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The fates of a warrior reborn and a seductive Dragonseeker are irrevocably entwined in the new Carpathian novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan, “the queen of paranormal romance” (J. R. Ward).
At long last you are truly back with us...
Zev Hunter was an elite warrior, a dark-blood dealer of death to rogue Lycans who preyed on mankind. He was a loner, never given to personal attachments, and damned fierce at his job. But Zev begins to question his past and his purpose when he awakens in the darkness of the sacred cave of warriors—and is soothed back to consciousness by the sensuously familiar voice of one woman, the woman who has haunted his fantasies for centuries. She was Branislava, member of the Dragonseeker clan
Mother Earth called the ancients to witness your rebirth
For this half-mage, half-Carpathian temptress, the ritual of awakening Zev to the council of warriors was the only way to save him. Locked away for his own protection, the time has now come for his rebirth, for his blood to stir with that of the ancient warriors before him. He has been assured by Branislava that their fates are entwined, that their spirits are woven together for eternity and that his new purpose in life is beyond imagining.
Now, with a blood-sworn vow of honor, mercy and endurance, and under the influence of a siren as bewitching as Branislava, Zev begins to wonder what his purpose is, what it means for the future of the Carpathians and what it is about his rebirth that he has to fear
Impulsive and tormented by doubts, Lycan warrior Zev Hunter is not prepared for his reunion with the alluring half-mage, half-Carpathian siren Branislava, the sister of Tatijana. The reunion of these lifemates would be stormy and torrid, with each brandishing their seductive power. Intense erotic fiction from "The Queen of Paranormal Romance."
Anonymous
Posted Sat May 03 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I can't wait until this bookcomes out! If you've never read this author, START NOW! You will LOVE all her books!
10 out of 19 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.XXXOOOBookwormOOOXXX
Posted Thu Sep 04 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I Also Recommend:
I have been a fan of Christine Feehan since I found her books some years ago and her Dark series is without doubt her best but there have been times when I wanted something a bit different. Her books have been an integral part of my reading life and have provided much fun and Ms Feehan has a unique writing style and the depth at which she writes is truly astounding. Her research and background information amazes this reader but sometimes it can seem to be a little excessive when all I want is to just enjoy the story. That having being said this the final book in her Lycan trilogy is a wonderful mixture of old and new with cameos from previous book heroes and an unusual enemy to face. The Jaguar shifters have almost been eradicated and the Carpathians and Lycans are being targeted. How can two such different species work together when there is no trust. Zev needs to choose a side but he is a man divided but of one thing he is certain no one will harm Branislava whilst he still breathes! She is everything he wants in a mate and together they can conquer anything. I loved that the author allows Branislava to show all the arrogant Carpathian men just what she is capable of and indeed Zevs new "brothers" equally seem to respect their own women. These Carpathian men are finally seeing that they have warrior women in their lives and not every woman should be hidden away and protected. Dedicated fans will certainly enjoy this but it's not really ideal for a new reader. I would suggest going back to the beginning with Dark Prince and following the journey of this truly gifted race.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.3.5 to 3.75 stars-disappointed: 3.5 to 3.75 stars- DARK BLOOD is the 26th instalment in Christine Feehan’s adult, paranormal Dark Carpathian romance series focusing on a supernatural species known as the Carpathians. This is Zev Hunter and Branislava Dragonseeker’s storyline but also a story that brings together the previous two instalment leading characters in a battle for their lives. At the end of Dark Wolf, Zev was left mortally wounded following a fatal explosion and Branislava knew that the wounded lycan was her mate.
Zev is half-lycan/half-Carpathian and has hunted the rogue lycans for most of his life. With an attack against Prince Mikhail imminent Zev, Fen and Dimitri, along with their lifemates, band together in an attempt to stop the attack before it has a chance to begin. But the coordinated attacks seem very familiar and the Carpathian’s are put on high alert when an enemy once thought to be dead, appears to be attacking from beyond the grave.
With the return to the Carpathian Mountains DARK BLOOD (and the previous two instalments) bring together many of the Dark Series characters and the premise is more of an ensemble storyline than one directed at any particular couple. The story is the culmination of three intersecting and building storylines (Dark Lycan, Dark Wolf, Dark Blood) where a new enemy has focused its’ hatred on Mikhail Dubrinsky and the Carpathian people. The storyline is slow to build with plenty of repetition, and the majority of the novel centers on the preparation for, and the battle against, a familiar and dangerous adversary. Because the trilogy focuses on the three Dragonseeker females, this particular storyline is awash in chants, verses, spells and magic to aid the Carpathians in the final confrontation.
