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Summary: Wonderful, and Fresh
Review: I'm a long time fan of Christine Feehan. I read this book in a matter of hours, and have re-read it several times. I enjoyed the book, and I loved the secondary carpathian figures. I believe that she has given us quite a few interesting possibilities for future books in this series.
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Summary: As Always, Consistently Talented!
Review: As always, Christine Feehan has shown her consistent talent, bringing to life Byron Justicano and his mate, Antoinetta Scarletti. Though this book is a definite departure from her normal style, she nevertheless shows that her worldview can maintain consistency and integrity, even with stylistic changes. Byron makes a tremendous hero. Though not as alpha as the previous heros, such as Gabriel or Lucian, he is definitely a known presence, one which can be felt throughout the book. His perceptions of himself lend tremendous credibility to the story line, in that not all people are perfect, some make mistakes, or rush to judgement. Antoinetta is a strong, family-focused heroine who's devotion to her family honor and family strength allows you to see a heroine who would die for her family, as well as live for them. Her anger at the many little betrayals throughout the book, but her forgiving nature as well endear you to her. She represents the best of the strong woman, without giving up her innate womanness. All in all, a tremendous addition to the series, one which will lend depth and dimension to the continual saga.
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Summary: A Beautiful Mix of Gothic, Paranormal, Fantasy and Suspense!
Review: DARK SYMPHONY, set in the Scarletti Palace where winged gargoyles guard and secret passageways abound, is a wonderful blending of gothic and paranormal genres. Antonietta Scarletti is an accomplished world-renowned classical pianist ' and she is blind. This doesn't hinder her abilities to run the large Scarletti empire, though her grandfather, Don Giovanni Scarletti, now frail of body at eighty-two, is still the respected head of the empire. Events unfold that shake everyone living and working in the palazzo, and the man who keeps watch over the keep is none other than Byron Justicano. Byron, the former fun loving, reckless and cocky Carpathian is no more. He's now a lonely wounded soul who roams far from his homeland, unable to face his family after falling into a trap that resulted in grievous harm to those close to him. He cannot forgive himself and attempts to find restoration by hunting vampires. The passion for power he constantly fights is bringing him closer to madness with each kill until he hears music that mesmerizes him. He tracks the source to the Scarletti Palazzo in Italy where he finds much more than the music. Antonietta Scarletti's velvet voice lights his world with vivid colors and he knows she's his salvation, his lifemate. Drugged and struggling after she and her grandfather are dragged to the edge of the cliffs in an attempt to kill them, the unseeing Antonietta silently calls to Byron. She senses he's a predator, but she doesn't care; she has her own secrets with her Scarletti bloodline. She fantasizes he is her dark prince, a fantasy truer than she knows. Byron can hear her thoughts and when Antonietta screams his name out loud he fears he won't get to her in time. This begins a series of events that will keep Byron as close as glue. He presents her with a Borzoi, a most unusual breed of dog that is telepathic and will stay close to protect and guide her during the daytime when he cannot be with her. Byron is a Carpathian you'll absolutely love. He's learned not to jump to conclusions, but watch and wait. He's patient with Antonietta and grants her the final decision on converting (involving intensive and painful body changes to become a Carpathian). He is so thankful to find his own true lifemate that he's tender, considerate and romantic, attempting to court her the human way. He can't begin to express just how much he loves her, and Antonietta's acceptance of him and his differences amazes him. Antonietta is his true lifemate in every way. She is a woman of great strength and determination, is telepathic and sensitive to his needs. And because Byron gives her so much freedom of choice, she's willing to listen when he issues a command. They are perfect for each other with their wild animal instincts and their passion could light up the heavens. Christine Feehan has magic in her voice and DARK SYMPHONY brings her personality alive to her readers. There is mischief and much humor when Byron's sister Evelyn appears with her husband Vlad and their son Josef, and a strong thread of familial love. The teenage Carpathian is about to drive Byron crazy with his rap music and untried skills, much to the amusement and silent laughter of Antonietta and the enjoyment of readers. Much of the Carpathian history and legend is learned in this story, and many of the characters from former novels appear. Just as a composer takes music notes and instruments to put together a beautiful arrangement, so has Christine Feehan blended the elements of fiction to create a masterpiece. DARK SYMPHONY touches your emotions, mixing in gothic, contemporary, historical, fantasy, paranormal, sensuality, romance, and mystery. You'll find murder and suspense as someone is out to kill off the Scarletti family, and a superb job of writing plants suspicions on every one of the characters to keep you wondering who the killer is. DARK SYMPHONY will surely hit the bestseller lists when it is released and prove why Ms. Feehan has risen to the top so quickly. I congratulate her in advance for what I consider another winner. They just don't get any better. This title will jump off of the store shelves so fast that I would suggest you pre-order to be sure you have a copy as soon it's released. Carol Carter, As Posted at Romance Reviews Today
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Summary: Dark Symphony
Review: I loved this book! It was excellent! If you think it is not you are insane. I loved everything about it! It is now one of my favorites from Ms. Christine Feehan! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!
