Dark Symphony

 Book Review of Dark Symphony

Title: Dark Symphony

Series: Dark Series

Author: Christine Feehan

Date Published: February 25, 2003

Date Read:  July 2012

The Blurb: 

Blinded and scarred in a terrible accident, Antonietta Scarletti made music that thrilled the world with its beauty and passion. Descended from a long line of psychics, Antoinetta has learned to rely on her other senses to “see” the world around her, but nothing could have prepared her for Byron. He came to her, drawn by her music, and became her secret obsession. Others fear him, sensing that he is dangerous—a predator—but for Antonietta he is her ultimate fantasy, her dream lover. He woos her with kisses full of erotic allure, whispering that she is his light, his salvation. Byron has waited an eternity for her, and he will let nothing stand between him and the woman born to be his lifemate...

My Review

4 Family Stars

 First read July 2012 Reread January 30, 2016

Spoilers

I knew it the first time I heard your voice. I could just sit and listen to you forever. And after you leave, I hear the music playing in my head and through my body, and I know it's your music. It belongs to you more than it belongs to me.-Antoinetta

Dark Symphony the 10th book in the Dark series by Christine Feehan was a nice change of pace. There wasn't any vampire's or vampire hunts. In this book Byron finds his lifemate, Antoinetta Scarletti, a famous musician. What this book lacked in vampires it made up in family drama. Family can't live with them, can't get rid of them! Dark Symphony almost had a clue (the game clue) like feel to it. Someone is trying to kill off Antoinetta and her grandfather. The whole time I was reading this book I was like it was Professor Plum in the Study with the Poison lol.

"In my language, in my people's world, we refer to our other half as lifemate. Unlike the Jaguar, we mate for life and beyond. Not for momentary pleasure. We consider the art of making love and keeping our mate happy to be a lifelong commitment."-Byron

"I thought your work was taking care of me." Under cover of the nearest piece of furniture, Byron pressed her open hand to the front of his slacks. He was already as hard as a rock. Antonietta rubbed her palm over the thick bulge. "Poor bambino, so neglected. If you didn't keep running off to leave me to sleep alone, I might have more sympathy for you." Her fingers danced over the rigid length of him, a tantalizing promise. Her teeth nibbled on his chin. "As it is, I have... none."-Byron and Antonietta

I liked Byron. I enjoyed that he courted his lifemate for months. He gave her a choice on becoming like him. He respected her and he was very sweet. He took his time and was good to her and her family. So I have to be honest when I say I feel Byron got a little jipped when it came to his lifemate Antoinetta. Just sayin'! Antoinetta was older, with grey streaks in her hair, blind with scars on her face and around her eyes, fuller figured, and she has taken a number of lovers. Now don't get me wrong I liked Antoinetta, but really did she have to think of and bring up the fact that she has had other lovers to Byron. Antoinetta was likable and she had her sweet moments but it kinda bugged me that she just planned to take Byron as a lover and then get rid of him too.

"Do I feel afraid? I need this as much as you need it. I ache for you, Byron. I think about you every minute I'm awake. I want to know everything about you. I want to see what my life would be like. You're offering me things I can't fully comprehend."-Antonietta

"We will live in your house with your family. You will travel the world playing your music for people, and I will once again make art from the gems I call to me. Live your life with me. I cannot bear to be without you. lifemates are for eternity, Antonietta. We can be married in the way of your people and live and seem to age. At times we may have to go away, but we will always return if that is your wish."-Byron

At the half way point their relationship picked up and Antoinetta grew on me. Her and Byron did have a lot of passion and there was a maturity to their relationship that was nice. Almost all the drama in this book centered around Antoinetta's annoying family and my GOD her family was something. I wanted to slap her cousin Tasha so many times I lost count. I did love her grandpa Don he was a cutie. I loved Josef in this book. The things he did had me laughing so hard. The rap for Prince Mikhail...... PRICELESS!! I would love to someday see Josef get his own book, because he is so different and eccentric I would love to see what kind of lifemate he would get! A good read and a nice addition to the series.

Jacques suddenly laughed. "I will never forget his performance in front of my brother. It was all I could do not to fall down laughing watching Mikhail's face when Josef sang his rendition of rap." Vlad covered his face. "Do not remind me." Byron nudged Jacques. "Antonietta has a sound room. I bet we could persuade Josef to cut an entire rap CD for Mikhail. I would not mind a copy for myself, just to put on every once in a while to watch Antonietta's face when she hears his lyrics." "A brilliant idea," Jacques agreed. "Just the thing for that brother of mine." "Byron! Jacques!" Eleanor was horrified. "Do not dare encourage Josef."-Jacques, Vlad, Byron, Eleanor

Dark Guardian

 Book Review of Dark Guardian

Title: Dark Guardian

Series: Dark Series

Author: Christine Feehan

Date Published: April 24, 2002

Date Read:  July 2012

The Blurb: 

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

He ran with the wolves...materialized from the mists...hijacked the very heavens to his whims.

