Benedek is an ancient Carpathian. He's been hunting vampires for centuries. Now he is also heading toward his lifemate The closer he gets, the harder it is to stay in control. He knows he may not have much left to offer her, but he also knows he needs her. Silke is a demon hunter. She's a strong willed woman who takes her duties seriously. But she fears meeting Benedek. She's not sure she wants to be married and she certainly doesn't want an ancient who is sure to try to control her.

Benedek surprises Silke. She is surprised to find how patient he is with her. He respects her abilities and is willing to back her up rather than take over in threatening situations, though it is often difficult for him. Silke is surprised to find how much she liked Benedek.

I really liked the fact the Silke was just as strong as Benedek. They each respected and embraced the other's strengths and they worked to compliment each other. They quickly came to trust each other. And I found that all of that made the story more enjoyable. I liked that the emphasis was on the danger confronting the town. The growth of their relationship was interwoven as part of the coming danger which led to greater continuity of the story.

I started reading the Carpathian books when Dark Gold was the most recent release. I feel like the last few books returned to a tone more akin to those early books. The women are a little stronger and willing to hold their own not only against the enemy, but also in their relationship. The Carpathian men are more respectful and accepting of their lifemate's strengths and abilities. This book is now one of my top favorites in the series.

I received a copy of #DarkHope by #ChristineFeehan through #NetGalley. If you are looking for one of her books with many descriptive sex scenes this is not it. The story focuses on Silke, a demon slayer and tarot card reader and Benedek, a Carpathian. The story takes place in Holland and Silke was adopted by a Wise woman. She has a Carpathian friend and knows an ancient is coming for her. Benedek travels with his 4 friends. As all Carpathian books, there are fights with vampires, but also mages and demons. Dragons are also in this boom. I wish I had some context why the tarot cards were depicted beside her being a reader and also wish that there was more character development between Silke and Benedek. I enjoyed reading it but I feel I've enjoyed others in this series better.

DARK HOPE is Christine Feehan’s Carpathian series at its best!

Complete review by Annetta Sweetko for Fresh Fiction

Complete review: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=89161

This was another winner in the Carpathian series, it had that element that I was looking for from this type of book. The characters felt like they belonged in this world and was invested in what was happening. The overall feel worked with the other books and had that writing style that I enjoyed from Christine Feehan.

A Fated Mates story
The idea of a lifemate and what it brings them vs the Reality of a Lifemate and what they become to each other is always a wonderful read… Benedek and Silke’s story is one of the most romantic stories of the series.

When you’ve lived so long in the dark, unable to feel…experienced all the betrayal and disloyalty from those around you, having to hunt and bring them justice…you wonder if love is real, if you’re capable of giving or worthy of receiving it…loyalty honor are things you can give, what you need. Will that be enough.

An amazingly written action packed story of good vs evil, threatening them, those who mean the most to them, and the world around them…as they grow to know each other and themselves…as they navigate through their past traumas, who they are now, and purpose to become who they need to be now and discover their greatest desire…love!

All woven through the antagonists plan to destroy, to gain control over the earth…we’ve seen the underworld defeated through each book, however their plots and demonic weapons have also grown more powerful. If not for the gifts of the demon hunter card holders the Carpathian Ancients would have been defeated, turned into destructive monsters they feared to be… also love the secret of the forest Silke and Tora protect.

Protagonists find strength in the bonds of friendship and family as they come to understand and find their way together. Both individuals of honor and loyalty, love is a bonus they did not expect.

Silke is a demon slayer tasked with protecting her village, something she’s very skilled at, but it’s been predicted that a greater danger is coming. Fortunately, Silke knows that several Carpathian warriors are coming as well, one likely her lifemate. A man she hasn’t met, but one she’s bonded to.

Benedek is one of the ancient Carpathian warriors who would be on the path of turning vampire and evil if it weren’t for his lifemate. Once he bonds with her his soul will be complete and he’ll be out of danger of turning, but he has a hard time trusting since a vicious betrayal years ago. He’s trying to get to Silke’s village quickly as he knows of the coming danger, but Lilith has her minions lay a dangerous trap that isn’t easily shaken off.

In Dark Hope Lilith has targeted Silke’s village and is intent on taking the demon slayer out but doesn’t know her identity so she sends in some of her agents undercover to find her and lay other traps. Dealing with these evil entities took some cunning on Silke’s part and it was entertaining to see how she handled it. I also really enjoyed all the epic battles, both Silke and Benedek were skilled and clever, but they were up against some dangerous foes!

