Dark Changeling

Vanishing Breed #1

by Margaret L. Carter

A successful, middle-aged psychiatrist tormented by an unquenchable lust for blood... A vampire serial killer on the rampage... At the age of forty, Dr. Roger Darvell discovers that he is no ordinary man. He also discovers that vampires exist, and that a few of them kill as wantonly and cruelly as any monster in a horror film. When a renegade vampire follows Roger from Boston to his new home in Maryland and attacks one of his patients, Roger must come to terms with the newly discovered truth about his heritage. And he must find a way to destroy the killer before his newfound lover becomes the renegade's next victim.

Genres: Vampires, Ebooks

296 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1999

About the author

Marked for life by reading DRACULA at the age of twelve, Margaret L. Carter specializes in the literature of fantasy and the supernatural, particularly vampires. She received degrees in English from the College of William and Mary, the University of Hawaii, and the University of California. She is a 2000 Eppie Award winner in horror, and with her husband, retired Navy Captain Leslie Roy Carter, she coauthored a fantasy novel, WILD SORCERESS.

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Changeling is a well written, delightfully intelligent take on modern vampire lore. The characters are mature professionals and the vampire lore presented is as scientific fact, rather than explained as "magic" in the way that I've become so frustrated with of late.

The characters are well presented, their voices consistent, the story is well presented and the overall feel is one of a very well thought out and believable tale.

I loved it for the way it presented the story in a straightforward way, having the man character, Roger have made use of his natural talents in the field of psychiatry and deal with ethical issues associated with his practice.

It seems that a number of authors I'm fond of have drawn influence either directly from Dark Changeling or from the same sources as are compiled in Dark Changeling. I thought Dark Changeling presented these issues all in a more intelligent and scientific fashion than where I have seen them elsewhere. The style worked very well for this story.

I strongly recommend Dark Changeling for any of UF lovers who love a good plausible story and would like to see a little more science fiction in their urban fantasy. It was a great read. I loved it.

However, if you like your supernatural creatures to rely upon "magic", give this one a miss.

ETA Woot! I just found out that there's now a sequel, Child of Twilight. I ordered it within minutes of finding out that it exists.

[Bitten_by_Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Roger Sean Gallagher Darvell is a man of science and rational thought; that he is also an unacknowledged vampire tasks his belief system to the point of near insanity. Everyday temptations walk into his office, recline on his sofa, and accept his psychiatric expertise to cure their neurosis. But his patients’ vulnerability and overflowing emotions excite him and sometimes his own needs and hunger nearly explode...

For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Review site on the web, Bitten By Books for the review of Dark Changeling in it's entirety. You won't be sorry.

[Suz]

Recommended by Sally.