine Feehan is masterful when it comes to unforgettable steamy love-making,whefww!

I love this book so much and the series that comes with it."Dark Gold" has suspense,action,magic and romance that delivers lots of chemistry,angst and absolute power in the love Alexandria and Aidan share for each other.I have no idea how this author do it,but she makes me fall in love every time with each book i read.Aidan`s twin brother Julian Savage is another character that intrigue me and the most powerful ancient Carpathian male Gregori that yearns for his lifemate that fears him.I have so much to look forward to!

[Epeeblade · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to clarify my previous poor review.

I had too many problems with this book. First, the author immediately throws me out of the story by jumping between Point of Views in the same scene. Second, she never really engages me with any of the characters, because they are the same damn characters from every "Dark" novel -- overprotective "alpha" male and gentle, compassionate woman.

Plus, though the women are always portrayed as being independent, they are only independent as much as their male lets them be. *tears hair out*

The two characters life-bond pretty early on (how's that for a trope? Instead of, you know, getting to know one another or even going out on a date.) and the rest of the book is waiting for the woman to accept her fate at this guy's lifemate. And, of course, her resistance looks stupid, since he's really rich and takes care of her and her poor orphan brother when before they lived in the slums of San Fransisco. (And, the author had to keep reminding us this was San Fran, since it never FELT like San Fran.)

I kept reading in the hopes of a decent sex scene at least. However, that went on to disappoint. I just don't find drinking blood erotic, and I don't find total independence on one's lover appealing. And the inappropriate use of the word "creamy."

All in all, a dismal read.

[Cypher Lx · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book in the series, the Carpathian male attitude is still disturbing. As the books progress, Feehan has learn to use different pet names that mean the same thing. In this one it is 'piccola' which is basically Italian for 'little one', a term of endearment that she used in the first book. Most of the action takes place in the first and last part of the book with the rest being filled with constant struggle for independence that never truly occurs. I have also found that Feehan's timelines are completely out of wack. While the series is supposed to occur in modern times (she uses a great many elements that denote this), as much as a quarter of a century passes as if it is only a year or two. I have begun reading the fourth book, Dark Magic, and to reinforce my pet peeve about pet names, Feehan turns to French with 'ma petite'. Yes, it is what it sounds like. 'Little one'.

[~Nichole~ Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars and this is because the hero was amazing. .. Aiden Savage was extraordinary and the most patient loving hero.

The heroine drove me crazy till 70%
I don't really consider this book safe.. Because she wanted to want another man and she actually went out to find a man. She even danced with them. I don't discriminate between hero or heroine when I'm getting mad over ow or om scenes. I do get way more mad when it's the hero but I can guarantee that there is no way this book would have been marked safe if the hero would have been thinking that another woman was attractive and how he wanted to want and make love with any other woman.. But the heroine. So yea it bugged me that the heroine did this. Even though she was fighting the whole mate thing it doesn't make it right. She finally woke up but by then I was really reading for Aiden and the suspense.
Kinda sad for him but.. I do think she was just scared and naive. Still really hoping that my Feehan fans will tell me if there are more books that are not heroine safe. I need both sides to be loyal.

[Mara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Third strike, Carpathians. I'm sorry but you are out.

Pro: none that I can find.

Cons:
- The lead men in these books are not alpha, they are slavers.
- This isn't a mate bond, it's slavery. There is no free will, no choice whatsoever.
- The women are never strong as we are told. On the contrary, to me they are weak and made weaker by the story. My definition of them would be "doormats". (well, they have no choice. They are forced in to an eternal marriage to save a man. (sigh)
- The man always knows best. He is always right. And at the end of the story she is nothing outside him.

Moreover, this third installment was:
- Boring, terribly boring.

The story dragged on and on.

[Tilly Slaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Gold is the Carpathian story of Aidan and Alexandria. This book si wonderfully amazing and I really enjoyed listening to Juanita Clark read it to me.

Aidan, a vampire hunter that has existed alone for many centuries. Sent to America to help protect the humans from the vampire predators, Aidan has known very few. Alienated from his people, he only exists with honor. Only exists to rid the world of his fallen brethren.

