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Dark #11.5
Dark Hunger
A beautiful woman releases a Carpathian prisoner from his bonds—and unleashes his appetite in a tale of unexpected desire from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.
He is Riordan …Carpathian male. Immortal. Seer. Now trapped and caged, his honor is compromised by his captors. They’re in his mind. They’re in his blood. And not one can withstand his desire for revenge.
She is Juliette …A beautiful activist devoted to the liberation of animals from the foul and humid confines of secret jungle lab. What she has stumbled upon is an unexpected prisoner like no other she has ever seen. Or touched.
She will release him from his bonds. He will release her from her inhibitions. Both have a voracious appetite that needs to be sated. And tonight their dark hunger will be fed...
Previously published in Hot Blooded
He is Riordan …Carpathian male. Immortal. Seer. Now trapped and caged, his honor is compromised by his captors. They’re in his mind. They’re in his blood. And not one can withstand his desire for revenge.
She is Juliette …A beautiful activist devoted to the liberation of animals from the foul and humid confines of secret jungle lab. What she has stumbled upon is an unexpected prisoner like no other she has ever seen. Or touched.
She will release him from his bonds. He will release her from her inhibitions. Both have a voracious appetite that needs to be sated. And tonight their dark hunger will be fed...
Previously published in Hot Blooded
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2004
About the author
Christine Feehan
186 books52.1k followersChristine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 90 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series, Shadow Riders and Torpedo Ink. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...
IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...
IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
December 25, 2020
4 Jaguar Stars
*Spoilers*
First read August 2012 Reread February 7, 2016
Rereread 12/25/2020
"I am Riordan, your lifemate. I have searched these long years to find you."-Riardan
In Dark Hunger we find out about the 5 De La Cruz brothers that were also sent out by Prince Mikhail's father, Prince Vladimir before he died to protect the world from the spreading evil of vampires. This book is Riordan De La Cruz's, he is the youngest of the 5 brothers. Riordan was captured tortured and laid weak waiting for death in the heart of the jungle. Juliette and her sister Jasmine are at the building in the middle of their jungle where they have seen men taking animals to experiment on. She and Jasmine go in to set them free, but Juliette is unprepared for the male she finds hurt and chained to the wall. Riordan knows Juliette is his lifemate and he will stop at nothing to protect her.
"Do you think a woman can fall in love with a man she barely knows?" "I do not know, but she can fall in love with a man after she has walked in his mind and knows who he is and what he stands for." She kissed his neck. "I never once dreamed I would have a man in my life. Never once." "That is only because you could not conjure up the image of such a charming man."-Juliette and Riardan
"I look at you and everything just comes together, Riordan. I don't know why, and I don't think I want to question it too closely. I'm just going to take what fate offered me and grab on with both hands."-Juliette
This is a small novella a little over 100 pages, but it is full of passion, love, pain and action. I like both Juliette and Riordan. They accepted each other pretty fast. Juliette does find it a little hard to trust Riordan because a band of Jaguar men have been kidnapping and raping Jaguar women to breed them. So All the Jaguar women hate men and don't trust them. Being Jaguar though they have I guess like a heat and sometimes can't help but to sleep with men. There is some jealousy issues for Riordan when he thinks about other men being with Juliette. Juliette doesn't throw it in his face and she lets him know she can't help the species she was born in or the things she did in the past. Riordan realizes he is making her feel bad about herself and wises up. I love getting a peek into the Jaguar world. Jasmine is kidnapped by those bastard Jaguar men and Juliette and her cousin Solange go to save her with Riordan's help. There is so much packed into this novella that it's a very satisfying read.
"I dreamt of you once," he said softly as he squeezed droplets of water over her throat and down the valley between her breasts. "You were laughing. I remembered the sound of your laughter for years afterward. It kept me going at times when I could not find a reason to continue."
*Spoilers*
First read August 2012 Reread February 7, 2016
Rereread 12/25/2020
"I am Riordan, your lifemate. I have searched these long years to find you."-Riardan
In Dark Hunger we find out about the 5 De La Cruz brothers that were also sent out by Prince Mikhail's father, Prince Vladimir before he died to protect the world from the spreading evil of vampires. This book is Riordan De La Cruz's, he is the youngest of the 5 brothers. Riordan was captured tortured and laid weak waiting for death in the heart of the jungle. Juliette and her sister Jasmine are at the building in the middle of their jungle where they have seen men taking animals to experiment on. She and Jasmine go in to set them free, but Juliette is unprepared for the male she finds hurt and chained to the wall. Riordan knows Juliette is his lifemate and he will stop at nothing to protect her.
"Do you think a woman can fall in love with a man she barely knows?" "I do not know, but she can fall in love with a man after she has walked in his mind and knows who he is and what he stands for." She kissed his neck. "I never once dreamed I would have a man in my life. Never once." "That is only because you could not conjure up the image of such a charming man."-Juliette and Riardan
"I look at you and everything just comes together, Riordan. I don't know why, and I don't think I want to question it too closely. I'm just going to take what fate offered me and grab on with both hands."-Juliette
This is a small novella a little over 100 pages, but it is full of passion, love, pain and action. I like both Juliette and Riordan. They accepted each other pretty fast. Juliette does find it a little hard to trust Riordan because a band of Jaguar men have been kidnapping and raping Jaguar women to breed them. So All the Jaguar women hate men and don't trust them. Being Jaguar though they have I guess like a heat and sometimes can't help but to sleep with men. There is some jealousy issues for Riordan when he thinks about other men being with Juliette. Juliette doesn't throw it in his face and she lets him know she can't help the species she was born in or the things she did in the past. Riordan realizes he is making her feel bad about herself and wises up. I love getting a peek into the Jaguar world. Jasmine is kidnapped by those bastard Jaguar men and Juliette and her cousin Solange go to save her with Riordan's help. There is so much packed into this novella that it's a very satisfying read.
"I dreamt of you once," he said softly as he squeezed droplets of water over her throat and down the valley between her breasts. "You were laughing. I remembered the sound of your laughter for years afterward. It kept me going at times when I could not find a reason to continue."
June 9, 2019
Riordan and Juliette
April 17, 2017
Enjoyable, but not one of my favorites in the series!
March 5, 2016
I really enjoyed this short edition to the Dark series. Loved Riordan and Juliette. Will enjoy seeing more of them in the future. Not really a big fan of her sister and cousin, but maybe they will get better. I just hope they do not make Riordan miserable.
Not sure I am going to like the books that deal with the cats. They are way too open sexually for my taste. And the males seem like real pigs. In general their genetics prevent them from being faithful. Awesome...not.
But this couple, in this book, were enjoyable.
Not sure I am going to like the books that deal with the cats. They are way too open sexually for my taste. And the males seem like real pigs. In general their genetics prevent them from being faithful. Awesome...not.
But this couple, in this book, were enjoyable.
August 22, 2015
I'm just now getting back into reading the Carpathians after such a long break. This was a good start. About Riordan, the youngest De La Cruz brother and Juliette a member of the jaguar shapeshifting species, this is a steamy and action-packed short read.
It has all of the Carpathian aspects that one would expect to see. The manner in which a Carpathian male is brought back to life by his destined lifemate. I have missed all that ritual and the culture of the Carpathians. It was interesting how Juliette and Riordan work out their new matehood. Juliette comes from a species that is highly sexual and Riordan has to get past his jealousy that Juliette was with other men. He isn't a jerk about it, but it's definitely part of his nature to be highly possessive. He loves Juliette, so he accepts that this is part of who she is. It turns out that Juliette is an excellent match for him. Strong and independent, and sensual. Juliette has some serious baggage, due to the dysfunctional social dynamics of the jaguar, the way they abuse their women. She lives with her younger sister, Jasmine and her cousin Solange, and none of them are overly fond of men, with good reason. My mind went to the fact that despite their dislike of men, they had to do their thing because of their species, physical needs. Perhaps in a longer book, Feehan could have delved into that whole jaguar dynamic. It was interesting, and seems to fit thematically with my last couple of Feehan reads, which were in the Leopard series.
This is full of sensuality that Feehan writes so well, and the action is very good and well-integrated into the story. I love reading about all the abilities of the Carpathians, and they're uniquely tailored to this story about a Carpathian with a jaguar shifter lifemate. Of course, it does end abruptly, as a short story. It left me wanting more of Juliette, Riordan, Jasmine and Solange, so that's a good thing.
I went ahead and got this in Darkest at Dawn, in which it's accompanied by Dark Secret, a more controversial Carpathian book, although it's one of my favorites.
