melodicfate's review against another edition
4.0
***SPOILERS!!!***
4.5 stars.
Oh man, you guys. This. Book. I felt so awful for Lara, the heroine. Tormented, forced to give blood to her seemingly evil father, Razvan(boy, things are sure different than it first appeared), and treated as less than human by her grandfather. Yeah, she went through a lot, and therefore, had quite a lot of trauma. Nicolas, her lifemate, did a lot wrong, including taking her blood before realizing she was his lifemate. And then he got all arrogant and pulled the whole "you can't leave thing", going so far as to chain her to him so she wouldn't be able to get away. Yeah...not cool, Nicolas. And then. AND THEN! He paid for it in the most heart-wrenchingly awful, yet beautiful way possible. He went after Lara's spirit when she tried to commit suicide rather than feel like a prisoner, and when he found Lara's spirit and saw she was reliving past childhood traumas, the dude relived it all with her. Nicolas would never have understood Lara had this not happened, and he became an awesome man. So yeah, I loved this couple.
This story picked up on plotlines concerning why the Carpathians are having issues revolving around having children and keeping them alive, as well as what's up with Xavier. And that romance between Lara and Nicolas, where he helps her with her trauma, and he learns that no, he's not always right.
This is one of my favorite books in the series. Lara played an integral part in helping save Carpathian children, and I'm sad that in order to keep playing that part, she couldn't be converted in this story. I mean, I know she and Nicolas will make it, but still. While I understood and completely agreed with it, I want to see them complete the whole ritual. Overall, this book was in turns sad, funny, and parts just made me happy.
4.5 stars.
Oh man, you guys. This. Book. I felt so awful for Lara, the heroine. Tormented, forced to give blood to her seemingly evil father, Razvan(boy, things are sure different than it first appeared), and treated as less than human by her grandfather. Yeah, she went through a lot, and therefore, had quite a lot of trauma. Nicolas, her lifemate, did a lot wrong, including taking her blood before realizing she was his lifemate. And then he got all arrogant and pulled the whole "you can't leave thing", going so far as to chain her to him so she wouldn't be able to get away. Yeah...not cool, Nicolas. And then. AND THEN! He paid for it in the most heart-wrenchingly awful, yet beautiful way possible. He went after Lara's spirit when she tried to commit suicide rather than feel like a prisoner, and when he found Lara's spirit and saw she was reliving past childhood traumas, the dude relived it all with her. Nicolas would never have understood Lara had this not happened, and he became an awesome man. So yeah, I loved this couple.
This story picked up on plotlines concerning why the Carpathians are having issues revolving around having children and keeping them alive, as well as what's up with Xavier. And that romance between Lara and Nicolas, where he helps her with her trauma, and he learns that no, he's not always right.
This is one of my favorite books in the series. Lara played an integral part in helping save Carpathian children, and I'm sad that in order to keep playing that part, she couldn't be converted in this story. I mean, I know she and Nicolas will make it, but still. While I understood and completely agreed with it, I want to see them complete the whole ritual. Overall, this book was in turns sad, funny, and parts just made me happy.
ristaylor's review against another edition
3.0
Now, see, this is a series that I thought had definitely jumped the shark, oh, around book 15 – but I kept buying and reading. I still wanted me some dark, uber alpha Carpathian male to beat his chest and say ‘you are woman I am man and you belong to me’. I also really enjoy the way Ms. Feehan writes and the world building was quite fascinating to me. I think her mythology is unique and original– the first book in the series, Dark Prince, debuting in 1999. Her heroines have always intrigued me, running the gamut from head strong, willful and dominant to unsure and questioning; but always intelligent and eventually fearless. However each book continued to re-hash the same mythology and pathos of the world and the characters, until finally after book 17, I said NO MORE, and totally skipped reading book 18, Dark Possession.
So when Dark Curse arrived I was like an addict alone in the room with a fix and a war going on in my head – don’t do it, but I can’t stop myself, but you said no more, I know but just one more time… until finally the addict in me won out. And I’m glad she did. I was surprised and delighted by Dark Curse and it sparked renewed interest in the series.
In this latest addition to the series, Ms. Feehan expounds on the world and characters she has lovingly created and goes beyond the pathos to some real answers for the characters. This book has real depth to it, going beyond the ground work she has laid down in previous books to get to the crux of the matter – why the Carpathian race is dying out. In addition to the very romantic and compelling story line between the hero and heroine Lara Calladine and Nicolas De La Cruz, we also get to visit with many other characters from other books and even some from the novellas, Vikirnoff and Natalya, Gregori and Savannah, Francesca, Mikhail and Raven, Shea and Jacques to name a few. They don’t just have a walk on, mention what fine weather they’re having or drop off a bunt cake. They have substantial roles to play and bring cohesiveness to the story and believability to the universal story line. The intrigue and mystery to some of the long standing questions readers may have had begins to be illuminated and I say bravo and about time.