The Dark series is a long-running one and I started reading late in the game, but I’ve enjoyed the stories even so. Each story has a separate romance and conflict that is resolved by the end. Fated/bonded mates, vampires, shapeshifters, and all sorts of other magical creatures are incorporated into the stories. Then there’s the evil underworld, ruled by Lilith, always trying to take over. To be honest, I have no idea why anyone serves Lilith as she’s always torturing her servants and turning against them.

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

DARK HOPE is the 38th instalment in Christine Feehan’s adult DARK /CARPATHIAN erotic, paranormal romance series focusing on a group of powerful warriors known as Carpathians. This is ancient Carpathian Benedek Kovak and demon slayer Silke Reinders’ story line. DARK HOPE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: All Carpathian males must find their lifemates before they turn vampire or greet the dawn. Without a lifemate, the males no longer see in color, feel pain or experience emotions. A lifemate is the light to their dark. She is the keeper of his heart and the keeper of his soul. As the unmated Carpathian male ages, the darkness begins to envelope his soul, eventually turning the male vampire or forcing him to greet the dawn.

Told in several parts from several omniscient third person perspectives (Silke and Benedek) and the occasional tarot card, DARK HOPE continues to focus on a new direction for the series with the inclusion of dragons, serpents, demons, vampires, mages (from the Underworld commanded by Lilith), and a new character – witte wieven (wise woman) aka spirit walker aka healer. Silke Reinders is a demon slayer, and Lilith has commanded her demons and followers to destroy our story line heroine. Carpathian warrior Benedek Kovak knows Silke Reinders is his mate but as he journeys towards the woman who carries the other half of his soul, he, along with Nicu Dalca, Tomas, Lojos and Mataias encounter an uprising of demons and vampires, signifying the threat of war.

The world building focuses on Benedek’s search for his lifemate; Silke’s need to protect her mother; and the encroaching demons and vampires commanded by the underworld. The action packed story line follows the take down of a powerful demon and his minions with another protracted fight scene wherein our couple must fight separately and apart.

The relationship between Silke and Benedek is one of fated mates. Silke has been taught by Carpathian female Tora that she hold the other half to a warrior’s soul but Silke has no intention of taking orders from an ancient male. The lone $ex scene is intimate.

We are introduced to Carpathian female Tora Kros, one of the guardians of the gate; Silke’s mother and healer Fenja; ancient dragon Szelem, as well as the return of Nicu Dalca, Tomas, Lojos and Mataias. The requisite evil has many faces.

DARK HOPE, once again, focuses on the continuation of new story line arc: from Tarot cards that tell the ancients of the existence of a mate, gate keepers, demons and demon slayers, hellhounds and the Underworld, as well as the woman in charge, who perhaps has the assistant for a powerful vampire and mage. The arc also renegotiates the scarring of a Carpathian, and vampires that continue to work in tandem with someone else. The slow building, action-packed premise is engaging but familiar; the romance is fated and seductive but limited as our couple spend most of the story line apart. The characters are desperate and powerful.



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Silke has been raised to know her purpose, and she has has known there is one who she holds the soul of.
Benedek is a warrior, he isn't too sure he wants a lifemate even though its what he knows is expected of him.

Silke needs to open Benedek's mind, as well as defeat and protect all those they hold dear to them.

I have loved this series for a long time, each book brings us someone new, but also includes the old and I just love that. The demons are never ending however so I can't wait to see who is next.

Dark Hope by Christine Feehan is the 34th book in her Carpathian series. Silke Vriese Reinder, our heroine, knows there is a war on the horizon. Silke sees in her cards that the battle will begin soon; with the evil Lillith & her army, planning to arrive at her village to find the demon slayer. Silke is secretly the demon slayer, as well as she holds the soul of an ancient Carpathian, who is her lifemate. She knows she will need the help of the Carpathians to save their village.

Benedek Kovac, our hero, is one of the oldest and dangerous Carpathians, who has given up hope to find his lifemate, and after long years fighting against evil, is feels he is at the brink. But he senses impending danger, as he sets out with some of his long-time friends, to find his lifemate, before it’s too late. After a few attacks, Benedek and his group, manage to defeat some enemies, and they arrive in the village, where he will meet Silke.

