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claire_thebookreader's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
tai08's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
now_booking's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I enjoyed this addition to the Carpathian series. I’ve been reading these books for 2 decades and recently they became a little stale for me and a little dark and a little plotless. This most recent addition in my opinion, sort of sets the series back on track with a hero (Siv) that actually appears to like the heroine (beyond sex and her restoring his colors) and a heroine that is reasonable and trusts herself and is pragmatic while also having doubts.
The premise is that the portals to the underworld have been breaking allowing demons to infiltrate the headquarters of Lycan society, over which Vasilisa’s family are the ruling monarchs. Tasked with sealing the portals and fighting the demons who threaten their people, warrior Vasilisa meets Afanasiv (Siv) and they immediately connect and know what they are to each other. But with constant threats from the underworld, and the hidden darkness in Siv, their ability to build a relationship is in jeopardy, especially when a coalition force of enemies are set to wipe them all out.
This was good in that it had a strong, action-filled plot, and what we could saw if the characters was likable. I enjoyed the fact that we got to meet and hang out a bit with past characters like Dmitri and Skyler, and Razvan and Ivory. That said, I thought there were a lot of missed opportunities in the character development and relationship-building to make this a more emotionally-compelling story. The addition of old favourites was good, but it would have been nice to explore more deeply the relationships between them and catch up with them more. For Siv and Vasi, it would have been nice for them to engage more on a personal level and talk more through some of the isssues instead of having their entire relationship be centred on battle strategy. And that’s another major issue with this book. All the character relationships felt very much linked to the tension of battle. We didn’t get enough time for them to actually sit in some of the vulnerabilities that were hinted at or mentioned. This afflicted Vasi’s siblings as well. We’re teased with their great love stories early in the book to the extent of them going to the underworld for love, but then subsequently, it felt like those storylines were thrown away and never heard from again. The bonds between the siblings that was spoken about throughout only seemed pertinent in battle- other than that Vasi might as well not have had any siblings, talk less of siblings whose loves she risked her life for.
As for Vasi and Siv, some of the feelings around inadequacy, trauma and PTSD, hurt, betrayal that came up because of Siv’s returning memories were never fully addressed, everything was on the surface. And so it meant that while this was an interesting book due to the action and fighting and battle strategy and world building (if those are your things), it wasn’t at all an emotionally-engaging one, which was sad because I loved the bits of Vasi and Siv we got to see and I loved the potential of their relationship and the care and love and understanding that glimpsed through all the world building and battles.
I feel like with recent books, CF has faced a lot of critical reviews asking for more plot and less misogyny and endless sex scenes stringed together for hundreds of pages with Carpathian chants and with this super slow burner, she’s delivered that and on the balance, I’m here for it. However, I feel this swings a little too far into the opposite directions. Despite being a paranormal fantasy novel, it’s still also at its heart a romance and some of those relationship building elements that makes you connect to characters and gives you the “awwws” was missing. Some of the major emotional moments could have been extended and underscored, and some of the battles could have been a little shorter with a bit less detail in the scene about every villains thought process and battle strategy and reaction and monologue…. I was less interested in that and would have preferred a light touch on that rather than on the actual relationships in this book. Still, I’m excited about the books to come. I’m hoping it’s Petru, but would truly be happy for any of the other ancients.
The premise is that the portals to the underworld have been breaking allowing demons to infiltrate the headquarters of Lycan society, over which Vasilisa’s family are the ruling monarchs. Tasked with sealing the portals and fighting the demons who threaten their people, warrior Vasilisa meets Afanasiv (Siv) and they immediately connect and know what they are to each other. But with constant threats from the underworld, and the hidden darkness in Siv, their ability to build a relationship is in jeopardy, especially when a coalition force of enemies are set to wipe them all out.
