Rating: 
Summary: Dark Sympathy
Review: I have read every word that Ms Feehan has published. Most of them
dozens of times. I will re-read this book also and see if my opinion changes. For now, it just seems lacking. When involved in a series, I treasure 'news' of previous characters. And the news of
Raven coming right at the end just upset me. And I do believe that
is what put me off to this book. I know that life is not all peaches and creme and Raven's chances are the same as any other Carpathian female -- oh well. I also think this book ended somewhat abruptly. I would have enjoyed another two of three chapters regarding the honeymoon trip to the Mountains. I did enjoy the humor. I too can spit as well as the next person!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I have been a big fan of the Dark Series, but this one really missed the mark. The characters lacked personality & the dialog at times made absolutely no sense. I found myself skimming just to get through some of it. Tying this one in with characters from the Scarletti Curse was a mistake. They were all forgettable in that book also.
Rating:
Summary: Nice Development in the Series
Review: I mostly don't like romance novels but really enjoy Ms. Feehan's series. However, things were getting a bit formulaic in the Dark Fire-Dark Legend-Dark Guardian arc. (Not that I didn't totally enjoy them... believe me, I did. But come on, how many petite psychic firecrackers can there be out there?) So it was nice to see that the author took a chance at mixing things up a little. Primarily by folding in classic "gothic" elements. And she made an effort to show different aspects of the Carpathians. It can't be "All Brooding, All The Time", you know? She's broadening the supernatural elements - the Jaguar people legends as well as what I can only assume is an early set-up for a "wizard" line of green-eyed Carpathians. I appreciated the attempts to show that Carpathian parents run into the same issues with "teen agers" as anyone might, although the "beret, smock and scarf" for poor Josef was [weak], in the way that a bad joke will make you roll your eyes. However, his exuberance, the fact that he would get into piercings and such, his uncle's annoyance with him - fun stuff. Lastly, a 37 year old non-virgin heroine? Yay! No mention of a narrow rib-cage. Hallelujah! Byron's sister bitching about Mikhail's handling of Savannah? You go girl. I can see why some reviewers didn't like this, because she is trying to break from a formula that's been fun. But I didn't mind the different angles in this story, I appreciate a hero that can't immediately dominate the situation and a heroine who has something more than basic esp anda "feisty" personality even before she gets an unplanned blood exchange. This book makes me look forward to the Dayan story down the road, where the heroine also has some major complications up front. For those who prefer the more traditional males/story lines, I imagine that Ms. Feehan's contribution to the upcoming anthology will be satisfying along those lines. So it's all good. If you like the whole idea of the Carpathians and "magic" peoples in the world, then I heartily recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Unfocused
Review: I'm a big fan of Christine Feehan's Dark series. I own all of them and love Dark Desire the most. I like how this novel brings back or mentions many of my favorite characters, but I think Ms Feehan was too preoccupied with combining too many different ideas into the novel and didn't give the story line between Bryon and Toni as much thought as she did with the other couples in the Dark series. She brings back the idea of the Jaguars, which was mentioned once in Dark Prince and she does a pretty good job explaining what happened to the Jaguar and the Scarlettis but she puts too much into it and not enough into the Carparthian aspects. For new readers, this book is a little of a nightmare. It touches upon three things that only an avid reader of Christine Feehan would get and tie together. It isn't a badly written novel, Ms Feehan could never do that, but the main storyline was not fully developed. I felt I understood Tasha more than I did Toni, so much description was given to her in comparison to Toni. Toni remains a mystery to me, as well as Bryon. It really feels as though Ms Feehan used Toni and Bryon to explain the Scartelli's history and that's what makes this book uninteresting for those who were looking for a love story.
Rating:
Summary: Diversion from the usual plot, interesting love story!
