Damien

This review can also be found on my blog.

Another great read in the Nightwalkers series. The Vampire Prince, Damien, has been around for many centuries, delighting in causing mischief and seeking pleasure wherever he can find it. With the threat of the Necromancers and the renegade Demon Ruth out for blood, he has turned his interests to protecting his people and aiding his allies. When Syreena, the Lycanthrope Princess, is kidnapped, he picks up the trail and rescues her. In an attempt to save her life, he drinks her blood, an act which is taboo among vampires - they are never to drink from other Nightwalkers. Infused with her blood, he notices a few changes in himself.

Syreena has lived a sheltered and cloistered life as a Monk of the Pride. When her sister rose to the throne, Siena appointed her as a political adviser, thus drawing her out of her seclusion. Syreena has been an anomaly since childhood. The cure for an illness had left her mutated. Not just in looks, but in her physical make up. Where "normal" Lycanthropes have three forms, she has an additional two. She also has powers no one but her knows off. For all these things, she's coveted and treasured. While some may find delight in that, Syreena doesn't. She feels like no one sees her for herself, but as something to study, train, breed. Everyone, until Damien.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story between Syreena and Damien. They had so many things in common, but also differences that made them an excellent choice for a couple. As a vampire, Damien has only a few basic needs – entertainment, diversity and sex. Syreena doesn't know how to make choices for herself. She doesn't see herself as important enough to be "selfish". As her sister's adviser and heir to the throne, she thinks only about what is best for their people and how best to aid Siena in political matters. When she meets Damien, he makes her feel things she's never felt before. The feeling is mutual. Vampires don't have mates or wed – their interests to vast and flighty to contemplate such things. Suddenly Damien finds himself drawn to Syreena, but he has to figure out if it is the vampire drawn to the fearless anomaly or if it is the man drawn to the woman, who has shown him nothing but trust and openness he's never had directed towards him.

The development of their relationship held a great appeal to me. I don't think it was rushed into based on hormones gone haywire, like in the previous books. Damien was gentle in his approach of trying to coax Syreena out of her shell, and getting her to assert herself – to see herself as special and not something to be sacrificed for the greater good of any race. In turn, he has to get used to acting responsibly when there is not only himself to take into consideration. I didn't like Jasmine much, though I understood her nature and her feelings towards Damien. Up until the end, I didn't know whether Jasmine had let her jealousy get the better of her or not. Ruth is back with even meaner tricks and our H/H will find themselves in a battle for survival. I look forward to seeing glimpses of this couple in the remaining two books. ( )

This is a deeply romantic and entertaining tale by Jacquelyn Frank, and in my opinion is second only to Noah as her best work.

Damien is the prince of the vampires, a race of cold and cunning immortals. Syreena is a princess of the Lycanthropes, a uniquely gifted shape-shifter, who falls in love with Damien after he rescues her from the evil Demon magic-user Ruth.Their romance is complicated by the tenuous peace between their races, and the fact that vampires are not meant to fall in love.

The characters are both strong and intriguing. They are determined and self-aware. The romance between them is truly beautiful. It is a dark twist on the timeless prince-meets-princess fairytale-as easy to relate to as it is fantastical.

Frank manages to continue to build upon her universe while still giving her central couple the spotlight. In fact, she uses what goes on between Syreena and Damien as a way to build the drama in the larger Nightwalker world. The elements blend pleasingly. ( )

This book really introduces us into other races of the Nightwalker races besides the Demons. This story focuses on Damien, Prince of the Vampires, and Syreena, Princess of the Lycanthropes.

Frank continues to move the story along at a fast pace, and with lots of action! This is definitely one of my most favorite paranormal series I've read! ( )

Damien is the Vampire Prince. Vampires on a whole are quite fickle in nature - they never find pleasure in one thing for too long. Damien, being the oldest and strongest of his kind, has lived such a life, but has grown tired of it and devotes his energies to protecting his people. The war between Necromancers and Nightwalkers has escalated, and when Syreena, a Lycanthrope Princess, is kidnapped, Damien boldly follows to rescue her.

Syreena has lived under the heavy restrictions of the monks that she has lived with most of her life. As the heir to the Lyncathrope throne, unless her sister, Siena (the Lycanthrope Queen) has children, she is gifted with rare abilities and has been taught since a young age never to form attachments to others. But she can't help the connection she forges with Damian and the passion that ignites between them is impossible for either to resist. But their mating can lead to dangerous repercussions that not only threaten them, but all the Nightwalkers - with enemies that are much more stronger than any faced before.

I love that Ms. Frank has no boundaries when it comes to inter-racial relationships. A Vampire and a Lycanthrope - odd, but it totally worked. Damian is the (delicious) brooding vampire , but I loved that his feelings for Syreena literally brought him to his knees. That just kills me in a vamp. I think out of all the books in the series - their relationship was the most intense for me. They had these scenes that were violent and erotic, but sensual all in one. With so many obstacles in the way, there was many a heated debate between them, but the romance and the outstanding threat kept me on edge. Once again, I was not let down with this one, it is a good continuation in the series leaving plenty of different routes it can take.from here. I am definitely intrigued and can honestly say that I am a devoted fan now. ( )

Damien is the fourth book in Jacquelyn Frank's Nightwalker series. I have to say straight away, this is my favorite book so far in the series. Damien is the Prince of all vampires. He is a great character. You see his gentleness but also are very aware of his strenghths in this book. He is portrayed as loner and I actually felt a bit sorry for him. Then along comes Syreena. She is a very strong personality and is truely a difficult one for Damien to win over. Once they are together - the love and respect for each other is loud and clear. Again they are fighting necromancers and a deadly Demon who has turned on the Demon community and now has turned on all otherworldly entities. It is a great plot and kept me on the edge of my seat guessing what the heck would happen next. A great read from a terrific writer (Jacquelyn Frank). A must read for all paranormal/romance fans. ( )