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Dark #22
Dark Wolf
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.
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.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published January 7, 2014
775 people are currently reading
6698 people want to read
About the author
Christine Feehan
183 books52.6k followersChristine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 100 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series, Shadow Riders, Torpedo Ink and her Romantic Suspense novels. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...
IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...
IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 835 reviews
January 27, 2021
4.5 Rescue Stars
Csitri. Little one. You cannot be here. She nearly sobbed. Tears collected in her throat until the lump threatened to choke her. His beloved voice was ravaged and raw. There is no other place for me. There is only you. Be still and let me examine you. -Dimitri and Skyler
First read January 9, 2014 , Reread March 7, 2016
Feb 15, 2017
reread 1/27/21
*Spoilers*
I stand corrected, päläfertiilam—my lifemate. I had no idea I had such a fierce warrior woman for a partner. Just make certain you’re protected. I trust that Josef and Paul will watch out for you while you do this.-Dimitri
Wow Dark Wolf was awesome. Skyler and Dimitri's book was well worth the wait. I fell in love with young sweet little 14 year old Skyler in Dark Legend. Then I fell in love with Dimitri, Skyler's supportive and amazing lifemate in Dark Celebration. As the series went on I have been teased with little bits of their love story here and there since book 17 building up my anticipation and always leaving me wanting more. So when I finally got my hands on this book I was a little worried it wouldn't live up to what I built it up to be. I was not disappointed it was better then I hoped!
Sex is not making love. There is a difference. I will show you the difference and you will no longer fear us coming together in a physical way. There is no need to worry. When you’re ready . . . I am ready. That’s the point. I want you to claim me. Right now. Please claim me right now.-Dimitri and Skyler
I have always been secretly amused that others continually underestimated you, my love, he confessed, but I have found these last few nights have taught me that even I underestimate you and your strength.-Dimitri
This book picks up where the last book left off which was Dimitri had been kidnapped by the Lycans. When this book starts we get Skyler, Josef, and Paul mounting their own rescue misson. Skyler, sick of everyone leaving her out of what was going on with Dimitri, knew he was in trouble, set out with the help of her two best friends to get back her man! Skyler and Dimitri were adorable. Both so brave, loving, caring, and loyal. They had a very sweet romance. I loved Skyler's two friends Paul and Josef. Josef was hilarious. The things he did in this book had me crackin' up. I really really really hope that CF writes Josef a book. God I need his love story so much!
“Forgive me for despising him just a little bit. He’s good-looking, intelligent, an ancient hunter, and your lifemate. He destroyed all my dreams and fantasies about you. I don’t dare even think along those lines or he’d know.” Skyler rolled her eyes. “As if. Even I know you don’t think of me that way, Josef. You can hide a lot of things, but not that. There’s no fantasy and no destroyed dreams. Your lifemate is either not born or”—she smirked at him mischievously—“she’s probably one of Gregori’s daughters.” He groaned and slapped his forehead with his palm. “A curse on you forever for uttering those words, for putting that thought out into the universe. Don’t even think that, let alone say it aloud. Can you imagine Gregori Daratrazanoff as a father-in-law? Sheesh, Skyler, you really do want me dead.”-Josef and Skyler
Josef groaned aloud. “Stop talking to that man of yours and ignoring us. You’ve got your goofy face on.” Laughing, she nudged him with the toe of her boot. “I don’t have a goofy face.” “You go all moony and dreamy,” Josef accused. “It’s sick.” “It’s a sickness all right,” Paul teased. He clasped his hands to his chest over his heart and fell backward in the grass. “Oh, Dimitri, you make me swoon.” “I’m so telling him you said that, Paul.” Skyler gave him a hard punch in the thigh, hoping to give him a dead leg. “He’ll be delighted to know you swoon over him.” “He’s so manly and everything,” Josef added.-Josef, Skyler, and Paul
I enjoyed Zev in this book but I was kinda disappointed in the way he stood by while the other lycan's were slowly killing Dimitri in the most painful and evil way. I get that he was following orders and that he helped by giving Dimitri blood and water but still I expected more from him. I really enjoyed getting more time with Razvan and Ivory in this book. I pretty much loved everything about this book but one thing. All the spells. For God Sake enough with the spells already! Page after page after page of spells. The overabundance of spells is why I took a half a star off my rating. I would have taken a whole star but I just loved Dimitri and Skyler too much to give them less than 4.5 stars. Zev's book is up next and I can't wait!
“That’s my girl, he whispered into her mind. I meant what I said about taking your body into my keeping. You’ll always be safe with me. Just let yourself feel, not think. You’re with me, and I’ll cherish and protect you for all time.” -Dimitri
Csitri. Little one. You cannot be here. She nearly sobbed. Tears collected in her throat until the lump threatened to choke her. His beloved voice was ravaged and raw. There is no other place for me. There is only you. Be still and let me examine you. -Dimitri and Skyler
First read January 9, 2014 , Reread March 7, 2016
Feb 15, 2017
reread 1/27/21
*Spoilers*
I stand corrected, päläfertiilam—my lifemate. I had no idea I had such a fierce warrior woman for a partner. Just make certain you’re protected. I trust that Josef and Paul will watch out for you while you do this.-Dimitri
Wow Dark Wolf was awesome. Skyler and Dimitri's book was well worth the wait. I fell in love with young sweet little 14 year old Skyler in Dark Legend. Then I fell in love with Dimitri, Skyler's supportive and amazing lifemate in Dark Celebration. As the series went on I have been teased with little bits of their love story here and there since book 17 building up my anticipation and always leaving me wanting more. So when I finally got my hands on this book I was a little worried it wouldn't live up to what I built it up to be. I was not disappointed it was better then I hoped!
Sex is not making love. There is a difference. I will show you the difference and you will no longer fear us coming together in a physical way. There is no need to worry. When you’re ready . . . I am ready. That’s the point. I want you to claim me. Right now. Please claim me right now.-Dimitri and Skyler
I have always been secretly amused that others continually underestimated you, my love, he confessed, but I have found these last few nights have taught me that even I underestimate you and your strength.-Dimitri
This book picks up where the last book left off which was Dimitri had been kidnapped by the Lycans. When this book starts we get Skyler, Josef, and Paul mounting their own rescue misson. Skyler, sick of everyone leaving her out of what was going on with Dimitri, knew he was in trouble, set out with the help of her two best friends to get back her man! Skyler and Dimitri were adorable. Both so brave, loving, caring, and loyal. They had a very sweet romance. I loved Skyler's two friends Paul and Josef. Josef was hilarious. The things he did in this book had me crackin' up. I really really really hope that CF writes Josef a book. God I need his love story so much!
“Forgive me for despising him just a little bit. He’s good-looking, intelligent, an ancient hunter, and your lifemate. He destroyed all my dreams and fantasies about you. I don’t dare even think along those lines or he’d know.” Skyler rolled her eyes. “As if. Even I know you don’t think of me that way, Josef. You can hide a lot of things, but not that. There’s no fantasy and no destroyed dreams. Your lifemate is either not born or”—she smirked at him mischievously—“she’s probably one of Gregori’s daughters.” He groaned and slapped his forehead with his palm. “A curse on you forever for uttering those words, for putting that thought out into the universe. Don’t even think that, let alone say it aloud. Can you imagine Gregori Daratrazanoff as a father-in-law? Sheesh, Skyler, you really do want me dead.”-Josef and Skyler
Josef groaned aloud. “Stop talking to that man of yours and ignoring us. You’ve got your goofy face on.” Laughing, she nudged him with the toe of her boot. “I don’t have a goofy face.” “You go all moony and dreamy,” Josef accused. “It’s sick.” “It’s a sickness all right,” Paul teased. He clasped his hands to his chest over his heart and fell backward in the grass. “Oh, Dimitri, you make me swoon.” “I’m so telling him you said that, Paul.” Skyler gave him a hard punch in the thigh, hoping to give him a dead leg. “He’ll be delighted to know you swoon over him.” “He’s so manly and everything,” Josef added.-Josef, Skyler, and Paul
I enjoyed Zev in this book but I was kinda disappointed in the way he stood by while the other lycan's were slowly killing Dimitri in the most painful and evil way. I get that he was following orders and that he helped by giving Dimitri blood and water but still I expected more from him. I really enjoyed getting more time with Razvan and Ivory in this book. I pretty much loved everything about this book but one thing. All the spells. For God Sake enough with the spells already! Page after page after page of spells. The overabundance of spells is why I took a half a star off my rating. I would have taken a whole star but I just loved Dimitri and Skyler too much to give them less than 4.5 stars. Zev's book is up next and I can't wait!
“That’s my girl, he whispered into her mind. I meant what I said about taking your body into my keeping. You’ll always be safe with me. Just let yourself feel, not think. You’re with me, and I’ll cherish and protect you for all time.” -Dimitri
January 16, 2014
I wish I was writing about how awesome this long awaited book was but the days of me truly enjoying Feehan's books seem to be gone. There were some decent parts to the story but unfortunately the annoying parts happened just as much.
First to the good stuff: the fight scenes and the set up to rescue Dmitri kept me interested and wondering what would happen. Also it was great seeing some Carpathians we haven't seen in a long time (Gabriel and Lucien in particular). I think the wolf pack thing is cool and hope we get an update on how Skylar and Dmitri are adjusting in the future.
Now all the bad stuff: the made up language drives me nuts! Just stop please! I listened to this on audio and the name for the "Guardian of us all" Carpathian/werewolf hybrid in the fake language sounds like that red haired girl in Wedding Crashers using her fake language with her imaginary friends. I laughed every time the narrator said it. The endless chants, where she goes into long, boring detail are just dumb and annoying. The early books did not have this (for the better!).
The flower fertility ritual is another very dumb and strange thing Feehan added. Skylar basically gave head to the flower in detail, it was weird and funny (not in a good way).
I barely felt the romance with Skylar and Dmitri, it was overshadowed by his captivity and wounds and all the werewolf politics going on as they deal with the mixed blood issue. There were some ok scenes but the romance really felt short changed. I know they have known each other for a long time and had a nice telepathic relationship but I wanted to see more sparks between them. I swear Skylar spent more time with Joseph and Paul than Dmitri in the book.
I wish the author would stop with the incessant boring details and get back to what made this series interesting - the excitement of the doomed warrior finding his lifemate and how he claims her and seeing them learn to live together. Skip the fake language, the endless chants to "Mother Earth", the creepy flower ritual, the endless politics with werewolves and just get back to the basic romance.
I have been a fan of this series for many years but it's getting harder to keep going when the books aren't as good and are getting boring. I am not ready to stop yet but I am still hoping for better entries into the series in the future.
I listened to this on audio so my thoughts about the narrators: I loved that it had a female and male narrator. The female narrator could have used a little more excitement and life in her voice but wasn't too bad. Phil Gigante, as always, was great.
