Veena’s review of Dark Hope (Carpathian, Book 38) by Christine Feehan
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 07 Jan 25
The ancients continue on their quest to find their life mates, while fighting vampires and whatever other evil is dujour for the particular book that we happen to be reading. Since Silke is a demon slayer, we are confronted by Lilith herself and the demons that she unleashes on the human world, programmed by her favorite mages. There are some interesting twists in this story, but, overall, is it my imagination or are these stories getting shorter?
Benedek and his fellow band of ancients are headed toward Silke with an urgency that suggests a battle is imminent, and they’ll be needed to help defeat the evil that is raising its head. Silke feels the same foreboding, even as she fights to keep the forest and her village safe from the demons that seem to be more prevalent. While she has prepared all her life for the possibility that she holds the soul of a Carpathian warrior, who will possibly become her lover and husband, she’s no pushover when Benedek finally shows up. I really like the kick-ass warrior woman who is determined to stand her guns. Kudos to the author for creating an ancient warrior who is accustomed to the art of negotiation and compromise.
The buildup to the battle and some of Benedek’s back story is extremely interesting, as is the role of Silke’s foster mother Fenja and her earlier interaction with Benedek. While I am not a huge fan of war and the gory nature of battle, it is still a bit of a surprise, after all the preparation for the grand battle and all the forces the enemy has brought to the table, that the actual battle is done and won in a chapter.
Silke does a tarot card reading and sends off Benedek’s companions on their own quest for their life mates and their own chapters in forthcoming stories. Clearly, given the cliffhanger nature of the end of this one, it will be interesting to see how the author spins the tale and what the outcome will be. Not my most favorite of the series but a worthy entry.
Grade: B
Summary:
Silke Vriese Reinders knows a war is coming. The demon slayer has seen it over and over again in the cards—and the battle won’t just be for the survival of her remote village, but for all mankind. Silke knows the only way to win will be with the help of the Carpathians. A fact that fills her with trepidation, as she is fated to be the lifemate to one of the ancient supernatural warriors—bound to a complete stranger and responsible for his soul.
One of the oldest, most dangerous Carpathians, Benedek Kovak is more beast than man. Locked away for centuries, the only thing that has stopped him from becoming one of the monsters he’s sworn to defeat is the thought of his lifemate. When Benedek senses the impending danger, he sets out to find her before it’s too late. But their enemy has laid a trap that pushes him closer to turning than ever before.
For so long Benedek has felt nothing. Now, some dark art is compelling him to indulge in cravings he thought long buried. He has no hope that anyone can restore what’s left of his tainted soul, but Silke is nothing like he imagined. Perhaps she’s strong enough to fight back the darkness. Perhaps together they can defeat an adversary hell bent on destroying them all….
