Wow, Wow,Wow. Loved the people, the plot, the places and the future possibilities! This book shakes up the series a tad, Still has the couple romance the steamy erotic scenes (which I gloss over) but new revelations, seeing old friends, new dangers and just a whole new world hinted at around the corner. This one rocked.#DarkTarot#ChristineFeehan#Berkley#NetGalley

Having read every single book in this series, this particular one came as a nice surprise. Several of the more recent books had started to feel somewhat formulaic; however, this one was original all around. Instead of fighting dozens of multiple vampires, there is one relatively quick skirmish toward the start of the book, and then there aren't any more. Instead, these protagonists and a cadre of ancients who are journeying with them, embark on a dangerous quest to find out more about Sandu Berdardi's past. His forgotten past is linked somehow to a deck of tarot cards being wielded by Andalasia Ravasio. These cards have been passed down from mother to daughter over the centuries and these cards direct this group on their quest. They learn new and important pieces of the puzzle with every stop that they make and with each ancient warrior that they talk to. Each stop leads them to the next step in their quest, and in doing so, they travel and meet multiple pairs of lifemates from prior books in the series. It feels like seeing old friends again!

Sandu is a very traditional Carpathian male; however, he changes and adapts to his partner over the course of the book and becomes a delightful lifemate to independent Andalasia. Readers also get the chance to see this group of ancient warriors accept Andalasia into their confidence, and she gives them renewed hope that they will find their own lifemates. There are a couple of practical jokes that add some levity to this story as well. This book focuses on a different threat to the world--demons escaping from the nether world through very small cracks within the barrier wall that keeps them imprisoned. This book also sets up the foundation for at least three more stories, and possibly as many as five more stories, if Ms. Feehan continues along the path she starts in this book.

Dark Tarot captured this reader's interest from the first page. The tension stays tight and the pacing does as well. There isn't a lot of unnecessary verbiage, as each scene advances the storyline, and readers get to travel from place to place with this group of warriors as they add knowledge with every stop. The tarot cards add an interesting twist that may intrigue readers. Overall, this was a delightful and refreshing change from the typical "Dark" books in this series. This book definitely breathes new life into the series, and this reader is anticipating the next entry with renewed excitement!

THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS, SO FAIR WARNING, UPON READING THE REVIEW.
Dark Tarot is the latest book in the Carpathian series by Christine Feehan. I honestly had no clue what to expect with this book, all that I knew was that it was Andu’s book. After Dark Song, I wasn’t sure anything could compare to that book. But comparing Dark Song and Dark Tarot, they are complete opposites from each other. The characters in each book are so diversely different. So make sure you don’t compare the two or think one is better than the other, and quite frankly Dark Tarot is a whole another level. This is a pivoting book though, there are so many things that happen in this story, and it’s a beast of a read at 500 pages so it isn’t a light quick read. You will definitely spend most of the day reading it. There needs to be so much to happen though, just because of who this couple is and what they have to do together and it does get pretty heavy so lets get into this.

DARK TAROT IS ONE KICKASS ADVENTURE WITH A PAIRING EVERY FAN WILL ADORE:
Andu-one of the Ancient Carpathians, no memory of his family or past, hunter, alpha male,

Adalasia-tarot card reading, psychic abilities, fighter against demons, strong but kind

Dark Tarot is a story that sets off with our hero, Andu, who is sitting on a rooftop contemplating what he should do in the future. Should he meet the dawn or should he go back to the monetary with his brothers in arms? But he is heavy with despair not knowing if he will ever meet his lifemate. But in the darkness, comes a voice of light and laughter, Adalasia, who whispers words of comfort to him. The moment that he hears her voice he knows that she is vital and she is real and he goes to California to find her, and she takes his breath away. But her life is in danger, she is being hunted, she has magical abilities, and they are meant to be together. Her family has always known that one of them would be mated to one such as he and that they would save the world from demons and a greater enemy they can only imagine. Andu knows he will do all that he can to protect his woman, and calls upon his band of brothers to be their guardians on this journey. As Andu and Adalasia go on this journey together of discovering this fated love, building a familial bond with their guardians, meeting with other Carpathians on their journey, and facing an evil they have never faced ….their path is brutal and dangerous but also filled with such promise of hope and love and family…

