Sammy’s review of Dark Carousel (Dark Series, Book 30) by Christine Feehan
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 02 Aug 16
Christine Feehan is the Queen of Paranormal romance and she doesn’t disappoint with her latest novel Dark Carousel. I want to preface this review that I have not read the previous two books in the series. I feel that the ratio of romance and action is a bit skewered to the violent side. I don’t mind the violence, but I do need the romance to counterbalance the blood and gore, with the added bonus of gloom and doom. Make no mistake, this book deals with some pretty harsh issues (abuse toward women and children). If you have any triggers, please be aware going in this is not an easy book to get through. What Ms. Feehan accomplished for me in this book is the romance-to-angst ratio is well balanced and she also handles the topic of abuse with respect.
We meet Charlotte Vintage, our heroine, and her very dear friend Genevieve Marten hanging out in one of the hottest dance clubs in the City. Bad things have been happening to these ladies and they know they are being followed. They went to this very public and crowded place with the intention of luring the bad guys out into the open.
Charlotte has been an apprentice in France studying under her mentor on restoring old carousels. She also has the ability to touch an item and relive the history of anything she handles. Genevieve is a talented artist, and they are also best friends. Back in Paris they always felt they had some strange abilities, and, as a fluke, decided to be tested on those psychic abilities. After they abruptly left the testing facility, family and friends started turning up murdered, their throats ripped out and their bodies drained of their blood. When Charlotte gets a call that her brother has been murdered in the exact same manner, she and Vi board a plane to the States, figuring they need to stay together until they can figure out who is following them and also who is killing all their loved ones. Charlotte also has to worry about her niece, Lourdes, whom is still alive and traumatized by being left with her father’s body for hours.
Enter Tariq Asenguard, Carpathian Hunter and owner of The Palace. I love Tariq in the sense that he assimilated himself amongst humans, and, even though he’s ancient, he’s also learning to grow with the times. He’s still very alpha but not a let-me-stake-him-in-his-sleep over-the-top jerkwad. He has his moments, but Charlotte is no shrinking violet. That’s another aspect that I love about her books. She writes some of the best women: forward thinking, capable, intelligent, with deep-rooted bonds with other women.
Tariq knows his lifemate is in his club and he sets out to find her. He meets up with Charlotte and Vi in the parking garage of his nightclub. Charlotte and Vi have the misfortune of being cornered by a very bad vampire by the name of Fridrick. The Vampires are conspiring and are getting more tech savvy. They are evolving and experimenting with anyone with psychic gifts. Tariq and the other Hunters (an all-new cast of characters) chase him off. Tariq offers the women protection at his compound and they accept.
This is where we learn about the torture of the young children, another woman with psychic abilities, and a Carpathian Hunter. It was heart breaking, yet you see how strong they are and how much Tariq cares for each and every one of them. There’s a moment in the underground torture chamber where the master vampire was keeping them and they were closing in on Tariq, Charlotte, and the other hunters. The triplets, Matais, Tomas, and Lojos erected dragons out of stone and jewels to fight off the puppets and minor vampires. What you come to find out later is they were also created to soothe the children, a dragon for each of them. It is definitely a Kleenex moment.
I loved this book. I loved the relationship between all the players. I especially loved the relationship between Tariq and Charlotte. It reminded me of the older books in this series, the main reason I fell in love with the Carpathians in the first place. I know I’ll go back and read the two I skipped, because I am so interested in the Carpathians from the Monastery. They’re so ancient and one step away from being a Vampire, they locked themselves away from everyone. I’m excited for this new arc in an old series, I feel like it’s new, yet not. I don’t hand out A’s willy nilly, but this is a book I will reread again. It pushed all my reader buttons and left me feeling very satisfied and dying to know who the next book is about.
Grade: A
Read Veena’s review here.
Summary:
In the new Carpathian novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan, a woman falls prey to the seductive allure of the past—and a vampire warrior’s intoxicating embrace…
The moment Charlotte Vintage walks into his club, Tariq Asenguard’s blood is set on fire. The ancient Carpathian had given up hope of finding his lifemate, but now he will do anything to make Charlotte his own. What Tariq doesn’t know is that Charlotte is using herself and her best friend as bait—to try to draw out the bloodthirsty killers who have already murdered Charlotte’s brother and mentor.
Charlotte is familiar with Tariq. Not only is he one of the richest and most eligible bachelors in the city, but he’s also a renowned collector of old carousel horses, which Charlotte restores. Their shared passion opens Charlotte up to trusting him with her life and with the desire she can no longer control. But it also makes her vulnerable to a centuries-old curse that will unite her and Tariq in a war against the enemies of humans and Carpathians alike…
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