Review: I really enjoyed The Scarletti Curse and Ms. Feehan did a nice job of weaving the two stories together. She captured the gothic sense of the palazzo and managed to weave in the Carpathian lifemate theme as well. Byron was a little too patient at times.The only thing that kept this from being a 5-star book for me was the ridiculous drivel about the dragonseekers and wizards. Ooh boy, enough silliness already. I hope it goes nowhere because it was nonsense. Antonietta was wonderful. The book really rocked at the end. LOVED the Borzoi Celt being introduced. It did take me almost a week to read, but I enjoyed it tremendously.
Rating:
Summary: SOOO disappointing!
Review: I am an avid fan and was eagerly awaiting this addition to the "Dark" Series.Christine Feehan usually writes great books for escaping into a fantasy with hot sex and overpowering love. This book did not follow her regular formula. This plot tied in with the Scarletti book. There were way too many "humans", family members of the heroine. The plot of family intrigue and "jaguars" confused the plot involving the two lovers. None of her family were in the slightest bit likable. You kind of hope the jaguar does eat them. The two main characters just don't spend enough time together. I want to know more about them and was irritated every time I was interrupted with her family and the mystery of who is trying to kill them. This book was trying to link together different branches of the carpathians and also give more possibilities for future books. Too bad this book was "sacrificed". I don't know what Christine Feehan was trying to do, some kind of cross over into another genre?? Whatever it was missed the mark with me. I don't understand why romance writers leave the romance genre and move into intrigue/ mysteries. I hope Christine Feehan isn't following in the footsteps of so many authors who have left the romance field. (Such as Iris Johansen,Kay Hooper)
Rating: 
Summary: Finally, a deviation from the norm...
Review: I love the Dark Series, I am so intrigued with the Carpathians and the new spin on the 'vampire'. I have read all Feehan's Dark books, but I especially love this one. It is different from the rest. I got the feeling that Feehan was starting to run out of ideas for her Dark books, they all started to sound the same after a while. Don't get me wrong, I loved them all, but we all know that the male finds his mate and is very protective of her and won't let anyone near her that is male, basically converts her without asking, and she struggles to undertsand who and what he is and is sort of forced to accept him and what he has converted her to. This book is different in the fact that Byron, keeps his distance from her at first, enjoying her music as it brings colors to his dark existence. He works his way into her world and would have taken his time getting to her heart, unfortunately, one night someone tries to throw Antonetta and her grandfather off a cliff. At that point, Byron can't deny himself any longer. He thought she was lost to him, so he takes over trying to find out who tried to hurt her and pretty much puts the moves on her and makes his way into her heart and bed, of course. This surprises her because she has pretty much fallen in love with him during the time they spend together talking at nighttime, but they have never touched. I think he avoided contact with her, so that he wouldn't lose control as we was trying to court her the old fashioned way, not overpower her. Antonetta is such a great heroine for this book and for Byron, she is understanding, strong and courageous, and she's blind! As to the comment one of the reviewers made about feeling that the characters had no passion or real love for one another, all I can say is...are you kidding me? I know it said you only read the first few chapters, but just because he doesn't ravish her in the first few chapters doesn't mean they don't love one another or have passion for each other. Keep reading before you make that kind of review, its just not helpful when you haven't even read the entire book! They go up in flames when they finally touch one another. Can you say unconditional love? She finds out more and more of what he is and still loves him, and is not completely afraid of him, well he is kind of scary at times, but she totally trusts him. Of course, she has a secret about her family which helps to explain why she is more understanding of his Carpathian background than most. Oh, yeah, and he also makes it her choice to convert or not, he does not try to force her. He thought about doing it, but since he loves her so much and admires her for her independence, he does not want to take that choice away from her. Their love for one another far exceeds what I had envisioned for them and I also had no clue as to who the villian was, I am usually good about picking out who they are right away, but this one sort of surprised me. Go figure and good job Feehan! If you have read the other Dark books, you have to get this one. There are new developments in the Carpathian world that are explained in this book, new twists and all. The love between the two characters sizzles and never dies, so you won't be disappointed with that. Some of Antonetta's family members got a little annoying, but if she can put up with them, why can't we? I can't wait for the next installment of the Dark series, I am sure it will be as good as all the rest. Keep them coming Feehan, we are waiting anxiously!