This was good in that it had a strong, action-filled plot, and what we could saw if the characters was likable. I enjoyed the fact that we got to meet and hang out a bit with past characters like Dmitri and Skyler, and Razvan and Ivory. That said, I thought there were a lot of missed opportunities in the character development and relationship-building to make this a more emotionally-compelling story. The addition of old favourites was good, but it would have been nice to explore more deeply the relationships between them and catch up with them more. For Siv and Vasi, it would have been nice for them to engage more on a personal level and talk more through some of the isssues instead of having their entire relationship be centred on battle strategy. And that’s another major issue with this book. All the character relationships felt very much linked to the tension of battle. We didn’t get enough time for them to actually sit in some of the vulnerabilities that were hinted at or mentioned. This afflicted Vasi’s siblings as well. We’re teased with their great love stories early in the book to the extent of them going to the underworld for love, but then subsequently, it felt like those storylines were thrown away and never heard from again. The bonds between the siblings that was spoken about throughout only seemed pertinent in battle- other than that Vasi might as well not have had any siblings, talk less of siblings whose loves she risked her life for.
As for Vasi and Siv, some of the feelings around inadequacy, trauma and PTSD, hurt, betrayal that came up because of Siv’s returning memories were never fully addressed, everything was on the surface. And so it meant that while this was an interesting book due to the action and fighting and battle strategy and world building (if those are your things), it wasn’t at all an emotionally-engaging one, which was sad because I loved the bits of Vasi and Siv we got to see and I loved the potential of their relationship and the care and love and understanding that glimpsed through all the world building and battles.
I feel like with recent books, CF has faced a lot of critical reviews asking for more plot and less misogyny and endless sex scenes stringed together for hundreds of pages with Carpathian chants and with this super slow burner, she’s delivered that and on the balance, I’m here for it. However, I feel this swings a little too far into the opposite directions. Despite being a paranormal fantasy novel, it’s still also at its heart a romance and some of those relationship building elements that makes you connect to characters and gives you the “awwws” was missing. Some of the major emotional moments could have been extended and underscored, and some of the battles could have been a little shorter with a bit less detail in the scene about every villains thought process and battle strategy and reaction and monologue…. I was less interested in that and would have preferred a light touch on that rather than on the actual relationships in this book. Still, I’m excited about the books to come. I’m hoping it’s Petru, but would truly be happy for any of the other ancients.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Grief, Torture, Bullying, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Death, Gore, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Classism, Gun violence, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Hate crime
Minor: Cannibalism
autismreading_mom's review against another edition
5.0
Outstanding read! In Dark Whisper, the latest installment in Christine Feehan's Dark series, we find out. I loved meeting Vasilisa and Afanasiv. Yet again, I find myself in awe of these extraordinary Carpathian warriors who through Hell itself refuse to back down from doing what they know is right. Sacrificing everything, they continue to serve those who no longer understand what honor and loyalty are. Loved the characters and the continuation of the gate keepers story.
mina_reads_30's review against another edition
3.0
I love the series and I have been a fan since the first book came out!
I felt that this one was more paranormal/fantasy than paranormal romance. It did have the romantic element of fated mates but it was mostly battling evil forces. I didn't feel the "Lifemate" connection with Siv and Vasilisa like the other couples in the series, it felt more like coworkers who fight demons.
I felt that this one was more paranormal/fantasy than paranormal romance. It did have the romantic element of fated mates but it was mostly battling evil forces. I didn't feel the "Lifemate" connection with Siv and Vasilisa like the other couples in the series, it felt more like coworkers who fight demons.
bijou's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
aspiro27's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.75
bookdrgn's review against another edition
5.0
I love how these ancient Carpathians are so accepting and welcoming of their fearless, strong lifemates. I do miss the style of the older books sometimes, but these newer storylines are keeping my interest fresh.
Afanasiv and Vasilisa are a great team. They complement each other well.
I enjoyed the other ancients getting hope and direction and can't wait to see whose book is next.
As always, it was great catching up with older Carpathians. With all the mystery around the Dragonseeker line, I did wonder why Dominic, Lara, and Colby weren't mentioned. It will be interesting to see how this formidable family line plays into the current goings-on.
I'd still love to go back to the Carpathian mountains and catch up with my favorites there. It feels like a long time since we've been on the mountain with the characters we fell in love with.
