Dark Possession

Dark #18

by Christine Feehan

Manolito De La Cruz knew he was dangerously close to turning into a vampire. The last thing he expected after being called back to his Carpathian homeland by Prince Mikhail was to catch the scent of his destined lifemate in MaryAnn Delaney. MaryAnn is human, but she knows all too well the overwhelmingly aggressive instincts of Carpathian males. And they�re not exactly the kind of men she�d prefer to be bound to for life.

A dedicated counselor for battered women, MaryAnn has a fulfilling life with no room for someone like Manolito, born and bred in the Carpathian Mountains, a law unto himself. But when MaryAnn agrees to go to South America to offer guidance to a brutalized young woman, she has no idea of the trap that awaits her in the sweltering thick of the jungle. She has been lured there by Manolito himself, who has seductive plans for the unaware, irresistibly human female.

Once there, she will be his. Once his, she never will be released. He is her lover, her predator, her lifemate. She is his dark possession�

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

380 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 28, 2007

About the author

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




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

Reviews

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

5 Walking in two worlds Stars

First read August 2012 Reread February 15, 2016
Reread 1/2/2021

***Spoilers***

"I'm not lifemate material, and please don't take this the wrong way, but especially not to one of the De La Cruz brothers. They're far too difficult."-MaryAnn



"What do you think he did to me? You must have, a guess. And is it reversible? Because I'm human and my family is human and I like being human. This is what comes from having a skinny bloodsucking white girl as my best friend."-MaryAnn

Wow did I love MaryAnn! She made this book for me. Dark Possession the 18th book in the Dark series was another game changer. Things that happened in this book will be shaping the overall plot of the series for many books to come.

"I just know what is right for my woman, how to protect her as well as please her, and she should have faith enough in me to trust that I will see to all her needs as well as every pleasure she-or I-could imagine."-Manolito



"But surrendering in the bedroom is not the same as surrendering out of it." "Is that an option with you?" "There is no option. There is only what is. You are my lifemate. We will find a way because that is the way of lifemates." -Manolito and MaryAnn

I liked Manolito. He was sexy, very dominant, and protective. Even though he was very bossy he was pretty damn charming too. His part of the story line where his soul was part of the way in the land of mist and ghost or whatever( like a spirit world where you wait for judgement) was a little boring at times. I thought MaryAnn was amazing. She really made this book for me. I pretty much loved everything about her. I loved that she was werewolf which was new for the series. MaryAnn was a little diva with her hot clothes that made her feel confidant. She was a city girl and didn't like bugs, snakes, ect... but she braved it all to help others. She was very compassionate and had a lot of power that she didn't even know she had. The thing I really liked about MaryAnn is she didn't take any of Manolito's shit! If he said something stupid, which of course he did, she straight put him in his place.

"She's very good at reprimanding me." For a moment, amusement flickered in his eyes. "I have a feeling she'll need to be," Luiz said, rubbing his jaw. "She's amazing." Manolito's face darkened, the brief flash of humor fading away. "You do not need to find her amazing. And keep your clothes on, jaguar." Luiz's grin widened. "Women can't help but be impressed." "I doubt it feels good to have one's heart ripped out of one's chest, but if you like I can arrange for you to find out." Luiz laughed at him. "She may just rip your heart out, Carpathian. Take care."-Manolito and Luiz



So let me get this straight. You were all in love with me and ready to turn me into a Carpathian when you thought I was human, but now it's different because I might be turning you into something else." She raised her chin another inch in challenge. "What you mean is, it's perfectly okay for me to give up who and what I am, but not so much for you." He frowned at her. "I was born to be Carpathian. It is who and what I am." She pressed a hand to her churning stomach. "You hypocritical male chauvinist, Neanderthal, asinine idiot. I must have been out of my mind to think I could live with someone like you."-MaryAnn and Manolito

Manolito and MaryAnn together were very hott. With Manolito being so dominant and MaryAnn being wolf their lovemaking was hard and fast. I love that for once The female in the book wasn't the only one doing all the changing of who she was (if you read the book you will understand that) to be with her lifemate. I have to say I thought Riordan was kind of a dick to MaryAnn in this book. I loved all the parts in this book with MaryAnn, Solange, and Jasmine. There girl bonding was cute and funny. I liked that CF made Luiz's character a good guy with honor. I loved getting the part with Mikhail's parents Sarantha and Vladimir. It made them real and set up the plot for a upcoming book. Great book and a great addition to the series!

Women are much harder on women than men are." "You always look good," Juliette said. "What else do you do?" MaryAnn looked left and right and then lowered her voice. "The secret weapon is cucumber." Solange sat all the way up. "Jasmine, cover your ears." MaryAnn, Juliette and Jasmine burst out laughing. "Sheesh, Solange," Juliette said. "Get your mind out of the gutter." "My mind is just fine, thank you. It's MaryAnn's I'm concerned about." "You put them on your eyes," MaryAnn said, laughing even harder. Solange's answering smile was slow in coming and very brief, but it lit her eyes. "I knew that."-MaryAnn, Juliette and Solange

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

I loved it, loved it, loved it. I just want to grab Christine Feehan and give her a big kiss! I don't know why some people complained about MaryAnn. I thought she was awesome. She cracked me up with her fashion addiction and her girly-girlness. She was adorable. It helped to give her real life as a character. And her heart was so huge and loving. I think Christine did a great job writing a Black heroine. You can tell she did her research, especially with the hair thing. I think a lot of love went into crafting MaryAnn's character. I like that she met Manolito head on and didn't back down to him. She was so dedicated to him, and willing to suffer for him, his people, and to make sacrifices to be with him. This is now one of my favorite interracial romance books. I love that the race thing is not an issue, well not in the way you might think. It was more an issue about the species difference (Carpathian versus Human and something else). Pardon my french, but MaryAnn is a hell of a woman. I love all Feehan's heroines, and particularly MaryAnn, and not just because she's Black. She's just a neat character (even though I am so not a girly girl or a fashionista).

Manolito was hot with a capital H. I could see why MaryAnn had trouble resisting him. He was so sexy, and had the dominant alpha thing going on, but was really caring, and not afraid to say what he was feeling. He admitted his love for MaryAnn very early on. The love scenes were steamy! Very well done and spicy! And I love the De La Cruz brothers. Very macho, which usually doesn't work for me. But it certainly does with them!

I love the world that she has created. I am totally addicted to these Carpathians. Some might think these stories are formulaic. I don't. Each book is different, and another layer is exposed. We learn more about the Carpathians, and how complex their world is. And the other species that are part of human myths and legends. The parts with the Jaguar people and how they are being torn apart as a race from the inside out was very interesting. I am excited to read the rest of the books, and very intrigued with Solange, Zacarias, and Jasmine's stories. As usual, the vampires creep the heck out of me, and I love the action scenes.

The jungle scenes were so beautiful. I love nature (except for big bugs), and animals, and I felt like I was right there in this wild, primal place. I loved the shapeshifting parts and the werewolf aspects, very much. A great addition to the rich Carpathian/vampire elements of this series.

As usual, I am going in a different direction. I have to say this one of my favorites so far. I am so grateful that I started reading Christine Feehan, and one of my GR friends (you know who you are) kept suggesting I read the Carpathians, because I loved the GhostWalkers so much. Thanks again, Ms. Feehan, for brightening my life with one of your stories.

[Mara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Once in a while I go back to the Carpathian series to try to wrap my mind on its success. I've read quite a few books in this series, but my enjoyment has never been anything more than meh.

I've hated one or two, but mostly I found them mildly irritating, with cardboard, incoherent characters, and very thin stories. Dark Possession is all that, and less. I usually skim read these books, as they are utterly boring for me. And while reading DP I realised my main nit with this author: I really dislike her writing style. Her plot are almost nonexistent, but she fills her pages with purple prose. Hundreds of words of nothingness but purple descriptions... of everything: battles, natures, dresses. And worst of all: sex scenes. The only ones I ever jump ahead of due to boringness. Yawn.

So many conflicts, so many potential stories, but we never really get them. You know, "fates", a heaping pile of bs. An excuse to avoid the better part of a romance: a story of 2 people falling in love :).

