Customer Reviews

Evermore

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is my first review and I'm writing it to counter complaints I've read here and previous Darkyn about too much Alex & Michael. On the contrary, the constant care Ms. Viehl gives in developing her first pairing, the core of her world, delights this reader!

I can't begin to count the number of series pananormal/fantasy/romances I've read over the years that started off so promising in developing characters... you know the kind, where you FALL hard for the leading characters and are left panting for more of them in the sequel so you rush to bookstore to buy it release day or pre-order it from Amazon months in advance... then with great anticipation you settle down to read it and within two chapters you're asking who ARE these NEW people, and what happened to my beloved Alex and Michael's story???!!! You stubbornly finish the 2nd book but are left with dissatisfied taste in your month. You try book 3 in the series but again barely a mention and yet another new cast of characters appears and well, by book 4 you no longer care about the world building nor that hey the new characters actually talk on the phone ONCE to Alex, gee whiz thanks author for letting me know she's alive. Basically they are stand-alone romances and I've grown rather tired of those.

I'm happy to say Ms. Viehl's Darkyn series does NOT follow that dissappointing pattern. Alex is my favorite of the all the Darkyn characters thus far, and her fascinating, albeit twisted love story with Michael was reason the series became a "must buy" for this reader. Each subsequent installment has hooked me even more. I grow to love the new characters moreso because they are woven so naturally and fully into Alex and Michael's world. I agree with another reviewer, the parallels with A&M to the new romantic pair enrich the story AND the new pair's love story. We grow to understand them more, we relish them as our believeable, new friends
because we grow to understand/love them through A&M eyes.

So many paranormal romances "complete" the romance before getting to the best development, just how does a human adjust to immortality and a totally different world opened to them. I want to read AFTER the happily ever after or the standard I love you too THE END. Series should answer what happened NEXT but alas so few do...

This reader for one wants a series where an author BUILDS a world AROUND two individuals, continues to develop their characters in each book and ADDS new fascinating characters to THEIR STORY. Kudos to Ms. Viehl for NOT following the current, dissappointing pattern of so many series by dropping beloved characters like hot potatoes once she's done with them... she continues to delve into their psyche and takes us along for the ride... making the Darkyn series unique and absolutely "must buy."

As for the new pairing, I found Jayr the best new heroine since Alex. She's strong, capable yet without any hardness or bitternes, and above all "honorable" in refreshingly, unique way. We yearn for her to get the man and respect she secretly longs for... we smile at Alex playing the mother/advisor role and join in cheering her gallant journey to womanhood. In the end Jayr earns her just rewards, a man who loves her above all and a "realm" to rule together, and the reader is left deeply satisfied, trusting this author to interweave this great character into future adventures.

Evermore tells the story of Jayr and Byrne who we first met in Dark Need (Bk 3). Byrne is the suzerain of Knight's Realm - a castle complete with moat, where tourists visit to experience medieval life. Jayr is unique among the Darkyn as she is the only female seneschal. We join them during a winter tournament, when humans are banished from the castle and Kyn test themselves against one another in sword fighting, jousting and archery. Byrne has made the decision to step down as suzerain, a fact which he keeps from Jayr. As their relationship strains against the conventions that keep them apart, an unknown enemy will use the tournament to seek revenge.

For anyone unfamiliar with the Kyn series, whilst each book follows one couple, there is also an ongoing major story arc between Michael and Alexandra (the couple from If Angels Burn Bk1). The books also follow minor story arcs, though in Evermore, the Brethren (the Kyn's enemy) and John Keller are only mentioned briefly. We also have new plot threads, notably the proper introduction of Robin of Locksley as a member of the Kyn, and we find out more about the Jardin Wars.

Evermore is a pretty accessible entry in the series, as a major plotline was concluded in the previous book Night Lost. The plotline of Evermore is perhaps the most linear so far, and even though there are still multiple storylines, they take place in one location - Knight's Realm. However, there is also some fallout from Night Lost, as Alex deals with the consequences of her kidnap, so familiarity with the previous books is helpful.

There is a wonderful parallel in this book, between the relationships of Michael and Alex, and Jayr and Byrne. Jayr and Alex turned into Kyn under similar circumstances, trapped with a starving male Kyn. But the way Byrne and Michael handled the situation, completely different. Alex becomes Michael's sygkenis, Jayr becomes Byrne's seneschal. And the contrast between the two relationships is just wonderful to read. There is a point early in the story where Michael confesses his guilt over turning Alex to Jayr, and it's eerie, I felt like it could be Byrne speaking.

For me this is the most darkly erotic of the Darkyn books. Maybe because the feelings between Jayr and Byrne have to be repressed. The relationship between them is that of suzerain and seneschal, but underneath you are aware of this passionate intensity between the two of them that they deny. This tension builds and builds until it HAS to be consummated.

Also worth mentioning again, is Robin of Locksley - whose past has come back to haunt him. Indeed that could be the other theme of this book - as Robin, Byrne, Alex, and other characters deal with the consequences of their past. Robin's story entwines with that of Jayr and Byrne. Just rereading the ending again whilst I write this review, makes me appreciate anew how well the story is put together. I have my fingers crossed that there will be a continuation of Robin's story in a future book, as I'm sure there's much more for us to learn.