First to the good stuff: the fight scenes and the set up to rescue Dmitri kept me interested and wondering what would happen. Also it was great seeing some Carpathians we haven't seen in a long time (Gabriel and Lucien in particular). I think the wolf pack thing is cool and hope we get an update on how Skylar and Dmitri are adjusting in the future.
Now all the bad stuff: the made up language drives me nuts! Just stop please! I listened to this on audio and the name for the "Guardian of us all" Carpathian/werewolf hybrid in the fake language sounds like that red haired girl in Wedding Crashers using her fake language with her imaginary friends. I laughed every time the narrator said it. The endless chants, where she goes into long, boring detail are just dumb and annoying. The early books did not have this (for the better!).
The flower fertility ritual is another very dumb and strange thing Feehan added. Skylar basically gave head to the flower in detail, it was weird and funny (not in a good way).
I barely felt the romance with Skylar and Dmitri, it was overshadowed by his captivity and wounds and all the werewolf politics going on as they deal with the mixed blood issue. There were some ok scenes but the romance really felt short changed. I know they have known each other for a long time and had a nice telepathic relationship but I wanted to see more sparks between them. I swear Skylar spent more time with Joseph and Paul than Dmitri in the book.
I wish the author would stop with the incessant boring details and get back to what made this series interesting - the excitement of the doomed warrior finding his lifemate and how he claims her and seeing them learn to live together. Skip the fake language, the endless chants to "Mother Earth", the creepy flower ritual, the endless politics with werewolves and just get back to the basic romance.
I have been a fan of this series for many years but it's getting harder to keep going when the books aren't as good and are getting boring. I am not ready to stop yet but I am still hoping for better entries into the series in the future.
I listened to this on audio so my thoughts about the narrators: I loved that it had a female and male narrator. The female narrator could have used a little more excitement and life in her voice but wasn't too bad. Phil Gigante, as always, was great.
January 14, 2014
5 At Last & Comeback Stars
"I love you and that doesn’t begin to describe what I feel for you."
25 books
10 years
24+ Carpathians that found their lifemates.
Our only complaint? Skyler and Dimitri. We got teased. We got a promised a lot. We had expectations. And yes..... it all delivered!!!!
Every Carpathian male has one chance at happiness. One ray of sunshine in a dark and colorless existence. Dimitri met his when she was 8 years old and he had a couple of centuries on her. She was broken and abused. But she was his.
He had given her time. Space. Unconditional love. He never demanded anything of her. He never told her how difficult it was for him—that she was his salvation—just out of his reach. He had always been there for her.
When it seems that they have a chance at building a life together, a new threat rises for all Carpathian people. An alliance with Lycans is just out of reach. And Dimitri? He might be a weird mix of two species, revered by one and hunted down and tortured by the other.
So what is a girl to do when her man is held prisoner and noone except her can reach him? Launch her own rescue mission with the help of a fledgling Carpathian and a teenage human, defy her parents, venture into unknown territory and wreck total havoc! Skyler is one kickass-hell-of-woman!!!
This ladies and gentlemen is how you come back!!!!!! Awesome and thrilling this book was all I was hoping for. Badass, emotional and sexy, back to back adventure and mystery. Which is this new threat to Carpathians? Will Dimitri and Skyler make their complex relationship with virtually everyone (their own is totally amazing, no problem there) work? How about kids? The wolves? Do the flowers do anything else than haunting me with erotic images? Bronnie and Zev?
Hell, I totally loved this book? Where is the rest? I need more! How about a series totally about Dimitri and Skyler? Please?!?!?
Pre-release anxiety
#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan now delivers her most eagerly awaited novel of all — ten years in the making.
Finally... Dimitri and Skyler!!!!!!
Expected publication: January 7th 2014
And yes, it's MY BIRTHDAY!!!
"I love you and that doesn’t begin to describe what I feel for you."
25 books
10 years
24+ Carpathians that found their lifemates.
Our only complaint? Skyler and Dimitri. We got teased. We got a promised a lot. We had expectations. And yes..... it all delivered!!!!
Every Carpathian male has one chance at happiness. One ray of sunshine in a dark and colorless existence. Dimitri met his when she was 8 years old and he had a couple of centuries on her. She was broken and abused. But she was his.
He had given her time. Space. Unconditional love. He never demanded anything of her. He never told her how difficult it was for him—that she was his salvation—just out of his reach. He had always been there for her.
When it seems that they have a chance at building a life together, a new threat rises for all Carpathian people. An alliance with Lycans is just out of reach. And Dimitri? He might be a weird mix of two species, revered by one and hunted down and tortured by the other.
So what is a girl to do when her man is held prisoner and noone except her can reach him? Launch her own rescue mission with the help of a fledgling Carpathian and a teenage human, defy her parents, venture into unknown territory and wreck total havoc! Skyler is one kickass-hell-of-woman!!!
This ladies and gentlemen is how you come back!!!!!! Awesome and thrilling this book was all I was hoping for. Badass, emotional and sexy, back to back adventure and mystery. Which is this new threat to Carpathians? Will Dimitri and Skyler make their complex relationship with virtually everyone (their own is totally amazing, no problem there) work? How about kids? The wolves? Do the flowers do anything else than haunting me with erotic images? Bronnie and Zev?
Hell, I totally loved this book? Where is the rest? I need more! How about a series totally about Dimitri and Skyler? Please?!?!?
Pre-release anxiety
#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan now delivers her most eagerly awaited novel of all — ten years in the making.
Finally... Dimitri and Skyler!!!!!!
Expected publication: January 7th 2014
And yes, it's MY BIRTHDAY!!!
December 24, 2015
The Battle to save Dimitri begins!!
**This gets 4.0 Werewolves gone wild Stars **
Dimitri has gone missing and no one can sense his location, not even his mate! The Carpathains know that the werewolves have him, but they continue to deny it. How much time do they have to find him before he dies.
Skyler has always known that she and Dimitri were mates. But she was young and they were waiting to claim each other. But time has run out and he is missing. She regrets not allowing him to claim her and is determined to save hime from certain death.
This book was full of action, violence, death, and torture. It was easy to forget that this was meant to be a love story. I did enjoy this one much more than Dark Lycan and think it was worth the wait. There was no cliff hanger with this one, thank goodness.
I look forward to the next installment, Dark Blood. Only because I want to know how this war with the Mixed Bloods will end.
**This gets 4.0 Werewolves gone wild Stars **
Dimitri has gone missing and no one can sense his location, not even his mate! The Carpathains know that the werewolves have him, but they continue to deny it. How much time do they have to find him before he dies.
Skyler has always known that she and Dimitri were mates. But she was young and they were waiting to claim each other. But time has run out and he is missing. She regrets not allowing him to claim her and is determined to save hime from certain death.
This book was full of action, violence, death, and torture. It was easy to forget that this was meant to be a love story. I did enjoy this one much more than Dark Lycan and think it was worth the wait. There was no cliff hanger with this one, thank goodness.
I look forward to the next installment, Dark Blood. Only because I want to know how this war with the Mixed Bloods will end.
January 8, 2014
Fans of Christine Feehan’s Dark series have been waiting a decade or so for this book. For some, there is no way anything she were to write would satisfy after a build like this. Others will be so glad to get the story, that it will be an automatic 5 star read. I’ll be honest, I went into this one with my expectations at an all-time low. The past few books have been so disappointing that I was ready to quit the series. Until I found out that Skyler and Dmitiri were finally on the horizon. I’m pleased to say that I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would.
As the story begins, Dmitri is in the custody of the Lycans. He is being tortured for being a mixed blood. None of the Carpathians can find him. In fact, Skyler doesn’t even think they are looking. So she teams us with her friends Josef and Paul for a rescue mission. Let me stop here and share a few thoughts right off the bat. Skyler is one powerful young woman. She is also smart, resourceful, and determined to save her man. I loved that. But what I loved even more is that Dimitri accepted that. Of course, he wanted her to stay safe, but unlike most Carpathian males, he did not forbid her assistance. He was worried for her, but he listened to her. He respected her need to help him and her ability to be smart about it.
Back to the story. Dimitri is really messed up…. like, almost dead. Yet he never succumbs. He fights to live for Skyler. And about the first third of the book is tied up in his rescue. From then on, it’s about healing and dealing with the increasing tensions between the Carpathian and Lycan people. Tension, that could boil over into a war.
The plot was fairly good. But the best thing this book had going for it was the romance and its key players. Dimitri is everything you could want in a Carpathian man. He is strong and powerful without ever being an alpha-hole. He is patient and kind to his young lifemate. He loves her unconditionally and --here's something unusual-- he respects her. He never berates her; never makes her feel foolish or less than him in any way. His care and generosity don't ever make him look weak, either. He's easily one of the best heroes the series has seen. Their love story is gentle and sweet. I believed in their feelings for one another. There's no real internal conflict, just the two of them banding together to survive the threats against their lives and their people.
The supporting cast is a who's-who of the series. From Gabriel and Francesca, to Lucian and Darius, Zacharias, Nicolas, Razavan, Ivory, Byron, Mikhail... almost everyone is here. I loved catching up with old characters and getting to know more about the "next generation" that includes Josef and Paul. The whole book felt like a homecoming in a way.
It wasn't perfect, mind you. The "spells" Skyler cast got on my nerves to no end. The chanting and rhyming have GOT TO GO. I also had a gripe about how the story dealt with the sex. Such a fine point has been placed on Skyler's sexual abuse in the past. It was the big stumbling block to her accepting Dimitri as a lifemate. Yet, when it's time for these two to get horizontal, it was way too easy. It was like she just decided she was over being raped and passed around in the sex trade for years. She decides she is over it and everything is fine. True, there is a point later in the book where she has a moment of fear, but it's really small potatoes considering her history --and considering the build-up.
And speaking of the sex, I have two other observations. One, I stand by the last review where I said I think Feehan has a ghost-writer for her sex scenes. They are unrecognizable from the earlier books. I mean, I almost fell out of my chair when Dimitri referenced his cock. And two, that flower ritual is just damn stupid.
Overall, I was satisfied with book, and pleasantly surprised. I think most Carpathian fans will be too.
Rating: B-
*ARC Provided by Berkley
As the story begins, Dmitri is in the custody of the Lycans. He is being tortured for being a mixed blood. None of the Carpathians can find him. In fact, Skyler doesn’t even think they are looking. So she teams us with her friends Josef and Paul for a rescue mission. Let me stop here and share a few thoughts right off the bat. Skyler is one powerful young woman. She is also smart, resourceful, and determined to save her man. I loved that. But what I loved even more is that Dimitri accepted that. Of course, he wanted her to stay safe, but unlike most Carpathian males, he did not forbid her assistance. He was worried for her, but he listened to her. He respected her need to help him and her ability to be smart about it.