It has all of the Carpathian aspects that one would expect to see. The manner in which a Carpathian male is brought back to life by his destined lifemate. I have missed all that ritual and the culture of the Carpathians. It was interesting how Juliette and Riordan work out their new matehood. Juliette comes from a species that is highly sexual and Riordan has to get past his jealousy that Juliette was with other men. He isn't a jerk about it, but it's definitely part of his nature to be highly possessive. He loves Juliette, so he accepts that this is part of who she is. It turns out that Juliette is an excellent match for him. Strong and independent, and sensual. Juliette has some serious baggage, due to the dysfunctional social dynamics of the jaguar, the way they abuse their women. She lives with her younger sister, Jasmine and her cousin Solange, and none of them are overly fond of men, with good reason. My mind went to the fact that despite their dislike of men, they had to do their thing because of their species, physical needs. Perhaps in a longer book, Feehan could have delved into that whole jaguar dynamic. It was interesting, and seems to fit thematically with my last couple of Feehan reads, which were in the Leopard series.
This is full of sensuality that Feehan writes so well, and the action is very good and well-integrated into the story. I love reading about all the abilities of the Carpathians, and they're uniquely tailored to this story about a Carpathian with a jaguar shifter lifemate. Of course, it does end abruptly, as a short story. It left me wanting more of Juliette, Riordan, Jasmine and Solange, so that's a good thing.
I went ahead and got this in Darkest at Dawn, in which it's accompanied by Dark Secret, a more controversial Carpathian book, although it's one of my favorites.
October 28, 2016
Dark Hunger, the 14th book in Christine Feehan's Dark Series is a novella and tells the story of Riordan de la Cruz, a Carpathian male who held prisoner by a master vampire in the dark and steamy jungles of South America, who is set free by Juliette Sangria, a beautiful jaguar shape-shifter and activist.
I loved this couple. These two were meant to be together......they complement each other. There was something very appealing about them. Riordan, not totally uber alpha-male, sweet, funny and handsome
A great addition to the series.
I loved this couple. These two were meant to be together......they complement each other. There was something very appealing about them. Riordan, not totally uber alpha-male, sweet, funny and handsome
and Juliette, beautiful, fearless, caring and compassionate. .
I've actually grown to like the le la Cruz brothers and actually started to enjoy reading about the South American Carpathians.
A great addition to the series.
May 8, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and Christine Feehan for allowing me early access to this title!
I adored this very much! I think the art was nice, and it was true to the story being told. I loved the transformations in particular. Though I felt like the manga was missing some of the deep connection of the couple you would normally get from the novel, I thought it was still well done and enjoyable.
The novella included in this one was also lovely, and very on par with the series. I hope we get more of these in the future!
I adored this very much! I think the art was nice, and it was true to the story being told. I loved the transformations in particular. Though I felt like the manga was missing some of the deep connection of the couple you would normally get from the novel, I thought it was still well done and enjoyable.
The novella included in this one was also lovely, and very on par with the series. I hope we get more of these in the future!
May 12, 2015
This one was a novella length compared to Feehan's usual novels.
The premise was a bit different. The heroine was not a psychic human or a Carpathian, but a not quite full-blooded Jaguar person.
Those of us who've ever had a female kitty cat who went into heat before you could spay her know that the female cat in heat is *ahem* Well... a dirty little slut (but still cute and fluffy) ;) Apparently Jaguar women are the same, so no shrinking violet virgin heroine in this one. I just hope she didn't insist on sticking her backside in everyone's face when the heat hit her. Cat butt is always fun.
Obviously this was a spring board book to introduce the new twist of other paranormal species and the De La Cruz brothers. Another band of lost ancient Carpathians sent out by Mikhail's father.
Trigger warning for rape (heroine's sister).
The premise was a bit different. The heroine was not a psychic human or a Carpathian, but a not quite full-blooded Jaguar person.
Those of us who've ever had a female kitty cat who went into heat before you could spay her know that the female cat in heat is *ahem* Well... a dirty little slut (but still cute and fluffy) ;) Apparently Jaguar women are the same, so no shrinking violet virgin heroine in this one. I just hope she didn't insist on sticking her backside in everyone's face when the heat hit her. Cat butt is always fun.
Obviously this was a spring board book to introduce the new twist of other paranormal species and the De La Cruz brothers. Another band of lost ancient Carpathians sent out by Mikhail's father.
Trigger warning for rape (heroine's sister).
September 25, 2017
"Dark Hunter" is a short story in the Carpathian series, and the story of Juliette and Riordan.
When shapeshifter sisters Juliette and Jasmine decide to rescue animals from human labs, the former never expects to find a bleeding "human" trapped in there-who wakes up and takes her blood!
Riordan cannot believe he's finally found his mate, and soon realizes his jaguar missus is highly sexual and they bang throughout the book while fighting enemies, reuniting with families and being jealous/reading minds/.
Same trope as before just with new leads. Nothing new or exciting.
Safe
2.5/5
When shapeshifter sisters Juliette and Jasmine decide to rescue animals from human labs, the former never expects to find a bleeding "human" trapped in there-who wakes up and takes her blood!
Riordan cannot believe he's finally found his mate, and soon realizes his jaguar missus is highly sexual and they bang throughout the book while fighting enemies, reuniting with families and being jealous/reading minds/.
Same trope as before just with new leads. Nothing new or exciting.
Safe
2.5/5
August 28, 2024
Would have been 4 stars, but the sudden ending came too soon!
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
June 20, 2023
Review to come....
August 18, 2021
3.5 stars.
This was quick and easy, with some dark emotional things thrown in. I was intrigued at the introduction of jaguars, as well as Carpathians in South America. Juliette and Riordan made a good couple to read about, what with her loyalty and boldness, and his calm protectiveness. I'm interested in whether Jasmine and Solange will find Carpathian lifemates, after what happened here.
This was quick and easy, with some dark emotional things thrown in. I was intrigued at the introduction of jaguars, as well as Carpathians in South America. Juliette and Riordan made a good couple to read about, what with her loyalty and boldness, and his calm protectiveness. I'm interested in whether Jasmine and Solange will find Carpathian lifemates, after what happened here.
October 28, 2016
I just noticed I have forgotten to rate this book.
The first dark series book about the de la Cruz brothers in South America.
The first dark series book about the de la Cruz brothers in South America.
July 19, 2018
Me gusto bastante
October 20, 2018
super fast and easy to read … fit well with the rest of the series, introducing new characters and further developing the associations with the jaguar race
October 8, 2018
Stars: 3.5 / 5
Recommendation: If you like paranormal plots with hint of romance, eroticism and the other world abilities involving immortals and vampires along-side humans with super-abilities, then this is a series to go for.
Dark Hunger is the fourteenth book in the longest series, Dark Series, by Christine Feehan which was published in August of 2004, as part of the anthology Hot Blooded. Christine Feehan contributed to this along with three other writers - Maggie Shayne, Emma Holly and Angela Knight. The plot is set in South America and revolves around Riordan De La Cruz - youngest of the De La Cruz brothers and an ancient Carpathian - and Juliette Sangria - a strong psychic and an animal activist.
Dark Hunger is the first in a five-book series within the Dark Series about the South American brothers - who had been sent away by Prince Vladimer Dubrinsky (Prince Mikhail's father) centuries ago to fight Vampires. They settled in South America with trusted humans who take care of their cattle ranch during the day time.
Apart from being listed on several best sellers, this book was awarded the Winner for the 2004 PEARL Awards for Best Anthology and Winner for the 2004 Hughey Awards for Best Anthology.
Carpathians are a powerful and ancient race who are near-immortals living for thousands of years with powers and gifts that no man can fathom. Despite their gifts and extended lifespans, they are at the age of extinction as fewer and fewer children are being borne and far lesser of females. Without their female counterpart aka "lifemates" the male Carpathians lose the ability to feel emotions leaving the males with hard choice: either become vampire or "greet the dawn". Now that Prince Mikhail Dubrinsky finds a lifemate in a human female with psychic abilities and is capable of converting, there is hope for all the other Carpathian males who have been holding off from turning into vampires – the very creature that they hunt and kill to save the humans and Carpathians alike. The series now ventures into another species - Jaguar Species - with the 10th book Dark Symphony.
In her 31st book, Dark Legacy (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...) released in September of 2017, Christine had introduced a new Carpathian female, Elisabeta Trigovise - an ancient and sister to Traian Trigovise and thought lost to them. Christine tends to bring back her characters and tie all the inconsequential details that she leaves around in her plots. The mention of Traian Trigovise made me want to re-read the series again since quite a few facts she had brought back in Dark Legacy were lost on me.
