Customer Reviews

Stay the Night: A Novel of the Darkyn

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was very much looking forward to reading Robin's story in Stay the Night. I was also sad to hear that this was the last book in the series and I was curious as to how it would all end.

Robin of Locksley has been stealing from the rich for the last 700 years. With the help of his Darkyn powers, he can charm just about anyone into handing over anything. The FBI dubbed him The Magician for his most recent larcenous exploits involving the theft of priceless works of art.

Chris Renshaw is a special agent for the FBI. She was recently transferred to the Chicago office amid a scandal involving her partner's firing and subsequent suicide. Chris knows that the Magician is somehow involved and is more determined than ever to bring this thief to justice. She leads the operation to find him and goes undercover as an arts dealer.

The Feds decide to exhibit The Maiden's Book of Hours, an ancient manuscript that Robin has been coveting for hundreds of years. Unbeknownst to him, someone else wants that book even more and will stop at nothing to get it. When the book is stolen and humans and Darkyn lives are held hostage, Chris and Robin go to Rome to recover the book.

Like all the Darkyn novels, Stay the Night is told in multiple points of view. Besides Chris and Robin, the book shifts to at least 10 other characters including the series protagonists- Alex and Michael Cyprien. On the one hand, it's nice to see a hero and heroine get a continuing story that goes beyond their HEA . I like Alex and Cyprien and enjoy reading about their romance and seeing their relationship grow in each book. But on the other hand, the romance between the so called main hero and heroine in most of the other books has been underdeveloped and flat- especially when compared to Alex and Cyprian's relationship. This book is no different.

Viehl tries to sets up some relationship conflict by pairing Robin- the ultimate thief- with an upstanding law abiding federal agent. Chris blames Robin for her partner's death. She is also frequently upset with him and his ability to charm random bystanders into handing over whatever he wants. But besides some mild protestations, she never forces the issue and her ethical code and any possible conflict therewith eventually just takes a back seat to the rest of the action.

There are also some annoying scene changes just when things start to get good. Rather than creating any suspense, I grew frustrated with the numerous shifts in point of view. It happened again and again thereby stopping the action each time it starts picks up. Other readers certainly may have no problem with this and instead consider it to be skillful plotting, but basically it made me want to throw the book against the wall.

I did enjoy the story more towards the end. We find out the significance of The Maiden's Book of Hours and the true purpose for which the villain intends it to be used. It's purpose is intriguing and made for some tense moments when we discover just how far a certain character will go to exact his or her revenge. Ultimately, though, it wasn't enough to make me love this novel. I was definitely expecting more especially in light of it being the final book in your series.

Stay the Night is not exactly the novel I was hoping it would be. Viehl did create several very interesting moments towards the end and while I enjoyed the ongoing story with Alex and Michael and appreciated the rich and solid world that the author created and continued to develop here, this book's weakest links were the underdeveloped Chris and Robin and their tepid romance.

Since previous reviewers have done such a great job summarizing the plot I will stick to my own impressions of the book: an excellent and engrossing story.

I loved Robin's easy-going character. My personal preference is for characters who don't wear all their tortured pain on their sleeves for the world to see. Whereas Michael hides his steel under soft-spoken diplomacy, and Lucan hides his good heart under ruthless depravity, Robin hides his inner self under a flippant and flirtatious attitude. An attitude that the heroine, of course, can see right through. I also enjoyed the continuation of Alex and Michael's story - the fact that their story weaves through the entire series is one of my favorite aspects. Although probably not meant to be funny, Alex's completely awful bedside manner keeps me laughing at odd moments through the dark and creepy series.

Dark and creepy is another thing that makes me love these books so much (although Robin's book "felt" a lot less creepy than normal to me). Viehl definitely leans closer to the "horror" aspect of vampires than most paranormal romance authors. A lot of the violence is implied or threatened (or happens in dreams). At the end of the books the villain is just as likely to get sealed behind a wall for all eternity as he/she is to get killed off by the hero/heroine. Creeeepy. I find it refreshing, but it is definitely not for everyone.

Also a little different in Viehl's novels are the Happily Ever After (HEA). HEA is hard work for Viehl's characters. Even after all these books we are not sure if Michael and Alex are going to make it. Are they going to be a love story? Or a tragedy? For me their love story is more powerful in that it keeps getting challenged and reaffirmed. Every time it is reaffirmed I remember, oh, wow, yeah. They love each other. And always have. And always will. Again, it's something I enjoyed, but it is not for everyone!

