I don't really know how I feel about this installment in the series. I wasn't overly impressed with Ferro or Elisabeta if I am being honest.
I did enjoy seeing old characters from the very beginning of the series and I like that Josef is getting some more story time. I hope that means he will be in more books until he gets his own.
While I do enjoy the series, I hope it will be wrapping up soon.
I loved the fact that even do he was super Alpha, he still let his lifemate blossom under his care and how he wants her to know herself and start living. I loved this book! It was so touching and caring. Finally got to see Ferro as a teddy bear and the fact that he has a good sense of humor. I also liked the fact that we see into the other character's life and how they are faring. I feel turbulent and great things are coming, especially to our young and beloved Carpathian. You know? the smart mouth and IT genius? Looking forward to the next books. And Sandu... yes baby!!!!
When one of these books features a song or poetry, you know it’s going to be a romantic one. And Dark Song doesn’t disappoint. I’ve been reading these books for 21 years and these characters have become almost real. This is the magic Christine Feehan weaves for her readers. This book harkens back to the early books where the focus was on the romance between the two main characters. I was never convinced Elisabeta was dead when we first learned about her way back in her brother, Traian’s book. And when she was rescued in Dark Legacy, we knew she would need a special lifemate. Ferro becomes that for her. Traditionally, Carpathian males are a bane for feminist readers. They are archaic, stubborn, and traditional in their expectations of a lifemate. Ferro is no different, or so he thinks. The key thing about lifemates in this vast and unique world Feehan has created is that a lifemate becomes whatever their mate needs. Ferro does this for Elisabeta and she for him, without him knowing what he needed. The sex isn’t as ubiquitous or lengthy as in previous books and this helps in aiding the romantic nature of the book and the care Ferro has for Elisabeta’s safety and security, as well as her confidence and trust. He is endlessly patient with her after her centuries of captivity at the hands of an evil master vampire with an inferiority complex. He takes his time teaching her, understanding what she needs and when, speaking for her when she can’t speak for herself, and simply loving her. Sure, there’s a mystery afoot, battles and attacks coming their way – there always is in the world of the Carpathians, vampires, and psychic humans, but the focus stays on the couple, how they navigate the threat, soft Elisabeta finding her place among these warrior men and women, a place of value and usefulness. Her immediate compassion when someone was hurting and a compelling need to aid them is so central to the female Carpathians and important for Elisabeta who had almost forgotten how to be Carpathian because of her captivity. I enjoyed how the shifting nature of Carpathians is explained in greater detail. I’ve always thought they simply take the shape of the animal, but they essentially become it. They see with its eyes, sing their songs, hunt their prey. There’s a risk in hiding do deeply within the animal that a Carpathian could lose themselves, and this has been hinted at before but not really explained until now. I love it when we get to revisit with old characters, and I expected Elisabeta’s brother and his lifemate Joie to travel from the Carpathian Mountains to the American compound. I was pleasantly surprised to see the Dark Troubadour’s again, and that Darius and Tempests’ daughter finally has a name. The other ancients from the monastery were also a welcome surprise despite only hearing them by name. I would have loved to see more interaction between them and the ancients at the compound, and Gabrielle and Gary meeting again after the events of Dark Promise. I wanted to see more of the women. Onto Gary. Oh, my heart both breaks and melts for this character. Once human, mortally injured protecting children and converted because Gregori Daratrazanoff didn’t want to lose him (and if you know what type of character Gregori is, this puts Gary extremely high in his esteem). Once converted he was introduced to the deceased warriors in a ritual and fully accepted. He became a Daratrazanoff in every sense of the word. All the skills in hunting and healing flooded into him and he instantly lost his emotions and colors, essentially becoming an ancient, despite his new conversion. I love Daratrazanoff Gary, especially the true, ruthless, willing to do what is necessary no matter how distasteful the nature of a second-in-command Daratrazanoff. But I miss nerdy, brilliant human Gary sometimes. I don’t know if I can wait for 18 or so books for him to find his lifemate. Maybe we will have another jump in the timeline soon given some potential lifemates are young. I was worried one of the peripheral but humorous characters would take a dark turn and found myself literally begging him not to. Mikhail Dubrinsky was my first Carpathian, the Prince of the race, and a favorite character and I found myself gritting my teeth when his leadership wasn’t necessarily called into question, but not implicitly trusted by the ancients. I understand their reticence though and hope the meet him soon and see he is not like his father. Now, Josef. Sweet, exacerbating, technical genius Josef. I am so happy the Carpathians in the US compound recognize his skill and potential. They don’t belittle him or brush him off (like his Uncle Byron tends to do) or torment him as his adopted brother does. They appreciate him and want to teach him; they listen to him and don’t scoff at him. It’s a joyous thing, having seen this character grow up in the books, to read him begin to come into his own with confidence and swagger. I always look forward to seeing more of him There were some new elements of Carpathian life mentioned in this book and it will be interesting to see how they play out in future plots. I do hope we return to the Carpathian Mountains again soon; I miss the hunters and warrior women there. And I am still wondering after what we find out in Dark Sentinel, is Aidan Savage OK?
