Dark Storm by Christine Feehan – a Review

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Dark Storm by Christine Feehan – a Review

Dark Storm is Christine Feehan’s 23rd installment of her widely popular Dark series.  Where to begin with this…I must say, I was completely surprised throughout the majority of this book. A good surprise you may ask? Yes….and no.

Firstly, I want to warn fans who have yet to read; that this book unfolds like a single title. Come to Dark Storm expecting a vastly original, unique premise, unlike anything else we have encountered prior. Much of this novel is made up of content as unknown to this series; as it’s main couple. There is not much familiarity at all; to the World we have come to know with our Carpathians. If you are a fan of cohesiveness compared to previous installments. If you crave for everything to make sense at the end of the journey. Loose ends being tied up. NOT feeling somewhat confused, or that you have more unanswered questions upon completion, than you did when you began–this novel may not be as likable for you.

Moving on to said content, let me begin with the high notes. As always, Christine has a beautiful gift with words. I could see clearly within my mind the lush vegetation of the Amazon. I could feel the heat of the majestic volcano. I could hear the sounds of wildlife. The descriptions were quite vivid, colorful, and I always appreciate when an author can form images within my mind as clearly as if they were pictures. I truly felt as if Ms. Feehan brought us to a whole different place than ever before. Everything felt…new. Instilling a feeling within me akin to how I felt upon reading Dark Prince for the first time. I spent the several opening chapters trying to soak up the details, and learn all I could about this unfamiliar place.

As the pages continue to turn, we see familiar faces come to the fore. One of whom we finally get the chance to know, and one of whom we see a whole new side. Jubal Sanders and Gary Jansen. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I found myself drawn to Jubal. We were given little previous information about him, so although known; he felt like a secondary character newly being introduced. This polite, quiet, loyal man; came out of left field. Sneaking up on me, touching my heart before I even realized it was happening. And then my beloved Rambo…who I must say…has DEFINITELY earned his nickname. These two surprised me with their grit, and tenacity. I was impressed by their willingness to travel into danger, risking their lives for the race who depends upon them. The reason they have traveled to this remote location, is in search of something rare, believed to be potentially vital for the survival of the Carpathian race.

This is where we meet our heroine. Riley Parker. Descended from a powerful line of women of whom Mother Earth considers her children. Riley possesses gifts that are very unique unto this series. The ability to harness elements such as fire, water, air, and the very earth itself. I have read about such gifts in other literary works, and have found them to be quite fascinating. In addition, we see healing abilities unlike that of even the most powerful of Carpathian healers. We spend several chapters with this mysterious female lead, and her mother Annabel.

We also get the first, telling glimpses of our hero in the opening chapters. Danutdaxton. Or simply Dax. We experience his awakening senses to an uncomfortable resting place. We experience his awareness of being alongside an evil as ancient as himself. Readers bear witness to a harrowing journey taken within this volcano…to claim a rare, forgotten power. We watch the attempt of this Carpathian to become MORE in order to defeat an evil unlike the world has ever seen, because Dax knows that the force keeping himself and Mitro Daratrazanoff imprisoned, is not going to hold this time around…

It is at this point, 8 chapters into the story….our two protagonists, and familiar secondary characters meet. I must say, the clashing of these four lives…and their shared enemy….was something to behold. My heart was pounding in my chest. The breath trapped within my lungs as all hell broke loose in a plethora of misunderstandings on all sides. Who was friend? Who was foe? Terrible sounds of bones breaking…the deafening blast of a gun firing at close range….someone collapsing to their knees. I was truly enthralled, and found this meeting of characters quite memorable.

Now. Doing the math we have something incredible. New characters. New plot threads away from the main story arc. Unique gifts from both the hero, and heroine. Enough fantasy elements to please any fan of the genre. A living, breathing story of good versus evil…so why then did I personally finish with a sense of incompleteness? This is MY type of book. Brimming with content that is a breath of fresh air in a long running series. I like when authors offer me something different, show their diversity, and creativity. The main hero merges souls with something I have been a fan of my ENTIRE life, and still I am left wanting. Why?