I wasn't actually aware that this was the "end" of the series until after I finished the book. Like one of the reviewers I found the end to be... not anticlimactic, but definitely a touch melancholy (Alex's final scene). The whole 'curling her hand around emptiness' was too strong a metaphor to easily shrug off. However, the it was also exciting as a loose end to be tied up in future books -- not to mention the loose end in Guy's final scene! I was looking forward to the next book... only to find that this was the end!

But not really. In the back of the book is a teaser for Viehl's new series on the Kyndred set in the same "universe" (to coin a sci-fi term) as the Darkyn. I am quite sure we'll be seeing cameos of many of our favorites... especially John. And on her blog Viehl declared her intensions to continue to write ebook novellas about the Darkyn, which should add an interesting dimension to both the Darkyn series and the new Kyndred series.

If you do like the Viehl's stories I highly recommend her sci-fi series, starting with "Stardoc."

I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the Stay the Night. I liked Robin, we met the infamous charming thief of Robin Hood fame two books ago in Evermore: A Novel of the Darkyn (Signet Eclipse). Robin's love interest Chris is the perfect torture for him, a woman who is totally immune to his Kyn power of charm. As an FBI agent out to catch the Magician, as Robin the thief is known to the art world, Chris is also the nemesis to Robin's thieving self to boot. I liked that Robin had to work to win Chris' heart despite the obvious chemistry - it was amusing to watch his affront when he wakens after their initial joining and discovers that He is the one who has been used. It was also entertaining watching him try to get through Chris' disbelief to convince her of the existence of the Darkyn. Actually I still liked the second half of the book but in the end the romance with Robin and Chris feels less finished than usual - I wasn't sure whether Robin was going to be spending the rest of his 'new life' in prison. The resolution of the centuries long conflict between Robin and Notingham (Guy) in this thread was a nice touch though.

As usual the romance shares the story with Alex and Michael's(the leading pair from when If Angels Burn: A Novel of the Darkyn (Signet Eclipse))continuing saga. I know some readers don't care for Alex but I have always liked her snarky forthrightness in dealing with all of the medieval macho Darkyn men. Alex's intelligence and ability to put things together is part of why I've always had a fascination for this series even when they occasionally were a bit dark for my tastes. And here, Viehl totally caught me up in Alex's frustration at being back in ruthless Darkyn King Richard's sphere of influence, he is despicable as always. But it was worth the frustration to watch the Alex neutralize yet again the threat Richard presents and to see her deal head on with a ghost from her past by confronting Korvel the Darkyn who would still bind Alex against her will if he could.

Stay the Night, is less dark than most of Vielh's Darkyn novels. There is less violence in this one with the evil Brethren working their torturous plots off screen - we only see the survivors and their hideous injuries. Normally the violence is what makes me qualify my recommendations of Viehl's Darkyn books, even though I find Viehl's writing extremely interesting. But this time my heads up to would-be readers is for sensuality instead of violence - though there is a reason why we need to know that Phillipe, Michael's seneschal, prefers men to women - the explicit scene in which Phillipe 'crosses swords' with another Darkyn, means that this still is not the book for everyone.

Since Stay the Night is the `last' Darkyn novel, Viehl ties up some threads with Alex, her search for 'the cure' and the secret behind the Brethryn's experiments on orphans. But Viehl leave other threads hanging and unravels a few more for John and Guy, but the Darkyn are supposedly done so Viehl is stringing us along to the start of a new connected series. There is an except in the back of Stay the Night for the Kyndred, who are up next with Shadowlight coming November of 2009.

I must first state that I have enjoyed this series from the start. I appreciated, not just the characters, but the unconventional telling of Michael and Alexandra's story. I enjoyed seeing them emerge as a couple through the eyes of the people in their lives. It has been a great ride. That is why, it is with a somewhat heavy heart that I submit this review.

I pranced in my stall, along with the other anxious fans, waiting for this release. It's the last book of a much loved series and it promised to tie up the loose ends and close the door on some of our favorite characters. I devoured it in a single day, and as I turned the last page, I thought, "Surely there has to be more...?" For me, this book was terribly anticlimactic.