Juliette Sangria is an animal activist and enters a secret facility in the thick of South American jungles to rescue endangered species that were being locked there and experimented upon. She finds a man chained and drained of blood to near death instead. She releases him but unexpectedly finds herself bound to him. Riordan De La Cruz is an ancient Carpathian hunter, the youngest of the De La Cruz brothers who was lured into a trap by a master vampire.
After searching and waiting for centuries, he now finds his lifemate in Juliette. However, Juliette is not a human, but altogether a different species. While they both try to figure out about each other, Juliette's sister Jasmine is taken by the most vilest people of her species. It is a race against time to save Jasmine from their clutches for Riordan and Juliette.
Dark Hunger has been released in several versions - in Darkest at Dawn along with Dark Secret (the next book in the Dark series as well as the five-part De La Cruz brothers series) in November of 2011; as a Manga Comic book in October of 2007 published by Berkley.
True to the title, this is a very very steamy plot with explicit erotic scenes between Riordan and Juliette. However, as always Christine leaves a lot of inconsequential details all through the plot and beginnings of something more with the series is also seen. It will be very interesting to see where and when these all will surface again.
In the fifth book, Dark Challenge (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...), Christine revealed the possibility of more Carpathians being settled in South America. Finally we get to read about them starting with this plot.
With this plot Christine Feehan expands the Jaguar species furthermore that she had just touched upon them in the tenth novel Dark Symphony (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...). However she doesn’t have an antagonist actively participating in the plot, we get only few scenes of their presence.
A few tidbits: Again this book starts including the card inserts that give reader and opportunity to either join a book club and win books, or buy a book and get a few free. There is an advertisement for dorchester publishing at the end of the book enticing readers to join their club and buy books. Although we know now that in 2012 this publishing was acquired by Amazon Publishing and it shut down as dorcehsterpub.
Short but very eloquently woven paranormal erotic plot by Christine Feehan keeping us thoroughly entertained and immersed into the world of Carpathians. Christine has certainly left the readers with so many minute details that they would be craving to read those details becoming important in future plots. Watch this space for more reviews of the next books in the series.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot reveals:
a. Jasmine Sangria - sister to Juliette - and Solange Sangria - their cousin - are introduced in this plot. Strong psychics from the Jaguar species who could potentially be lifemates to Carpathians just like how Juliette is for Riordan.
2. Sub-Plots:
a. Would love to ask Christine Feehan as to why she didn’t have Barack claim Syndil early on, why make him wait till after Darius makes his clam on Tempest in the sixth book Dark Fire? Also why not a separate book or a novella for Barack and Syndil instead of spreading their story within two books - fifth book Dark Challenge and sixth book Dark Fire?
b. In Dark Symphony, Christine introduces some more facts of Carpathians - the Dragonseeker clan of Carpathians, Wizards and Mages who were one time close with Carpathians but now arch enemies.
c. In Dark Descent, we see quite a few sub-plots: Small details floating around, but I am sure Christine will be collecting them in a bigger plot later.
i. Gabrielle Sanders and Jubal Sanders are introduced - siblings to Joie Sanders.
ii. The Sanders siblings and Traian find a huge dragon encased in ice. We met Dominic Dragonseeker; saw Byron and Josef shape-shifting to dragons and mention of mages in Dark Symphony.
iii. We meet Shadow Warriors - Ghosts of the wizards, lost long ago.
iv. While being tortured, one of the master vampire takes Traian's blood giving the vampire ability to control Traian - although Traian beats him at that control. However, not knowing who that vampire was and where he was, Traian decides to be away from his people. However, I don’t remember this tidbit being explored by Christine in any of the future books. Perhaps that is why she brought Elisabeta Trigovise in the 31st book, Dark Legacy's plot. Or I might have to read the additional 100 pages that Christine included in a later version to know the truth.
d. In Dark Melody, Julian and Savannah but muse that Gregori and Savannah should be blessed with twin girls who would run amok much to Gregori's suffering.
3. Unique / Repeat Characters who are not Carpathians but with the possibility of them being expanded by Christine Feehan in future books:
a. Gary Jansen first time introduced in Dark Magic, doesn’t have a story of him yet - 18 years since his character had first been mentioned. Recently Christine announced in her blog on Goodreads that Gary's story has to wait as his lifemate is a child now. I wonder who that child was and if she had already introduced that child in any of the recent books. And if she is basing her on one of her granddaughters' - just like Skyler - and she would wait till the grand daughter would grow in real life before penning a story between her and Gary.
b. In Dark Dream (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...), Sara Marten adopts seven sewer children - three girls and four boys - all with psychic abilities.
c. Skyler Rose Thompson is first introduced in Dark Legend, as a 14 year old girl who is battered and injured in every way. Above all she is a psychic. We are going to see more of her, but Christine has left enough clues to readers to guess who her lifemate would be.
d. In Dark Legend, Francesca muses if her child would be one of those rare females since she had perfected the art of living like a human and walking in the sun. Wonder what would the fate of this child would be in Christine's hands.
e. Barry Woods, a reporter in the Dark Legend plot is not meted with justice or purged of the vampire's influence or any more exploration of his mind to understand about the Society of Vampire Hunters by Christine. Perhaps a future character?
f. Corrine Wentworth (lifemate to Dayan) gives birth to a female psychic child - Jennifer - in Dark Melody.
g. MaryAnn Delany is introduced in Dark Destiny, a female with strong psychic powers and also one who works with the battered women and children. She perhaps will be a lifemate to another Carpatian soon.
4. Perils that the Carpathians face:
a. Few children who have born are Males, most not surviving the first year of their life, females are rarely born. Shea Dubrinsky along with Gregori Daratrazanoff are working hard on how to better the food for their children so they survive. She is more interested to study Darius and Antonietta Scarletti's family in the hopes of finding a cure to their species.
b. With Dark Symphony, Christine introduces a new concept while converting a psychic female with Jaguar blood - Antoninetta Scarletti's blind eyes seem to be giving sight back to her.
c. Vampires are congregating; attacking in coordinated methods; doing a hypnotic dance in hopes to transfix the Carpathian hunters; ability to create a holding spell; able to inject a fast acting poison impacting the nervous system; can cause Carpathians to sever the mental path the Carpathians share; casting a silvery net to capture the hunter in their molecular form; two master vampires running the show together; use animals such as rats, birds and insects to pry on others; a multigenerational poison that could attack the healers.
d. Society of Human Vampire Hunters who constantly hunt the Carpathians mistaking them to be Vampires. The Morrison Center for Psychic Research is targeting psychic humans documenting about them to kill them in the end.
e. The antagonist Vampire was after Sara Marten in Dark Dream, as he needed her help to track the tomb of the master wizard and book of knowledge that will give access to untold power.
5. Lifemate pairs introduced as the series progresses: Will Christine have a plot for these pairs sometime in future?
a. Eric and Celeste – Celeste is pregnant with child in Dark Prince, but no mention of who they would be in the later books so far.
b. Vlad and Eleanor Belandrake - Eleanor is pregnant in the first book Dark Prince. However in Dark Symphony we see that she has given birth to Benjamin "Benj" and also adopts Josef - son of another Carpathian pair who are lying in ground now, Lucia and Rodaniver.
c. Tienn and Diedre - Diedre is sister of Vlad.
d. Vladimer Dubrinsky and Sarantha - Mikhail and Jacques Dubrinsky's parents - They are shown as dead in Dark Guardian (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...) plot.
6. Other Carpathians who are waiting for their lifemates as of this book and we meet as the series progresses are:
a. Dimitri Tirunul – another ancient Carpathian mentioned briefly for the first time in Dark Desire plot. First introduced almost 15 years ago, we as readers already know that his story would not be until the 25th book in the series. He is a renowned scientist; works for preservation of wolves and guards them in the reservations of Russia; and has a wolf foundation.
b. Dominic Dragonseeker - Introduced in Dark Symphony, with added little details about wizards / mages and a war between them and the Carpathians. He is looking for his sister - Rhiannon Dragonseeker - a powerful mage although just an apprentice, thought to be lost.
c. Josef and Benjamin "Ben" - First introduced in Dark Symphony.
d. Vikirnoff Von Shrieder - brother to Nicolae Von Shrieder is introduced in Dark Destiny. He is tasked to find a woman who is being targeted by The Morrison Center for Psychic Research - a woman has a talent to find the past of any object she touches.
e. De La Cruz Brothers - Rafeal, Manolito, Nicolas and Zacarias - living in South America are introduced in Dark Hunger plot. Although Manolito is headed to Carpathian mountains with fresh news to the Prince about the recent events. Nicolas and Rafeal are in US trying to smooth the path for young orphaned relatives of their family of humans who run their ranch.
