Customer Reviews

Dark Dreamers

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

DARK DREAMERS is a reissue of the novella in AFTER TWILIGHT. The story of Falcon and Sara is wonderful, but if you have AFTER TWILIGHT you already have this book.

The Marjorie Liu story seems to be new at least I haven't read it before. It is very good.

But if like me your funds are limited, you would want to know that the first 2/3 of the book are a reissue. I waited for this one to come out and they never had any review on the book listed. so I bought it without knowing it was a reissue.

DARK DREAMERS opens with Christine Feehan's reissue of her story, "Dark Dream". Previously published in the anthology AFTER TWILIGHT, "Dark Dream" chronicles the story of lifemates Falcon and Sara Marten. Many years ago, the father of the current Prince of the Carpathians sent warriors out to various places to rid the world of the evil vampiric monsters. Falcon is one of those warriors and he fears his time as a Carpathian is running out and that he will soon turn vampire. Only the discovery of his lifemate can save him- but an ancient vampire has been stalking Sara for 15 years. Will Falcon be powerful enough to keep her safe?

Christine Feehan was one of the early forerunners in popularizing the vampire romance and it is therefore a joy to see one of her earlier stories republished. "Dark Dream" is a stand alone story although several recurring characters are in the book. However, "Dark Dream" is first and foremost the story of Falcon and Sara and, as such, it is not necessary to have read any of the prior books.

Christine Feehan's world building has set a high standard in paranormal romances. Her creation of the complex relationship between Carpathians and their lifemates is considered classic and other authors have aimed to follow in her footsteps. Falcon is unique from many of the other Carpathians in that he doesn't seem to experience the protective jealousy often seen in the initial stages of becoming lifemates. Perhaps it is his sheer joy at no longer being alone! Regardless, "Dark Dream" is still well worth revisiting after all these years.

"A Dream of Stone and Shadow" by Marjorie M. Liu is a new installment in her fabulous Dirk and Steele series. Aggie Durand is able to see potential futures which aids her greatly in her detective work for Dirk and Steele. Relentless at pursuing child pornographers and molesters, Aggie is unable to resist the ghostly plea of Charlie that she rescue Emma from her abusers. Charlie is a prisoner himself of an evil witch. He can only communicate with Aggie or Emma when he is dead as his soul is then free to wander while his organs regenerate. After all, Charlie is a gargoyle. Aggie is determined to rescue both Emma and Charlie- but at what cost to herself?

Marjorie M. Liu's innovativeness continues to astonish as her multilayered stories are rich both in character development and action. Charlie and Aggie are heroic in their desire to rescue and save those in need and yet both characters are down to earth as well. Charlie's incorporeal self adds an unusual aspect to the developing relationship between Charlie and Aggie but the author also cleverly uses this intangibility to further the storyline. Ms. Liu's ability to wring emotions from the reader is phenomenal as one will feel both the depths of despair and the sheer bliss of happiness while reading "A Dream of Stone and Shadow".

"A Dream of Stone and Shadow" is certainly a stand alone story but this reviewer would encourage everyone to read Ms. Liu's previous books as she is definitely an author with a great deal of talent. The Dirk and Steele series focuses on humans who have unique talents so the agency contains various shapeshifters, healers, clairvoyants, empaths, and telepaths. This melding of differing aspects of the supernatural population provides a new perspective in the genre and one that is sure to be a hit with readers!

DARK DREAMERS contains two extremely well-written stories by two very talented authors. The combination of a veteran of the genre, such as Christine Feehan, and a relative newcomer, like Marjorie M. Liu, cleverly provides readers with a taste of the classic while introducing the future. DARK DREAMERS is a book that paranormal fans will savor!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

As other reviewers have noted, the Christine Feehan is a reprint of a short story from another anthology, so if you already have that anthology, or disliked the story, you'll be disappointed.

However, the Marjorie Liu story is new and excellent! I've bought and kept all of her previous novels and I expect to buy and keep any of her future novels.

"Dark Dream" by Christine Feehan. The former Carpathian hero sadly knows it is too late for him as his soul is lost forever. However, he makes one last rescue attempt of a woman, but instead of fleeing she fights. Sara Marten knows of him and has since she was fifteen. She desires him, which gives him some renewed hope that his soulmate can rescue him from the abyss.

"A Dream of Stone & Shadow" by Marjorie M. Liu. The witch cursed his family turning his siblings into stone and using and abusing Charlie. He has no hope to escape her imprisonment except death or Dirk & Steele Agent Aggie Durand. Death is his first choice as he does not want to harm the sweet and kind Aggie, but the witch has made that nearly impossible. So there is Aggie or continual imprisonment.

Both tales are fine paranormal romances though the Dirk & Steele tale seems much more invigorating and fresher than the Carpathian thriller. Still fans of both series will like the latest entries, but this reviewer believes Ms. Liu will gain a lot more new readers.

Harriet Klausner

First off Chrsitne Feehan is awesome as always. And yes this is a reissue but if you are like me I did not but the first issue when it came out so this is like a new story to me. Great story and hot and steamy which is like a trademark for Feehan which is why she is one of my favorites. Okay the other author I am not familiar with this is the first time that I have red anything by her but let me tell you her story was HOT!!! I love stories were the man is well in this cas a gargoyle. Mainly becuase too few authors ever write about them and they are such perfect hero material. I loved the vulnarability of the hero he thought that he was too ugly in human looks (but not in gargoyle looks) to ever appeal to the heroine and I really liked the ending wheww very Hot!

Both books were great! Just what I would have expected from both authors. Fast reading, enough action and romance balanced to be fun and entertaining.

Both great exponents of the paranormal in very different styles. Romantic vampires and shape-shifters. Great stories. great heroes, feisty heroines, these ladies have them all

I purchased this for the Marjorie Liu story "A dream of Stone and Shadow. It is an excellent story of a woman who sees multiple futures, not hers though, and a hero who is in so much pain, yet will do what can only be considered extraordinary lengths, to protect those he has promised to care for, as does our heroine.
The child that brings these two completely different people together's plight is quite painful and one not often discussed in a romance novel, but it was not gratutitous, but powerful.
To NOT read this book, and trash it like some of the other reviews said is sad. Those who might miss such a great story based on those other reviews are really missing one of the best short stories I've read this year.
update: I finally got around to reading the Christine Feehan story, and all I can say is wow, as someone who had not read any of the books in this series before, and after reading all negative reviews I was more than a bit surprised at how wonderful it was I could not put it down, finished it in 2 days. I am sorry it took me so long to read it but, am very thankful I have.
Thanks and Kudos to both Christine and Marjorie.
-a fan

Thank you so much for saying it was a re-issue. I would have been very upset had I paid for it and found out later. I think amazon needs to put a description on this one.

You must call this a novella, not a short story, because there is nothing short about "Dark Dream". It is just as superb as any full, book-length story by Christine Feehan and will leave you wanting more of her books. The second novella is also quite intriguing and well worth the read. I've added it to my collection of books I will read again and again.