Throughout the trilogy we were introduced to the Sange rau (vampire/lycan mix); the ‘guardian of all’ (lycan/Carpathian hybrid) as well as the mysterious lycan wolf packs that have remained hidden for thousands of years. With a familiar enemy setting its’ sights on the Carpathian people, someone or something is directing the attacks from behind the scenes. No one is safe when the attacks become personal and aimed at the Dragonseeker women.
For fans of the Carpathian series, there is a reintroduction of an old enemy-one that some readers may not like while others will see a new direction. Christine Feehan has reverted to a familiar formula and premise (one that worked in the past)-a familiar name and face-but one that seems desperate in its attempt bring back the popularity of a series that has struggled for several instalments. I was disappointed and saddened with the author’s backtracking and felt it degraded the entire series.
6 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Barb-TheReadingCafe
Posted Tue Sep 02 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Dark Blood by Christine Feehan is the 3rd and final book in this Dark trilogy that began with Dark Lycan, then Dark Wolf, leading to this one. It is in actuality the 26th book in the Dark series.
In Dark Lycan we met Fen, Dimitri’s brother, and finally got to see Tatijana, one of the Dragonseeker aunts, as she was Fen’s lifemate. In Dark Wolf, the couple we have been waiting for, Dimitri and Skyler had their story. Now in Dark Blood, it’s Bronnie’s ( the other aunt) story, and Zev is her lifemate. All the pieces of all three books come together in this exciting climax to this trilogy.
As noted in the description, Zev, who was near death at the end of Dark Wolf, was turned to Carpathian, as a mixed blood of Lycan and Carpathian. We do learn that Zev already had Carpathian blood.
What follows is an exciting story of an unknown threat against the Lycans and the Carpathians, with the vicious Sange rau on the attack. There is a dangerous enemy that is behind these attacks, as we have suspected form the beginning of this trilogy, and we do learn in this book, who that is…surprises are in store. The danger escalates where it will take everyone to work together to hope to survive.
The best part of this book, was seeing so many of our favorites, besides the three couples I mentioned above. Ivory, Razvan, Gregori, Mikhail, and especially in one scene so many more with their mates. Very nicely done.
As I have noted, this was an exciting story, and the romance between Zev and Bronnie (Branka) was very nice. I loved them together. However, and I will not give spoilers, but Christine goes back in time to give us a villain that in my opinion, though it made for an exciting storyline, I felt it cheapened one of the best endings of a previous book . I liked the story, but I did not like bringing this type of villain back.
Overall, it was exciting story, fun, with a great couple, and I loved seeing so many of our favorite Carpathians, not to mention many of the children. We are at 26 novels and there are so many more stories to be told in this wonderful series.
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Sep 02 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Vivacious Valkyrie - Marta:
*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review
This is a really hard review to write and I had to sit and think before I started this. I have been a fan of Christine Feehan since I found her books some years ago and her Dark series is without doubt her best but there have been times when I wanted something a bit different. Her books have been an integral part of my reading life and have provided much fun and Ms Feehan has a unique writing style and the depth at which she writes is truly astounding. Her research and background information amazes this reader but sometimes it can seem to be a little excessive when all I want is to just enjoy the story. That having being said this the final book in her Lycan trilogy is a wonderful mixture of old and new with cameos from previous book heroes and an unusual enemy to face.
Zev very nearly saw his last moon and would certainly have lost his life had it not been for Branislava , a female dragon seeker who fought to connect their spirits in order to save Zev. Now, Zev is grateful to be alive but he does not want the beautiful Branislava to feel forced into being his life mate . Zev had not realised he was part Carpathian and has spent his life protecting his fellow Lycans but it's clear that in order to defeat their mutual enemy they will now have to work together. The Jaguar shifters have almost been eradicated and the Carpathians and Lycans are being targeted. How can two such different species work together when there is no trust. Zev needs to choose a side but he is a man divided but of one thing he is certain no one will harm Branislava whilst he still breathes! She is everything he wants in a mate and together they can conquer anything or can they?
