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"The Queen of paranormal romance."—USA Today
#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan has enchanted legions of paranormal romance fans with her sensation series featuring sexy immortal Carpathian heroes—a remarkable breed of vampire. In this stunning new edition of Dark Desire, a beautiful doctor is perilously drawn to the far Carpathian Mountains by a mysterious stranger who needs her medical expertise. Despite the danger, she cannot deny her deep connection to this show more mystery man—or he, his raging need for her. Discover the breathtaking power of supernatural love in this darkly sensuous classic from Christine Feehan.
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In the second book of the Dark/Carpathian series, Jacques Dubrinsky is no longer the man we met in book one. While none of the Carpathian men are really gentle and carefree, Jacques was one of the least violent and least dark of the men. After a trusted Carpathian betrayed him, human vampire hunters drugged, imprisoned, and tortured him. Only the need for revenge kept him alive. After seven years of captivity, he’s finally free, but his sanity is hanging on by a thread.
Shea O’Halloran used to be a surgeon, but now she’s on the run for her life. Strange men want to kidnap her and experiment on her because she has a rare blood disorder; they think she’s a vampire. For years now, dreams of a man in severe pain have tormented her. show more He always called to her for help, but Shea ignored him, thinking he was just her imagination. Once the dreams/compulsions grew in strength, she finally set out to find and free him.
Jacques is so damaged and deranged. He barely remembers who and what he is, but he knows Shea is the other half of his soul. He feels it in his heart and in his shattered mind. Shea feels it, too, but she’s lived her life alone and doesn’t know what to make of this handsome, savage man who is both cruel and kind to her. Trust and love blooms fast between them, but Jacques’s hold on reality is tentative at best and the monster in him is always just below the surface.
Wow. I forgot how much I love this story. It’s my second time reading it, first time reviewing, and it really pulled at my heartstrings. Jacques and Shea are perfect together and helped each other heal from their emotional and physical wounds.
Mikhail, Raven, Gregori, and Byron are back and help Jacques regain some of his memories. The scenes with Mikhail and Jacques together are especially hard to read since Jacques doesn’t remember or trust his guilt-ridden older brother.
The story is predominately told from the H/h’s POV, but the point of view does shift into all the other characters, the good guys and the bad. I normally don’t like so many POV shifts, but the story flowed well, so I wasn’t confused.
Though I’ve read a lot of books in this series, this book stands out as one of the deeper, more heartfelt ones.
5 Stars show less
Shea O’Halloran used to be a surgeon, but now she’s on the run for her life. Strange men want to kidnap her and experiment on her because she has a rare blood disorder; they think she’s a vampire. For years now, dreams of a man in severe pain have tormented her. show more He always called to her for help, but Shea ignored him, thinking he was just her imagination. Once the dreams/compulsions grew in strength, she finally set out to find and free him.
Jacques is so damaged and deranged. He barely remembers who and what he is, but he knows Shea is the other half of his soul. He feels it in his heart and in his shattered mind. Shea feels it, too, but she’s lived her life alone and doesn’t know what to make of this handsome, savage man who is both cruel and kind to her. Trust and love blooms fast between them, but Jacques’s hold on reality is tentative at best and the monster in him is always just below the surface.
Wow. I forgot how much I love this story. It’s my second time reading it, first time reviewing, and it really pulled at my heartstrings. Jacques and Shea are perfect together and helped each other heal from their emotional and physical wounds.
Mikhail, Raven, Gregori, and Byron are back and help Jacques regain some of his memories. The scenes with Mikhail and Jacques together are especially hard to read since Jacques doesn’t remember or trust his guilt-ridden older brother.
The story is predominately told from the H/h’s POV, but the point of view does shift into all the other characters, the good guys and the bad. I normally don’t like so many POV shifts, but the story flowed well, so I wasn’t confused.
Though I’ve read a lot of books in this series, this book stands out as one of the deeper, more heartfelt ones.
5 Stars show less
One of my favorite books and a frequent reread for me. Haunted by a strange compulsion and images she can't erase, Shea travels to the Carpathian mountains, looking for relief. Instead, she finds a tormented vampire, a cadre of vampire hunters, and a strange secret about her past. The chemistry between Jacques and Shea is off the charts and their situation is dire. It's a Feehan book so there's lots of her trademark purple prose, but the book is thrilling and hard to put down. Highly Recommended!