Sorry? What did you say? Why am I not talking about Dark Possession? But I am. It's all this, and less, and above all is exactly like all the books before and after. There's really no difference :)

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Christine Feehan's Dark Possession (book 18 of the Dark series,) we are swept away from the Carpathian mountains, back to South America, to the home of the De La Cruz brothers. At the end of the last book (Dark Celebration,) Manolito De La Cruz was wounded saving Shea Dubrinsky and her unborn son from an assassin. His injuries were so grave that his soul actually left the world, and the healers along with his brothers, had to work miracles to anchor him to life. Completely unaware that Manolito has located his lifemate, and already bound her to him, his brothers take him home to the South American rainforest, to complete his healing underground.

Mary Ann Delaney has never in her life felt so lost and alone. She's positive that she's exhibiting the signs of clinical depression, but has no idea why. When she saw Manolito De La Cruz step in front of Shea Dubrinsky at the Carpathian Christmas celebration, taking a lethal dose of poison into his system, something seemed to rip her heart out, leaving her bereft and devastated. But why did he have such an effect on her? She'd never even officially met the man, yet something overwhelming seemed to crush her spirit when she thought he was dead.

Despite her feelings of desperation, Mary Ann decided to take up Juliette and Rirodan De La Cruz on their offer, and fly to South America with them to try to help Juliette's sister Jasmine and her cousin Solange, both victims of brutality at the hands of the jaguar men. When she discovers that Manolito is actually alive and in need of her help, she braves the intimidating rainforest to find him.

After reading the story of Rafael and Colby De La Cruz in Dark Secret (and not really liking it,) I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with Dark Possession. Manolito was a much better hero than his brother! He was so affectionate, and appreciative of his lifemate's power - he was in love with her from the very beginning, and it was fantastic.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Someone gave this to me because they thought I'd like it. I have since punched them in the face and broken off all ties.

[Zoe · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the first book in this series I ever read, and while I see it's number 18 in the series, most novels you pick up that are part of a series can be read as a stand alone. At the very minimum they explain some of the story world to allow unfamiliar readers some insight.

Not so with this one.

The story world is not shared at all, and you are thrown in to vampires, shape-shifters, and Carpathians - who I guess are sorta vampires and/but hunt "evil" vampires...what? Add to the fact the character in the beginning is apparently hallucinating or something, and I was confused most of the book about how this story world worked, what it meant to be a Carpathian, how one became one, what was at stake, etc.

That aside, the story itself was boring. I didn't know why I should like the hero, or the heroine - who spends the entire book obsessing about the hero's gorgeousness, her fear of bugs, and her designer clothing begin ruined while running around in the jungle - really? At first I thought the clothing thing was a lame attempt to show the character changing in some manner, shallow to deep, and I fully expected her to be rolling around in the mud with out a care by the end. Look at me, I'm no longer annoying and shallow!

Alas, no.

She was still obsessing over her designer clothing to the point of being put in jeans and a flannel shirt sends her off the deep end.

I wasn't clear on their goals, or the plot direction. His goal was to have a lifemate, and apparently he'd already accomplished this "mating" thing in the previous book-which neither of them remember and no one explains how it happens-and apparently he died in the previous book being all heroic...I guess...

The heroine who is the "lifemate" is ridiculously attracted to our hero, and her struggle to remain independent of this dominating alpha type was weak and completely unbelievable. At no point did I actually worry there was a chance they wouldn't end up together. They have a bunch of sex - described with lots of words like "fire", "flames", and "burning". I started to skip ahead, and by the end I hoped they would spontaneously burst into flames during their sexy time, and die, thus putting all of us out of our misery...or at least releasing the cramp in heroine's womb - because her arousal "tightens" her womb. Womb tightening sounds like she's having contractions...which are painful, not sexy time fun.

[Mojca · Rating 2 out of 5]

While saving a pregnant Carpathian female, Manuel "Manolito" De La Cruz was stabbed and poisoned. He should be dead, but his brothers "held him to earth" and transported him back to South America in hope of saving him.

But something appears to have gone wrong...

MaryAnn Delaney, a counselor from Seattle, has agreed to go with the De La Cruz family into the jungle in hope of helping a brutalized young woman. But there is definitely something off with MaryAnn and is not just the fact Manolito's bound them together and she suffers from his "death".

Manolito awakens trapped between two worlds, with a foot in reality and another in a grey-strewn world filled with dead vampires. The only one who can save him is MaryAnn.



I'm a huge fan of Christine Feehan's and her Dark Series, but this book was a huge disappointment. I cannot figure why, but I just couldn't keep my concentration while reading and by the middle of the book I was bored to tears.

I just couldn't relate (not that it's possible to relate to the vampires and stuff!) to it and while the previous books pulled me into the magic world of the Carpathians and the incredible (if somewhat implausible) love stories between this dominant alphas and their kick-ass heroines, this story left me on the outskirts of the jungle, shuffling my feet.

There was no romance, no slow seduction, just a matter of fact "you are my lifemate and it is your duty to let me boink you senseless". Hmmm, I admit macho talk makes me all hot and bothered, but not in this case. It was all a little too clinical.

And I fear this book, the whole insight into the lycan society, is just another was of expanding the whole universe that's slowly ripping at the seems.

The only redeeming quality was the scene when MaryAnn first steps foot into the rain forest armed with bug-spray, pepper-spray, and sarcasm. That sure was awesome.

P.S. I'll still faithfully wait for Dimitri and Skyler's book, though.

[Krystl Louwagie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Uh...this book was pretty dumb. For the life of me, I can't see the appeal of romance books where the most important aspect are repetitive sex scenes that go on for way too long and waste a ton of my time. And I think you could play a drinking game for all the times this book mentioned "womb" having to do with arousal-lots of "womb tightening"...so, that's her uterus, right? I'm sorry, the word womb sort of just applies to babies in my head, which are so not sexy. Speaking of babies, does anyone in romance novels ever think about preventing that? 'Cause it doesn't seem like they're ever acting responsibly to me.

There might have been an interesting plot, or other characters in this book, but, they were all ignored for some sex scenes. I do find it interesting that most romance novels I've read also include sexual victims (in this case, not the main character, a side one)-do a lot of sexual victims read romance novels to experience sex in a less intimidating atmosphere? Are these characters included to let those readers know that not all sex is bad/it gets better? I'm sure there's some study out there about this little phenomenon.

Cool things: I liked that it switched between male and female narrators, and I liked that when they talked to each other telepathically it was in this cool echo voice thing.

The main female was obsessed with expensive fashion and was terrified of bugs and dirt, etc., etc. Bleh. The portrayal of women, especially women that were supposed to be seen as strong, was just embarrassing, and eye-roll worthy, especially the closing scene with the women bonding over painting their finger nails pink, to close the novel. Bleh, bleh, bleh. Since this was the 17th book in the series, I might be interested to know if all her women characters are this bad, or maybe she was just running out of ideas.

Also, for a book/audio book that I picked up because of the mention of vampires, there was hardly any of them in it. :(

[Yz the Whyz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a love/hate relationship with Christine Feehan's Dark series, but I always have a compulsion to read the books.

I sort of like this book because it seemed more sexy than the others. Furthermore, the wolf angle made it more interesting, and the mentioning of other species opens the idea of other future characters. However, there is too much mystical elements to it, that after a while it can get boring.

The reason I finished the book is because I listened to it, and I love the readers' voices. I had a feeling that if I read it, I would have skipped a lot of major parts, especially the long exposition.

[*CJ* · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Dark Possession" is the story of Manolita and Maryann.

If you've read the previous Dark books, you can already predict the plot.
-A Carpathian hero on the verge on giving up and becoming a vampire
-A seemingly innocent heroine who later turns on to have psychic abilities, to name a few
-Blood sucking sex
-Evil vampires
-Some hidden revelation adding to the Carpathian universe
-Secondary characters being hurt..almost
-HEA
Nothing interesting or new, but good to pass your time or read when you are not into anything at all.

Safe
2/5

[BJ Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manolito took a poisoned knife in the chest while protecting Shea Dubrinsky and her unborn child from certain death (in Dark Celebration). He was 'held to the earth' by other Carpathians to keep him from permanently dying, and they put him in the ground so he could recover and return completely from the spirit world, but he rose too early and now he's in both worlds. I don't know why I thought this was a step too far - after all, I'm reading a series about shapeshifters, vampires, predestined soulmates, sleeping underground, etc. - but a spirit world where good spirits and bad spirits dwell in the same plane and can affect each other, and can also affect living beings, just bothered me; what's the point of eliminating a vicious vampire if he can just continue his nastiness?