7. Being so many few Carpathian females born, a few females that Christine still manages sneak in her plots are:
a. Shea O’Halloran – lifemate to Jacques Dubrinsky, first female born after more than 500 years and a natural healer. Her story is in Dark Desire (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...) and is pregnant as of Dark Melody plot.
b. Savannah Dubrinsky - daughter of Prince Mikhail and Raven Dubrinsky; lifemate to Gregori Daratrazanoff. Her story is in Dark Magic (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...)
c. Desari Daratrazanoff - lifemate to Julian Savage, sister to Gregori and Darius; has the power to sing that could bring peace between humans, animals, birds and Carpathians alike. Her story is in Dark Challenge (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...)
d. Syndil - lifemate to Barack, both part of the troupe Dark Troubadours, with tremendous healing powers and has an affinity to earth. Her story is spread in two books - Dark Challenge and Dark Fire (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...)
e. Francesca Del Ponce - lifemate to Gabriel Daratrazanoff. Her story is told in Dark Legend (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...). She is a powerful healer; has ability to bring peace to anyone who is in her vicinity or by touch; makes stained glass patterns that are specific to a one's need and bring healing to them.
f. Tamara - daughter of Gabriel Daratrazanoff and Francesca Del Pounce, born a few months before the Dark Guardian plot.
8. Geographical / Character / Grammatical / Historical Errors:
a. On Pg. 71, second line from bottom, it should be "….shouldn't be out by…"
Recommendation: If you like paranormal plots with hint of romance, eroticism and the other world abilities involving immortals and vampires along-side humans with super-abilities, then this is a series to go for.
Dark Hunger is the fourteenth book in the longest series, Dark Series, by Christine Feehan which was published in August of 2004, as part of the anthology Hot Blooded. Christine Feehan contributed to this along with three other writers - Maggie Shayne, Emma Holly and Angela Knight. The plot is set in South America and revolves around Riordan De La Cruz - youngest of the De La Cruz brothers and an ancient Carpathian - and Juliette Sangria - a strong psychic and an animal activist.
Dark Hunger is the first in a five-book series within the Dark Series about the South American brothers - who had been sent away by Prince Vladimer Dubrinsky (Prince Mikhail's father) centuries ago to fight Vampires. They settled in South America with trusted humans who take care of their cattle ranch during the day time.
Apart from being listed on several best sellers, this book was awarded the Winner for the 2004 PEARL Awards for Best Anthology and Winner for the 2004 Hughey Awards for Best Anthology.
Carpathians are a powerful and ancient race who are near-immortals living for thousands of years with powers and gifts that no man can fathom. Despite their gifts and extended lifespans, they are at the age of extinction as fewer and fewer children are being borne and far lesser of females. Without their female counterpart aka "lifemates" the male Carpathians lose the ability to feel emotions leaving the males with hard choice: either become vampire or "greet the dawn". Now that Prince Mikhail Dubrinsky finds a lifemate in a human female with psychic abilities and is capable of converting, there is hope for all the other Carpathian males who have been holding off from turning into vampires – the very creature that they hunt and kill to save the humans and Carpathians alike. The series now ventures into another species - Jaguar Species - with the 10th book Dark Symphony.
In her 31st book, Dark Legacy (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...) released in September of 2017, Christine had introduced a new Carpathian female, Elisabeta Trigovise - an ancient and sister to Traian Trigovise and thought lost to them. Christine tends to bring back her characters and tie all the inconsequential details that she leaves around in her plots. The mention of Traian Trigovise made me want to re-read the series again since quite a few facts she had brought back in Dark Legacy were lost on me.
Juliette Sangria is an animal activist and enters a secret facility in the thick of South American jungles to rescue endangered species that were being locked there and experimented upon. She finds a man chained and drained of blood to near death instead. She releases him but unexpectedly finds herself bound to him. Riordan De La Cruz is an ancient Carpathian hunter, the youngest of the De La Cruz brothers who was lured into a trap by a master vampire.
After searching and waiting for centuries, he now finds his lifemate in Juliette. However, Juliette is not a human, but altogether a different species. While they both try to figure out about each other, Juliette's sister Jasmine is taken by the most vilest people of her species. It is a race against time to save Jasmine from their clutches for Riordan and Juliette.
Dark Hunger has been released in several versions - in Darkest at Dawn along with Dark Secret (the next book in the Dark series as well as the five-part De La Cruz brothers series) in November of 2011; as a Manga Comic book in October of 2007 published by Berkley.
True to the title, this is a very very steamy plot with explicit erotic scenes between Riordan and Juliette. However, as always Christine leaves a lot of inconsequential details all through the plot and beginnings of something more with the series is also seen. It will be very interesting to see where and when these all will surface again.
In the fifth book, Dark Challenge (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...), Christine revealed the possibility of more Carpathians being settled in South America. Finally we get to read about them starting with this plot.
With this plot Christine Feehan expands the Jaguar species furthermore that she had just touched upon them in the tenth novel Dark Symphony (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...). However she doesn’t have an antagonist actively participating in the plot, we get only few scenes of their presence.
A few tidbits: Again this book starts including the card inserts that give reader and opportunity to either join a book club and win books, or buy a book and get a few free. There is an advertisement for dorchester publishing at the end of the book enticing readers to join their club and buy books. Although we know now that in 2012 this publishing was acquired by Amazon Publishing and it shut down as dorcehsterpub.
Short but very eloquently woven paranormal erotic plot by Christine Feehan keeping us thoroughly entertained and immersed into the world of Carpathians. Christine has certainly left the readers with so many minute details that they would be craving to read those details becoming important in future plots. Watch this space for more reviews of the next books in the series.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot reveals:
a. Jasmine Sangria - sister to Juliette - and Solange Sangria - their cousin - are introduced in this plot. Strong psychics from the Jaguar species who could potentially be lifemates to Carpathians just like how Juliette is for Riordan.
2. Sub-Plots:
a. Would love to ask Christine Feehan as to why she didn’t have Barack claim Syndil early on, why make him wait till after Darius makes his clam on Tempest in the sixth book Dark Fire? Also why not a separate book or a novella for Barack and Syndil instead of spreading their story within two books - fifth book Dark Challenge and sixth book Dark Fire?
b. In Dark Symphony, Christine introduces some more facts of Carpathians - the Dragonseeker clan of Carpathians, Wizards and Mages who were one time close with Carpathians but now arch enemies.
c. In Dark Descent, we see quite a few sub-plots: Small details floating around, but I am sure Christine will be collecting them in a bigger plot later.
i. Gabrielle Sanders and Jubal Sanders are introduced - siblings to Joie Sanders.
ii. The Sanders siblings and Traian find a huge dragon encased in ice. We met Dominic Dragonseeker; saw Byron and Josef shape-shifting to dragons and mention of mages in Dark Symphony.
iii. We meet Shadow Warriors - Ghosts of the wizards, lost long ago.
iv. While being tortured, one of the master vampire takes Traian's blood giving the vampire ability to control Traian - although Traian beats him at that control. However, not knowing who that vampire was and where he was, Traian decides to be away from his people. However, I don’t remember this tidbit being explored by Christine in any of the future books. Perhaps that is why she brought Elisabeta Trigovise in the 31st book, Dark Legacy's plot. Or I might have to read the additional 100 pages that Christine included in a later version to know the truth.
d. In Dark Melody, Julian and Savannah but muse that Gregori and Savannah should be blessed with twin girls who would run amok much to Gregori's suffering.
3. Unique / Repeat Characters who are not Carpathians but with the possibility of them being expanded by Christine Feehan in future books:
a. Gary Jansen first time introduced in Dark Magic, doesn’t have a story of him yet - 18 years since his character had first been mentioned. Recently Christine announced in her blog on Goodreads that Gary's story has to wait as his lifemate is a child now. I wonder who that child was and if she had already introduced that child in any of the recent books. And if she is basing her on one of her granddaughters' - just like Skyler - and she would wait till the grand daughter would grow in real life before penning a story between her and Gary.
b. In Dark Dream (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...), Sara Marten adopts seven sewer children - three girls and four boys - all with psychic abilities.
c. Skyler Rose Thompson is first introduced in Dark Legend, as a 14 year old girl who is battered and injured in every way. Above all she is a psychic. We are going to see more of her, but Christine has left enough clues to readers to guess who her lifemate would be.
d. In Dark Legend, Francesca muses if her child would be one of those rare females since she had perfected the art of living like a human and walking in the sun. Wonder what would the fate of this child would be in Christine's hands.
e. Barry Woods, a reporter in the Dark Legend plot is not meted with justice or purged of the vampire's influence or any more exploration of his mind to understand about the Society of Vampire Hunters by Christine. Perhaps a future character?
f. Corrine Wentworth (lifemate to Dayan) gives birth to a female psychic child - Jennifer - in Dark Melody.
g. MaryAnn Delany is introduced in Dark Destiny, a female with strong psychic powers and also one who works with the battered women and children. She perhaps will be a lifemate to another Carpatian soon.
