26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic! A Must Read!, June 21, 2002
"Dark Guardian" by Christine Feehan is the 8th instalment in the wonderfully sensual and intriguing "Dark" series, and once again Feehan does not disappoint. With fresh and likeable characters and a storyline filled with passion, danger, and suspense, "Dark Guardian" will leave readers cheering Feehan's remarkable talent.
Lucian, one of the legendary ancient Carpathian twins, has spent the last several hundred years pretending to have turned vampire in order to keep his beloved twin (Gabriel of "Dark Legend") from turning vampire himself, knowing that Gabriel had a lifemate out there somewhere. And now that Gabriel has found his other half, Lucian feels his mission has come to an end. For the years he has spent hunting and killing the undead have left a stain of darkness on Lucian's soul, and he has grown weary of his endless colourless and emotionless existence. But Gabriel's lifemate, Francesca, insists that she knows of Lucian's lifemate, and that this woman desperately needs Lucian's help.
And indeed Lucian does find his lifemate, feisty lady cop Jaxon Montgomery, who has dedicated her life to protecting others. But Jaxon has had a nightmarish start in life, with a crazed stepfather who murders everyone who gets close to her, including her biological parents and little brother, and her beloved foster parents. As a result, Jaxx lives a solitary and lonely life, never getting too close to anyone for fear that it will get them killed. So when Lucian appears out of the night to save her from a bust gone wrong, she immediately fears that Lucian will become the next target of her stepfather Tyler Drake's bloodlust.
Recuperating in Lucian's huge and lovely home, Jaxx becomes aware that Lucian is no ordinary man. But though she witnesses some of his remarkable powers, she still fears for his safety. Lucian, on the other hand, is not at all concerned about one mortal man, ex-Navy SEAL though he might be, but he is incredibly touched by Jaxx's concern for him. Jaxon fears the deep connection she feels between herself and Lucian, and doesn't know how to live as one half of a couple after a lifetime of being utterly alone. But Lucian is remarkably gentle and understanding with Jaxon, giving her time to adjust to all the changes in her life. Because Lucian knows the one thing he will never do is let Jaxon go, for she is the light to his darkness, the very air he breathes and the other half of his soul.
But Jaxx is like a beacon of light drawing the soulless undead to her, as they all know that a human woman with psychic powers can be converted into one of them. Indeed, Lucian makes the decision that the only way to keep Jaxx safe is to convert her into a Carpathian, and it was a refreshing change to have a heroine who simply dealt with the change and moved on, rather than agonizing over it. Together, Lucian and Jaxx formulate a plan to draw out the undead hunting Jaxx and Tyler Drake. And there is no chance that Jaxx will sit back while Lucian fights her battles, so she and Lucian become true partners, another refreshing change from previous books. This book builds the suspense effectively to a thrilling climax, and will leave readers utterly sated and satisfied.
"Dark Guardian" is another fantastic entry is Feehan's "Dark" series and it is not to be missed. The romance between Lucian and Jaxx is passionate and intense, and it's wonderful watching them find happiness and eternal love in each other's arms. Amidst the affecting romance of Jaxx and Lucian, Feehan seamlessly mixes in a tale of danger and excitement that will keep readers turning pages. "Dark Guardian" was a truly enjoyable read and it comes highly recommended.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
the 8th book in the series and maybe the best!, July 12, 2002
Ok I have loved every book in the Dark series but I really think that this one may have been the best. I couldn't put it down. I usually like to spread these books out so that I don't have to wait and wait for the next but after I read Dark Legend which is Gabriel's story and found out that this was Lucian's story I had to read it as soon as I got it.
Lucian is the twin to Gabriel and is one of the very ancient ones. He has lived for over 2000 years as the greatest hunter of the Carpathians. He has a voice that can make even the most evil of vampires do whatever he wants. He soon finds though that his voice, although compelling, cannot easily command his lifemate. After centuries he finds her. She is human but has special abilities that allow her to be his true lifemate. Jaxx has had a horrid childhood and is a loner because of it. She is haunted by a evil past that has stalked her and everyone deer to her for years. Lucian has vowed to protect her but she is a cop and can protect herself. She fears that she will put Lucian in danger so she fights what her heart and soul are telling her. She decides that she will protect Lucian and fight alongside him in his battles. This is the first time the heroine has taken such a strong role in protecting her lifemate. I really enjoyed how she could be both strong yet vulnerable at the same time.
The love scenes are hot and so wonderfully written. The whole book is just so good that I was both happy and sad at the end because I knew I'd have to wait awhile for a new book. I would recommend these books to anyone, not just because they are romances but because the stories are so well written that you feel like the characters are actually real.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lucian's Story!, May 27, 2002
Dark Guardian is Lucian's story. He is one of the legendary twins who was brought forth to our attention in Dark Legend as he played a cat & mouse game with his twin (Gabriel), hoping to prevent him for turning to the dark side. You see, long ago, a "man" unlike he had ever encountered, a man of peace and gentleness, told Lucian that there was a lifemate for his twin. Cleverly, unselfishly, he sets upon a path that insures that his beloved twin will never turn vampire.
Ms. Feehan's adaption of Lucian was breathtaking. He was extremely brilliant, powerful and very, very menacing. Clearly, he was the strongest and most powerful of the Carpathians. He had defended his people for endless centuries and his struggle with the dark side was evident from the start of DL. This Carpathian was definitely an alpha male and one that I eagerly awaited to read about.
Onto the story: Jaxxon Montgomery's young life has been spent in fear and in horror. Her stepfather, Tyler Drake, a former SEAL, has killed anyone that has gotten close to her including her own parents & foster parents. He is clever, cunning and clearly deranged shaping Jaxx into a heroine who is determined to protect herself. She becomes a cop forever knowing that her stepfather is out there waiting to strike again.
When her life is in peril, Lucian saves her and her partner. He brings her to his mansion desperate to heal her ~ to claim her. He is clearly gentle, tender and their love senes are incredibly hot. But . . . (*Don't hate me here*)
For me, Lucian didn't seem as powerful as some of the other males (Mikhail, Gregori & Darius). He seemed, well, rather mellow and that aura of menace that I thrilled to in Dark Legend was gone. I expected Lucian to be more like the males mentioned above. Since he had existed for endless centuries without a lifemate, constantly battling the darkness, I thought that his aura of menace would be much more evident as it was in DL.
Despite my crazy quirks, Dark Guardian was a good read.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