La differenza fra il primo romanzo della Dark Prince Series e questo secondo Il Principe Vampiro. Desiderio direi che è molto sostanziosa, l’autrice migliora nettamente come stile, trama e intreccio. In definitiva un bel passo in avanti!
Benchè sia il secondo di una serie, i personaggi centrali sono diversi, ogni libro presenta, infatti, una coppia di predestinati (un Carpeziano ed un’umana dalle doti particolari) che dovrà affrontare mille peripezie per arrivare a stare, finalmente, insieme. L’impedimento può essere causato da un Vampiro vedicativo (e scoprirete che la concezione della Feehan di “Vampiri” è decisamente tutta particolare) o dal carattere testardo dei uno dei due personaggi principali. Nonostante, però, la show more storia sia incentrata sulla nuova coppia, l’autrice non ci lascia “orfani” dei precedenti che, magari, abbiamo amato. Nuovi e vecchi personaggi interagiscono fra loro anticipando nuovi elementi o svelando vecchi misteri, decisamente un ottimo intreccio.
Jacques, che abbiamo conosciuto nel precedente libro, è un maschio Carpeziano che è stato torturato, tormentato e imprigionato senza poter morire per anni, la follia lo sta divorando. Realtà, finzione, menzogna si mercolano, nella sua mente, portandolo ad essere poco più di un animale. Il suo unico scopo è quello di uccidere la Traditrice, la donna che sette anni prima, nell’agonia del dolore, aveva sfiorato con la mente catalogandola immediatamente come “sua”, “nemica”, “compagna”.
Shea è qualcosa più di una semplice umana e, per una vasta serie di motivi, non è mai riuscita a condurre una vita normale, come tutte le altre ragazze. Al suo diciottesimo compleanno sua madre, mai stata presente ed ormai ridotta all’ombra di se stessa, si uccide lasciandola definitivamente sola con le sue forze e debolezze. E’ una donna dalla mente eclettica, veloce e laboriosa, non c’è mai pace per i suoi pensieri e il suo unico scopo è salvare delle vite. Passano gli anni e riesce a raggiungere il suo obiettivo: diventare un bravo chirurgo. Almeno fino a quando due pazzi si presentano nel suo ufficio accusandola di essere un vampiro… La fuga da casa sua e dal suo paese sembra essere l’unica soluzione. Perchè non recarsi nel paese d’origine di quel padre che non ha mai conosciuto e che ha abbandonato lei e sua madre quando era ancora in grembo?
Il diario della madre la guiderà alla riscoperta di se stessa e del suo destino: dritta dritta fra le fauci di Jacques.
Shea, nonostante la follia di Jacques, non esiterà un istante a soccorrerlo, anche contro logica e scienza medica; semplicemente il suo istinto le impedisce di lasciarlo morire e, in breve tempo, Shea diverra l’unica ancora di salvezza per la mente turbata del Carpeziano che, in un attimo di follia, la lega a sè.
E’ un romanzo scorrevole, elegante e, soprattutto, intrigante questo. Un bel libro da leggere, tutto d’un fiato, fra un colpo di scena e l’altro che non mancano mai. La storia d’amore coesiste con l’intrigo base del romanzo senza mai prendere il sopravvento assoluto e incontrastato, in un perfetto equilibrio che riesce a catturare anche una lettrice che non è alla ricerca di una semplice storiella d’amore paranormale.
Se questo è “solo” il secondo romanzo di una saga paranormal fantasy ormai famosissima e composta da almeno 20 libri, non ci resta che attendere con trepidazione gli altri che, certamente, non potranno deludere! show less
Benchè sia il secondo di una serie, i personaggi centrali sono diversi, ogni libro presenta, infatti, una coppia di predestinati (un Carpeziano ed un’umana dalle doti particolari) che dovrà affrontare mille peripezie per arrivare a stare, finalmente, insieme. L’impedimento può essere causato da un Vampiro vedicativo (e scoprirete che la concezione della Feehan di “Vampiri” è decisamente tutta particolare) o dal carattere testardo dei uno dei due personaggi principali. Nonostante, però, la show more storia sia incentrata sulla nuova coppia, l’autrice non ci lascia “orfani” dei precedenti che, magari, abbiamo amato. Nuovi e vecchi personaggi interagiscono fra loro anticipando nuovi elementi o svelando vecchi misteri, decisamente un ottimo intreccio.
