79 of 81 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dark Descent by Christine Feehan, July 23, 2003
This review is from: The Only One (Mass Market Paperback)
Courtesy of Love Romances
Traian Trigovise is one of the ancient Carpathian hunters, sent out over a thousand years ago by the former Prince. He has dedicated his life to hunting the undead, evil vampires, once Carpathians, who have chosen a life of evil and power. Traian was returning home to see his new Prince when he happened across a pack of vampires working together, incessantly searching for something unknown to him, that can only be incredible power, the only thing strong enough to make these usually solitary creatures join forces. He was severely injured in a battle with them, and was going away to heal when a vision of beauty, unlike anyone he had ever known, comes to him.
Joie Sanders is a self-employed bodyguard, selling her protection services to those in need. She is injured on the job, not for the first time, and uses her psychic abilities to astral project out of her body and away from the pain of her wounds plaguing her. While free and floating she ventures far, into the Carpathian Mountains, where she happens upon a beautiful ice cave and sees him.... One she thought but a dream.
Both are startled to find each other, Traian especially, when he sees color for the first time in hundreds of years, realizing she is his lifemate, the other half of his soul. As they both heal from their injuries, much time passes while they take advantage if their mind link, though Joie is convinced she is going crazy... hearing that voice in her head. When she is on a caving expedition, they meet in the flesh, him again being severely injured, trapped by the vampires, in a mysterious wizard's cave, where Traian is sure the answers sought by the evil ones can be found. Joie comes to his rescue, with the help of her brother, Jubal, and her sister, Gabrielle.
All is still not well though for Joie and Traian. While she adjusts, remarkably well, to being mate to such a wonder of a man - who is very old-fashioned - the vampires are still seeking their elusive answers, which Traian needs to prevent, as he is convinced only something able to grant unsurpassable power would be reason enough for vampires to unite. They are in a race against time... to prevent the vampires from finding their answers, all the while they lean what it is to be lifemates.
Ms. Feehan has written yet another gripping tale of passion in the incredible Dark saga. Joie is probably one of the most memorable heroines to date in this series, showing a fierce independence and strength of her own, as do all the heroines, but she just stands out in the memory banks, making her a more then perfect mate for one of the ancients, the strongest of the Carpathian race. Traian is the typical alpha male in most ways, his desire to protect his mate as strong as is normal for his kind, but with an understanding and respect for Joie's need to feel empowered and strong in her independence.
Also of note, Ms. Feehan expands her world even more, adding a fantastical element in the form of the wizards' world, complete with magical spells, curses, and dragons. She has added new factors, evidence that her world is far from being complete. As always, one will be captivated from the first paragraph, featuring the vivid battle of Traian vs. the band of evil undead. She holds the reader in her spell all the way through the final climactic scene resolving one storyline, but leaving another wide open, hopefully to be carried into future books in the series.
Those skeptics out there who claimed the Dark saga was getting old and stale are in for a surprise as that couldn't be farther from the truth. Ms. Feehan's voice is as fresh as ever, and with all the new elements to the saga being added in this story, the excitement is bound to continue for a long time coming. The only thing wrong with this story was that it was way too short!
© Kelley A. Hartsell, April 2003. All rights reserved.
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32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not for Newbies!, November 3, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: The Only One (Mass Market Paperback)
There have been lots of plot synopses and comments for the various stories... I'm going to step forward with some important info that a casual reader may not notice about this book:
THE ONLY ONE is an anthology of three novella--each a sequel in some way, shape or form. Presumably the idea is that readers of one world will buy the book, read the other novella, and search out the other volumes to the various worlds. An interesting concept--but with one flaw. Unless you read these series, these short novella are NOT going to be as interesting.
So--if you enjoy Grant's STAR series, or SQUIRES' Sacrament, or if you collect Feehan's DARK stories--you may want this anthology. If you read all three, it's a definite must-buy, just to see what these authors add to their worlds... if you haven't read anything from any of them... give the anthology a skip and pick up the first book from the world that MOST interests you.
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable, May 12, 2003
This review is from: The Only One (Mass Market Paperback)
Three dark romance stories unfold within this single novel.
First is Dark Descent by Christine Feehan. Joie Sanders was one of the best bodyguards around. Wounded during duty, she ended up in a hospital for treatment. Joie dealt with the pain by imagining herself in the mountains. It was a trick she had often used, never suspecting that she really was traveling outside her body. In those mountains she met Traian. He was wounded as well and lay in a dark cave. Once their minds touched Joie could not escape Traian's voice. He had linked with her, knowing instantly that she was "the one". He had waited several life times for her.
The second is The Star Queen by Susan Grant. Romjha B'kak was leader of an elite group called Raiders. Tai Sai was th group's bombmaker. The group was about to meet some royal outsiders from the stars that would change their lives!
The third is Sacrilege by Susan Squires. Magda had been at the Mirso Monastery to overcome her addiction of taking the last drop of blood from her victims. Those within the monastery taught against pleasure and emotions. Love was to be avoided at all costs. Those who failed the teachings were hunted down by the Harrier and executed. When Brother Pietr believed Magda ready, he sent her to San Francisco. She was met by Davinoff and helped to blend in. But Pietr had done the unthinkable. He had fallen in love with Magda. When his mentor, Rubius, found out of Pietr's feelings, he sent the Harrier out to assassinate Magda, though she had done no wrong!
**** Paranormal, Science Fiction, and Romance blend together for this collection of novellas. I enjoyed every minute as I read deep into the night. ****
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