loverofromance 's review for:

Dark Tarot by Christine Feehan

5.0

---

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 Tarot is the latest book in the Carpathian series by Christine Feehan. I honestly had no clue what to expect with this book, all that I knew was that it was Andu's book. After Dark Song, I wasn't sure anything could compare to that book. But comparing Dark Song and Dark Tarot, they are complete opposites from each other. The characters in each book are so diversely different. So make sure you don't compare the two or think one is better than the other, and quite frankly Dark Tarot is a whole another level. This is a pivoting book though, there are so many things that happen in this story, and it's a beast of a read at 500 pages so it isn't a light quick read. You will definitely spend most of the day reading it. There needs to be so much to happen though, just because of who this couple is and what they have to do together and it does get pretty heavy so lets get into this.

Dark Tarot is one kickass adventure with a pairing every fan will adore:

Andu-one of the Ancient Carpathians, no memory of his family or past, hunter, alpha male,



Adalasia-tarot card reading, psychic abilities, fighter against demons, strong but kind



Dark Tarot is a story that sets off with our hero, Andu, who is sitting on a rooftop contemplating what he should do in the future. Should he meet the dawn or should he go back to the monetary with his brothers in arms? But he is heavy with despair not knowing if he will ever meet his lifemate. But in the darkness, comes a voice of light and laughter, Adalasia, who whispers words of comfort to him. The moment that he hears her voice he knows that she is vital and she is real and he goes to California to find her, and she takes his breath away. But her life is in danger, she is being hunted, she has magical abilities, and they are meant to be together. Her family has always known that one of them would be mated to one such as he and that they would save the world from demons and a greater enemy they can only imagine. Andu knows he will do all that he can to protect his woman, and calls upon his band of brothers to be their guardians on this journey. As Andu and Adalasia go on this journey together of discovering this fated love, building a familial bond with their guardians, meeting with other Carpathians on their journey, and facing an evil they have never faced ....their path is brutal and dangerous but also filled with such promise of hope and love and family...



Dark Tarot is a story that really took my breath away and it was simply beautiful in so many elements. The relationship that we see develop between these two is similar to some that we have seen in the past, but not exactly. I loved their unique relationship and more of one of the "modern" romances that we have seen with Feehan. Our heroine is a modern day woman, a fighter and catches on quickly to being a Carpathian. She does get turned more quickly in the beginning of the story, so we also have that. This story is different in that it is not about her turning, its more of the backdrop of the story, their journey is what is most vital. I really enjoyed seeing so many of some of my favorite side characters such as Lucien, Gabriel, Luiz, Dax and Solange just to name a few.



As they travel around, searching for clues and answers to Andu's past which connects to their future, they see where their journey is taking them. But along the way we get plenty of fun bantering with the guardian Carpathians, despite them being the ancient Carpathians, sometimes they act like little boys. Although I think them being around Adalasia has given them a sense of hope and you see such humor in their personalities that rise to the surface and I can't wait to see their lifemates. I have a feeling they might be connected to the "4 Gates". The romance that develops between these two is so precious. They have such balance in their relationship. Adalasia doesn't fight being a Carpathian, like so many previous heroines have. She has known of her destiny connected to Andu and has been preparing herself for it. And she takes to it so naturally and is such a fast learner. I was truly impressed by her character, her sense of honor and duty, wanting to fight beside Andu and be a true partner to him and gives him the "third degree" when he deserves it.



The turning point of the series as a whole is truly elemental in this book. I really found it so fascinating to see what leads this couple to the "4 Gates" of hell and the female Carpathians that are guarding the gates. We see Andu's sister (the one they know is alive but her location is unknown, and no one has heard of her for centuries) and loved seeing their reunion and how valuable she has been in fighting off the vampires and guarding against demons. I honestly hope her book is soon and I can't wait to meet the other women in the group who have been such fighters and warriors in guarding against this. I really felt for so many of our side characters here but we get some reveals on future pairings so I am really excited for that and most especially for Luiz as we get to see who he is paired up with.



Overall I found Dark Tarot to be an enthusiastic wild ride of laughs, of thrills and chills, an epic uplift of world-building that only this author crafts, and a stunning romance that conveys such unity, healing, and freedom.