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Darkyn #2
Private Demon
Night after night, Jema Shaw's dreams have become a haven for Thierry Durand. But his nocturnal visits have placed her in danger and brought her between two ancient enemies: the Brethren and the Darkyn.
287 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
47 people are currently reading
1716 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Viehl
54 books986 followersAlso see S.L. Viehl, Gena Hale, Jessica Hall. Rebecca Kelly.
She writes mostly novels in a variety of genres and under several pseudonyms. Among them are science fiction (as S. L. Viehl), romantic fiction (as Lynn Viehl, Gena Hale, and Jessica Hall), and Christian fiction (as Rebecca Kelly). She has described herself as primarily a writer of romance: no matter what genre she is working in, an element of romance will always be present.
In what spare time remains she enjoys quilting, reading, cooking, painting, and knitting. She currently lives with her family in Florida.
She writes mostly novels in a variety of genres and under several pseudonyms. Among them are science fiction (as S. L. Viehl), romantic fiction (as Lynn Viehl, Gena Hale, and Jessica Hall), and Christian fiction (as Rebecca Kelly). She has described herself as primarily a writer of romance: no matter what genre she is working in, an element of romance will always be present.
In what spare time remains she enjoys quilting, reading, cooking, painting, and knitting. She currently lives with her family in Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
August 12, 2009
Wow. I am completely drawn into this series. I read the first book and thought it was excellent, and made a note to read the rest. But now I have to read them.
Very dark, gritty, modern, but with elements of the past deftly woven into the framework, this story stakes its claim on the vampire paranormal romance, giving us a different kind of vampire lore. Although some of the touches are familiar, there are elements in this series that are beautifully unique. The Darkyn are vampires, many of whom were Templars turned during the Crusades in the Holy Lands. I love how each Darkyn puts out his own floral scent. (It's the flower/plant-lover in me).
The men outnumber the women about 50 to 1, and lately, it has been nearly impossible to turn anyone into a vampire. Alexandra Keller, who we met in the first book is the rare exception, but maybe not the only one after all.
That is really just the background of this story. The best part of it was Thierry Durand and Jema Shaw. I loved their relationship. Both lost and lonely, and needing someone special. It's one of my favorite kinds of relationships in romance novels when two tortured characters find each other.
Thierry was betrayed in the worst way possible, by his wife. She had him and their son, and many of his people tortured, and turned them over to the Darkyn's enemies, The Brethren.
At the beginning of this book, Thierry is a fugitive from the Darkyn, who believe he is a loose cannon that probably needs to be eliminated. Thierry knows his time is limited before they find him and probably kill him. Having entrusted the well-being of his son to Michael Cyprien, a high-ranking leader in the Darkyn, he decides he's going to track down the men who tortured and burned a woman to get information about the Darkyn, and make them pay. One source of information is Jema Shaw, who turns out to be the young woman that he takes blood from one night. A connection forms between them then, sensual and emotional, but Thierry doubts he'll ever see the woman he calls 'little cat' again, feeling a deep sense of regret about that. Besides, his mind is on his mission, which is the one thread of purpose he has in his less than sane mind.
Thierry has the ability to enter a person's dreams and interact with that person via dreams.He decides he will do this to get the information he needed. He's surprised to find this woman is the same one he took blood from, but at the same time, pleased to see her again, although nothing can come of it. But in the process of coming to her nightly and entering her dreams, the more transfixed and connected to Jema he becomes. It's only a matter of time before he's in love with her.
Jema Shaw has lead a life that is a ticking timebomb. She was born with severe diabetes and has been told she probably won't live past thirty. Each day is a struggle to keep going and to serve a purpose, to eke out a meaningful life. Not to mention being under the stranglehold of a bitter, critical, wheelchair-bound mother.
She connects with her demon lover in her dreams, and it becomes the highlight of her existence. She lives each day to go to sleep and spend time with him until she starts hoping that her dream love is real.
I lived for the moments when Jema and Thierry connected in Jema's dreams. His devotion to her turned my knees into jelly. I wanted so much for poor Jema to have a true love, because she had such a lousy life, so badly restricted by her physical ailment. When their connection culminates in passionate, sensual encounters, your patience is well-rewarded by the slow buildup in heat between them.
This incredibly romantic story is the mortar in this book. However there are a lot of dark and gritty moments in this storyline. There is a subplot involving neo-Nazi skinheads and their hate crimes, that ties in very neatly with the Darkyn storyline. It was very well-done, and has a message about racial intolerance that hits home without being preachy.
John Keller, the disgraced priest and brother of Alexandra Keller, has a very substantial role in this book, and I felt my connection to him that formed in first book, grow even deeper. I am hoping and praying that this wonderful, but flawed man does get his happy ending.
This complex story also shows the continuing relationship between Alexandra and Michael Cyprien, who faces warring loyalties, struggling to follow his heart in his relationship with Alex, yet be loyal to the Darkyn. And then, there's Valentin Jaus, who is the local Darkyn overlord over Chicago. He's been in love with Jema for her whole life, and unable to say what he feels. His love for Jema is poignant, because I wanted Jema to be with Thierry, but I also wanted Valentin to get his happy ending. I really liked the connection between Jema and Valentin which turns out to be very crucial for this story.
I loved this book from start to finish for its intensity. It was very well done in every way. There are welcome elements of humor that had me laughing out loud, a needed contrast to the darker elements in this story, as it delves into the lowest aspects of humanity, and also the tortured pasts of Thierry and some of the other Darkyn. As a reader who loves medieval historical romance (with an interest in medieval history), I was happy to see that these elements are strong in this story, because the Darkyn are really very much medieval warriors living in a modern world.
The climax of the book is violent but well-done. Lots of swords clashing and blood flying. Nothing gratuitious, but very fitting for this story.
Highly recommended, Private Demon has made me a steadfast reader of the Darkyn series.
Very dark, gritty, modern, but with elements of the past deftly woven into the framework, this story stakes its claim on the vampire paranormal romance, giving us a different kind of vampire lore. Although some of the touches are familiar, there are elements in this series that are beautifully unique. The Darkyn are vampires, many of whom were Templars turned during the Crusades in the Holy Lands. I love how each Darkyn puts out his own floral scent. (It's the flower/plant-lover in me).
