Nightborn (Lords of the Darkyn, #1)

Mar 19, 2012 Melindeeloo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, paranormal-romance-vampire

4.5 stars - Nightborn: Lords of the Darkyn ended up as probably my favorite of the Darkyn so far. There is a darkness to Viehl's series that often leaves me with mixed reactions to her books despite the fact that the writing and the characters are so good. There still plenty of death in Nightborn but not as much in the moment torture, just fades to black where we know what's going to happen or the aftermath mentioned here and there. The leading man is Korvel, who was bad-guy-ish in one of the ea...more

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Mar 08, 2012 Ezinwanyi~For you, Agron (Mira, Crixus, Gannicus & Spartacus) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ezinwanyi, ezinwanyi-s-bookstore, vampires, urban-fantasy, paranormal-romance

I have been waiting for this story for a long time. In this return to the Darkyn world, King Richard Tremayne sends his seneschal Korvel to retrieve the Scroll of Falkonera. This scroll is a priceless treasure because it supposedly contains details on how to make an exilir that will grant immortality to a mortal.
When he arrives to the destination, he finds the place under attack and rescues a young “nun” named Simone Derien. Together, they set out to retrieve the stolen scroll, with each party...more I have been waiting for this story for a long time. In this return to the Darkyn world, King Richard Tremayne sends his seneschal Korvel to retrieve the Scroll of Falkonera. This scroll is a priceless treasure because it supposedly contains details on how to make an exilir that will grant immortality to a mortal.
When he arrives to the destination, he finds the place under attack and rescues a young “nun” named Simone Derien. Together, they set out to retrieve the stolen scroll, with each party having their own directives on what to do once the scroll has been recovered.

When King Richard loses contact with Korvel, he dispatches Gabriel Seran to rescue Korvel. That automatically includes Nicola Jefferson, Gabe’s sykgenis (life companion--see Night Lost), a holy relic recovery expert. We see here that Nic is still struggling with her identity as kyn. She is still recovering from being tortured by a kyn, whereas Gab is still recovering from being tortured by humans. I was disappointed in that she still seemed self absorbed and secretive as I remember. She wasn’t one of my favorite heroines. But I do always enjoy her sarcastic retorts regarding Richard Tremayne.

This book revealed the formation of the obligation and service of Korvel as a seneschal to Richard. It also reveals Korvel’s upbringing as well as Simone’s. They were quite turbulent, so perhaps that is why they bonded so well together. Korvel and Simone’s relationship reminded me a lot of Valentin & Lily’s relationship in Twilight Fall because it seemed the skeletons in Simone’s closet were endless. Once you get a grip on one secret, another revelation occurred, including the relationship between the heroine and the antagonist. Korvel and Simone deserved a chance to be happy after years of being pawns in different people’s schemes. So I was pleased with the ending of this novel.

I wasn’t pleased with Alex Keller showing up to help Korvel with no backup given their prior history. I expected Michael or Phillipe to come with her, just in case something was amiss. I also expected Korvel to be more apologetic to Alex especially now that he has found love, he would be more aware of what he tried to take from Alex. It just seemed odd that Michael didn’t send protection with Alex.

This novel was classic Lynn Viehl. If you have read and enjoyed her previous Darkyn & Kindred novels, then you know what to expect because it is the same formula. Lots of action, a lot of twists and turns, some sex scenes, but ultimately, a satisfying ending.
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Mar 16, 2012 Jen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: pnr, ebooks-i-own, x-read-in-2012

I KNEW I'd love this new series!!

First things first, if you've never read a Darkyn story, or a Kindred story, I don't recommend this series to start off with.

This book has a lot of our old friends Gabriel and Nicola in it - From the book Night Lost (Darkyn #4)

Both Nic and her sassy mouth and her sexy Gabriel were set out in this book to help out Korvel and Simone on their journey to protect "The Scroll" that will give immorality to only the righteous mortals.