As a reader (and enthusiastic fan) I expected the formal end of the series, to cover a lot more ground than it did. There were, afterall, some major issues: The Brethren, Alexandra's angst, John, the situation with Korvel, Richard's plight. These were important items that Ms. Viehl spent multiple volumes setting up for us. In many ways, these issues were more interesting to me than Robin's adventure, but I felt Stay the Night fizzled on them.

Where was the character growth and closure the readers were all anticipating? Alexandra's lamentations continued to the bitter end. While I love the fact that her personal strength and sharp tongue remained intact throughout the series, her complete lack of acceptance became tiresome toward the end. She never saw that her circumstance was perfect for her. She would live an impossibly long life. She would be free to help and heal in a society with desperate need of her very special talent. Isn't that what she has always wanted? Why couldn't she grow to love it?

John's storyline took a surprising and exciting turn, but we saw so little of it in the last book. I wanted it to go very differently. In my humble opinion, there was another road that may have been more satisfying for the reader. The open end to his story left me frustrated.

Korvel's actions were dangerous and insulting. Readers had a right to expect a confrontation with Michael. There was brief mention of it, and if the confrontation occurred at all, the readers never saw it. The Kyn kill for lesser offenses. That Michael did nothing reduced him in my eyes. In that same vein, I now have more questions about Korvel's loyalty to Richard. Which brings me too...

Richard... Well, he remains Richard. I had hoped he would grow as a man, as a Kyn, and as a King now that he can actually see an end to his ordeal. However, he exited as he entered--callous, indifferent and cruel. Perhaps that is the best he has to offer. Perhaps it will be better for everyone if Michael took the throne.

I closed the book, and the series, with a sad shrug. While it was certainly a well-told tale (the author's skill shined bright and often), it still feels unfinished to me. But that's just me. Perhaps I simply did not want it to end just yet. I'm going to miss them.

Stay the Night (2009) is the seventh Fantasy novel in the Darkyn series, following Twilight Fall. The initial work in this series is If Angels Burn.

In the previous volume, Liling and Kyan met on the shore in Chicago and discussed their separation. Melanie interfered, but the twins nullified her efforts. Valentin witnessed the confrontation and then walked her home. John watched the affair from the house.

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

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.

Richard Tremayne is the Master of the Darkyn. His headquarters are in Dundellan Castle in Ireland.

Robin of Locksley is a Darkyn. He had been living in Sherwood Forest before leaving England for the crusades. Then he moved to the New World and is now the suzerain of Atlanta.

Luisa Lopez is a hispanic woman who was severely beaten by a group of men. Alex had started restoring her body, but Luisa needs much more done before her body is restored. She has been having visions for five years.

Chris Renshaw is an FBI Agent. She has been working in Chicago, but has moved to Atlanta. She has red hair.

In this story, Luisa is twenty-one years old. On her birthday, she has another vision. Today she is seeing a smiling thief watching a red headed woman. Then she sees the shadow prince walking through a forest.

Norman Deluca is holding up a bank. He has all the customers and the guard on the floor while encouraging the teller to give him the money. She tries to push the alarm button, but he puts the gun right before her eye and suggests that she makes no unnecessary moves.

Then someone shoots his hand with an arrow and he drops the gun. Two men come out of the vault and command him to surrender. He smells a scent and, for some reason, he obeys the command. But then he takes up the gun and shoots the archer.

Unfortunately, the shot doesn't seem to hurt the archer and the men tend to ignore him as they sort out the bystanders. Norman slips out of the bank and returns home. There he commits suicide and leaves a note for Chris.

Chris had been Norman's partner, although he had treated her as a twit. Her fellow agents believe that she had been Norman's lover. She moves to Atlanta to get away from the gossip.

She is working a sting to catch the Magician, an art thief wanted in several countries. She is sitting in a bar hoping for a contact, but is only meeting obnoxious males trying to make a hit. Finally, she leaves her table and walks to the less crowded and darkest area of the bar.

Someone is there ahead of her. She doesn't notice him until he speaks. Then she notices his heavy scent. She is polite, but would rather be alone.

Robin is upset at the ineffectiveness of his l'attrait and his special talent. Chris seems little effected by either. Her aloofness stimulates his hormones and he becomes determined to overcome her.