I really liked that this book was as much about MaryAnn as it was about Manolito - maybe even more. I loved it when she totally denied being psychic right after she used strong psychic powers she didn't know she had! It appears that Ms. Feehan has decided to add to the species in a different and somewhat unexpected way. I'm guessing Luiz will show up in subsequent books, maybe even his own?! And will the Jaguar race be saved from extinction? Only the author knows.

[iamGamz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The darkness had almost consumed Manolito De La Cruz when he found his lifemate at the Christmas festivities in the Carpathian Mountains. The woman was protected by Mikhail, Gregori and other prominent Carpathian man, so Manolito snuck into the home where she was and claimed her as his own by taking her blood and forcing her to take his.

What he doesn’t know is that MaryAnn is no normal human woman. She comes from a old faction with a long and secret history.

Manolito placed himself in certain danger. She got injured while protecting the prince and again while protecting a woman in active labor from being stabbed in the stomach.

After being almost killed, Manolito’s brothers took him back to Brazil and the rainforest to heal. However, while in the process of healing, he finds himself caught between the real world and the spirit world.

There are the usual attacks by the vampires, mages, and now Jaguar men. They assumed that Manolito’s lifemate was all human and they were surprised to find out that she wasn’t.

MaryAnn was a wonderful character. She was sassy, compassionate, intelligent and loved clothes. The girl rocked high heeled boots in the rainforest! That’s bad ass.

Absolutely enjoyed this book! The series is developing in unexpected ways and bringing a plethora of really interesting characters. :)

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

I loved this book, the 18th in Christine Feehan’s “uber” fabulous Dark Series – more about MaryAnn Delaney, the caring human counselor and Colby’s friend we first met in Dark Secret and fell in love with….YAYYY!!!

What a lovable character!! Love her love of fashion….the shoes, the clothes, the nail polish…besides her caring nature, wanting to give and help others. And seeing her going from the fast life in the city to the jungles of South America, where the males are domineering, possessive beyond belief…….i so wanted to see and watch how she would handle this new and unknown world of Carpathians, vampires and her dealing with a man who has “marked” her as his lifemate.

Well, what an adventure, filled with humorous treks into the jungle, experience unexpected, incredible and at times scary moments, meeting people that she has no idea of their true nature. Done in such an irresistible and appealing way. You couldn’t resist falling in love with her and certainly not Manolito de la Cruz…he was a bit of a sneak …what he did to her in Dark Celebration….would he ever be forgiven for that I wondered.

Manolito, one of the de la Cruz Carpathian brothers that live in South America, is a man of honor who was prepared to give up his life to save their prince, Mikhail, when he was attacked by vampires in the previous book. I was so freaked out when that happened because I had really come to like him and speculated what would happen to him in the future. But his love for MaryAnn and his determination not to leave her alone is able to overcome all the obstacles that stand in his way to get back to her. And with MaryAnn’s strength and willpower to keep him alive shows clearly the deep connection and love between them.

The story flowed so well and is filled with courage, honor and the love that overcomes all that stands in the way of two people finding their HEA.

A FANTASTIC READ. AN INCREDIBLE LOVE STORY.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Manolito De La Cruz is in the ground healing. He awakens too soon, trapping himself in the nether world of mist and shadows. MaryAnn Delaney has been suffering grief. She's been crying since Manolito's death. MaryAnn thinks she is suffering from depression.

Juliette and Riordan De La Cruz asks MaryAnn if she was ever alone with Manolito. She says, "No. It was only a dream." They ask her to tell them the dream. They also ask if there are any marks on her. MaryAnn shows them the strawberry mark on her breast. Juliette and Riordan are sure MaryAnn is Manolito's lifemate. They tell her she is the only one who could draw Manolito back from death. He needs her now.

Manolito and MaryAnn are two strong individuals. Manolito is an alpha male with a loyalty to family and those he loves. He's protective and feels he is always right and knows best. MaryAnn is a strong psychic, though she doesn't believe she is, and is a counselor of women. She naturally reaches out to help and comfort others. She is also stubborn.

The South American jungle is lush and wild. The animals are varied. I could actually see and hear the jungle and its inhabitants. The plot was intricate and the subplots were interwoven into the plot. The subplot of Maxim Malinov and the world of mist and shadows picked up stream toward the end of the book, giving the reader something more to think about its influence on future books. The inclusion of Carpathians with Jaguar-men, werewolves, mages and vampires created a richer world-building environment. The new shifters enhances the blending of the different societies and explained the intricacies of Carpathians society. This novel has adult situations. In other words, it is hot and sensual.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

MaryAnn Delaney is a counselor for battered women, who has agreed to come to Brazil to help Juliette De La Cruz's younger sister. This, however, was before MaryAnn realized the emotional trouble she was in. MaryAnn has a deep sadness. She mourns the passing of Manolito De La Cruz more so than his own family. How can this be when she barely knew him?

Manolito De La Cruz rises earlier than anticipated. He's in South America, not the Carpathian Mountains. The last thing he remembers is saving Shea and her unborn child. Manolito's surroundings fluctuate between a world bursting with color and a dull world of shadows and mist. He knows he has a lifemate. He needs her desperately. Why won't she come to him?

Manolito and MaryAnn are two strong willed, stubborn characters. He is always right and domineering. She doesn't tolerate being pushed around or told what to do. It was good to see a softer side to Manolito. He loves MaryAnn, and she soon discovers she loves him. There is nothing they won't sacrifice for one another. Two characters worthy of each other. The plot and subplots weave seamlessly together. The descriptions between the two worlds are distinctive. Overall, this is a love story between two equal species.

[TinaNoir · Rating 1 out of 5]

This represents my latest foray into trying to get into Feehan's Carpathian series. I tried the first one, the second one and the one where everybody got together for Christmas. Couldn't finish any of them. They just didn't capture me.

With this one, at least I finished. But I think that was out of sheer stubbornness more than anything. This book was so was so full of mystical woo-woo that I was lost most of the time. Manuel's soul was in some spirit world while his body was in the temporal world and he was in love with Mary Anne who was busy becoming some super powerful whatever. Werewolf? Wolf? They were all in a jungle somewhere. I hate books that take place in the jungle.

[Winifred · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love CF books, but I wanted to strangle Mary Ann... in Dark Destiny, Mary Ann wasn't this shallow...I loved her character and i wanted her to be someone's lifeboat/ mate! But now... ahh... i
OMG, poor Manilito, I'had rather be a vamp than being with her!
I don't have powers,
I might have powers,
I don't think I do???
Do I have powers???
I don't know if I have powers???
WTF???!
I love the De la Cruz brothers, but someone should Stake Mary Ann!!!!

I need a break from the Dark Series.... Mary Ann Rubbed me the wrong way!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly wasn't expecting this book. It is in my mind probably her best in this series.

The author gives us two main characters with flaws yet the desire to do whatever is necessary to overcome. The deisre to face down whatever is thrown at them. Yet she keeps humor and laughter under the surface as their relationship blossoms in the midst of unknowns.

I completely enjoyed this book and read it through in one sitting.

[Asounani · Rating 3 out of 5]

No mentire este libro me costo demasiado, ella en libros anteriores no me parecia tan irritante y molesta como en este, eso si les admito que la inclusión de todos los personajes fue lo que me hizo seguir leyendo, realmente en este se explican bastantes cosas y esclarece muchas dudas que se han alargado más de lo necesario.

En general no pude sentir una colección con la pareja. Pero se lleva las 3 estrellas por las "historias secundarias"

[Aparna · Rating 3 out of 5]

For reviews of other books in this series: Go here (http://inspirethoughts.livejournal.co...)

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 Possession is the eighteenth book in the longest series, Dark Series, by Christine Feehan which was published in August of 2007. The primary plot centers on Manuel "Manolito" De La Cruz - the third brother of the De La Cruzes - and MaryAnn Delany - psychic human female whom we first met in the thirteenth book Dark Secret and who helps battered and tortured women to safe haven.

This also forms the third book in the five-book series within the Dark Series about the South American brothers - who had been sent away by Prince Vladimer Dubrinsky (Prince Mikhail's father) centuries ago to fight Vampires. They settled in South America with trusted humans who take care of their cattle ranch during the day time. This book has made it into several best seller lists.

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". Now that Prince Mikhail Dubrinsky finds a lifemate in a human female with 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 other species - Jaguar Species (with the 10th book Dark Symphony (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...)), Dragonseekers (with 16th book Dark Demon (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...) and Werewolves (with this plot)).