First let me explain who Karvel i...more

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Mar 09, 2012 BamaGal rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: pnr-uf

It takes a really good author to take a somewhat less palatable secondary character from a previous series and make him a sympathetic hero in his own book...and make it work. Viehl made it work nicely here. Korvel was a character that the reader loved to really dislike in the Darkyn series. He was not-so-very-nice Richard Tremaynes seneschal (re: flunky/henchman), and had tried to bond with Dr. Alex Kellerman. This made her mate Michael Cyprian very unhappy, to say the least. In this book, we fi...more It takes a really good author to take a somewhat less palatable secondary character from a previous series and make him a sympathetic hero in his own book...and make it work. Viehl made it work nicely here. Korvel was a character that the reader loved to really dislike in the Darkyn series. He was not-so-very-nice Richard Tremaynes seneschal (re: flunky/henchman), and had tried to bond with Dr. Alex Kellerman. This made her mate Michael Cyprian very unhappy, to say the least. In this book, we find a new side of Korvel as a layered character; and as an immortal who wanted out from under Richard's thumb.

As this new series begins, Korvel has once again been sent by Richard to do his bidding. He has been sent to retrieve an artifact (a scroll containing the secret to immortality)that has been hidden for centuries, since Richard himself gave over the keeping of the scroll to one of his Kyn (vampire) brothers. Korvel meets up with Simone, a tresora (a human servant of the Kyn) whose sole purpose in life is to protect the scroll. When it is stolen, Korvel and Simone pursue the thief together.

I really liked Simone as the h. She was strong, competent; and had been trained from birth to be kick-ass-and-take-no-names. Korvel was endlessly fascinated by her, even as she kept some really big secrets from her. She actually took the lead in the search, and dragged Korvel along for the ride. As the story unfolded, questions that had troubled me at the beginning of the book were answered; and the action filled story took off in the search for the scroll and the thief. Gabriel and Nicole made an appearance, as did Alex. She had no desire at all to see or help Korvel until she realized he had finally found himself a true love and had stopped his obsession with her.

Really good read and really good start to a welcome new series. The story was sound and full of action; and the love story was good. I always enjoy being in Viehl's world of the Kyn. She writes an incredibly interesting interpretation of the world of the vampire. Besides the wonderful Darkyn series, I also enjoyed Viehl's Kyndred series. It also takes place in this same fascinating world.(less)

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Jun 09, 2012 Dark Faerie Tales rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-by-kiwi

Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Ms. Viehl’s characters live in a strange, strange world.

Opening Sentence: A shout outside the barbican tower jerked Brother Frémis from his contemplation of the inside of his eyelids.

The Review:

A strange, strange world indeed. For who in their right mind would train a tiny little girl to become an assassin by having her attacked by a crap load of males her own age. Oh, and for kicks let’s video tape it for posterity.

Let us concentrate on the...more

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Apr 18, 2012 Margaret Mcgaffey rated it 4 of 5 stars

I came back from a week away to discover a present. It was my turn to read Nightborn, which had come while I was away. I knew all too well what this meant. I would struggle to be productive around the urge to keep reading.

Lynn Viehl lived up to my expectations well.

The Darkyn world was already complex and multilayered from the start. Then she blended in the Kyndred, and now this. It says a lot for the environment that it smoothly incorporates new aspects without undermining the existing structur...more
I came back from a week away to discover a present. It was my turn to read Nightborn, which had come while I was away. I knew all too well what this meant. I would struggle to be productive around the urge to keep reading.

Lynn Viehl lived up to my expectations well.

The Darkyn world was already complex and multilayered from the start. Then she blended in the Kyndred, and now this. It says a lot for the environment that it smoothly incorporates new aspects without undermining the existing structure, and the roots of these new aspects are either plausible or well-seeded all the way back to the very first novel in these related series.

Like the original Darkyn series, this one focuses on a specific Darkyn and his struggles to find a place and a partner in this world. What makes Nightborn more complicated is the character chosen. Korvel has played the role of villain as much as any of the Darkyn except possibly Richard’s wife, and he tried to destroy the bond between Alex and Michael, a key foundation for the original series and not something to make him loved. But Lynn never makes things simple, and Korvel has suffered for his crimes, has suffered enough, apparently, that he’s due a second chance when he was sure there could be none.

So you might ask how the Lords of Darkyn is any different than the Darkyn series considering that it has the same basic setup with choosing a known Darkyn to pair up. Well, Korvel is only half of the pair. Simone Derien makes up the other half, and she’s neither Darkyn nor Kyndred. Nor is she merely a common human.

Simone brings in a hidden side to the bond between the Darkyn and the humans who devote their lives to serving the Darkyn. She’s living as a nun, allowed to stay by a deal made with her father, a man who brutally trained her to fight and kill.