The men outnumber the women about 50 to 1, and lately, it has been nearly impossible to turn anyone into a vampire. Alexandra Keller, who we met in the first book is the rare exception, but maybe not the only one after all.
That is really just the background of this story. The best part of it was Thierry Durand and Jema Shaw. I loved their relationship. Both lost and lonely, and needing someone special. It's one of my favorite kinds of relationships in romance novels when two tortured characters find each other.
Thierry was betrayed in the worst way possible, by his wife. She had him and their son, and many of his people tortured, and turned them over to the Darkyn's enemies, The Brethren.
At the beginning of this book, Thierry is a fugitive from the Darkyn, who believe he is a loose cannon that probably needs to be eliminated. Thierry knows his time is limited before they find him and probably kill him. Having entrusted the well-being of his son to Michael Cyprien, a high-ranking leader in the Darkyn, he decides he's going to track down the men who tortured and burned a woman to get information about the Darkyn, and make them pay. One source of information is Jema Shaw, who turns out to be the young woman that he takes blood from one night. A connection forms between them then, sensual and emotional, but Thierry doubts he'll ever see the woman he calls 'little cat' again, feeling a deep sense of regret about that. Besides, his mind is on his mission, which is the one thread of purpose he has in his less than sane mind.
Thierry has the ability to enter a person's dreams and interact with that person via dreams.He decides he will do this to get the information he needed. He's surprised to find this woman is the same one he took blood from, but at the same time, pleased to see her again, although nothing can come of it. But in the process of coming to her nightly and entering her dreams, the more transfixed and connected to Jema he becomes. It's only a matter of time before he's in love with her.
Jema Shaw has lead a life that is a ticking timebomb. She was born with severe diabetes and has been told she probably won't live past thirty. Each day is a struggle to keep going and to serve a purpose, to eke out a meaningful life. Not to mention being under the stranglehold of a bitter, critical, wheelchair-bound mother.
She connects with her demon lover in her dreams, and it becomes the highlight of her existence. She lives each day to go to sleep and spend time with him until she starts hoping that her dream love is real.
I lived for the moments when Jema and Thierry connected in Jema's dreams. His devotion to her turned my knees into jelly. I wanted so much for poor Jema to have a true love, because she had such a lousy life, so badly restricted by her physical ailment. When their connection culminates in passionate, sensual encounters, your patience is well-rewarded by the slow buildup in heat between them.
This incredibly romantic story is the mortar in this book. However there are a lot of dark and gritty moments in this storyline. There is a subplot involving neo-Nazi skinheads and their hate crimes, that ties in very neatly with the Darkyn storyline. It was very well-done, and has a message about racial intolerance that hits home without being preachy.
John Keller, the disgraced priest and brother of Alexandra Keller, has a very substantial role in this book, and I felt my connection to him that formed in first book, grow even deeper. I am hoping and praying that this wonderful, but flawed man does get his happy ending.
This complex story also shows the continuing relationship between Alexandra and Michael Cyprien, who faces warring loyalties, struggling to follow his heart in his relationship with Alex, yet be loyal to the Darkyn. And then, there's Valentin Jaus, who is the local Darkyn overlord over Chicago. He's been in love with Jema for her whole life, and unable to say what he feels. His love for Jema is poignant, because I wanted Jema to be with Thierry, but I also wanted Valentin to get his happy ending. I really liked the connection between Jema and Valentin which turns out to be very crucial for this story.
I loved this book from start to finish for its intensity. It was very well done in every way. There are welcome elements of humor that had me laughing out loud, a needed contrast to the darker elements in this story, as it delves into the lowest aspects of humanity, and also the tortured pasts of Thierry and some of the other Darkyn. As a reader who loves medieval historical romance (with an interest in medieval history), I was happy to see that these elements are strong in this story, because the Darkyn are really very much medieval warriors living in a modern world.
The climax of the book is violent but well-done. Lots of swords clashing and blood flying. Nothing gratuitious, but very fitting for this story.
Highly recommended, Private Demon has made me a steadfast reader of the Darkyn series.
April 5, 2010
I've been reading Viehl's work since the first StarDoc came out. Although the Darkyn series is not Sci Fi, it bears her hallmark (intricate plotting with a dash of medical realism) and drew me in immediately.
Second in the Darkyn series, the saga continues, this time with the focus on Thierry, a member of the Darkyn, tormented and mentally unstable after the betrayal of his beloved wife and the torture he endured by The Brethren, dreaded enemy of the Darkyn. (Which occurred in the first of the Darkyn series If Angel's Burn).
Each of the Darkyn have talents and Thierry's is the ability to invade dreams. Thierry finds himself drawn to Jema Shaw, from their first encounter. Jema is an antiquities expert for her family's museum by day, part time independent forensic consultant with the Chicago coroner's office by night.
Convincing himself he is doing it to discover the identities of those responsible for the brutal mutilation of another young woman, Thierry uses his powers to visit Jema Shaw in her dreams and finds himself in a place of healing- and unwanted attraction.
Although Theirry and Jema are clearly the hero and heroine of this story, we do see enough of Alex and Michael from the first book (If Angels Burn, Darkyn Book 1), and other creatures from their world, to make this a book about the Darkyn and Brethern as much as the hero and heroine.
Viehl has created a complicated world with all kinds of threads hanging out there, that, in anyone else but this author's hands, could make one throw the book down in frustration. The intricate pattern she's weaving could so easily get lost on a reader, but man I love the intelligence of it! She writes romance for the thinking woman better than anyone I know, although some would argue that she writes romance at all considering the suspense/thriller feel of her stories.
In the end, things come together in Private Demon to bring a close to Jema and Thierry's story while still leaving things open for the next installment (Dark Need).
Second in the Darkyn series, the saga continues, this time with the focus on Thierry, a member of the Darkyn, tormented and mentally unstable after the betrayal of his beloved wife and the torture he endured by The Brethren, dreaded enemy of the Darkyn. (Which occurred in the first of the Darkyn series If Angel's Burn).
