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Dark #9.5
The Only One
FOR EACH, THERE COULD BE ONLY ONE
This book contains three short stories:
1. Dark Descent by Christine Feehan (11 in her Dark Series) an aggressive, multi-talented professional body guard/secret service agent who never lets danger or the unknown stop her becomes the lifemate of a powerful immortal embroiled in a battle with the vampires.
2. The Star Queen by Susan Grant is the first in her Star series.
A munitions developer/producer finds love with a rebel leader who begins the peace process in one corner of the galaxy.
3. Sacrilege by Susan Squire (a spin-off her Sacrament, the vampire heroine (a recovering "addict") is quite strong but generally seeks to avoid rather than embrace adventure.
This book contains three short stories:
1. Dark Descent by Christine Feehan (11 in her Dark Series) an aggressive, multi-talented professional body guard/secret service agent who never lets danger or the unknown stop her becomes the lifemate of a powerful immortal embroiled in a battle with the vampires.
2. The Star Queen by Susan Grant is the first in her Star series.
A munitions developer/producer finds love with a rebel leader who begins the peace process in one corner of the galaxy.
3. Sacrilege by Susan Squire (a spin-off her Sacrament, the vampire heroine (a recovering "addict") is quite strong but generally seeks to avoid rather than embrace adventure.
372 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2003
17 people are currently reading
2710 people want to read
About the author
Christine Feehan
155 books52.9k followersChristine 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)
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)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
December 24, 2007
#11 in Carpathian series and contains 3 Short Stories:
1. "Dark Descent" by Feehan
- Carpathian Series, Book #11
- Joie Sanders and Traian Trigovise's story. Traian is the carpathian and Joie communicates with him telepathically and...uh...out of body. Traian is captured by vampires and being slowly drained in a cave. Joie, a cave climber, goes with friends, to rescue him and meet him for the first time in person.
2. Star Queen by Susan Grant
-- good sci-fi romance!
-- Mrs. Grant has a series on "Star" Star Princess, Star King, etc. She says they are all meant to be stand alone's though. I liked them all!
3. Sacrilege by Susan Squires
- I did not care for this short story.
1. "Dark Descent" by Feehan
- Carpathian Series, Book #11
- Joie Sanders and Traian Trigovise's story. Traian is the carpathian and Joie communicates with him telepathically and...uh...out of body. Traian is captured by vampires and being slowly drained in a cave. Joie, a cave climber, goes with friends, to rescue him and meet him for the first time in person.
2. Star Queen by Susan Grant
-- good sci-fi romance!
-- Mrs. Grant has a series on "Star" Star Princess, Star King, etc. She says they are all meant to be stand alone's though. I liked them all!
3. Sacrilege by Susan Squires
- I did not care for this short story.
July 27, 2018
Note: My review is for the novella Dark Descent by Christine Feehan. For review of the remaining two novellas, check the individual books.
Stars: 3.5 / 5
Recommendation: If you like paranormal plots with hint of romance, eroticism and the other world abilities involving immortals and vampires along-side humans with super-abilities, then this is a series to go for.
Dark Descent is the eleventh book in the longest series, Dark Series, by Christine Feehan which was published in May of 2003 as part of the anthology The Only One. Christine Feehan contributed to this book along with two other authors - Susan Grant and Susan Squires. In this novella, Christine tells the tale of Traian Trigovise - an ancient Carpathian who was heading home to meet the new Prince - and Joie Sanders - a professional body guard and avid spelunker.
Carpathians are a powerful and ancient race who are near-immortals living for thousands of years with powers and gifts that no man can fathom. Despite their gifts and extended lifespans, they are at the age of extinction as fewer and fewer children are being borne and far lesser of females. Without their female counterpart aka "lifemates" the male Carpathians lose the ability to feel emotions leaving the males with hard choice: either become vampire or "greet the dawn" (i.e. commit suicide). Now that Prince Mikhail Dubrinsky finds a lifemate in a human female who has immense psychic abilities and is capable of converting, there is hope for all the other Carpathian males who have been holding off from turning into vampires – the very creature that they hunt and kill to save the humans and Carpathians alike. The series now ventures into another species - Jaguar Species - with the 10th book Dark Symphony.
In her latest book in the series, the 31st book, Dark Legacy (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...) released in September of 2017, Christine had introduced a new Carpathian female, Elisabeta Trigovise - an ancient and sister to Traian Trigovise and thought lost to them. Not sure why Christine brings back her characters and how she ties them together with the various plots, but the mention of Traian Trigovise made me want to re-read the series again since quite a few facts she had brought back in Dark Legacy were lost on me.
And I have been waiting patiently to read Traian's story since I have started re-reading the books in this series. Finally here comes his story in the form of a novella. The events seem to happen after the 10th book Dark Symphony since we see that Jacques Dubrinsky and his lifemate Shea are mentioned to be in Italy - which is where Dark Symphony was set. We did see mention of Joie Sanders in a conversation by Antonietta Scarletti in that book's plot.
Dark Descent has been released in several books over the years - alone as well as combined. However, I am reviewing from the first book it was released in, so I will be missing reading the additional 100 pages that Christine had added to in the 2012 reprint as part of Dark Nights anthology. Perhaps that is why I didn’t remember Traian having a sister and was surprised when that character popped up in Dark Legacy last year. She must have been mentioned in those additional 100 pages.
One of the reasons for Christine to add 100 pages more to the plot later was because it felt too fast paced and also became one of the shortest anthologies by her, per one of her interviews in 2012. Indeed when I am re-reading it I feel that the plot looked very rushed and lot of it was filled with details that would definitely stem into many books. It felt rushed and squished indeed.
Christine has Traian and Joie meet rather dramatically - both while healing from gruesome wounds caused during battles, one during the line of duty and one fighting off vampires. But she finds him again while spelunking with her brother and sister - Jubal and Gabrielle - in battle with vampires. Despite their dis-belief, the three of them throw in with Traian to fight the vampires. However, more conspires between Traian and Joie that leads to the rest of the novella.
Joie comes from a very loving family and Traian longs for a family - one of the many reasons that we see that make us agree with Christine that they both are made for each other. We are re-introduced to vampires and Carpathian males fighting them in this plot, which was totally absent in the previous book Dark Symphony.
A few tidbits: Again this book starts including the card inserts that give reader and opportunity to either join a book club and win books, or buy a book and get a few free. There is an advertisement for dorchester publishing at the end of the book enticing readers to join their club and buy books. Although we know now that in 2012 this publishing was acquired by Amazon Publishing and it shut down as dorcehsterpub.
As always Christine leaves a lot of inconsequential details all through the plot. It will be very interesting to see where and when these all surface again. Gary Jansen pops up in this plot and a definite romantic angle is thrown between him and Gabrielle Sanders, making the reader know that they will be recurring characters.
