Dark Guardian (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 8) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author) "Jaxon Montgomery snapped the clip into her handgun and glared at her partner..." (more)
Key Phrases: jaxon sighed, true lifemate, lesser vampires, Dark Guardian, Christine Feehan, Tyler Drake (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The eighth entry in Feehan's popular vampire series (Dark Legend; Dark Fire) follows the same formula as her previous books a Carpathian (an immortal vampire hunter) meets his "lifemate," binds himself to her through an ancient ritual involving blood-letting and hot sex, and together they battle the undead. This time around, Feehan spices up her stale story line with her smart and spunky heroine, police officer Jaxon Montgomery. Former Navy SEAL Tyler Drake, Jaxon's maniacal stepfather, has made it his mission to kill anyone she befriends, which has made her equally determined not to form any close ties. Nevertheless, she can't help feeling intimately connected to Carpathian Lucian Daratrazanoff, who takes her into his care when she is shot while searching a warehouse. Convinced that Jaxon is his life mate, Lucian binds himself to her and brings her "over to the Carpathian race." Together, Jaxx and Lucian destroy vampires, battle Drake and read each other's minds. Their romance is heartfelt and convincingly portrayed. Less believable, however, is the fact that Jaxx doesn't object to her Carpathian transformation, especially considering her independent nature. Nevertheless, Feehan's newest is a skillful blend of supernatural thrills and romance that is sure to entice readers who can stomach the occasional gory scene.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

For centuries, Lucian Daratrazanoff has been the dark guardian of his people, living a bleak existence of violence and horror. But now his kind, the Carpathians, are dying out or falling prey to the souless life of vampires. Only by finding and claiming his destined life mate can Lucian stave off the ever present lure of the soulless evil. Part man, part predator, Lucian will stop at nothing in order to find his mate. Jaxon Montgomery is anything but ordinary. She is stubborn, independent, but a damn good cop with an unerring sense of impending danger. Honed by a traumatic childhood and years of training in Special Forces, she is determined to sacrifice everything to protect others. But now the monster from her childhood has returned, and anyone who befriends her is in mortal danger. The last thing she needs is to become involved with a man, even one as mesmerizing and bewitching as Lucian Daratrazanoff. But Lucian will not be rebuffed, and is determined to possess her, to guard her for all time, to make her his life mate...and save his soul. Read by Juanita Parker. 12 CD's 13 Hrs. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Leisure Books (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843949945
• ISBN-13: 978-0843949940
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (100 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,710 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 8 in The Dark Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic! A Must Read!, June 21, 2002

By	Sophie Williams (Canada) - See all my reviews

"Dark Guardian" by Christine Feehan is the 8th instalment in the wonderfully sensual and intriguing "Dark" series, and once again Feehan does not disappoint. With fresh and likeable characters and a storyline filled with passion, danger, and suspense, "Dark Guardian" will leave readers cheering Feehan's remarkable talent.

Lucian, one of the legendary ancient Carpathian twins, has spent the last several hundred years pretending to have turned vampire in order to keep his beloved twin (Gabriel of "Dark Legend") from turning vampire himself, knowing that Gabriel had a lifemate out there somewhere. And now that Gabriel has found his other half, Lucian feels his mission has come to an end. For the years he has spent hunting and killing the undead have left a stain of darkness on Lucian's soul, and he has grown weary of his endless colourless and emotionless existence. But Gabriel's lifemate, Francesca, insists that she knows of Lucian's lifemate, and that this woman desperately needs Lucian's help.

And indeed Lucian does find his lifemate, feisty lady cop Jaxon Montgomery, who has dedicated her life to protecting others. But Jaxon has had a nightmarish start in life, with a crazed stepfather who murders everyone who gets close to her, including her biological parents and little brother, and her beloved foster parents. As a result, Jaxx lives a solitary and lonely life, never getting too close to anyone for fear that it will get them killed. So when Lucian appears out of the night to save her from a bust gone wrong, she immediately fears that Lucian will become the next target of her stepfather Tyler Drake's bloodlust.