Each of the Darkyn have talents and Thierry's is the ability to invade dreams. Thierry finds himself drawn to Jema Shaw, from their first encounter. Jema is an antiquities expert for her family's museum by day, part time independent forensic consultant with the Chicago coroner's office by night.
Convincing himself he is doing it to discover the identities of those responsible for the brutal mutilation of another young woman, Thierry uses his powers to visit Jema Shaw in her dreams and finds himself in a place of healing- and unwanted attraction.
Although Theirry and Jema are clearly the hero and heroine of this story, we do see enough of Alex and Michael from the first book (If Angels Burn, Darkyn Book 1), and other creatures from their world, to make this a book about the Darkyn and Brethern as much as the hero and heroine.
Viehl has created a complicated world with all kinds of threads hanging out there, that, in anyone else but this author's hands, could make one throw the book down in frustration. The intricate pattern she's weaving could so easily get lost on a reader, but man I love the intelligence of it! She writes romance for the thinking woman better than anyone I know, although some would argue that she writes romance at all considering the suspense/thriller feel of her stories.
In the end, things come together in Private Demon to bring a close to Jema and Thierry's story while still leaving things open for the next installment (Dark Need).
March 14, 2009
Good read. Book 2 of the Darkyn books follows very closely the end of If Angels Burn - both chronologically and continuing story elements introduced in the first book. Order is VERY important, read Angels first or you will be very confused.
Darkyn
1. If Angels Burn (2005)
2. Private Demon (2005)
3. Dark Need (2006)
4. Night Lost (2007)
5. Evermore (2008)
6. Twilight Fall (2008)
7. Stay the Night (2009)
Darkyn
1. If Angels Burn (2005)
2. Private Demon (2005)
3. Dark Need (2006)
4. Night Lost (2007)
5. Evermore (2008)
6. Twilight Fall (2008)
7. Stay the Night (2009)
January 20, 2008
It has been a long time since I read If Angels Burn, the only thing I remembered was that I had enjoyed it and that it was a thriller with romantic elements. Recently I've been feeling like reading more of those books and picked up Private Demon.
Within her dreams lies his salvation...
Antiquities expert Jema Shaw has two lives: one during the day, when she catalogs museum artifacts and cares for her crippled, bitter mother; the other during the night, when she works with police to search for crime scene evidence. The only place Jem truly feels alive is in her dreams, where unlike real life she can pretend that she's safe and loved and wanted. Yet when a demon warrior begins showing up in her mind each night, he draws Jem with him into her most secret, intimate fantasies. Finding the key to solving three brutal assault and murder cases, however, isn't as difficult for Jem as waking up to discover that her dream lover is very real—as are the killers coming for both of them.
I wasn't disappointed, it was a book I enjoyed but in which I found several flaws.
Thierry Durand almost lost his mind after discovering his wife Angelina betrayed all Darkyn and helped the Brethren murder several of his people and including maiming their son. Trying to find salvation for what he believes was his fault in not seeing who Angelina really was he decides to try and find the attackers of Luisa Lopez, a young woman tortured by the Brethren and left for dead. With that goal he travels to Chicago were he finds Jema Shaw, a very sick young woman believed to have diabetes and whose family owns a Museum. Thierry can't resist feeding from her the first time they meet and he finds himself drawn to her to the point that he occupies the house next to her to better watch her and starts entering her dreams. I had some trouble understanding what exactly attracted him, when I finished the book I felt they had just spent a couple of hours awake and actually talking to one another, the dreams were just fantasies they shared. On the other hand Jema's other neighbor, also a Darkyn, as known her since she was a baby and is also in love with her, I must say I found him a much more sympathetic pretender to her hand. The love triangle between Thierry, Jema and Jaus lasts for most of the book and I felt Jema wasn't a very strong heroine and ultimately may have chosen the wrong mate.
The mystery was also well done, there's a bigger mystery that comes from the first novel about who are the members of the Church who are also Brethren and what are their goals and what's the role of Alex's brother in that. Alex is the heroine of the first book and is a doctor trying to find the cure for what turns them into Darkyn. Alex is such a strong character that she almost steals the show whenever she appears. I'm a big Alex fan and I hope she makes an appearance in the next books.
And then there's the mystery surrounding Jema and her heritage and health condition. Since everyone seems to have a hidden agenda, from the Darkyn to Jema's mother, the book is full of surprises. If there is a series of books that need to be read in order this one is it because several characters of the first book show up and scenes that happened previously keep being mentioned.
Grade: B
Within her dreams lies his salvation...
Antiquities expert Jema Shaw has two lives: one during the day, when she catalogs museum artifacts and cares for her crippled, bitter mother; the other during the night, when she works with police to search for crime scene evidence. The only place Jem truly feels alive is in her dreams, where unlike real life she can pretend that she's safe and loved and wanted. Yet when a demon warrior begins showing up in her mind each night, he draws Jem with him into her most secret, intimate fantasies. Finding the key to solving three brutal assault and murder cases, however, isn't as difficult for Jem as waking up to discover that her dream lover is very real—as are the killers coming for both of them.
I wasn't disappointed, it was a book I enjoyed but in which I found several flaws.
Thierry Durand almost lost his mind after discovering his wife Angelina betrayed all Darkyn and helped the Brethren murder several of his people and including maiming their son. Trying to find salvation for what he believes was his fault in not seeing who Angelina really was he decides to try and find the attackers of Luisa Lopez, a young woman tortured by the Brethren and left for dead. With that goal he travels to Chicago were he finds Jema Shaw, a very sick young woman believed to have diabetes and whose family owns a Museum. Thierry can't resist feeding from her the first time they meet and he finds himself drawn to her to the point that he occupies the house next to her to better watch her and starts entering her dreams. I had some trouble understanding what exactly attracted him, when I finished the book I felt they had just spent a couple of hours awake and actually talking to one another, the dreams were just fantasies they shared. On the other hand Jema's other neighbor, also a Darkyn, as known her since she was a baby and is also in love with her, I must say I found him a much more sympathetic pretender to her hand. The love triangle between Thierry, Jema and Jaus lasts for most of the book and I felt Jema wasn't a very strong heroine and ultimately may have chosen the wrong mate.