Rating:
Summary: More Compelling Carpathians
Review: Those of you that know Feehan will be very familiar with the premise of this series - the long lived Carpathain's, seeking their life mates to stop them from becoming the dreaded undead. This amazing, fresh take on the vampire genre is not quite as fresh any more, as this is the 9th story in the series. This book can be read as a stand alone, but will be a richer read with the benefit of at least one of the other books - perhaps Dark Prince and Dark Desire, where we met Byron before. In these earlier two books Byron was a reasonably lighthearted fellow, content with himself and his friends, although aware as they all are of the need to find a lifemate. Because of a couple of errors in judgement, (in Dark Desire), Bryron has decided to further punish himself and against his natural inclinations has become a Hunter. Antonietta Scarletti (descendant of the Palazzo dela Morte gothic series - those who have read the Scarletti Curse in particular will be aware of her supernatural heritage) is a blind composer of some renown, and her music calls to Byron, soothes his anguish and compels him to her. She is his life mate, and he must claim her. But, more than those previously in the series, he tries desperately to give her the human courtship and to let her make the choice to become Carpathian. But something is stalking Antonietta, and Byron's need to let her choose is set against his need to protect her... I like that this book is a bit different from the rest of the series. Byron is a hunter, but not by calling. In fact, unusually, he doesn't battle a vampire in the entirety of the book - which I liked a lot. Sure, I love the strength shown in the battles, but here is someone who is not so driven by his own needs (which the stronger hunters have to battle constantly) that he ignores those of his life mate. Byron is able to show flairs of his earlier character, he's not as darkly intense as some of the other Hunters. Nothing wrong with darkly intense I hasten to add, but no need for a steady diet of it. Antonietta has her own strengths, and abilities, and doesn't necessarily agree with Byron on everything. She has questions and thoughts about her own Jaguar nature. She often wins their discussions - and I liked that about her and about the book. In Dark Symphony Feehan is able to not only allow us to revisit old friends, but brings something new into the general thread of the overall story as well as developing the specific story that is the central focus of the book. I think this shows a lot of talent, and I am a great fan of this series. Long may it continue.
Rating:
Summary: A Nice Departure, A Great Addition to the Dark Series
Review: Kudos to Christine Feehan for taking a big step forward in the development of the addictive Dark Series. I've thoroughly enjoyed the series so far and I agree with other reviewers who've said that readers should start with Dark Prince and work through all the Dark books in sequence. However, there has been a certain sameness up to this point. The Carpathain males so far have been arrogant alphas who have claimed and ultimately dominated their lifemates. That theme has kept me hooked but it can't remain satisfying forever. I don't know that anything could top Dark Prince and Dark Magic in terms of sheer paranormal eroticism. The author has a great franchise going here but it was time for her to add more depth to the world she had so effectvely created in her earlier books. Dark Symphony accomplishes this beautifully. It tells the story of Byron, a Carpathian male who learned though bitter experience (the loss of a childhood friend, torture at the hands of humans) to temper his instincts. Rather than aggressively claiming his lifemate, he watches her, courts her, tries to really know her and please her. Byron is a new kind of Carpathian. Antonietta is also a fresh type of Dark heroine - mature, conflicted, and flawed. Their coming together is powerful. Finally, I was delighted to see some minor characters from earlier books brought back. I appreciated references to developments in the lives of some of my favorite featured characters from those earlier books. I also appreciated the "geneological" cart at the beginning of the book that shows the interrelationships among the Carpathian families. Dark Symphony was worth waiting for!
Rating:
Summary: Dark Symphony-What a Disappointment
Review: I bought this one expecting more of the same great Carpathian excitement. Unfortunately, this one doesn't seem to have any. I usually read these in a day or two. This one took me more than a week.
It's still not terrible, but see if you can borrow it rather than buy it.
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