The blood-drinking, mind-reading, shape-shifting Carpathian clan and their human friends gather for Christmas—and to stave off encroaching enemies—in bestseller Feehan's latest entry in her Dark series (after Dark Demon) and her first in hardcover. The guests hunt vampires, confront a dark mage and, most importantly, face the extinction of their species due to a mysteriously low birth rate and high infant mortality. Shea—once a human surgeon, now a Carpathian healer—studies the Carpathian's procreative problem even as she carries the child of her "lifemate" Jacques, whose brother, Prince Mikhail, also hopes for more children with his mate, Raven. The action suffers from the author's efforts to feature each of these couples and others, but the stage is set for future, more plot-driven books. A section of recipes by Feehan fans, "Dark Desserts," rounds out this sex- and magic-filled treat, which makes a good entry point for newcomers. (Sept.)
Description:
The blood-drinking, mind-reading, shape-shifting Carpathian clan and their human friends gather for Christmas—and to stave off encroaching enemies—in bestseller Feehan's latest entry in her Dark series (after Dark Demon) and her first in hardcover. The guests hunt vampires, confront a dark mage and, most importantly, face the extinction of their species due to a mysteriously low birth rate and high infant mortality. Shea—once a human surgeon, now a Carpathian healer—studies the Carpathian's procreative problem even as she carries the child of her "lifemate" Jacques, whose brother, Prince Mikhail, also hopes for more children with his mate, Raven. The action suffers from the author's efforts to feature each of these couples and others, but the stage is set for future, more plot-driven books. A section of recipes by Feehan fans, "Dark Desserts," rounds out this sex- and magic-filled treat, which makes a good entry point for newcomers. (Sept.)
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From Booklist
The seventeenth in Feehan's Dark series, and the first in hardcover, features the Carpathians, their lifemates, and human friends who have gathered in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania to celebrate Christmas with a children's pageant, a feast, and a visit by their fiercest hunter as Santa Claus. Mikhail Dubrinsky, the prince of the Carpathians, worries that his people are dying out because of very low fertility and an extraordinarily high infant mortality rate. It seems that some force may be trying to eradicate the Carpathians. Feehan assembles an enormous and somewhat confusing cast of characters. Fans of the series will be delighted to see old friends again and two new life-paired couples who will undoubtedly appear in future novels. Amidst preparations for the holiday festivities, there are vampire attacks, deadly danger from a mage, and steamy sex between the telepathic, shape-shifting Carpathians, who suck blood yet are deadly enemies of the evil vampires. Feehan even offers holiday recipes sent in by her fans. Diana Tixier Herald
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