Dark Lycan

A Carpathian Novel, Book 24

By: Christine Feehan

Narrated by: Robert Sarkus

"The erotic, gripping series that has defined an entire genre” (J. R. Ward) continues as number one New York Times best-selling author Christine Feehan links the fates of two strangers bound by a secret in the shadows of the Carpathian Mountains...

Tatijana of the Dragonseekers spent centuries encased in ice with her sister, trapped in limbo between life and death, never speaking to a soul other than those who tormented her. Now, she has been freed from her frozen prison by an unknown descendent. Awakened in human form, Tatijana yearns to explore the modern world in which she now lives - a world with more mysteries than she is prepared for.

Fenris Dalka has returned to the Carpathian Mountains after a long absence to be with his brother. He is scarred by centuries of battle, and every hard-won victory. But the real reason for his return home could prove deadly if discovered by the wrong man - or woman. Upon his arrival, he is compelled by a beautiful and enigmatic stranger who carries the scent of fresh earth, of forest, of the night itself.

In time Tatijana and Fenris will discover all that unites them - their secrets and pasts, their predators, and the hot flush of passion that stirs their souls. Yet just as surely, seduced into the silvery darkness of a full-moon night, they’ll also discover everything ancient and evil that exists to destroy them.

©2013 Christine Feehan (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Different - took time to get into

Where does Dark Lycan rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 5

If you’ve listened to books by Christine Feehan before, how does this one compare?

Yes, read or listen to all of the books in this series (26 or 27) It is really a new point in the on going saga. I like that we got a update on some of the old charters.

What does Robert Sarkus bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He did ok, could not tell which charter he was reading.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

Took a minute to get into the story, but middle ways I was hooked.

Really good story/addition to the series :D

4-4.5 stars

This was a really good story. I liked both Tatijana and Fenris...although I did find it a bit convenient that a Carpathian that got turned into a lycan accidentally was named Fenris (a monstrous wolf in Norris mythology). LOL.

Tatijana is a Dragonseeker, an ancient race that is closely linked with the Carpathian people. Tatijana is the daughter of Xavier, an evil mage that grew jealous of the Carpathian people's long lifespans and used dark magic to extend his life much longer than it should have. Xavier kept Tatijana and her sister captive pretty much their whole lives and they were just released recently.

Fenris is an ancient Carpathian male; Carpathians are born vampires with abilities like shape shifting (to any form, even mist), magic spells and psychic powers. The males of the Carpathians have a darkness in them and if they don't find their lifemates, they can lose their souls and become evil. Fenris has spent his centuries hunting vampires and along the way, he accidentally got transformed into a combo between Carpathian and Lycan.

Fenris knows that the Lycans are highly prejudiced against those of mixed blood...specifically Lycan and vampire. The Lycans are unaware that a Lycan and Carpathians can be transformed without turning vampire (it's a very rare situation) and the Lycan/vampire hybrids are so dangerous that the Lycans kill any hybrid they come across. Because of this, Fenris has been avoiding Lycans whenever he can or risk death. He's also stayed away from Carpathians...he doesn't know that their views on mixed blood and stays away rather than risk conflicts.

Fenris was drawn back to the Carpathian mountains and soon encounters Tatijana. Tatijana is recently out of captivity and doesn't have any interest in finding her lifemate. Fortunately for Fenris, Tatijana finds out that he may be in trouble right off the bat and although she doesn't want to be bound, she also isn't willing to leave her lifemate in trouble without trying to help him. This ends up giving Fenris and Tatijana time to get to know each other with less pressure, which is a really good thing. While Fenris and Tatijana are bonding, a pack of rogue Lycans that's led by a Lycan/vampire hybrid comes into the area and seems determined to attack the Carpathians. A pack of (non-rogue) Lycans come into town to hunt the bad, hybrid Lycans and while the help in dealing with the hybrids is appreciated, it causes some issues for Fenris (and his brother). Things do get resolved (mostly) and the story ends with Fenris and Tatijana happily together and starting on a HEA (at least it will be once a non-relationship unresolved issue is taken care of in the next book).