4. Perils that the Carpathians face:
a. Few children who have born are Males, most not surviving the first year of their life, females are rarely born. Shea Dubrinsky along with Gregori Daratrazanoff are working hard on how to better the food for their children so they survive. She is more interested to study Darius and Antonietta Scarletti's family in the hopes of finding a cure to their species.
b. With Dark Symphony, Christine introduces a new concept while converting a psychic female with Jaguar blood - Antoninetta Scarletti's blind eyes seem to be giving sight back to her.
c. Vampires are congregating; attacking in coordinated methods; doing a hypnotic dance in hopes to transfix the Carpathian hunters; ability to create a holding spell; able to inject a fast acting poison impacting the nervous system; can cause Carpathians to sever the mental path the Carpathians share; casting a silvery net to capture the hunter in their molecular form; two master vampires running the show together; use animals such as rats, birds and insects to pry on others; a multigenerational poison that could attack the healers.
d. Society of Human Vampire Hunters who constantly hunt the Carpathians mistaking them to be Vampires. The Morrison Center for Psychic Research is targeting psychic humans documenting about them to kill them in the end.
e. The antagonist Vampire was after Sara Marten in Dark Dream, as he needed her help to track the tomb of the master wizard and book of knowledge that will give access to untold power.
5. Lifemate pairs introduced as the series progresses: Will Christine have a plot for these pairs sometime in future?
a. Eric and Celeste – Celeste is pregnant with child in Dark Prince, but no mention of who they would be in the later books so far.
b. Vlad and Eleanor Belandrake - Eleanor is pregnant in the first book Dark Prince. However in Dark Symphony we see that she has given birth to Benjamin "Benj" and also adopts Josef - son of another Carpathian pair who are lying in ground now, Lucia and Rodaniver.
c. Tienn and Diedre - Diedre is sister of Vlad.
d. Vladimer Dubrinsky and Sarantha - Mikhail and Jacques Dubrinsky's parents - They are shown as dead in Dark Guardian (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...) plot.
6. Other Carpathians who are waiting for their lifemates as of this book and we meet as the series progresses are:
a. Dimitri Tirunul – another ancient Carpathian mentioned briefly for the first time in Dark Desire plot. First introduced almost 15 years ago, we as readers already know that his story would not be until the 25th book in the series. He is a renowned scientist; works for preservation of wolves and guards them in the reservations of Russia; and has a wolf foundation.
b. Dominic Dragonseeker - Introduced in Dark Symphony, with added little details about wizards / mages and a war between them and the Carpathians. He is looking for his sister - Rhiannon Dragonseeker - a powerful mage although just an apprentice, thought to be lost.
c. Josef and Benjamin "Ben" - First introduced in Dark Symphony.
d. Vikirnoff Von Shrieder - brother to Nicolae Von Shrieder is introduced in Dark Destiny. He is tasked to find a woman who is being targeted by The Morrison Center for Psychic Research - a woman has a talent to find the past of any object she touches.
e. De La Cruz Brothers - Rafeal, Manolito, Nicolas and Zacarias - living in South America are introduced in Dark Hunger plot. Although Manolito is headed to Carpathian mountains with fresh news to the Prince about the recent events. Nicolas and Rafeal are in US trying to smooth the path for young orphaned relatives of their family of humans who run their ranch.
7. Being so many few Carpathian females born, a few females that Christine still manages sneak in her plots are:
a. Shea O’Halloran – lifemate to Jacques Dubrinsky, first female born after more than 500 years and a natural healer. Her story is in Dark Desire (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...) and is pregnant as of Dark Melody plot.
b. Savannah Dubrinsky - daughter of Prince Mikhail and Raven Dubrinsky; lifemate to Gregori Daratrazanoff. Her story is in Dark Magic (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...)
c. Desari Daratrazanoff - lifemate to Julian Savage, sister to Gregori and Darius; has the power to sing that could bring peace between humans, animals, birds and Carpathians alike. Her story is in Dark Challenge (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...)
d. Syndil - lifemate to Barack, both part of the troupe Dark Troubadours, with tremendous healing powers and has an affinity to earth. Her story is spread in two books - Dark Challenge and Dark Fire (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...)
e. Francesca Del Ponce - lifemate to Gabriel Daratrazanoff. Her story is told in Dark Legend (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...). She is a powerful healer; has ability to bring peace to anyone who is in her vicinity or by touch; makes stained glass patterns that are specific to a one's need and bring healing to them.
f. Tamara - daughter of Gabriel Daratrazanoff and Francesca Del Pounce, born a few months before the Dark Guardian plot.
8. Geographical / Character / Grammatical / Historical Errors:
a. On Pg. 71, second line from bottom, it should be "….shouldn't be out by…"
July 16, 2023
Continuing with series
September 20, 2016
4 stars
This was a very good addition to the series. I liked both Riordan and Juliette and enjoyed their story.
Juliette is a member of the Jaguar race. They are shifters from the South American continent that also have some psychic powers. The ability to shift and the other abilities have slowly started to died out of the race and Juliette and her sister and cousin are some of the few women that are still able to shift. Unfortunately, some of the Jaguar men have decided to capture and rape the women left of their race (in order to breed more Jaguar shifters), something that Juliette and her family are determined to fight against.
Riordan is an ancient Carpathian male; Carpathians are born vampires with abilities like shape shifting (to any form, even mist), magic spells and psychic powers. The males of the Carpathians have a darkness in them and if they don't find their lifemates, they can lose their souls and become evil. Riordan and his 4 brothers were sent out into the world by the Prince of their people. He and his brothers moved to South Africa, started a cattle farm together and kept their area of the continent free of vampires.
Riordan was captured with an unknown drug when he was responding to a call for help. He was locked in a room in a lab, out in the middle of a jungle. Weakened and drugged, Riordan wasn't having any luck escaping on his own. Juliette and her sister fight against the Jaguar men to keep the other women safe but they also work against illegal labs and such that imprison and experiment on endangered animals. They're raiding a lab to release some animals when Juliette finds Riordan locked up there. She releases him and since he's desperate for blood, he bites her. She's his lifemate so Riordan carries her off with him and gets them both to safety. Despite their rough start, Juliette and Riordan have a quick and solid connection that flares to life as soon as they meet.
Juliette and Riordan quickly come to an understanding, helped along by the fact that the Carpathian males are actually known of by her family. She has a small amount of knowledge about them but it's enough that she's willing to give Riordan a chance. It also helps that he bonds with her immediately and this allows Juliette to read his thoughts and see he's good and will cherish her (unlike the men she's encountered of her own species). Things happen quickly as Riordan and Juliette come together while some other issues come up that have to be dealt with immediately. Once everything is worked out, Juliette and Riordan start towards their HEA together.
This was a very enjoyable story. I liked Juliette very much. She was very conscientious of the bad things going on around her and she was willing to risk herself to make things better for others. I had to admire that about her. Riordan was a good hero and while we didn't get a lot of background on him, he seemed like a really good guy and was intent on taking care of Juliette and helping her however she needs it. I liked them together and thought they made a good team. I do wish the story had been a bit longer but I thought it was well done considering it's length. Overall, I liked it very much and would recommend it. :)
* note - I listened to the audio version of this story and the narrator did a very good job.
This was a very good addition to the series. I liked both Riordan and Juliette and enjoyed their story.
Juliette is a member of the Jaguar race. They are shifters from the South American continent that also have some psychic powers. The ability to shift and the other abilities have slowly started to died out of the race and Juliette and her sister and cousin are some of the few women that are still able to shift. Unfortunately, some of the Jaguar men have decided to capture and rape the women left of their race (in order to breed more Jaguar shifters), something that Juliette and her family are determined to fight against.
Riordan is an ancient Carpathian male; Carpathians are born vampires with abilities like shape shifting (to any form, even mist), magic spells and psychic powers. The males of the Carpathians have a darkness in them and if they don't find their lifemates, they can lose their souls and become evil. Riordan and his 4 brothers were sent out into the world by the Prince of their people. He and his brothers moved to South Africa, started a cattle farm together and kept their area of the continent free of vampires.