In her 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. Christine tends to bring back her characters and tie all the inconsequential details that she leaves around in her plots. 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.

In Dark Celebration we had seen that Manolito De La Cruz had been severely injured in the battle with the vampire turned Carpathian Maxim Malinov. He is taken back to South America by his family to be healed. However he wakes up early which causes him to be half in the real world and half in the nether world. He believes he has sinned to his lifemate and that is why he is partial in both worlds. But has he really? Or is there an ulterior motive of the vampires and mages?

We first met with MaryAnn Delany in Dark Destiny (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...), a female with strong psychic powers and also one who works with the battered women and children. Now she is also in South America to help Jasmine Sangria who had been brutally assaulted by Jaguar men while in capture which we had read about in the Dark Hunger (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...) plot.

Now while she is bent on helping Jasmine cope, she is also pulled towards Manolito. While Manolito is trying to woo her into the Carpathian world, she has something inside her that wants to come out. And the evil that is lurking close behind them both Is not helping either of them to form a bond and life. How they fight these lurks and survive is what the rest of the plot is about.

All of the Carpathian males are larger than life characters and law unto themselves. But Manolito goes a step ahead with his penchant to pit himself against other Carpathains and Vampires alike. He also has a very high sense of honor that is quite contrast to his love for challenges. And all his life he has been living in the wilderness, be it Carpathian mountains or the South American jungles.

That is why it was a surprise mix I felt when Christine paired him with MaryAnn who is a complete city girl and the closest she ever went to a jungle was the zoo that turned out to be a disaster. It was a funny ride to see how she coped with the jungle life, with the bug sprays and pepper sprays included, while Manolito struggled to make peace with the sin he has done towards her.

However showing Manolito in both worlds (half in the living and half in the dead) was a bit confusing in the beginning, a bit hard to imagine. I had to read the first few chapters a second time for it to click in my brain. I can't even imagine how Christine put that together without getting lost in the two worlds herself.

Christine expands the Jaguar race perils in this plot along with a new species along with more of the mages thrown at the Carpathians. Another of my question Christine answers in this book. I always wondered if any males were converted Carpathians or if there would be a case, and we see it in this book. The Malinov family history is also expanded in this plot, leaving several breadcrumbs for future plots.

Another of the breadcrumb that Christine threw in one of her books, about Mikhail Dubrinsky having an older brother who had gone crazy and was killed by Gregori Daratrazanoff. Draven Dubrinsky is revealed finally connecting oh so many dots for the readers. And also more of Vlad Dubrinsky and Sarantha is shown in this book thus making them more tangible than just off-hand conversations.

The appendix sections continues to stay and come in two parts - Appendix I listing out Carpathian Healing Chants; Appendix II listing out Carpathian Language. In the acknowledgements of the book, Christine thanks her friend Cheryl Wilson. If I am not wrong, she is the same C. L. Wilson who has written the Weathermages of Mystral series. And I had an opportunity to meet her as well when I met Christine Feehan in 2016.

A few tidbits: This book misses the hard card inserts that gives reader an opportunity to either join a book club and win books, or buy a book and get a few free. Christine also shows the Carpathian Mountain ranges where these people primarily reside. And the family chart appears again, this time with the mistakes seen in the previous book corrected. 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.

Another powerful paranormal 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. Luiz, a Jaguar is saved from the vampire taint by Manolito De La Cruz and is tied to him forever by blood bond. Manolito converts him to a Carpathian male in the middle of the plot. I don’t remember Luiz in another book during my first read of the series. But knowing Christine she wouldn’t just bring a character to waste them.
b. It is revealed that MaryAnn Delany is a werewolf.
c. Christine shows a different perspective on the werewolves as opposed to common notions and myths everyone has regarding them.
d. Christine also included three deleted scenes from the original print in this version of the book that I have. The scenes were cute and I totally get why they were deleted. The entire plot can easily survive without them.

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. In Dark Descent (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...), we see quite a few sub-plots, more meat for future books.
i. Gabrielle Sanders and Jubal Sanders are introduced - siblings to Joie Sanders. As of Dark Demon plot they reside in Carpathian Mountains taking care of the kids during the day, whom Sarah Marten and Falcon have adopted. The owners of the inn in the village, Slavica Ostojic, her husband Mirko Ostojic and their daughter Angelina, help them too. Gabrielle is turned to Carpathian in this plot and tied to Vikirnoff for all time. In Dark Celebration it is revealed that Joie Sanders and her siblings and parents are from pure Jaguar blood-line. And that Jubal is a Jaguar male.
ii. 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 to be away from his people. 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 31st book, Dark Legacy's plot. Or I might have to read the additional 100 pages that Christine included in a later version to know the truth.
c. Dark Demon Plot also comes with quite a few sub-plots that could potentially form more meat for future books:
i. Natalya and Vikirnoff find two dragons encased in ice - red and blue colored. The same dragons that Traian Trigovise and his lifemate Joie Sanders find in Dark Descent, except that they assumed it was one, but instead there are two of them in that ice case.
ii. Razvan Dragonseeker was shown to take blood from a small child with bright copper curls. Wonder who that girl would be.
d. In Dark Celebration, quite a few Carpathian women are shown pregnant - Tempest (lifemate to Darius Daratrazanoff), Savannah Dubrinsky (lifemate to Gregori Daratrazanoff, perhaps with two twin girls thus confirming the forecast that Julian and Savannah had in Dark Melody (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...)), Sara Marten (lifemate to Falcon)
e. Dark Celebration also reveals a possibility of another powerful Carpathian lineage who had ability to heal earth, water, plants, ability to regrow plants with rich nutritious soil all around, aiding in the birth of Carpathians. Syndil is last surviving descendent.
f. Dark Celebration also shows a few more developments for the Jansen and Chevez offsprings - Perhaps a budding romance between Josef - Byron's nephew - and Ginny - Colby's step-sister; that Paul and Ginny have Jaguar blood in them by way of their mother. Although Paul is tied to Nicholas De La Cruz by blood bond since Dark Secret plot.

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. 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. And if she is basing her 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. In Dark Celebration, it is revealed that he is Colby and her step siblings uncle - their mother's brother- and that he has Jaguar blood in him albeit dormant.
b. In Dark Dream (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...), Sara Marten adopts seven sewer children - three girls (Emma, Chrissy, Blythe) and four boys (Travis, Jase,) - all with psychic abilities.
c. Skyler Rose Thompson is first introduced in Dark Legend, as a 14 year old girl psychic human female who is battered and injured in every way. We are going to see more of her. In Dark Celebration it is revealed that she lifemate to Dimitri Tirunul. And that she could have been fathered by Razvan Dragonseeker making her part human part dragonseeker.
d. 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. Wonder what would the fate of this child would be in Christine's hands.
e. Barry Woods, a reporter in the Dark Legend plot doesn’t have a closure like other reporters in other plots. Perhaps a future character?
f. Corrine Wentworth (lifemate to Dayan) gives birth to a female psychic child - Jennifer - in Dark Melody.
g. Jasmine Sangria - sister to Juliette - and Solange Sangria - their cousin - are introduced in Dark Hunger (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...) plot. Strong psychics from the Jaguar species who could potentially be lifemates to Carpathians just like how Juliette is for Riordan. As of this book's plot, Jasmine is pregnant. And Solange is targeted for the Jaguar men and the vampires / mages for her royal blood.
h.
4. Perils that the Carpathians face:
a. Few children who have born are Males, most not surviving the first year of their life, females are rarely born. Shea Dubrinsky along with Gregori Daratrazanoff are trying hard to find a way so children survive.
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 to transfix the Carpathian hunters; ability to create a holding spell; able to inject a fast acting poison impacting the nervous system; can cause Carpathians to sever the mental path the Carpathians share; casting a silvery net to capture the hunter in their molecular form; two master vampires running the show together; use animals such as rats, birds and insects to pry on others; a multigenerational poison that could attack the healers, fighting the master mage Xavier (introduced in Dark Demon plot)
d. Society of Human Vampire Hunters who constantly hunt the Carpathians mistaking them to be Vampires. The Morrison Center for Psychic Research is targeting psychic humans and jaguar females, documenting about them to kill them in the end.
e. Malinov Brothers are introduced in this Dark Secret plot; they were sent to Asia by Vladimir Dubrinsky to fight vampires, instead they become the very thing that they were sent to kill - Kirja Manilov killed by Rafael De La Cruz with aid from Vikirnoff Von Shrieder in Dark Secret; Maxim Malinov killed by Mikhail Dubrinsky in Dark Celebration plot; Ruslan Manilov is the eldest of them.