Another powerful erotic plot woven by Christine Feehan keeping us thoroughly entertained and immersed into the world of Carpathians. As always the fight scenes are excellent and love scenes are very romantic, not yet erotic. Christine has certainly left the readers with so many minute details that they would be craving to read those details becoming important in future plots. Watch this space for more reviews of the next books in the series.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot reveals:
a. Gabrielle Sanders and Jubal Sanders are introduced in this plot - siblings to Joie Sanders. Gabrielle likes to learn about viruses and live in a lab and Jubal is very good at finding patterns. We will surely see more of them in future books. And neither of them seem repulsive of Carpathian's nature to take blood and infact appreciate their abilities.
b. The Sanders siblings and Traian find a huge dragon encased in ice. We met Dominic Dragonseeker; saw Byron and Josef shape-shifting to dragons and mention of mages in Dark Symphony. Small details floating around, but I am sure Christine will be collecting them in a bigger plot later.
c. We meet Shadow Warriors - Ghosts of the wizards, lost long ago - in this plot who were created by the mages long long ago. More meat for future books by Christine.
d. The Sanders siblings father reads them Stephen King's Cujo in this book. Oh my Stephen King is one author I would not want to read at all, although I did read one book and watched the film as well - Carrie. Never again never again!
e. While being tortured, one of the master vampire takes Traian's blood giving the vampire ability to control Traian - although Traian beats him at that control. However, not knowing who that vampire was and where he was, Traian decides not to go near Prince Mikhail Dubrinsky so he doesn’t bring peril to him. However, I don’t remember this tidbit being explored by Christine in any of the future books. Perhaps that is why she brought Elisabeta Trigovise in the last book, Dark Legacy's plot.
2. Sub-Plots:
a. Would love to ask Christine Feehan as to why she didn’t have Barack claim Syndil early on, why make him wait till after Darius makes his clam on Tempest in the sixth book Dark Fire? Also why not a separate book or a novella for Barack and Syndil instead of spreading their story within two books - fifth book Dark Challenge and sixth book Dark Fire?
b. The fifth and sixth books in the series, Dark Challenge and Dark Fire respectively, are part of a trilogy within the series. However, the books that follow Dark Fire are not yet part of the trilogy. Will have to see which book closes this trilogy.
c. Christine reveals the possibility of more Carpathians being settled in South America in Dark Challenge.
d. In Dark Symphony, Christine introduces some more facts of Carpathians - the Dragonseeker clan of Carpathians, Wizards and Mages who were one time close with Carpathians but now arch enemies.
3. Unique / Repeat Characters who are not Carpathians but with the possibility of them being expanded by Christine Feehan in future books:
a. Gary Jansen first time introduced in Dark Magic, doesn’t have a story of him yet - 18 years since his character had first been mentioned. Having already read the remaining books I totally forgot when Gary's character was introduced. Recently Christine announced in her blog on Goodreads that Gary's story has to wait as his lifemate is a child now. I wonder who that child was and if she had already introduced that child in any of the recent books. I also wonder if she is basing Gary's lifemate on one of her granddaughters' - just like Skyler - and she would wait till the grand daughter would grow in real life before penning a story between her and Gary.
b. Cullen Tucker, a human, joins the singing troupe Dark Troubadours, in Dark Fire, when he braves to go against the Society of Vampire Hunters. He is however shown to move to Canada with Darius after the book ends. I don’t remember him much in the first time I read these books, only that Gary Jansen, Gabrielle and Jubal Sanders, and few human families have been moving through the series. May be this time around I will find more about him.
c. In Dark Dream, Sara Marten adopts seven sewer children - three girls and four boys - all with psychic abilities. Will Christine bring these seven back as adults and have plots for them too?
d. Skyler Rose Thompson is first introduced in Dark Legend, as a 14 year old girl who is battered and injured in every way. Above all she is a psychic. We are going to see more of her, but Christine has left enough clues to readers to guess who her lifemate would be. We will have to wait and see who that would be, although I know it since I am re-reading all the books again.
e. In Dark Legend, Francesca muses if her child would be one of those rare females since she had perfected the art of living like a human and walking in the sun. I don’t remember Christine elaborating on Francesca's child further beyond this book, but since I am re-reading them I might find that connection again.
f. Barry Woods, a reporter in the Dark Legend plot is not meted with justice or purged of the vampire's influence or any more exploration of his mind to understand about the Society of Vampire Hunters by Christine. Perhaps a future character?
g. In Dark Guardian (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...), Lucian has a chauffeur, Antonio, who is son of Stefan and Marie - human family who lived with Aidan Savage and his lifemate Alexandria Houton and her brother, Joshua. Lucian gets Antonio on loan for a while to protect his during the day. In Dark Legend we saw that Santino and his wife Drusilla come to live with Gabriel and Francesca to protect Skyler and keep their home safe. Santino is also mentioned as son of Stefan and Marie. Either Stefan has two boys and one each serving each of the Dark Twins. Or Christine mis-represented Santino as Antonio. Either way I wonder if these characters come back again.
4. Perils that the Carpathians face:
a. Few children who have born are Males, most not surviving the first year of their life. No one knows why females are rarely born and why most kids don’t survive the first year. Shea O'Halloran (aka Dubrinsky) along with Gregori Daratrazanoff are still performing research on how to better the food for their children so they survive. She is more interested to study Darius and Antonietta Scarletti's family in the hopes of finding a cure to their species.
b. With Dark Symphony, Christine introduces a new concept while converting a psychic female with Jaguar blood - Antoninetta Scarletti's blind eyes seem to be giving sight back to her.
c. Vampires are congregating; attacking in coordinated methods; doing a hypnotic dance in hopes to transfix the Carpathian hunters; ability to create a holding spell; able to inject a fast acting poison into the Carpathians and Humans that is complex and would impact the nervous system immediately; can mix some kind of poison in a Carpathian's blood infecting them and causing them to sever the mental path the Carpathians share, as we saw in Dark Desire; casting a silvery net to capture the hunter in their molecular form; two master vampires running the show together.
d. Society of Human Vampire Hunters who constantly hunt the Carpathians mistaking them to be Vampires. Most are used as minions by the vampires to wreak havoc on both Carpathians and humans alike.
e. The undead's minion - human converted to ghouls by the Vampire - have learned the ability to attach themselves to a hunter like a shadow using a difficult spell obviously imprinted by the Vampire on to the hunter. They could also use animals such as rats, birds and insects to pry into other's lives through their eyes.
f. The antagonist Vampire was after Sara Marten in Dark Dream, as he needed her help to track the tomb of the master wizard and book of knowledge that will give anyone who holds that book untold power.
5. Lifemate pairs introduced as the series progresses: Will Christine have a plot for these pairs sometime in future? Since I have read all the books already, I know for sure there isn’t one yet. But hoping she will have some kind of plot around them in future.
a. Eric and Celeste – Celeste is pregnant with child in Dark Prince, but no mention of who they would be in the later books so far.
b. Vlad and Eleanor Belandrake - Eleanor is pregnant in the first book Dark Prince. However in Dark Symphony we see that she has given birth to Benjamin "Benj" and also adopts Josef - son of another Carpathian pair who are lying in ground now, Lucia and Rodaniver.
c. Tienn and Diedre - Diedre is sister of Vlad.
d. Vladimir Dubrinsky and Sarantha - Mikhail and Jacques Dubrinsky's parents - They are shown as dead in Dark Guardian plot.
6. Other Carpathians who are waiting for their lifemates as of this book and we meet as the series progresses are:
a. Dimitri Tirunul – another ancient Carpathian mentioned briefly for the first time in Dark Desire plot. First introduced almost 15 years ago, we as readers already know that his story would not be until the 25th book in the series. We know so far that he is a renowned scientist; works for preservation of wolves and guards them in the reservations of Russia; and has a wolf foundation. Gabriel remembers Dimtri as being a unique, loner even as a fledgling with a dark core of violence.
b. Dayan - part of Darius and Desari's family, also members of the singing troupe Dark Troubadours. Towards the end of Dark Fire, Dayan leaves to Canada with Cullen Tucker to get adjusted with all the males around him who have lifemates. This gives me a pause to think that Dayan's story will be set in Canada.
c. Dominic Dragonseeker - Introduced in Dark Symphony, with added little details about wizards / mages and a war between them and the Carpathians. He is looking for his sister - Rhiannon Dragonseeker - a powerful mage although just an apprentice, thought to be lost.
d. Josef and Benjamin "Ben" - First introduced in Dark Symphony. I am guessing we are going to see more of him in future books.
