Rating:  Summary: Another wonderful read, though slightly disappointing Review: I think all of Ms. Feehan's books are a cut above others & in particular, her dark series. I personally found Dark Legend to be the best of the dark series ever (although previously Prince, Desire & Magic were neck in neck for that distinction). Dark Guardian rated 4 stars because it was a little different start this time - interesting, as the prologue really grabbed you. If you've read Legend than you know who Lucien is - the guardian of his people, alone for centuries until he meets Jaxon - she is the light to his darkness. While there's is a loving & extremely torrid relationship (as they all are), for some reason it just didn't have the strength of Gabriel & Francesca's & as I read Legend just a couple of months earlier, I couldn't help but compare the two. Again, this book is very good and the storyline of Jaxon's stepfather was eerie & truly gripping at times and I do recommend it; I just didn't think the relationship was as intense as some of the others.
Rating:  Summary: A swing...and a miss. Review: Like many readers, I was sorely disappointed with the heroine. Jaxon Montgomery started this journey as a warrior. She finished as a whimpering, fainting damsel in distress.Her character is established early on as a firery, seasoned soldier turned supercop. Why then, was she so willing to surrender her fate to a man who thought little of her 20 years of training (she was a military brat trained from early childhood by her father and stepfather)? Where was her rage when the pain started and she woke up no longer human, but a full-blooded Carpathian who has to drink blood to survive? Lucian never even asked what she thought about conversion. She should have made good on her threat and shot him--just once. It would have been more believable than what we were given. To make things worse, when the moment of truth comes and she has to face off with her nemesis...she faints. Lucian delivered the smack down Jaxon had been holding in all her life. "Oh, save me mighty man; I'm just a girl trained to kill by the US government. I can't possibly defend myself with the many guns and knives I own. They're mostly for decoration." Add the fact that the formula has grown stale and boring, and I don't see any reason to read on. Just one time, I would love to see the heroine rebel openly and agressively against this situation. I want her to refuse becoming a lifemate and stand her ground. Why shouldn't he have to work for it? The steamy love scenes just weren't enough to hold my interest this time around.
Rating:  Summary: Slightly repetitious Review: "Dark Guardian" is the story of twin Julian and his desire to find his lifemate before he succumbs to the dark in his soul that he has been keeping at bay for his brother's sake. Still filled with steamy scenes; this book left me unfulfilled. The ending was anti-climatic. What is supposed to be a major setup for justice was fizzled out. The issue could have been addressed much earlier; instead of stringing along the reader. As the reader I anticipated much more to the face-off between Julian and Jaxx's stepfather and was bitterly disappointed. My biggest irk was the domineering ways of Julian in "converting" Jaxx. For an incredibly independent and strong (both physically and mentally) woman, she capitulated rather easily. No major histronics or displays of anger. The character of Jaxx could have been done so much better. Instead it left me wanting more. It must be tough for an author to continue to make the storylines fresh and interesting for the reader. How many ways can a Carpathian meet his lifemate and bond her? With this book it seems she has run out of the ways. Since I have gone this far in the series I have purchased the next one and hope it redeems it self. On the bright side it can't be much worse than this one.