Remember my warning to other readers in the beginning of this review? My problem is that I am fan of cohesiveness compared to previous installments of a long running series. I crave for everything to make sense at the end of the journey. Loose ends being tied up. NOT feeling somewhat confused, or that I have more unanswered questions upon completion, than I did when I began. *laughing* An author I discovered this year, has completely changed me as a reader. Finding the good of a novel, and focusing on that, without allowing the things that don’t “fit” for me in a novel to get in the way of my enjoyment, is now very difficult.

When I read I want to FEEL. I crave stories that are brimming with emotion. I crave characters who are not just larger than life, and magical, but fictional characters who move me so deeply that I come to care about them as if they were real. This is my biggest gripe in a nutshell. After the intensity, and staggering emotion of Dark Predator, Dark Storm leaves me…under whelmed. Simply put; Riley and Dax as a couple….did not move me. Perhaps this was from the fact that it take 130 pages for the main couple to meet, in a 387-ish page novel. That throws a serious wrench in relationship development. Also, a big damper for me was the violence. I mean, sick to my stomach, shocking displays that seemed sort of out of place in this world. Instead of making Mitro a multi-faceted, despicable villain it sort of gave off a cartoon-ish, over the top vibe.

To sum it all up. This is a wonderfully written novel, by a master class talent in the literary world. Creatively presented and brilliantly imaginative. I can understand why so many have called this their favorite so far, and how the slow courtship from Dax to win Riley’s heart has soothed the fans who were so angry over Zacarias‘s behavior. I am truly glad that Christine has won back some fans in this regard….but the level to which you enjoy this novel, will depend on the type of reader you are. For me personally, Dark Storm is forgettable, because I did not connect to the characters. Give me the intensity and emotion of Zacarias in Dark Predator, any day of the week. 🙂

Reviewed by Miranda

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42 thoughts on “Dark Storm by Christine Feehan – a Review”

  1. Great review Miranda!!! I totally agree about the heart pounding when they all meet up for the first time!!! I was like …… “surely no one gets killed???”!! LOL!!! And, I agree with your thoughts about the violence. So out of tune with the rest of the series. He did all of that and he died so easily??? The two didn’t connect the dots for me. I would have thought that their battle would have had epic scenes. Instead, it fell waaaay flat for me.

    And, like you, it is forgettable for me as well. I liked the writing and I even liked some of the story, but I wish that there had been more………….. There were gaps everywhere………….

    Well done Miranda. 😉

    • T**SPOILERS**

      Thank you so much Xtina! Glad to know I was not the only one who felt the flow was off. In the beginning, I felt NO chemistry between Dax and Riley. There was NO grieving from Riley over her mothers brutal brutal sickening murder. And then suddenly, Dax and Riley loved each other. Call me crazy, but if my mother had been hacked apart horrifically right in front of my eyes, there is no amount of sex appeal even from a Carpathian male, that could have me thinking about sex almost immediately afterwords. Threw the whole book outta wack for me pretty much.

      • I know!!! The hacking just went on and on and on……… GAWD!!!! And the Earth claimed her and all was right with the world????? As soon as I read that scene, I IM’d Sandy and said “you’re not gonna believe this!!”. And the babies????? Oy vey!!!!!

        And, btw, I’m VICKIE not Xtina!!! 😉

        • I am cracking up right now! Saaaaaandy! Where the heck are the name tags?! *snort* I am so sorry. In my defense…the lips all look the same to me. Lmao.

          • ROFL!!! I actually looked at all of the posts to see if Xtina had posted and I was like wth??!! LOLOLOLOL!!! I didn’t know until just now that she had lips as her avi!!! Hahahaha!!!! But, Miranda, mine are VAMPIRE!!!!!!

  2. This was a great review, Miranda. I have not read this book yet, since I am catching up and wasn’t that anxious. But reading your review, makes me want to read it sooner. What I loved the most was your honesty, your mixed feelings, and expectations. Well done.

    • Thank you for the high compliments Ms. Barb. I had alot to say about this novel, clearly. *laughing* My most favorite parts were the scenes with Gary and Jubal in the mix. Jubal….loved him. Loved the scenes where there is a hint of….romance…with a previous character *cough*

      Read the book so I can elaborate to you. heehee

      • i’ve already read somewhere jasmine. everyone said it was a surprise. they did not expect that.

        and from what i gather, Gary is not become a hunk instead of a nerdish good guy. 🙂 I’ve always liked Gary. Christine hearing Joan wanting to kill him off, changed him. lol

        • Gary’s transformation for me personally was astounding! I thought if Christine tried to “buff” him up so to speak, that it would seem false, or forced….not at all. He was positively LETHAL in this book. I was reading away thinking “oh no….where is my beloved Gary….I dont want him to be different than he was in Magic” and then he began to speak. That was when I breathed a long sigh and thought “Ah. There is my Gary” He is somehow different…and yet exactly the same.