Dark Tarot is a story that really took my breath away and it was simply beautiful in so many elements. The relationship that we see develop between these two is similar to some that we have seen in the past, but not exactly. I loved their unique relationship and more of one of the “modern” romances that we have seen with Feehan. Our heroine is a modern day woman, a fighter and catches on quickly to being a Carpathian. She does get turned more quickly in the beginning of the story, so we also have that. This story is different in that it is not about her turning, its more of the backdrop of the story, their journey is what is most vital. I really enjoyed seeing so many of some of my favorite side characters such as Lucien, Gabriel, Luiz, Dax and Solange just to name a few.

As they travel around, searching for clues and answers to Andu’s past which connects to their future, they see where their journey is taking them. But along the way we get plenty of fun bantering with the guardian Carpathians, despite them being the ancient Carpathians, sometimes they act like little boys. Although I think them being around Adalasia has given them a sense of hope and you see such humor in their personalities that rise to the surface and I can’t wait to see their lifemates. I have a feeling they might be connected to the “4 Gates”. The romance that develops between these two is so precious. They have such balance in their relationship. Adalasia doesn’t fight being a Carpathian, like so many previous heroines have. She has known of her destiny connected to Andu and has been preparing herself for it. And she takes to it so naturally and is such a fast learner. I was truly impressed by her character, her sense of honor and duty, wanting to fight beside Andu and be a true partner to him and gives him the “third degree” when he deserves it.

The turning point of the series as a whole is truly elemental in this book. I really found it so fascinating to see what leads this couple to the “4 Gates” of hell and the female Carpathians that are guarding the gates. We see Andu’s sister (the one they know is alive but her location is unknown, and no one has heard of her for centuries) and loved seeing their reunion and how valuable she has been in fighting off the vampires and guarding against demons. I honestly hope her book is soon and I can’t wait to meet the other women in the group who have been such fighters and warriors in guarding against this. I really felt for so many of our side characters here but we get some reveals on future pairings so I am really excited for that and most especially for Luiz as we get to see who he is paired up with.

Overall I found Dark Tarot to be an enthusiastic wild ride of laughs, of thrills and chills, an epic uplift of world-building that only this author crafts, and a stunning romance that conveys such unity, healing, and freedom.

One by one, the Ancients are finding their soul mate after waiting for centuries. Up to bat is Sandu. He's been close to the edge several times and wants to do the honourable thing... walk into the sun. In his latest bid for release, a voice shows up in his head. His mate finally shows up. Adalaisa comes from a long line of female psychics who have a duty to protect a special place. This duty is passed down mother to daughter with their menfolk none the wiser. Is this a new story arc to this long running series? Yes it is.

Just when I thought this series would come to an end, Ms. Feehan creates a new storyline which changes our understanding of Xavier. He may have been a mage who was better than all others, but he still wasn't innovative enough to create the tools for his destructive plans. In this one, we learn that he had a little help, from another realm.

There are other realms in this Carpathian world building? Apparently so. I am interested in Adalaisa and the other females who are bound to this sacred protection duty. My guess is this will be a four book story arc. I wonder if the three females will be mated to some of the remaining Ancients before they turn. There are only 4 Ancients left in this brotherhood.

This first book in the new story arc is more a revisiting of old characters. To find information Sandu needs, the two of them traverse through Europe and Latin America. Some of the characters I loved reading in spin-off series appear. This book almost feels like vacationing around the world to visit cherished family members. It is not a relaxing vacation as vampires hound after Adalasia. They want what she protects. Included in the vampires is another group filled with malicious intent. Just when it seems all the bad guys have been defeated, Ms. Feehan creates some more. This whack-a-mole evil groups never seems to end.