At first, Silkie and Benedek will spend a lot of time to negotiate terms of their mating, especially Silkie determined to not become his mate. Her mother pushes her to open her life and give him a chance. Silke was trained from a very young age as a demon slayer, and is having a hard time letting go of her solitary life to partner up with Benedek; even though she finds herself attracted to him.

Benedek begins to see Silke in a different and happy life, as he looks at the world through Silke’s eyes. He finally sees what her life is like in their village, and how he would be happy; with family, friends, and love; and her light changing his dark and chaotic life. Benedek had no hope that anyone could restore what’s left of his tainted soul, but Silke was strong enough to help him fight back the darkness.

Together they will begin to accept each others purpose and hope. Silke and Benedek worked separately, with him and his group determined to defeat a dangerous enemy and Silke, with her friends doing all they can to stop Lillith’s demons, vampires, mages and creatures in the village.

Dark Hope was an intense, wild, dangerous story that kept me glued to my seat. I really enjoyed how Silke and Benedek slowly knew they were destined to bond as life mates. There is more to come, as 4 of the men working with Benedek will eventually find their own lifemates. Dark Hope was very well written by Christine Feehan.

Book #34 in the Dark series, book #43 in the Dark Carpathian series by fan favorite author Christine Feehan. Feehan is a prolific author with several excellent series in her library of titles. Many of the series feed into the other series with characters moving through from one world to the next. While listed as a parnormal romance, Feehan's books cross genre often. Her worldbuilding skills are excellent, they touch your senses and your emotions while holding you hostage to the next page, chapter, or book. With three dimensional characters, each story moves the arcs along from the previous books. The supporting characters from one book become the central characters in the next one. It's very easy to have "favorites" in Feehan's books. These are books that you read and share, then share again.
DARK HOPE advances the story of Silke Vriese Reinders, a demon hunter preparing for the war that will endanger her home and family. She is fated to be lifemate to a Carpathian warrior whose reputation brings fear to those who would challenge the Carpathians. The story of these two characters advances the plot lines of the two Dark series as their joining brings the battles closer to their homes. It was very easy to binge the book.

Dark hope is the 35th book in the Dark/Carpathian series by Christine Feehan. I have been reading the series for 22 years now and Ms. Feehan is still among my top five authors.

Fans of the series should keep in mind that this book is a slow burn romance, fairly similar to Dark Memory in my opinion. There is a big focus on world building and the fantasy element of the series, and less focus on the romance or the relationship between the main characters in comparison to some of the other Dark books.

Readers are introduced to some new otherworldly creatures, and this book concludes the multi book arc of the four gates of hell, being guarded by a female Carpathian, and a demon slayer. Rest assured, though, I am fairly certain that there are more demons coming in the future. Nothing seems to ever keep them down.

I like the world building that this author brings to all of her series, and I also enjoy the interaction between the secondary characters. I don’t personally love it when it seems as if the two people who fall in love do so in a vacuum, which is definitely not what happens in this book.

I do wish that there had been more focus on their romance and more plot outside of big battle scenes and “hey, here are some old, forgotten creatures brought back to this modern world.” I feel like a fairly large amount was thrown at us without really exploring any of the implications or connections between this book and the wider world in this series. I’m hoping that the next book, which is apparently being written now according to Ms. Feehan’s website, will bring back some beloved secondary characters I have been missing (and have fewer battle scenes).

I almost cried when I got to the end of this book. I wanted it to go on forever! The story just flowed and I wanted the adventures to go on forever.
Benedek Kovak, one of the most ancient Carpathians, was shown through the Tarot cards that his lifemate is alive and in danger. He has held out hope for centuries that he will find his lifemate, even though the scars on his soul are so heavy and thick he has nothing left to give her other than his loyalty and protection.
Benedek and four of the other ancients set out to find his lifemate and help her fight Lilith and her army.
Silke Vriese Reinders is a demon slayer. She has trained for battle her entire life. She is aware that she holds half of the soul of a Carpathian warrior. However, she has no idea what it entails to return that soul to the warrior. She is aware that he is on his way to her.
She is worried about the upcoming battle that she has seen in the cards for many years. This battle must be won at all costs for if they fail, mankind will cease to exist. She hopes that the Carpathian warrior can aid her and her village in this final battle.
Get to know Silke as she goes about her daily life in the village, tending her garden and plants. She also fights to remove demons from villagers and friends. Meet her dragon Lily, her Carpathian friend Tora and her dragon Peony. Tora is one of the four Carpathian women tasked with guarding the gates holding an ancient warrior deep in the earth.
Travel with Benedek and his fellow warriors as they battle their way to the island to find his lifemate and help in the fight against evil.
Then get to know Benedek and Silke as they learn about each other and work together to save the village, and each other!!