I will admit I had reservations about reading this book as the Carpathian men have frequently been very domineering towards their females in some books, Dark Predator and Dark Possession come to my mind and if those characters could be so aggressive then how much more so would an alpha Lycan be? Zev is without doubt very much his own man and fully capable of leading his own pack if he wanted to so the idea of a true beast gave me pause. Yes he is very strong and demands obedience but this author has cleverly made him compassionate with depths that he is not afraid to reveal. A much more rounded out character then I had expected and a man any woman would be proud of.
As for the lucky woman Branislava may be Carpathian but she is also part Mage and I think it's fair to say that her magical abilities are truly tested during this story and it's wonderful to see the heroine taking such an active role . I loved that the author allows Branislava to show all the arrogant Carpathian men just what she is capable of and indeed Zevs new "brothers" equally seem to respect their own women. These Carpathian men are finally seeing that they have warrior women in their lives and not every woman should be hidden away and protected.
As this is Ms Feehan then expect strong sexual content and yes it's frequent but happily it's not the usual cave and mineral pools that seem to frequently crop up in these books. No, this time there's definitely a strong spark between the two lovers and the author lets her imagination run riot! Hot,hot hot!
I enjoyed the story and it was great to read about the characters from previous books which almost made it an ensemble piece at times! Humorous interactions abound between the normally quite taciturn Carpathian's which added to the fun, What I particularly enjoyed was seeing the younger generation come into their own and it's clear we shall be seeing a lot more of them. The Carpathian struggle to survive is far from over though as this new enemy they face is truly evil and capable of even more dastardly deeds then anyone can imagine. I am so glad that the series has not run out of steam as like many readers I realisz how hard it is to create fresh ideas and can happily say that the story was not bogged down by excessive chanting which sometimes slows down the proceedings .
Dedicated fans will certainly enjoy this but it's not really ideal for a new reader. I would suggest going back to the beginning with Dark Prince and following the journey of this truly gifted race.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is book 26 in the Carpathian/Dark series, and most of us have been reading it since 1999, so Ms. Feehan kind of pre-dates the whole vampire craze, and it kind of shows. This book is absolutely not a stand-alone and you cannot just jump into the series from here, nothing would make any sense. Also, there will be spoilers.
I am going to admit, I did something I rarely do, which is read the reviews before reading a book I know I am going to read anyway. I don't typically do that because for a book I know that I am going to read, I don't want other people's opinions to color mine. With this book however, I have been toying with quitting the series. It has dragged on a really long time and we finally got Skylar's story, which is what I had been waiting for since Dark Legend in 2002. So needless to say, I went into this book with expectations, and frankly, they were negative ones. Several reviewers complained about angry sex being used to punish the heroine. Ever since I started with this series, the heroes have felt kind of rapey, there have definitely been elements of non-consent in these books, and a major theme has been that the hero basically takes over the heroine’s life and is rather controlling in every aspect-not just the sex. But the flip side has always been that the heroines typically fight back and try to obtain and maintain a sense of independence and self-reliance. Maybe it is too much to expect from a romance novel series, but this series always felt kind of like a mirror of the feminist movement to me, and in many ways the series seemed to be reflecting a movement towards more independent females who actually fight and have tremendous powers and gifts of their own, ones who are more self-reliant etc. Except lately it felt like more steps were being taken backwards than forwards. So I was prepared to hate this and just rip into it so that I could give up on the series altogether. But it really wasn't like that. Yes, there is grudge sex and aggressive sex, but the heroine is actually into that. Where it not just ok in my book, what makes it so much a step in the right direction for this series, is that the Zev actually tells Brannislava that if she isn't okay with things she needs to tell him and he will stop, and he doesn't say that just at the beginning, there is ongoing verification of consent throughout an event. That is such a change from the first books that it is just extraordinary in my opinion. Yes, we have had gentler, more considerate heroes (Razvan comes to mind), but this is the first time we have had an extremely dominant aggressive one who requests consent.
Of course, now we get to the actual issues with the series as a whole, in my opinion. The sex is kind of boring but overly plentiful and utilizes the type of flowery language and long drawn out scenes that I am learning to loathe. There is also the made up Carpathian language and spells and chants that Feehan is obviously very proud of, because they are literally everywhere. They add absolutely nothing to the story for me, so I tend to skip anything that is italicized just for my own sanity. Those things have been around for quite some time in these books and while I have been able to get through it, I can't tell if I am just getting more irritated with it over time, or if it is just becoming more pervasive.