5. Lifemate pairs introduced as the series progresses: Will Christine have a plot for these pairs sometime in future?
a. Eric and Celeste – Celeste is pregnant with child in Dark Prince, but no mention of them in the books after..
b. Vlad and Eleanor Belandrake - 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. Vladimer Dubrinsky and Sarantha - Mikhail and Jacques Dubrinsky's parents - They are shown as dead as of Dark Guardian (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...) plot.
e. Soren - a half Carpathian and half mage - and Samantha, a human - Natalya and Razvan's parents and dead as of Dark Demon 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. He is a renowned scientist; works for preservation of wolves and guards them in the reservations of Russia; and has a wolf foundation.
b. It is revealed that Skyler Rose is lifemate to Dmitri Tirunul. Now all the references to wolves and Dmitri and Skyler makes a lot more sense. And that Skyler could be a Dragonseeker and fathered by Razvan.
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" - Carpathian male kids, first introduced in Dark Symphony.
e. Remaining De La Cruz Brothers - Nicolas and Zacarias - living in South America are introduced in Dark Hunger plot along with Riordan. Nicolas is sent back to the Carpathian Mountains to give note to the Prince of the dangers from the Malinov brothers and the Mage Xavier. Riordan, Rafael, and Manolito find lifemates in Dark Hunger, Dark Secret and Dark Possession respectively.
f. Razvan Dragonseeker - Introduced first in Dark Secret, Natalya's brother and thought to have joined forces with Xavier, the powerful mage working against Carpathians. Although he has children with three different women - one in CA, TX and third one in France. He is father to Colby Jansen who lived in CA before she became lifemate to Rafael De La Cruz and moved to South America.
g. Tiberiu Bercovitz - an ancient mentioned in Dark Celebration plot. He was known to be amazing with weapons.

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 and is pregnant as of Dark Melody plot.
b. Savannah Dubrinsky - daughter of Prince Mikhail and Raven Dubrinsky; lifemate to Gregori Daratrazanoff. Her story is in Dark Magic
c. Desari Daratrazanoff - lifemate to Julian Savage, sister to Gregori and Darius; has the power to sing that could bring peace to all beings. Her story is in Dark Challenge
d. Syndil - lifemate to Barack, both part of the troupe Dark Troubadours, with tremendous healing powers and has an affinity to earth. Her story is spread in two books - Dark Challenge and Dark Fire
e. Francesca Del Ponce - lifemate to Gabriel Daratrazanoff. Her story is told in Dark Legend. She is a powerful healer; has ability to bring peace to anyone who is in her vicinity or by touch; makes stained glass patterns and quilts that are specific to one's need and bring healing to them.
f. Tamara - daughter of Gabriel Daratrazanoff and Francesca Del Pounce, born a few months before the Dark Guardian plot.
g. Rhiannon - a Dragonseeker who was kidnapped by the powerful mage, Xavier, eventually giving birth to triplets - two daughters and a son - with Xavier who had killed her lifemate. Natalya is the descendent of that son. And that Rhiannon caused the war between Carpathians and the Dragonseekers.
h. Natalya Shonski - lifemate to Vikirnoff Von Shrieder. She is part human, part mage and part dragonseeker. She also has the tigress inside her. She has ability to see the past of anything that she touches.
i. Ivory Malinov - youngest and only sister of the Malinov brothers and to De La Cruzes as well. Thought to have been killed by a vampire with no trace left.

[Kristina Deluise · Rating 2 out of 5]

FIRST OF ALL

he marked her i n celebration book WITHOUT her consent and knowledge

and it could be considered rape and here we go again with the adamant refusal of the female to be the life mate

and the in between two worlds, didn't help matters

and the entire book was filled without doubt. and angst and ugh.............

i bought the whole series, and i'm going to continue with it.

but now i understand why i stopped reading the series many years ago.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first of her books that I read. I found it to be a Harlequin romance with vampires and werewolves and jaguar-people.

The storyline was fine. It was a glimpse into a single relationship and hinted at reading the other stories to know the whole of the book. I found the title character "Mary-Ann" to be great because she is stubborn and wants to come to her own decisions, but underneath she is passionate and wants the domination. It took me a while to finish it and I found myself distracted, but it was a great read and the sexual scenes were unexpected, but not bad or irrelevant.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

