Customer Reviews

Dark Celebration

5 star:		(96)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Seeing as how I blasted Feehan for Dark Demon, it was only fair to take the time to tell everyone how much I enjoyed Dark Celebration. Author Feehan does a great job of bringing in every single couple (no joke) from her previous books, as well as all their children.

Prince Mikhail Dubrinsky is humoring his lifemate, Raven, by throwing a true Christmas Celebration for Carpathians and their human friends. All the Carpathians have showed up, and the running joke through the book is which of the hunters will be playing Santa Claus. While the book has humorous and lighthearted elements, the story also has its dark spots as there are numerous attacks on the women & children of the Carpathians. What makes the book really interesting is that two new lifemates are found and Prince Dubrinsky finally looks as if he has found a cure for the infertility and low birth rate of the Carpathian women. How the knowledge comes about and who actually supplies the cure is really great! Based on this plot device, it made me wonder just how far Feehan has had this series plotted out!! Reading this book was like early Feehan - Dark Celebration contained all the elements that made her Dark series so successful - mental and emotional intimacy between 2 people; resolving actual problems within the same book; visits with past pairs (in this case, everyone)and great sex scenes. I highly recommend this book. It will go on everyone's keeper shelf, and I guarantee you find yourself reading it more than once.

It is Christmas in the Carpathian Mountains and from all over the world these intensely sumptuous and dangerous men are returning to their homeland. Some are bringing their lifemates and some are bringing their children. But all of them are looking for a moment of peace and happiness.

The female lifemates are determined to make this a celebration to remember. Complete with homemade baking, turkey with all the trimmings and miscellaneous games and fun planned for everyone to participate in. The Carpathian men do not normally celebrate the holidays, but they are willing to do anything for the women in their lives. Willing, that is, until they find out one of them has to play Santa Claus for the children, complete with the white beard and round belly. Big, tough Carpathian men turning white and panicking at the very horrors of the dreaded Santa Suit.

Unfortunately there is a presence out there that is determined to ruin their plans for peace and happiness. Up until now all the attacks by their enemies; vampires, dark mages, and human hunters have concentrated on the Carpathian men. But to strike at where they are most vulnerable would be to strike at their women and children. And although they have celebrated minor victories with the few female children who have been born, there have still been miscarriages. And for the few that are either pregnant or thinking about trying for more children, it is a harrowing time.

The unthinkable happens and an enemy starts to attack the females, hitting at their worst fears and bringing them close to death with every attack. The Carpathians must now unite together to become stronger, faster, and more deadly than their enemies. Now the males must depend on their women in this fight; to use both their skills and gifts, even as they fight to protect them.

I can't tell you how excited I was to read Dark Celebration. I have been looking forward to it for the longest time and I certainly am not the only one. In fact, there was a knock-down drag-out fight among the reviewers to see who would get to review Dark Celebration when it came in. I managed to emerge victorious, if slightly bruised and scraped and I am so thankful I did!!

Dark Celebration brings back all of the beloved characters from the previous Dark books and introduces a few new ones and Christine Feehan manages to weave them together in a breathtaking and engaging way. The threat to the Carpathians kept me turning the page to find out what would happen next, and I loved how everyone banded together to fight against an evil so terrifying that it could mean the end of the Carpathians completely. Christine Feehan's Carpathians are a true family and Dark Celebration shows their bonds in intense and vivid colors. Their antics on the page kept me in stitches, and their love for each other shone through in every scene. I truly felt a part of this big, boisterous and incredibly sensuous clan and I can't wait for the next adventure in this series!!

Shannon

Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

What a neat holiday gift for all us Feehan fans! The author brings in all the old friends and couples, sets up some new story lines, and makes at least ONE of my own predictions come true when she lifemates the wolfman and the Parisian orphan girl.

If you haven't read any of the Carpathian books, don't start with this one. The pleasure is in the backstories and the bringing-up-to-date, and if you don't already know these people, nothing will make sense.

There are some really funny scenes, and the whole atmosphere is light-hearted. Sure, there's a Dreadful Threat, but we know all along that things will turn out OK.

I really enjoy all these books (as well as those in another of her series, the seven sisters.) The Carpathians are great, and though at my advanced age (65!) I tend to skim the sex scenes with a feeling of "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Get back to the story, people!" I consider most of these books keepers and re-read them off and on (mostly when I am down with the flu and need something comforting and familiar to pass the time,) and recommend them to anyone who likes vampires, good vs. evil, and so forth.

I pre-ordered this one, and was delighted when it arrived in September. I didn't expect a riveting storyline, and when I didn't get it, it didn't faze me. I felt that the book sort of cleansed the palate for the next set, to which I look forward.

Thanks, Ms. Feehan!

I loved Dark Prince, Dark Desire, Dark Fire, and Dark Guardian. I have read them so much, that the bindings are worn out. I wanted to love Dark Symphony, Dark Melody etc. I have not found the recent offerings to be as compelling as the earlier books. When I saw that Ms. Feehan had gone the route of hardback, I reluctantly carried the book to the cashier with a dark doubt that this book would come through.

