Dark Blood (Carpathians (Dark) #26) by Christine Feehan

Blurb…

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…

It was with no small amount of trepidation that I read this book, because I had seen reviews which were pretty harsh regarding the way the villians were revealed in Dark Blood, saying Ms. Feehan was grasping when she came up with this plot. Do I understand why people might feel that way? Yes, but I have to be honest – I completely disagree, and I am so glad I chose to take the chance and find out for myself.

Zev and Branislava’s story is exciting. It’s fast paced, loaded with twists and turns and more “holy cow I didn’t see that coming” moments than I can remember reading in a long time. Ms. Feehan continues to amaze me with her imagination. The magic, the spells, the creatures, beings, and people… I find myself re-reading these parts because they’re so well described and plotted out.

Speaking of the plot – these books really do have an underlying similarity in that they all focus on the survival of the various races and the destruction of the evil vampires. What really got to me about Dark Blood was how the subject of racism and prejudice between species was brought into the story and how very heartbreaking and poignant it was. “Ignorance is bliss”, some might say – but in this case ignorance is tragic. I shed a few tears there at the end but loved how this story made me feel.

Oh, so many feels!

Dark Wolf (Carpathian (Dark) #25) by Christine Feehan

Blurb…

In Dark Lycan, Christine Feehan journeyed into the heart of the Carpathians, and into the souls of two lifemates stirred by the flush of passion and the threat of annihilation. In Dark Wolf, the breathtaking story continues as the bonds of family are imperiled, and the fate of two lovers lies hidden in the seductive shadows between life and death.

Skyler Daratrazanoff always recognized the miracle that was Dimitri Tirunul, a man beyond any dream that had ever engaged her nights. But she was human. Vulnerable. He was Carpathian. Nearly immortal. She was nineteen. He was an ancient. Yet she held half his soul, the light to his darkness. Without her, he would not survive. Caught between the two warring species, Dimitri has spent centuries hunting the undead to keep his people free, and humans safe. He had survived honorably when others had chosen to give up their souls. But now, marked for extermination by the Lycans, Dimitri found himself alone, and fearing for his life. But salvation was coming…

No Lycan would ever suspect someone like Skyler to dare mount a secret rescue operation. A teenage girl. A human of untested abilities. But she had something no one else had. She was predestined for Dimitri—as he was for her. And there was nothing stronger for Skyler than her desire to see her life-dream come true. Whatever the risk.

Dimitri and Skyler's story is amazing! It's exciting, romantic, but most of all, it's poignant. The childhood hell Sky lived through wounded her, but didn't break her. She's stronger than ever and with Dimitri's unconditional love and encouragement she's becoming a force to be reckoned with!

These last few installments I've read have blown me away! Non-stop action, passion, lots of twists and turns, and the Carpathian's world is changing in ways I never imagined, but am totally excited about.

If you're a fan of fantasy/paranormal romance but haven't yet read Ms. Feehan's stories - any of her series - you're missing out! Wait no longer, and just take the leap into some of the most amazing fictional worlds out there. You'll be glad you did!

Dark Lycan (Carpathian (Dark) #24) by Christine Feehan

Blurb…

Tatijana of the Dragonseekers spent centuries encased in ice with her sister, trapped in limbo between life and death, never speaking to a soul other than those who tormented her. Now, she has been freed from her frozen prison by an unknown descendent. Awakened in human form, Tatijana yearns to explore the modern world in which she now lives—a world with more mysteries than she is prepared for.

Fenris Dalka has returned to the Carpathian Mountains after a long absence to be with his brother. He is scarred by centuries of battle, and every hard-won victory. But the real reason for his return home could prove deadly if discovered by the wrong man—or woman. Upon his arrival, he is compelled by a beautiful and enigmatic stranger who carries the scent of fresh earth, of forest, of the night itself.

In time Tatijana and Fenris will discover all that unites them—their secrets and pasts, their predators, and the hot flush of passion that stirs their souls. Yet just as surely, seduced into the silvery darkness of a full-moon night, they’ll also discover everything ancient and evil that exists to destroy them.

This book is absolutely amazing. I'm not joking when I say that, start to finish, Dark Lycan is white knuckles, edge of your seat action. As I said before, the Carpathian's world is changing in ways I never imagined it would. It's becoming more dangerous, more complex, and the stories are almost impossible to put down!

