Customer Reviews

The Only One

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

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.

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.

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. ****

I am a great fan of Mrs. Feehan Dark Series books. I have just finished Dark Symphony and I enjoyed it very much. I ordered this book "The Only One" book from Amazon.de and I had to wait so long for this book (I don't know why it took so long to get here). I was really excited when I finally got it last week.

But after reading 3/4 through the book, I was ready to chuck it away. Sure, the story of Dark Descent by Christine Feehan was good (though not long enough! what happened to the evil vampire?), and The Star Queen by Susan Grant was also OK - not so exciting and looked like rushed writing, it seemed.

But the vampire story by Susan Squires was really a yawn. There were many terminology/events in there that it took me a while to read and grasps the story. I realized it's even more far-fetched and unbelievable than the Carparthians series by Mrs. Feehan. After reading about evil vampires in Mrs. Feehan's books, I can't switched immediately to read about good vampires after that. Hence, it would be advisable in the future not to mix them in one book! It's really a turn-off. That's why I am giving this book a 3-stars.

My recommendation is that if you have not bought this book, I would advise you to just either read Mrs. Feehan's story in the bookstore or borrow the book from a friend. Don't waste your money.

On rare occasions you find an anthology that produces winning stories from all authors involved. The Only One is one of those rare finds.

Susan Squires' Sacrilege took on the awesome task of making Magda's less than lovable character from Sacrament into a heroine that you are cheering for by the end of the story. Course if you had a hero like Pietr working for your love, *sigh* well read Sacrilege and you'll see.

Susan Grant has done a prequel to her Star series, showing us where the Star King, Star Prince and upcoming Star Princess received their honor and integrity. Taj inspires Romjha to be the best that he can be while rebuilding their world that has been destroyed. A story that shows how tragedy and a difficult challenge can make us all better people. A love story that is truly inspirational.

Christine Feehan continues her Dark Series with Dark Descent. Traian, one of the ancient Carpathians is coming home to meet his Prince before facing the dawn when he runs into a pack of vampires, wounded he has gone to ground. Joie, bodyguard extrordinare, is also wounded, performing an astral projection to escape her pain, floats in to Traian resting place, sees Traian and wow colors and fireworks ensue. The humor and action in this story are not to be missed. Ms. Feehan again extends her world of Carpathians, teasing us with knowledge of the growing threat from Master vampires working to destroy the Carpathian hierarchy. The wait for her next Dark story is going to be sooo long.

This anthology was wonderfully well done by all three Authors. The Only One is a definite keeper and an instant classic in this reviewer's opinion.

In Christine Feehan's Dark Descent I was very disappointed. Being a big fan of her Dark Series I was REALLY looking forward to this. I found the story line too hurried and much more suited to traditional romance of I love you, you love me so let's get married, have children and live happily ever after. The characters were too accepting of EVERYTHING supernatural and this made the story very unbelieveable. A true disappointment in a well loved author. She is much more suited to a longer story line than a cramped short story.
Susan Grant's Star Queen was definitely a move in the right direction. I have never read her before but the story was much more believable even though it was more futuristic. I could read more of her work and find enjoyment.
Susan Squires' Sacrilege was another book on the move upward. I enjoyed this reading and found it to be very informative and filled with believeable sci-fi action and suspense. The story line was well thought out and although this is a short story, It moved you along at the right pace. There were no short endings or wondering what happens next. She also left room for a sequel and I hope she accomplishes this in a longer story line.

