Lynne C‘s review of Stay The Night (The Darkyn, Book 7) by Lynn Viehl
Contemporary paranormal romance released by Onyx 6 Jan 09
I’ve been a long-time fan of the Kyn books, after discovering the first one in a hospital shelf. It almost made it worth going in!
Now Stay The Night is the last one in the Kyn books, although a new series starts later in the year set in the Kyndred universe, so I suspect it’s to reboot the series and maybe start a new series-length arc.
However, this entry isn’t without its faults. There’s a big gap at the beginning, when we miss Chris and Rob’s first night together. She decides to stay, and then it’s fade to the morning. In this case it’s an important lack, because we never really get to understand the link between the two, which, we’re told, is forged by their first explosive night. Since there are some explicit scenes later (including an m/m one) I don’t really understand the omission.
It’s great to see Alex and Michael again, and to read the end of their story arc but although I was rooting for Robin and Chris, I never really got their link. I wasn’t interested in them as a couple, although I loved their separate characters, as first introduced, Robin as lawbreaker, Chris as FBI upholder. But she never reconciles her first thoughts, that she can’t be with someone who breaks the law. Somehow “I love you” seemed to make up for it all, and I’m afraid I don’t buy it. I really would have liked to see more of Robin and Chris together, interacting and learning about each other.
The story is excellent, but it doesn’t read as an “end of series, everybody happy” book, so I expect the next entry, which is slated as a new series, is really the continuation. I really wanted more of John in this book, after the revelations of the last one, so I hope he’ll feature in the next story. I have a feeling John and one other character will feature as a central couple soon.
When she is writing action and plot, Viehl is one of the best, with a sarcastic edge that never runs into the snarky. However I didn’t appreciate the cutting of one POV to another at critical points in the story. It just annoyed me to switch from one of Alexandra’s revelations to a completely different part, rather than heightening the tension, but this is Ms Viehl’s style, so I guess I will live with it, since her writing style is so good otherwise.
I love the way she travesties all the “my lords” and deference by having the newcomers like Alex and Chris ignore or send it up, and the way the older lords accept it. Her immortals are how I imagine people who live many lifetimes to be – somehow apart and different, not always au fait with the times. It works much better than the shallow, modern concepts you can find in other paranormals. I can’t believe in an immortal hero who loves AC/DC but never listens to classical music, for instance, which, after all, was the pop music of another time. Veihl never does this, and she gives her immortals the perception of someone who has lived long but not always prospered.
The high council segments could have been boring, but thanks to a new plot development were anything but. Viehl makes us feel with Alex, the ennui at attending a high-powered conference as a spare wheel, and her delight at being offered something useful to do, then her horror when she sees what it is.
On the whole, I found it a good read, although the characters of Robin and Chris were underdeveloped. A lot of paranormal romance authors are moving into urban fantasy, where the romance is less important, and Viehl, could be one author who would do this well. I’ll certainly be there for the next book, whatever she offers.
Note – I don’t read the Stardoc books, although I keep meaning to. Very few SF authors hold much for me, I’m afraid (except for Linnea Sinclair, who got me hooked early on and continues to hold me in her thrall). But I will give these a go, one day.
One thing from the blurb – Chris’s name isn’t Christina. That’s quite important, as Rob spends a lot of the story trying to find out what Chris is short for.
A B for this one as a great story, but C- for the romance. So I think we’ll settle on an overall…
Grade: B-
Read reviews and info for books in this series by following the series tag.
Blurb:
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Outlaw, immortal vampire, and art thief, Darkyn Lord Robin of Locksley has evaded authorities for the last 700 years. At the moment, he’s falling for undercover federal agent Christina Renshaw, who has no time for an affair. She hopes to snag an elusive art thief, but soon has no choice other than to join forces with Robin.
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When the chase becomes dangerous, both will have to choose between losing each other and losing everything they value…
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Read an excerpt.
Other books in the series:
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