Review : DARK HOPE by Christine Feehan https://bit.ly/4j4IAiw
Publication Date: 1/7/2025
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated: 3 Stars

I’ve been a fan of the Carpathian novels since the beginning. I’m glad they have evolved somewhat and given us a wider world. That being said, this is not my favorite. Everything was there, the dangers, the battles, the couple. Yet to me it felt like an outline of a story waiting for the emotional connections to be added. I liked Silke’s strength and commitment to her mission, as well as her caring side. Benedek was presented clearly as well. There was just no building relationship between them, nor did it seem between any other characters in the story. They were there, doing their thing...that is all.

I am intrigued by the ending and its hints to what is to come. So, I will think of this book as a build-up to that story.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

~*~*~*~

Kindle https://amzn.to/4fMusYm

Silke knows a war with Lilith is coming. She's been training her entire life for this battle. She also knows that she is destined to be the lifemate of a very old, very dangerous Carpathian warrior. She knows the only way to defeat her enemies is with the help of the Carpathians but she didn't know her soon to be lifemate was on the way to her village to aid them in battle.

Benedek and four other ancient warriors show up in Silke's village, not only to meet his lifemate but to help her defeat Lilith and the demons she's sending. Silke and Benedek feel an attraction right away because of the lifemate bond but they are both distrustful and Silke isn't sure she wants such a powerful, dangerous supernatural as a husband. So when Benedek makes it clear to her that she has no choice in the matter and he's has no plans on giving her up, they sit down and come to some compromises like adults would. This gives them some time to get to know each other while also bonding them together so he doesn't turn into a vampire.

In the past few books the overall arc of the stories was about the ancients from the monastery in search of their lifemates before the darkness claims them and they turn vampire. Most of the lifemates have been human females who are tarot card readers. While Silke is also a tarot card reader, she is also a demon slayer and she doesn't use her tarot cards very much in this book. When she did use them it felt like an afterthought just to throw that in there. She really doesn't gleem too much info from her tarot card reading to give to the Carpathians that she gave readings to. Her friend Tora, who is a Carpathian has been with her for years and has trained her and told her about the Carpathians since she is to be one after she mates. Tora is one of the women who guard the gate so a fearsome ancient named Justice doesn't escape. But there's a huge twist in that story at the end of this book.

There was a lot of fighting in this book, a lot of action, so much so that Silke and Benedek didn't feel like they had time to really get to know one another much.

While I liked this book it wasn't as good as some of the others and I miss the stories of some of the previous Carpathians that used to show up in books. We would get a look at some previous characters lives and we haven't had that in a while. I hope this series gets back to the Carpathian families and the Prince who made me love this series in the first place.

Disclosure: I was given an E-ARC of this book via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Silke knows that she is protecting a warrior's soul but does understand just what that means? Benedek knows he is headed towards his life mate. He knows he can offer nothing more than respect and loyalty. But will that change when he actually meets her?
Dark Hope is the latest in Christine Feehan's Dark series. I enjoyed getting to know this ancient better. He makes even his brethren uncomfortable but his honor is unshakable even isvthe underlying reason isn't. I love that Ms. Feehan gave us unexpected twists as Benedek and Silke navigated a relationship that both were comfortable with. Lilith has learned from each encounter and the Carpathians must also adapt. I enjoyed seeing them stretch and grow. I lovedvthat even though they are long lived there is still room to grow and learn. I thoroughly enjoyed where Ms. Feehan is taking us and cannot wait to see where she lead us to next.

Hello again dear reader or listener, I hope you’re recovering from the festivities, food hangovers, and family time. For my part, I recently had the chance to “gift” my mom an arc of this book, curtesy of the team at Berkley. In fact, when the FFA team were offered an eArc, my ears perked at the author’s name as she is one of my mom’s favorites.
So, here we are for the first time with a (ghost-written) review from the woman affectionately known as GG among the FFA team, and the one who made me the reader I am today in leading by example.