He was the dark guardian of his people. So how, after centuries of a bleak, soulless existence had he, Lucian Daratrazanoff, suddenly come to crave petite, curvy, colorful lady cop Jaxon Montgomery, who foolishly made it her life's work to protect others from harm?

Fiercely daring, Jaxx would sacrifice anything to shield others-- particularly since a deadly menace dogged her every footstep, threatening all who got close to her. And strangely seductive, piercingly erotic Lucian was no exception. Lucian was powerfully, perilously mesmerizing--oddly gentle yet clearly a born predator. He had vowed to possess her, to guard her for all time. Yet with his every thirsty kiss, was he drawing Jaxon more deeply into danger . . . and his dark, mysterious desires?

My Review

5 Dark Angel Stars

First read July 2012 Reread January 26, 2016
Reread Feb 3, 2017
reread 11/21/2020

*Spoilers*

"I am your lifemate, young one. You have no idea what that means, and you are not Carpathian, so I expect a certain amount of resistance from you." Lucian rubbed his chin over the top of her head. "I promise you I will be as gentle and as patient as I can, but I cannot wait long for you. The emotions I am feeling do not tame the wild beast within me."-Lucian

Dark Guardian is the 9th book in the Dark series by Christine Feehan. This is Lucian Daratrazanoff and Jaxon Montgomery's book. Lucian is the older, darker one of the legendary twins, his people call him the Dark Angel. This book has an amazing prologue that gave an in depth look into both Lucian and Jaxon's history. The Prologue for Jaxon is just heartbreaking. It gave a good base for understanding all the pain and suffering Jaxon endured her whole life. It helped me to connect and sympathize with her.

"You are bad, Lucian. What am I going to do about you?" "Be with me. Live with me. Learn to love me. Accept me as I am," -Jaxon and Lucian

 

"You have a complete arsenal upstairs in your bedroom. I never saw so many weapons. It made me wonder just what type of woman I was getting myself involved with. There will be no shooting me when I come home this night, no unfortunate accidents, I trust,"-Lucian

Let me just say that there is just something about the Daratrazanoff brothers that just drives me wild. Every single one of them Gregori, Lucian , Darius, and Gabriel. They are so yummy I just want to lick them all. All kickass, arrogant, and dark mmm dayum they just do it for me. So every time I get a book with them in it, it puts me in my happy zone. In my mind I know they are fictional characters, but in my heart they are real and I wanna collect them all.

"That's it! I've had it with you. You don't even seem to know what you've done. You show no remorse at all. I'm the one who has to do all the compromising, except there is no compromise. You simply decide I'm going to do something, and then I do it. And it hurt like hell!"-Jaxon

"I know everything about you, and I am madly in love with you. Love is not even a strong enough word for the way I feel about you. Take the time to get to know me, Jaxon. Try for me, angel. Just try."-Lucian

Lucian is everything I wanted and more. He is charming, sexy, smart, sweet, and totally badass. Lucian takes his time to get to know his lifemate, and does everything he can to make her happy. Lucian accepts Jaxon for the fighter she is and doesn't try to change her and I love that. Jaxon has had one hell of a life. She wants Lucian but she is scared to lose him the way she has lost everyone she has ever gotten closed to. Jaxon is a fighter, but she has an emotional vulnerability that is endearing. Jaxon is very protective, and uses humor to help when she fears, or can't deal with something. Jaxon also kicks some major ass. I love that Jaxon and Lucian are a true team. I think all the female lifemates should know how to fight even if they never use it, just in case. Lucian and Jaxon's relationship is a slow burn because Lucian gives Jaxon time, but when it catches fire it's an inferno.

"They call you that? The dark angel of death'? How can they be so terrible when you've given them so much? What right do they have to judge you?"-Jaxon

A vampire would never expect a woman to participate in a battle, angel. It is not done. Our women are filled with compassion, not with a penchant for violence. She wanted to stay irritated but found herself laughing instead. Then he 's in for a surprise, huh? But you think I have a penchant for violence? I've been incredibly sweet natured, while you've been arrogant and impossible . You do not understand the difference between arrogance and confidence, but I will teach it to you. I can't wait for the lesson.-Lucian and Jaxon

I love this book. The ending is so sweet. Although I would have like to have got to see Lucian meet his brothers, and sister. I mean I am glad it says that they are meeting up and all but I would have like to read the family reunion. Great read I can't wait to read the next one!