7. Being so many few Carpathian females born, a few females that Christine still manages sneak in her plots are:
a. Shea O’Halloran – lifemate to Jacques Dubrinsky, first female born after more than 500 years and a natural healer. Her story is in Dark Desire (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...)
b. Savannah Dubrinsky - daughter of Prince Mikhail Dubrinsky and his lifemate Raven Dubrinsky; lifemate to Gregori Daratrazanoff; who is learning to find the depth of her powers. Her story is in Dark Magic (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...)
c. Desari Daratrazanoff - lifemate to Julian Savage, sister to Gregori and Darius; has the power to sing that could bring peace between humans, animals, birds and Carpathians alike, a voice that could avoid battles if needed. Her story is in Dark Challenge (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...)
d. Syndil - lifemate to Barack, both part of the troupe Dark Troubadours, with tremendous healing powers and has an affinity to earth and talent to play any instrument. Her story is spread in two books - Dark Challenge and Dark Fire (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...).
e. Francesca Del Ponce - lifemate to Gabriel Daratrazanoff. Her story is told in Dark Legend (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...). She is a powerful healer; knows a way to live like humans although at cost of her Carpathian powers; has ability to bring peace to anyone who is in her vicinity or by touch; makes stained glass patterns that are specific to a one's need and bring healing to them. She has a female child with Gabriel, named Tamara.
f. Tamara - daughter of Gabriel Daratrazanoff and Francesca Del Pounce, born a few months before the Dark Guardian plot.
Stars: 3.5 / 5
Recommendation: If you like paranormal plots with hint of romance, eroticism and the other world abilities involving immortals and vampires along-side humans with super-abilities, then this is a series to go for.
Dark Descent is the eleventh book in the longest series, Dark Series, by Christine Feehan which was published in May of 2003 as part of the anthology The Only One. Christine Feehan contributed to this book along with two other authors - Susan Grant and Susan Squires. In this novella, Christine tells the tale of Traian Trigovise - an ancient Carpathian who was heading home to meet the new Prince - and Joie Sanders - a professional body guard and avid spelunker.
Carpathians are a powerful and ancient race who are near-immortals living for thousands of years with powers and gifts that no man can fathom. Despite their gifts and extended lifespans, they are at the age of extinction as fewer and fewer children are being borne and far lesser of females. Without their female counterpart aka "lifemates" the male Carpathians lose the ability to feel emotions leaving the males with hard choice: either become vampire or "greet the dawn" (i.e. commit suicide). Now that Prince Mikhail Dubrinsky finds a lifemate in a human female who has immense psychic abilities and is capable of converting, there is hope for all the other Carpathian males who have been holding off from turning into vampires – the very creature that they hunt and kill to save the humans and Carpathians alike. The series now ventures into another species - Jaguar Species - with the 10th book Dark Symphony.
In her latest book in the series, the 31st book, Dark Legacy (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...) released in September of 2017, Christine had introduced a new Carpathian female, Elisabeta Trigovise - an ancient and sister to Traian Trigovise and thought lost to them. Not sure why Christine brings back her characters and how she ties them together with the various plots, but the mention of Traian Trigovise made me want to re-read the series again since quite a few facts she had brought back in Dark Legacy were lost on me.
And I have been waiting patiently to read Traian's story since I have started re-reading the books in this series. Finally here comes his story in the form of a novella. The events seem to happen after the 10th book Dark Symphony since we see that Jacques Dubrinsky and his lifemate Shea are mentioned to be in Italy - which is where Dark Symphony was set. We did see mention of Joie Sanders in a conversation by Antonietta Scarletti in that book's plot.
Dark Descent has been released in several books over the years - alone as well as combined. However, I am reviewing from the first book it was released in, so I will be missing reading the additional 100 pages that Christine had added to in the 2012 reprint as part of Dark Nights anthology. Perhaps that is why I didn’t remember Traian having a sister and was surprised when that character popped up in Dark Legacy last year. She must have been mentioned in those additional 100 pages.
One of the reasons for Christine to add 100 pages more to the plot later was because it felt too fast paced and also became one of the shortest anthologies by her, per one of her interviews in 2012. Indeed when I am re-reading it I feel that the plot looked very rushed and lot of it was filled with details that would definitely stem into many books. It felt rushed and squished indeed.
Christine has Traian and Joie meet rather dramatically - both while healing from gruesome wounds caused during battles, one during the line of duty and one fighting off vampires. But she finds him again while spelunking with her brother and sister - Jubal and Gabrielle - in battle with vampires. Despite their dis-belief, the three of them throw in with Traian to fight the vampires. However, more conspires between Traian and Joie that leads to the rest of the novella.
Joie comes from a very loving family and Traian longs for a family - one of the many reasons that we see that make us agree with Christine that they both are made for each other. We are re-introduced to vampires and Carpathian males fighting them in this plot, which was totally absent in the previous book Dark Symphony.
A few tidbits: Again this book starts including the card inserts that give reader and opportunity to either join a book club and win books, or buy a book and get a few free. There is an advertisement for dorchester publishing at the end of the book enticing readers to join their club and buy books. Although we know now that in 2012 this publishing was acquired by Amazon Publishing and it shut down as dorcehsterpub.
As always Christine leaves a lot of inconsequential details all through the plot. It will be very interesting to see where and when these all surface again. Gary Jansen pops up in this plot and a definite romantic angle is thrown between him and Gabrielle Sanders, making the reader know that they will be recurring characters.
Another powerful erotic plot woven by Christine Feehan keeping us thoroughly entertained and immersed into the world of Carpathians. As always the fight scenes are excellent and love scenes are very romantic, not yet erotic. Christine has certainly left the readers with so many minute details that they would be craving to read those details becoming important in future plots. Watch this space for more reviews of the next books in the series.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot reveals:
a. Gabrielle Sanders and Jubal Sanders are introduced in this plot - siblings to Joie Sanders. Gabrielle likes to learn about viruses and live in a lab and Jubal is very good at finding patterns. We will surely see more of them in future books. And neither of them seem repulsive of Carpathian's nature to take blood and infact appreciate their abilities.
b. The Sanders siblings and Traian find a huge dragon encased in ice. We met Dominic Dragonseeker; saw Byron and Josef shape-shifting to dragons and mention of mages in Dark Symphony. Small details floating around, but I am sure Christine will be collecting them in a bigger plot later.
c. We meet Shadow Warriors - Ghosts of the wizards, lost long ago - in this plot who were created by the mages long long ago. More meat for future books by Christine.
d. The Sanders siblings father reads them Stephen King's Cujo in this book. Oh my Stephen King is one author I would not want to read at all, although I did read one book and watched the film as well - Carrie. Never again never again!
e. While being tortured, one of the master vampire takes Traian's blood giving the vampire ability to control Traian - although Traian beats him at that control. However, not knowing who that vampire was and where he was, Traian decides not to go near Prince Mikhail Dubrinsky so he doesn’t bring peril to him. However, I don’t remember this tidbit being explored by Christine in any of the future books. Perhaps that is why she brought Elisabeta Trigovise in the last book, Dark Legacy's plot.
