Dark Promises

This was not a good book. I really hate to give bad reviews. But since this will probably be my last Carpathian read, I felt like I need to say why. First, unlike most, I wasn’t turned off by the light bdsm. I was turned off by the pointless sex scenes. With two story lines and both of them going at it like bunnies the book was sex scene after sex scene after sex scene. And they were repetitive and boring sex scenes that I found myself skipping to get to some action, some emotional connection, something besides more sex. I love sex scenes as much as anyone and read a lot of erotica. But in erotica the sex has to be important to the plot and story. These sex scenes were not important to the plot and they were not well done. Double fail. Second, I am sick of over a third of the book being dedicated to that stupid glossary. My stars! I pay over ten bucks for these books when they first come out and how many of them had that long glossary in them? How about this, take the glossary out and sell it separately. If readers want a glossary to understand the Carpathian language and healing chants, which you always translate in the novel anyway, so it is another way to cheat the reader out of words that should be building the story, then let those readers buy the glossary. I want as much story as possible for my money. And after years of thinking I have almost ten percent of the book left for more story only to be met with an abrupt ending and that glossary and healing chants, I am done spending my money on this series.

I’d like to begin my review by mentioning that I have been a huge fan of Feehan’s work for nearly 2 decades. I’ve been reading her books since the very beginning; she was the first author I started “following,” and was my favorite author for the majority of the time I’ve been reading her novels. If I were going to be biased, it would be in her favor. But, the past couple of years, I have noticed a huge difference in her work. Where I used to anxiously await new releases from her, now I dread them because I know they will bring me one step closer to saying goodbye to her stories forever. But, let’s bring the focus back to Dark Promises instead of grouping it with the Carpathian series and her other works. What I found most disappointing was the lack of story. The beginning started out with potential. Gary and Gabrielle had both previously been human and shared a strong human bond but, as Carpathians, love isn’t enough. The literally have to find the other half of their souls! Dark Promises would show the difference between human love vs. Carpathian mating, and the intense bond that goes with it- the sharing of thoughts and the almost obessive devotion between lifemates that supercedes everything else in the couples’ life. What is actually shown to us, though, is that human love is real and Carpathian mating is purely sexual. How utterly sad and disappointing is that? Then, there’s a threat to the Carpathians in the form of human hunters led by a Master Vampire. The possiblities for plots there is endless- fight scenes, showing off the Carpathian’s supernatural skill set, and maybe an abduction? Ooh, what’s going to happen? Uh, nothing. I don’t even remember what happens to the humans, other than Trixie, and the encounter with the vampire at the end was merely a setup for Gary’s novel (which fans were led to believe this one would be.) Do not waste your money on this garbage! Wow, I never expected to write that in a Christine Feehan review. That’s more shocking to me than anything that happened in the novel. But save your money and let me tell you the story now: Gary and Gabrielle attempt to bond as lifemates, but are unable to and he quickly loses his ability to see in color and notices his emotions start to fade. Gregory sends him away to help the ancient Carpathians in the monastary and Gabrielle follows him to try and convince him to share a life with her for 50 years before they attempt to find their lifemates. They get there and she is immediately claimed by one of the ancients, Aleksei, who then calls her a slut for loving Gary and chooses to die in the sun. Gary is taken back to the Carpathian mountains and not seen again until the end of the book. We learn there are human hunters, under the influence of a vampire, hiking up the mountain and another couple, Andre and Teagan (from Dark Ghost) are supposed to head down the mountain and stop them. Teagan learns that her GRANDMOTHER, Trixie is part of this hunting party, and that’s why she wants to be involved. They head off and Aleksei (who decided sex was better than death) and Gabrielle have sex- Many, many times. Trixie somehow shows up at the monastary by herself and meets Fane, who turns out to be her lifemate. Then we are treated to a horribly steriotypical crazy black woman persona, and old lady sex. Aleksei and Gabrielle have more sex. Trixie and Fane have more sex. Trixie and Gabrielle have a talk about their lifemates and sex. Aleksei and Gabrielle fight, and then have more sex. Trixie and Fane have more sex. Aleksei and Gabrielle travel down the mountain to town, where he becomes jealous of her feeding off a human male,- which he doesn’t allow-, they overhear the human hunters having a conversation and return to their cave for…guess what….MORE SEX! Finally, the group gets together to heal the Ancients/find their lifemates, and to eliminate the threat of the hunters. The men take off to be manly men while the women wait behind like good little girls. But surprise, the vampire somehow gets past the safegaurds of several ancient Carpathians and attacks the poor helpless women. Gary shows up to save the day, and then we are teased with glorious possibilities for his story in a blatant attempt to get us to buy the next book. The book ends with- you guessed it- more sex. If you’re horny and need some reading material, this is the book for you. If you want a story with an actual plot, and characters you can fall in love with- don’t waste your money because you just read the book in this review.