The mystery was also well done, there's a bigger mystery that comes from the first novel about who are the members of the Church who are also Brethren and what are their goals and what's the role of Alex's brother in that. Alex is the heroine of the first book and is a doctor trying to find the cure for what turns them into Darkyn. Alex is such a strong character that she almost steals the show whenever she appears. I'm a big Alex fan and I hope she makes an appearance in the next books.
And then there's the mystery surrounding Jema and her heritage and health condition. Since everyone seems to have a hidden agenda, from the Darkyn to Jema's mother, the book is full of surprises. If there is a series of books that need to be read in order this one is it because several characters of the first book show up and scenes that happened previously keep being mentioned.
Grade: B
April 10, 2008
I really like Jema. She's so sweet and innocent and you can't help but feel bad for her. My problem this book is if i liked Thiery or Jaus more. I was torn with who she should be with. I loved that Alex and Michael were still in the book. My only problem with this book was again with John. I find him EXTREMELY annoying and makes it harder to get through the story.
June 14, 2010
3.5 stars -
Gema had juvenile diabetes and at almost 30 years, she's lived for a long time with it. Her mother is very domineering and there's a live-in doctor who has been taking care of both her and her disabled mother since she was a month old. She has a friend who was horribly disfigured who she has been visiting for about a year.
SPOILERS!!!!!!!!
Valetin is her next door neighbor who happens to be a vampire and has slowly fallen in love with her but never let her know. Thierry goes to her to help him solve a mystery which he thinks will help him to mentally heal. He visits her strange dreams to try to talk to her about it but ends up to me at least just trying to not let her freak out. Somehow they fall in love. HOWEVER, I wish Gema would have ended up with Valentin. He has loved her for so long but was too afraid because he's a vampire and she dying to do anything. By the time he makes his move, she's with Thierry. It just broke my heart. The ending was so sad.
The lower rating is because her working part-time with the police didn't really add anything to the story at all and I kept waiting for that to mean more in the book. Her falling in love with Thierry and vice versa I didn't really feel. I thought if Valentin would have just done something more than small talk, she would have fell in love with him. She was treated so badly by everyone and him being one of the few people kind to her, I just don't see how she didn't fall a little in love with him already. They would have made more sense. I hope there's a book with Valentin in it soon. Waaaa!
Gema had juvenile diabetes and at almost 30 years, she's lived for a long time with it. Her mother is very domineering and there's a live-in doctor who has been taking care of both her and her disabled mother since she was a month old. She has a friend who was horribly disfigured who she has been visiting for about a year.
SPOILERS!!!!!!!!
Valetin is her next door neighbor who happens to be a vampire and has slowly fallen in love with her but never let her know. Thierry goes to her to help him solve a mystery which he thinks will help him to mentally heal. He visits her strange dreams to try to talk to her about it but ends up to me at least just trying to not let her freak out. Somehow they fall in love. HOWEVER, I wish Gema would have ended up with Valentin. He has loved her for so long but was too afraid because he's a vampire and she dying to do anything. By the time he makes his move, she's with Thierry. It just broke my heart. The ending was so sad.
The lower rating is because her working part-time with the police didn't really add anything to the story at all and I kept waiting for that to mean more in the book. Her falling in love with Thierry and vice versa I didn't really feel. I thought if Valentin would have just done something more than small talk, she would have fell in love with him. She was treated so badly by everyone and him being one of the few people kind to her, I just don't see how she didn't fall a little in love with him already. They would have made more sense. I hope there's a book with Valentin in it soon. Waaaa!
September 30, 2017
3.5 stars. The plot of the story was great. I loved Thierry and really felt for him. I was on his side after witnessing his conflicting needs and heartache. His entire life had been broken apart by his wife's betrayal.
All the Darkyn characters were easy to connect with. It was great to see the relationship between Cyprien and Allexandra from book 1 develop alongside Thierry and Gema's.
Gema Shaw needed more fleshing out for me. I didn't understand her motivations or responses in much of the story. Was she a wimp? Too many of her reactions felt unbelievable. Her living situation seemed unquestioned for most of the book, living with an unloving mother and a resident doctor that had lost his license for being unethical.. If my mother was that awful to live with I would be out that door the second I hit 18 - & Gema is 29!
Nevertheless I really enjoyed reading this book and will continue on with the series.
All the Darkyn characters were easy to connect with. It was great to see the relationship between Cyprien and Allexandra from book 1 develop alongside Thierry and Gema's.
Gema Shaw needed more fleshing out for me. I didn't understand her motivations or responses in much of the story. Was she a wimp? Too many of her reactions felt unbelievable. Her living situation seemed unquestioned for most of the book, living with an unloving mother and a resident doctor that had lost his license for being unethical.. If my mother was that awful to live with I would be out that door the second I hit 18 - & Gema is 29!
Nevertheless I really enjoyed reading this book and will continue on with the series.
March 4, 2009
I really loved this story. I'm finding Lynn Viehl's books hard to get into at first, but when it takes off it really takes off. I like how she has the plot set so you just can't see what's coming. On some things you can see but most times it has that twist at the most crucial part. I find myself going back to re-read that section saying to myself "whoa, she didn't just do that" In this second book it has characters from the first book and that's something I love. I like to know what's going on with them. I hope she continues that in the next books. I'm really liking her way of writing as I get more and more used to her.
February 3, 2011
I do like these books so it's hard for me to decide between 3 & 4 stars. This series almost reminds me of the BDB series. Alex is my favorite character. She is sassy, strong, and smart. Jema was not my favorite. I mean hello, if I catch someone sneaking into my bedroom night after night, hooking up is going to be the last thing on my to do list. Also, I understand she has been told all of her life that to make it to age 30 will be a miracle, but she seems so resigned just to lay down and wait for it. She never even considered getting a second opinion, and I will be damned if at 30 years old I get scolded from my mother for missing dinner. I am expecting a lot of growth from her character in the next book because of the ending of this one! No spoilers! Thierry did not do it for me, actually, none of the men have. Weird that I am just noticing that. Ah well it is good enough that I will read number 3 (maybe.. eventually)! :)
December 8, 2010
I really liked this book much more than the first book in the series. My heart broke for Valentine, but I was so happy for Thierry and Jema! I like how the author has continued with Alexandra and Michael's relationship. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
May 25, 2015
In the first of Lynn Viehl's Darkyn series, If Angels Burn Thierry Marchand and his family had been held prisoner and tortured by the Brethren.