Rating:  Summary: Fantastic! A Must Read! Review: "Dark Guardian" by Christine Feehan is the 8th instalment in the wonderfully sensual and intriguing "Dark" series, and once again Feehan does not disappoint. With fresh and likeable characters and a storyline filled with passion, danger, and suspense, "Dark Guardian" will leave readers cheering Feehan's remarkable talent. Lucian, one of the legendary ancient Carpathian twins, has spent the last several hundred years pretending to have turned vampire in order to keep his beloved twin (Gabriel of "Dark Legend") from turning vampire himself, knowing that Gabriel had a lifemate out there somewhere. And now that Gabriel has found his other half, Lucian feels his mission has come to an end. For the years he has spent hunting and killing the undead have left a stain of darkness on Lucian's soul, and he has grown weary of his endless colourless and emotionless existence. But Gabriel's lifemate, Francesca, insists that she knows of Lucian's lifemate, and that this woman desperately needs Lucian's help. And indeed Lucian does find his lifemate, feisty lady cop Jaxon Montgomery, who has dedicated her life to protecting others. But Jaxon has had a nightmarish start in life, with a crazed stepfather who murders everyone who gets close to her, including her biological parents and little brother, and her beloved foster parents. As a result, Jaxx lives a solitary and lonely life, never getting too close to anyone for fear that it will get them killed. So when Lucian appears out of the night to save her from a bust gone wrong, she immediately fears that Lucian will become the next target of her stepfather Tyler Drake's bloodlust. Recuperating in Lucian's huge and lovely home, Jaxx becomes aware that Lucian is no ordinary man. But though she witnesses some of his remarkable powers, she still fears for his safety. Lucian, on the other hand, is not at all concerned about one mortal man, ex-Navy SEAL though he might be, but he is incredibly touched by Jaxx's concern for him. Jaxon fears the deep connection she feels between herself and Lucian, and doesn't know how to live as one half of a couple after a lifetime of being utterly alone. But Lucian is remarkably gentle and understanding with Jaxon, giving her time to adjust to all the changes in her life. Because Lucian knows the one thing he will never do is let Jaxon go, for she is the light to his darkness, the very air he breathes and the other half of his soul. But Jaxx is like a beacon of light drawing the soulless undead to her, as they all know that a human woman with psychic powers can be converted into one of them. Indeed, Lucian makes the decision that the only way to keep Jaxx safe is to convert her into a Carpathian, and it was a refreshing change to have a heroine who simply dealt with the change and moved on, rather than agonizing over it. Together, Lucian and Jaxx formulate a plan to draw out the undead hunting Jaxx and Tyler Drake. And there is no chance that Jaxx will sit back while Lucian fights her battles, so she and Lucian become true partners, another refreshing change from previous books. This book builds the suspense effectively to a thrilling climax, and will leave readers utterly sated and satisfied. "Dark Guardian" is another fantastic entry is Feehan's "Dark" series and it is not to be missed. The romance between Lucian and Jaxx is passionate and intense, and it's wonderful watching them find happiness and eternal love in each other's arms. Amidst the affecting romance of Jaxx and Lucian, Feehan seamlessly mixes in a tale of danger and excitement that will keep readers turning pages. "Dark Guardian" was a truly enjoyable read and it comes highly recommended.
Rating:  Summary: a great read! Review: From the back of the book... He was the dark guardian of his people. So how, after centuries of a bleak, soulless existence, had he, Lucian Daratrazanoff, suddenly come to crave petite, curvy, colorful lady cop Jaxon Montgomery, who foolishly made it her life's work to protaect others from harm? Fiercely daring, Jaxx would sacrifice anything to shield others-particularly since a deadly menace dogged her every footstep, threating all who got close to her. And strangely seductive, piercingly erotic Lucian was no execption. Lucien was powerfully, perilously mesmerizing-oddly gentle yet clearly a born preadtor. He had vowed to posses her, to guard her for all time. Yet with his every thirsty kiss, was he drawing Jaxon more deeply into danger... and his dark, mysterious desires?