"I love this, Lucian. I really do. Every single moment with you."-Jaxon

Dark Legend

 Book Review of Dark Legend

Title: Dark Legend

Series: Dark Series

Author: Christine Feehan

Date Published: January 28th 2002

Date Read:  July 2012

The Blurb: 

Gabriel wakes deep within the ground, and the first sensation he feels is an overwhelming hunger for blood. But as he hunts the dark streets of Paris for prey, a voice calls to him, soothing, calming, giving him the strength to control his craving.

Francesca Del Ponce is a healer, a woman who radiates goodness as powerfully as the sun does light. Though Gabriel can only imagine what she will feel like in his arms, he knows the taste of her will be addictive. And yet he fears for her life and his soul if he gives in to his desire...

My Review

5 Angel of light Stars

First read July 2012 Reread January 24, 2016
Reread Feb 1 2017 Reread 11/9/2020

"Don't get any ideas, I'm just giving the devil his due. All this time our people called you the angel of light and Lucian the dark angel. I think they might have it backward."-Francesca

"I am not trying to take over your life, I only want to share it. I ask for a chance. Only that. A chance. You had not planned to end your life for several years. Share those years with me. Let me try to make up for the wrong I did you."-Gabriel

Spoilers*************************

Yay it's the legendary twins. I have loved Gabriel and Lucian since the first mention of them. Dark Legend the 8th book in the Dark series is Gabriel's book. Gabriel has been locked to his brother Lucian in the earth asleep for the last few centuries. When he wakes he knows Lucian is also awake. He knows he needs to feed to fight and destroy the vampire that use to be his beloved twin Lucian, to keep the world safe. Gabriel is starved and the darkness has been spreading over his soul and he fears he will not stop while feeding and become a vampire. When a beautiful, compassionate woman finds him and offers him her vein and her life for his "as is her right" Gabriel realizes that he can feel and is seeing in color and this woman must be his lifemate. To bad his lifemate is angry at him for abandoning her many centuries ago. Francesca has lived a long lonely life, heartbroken that her lifemate rejected her. she has chosen to end her life and greet the dawn. Francesca has no plans of letting Gabriel tie her to him. When Gabriel tells Francesca that he didn't see her and never meant to abandon her, and she still doesn't change her mind about ending her life, Gabriel will pull every trick he can to keep her with him even dirty ones. After all... all's fair in love and war.

"I want you inside me, Gabriel," she murmured softly, a demand. "I want your body in mine. I don't want you to treat me as if I might break either."-Francesca

"On the floor, where I can go deep, I want to be so deep inside you, you will never get me out." -Gabriel

Gabriel is a awesomely sexy hero and lived up to his legend! Gabriel does pull a sneaky move on Francesca to keep her from killing herself.   He knocks her up on purpose, but after that he gives her time, space, and understanding. He takes it slow and works to win her love. He feels guilty over not seeing her all those years ago and for the pain it caused her, but he wants to make her happy. Gabriel is the more laid back twin, the younger one. He is calm, in control, but had a playful side. I loved Francesca. She is strong, sweet, and a great healer. Francesca is very confused about how she feels. She was very hurt when Gabriel walked past her and didn't even look her way all those centuries ago. But she was proud of the hero he was. She choose to leave home and hide from her kind knowing a unclaimed female would hurt the males of her race. Francesca has lived a long lonely life, but she has tried to do good and help wherever she can. She wants to be worthy of the great lifemate she had even if they were not together. Francesca is a very relatable heroine. I could understand her fears, and feelings. I connected well with both the h & h. Gabriel and Francesca's relationship was one of great passion, understanding, respect, and support.

"I look at you and remember the endless centuries, all those wars and battles, my people turning undead and the countless times I was forced to destroy them. You are the reason I did it, the reason I endured it. Just you. Not some noble purpose, but somewhere on this planet I knew you might be, a child just beginning and it was necessary to keep you safe."-Gabriel

"We are family, child, real family. There is no place for embarrassment. I am proud of you, proud of the way you defended yourself and kept yourself true to your own soul. Do not hide your badges of courage, Skyler, not from me and not from Francesca."-Gabriel

I love the Skyler plot. Skyler broke my heart and won my love. The way Gabriel, Francesca, and Lucian all protect Skyler and make her their family was touching and beautiful. I love all the sweet family moments in this book. The way Gabriel and Francesca earn her trust and show her what love can be. Skyler is so brave, the things that poor girl lived though. I also love all the parts with Lucian and Gabriel. I have a huge crush on all 4 of the Daratrazanoff brothers. They are my favorite heroes of the whole series. And though I love my Gregori the best, Lucian is my second fav so every time he was in this book I ate it up! The banter between the twins was so damn cute. Bro love= too cute!