Alexandria is a talented graphics artist who is trying to land a job as the new designer for a totally rockin awesome vampire game being released. Her parents died, and she has been left alone to care, to provide and raise her six-year-old brother. Living in hell holes, scrounging for money and food to keep them moving forward, she loves Joshua dearly and will do anything to keep him safe and give him what she hopes will be a bright future.

Kidnapped by a vampire who claims her as his mate, she and Joshua suffer through caves flooded by tides, violence and terror from the vampire, and attempted double suicide to avoid the terrible existence of what she knew would come.

Rescued by Aidan, whom believes her a deranged vampiress, Aidan and Alexandria begin the relationship progression that all Carpathians must endure. He wants her. He is tormented by his inner demons. She defies him and refuses to accept that she is no longer human. Yadda yadda …

The vampires want nothing more than to claim Alexandria, to use her psychic abilities in hopes to bring emotion and color back into their lives.

This take is beautiful and I definitely recommend this to all mature adults in need of brilliant entertainment. Moderate to extremely descriptive violence (woo hoo) and extreme sexual content. This book focusses more on the fear of attacks and the struggles within their relationship. Although the sexual content finally comes forth, there is very little.

I do not advise immature adults to read this book. This warning is to those whom refuse to acknowledge that their children are NOT young adults. They are children. Know better.

~Happy reading!

[Deborah · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a word. Boring

Alexandria drove me nuts. I mean seriously for a supposedly intelligent women she was bloody stupid. Repeatedly.

I just hope Gregory’s book is next because I don’t know how much more of this I can take. Even skimming didn’t help.

[Delta · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Malinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5 stars

Well, I really liked just about everything in the story...except Alexandria. Aidan was good and Joshua (Alexandria little brother) was cool, but Alexandria was definitely a TSTL heroine and stayed that was through most of the story.

Alexandria is a very talented artist that wants to get a job with a famous maker of vampire video games. She's pretty desperate for the job because she's raising her 7 year old brother, Joshua, and they really need the money. Alexandria has never dated because she's never found a man that attracted her.

Carpathians are born vampires with other abilities like shape shifting (to any form, even mist), magic spells and psychic powers. The males of the Carpathians have a darkness in them and if they don't find their lifemates, they can lose their souls and become evil. The Carpathians are in dire straights because they don't have many women and the woman that do get pregnant usually give birth to males so their males aren't finding lifemates. Aiden is an ancient of the Carpathians and hunts the men that go evil and start killing humans. Aidan has held on, waiting for his lifemate for centuries and is close to the edge when the story begins.

In previous books, the Carpathians found that human women with psychic abilities can be lifemates to Carpathian males and can safely be transformed to a Carpathian without going nuts. Some of the evil vampires found out about this and this is why they seek out Alexandria (although there's no indication of how they found out about her abilities). Alexandria is at a dinner interview for the job she wants when she's drawn out by a vampire who kills some people and then takes Alexandria and Joshua captive. Alexandria is desperate to find a way for them to escape and they go through a bit of hell at the hands of the vamp. Aidan rescues them but he's as scary as the vampire and even after Aidan have saved them and taken them back to his home, Alexandria was majorly freaked by him and the situation.

Aidan realized that Alexandria is his lifemate and also that she's still in danger from other vampires in the area so he moves her and Joshua in with him while she recovers (with a bit of creative memory repair/replacement for Joshua so he thinks everything is good). The vampire had started transforming Alexandria so Aidan had to continue it and she did not handle it well. TBH, I liked just about everything in this story except Alexandria. She was irrational and over dramatic and thought that ignoring reality would change it to what she wanted. And for someone that supposedly loved her brother so much, she didn't take his needs into account when she was freaking out over her new life. Not to mention, Alexandria tried to go out with another man as part of her denial of reality even though she already knew she was repulsed by his touch. It takes most of the book, but Alexandria does get past her issues and they end the story with a HEA together.

I found this story a combination of enjoyable and frustrating. The whole frustration part lies completely on Alexandria's shoulders because she was a completely TSTL heroine. I mean dam! My eyes are sore from rolling them so many times. Outside of Alexandria I liked the story and is she hadn't been so annoying I'd have easily given it 4 stars. Regardless of my disappointment with the heroine in this story, I do plan to read more of the series. :)

* note - I listened to the audio version of this book that is done by Books In Motion and the narrator was Juanita Parker. Parker did a good job but the audio files weren't the greatest quality. I'm not sure if the quality issue is because the audio files were degraded and it took down the quality or if it was due to something else.