Rating:  Summary: READ IT NOW!!! Review: Yes, I know, I might seem a bit over enthusiastic, but I've already read this book, and I know you are really missing something... Dark Guardian can be read on its own, but is in fact the eight book in the Dark Series, by Christine Feehan. She is a relatively new author, but one who certainly knows how to write (she is one of my two favourite romantic authors, the other is Stephanie Laurens). I can bet that after reading this book you'll run to your bookstore looking for more!!! (that is the only problem, they are addictive). The plot might seem a bit bizarre at first: the stories are about Carpathians (immortal vampire hunters) who are looking for their "lifemates," the only persons who can save them from darkness. Specifically in this book we get to know Jaxon Montgomery, our heroine, who is a police officer, and Lucian, her mate. I don't want to give the plot away, because I think you'll enjoy it more if you do so as you read, but I can tell you that their lives haven't been incomplicated or painless. In general, there is an interesting mixture of supernatural things and a lot of romance. On the whole, my advise is still the same: read it!! If you are doubtful even now, check some of the other reviews (that has helped me in the past), but remember that "Nothing risked, nothing gained"
Rating:  Summary: Pretty Good Read Review: Ms. Feehan is a great author and I have all her books. Dark Magic is my favorite. The unique thing that I have always loved about the Dark Series is that the male, although very dominating, he does not wait until the end of the book to express his feelings for his lifemate and does everything he can to win her love which is so unlike the typical romance story. Lucian's story was a little different because this was the first time a Carpathian male agreed to allow his lifemate to hunt vampires with him. I was glad to see some interaction with Gabriel and his family and the mention of several others I've read about previously. I would love to see Ms. Feehan bring everyone together and update us on how they are doing. I did not give this book 5 stars because: I felt there was too much unnecessary killing done my Jaxon's stepfather and when he finally surfaces to kill Lucian, Jaxon just brushes off her "internal alarm system" and they never even get to confront "Uncle Tyler". A few more paragraphs on the wedding day scene would have been nice. I was disappointed that we did not get to witness Francesca and Jaxon's time together before the wedding. All in all, I still think this is a good book and I'm looking forward to Bryon's story in "Dark Symphony".
Rating:  Summary: Dark Guardian Review: I want you all to know this is not the only vampire romance series i have read but by far it has been the best. For those of you who don't like it when the women are treated as these helpless creatures than this is a series that you should read. Christine Feehan has a way of making the men and women equal without losing the story in it.
Rating:  Summary: Slightly repetitious Review: "Dark Guardian" is the story of twin Julian and his desire to find his lifemate before he succumbs to the dark in his soul that he has been keeping at bay for his brother's sake. Still filled with steamy scenes; this book left me unfulfilled. The ending was anti-climatic. What is supposed to be a major setup for justice was fizzled out. The issue could have been addressed much earlier; instead of stringing along the reader. As the reader I anticipated much more to the face-off between Julian and Jaxx's stepfather and was bitterly disappointed. My biggest irk was the domineering ways of Julian in "converting" Jaxx. For an incredibly independent and strong (both physically and mentally) woman, she capitulated rather easily. No major histronics or displays of anger. The character of Jaxx could have been done so much better. Instead it left me wanting more. It must be tough for an author to continue to make the storylines fresh and interesting for the reader. How many ways can a Carpathian meet his lifemate and bond her? With this book it seems she has run out of the ways. Since I have gone this far in the series I have purchased the next one and hope it redeems it self. On the bright side it can't be much worse than this one.
Rating:  Summary: Quite disappointing Review: I read very good reviews about this book, so I decided to buy it. I have read numerous other vampire-related romances, therefore I am familiar with the genre. Unfortunately this book was a disappointment. The story in itself isn't bad, but the language used is "wooden" and without feeling, although eloquent. In other books, when I read the description of the hero I get butterflies in my stomach. With this book, I got nothing. The words are there, but the passion was not. Hard to explain, but it was as if the language was so controlled that it defeated it's purpose. Moreover, I think that the story with Jaxxon's maniacal stepfather is rather overdone. The part describing her family's murder in the beginning of the story only managed to make me feel miserable and unhappy for the rest of the evening. I suppose it was meant to give a tragic side to the heroine, but I think it's all a little too much for a book of this genre. When choosing romance novels I am looking for an entertaining, pleasurable even, adventure that will help me escape my everyday problems. A dark side is welcome, within measure, but in this case all those murders were just too morbid and glum for my taste! In the end I wasn't able to finish the book and simply gave it to a friend. I much preferred the Dark Hunter series of Ms Sherrilyn Kenyon. The stories are "hot" and dark, but there is also humour and things are not taken so seriously, which I find refreshing.
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