What I am having trouble forgiving with this particular story is how repetitive and clunky it is. How many times do we really need to be reminded just what and who our main characters are? I don't know, but I can guarantee you that it is less than how many times it happened in this book. And, there has been an overriding arc of villains in this series that included the Mage Xavier and the Malinov brothers. Xavier and three of the Malinov brothers have been killed, but that still left us with 2 Malinov brother, one of whom has actually has two slivers of Xavier in him. Then we added the issues with the Lycans and as far as I am concerned, those things could and should have more than fulfilled the villain quotient for the rest of this series. But NO! We add the deus ex machina of all villain plot lines. Xavier wasn't actually alone. Oh, no, he was actually one of a group of identical triplets who all pretended to be the same person and the only ones who actually knew were Brannislava and Tatjiana, and they don't bother to say anything to anyone because they thought Xavier killed them. So Xavier wasn't actually the mastermind behind the downfalls of the Carpathians, Jaguars, and the Lycans. Nope, he was just behind the Carpathians troubles, Xaviero has apparently been dealing trouble to the Lycans, and Xayvion was behind the destruction of the Jaguar race. And for some reason, Xavier was the only one literally rotting and requiring a new body even before he was killed, and these other two are doing just fine. And guess what? They are trying to bring Xavier back from the dead. Why? I am just not sure, Xayvion is obviously the more successful of the three, and Xavier is obviously the eff up who managed to out himself and screw up many times and get caught and killed, but whatever, they must need him to complete this mysterious plan that has been rocking along for hundreds of years. I'm baffled by the direction this took and I can't quite decide if this is a direction Feehan has been planning since we found out Xavier sired triplets on the stolen Carpathian (come to think, how do we even know they ARE Xavier's), or if after the last book she just said, you know, I am never going to get another 20+ books with the villains I've got, I'd better amp things up a bit. I also find myself a bit frustrated by how many additional supernatural creatures she's been throwing at the series. We've now got demons and hellhounds and whatever else, and for the past 25 books no one ever came across them or mentioned them more than briefly in the case of the demons, but all of the sudden they just show up and people just know how to handle them, like ho hum, didn't I mention the hellhounds...no, well, there they are, by the way you got any hyssop oil? This story is just...clunky.
So, as much as I am complaining, I am giving this 3 stars because IMO, Feehan's heroes have become much less rapey and FINALLY we have a hero that checks consent, because it kept me entertained, and actually entertained enough that I will likely still read the next book (I just can't quit Feehan), and nostalgia-because I have now been in this series for 26 books and apparently I just can't quit Feehan.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Sep 07 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I usually like Mrs.Feehan's books. Sorry,she has gone so far away from a just down to earth great love story...to fighting and demons . I always enjoyed reading about the rugged handsome male that loves only one woman.. finds his one true mate... and the trials and tribulations they have to endure between just the two of them to realize they are meant for each other for eternity. Definitely fiction..but was a happy.. get away from life's druggery... a positive great read . This book has left me in a negative frame of mind....I realize I have wasted a weekend reading a book that has pulled my spirits down instead of lifting them up. Fighting with the hounds of hell...I feel like I do that in my everyday work week..I dont want to do that on my weekend off....my weekends are my getaway.... even if it is in just a book. Sorry I did not enjoy this book.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Sep 03 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I enjoy this series. But I feel a little disappointed. I feel that the series is back tracking. I hope the next one is better because I would really hate to stop reading my favorite series.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Sep 28 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I didn't enjoy this book. I kept hoping for a love story. There was sex but nothing more. No compassion, no anything that made you feel you were the seeing the story play out. This was more of a horror story than paranormal romance. I am so disappointed
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Christine Feehan brings readers the latest book in her long-running Carpathian series, Dark Blood. The Carpathian series is essentially a vampire series that started before the vampire craze took over the literary world. Dark Blood is the final book of three in the series that focuses on lycans. Feehan has included many other paranormal characters in this series and readers continue to get a look inside the vampire/lycan relationships with this one. A good addition to this series! What I liked: Zev Hunter was quite the hero. He didn't just show up out of no where. Feehan has given readers a taste of him throughout the last few books, as well as, the heroine. It has been understood by readers that Zev is an elite hunter. He is one of the best of the best. He was willing and did lay down his life for another, in turn causing him to essentially lose his own life. The is no back down or no quit in him. He is alpha to the