Jacques, che abbiamo conosciuto nel precedente libro, è un maschio Carpeziano che è stato torturato, tormentato e imprigionato senza poter morire per anni, la follia lo sta divorando. Realtà, finzione, menzogna si mercolano, nella sua mente, portandolo ad essere poco più di un animale. Il suo unico scopo è quello di uccidere la Traditrice, la donna che sette anni prima, nell’agonia del dolore, aveva sfiorato con la mente catalogandola immediatamente come “sua”, “nemica”, “compagna”.
Shea è qualcosa più di una semplice umana e, per una vasta serie di motivi, non è mai riuscita a condurre una vita normale, come tutte le altre ragazze. Al suo diciottesimo compleanno sua madre, mai stata presente ed ormai ridotta all’ombra di se stessa, si uccide lasciandola definitivamente sola con le sue forze e debolezze. E’ una donna dalla mente eclettica, veloce e laboriosa, non c’è mai pace per i suoi pensieri e il suo unico scopo è salvare delle vite. Passano gli anni e riesce a raggiungere il suo obiettivo: diventare un bravo chirurgo. Almeno fino a quando due pazzi si presentano nel suo ufficio accusandola di essere un vampiro… La fuga da casa sua e dal suo paese sembra essere l’unica soluzione. Perchè non recarsi nel paese d’origine di quel padre che non ha mai conosciuto e che ha abbandonato lei e sua madre quando era ancora in grembo?
Il diario della madre la guiderà alla riscoperta di se stessa e del suo destino: dritta dritta fra le fauci di Jacques.
Shea, nonostante la follia di Jacques, non esiterà un istante a soccorrerlo, anche contro logica e scienza medica; semplicemente il suo istinto le impedisce di lasciarlo morire e, in breve tempo, Shea diverra l’unica ancora di salvezza per la mente turbata del Carpeziano che, in un attimo di follia, la lega a sè.
E’ un romanzo scorrevole, elegante e, soprattutto, intrigante questo. Un bel libro da leggere, tutto d’un fiato, fra un colpo di scena e l’altro che non mancano mai. La storia d’amore coesiste con l’intrigo base del romanzo senza mai prendere il sopravvento assoluto e incontrastato, in un perfetto equilibrio che riesce a catturare anche una lettrice che non è alla ricerca di una semplice storiella d’amore paranormale.
Se questo è “solo” il secondo romanzo di una saga paranormal fantasy ormai famosissima e composta da almeno 20 libri, non ci resta che attendere con trepidazione gli altri che, certamente, non potranno deludere! show less
This is the second book in the series, and this is definitely the point where readers will be split into two camps - those who understand that Carpathians are NOT supposed to be human beings, and those who are hazy on the concept, and will interpret this book to condone abuse in some way.
Jacques Dubrinsky, brother of the Prince, has been horrifically tortured - beyond any reasonable expectation of sanity. He is, in fact, quite insane when his lifemate digs him out of the ground and sews him back together. As a result, he hurts her, several times. He's a huge threat to everyone around him - fortunately, he does get better, and proves to be a likeable character. People may think it's bad advice to stick with someone who's dangerously show more insane, and that's true - for humans. Remember that Carpathians aren't human, and they are incomplete without their lifemate - the literal other half of their soul. Neither of them has any choice but to either work it out, or both will die. That's incredibly important to remember, in this series.
This is Jacques and Shea's story, and, much more than the first book in the series, sets up several important issues that will run through the series arc.
Byron is also introduced, and the events in this book will be referenced in his story, later.
Very important things also happen with Gregori and Mikhail's lifemate, Raven - and her unborn daughter. show less
Jacques Dubrinsky, brother of the Prince, has been horrifically tortured - beyond any reasonable expectation of sanity. He is, in fact, quite insane when his lifemate digs him out of the ground and sews him back together. As a result, he hurts her, several times. He's a huge threat to everyone around him - fortunately, he does get better, and proves to be a likeable character. People may think it's bad advice to stick with someone who's dangerously show more insane, and that's true - for humans. Remember that Carpathians aren't human, and they are incomplete without their lifemate - the literal other half of their soul. Neither of them has any choice but to either work it out, or both will die. That's incredibly important to remember, in this series.
