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Audiobook Review-Dark Magic by Christine Feehan

by | Apr 17, 2015 | Book Reviews | 4 comments

Audiobook Review-Dark Magic by Christine FeehanDark Magic by Christine Feehan
Also in this series: Dark Prince, Dark Celebration, Dark Destiny, Dark Peril, Dark Storm, Dark Wolf, Dark Ghost
Series: Carpathian #4
Published by Love Spell on July 1st 2000
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Shape Shifting, Vampires
Pages: 358
Source: Library
ISBN: 0505523892
Goodreads
four-stars

They were masters of the darkness, searching through eternity for a mistress of the light...
WOULD SHE FIND MAGIC -- OR MADNESS IN HIS DARK EMBRACE?
Young Savannah Dubrinsky is a mistress of illusion, a world-famous magician capable of mesmerizing millions. But there is one--Gregori, the Dark One--who holds her in terrifying thrall. Whose cold silver eyes and heated sensuality send shivers of danger, of desire, down her slender spine.
With a dark magic all his own, Gregori--the implacable hunter, the legendary healer, the most powerful of Carpathian males--whispers in Savannah's mind that he is her destiny. That she was born to save his immortal soul. And now, here in New Orleans, the hour has finally come to claim her. To make her completely his. In a ritual as old as time ... and as inescapable as eternity.

Summary 

Savannah Dubrinsky, is the daughter of Raven and Mikhail, the prince of the Carpathian people. When she learns that Gregori, the infamous “Dark One” is her intented lifemate, known as the boogie man of their people, the most respected and feared of their kind, she knows at eighteen years old she is not ready to tie herself to such a creature. So she pleads for time, five years in the states. Gregori has lived for centuries, one of the oldest of their kind, he knows he will not be a easy mate, so he gives her that time, despite the fact that he isn’t sure he can wait five years for her. Savannah has now had her precious five years, and while on her last stop on her tour in San Francisco, her closest friend is killed by a vampire, and Gregori saves her. She knows that this day would come, but she also knew she would never be ready to be his lifemate. She is overcome with grief over her closest friend, and being tied to a dark and dangerous man, but they decide to head to New Orleans, for the jazz music festival, and soon they will be facing hunters from the human society out to destroy their kind, and a master vampire and only working together will they be able to survive.

The Hero 

Gregori “The Dark One” is the healer of his people, and second in command to the prince, who also happens to be his best friend. Gregori has defended his people and protected them and killed vampires left and right. He has studied and learned everything he can to be the most knowledgable and cunning. He has few friends, many enemies, and has searched for his lifemate for centuries. When Mikhail and Raven conceived a girl, he knew she was his lifemate, and he must stay strong for her. She is his only hope. Gregori can be a hard hero to like. He is very rough around the edges, believes women should be protected in a cacoon and away from any and all danger. He is very “alpha male” and he is possessive. But Gregori is also very easy to connect with. As soon as you see the real Gregori, who has lived a life of killing and darkness, we see a man that only wants to be loved and needed.

The Heroine 

Savannah Dubrinsky, she is the daughter of the prince. She has her own special gifts and abilities. She is powerful in her own right despite being a fledging. She grew up with only her parents, and a wolf as her companion. She now resides in the states, doing magic shows and is infamous for it. But Savannah has one fear, her lifemate. She knows that she will have to be binded forever with Gregori, but she fears him more than any other. She knows he will be hard to live with, and she is very independent like her mother. I really liked Savannah, but at times she could have used a bit spine, especially in the beginning. I understand why she feels the way she does, but at times she could be a bit selfish. But what I really liked about her character, was how she stands up to Gregori, and doesn’t back down.

Plot and Story Line 

This is a re read or “re listen” for me. Every now and then I get in the mood to listen to the earlier books in the carpathian series, since I own them all on audiobook. I realized I had yet to review Dark Magic. So I decided now would be a good time to do so. The first half of the book isn’t always easy to listen to. We see the relationship between Gregori and Savannah have a bit of a rocky start. One of the reasons for this, is that Gregori has waited to long to claim Savannah, and if he doesn’t he will become a vampire. And no one will be able to destroy him. We see how his control is slipping away, and Savannah at first doesn’t realize how bad it truly is. They have a bit of a unsteady beginning  with plenty of miscommunication and mistrusts, but then we see a turning point in their relationship. A turning point that makes Gregori despise himself, and Savannah reads his mind and memories, and learns who he really is, and a trust begins to form. We also get a side character that I hope one day gets his own story (Gary). We see him in future books too, which is fun and you see a hint of a story that could happen.  There is some quick witted humor that is delightful, and the narrator is amazing. She has done most of the books from book 1 to book 10 I believe apart from Rebecca Cook who has done a couple. But I adore her inflections and I fell in love with her in Dark Challenge, so its always a delight to listen to her again. What I also liked was seeing their relationship develop more and you see a hint of playfulness enter the relationship, and Gregori softens towards Savannah, We see the romance between them really blossom especially once they get to New Orleans. There is some suspense elements as well from two different factors. Now this is a story that will either be you love it or you hate it, I love it because of seeing Gregori in previous books, and even though this isn’t my favorite book of the series, I always have fun with it. But I will warn you in the first part of the story, it is not easy to read, there are some darker elements, but the later half is more playful and light and fun.