Tatijana of the Dragonseekers lineage, after centuries of captivity at the hands of her depraved great grandfather Xavier an evil and powerful Mage, is tired of resting. She's finally free and she's ready to spread her wings - no pun intended - and learn of the world that evolved while she was trapped in an icy tomb. While out and about she finds herself in the company of Fenris Dalka, a man who is much more than he appears to be, a man with secrets he wants to keep hidden. It doesn't take long for them to realize that they are lifemates and, once they do, the passion they share sets the pages on fire.

I am always amazed at Christine Feehan's imagination. The worlds she creates are unlike any others in their genres - and if there are similar worlds it's likely because she was copied. The stories are fast paced, exciting adventures filled with danger, romance and passion. They keep you guessing, keep you trying to puzzle out the problem, and keep you turning the pages into the wee hours of the night - or morning.

I'm thrilled to have picked up the Carpathians again. I didn't realize how much I was missing them!

Dark Storm (Carpathians (Dark) #23) by Christine Feehan

Blurb…

Awakening after all this time in a world of absolute darkness and oppressive heat, Dax wonders in how many ways the world above must have changed. But it is how he has changed that fills him with dread and loathing. Buried alive for hundreds of years in a volcano in the Carpathian Mountains, Dax fears that he has become the full-fledged abomination that every Carpathian male fears, a victim of the insidious evil that has crept relentlessly into his mind and body over the centuries. But there are some things that never change.

His name is Mitro, the vampire Dax had hunted all these long centuries. Second in command to the prince of the Carpathian people he is the epitome of everything malevolent, and perpetrator of one of the most shocking killing sprees known to man - and beast. Even his friends and family weren't safe from Mitro's bloodlust. Neither was Mitro's lifemate, Arabejila, an extraordinary woman with extraordinary gifts. But now that Dax has re-emerged, so too has Mitro. The ultimate battle between good and evil has been re-engaged. Between Dax and Mitro, a violent game has begun - one that has marked Riley Parker, the last descendent of Arabejila, as the reward.

I’ve been a fan of Christine Feehan’s Carpathians for years now, but the last few books haven’t WOW’d me like the earlier books did… until now. Dark Storm is, start to finish, an action packed and passionate story!

The Carpathian world is so intense, so detailed, and so exciting. It’s a complex world filled with compelling people and beings. It’s a world of hunters vs. vampires, good vs. evil, and in Dark Storm the very best of this world comes into play. Dax and Riley are perfect for each other. They are both are solid, mature people who trust their instincts and each other, so there isn't a lot of relationship drama and back and forth bickering, which helped make this one of my favorites of the series.

The bottom line...

I was captivated from the start, unable to put it down, and I'm excited to have the next book in my hot little hands!

Click here to purchase Dark Storm from Amazon

Spider Game (GhostWalkers #12) by Christine Feehan

Blurb...

The Cajun dive in the middle of the godforsaken swamps wasn’t exactly Trap Dawkins’ idea of fun. But the GhostWalker wasn’t there for a good time. He was looking for her. Cayenne. It’s where she found her victims. Poor suckers. Then again, who wouldn’t want to leave a place like this with a woman like her?

It’s not Cayenne’s fault. Locked up, experimented on and never knowing kindness, she was bred this way—with a heart of pure venom. Trap understands her. He survived his own dark past and he shares her desire for getting even. But now Trap’s greatest danger is Cayenne herself. Because what’s inside her is hard to control—especially when it’s aroused by a lover as reckless as Trap.

I absolutely love the direction Ms. Feehan is taking the GhostWalkers series. The world is scary intense and, truth be told, just a little bit freaky! Cayenne’s enhanced DNA being that of a Black Widow spider was more than a little unsettling for me because I’ve been bitten by one of those bitches and it hurts. Like, mad pain! To imagine an adult woman with those traits... **shudder**

Anyway…

As I shared in my review of Viper Game, it’s true the stories are changing from the way they were in the beginning, but they're changing in ways I would expect them to, given Peter Whitney's evil (and totally twisted) desperation to create the perfect soldiers. The experiments are more and more extreme, and more and more heartbreaking. And, as with Viper Game, I found Spider Game to be more exciting, more captivating, and more intriguing than the last several books in the series.

But…

I understand the GhostWalkers are alpha and demanding, but too often Trap's comments directed at Cayenne were demeaning – so much so that I found them offensive. There came a point when his apologies meant nothing to me. Cayenne is insecure around other people, and understandably so, but because she put up with so much of Trap's garbage she came across as a needy woman who suffered from the "Anyone Is Better Than No One" syndrome. Trap seemed oblivious to her discomfort and acted out in completely unacceptable ways. In fact, I’m not sure any amount of remorse or groveling could have redeemed him in my eyes – and most importantly, in my heart.