          Jubal and Jasmine. So sweet. And their banter was funny! On a serious note. Julliette clearly wants her sister to be converted, keeps telling her if she wants the best type of man the world has to offer, she should be looking at a Carpathian male….

          Jubal just looks at her, and explains in a quiet, polite, yet strong voice…that not only Carpathian males cherish their women. *swoon* He was a great secondary character. I really like him, and hope to see him around more.

  3. Amazing review Miranda. Like Barb, I have yet to read Dark Storm, which is a first for me. I am worried with everything I have heard. And I sooooo want to get back to the Carpathian Mountains. Why she is introducing two newbies at this stage..book #23…I can only presume…since Dax said something about going to the Mountains…perhaps she will be able to help the female lifemates with their fertility problems, and along with the other ‘earth women’..including Skylar, Syndil, Ivory etc…they will be able to heal the earth..!!

    • *blushing* Well shucks, thank you Sandy. I dont know about amazing….

      I very much want to get back to the Carpathian mountains. This novel would have been fantastic as a stand alone. Many things were just weird to me. I couldnt for the life of me figure out why the Prince of the Carpathian people would not be notified that the most eeeeeeevil and powerful vampire EVA–was loose. A Daratrazanoff to boot. And why did said villain not want to go after the Prince if he wanted to be all powerful and destroy everything. Nope. Mitro just wanted to be worshiped and be a God. Things that make you go hmmmm. Who’d a thunk that was important to a Vampire. Lol.

      Now the flower….yeah. There is some interesting stuff with that too…*cough* Not what you are expecting. Read. The. Book. Dominic’s “other Dragon” has met its match *SNORT*

      • I too want to get back to the Carpathian Mountains and find out what’s going on there. I want to know about all the other females who were pregnant as those questions weren’t completely answered in this book, but it’s leading us in that direction I feel.

        As for two new characters Sandy, I think it was time for some newbies and fresh blood to be brought to the canvas. I think it was necessary to keep the story going, build on what we knew and move forward to new and exciting things. I think this book can be seen as a bridge what’s happened, and what is still to come. I see it as the start of a new arc in the series. We learn alot that will help the Carpathians as a race regarding Dax and Riley and her lineage.

        As for the dragons Miranda, yeah I think Dom’s dragon and all the dragonseeker dragons have met their match.

  4. I agree with almost everything Miranda but the violence. I found many of the Ghost Walkers books more so. I felf this was a very good story but I felt an incompleteness myself. Maybe because Christine had to push because of the release date. Great review Miranda. Is this my new favorite no to but it was a very good novel that I enjoyed.

    • **SPOILERS**

      Thank you Francis. As I said above, great novel, well written, just not a favorite of mine. Which surprises no one more than me considering this Dark book has more fantasy elements than any other in my opinion.

      It is all a matter of perception with the violence I suppose. I do not remember anything from the Ghost Walkers being worse than babies being cut from their mother womb, being sucked completely of blood in front of those mother’s, and then the mothers being killed.

      In addition, the violence seemed completely random to me. Mitro, who was vampire, and should have felt nothing, yet craved for people to worship him, and felt elation in the beginning when he thought he had triumphed. For me, a vampire fighting the urge to do a happy dance is a tad odd. The trance like devil worshipers completely took me out of the world of the Carpathian’s and made me feel as though I was reading a crime scene novel with a serial killer on the loose. Not the most “evil” vampire to date. Sergei is far more terrifying in my opinion. Which is why Mitro fell flat, and was an over done, easily destroyed villain for me.

      I am glad you enjoyed the book 🙂 I enjoyed many things as well.