Back to the story. Dimitri is really messed up…. like, almost dead. Yet he never succumbs. He fights to live for Skyler. And about the first third of the book is tied up in his rescue. From then on, it’s about healing and dealing with the increasing tensions between the Carpathian and Lycan people. Tension, that could boil over into a war.
The plot was fairly good. But the best thing this book had going for it was the romance and its key players. Dimitri is everything you could want in a Carpathian man. He is strong and powerful without ever being an alpha-hole. He is patient and kind to his young lifemate. He loves her unconditionally and --here's something unusual-- he respects her. He never berates her; never makes her feel foolish or less than him in any way. His care and generosity don't ever make him look weak, either. He's easily one of the best heroes the series has seen. Their love story is gentle and sweet. I believed in their feelings for one another. There's no real internal conflict, just the two of them banding together to survive the threats against their lives and their people.
The supporting cast is a who's-who of the series. From Gabriel and Francesca, to Lucian and Darius, Zacharias, Nicolas, Razavan, Ivory, Byron, Mikhail... almost everyone is here. I loved catching up with old characters and getting to know more about the "next generation" that includes Josef and Paul. The whole book felt like a homecoming in a way.
It wasn't perfect, mind you. The "spells" Skyler cast got on my nerves to no end. The chanting and rhyming have GOT TO GO. I also had a gripe about how the story dealt with the sex. Such a fine point has been placed on Skyler's sexual abuse in the past. It was the big stumbling block to her accepting Dimitri as a lifemate. Yet, when it's time for these two to get horizontal, it was way too easy. It was like she just decided she was over being raped and passed around in the sex trade for years. She decides she is over it and everything is fine. True, there is a point later in the book where she has a moment of fear, but it's really small potatoes considering her history --and considering the build-up.
And speaking of the sex, I have two other observations. One, I stand by the last review where I said I think Feehan has a ghost-writer for her sex scenes. They are unrecognizable from the earlier books. I mean, I almost fell out of my chair when Dimitri referenced his cock. And two, that flower ritual is just damn stupid.
Overall, I was satisfied with book, and pleasantly surprised. I think most Carpathian fans will be too.
Rating: B-
*ARC Provided by Berkley
February 26, 2016
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, and the Carpathian's world is changing in ways i never imagined, but am totally excited about.
Off to read Zev and Branislava's story!
These last few installments I've read have blown me away. Non-stop action, passion, and the Carpathian's world is changing in ways i never imagined, but am totally excited about.
Off to read Zev and Branislava's story!
February 15, 2021
4.5 I'd like to order a Dmitri please stars
This book is the 22nd in the Dark/Carpathians series, and while you technically could read it on its own, I would not recommend it because these characters have been in several books along the way, including the most recent where Dmitri was captured, so it gives you the where/why/how/what of that situation. Also, it would probably be harder to connect with the main characters if you don't have the background as to what has happened to them and gone into their relationship to date, though the author does give some summaries on key points. If you have not read many of the books prior to this one, this review will contain spoilers.
This is one of my favorite books in the series bc we finally get Skylar (a young girl who was fathered by Razvan when he was possessed by evil mage Xavier and then abused for years until she was rescued by the Carpathian lifemates Gabriel and Francesca who adopted her), and Dmitri, an ancient Carpathian warrior who has exchanged blood with his brother Fen (H of the previous book in this series and who lived amongst wolves for centuries) often enough to become part Lycan. While Carpathians believe a Lycan/Carpathian blended person to be "Guardian of All," Lycans believe that they are Sange rau meaning they have "tainted blood "and will destroy everything in their path bc they have encountered Lycan/Vampires who have done that, and they do not acknowledge the distinction between vampire and Carpathian. A Lycan/Carpathian hybrid is nearly impossible to kill; thus, the Lycan fear anyone having that kind of power. At the end of the last book, Dmitri was taken captive by Lycans whose lives he had just saved... but since he had to use his Carpathian abilities to save them, they believe he is a threat.
Skylar has recently turned 19 years old, and though she is still mostly human, she was born to a woman with psychic powers and a father who is part mage/part Carpathian, so she has always had supernatural abilities. Though she and Dmitri know they are lifemates, he has not claimed her yet as he is aware of her brutal past and loves her enough to allow her to find out who she is as a woman before merging their lives. But even though they are not yet connected as lifemates, they have been able to communicate telepathically with each other over significant distances and even when Dmitri is sleeping the Carpathian way... which is something even bonded couples cannot usually do. Because of their strong connection, Skylar is the only one who can locate Dmitri, so she and her friends Josef and Paul concoct a plan to rescue him. It's an extremely dangerous mission, but Skylar knows if she doesn't try to save Dmitri, he will die in an extremely agonizing way, so she is willing to risk everything to keep that from happening.
Is there any chance that a group of young adults can rescue a Lycan/Carpathian male being held captive by an army of warrior wolf shifters? If they are able to find Dmitri, how will they possibly free him from the silver hooks and chains embedded in his skin? Can they possibly outmaneuver highly trained Lycan assassins? And even if they do escape, where can they run that the wolves will not hunt them down and destroy them?
What I liked:
--- Skylar is a kick ass young woman who has the heart and wisdom of a much older person - she refused to let her beloved die and was willing to risk absolutely everything to save him
--- Dmitri is more than swoon-worthy - he was so patient, loving, and gentle with Skylar knowing her history, but he never treated her like she was anything less than a full partner to him - he was an interesting combination of alpha male (big, tough, ancient Carpathian warrior) but he was very much a beta H with his lady
--- The main story line with the Lycans and Carpathians was advanced so more things are coming together there
What I didn't like as much:
--- There were some spots where the story dragged in the middle... this author can be wordy, so I tend to skim those sections
--- Zev super pissed me off
--- Not as much steamy goodness in this book as is usually present in Feehan's novels
Overall, a great story that was worth waiting for to see Skylar and Dmitri get their well-deserved HEA.
Plot --- 4.5/5
Main Characters --- 4.5/5
Supporting Cast --- 4/5
Steam Level* --- 3/5
Violence --- Dmitri is being kept prisoner in a pretty brutal way (hooks, chains embedded in his skin, etc.) so there are descriptions of his torture; there are a couple of battle scenes (not overly graphic)
Language --- not egregious
POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild (nothing descriptive); 2/5 - 3rd base action/1 home run; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere (a couple of full-on steamy scenes); 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
This book is the 22nd in the Dark/Carpathians series, and while you technically could read it on its own, I would not recommend it because these characters have been in several books along the way, including the most recent where Dmitri was captured, so it gives you the where/why/how/what of that situation. Also, it would probably be harder to connect with the main characters if you don't have the background as to what has happened to them and gone into their relationship to date, though the author does give some summaries on key points. If you have not read many of the books prior to this one, this review will contain spoilers.
This is one of my favorite books in the series bc we finally get Skylar (a young girl who was fathered by Razvan when he was possessed by evil mage Xavier and then abused for years until she was rescued by the Carpathian lifemates Gabriel and Francesca who adopted her), and Dmitri, an ancient Carpathian warrior who has exchanged blood with his brother Fen (H of the previous book in this series and who lived amongst wolves for centuries) often enough to become part Lycan. While Carpathians believe a Lycan/Carpathian blended person to be "Guardian of All," Lycans believe that they are Sange rau meaning they have "tainted blood "and will destroy everything in their path bc they have encountered Lycan/Vampires who have done that, and they do not acknowledge the distinction between vampire and Carpathian. A Lycan/Carpathian hybrid is nearly impossible to kill; thus, the Lycan fear anyone having that kind of power. At the end of the last book, Dmitri was taken captive by Lycans whose lives he had just saved... but since he had to use his Carpathian abilities to save them, they believe he is a threat.
Skylar has recently turned 19 years old, and though she is still mostly human, she was born to a woman with psychic powers and a father who is part mage/part Carpathian, so she has always had supernatural abilities. Though she and Dmitri know they are lifemates, he has not claimed her yet as he is aware of her brutal past and loves her enough to allow her to find out who she is as a woman before merging their lives. But even though they are not yet connected as lifemates, they have been able to communicate telepathically with each other over significant distances and even when Dmitri is sleeping the Carpathian way... which is something even bonded couples cannot usually do. Because of their strong connection, Skylar is the only one who can locate Dmitri, so she and her friends Josef and Paul concoct a plan to rescue him. It's an extremely dangerous mission, but Skylar knows if she doesn't try to save Dmitri, he will die in an extremely agonizing way, so she is willing to risk everything to keep that from happening.
Is there any chance that a group of young adults can rescue a Lycan/Carpathian male being held captive by an army of warrior wolf shifters? If they are able to find Dmitri, how will they possibly free him from the silver hooks and chains embedded in his skin? Can they possibly outmaneuver highly trained Lycan assassins? And even if they do escape, where can they run that the wolves will not hunt them down and destroy them?
What I liked:
--- Skylar is a kick ass young woman who has the heart and wisdom of a much older person - she refused to let her beloved die and was willing to risk absolutely everything to save him
--- Dmitri is more than swoon-worthy - he was so patient, loving, and gentle with Skylar knowing her history, but he never treated her like she was anything less than a full partner to him - he was an interesting combination of alpha male (big, tough, ancient Carpathian warrior) but he was very much a beta H with his lady
--- The main story line with the Lycans and Carpathians was advanced so more things are coming together there
What I didn't like as much:
--- There were some spots where the story dragged in the middle... this author can be wordy, so I tend to skim those sections
--- Zev super pissed me off
--- Not as much steamy goodness in this book as is usually present in Feehan's novels
Overall, a great story that was worth waiting for to see Skylar and Dmitri get their well-deserved HEA.
Plot --- 4.5/5
Main Characters --- 4.5/5
Supporting Cast --- 4/5
Steam Level* --- 3/5
Violence --- Dmitri is being kept prisoner in a pretty brutal way (hooks, chains embedded in his skin, etc.) so there are descriptions of his torture; there are a couple of battle scenes (not overly graphic)
Language --- not egregious
POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild (nothing descriptive); 2/5 - 3rd base action/1 home run; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere (a couple of full-on steamy scenes); 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
January 8, 2014
It wasn't horrible. It wasn't great. All of the interesting stuff about Skyler and Dimitri was nowhere to be found in this book. It was pretty boring, and the intensity of their relationship was gone.
I think CF waited too long to write this book.
I'll write a longer review later. There was one thing that I found extremely hard to believe. The Dimitri from earlier books would have FREAKED OUT if he knew his lifemate was about to enter a Lycan army camp to save him. He was intense, racked by guilt, super overprotective. The Dimitri in this book gave a couple of half-hearted "Don't come here, it's dangerous" lines, and that was it. Really?
Also, the flower scene was creepy. And I'm a botanist! And I still thought it was creepy. o.O
I think CF waited too long to write this book.