They are brought together by word that a significant Darkyn treasure is now at risk, one Simone’s family has guarded since the Darkyn first walked the Earth. Richard wants it for his own purposes while Simone needs to keep it from the Darkyn lord because of promises made generations ago and more recently to her father.

Nightborn brings into play complicated characters with issues of their own, aspects of the Darkyn that have not yet been explored, and new aspects that yet have foundations in what Lynn has established for the world. It maintains the strengths of the other books while opening the door to a new focus. Though Alex shows up, it’s not her story. I suspect Simone and Korvel will form the key couple for this series, but it could just as easily be Nicola and Gabriel, who also play an important part in this opening salvo.

In case you couldn’t tell, I enjoyed Nightborn, and look forward to the rest of the series. I’ve tried to give enough to intrigue without giving away much of anything, but as usual it’s a difficult task. This series stands on the back of what came before, but at the same time, if you’re the type of reader able to accept the characters did not spring onto the page unformed, I think you can read this book without reading the rest and still enjoy it. I also think that, having done so, you’ll go back and read the rest.
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Mar 18, 2012 Styles rated it 4 of 5 stars

I presume you know what the book is about. I'm letting you know what I liked or disliked about it.

This was a good addition to the series. Simone is an incredibly strong protagonist, and Korvel is shown to be intense, passionate, and loving. As is the way of characters in a series we really only get snapshots - the tiniest of impressions of what a character is like and it isn't until they have their "own" book that we get to know more about them. This story was very good, and as usual well writte...more

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Mar 10, 2012 Bookaholics rated it 4 of 5 stars

Nightborn by Lynn Viehl
Paranormal Romance -March 6th, 2012
4 stars

In Nightborn, Lynn Viehl returns to her widely popular Darkyn series about powerful and long-lived vampires who life secretly in the modern day world.

Korvel is the high lord’s seneschal, his most trusted advisor and first in command. As part of the Kyndred his loyalty is unquestioned. When his lord puts him on mission to find a legendary and powerful scroll Korvel does not expect to have trouble. But he finds it in a beautiful and...more Nightborn by Lynn Viehl
Paranormal Romance -March 6th, 2012
4 stars

In Nightborn, Lynn Viehl returns to her widely popular Darkyn series about powerful and long-lived vampires who life secretly in the modern day world.

Korvel is the high lord’s seneschal, his most trusted advisor and first in command. As part of the Kyndred his loyalty is unquestioned. When his lord puts him on mission to find a legendary and powerful scroll Korvel does not expect to have trouble. But he finds it in a beautiful and noble nun named Simone who knows more than she appears. Is she an innocent or his enemy?

Simone is human but one entrusted with the secrets of the Darkyn. For she is the protector of a magical scroll. One that is foretold to give its owner the capability of immortality. Her entire family has been entrusted with its safe keeping. But when they are compromised Simone soon discovers herself in danger. But her duty is clear -retrieve the scroll and prevent it from being misused. When she is saved by an unknown Darkyn named Korvel she finds herself enamored by his heroics and beauty. Her heart longs for Korvel. But she knows that her responsibility to protect the scroll and its secrets hold precedence. Can she make a choice between love and duty?

This was an action packed paranormal romance with mythical stakes. Both characters are strong and fiercely independent. They have been forged through sacrifice and severe suffering. So much that you want them to find some happiness. Both of their lives have only been duty to their lord or family. Neither has had the freedom to live each of their lives. The villain in this story is utterly ruthless and devious. He is jealous of Simone and wants her to suffer. The mystery behind the scroll is fascinating as the reader wonders if it will grant immortally if found and where it comes from. There is also the side story of Gabriel and Nicola who have been sent to find the scroll when Korvel is deemed missing which adds tension to the plot.

Thrilling and exhilarating, those who love paranormals and mythological mysterious will find this book an exciting read.