  5. I love your reviews Miranda. I have not finished the book, but almost. I keep looking for something… more. I also get a feeling that there is a little series building going on. I am definitely hoping that we are headed back to the Carpathian mountains. I didn’t dislike the book… but it is not going on the shelf as my favorite either. There are some that I disliked more. Some part of me wonders if I had built up my expectations a little too much. I know I said I am not quite finished, but when I can put down a book for housework I know I am either missing something, or sick.

    • Thank you Mary Ann. I am glad you enjoy reading my reviews. I have fun writing them, and am thankful for the reading cafe ladies to include me 🙂

      As far as feeling like something was missing…yeah, at one point I actually went back thinking I had somehow accidently skipped over a chapter. That is how off the flow was for me.

  6. Fantastic review.

    I’m someone who gets impatient when a couple meets after two chapters, so you can imagine my reaction at them meeting eight chapters in. If you’re going to take that long for the couple to meet, they either have to be completely captivating on their own as individuals or when they do finally meet they have to have a completely fascinating and memorable relationship. I didn’t feel that with Dax/Riley.
    I do like that Christine trying to keep the series fresh (though I wish she would do that without deviating from the main arc I digress) but end of the day, with this genre/series it’s the characters that I read for and their interactions. If I don’t connect to them, I find it hard to care about the storyline.

    Forgettable…basically sums it up for me.

    • Well said Jess, and exactly the type of reader I am. I feel the books/series that are character driven…the plot revolving around them…are the most memorable novels to me. If the characters themselves do not move me, the book does not stay within my mind. Dark Storm had many interesting moments….I just did not feel.

      Glad you enjoyed my thoughts!

  7. I enjoy this series very much. Haven’t had the chance to read this book, but I did notice a lot of bad feedback on Amazon. You liked the story, but you were very honest at what you felt did not fit. Very nicely done, Miranda.

    • Thank you Amy. I appreciate the compliment. I am pretty vocal, and always honest when it comes to my beloved books. I find it important to mention to you that the reviews on Amazon tend to focus more on attacking the author of a book that they did not like, versus stressing what they disliked in a respectful manner. Even if I hated a novel, I would not personally attack the author, as we all enjoy different book styles. thereadingcafe and Goodreads offer much more contructive, and honest reviews. In my opinion it is always best to read a book for yourself and judge Amy. Although I feel this made a better stand alone, there is much to enjoy about Dark Storm. I hope you enjoy the book 🙂

  9. Miranda,
    I loved your review!You said many of the things that I also felt .For me the book is just ok.It was a very different departure and I understand why Christine would want to expand her creativity,but for me,I only liked the story in bits.

    I especially liked seeing Gary and Jubal and Riordin and Juliette,along with her very pregnant sister,Jasmine,and hope that Jubal and Jasmine become a couple.There is no reason that Jasmine has to become a Carpathian!She has a good man in Jubal who is also Jaguar and would accept her Jaguar baby without any qualms!

    I’m more than ready for a return to the mountains.I wouldn’t even mind if the next book is about Skyler and Dimitri and if you know me that used to be the last couple I ever wanted to see! I’d prefer the Aunts or one of the ancients,anything but another Dark Storm stand alone type novel!

    Another thing-those of us who frequent Christine’s site have too long a wait to speculate and build up our expectations for the latest release.The new wall goes up too soon and we have too many months,close to a year, to get ourselves psyched up!.With all our built up expectations,it’s hard for any book to fill them,so I’m going to ask that the wall goes up later.I’m already thinking about the next book and that tells you something about this book!

    • Thank you Yona.

      I completely agree. You and I have both been reading CF for over ten years. I notice the difference within my own expectations now, as I am able to speculate with other fans–to when there was no community to do so. I also notice, as discussions ensue that opinions I had beforehand, are somewhat altered based upon what others say. My Mother and I read the same novels, are literary tastes are the same. I have coffee with her every morning on my day off from work, as I have done since I was 19. I talk to her about some of the discussions we have on the community and she gets pretty riled up. *laughing*

      Jubal and Jasmine were a surprise…unexpeced, and wonderful. As soon as Jasmine walked away after the two had been picking on each other. When she laughed as she left the room and Julliette thanked Jubal, and said she had not seen Jasmine that way since the last time he had been there. I was like “Ooooooh.” They were adorable. And his reaction to mention of Luiz….priceless. 🙂

  10. Great review, Miranda. I just got the book, and plan to read it soon. I really enjoy reading your reviews, as you can feel your emotions as you write.