I'll write a longer review later. There was one thing that I found extremely hard to believe. The Dimitri from earlier books would have FREAKED OUT if he knew his lifemate was about to enter a Lycan army camp to save him. He was intense, racked by guilt, super overprotective. The Dimitri in this book gave a couple of half-hearted "Don't come here, it's dangerous" lines, and that was it. Really?
Also, the flower scene was creepy. And I'm a botanist! And I still thought it was creepy. o.O
January 16, 2014
I loved that I finally got to see Dmitri and Skyler together..It was a terribly long gruelling wait; but in the end Christine Feehan pulled off an awesome book for them! I will write up a review when I have some more time; but an absolute lovely book, and I just adore this couple. I didn't want it to end!!!
November 13, 2014
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Christine Feehan's Dark Wolf has been nearly 12 long years in the making and its finally here.
Fans have been waiting anxiously for Sklyer to grow up and become old enough to have her own novel, while they follow the ever growing world of the Carpathians, Christine Feehan has been working diligently to create bigger plots and to bring us to stories of epic proportions.
Christine Feehan is one of the best story tellers you will ever read, because she writes like no one else can. From the very detailed world around them, to the amazing intricate language she has created, you have to read each book more than once just to take in all the impressive details she adds to each story and Dark Wolf is no exception.
We first discovered Skyler in book 8 of Dark Legend when Francesca Del Ponce, and Gabriel Daratrazanoff are finally reunited. Francesca gave up her hopes that Gabriel would return to her life, so she began the process of attempting to become more human. Eating human foods, walking in the sun, and working in a medical center where she discovers little Skyler.
Gabriel wakes from a long sleep after he chose to imprison himself and his brother to the ground, to save his soul. Both had been gravely injured after a vicious battle but instead of walking into the light he suffered because he refused to give up on his twin brother Lucian.
Gabriel finally wakes and finds his way to Francesca, who is known for 'taking in strays' and helping people, she recognizes what he is and willingly gives her life so that he can revive himself. Realizing who she is, he refuses to allow her to die so he saves her - albeit to her frustration, since him doing so ruins all the hard work she put into making herself more human again.
Refusing to leave Gabriel makes it his mission to convince Francesca that they belong together and that he is ready to be her lifemate.
After a few comical debacles with a potential suitor Gabriel finds ways to put himself in Francesca's path at the medical center she works at, where Skyler is brought in.
Recognizing the abuse Skyler was forced to endure both Francesca and Gabriel make it their responsibility to help Skyler, to remove her from her abusers household and to adopt her as one of their own.
Over the years, readers got to see a few glimpses of her now and again, they even get glimpses of Dimitri Tirunul - her future lifemate and the bond that begins to form between the two of them as the years pass.
But the real deal would take nearly 12 years to come to fruition.
It was well worth the wait.
In Dark Wolf, Skyler has finally come of age, and her love for Dimitri hasn't diminished.
Dark Wolf continues right where Dark Lycan leaves off. Dimitri has been taken captive by a pack of rogue Lycans and he is dying - the only one that can save him? Skyler Daratrazanoff.
Determined to save her dying mate from the Lycans, Skyler mounts an amazing rescue with her two best friends Joseph and Paul.
The hilarious shenanigans the trio get into in their journey is down right comical, which really helps lighten the mood during the heart breaking scenes with Dimitri.
I really enjoyed getting to see Skyler mature and bloom into who she wants to be and how well she takes to accepting Dimitri as her mate despite her past trauma. Readers will get to see her be smart, witty, and brave all the while impressing everyone, including Dimitri and the other Carpathians of her growing abilities.
Readers also get to follow along as the world of the Lycans gets deeper and more intense.
The Carpathians are attempting to agree to a peace with the Lycans but surprise - there's an evil enemy in their midst.... Negotiations with the Lycans come to a very shocking halt that no one will see coming.
One of the most action packed novels in the entire Carpathian series, Christine really gets down with the nitty gritty and the explosions will rock your world. Readers will NOT be disappointed!
Dark Wolf will be coming to book shelves January 2014!
Christine Feehan's Dark Wolf has been nearly 12 long years in the making and its finally here.
Fans have been waiting anxiously for Sklyer to grow up and become old enough to have her own novel, while they follow the ever growing world of the Carpathians, Christine Feehan has been working diligently to create bigger plots and to bring us to stories of epic proportions.
Christine Feehan is one of the best story tellers you will ever read, because she writes like no one else can. From the very detailed world around them, to the amazing intricate language she has created, you have to read each book more than once just to take in all the impressive details she adds to each story and Dark Wolf is no exception.
We first discovered Skyler in book 8 of Dark Legend when Francesca Del Ponce, and Gabriel Daratrazanoff are finally reunited. Francesca gave up her hopes that Gabriel would return to her life, so she began the process of attempting to become more human. Eating human foods, walking in the sun, and working in a medical center where she discovers little Skyler.
Gabriel wakes from a long sleep after he chose to imprison himself and his brother to the ground, to save his soul. Both had been gravely injured after a vicious battle but instead of walking into the light he suffered because he refused to give up on his twin brother Lucian.
Gabriel finally wakes and finds his way to Francesca, who is known for 'taking in strays' and helping people, she recognizes what he is and willingly gives her life so that he can revive himself. Realizing who she is, he refuses to allow her to die so he saves her - albeit to her frustration, since him doing so ruins all the hard work she put into making herself more human again.
Refusing to leave Gabriel makes it his mission to convince Francesca that they belong together and that he is ready to be her lifemate.
After a few comical debacles with a potential suitor Gabriel finds ways to put himself in Francesca's path at the medical center she works at, where Skyler is brought in.
Recognizing the abuse Skyler was forced to endure both Francesca and Gabriel make it their responsibility to help Skyler, to remove her from her abusers household and to adopt her as one of their own.
Over the years, readers got to see a few glimpses of her now and again, they even get glimpses of Dimitri Tirunul - her future lifemate and the bond that begins to form between the two of them as the years pass.
But the real deal would take nearly 12 years to come to fruition.
It was well worth the wait.
In Dark Wolf, Skyler has finally come of age, and her love for Dimitri hasn't diminished.
Dark Wolf continues right where Dark Lycan leaves off. Dimitri has been taken captive by a pack of rogue Lycans and he is dying - the only one that can save him? Skyler Daratrazanoff.
Determined to save her dying mate from the Lycans, Skyler mounts an amazing rescue with her two best friends Joseph and Paul.
The hilarious shenanigans the trio get into in their journey is down right comical, which really helps lighten the mood during the heart breaking scenes with Dimitri.
I really enjoyed getting to see Skyler mature and bloom into who she wants to be and how well she takes to accepting Dimitri as her mate despite her past trauma. Readers will get to see her be smart, witty, and brave all the while impressing everyone, including Dimitri and the other Carpathians of her growing abilities.
Readers also get to follow along as the world of the Lycans gets deeper and more intense.
The Carpathians are attempting to agree to a peace with the Lycans but surprise - there's an evil enemy in their midst.... Negotiations with the Lycans come to a very shocking halt that no one will see coming.
One of the most action packed novels in the entire Carpathian series, Christine really gets down with the nitty gritty and the explosions will rock your world. Readers will NOT be disappointed!
Dark Wolf will be coming to book shelves January 2014!
February 6, 2015
"Good Grief"
That was exactly what trolled through my mind upon finishing this book. And, in fact, that's what this book did: it trolled along.
I, like many Christine Feehan fans, have waiting for this book forEVER. In fact, I persevered through some of the preceding Dark books just so I wouldn't miss any nuances of this storyline when Feehan finally got around to writing it - despite many of the more recent ones being pretty damn lackluster IMO. Keeping in mind that those more recent processions were in fact lackluster for me, my expectations for this book weren't all that high - despite the seemingly endless wait.
The first half of this book was really awesome. I was thinking to myself, wow, Feehan has done it! She's made this story as awesome as I wanted it to be! It really seemed to start with a bang.
And then...BANG. The second half happened.
All of a sudden, everything got...choppy.
In an effort to duplicate the sensation without spoilers, here's my lame-ass, made-up rendition of a scene in this book:
Let's say Jack and Jill and family are involved in a war and trapped in a cave and an army is trying to fight it's way in to kill them. Their lives are at stake and the tension is high. There is drama and fighting and a sense of urgency. It's an exciting scene and we as the reader are enjoying it.
Then all of a sudden, in the middle of this epic battle, Jill and her parents decide to have a damned heart-to-heart about her tortured past and childhood, their role it, the mistakes they made, how guilty they feel, blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda. They get all sappy and tell her they want to make up for lost time. Then they give her a present.
All while there is a BATTLE outside.
Where people are trying to KILL them.
WTF?
Not only do we have several more of these battle scenes peppered with inappropriately placed heart-to-hearts and dialogue, we have randomly thrown in character details that just seemed so rough and arbitrary.
In one scene - as they are literally running for their lives - we have this sentence: "Skylar had always been drawn to his gentle ways and his sense of humor."
Um...great?
After all of that, it's pretty much just a gush fest.
And don't even get me started on the cringe-worthy flower scene.
*shudder*
Never fear though, I seem to be in the minority on the rating for this book. So maybe it's just me and I should call it quits with this series. In the meantime, I will always enjoy my re-reads of Dark Prince, Dark Magic, Dark Destiny, and Dark Desire...
That was exactly what trolled through my mind upon finishing this book. And, in fact, that's what this book did: it trolled along.
I, like many Christine Feehan fans, have waiting for this book forEVER. In fact, I persevered through some of the preceding Dark books just so I wouldn't miss any nuances of this storyline when Feehan finally got around to writing it - despite many of the more recent ones being pretty damn lackluster IMO. Keeping in mind that those more recent processions were in fact lackluster for me, my expectations for this book weren't all that high - despite the seemingly endless wait.
The first half of this book was really awesome. I was thinking to myself, wow, Feehan has done it! She's made this story as awesome as I wanted it to be! It really seemed to start with a bang.
And then...BANG. The second half happened.
All of a sudden, everything got...choppy.
In an effort to duplicate the sensation without spoilers, here's my lame-ass, made-up rendition of a scene in this book:
Let's say Jack and Jill and family are involved in a war and trapped in a cave and an army is trying to fight it's way in to kill them. Their lives are at stake and the tension is high. There is drama and fighting and a sense of urgency. It's an exciting scene and we as the reader are enjoying it.
Then all of a sudden, in the middle of this epic battle, Jill and her parents decide to have a damned heart-to-heart about her tortured past and childhood, their role it, the mistakes they made, how guilty they feel, blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda. They get all sappy and tell her they want to make up for lost time. Then they give her a present.
All while there is a BATTLE outside.
Where people are trying to KILL them.
WTF?
Not only do we have several more of these battle scenes peppered with inappropriately placed heart-to-hearts and dialogue, we have randomly thrown in character details that just seemed so rough and arbitrary.