Reviewed by Steph form the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
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Mar 18, 2012 Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fave

Lynn Viehl is an author I have automatic buy at the top of my list! Once again she has delivered a story that unfolds with a masters hand. Beautiful Simone lives in a French Convent, scrubbing, cooking, gardening...Korvel is the King of the Kyn's most trusted warrior, but his loneliness is nearly crippling him because he can never have the woman he partially bonded with. When Simone receives a message that time has come to fulfill her destiny, she acts on pure instinct to follow through on the t...more

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Mar 11, 2012 MandyM rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance

It's nice to be back in the world of the Darkyn with this first novel of a new series from Lynn Viehl. An ancient treasure of immeasurable power has been revealed and Korvel, the captain of Richard's guard, has been dispatched to retrieve the golden scroll for his master. But the scroll has another keeper, Simone, whose family is trained to protect it from all threats. When the scroll is stolen Simone and Korvel team up to find it.

The original Darkyn series has a lot of influence on this new ta...more

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May 24, 2012 D.B. Reynolds rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was very happy to see Viehl return to the world of her Darkyn series, full of hunky, brooding vampires and plucky heroines. I admit to being confused for much of the early part of the book as I tried to figure out what had happened when and to whom. This usually doesn't happen with Viehl's books, so it was even more confusing. Eventually it all straightened out, but I still found the story more secretive than it needed to be, and thought the hero of the tale, Korvel, was a little too forgiving...more

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May 19, 2012 Nancy rated it 2 of 5 stars

*meh* It felt a little jumbly. Random library selection. I didn't realize it was a spin off trilogy from another series, which may be why I felt jumbled up. I didn't quite get the hierarchy going on in the book. I did get the 1st book in the original series, to see if I like that, then maybe this would make more sense.

That being said, Simone was dark and mysterious to the point of jacking up the whole plot line. Not that there was much of a plot line that I could figure out. I'm sure Nick and Ga...more

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Nov 30, 2012 Natasha rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: lynn-veihl-darkyn

Wow, I have to say that Ms. Viehl never seems to stop amazing me. I just love her writing so much. I have read all of her Darkyn series and this one is just another addition to her wonderful world. Lots of things happen in this book.

Korvel for me was a character that I just could not hate when I was first introduced to him. I was hoping that he would get his story because he so deserved it. I was very happy with the choice of Simone to be his true love. She was strong, sexy , and just cool as...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Johanna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Though I have to admit that I would have a hard time finding anything wrong with the continuation of the Darkyn series, I have to admit, there was not one bit lacking. Viehl has a knack for smart, sexy writing that becomes a true page turner... one you absolutely cannot put down. I have felt sorry for Korvel in past books and the role he was forced to play, it was a pleasure to see him finally get his "happily ever after" especially when he gets to stick it to the Dark Lord! F off Richard Treyma...more

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Aug 14, 2012 Viccy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

Korvel has served Richard, the High Darkyn Lord, for seven centuries. Simone works quietly at a convent, but she is a highly trained operative of the Tresori Council. The two of them meet while pursuing a secret scroll, made of gold, containing instructions for immortality. Hacking their way through France, besting everything sent against them, Simone and Korvel bond and vow to remain together. Meanwhile, in The Caribbean, Simone's oldest enemy, seeks her death. Another great addition to the wor...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Helyce rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: pnr-romance, reviewed-for-smexybooks

Korvel, seneschal to King Richard, High Lord of the Immortal Darkyn, has been sent into France to recover a very old artifact that is rumored to hold the secrets of eternal life. This scroll, crafted in its entirety out of gold during the time of the Knights Templar, was entrusted to one family who has passed it down over the centuries and has kept it hidden and safe. When Richard receives word that it may have been compromised, he sends Korvel to retrieve it, but when Korvel arrives he finds th...more Korvel, seneschal to King Richard, High Lord of the Immortal Darkyn, has been sent into France to recover a very old artifact that is rumored to hold the secrets of eternal life. This scroll, crafted in its entirety out of gold during the time of the Knights Templar, was entrusted to one family who has passed it down over the centuries and has kept it hidden and safe. When Richard receives word that it may have been compromised, he sends Korvel to retrieve it, but when Korvel arrives he finds the chateau under attack, the residents slain. Korvel fearlessly enters into the fighting, easily taking out five or six of the men dressed in black before being stabbed in the thigh by a copper coated blade.

Simone Derien spent a good part of her young life in denial. All through her growing up, she did everything her father expected of her, except for the one thing he needed most. But upon his death bed, he was able to extract a promise from her, one she had never hoped to make. Living among the nuns now she’s finally found a sense of calm and peace her life never knew. Sadly, her peaceful existence is about to be shattered when she receives word that a man she thought was dead is not only alive, but wants the object her family has been tasked with keeping safe for centuries. She immediately leaves the convent and heads home to her father’s chateau.