Riordan was captured with an unknown drug when he was responding to a call for help. He was locked in a room in a lab, out in the middle of a jungle. Weakened and drugged, Riordan wasn't having any luck escaping on his own. Juliette and her sister fight against the Jaguar men to keep the other women safe but they also work against illegal labs and such that imprison and experiment on endangered animals. They're raiding a lab to release some animals when Juliette finds Riordan locked up there. She releases him and since he's desperate for blood, he bites her. She's his lifemate so Riordan carries her off with him and gets them both to safety. Despite their rough start, Juliette and Riordan have a quick and solid connection that flares to life as soon as they meet.
Juliette and Riordan quickly come to an understanding, helped along by the fact that the Carpathian males are actually known of by her family. She has a small amount of knowledge about them but it's enough that she's willing to give Riordan a chance. It also helps that he bonds with her immediately and this allows Juliette to read his thoughts and see he's good and will cherish her (unlike the men she's encountered of her own species). Things happen quickly as Riordan and Juliette come together while some other issues come up that have to be dealt with immediately. Once everything is worked out, Juliette and Riordan start towards their HEA together.
This was a very enjoyable story. I liked Juliette very much. She was very conscientious of the bad things going on around her and she was willing to risk herself to make things better for others. I had to admire that about her. Riordan was a good hero and while we didn't get a lot of background on him, he seemed like a really good guy and was intent on taking care of Juliette and helping her however she needs it. I liked them together and thought they made a good team. I do wish the story had been a bit longer but I thought it was well done considering it's length. Overall, I liked it very much and would recommend it. :)
* note - I listened to the audio version of this story and the narrator did a very good job.
December 11, 2017
Instalust galore. Pretty stupid as her all her books seem to be. In novella format things made even less sense.
June 9, 2015
I loved Riordan and Juliette's story Dark Hunger. When I first read this graphic book/ Manga back in 2007: which is debatable to some reviewers. I had mixed feelings becasue I didn't know what to expect.
However, I loved the Carpathians and Riordan De La Cruz's character is right on the mark. Who doesn't love a Da Le Cruz!! Juliette made the perfect LifeMate. She is intelligent, beautiful, strong, brave and compassionate. Riordan is a De La Cruz what more is there to say, Tall, Dark, handsome and sexy. Riordan like all Carpathian males have tons of paranormal abilities. Fans of the Dark series will know exactly what I mean. It didn't bother me that it was graphic novel or Manga what every you choice to call it. It was a very good fast paced Adrenalin rush. The romance between Riordan and Juliette was very sensuous and romantic. Juliette you lucky girl snagged yourself a Da Le Cruz!!
However, I loved the Carpathians and Riordan De La Cruz's character is right on the mark. Who doesn't love a Da Le Cruz!! Juliette made the perfect LifeMate. She is intelligent, beautiful, strong, brave and compassionate. Riordan is a De La Cruz what more is there to say, Tall, Dark, handsome and sexy. Riordan like all Carpathian males have tons of paranormal abilities. Fans of the Dark series will know exactly what I mean. It didn't bother me that it was graphic novel or Manga what every you choice to call it. It was a very good fast paced Adrenalin rush. The romance between Riordan and Juliette was very sensuous and romantic. Juliette you lucky girl snagged yourself a Da Le Cruz!!
February 25, 2012
**1st Read Feb 2 2010**
It's no secret that I am no fan of manga and this book has done nothing to change that. Although it was different to get someone else's take on what the characters look like I found the men very feminine looking. So unlike the broad brooding warriors described in other books. 2 Stars
**Reread Feb 1 2012 - Feb 4 2012 **
Listened to the audio book this time and TOTALLY enjoyed it! Juliette, Solange and Jasmin are such strong characters and they just add to the strength that is the Carpathian male. I love this family. 4 Stars
It's no secret that I am no fan of manga and this book has done nothing to change that. Although it was different to get someone else's take on what the characters look like I found the men very feminine looking. So unlike the broad brooding warriors described in other books. 2 Stars
**Reread Feb 1 2012 - Feb 4 2012 **
Listened to the audio book this time and TOTALLY enjoyed it! Juliette, Solange and Jasmin are such strong characters and they just add to the strength that is the Carpathian male. I love this family. 4 Stars
April 27, 2017
Karina Galt did an okay job in telling the story.
January 13, 2019
It’s only a novella, but there is lots packed into it....
Riordan is part of a large Carpathian family, 5 brothers and a sister (unfortunately she was killed centuries ago) they were sent to Brazil to patrol and keep the human population safe from the vampires. He is the youngest of the brothers.
He was caught by a human society to study, keeping him virtually starved of blood (they survive on blood) and wrapped in chains (coated with vampire blood) he is a guinea pig to the society, until they perfect their poison to rid the world of the evil vampire (the society are able to tell the difference between Carpathian and vampire) then they will kill Riordan.
Biding his time, he refuses to call out to his brothers (he doesn’t want them falling into the same trap) waiting for his moment to strike at his captors and escape.
Juliette is an animal liberator, along with her cousins (Jasmine and Solange) she frees animals that are captured. But that’s not the only thing she frees.....
Juliette is a shapeshifter (she can turn at will into a Jaguar) she helps women (other jaguar women) in abusive relationships to escape.
For centuries the male jaguar shifter have turned from a loving male into a violent and abusive male, no longer treasuring their women and children. They take what they want and the women are chattel. And when the women leave to find other males to be with, they are hunted down and forced to return the the jaguar communities.
Juliette is rescuing animals from a compound when she stumbles upon a man chained to the wall.
Hurrying to free him, she doesn’t realise the danger she is putting herself in....
Riordan’s only concern is escaping and exacting justice on his captors, so when a female is in the process of freeing him, he seizes his chance, he intents to feed from her and escape, but as he bends to her neck, he notices the colour of her hair, and the blood in her hair, he is seeing in colour for the first time in centuries.....
Juliette feels a sharp pain and then nothing but bliss ..... slowly she turns lethargic, not sure as to what is going on, Juliette tried to escape the bands of steel around her chest.
The story is the introduction to the De La Cruz family, all are ancients, all are arrogant males, so it’s fun to read about how their views on what a female should do and act, will differ from reality, and as they are getting modern females it won’t go to plan 😉
It also gives us more information on the society that are hunting the Carpathians/vampires, how they are stepping up their efforts, and we get more information on why the Carpathians are having difficulties having children.
It’s a short story, but it has a lot of detail.
🦋
Riordan is part of a large Carpathian family, 5 brothers and a sister (unfortunately she was killed centuries ago) they were sent to Brazil to patrol and keep the human population safe from the vampires. He is the youngest of the brothers.
He was caught by a human society to study, keeping him virtually starved of blood (they survive on blood) and wrapped in chains (coated with vampire blood) he is a guinea pig to the society, until they perfect their poison to rid the world of the evil vampire (the society are able to tell the difference between Carpathian and vampire) then they will kill Riordan.
Biding his time, he refuses to call out to his brothers (he doesn’t want them falling into the same trap) waiting for his moment to strike at his captors and escape.
Juliette is an animal liberator, along with her cousins (Jasmine and Solange) she frees animals that are captured. But that’s not the only thing she frees.....
Juliette is a shapeshifter (she can turn at will into a Jaguar) she helps women (other jaguar women) in abusive relationships to escape.
For centuries the male jaguar shifter have turned from a loving male into a violent and abusive male, no longer treasuring their women and children. They take what they want and the women are chattel. And when the women leave to find other males to be with, they are hunted down and forced to return the the jaguar communities.
Juliette is rescuing animals from a compound when she stumbles upon a man chained to the wall.
Hurrying to free him, she doesn’t realise the danger she is putting herself in....
Riordan’s only concern is escaping and exacting justice on his captors, so when a female is in the process of freeing him, he seizes his chance, he intents to feed from her and escape, but as he bends to her neck, he notices the colour of her hair, and the blood in her hair, he is seeing in colour for the first time in centuries.....
Juliette feels a sharp pain and then nothing but bliss ..... slowly she turns lethargic, not sure as to what is going on, Juliette tried to escape the bands of steel around her chest.
The story is the introduction to the De La Cruz family, all are ancients, all are arrogant males, so it’s fun to read about how their views on what a female should do and act, will differ from reality, and as they are getting modern females it won’t go to plan 😉
It also gives us more information on the society that are hunting the Carpathians/vampires, how they are stepping up their efforts, and we get more information on why the Carpathians are having difficulties having children.
