Dark Slayer (The Dark Book 20)

I have read this story over a dozen times. Christine Feehan's Dark Series never gets old. I love this series, years ago when life was hard and the pain seemed to not end...This series helped in ways I could of never imagined.Dark Slayer is about Ivory and Razvan. Ivory is the Dark Slayer, she is a powerful character who Feehan put though the ringer to give her the strength and power she has. Ivory is a daughter of mother earth and Vampires fear her and her pack of Wolves. Razvan has been named a traitor by the Carpathians but things are not what they seem. Razvan is a great character who is the all Zen, he is an alpha but does not argue, raise his voice or let others effect his feelings or his way of life. Together they are one power couple. They bring great hope to the Carpathian people but also bring suspicion.Ivory and Razvan have the fight of their lives coming with the All Powerful Mage Xavier. He has held Razvan captive for years but now that Razvan is at full strength, Xavier can no longer control him.This is a beautiful story with angst, humor, love and an spiritual experience. If you haven't read this series and you love the Paranormal Romance stories then you need to read this series. I recommend following the series from book one , you could read as a standalone but each book in the stories flows to the next. This is book 20 of the series. So many characters are in this story and I would of felt lost without the knowledge of the other characters stories. Christine Feehan is always a one click author and I know her prices are on the high side for an ebook but I can guarantee you will love the story. Happy Reading!!

It’s quite a testament to Ms. Feehan‘s storytelling abilities that even after years away from this series, I was able to pick it up and remember all the characters and how they fit! It is still just as intriguing, unique and creative as I remembered.I especially enjoyed the story of Rasvan and Ivory. I love how the author so deftly took a character that all thought such an evil villain and turned him into one of the most honorable and beloved characters in the series. And it was completely believable! It is also amazing how Ms. Feehan created the absolute perfect mate for him. They complemented each other like no other characters could have.I did have to reacquaint myself with the odd, somewhat stodgy voice used, and points are repeated more than necessary but overall, this was top-notch storytelling at its best!

I've been waiting to find out if Razvan was truly evil as he seemed; "spoiler alert" he isn't evil just protective of the people he loves. & in order to protect those people he sacrificed a lot as well as tortured for it as well.Ivory, the sister of those who have gone from being good to now being evil after she was tortured & left for dead by those same evil ones.This is the story of how 2 tortured loners find not only their lifemate but, family as well.This book was very good especially the humor between Mikhail & Gregori. I liked that even though they were able to kill 1 of their most eviliest arch enemies that they still have another 1to fight. Unfortunately, he also used to be Ivory's brother.

I was beginning to lose hope with the Dark series. As with most series, the authors start off with great characters, an engaging plot, and well-thought-out dynamics to keep the series interesting. However, after about 5-10 books, the stories become predictable and stale, offering more of the same instead of something unique and different.The Dark series did that too. For awhile. With Dark Slayer, Ms. Feehan FINALLY escapes the repetition and boredom of her previous works and redefines the series -- for one thing, she starts off with a very strong female character, a first for the Dark series. She continues the overall plot to rescue the Carpathian people, but takes a turn in a different direction with the addition of Xavier - an evil mage with a thirst for immortality and a hatred for the race who possesses that immortality.I was only disappointed at the end. I felt that the story did a great job building suspense for an epic final confrontation between Ivory, Razvan, and Xavier -- but the actual battle did not meet those expectations. It was unique, but there was no suspense, no thrill. The event just sort of...happened. I expected more, and I felt let down.Also, I understand that Ms. Feehan has created this whole Carpathian language, and when it comes to lifemate's vows it is heartfelt and beautiful. But now there is an entire dictionary at the end of the book of useless words and phrases -- and the dialogue in the story is often interrupted with the insertion of this strange language that, really, is quite unnecessary. I found myself skipping over these insertions, not even bothering to let my eyes stop on them, only to get back to the language I understand. Things like that interrupt my immersion into the book's world, something which all successful authors will avoid.I like the refreshing changes to this series though, so I am comfortable giving this book a solid 4 stars.

If like me you have read all the previous novels and have been waiting, not very patiently for "Dark Slayer" this book will not disappoint. I just had to read it in one sitting, and then go back again a few days later and re-read it to ensure I'd missed nothing. Hubby was very miffed, but..... ah well! The interaction between the two main characters is so beliveable given their backgrounds, and all credit to Ms Feehan for getting this one just right.Ivory and Razvan have to be the strongest couple she has created, both have suffered unimaginable torment over extended periods and bear horrific internal and external scars. Both have been betrayed and both have been outcast by the Carpathian people. This story will grip you and, in Ivory, Ms Feehan has created, without doubt the bravest female heroine yet, This woman can kick some serious vampire and ancient Carpathian butt!!So, why only 4*'s, well for me, and it is mostly personal, but I did have a problem with both some of the storyline and the book as a whole. Firstly, Ivory's history. I have, I believe a very good imagination, but the horrific events of when she was a young woman, and what happened next, stretched it to its limit. Secondly, the final showdown could have been so much more, and longer, it seemed to fall at the final hurdle. Finally, and this really is just a moan but the book is over 400 pages long - great, no, the last 40 pages are given over again to the Carpathian language, Carpathian chants and even Carpathian musical aesthetics. I wish Ms Feehan would write a separate book - an addendum to the whole series to cover this, some people may buy it, but its not for me.This really is a good book, when all's said and done and a keeper, as they all have been.