2. Sub-Plots:
a. Would love to ask Christine Feehan as to why she didn’t have Barack claim Syndil early on, why make him wait till after Darius makes his clam on Tempest in the sixth book Dark Fire? Also why not a separate book or a novella for Barack and Syndil instead of spreading their story within two books - fifth book Dark Challenge and sixth book Dark Fire?
b. The fifth and sixth books in the series, Dark Challenge and Dark Fire respectively, are part of a trilogy within the series. However, the books that follow Dark Fire are not yet part of the trilogy. Will have to see which book closes this trilogy.
c. Christine reveals the possibility of more Carpathians being settled in South America in Dark Challenge.
d. In Dark Symphony, Christine introduces some more facts of Carpathians - the Dragonseeker clan of Carpathians, Wizards and Mages who were one time close with Carpathians but now arch enemies.
3. Unique / Repeat Characters who are not Carpathians but with the possibility of them being expanded by Christine Feehan in future books:
a. Gary Jansen first time introduced in Dark Magic, doesn’t have a story of him yet - 18 years since his character had first been mentioned. Having already read the remaining books I totally forgot when Gary's character was introduced. Recently Christine announced in her blog on Goodreads that Gary's story has to wait as his lifemate is a child now. I wonder who that child was and if she had already introduced that child in any of the recent books. I also wonder if she is basing Gary's lifemate on one of her granddaughters' - just like Skyler - and she would wait till the grand daughter would grow in real life before penning a story between her and Gary.
b. Cullen Tucker, a human, joins the singing troupe Dark Troubadours, in Dark Fire, when he braves to go against the Society of Vampire Hunters. He is however shown to move to Canada with Darius after the book ends. I don’t remember him much in the first time I read these books, only that Gary Jansen, Gabrielle and Jubal Sanders, and few human families have been moving through the series. May be this time around I will find more about him.
c. In Dark Dream, Sara Marten adopts seven sewer children - three girls and four boys - all with psychic abilities. Will Christine bring these seven back as adults and have plots for them too?
d. Skyler Rose Thompson is first introduced in Dark Legend, as a 14 year old girl who is battered and injured in every way. Above all she is a psychic. We are going to see more of her, but Christine has left enough clues to readers to guess who her lifemate would be. We will have to wait and see who that would be, although I know it since I am re-reading all the books again.
e. In Dark Legend, Francesca muses if her child would be one of those rare females since she had perfected the art of living like a human and walking in the sun. I don’t remember Christine elaborating on Francesca's child further beyond this book, but since I am re-reading them I might find that connection again.
f. Barry Woods, a reporter in the Dark Legend plot is not meted with justice or purged of the vampire's influence or any more exploration of his mind to understand about the Society of Vampire Hunters by Christine. Perhaps a future character?
g. In Dark Guardian (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...), Lucian has a chauffeur, Antonio, who is son of Stefan and Marie - human family who lived with Aidan Savage and his lifemate Alexandria Houton and her brother, Joshua. Lucian gets Antonio on loan for a while to protect his during the day. In Dark Legend we saw that Santino and his wife Drusilla come to live with Gabriel and Francesca to protect Skyler and keep their home safe. Santino is also mentioned as son of Stefan and Marie. Either Stefan has two boys and one each serving each of the Dark Twins. Or Christine mis-represented Santino as Antonio. Either way I wonder if these characters come back again.
4. Perils that the Carpathians face:
a. Few children who have born are Males, most not surviving the first year of their life. No one knows why females are rarely born and why most kids don’t survive the first year. Shea O'Halloran (aka Dubrinsky) along with Gregori Daratrazanoff are still performing research on how to better the food for their children so they survive. She is more interested to study Darius and Antonietta Scarletti's family in the hopes of finding a cure to their species.
b. With Dark Symphony, Christine introduces a new concept while converting a psychic female with Jaguar blood - Antoninetta Scarletti's blind eyes seem to be giving sight back to her.
c. Vampires are congregating; attacking in coordinated methods; doing a hypnotic dance in hopes to transfix the Carpathian hunters; ability to create a holding spell; able to inject a fast acting poison into the Carpathians and Humans that is complex and would impact the nervous system immediately; can mix some kind of poison in a Carpathian's blood infecting them and causing them to sever the mental path the Carpathians share, as we saw in Dark Desire; casting a silvery net to capture the hunter in their molecular form; two master vampires running the show together.
d. Society of Human Vampire Hunters who constantly hunt the Carpathians mistaking them to be Vampires. Most are used as minions by the vampires to wreak havoc on both Carpathians and humans alike.
e. The undead's minion - human converted to ghouls by the Vampire - have learned the ability to attach themselves to a hunter like a shadow using a difficult spell obviously imprinted by the Vampire on to the hunter. They could also use animals such as rats, birds and insects to pry into other's lives through their eyes.
f. The antagonist Vampire was after Sara Marten in Dark Dream, as he needed her help to track the tomb of the master wizard and book of knowledge that will give anyone who holds that book untold power.
5. Lifemate pairs introduced as the series progresses: Will Christine have a plot for these pairs sometime in future? Since I have read all the books already, I know for sure there isn’t one yet. But hoping she will have some kind of plot around them in future.
a. Eric and Celeste – Celeste is pregnant with child in Dark Prince, but no mention of who they would be in the later books so far.
b. Vlad and Eleanor Belandrake - Eleanor is pregnant in the first book Dark Prince. However in Dark Symphony we see that she has given birth to Benjamin "Benj" and also adopts Josef - son of another Carpathian pair who are lying in ground now, Lucia and Rodaniver.
c. Tienn and Diedre - Diedre is sister of Vlad.
d. Vladimir Dubrinsky and Sarantha - Mikhail and Jacques Dubrinsky's parents - They are shown as dead in Dark Guardian plot.
6. Other Carpathians who are waiting for their lifemates as of this book and we meet as the series progresses are:
a. Dimitri Tirunul – another ancient Carpathian mentioned briefly for the first time in Dark Desire plot. First introduced almost 15 years ago, we as readers already know that his story would not be until the 25th book in the series. We know so far that he is a renowned scientist; works for preservation of wolves and guards them in the reservations of Russia; and has a wolf foundation. Gabriel remembers Dimtri as being a unique, loner even as a fledgling with a dark core of violence.
b. Dayan - part of Darius and Desari's family, also members of the singing troupe Dark Troubadours. Towards the end of Dark Fire, Dayan leaves to Canada with Cullen Tucker to get adjusted with all the males around him who have lifemates. This gives me a pause to think that Dayan's story will be set in Canada.
c. Dominic Dragonseeker - Introduced in Dark Symphony, with added little details about wizards / mages and a war between them and the Carpathians. He is looking for his sister - Rhiannon Dragonseeker - a powerful mage although just an apprentice, thought to be lost.
d. Josef and Benjamin "Ben" - First introduced in Dark Symphony. I am guessing we are going to see more of him in future books.