this was full of random things. i remember a bed or something in the air.&then something about animals like cheetahs or w/e coming at the house. &then him painting her toenails in the end.
-I think it's ridiculous to have a strong male character do something so feminine, so stupid as painting the girls toenails. way to completely unman him, Feehan!
i didnt like the characters and i wouldnt read it again.
also, this cover is terrible. what is up with that ugly flower and what does it represent? then it has a hidden picture in it, and you're thinking ooh, it's a pic of the characters! but no, it's another pic of that flower!
-i was skimming over this book again, trying to decide if I wanted to keep it, and then I just started reading it straight through again. I realized Feehan writes in a maddening way. it's too much back and forth and scenes last forever. I feel like yelling HURRY UP!
I hate that the girl is a human, and her name even bothers me: MaryAnn. I don't like it. her or her name isn't good enough for the Carpathian world.
it consists of maryann takin forever to open the door. then repeatedly saying "it wasn't real." obviously it was, you moron. then she says "im not lifemate material." and im thinkin well, at least you know. cuz you def aren't good enough! then she says "but especially not to one of the De La Cruz brothers." and again im thinkin yeah, you aren't good enough for ANY Carpathian. but then she says-"they're far too difficult." oh, so its THEIR fault! not because you're an annoying human.
Feehan seriously needs to stop pairing humans with powerful carpathians. it isn't working. I can't stand it.they just aren't good enough. they should both be carpathians.
it's ridiculous to say that the prince would have stood by her, and his second, and all these other Carpathains, basically against Manolito. he's one of theirs, and if everyone knew maryann was his lifemate, why would anyone stand against that?
what's so annoying is that she pairs SO many of the Carpathians with humans. but then what we think is a pathetic, good-for-nothing, weak, stupid human suddenly has power. even though they've never had it before. so suddenly they're really powerful. it's too unrealistic.
she dresses up to go hiking through the jungle, then literally screams and whines about every animal in there. &oh, suddenly she can influence animals! she's a whiny baby who cries at the drop of a hat.
I think the idea of lifemates is rlly sweet. &im rlly shocked that Manolita apparently had nvr been unfaithful in his thousand years of existence. but if they're both virgins as they should be, neither character ever comes off as virgins. if the human women know nothing of Carpathians or lifemates, what are the chances they've never had sex? the whole series is unrealistic. some of the guys seem to have been with women before they met their lifemates, even though it meant nothing.&they know so much about sex. Feehan wants them to be perfect lovers. but then Manolita is apparently a virgin, and yet he seems to know everything about sex too. shoot for realism, Feehan. because your series don't add up.
she says she never slept with anyone because she hadn't loved anyone. then she says she wasn't adventurous in bed. how do you know, if you've never had sex? if Feehan wants to write about virgin characters then you have to commit. as in less talk of how sexy and luscious and hot they both are. &have them act like virgins.
also her female characters always come off as bipolar. I know the pull of lifemates is strong. but she says she doesn't wanna be with him, then touches him and rests her head on his shoulder&starts kissing him. I just can't take it. I really can't take this series. its so freakin wordy and focuses WAY too much on their many, MANY feelings. it took 64 long pgs to get maryann to manolita. I thought it would nvr happen.
her carrying her ridiculous can of pepper spray in the jungle where vampires are is just ridiculous. I really don't like her and it's not that far in the book. then she just sets down&cries. OMG. write characters that ppl will actually like.
then you have her call him a caveman and say he's old-fashioned or whatever. gee, that sounds familiar...Oh yeah! Dark Magic said the same exact words!! &im sure more of her characters said the same thing. if I see the word caveman again I'm going to scream! why is an author praised for writing a lot of books when they're all the same?
'she usually looked so calm on the outside, presented such an elegant picture, but underneath she was all fury and claws, as wild as their surroundings.' you literally just talked to her for the first time mere minutes ago. &nothing, not once in this whole book, has showed her to be calm. &why in the world would a stupid human-who aren't right for the Carpathians-be strong enough to throw off a Carpathian? Manolita is an ancient, and she can throw him back 10 ft.
Feehan has an incredible lack of depth. yeah, she's written a lot of books, but they're all the same. this whole series the guys sound the same. the girls look the same. all 'luscious' and 'lush.' how is it that all the women &men are built the same? 'the woman was built like a woman should be, all curves and temptation.' that's insulting to ppl who aren't curvy and 'lush' like your stupid characters. that's not what makes a women, anyway.
'"look at my boots," she said, to keep from crying.' who cries over a pair of boots? you're the d.a. that wore them in the jungle.
her saying plenty of men found her fine, and that she had a good body was so not likeable. humble much?
"oh,yeah,baby,you definitely like that." that is GROSS. that is a turnoff, hearing stupid talk like that. idw hear anyone say that, much less an ancient Carpathian.
the lil side characters and side story (aka side drama) was so uninteresting and not welcome. that girl being raped &pregnant, and so dependent on her cousin. what is it with Feehan and rape victims? I don't wanna read about that in a romance book. I also dl the careers Feehan picks for her women characters. I mean, I guess its nice or whatever that Maryann is a case worker or w/e she does. but im just not interested in that.
she's supposed to be willing Luiz to live, and she's too busy looking &romanticizing about Manolito.
Feehan is capable of writing the most infuriating and irritating writing. Luiz is dying on the floor &they're sittin there lusting over each other &are literally about to do it. this whole can't be near each other without wanting to rip eachother's clothes off is annoying.
I'm not surprised at all that the word love is being thrown out ridiculously soon. stop focusing on sex and actually build a relationship &have love unfold at a natural pace.
I'm so utterly SICK of her saying "I'm not psychic. why do you think so? how could I be psychic and not know?" you ARE. so just DEAL WITH IT. how can she not realize that everything she thinks ends up happening? are you that stupid?
how is it that she, a stupid human who has no place in these books-can block out her lifemate who's Carpathian, and yet no other woman can do that, whether they're half Carpathian or full. that's impossible. &I don't like it. Savannah didn't even half that power, and she was half Carpathian, not to mention the prince's daughter.
another thing that infuriates me is the women will bring up real fears and concerns to their lifemate, and they have an answer for everything. it doesn't matter if they say they're terrified, or express their feelings that we think will surely get a reaction and break down this whole "assurance" thing from the guys. whatever they say, the guys have a comeback. it's a bunch of nonsense. after they have "mindblowing" sex even they're both apparently virgins (which is unrealistic that all these characters have great sex the first time) she says "don't you think that was just a little bit scary?" and he's like "you are safe with me." it's like they're robots, constantly spouting this lifemate junk. I feel like yelling could you just be sympathetic for a second?
she all of a sudden throws out do you mind Manolito instead of Manuel? since when the freak should his name be Manuel?
let me get this straight-all of a sudden you come out with this story of you transforming during your lil track race &having a vision of you as a baby, and now when ppl try to tell you your psychic you don't believe it? this girl is more stupid than I thought. &how the freak do you not remember any of that, or that your real parents died saving you &your grandmother rescued you, and that a couple adopted you? why is this pouring out now?
&you mean to tell me, a human jumped 150 feet and landed on her feet. oh-kay.
They sweat blood? cuz that makes sense.
He creates a deck in the air and clothes.
I can’t believe he left her to wait for Riordon knowing she would be attacked. Shouldn’t you have waited for Riordon to arrive and then leave? Duhhhh.
In the beginning when she first met Manolito her broken nail grew back and she didn’t find that weird? That’s when this character is truly delusional.
Your every thought comes to pass, with the vampires, and when you sent Manolito flying, and yet she’s like-‘was she doing that? Was it possible? But how was she doing it? what else had she done?’ Oh.my.gosh. they’re just your thoughts. You think them. &then it happens. See how that works?
“Jacques and Shea have had a son, a boy.” Wow, a son&a boy. Haha
Savannah having twins is mighty convenient. I wish her &Gregori were in here! That’s my favorite Feehan book!
So sad that Vlad and Sarantha are stuck in the shadowland! I also wish Manolito could have seen his parents there.
It’s weird to call your former prince Sir. That’s a human term. “Live large” is strange to say, too.
It sounds to talk about a wolf or jaguar inside them as a separate being. “the wolf inside her.” It is you.
Riordon puts Maryann in a flannel shirt, jeans&sneakers and you say “I know you don’t think I’m going to be wearing these.” And then calls them “rags.” And says: ‘he was far more interested in the vampire bite than her fashion problem.’ OMG. Someone plz smack this character. Of course he’s worried about the vampire bite! Which is what you should care about. Riordon says his lifemate doesn’t care about clothes &she says “I’m well aware that girl needs a serious makeover.” That was so incredibly rude &a direct insult to the man’s lifemate. I’m surprised he actually smiled at that, seeing as how she’s insulting his lifemate. He should have smacked her. Then he compliments her on saving his brother & she stars bawling like the baby she is. &then blames it on the clothes. “it’s the clothes. Change them fast.” Grow.up.
She wants to be able to manifest clothing because “there are a few lines I can’t afford.” Oh, just a few? You rich snob. How can a case worker or whatever the freak she is afford Versace and Michael Kors. I mean, she’s just a freakin counselor type person, not a super model. Him saying Manolito was rich and she could have everything she wanted is so annoying. She shouldn’t get everything she wants. That puts her in a gold digger role. &I just can’t take it.
I actually don’t want her to become Carpathian just because she’ll be able to manifest her own rich clothing. yes I hate this girl that much. Lil miss shallow &materialistic should not get her way.
I didn’t find it amusing in the slightest that Manolito or MaryAnn were completely ignoring Riordon. It’s so rude &frankly childish. We get they’re “totally in love” and were worried about each other. But you owe him thanks at least. Idk why she has ancient carpathians talk like-“hello! That’s such an insult, bro.”
She only did one thing that I found funny in the entire book. She asked wth was that noise when he closed the cave door. &then she jumped on him &pulled his hair, telling him to get out of there.
It’s sweet that he studied different cultures &centuries’ types of sensuality for his lifemate.
“ask me for the moon, MaryAnn, and I will find a way to get it for you. But not this.” I think Gregori from Dark Magic said those exact words.
It’s so incredibly wrong that the males lock the women up. It’s actually like abuse. Gregori did it. Manolito is. Feehan is a one-hit wonder. All the books are the same. It’s maddening when the character is literally locked away, and the guy won’t let them out. Then he says “if I do not, go to my brothers and allow them to care for you.” You would seriously leave her without a lifemate?
I don’t think it’s right at all, or even makes sense, that a Carpathian drinks the blood of a wolf and then becomes one too. I don’t want that for Manolito at all.
She’s mentioned probably seven times about “wombs clenching.” You can’t keep using the same expressions.
‘he reached for his wolf, sharing it with him, wanting him to understand, wanting MaryAnn’s wolf to share that same bond.’ This is weird. &twisted.
I know jasmine went through something terrible, but I don’t like her or solange as a character. Jasmine sounds like a child, and it’s too pathetic to be likeable. &solange not being able to laugh or relax is crazy. I don’t get her deal. One minute she’s scared of men, and wants to go to the ranch. The next she’s not, and doesn’t think she can handle the ranch. This book is so back&forth.
This book could have ended much better. And preferably not on a scene where everyone was painting their nails.

[Judith Parra · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILERS!!!! I probably should have stated this before, but this is the fourth or fifth time that I have read the Dark Series. The only difference this time is that I am typing my reviews...

Dark Possession is the story of Manuel "Manolito" De La Cruz and MaryAnn Delaney. The couple first encountered each other in Dark Celebration when Manolito made his mark on MaryAnn without anyone being the wiser. Manolito had planned to tell his brothers what he had done but was fatally injured saving Shea and her unborn son from an enemy. He was healed and brought back from the dead or meadow of shadow and spirits by Gregori who told Manolito's family that he should be put to rest until a full recovery. Meanwhile, MaryAnn felt the fatal blow due to being marked and is thrown into a state of deep depression and grief with no idea why she felt that way. Unbeknownst to her, Manolito was able to manipulate her into forgetting their encounter until MaryAnn was spirited away to Brazil where he could claim her without interference knowing that her refusal would be listened too by Gregori, Mikhail, Destiny, Nicolae, Vikirnoff and Natalya.