[Jen Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Dark Gold" is the 3rd book in Christine Feehan's Carpathian series. This book centers on Aidan Savage. He is born of the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. He is 800 years old. Like others of his race, he drinks blood; he can shapeshift; he has telepathic abilities; and he can not go in the sun. Like all Carpathian men, he lost his emotions and his ability to see in color after he turned 200. Those gifts will not return unless he finds his lifemate, the other half of his soul. If he does not find her, he will lead a barren existence, until he chooses to end his life or become vampire, an evil being who kills and inflicts misery on others.

Aidan finds his lifemate, Alexandria, in the clutches of a true vampire. The beast is trying to take her for his own mate. And he has tortured Alex to a point where, when Aidan first sees her, he thinks she is a deranged vampiress and attacks her. Once he realizes his mistake, he gives her his blood to save her life. After his brutal attack, Alex does not see the difference between Aidan and a vampire.

Aidan brings Alex and her young brother (who she is raising) back to his home. He realizes that the vampire had two blood exchanges with her --and his own blood exchange was the third necessary to convert a human woman to Carpathian. The conversion is hard on Alex and she doesn't want it. She fights her attraction to Aidan. She fights becoming Carpathian. It's hard to see her stripped of her choices; her independence ripped away.

Even though Aidan killed the vampire who first kidnapped Alex, another is searching for her, which puts her life in danger. And there is drama in that, but the real issue at the center of the book is her fight against what she has become and her fight against her feelings for Aidan. It takes a long time for her to get past the idea that he is using his telepathic abilities to make her want him, as he pushes his will on her in so many ways. I found I got angry for her many times in the book. As with all the other Carpathian men, Aidan believes his way is always the right way... and with the strength of his abilities, that's a tough pill for Alex (and me) to swallow.

Of course, the sex scenes are pretty hot. That's one thing you can always count on in a Carpathian book. But I think we can start a fairly good drinking game, where you take a shot every time Feehan uses the word "velvet." Everyone will be tanked before we get halfway through the book. Between the velvet sheath, the velvet fist, the velvet tip, the velvet over marble, and velvet voices, we could open a fabric store courtesy of "Dark Gold." If you can overlook that, the love scenes alone make the book a great read.

Despite my issues with bossy Aidan (and of course my rant on "velvet"), I enjoyed this book. It was fun to see the heroine running away from our hero, despite the fact that he is gorgeous, rich and head over heels for her. 4 stars.

[Michelle O'flynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I really like Ms. Feehan's stories (when she stops reiterating and going over old ground again and again), but it is a shame that the characters are all type-cast. The men (I can understand - it is a common trait for Carpathian males to be domineering, overly possessive and necessarily protective of their females), but I don't get why all the men go for the same type of woman. They are always fiercely independent women who seem to be loners whether they be Carpathian or human, yet they always end up submitting - which is a good thing as we want the hunky men to stay alive with their emotions and colours intact. But why the hell can't the women come from ordinary families,rather than always being damaged or wounded in some way? I have read these stories all out of sequence which hasn't caused a problem at all. I went from the Scarletti pre-curser then Dark Prince, then all the way to Dark Peril. So far I think now that they are being a bit mundane (yet I strangely can't stop reading them as I want to learn all about ALL the characters now that I have encountered them in Dark Celebration, which is a bit of a disappointment as the series began so well. Oh well, the sexy scenes bring some fun, although I do think Ms. Feehan should stop being so up tight with her tendencey to always describe the "feminine core" and "velvet sheath"! Jeez, I think we are all grown ups reading these stories.

[Luana ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I loved Aiden. He's as alpha as all the males of this species but he is such a sweetheart. So happy to be able to see colors and feel again. It was contagious. I enjoyed so much the fact that he's so well liked that a human family lives with him, generation after generation of the same family, Simply great.

I also enjoyed the heroine and her little brother. This book is not a 5 star because it took waaaaay to long for her to decide if she wanted to be with him or not, the hero was quite patient with her (in comparison with the other books) and it was funny seen her trying to hold on to the human side of herself and running away from Aiden.