A reunion makes for a challenge in terms of cohesion and plot continuity. Feehan's plot consists of spending most of the book following Mikhail as he makes the rounds of party planning, checking in with Dark couples from past books being caught in various stages of feed and seed, which loses it's appeal without the emotional development. But the blatant cliff hanging, particularly when the timeliness of new release on this series is getting slower and slower is what makes this book a dark disappointment. There are romances left dangling, and several plot threads and character issues abruptly abandoned.

Recipes? Please, that is what your website is for. Language? Maybe for die hard fans who don't have a life - again - website fodder. How about finishing the book? Editor - what were you thinking? Ms. Feehan - If you are so stretched with your other series that this is the best you can do for your fans (and at hardback and overpriced paper back prices) then do us a favor and wrap it up. It would be better than blatantly taking advantage of those of us who have truly loved your Carpathians. I find myself wishing that somehow, someone else would pick up the stories and return this series to its former glory.

While this is definitely a book for your Feehan collection, don't expect her usual fare. Have you ever visited her website and read the first chapters that are posted for her books? Well, that's what Dark Celebration reminded me of - I would get to the end of a chapter and want more.

In what I feel is a major mistake, Ms. Feehan has expanded on the jaguar theme and we discover that a couple of characters (one well known) have "jaguar blood." I personally found this to be way too contrived and totally unnecessary. What was she thinking? Adding a new character who is a descendent of the jaguar people is one thing, but suddenly discovering that a recurring character has jaguar blood was beyond belief. We are to believe that Gregori, with all of his powers, didn't pick up on this interesting tidbit? No way!

I also had a problem with having the Carpathians prepare the food for the Christmas celebration. Since they do not eat food and find eating meat abhorrent, what are they doing cooking what amounts to an old fashioned "covered dish dinner," especially the turkey? True, the cooking supplied some comedic relief, but it was also distracting because I kept wondering why they didn't just wave a hand and make the food appear.

It was interesting to catch up on the characters that we have met in previous novels and to get "teasers" on characters to be featured in future books. That said, I have always thought it remiss that Syndil and Barack were never featured in their own novel or novella, but at least we received a bit more information about their relationship. Dark Celebration is a good transition book, but it will definitely leave you wanting more.

It is Christmastime and the Prince of Carpathians has called in his people to come home to their native land and celebrate the joyous season together. From each corner of the world, Carpathians and their human friends have come home to gather as one and also discuss the problem that is seriously facing their breed: extinction. For after years and years of research, Gregori, Shea and Francesca are yet to come to a conclusion on why their women are unable to carry to full term, or why most babies can't manage to live past their first year. Does the answer lie within the Carpathian Mountains? And how would they also deal with the other threat to their species now that vampires have started working together to defeat them?

With many of them gathered in one place, it is to be expected that their enemies will take advantage of this once in a lifetime chance to attack them when they're most vulnerable. While the women are busy preparing for the Christmas feast and the men are doing their best to ensure they don't end up donning the Santa suit, the attack comes from out of nowhere, aimed at their women and the Prince. Never has a call for unity mattered more, and every single Carpathian would do anything to save their family and friends.

When I first heard about Feehan's plan for a Carpathian reunion, I was excited and couldn't wait to get my hand on this book. I am glad to say that I was not disappointed and this turned out to be better than I originally expected. The introduction was great and serves as confirmation of the strength of Mikhail and Raven's love for each other. Each chapter flows well and while devoted to the main characters from the previous book, Feehan does a good job of tying up everything that you get a feeling of continuity throughout the book.

DARK CELEBRATIONS is a monstrously fun and entertaining read. I enjoyed seeing the couples from the previous books come to life once again and loved the introduction of new lifemates and possibly their own books. Feehan blends horror, romance, wit and humor with flair. Joseph is back with his antics and about to send Mikhail into a cardiac arrest, and the most feared warrior is about to sends kids screaming when he is forced to play Santa.

Definitely Feehan's best book in a while and I highly recommend it!

I can't believe in like, 3 pages of reviews, I'm the only one who gets frustrated with this series.

Uck. Here's the deal. This author, while her stories have potential, is a one-trick pony. These read like Lifetime Original movies. Which, is such a shame because she has really nice moments. Shea and Jacque's meeting and "courtship" was pretty f-ing awesome. But, she REPEATS herself constantly.

Example. In Celebration, and I kid you not, an exchange just like this happens:

Male: You worked so hard on this. The kids really look like they had a great time.

Female: I know. The kids had such a good time, and they really worked hard on this.

And I swear, if I read someone saying "I am so going to..." one more time...She really dates herself when she includes idiom and coloquiolism.

And all the women are either battered, orphaned, or battered and orphaned and taking care of younger siblings or other battered orphans.

The men always refer to them as "little one" and whenever anyone refers to anyone having an emotional moment, it's either "baby" or "honey". I'm sorry. I cannot reconcile these men (who are from Hungary where English is supposedly their second language) referring to their wives as "baby" in the same breath as "little one". It totally takes me out of the story.