The story starts with Manolito waking up sooner than he should have, resulting in him being trapped between the spirit world and the living. Christine Feehan does a great job instilling fear, confusion and sensations of disorientation with her descriptive words and skill at world building. It was not that hard to build the shadow realm (or meadow of shadow and spirits) in my head. The picture I built was terrifying and it was a wonder that Manolito was able to maintain a semblance of sanity. What was his guiding light and saving grace was the fact that he knew he had a lifemate....MaryAnn. He used his considerable for of will to fight the insidious world and whispers of the dead so that he could find his way to MaryAnn.

While struggling to remember what happened and how he came to be in the spirit world (lets call the meadow of shadows and spirits "spirit world" so that I dont go back and forth), his brother Riordan tells him that he had traveled to the spirit world and has woken up to soon, resulting in living in two worlds at once....a dangerous prospect which could result in his death. However, Riordan's voice sounds far away and too demonic for Manolito to trust and he breaks himself away from him. While in the spirit world, he continues to be haunted by visions of the dead...vampires he had killed in the past. Riordan realizes that Manolito will only respond to his lifemate.

The danger is evermore present as Manolito struggles to see what is real and what is not when he is attacked by a jaguar-man. The jaguar-man attack is felt by MaryAnn who screams in confusion and terror. I can totally relate to MaryAnn. She has no idea why she feels depressed and confused and it is logical when she starts to believe that the De La Cruz family tricked and purposely trapped her in Brazil. MaryAnn's confusion, grief and brief displays of psychic power cause Riordan and Juliette to come to the conclusion that MaryAnn is lifemate to Manolito. It is not long before MaryAnn realizes that the "dream" she had of Manolito marking her and doing a blood exchange with her was real. Riordan and Juliette are more than certain that MaryAnn is lifemate to Manolito and go with her to hunt down Manolito who is lost somewhere in the jungle.

Meanwhile, Manolito has successfully fought of the jaguar-man and is severely injured....along with the jaguar-man who calls himself Luiz. As Manolito assess his opponent, he realizes that Luiz is tainted by a vampire. He tells Luiz what that entails and the two come to an uneasy truce. Manolito removes the taint when he sees that Luiz is a rare jaguar male who has honor and has been fighting to keep female jaguar safe. He hopes to instill honor back in his race and to save the females. I like that Christine Feehan adds great depth of character to Manolito because he is not only a typical strong alpha male, he is willing to come to terms with what he has done or thinks he has done when it comes to the downfall of the jaguar race. He knows that the plan hatched up long ago when the De La Cruz brothers and the Malinov brothers debated how to overthrow the Dubrinsky line and take over Carpathian rule. One tactic discussed was to destroy the Dubrinsky allies of which the jaguar race belonged. A clever and dangerous plan that Manolito now regrets taking a part in.

Luiz informs Manolito that the jaguar men are desperate to kidnap a certain female jaguar who has almost 100% pure jaguar blood (This is besides the male jaguar push to kidnap, rape and impregnate women to continue their race). The Morrison Center for Psychic research wish to possess her and harness her blood for an undisclosed reason. Manolito feels the urgency to protect the jaguar females in their care...Solange and Jasmine who are kin to Juliette, lifemate to Riordan.

Meanwhile, MaryAnn continues to look for Manolito and the further she looks, the more she begins to display power. Juliette sees this as she runs quickly and smoothly through the jungle, despite MaryAnn's unfamiliarity with being in the wild. I admire MaryAnn's drive to help Manolito despite her confusion. I like that she finds purpose and strength in helping others despite cost to herself. However, her fear over the wildness in her and her confusion over her connection to Manolito leaves her in great conflict. Her frustration and anguish summons Manolito to her and she is whisked away. MaryAnn's fury over what is happening to her awakens something wild in her and that frightens her even more, the wildness in her had only awakened once when she almost lost her life trying to fight off the beating of a violent man looking for his wife. Destiny had arrived in time to save her and that quickly stopped the "thing" inside her from escaping.

As Manolito puts her down, MaryAnn had enough and she yells at him to get away from her. Manolito staggers and falls into backward into a tree trunk (WOW!). The power of the psychic slap shocked Manolito as well as awakens his fury. He is not used to being denied or defied by anyone. MaryAnn does not cower under Manolito's anger and is willing to accept equal part blame for what is happening between them. I am amazed by the dynamics of this couple and it turned the story into a page turner. As they get to know each other and begin to make their way back to the island owned by the De La Cruz family, Manolito is pulled into fighting for his soul in the spirit world and is forced to leave MaryAnn alone in the jungle. MaryAnn is beside herself and is attacked by an anaconda. She is rescued by Luiz and while making their way to the De La Cruz compound on the private island, they are attacked by a fellow jaguar-man. Luiz fights him off and is aided when MaryAnn psychically yells at the jaguar-man to leave. He does! This tantalizing clues are maddening! It took me till the end of the book (the first time I read it) to figure out what MaryAnn really is.

As MaryAnn is talking to Luiz, Manolito attacks him believing that Luiz is seducing his lifemate. MaryAnn gives Manolito a psychic smack down for the ages! Wow, can she pack a punch! To Manolito's dismay, he is sent flying, literally sprawled on the ground like a sack of potatoes! For the first time in the Dark Series, a female is able to send a Carpathian male flying! MaryAnn is not afraid to verbally chastise an intimidating De La Cruz male. She became a favorite heroine of mine for this very reason. I could not get over the picture of Manolito flying backwards!

I also liked the change of pace when it came to Christine Feehan describing the love scenes in this book. It was less flowery, repetitive and syrupy. She did a great job in this book. The sex scenes were more earthy and fit the animalistic natures in Manolito and MaryAnn. I had to fan myself several times at the heat generated by the dynamic couple. The couple finally make it to the island compound. MaryAnn is joined in the daylight by Jasmine and Solange. While they are talking, Jasmine reveals that she is pregnant (Solange is taking watch upstairs) and wishes to keep her baby. MaryAnn uses her ability to offer suggestions to help influence traumatized victims to find their way to the right path for them.

The small scenes of tranquility is short lived and Jasmine's worst fear of being attacked by jaguar is realized. MaryAnn looks out and sees a mage breaking the protective barriers, she remains calm and sends a suggestion to the mage to get tired and make mistakes. He does and is killed by a flying branch. Manolito manages to rise and fight his way to the women and Luiz joins the fight a bit before Manolito arrives. He, along with Solange fight off the jaguar but both get fatally injured. Manolito heals and gives blood to Solange and declares that it is too late to save Luiz. This pisses off MaryAnn who accusess him of being a chauvinistic idiot and rightfully comes to the conclusion that he would move heaven and earth to save a psychic female but not a male. She fights for Luiz to be treated equally and to be saved. Manolito does so and tells both MaryAnn and Luiz of the price to be paid. Luiz could eventually turn vampire and be hunted.

Manolito and MaryAnn work at getting to know one another and we learn more about the De La Cruz family and what happened to bring them to the point of fighting a war with the mage/vampire alliance against the Carpathians. Manolito reveals that his family took part in forming the plan but backed off in favor of honor unlike the Malinovs. The trouble first began hundreds of years before when a young Carpathian female was born to the Malinov family. She was loved by both the De La Cruz brothers and the Malinovs. Her name was Ivory and she was hunted by a mentally ill Draven Dubrinsky. Vlad refused to have Draven killed and wished to cure his son. The brothers were sent to battle the oncoming army of invaders (Turks) and vampires. Ivory was left in the care of fellow Carpathians and she used the opportunity to ask Vlad to allow her to study in the school of mages. It was soon after that she was supposedly killed by vampires. This brought the ire of the De La Cruz and Malinov brothers and resulted in them questioning Vlad's rule. The Malinovs used it as an excuse to turn vampire and overthrow the Dubrinsky line.

MaryAnn reveals things about herself as well. She tells Manolito about her childhood in which she was almost killed as a baby, her parents did not survive and that she remained in the care of her grandparents. The wildness in her comes and goes as the couple continue to be attacked in both the spirit and real world. As they are making love, Manolito finally realizes what MaryAnn is and is shocked to the point that he accusses her of infecting him. He announces that MaryAnn is a lycan. MaryAnn is shocked herself and is furious that Manolito distrusts her. Her distress signals to Manolito that it is time to fight back in the spirit world and he does so, leaving MaryAnn to protect his body in the real world.