In one scene - as they are literally running for their lives - we have this sentence: "Skylar had always been drawn to his gentle ways and his sense of humor."
Um...great?
After all of that, it's pretty much just a gush fest.
And don't even get me started on the cringe-worthy flower scene.
*shudder*
Never fear though, I seem to be in the minority on the rating for this book. So maybe it's just me and I should call it quits with this series. In the meantime, I will always enjoy my re-reads of Dark Prince, Dark Magic, Dark Destiny, and Dark Desire...
July 23, 2020
Yippee!!!! Finally! The most awaited book for Dimitry and Skyler! Way to go Chistine Feehan. You are the best!
April 18, 2017
Another wonderful addition to the series! I loved Dimitri and Skyler!! Plus we got more Fen!!!!!!
January 9, 2014
I have been looking forward to Skyler’s book since we first discovered Dimitri was her lifemate. That was a long time ago, and I’m an inpatient person! Needless to say when I heard Skylers book was coming out I rushed to preorder and started reading the moment it popped up on my Kindle. All I can say is … “Wow! What a disappointment!”
I must first be sure to state that I love the Carpathian people, their history, the plots of the stories. All of it is good. I like the characters too and feel an emotional connection. I will forever be smitten with both Darius and Lucian.
However ….
In ALL the books I have been known to skim through all the boring details that is thrown in as fluff for the word count. It was probably after Lucians book that the boring, vanilla, repetitive sex scenes started to get skimmed past as well. That left me entirely with characters and plot. The plot I have continued to enjoy but the characters are all becoming Cookie Cutter and boring.
I stopped reading Dark Lycan because I found it boring and I was prepared that I wouldn’t like the sex in this book– there is only so much nipple licking I can tolerate - and I knew I would probably skim past a lot of garnish to get to the meat of the story, but I was so excited because there is so much emotional turmoil and angst that could have been used for Skyler. Yet it wasn’t.
She said at one time she didn’t think she could be physical. She said another time she was afraid of the physical, and then one time during oral sex she had a bad moment. Yet all she did was talk about how much she loved him how much she wanted him and blah blah with the sickening sweet. She was nearly over her sexual trauma and ready to just jump into bed with her life mate with just a smidgeon of fear. Okay apparently they worked all that stuff out over the years. Great! Too bad we as the readers weren’t privy to any of that.
I guess after reading books like Sherilynn Kenyons Acheron & Styxx and Sylvia Day’s Bared to You series, I thought Feehan would deal with the negative emotions & fears and insecurities a bit more. I was wrong. Apparently that’s not where she wanted to go with the story. What a disservice to the readers.
Then the book abruptly ended … so you know it’s a Segway into the next. God I hate that. Like I said I do like the plot and wanted to know what would go down with the Lycans and the Carpathians but I guess I will have to wait to dish out another $10 or so after she finally comes out with the book and I’ve forgotten the details of this one. *Winces at the thought of reading it again.*
I've skimmed through most of the last books. I stopped reading the last one because I was bored. This one was disappointing. I think from here I’ll just use my imagination to end it and be done with the series.
I must first be sure to state that I love the Carpathian people, their history, the plots of the stories. All of it is good. I like the characters too and feel an emotional connection. I will forever be smitten with both Darius and Lucian.
However ….
In ALL the books I have been known to skim through all the boring details that is thrown in as fluff for the word count. It was probably after Lucians book that the boring, vanilla, repetitive sex scenes started to get skimmed past as well. That left me entirely with characters and plot. The plot I have continued to enjoy but the characters are all becoming Cookie Cutter and boring.
I stopped reading Dark Lycan because I found it boring and I was prepared that I wouldn’t like the sex in this book– there is only so much nipple licking I can tolerate - and I knew I would probably skim past a lot of garnish to get to the meat of the story, but I was so excited because there is so much emotional turmoil and angst that could have been used for Skyler. Yet it wasn’t.
She said at one time she didn’t think she could be physical. She said another time she was afraid of the physical, and then one time during oral sex she had a bad moment. Yet all she did was talk about how much she loved him how much she wanted him and blah blah with the sickening sweet. She was nearly over her sexual trauma and ready to just jump into bed with her life mate with just a smidgeon of fear. Okay apparently they worked all that stuff out over the years. Great! Too bad we as the readers weren’t privy to any of that.
I guess after reading books like Sherilynn Kenyons Acheron & Styxx and Sylvia Day’s Bared to You series, I thought Feehan would deal with the negative emotions & fears and insecurities a bit more. I was wrong. Apparently that’s not where she wanted to go with the story. What a disservice to the readers.
Then the book abruptly ended … so you know it’s a Segway into the next. God I hate that. Like I said I do like the plot and wanted to know what would go down with the Lycans and the Carpathians but I guess I will have to wait to dish out another $10 or so after she finally comes out with the book and I’ve forgotten the details of this one. *Winces at the thought of reading it again.*
I've skimmed through most of the last books. I stopped reading the last one because I was bored. This one was disappointing. I think from here I’ll just use my imagination to end it and be done with the series.
January 8, 2014
F I N A L L Y!!! Skyler and Dimitri's book! After skipping the last two Carpathian books (Dark Predator was not working for me, so I skipped Dark Storm...maybe I will try again before I read these), I hope this trilogy restores my faith in Ms. Feehan. We have been waiting for Skyler's story for so long, she should be about 30 now! Too bad I have to wait another year to read it!
January 8, 2014
Christine Feehan has written one of her best works yet!!!. BRAVO CF!! I have been waiting for Skyler's story since 2002, 12 years when she was introduced in Dark Legend. We meet her Lifemate Dimitri in Dark Celebration written in 2006, 8 years ago. For long term Fans of Ms. Feehan Dark Series, Skyler and Dimitri's stories has been much anticipated. All I am going to say is I was NOT DISAPPOINTED!! WELL DONE CHRISTINE FEEHAN WELL DONE!!!
I felt PROUD of Skylar and all she had to overcome from the frighten abused young girl to the Warrior Women who went after and saved her Lifemate DimItri. The story is fast paced, funny at times, and very romantic. Most Fans wondered how Ms. Feehan would address the sex issue with Skylar being so badly abused as a child. Believe me it was VERY WELL DONE!! I loved that Skylar's story was about empowerment for Skylar. Of course I can't live out Dimitri he is everything in a Lifemate we have been waiting for, for Skylar. He is brave, loving an very protective.
We also, get to visit all of our favorite characters. I can say without hesitation that Dark Wolf was worth my 12 year wait!! Now Bring on Dark Blood book 3 in the Arch Trilogy of the Dark Series!!
I felt PROUD of Skylar and all she had to overcome from the frighten abused young girl to the Warrior Women who went after and saved her Lifemate DimItri. The story is fast paced, funny at times, and very romantic. Most Fans wondered how Ms. Feehan would address the sex issue with Skylar being so badly abused as a child. Believe me it was VERY WELL DONE!! I loved that Skylar's story was about empowerment for Skylar. Of course I can't live out Dimitri he is everything in a Lifemate we have been waiting for, for Skylar. He is brave, loving an very protective.
We also, get to visit all of our favorite characters. I can say without hesitation that Dark Wolf was worth my 12 year wait!! Now Bring on Dark Blood book 3 in the Arch Trilogy of the Dark Series!!
September 1, 2015
Dimitri was Skylar's protector... companion...closest friend and hero. Ridding the world of rogue vampire's and Sange rau werewolves, he was known as the guardian of all. But when he went missing, disappearing from everyone's lives, Skylar did what the Carpathian order and counsel could not, she found him. A mere human girl of nineteen, executed one of the most daring rescues. Outnumber by a Lycan army, and chased by mysterious forces that wants war between the two races, times runs out.
July 3, 2020
"Dark Wolf" is the story of Skylar and Dimitri.
Ok. So I waited a long time to read this, and all it did was take the plot of the entire series a step forward.
This had another brave but tortured hero in captivity, who is ultimately rescued by the heroine and her friends. She is a human with deep connections to the earth, and a past so traumatic it still breaks her heart. He is an immortal who has waited centuries to claim his mate. Their journey is filled by real enemies being revealed, some new discoveries regarding Carpathian fertilities, assuaging each other's doubts and finally learning to give into each other's deep connection and love. There is ONE very long and intimate lovemaking scene, ending in a new hope for future.
Safe
3/5
Ok. So I waited a long time to read this, and all it did was take the plot of the entire series a step forward.
This had another brave but tortured hero in captivity, who is ultimately rescued by the heroine and her friends. She is a human with deep connections to the earth, and a past so traumatic it still breaks her heart. He is an immortal who has waited centuries to claim his mate. Their journey is filled by real enemies being revealed, some new discoveries regarding Carpathian fertilities, assuaging each other's doubts and finally learning to give into each other's deep connection and love. There is ONE very long and intimate lovemaking scene, ending in a new hope for future.
Safe
3/5
March 1, 2016
Skyler and Dmitri's story. This entry had a lot of good action which I really enjoyed. The rescue attempt, the intrigue with the lycans, and the big escape. Those were my favorite parts of the book and definitely kept me hooked in. The romance didn't do 'as' much for me, but it was never a couple I was extremely interested in. Nothing against them, just not something I was holding my breath for.
I do have to take a star away for all the endless - and repetitive - Carpathian dialogue. I agree with another reviewer who stated that the Carpathian name for 'guardian of all' was just hilarious when heard on audio and we heard it probably 5,000 times. Also all of the mage spells get tedious. I think some editing is needed to trim some of that out.
I do have to take a star away for all the endless - and repetitive - Carpathian dialogue. I agree with another reviewer who stated that the Carpathian name for 'guardian of all' was just hilarious when heard on audio and we heard it probably 5,000 times. Also all of the mage spells get tedious. I think some editing is needed to trim some of that out.
May 20, 2014
Waiting my turn to check this book out from the library. No way am I paying the asking price. Been let down far too often with Feehan's Dark series.
January 28, 2022
Skyler is determined to save the life of her lifemate. When suddenly one day, with their strong connection, she senses incredible pain from him, and then senses nothing. Then she learns that he has been kidnapped by the lycans, but the leaders of the Carpathians refuse to tell her anything, so she decides to take matters in her own hands. If no one will save him, then she certainly will. With the aid of her two closest friends Josef and Paul, who will do everything they can to save his life. Even though Skler is only nineteen, emotionally she is much older than that. She has suffered more abuse and pain than most could even imagine. Dimitri is her lifemate, and over the years since she first met him, he has been her rock and foundation. They have formed such a strong bond that even amazes most Carpathian couples. Now that Dimitri is in trouble, Skler knows its up to her to get to him. No Lycan would dare suspect a innocent girl to mount a rescue operation. Skyler is willing to risk everything to have Dimitri fully in her life, no matter the cost....