I bought this book specifically for Feehan's contribution, and sadly it just wasn't up to par. I am all for an author refreshing serial stories like Feehan's Dark series, but she has completely abandoned the formula that has successfully worked for 7 books. Dark Prince through Dark Guardian were excellent and well worth the wait. The other two after that, Dark Symphony and Dark Descent, were just plain wierd and silly. This book lacked any sort of premise and it went completely south when it started to introduce numerous characters (who really didn't need to be there) and numerous sub plots (that frankly didn't make sense). I didn't particulary like the hero, and the heroine got on my nerves very quickly. I had to force myself to finish a story that is barely 150 pages long. Someone needs to tell Ms. Feehan that Alpha males are what makes the Carpathian men so yummy. You don't abandon a winning formula half through the game. The sad fact is I have little anticipation for Dark Melody which is Dayan's story because the plot is so outrageous. I only hope that someone gives her a quick check on reality so she can return to writing the stories that readers truly love. Unfortunately, I was so disgusted with Feehan's story that I didn't even bother to read the other two. After the horrible beginning from CF I throw the book in the MAT Pile (Maybe Another Time Pile).

VERY!!!! Traian is amazing. Dark Descent is breathtakingly arousing and quite the adrenaline pumper. You begin with action and end wanting more. Ms. Feehan has done a superb job continuing her Dark Series, this is a must have for all Carpathian fans. I'd love to give this more than 5 stars!!!

I picked this up because I am a fan of Christine Feehan. I had not read anything by the other authors at that time. After reading this, I would definately read more by them and I am totally hooked on the dark series. I would recommend the series to anyone who is hooked on Vampire stories with some romance thrown in. The characters are larger than life and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

The Only One contains three stories written by Christine Feehan, Susan Grant & Susan Squires.

Dark Descent by Christine Feehan
Traian is hunting a pack of vampires in the Carpathian mountains when he finds Joie, whom he immediately recognizes as his lifemate. Traian does not have much time to explain things to Joie and relies on her to persuade her brother and sister that they have to trust Traian if they want to escape the caverns that they were exploring. On their way out, they discover an old treasure trove of the wizards who passed away long ago. However, the wizards' spells still work just fine. As Traian battles the vampires, the wizards' spells and Joie's doubts about him, he is one busy man trying to claim his lifemate and keep everyone alive! I bought this book just because Ms. Feehan had written a story in it and I enjoyed the story, but was a little disappointed because it is so short! Still, it was good to read a story about a Carpathian who had some limitations, which made him more vulnerable and human-like. If you have enjoyed the Dark series, you will enjoy Traian's story and I am hoping that Ms. Feehan is using this story as a set up for more interaction with wizarding stuff.

The Star Queen by Susan Grant
Romjha B'kah is dead inside. Everyone thinks that he just needs time to recover from his wife's death, but Romjha has given up hope for his people who were forced to hide underground to when the imperial raiders came to destroy his planet. But when Taj Sai gives an impassioned speech about how destiny is not a matter of chance, but of choice, Romjha comes alive again. He is determined to rid his planet of the invaders and to win the heart of Taj, but he has great patience and is willing to wait until he is the man that Taj deserves as her mate. This was my first chance to read anything by Susan Grant and I enjoyed it very much. The story was great and had a nice flow and was the perfect length. I found the characters well developed and fascinating and look forward to reading more in Grant's Star series.

Sacrilege by Susan Squires
Magda was being forced out into the world after living in the safety of the Mirso Monastery for centuries. It was true that, when she first was left at Mirso, she hated the place, but, as time passed, she found a kind of peace and could use the Nine Precepts to keep her companion, that which made her a vampire, under control. She wanted to stay at Mirso and begged Brother Pietr not to send her back out into the world where she could be tempted to kill humans again, but it was time for her to start living again. Magda felt bereft and alone, clinging to the Nine Precepts, one of which was to feel no emotion, to survive. When the Harrier, the hunter and slayer of her kind, showed up to kill her, Magda had no idea why, but she quickly discovered that it was because Pietr had fallen in love with her. Pietr, her teacher, the one who taught her not to feel, Magda refused to believe it and tries to reject Pietr's love, but the two lovers will need all of the power that they have to defeat the Harrier and have some kind of life together. This was my least favorite of the stories. Although it was well written, I just didn't feel very much for the characters and felt that I was a little out of it because Magda was a character in Sacrament, one of Squires' other books, which I have not read. Still, it was interesting and I liked Pietr's character, too bad that we couldn't have learned a little more about him instead of Magda!