Recuperating in Lucian's huge and lovely home, Jaxx becomes aware that Lucian is no ordinary man. But though she witnesses some of his remarkable powers, she still fears for his safety. Lucian, on the other hand, is not at all concerned about one mortal man, ex-Navy SEAL though he might be, but he is incredibly touched by Jaxx's concern for him. Jaxon fears the deep connection she feels between herself and Lucian, and doesn't know how to live as one half of a couple after a lifetime of being utterly alone. But Lucian is remarkably gentle and understanding with Jaxon, giving her time to adjust to all the changes in her life. Because Lucian knows the one thing he will never do is let Jaxon go, for she is the light to his darkness, the very air he breathes and the other half of his soul.

But Jaxx is like a beacon of light drawing the soulless undead to her, as they all know that a human woman with psychic powers can be converted into one of them. Indeed, Lucian makes the decision that the only way to keep Jaxx safe is to convert her into a Carpathian, and it was a refreshing change to have a heroine who simply dealt with the change and moved on, rather than agonizing over it. Together, Lucian and Jaxx formulate a plan to draw out the undead hunting Jaxx and Tyler Drake. And there is no chance that Jaxx will sit back while Lucian fights her battles, so she and Lucian become true partners, another refreshing change from previous books. This book builds the suspense effectively to a thrilling climax, and will leave readers utterly sated and satisfied.

"Dark Guardian" is another fantastic entry is Feehan's "Dark" series and it is not to be missed. The romance between Lucian and Jaxx is passionate and intense, and it's wonderful watching them find happiness and eternal love in each other's arms. Amidst the affecting romance of Jaxx and Lucian, Feehan seamlessly mixes in a tale of danger and excitement that will keep readers turning pages. "Dark Guardian" was a truly enjoyable read and it comes highly recommended.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars the 8th book in the series and maybe the best!, July 12, 2002

By	Brenda Condit "satinskper" (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ok I have loved every book in the Dark series but I really think that this one may have been the best. I couldn't put it down. I usually like to spread these books out so that I don't have to wait and wait for the next but after I read Dark Legend which is Gabriel's story and found out that this was Lucian's story I had to read it as soon as I got it.

Lucian is the twin to Gabriel and is one of the very ancient ones. He has lived for over 2000 years as the greatest hunter of the Carpathians. He has a voice that can make even the most evil of vampires do whatever he wants. He soon finds though that his voice, although compelling, cannot easily command his lifemate. After centuries he finds her. She is human but has special abilities that allow her to be his true lifemate. Jaxx has had a horrid childhood and is a loner because of it. She is haunted by a evil past that has stalked her and everyone deer to her for years. Lucian has vowed to protect her but she is a cop and can protect herself. She fears that she will put Lucian in danger so she fights what her heart and soul are telling her. She decides that she will protect Lucian and fight alongside him in his battles. This is the first time the heroine has taken such a strong role in protecting her lifemate. I really enjoyed how she could be both strong yet vulnerable at the same time.

The love scenes are hot and so wonderfully written. The whole book is just so good that I was both happy and sad at the end because I knew I'd have to wait awhile for a new book. I would recommend these books to anyone, not just because they are romances but because the stories are so well written that you feel like the characters are actually real.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great read from Ms Feehan!!!, May 4, 2002

By A Customer

I have read all of Ms Feehans' books and I believe that this is one of her best.

I enjoyed reading about Lucian, the great Carpathian guardian who after a long and stark existence finally finds his lifemate. Centuries of hunting the undead and protecting human and carpathian alike have taken their toll on our hero, and just when he is ready to end his existence he finds Jaxx.

Jaxxon Montgomery, a strong, modern woman who refuses to sit back and allow Lucian to "protect" her from the dangers in her life. Jaxx, a police officer, has spent her young life guarding those closest to her against the threat posed by her sociopathic step-father.

As the events of their meeting and courtship evolve, Jaxx and Lucian establish a relationship to be envied as evidenced by the bantering between them.

I recommend this book to all those who enjoy a good romance with a little suspense added in for flavor.