Feehan’s Carpathian series is one I have been following avidly for years, preordering every book, and then setting everything aside to binge read each one the moment they are out. I have re-read each installment more than once while waiting for the next release as well. In other words, this is a world I know well and an overall storyline I’ve loved for many years.

I was glad to see that even after all this time, the author maintains her writing quality throughout this series, even so many installments in. Truly, you always feel completely immersed in the settings and story because of her evocative and detailed writing. That said however, in the last three books, something I can’t quite put my finger on precisely, has changed, in either the editing, or Feehan’s writing voice itself. It doesn’t quite feel exactly up to par with all of her other books, with something of a dip here and there that made me feel as if something small were missing. Hence making this book a little short from perfect. To be expected with so many entries in a series though, with some installments being stronger than others!

As for the characters of Dark Hope, I was eagerly waiting this male protagonist’s storyline and, with this entry, we finally get to see all of his background and inner turmoil through the eyes of the female protag, thanks to the telepathy present. Their bond grew organically through this device, and it helped the reader follow along nicely so that we could truly root and feel for this relationship. Moreover, Feehan always makes sure to avoid power imbalances between couples, building an equal partnership between the two protagonists in all things. She doesn’t rely on tired clichés to create strains between them, even though immortal soulmate tropes can usually fall into that. I find that Feehan navigates this trope expertly, making it a point to highlight the importance of consent and free will. They also both grow and develop as characters in tandem, each teaching the other how to live in the present, in ways that can be fun, but also moving.

Another thin I love about Feehan’s writing is how she also develops wider character bonds and relationships throughout, and she continues the trend with this book. All of the supporting characters embellish and enrich the story, only making you more invested and curious to see their own eventual pov books in the future. This also means that past main couples remain present in the future stories, in a way that doesn’t sideline them, so the reader doesn’t miss them at all.

I read this arc within a day, and I am already feeling like a reread! But more than that, it pleases me greatly that Feehan continues to deliver these stories full of heart and passion, with a narrative voice and pacing that flow so smoothly, you never want to put the book down. And when you do, you’re just dying for the next one!

Dark Hope by Christine Feehan is out today, and if you were wondering if it’s worth continuing this amazing series, the answer is most certainly yes! And even though these books do work as interconnected standalones, so you could technically jump in at any point in the series, I do recommend reading them in release order.

Until next time,
Eleni A.E. & Zina

The novel, Dark Hope, tells the story of Silke, a human demon slayer, and the ancient Carpathian Benedek. When he travels to the village where Silke resides, he finds a strong, capable woman as his lifemate. Knowing a war against demons and vampires is coming, Silke and Benedek must learn to trust one another or risk losing everything.
Dark Hope is another great addition to Christine Feehan's Dark series. She has woven another great storyline with interesting characters. In Dark Hope, MS. Feehan has set the stage for more books through Lojos, Tomas, Mathias, Nicu and Tora. I will be anxiously awaiting their stories.
5 stars

Another ancient is matched! Benedek is up in this book to find his perfect soul mate. His woman? She is no shrinking violet as a demon slayer. Silke has been raised to be be the defender of her village. Does this sound familiar? If you read the book before this one, Dark Memory, then it may feel a bit like deja vu. This story can be read as a standalone as Ms. Feehan recaps from previous books as well as ties in the most recent storyarc.

This book with Silke and Benedek seemed to be a very slight variation between Safia and Petru from Dark Memory. This one did seem to be one extended fight scene. Demons invaded from multiple avenues and at every turn. After a while, I became a bit desensitized to the fighting and had to plow through it to find some non fighting interaction between Silke and Benedek. Thank goodness for a meeting of minds because these two experienced little to no downtime to get to know one another.

What I did want to learn was more about Justice. The Carpathian behind walls who has now become something "other". We receive the tiniest snippet. Based on the remaining Ancients left searching for their mates, my guess is another 4 books before we finally receive JUSTICE!

As a side note, I really loved the dragons in this book. I'm a complete dragon lover and how they were brought into this story universe is a surprise and delight. It felt completely out of left field for me but I can't say it is a bad thing. I really liked the two dragons that paired up with the women in this book. Delightful!

Overall, this is a quick read. Recommended to Carpathian die hard fans who love soulmates joining.