I am soooo looking forward to the next book in the series. Gregori, the dark healer, is my favorite character since the first book.

[Pepito · Rating 2 out of 5]

OMG, everything just went wrong with this installment. And I feel awful feeling this way because I absolutely love the series, but this installment is definitely A NO for me.

1) A COMPLETELY SPOILED AND NEGATIVE HEROINE. I hated her, truly. I kept hoping she could magically dye already. It took her 80% of the book to accept Aidan, which IMHO has been the best hero so far. 80%!!! OMG I just thought she would never come to terms with everything going on. Poor guy saved her life and the ungrateful b*tch just wouldn't stop whining and blaming him for things out of his hands. Truly, how so many people rated this book with a higher rating ir a wonderful mystery to me...

2) NO BACK STORY AND NO WORLD BUILDING. The whole story was focused on Alexandria and Aidan. We are pushed away from the Carpathians, their way of life, history and culture. Everything we've come to love just completely disappeared from the pages of this book. Nothing whatsoever, not even a clue of what's going on with the rest of the characters. You could just skip this book altogether and you wouldn't even notice. This drove me nuts, mainly because I am reading one book after the other and I needed answers, but so many topics from the previous installments were forgotten...


The book did have some positive aspects as well, but it was hard for me to give them my attention while the heroine was provoking such constant hatred and violence on me. I swear I couldn't believe 80% of the book had gone by while she kept torturing the poor guy. Aidan was amazing, funny and unbelievably hot. I just felt bad for the poor guy to be paired with somebody like her.

I still adore the series and I know next book will be amazing. This book was just a mistake I will immediately forget and get out of my mind.

[*CJ* · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Dark Gold" is the story of Alexandria and Aidan.
We again find the mating of a human and a Carpathian, the difference this time being that the human is being chased by a bloodthirsty vampire Paul and is rescued, and hence turned by Aidan.
Adding to the story is her 7 year old brother Joshua, his housekeeps Maria and Stefan; and one of her ardent admirers Thomas Ivan.
It goes through the typical back and forth of the conflict the heroine goes post being turned- being able to communicate, the blood drinking, the craving and the hero's devotion and OTT protectiveness.
Now my issue with this book is.. Alexandria.
She was reluctant, annoying and half of the time kept flirting with a secondary character, trying to kill herself, pushing the hero away and just second guessing everything. She also tries to date and seduce her mentor I didn't like her at all.
Aiden on the other hand grows on you and for me was the saving grace once Alexandria pisses you off.
Anyways, overall a good read.
Safe with exceptions
2.5/5

[Carolyn F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-read 2nd time by audiobook

These women are too stupid to live, literally. Yes, they're rescued from the bad guys. Yes, things were done to make sure she lived. But does she appreciate it, no, she fights and hurts everyone and would rather die than live with a man who has been kind to her and has been wonderful to her brother. I feel so sorry for these Carpathian men!

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexandria Houtan goes to a job interview. She has to leave her six-year-old brother, Joshua, with Henry, a homeless man, behind the restaurant while she is at the interview. During the interview, Alexandria feels an evil presence. She rushes out to discover Henry dead and her brother walking toward the cliff. A creature is calling three women and Joshua to him. Alexandria tries to stop her brother but he fights her. The creature finally gets his claws on Joshua and threatens to drop him off of the cliff unless Alexandria comes to him. She walks to him and he rips at her throat, drinking her rich blood. He forces her to drink his tainted blood.

Aidan Savage, a Carpathian warrior, is responsible for hunting down and destroying the vampires in the San Francisco area. He tracks down the vampire who killed an old man and three woman. He destroys the vampire and then must destroy the vampiress the crwature created. Only when he does start to kill her, Aidan sees colors and feels emotions. The young child he thought she was attacking, attacks him. The woman in his arms is his lifemate. Will Aiden be able to save Alexandria or will she go mad?

[Melanie♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for the audiobook. Not a big fan of this narrator.
4 stars for the story.