It’s a short story, but it has a lot of detail.
🦋
February 25, 2023
I have one of the original Manga copies of DARK HUNGER first released in 2004, as well as the DARKEST AT DAWN anthology
DARK HUNGER by Christine Feehan is the 11.5 instalment and novella in the author's adult DARK /CARPATHIAN erotic, paranormal romance series. This is Riordan and Juliette's story line. DARK HUNGER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
NOTE: DARK HUNGER has been released in several formats including paper and ebook, as well as Manga, a comic-book/ graphic novel style story line that gives a quick over view of the story using images and some text.
IMPORTANT---DARK HUNGER was originally released in novella format in the anthology DARKEST AT DAWN
Christine Feehan's publisher is re-releasing (June 2023) the Manga version for those who did not get a copy of the original Manga release
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.
Told from third person perspective DARK HUNGER follows Juliette, a jaguar shifter, as she is pulled to a science lab, the Morrison Center for Psychic Research, in the middle of the South American jungle where she will discover a man chained in a cell, a man who has been tortured and left to die but Juliette is unaware that Riordan De La Cruz is a Carpathian male, a warrior of immense power but a man who has been captured for who he is and what he knows. The Carpathians are believed to be vampires, and the Morrison Center is trying to locate all the females with psychic powers, as well as corrupting the rogue jaguar males to take control of their female population. Riordan knows immediately that Juliette is his mate but Juliette's 'jaguar' wants nothing to do with alpha aggressive males.
My Manga/ graphic novel version of DARK HUNGER is a quick and interesting read with black and white images, limited text, and the introduction of Jasmine and Solange. As with all Manga comics, there is a bit of 'cheesiness' to the overall feel, the cartoonish atmosphere did nothing to appeal to my romance side.
3.5 stars for the graphic novel, 4 stars for the Darkest at Dawn novella.
DARK HUNGER by Christine Feehan is the 11.5 instalment and novella in the author's adult DARK /CARPATHIAN erotic, paranormal romance series. This is Riordan and Juliette's story line. DARK HUNGER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
NOTE: DARK HUNGER has been released in several formats including paper and ebook, as well as Manga, a comic-book/ graphic novel style story line that gives a quick over view of the story using images and some text.
IMPORTANT---DARK HUNGER was originally released in novella format in the anthology DARKEST AT DAWN
Christine Feehan's publisher is re-releasing (June 2023) the Manga version for those who did not get a copy of the original Manga release
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.
Told from third person perspective DARK HUNGER follows Juliette, a jaguar shifter, as she is pulled to a science lab, the Morrison Center for Psychic Research, in the middle of the South American jungle where she will discover a man chained in a cell, a man who has been tortured and left to die but Juliette is unaware that Riordan De La Cruz is a Carpathian male, a warrior of immense power but a man who has been captured for who he is and what he knows. The Carpathians are believed to be vampires, and the Morrison Center is trying to locate all the females with psychic powers, as well as corrupting the rogue jaguar males to take control of their female population. Riordan knows immediately that Juliette is his mate but Juliette's 'jaguar' wants nothing to do with alpha aggressive males.
My Manga/ graphic novel version of DARK HUNGER is a quick and interesting read with black and white images, limited text, and the introduction of Jasmine and Solange. As with all Manga comics, there is a bit of 'cheesiness' to the overall feel, the cartoonish atmosphere did nothing to appeal to my romance side.
3.5 stars for the graphic novel, 4 stars for the Darkest at Dawn novella.
April 13, 2023
Dark Hunger's manga version brings this already exhilarating and captivating story to a whole new level. I found wondrous magic and wicked imagination within each page of this riveting tale. There is something so raw and primal about this story, and this new version truly did it justice and then some. I couldn't get enough of this breathtaking and dangerous journey, and my heart was unquestionably and irrevocably stolen by Feehan's magnificent characters along the way.
While following her heart, Juliette had no idea that it would lead her to her other half. While she may have fought their coming together, it was only to mask the tremendous and overwhelming connection that she found in her lifemate. She was not used to associating happiness, warmth, and love from the men she knew. This was a wholly foreign concept to her. While it's true that Riordan wasn't in the best of shape when they met, no one could have stopped him from claiming his lifemate. She was a vision of life and light in his dull and hopeless world. He would have done anything to convince her to stay and give them a chance. When Fate surprises us at the worse possible time with the best surprise ever, do we hold on tight and see our way through the darkness, or should we just walk away knowing it would never work out?
Watching Riordan fall deeply and savor Juliette made my heart skip more then a few beats. I was lost to their new and budding love, and I was madly voting for their hearts to win out. When I saw the love and compassion that Juliette received from Riordan without fail, I just knew that she wouldn't throw away that precious and rare gift. She wanted it with every fiber of her being, and she refused to live without it after finding it even by mere chance. These two are fire and ice that meld into an uncontrollable hurricane of love, passion, and hope. Wow! What a story!!
I truly cannot extole Christine Feehan's goddess level of creativity, soul, and heart that she never fails to pour into each of her books. She holds nothing back which makes them instant infernos of perfection! You will not want to miss any books in this series if you are a serious fan of paranormal romance. While Feehan may push your boundaries; it is only that she is expanding and growing your heart to discover and appreciate everything that she will reveal to you.
While following her heart, Juliette had no idea that it would lead her to her other half. While she may have fought their coming together, it was only to mask the tremendous and overwhelming connection that she found in her lifemate. She was not used to associating happiness, warmth, and love from the men she knew. This was a wholly foreign concept to her. While it's true that Riordan wasn't in the best of shape when they met, no one could have stopped him from claiming his lifemate. She was a vision of life and light in his dull and hopeless world. He would have done anything to convince her to stay and give them a chance. When Fate surprises us at the worse possible time with the best surprise ever, do we hold on tight and see our way through the darkness, or should we just walk away knowing it would never work out?
Watching Riordan fall deeply and savor Juliette made my heart skip more then a few beats. I was lost to their new and budding love, and I was madly voting for their hearts to win out. When I saw the love and compassion that Juliette received from Riordan without fail, I just knew that she wouldn't throw away that precious and rare gift. She wanted it with every fiber of her being, and she refused to live without it after finding it even by mere chance. These two are fire and ice that meld into an uncontrollable hurricane of love, passion, and hope. Wow! What a story!!
I truly cannot extole Christine Feehan's goddess level of creativity, soul, and heart that she never fails to pour into each of her books. She holds nothing back which makes them instant infernos of perfection! You will not want to miss any books in this series if you are a serious fan of paranormal romance. While Feehan may push your boundaries; it is only that she is expanding and growing your heart to discover and appreciate everything that she will reveal to you.
July 2, 2023
Book Summary:
Riordan is an immortal, often called the Carpathians. He's been captured, stuck into a cage, and forced to endure the unthinkable for his kind. He's lost his honor, and now they harvest his blood. All he dreams of is revenge.
Then there's Juliette, an activist and animal lover. Her passions put her in a situation to find Riordan, where she naturally feels inclined to free him immediately. But doing so will kick off a series of events that she could never have predicted.
My Review:
It's incredible how quickly a series can progress. I swear I blinked, and Christine Feehan wrote another ten books (exaggerating here, but it sure felt that way!). Dark Hunger is number 11.5 in her Dark series, perfect for paranormal romance fans.
Can I just say I love the variety of paranormal creatures Christine Feehan will write about? Dark Hunger delves (back) into the De La Cruz family. Specifically, it follows the youngest brother, Riordan.
Yes, it does have a heavy dose of insta-love, but that comes with the mate territory, so I'm not complaining. Honestly, the whole setup will likely make you swoon – especially if this is your favorite genre!
I should mention that Dark Hunger is a pretty quick read. It's only 100 pages, putting it solidly in the novella category. Still, it is so worth the read, especially for anyone who needs a bit more from this family.
Highlights:
Paranormal Romance
Steamy Paranormal
Thanks to Berkley and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
Riordan is an immortal, often called the Carpathians. He's been captured, stuck into a cage, and forced to endure the unthinkable for his kind. He's lost his honor, and now they harvest his blood. All he dreams of is revenge.
Then there's Juliette, an activist and animal lover. Her passions put her in a situation to find Riordan, where she naturally feels inclined to free him immediately. But doing so will kick off a series of events that she could never have predicted.
My Review:
It's incredible how quickly a series can progress. I swear I blinked, and Christine Feehan wrote another ten books (exaggerating here, but it sure felt that way!). Dark Hunger is number 11.5 in her Dark series, perfect for paranormal romance fans.