As a reader, Dark Curse finally made me feel as if I was reaching for something that was attainable. It was like when they announced that the TV series Lost was going to have an end date. From then on each episode was that much clearer and sharper and relevant. So I suggest to long standing fans of this series, if you thought about giving up, don’t, and pick up Dark Curse. Who knew you could jump the shark and come back.
So when Dark Curse arrived I was like an addict alone in the room with a fix and a war going on in my head – don’t do it, but I can’t stop myself, but you said no more, I know but just one more time… until finally the addict in me won out. And I’m glad she did. I was surprised and delighted by Dark Curse and it sparked renewed interest in the series.
In this latest addition to the series, Ms. Feehan expounds on the world and characters she has lovingly created and goes beyond the pathos to some real answers for the characters. This book has real depth to it, going beyond the ground work she has laid down in previous books to get to the crux of the matter – why the Carpathian race is dying out. In addition to the very romantic and compelling story line between the hero and heroine Lara Calladine and Nicolas De La Cruz, we also get to visit with many other characters from other books and even some from the novellas, Vikirnoff and Natalya, Gregori and Savannah, Francesca, Mikhail and Raven, Shea and Jacques to name a few. They don’t just have a walk on, mention what fine weather they’re having or drop off a bunt cake. They have substantial roles to play and bring cohesiveness to the story and believability to the universal story line. The intrigue and mystery to some of the long standing questions readers may have had begins to be illuminated and I say bravo and about time.
As a reader, Dark Curse finally made me feel as if I was reaching for something that was attainable. It was like when they announced that the TV series Lost was going to have an end date. From then on each episode was that much clearer and sharper and relevant. So I suggest to long standing fans of this series, if you thought about giving up, don’t, and pick up Dark Curse. Who knew you could jump the shark and come back.
seraphina's review
1.0
I started this book with a lot of enthusiasm but there are a lot of unnecessary things going on and the characters just keep talking and talking and talking and niching really ever happens. I don't like to drag myself to read a book but this is what happened. So in the end I just quit.
nicolanic89's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jazzrizz's review against another edition
5.0
I'm a little on the fence on how to review this book. Overall . . . I loved the path Lara & Nicolas had to take together. I also enjoyed having much loved characters from previous books have more than a passing glance appearance & actually be involved in the story (which is why it got 5 stars).
However, I hated the ending. I've gotten used to her cliff-hangers over the past few books, but this is one doozy of a cliff. The book just abruptly ended. I turned to the next page and found APPENDIX 1 . . . I absolutely could not believe that was the end of the book.
I REALLY hope Dark Slayer comes out in early 2009 vs. late 2009. I hate having to wait to see how this new plot line unfolds!
However, I hated the ending. I've gotten used to her cliff-hangers over the past few books, but this is one doozy of a cliff. The book just abruptly ended. I turned to the next page and found APPENDIX 1 . . . I absolutely could not believe that was the end of the book.
I REALLY hope Dark Slayer comes out in early 2009 vs. late 2009. I hate having to wait to see how this new plot line unfolds!
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
Great book, though I didn't like Nicolas as much as other males in this series, and the discovery that Lara makes, awesome! Loved rereading this book!
laurla's review against another edition
"you are not responsible for what he has done. he carries his choices on his own shoulders."
"it is arrogant to feel shame for things that happened hundreds of years ago, as if you are the only ones to ever make a mistake. should i hang my head in shame for all the errors in judgment i have made over the centuries? if i did, i would never see the sky."
"more than physical was the agony of knowing he was so helpless. he almost welcomed death. it was preferable to being so powerless. hopeless. filled with despair. so weak and vulnerable."
"forgive me. there is no excuse i can offer you, nor will i. words will not repair the damage i have done to you, only actions."
"it is arrogant to feel shame for things that happened hundreds of years ago, as if you are the only ones to ever make a mistake. should i hang my head in shame for all the errors in judgment i have made over the centuries? if i did, i would never see the sky."
"more than physical was the agony of knowing he was so helpless. he almost welcomed death. it was preferable to being so powerless. hopeless. filled with despair. so weak and vulnerable."
"forgive me. there is no excuse i can offer you, nor will i. words will not repair the damage i have done to you, only actions."
gamz's review against another edition
4.0
So much excitement!
So, the little girl who escaped Xavier’s ice cave has grown up and has returned to find her dragons.
Lara spent her childhood being tortured by her father and great-grandfather. Her aunts helped keep her sane and helped her escape from her prison of ice. She has returned to the Carpathian Mountains to find her aunts.