[Monique Takens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit verhaal speelt zich niet af in de Karpaten maar in Amerika . Aidan heeft zich daar sinds lang gevestigd en is een vampier jager . Tijdens een van die jachtpartijen komt hij zijn zielsverwant tegen die hij uit de klauwen van een vampier redt . Helaas is zij al 2 keer gebeten door die vampier en om haar bloed te zuiveren moet hij haar ook bijten en dat maakt dat zij onomkeerbaar ook een Karpatier wordt .Alexandria is er niet gemakkelijk van te overtuigen dat zij nu geen mens meer is en geheel aan Aidan gebonden is .

[KatieV · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had initially skipped this one and went straight to book 4 (Dark Magic). I'd been wanting to read Gregori's story and Aidan didn't seem all that interesting to me. I'm glad I went back because I ended up really enjoying his story.

Aidan was one of the more reasonable of the controlling Carpathian males. He was definitely alpha, but he made an effort to understand where the heroine was coming from. By Carpathian male standards he was practically evolved. He had lived with generations of the same human family for centuries and that kept him a bit more grounded.

He found Alexandria when she and her little brother - whom she was raising - were captured by a vampire. Alexandria had psychic powers, which made her attractive to both vampires and Carpathians because psychic human women could be turned. Aidan initially took her for a vampiress since the vampire had been attempting to turn her and had forced two blood exchanges. He was going to kill her when he realized he could see color and she had to be his life mate.

The book does follow the usual pattern of the heroine fighting for her independence and refusing to acknowledge her bond with the hero. Which, granted, does get a bit old at times. We all know where it will end up and sometimes I feel this portion gets played too far. However, there were some differences with this book that made it fresh. One being Aidan, who tried hard to take the heroine's trauma into consideration and was wonderful about accepting and protecting her little brother.

Alexandria is also one of my favorite heroines in this series. She seemed to have some common sense that I found lacking in some of the previous novels and I just liked her. She was brave and did find herself in trouble a few times, but she wasn't a "foot stomper". She didn't run off into danger just to prove what a strong, smart, independent woman she was. She knew when she was in over her head, especially once she accepted that she wasn't going crazy and this was her new reality. At first, she did get herself into some trouble, partly because she wasn't so sure that Aidan was telling her the truth or that she wasn't hallucinating or becoming psychotic. I think it's reasonable that you'd question your sanity if you were suddenly thrown into this world.

I also liked that the fact that all the action/drama did not center around the evil human society of "vampire hunters". The Society didn't make an appearance in this one, which was a nice break. It seems like there is always a sexual sadist somewhere in most of Feehan's books, and the men in the Society seem to be using vampire hunting as a thinly veiled excuse to torture women. Spoilerish - I kept expecting Alexandria's prospective boss to fit that mold and found it refreshing that he was your more run-of-the-mill arrogant rich man who thought he could have whatever he wanted and he - of course - wanted Alex. However, he wasn't a sick freak. He was just arrogant and kind of a douche bag.

Overall this was a refreshing and enjoyable addition to the series.

[Suz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I began this series reading the latest (Dark Slayer) which is far into the series and enjoyed it fairly well. I'll write a review for that another time. Then I went to the beginning and started the series from there. This third installment in the series is my fourth dark book and in many ways I found it insufferable.

First the two things I liked about the book. I like the character of Aiden. He's quite likable and, although he's what is turning out to be so typically alpha(to the idiot power) male typical of these books, he's still approachable and generally endearing. I also saw a lot more humor in this book than any of the others that I've seen so far.

What is my biggest pet peeve so far with these books? It's the same thing I found so disturbing in this particular book. The heroines are whiny, insufferable, petulant children. I realized while reading Dark Gold that I was 360 pages in and still slogging through "I can't accept what's happened to me and is right in front of my eyes because is toooo traumatizing......WAAAAAHHHHHHH." Please. Someone smack her and put her out of all of our misery. This so far seems to be the default for the female protagonists in the early books (not so in Dark Slayer), but in Dark Gold the Alex character was too much to bear. I had no sympathy for her at all.

I've just started Dark Magic in the hopes that the three book build up to Gregori's story is a harbinger to something better. However, I'm 60 pages in and so far Savannah is proving to be just another boring whiner. I'll stick with these books for a few more installments, clinging to Dark Slayer in the hopes that at some point the female characters will become a bit more interesting.