Later, she comes to have sex with him, but it seems to be her own idea. Nothing he does increases her desires, but she appears to have enough to keep him occupied. The next morning, she departs early and leaves him a thank you note.

Robin is incensed. Never has he been so insulted. He makes sure that he encounters her again and insults her. They keep offending each other, but cannot stay apart.

During the long courtship, Robin tells her that he is the Magician. He also tells her about being a Darkyn. She quickly believes that he is the man that she has been looking for, but laughs at his claims to be a bloodsucker . . . until he bites her.

Meanwhile, the Darkyn Council has a problem with the Brethren. Michael finds himself alone in not wanting to attack their enemy. Even Richard thinks that he is wrong.

Alex is caring for the Darkyn recovered from Brethren captivity. She notices something different in the Brethren tactics. She discussed this with Michael, but he has other concerns.

This tale takes the Robin and Chris to Italy to recover a stolen book. Other Darkyn are involved in the theft. Despite their own quarrels, the two manage to track down the book.

This is the last volume in the Darkyn series. However, the successor series starts with Shadowlight. Read and enjoy!

Recommended for Viehl fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of bloodsucking crusaders, covert conflict, and paranormal romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

I read all seven books in the Darkyn series. I have to say that I loved them, however the last book was a big disappointment. I got the feeling that Lynn rushed to end the Darkyn Series and as a result left some loose ends. It is a shame as the series had a lot of potential. With all the characters involved, she could of continued to write about each of them. What ever happen to Alex's brother? I thought that the gay scene was just an excuse to fill some pages. Being a romance, it should of turned into a romantic relationship and not just a sexual encounter. Other than that, I have no complains. My favorite character was Valentin Jaus. He was just an old fashion romantic lover.

This series is one of my favorites and definitly on my keeper pile. Some are stronger than others, but always great characterization, setting and plot. At first I was a little annoyed because of the "Kyn" politics that I originally thought was interrupting a great love story. If you hang in there though, it nicely works its way through the details. Be forwarned though, although well done, very sensual and emotionally connected there is a lot of sensuality in this book and not all of it traditional. For adults, recommended but do read the book in series order for clarity.

I was really looking forward to the next book in this series. The characters that Viehl writes about have "layers" to them. Just when you think you have them figured out, some new twist shows up. Robin was an awesome thief...he should be, he'd been doing it for centuries. The cops had trouble keeping up with his Darkyn powers.....until Chris. Too many people want the same priceless manuscript and for too many reasons. When Chris and Rob have to work together to save everybody, new truths are revealed and some don't come out of this the way they started. Hot love scenes a good build developing the next book.

Still an outlaw after seven centuries of first being declared as such by King John's merry losers, immortal Darkyn Lord Robin of Locksley knows he must intercede when the ancient mythical tome Maiden's Book of Hours is stolen and not by him; he waited for over five hundred years for this book that contains the only picture of his long lost love Marian to surface. Undercover FBI agent Christina Renshaw is appalled with the theft since she is the one who dangled the priceless book to catch a brilliant art thief. Since the thieves also have takes hostages, the FBI is even more involved. Christina and Robin meet and are instantly attracted and conflicted as to what to do; that is on recovering the Maiden's Book of Hours and saving the captives.

Robin's long time enemy Nottingham has joined forces with an obsessed deadly Kyn female. His adversary's diabolical scheme leaves Robin with little choice, but to yank a stunned Chris into the Darkyn realm. Soon the pair is in Europe where Darkyn lords are meeting as all hell in breaking out.

The overarching Darkyn saga moves forward (see TWILIGHT FALLS, NIGHT LOST and IF ANGELS BURN) while also telling the romantic suspense tale of Robin the Prince of Thieves, Lynn Viehl provides an interesting entry in her wonderful urban fantasy saga. The story line focuses on the lead couple's search for the Renaissance Era book while also continuing the war between the Darkyn and the Brethren. With a couple of late stunning spins and a reference to Coleridge, the powerful riveting Darkyn chronicles will have sub-genre fans anxious to learn what the author will unveil next.

Harriet Klausner

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what happens to Luisa Lopez in this book at the very end she is healed by her prince charming named john but she leaves does anyone know if she has her own book or if she is in any of the other ones from the author she is a good one and deserves her own book let me know thanks