14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally, an author who continues to develop characters!, January 7, 2008
This review is from: Evermore: A Novel of the Darkyn (Mass Market Paperback)
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.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Darkyn Series Continues, January 1, 2008
This review is from: Evermore: A Novel of the Darkyn (Mass Market Paperback)
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)
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My favorite of the series!!! Awesome!! I loved it!, January 5, 2008
This review is from: Evermore: A Novel of the Darkyn (Mass Market Paperback)
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.
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