[Beatriz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tercera entrega de la Serie Oscura que, al igual que la segunda, no alcanza el nivel de El príncipe oscuro, el primer libro de la saga; carecen de la intensidad, pasión, intrigas y despliegue de personajes secundarios que desbordaban en la primera novela. Con lo anterior no quiero decir que este libro sea malo, es solo que el primero lo encontré realmente excepcional y dejó la vara muy alta.

Pero, entre lo destacable de esta entrega está la personalidad de Aidan, el protagonista, que al estar alejado de sus compañeros de raza se comporta aún más dominante y protector que éstos (si es que es posible) cuando encuentra a su compañera eterna, lo que claramente lo pone en más de una dificultad.

Por otra parte, se gana otros puntos al presentar con lujo de detalles el peligroso proceso de conversión de una humana en mujer carpatiana, que tanto se había mencionado en los libros anteriores.

Con lo anterior, mis queridos lectores, queda claro que es imprescindible leer estos libros en orden.

Por último, no quiero dejar de mencionar que al final nos regala la aparición de Gregori, indudablemente mi personaje favorito de esta serie.

[Alex is The Romance Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I continue reading this series I become more and more enthralled with the characters we meet. This is the 3rd book in the series and it’s a great book.
This is the story of Aidan, twin brother of Julian who are ancient Carpathians living far away from their beloved home – the Carpathian Mountains who meets his life mate, Alexandria when he saves her and her brother from a vampire that had capture them.
I love Aidan….the gorgeous, golden hero who shape shifts into a golden eagle…wow….and he is the only Carpathian that has a human family who live with him.
It creates a sense of family and Alexandria’s brother who is human is taken care of by this family. I loved the bond between sister and brother.
The books just keep getting better and better. Love meeting new characters and reading their story.
This is a favorite one of mine.

[Beth F · Rating 2 out of 5]

Creamy heat. Moist heat. Slick heat.

NO! NO! NO! NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

"Heat" as a synonym for "vag" just joined "scrotum" on my list of no-no words.

Gross.

And as if that wasn't bad enough, I still can't stand Feehan's namby-pamby heroines. I lost count of how many times I wished I could lay a violent hand on Alexandria.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aiden and Alexandria

Barely 3.5 stars.. my least favorite of the 3

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alexander is raising her younger brother Joshua their parents were both killed in a car accident leaving her his sole guardian. Seeking to improve there current circumstances she agrees to dinner with Thomas Ivan the creator of a successful vampire computer game. Alex hopes he hires her as an artist for his latest game and this break could improve her and Joshua’s situation.

It’s this decision that’s sees her and her brother taken by a Vampire and this then places her directly in Aidan Savage’s path. Mistakenly believing her a vampiress he nearly finishes the job the vampire began. When he realises Alex is his life mate he’s stunned but the attack and subsequent blood exchange means Alex is now turning.

Book three isn’t a favourite of mine and this is mainly because of Alexandria. Unfortunately, I found her immature, whiney and she behaves like a spoilt princess which I found bizarre as she’s been on her own raising her brother so You’d think this would have made her much more pragmatic and versatile. Instead Alex is the complete opposite and rather than attempt to embrace this new world and woman up if only for her brother’s sake she instead makes stupid choices that could put them all at risk including Josh. She’s insists on thinking she’s become an evil vampire despite all evidence to the contrary and Aidan well he just indulges all of her foolish whims.

When she’s indulging Thomas Ivans attention it doesn’t once cross her mind that she could be putting him in danger even though Aidan is quite candid about it. Alex wants to indulge herself and feel normal when it obvious she’s anything but. She behaves like a child that needs constant cosseting and reassurance it’s not one bit attractive and I found Alex to be rather weak in her overall character. Quite frankly she’s without a lick of sense or even basic self-preservation.

Now Aidan I did appreciate his one flaw is his inability to tell Alex that she’s behaving like a spoilt child more than likely because in her he sees a brighter future. One with emotions and a tether, but frankly i think he got bloody shafted, big time. The two previous heroines had their flaws for sure but were still streets ahead of Alex in terms of their core inner strength. Anyway though not my favourite of the series it was still enjoyable enough and though I’m not always a fan of the purple prose style of smut the core story itself is pretty decent.

[Estefany · Rating 3 out of 5]

La repetición constante del patrón de la protagonista me tienen al borde, si en el cuarto no cambia dudo mucho que siga la serie.