7. Being so many few Carpathian females born, a few females that Christine still manages sneak in her plots are:
a. Shea O’Halloran – lifemate to Jacques Dubrinsky, first female born after more than 500 years and a natural healer. Her story is in Dark Desire (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...)
b. Savannah Dubrinsky - daughter of Prince Mikhail Dubrinsky and his lifemate Raven Dubrinsky; lifemate to Gregori Daratrazanoff; who is learning to find the depth of her powers. Her story is in Dark Magic (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...)
c. Desari Daratrazanoff - lifemate to Julian Savage, sister to Gregori and Darius; has the power to sing that could bring peace between humans, animals, birds and Carpathians alike, a voice that could avoid battles if needed. Her story is in Dark Challenge (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...)
d. Syndil - lifemate to Barack, both part of the troupe Dark Troubadours, with tremendous healing powers and has an affinity to earth and talent to play any instrument. Her story is spread in two books - Dark Challenge and Dark Fire (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...).
e. Francesca Del Ponce - lifemate to Gabriel Daratrazanoff. Her story is told in Dark Legend (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...). She is a powerful healer; knows a way to live like humans although at cost of her Carpathian powers; has ability to bring peace to anyone who is in her vicinity or by touch; makes stained glass patterns that are specific to a one's need and bring healing to them. She has a female child with Gabriel, named Tamara.
f. Tamara - daughter of Gabriel Daratrazanoff and Francesca Del Pounce, born a few months before the Dark Guardian plot.
September 18, 2009
A collection of 3 stories from 3 different authors, so now 3 different reviews...
Dark Decent (Carpathians - Dark series, book 11) by Christine Feehan
Wounded and trapped by the undead, Traian Trigovise gained strength and hope with the knowledge that he had finally found his lifemate, all he had to do was survive and find her. After suffering her own wounds, Joie Sanders was drawn to the man she had only seen in her dreams, for some reason the mountainous caves were calling and she had to follow even though the voice she found so alluring was telling her to run in the opposite direction, she never ran from anything and she would prove it to him.
(***** 5) Book 11 ….. For a short story, it really packed everything in it. The action of the vampire hunt was great, fast paced and kept moving. The discovery of the wizards artifacts was another notch in the on-going story about the changes all the hunters have seen. Joie was hilarious, she handled fear and stress with a wonderful sense of humor and Traians compassion and acceptance of her being so strong was uncharacteristic of a Carpathian (maybe it’s his age). The only thing that is missing is getting to watch the ’Meeting of the parents’ that sounded like it would be fun. I really liked Gary Jansen showing up and his interaction with Gabrielle (he could use another human around in the lab), I hope she and Jubal stick around.
The Star Queen (Star series prequel) by Susan Grant
He (Romjha B’kah) became the raider commander because of her inspiring words on the day, she (Taj Sai) became the bomb maker of their people. Together they worked to come up with munitions that would protect their people and hopefully put an end to the overlords control. To protect all of the people was Romjha’s main goal, but personally he wanted to prove himself to Taj, make her believe in him and what he promised for the future. The future was something Taj never really let herself dream about until she thought she would lose it all.
(**** 4) Prequel ….. Very interesting story, set in the distant future. I enjoyed the conflict, both the planets (with it’s 2 moons) and the love connection. The characters were great, Romjha determined and Taj always covering her emotions with anger. The general concept of the story was something exciting and even plausible, I did have a problem (occasionally) following along. The descriptions were good, I felt some of the sentences were redundant simply to make a word count, it didn’t always add to or enhance the picture. Overall, I liked it and if I overlooked some of the ‘nit - pick’, it was a very enjoyable short story.
Sacrilege (The Companion series, novella) by Susan Squires
It had been nearly two centuries, now Magda Ravel was not sure that leaving Mirso Monastery for the home of the one that made her was the best course for her. She would have to keep the nine precepts close to her if she would succeed in keeping control of her addiction this time, at least that is what Brother Pietr Vladamiroff had always told her. As she was leaving, Pietr hoped for her success in the outside world, and at that moment, he was not sure of his own success in surviving without her. As her mentor, he had held his feelings at bay, now that she was gone he could not hide from them anymore. Hearing from Rubius that the Harrier would be sent after Magda because of him, made the decision to renounce his Vows for him.
(**** 4) .....This was a fast paced, fun and exciting, short story (130 pages) with a lot of information that needed more explanations in some parts. A very different take on the Vampire myth. The characters could have used a little more, Pietr seemed to change his feelings on the nine precepts too fast after following them for thousands of years. As with others, the short story format is a hard one to find a balance between the action or plot with basic background information. Overall, a very good story, by a good author that I would be interested in reading more of.
Dark Decent (Carpathians - Dark series, book 11) by Christine Feehan
Wounded and trapped by the undead, Traian Trigovise gained strength and hope with the knowledge that he had finally found his lifemate, all he had to do was survive and find her. After suffering her own wounds, Joie Sanders was drawn to the man she had only seen in her dreams, for some reason the mountainous caves were calling and she had to follow even though the voice she found so alluring was telling her to run in the opposite direction, she never ran from anything and she would prove it to him.
(***** 5) Book 11 ….. For a short story, it really packed everything in it. The action of the vampire hunt was great, fast paced and kept moving. The discovery of the wizards artifacts was another notch in the on-going story about the changes all the hunters have seen. Joie was hilarious, she handled fear and stress with a wonderful sense of humor and Traians compassion and acceptance of her being so strong was uncharacteristic of a Carpathian (maybe it’s his age). The only thing that is missing is getting to watch the ’Meeting of the parents’ that sounded like it would be fun. I really liked Gary Jansen showing up and his interaction with Gabrielle (he could use another human around in the lab), I hope she and Jubal stick around.
The Star Queen (Star series prequel) by Susan Grant
He (Romjha B’kah) became the raider commander because of her inspiring words on the day, she (Taj Sai) became the bomb maker of their people. Together they worked to come up with munitions that would protect their people and hopefully put an end to the overlords control. To protect all of the people was Romjha’s main goal, but personally he wanted to prove himself to Taj, make her believe in him and what he promised for the future. The future was something Taj never really let herself dream about until she thought she would lose it all.
(**** 4) Prequel ….. Very interesting story, set in the distant future. I enjoyed the conflict, both the planets (with it’s 2 moons) and the love connection. The characters were great, Romjha determined and Taj always covering her emotions with anger. The general concept of the story was something exciting and even plausible, I did have a problem (occasionally) following along. The descriptions were good, I felt some of the sentences were redundant simply to make a word count, it didn’t always add to or enhance the picture. Overall, I liked it and if I overlooked some of the ‘nit - pick’, it was a very enjoyable short story.
Sacrilege (The Companion series, novella) by Susan Squires
It had been nearly two centuries, now Magda Ravel was not sure that leaving Mirso Monastery for the home of the one that made her was the best course for her. She would have to keep the nine precepts close to her if she would succeed in keeping control of her addiction this time, at least that is what Brother Pietr Vladamiroff had always told her. As she was leaving, Pietr hoped for her success in the outside world, and at that moment, he was not sure of his own success in surviving without her. As her mentor, he had held his feelings at bay, now that she was gone he could not hide from them anymore. Hearing from Rubius that the Harrier would be sent after Magda because of him, made the decision to renounce his Vows for him.
(**** 4) .....This was a fast paced, fun and exciting, short story (130 pages) with a lot of information that needed more explanations in some parts. A very different take on the Vampire myth. The characters could have used a little more, Pietr seemed to change his feelings on the nine precepts too fast after following them for thousands of years. As with others, the short story format is a hard one to find a balance between the action or plot with basic background information. Overall, a very good story, by a good author that I would be interested in reading more of.
December 30, 2020
Anthology
1. Dark Descent by Christine Feehan. I'm pretty sure I read this story before. I used to read all of this author's Dark series but they started getting irritating and so I stopped reading them. This is pretty just like the other books in the series without the angst that I was noticing. 3 stars.
2. The Star Queen by Susan Grant. I swear I read this story already too. A woman fighting her feelings, a man waiting for her, and then some big stuff happens that makes them get a move on it. 3 stars.