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Dark Song is the newest installment in the Carpathian/Dark series by this incredible author. Christine Feehan has done a work of art within this series and most especially this book. I always am so impressed with how big this series has grown over the years (and I am definitely blessed to have followed it from almost the beginning) and seeing the depths of the world building and how this world she creates is utterly captivating and it NEVER loses it magic and this is what impresses me the most about this author. I can never seem to get enough of her work. Dark Song, however, is a must read for any paranormal romance lover, because I guarantee you will fall in love with it. There are some aspects (which I will discuss below) that you need to have an open mind in especially in regards to the heroine, but I promise this will win your heart just as it has mine.
Dark Song encompasses two characters that are both ancient Carpathians and both have suffered but have a love story that will be memorable for years to come. Our heroine Elisabeta (which is so pretty of a name) has been tortured, tormented, abused, demeaned by an ancient vampire, one of the Malinov brothers. She was kidnapped from her home and family and put through hell for most of her existence. She has only known pain and suffering. She has never had a life for herself. And then she is rescued and taken to a haven but she knows that is temporary and she now has a lifemate. A man she knows she will never be worthy of but will strive to survive just as she has all of these generations of time. Ferro, is an ancient Carpathian, one of the oldest of his kind and part of the monastery group. When he finds Elisabeta and realizes she is his lifemate, he knows their path will not be an easy one. She has suffered severe PTSD, doesn't know how to do the basic things but he is determined to show her of her true worth and gift. Through their journey together Ferro and Elisabeta will forge a bond so powerful....the notes of their song will sing to the world....
Dark Song may be the 30th installment (and yes you heard that right) but its one of my favorites of the series and quite frankly probably one of the MOST heart breaking and heart felt of them all. This story was NOT easy to read because of the journey that our heroine goes through especially. Now I want to make it clear this heroine is not weak, feeble, or a door mat. Too many times I see in this genre, heroines that are written in this way belittled and demeaned in this terminology. Elisabeta has been ABUSED for hundreds of years, and that takes a toll on someone. Elisabeta doesn't even know her own capabilities. She just knows laws, rules, obedience. That is it. She doesn't understand many concepts, or the women's movement or anything. She is more at ease following commands than forging her own path. But what was so incredible about her character was her growth. Seeing her come into her own, being more independent, seeing the value of her own worth and her own gifts.
I will admit I want to see more heroines like this in the series that are "Ancient" because I love seeing how strong they are that are equal to the males in their power and gifts. Because if you understand the Carpathian way ....longer you live the more talented and more power you have. And the women that are ancients always seem to surprise the men so deliciously and boy this heroine shocks the males int his book and I was so down with that. Our hero though I want to give him a commendation for how he treated Elisabeta. Because he was so patient with her, gentle, and kind. Even though his alpha instincts are riding him hard, he is so supportive and encouraging of her. Their story was so stunning in so many ways. And there is SO much going on in this book plot wise alone, so to see such depths and growth in their relationship and individually was powerful.
Overall I found Dark Song to be a vibrant, thrilling, heart felt romance that will stun your senses and captivate hearts along the way.....BEAUTIFULLY PENNED IN EVERY WAY!
Still have pretty much the same thoughts as I had back in 2020 with regards to the slowness and the wonderful relationship between Elisabeta and Ferro. I loved Elisabeta's strength so much, and reading this story was great after having caught up on the series. I'll just say again. I love Ferro. He's one of my top heroes in this series.
Parts of this really dragged for me once it got to about chapter 16. Still, watching Elisabeta gain more confidence and independence after her centuries-long captivity was amazing. Ferro was so great with her. He knew his weaknesses. I loved that he knew he was overbearing, but nevertheless tried to do right by her. Elisabeta was very kind and also extremely strong. This couple was just amazing together. I sort of broke my rules by reading book 2 and now reading book 30, but I couldn't help it after I accidentally saw the first part of this book. I know I missed a lot of the overall series arc, but on its own, the story was quite good. Cheesy and very overly detailed at times, but still unique with a likable couple.
I loved the fact that even do he was super Alpha, he still let his lifemate blossom under his care and how he wants her to know herself and start living. I loved this book! It was so touching and caring. Finally got to see Ferro as a teddy bear and the fact that he has a good sense of humor. I also liked the fact that we see into the other character's life and how they are faring. I feel turbulent and great things are coming, especially to our young and beloved Carpathian. You know? the smart mouth and IT genius? Looking forward to the next books. And Sandu... yes baby!!!!
