DARK PREDATOR – A REVIEW BY MIRANDA H.

As I sat down to read “Dark Predator” by Christine Feehan, I took into consideration every insight Christine expressed to her readers on the fan forum; about Zacarias. Upon shedding all my pre-conceived notions on how I imagined the great Zacarias De La Cruz would be, it was then that I opened this long awaited book–and simply allowing these two personalities to take me on their journey, wherever it may lead, and however it may end. Upon completion I found this to be the most surprising, and emotional book to date. I tend to become long winded in my thoughts when a novel has resonated so deeply within me. So, at risk of being unable to accurately express my thoughts and feelings, I will begin my review with one sentence. After nearly ten years of reading the Dark series….finally, at long last I can say confidently that I have a favorite.

From the very beginning I was utterly moved, and enthralled by the journey playing out before my eyes. Although fully aware that Zacarias De La Cruz returned to Peru seeking the peace of an honorable death after his endless, brutal existence, I was completely unprepared for the delivery of his salvation. The book had barely begun, and tears stung my eyes with the emotion this phenomenal author dragged from me, witnessing Zacarias’s reactions to the last sight he would see before he would meet the dawn. The beauty of Marguarita’s spirit as she rode atop one of the horses she loved. I found this scene so emotionally profound….for this lone, battle weary warrior to be shown first hand, that of which he had suffered endlessly in order to protect. Although he had only ever known duty and had never truly lived, in this moment he was shown life. What was to follow this moment of poignant beauty….I found to be one of the most exciting first meetings between a Carpathian and his life mate, I have ever had the pleasure to read. Zacarias De La Cruz, ruler of all in his world, had come to die….and yet someone dared to disobey him so that he may live.

As Christine previously expressed, Zacarias is truly a terrifying predator, born within a legacy of violence and death. A natural killer, with the makeup, and instincts of one. Deeply intense, darkly brutal, and wholly merciless in what he believes in, once he has set upon a path–yet I fell hard for his character regardless. After those rare glimpses of vulnerability, hidden so far beneath the surface not even HE knew it was there….I can say that I completely, emphatically adore all that is Zacarias. Truly, he is one of those once in a life time characters, in a sea of greats, that have grabbed hold of my heart, never to let go.

There were many moments in this book of which I was staggered by emotion for this fictional character. Yet none more so then when he laughed for the first time in his existence, or after Marguarita’s presence returned to him a long suppressed memory, and he awoke from the experience choked with long forgotten grief, and blood red tears dripping from his eyes.

Without giving too much away of the happenings in this brilliant work of literature, I will say that I can now fully understand Christine’s comment of Zacarias being unlike anything she had ever encountered, even in the Carpathian world. I was equal parts fascinated, and equal parts saddened by the difference of him from other males whom have found the other half of their soul, but I am comforted by the fact that this exceptional warrior now has found someone to love. Which brings me to Marguarita.

Unlike the Ghostwalker, and Leopard novels…I very rarely connect with the females of the Dark series as much as I connect with some of the males. Many of them I love, and appreciate, but I have never before had a favorite heroine…until now. Without being the typical quote un-quote, warrior chick, or the damsel in distress…at long last I received in this book what I have wanted to see much more throughout the entirety of the series. A woman whom, in my opinion is the true equal of a Carpathian male….not in power, or strength perhaps…but a true partner of the heart and soul. A woman as fiercely loyal, as furiously protective, as maddeningly stubborn in the love of her mate, as the male is for her. Marguarita is my all time favorite heroine in the Dark series so far….because she equally gave Zacarias as good as she got. Cherishing HIM, and placing HIS needs above her own.

A bonus of all this insane emotion, and the wild journey to love between Zacarias and his lady, at long last….was the pulse pounding demise of Ruslan Malinov. I never would have thought ten years ago when I began this series, that a Carpathian could ever defeat a vampire in such a way. Outstanding. Once again, in this novel, we readers are awarded with that perfect formula of emotion, romance, mystery, and action that few authors can achieve with the same finesse, and integrity as Christine.

In closing…putting it far more simply, and shorter than all I said above…I loved every single word of Dark Predator from beginning to end. Bravo Christine Feehan for writing what I believe to be the greatest Dark book so far.

Miranda