Instead she meets a crazy, macho De La Cruz brother who happens to be her lifemate. He’s an over the top alpha, controlling idiot who honestly believes his word is law. With today’s #metoo movement, his ass would be in sooooo much trouble! #hotbuthellnah!
He does loosen up a bit, but not until AFTER Lara tries to commit suicide! It was a horrible time for all. He learned quickly what Lara experienced and worked hard to help her deal with the traumas of her childhood. Point for him.
My favorite bit was the trip to the ice cave. So much action! There was running and slashing and good old fashioned spell weaving. Lots of fun.
There was no conversion on this book. The hardass hero learned his lesson well and put his lifemate’s needs before his. Maybe there’s hope for the anachronistic Carpathian men after all.
So, the little girl who escaped Xavier’s ice cave has grown up and has returned to find her dragons.
Lara spent her childhood being tortured by her father and great-grandfather. Her aunts helped keep her sane and helped her escape from her prison of ice. She has returned to the Carpathian Mountains to find her aunts.
Instead she meets a crazy, macho De La Cruz brother who happens to be her lifemate. He’s an over the top alpha, controlling idiot who honestly believes his word is law. With today’s #metoo movement, his ass would be in sooooo much trouble! #hotbuthellnah!
He does loosen up a bit, but not until AFTER Lara tries to commit suicide! It was a horrible time for all. He learned quickly what Lara experienced and worked hard to help her deal with the traumas of her childhood. Point for him.
My favorite bit was the trip to the ice cave. So much action! There was running and slashing and good old fashioned spell weaving. Lots of fun.
There was no conversion on this book. The hardass hero learned his lesson well and put his lifemate’s needs before his. Maybe there’s hope for the anachronistic Carpathian men after all.
susanbevans's review against another edition
4.0
Nicolas De La Cruz has come back to the Carpathian mountains to deliver a serious message to Mikhail Dubrinsky, the prince of the Carpathian people. The De La Cruz brothers have discovered a terrible plot against their people and the prince, and must get word to him and the other Carpathian hunters to remain vigilant. Once he has delivered his message, Nicolas has every intention of meeting the dawn and ending his life. He has been living in an emotionless, colorless world for many centuries, and has become tired of battling the enemy. He has no idea that destiny will bring his salvation to him that very night.
Lara Calladine spent the first years of her life trapped in the ice caves, a victim of her demented grandfather Xavier, the dark mage. After escaping, she learned to hide her "special" abilities from the humans around her, and has returned to the Carpathian mountains seeking her answers from her past. Part human, part mage, and part Carpathian, she will need all of her power to cope with the aggressive Carpathian male claiming her as his lifemate.
Nicolas must move beyond his domineering instincts toward Lara and help her find her way back into the deadly ice caves, for within her memories lie the key to the problems the Carpathian race has been facing for years. Lara has the power to unlock the mysteries surrounding Carpathian pregnancies and the high infant mortality rate. She may be the only one powerful enough to save the Carpathian people.
Dark Possession seems to follow the new pattern that has emerged in the last three books. The series is evolving, adding new and exciting elements, while giving us thrilling stories of new lifemates. Lara and Nicolas were compelling characters, and their story was very well-written. Dark Possession added to some of the other stories, and some lurking questions from the last few books were resolved. The only problem I have with this book is that it had a weak ending. I realize the purpose was to really leave things open for future books, but it was still a little disappointing.
Overall, Dark Possession was a little different and refreshing. Now I just have to wait until September to see what happens next!
Lara Calladine spent the first years of her life trapped in the ice caves, a victim of her demented grandfather Xavier, the dark mage. After escaping, she learned to hide her "special" abilities from the humans around her, and has returned to the Carpathian mountains seeking her answers from her past. Part human, part mage, and part Carpathian, she will need all of her power to cope with the aggressive Carpathian male claiming her as his lifemate.
Nicolas must move beyond his domineering instincts toward Lara and help her find her way back into the deadly ice caves, for within her memories lie the key to the problems the Carpathian race has been facing for years. Lara has the power to unlock the mysteries surrounding Carpathian pregnancies and the high infant mortality rate. She may be the only one powerful enough to save the Carpathian people.
Dark Possession seems to follow the new pattern that has emerged in the last three books. The series is evolving, adding new and exciting elements, while giving us thrilling stories of new lifemates. Lara and Nicolas were compelling characters, and their story was very well-written. Dark Possession added to some of the other stories, and some lurking questions from the last few books were resolved. The only problem I have with this book is that it had a weak ending. I realize the purpose was to really leave things open for future books, but it was still a little disappointing.
Overall, Dark Possession was a little different and refreshing. Now I just have to wait until September to see what happens next!