This was a really enjoyable story. I really liked Tatijana...she was strong and smart and nice and I wouldn't mind knowing her in RL. Fenris was a really good hero and not overbearing at all (unlike some Carpathian males can be). Overall, the really enjoyed the story and characters and would recommend this story. :)

NOT AT ALL WHAT I EXPECTED

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It's hard to say. I would maybe recommend as a hardcover read but not in audio format. If I recommended this book I would encourage a friend to start at the beginning of the series.

If you’ve listened to books by Christine Feehan before, how does this one compare?

It does not compare to any of the previous Dark Series books. The storyline was shaky and the wording she used didn't seem like her usual style of writing. Phil Gigante was an excellent narrator and Robert Sarkus's narration seems suitable for children's books but not this genre.

What didn’t you like about Robert Sarkus’s performance?

I didn't like his pronunciation of some of the wording. His voice wasn't smoky or sensual. I know very little about the Romanian dialect but I know for certain his mispronounced some of the terminology.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No it was not.

Story is great, reader takes some getting used to

The one thing that drives me a little nuts about the series is the constant switching of narrators. this one definitely took me some time to get used to, although I do think he did his homework with the Carpathian pronunciations. It does help lead up to Skylar and Dimitri's story, so I would read this one first definitely. And I can't say I was bored at all during the hours I listened to it.

Wonderful Book

Would you listen to Dark Lycan again? Why?

Of Course I have listened to all her Dark Series several times. Wonderful characters and story line enjoyed every moment of this book. Looking forward to the next.

Have you listened to any of Robert Sarkus’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first time I have had Robert Sarkus as a narrator, I find him very good and would listen and look him up in other books for future reads.

The best of the series

I loved this book. Christine Feehan was the main reason I bean reading paranormal romance novels and she hasn't lost her edge from "Dark Prince" to "Dark Lycan". This book was amazing. I would recommend it again and again. It is a book that you will go back to and want to reread. And the narrator was just fantastic as well. There just isn't enough good things I can say about this book.

Great Book! This was actually one of my favorites

What did you love best about Dark Lycan?

The ending just leaves you begging for more. I have listened to all of her “Dark” series books. I noticed that Ms. Feehan’s writing style seemed to change a little. We didn't have to endure the same old terms “for all time”, “arrogant male”, etc. The books had gotten very predictable. I’m really happy to see her make changes and breathe new life into the series.

I was also glad to see that we got a new narrator, and am surprised so many people didn't like him. He did pronounce names different than others before ; how do we know how Ms. Feehan wanted them pronounced anyway? If one Google’s the pronunciation he is right too. At least we didn't have to endure bad Dracula accents. I can't wait for the next book in January!

Excellent

I love reading and listening to the Dark Series. The storyline is great and entertaining. I just wish that the narrator would get the pronunciations of names correct.

Didn't want it to end

I really enjoyed this trip back into the Carpathian world! Meeting new and old characters is great. Liking the expanding new Lycan storyline, as well as revisiting old haunts such as the ice caves! The narrator was just fine.

Good listen

Dar Lycan is a good listen. The story revolves around Tatijana of the Dragonseekers and Fenn, a lycan hunter turned hybrid, part lycan part carpathian. The story is entertaining and action packed, with fights between vampires and rogue shifters with s twist at the end I didn't see coming. I can hardly wait to read the book.

I didn't care for the narrator though. Robert Sarkus has a nice voice, but wasn't what was needed for these characters. I liked his voice, and the book moved along at a good pace, but every once in a while I would stop listening and say to myself that that character shouldn't sound like that. I kept thinking that Gregory should sound more menacing, Tatijana more feminine and Jacques shouldn't sound like a frenchman (he is carpathian, not french). Maybe I have gotten use to having both a female and male narrator (Dark Predator, Dark Slayer, etc...), but I believe this book would have benefitted more from this type of narration.

If you are a Dark series fan and narration doesn't matter, I recommend this book.