Rescued by the Darkyn King's pet assassin, Lucan, Thierry is broken in both body and spirit. He is, in fact, criminally insane. Dr. Alex Keller repairs his body but is almost killed by Thierry in one of his insane rages. But Thierry is shocked into lucidity when he learns that his wife Angelica (whom he had believed to be skinned alive before his eyes and the reason he had retreated into insanity ) had actually been in collusion with the Brethren for years and had delivered many Darkyn to them for torture and murder. Horrified and in despair, Thierry disappears and goes deep underground to stay away from the Darkyn. Believing Thierry is too dangerous to live, Michael Cyprien, second in command over all the Darkyn and Alex's lover, sends out an order for Thierry's death.
As this book begins Thierry is living as a homeless man in Chicago and hunting the men who had attacked one of Alex's former patients as a way to make amends for his own attack on Alex. He comes across Jema Shaw, an heiress who works in her family's museum. Jema lives at home with her wheelchair bound, over controlling mother.
Thierry's special talent is that he is a dreamwalker. He enters Jema's dreams and the two begin a nocturnal romance.
Meanwhile in the waking world, Valentin Jaus, the Darkyn leader of the Chicago territory lives in the mansion next door to Jema and has loved her from afar for years. However he is a correct, courtly old-fashioned gentleman and isn't quite sure how to let her know his feelings. Instead her very correctly sends her a bouquet of camellias (his Darkyn scent) each year on her birthday. He is also in despair because Jema has lived all her life with juvenile diabetes and her life expectancy isn't very high.
Alex and Michael visit the Chicago Jardin to help with the hunt for Thierry. Alex quickly sizes up the situation between Valentin and Jema and gives her unsolicited romantic advice. To his surprise, Valentin finds himself reluctantly bonding with the unpredictable American doctor. Jamys, Thierry's son (his tongue had been ripped out by the Brethren at the request of his evil mother Angelica), is also in town unbeknownst to anyone also looking for his father and runs into John Keller who is now working in a half-way house for runaways.
Things come to a head at a grand masque ball at Valentin's estate during Halloween where our principle players learn a few surprising things. And one guys gets the girl and another is heartbroken.
Of the six books in the series I've read so far, this is by far my least favorite. But before I get to what I didn't like about it, I'll talk about what did work for me.
First, even though this is Jema and Theirry's book, Alex and Michael are a very welcome presence. This book continues with the progress of their relationship. They are deeply in love, but Alex is still not content being Darkyn and is trying to find a cure. Michael, otoh, is walking a very fine line. Richard, the Darkyn King, is displeased that John exposed the New Orleans Jardin and has decreed he should die. Alex, otoh, doesn't want her brother dead. Michael is trying to placate the both of them, with dangerous results. Michael and Alex's relationship are a work in progress and they are one of the reasons I really enjoy this series. This wrinkle in what Michael is doing and Alex's unquiet about how deeply she feels for him would not have had the same impact had this all been resolved in the last book.
And Alex is still her snarky, irreverent self. I especially liked her calling one of the stuffy Darkyn women "Princess Buttercup."
Second, Valentin is such an awesome character. I loved the part where he tells Alex about his feelings for Jema and Alex sighs dreamily at his poetic words and assures him that she is now in love with him. When I first read the book, I felt cheated that Valentin would not end up with the girl because I thought he was so much more worthy for her than Thierry. But then upon re-read, I realized that I was glad that Valentin didn't end up with Jema. In some ways she was a little too drippy for him. Valentin's book comes out in July 08, so I can't wait to see who he does end up with!
Third, again Viehl packs a LOT of plot into what deceptively looks like a small book. So much goes on and what is also cool is that some of the littlest seeds she'd sown in the first book start to bud in this one. Again, a hallmark of good planning and some nice world building.
But then comes the not so great stuff.
I couldn't really get into Thierry and Jema. First I really dislike the convention of using dreams as a stand in for the real world. It is something that some paranormal authors use and it is something that just doesn't work for me in any way.
And then there was the whole neo-Nazi subplot with John Keller. Again, John's storyline brings me right out of the story. John and Alex are biracial and I can't help but think that their background has something to do with why John is so wanted by the Brethren and why Alex is the only human, and one of the very few women, in hundreds of years who has been able to rise and walk as a Darkyn.
So while I will characterize this as a solid entry in the ongoing series, as a stand alone it loses a bit of it's lustre.
Rescued by the Darkyn King's pet assassin, Lucan, Thierry is broken in both body and spirit. He is, in fact, criminally insane. Dr. Alex Keller repairs his body but is almost killed by Thierry in one of his insane rages. But Thierry is shocked into lucidity when he learns that his wife Angelica (whom he had believed to be skinned alive before his eyes and the reason he had retreated into insanity ) had actually been in collusion with the Brethren for years and had delivered many Darkyn to them for torture and murder. Horrified and in despair, Thierry disappears and goes deep underground to stay away from the Darkyn. Believing Thierry is too dangerous to live, Michael Cyprien, second in command over all the Darkyn and Alex's lover, sends out an order for Thierry's death.
As this book begins Thierry is living as a homeless man in Chicago and hunting the men who had attacked one of Alex's former patients as a way to make amends for his own attack on Alex. He comes across Jema Shaw, an heiress who works in her family's museum. Jema lives at home with her wheelchair bound, over controlling mother.
Thierry's special talent is that he is a dreamwalker. He enters Jema's dreams and the two begin a nocturnal romance.
