Veena’s review of Dark illusion (Carpathians, Book 33) by Christine Feehan
Fantasy Romance published by Berkley 03 Sept 19
It’s amazing that Ms. Feehan is thirty-three books into this series and, by all indications, is definitely planning many more stories to come. While there have been some books along the way that I could have passed on, it’s books like this one that keep me vested in the series.
Ms.. Feehan matches a woman who is a mage and a dragon seeker Carpathian, a descendant of the evil mage Xavier, with an ancient warrior in search of a life mate. While this book has its share of heat and action that is typical of this series, it also offers a history lesson, giving readers answers to questions they might not even realize they have, while introducing a host of new characters who all have stories waiting to be told. Julija is in the Sierra mountains of California on the trail of a Carpathian warrior who has Xavier’s spell book. In the wrong hands, this book can do untold damage. Isai is on the hunt as well, seeking the same warrior and the same book. Of course, the moment Isai spots Julija, he can see in colors, but it’s definitely not rainbows and flowers from that point on, since Julija has a lot of baggage that causes her to reject Isai.
Despite their rough start and professed desire to resist the mate bond, the two join up together to hunt the book and the Carpathian warrior, while themselves being hunted by evil mages who want the book for their own nefarious purposes. As the two stay one step ahead of the enemy and subvert the animals that Julija’s brothers created to do their evil, they spend a lot of time talking about both their histories and indulge in sexual pursuits. The main body of the book is similar to most books in this series, as the two seek blood, complete the necessary blood exchanges, and consummate their life-mate bonds. What I really enjoyed is their conversations. As Julija shares her history, she helps answer a lot of open questions from past books in the series.
Will the two find the spell book ahead of the mages? Can they safeguard the book? These are questions, dear readers, you’ll want answered, and you’ll have to grab your own copy of the book to discover it all. I will tell you that there are some great battles between the mages and Carpathians, given that Julija, as it turns out, is Carpathian but very much a mage. I really did enjoy how the story unfolded and am definitely interested to see how Elizaveta’s romance turns out. Then, of course, there are all those other ancient warriors who still have to find their life mates.
Grade: B
Summary:
At any other time, Julija Brennan would find solace in the quiet of the Sierra Mountains, but now the mage is in the race of her life. Having broken free from her controlling family, Julija’s attempt to warn the Carpathians of the coming threat has failed and put a target on her back—and those who are hunting her are close behind.…
After centuries locked away in a monastery in the Carpathian Mountains, Isai Florea can’t believe he’s finally found his lifemate—the missing half of his soul. The second he sees Julija, his world blazes with color. But despite their explosive connection, Julija rebels against what she sees as Isai’s intent to control her and rejects the bond that would prevent him from becoming a monster.
As their unfulfilled bond continues to call to them both, Julija and Isai aim to complete the task that brought them together. They are used to facing danger alone, but now the mage and the ancient warrior must learn how to rely on each other in order to stop a plot that threatens all Carpathians.…