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Summary: Feehan does it again!!!!
Review: I'll make this review short and sweet. WOW!!!! Christine Feehan does it again. I have to say that this is one of my favorite books in her series. I've never given a book 5 stars, but this one rocks in my opinion. I had a hard time putting it down and I have two young sons to take care of. If your expecting some of her earlier work this book is a bit different, yet throughly enjoyable.
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Summary: Fasinating - A Love Story Sprinkled with History
Review: Dark Symphony not only keeps you entertained in the love story between Toni and Byron, it gives tantalizing bits and pieces of past Carpathian history....more than folklore with the Dragonseeker being introduced as he searches for his sister, a Wizard gone "bad." You enter the secret room of the Jaguars, another "race" tied into/with the Carpathians, where you learn why certain humans can be lifemates. Last but not least, you're introduced to a "teenage Carpathian male," a young man who's ready to take on the world much to the dismay and terror of his Uncle Byron. I loved Josef! Dark Symphony is definetly a Keeper!!
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Summary: A reader
Review: Dark Symphony is a wonderful book in Christine Feehan's "Dark" series. I have wanted to read about Byron, a childhood friend of Jacques (Dark Desire) for quite sometime. He finds his lifemate in a very special woman, Antonietta Scarletti. "Toni" as her family calls her was blinded in a boating accident as a child that killed her parents. She has over come many difficultes in her life and became a strong willed, loving and caring person that her family always goes to. This is a love story, drama, mystery and has alot of fun and humorous scenes with Byron's sister Eleanor's son, Josef. It was fun to read about Josef's escapades acting like the fledgling that he is. Also it was great to read about past characters and see them interwoven in this story and the whole scheme of the Carpathian people. I simply loved this book and very much look forward to Christine's next story in this very wonderful series.
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Summary: WOW!
Review: This is the best book yet in the Dark series! Don't miss it!!
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Summary: A hilarious, hot, and sweet read...
Review: Fans of Christine Feehan's Carpathians will appreciate this paranormal love story that presents a slight twist on the normal Dark heroes. Byron and Antonietta are both strong characters who must overcome problems to embrace a love that is true and deep. That love will triumph is never in doubt, but the resolution to the story is mysterious, sweet, and humorous. The supporting cast of characters is hilarious and satisfying. If you have read any of the other books in the series (which you should!!), then you will recognize the other species involved in the mystery of Antonietta's home. Byron's family will come as a pleasant and guffaw-inducing surprise as well. A certain nephew will keep you in stitches!
Beyond the basic plot, the book has all the elements a good romance should. The two characters provide necessary solace for each other, as soul mates should. To this end, Byron convinces Antonietta of her beauty in one of the most poignant scenes I've ever read. Antonietta accepts Byron for who he truly is, never doubting that his differences are part of all that is good about him. The conflict in this book is mysterious, until the very end, where the culprit is unmasked in scene that will leave you turning the pages as fast as you can!
This latest installment of the Carpathian series has quickly become one of my favorites, and I highly recommend it!
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Summary: I love the change....
Review: I agree with a few others that it was time for a change in the Dark Series. I really thought that CF did a great job of adding a new twist. I don't dare mention that new twist due to the fact that it's not told in the description or on the cover - it doesn't show up for a little while in the book. So you'll just have to read it to find out! The fact that is was more of a suspense thriller instead of just an action packed plot did not take away from the enjoyment for me. It still had enough action to keep my eyebrows raised but it also constantly kept me guessing about who was doing it (not simply another ancient vampire). The added humor to this story was a refreshing relief also - that has always been a personal preference of mine. As usual Byron was enough to take my breath away & I even thought more of him than some of the other Carpathian males because although he was still just as protective of Antonietta he was not as overly dominating and borish as some of the others. (Although, honestly, how could a girl hold Mikhail's borishness against him!) I also enjoyed Antonietta - she was a highly intelligent & strong woman. I'll have to admit though that I would probably NOT be as understanding about her family as she had been all those years! lol It did explain her compassion quite well towards the end though. I liked the off and on contact that Byron had with other Carpathians through out the book - that always adds something to it for me. That bond between them all is just so fasinating. I personally thought that the story was nicely tied up at the end - it didn't feel rushed or left hanging. All in all another excellent read by CF.
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