Meanwhile in the waking world, Valentin Jaus, the Darkyn leader of the Chicago territory lives in the mansion next door to Jema and has loved her from afar for years. However he is a correct, courtly old-fashioned gentleman and isn't quite sure how to let her know his feelings. Instead her very correctly sends her a bouquet of camellias (his Darkyn scent) each year on her birthday. He is also in despair because Jema has lived all her life with juvenile diabetes and her life expectancy isn't very high.
Alex and Michael visit the Chicago Jardin to help with the hunt for Thierry. Alex quickly sizes up the situation between Valentin and Jema and gives her unsolicited romantic advice. To his surprise, Valentin finds himself reluctantly bonding with the unpredictable American doctor. Jamys, Thierry's son (his tongue had been ripped out by the Brethren at the request of his evil mother Angelica), is also in town unbeknownst to anyone also looking for his father and runs into John Keller who is now working in a half-way house for runaways.
Things come to a head at a grand masque ball at Valentin's estate during Halloween where our principle players learn a few surprising things. And one guys gets the girl and another is heartbroken.
Of the six books in the series I've read so far, this is by far my least favorite. But before I get to what I didn't like about it, I'll talk about what did work for me.
First, even though this is Jema and Theirry's book, Alex and Michael are a very welcome presence. This book continues with the progress of their relationship. They are deeply in love, but Alex is still not content being Darkyn and is trying to find a cure. Michael, otoh, is walking a very fine line. Richard, the Darkyn King, is displeased that John exposed the New Orleans Jardin and has decreed he should die. Alex, otoh, doesn't want her brother dead. Michael is trying to placate the both of them, with dangerous results. Michael and Alex's relationship are a work in progress and they are one of the reasons I really enjoy this series. This wrinkle in what Michael is doing and Alex's unquiet about how deeply she feels for him would not have had the same impact had this all been resolved in the last book.
And Alex is still her snarky, irreverent self. I especially liked her calling one of the stuffy Darkyn women "Princess Buttercup."
Second, Valentin is such an awesome character. I loved the part where he tells Alex about his feelings for Jema and Alex sighs dreamily at his poetic words and assures him that she is now in love with him. When I first read the book, I felt cheated that Valentin would not end up with the girl because I thought he was so much more worthy for her than Thierry. But then upon re-read, I realized that I was glad that Valentin didn't end up with Jema. In some ways she was a little too drippy for him. Valentin's book comes out in July 08, so I can't wait to see who he does end up with!
Third, again Viehl packs a LOT of plot into what deceptively looks like a small book. So much goes on and what is also cool is that some of the littlest seeds she'd sown in the first book start to bud in this one. Again, a hallmark of good planning and some nice world building.
But then comes the not so great stuff.
I couldn't really get into Thierry and Jema. First I really dislike the convention of using dreams as a stand in for the real world. It is something that some paranormal authors use and it is something that just doesn't work for me in any way.
And then there was the whole neo-Nazi subplot with John Keller. Again, John's storyline brings me right out of the story. John and Alex are biracial and I can't help but think that their background has something to do with why John is so wanted by the Brethren and why Alex is the only human, and one of the very few women, in hundreds of years who has been able to rise and walk as a Darkyn.
So while I will characterize this as a solid entry in the ongoing series, as a stand alone it loses a bit of it's lustre.
Read
February 2, 2022DNF
April 11, 2011
This book was a slow read for me - the beginning just seemed to really drag out. I enjoyed getting to know Thierry. I was happy to see he broke out of his "madness" and was able to become compassionate and caring towards Jema -
I was nervous about his "Talent" with going into her dreams - it felt too much like Vampire Academy to me with Adrian going into Rose's dreams just to talk. But it turned out for the best with this book. It was pretty interesting how it worked out :)
I was surprised that Jema seemed ok with it though - even when she figured it out and waited for him to sneek into her room - I for one would have freaked out - but that's just me :)
BUT then the whole thing with Valentin being secretly in love with Jema threw me off - I couldn't figure out if she was going to end up with Valentin or Thierry - then I started thinking the worse - that Therriy was going to DIE! I wasn't too happy about that, so I had to finish the book today to find out how it ended...
SO since I won’t be sending any spoilers on this book :) I'll leave it at that. I was happy with the way things worked out though - not that I'm saying she stayed with Valentin, OR Thierry :) Who knows, maybe she ran off with Falco! (HA HA) I won’t tell - but I think the ending was pretty great.
Looking forward to the next book -
I was nervous about his "Talent" with going into her dreams - it felt too much like Vampire Academy to me with Adrian going into Rose's dreams just to talk. But it turned out for the best with this book. It was pretty interesting how it worked out :)
I was surprised that Jema seemed ok with it though - even when she figured it out and waited for him to sneek into her room - I for one would have freaked out - but that's just me :)
BUT then the whole thing with Valentin being secretly in love with Jema threw me off - I couldn't figure out if she was going to end up with Valentin or Thierry - then I started thinking the worse - that Therriy was going to DIE! I wasn't too happy about that, so I had to finish the book today to find out how it ended...
SO since I won’t be sending any spoilers on this book :) I'll leave it at that. I was happy with the way things worked out though - not that I'm saying she stayed with Valentin, OR Thierry :) Who knows, maybe she ran off with Falco! (HA HA) I won’t tell - but I think the ending was pretty great.
Looking forward to the next book -
July 3, 2009
Antiquities expert Jem Shaw has two lives: one during the day, when she catalogs museum artifacts and cares for her crippled, bitter mother; the other during the night, when she works with police to search for crime scene evidence. The only place Jem truly feels alive is in her dreams, where unlike real life she can pretend that she's safe and loved and wanted.
Yet when a demon warrior begins showing up in her mind each night, he draws Jem with him into her most secret, intimate fantasies. Finding the key to solving three brutal assault and murder cases, however, isn't as difficult for Jem as waking up to discover that her dream lover is very real -- as are the killers coming for both of them.
Great paranormal romance. If that's your genre, this is a book for you. 2nd in the Darkyn series.
Yet when a demon warrior begins showing up in her mind each night, he draws Jem with him into her most secret, intimate fantasies. Finding the key to solving three brutal assault and murder cases, however, isn't as difficult for Jem as waking up to discover that her dream lover is very real -- as are the killers coming for both of them.