Dark Wolf is the most recent addition to the Carpathian or also known as "Dark" series. Now some have given up on this series, or moved on to other authors, however I haven't. There is something genuine, creative and unique about Feehan's writing and the worlds that she creates. Ever since "Dark Legend" when we first see Skyler, I have kept a eye out for her. There has always been something about her characters that has strung me along. Dark Wolf is a story that I have been waiting years for. And now finally it has come, and I bought this book the first moment I could. And had the hardest time focusing on work, just wanting to get back to read Dark Wolf. The first half or even 3/4 is pretty intense and suspenseful and instantly grabs the attention of the reader. I literally had to use all my self control to put this one down. Its rare when I find a book that pulls me in so completely, I could care less about eating or working or living until I have read it!! LOL Lets just say this book just wasn't long enough. It ended way too soon for me.
I have to say that after reading Dark Wolf, I am almost satisfied. About 90% of me is totally well satisfied as a cat with a bowl of cream with how this story turned out. I loved seeing Skler grow and develop in this story. My main problem was I felt her growth happened way too quickly from who she was at the beginning of the book. I did enjoy seeing Skyer a young woman who has suffered many horrors, gather her strength to save the one man she loves more than life itself. She goes behind her parents back (whom she adores almost more than anything). And of course we see Josef and Paul. Now Josef, oh boy, I do hope he gets his own book. I know he is still very young, but we so much of him and Paul in this one, that you find yourself fascinated with this characters, more than ever before. This trio are as alike as they are different. They are pretty much inseparable, and somehow Dimitri is fine with Skyler have a close relationship with the two. (which pretty much wowed me considering how Alpha male Dimitri is). One of my favorite parts of this story is seeing these three young trio accomplish things that most adult Carpathians would have a hard time doing.
There was quite a bit of action, you might have to tie yourself to your seat or the couch, or the bed, or wherever you may be reading. There is quite a high level of intensity, that will definitely give you chills (but in a very good way) Dark Wolf is a magical story of doing the impossible to save the one you love more than anything. A tale of sacrifice, devotion, passion and a powerful love story to make you feel as if you are falling in love for the first time. TRULY MAGNIFICENT!!! If you have been waiting for Dimitri and Skylers story....GET IT NOW!!! You won't be disappointed.
Dark Wolf is the most recent addition to the Carpathian or also known as "Dark" series. Now some have given up on this series, or moved on to other authors, however I haven't. There is something genuine, creative and unique about Feehan's writing and the worlds that she creates. Ever since "Dark Legend" when we first see Skyler, I have kept a eye out for her. There has always been something about her characters that has strung me along. Dark Wolf is a story that I have been waiting years for. And now finally it has come, and I bought this book the first moment I could. And had the hardest time focusing on work, just wanting to get back to read Dark Wolf. The first half or even 3/4 is pretty intense and suspenseful and instantly grabs the attention of the reader. I literally had to use all my self control to put this one down. Its rare when I find a book that pulls me in so completely, I could care less about eating or working or living until I have read it!! LOL Lets just say this book just wasn't long enough. It ended way too soon for me.
I have to say that after reading Dark Wolf, I am almost satisfied. About 90% of me is totally well satisfied as a cat with a bowl of cream with how this story turned out. I loved seeing Skler grow and develop in this story. My main problem was I felt her growth happened way too quickly from who she was at the beginning of the book. I did enjoy seeing Skyer a young woman who has suffered many horrors, gather her strength to save the one man she loves more than life itself. She goes behind her parents back (whom she adores almost more than anything). And of course we see Josef and Paul. Now Josef, oh boy, I do hope he gets his own book. I know he is still very young, but we so much of him and Paul in this one, that you find yourself fascinated with this characters, more than ever before. This trio are as alike as they are different. They are pretty much inseparable, and somehow Dimitri is fine with Skyler have a close relationship with the two. (which pretty much wowed me considering how Alpha male Dimitri is). One of my favorite parts of this story is seeing these three young trio accomplish things that most adult Carpathians would have a hard time doing.
There was quite a bit of action, you might have to tie yourself to your seat or the couch, or the bed, or wherever you may be reading. There is quite a high level of intensity, that will definitely give you chills (but in a very good way) Dark Wolf is a magical story of doing the impossible to save the one you love more than anything. A tale of sacrifice, devotion, passion and a powerful love story to make you feel as if you are falling in love for the first time. TRULY MAGNIFICENT!!! If you have been waiting for Dimitri and Skylers story....GET IT NOW!!! You won't be disappointed.
January 23, 2014
April 28, 2013
FUCK YEAH!!! Dimitri and Skyler's story has been a long time coming and I can't wait. I'll be back in a year.
Jan. 23, 2014
I love my audiobooks but have come to realize that they can be a gift or curse. There have been times when a story wasn't all to my liking, but the storyteller did such a good job that it made up for that. I had the opposite reaction with this book. I liked the story but had a hard time liking the voice and demeanor Skyler. Her lines were always delivered in a very meek and soft manner. Considering her past, I definitely didn't expect a loud and explosive personality, but I did want more feeling. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book. From the beginning til almost the end, I was caught up in the story; and I always enjoy catching up with the many lifemate couples.
I do believe I will try this book again at a later date...but the paperback version.
FUCK YEAH!!! Dimitri and Skyler's story has been a long time coming and I can't wait. I'll be back in a year.
Jan. 23, 2014
I love my audiobooks but have come to realize that they can be a gift or curse. There have been times when a story wasn't all to my liking, but the storyteller did such a good job that it made up for that. I had the opposite reaction with this book. I liked the story but had a hard time liking the voice and demeanor Skyler. Her lines were always delivered in a very meek and soft manner. Considering her past, I definitely didn't expect a loud and explosive personality, but I did want more feeling. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book. From the beginning til almost the end, I was caught up in the story; and I always enjoy catching up with the many lifemate couples.
I do believe I will try this book again at a later date...but the paperback version.
January 10, 2014
I've been waiting for this book for a very long time and I am happy to say it didn't disappoint. I absolutely love Skyler and Dimitri <3
I also like that Christina Feehan seems to be evolving her writing style. She is adding more humour to her books and I find it really enjoyable.
I also like that Christina Feehan seems to be evolving her writing style. She is adding more humour to her books and I find it really enjoyable.
July 15, 2015
La historia de Lobo Oscuro se centra en Skyler Daratrazanoff quien sufrió innumerables abusos de pequeña, ya que su abuelo (el mago superpoderoso llamado Xavier) las vendió a ella y a su madre para que hombres abusaran de ella.
Un par de carpatianos llamados Gabriel y Francesca, la rescataron y la criaron como su hija. Skyler es todavía humana pero tiene designado como “compañero eterno” a Dimitri, quien es un carpatiano mezclado con sangre de hombre lobo.
Cuando me enteré que este era el libro número 25 en una saga que jamás había leído, la verdad es que entré en pánico...
Reseña completa: https://vikingalectora.wordpress.com/...
Un par de carpatianos llamados Gabriel y Francesca, la rescataron y la criaron como su hija. Skyler es todavía humana pero tiene designado como “compañero eterno” a Dimitri, quien es un carpatiano mezclado con sangre de hombre lobo.
Cuando me enteré que este era el libro número 25 en una saga que jamás había leído, la verdad es que entré en pánico...
Reseña completa: https://vikingalectora.wordpress.com/...
July 31, 2014
Checked this out of the library on a whim. I used to read this series but stopped because it was just the same story over and over with the heroine getting more and more violently abused and in need of rescuing and the hero getting rapey-er and rapey-er (oh, I'm sorry. More and more "Alpha"). Apparently I missed a book or two (doesn't matter) because there are a few random things in here like half-werewolves-half-vampires and tattoos that come to life to protect the wearer (::cough:: Marjorie M. Liu's Iron Kiss books ::cough::) and also sex with a plant which made no sense and was very uncomfortable and unnecessary. She seems to have backed off the rapeyness, at least, but this was still really not good. Her writing is mind-numbingly repetitive (in the first few chapters, Skyler spent literally every other paragraph musing to herself about how much she loved Dimitri and how patient he had always been with her. Just the same thoughts, twice a page, for fifty pages). The world is internally inconsistent - now that she has "adolescent" Carpathian male characters, we're told specifically that anything under 50 is considered a child in their culture, but I'm pretty sure Savannah was like 18 when Gregori claimed her. Nowhere near 50, that's for sure. Her pacing is really terrible -- jumping from an attack on the village and dead Lycans littering the ground and isZevgonnasurvive??!!1 straight to a scene in a flower-strewn meadow with her mom? I honestly thought it was a dream sequence at first. Then three pages later one character asks the other "what ever happened with that fight? Is Zev gonna survive?" and the other one was like, "LOL, who knows?" I felt like I was on some really disappointing hallucinogens. Another weird/stupid pacing moment was the "our magical shield is collapsing, we need a plan to get out of here; nevermind, let's take a mental tour of your childhood memories to figure out why you don't like Mages first, it's not like anything pressing is going on." She needs a storyboard so she can figure out how to work the backstory in in a way that makes any sense at all, especially if she's so committed to every single scene being an EMERGENCY OH NO IS THIS THE END OF OUR KIND??!1!!?1
Last complaint, I promise: I expect purple prose when I read trashy romance, but the purple plot was a bit too much for me. There's never a meeting without an ambush. There's never an alliance without a conspiracy. There's never a "most famously dangerous fighter in the entire Carpathian world!!" without the next book dreaming up some new dude who is even moreso, because ... idunno, reasons! The fun is in watching Feehan try to pump up the dudes she previously sold as undisputed world champions of everything (Mikhail, Gregori, Lucian and Gabriel, Zacarias) when they are around the new-and-improved undisputed world champion of everything. She had no problem keeping Byron a schmuck, though.
Last complaint, I promise: I expect purple prose when I read trashy romance, but the purple plot was a bit too much for me. There's never a meeting without an ambush. There's never an alliance without a conspiracy. There's never a "most famously dangerous fighter in the entire Carpathian world!!" without the next book dreaming up some new dude who is even moreso, because ... idunno, reasons! The fun is in watching Feehan try to pump up the dudes she previously sold as undisputed world champions of everything (Mikhail, Gregori, Lucian and Gabriel, Zacarias) when they are around the new-and-improved undisputed world champion of everything. She had no problem keeping Byron a schmuck, though.
January 7, 2014
Review: Dark Wolf (A Carpathian Novel) by Christine Feehan
Release Date: January 7, 2014 | Series: Carpathian (Book 24)
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated: 4.5 Stars
Blog Post: http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-Vh
REVIEW:
This smoking hot paranormal romance had all the aspects of the Carpathian novels we have grown to love. The danger and intrigue at times left me breathless, but that was tempered well with the love and friendship loaded on the pages. This story also had a fun group of friends that I believed had been together for years. I enjoyed Skyler’s strength and determination that was clearly shown without ever losing her softness. Dimitri was perfect for her and the romance flowed smoothly. All in all a well written story that was very hard to put down and I am still lost in their world.