When she arrives, the chateau is on fire, the elderly couple who take care of the property are dead. She’s immediately attacked by more men in black, but Korvel comes forward taking out the men, even in his injured state. Simone takes off toward the greenhouse to find it in shambles. She frantically begins to look for the scroll, digging through broken pots until she finds the case, the clasp broken and the case empty. It is only then that she finally seems to notice Korvel. She realizes he is injured and he asks her to help him remove the tip of the copper blade. It is then that she realizes he is Kyn and that he too has been sent to retrieve the scroll, something she cannot allow.

When Simone and Korvel set out together to track and retrieve the scroll, Korvel has no idea who or what Simone is and what she is capable of. Simone confuses him. She knows he is Kyn, in fact offered her blood to him to help with his healing. He assumes that she is a nun as she is living in a convent, yet she has no qualms about stripping naked in front of him to clean up before dressing and leaving to track the scroll. Korvel has to fight hard against his baser instincts; it’s been a long time since his body has reacted like this to a woman and he has to keep reminding himself that she is a nun.

Simone is keeping a big secret. There is so much more to the scroll than what the Kyn know about it. Her promise to her father ensures that it can never fall into the wrong hands, that she is to destroy it first. While she agreed that she and Korvel should join forces to retrieve the scroll, it was never her intent to follow through with that. Her plan is to somehow divert Korvel at some point, meet up with her contact and move forward with her plan. In fact, she has been tasked to kill Korvel, but in the short time that she’s spent with him, she begins to have feelings for him. And in that short time she shares more about herself than she ever expected to. Torn between her duty and her feelings for Korvel, she decides to follow through with her plan, never suspecting that her contact would double cross her.

Nightborn is the first book in a spinoff of Ms. Viehl’s Darkyn series from a few years back. This story is filled with intrigue and adventure and I was captivated by it from the first pages. Korvel is sent out by Richard to retrieve an artifact and bring it back with him. He’s heard of it, and knows its importance but for the most part, he’s just carrying out his orders much like he’s done for centuries as Richard’s seneschal. He really is totally unprepared for Simone Derien. His immediate attraction to her confuses him and he does try his best to fight it. It’s difficult as Simone starts to have her own feelings for him and begins to make advances. When she finally admits to Korvel that she is not a nun, all bets are off and they both give in to it, unable to deny it any longer.

As the reader, we know that Simone has a huge secret and as the story moves forward, and we learn about the abuse that Simone suffered at the hands of her father, it is really easy to hate him and be confused by his actions. While horrible, what she went through as a child truly did serve a purpose even though she won’t realize its significance until she is forced to use everything she learned under his guidance.

There are some secondary characters that aid Korvel and Simone as they search for the scroll. Nicola Jefferson and Gabriel Seran, both Kyn, head to France against Richards instructions to help look for Korvel when he goes missing. Nicola, aka Nick, is a kick ass first, ask questions later type of gal and I adored her. She and Gabe come in just in time to rescue Korvel and Simone when they are kidnapped by Pajaro, the assassin who originally stole the scroll.

The ultimate conflict and subsequent resolution was one I did not see coming and when everything was said and done I swear I put my fist in air and said “yes”! Simone may have had secrets, but she’s totally unprepared to learn that her father was so much more than the man she knew. Yes, she suffered at his hands, and she may never forgive him, but even after his death he had been looking out for her, and when she realizes all that he did in preparation of the trial that he knew she’d one day go through I was totally blown away.

I really enjoyed Nightborn. It is certainly not your average vampire lore and I really liked that Simone was so much more than what her appearance led you to believe. I also very much liked Korvel and especially enjoyed seeing his character growth at the end when he’s forced to make a very difficult decision. Secondary characters were interesting without taking away focus from our H/H. I look forward to the sequel, Nightbred, due out in December.
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Mar 15, 2012 H rated it 2 of 5 stars

After reading the Darkyn and Kyndred series I was simultaneously excited and wary to read Nightborn. Perhaps my disappointment in her last book (Nightshine) jaded my opinion of Nightborn, but this book just didn’t work for me. This book was too much like Nightshine. I didn’t love this book for the same reasons I didn’t love Nightshine. I’ll read the next book in the series, but if this trend continues I won’t read another Lynn Viehl book for awhile.