This is Jacques and Shea's story, and, much more than the first book in the series, sets up several important issues that will run through the series arc.
Byron is also introduced, and the events in this book will be referenced in his story, later.
Very important things also happen with Gregori and Mikhail's lifemate, Raven - and her unborn daughter. show less
“What we need, Mikhail, is Raven’s calming influence. You look about as reassuring as a Bengal tiger."
"Oh, and you look like a bunny rabbit," Mikhail scoffed.
This is based off a re-read.
The Carpathian series is a little silly and repetitive, but they are guilty pleasure type books that get me in the mood to re-read sometimes. Following Dark Prince, where Mikhail, the prince of the Carpathians found his lifemate in Raven, now it's Jacques's turn. Instead of finally finding "the one", he's been tortured and chained for seven years, bordering on insanity until she finds him based on his summons and being chased by hunters.
I liked Shea - she was independent, a lot like Raven, had a big craving for knowledge and medical work, and came show more with weird childhood baggage. While I enjoyed Jacques in the first book - he was sort of funny - he lost that humor here through all he's suffered and is kind of just there. Likable but not as addictive as other leads. I admit I skimmed their sex scenes, didn't do anything for me since it's repetitive, but they didn't have nearly as many as in Dark Prince.
The reason this book is slapped with a four star rating over a three is because of so much Gregori, my personal favorite, and Mikhail and Raven. Love all three of them, they entranced me in the first book, and were just as captivating here. Gregori's backhand scheming with the pregnancy was thrilling and he still remains my favorite, even if Feehan has insisted on bringing in so many other Carpathians to try and thwart the original group's power and standing with later books to keep things interesting. It takes awhile for them to come on stage, but the book soared when they did.
Honestly - despite the guy being evil in the end, I feel bad for the villain. He shouldn't have acted cowardly before with events in the first book, but it wasn't his fault he was separated besides that error in not speaking up - and the consequences were catastrophic for him.
Not as good as Dark Prince, but it was a worthy sequel. Paranormal romance just isn't good at avoiding being repetitive and melodramatic, but these still keep me hooked as quick reads. show less
"Oh, and you look like a bunny rabbit," Mikhail scoffed.
This is based off a re-read.
The Carpathian series is a little silly and repetitive, but they are guilty pleasure type books that get me in the mood to re-read sometimes. Following Dark Prince, where Mikhail, the prince of the Carpathians found his lifemate in Raven, now it's Jacques's turn. Instead of finally finding "the one", he's been tortured and chained for seven years, bordering on insanity until she finds him based on his summons and being chased by hunters.
I liked Shea - she was independent, a lot like Raven, had a big craving for knowledge and medical work, and came show more with weird childhood baggage. While I enjoyed Jacques in the first book - he was sort of funny - he lost that humor here through all he's suffered and is kind of just there. Likable but not as addictive as other leads. I admit I skimmed their sex scenes, didn't do anything for me since it's repetitive, but they didn't have nearly as many as in Dark Prince.
The reason this book is slapped with a four star rating over a three is because of so much Gregori, my personal favorite, and Mikhail and Raven. Love all three of them, they entranced me in the first book, and were just as captivating here. Gregori's backhand scheming with the pregnancy was thrilling and he still remains my favorite, even if Feehan has insisted on bringing in so many other Carpathians to try and thwart the original group's power and standing with later books to keep things interesting. It takes awhile for them to come on stage, but the book soared when they did.
Honestly - despite the guy being evil in the end, I feel bad for the villain. He shouldn't have acted cowardly before with events in the first book, but it wasn't his fault he was separated besides that error in not speaking up - and the consequences were catastrophic for him.