"It is not nonsense. These are commands from your lifemate, and you should listen and obey." He sounded very arrogant as only Gabriel could. "You're showing your age again. You awoke in the twenty-first century. Women no longer listen and obey, worse luck for you. I have work to do, and you are in some place very musty and smelling of wet dirt. What are you doing?" "Performing secret masculine rituals."-Gabriel and Francesca

"I can see how it's going to be. You two are a couple of hermits. There will be no ganging up against Francesca, you two. Skyler, you like your bodyguard, don't you?" Skyler shrugged. "I try never to look at him." "Well, you should. He's quite nice-looking," Francesca replied. "That will be enough of that," Gabriel interrupted. "You do not need to find any man good-looking other than me." Francesca smiled very sweetly. "But then, I don't remember ever saying you were good-looking." Skyler found herself laughing. -Francesce, Skyler, and Gabriel

Gabriel and Lucian kinda remind me of Damon and Stefan from The Vampire Diaries . Gabriel being the sweeter one like Stefan, and Lucian being the darker one like Damon. And just like I am Team Damon, Lucian is my favorite of the twins. What can I say I love the dark, bad boys! This book is excellent read and I can't wait to get reading Lucian's book!!

"It was not just a silly bet, honey, it was a way to get you to brush my hair. No one has ever done such a thing for me and I think I crave attention." He rubbed the bridge of his nose again and grinned at her almost boyishly. "I asked Lucian to do so once and he threatened to beat me to a bloody pulp." He shrugged his broad shoulders. "Some things are just not worth it, you know."-Gabriel

"Francesca, my dear sister, you have tied yourself to one who has a much inflated opinion of himself. I do not remember a time when he was right about anything."-Lucian

Dark Dream

 Book Review of Dark Dream

Title: Dark Dream

Series: Dark Series

Author: Christine Feehan

Date Published: July 31, 2001

Date Read:  July 2012

The Blurb:

She’s known him since she was fifteen. Every night, he is with her: his face, his voice. Tonight, Sara Marten will meet the man who is both angel and demon, salvation and temptation: Falcon—the Carpathian, the banished hero. Tonight, Sara will meet the dark-eyed destroyer destined to be her mate.

My Review

5 I know You Stars

You are my heart and soul, Sara. The words I left for you are truth, and only my lifemate would know how to find the key to unlock the code to translate the ancient language.-Falcon

First read July 2012 Reread January 23, 2016

Some spoilers

Dark Dream the 7th book in the Dark series by Christine Feehan, is an adorably sweet short story about Falcon and Sara. Falcon was one of several ancients that Mikhail's father, Prince Vladimir sent out to protect the world, unbeknownst to Mikhail and the others. Falcon was a male of great honor. He was making his way home to see his homeland one more time before greeting the dawn, when he found his lifemate Sara. He wasn't controlling and gave Sara choices. He treated her like a partner from the start. Which was a rare and refreshing thing to read in a series full of controlling alpha males. Not that Falcon was weak or less alpha. Falcon had great power and could kick ass with the best of them. Sara was a wonderful character. Sara was psychometry (she can get info by touching a object). When Sara was 15 she found a diary on a dig with her parents, knew it was for her from her soulmate, her lifemate. When she touched it she could see Falcon. Reading that diary with letters written to her, and what she was see when she touched it, let Sara get to know, and fall in love with Falcon before she ever met him. So Sara has been in love with her Dream lover, her lifemate since she was a teen, she just believed she was born to late to be with him.

"I have been yours for the last fifteen years. If you want me, Falcon, I'm not afraid. I've never really been afraid of you." -Sara

"Is this what you want, Sara? Am I what you want? Be certain of this - it is no easy thing. Conversion is painful." Falcon tightened his hold on her possessively, but he had to tell her the truth. "Being without you is more painful."-Falcon and Sara

Sara and Falcon's story was a low drama, sweet, quick read. Sara and Falcon were very loving and accepting of each other right away. It may have been short but it didn't feel like it was lacking anything. We also get to see how Mikhail, Raven, Jacques, and Shea are doing. I loved seeing the sweet happy place the past couples are in especially Jacques. I also really liked getting a peek at Vladimir. I kinda wish CF would write a story for Vladimir and his lifemate. I loved this book it was a great read!