3. Sacrilege by Susan Squire. Kind of predictable. I've never read the series so I'm not familiar with their back stories and I think that was most of the problem for me. 3 stars.
1. Dark Descent by Christine Feehan. I'm pretty sure I read this story before. I used to read all of this author's Dark series but they started getting irritating and so I stopped reading them. This is pretty just like the other books in the series without the angst that I was noticing. 3 stars.
2. The Star Queen by Susan Grant. I swear I read this story already too. A woman fighting her feelings, a man waiting for her, and then some big stuff happens that makes them get a move on it. 3 stars.
3. Sacrilege by Susan Squire. Kind of predictable. I've never read the series so I'm not familiar with their back stories and I think that was most of the problem for me. 3 stars.
June 25, 2011
Hmm, Each of these stories left me wanting more. With "Dark Descent" I had waited quite some time to get my hands on this as it was one of two anthologies that made my reading of the Carpathian series complete. I really like the Sanders family, and the fact that they had pretty amazing talents even before meeting Traian. Speaking of whom - yet another hot dark male with all the protective qualities of this race, but without too much need for total domination - which realy is only in the mind of the women is it not? After all, one may wish to dominate, but it only works if you either argue, or submit. Just doing your own thing does render the need for dominance rather impotent. Anyhow, I would like to see more of these characters in some depth in future stories, as they have only reappeared in Dark Celebration and made mention of in another episode.
"The Star Queen" is a mix of majick and futuristic/post apolyptic fantasy which fortunately did not geek me out at all. The strength of the two main characters Taj and Romjha (don't they sound like fey names)kept me (paranormal fan)reading until the end...although a little disappointed that the ending was so abrupt with one child already born and another on the way - more of the bedroom would have seen another few pages of lusty reading and eventual reader satisfaction!
Susan Squires "Sacrilege" reunited me with the world where Harriers are despatched to end the lives of the vamps who rebel against the ruling word and might of self-appointed king Rubius. Magda has been a bad girl in the past and set to take her vow at Mirso - the monastary where Rubius rules and those who obey reside. Brother Pietr sends Magda off into the world as a test of her own learned control and a life that doesn't really resemble anything worth living - no joy, no love, no emotion allowed. But as she leaves, Pietr is faced with the terrible knowledge that he can't live without her - after 2000 years, he is in love - and that alone puts them both in great jeapardy.
"The Star Queen" is a mix of majick and futuristic/post apolyptic fantasy which fortunately did not geek me out at all. The strength of the two main characters Taj and Romjha (don't they sound like fey names)kept me (paranormal fan)reading until the end...although a little disappointed that the ending was so abrupt with one child already born and another on the way - more of the bedroom would have seen another few pages of lusty reading and eventual reader satisfaction!
Susan Squires "Sacrilege" reunited me with the world where Harriers are despatched to end the lives of the vamps who rebel against the ruling word and might of self-appointed king Rubius. Magda has been a bad girl in the past and set to take her vow at Mirso - the monastary where Rubius rules and those who obey reside. Brother Pietr sends Magda off into the world as a test of her own learned control and a life that doesn't really resemble anything worth living - no joy, no love, no emotion allowed. But as she leaves, Pietr is faced with the terrible knowledge that he can't live without her - after 2000 years, he is in love - and that alone puts them both in great jeapardy.
January 9, 2012
Vampires and romance are usually a big hit with me, but the hero and heroine in this particular story just didn't really captivate my attention. It has the violence, gore, sex, and a little romance, but not in the right combination evidently. The heroine is just too "unreal" (I know, like vampires are the epitome of everyday life?)and difficult to relate to as a reader. Being as I am female myself, I usually picture the story through the eyes of the heroine, and I like to indulge that I could be her. This heroine has her own supernatural abilities, but her human side is rather unbelievable as well. She's a "do-everything" type that can do it better than anyone, male or female. The hero just wasn't interesting enough. His character did not have enough depth to intrigue. The plot was too shallow for me as well. I like a little more drama, a real story behind the relations between the hero and heroine. Overall, this book was less than satisfactory and receives a below average rating from me. :-{
August 31, 2010
I do enjoy Christine Feehan's Dark Descent although it's getting a bit same-same.
Susan Grant is amazing. Needs to develop her characters' interactions more and greater tension between them.
Susan Squires' Sacrilege continues the intrigue of the first in her Companion series.
Susan Grant is amazing. Needs to develop her characters' interactions more and greater tension between them.
Susan Squires' Sacrilege continues the intrigue of the first in her Companion series.
January 3, 2012
I like the carpiathian series, this couple seem to have the least amount of trouble finding their path together. it made me happy to finally see one of the carpiathian males having his woman go to him so easily. LOVED IT!!
April 8, 2009
my 5* rating is for Dark Descent, the Carpathian story of Traian & Joie
October 23, 2009
This book introduced me to Christine Feehan it was the best book that I ever bought. I would recomend it to anyone.
May 11, 2010
(Carpathians)Traian Trigovise and Joie Sanders
October 5, 2010
Narrated by Natalie Gold - Narration 5*s
July 15, 2012
As I am new to good reads & am just now adding my books I will not be giving detailed reviews at this point. Hopefully I will have time to edit & give reviews later.
April 26, 2011
*drool* Man, this carpathian will keep you hot all over. must read people ^_-.
June 4, 2017
Az idén ez a második Kárpátok vámpírjai sorozatból való kötet amit elolvastam. Nagyon szerettem ezt a részt. A párunk között elég hamar össze jött a kapcsolat és meg is találták egymást. A fél regényt a barlangból való kijutás ölelte fel így jobban megismerhettük Tariant és életpárját Joiet és testvéreit Judot és Cristinát. A kémia Traian és Joie között már a legelején megjelent a regényben. Nagyon sok cselekmény volt benne és sok mindent megtudtunk a vámpírokról. Kíváncsi vagyok, hogy Juddal mi a következő terve az írónőnek remélem nem fog elütni a sok karakter között. Cristinára is ugyan így kíváncsi vagyok hisz ha a húga életpárja lehet egy kárpátinak akkor ő is és akár a gyermek problémára is rájöhet a közeljövőben.
January 8, 2020
2 1/2 stars. I did not follow this series at this point so this was an independent read. It didn’t come off well as an independent book. The plot was rushed, as was the romance. I gave the 2 1/2 based solely on the fact that I’m a sucker for some paranormal sex scenes. Those were pretty decent in this book. Although, Christina Feehan excels in that particular area, amirite?
October 24, 2020
I liked the story "Dark Descent" by Christine Feehan but I did not like "The Star Queen" by Susan Grant or "Sacrilege" by Susan Squires. That's why I only gave it 2 stars. I felt like the last two stories just dragged on. The stories were boring to me.
May 12, 2018
Well found another out of order of Christine Feehan, recommend picking this one up just for the short. The second story is pretty good, but couldn't get into the third
November 17, 2018
Loved reading new authors with my favorite known author. Such a great introduction to like works!
July 15, 2019
Excellent.
June 14, 2022
Seems like the story was abbreviated almost. Not one of her better books
January 3, 2020
“Dark Descent” by Christine Feehan
In book 9.5 of the Dark/Carpathian series, ancient warrior Traian Trigovise is going home to the Carpathian Mountains at the behest of the prince after countless centuries away. While en route, he runs across four vampires in an extensive ice cave and attacks them. Unfortunately, he’s injured, and the vampires take him captive.