The Cover 

This isn’t my favorite cover for the series. I do like the foggy background, but there is something non realistic about this cover, but I love the colors and the wolves at the bottom.

Overall View 

Dark Magic is a highly sensual and dark romance at times, but has witty humor, intrigue and danger, a story of redeeming love and passion.

Favorite Quotes

She thumped him again.
He looked startled, then caught her flying fist in his hand and gently pried her fingers open. Very carefully he pressed a kiss into the exact center of her palm. ‘Savannah? Were you trying to hit me?’
‘I did hit you–twice, you scum. You didn’t even notice the first time.’ She sounded very irritated with him.
For some reason it made him want to smile. ‘I apologize, mon amour. Next time, I promise I will notice when you strike me.’ The hard edge to his mouth softened into a semblance of a smile. ‘I will even go so far as to pretend that it hurts, if you wish it.”

———————-

“I sent a clear warning to you, Aidan.” There was a hint of censure in his words, although his voice was soft.
There was a hard edge to Aidan’s mouth. “I received your warning. But this is my city, Gregori, and my family. I take care of my own.”
Savannah rolled her eyes. “You could just beat on your chests,you know. It probably works just as well.”
You will show some respect, Gregori ordered.
Savannah burst out laughing, then reached up to caress his shadowed jaw. “Keep hoping,my love, and perhaps someday someone will obey you.”
Aidan’s mouth twitched, the golden eyes sliding over Gregori in amusement. “She inherited something besides her mother’s good looks,did she not?”
Gregori sighed heavily. “She is impossible.”
Aidan laughed,ignoring the warning flash from Gregori’s pale eyes. “I believe they all are.”
Savannah ducked out from under Gregori’s arm and found an overstuffed chair to curl up on. “Of course we’re impossible.It’s the only way to stay sane.”
“I would have brought Alexandria to meet you,but Gregori’s warning dictated prudence.” Aidan sounded smug, as if he had been able to lay down the law to his woman when Gregori was unable to do so.
Savannah flashed an impish grin up at the man. “What did you do,leave her sleeping while you ran off to play hero? I’ll just bet she has a thing or two to say to you when you wake her.”
Aidan had the grace to look sheepish. Then he turned to Gregori. “Your lifemate is a mean little thing, healer. I do not envy you.”
Savannah laughed, unrepentant. “He’s crazy about me. Don’t let him fool you.”
“I believe you,” Aidan agreed.
“Do not encourage her in her rebellion,” Gregori tried to sound severe,but she was turning him inside out.She was everything to him, even with her silliness.Where did she get her outrageous sense of humor? How could she ever be happy with someone who hadn’t laughed in centuries? She melted his insides. Melted him. He was careful to keep his face expressionless. It was bad enough that Savannah knew he was practically wrapped around her little finger. Aidan didn’t need to know,too.”

My Rating

4 Blossoms 

Heat Level

Steamy

Series Order 

Dark Prince
Dark Desire
Dark Gold
Dark Magic
Dark Challenge
Dark Fire
Dark Legend
Dark Guardian
Dark Melody
Dark Dream
Dark Symphony
Dark Hunger
Dark Secret
Dark Demon
Dark Celebration
Dark Possession
Dark Curse
Dark Slayer
Dark Peril
Dark Predator
Dark Storm
Dark Lycan
Dark Blood

Dark Wolf

Dark Ghost

Dark Promises

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4 Comments

  1. eileendandashi

    I’ve read most the series, several times and loved the stories and relationships that develop.. Didn’t read Dark Ghost. I didn’t realize Dark Promises is out.

    Reply
    • Loverofromance

      They are great!!! This is the series that got me into paranormal romance so I just love it. I am curious to see how Dark Ghost turns out.

      Reply
      • eileendandashi

        Have you read any of her other series? How do you compare this one to the others? Just as exciting, entrancing, a must-read?

        Reply
  2. kiltsandswords

    Love the quotes! Sounds like a great series! I’ve never heard of this series but I will check it out! Thanks!

    Reply

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