We will have many children to love in the coming years. Whatever your dream, it is mine. We will have a home and we will fill it with children and laughter and love.-Falcon

Dark Fire

    Book Review of Dark Fire

Title: Dark Fire

Series: Dark Series

Author: Christine Feehan

Date Published: October 28, 2001

Date Read:  July 2012

The Blurb:

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

"There is always a price to pay."

So Darius warned her when she accepted a position with his traveling troupe. And gazing mesmerized at the merciless slash of his mouth, the implacable resolve on his face, the soulless emptiness of his black eyes, Tempest was afraid to ask what it was.

She had always been different, apart from others. From the moment his arms closed around her, enveloping her in a sorcerer's spell, Darius seemed to understand her unique gifts. But did his kiss offer the love and belonging she sought, or a danger more potent than his own panthers?

Somewhere deep inside herself, Tempest, realized she knew the answer. She had no choice but to accept the velvet stroke of his tongue, 'submit to the white-hot heat piercing her skin, welcome an erotic pleasure like no other. . . .

My Review

5 Redhead Temper Stars

"Does anyone else besides me ever get the urge to throw things at you?" She sounded drowsy, not combative. Darius hunkered down beside her so he was at eye level with her. "I do not think so. If they do, they do not have the audacity to tell me."-Tempest and Darius

Dark Fire the 6th book in the Dark Series was amazing! This was Darius and Tempest's book. Darius is Desari's brother who we met in the last book Dark Challenge. I fell hard for Darius in the last book. He was just so dark, bossy, and lost. He reminds me a lot of my Gregori. I just wanted to save Darius, take away his pain, and see him get his HEA. I had high hopes for this book and it did not disappoint!

"You are more trouble than any woman I have ever encountered. Have you made a study on the best ways to drive a man insane?"-Darius

I have the right because you belong to me and I can do no other than to see to your safety and happiness. The voice was calm and very masculine, holding a dark promise she didn't want to think about. "You can do no other than shut up,"-Darius and Tempest

What is it about these yummy, caveman like Carpathians males that just makes my blood boil. Darius was everything Carpathian, dark, broody, protective, sexy, the total kick-ass package! But like every good Carpathian male he is putty in his lifemate's hands. Darius had a very sweet side, and he did give his lifemate a little time to get use to everything, which isn't something all Carpathian males do. Some just club her and drag her back to their cave. Not Darius, he took it as slow as he could giving her time to come to terms with all the life changes. Darius was awesome in this book and I would have expected nothing less. What I didn't expect was for Tempest to be so damn awesome too. Tempest was hot tempered, sassy, playful, funny and very independent. She had a rough life. Use to being alone she was scared to care for someone to only lose them. Tempest did not put up with Darius's bossy ways and Challenged him every chance she got. Tempest was not a stupid heroine, but trouble always seemed to find her.

"You will do as I say, honey, as you are meant to do." Tempest's eyes flashed fire. "That's it. One of you go get me a club. A big one. He clearly needs to be hit over the head to bring him back to his senses. He must have lost them somewhere in the forest. You idiot, I'm not your child to be dictated to. I'm a grown woman perfectly capable of making my own decisions. Now just this one time in your life, do what you're supposed to do and go to ground or whatever you call it."-Darius and Tempest

I knew you were trouble the minute I laid eyes on you.-Darius

I loved both Darius and Tempest. I laughed a lot in this book. Their back and forth banter was hilarious. They had a great relationship. In this book we get to see the rest of Darius's family again. We get a peek at how good it's been between Julian and Desari in the months since the last book. And in this book Barack claims Syndil as his lifemate. She is not happy about it. There is very little of their relationship in this book so you don't get any real picture of them or their relationship. I wish Christine Feehan would have put a little more of them in this book, maybe gave a little more back story to Barack or gave him a change to redeem himself from the fact that he was raised with his lifemate and slept with other women. I know he didn't know she was his lifemate for a while but maybe an explanation would have soften me towards Barack a little.. It was cute how Darius's whole family laughed at his lifemate giving him hell. Dark Fire was a funny, cute easy read and a great addition to the Dark series! I don't know what it is about this series, but I can't get enough of it!

"Of course not. In fact, I think you need me around to keep you from being an arrogant, overbearing dictator, to keep you on the straight and narrow."-Tempest