The bottom line…

I think longtime fans of the series will love this installment – if you can overlook Trap’s appalling behavior toward Cayenne. I was thrilled to see so many familiar GhostWalker faces and, especially with Violet Smythe back, I expect there to be more crazy twists and turns in upcoming stories! What a wild ride this has become!

Book information:

Print Length: 446 pages
Publisher: Jove
Publication Date: January 26, 2016
Sold by: Penguin Group

Click here to purchase Spider Game from Amazon

Samurai Game by Christine Feehan

In an underground club, a high-ranking public official spends his secret nights indulging in fantasies as exciting as they are depraved. For a seductive employee of the Dungeon, it’s her job to fulfill them. But she’s playing a far more dangerous game—one of blackmail, politics, and murder that reaches into the shadow world of the Ghostwalkers, and the creation of a spectacular, one-of-a-kind new weapon of defense.

But when a dictator makes his own catastrophic moves, the Ghostwalkers have no choice but to bring in two major players—a man and woman both driven by passion and revenge. Both expendable. Both with nothing left to lose.

 

*******

Christine Feehan’s GhostWalkers is one of my very favorite PNR/RS series. I love the plot, the characters, the writing… I’m always thrilled when a new book is released, then sad when I’ve finished reading it. That was, and is, the case with this tenth installment of the series, Samurai Game.

I always like to include the book blurb in my reviews, but the official blurb for Samurai Game sucks doesn't really give us much of what this story is about. Christine Feehan posted this on her site, and after seeing it on my friend Kris' review, I decided to post it here, too:

"I’m currently working on Samurai Game, a very exciting action/thriller/romance. My heroine, Thorn, was taken from an orphanage in Japan, enhanced by Dr. Whitney and when he couldn’t find exactly what her psychic ability was, he deemed her useless for anything other than experimentation. His experiments were brutal and at age eight, he threw her away, back to the streets of Japan, in the worst neighborhood, forgetting all about her. Thorn never forgot about him.

Team One is back in full force, and the story is action packed. The chemistry between Thorn and Sam Johnson sizzle. Sam is brilliant and has the most amazing psychic abilities. With his enhancements he and Thorn make a formidable team to fight an unexpected enemy and take out the lifeline between Dr. Whitney and the White House."

Yeah, that's a much better description!

There are so many things to love about this book. Azami "Thorn" Yoshiie creates a slightly different feel to the story than that of the previous books. A female of Japanese descent, she has a... quietude about her and is, in some ways, very unlike the other GhostWalker women. Peaceful, calm… she has a kind of tranquil aura that, for those who do not know her, is quite deceiving. And dangerous. Though she appears to be a non-threat, she’s probably the deadliest of them all because they never see her coming until it's too late. And sometimes, not even then.

Sam “Knight” Johnson is your typical male GhostWalker. He’s strong, determined, dedicated to the teams and does whatever he must to get a job done. Like all the men, his special abilities are vital to whatever mission they are on, so when the team learns that Peter Whitney has offered him up as a sacrifice, deeming Sam expendable, they're more than a bit surprised. But when it starts to look like they have a traitor amongst them - the last person on earth they’d ever suspect would want Sam gone, the team, with Captain Ryland Miller leading, takes matters into their own hands.

It's an understatement to say that I enjoyed this story! Loved it! The action scenes were intense, gripping, send your pulse racing excitement! I can’t remember ever being as captivated by this aspect of the story in any other book in the series. And the romance was very… romantic. Even though the passion and the physical attraction was there from the beginning, Sam and Azami’s romance was a slow build, as calm and peaceful as Azami herself. But remember, her sweet, zen-like demeanor is only one side to Azami and unlike some of the other GhostWalker men when it comes to their woman - and one of the things I love most about him - Sam digs her not-so-soft-and-fluffy side, too:

She sent him another smile. She touched the white balls at the end of the chains. “These are not real pearls, just shells to house the ammunition for my blow gun. It gives me ten extra needles in a fight.”

“I’m getting another hard-on just thinking about you with all those weapons.” His hand snaked out, fingers settling around her wrist. He tugged until she was between his legs. “How am I going to get through the day knowing you’re so damned sexy, woman?”

One of the high points for me in these stories is the chance to revisit characters from previous books, and such is the case – even more-so – in this one! To see where everyone is, how they’re doing… it’s such a treat for me because each couple has become a favorite.

The bottom line: Well, she did it again! Christine Feehan gave me a story that far exceeded my expectations and has left me longing for the next book in the series, and no matter when it gets here, it just won't be soon enough!

4.5/5 stars