Joie Sanders is a telepathic human bodyguard and is damn good at her job. Joie, her brother Jubal, and her sister Gabrielle go spelunking in some ice caves in order to find the mysterious man Joie has been psychically talking with. After she and her siblings free Traian, they soon realize vampires are very real and that there’s something not quite right about the caves.
Joie and Traian are kickass characters. They’ve been mentally communicating for weeks, so they already know each other before they officially met. Romance blooms fast between them, but it’s believable.
I love the introduction of the mages. The ice caves are beautifully described, but since this is a novella, the rest of the scenery and the subplots aren’t over the top as in other books.
Jubal and Gabrielle are great additions to the series. Gary returns as the prince’s emissary, and there’s definitely a romantic spark between him and Gabrielle (too bad that doesn’t play out later in the series).
Since this story is so short, the writing is tighter and the characters, especially the women, are stronger than usual.
4.5 Stars
“The Star Queen” by Susan Grant
Three generations ago, warlords decimated the planet of Sienna. The survivors sought refuge underground and are now living in caves, fighting back and struggle to survive as best they can.
Taj Sai lives her life around work and has forsaken the typical duties of women. As the rebels’ bombmaker, she creates bombs with exact precision and has never had a device malfunction. The rebel commander, Romjha B’kah, once lived a careless life of apathy but changed his ways and now leads his people in successful raids. A foreign ship then crashes on the planet and a group of outsiders bring hope and idealistic views to the people of Sienna. Romjha wants to join them and fight a large-scale war for peace, but Taj fears all-out war will lead to slaughter.
I found this story confusing, but midway through, I finally understood what was going on. Romjha and Taj have secretly wanted one another for years, but never acted on their desire until the outsiders came and Romjha planned to leave. This story ends with a HEA, but it took ten years to reach it and the H/h were separated for most of that time. I liked the characters, but not the long-term separation, that was of course off-page.
3 Stars
“Sacrilege” by Susan Squires
For almost two centuries, vampire Madga Ravel has repented her sins and learned abstinence at the Mirso Monastery. Though she wants to takes her Vow and live there forever, her friend and mentor, Brother Pietr, insist she rejoin the human world. She believes she’s evil and unworthy, and doesn’t want to give in to her blood addiction and start killing again. Her sire and former lover, Julien, takes responsibility of her, but she doesn’t feel like she belongs in the modern world.
Pietr Vladamiroff has loved Magda for years, but his Vow forbids strong emotions, so he lets her go. But when a vampire elder targets Magda for death, Pietr must go against a thousand years of scripture and beliefs in order to save her life.
I haven’t read the other books in the series, so I felt a little lost with this novella. Apparently, Magda was the villain in the previous books, but now is a reformed heroine getting her own love story. I like that twist, but I wish I knew more about her villainous character.
Magda was often vulnerable and unsure of the people trying to help her, but I liked her for the most part. Pietr was strong and stoic, but full of so much passion, more than to be expected from a vampire monk. The scene when Magda is driving a car for the first time was hilarious, and the Buffyfest was great too. I liked this story, but I think reading the series in order is best.
3.5 Stars
Book Overall – 4 Stars
In book 9.5 of the Dark/Carpathian series, ancient warrior Traian Trigovise is going home to the Carpathian Mountains at the behest of the prince after countless centuries away. While en route, he runs across four vampires in an extensive ice cave and attacks them. Unfortunately, he’s injured, and the vampires take him captive.
Joie Sanders is a telepathic human bodyguard and is damn good at her job. Joie, her brother Jubal, and her sister Gabrielle go spelunking in some ice caves in order to find the mysterious man Joie has been psychically talking with. After she and her siblings free Traian, they soon realize vampires are very real and that there’s something not quite right about the caves.
Joie and Traian are kickass characters. They’ve been mentally communicating for weeks, so they already know each other before they officially met. Romance blooms fast between them, but it’s believable.
I love the introduction of the mages. The ice caves are beautifully described, but since this is a novella, the rest of the scenery and the subplots aren’t over the top as in other books.
Jubal and Gabrielle are great additions to the series. Gary returns as the prince’s emissary, and there’s definitely a romantic spark between him and Gabrielle (too bad that doesn’t play out later in the series).
Since this story is so short, the writing is tighter and the characters, especially the women, are stronger than usual.
4.5 Stars
“The Star Queen” by Susan Grant
Three generations ago, warlords decimated the planet of Sienna. The survivors sought refuge underground and are now living in caves, fighting back and struggle to survive as best they can.
Taj Sai lives her life around work and has forsaken the typical duties of women. As the rebels’ bombmaker, she creates bombs with exact precision and has never had a device malfunction. The rebel commander, Romjha B’kah, once lived a careless life of apathy but changed his ways and now leads his people in successful raids. A foreign ship then crashes on the planet and a group of outsiders bring hope and idealistic views to the people of Sienna. Romjha wants to join them and fight a large-scale war for peace, but Taj fears all-out war will lead to slaughter.
I found this story confusing, but midway through, I finally understood what was going on. Romjha and Taj have secretly wanted one another for years, but never acted on their desire until the outsiders came and Romjha planned to leave. This story ends with a HEA, but it took ten years to reach it and the H/h were separated for most of that time. I liked the characters, but not the long-term separation, that was of course off-page.
3 Stars
“Sacrilege” by Susan Squires
For almost two centuries, vampire Madga Ravel has repented her sins and learned abstinence at the Mirso Monastery. Though she wants to takes her Vow and live there forever, her friend and mentor, Brother Pietr, insist she rejoin the human world. She believes she’s evil and unworthy, and doesn’t want to give in to her blood addiction and start killing again. Her sire and former lover, Julien, takes responsibility of her, but she doesn’t feel like she belongs in the modern world.
Pietr Vladamiroff has loved Magda for years, but his Vow forbids strong emotions, so he lets her go. But when a vampire elder targets Magda for death, Pietr must go against a thousand years of scripture and beliefs in order to save her life.
I haven’t read the other books in the series, so I felt a little lost with this novella. Apparently, Magda was the villain in the previous books, but now is a reformed heroine getting her own love story. I like that twist, but I wish I knew more about her villainous character.
Magda was often vulnerable and unsure of the people trying to help her, but I liked her for the most part. Pietr was strong and stoic, but full of so much passion, more than to be expected from a vampire monk. The scene when Magda is driving a car for the first time was hilarious, and the Buffyfest was great too. I liked this story, but I think reading the series in order is best.
3.5 Stars
Book Overall – 4 Stars
December 17, 2008
The Only One is a book of three stories. This review is for the story Dark Descent, book 11 in Christine Feehan’s Dark Carpathian Series.
I just “found” Christine Feehan earlier this year and she’s never let me down, until now. Dark Descent is the story of Joie Sanders, professional bodyguard and amateur caver, and Traian Trigovise, ancient Carpathian hunter.
The idea was good: Traian was in danger, being attacked and used for sustenance for three vampires. He was being held prisoner deep in a cave in the Carpathian Mountains as Joie was taking a bullet for her latest boss. She was in so much pain that she was able to temporarily leave her body to escape it. As she was soaring through space and time, she felt pulled to Traian.
Though she was sure she was hallucinating, she felt compelled to find him when she was able, and she and her brother Jubal and sister Gabrielle went caving to find him. They were able to locate and free him, and all made it out of the cave alive and relatively unscathed. There was one more tussle with the vampires and then – “ta da” – the end.