Can I just say I love the variety of paranormal creatures Christine Feehan will write about? Dark Hunger delves (back) into the De La Cruz family. Specifically, it follows the youngest brother, Riordan.
Yes, it does have a heavy dose of insta-love, but that comes with the mate territory, so I'm not complaining. Honestly, the whole setup will likely make you swoon – especially if this is your favorite genre!
I should mention that Dark Hunger is a pretty quick read. It's only 100 pages, putting it solidly in the novella category. Still, it is so worth the read, especially for anyone who needs a bit more from this family.
Highlights:
Paranormal Romance
Steamy Paranormal
Thanks to Berkley and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
June 4, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley, Ms. Feehan, and Berkley for the opportunity to read this Graphic Novel (manga) adaptation of Dark Hunger. An honest review was requested but not required.
So I don't know how you're SUPPOSED to do it, but I tried reading this on my Kindle on my phone, my Kindle app on the iPad, and NetGalley shelf, and in none of the three were the manga panels completely readable. The larger-size ones, I could zoom in, but the smaller ones were impossible. It's really hard to review something that I can't read. What I *could* read, I enjoyed, although doing paranormal romance in a manga format easily skews towards cheesy. To be fair, the art was very well done; the characters looked consistent from page to page and from various angles, which is always a challenge. The scenery was well done and the cats were superb. I felt the text I could read gave a fairly good feel for the actual novella. From an artistic standpoint I guess I will give the artist the credit despite not being able to see at least a third of the panels.
Luckily, the actual novella was included after the manga portion finished, which was nice because it really fleshed out the story. As a novella and not a full-length novel a lot of the heft is missing, but I think in this circumstance it works. Riordan experiences instalove as with all Carpathians, and Juliette (as with all partners of Carpathians) quickly follows suit. I felt that Solange was the most interesting character, as Juliette doesn't feel the jaguar will "let her go" (an intriguing setup for a potential matchup). However, I liked Juliette and Riordan together and I enjoyed the story.
Also, I want to mention, the author's note made me tear up a little bit. I'm happy she found some peace for her son's memory through this project.
So I don't know how you're SUPPOSED to do it, but I tried reading this on my Kindle on my phone, my Kindle app on the iPad, and NetGalley shelf, and in none of the three were the manga panels completely readable. The larger-size ones, I could zoom in, but the smaller ones were impossible. It's really hard to review something that I can't read. What I *could* read, I enjoyed, although doing paranormal romance in a manga format easily skews towards cheesy. To be fair, the art was very well done; the characters looked consistent from page to page and from various angles, which is always a challenge. The scenery was well done and the cats were superb. I felt the text I could read gave a fairly good feel for the actual novella. From an artistic standpoint I guess I will give the artist the credit despite not being able to see at least a third of the panels.
Luckily, the actual novella was included after the manga portion finished, which was nice because it really fleshed out the story. As a novella and not a full-length novel a lot of the heft is missing, but I think in this circumstance it works. Riordan experiences instalove as with all Carpathians, and Juliette (as with all partners of Carpathians) quickly follows suit. I felt that Solange was the most interesting character, as Juliette doesn't feel the jaguar will "let her go" (an intriguing setup for a potential matchup). However, I liked Juliette and Riordan together and I enjoyed the story.
Also, I want to mention, the author's note made me tear up a little bit. I'm happy she found some peace for her son's memory through this project.
February 16, 2022
This is the third novella I have read by Feehan. I understand this is a graphic novel, however I purchased on kindle edition and it read like a normal book and not a graphic novel. Dark Decent should have been longer as you felt like you missed some of the story, Dark Dream should have been longer as it was phenomenal but didn't feel like you were short changed anything story wise. Dark Hunger was just awful.
This book takes place with brand new characters never known prior and while that can be a good thing, I found I disliked it tremendously in this book.
I personally cannot stand the Jaguar species being brought into this series. As I had guessed with Dark Symphony they are definitely becoming a larger part of the story line and I am disappointed in that aspect.
I didn't like the male or female lead in this and found myself just trying to get through this as fast as possible. I finished it because I am reading these in order and I know certain aspects mentioned in each book carry over to additional stories so I didn't want to miss anything in the big picture story wise.
This book however felt like it was a Jaguar book and not a Carpathian book. Very little to do with Vampires or the human Society and all to do with the Jaguar people.
Very disappointed and would not read this one again. However, if you enjoy the Jaguar species then this would be a good book for you.
This book takes place with brand new characters never known prior and while that can be a good thing, I found I disliked it tremendously in this book.
I personally cannot stand the Jaguar species being brought into this series. As I had guessed with Dark Symphony they are definitely becoming a larger part of the story line and I am disappointed in that aspect.
I didn't like the male or female lead in this and found myself just trying to get through this as fast as possible. I finished it because I am reading these in order and I know certain aspects mentioned in each book carry over to additional stories so I didn't want to miss anything in the big picture story wise.
This book however felt like it was a Jaguar book and not a Carpathian book. Very little to do with Vampires or the human Society and all to do with the Jaguar people.
Very disappointed and would not read this one again. However, if you enjoy the Jaguar species then this would be a good book for you.
November 21, 2018
Too abrupt ending
I usually love Christine Feehan's Dark series books, and this book started off so well. I thought the introduction of another species was excellent. But in the end, I was disappointed by this one for two main reasons:
1. The threat of the master vampire just evaporated. Ms. Graham did mention that he would go to ground for a few days, but he should have returned to 'finish' his plan. Certainly in the other books the vampires were more single-minded, so this seemed unlikely that he just conveniently disappeared.
2. My annoyance with this book mostly came from the overly abrupt ending. It was more about the sex between the two main characters, rather than focusing on the merging of two species - how did the two main characters deal with resolving the differences between their two families; how did Juliette deal with her new nutritional requirements, sleeping patterns, sleeping in the earth, etc. Instead the climactic event was way too early and everything was resolved with a sex scene.
Unsatisfactory. But... I love the series, so I'll assume that this was an aberration and move on to the next in the series.
I usually love Christine Feehan's Dark series books, and this book started off so well. I thought the introduction of another species was excellent. But in the end, I was disappointed by this one for two main reasons:
1. The threat of the master vampire just evaporated. Ms. Graham did mention that he would go to ground for a few days, but he should have returned to 'finish' his plan. Certainly in the other books the vampires were more single-minded, so this seemed unlikely that he just conveniently disappeared.
2. My annoyance with this book mostly came from the overly abrupt ending. It was more about the sex between the two main characters, rather than focusing on the merging of two species - how did the two main characters deal with resolving the differences between their two families; how did Juliette deal with her new nutritional requirements, sleeping patterns, sleeping in the earth, etc. Instead the climactic event was way too early and everything was resolved with a sex scene.
Unsatisfactory. But... I love the series, so I'll assume that this was an aberration and move on to the next in the series.
July 6, 2020
Sorry, drivel. Quit three pages in.
Secret research experiments on endangered species? No business sense whatsoever, if some miracle something is discovered, the number of animal donors make it unsupportable. Just drink the Kool Aid and repeat the "business evil" mantra. Let's not pause to think what freeing the animals into an alien habitat would do to both the freed animals and the native species.
Windowless concrete cube built into the jungle, being an oven for the poor animals? Puhlease! The animals are so expensive to acquire that there's no way in hell, they'd do everything possible to keep them alive to recoup their costs. Plus the animals would adapt far better than the human researchers, who would be dropping like flies, all those poor, dead Ph.D.s! Let's not even talk about having to helicopter in all of the building materials in the first place.
I know this is a fantasy genre, but at least make it remotely tethered to reality.She doesn't have to do Michner-level research, but just a touch would be grand.
It's quite disappointing, her last book was so much better. This is such a pot hole in a remote jungle.
Secret research experiments on endangered species? No business sense whatsoever, if some miracle something is discovered, the number of animal donors make it unsupportable. Just drink the Kool Aid and repeat the "business evil" mantra. Let's not pause to think what freeing the animals into an alien habitat would do to both the freed animals and the native species.
Windowless concrete cube built into the jungle, being an oven for the poor animals? Puhlease! The animals are so expensive to acquire that there's no way in hell, they'd do everything possible to keep them alive to recoup their costs. Plus the animals would adapt far better than the human researchers, who would be dropping like flies, all those poor, dead Ph.D.s! Let's not even talk about having to helicopter in all of the building materials in the first place.
I know this is a fantasy genre, but at least make it remotely tethered to reality.She doesn't have to do Michner-level research, but just a touch would be grand.
It's quite disappointing, her last book was so much better. This is such a pot hole in a remote jungle.
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