Great paranormal romance. If that's your genre, this is a book for you. 2nd in the Darkyn series.
May 28, 2011
A pretty good follow up to Viehl's "If Angels Burn". The story was good and continued to have plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. The one caveat to all this is that it's dark -- darker than most paranormal fiction. This is sold as a romance, but it really doesn't focus much on the romance. Granted it highlights more of the romance than the first book in the series did, but it still isn't your "typical" romance where the romance aspect of the book overshadows even decent plot development. I liked the aspect of a love triangle, but was a little disappointed in its resolution. Despite that I liked the book and would recommend it as a good read for a snowy weekend or a day at the beach.
May 22, 2013
This series is addicting! Ms. Viehl has a great writing style!
Favorite quote [18+ only]:
“Is it important, or something that is going to give me a shrieking orgasm?”
“You have been locked in here half the night,” he said. “You should feed and rest. The orgasm is, of course, optional.”
“Later.” She lifted her eyes from the scope lenses and sighed. “I don’t get it.”
“Orgasms?” He bent to kiss her with slow, devastating thoroughness. “You have been faking? All this time?”
Favorite quote [18+ only]:
“Is it important, or something that is going to give me a shrieking orgasm?”
“You have been locked in here half the night,” he said. “You should feed and rest. The orgasm is, of course, optional.”
“Later.” She lifted her eyes from the scope lenses and sighed. “I don’t get it.”
“Orgasms?” He bent to kiss her with slow, devastating thoroughness. “You have been faking? All this time?”
April 7, 2009
Good book. I liked it better than I thought I would. Romances that take place in dreams are totally not my thing but this wasn't a huge issue for me in this book. Not everything centered around dream relationships. It was good. Alex came across a bit more harsh than I remembered her but that was ok.
October 5, 2016
DNF. I've decided that this series is too dark and depressing for my taste. Won't be reading any more from this series.
I'm possibly half way through this book and there is (not in any particular order) child prostitution, rape, teen pregnancy, murder, gangs, obsession, racism, forced seduction, etc etc. I don't want to read any more of it.
I'm possibly half way through this book and there is (not in any particular order) child prostitution, rape, teen pregnancy, murder, gangs, obsession, racism, forced seduction, etc etc. I don't want to read any more of it.
November 17, 2016
Another great addition to the darkyn series. I really enjoyed reading. This story is about Jema and Thierry. Thierry is still a little mad from being tortured by the church and finds solace in a mind of Jema a dreamer. A must read for all.
November 24, 2013
Very good book. Not quite as impressive as the first in the series. But it did lead to some great character building as well as plot points for future books. Still loving the series!
January 16, 2025
ในเล่มสอง Private Demon เป็นเรื่องของเธียรรี่ ดูแรนด์ ซึ่งเป็นคินที่ที่อาศัยอยู่ในยุโรป ผู้ซึ่งบ้านถูกลอบโจมตีโดยบรีธเท่น เขาถูกทรมานปางตาย ยิ่งความจริงที่ว่าภรรยาของเขา (ซึ่งเป็นคินเช่นกัน) เป็นสายให้กับพวกบรีธเท่นยิ่งทำให้ความเจ็บปวดของเขาทวีคูณขึ้น ในตอนจบของเล่มแรกเธียรรี่อยู่ในสภาพกึ่งบ้า ไม่มีสติเท่าไหรนัก
ด้วยโชคชะตาหรืออะไรบางอย่างนำเขาให้ไปพบกับเจม่า หญิงสาวที่ขอยืมเวลาอาศัยอยู่บนโลก เธอป่วยด้วยโรคเบาหวาน (ซึ่งถ้าเป็นในเด็กจะอาการรุนแรงมาก) ผู้ซึ่งตลอดทั้งชีวิตแทบไม่เคยใช้ชีวิต เธอถูกปกป้อง หรือจะเรียกให้ถูกว่าครองงำโดยมารดา และหมอประจำตัวที่พยายามทำทุกอย่างเพื่อยื้อชีวิตของเธอไว้ให้นานที่สุด
แต่การมีชีวิตแบบนั้น ก็เหมือนไม่มีชีวิต ดังนั้นเมื่อเจม่าได้พบกับเธียรรี่ จึงเป็นครั้งแรกที่เธอตื่นขึ้น มันอาจเป็นความเจ็บปวด แต่มันก็คือชีวิต และเพราะเธียรรี่นั่นเองที่ทำให้เจม่าได้พบกับความจริงเบื้องหลังอาการเจ็บ ป่วยของตัวเธอเอง
ความรู้สึกของแม็กซ์ตอนได้อ่าน เล่มนี้เหมือนหนังสือผ่านทางค่ะ เพราะในเวลานั้นแม็กซ์เกิดอาการกรี๊ดสลบไปกับตัวละครรองที่กำลังจะเป็น พระเอกในเล่มสามไปแล้ว ก็เลยอ่านเล่มนี้อย่างไม่ค่อยมีสติเท่าไหรนัก คะแนนก็เลสะท้อนมาอย่างที่เห็น ที่ 57
ด้วยโชคชะตาหรืออะไรบางอย่างนำเขาให้ไปพบกับเจม่า หญิงสาวที่ขอยืมเวลาอาศัยอยู่บนโลก เธอป่วยด้วยโรคเบาหวาน (ซึ่งถ้าเป็นในเด็กจะอาการรุนแรงมาก) ผู้ซึ่งตลอดทั้งชีวิตแทบไม่เคยใช้ชีวิต เธอถูกปกป้อง หรือจะเรียกให้ถูกว่าครองงำโดยมารดา และหมอประจำตัวที่พยายามทำทุกอย่างเพื่อยื้อชีวิตของเธอไว้ให้นานที่สุด
แต่การมีชีวิตแบบนั้น ก็เหมือนไม่มีชีวิต ดังนั้นเมื่อเจม่าได้พบกับเธียรรี่ จึงเป็นครั้งแรกที่เธอตื่นขึ้น มันอาจเป็นความเจ็บปวด แต่มันก็คือชีวิต และเพราะเธียรรี่นั่นเองที่ทำให้เจม่าได้พบกับความจริงเบื้องหลังอาการเจ็บ ป่วยของตัวเธอเอง
ความรู้สึกของแม็กซ์ตอนได้อ่าน เล่มนี้เหมือนหนังสือผ่านทางค่ะ เพราะในเวลานั้นแม็กซ์เกิดอาการกรี๊ดสลบไปกับตัวละครรองที่กำลังจะเป็น พระเอกในเล่มสามไปแล้ว ก็เลยอ่านเล่มนี้อย่างไม่ค่อยมีสติเท่าไหรนัก คะแนนก็เลสะท้อนมาอย่างที่เห็น ที่ 57
October 10, 2022
I had a hard time finishing this book, but I did enjoy the last couple of chapters. I don’t think it’s my style, and I was very turned off again by the authors racist stereotyping when bringing in outside characters.