The entire story takes place over just 133 pages, and therein lies my problem with it. I felt like it was completely rushed – no development of the characters or their separate stories or anything. They met, she accepted completely that he was not human; he was totally o.k. with the fact that her job had her perpetually in harm’s way; he converted her, making her Carpathian, and there you go.
The bottom line here: the story-line was incredibly hurried, the characters (while brimming with potential) were undeveloped and flat, and they were all too accepting of everything supernatural going on around them. I found the whole thing to be incomplete and entirely lacking the depth and drama of the rest of the series.
I’ve been reading this series a bit at a time all year, and I have to tell you that Feehan really strayed from the formula in Dark Descent. If it had been the first of her books that I’d picked up, I wouldn’t have read anything else by her, but I usually love her so much that of course I’ll be picking up Dark Melody next.
I just “found” Christine Feehan earlier this year and she’s never let me down, until now. Dark Descent is the story of Joie Sanders, professional bodyguard and amateur caver, and Traian Trigovise, ancient Carpathian hunter.
The idea was good: Traian was in danger, being attacked and used for sustenance for three vampires. He was being held prisoner deep in a cave in the Carpathian Mountains as Joie was taking a bullet for her latest boss. She was in so much pain that she was able to temporarily leave her body to escape it. As she was soaring through space and time, she felt pulled to Traian.
Though she was sure she was hallucinating, she felt compelled to find him when she was able, and she and her brother Jubal and sister Gabrielle went caving to find him. They were able to locate and free him, and all made it out of the cave alive and relatively unscathed. There was one more tussle with the vampires and then – “ta da” – the end.
The entire story takes place over just 133 pages, and therein lies my problem with it. I felt like it was completely rushed – no development of the characters or their separate stories or anything. They met, she accepted completely that he was not human; he was totally o.k. with the fact that her job had her perpetually in harm’s way; he converted her, making her Carpathian, and there you go.
The bottom line here: the story-line was incredibly hurried, the characters (while brimming with potential) were undeveloped and flat, and they were all too accepting of everything supernatural going on around them. I found the whole thing to be incomplete and entirely lacking the depth and drama of the rest of the series.
I’ve been reading this series a bit at a time all year, and I have to tell you that Feehan really strayed from the formula in Dark Descent. If it had been the first of her books that I’d picked up, I wouldn’t have read anything else by her, but I usually love her so much that of course I’ll be picking up Dark Melody next.
January 24, 2016
For Each,
There Could Be Only One
They came from the darkest places:secluded monasteries,the Carpathian mountains, galaxies under siege. They were men with the blackest pasts-warriors,vampire monks, leaders of armies-but whose passions burned like dying stars. They had one purpose: to find those women who fulfilled them,completed them, and made them rage with a fire both holy and profane. They sought soul mates whose touch consumed them with desire, yet whose kisses refreshed like the coolest rain. And each man knew that for him there was only one true love-and in finding her,he would find salvation.
This is another anthology with some great authors.. This story is book 11 in her series..
There Could Be Only One
They came from the darkest places:secluded monasteries,the Carpathian mountains, galaxies under siege. They were men with the blackest pasts-warriors,vampire monks, leaders of armies-but whose passions burned like dying stars. They had one purpose: to find those women who fulfilled them,completed them, and made them rage with a fire both holy and profane. They sought soul mates whose touch consumed them with desire, yet whose kisses refreshed like the coolest rain. And each man knew that for him there was only one true love-and in finding her,he would find salvation.
This is another anthology with some great authors.. This story is book 11 in her series..
August 6, 2011
I had planned on only reading Dark Descent. But each story was so brief that I figured I'd give them all a try. I'm glad I did. I enjoyed both the Star Queen and Sacrilege.
My first love is historical romance. But some time ago a friend got me to read Dark Prince, the first in the Carpathian series. So now I have to finish them all. Dark Descent is number 11. Once I finish one, I'm always ready to go back to historicals. But I begrudgingly decided to continue with the other two stories. It was worth the time.
I would recommend this book to paranormal fans for sure, and even fans of other romance genres if you need a quick diversion.
My first love is historical romance. But some time ago a friend got me to read Dark Prince, the first in the Carpathian series. So now I have to finish them all. Dark Descent is number 11. Once I finish one, I'm always ready to go back to historicals. But I begrudgingly decided to continue with the other two stories. It was worth the time.
I would recommend this book to paranormal fans for sure, and even fans of other romance genres if you need a quick diversion.
November 20, 2015
I got this omnibus volume to read the second story by Susan Grant, in anticipation of reading her Star series. Perhaps that's why I liked that story the best.
Or it may be that I prefer science fiction to paranormal fiction. I've read paranormal fiction that I enjoyed more than the stories by Feehan and Squires. Of the the two, I prefered the Feehan story.
Both the Grant and Squires tales also bothered me because the heroines seemed much too whiny. Some might call it "introspective." A little self-hate goes a long way.
I believe the book will appeal to many people, not so much me, though.
Or it may be that I prefer science fiction to paranormal fiction. I've read paranormal fiction that I enjoyed more than the stories by Feehan and Squires. Of the the two, I prefered the Feehan story.
Both the Grant and Squires tales also bothered me because the heroines seemed much too whiny. Some might call it "introspective." A little self-hate goes a long way.
I believe the book will appeal to many people, not so much me, though.
November 8, 2009
Traian is a Carpathian male who is trapped in a cave and being held captive by the undead. Joie is a bodyguard that has recently been wounded and starts to have visions of Traian. Thinking she might be going mad she decides to go caving with her brother and sister. After rescuing Traian he saves her life.
I must admit that I only read Dark Descent. I got bored with that story and didn’t read the other one in the book. If you are a fan of the Carpathian novels then pick this up to read other wise move on.
I must admit that I only read Dark Descent. I got bored with that story and didn’t read the other one in the book. If you are a fan of the Carpathian novels then pick this up to read other wise move on.
October 17, 2009
Several months after reading this I can't really remember much about it. The Christine Feehan is a pretty typical one of hers, fans will enjoy the very alpha male and pseudo alpha female.
Susan Grant's Star Queen is a SF story of rebellion, love and politics.
Susan Squires story of love and choices was the best of the three but still failed to really capture me.
A readable set of stories but nothing spectacular.
Susan Grant's Star Queen is a SF story of rebellion, love and politics.
Susan Squires story of love and choices was the best of the three but still failed to really capture me.
A readable set of stories but nothing spectacular.
January 21, 2012
I liked this Anthology. Carpathians really need to be read in order so that you can follow them correctly. Therefore I read this book for Dark Descent short story. As a side I was able to read Sacrilege, book #2 in the Companion series by Susan Squires. The Companion series one of my exceptions to the no historical romance rule. Recommend this book to anyone who is reading either of those series or interested in trying.
December 6, 2017
A collection of three love stories featuring paranormal/scifi themes.
A Dark Descent by Christine Feehan was the best in the collection. I really enjoyed this one. A vampire love story with lots of action
The Star Queen by Susan Grant was my least favorite. Set on a distant planet, I found it boring, and the characters irritating.
Sacrilege by Susan Squire was ok. I found the main characters annoying, but the secondary characters very interesting. I would try another book by this author.
A Dark Descent by Christine Feehan was the best in the collection. I really enjoyed this one. A vampire love story with lots of action
The Star Queen by Susan Grant was my least favorite. Set on a distant planet, I found it boring, and the characters irritating.
Sacrilege by Susan Squire was ok. I found the main characters annoying, but the secondary characters very interesting. I would try another book by this author.
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