We learn many things in the spirit world regarding how the De La Cruz family and the Malinovs came to come at odds in the current war. We learn that Vlad was more than a leader to the De La Cruz family. He became like a second father after the De La Cruz brothers lost their parents to a vampire attack. Their father, unable to take the fact that his lifemate was killed turned vampire and was killed in turn by Zacarias. Vlad reveals to Manolito that they had reason to question his rule because of his mistakes regarding Draven. He does not blame them for planning his downfall. Vlad gives Manolito great advice about lifemates and implores Manolito to join him in talks with Sarantha. Even in the spirit world, news travels and they are proud of what Mikhail has accomplished. Vlad is shocked that Xavier still lives and that he is sad that his once good friend has lost his mind and good name. He tells Manolito that not all blame for the state of their world belongs to one person, they all had a part to play but that things still had a chance to be put right.

Manolito soon leaves his Prince and goes to confront Maxim. He sees Maxim trying to weave a spell that would bring the dead to earth for war. Manolito interrupts and fights to remain calm while he is shown scenes of rape and deprivation done against his lifemate. Maxim then summons Draven and Manolito uses that opportunity to remind Maxim that Draven was the catalyst in Ivory's demise. Maxim is rendered powerless against the onslaught of loving memories of his sister and I hope finds remorse, he will not end up helping his brothers defeat the Carpathians. Draven in turn is confronted by his parents and sent to hell (that is how I saw it) for the things he has done. He did not show remorse. At this time Manolito is pulled back to earth whole and complete. He hugs MaryAnn to him, heals her and makes love to her. She convinces him to turn her and he does so after great debate. MaryAnn and Manolito end up being part Carpathian and part lycan. Readers should remember this tidbit because this becomes important in later books...

The books ends with MaryAnn, Jasmine, Juliette, and Solange getting to know each other and painting their nails. I practically melted when Manolito sat down and started to paint his lifemate's toenails like it was a normal thing to do for a famous hunter. Go Manolito! I gave this book four stars because I could not make up my mind whether to strangle or hug Manolito when it came to his behavior...

[bookwyrmemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Manolito and MaryAnn’s story. Dark Possession felt too short because there seemed to be too many things going on at once and not enough time dedicated to each of these sections. I wanted more one-on-one interactions with Manolito and MaryAnn; I wanted more interaction with her counseling Jasmine and Solange; I wanted more interactions with Manolito and his family as he was just brought back from being dead in the end of the last book. I did enjoy watching Manolito and MaryAnn fall in love even though it felt a bit rushed but they seemed well suited for each other and I’m happy they were able to find their other half. I enjoyed learning more about the Malinov family, including the new character, Ivory. It was a good fit for Manolito to be able to visit Vlad in the land of shadows and to have had the chance to admit the De La Cruz’s part in the “master plan”; I felt it was very cathartic for Manolito to be able to have a frank discussion with Vlad about all of their mistakes. 

Rated: 4.0/5.0—Overall, an entertaining read introducing us to more Carpathian back story and an introduction of a new species, the lycan (werewolf), into this universe. I enjoyed Luis’s character and I am happy he was able to have been saved; I am curious if he too will find his happy ending as a Carpathian.

Things I Liked
-MaryAnn. I love her humor, compassion, and she was such a badass when she is traipsing through the jungle with her pepper spray
-Luis being saved and turning into a Carpathian
-Manolito talking with Vlad and his lifemate in the shadow land

Things I Disliked
-Too many events happening: Manolito in the shadow land, MaryAnn counseling Jasmine/Solange, battle between Maxim’s stooges (vampires, mages, jaguars)
-Lack of interaction between De La Cruz brothers
-Not enough time with MaryAnn - she is a funny and compassionate person and I wish there would have been more scenes to further explore her character

Official Summary: "Manolito De La Cruz knew he was dangerously close to turning into a vampire. The last thing he expected after being called back to his Carpathian homeland by Prince Mikhail was to catch the scent of his destined lifemate in MaryAnn Delaney. MaryAnn is human, but she knows all too well the overwhelmingly aggressive instincts of Carpathian males. And they're not exactly the kind of men she'd prefer to be bound to for life.

A dedicated counselor for battered women, MaryAnn has a fulfilling life with no room for someone like Manolito, born and bred in the Carpathian Mountains, a law unto himself. But when MaryAnn agrees to go to South America to offer guidance to a brutalized young woman, she has no idea of the trap that awaits her in the sweltering thick of the jungle. She has been lured there by Manolito himself, who has seductive plans for the unaware, irresistibly human female.

Once there, she will be his. Once his, she never will be released. He is her lover, her predator, her lifemate. She is his dark possession."

[CC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manolito was ok, but MaryAnn was annoying as shit. With her designer clothes and high heels in the jungle. I wanted her to get eaten by a jaguar.

[oreoluwa ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Period, MaryAnn!!! She carried this whole book.

[Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb" · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Like Christine Feehan because she doesn't use a cookie cutter mold for each book and the featured characters. Dark Possession is very different from the other book. We meet Mary Ann Delany in Dark Destiny and Dark Celebration. She is a counselor for Abused Women in Seattle, Wash. She has became friends with Destiny and has come with her to the Carpathian Mountains for a Christmas celebration, where Manolito De La Cruz see her and knows she is his lifemate. Manolito is mortally injured and his brothers return him home to the Rain Forrest to continue healing, Mary Ann is their to do some counseling with two abused Jaguar Women. What make Mary Ann different is she loves High Fashion, she is a Sassy Chic and she loves to look good even in a rain forest, For me I like her character she was confident, intelligent, sassy and high style, beautiful and very funny!!( don't get me started on the pepper spray and bug spray) it was hilarious she is a inner Big City girl and this is how we are in the city I could relate we want to look good at all times!!!! I Loved it I also loved the conversations she has with Manolito once she finds out they are life mates, I liked the fact that the battle this time also is taking place in a different realm of shadows and mist, as well as in the rain forest. The Love Story Works and we get to meet new people (jaguar People) and we introduced to the werewolves. The story has many twist and turns at time you don't know what is real because it take place on two realms!!! but this make it interesting for you to try and figure out. It was a Page turner for me and I really like this book!!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being wounded at the Carpathian Christmas party, Manolito De La Cruz was taken back to his home in the South American forest. He had found his lifemate, the one person that could save his soul, but upon his rising the confusion he felt left him with wholes as to who she was and why she was not there with him. For some reason, MaryAnn Delaney felt the death of Manolito, she had never even been formally introduced to him, but she felt connected to him and could not shake the sorrow of his death until she felt him rise and in need of her. The strange confusion had Manolito not being able to trust even his own brothers, only his lifemate could help him, MaryAnn was drawn to find and help him even when that meant entering into the unknown for a man she didn’t know.

Book 18 ….. This one is different, leaving Manolito confused allowed a different kind of strength to show through. The addition of ‘the land of mists and ghosts’ with everything and everyone that is included there was so much of a different look at the dead and where they go, what a great way to add certain characters to help Manolito. Great getting better acquainted with Solange and Jasmine, along with Luiz. I really enjoyed this twist and the addition of another species, kind of predictable but a fun reveal and a completely engrossing story, couldn‘t put it down. Bonus: deleted scenes included, I think the plain ride one should have been a prologue. This book is great, ranked right up there with Dark Prince as my favorites.

[Pat Cromwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love IR books. This one had its moments. The premise wasn't the best but new characters were introduced and the the series new direction which I think will lead to the end was cemented. I've read post where the heroine Maryann was either loved or hated. No in between. Well being the perpetual fence sitter, I am still unsure if I liked her or not.

There were times I could not stand her. She is definitely all girly like Raven and Savanna but not nearly as irritating because there was a down to earthness about her. She liked her designer label clothes! I found that endearing ilo snobby. When I think of Maryann I think Michael Kor Boots! I loved the scene where her bro-in-law blinked and dressed her in jeans and a t-shirt. She was like "Are you out of your mind! Fix it." Yeah, I like Maryann -- for real!.

Another thing I liked about her was that she genuine cared about others (whereas Raven and Savanna are just plain selfish and spoiled and think that they were born to have what they have). Manolito De La Cruz is perfect for her as oppose to her being perfect for him. Think about the difference. He probably ignores half of everything that comes out of her mouth and she thinks he's listening intently. He's a good looking Homer Simpson to her Marge: She speaks, he smiles, nods periodically but all he hears is Blah Blah Blah, but he is just so damn good at it she thinks she has the most attentive man in the world.