Not as good as Dark Prince, but it was a worthy sequel. Paranormal romance just isn't good at avoiding being repetitive and melodramatic, but these still keep me hooked as quick reads. show less
Ok, here's the deal with this book: it was better than the first one and after you get over the world building and all the Carpathian's customs, you begin to see how things fall into place. That said, I was a little uncomfortable with the way Jacques treated Shea and how sometime their relationship blurred the lines of mind control. Despite that, things got into a good rhythm and there's also the problem with Jacques' memory condition after his imprisoment and how he sees things differently. Shea was a great addition to the Carpathian family and she brang a softness and some fun to the plot. Jacques was able to relax with her and I totally cherished their fun and cute moments together, seeing that Carpathians have this uncanny ability show more to be kind of dark and heavy sometimes. I really liked this book! show less
Okay, so 2.5 stars I think. This is the first book of the series I'm reading and well, it didnt really leave me all that excited to continue on. Maybe I will, maybe not.
The first third of the book was amazing but after that, I thought of dnf'ing the book multiple times. It was hovering really close to misogynism to me and well, though Shea was a really-string willed doctor who was determined to stick to her principles and make her own decisions, Jacques rarely respected those decisions - at least in the second third of the book. This could be somewhat understandable in the sense that his was a different race of people, but well, difficult for me to adjust. Anyway, the last third of the book was much more exciting and I guess by that show more time I had more or less accepted that if I wanted to finish this book I had to overlook certain asects of it that I dislike strongly.
Another issue for me was that the Carpathian came off as expecting/valuing the females only for their child-bearing abilities. Hated that aspect show less
The first third of the book was amazing but after that, I thought of dnf'ing the book multiple times. It was hovering really close to misogynism to me and well, though Shea was a really-string willed doctor who was determined to stick to her principles and make her own decisions, Jacques rarely respected those decisions - at least in the second third of the book. This could be somewhat understandable in the sense that his was a different race of people, but well, difficult for me to adjust. Anyway, the last third of the book was much more exciting and I guess by that show more time I had more or less accepted that if I wanted to finish this book I had to overlook certain asects of it that I dislike strongly.
Another issue for me was that the Carpathian came off as expecting/valuing the females only for their child-bearing abilities. Hated that aspect show less
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Author Information
161+ Works 81,410 Members
Christine Feehan is the author of over 40 books including Dark Wolf, Dark Blood, and Earth Bound. She writes numerous series including Dark, Drake Sisters, Ghostwalkers, Leopard, Sea Haven, Carpathian, and The Shadow Series. She also wrote a manga comic, Dark Hunger, which was released in October 2007. Dark Prince won three Paranormal Excellence show more Awards in Romantic Literature in 1999. She has received seven more for her other books. She also won two Golden Leaf Awards, the Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine for Contemporary New Reality, the 2004 RIO Award of Excellence, and the Borders 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award. Her titles often appear on The New York Times Bestseller List. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
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Is contained in
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Dark Desire
- Original title
- Dark Desire
- Original publication date
- 1999-12
- People/Characters
- Gregori Daratrazanoff; Jacques Dubrinsky; Mikhail Dubrinsky; Noelle Dubrinsky; James; Byron Justicano (show all 15); Margaret "Maggie" O'Halloran; Shea O'Halloran; Rand; Aidan Savage; Julian Savage; Eugene Slovensky; Jeff Smith; Donny "Don" "Donnie" Wallace; Raven Whitney
- Important places
- Carpathian Mountains, Romania
- Epigraph
- He cam out of the night, so beautifully male he took her breath away. his black eyes moved over her possessively, curiously predatory. He was not human. He was Carpathian, of the Earth. He could command the wind, run with the... (show all) wolf, soar with the owl, become on with the rain itself.
"Choose life for us, Shea," he said. "For our children. I will not be easy to live with, but I swear to you no one could love you more. I will do anything to make you happy."
Shea shook her head. "I'm not strong enough, Jacques. I can't do this."
"You are just afraid." His voice was so soft, she felt it on her very skin, as if his fingertips were skimming over satin in the lightest caress. Jacques stepped closer, his dark eyes intense. "Choose me now, Shea. Need me. Want me. Love me. Choose life for us." - Dedication
- For my father, Mark King, who taught me there are many kinds of heroes in the world. For my agent, Helen, who refused to give up on my Carpathians. Special thanks to Allison Luce and my daughter, Billie Jo Feehan, who fell in... (show all) love with Jacques and gave many helpful suggestions. And of course for my son Brian who had to read the action scenes many, many times for me.
- First words
- There was blood, a river of it running.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Laughing, coughing, they broke apart and swam to the surface, the horrors of the day drowned in the depth of their love.
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