bone! I have to admit that was kind of enticing in a primal sort of way. I wasn't surprised at all by his aggression in or out of the bedroom. What was surprising was the fact that he asked Bran for consent. He didn't have to, they were life-mates, but gave her that respect and that honor. I liked the fact that he was totally confidant in her abilities to fight as well. He didn't feel the need to belittle her or not to trust her. He had his savage moments, but he was still very true to the character that Feehan was going for. I enjoyed him, even in his darkest moments. What I didn't like: This one definitely had a bit more repetition than was necessary. I understand that in a long lived series like this one, the author has a certain responsibility to new readers, to kind of rehash what has gone on before this book. Mind you, this is not a series I would recommend starting this late in the game. But there will be some. However, the repetition was not of that sort. The repetition in this one wasn't past history, it was in phrases, words, and even fight scenes. How many times does the current reader need to be reminded that Zev, is an elite hunter? Or that Bran smells and tastes like cinnamon and honey. The fight scenes seem to have been lifted from the previous chapter here and there with very little changes. I suppose I wanted more variety and less filler. One of the things that got on my nerves a bit was the rehash of a previous villain. Feehan is an excellent writer. She can dream up a villain that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. She didn't need to go back and basically grab one from a previous book. Xavier was dead, he should probably have stayed dead. Instead readers get one of his triplet brothers, who had never been talked about before. What's more his name is Xaviero, one letter difference. Eke gads! Now that's a rehash, a repetition and just a big no-no. Bottom Line: Probably not my favorite book by the author. She is a goddess where paranormal romance is concerned but perhaps it's time to let this series go and start on something new. Or there needs to be something very original and different to get this series going in a different direct. The repetition in this one was bit too much. The fact that I got the hero couldn't make up for all the same ol' stuff. I love Christine Feehan, she is one of my all time favorites, but this book was good, not great.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Sep 10 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Dark Blood and Dark Wolf were so different from the rest of the series that I don't think they were written by Feehan. Both were full of out of character dialog and adolescent conversation that repeated itself over and over and over! Both books had good story line that was destroyed by babble.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Sep 05 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Loved the trilogy and this was good ending to it. Most questions answered and I loved the whole story but have to totally agree with Barb of The Reading Cafes review the villain was disappointing. was surprised to find out Skyler has all five species in her didn't know she had Lycan blood too unless she gets that from Dimitri. I guess there are still a few questions bring on the next book Christine.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Sep 04 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Awesome book! Wow I really didn't see a lot of the twists coming. I really enjoyed listening to Branislava and Zev story.
I also liked hearing how Skyler and Dimitri are doing along with many other couples.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Sep 03 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I really enjoyed the book it is like coming home to a group of family you have known and grown with yes there is darkness and evil abounding but there is also
family, humour, love and understanding for intolerance.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Oct 11 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Add me
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Posted Sat Oct 11 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Watches from the shadows in amusement
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Posted Fri Oct 10 00:00:00 EDT 2014
He runs ina nd grabs the female and humps her vagina then he transforms into a wolf his co.ck getting bigger. He cums into her making her pregnant he pick her up and kills the other guys and walks away to kidnaped res three
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Posted Sat Oct 11 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I am the one u suposelly kidnaped, and i cant finf u anywhere! So meet me dark res 7 for some fun!
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Posted Wed Oct 08 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Stop JUST STOP OKAY WHAT IF A 8 YEAR OLD SAW THIS YOU ARE TERRIBLE BUT PLZ PLZ STOP OKAY TO ALL OF to those of you who are not reveiwers i reccomed you read theas posts the firt is on cheetah result four the second is at risey read them thank yiu oscar55
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Posted Wed Oct 08 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Gtg be back later
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Overview
The fates of a warrior reborn and a seductive Dragonseeker are irrevocably entwined in the new Carpathian novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan, “the queen of paranormal romance” (J. R. Ward).
At long last you are truly back with us...
Zev Hunter was an elite warrior, a dark-blood dealer of death to rogue Lycans who preyed on mankind. He was a loner, never given to personal attachments, and damned fierce at his job. But...