Simply put, Feehan gets in her own way a lot. If she would just let the conversations happen, then, perhaps things would flow more. But I find myself skipping more dialogue because it's all rehashing old storylines and unnecessary exposition.

I'll keep reading though. Because the stories are good enough that with some skimming, they keep me interested.

The Carpathians and their human companions come together to celebrate Christmas. However, the clan knows there is not that much to rejoice in this Yuletide season. Fear of extinction is real as there is already a very low birth rate, many are stillborn and even many of those who enter the world alive die as the infant mortality rate is high. On top of that their demonic, vampiric and hunter enemies are mounting serious well planned assaults to eliminate females.

Prince Mikhail Dubrinsky worries that he cannot save his people as he knows the evidence is overwhelming that they are an endangered species. He also fears for the safety of his soulmate Raven and their daughter Savannah, but still Mikhail wants more offspring not just to procreate but because he cherishes his two females and wants more to love and nurture.

His bother Jacques is also concerned especially over the safety of his "lifemate" Shea, a former human medical doctor, who carries his child. Other Carpathian males are just as worried about the females and the children, but none understands that a betrayal that abets a dark mage may prove more dangerous to survival than the vampires, hunters, and demons that seek to leave the species extinct.

Though well written, DARK CELEBRATION feels more like a transition book setting the table for future delights. The plot is thin and no couple takes charge of the story line. Still this is well written and will help newcomers obtain a deep understanding of Carpathian customs, lifestyles, and natural enemies while long term fans will know that the treats of "Dark Desserts" (recipes included) will soon follow with future tales.

Harriet Klausner

Book Description: The blood-drinking, mind-reading, shape-shifting Carpathian clan and their human friends gather for Christmas--and to stave off encroaching enemies. The guests hunt vampires, confront a dark mage and, most importantly, face the extinction of their species due to a mysteriously low birth rate and high infant mortality. For years, they have been persecuted by their enemies, and have struggled against all odds to preserve their species. Now, a new insidious plot has been devised-one that would slaughter Carpathian females and bring an end to all that the Carpathians have worked for. Even with his own lifemate, Raven, and their daughter Savannah, in danger, Carpathian king Mikhail believes that all is not lost. Gathering all of his people together, he will forge a new bond of strength, joining their powers in a celebration that will bring light even in this dark time.

I borrowed this book from the library and had it in my possession for a week before reading it. I told a friend of mine, who is now reading this series after I introduced her to it, that I was not going to read the book. As a newbie to this series, and the genre, I was afraid this book would be too "vampire" or too "dark" for me. I "sampled" it, read little bits here and there, decided to read it, and absolutely loved it. In this book, fans of the series can revisit previous characters, are introduced to new ones, are brought up-to-date on what's going on with the Carpathian species in general, while setting the stage for future books. Fans revisit bound couples and anticipate future life-matches: Mikhail & Raven / Jacques & Shea / Gregori & Savannah / Aidan & Alexandria / Julian & Desari / Darius & Tempest / Gabriel & Francesca / Lucian & Jaxon / Dayan & Corrinne / Barack & Syndil / Byron & Antoinetta / Falcon & Sara / Traian & Joie / Vikirnoff & Natalya / Nicolae & Destiny / Riordan & Juliette / Rafael & Colby / Manolito & MaryAnn / Dimitri & Skyler, etc.

While an excellent read on its own, this appetizer laid the ground work for two potentially amazing stories involving two incredible warriors and the remarkable lifemates that they both served long & hard for and truly deserve. Dimitri was so-o-o tortured he stole my heart. For centuries he honorably did everything asked of a Carpathian warrior - all alone, many of the others had siblings at least. For nature to play such a cruel trick on him was almost unimaginable. He was a tremendous warrior, yet the manner in which he handled the situations that occurred, as well as the actions of others involved was inspiring. He showed patience, courage, acceptance, and empathy. I loved the way he stopped Skyler from withdrawing when she would have reverted into her old pattern of hiding causing me to wonder if he will succeed where others have failed in getting her to face her past and embrace her future. Manolito was an awesome warrior with a strong sense of honor; humorous and almost child-like at times with his games of hide & seek; the physical description of him is very appealing to say the least; and fact that he will have an invigorating "shot of coffee" in his life is, to me, very exciting. His story just has to be tremendous. I ordered a copy of "Dark Celebration; pre-ordered "Dark Possession"; and can't wait to read the stories of both couples (Manolito & MaryAnn and Dimitri & Skyler).

I know. It was the rest of the story. I actually thought this book should have been paperback and not hardcover. Especially, as a big part of the book was recipes. And, as I'm currently dieting, desserts just don't appeal to me.

I felt kind of cheated. Unless you're a die-hard Christine Feehan fan, the book is really not worth the $23.95 purchase price. Get it at the library, or just wait until the paperback comes out.

Try, Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward. A much better read for a fraction of the price of Christine's overpriced novel.