I felt the focus was on the adventure and unrav...more

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May 21, 2012 Jeanne rated it 4 of 5 stars

I like this series and I like the author. What always surprises me about this series is how the books all cover the same world and similar situations (just like all series do) but the books don't read like carbon copies of each other. The books and the story remain interesting and there are new plot twists and developments that feel like they belong there - not like they were contrived to help move the story along.

I was looking forward to Korvel's book though I wasn't sure what I would think of...more

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Mar 31, 2012 Michelle Leah Olson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: literal-addiction-books, reviewed

Our Review [by Michelle L. Olson – LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha]:
I have thoroughly enjoyed Lynn Viehls Darkyn and Kyndrd series. In this 2nd spinoff to the Darkyn series, Lords of the Darkyn, she hits another homerun with some old and new characters and thoroughly engaging plotline.

Korvel, seneschal for high lord Richard, is sent on a quest to find an artifact used and hidden by his kyn back in the Templar days.

He meets up with Simone, a pseudo-nun with an interesting past and an even more i...more

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Apr 22, 2012 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-for-night-owl-romance

Nightborn brings us to a different chapter in the world of the Darkyns. The start of a new trilogy and just as thrilling as the previous Darkyn novels, Nightborn brings the mysterious Darkyn existence to a new level as past secrets unleash new threats into their already dangerous lives. Korvel is on a mission from his high lord to find an ancient scroll, which brings him to a more challenging task when he crosses paths with the one sworn to protect the scroll. Simone’s life has never been her ow...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Stacy {Texas Reader} rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance

{2.5 stars}

Eh.....not a stellar book for me. I loved the original Darkyn series, but I have struggled with the Kyndred. The constant "french" language is annoying, it impedes the flow of the book for me. Simone, even though she is a trained assassin, and the protector of the secret of the scroll, she is written to seem very weak. She is too timid and it doesn't quite fit for me, adding in the extra annoying appearance of Nicola and Gabriel. Well, Nicola is annoying, she is always complaining and...more

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Mar 14, 2012 Francesca the Fierce ~Eyelet Ecstasy~ rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: series-darkyn, books-read-2012, vampires

This review was posted at Under The Covers

3.5 Stars

The Darkyn world is a bit dark and seductive. I haven't read anything by Ms. Viehl before but this sounded really good so I had to give it a try. I think the author did a great job at explaining everything in the world that if you haven't read her Darkyn series you could pick this up and understand it.

Not knowing him from the previous series, the hero of this story, Korvel, I think is great. He's caring, first for his duty, which he follows blin...more

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Apr 25, 2012 jD rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, fantasy_romance, fantasy_vamps

This Darkyn installment was like false eyelashes for me. They look nice but when I know the true face…they just throw me off.

Looking at this book in comparison to the Darkyn series I loved, I am disappointed. I miss the comprehensive historical aspects. I miss the multiple layers of intrigue. I missed the strength and power of the vampires from previous books. I miss the angst.
Nightborn can stand alone without the series supporting its creative concepts so that is a good thing for those who fou...more

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Mar 12, 2012 BJS rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance

Now before there is any shoe throwing may I say that I'm a big fan of Lynn Viehl.

Lynn Viehl does seem to have a elegant quality to her writing but does she try too hard.....

One of my biggest pet peeves in books is when there are different language's like in this one they was in France, and while I understand the writer is trying to convey they are in France with people speaking french, I DON'T speak french and if I wanted to read French I would have brought the French version. The occasional 'ou...more

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Mar 10, 2012 Shannon C. rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: PNR fans

Shelves: vampires

Just finished Nightborn: Lords of the Darkyn and it was a really solid read (4 - 4.5 stars). I'm so glad Viehl decided to revisit the Darkyn world. Korvel was the hero in this one--the High Lord's right hand guy. I really liked his heroine Simone. She's very kick a$$ and had some cool secrets about her background. The book was well written and a good amount of mystery, action, suspense and romance.

I liked that the Brethen didn't play a role in this book. They were such nasty bad guys in the ear...more

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Apr 28, 2012 Kara-karina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: on-the-shelf

First of all, the cover is pretty horrible! This is not Korvel. I imagine him more like this...

description

I understand the reason for copper coloured hair, but he is frigging blond! Ugh.