Dark Whisper was well worth the wait. I was surprised by the almost lack of intimate scenes, normally Carpathian books are very love scene heavy.
Afanasiv and Vasilisa are a great team. They complement each other well.
I enjoyed the other ancients getting hope and direction and can't wait to see whose book is next.
As always, it was great catching up with older Carpathians. With all the mystery around the Dragonseeker line, I did wonder why Dominic, Lara, and Colby weren't mentioned. It will be interesting to see how this formidable family line plays into the current goings-on.
I'd still love to go back to the Carpathian mountains and catch up with my favorites there. It feels like a long time since we've been on the mountain with the characters we fell in love with.
Dark Whisper was well worth the wait. I was surprised by the almost lack of intimate scenes, normally Carpathian books are very love scene heavy.
susanbevans's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
thebashfulbookworm's review
5.0
Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
Dark Whisper by Christine Feehan is the thirty-second book in her very popular Dark series. Dark Whisper can be read as a stand-alone, as the author provides a very helpful family tree at the front of the book.
Book Recap:
Vasilisa Sidkorolyavolkva is of royal blood and she is a Lycan. Her mother has passed down the traditions and told her she will soon find her lifemate. Vasilisa is restless as she knows her lifemate is near, but she knows nothing about him. Her mother told her the prophecy is that her lifemate will find her, and she must protect his soul.
Afanasiv Belan is a Carpathian and a warrior. He’s never met anyone like Vasilisa, his lifemate. He can see what’s in her mind and he knows how she feels, and he feels the bond between them. They fight in unison, each aware of each other and able to fight for and defend each other against their enemies. But, both Vasilisa and Afansiv have secrets and in order to bond completely, they must share their secrets and be able to accept each other.
My Thoughts:
Picking up a book that is #32 in an established series when I haven’t read a single one before, in a genre I’m not familiar with, wasn’t the best idea I’ve had in a while, but it turned out great. This book is full of action and the world-building is amazing.
I learned so much about the different factions, who are friends, who are enemies, and who are friends who turn into enemies. It’s a very complex world, however, if I had been reading the entire series, I’m sure I would have known most of the characters and their worlds and it would have been easier for me to understand. However, the author does take her time and explain things, plus she has an index in the back that helps explain the Carpathians and the Lycans, and that helped me a lot.
The basic story is about power, greed, and control of others. It’s a complex story that kept me on my toes, and I found myself immersed in the world and wondering if they will ever be able to find peace with each other.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Dark Whisper by Christine Feehan is the thirty-second book in her very popular Dark series. Dark Whisper can be read as a stand-alone, as the author provides a very helpful family tree at the front of the book.
Book Recap:
Vasilisa Sidkorolyavolkva is of royal blood and she is a Lycan. Her mother has passed down the traditions and told her she will soon find her lifemate. Vasilisa is restless as she knows her lifemate is near, but she knows nothing about him. Her mother told her the prophecy is that her lifemate will find her, and she must protect his soul.
Afanasiv Belan is a Carpathian and a warrior. He’s never met anyone like Vasilisa, his lifemate. He can see what’s in her mind and he knows how she feels, and he feels the bond between them. They fight in unison, each aware of each other and able to fight for and defend each other against their enemies. But, both Vasilisa and Afansiv have secrets and in order to bond completely, they must share their secrets and be able to accept each other.
My Thoughts:
Picking up a book that is #32 in an established series when I haven’t read a single one before, in a genre I’m not familiar with, wasn’t the best idea I’ve had in a while, but it turned out great. This book is full of action and the world-building is amazing.
I learned so much about the different factions, who are friends, who are enemies, and who are friends who turn into enemies. It’s a very complex world, however, if I had been reading the entire series, I’m sure I would have known most of the characters and their worlds and it would have been easier for me to understand. However, the author does take her time and explain things, plus she has an index in the back that helps explain the Carpathians and the Lycans, and that helped me a lot.
The basic story is about power, greed, and control of others. It’s a complex story that kept me on my toes, and I found myself immersed in the world and wondering if they will ever be able to find peace with each other.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.