Whilst all this is going on, Sandu needs to convince Adalasia that he is her soulmate. This goes over like a lead balloon. It is the same song with different partners. Alpha male is stuck in his old ways, forces female to his whim. She protests and says she is a modern woman. He rationalizes his old ways and uses his penis to fix everything. She is overwhelmed by his magical dick and sees his point of view. The sexual passages in this story are a bit long and too vanilla for me. Honestly, it could have faded to black. I would have rather focus on the plot instead of having any sexual interludes. This paranormal romance is recommended to readers who love alpha males and their fated mates.

I thought this book was truly beautiful. As this couple works towards understanding what they need to accomplish together, we're given an opportunity to catch up with both old friends and new. I loved the look into the lives of Carpathian's we've fallen in love with from many years ago, as well as a peak into newly introduced characters who likely have stories of their own to tell. All while we get to see the love story between Adalasia (I LOVE this name) and Sandu unfold. A beautiful and rich addition to the Dark series - I loved it!

I started reading Christine Feehan’s books with the Dark Series. I really enjoy the tales of the Carpathians and the struggles they go through in finding their life mates — and once they’ve found them.
In Dark Tarot, Sandu & Adalasia transported me away from my hot desert home to the coolness of mountain ranges (and other locations) while sharing their thoughts and their love for those they consider family (cue the guardians). This is another great book in the dark series and I can’t wait to read the stories of the guardians!

this series gets better and better with time. It is always a pleasure to read and the conflict never gets old, Even though they are still fighting the same villains. Sure there are some trigger warnings but that is true with all of Feehan's books. She explores some of the darker elements and themes. I love that is not your typical heroine/hero. She wants and desires the alpha male that he is. and all he wants is to take care of her. There are a lot of sex scenes but they are spread out through the plot. The sex scenes really show us how the couple grows and changes as they fall in love. Thus making them important ( I dislike a lot of sex scenes without this purpose.).This is number 34 in the series and it must be read in order to understand the main conflict plus understanding the way that the Carpathian culture has changed over the time frame

Christine Feehan was my first introduction into the romance book world when I was in college. I've always loved her Dark series and this book didn't disappoint.

It was a different storytelling format than what Christine normally uses - instead of a lot of event happening in a short period of time, Dark Tarot seemed to take place over weeks or months. I also like that Sandu and Adalasia have to travel to all different place and meet up with couples and characters from former books to figure out the truth of Sandu's past.

This book is also a turning point in the series. Christine is clearly setting up the next big storyline for her series: 4 gates into hell being guarded by four warrior, demon-killing women. To me, it also seems like the Brotherhood of ancients that travel with Sandu and Adalasia: Benedek, Nicu, Petru, and Afanasiv (Siv) will be matched up with the other women guarding the gates. And I'm pretty sure I know where the 4th lifemate is.

I also like that, while Sandu is an ancient and believes that women should be protected and not allowed in battle, he clearly realizes that Adalasia is a warrior. She's been trained to guard the gate and slay demons since she was a child. And you get to see that partnership build and grow.

Overall, a very good installment into a long-read and loved series. Can't wait to see what she does next!

I have not read a ton of the Dark Carpathian books, but have enjoyed those that I have read. This is one I did enjoy so much. This installment seemed much different from the other 6 or so series books I have read in the past...so am not sure if this was more the norm or the exception?? I liked Andalasia and her backstory with the demon world and do remember Sandu as a minor player in one of my past reads. Their story was compelling and the book hard to put down. This reminded me to read more from this series.

I have been reading the Christine Feehan's Dark Series since book one first came out. And while I have enjoyed them all, the later books have been very similar. With Dark Tarot, she is taking us into a different direction with a new story arc and all new characters. This is a great introduction to this new phase of the Carpathian saga.

This is another great book by Feehan. I am a huge fan and this book did not disappoint! She has always entertained me - my only concern has been her continuing to have good stories to tell - and she has shown me over and over that she does!