I was hesitant to purchase this book based on some of the 2-3 star reviews. I have to say that I gave the book a 5 star rating. It has lived up to Mrs. Feehan’s Dark Series admirably! I have a feeling that other reviewers either have never read this series or don’t really get it! Gabrielle and Aleksei are perfect for each other. Much more so than Gary for Gabrielle. This is Gabrielle’s story, a story of a woman who needs a strong man who will keep her safe, make her feel safe and love her for who she is, not who she thinks she needs to be. She will always be in his care. She is submissive, but in that submissiveness, she finds her freedom. Aleksei is from an old world and with it, comes what men do, take care of their loved ones. Within this story is yet another, the story of Trixie. To the women who say they didn’t like hearing her story because she was “old”. Really? I loved hearing that no matter how old, it’s never to late to find true love. The sex scenes were hot, as hot if not hotter than the first few books in this series. I for one, felt the author went back to her roots and gave us back that passion! Trixie made me smile with her attitude and Fane who fell in love with her for her maturity, strength and humor… well, he just made me hope that other older woman can find such a man who would consider them their true loves. Love transcends time and age. My heart aches for Gary. Not because he loses Gabrielle, but because he carries the burden of many ancients, not just his own. Gabrielle would not have been right for him. The author clearly knows her characters. I encourage you to take the plunge. I bought this book knowing there were some negative reviews and I’m certainly glad that I did. It’s sort of like getting two books in one! If you are a true lover of the Dark Series and understand that world, you will not be disappointed. The author has come back to her original series, doesn’t seem as lost in the story line and clearly has a new direction for her characters. I look forward to the next installment! Well done!

Gabrielle and Gary are approaching their wedding night, she loves him but wants out of the dangerous, Carpathian lifestyle. He’s a changed man…literally!
The monastery in the mountains is housing ancient Carpathians too dangerous for society. Gary is sent to help them, Gabrielle follows him…and all hell breaks loose.
After a cameo from Mikhail and Gregori the story then focuses on two ancients finding their lifemates. Soooo…basically we have pages and pages of sex with one couple…then have even more pages of boring, repetitive sex with the other two.
For an intelligent woman Gabrielle was portrayed as a wimpy, whining simpleton. There was no chemistry or the usual magic between either couples…or, in fact, the love scenes.
There was the odd mention of vampires and the fanatics, but they were pushed so far into the background with little reference in favour of , yeah you got it…sex!!!
Then to top everything off…we have additional pointless pages of the healing chant and the meaning of Carpathian words! Does anyone actually read that???
I can’t believe how poor this book was. Is Ms Feehan actually still writing the books? Where’s the great storylines with the added bonus of the seriously hot love scenes? It’s not just this particular series either that’s suffered…all her books of late are seriously lacking, with the repetitive sex scenes at the forefront and literally no storyline. I, as an avid fan, am beyond gutted. I recommend that other fans of this author to not bother. You will be sorely disappointed!!!

Could not wait for this book to come out especially as the last few in the dark series have been really good however, I was disappointed. Gabby wants Gary even though he tells her they are not lifemates. At the monastery doors she finds her lifemate is inside, one of the very ancients and we here how they get together, a lot.
The plot is actually about Teagan and Andre offering to help the ancients try to find their lifemates and Teagan’s gran coming with assassins to get her and finding her lifemate as well. This part is funny in places. The story, Gary who has been converted has lost his feelings and ability to see in colour in a ,tim very short time as he holds the experience etc. of the ancients from the warriors meeting place. He has gone to the monastery to see if Teagan can help him as well as those inside. Gabby follows and wants him to live with her and then it turns out her lifemate is in the monastery and so begins the saga. After killing off the bad guys Teagan, her gran with Gabby help those present find an area where their lifemates may reside and they go off into the night, Gary shows up when a vampire turns up and after winning the battle they help him as well and all live happily ever after.
As I said the book could have been about a quarter the length and the story would have flowed better. I got very fed up and kept skipping the pages to get back to the story. I am a devoted Christine Feehan fan and have all the ‘Dark’ series but this was not worth waiting for. Please give us better story lines.

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