August 9, 2018
Me están encantando estás historias, creí que al leer primero las de Kyn, me iba a resultar en mucho spoiler, pero al final resultó que Álex es mi único spoiler.
December 30, 2018
Interesting, good character development and continuation of the previous story. No cliff hangers, but you should read them in order for the characters.
January 6, 2019
Continuing series that seems to keep you dragged back down to the world of the Darklyn and I can't wait for the ride to begin again!
August 4, 2019
Another good one
March 14, 2022
This book started slow then got AWESOME!!! Now I have to order the rest of the series from the library. I enjoy reading this new take on vampires. 🙂
February 16, 2024
I love this series, it grabs you and you don't want to stop till you find out what happens
June 13, 2024
AGHHHHHHHHHHHH
October 30, 2014
This is definitely not the normal ‘one romance per book with an underlying plot’ series. The Plot is the important thing with the current new romance continuing alongside the previous ones. This makes it closer to real life.
Since this continues where ‘If Angels Burn’ leaves off, most of the first few chapters are mostly about Valentin Jaus’s jardin and Alex learning to cope with being a Darkyn. It isn’t until later that we finally start to see our new romantic characters come together: Thierry & Jema.
In order to atone for what he did to Alex, Thierry has left New Orleans and headed for Chicago to find and kill the men that brutally tortured and burned Louisa Lopez. While there he finds Jema and finds himself unable to stay away from her.
Jamys has also left to follow his dad and Alex and Michael go to Chicago to search for them with Jaus’ help. Alex’s brother, John may be there also. So the whole gang gathers.
Jema is the curator at her family’s museum, but she also has had diabetes since childhood. Her archeologist father died on a digsite when she was a baby and her mother is paralyzed from the waist down. Altogether a troubled family. I really like the ‘Homage’ twist with her father, but her mother is horrible. But I love Jema’s talent.
Valentin Jaus, the seigneur of Chicago, just happens to be her neighbor. He’s been secretly watching over her all her life.
There’s a lot of interesting plot twists and Alex finds out some interesting details on her quest to solve the Darkyn problem. And we learn a lot of good current facts and historical details of Darkyn life. They definitely have been too long without female influence. It’s a good thing Alex is sarcastic and has a thick skin because she needs it with these guys. She needs to learn how not to just walk in on guys though.
Quick Thoughts: 1)I keep finding the word corner spelled comer. Even modern ended up as modem. Looks like a problem with her ‘r n’ looking like an ‘m’. Ms. Vehl needs to get a ‘human’ spell checker.
2)Ok, since a tresora can be male or female, they are not ‘necessarily intimate’ with their masters, but mainly glorified secretary/assistants. I still don’t understand them. Are they humans enthralled or trained to be immune like Gregor’s grandson. There’s got to be some kind of hold that keeps them loyal.
3)At first the whole dream thing was very confusing and not because they’re dreams, but because of how they are presented. Towards the end of the book, I started to figure it out.
Fave scenes: Theirry defeating the alarm system, Beanie’s painting, Valentin pulling the crossbow bolt out of Alex and Alexi healing Jamy’s hands.
Since this continues where ‘If Angels Burn’ leaves off, most of the first few chapters are mostly about Valentin Jaus’s jardin and Alex learning to cope with being a Darkyn. It isn’t until later that we finally start to see our new romantic characters come together: Thierry & Jema.
In order to atone for what he did to Alex, Thierry has left New Orleans and headed for Chicago to find and kill the men that brutally tortured and burned Louisa Lopez. While there he finds Jema and finds himself unable to stay away from her.
Jamys has also left to follow his dad and Alex and Michael go to Chicago to search for them with Jaus’ help. Alex’s brother, John may be there also. So the whole gang gathers.
Jema is the curator at her family’s museum, but she also has had diabetes since childhood. Her archeologist father died on a digsite when she was a baby and her mother is paralyzed from the waist down. Altogether a troubled family. I really like the ‘Homage’ twist with her father, but her mother is horrible. But I love Jema’s talent.
Valentin Jaus, the seigneur of Chicago, just happens to be her neighbor. He’s been secretly watching over her all her life.
There’s a lot of interesting plot twists and Alex finds out some interesting details on her quest to solve the Darkyn problem. And we learn a lot of good current facts and historical details of Darkyn life. They definitely have been too long without female influence. It’s a good thing Alex is sarcastic and has a thick skin because she needs it with these guys. She needs to learn how not to just walk in on guys though.
Quick Thoughts: 1)I keep finding the word corner spelled comer. Even modern ended up as modem. Looks like a problem with her ‘r n’ looking like an ‘m’. Ms. Vehl needs to get a ‘human’ spell checker.
2)Ok, since a tresora can be male or female, they are not ‘necessarily intimate’ with their masters, but mainly glorified secretary/assistants. I still don’t understand them. Are they humans enthralled or trained to be immune like Gregor’s grandson. There’s got to be some kind of hold that keeps them loyal.
3)At first the whole dream thing was very confusing and not because they’re dreams, but because of how they are presented. Towards the end of the book, I started to figure it out.
Fave scenes: Theirry defeating the alarm system, Beanie’s painting, Valentin pulling the crossbow bolt out of Alex and Alexi healing Jamy’s hands.
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