When I read the first in this series  Dark Prince ('Dark' Carpathian Series) , estatic wasn't the word. For me, it was fresh and new and wonderfully written. The world building was solid and you empathised with the Carpathians and their struggle to live. It was so easy to sink into the Carpathian world and every book made me want more. However, this was the end of the line for me. To be honest, the last 2 have been a huge disappointment but I kept plodding on hoping for a return to the series that I loved. This book, as did the previous, annoyed me. I don't want to learn Carpathian and having it in the book and then the translation is distracting. I don't want an appendix for the healing chants. I just want to read the book, sink into their world, and swim back to the surface. I don't understand how Ivory could have recovered from her injuries as for most Carpathians it would have been fatal. Ivory didn't want to make a big thing out of it and yet every time there was an 'emotional' scene it was mentioned or alluded to. I don't understand how Xavier's defeat was over so quickly. The whole build up of the book was for the end of Xavier and of course the coming together of Ivory and Razvan. There are so many things wrong with this book that I can't put my finger on. It just all adds up to a boring and protracted read. I believe Ms Feehan has waited too long to try to build on her world and it shows. Perhaps it's time to end this series. Give it a decent ending and move on. I know a lot of people who love this series will disagree with me but for me this is the last I shall buy. Dark Prince ('Dark' Carpathian Series)

The most recent Carpathian novel from Christine Feehan and she didn't disappoint. Ivory Malinov, thought to be long dead by her adoptive brothers the glorius DeLaCruz brothers, and her biological brothers the Malinov's all of whom have now turned vampire.Ivory come across her lifemate Razvan as he seeks to end his existance. Razvan also feared long lost, but as a vampire, and thought to be serving his evil grandfather Xavier.I resisted this book, not wanting to like it purely because the cover depicted a female...! How supid is that...? Only you can judge! But every other book in this series (aside from the short stories in the anthologies) has a rather handsome hunter on the front and this one sticks out.Anyway I digress, what ensues is Ivory and Razvan's struggle to be accepted by the Carpathian society for who they really are and not what many would belive them to be - traitors. Razvan has committed some terrible acts under the manipulation of Xavier and all of Ivory's brother are vampires, so they have an uphill battle to prove to the rest of their kind, not that they are bothered about being accepted. It's truly heartbreaking to see the wrenching struggle that Natalya has to face in accepting and trust that her brother is alive and not the evil being she belived him to be for so long.I love that Gregori is the Carpathian who speaks out in favour of Razvan and Ivory, and there is a very humours part of the story where Gregori witness's those who doubt the couple succumb to thier trickery.That said I do feel that the demise of Xavier, painted to be the most unholy, evil creature in existance, and a mage with unknown powers to boot, is over much too quickly and with relative ease. Almost on a whim, there is nothing that makes his end any different from those of master vampires in previous books.The story end with the heartwaring naming ceremony of long awaited babies, the birth of whom was more dramatic and tense than Xaviers ending.Ivory is a brilliant character and for once she seems to be accepted as a warrior by the male hunters with more skill that both Natalya and Destiny before her, who both still wish to be accepted and prove themselves to the men.Also, though the DeLaCruz brothers have all spoken out about Ivory and there is a portrait of them in her lair so it's disapointing there is so little about thier reunion in this book.I am left slightly concerned with what direction Christine Feehan will now take as Xavier has so long been the evil behind so many of stories - time will tell, so roll on Dark Peril, September 2010! (Please dont let us be nearing the end of this fabulous series!)

I really enjoyed this book. I have read and enjoyed all the others as well. I think the main reason that it caught my attention this time is because it centred a bit more on the female character (Ivory, a Carpathian woman, long-thought dead) rather than the man (Razvan, long-thought vampire). I also enjoyed the different personality presented in Razvan. Due to his history (revealed in earlier books), he is not the dominating, aggressive Carpathian man that we are used to. He is rather more gentle and considerate which made a refreshing change, I thought.I understand why some reviewers are complaining that the overall storyline of the books wasn't developed as much as they had hoped in this particular book, but I disagree. Some elements were made much clearer and storylines from the last 4 books were drawn together (don't want to say too much for those who have not read them) and I suspect that Christine Feehan didn't want to detract too much from Ivory and Razvan's story with other issues. I think the overall story arc will be progressed further in the next few books. I am looking forward to more of Skyler's story in particular!Finally, I would mention, that although some of the Dark stories can be read as stand-alone books, this is probably not one of them. You should definitely have read the following books in the series if you want to understand fully what is going on: Dark Secret, Dark Demon, Dark Celebration and Dark Possession.

I too looked foreward to this book and was not disappointed, although did think the final fight was a bit short.I also do not see the point in all the language and other rubbish at the end total waste of space not interested. Also way too much poetry, most of which I just ignore if it was my thing I'd buy a poetry book not a vampire/action/romance ta.Do think the slowness of the overal plot is begining to bug me and would love to know how the rest of the Dragonseakers get on especially Skyler. Also do any of the lone males find mates from the human hunters data base? Hope we get some answers to these Q's soon and hopefully without the anyoying rubbish at the end.If Ms Feehan feels the need then just do a separate book for those it may interest oh and please not another cookery extension that really was the pits.