*ARC provided by Berkley/NAL in exchange for an honest review.
BUY LINKS:
Kindle $10.44 http://georiot.co/1Rin | Amazon Hardback $15.85 http://georiot.co/19bp | B&N (Hardback $15.85/ Nook $10.44) http://bit.ly/1exCsbx | Kobo $12.99 http://bit.ly/1dkBxJa
~LATEST NEWS from Christine Feehan Website about the new Dark Series Trilogy~
The first book, Dark Lycan, has Fenris and Tatijana. Fenris is Dimitri's brother. The second book, Dark Wolf is Skyler and Dimitri's. The third book, Dark Blood, in the new trilogy is a Lycan hunter by the name of Zev who is lifemate to Bronnie, Tatijana's sister. It is scheduled to be coming out in Septembe of 2014. The paperback re-issue of Dark Lycan in paperback will be coming out May 2014.
Link to Series Reading Order and Buy Links:
http://www.christinefeehan.com/dark_s...
BOOK #1: DARK PRINCE
BOOK #2: DARK DESIRE
BOOK #3: DARK GOLD
BOOK #4: DARK MAGIC
BOOK #5: DARK CHALLENGE
BOOK #6: DARK FIRE
BOOK #7: DARK DREAM
BOOK #8: DARK LEGEND
BOOK #9: DARK GUARDIAN
BOOK #10: DARK SYMPHONY
BOOK #11: DARK DESCENT
BOOK #12: DARK MELODY
BOOK #13: DARK DESTINY
BOOK #14: DARK HUNGER
BOOK #15: DARK SECRET
BOOK #16: DARK DEMON
BOOK #17: DARK CELEBRATION
BOOK #18: DARK POSSESSION
BOOK #19: DARK CURSE
BOOK #20: DARK SLAYER
BOOK #21: DARK PERIL
BOOK #22: DARK PREDATOR
BOOK #23: DARK STORM
BOOK #24: DARK LYCAN (September, 2013)
BOOK #25: DARK WOLF (January, 2014)
BOOK #26: DARK BLOOD (September, 2014)
Release Date: January 7, 2014 | Series: Carpathian (Book 24)
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated: 4.5 Stars
Blog Post: http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-Vh
REVIEW:
This smoking hot paranormal romance had all the aspects of the Carpathian novels we have grown to love. The danger and intrigue at times left me breathless, but that was tempered well with the love and friendship loaded on the pages. This story also had a fun group of friends that I believed had been together for years. I enjoyed Skyler’s strength and determination that was clearly shown without ever losing her softness. Dimitri was perfect for her and the romance flowed smoothly. All in all a well written story that was very hard to put down and I am still lost in their world.
*ARC provided by Berkley/NAL in exchange for an honest review.
BUY LINKS:
Kindle $10.44 http://georiot.co/1Rin | Amazon Hardback $15.85 http://georiot.co/19bp | B&N (Hardback $15.85/ Nook $10.44) http://bit.ly/1exCsbx | Kobo $12.99 http://bit.ly/1dkBxJa
~LATEST NEWS from Christine Feehan Website about the new Dark Series Trilogy~
The first book, Dark Lycan, has Fenris and Tatijana. Fenris is Dimitri's brother. The second book, Dark Wolf is Skyler and Dimitri's. The third book, Dark Blood, in the new trilogy is a Lycan hunter by the name of Zev who is lifemate to Bronnie, Tatijana's sister. It is scheduled to be coming out in Septembe of 2014. The paperback re-issue of Dark Lycan in paperback will be coming out May 2014.
Link to Series Reading Order and Buy Links:
http://www.christinefeehan.com/dark_s...
BOOK #1: DARK PRINCE
BOOK #2: DARK DESIRE
BOOK #3: DARK GOLD
BOOK #4: DARK MAGIC
BOOK #5: DARK CHALLENGE
BOOK #6: DARK FIRE
BOOK #7: DARK DREAM
BOOK #8: DARK LEGEND
BOOK #9: DARK GUARDIAN
BOOK #10: DARK SYMPHONY
BOOK #11: DARK DESCENT
BOOK #12: DARK MELODY
BOOK #13: DARK DESTINY
BOOK #14: DARK HUNGER
BOOK #15: DARK SECRET
BOOK #16: DARK DEMON
BOOK #17: DARK CELEBRATION
BOOK #18: DARK POSSESSION
BOOK #19: DARK CURSE
BOOK #20: DARK SLAYER
BOOK #21: DARK PERIL
BOOK #22: DARK PREDATOR
BOOK #23: DARK STORM
BOOK #24: DARK LYCAN (September, 2013)
BOOK #25: DARK WOLF (January, 2014)
BOOK #26: DARK BLOOD (September, 2014)
Want to read
March 24, 2013I have been waiting for Skyler and Dimitri's novel since i saw them in dark possession and i could almost feel the attraction between them. I can't imagine a Carpathian having to wait so long for his mate.. hope Dimitri isn't too deranged.
June 21, 2015
Disclaimer Number One: I have not read any of the other books in this series. All I did was go to the library, type in "werewolf," pick randomly, and stick with this one knowing that I'd be halfway clueless. So, forgive me if I say things that sound uninformed in this review.
Disclaimer Number Two: my notes for this novel are pretty scathing, but it was more like a fond making fun of the book than an actual hatred.
On to the review.
Dark Wolf is about how Skyler, a human mage Dragonseeker, saves her lifemate, Dimitri, an ancient Carpathian/Guardian warrior, from a group of rebellious Lycans who are trying to start a war between Lycans and Carpathians over the existence of a third group of people. This third group is actually two group: vampire/werewolf creatures, which are crazy and kill innocent people and must be exterminated, and Carpathian/Lycan creatures, who are basically gods (more on this later).
I feel it's important to note here that no where in the 409 pages of narrative is there an actual definition of what a Carpathian is. My definition of them is "basically a vampire but they really like dirt. A lot of dirt." The only definition of Lycan I found in the book is 'werewolf that doesn't attack innocent people' which doesn't make any sense to me considering 95% of the Lycans in the book are bloodthirsty militant neo-Nazis, but that's what happens when you start a series on book 25.
Other tangent, I'm kinda pissed that the only reason I know this is book 25 is because Good Reads says it's book 25. It's no where on the actual book. It's not in the front pages. There's no warning about how you need 24 other volumes to know what's going on here or why you should care. They do have a random handy-dandy guide in the front with groupings, but they make no sense unless you already know what's going on in all of the books Feehan has written. As far as saying "this is a series," under the title it helpfully says "A Carpathian Novel."
Ya kinda missed the details there, publishers. Just a head's up.
Back onto topic. This book was eh. Here's an overview: the love was actually gross, the suspense was never properly built up, I could actually sense the author holding back from letting anything /too/ bad happen to any of the Good Guys. Throughout the entire novel I knew it was going to be a happy ending because the odds were so ridiculously stacked on the Carpathians' side. The book needed more editing in terms of which scenes went where, and I'd even argue that the sange rau was kind of overdone.
The first thing I want to talk about is how Feehan decided at some point that every single Good Guy needs 100+ powers on their side. I cannot count how many times anyone who's considered good does something that is literally impossible. But it's not even stuff like Dimitri getting out from being tortured for two weeks and immediately going into the afterlife, possessing another person (which is supposedly taboo except not at all if you're Dimitri) who is dead as a doorknob, and bringing said person back to life. I'm not even going to touch that.
What I mean is, every single Carpathian, they can't just be Carpathian. Like Skylar, for example. She has to count two separate pairs of parents for her supernatural lineage because she's too much of a special snowflake to have two parents like every other person on planet Earth. Now, I can understand, it's a paranormal novel, give a girl some powers, but let's count them here: she's the daughter of the most powerful mage in the world, the most powerful human psychic in the world, a Dragonseeker, she's Carpathian, although she's 19 she somehow has managed to get multiple college degrees, it says at one point, she can heal others, she's charmed the socks off of the most powerful Carpathian families, she makes Beyonce look like a basic bitch. And oh, in case we forget, about halfway through the novel she also becomes Carpathian so she basically can't die but she can do literally anything else because it's Skylar.
The only fault I could find in Skylar's character is that she was sexually abused as a child and can't fully have a physical relationship with Dimitri, but that doesn't count as a fault because it comes from something that happened in her past as compared to a real character flaw. Even if she had had a thought like 'Dimitri's arm pits smell like shit' I would have liked this story better.
Speaking of Dimitri, I looked. Hard. He has no flaws. He hangs in a tree for two weeks and still manages to do what's 100% tried-and-true impossible. If this book's setting was the North Carolina coast when the Wright Brothers were building a hang-glider, Skyler and Dimitri would be constructing Boeings.
And although those are the two worst cases, literally every Carpathian has at least 3 special powers, except maybe Josef and Paul. When it got to the point where the rescue party had to go get everyone and the characters made it sound like a big deal to go fight Lycans, I actually laughed out loud. The odds are impossibly stacked for the Carpathians, all they have to do is not fuck up. It's like pitting a 5th grader against pre-schooler.
While we're on the topic of things that are so completely perfect it's disgusting, let's talk about Skylar and Dimitri. I know for a fact that even Bella Swan and Edward Cullen made a better love story than Skylar and Dimitri in this story. Now, I get it, it's really romantic when a man is a gentleman. It's really fantastic when both sides are understanding and everything goes over so well. And I'm willing to concede that if I'd read books 1-24, maybe I wouldn't be as frustrated with them as I am.
But they're literally perfect.
There is no flaw.
Anywhere.
It's blasphemy.
It's lies.
Not even a moment's short-temperedness. There's just half a book of fillers about how Dimitri is always there for Skylar.
The fillers are so bad, actually, that when the Carpathians were flying away as dragons and Dimitri has that big fight on the ground and kills 8 Lycans (directly after being tortured, starved, and being unable to rest for two weeks, getting shot multiple times, and bringing Skylar back from the dead because he's not Dimitri, he's Jesus Christ), I was just waiting for Skylar to call on him mid-fight and get interrupted with more about how he'll focus on her in the middle of battle and still not die.
All of this insane perfection just ends up killing the suspense. While reading the book, I never felt properly worried about any of the characters, because they're all perfect little snowflakes. They can go underground, drink blood, turn into a dragon and fly away, sense energy, smell what can't be smelled, the actual planet is on their side because Skylar is on that level of perfect.
Here's a way to end this book in 50 pages, actually: have Skylar make a spell against the rebel Lycans. Done.
All of that aside, I also thought there were a few places where Skylar seemed to lose all sense of place, and I kinda wished an editor had caught that and moved some scenes around. The first of these is when Skylar meets her birth father, Razvan (who is not Xavier, even though up until Razvan is standing in the protective zone to meet Skylar the book just keeps saying Xavier's blood is in Skylar, how was that not caught?). Here's the scene: about 100 Lycans trying to kill a group of ~12 people, 1/3 of which are half to more than half dead. The structure keeping them from getting killed is collapsing one section at a time and there's no way to fix it or predict which part is going to collapse next. This would be a great time for anyone with more than five brain cells to move into this thing called 'fight or flight.'