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review. I received this book from Berkley Publishing in exchange for a honest review. These opinions are my own.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨.75


First Impressions
Dark Hope I had high expectations for and I went into it with certain hopes and I knew that Christine Feehan would deliver a solid story and there were many factors into this story that truly worked for me. I love the set up of the characters originally and how we see their paths cross. The battle scenes and the world building elements were TOP NOTCH as always. The way that Feehan goes so flawlessly into the details and really implements a story that becomes so atmospheric for the setting is so rich and vivid in every single paragraph. You know exactly what you will receive in the world building when its Christine Feehan at the helm. There were some lacking elements that I struggled with as a romance reader though but it was still a book that packed quite a punch.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Silke Vriese Reinders
The Heroine: Benedek Kovak

Summary
Silke has always know what her duty and role would be in life. She would be a healer, a protector and a demon slayer. She knows that there is a war coming to their quiet community and she won't be able to do it on her own. She also has always known that she has held the soul of a Carpathian warrior and is ready to give it back to him. Benedek is one of the oldest of Carpathians, but has also had to change in order to keep himself from giving completely to the darkness. He heads towards his lifemate, sensing her and knowing that he must get to her before its too late as there is a vicious enemy on the horizon that their people haven't quite seen yet. From the moment Benedek meets Silke he is determined to be the lifemate that she deserves and destroy the evil that would destroy them both if given a chance...

What I Loved
There were so many aspects to the story that I truly loved. Lets first start with the characters. I loved their personalities and they surprisingly resonated with me. Benedek is one of the best tortured heroes. We see what happened to him when he was such a young child and young man. We see how he survived the unsurviveable and had the determination to carry on and how he rejected evil actions of those that raised him. And has survived for centuries longer than many through just a strength of will. Then we have our heroine, Silke, who has always embraced her duty and never rejected it. She has always known her role as much as what was conveyed to her, and tried to be a woman of honor and loyalty and strength.

Then we have the plot and world building elements to the story. Now this is where Christine Feehan reigns supreme in what she writes. She is so able to flawlessly portray a world that is so in detail and really makes the setting come alive for the reader. I know its not for everyone, but I love that I can almost sense the world that she creates and its done in such a way that its almost as if I can feel and hear and see exactly what is being portrayed. Its why she is a MASTER in storytelling and this book really conveys how well she can capture those little details and have you as the reader just living in the moment. And its so majestic but resonating at the same time. I loved the battle scenes, they were so intense and there are DRAGONS and I loved the dragons so so much. We also get so much more on the beast, and I loved the companions to Benedek. They were so entertaining in so many ways but love how well they work together in these battle scenes.

Then we have the small moments of connection between Silke and Benedek...the scenes that we do get were so intimate and genuine in every way and loved how they embrace what they have found in each other. These were honestly my favorite aspects of the story. I loved these quiet moments between these two and they just left me swooning in the scenes that are written.

What I Struggled With
I just want to be really honest so you know what you are getting with this book and I really think the author is changing what she is delivering at least in this series and it really makes me sad. Because what we didn't really get was the focus of the relationship and the romance in this book and its probably why I have struggled with her books since Dark Song. Is the lack of the romance focus in the stories of late. I am not sure if this was the author's decision or something maybe the publisher has been pressuring her into. But it was very prevalent in this book. I think this is the first time I have seen hardly any romance from this author. I just wish it had 100 more pages to focus more on the relationship, I really think this book would have been more resonating if it had more relationship building in it. The relationship felt so rushed in so many ways and there wasn't very many moments that this couple had together. The focus was the battle scenes and while I love what Feehan delivers on that front, on the romance front it was lacking. It felt too quick from them claiming each other as lifemates to loving each other when we didn't see much focus on their relationship. So I felt like there was such a big piece of the story missing. It makes my heart sad if this is the direction Feehan is going towards though, because what has made me fall in love with her writing is how she develops her romances, they are so top notch and it will really break my heart if we don't get that in the future anymore.

Overall View
Dark Hope is a tantalizing tale that digs deep into the evils of the world and crafts a vibrant and edge of your seat thrilling paranormal tale of joining forces, stimulating romantic moments and captures the zest of beauty in life and beyond.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance
Character Types: Immortals/Vampires, Kick Ass Heroine, Healer Heroine, Tortured Hero, Alpha Male
Themes: Small Town Setting, World Building A Focus
Tropes: Fated Love, Arranged Marriage

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Nalini Singh
Patricia Briggs

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes I would recommend this series being read in order due to the serial plot lines.