    • Thank Alexiis, I hope you enjoy Dark Storm. I am a reader who’s enjoyment of a novel is measured by the amount of emotion stirred within me. I guess that is why my reviews always reflect that. 🙂

  11. As usual I’m late to the party again. Sorry Miranda, having a busy weekend over here with Canadian Thanksgiving, hockey, fall clean up in the yard and trying desperately to finish Dark Storm.

    You touched on all the highlights that I absolutely loved about this book. I have to say that I agree with you on everything, except I loved Dax and Riley. I really enjoyed there relationship and thought it was honest and real. Even though she is a decendent of Arabeijla, she is human and knows nothing of the Carpathian way of life, but was willing to accept it even though she was a little fearful and unsure. I really enjoyed Dax for many reasons.

    As for the open ended stuff, love it. For me that’s what makes an author a true genius because for me it keeps me guessing and wondering where they are heading with the rest of the storyline for future books. It makes me eager to read the next one and see what will happen, who will try to stand in the way of our beloved hero’s next, etc. For me if the book is all wrapped up neat and tidy in the end it just isn’t the same. It doesn’t give me that add umph to want to move onto the next book.

    For me I look at this book as a bridge from one arc to the next in the Carpathian story. It’s ever evolving and for me Dark Storm is leading us onto the next challenge in their struggle to survive in todays world and save their race. I can’t wait to see what happens next. Once again great post Miranda, I always enjoy reading your thoughts and ideas on a book.

    • *laughing* I liked Dax and Riley just fine Marcie Mouse. They just did not move me. Like I said above, the enjoyment one has of this book will be based upon the type of reader one is. I do not need things to be wrapped in a tidy bow per se.

      Allow me to explain. Nalini Singh is the author I spoke of in my review that has changed me as a reader. I was completely, and totally obessed with her Psy-Changelings series, which has not happened to me since Sword Of Truth. I devoured the first four books in ten days. Couldnt stop reading. I was completely staggered by the mind, and imagination of this author…much in the same way as SoT.

      Singh’s novels could never be called tidy. It is set in a terrifying world, where two races struggle for survival, while the third race thrives. The characters must work, hard–in order to achieve their happiness….and yet each novel I was blown away by the furthering of the storyarc. The added levels. The muli-layered plot threads. I cannot even describe it. It was the same for me throughout the Sword of Truth story arc. Each book of Goodkind’s 11 book series introduced new plot threads, yet they wove into the original arc seemlessly. And all those threads were tied together in a breathtaking, mind boggling conclusion with Confessor.

      Nothing ever compared to me, and I just thought it was something special of Goodkind’s unique ability…and then along comes Nalini Singh who knocks it out of the park book after book after book. So maybe now I am ruined 😉 All I can say, is that other authors feel like they are going off on tangents to me now, when they stray from the original story arc, and introduce new rules into their world, when their are still loose ends from before. Doesnt change the fact that I love Christine. But I should have adored this book more than any other with the fantasy elements..but I did not connect on all levels. Who knows why.

      • LOL Miranda. See this is why I love discussing books with you. We all love reading for pretty much the same reasons, but all find certain aspects of the stories and characters resonating with all of us for different reasons, well other characters and story line plots don’t.
        I have to agree with you regarding Goodkind and his SoT series. For me no one can compare to that level of writing, except maybe Tolkien with his Hobbit and LoTR’s, which for me he was beyond his time when he wrote those stories.
        As for Singh, I haven’t been able to tackle that series yet, no time, no time. I’m still trying to finish that other series you introduced me to, Dirk and Steele. I’ve been so long from that one I feel I need a re-fresher course on it. I may have to bug you about that series when I return to it. LOL!!!

  12. Wonderful review, my friend. I have not yet read Storm and all of these mixed reviews are keeping me where I am — Ambivalent. 🙁

    You said in a response earlier: How could Mikhail NOT be notified that the biggest of the bad is alive and wreaking havoc? MY words not yours — yours are much more eloquent! 😉 And a Dara to boot! I read that spoiler and was simply disappointed. But then I heard that there is really no mention of Mikhail or Gregori…Storm REALLY dropped then…

    I know I have to experience it for myself, but Joan made an excellent point as well: Can you imagine if Singh suddenly left out Lucas or Hawk; PIVOTAL characters to the success of the series. Who does this???!!! The Carpathians are suffering greatly. We just discovered that Solange’s royal blood may be the solution. WHY HASN’T THERE BEEN PROGRESS??? Instead, we’re introduced to new characters and an almost stand-alone book. I don’t get it…???