Skylar, Dimitri, and Razvan decide it'd be a good time to have a therapy sessions and talk about what happened when Skylar was three years old and a stranger cut her arm for no reason and then her mom brainwashed her not to trust mages. They also have an extended conversation about how they want to give Skylar and Dimitri pet wolves. Yeah, pet wolves. While an army of Lycans are attacking. While death is at the door.
That's definitely the time and place for that.
And it happens again later, when Skylar is initiating sex with Dimitri and she gets him in bed and she's sitting directly on his erection, and what's her choice of foreplay? Sticking her tongue in every single one of his still-painful wounds. That's disgusting. You don't put tongues in wounds. You don't put dirt in wounds, either, for that matter. I know she was trying to heal him, but there's nothing sexy about licking flesh wounds. There should have been a separate scene where she just says the chant. The scene is doubly useless when she has to give him all of the wounds back the next day so he could go to the Counsel. Good job, editors.
Aaaand the final thing, I feel like I should talk about the flower ritual. I was reading the other reviews and they talk about how weird it was, so I knew it was coming. I actually didn't bat an eye, because everything else is just as weird in this book. There are wolves that turn into tattoos instead of being, ya know, mammals. They can apparently also be worn as a garment. Exciting. Dimitri and Skylar make while they're buried underground, writhing around like they can see how many places they can get dirt that dirt shouldn't be in. People can turn into dragons. Mother Nature is Skylar's personal bitch. Why would she not suck a flower's penis and get excited it tasted like Dimitri? The whole thing's completely ridiculous.
And, with all of that said, that's my final sentiment: the whole thing's completely ridiculous. I can't say I hate this book, but it rides my nerves in 1,000 different ways and I won't be picking up another of Feehan's novels. I am kinda sad I won't get to hear about how what's-her-face and Zev hit it off, because that sounded like it actually had conflict and well-rounded characters. I'm not going to risk finding out, though; I expect with them in the ground so long together, the author would be too tempted to pull a 'love at first sight' type card and everything would be shiny shiny perfect perfect awful.
Disclaimer Number Two: my notes for this novel are pretty scathing, but it was more like a fond making fun of the book than an actual hatred.
On to the review.
Dark Wolf is about how Skyler, a human mage Dragonseeker, saves her lifemate, Dimitri, an ancient Carpathian/Guardian warrior, from a group of rebellious Lycans who are trying to start a war between Lycans and Carpathians over the existence of a third group of people. This third group is actually two group: vampire/werewolf creatures, which are crazy and kill innocent people and must be exterminated, and Carpathian/Lycan creatures, who are basically gods (more on this later).
I feel it's important to note here that no where in the 409 pages of narrative is there an actual definition of what a Carpathian is. My definition of them is "basically a vampire but they really like dirt. A lot of dirt." The only definition of Lycan I found in the book is 'werewolf that doesn't attack innocent people' which doesn't make any sense to me considering 95% of the Lycans in the book are bloodthirsty militant neo-Nazis, but that's what happens when you start a series on book 25.
Other tangent, I'm kinda pissed that the only reason I know this is book 25 is because Good Reads says it's book 25. It's no where on the actual book. It's not in the front pages. There's no warning about how you need 24 other volumes to know what's going on here or why you should care. They do have a random handy-dandy guide in the front with groupings, but they make no sense unless you already know what's going on in all of the books Feehan has written. As far as saying "this is a series," under the title it helpfully says "A Carpathian Novel."
Ya kinda missed the details there, publishers. Just a head's up.
Back onto topic. This book was eh. Here's an overview: the love was actually gross, the suspense was never properly built up, I could actually sense the author holding back from letting anything /too/ bad happen to any of the Good Guys. Throughout the entire novel I knew it was going to be a happy ending because the odds were so ridiculously stacked on the Carpathians' side. The book needed more editing in terms of which scenes went where, and I'd even argue that the sange rau was kind of overdone.
The first thing I want to talk about is how Feehan decided at some point that every single Good Guy needs 100+ powers on their side. I cannot count how many times anyone who's considered good does something that is literally impossible. But it's not even stuff like Dimitri getting out from being tortured for two weeks and immediately going into the afterlife, possessing another person (which is supposedly taboo except not at all if you're Dimitri) who is dead as a doorknob, and bringing said person back to life. I'm not even going to touch that.
What I mean is, every single Carpathian, they can't just be Carpathian. Like Skylar, for example. She has to count two separate pairs of parents for her supernatural lineage because she's too much of a special snowflake to have two parents like every other person on planet Earth. Now, I can understand, it's a paranormal novel, give a girl some powers, but let's count them here: she's the daughter of the most powerful mage in the world, the most powerful human psychic in the world, a Dragonseeker, she's Carpathian, although she's 19 she somehow has managed to get multiple college degrees, it says at one point, she can heal others, she's charmed the socks off of the most powerful Carpathian families, she makes Beyonce look like a basic bitch. And oh, in case we forget, about halfway through the novel she also becomes Carpathian so she basically can't die but she can do literally anything else because it's Skylar.
The only fault I could find in Skylar's character is that she was sexually abused as a child and can't fully have a physical relationship with Dimitri, but that doesn't count as a fault because it comes from something that happened in her past as compared to a real character flaw. Even if she had had a thought like 'Dimitri's arm pits smell like shit' I would have liked this story better.
Speaking of Dimitri, I looked. Hard. He has no flaws. He hangs in a tree for two weeks and still manages to do what's 100% tried-and-true impossible. If this book's setting was the North Carolina coast when the Wright Brothers were building a hang-glider, Skyler and Dimitri would be constructing Boeings.
And although those are the two worst cases, literally every Carpathian has at least 3 special powers, except maybe Josef and Paul. When it got to the point where the rescue party had to go get everyone and the characters made it sound like a big deal to go fight Lycans, I actually laughed out loud. The odds are impossibly stacked for the Carpathians, all they have to do is not fuck up. It's like pitting a 5th grader against pre-schooler.
While we're on the topic of things that are so completely perfect it's disgusting, let's talk about Skylar and Dimitri. I know for a fact that even Bella Swan and Edward Cullen made a better love story than Skylar and Dimitri in this story. Now, I get it, it's really romantic when a man is a gentleman. It's really fantastic when both sides are understanding and everything goes over so well. And I'm willing to concede that if I'd read books 1-24, maybe I wouldn't be as frustrated with them as I am.
But they're literally perfect.
There is no flaw.
Anywhere.
It's blasphemy.
It's lies.
Not even a moment's short-temperedness. There's just half a book of fillers about how Dimitri is always there for Skylar.
The fillers are so bad, actually, that when the Carpathians were flying away as dragons and Dimitri has that big fight on the ground and kills 8 Lycans (directly after being tortured, starved, and being unable to rest for two weeks, getting shot multiple times, and bringing Skylar back from the dead because he's not Dimitri, he's Jesus Christ), I was just waiting for Skylar to call on him mid-fight and get interrupted with more about how he'll focus on her in the middle of battle and still not die.
All of this insane perfection just ends up killing the suspense. While reading the book, I never felt properly worried about any of the characters, because they're all perfect little snowflakes. They can go underground, drink blood, turn into a dragon and fly away, sense energy, smell what can't be smelled, the actual planet is on their side because Skylar is on that level of perfect.
Here's a way to end this book in 50 pages, actually: have Skylar make a spell against the rebel Lycans. Done.
All of that aside, I also thought there were a few places where Skylar seemed to lose all sense of place, and I kinda wished an editor had caught that and moved some scenes around. The first of these is when Skylar meets her birth father, Razvan (who is not Xavier, even though up until Razvan is standing in the protective zone to meet Skylar the book just keeps saying Xavier's blood is in Skylar, how was that not caught?). Here's the scene: about 100 Lycans trying to kill a group of ~12 people, 1/3 of which are half to more than half dead. The structure keeping them from getting killed is collapsing one section at a time and there's no way to fix it or predict which part is going to collapse next. This would be a great time for anyone with more than five brain cells to move into this thing called 'fight or flight.'
Skylar, Dimitri, and Razvan decide it'd be a good time to have a therapy sessions and talk about what happened when Skylar was three years old and a stranger cut her arm for no reason and then her mom brainwashed her not to trust mages. They also have an extended conversation about how they want to give Skylar and Dimitri pet wolves. Yeah, pet wolves. While an army of Lycans are attacking. While death is at the door.
That's definitely the time and place for that.
And it happens again later, when Skylar is initiating sex with Dimitri and she gets him in bed and she's sitting directly on his erection, and what's her choice of foreplay? Sticking her tongue in every single one of his still-painful wounds. That's disgusting. You don't put tongues in wounds. You don't put dirt in wounds, either, for that matter. I know she was trying to heal him, but there's nothing sexy about licking flesh wounds. There should have been a separate scene where she just says the chant. The scene is doubly useless when she has to give him all of the wounds back the next day so he could go to the Counsel. Good job, editors.
Aaaand the final thing, I feel like I should talk about the flower ritual. I was reading the other reviews and they talk about how weird it was, so I knew it was coming. I actually didn't bat an eye, because everything else is just as weird in this book. There are wolves that turn into tattoos instead of being, ya know, mammals. They can apparently also be worn as a garment. Exciting. Dimitri and Skylar make while they're buried underground, writhing around like they can see how many places they can get dirt that dirt shouldn't be in. People can turn into dragons. Mother Nature is Skylar's personal bitch. Why would she not suck a flower's penis and get excited it tasted like Dimitri? The whole thing's completely ridiculous.
And, with all of that said, that's my final sentiment: the whole thing's completely ridiculous. I can't say I hate this book, but it rides my nerves in 1,000 different ways and I won't be picking up another of Feehan's novels. I am kinda sad I won't get to hear about how what's-her-face and Zev hit it off, because that sounded like it actually had conflict and well-rounded characters. I'm not going to risk finding out, though; I expect with them in the ground so long together, the author would be too tempted to pull a 'love at first sight' type card and everything would be shiny shiny perfect perfect awful.
January 25, 2019
Dimitri and Skyler's story was everything a paranormal romance should be. It was wonderful to finally have their story and the waiting was so worth it. This story had so much going for it. I loved all of the various Carpathian factions coming together to fight this new enemy. So many former characters in battles together was fantastic and wonderful seeing so many of them again. Just a great story, and enjoyable read within the Carpathian World. How could I not love it, it even had dragons in it :).
October 28, 2022
Been ever so patient waiting on Dimitris book. N it didnt disappoint. Soooo much action. New allies, old friends. Skylar is a perfect match
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