Secondly, I am very surprised this book is marketed as a new series when it can easily be the continuation of Lynn's successful Darkyn series.

OK, my little rant out of the way, I actually really love Lynn Viehl. You might have noticed that I don't read many paranormal romances unless they are crossovers with urban fantasy,...more First of all, the cover is pretty horrible! This is not Korvel. I imagine him more like this...

description

I understand the reason for copper coloured hair, but he is frigging blond! Ugh.

Secondly, I am very surprised this book is marketed as a new series when it can easily be the continuation of Lynn's successful Darkyn series.

OK, my little rant out of the way, I actually really love Lynn Viehl. You might have noticed that I don't read many paranormal romances unless they are crossovers with urban fantasy, and it's just the case with the world of Darkyn.

Lynn usually combines gorgeous world building, dark fantasy, plenty of action and very much kick-ass heroes and heroines. I wouldn't recommend Nightborn to someone who is not familiar with Lynn's work, because they would miss out too many details which otherwise are quite clear to those who read this author's work continuously.

If you take work of Lara Adrian for example (I have a huge grudge against her, sorry), her women no matter how talented and independent they are in the beginning always end up barefoot and pregnant. In Lynn's world they are fierce and fiercely independent. Their men pretty much have to adapt to their world not the opposite - they are cops, surgeons, thieves, knights, FBI agents, assassins, etc. and they don't change themselves to suit the world they are drawn into. I think this is one of the main reasons I love Lynn so much.

What happens in Nightborn is that Korvel, loyal servant of Richard is sent on a wild chase to France to get the artifact which can make a human immortal. There are other forces who try to get the artifact as well.

Simone who lives a quiet life in a nunnery is in fact a guardian of the artifact and an enormously skilled assassin. When what she guards is stolen she and Korvel both go to get it with different goals in mind. There is plenty of action, tortured past and deeply hidden secrets, there are also quite a few twists which change your perspective on what is happening.

I wasn't a fan of the love story, it was way too awkward for my liking, however my favourite of this series, Alexandra, makes a cameo appearance, which made me forgive any drawbacks this book night have and just enjoy the drama. Simone also simply rocks. She is way ahead of Korvel most of the time, and it's her who makes things happen *grinning*

Overall, I highly recommend Lynn Viehl's work in general, especially her awesome kick-ass heroines. I think this mix of urban fantasy and paranormal romance will be appreciated by fans of both genres, especially by those who love J.R.Ward, Lara Adrian and D.B.Reynolds.(less)

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Jan 19, 2012 Steph marked it as wishlist · review of another edition

Shelves: author-웃, series-ongoing, series-book1

Description: The High Lord of the Immortal Darkyn has sent his most trusted warrior, Korvel, to retrieve a coveted scroll that's rumored to contain maps to Templar treasures and the secrets to eternal life. Uniting with Korvel to recover the dangerous artifact is Simone Derien, the daughter of the scroll's guardian, and a woman with many deadly secrets.

Details:
ISBN-13: 9780451413215
ISBN-10: 0451413210
Publisher: Signet Book
Date: March 2012
Page Count: 336

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Aug 02, 2012 Maria rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

I don't know why this book is supposed to start its new series, when it fits perfectly as another book in the Darkin Series. Other than that? Its heroine again is a very strong woman, a fighter in her own right, and in some ways she is more in control than anyone else, since she is the only one who knows who she actually is... I like the appearance of all her "brothers" at the end. The mystery is a big part of this story, with lots of twists.

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Jul 30, 2012 Merideth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

This book Made me laugh and cry. While the good parts were good they were not great. However I loved that we got to meet up with Gabriel and Nicola
Two of my favorite characters from this series.
I felt like the main plot was a little weird and not every thing that happen made sense. Although New Bad guys were introduced, I will have to say I did not miss the Brethren. Over I think this book was a good read but not Her best work.

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Feb 03, 2012 Sherry rated it 4 of 5 stars

Great story! For those who have read the Darken novels it is wonderful to return to some familiar characters and for those who are new to the Darken novels it is sure to inspire them to look for the books from the first series.

I like the flow of the book. It has romance, intrigue, action and some pretty hot sex. Unlike some books in the paranormal genre the sex doesn't run for pages and make me want to skip them.

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Nightborn (Lords of the Darkyn #1)

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