    Thank you for being so honest with your review. It has definitely stirred up these feelings and I just have to figure it out for myself. I found the latest GW to be so unbelievably lacking…I fear my interest is irrevocably waning…Bravo to you! 😉

    • Thank you my Dear Carmen. I should have enjoyed this book more. It had more Fantasy elements than ever and was truly a unique fascinating storyline….I just didnt feel anything for the characters. Little things started to get to me that didnt fit–like Dax stating that he had no surname because he was from a time before they were in place…and yet Mitro has the last name of Daratrazanoff. Probably wouldnt have gotten to me before reading Nalini-Singh. *shrugs* I still think CF is a wonderful writer. Predator really moved me, so I just chalk this up to the fact that an author cannot win them all. 🙂 I hope you enjoy the book in parts like I did, when you get around to reading it Carmen.

  13. You made the BEST point, Miranda (among many): If you hadn’t just been exposed to Singh…Storm wouldn’t have bothered you. That is just the truth. Thanks to so many new friends, I’ve discovered many new writers. I thought Samurai Game was entirely too “hand-holding”; handled in a way that implied she didn’t trust her audience to follow. That’s MY opinion, of course.

    Like you said, I too think she’s a brilliant writer. While writing down what is going on in her head (their voices demanding to be heard), I think she needs to pay attention to her community, the fans: Go back to the mountains…assure us that all is in tact there and the culture is thriving. That’s all I want!!!! 😀

    • I have enjoyed reading this review and these posts so much! I have yet to read the novel, so I am wary of spoilers. Miranda, you did a superb judge of not revealing key plot spoilers. Thank you! . I have heard such mixed reviews about Storm. Most readers loved parts, hated others. I look forward to forming my own opinion about Dark Storm this weekend. This is the first CF novel that I have not devoured immediately!!

      • Thank you so much Jules! I try very hard not to ever divulge key plot points. There are times I have to mention certain scenes when I am moved by them, but other than that I strive to be spoiler free, and just focus on what the book did or did not make me feel. 🙂 I hope you enjoy reading Dark Storm!

  14. Barb, fantastic review. You’re so accurate in your description. It really comes down to what frame of mind you are in and what your expectations are in the book.

    I enjoyed the novel. Nice not to have the couple fighting the attraction for a change of pace. Enjoyed the courtship between Dax and Riley. Dax is a sweet heart, a nice guy, a old world charmer. I found the couple refreshing. A nice change of pace from the normal dominate Carpathian male.

    Several times I put down the book becasue I found the violence shocking. and horrific! Yes, many questions are still unanswered and I hope we return to the CPMS for the next book. Is this my favorite book? No. But it was a nice change of pace.

  15. Great review Miranda!! As always, your words gives an insightful view into a story. Normally, I DEVOUR a Christine novel, can’t sleep, can’t put it down until I’m done. So far, this one hasn’t grabbed me. I’m hoping the more I read, the more I will love. I haven’t been this disinterested in a Dark book since Dark Melody.

  16. Great Review.
    I have loved CF’s books, and I adore her Carpathian novels, but the last few ….. Not so much. They feel a little rushed, and gappy.
    But saying that, I did like Dark Storm, although I will admit, the feelings were a little rushed, (even more that usual). And the gore wasn’t my thing. And it was a surprise to read about a Carpathian we hadn’t even met.
    But I wish she would concentrate on the characters she has already introduced. And I am sorry to say this, but I am not a Gary fan.
    I am egerly waiting for the next book. And hope CF gets back on track.

    • The flower is never given a name in the books- pg 189-The blossom was large, much like a lily but shaped like a star. The petals were open to reveal the inside, the ovary a deep ruby red with two striped filaments. The shape and size of the stigma …looked like an erection.

      -the flower takes on the taste of the giver.

      There is never any name give to the flower-but earlier in the book there is mention of a white star shaped lily…and the images on the cover are that of a Day or Tiger Lily.

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