Jayr and Byrne's story reaches a happy conclusion. However, Evermore ends on a bittersweet note, and leaves me looking forward to finding out, more than ever, where the story goes from here. Highly recommended.

Twilight Fall (Bk6) To be released July 2008 (subject to change)

Also available - If Angels Burn (Bk1), Private Demon (Bk2), Dark Need (Bk3), Night Lost (Bk4)

I've read all of the Darkyn books, and this one is by far my favorite one. The story is very good, very touching, the main characters and their plight is unique and wonderful. The Brethern and John Keller are hardly ever mentioned (yeah!). In previous books, Viehl spends too much time on the Brethern and John Keller. This book was a pure delight, very romantic, I loved it!! I hope the rest of the books follow in this vein. (no pun intended ;) If you've read the others in the series, I think you'll LOVE this one.

Evermore is a fantastic addition to Lynn Viehl's Darkyn Series and by far my favorite. I had become increasingly frustrated by the last couple books, feeling that far too much time was spent in the sub-plots rather than spent on developing the main characters, their romance and their story. Luckily, Viehl's latest keeps the action focused in the same location and on the main story even when the point of view shifts to secondary characters.

In Evermore, we meet Byrne, an ancient Scottish warrior complete with blue tattoos on his face, and Jayr, his seemingly too young and too skinny seneschal who has protected him, served him, and secretly loved him for hundreds of years. The tension between the two of them is simply amazing. Byrne loves her, but is wracked with guilt over the fact that he basically used her life to save his own. Jayr, who is confident in her role as seneschal, but not as a woman, has never allowed herself to believe that Byrne could love her in return. I honestly cannot remember the last time I anticipated just a kiss between two characters in a romance novel as much as I did between Jayr and Byrne.

The last few novels in the series had me impatiently reading just so I could put the book aside. Here, I was truly disappointed to turn the last page. I absolutely loved this novel, and although I still wish Viehl would focus the story more on the main characters rather than spend quite so much time with Alex and Cyprien, I would definitely recommend reading Evermore.

Did you like the last four Darkyn books? Then good, you'll like this one, too.

Viehl continues to write fast-paced vamp romance without falling back on the same-old, same-old. If you don't like the Brethren as a villain, then you're in luck: this book barely mentions them. Viehl breaks from them and instead dwells heavily on Darkyn politics and some intrigue. As usual, we get a solid, non-whiny heroine and her solid, extremely attractive hero, and we also get introduced more fully to Robin of Locksley (yes, THAT Robin of Locksley), who may wind up being my favorite Darkyn of them all.

There's also a definite medieval theme to this one, which made it feel almost like a historical fantasy, sans unicorns, dragons, and annoying knights on talking horses.

Viehl's men are manly. There's no other way to put it. She writes men women would want to date. They're not whiners, but they're also not completely insensitive. When push comes to shove, they get the job done.

If you've never read a Darkyn novel, this is a good start. There's continuity, but it's well-contained. You can pick up the series from anywhere and enjoy yourself.

All in all, a solid romance, a good story, and great characters make for a light, entertaining read.

This is the first book I've read from this author and I must say that it will not be the last. Fablous, delicious, sexy with a smooth as silk storyline that will make you want more.

The author takes a tale of Olde England and turns it into spun gold. That is vampire style spun gold. The characters are not only likeable but loveable with the exception of Lord Nottingham whom you really want to hate. It's not a matter of the storyline making you want to hate him but just the aura of the character. There really is something devilish about him.

The action that takes place with Jayr doing her Lord's bidding, setting up the tournament for the Realm and accomendating the number of guests and their needs makes you wonder how anyone could possibly do everything in the amount of time alloted. Yes I know that Vampires are faster, more addept and tireless but everyone does have their limits.

Jayr not only questions herself but has doubts about who she really is. Emotions come into play that make you want to weep for her. Can she really find out who she is and possibly entertain the concept of love with someone whom she shouldn't even be thinking of. Can an erotic dream be truely real and shared? This is something Jayr must find the answer to while questioning her own sanity.

The characters, their flaws and emotions along with the deep need for sexual contact leave you to turning page after page to find only so much more.

The ending ties up loose ends with battle prowness, sexual heat and lifetime questions that have been unanswered only to show us that not is as it should be. Secrets uncovered brought to startling life make all's well that ends well.

What more can I say that if you don't read this you don't deserve to read a great work of art.

The world of the vampires can be a dangerous one....

Jayr has loved Aedan mac Byrne ever since their first encounter. As his seneschal, she has done everything she can to keep him happy and content. Byrne fears his darker warrior side, fears that one day he will snap. Now, he is prepared to give up his role as suzerain after the tournament. But someone else had very dark plans, plans that could destroy more than just Byrne and Jayr....

Lynn Viehl integrates the world of the vampire with tales of old to produce some very interesting results. In EVERMORE, the myths and legends of Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest are explored. At first, the emphasis on the past was a bit distracting, almost boring at times. However, as the storyline built, it became quite intriguing. The ending was exceptionally satisfying.

