Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #130059 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 416 pages

From Publishers Weekly
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.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Yes
I like the way Christine has updated the characters for her readers. I am especially looking forward to Dimitri and Skyler........and hopefully, she will let us know more about Darius and Tempest.

A holiday treat indeed
This book finally brings my favorite couples together. This book was great and long overdue. This makes `Dark Celebration' a great introduction for new readers and a treat for those who have followed the series intently. Don't expect it to be all bright and cherry because Christine Feehan likes it dark in this particular sequence.

As the story opens, the Carpathians are in grave danger of extinction, not only from their enemies but also from the propensity of Carpathian women to have miscarriages. At Raven's suggestion, the Carpathians are gathering for their first community holiday event; but to her life mate, Prince Mikhail, it presents an excellent opportunity for their enemies to strike. Feehan brings us up to date with familiar couples, Raven and Mikhail, Desari and Julian, Shea and Jacques. She introduces the early stages of a possible new love story between Skyler and Dimitri. Feehan adeptly shifts between danger and humor, cooking disasters and passionate sex, as the group fights vampires and a dark mage, their oldest enemy. This book is everything that we have been waiting for. Having all our favorite characters together plus the added addition of an underline story that includes Skyler & her possible life mate has me counting down the days until this book is released.

`Dark Celebration' feels more like an evolution book setting the table for some upcoming series (thank goodness). The plot is pretty tame and the best part is that no couple takes charge of the story line. Still this is well written and will help newcomers obtain a deep understanding of Carpathian customs, lifestyles, and natural enemies while long term fans will know that the treats of 'Dark Desserts.' Keep it coming Christine.