Jayr and Byrne are two of the more likable characters Lynn Viehl has created. I initially enjoyed this series when it started with Michael Cyprien and Alexandra Keller, both of whom play a large role in this book. However, later characters tended to grate a bit for me. Jayr is by far one of Ms. Viehl's best characters to date. Not only is Jayr willing to give it all for love, but she also refuses to be treated differently because she is a female serving in the traditionally male role of seneschal. Byrne, too, is an excellent character, a man who struggles with his warrior nature and wants to protect others from himself.

The Darkyn series should be read in order. Without a doubt, the characters and plotlines continue to weave in and out of the series and there are numerous things that only make sense when read in the context of the series as a whole. While some aspects of EVERMORE do stand alone, the complexities of Darkyn society and the various relationships are much better understood if one has read the prior books.

EVERMORE is not a book that will appeal to all. Lynn Viehl provides a unique approach to the vampire theme, one that is at times gritty and even quite brutal. Lynn Viehl shows once again that she has a flair for taking chances with her writing.

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

I am so mixed in my feelings about Evermore, and truly, I always hestitate before buying the Darkyn books, because while there are always interesting parts to the books, Viehl in keeping her books on the dark side of paranormal romance, always seems to include a bit of twisted characters indulging in gratuous torture or victimizing sex-- I guess because when the 'good' guys are preditors that control humans with no remorse, you've got to toss in something extreme to make the evil guys stand out.

While the torture was offsceen on this one, there was still enough of the evil guys (some human) this time indulging in thoughts of perpetrating sexual abuse or bad Darkyn compelling sex on someone in thrall, which I find disturbing. And in this book, this stuff really feels pasted in. I can tolerate a bit if it is necessary to develop some significant part of the story, but here these scenes could have been easily left out they didn't add to the plot at all. The bad guys in the first scene at the start of the book go away never to appear again and we would have disliked Nottingham even without his 'charming' introduction. While I really disliked those pieces of the book, much of the rest of the book was interesting. I liked Jahr and Byrne, both their well developed characters and their relationship, even though the language in their love scenes was a bit odd -- guess it was supposed to reflect Byrne's still medieval thinking. Also in Evermore, as always, I liked the parts with Alex, I like her character's fortrightness, insight and unwillingness to let all these moldy old guys force her into a mold not fitting a modern women and I like how her participation ties the books together. And I also liked Robin of Locksley and all the secrets.

Overall my reactions to the book were a patchwork of positive and negative much like the book was a mix of a bunch of different story threads, leaving me not knowing how many stars to give Evermore -- since for me, parts were one or two stars and other parts four or five. So I guess that averages out to 3.5 or 4 stars depending on how I weight the various sections. But, having said all that, if you are a fan of the series you will probably like Evermore because it really does have the flavor of the rest of the books in the series, and I need to learn not to buy these Darkyn books because my reaction is really always pretty much the same and the 'eeww' residual lingers.

I've read all of the Darkyn books and this is the best so far. I've read just about every paranormal book thats came out in the last 10 years and this book ranks as one of my top 10 favs.

Evermore (2008) is the fifth Fantasy novel in the Darkyn series, following Night Lost. The initial work in this series is If Angels Burn.

In the previous volume, Alex treated Richard for his condition. Gabriel came to Dundellan Castle to confront Richard and met Marcella. Michael and Alex were confined in the dungeon by Elizabeth. Then Nick encountered Korvel and went into the castle with him.

In this novel, Alexandra Keller is a reconstructive surgeon. She is now a Darkyn, but unlike any other. Alex has become interested in the cause and cure of this ailment. She is also Michael's lover.

Michael Cyprien is a Darkyn and is over seven centuries old. He is the seigneur of all jardins within the USA. He is also the lover of Alexander.

Aedan mac Byrne is a Darkyn and the suzerain of Orlando. He had been a commander of the Scots during the battle of Bannockburn. Now he runs a castle catering to the tourist trade.

Jayr is a Darkyn and the seneschal of Aedan. She had been an adolescent when Aedan turned her. Now she runs the castle and tends to his needs.

Robin of Locksley is a Darkyn and once the master of Sherwood Forest. Richard ordered Rob to leave England, so he came to Atlanta.

In this story, Jayr is almost abducted by three young thugs in the city. She tells them to leave, but they ignore her warnings. They moved against her, but didn't have a chance.

Aedan witnesses the attack and his anger wakens the blood lust. But Robin holds him back from the conflict. Afterward, they take Jayr back to the castle.

Aedan feels guilty about turning Jayr and fears his own blood lust. He decides to resign from his position and become a hermit. He still hasn't told Jayr.

Michael and Alex come to Orlando for a tournament and a meeting of American suzerains at the castle. Alex hasn't yet recovered from her imprisonment by Richard and is reluctant to go. But she finally decides to accompany Michael.

This tale has Alex sensing thoughts of a killer. Robin faces the son of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Alex is having dreams of an ardent suitor.

This novel mostly revolves around ancient feuds, old slights and past sorrows. The next installment is Twilight Fall. Read and enjoy!

Recommended for Viehl fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of political intrigue, medical treatment, and paranormal romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin