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Dark Magic (Dark Carpathian #4)

by Christine Feehan (Goodreads Author)

4.19 of 5 stars 4.19 · rating details · 11,407 ratings · 322 reviews

They were masters of the darkness, searching through eternity for a mistress of the light...

WOULD SHE FIND MAGIC -- OR MADNESS IN HIS DARK EMBRACE?

Young Savannah Dubrinsky is a mistress of illusion, a world-famous magician capable of mesmerizing millions. But there is one--Gregori, the Dark One--who holds her in terrifying thrall. Whose cold silver eyes and heated sensuali...more

Mass Market Paperback, 358 pages

Published July 17th 2000 by Love Spell (first published July 1st 2000)

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Mar 21, 2009 Felicia rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: vaginal-urban-fantasy

UUUUGH. Ok, this is the worst. I had seen this series floating around, SO popular, and I decided to give it a whirl, got 2 books. I try not to be critical but these Carpathian dudes are too much to tolerate. I mean, Alpha is one thing, but they're controlling, condescending and borderline abusive. NOT FOR ME. Ugh. She writes a pretty good racy scene and that's the best I can say about it.
I wanted to punch the dudes in these books!

11 likes · like · see review

Jul 28, 2012 Jahlia ((thing 10 Evil 1)) marked it as to-read

Shelves: guilty-pleasures, on-hold

*Warning, violent threats and pictures of kittens are ahead. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. If you are somewhat uneasy about violent threats towards main characters. if seeing kittens makes you have a heart attack, brace yourself. And spoilers ahead.
the kittens will represent my feelings.

AGAIN. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.*

I love how you can pick up any book in this series and not be confused. I mean, it's true they're all in the same universe/world, and there are many cameo appearances but you can pick...more

10 likes · like · see review

Jan 10, 2013 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is probably the best book ive read by christine feehan but that isnt really saying a whole lot considering the fact that i haven't really liked any of her books.
on the bright side, at least savanah didn't get tortured in here..like in the Drake Sisters series.
I did have some problems with this book,however.
Starting with..
How could she ever forgive him for raping her?! which, lets face it, is what gregori did.
&she goes from not wanting to be with him at all, to 'of course we're lifemates...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 12, 2008 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of paranormal romance novels

Shelves: paranormal-romance

This is the fourth novel in "The Carpathian" series, and tells the story of Gregori and how he got together with his lifemate, Savannah. Gregori is one of the ancients, over 1000 years old. He is not only the magical Healer of his people, but also the Destroyer of the vampires and any mortal who would harm the Carpathians. The problem is the older a male Carpathian becomes the more likely he is to go insane, either greeting the dawn (suicide) or becoming a vampire. The only thing that will save...more

8 likes · like · see review

Jan 14, 2011 Jen (Red Hot Books) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: carpathians, pararnormal-romance

At last, we get Gregori's book. Most readers who started the Carpathian series at the beginning with Dark Prince , have been waiting for our ancient warrior to get his happily ever after --and with Dark Magic, the wait is over. We only had to wait four books. And for me, the wait was worth it.

Gregori is one of the oldest and the deadliest of Carpathian men. As with all the men of his kind, he lost the ability to feel emotions and see in color when he turned 200. He's nearly a thousand now. And...more At last, we get Gregori's book. Most readers who started the Carpathian series at the beginning with Dark Prince , have been waiting for our ancient warrior to get his happily ever after --and with Dark Magic, the wait is over. We only had to wait four books. And for me, the wait was worth it.

Gregori is one of the oldest and the deadliest of Carpathian men. As with all the men of his kind, he lost the ability to feel emotions and see in color when he turned 200. He's nearly a thousand now. And he is dangerously close to losing his honor and becoming the evil vampire he hunts. All vampires were Carpathians to begin with: they all drink blood; can use telepathy; shapeshift; and must avoid the sun. But Carpathian men who give up hope of salvation, of finding their lifemate, embrace evil and become the beast that is the vampire.

Gregori has found his lifemate. She is Savannah, daughter to his best friend, Mikhail. She is a magician who has left the Carpathian Mountains of Romania to seek her independence. Gregori had come to her when she was 18, but she was not ready to be with him. She begged him for time and he gave her 5 years. These years have been very difficult for him. So difficult, that when they are finally reunited, he is almost more beast than man. He spirits her away to his lair and "claims" her. Savannah is very attracted to Gregori, but the act between them is far from gentle. She thinks him a monster, until she allows herself to use the telepathy of her people and see inside his mind.

Gregori is a tortured soul. He believes himself to be the monster she has branded him. But he loves her; he needs her. He doesn't think he deserves her; especially because he thinks he tampered with nature and somehow forced her to become his lifemate while her mother carried her in the womb. Savannah begins to soften toward Gregori as she sees the ways he is fragile. And she realizes that despite his strengths and dominating ways, she has much power, simply because of his feelings for her.

The pair leave San Fransisco and head to New Orleans, where they take up residence. They quickly run into trouble with a ring of vampire hunters who are, ironically, led by a vampire. While raiding a safe house for the hunters, they find Gary Jansen, a scientist and true-believer, who they quickly befriend. He becomes Gregori's first human friend, and goes on to become a reoccurring character in the series.

Gregori is very old and has some old ideas. He is stubborn and overbearing. But he is also very sympathetic. He loves Savannah so completely. And their love scenes are very, very hot.

Like all of these books, there is a little repetition with the language. We get several reminders that Gregori is "the Dark One." And our standard reminder that he is "sensual with a hint of cruelty." But it's just a tiny annoyance in what is a really good book. It's one of my favorite in the series and one that Carpathian fans cannot miss. 4 1/2 stars.
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May 21, 2009 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: alpha-hero, arranged-marriage, favorite-or-autobuy-author, bad-boy-rake-or-rogue, captive-kidnapped, scary-sexy-cool-dangerous-hero, hero-in-pursuit, fated-to-be-mated, favorites, owned-copy, paranormal-romance, part-of-a-series, forced-encounter, modern-virgin-heroine

Imagine waiting long centuries for your mate, on the very edge of madness. That is the fate of Gregori. I really loved his character. I loved that he was an incredible hero but also a destroyer of their enemy, the Carpathians that lose their soul and become evil, soulless killers. Gregori might be too much for some romance fans. He is an intense guy and he is obsessed with Savannah in a way that might be scary in a real live guy. But it worked for this book. If you don't like uber-possessive, ak...more Imagine waiting long centuries for your mate, on the very edge of madness. That is the fate of Gregori. I really loved his character. I loved that he was an incredible hero but also a destroyer of their enemy, the Carpathians that lose their soul and become evil, soulless killers. Gregori might be too much for some romance fans. He is an intense guy and he is obsessed with Savannah in a way that might be scary in a real live guy. But it worked for this book. If you don't like uber-possessive, aka stalkerific heroes, you won't like Gregori. I do so I was cool with him. The Carpathians live in a different reality where the rules of real life man and women interactions don't apply. You have to leave those expectations at the door when you read this book. Provided you have done that, I think you could handle Gregori.

Again, Feehan's storytelling seduced me. She does tend to use the same phrases a lot. Another Goodreads friend aptly coined them 'Feehanisms.' She is so right. Despite that, I can't get enough of her writing. The Carpathians take the vampire story in a different direction that utterly compelling and unforgettable. I was so glad to read Gregori's story after meeting him in Dark Desire. The good news is I get introduced to even more yummy, intense men in these books.

I liked Savannah. She was independent, intelligent, but also loving. She fought the lifemate bond initially, but then she came to realize that she was just as compelled to love Gregori, and she helped him get over his guilt about 'manipulating their connection' while she was in the womb. I really liked the communication Gregori had with Savannah when he saved her and her mother Raven's life. It made me want to read their book.

Okay I know Gregori is ages older than Savannah, but it really wasn't creepy. It felt right. I am a sucker for the idea of a love that is destined, so it really appealed to me that Gregori had waited so long for Savannah.

Again, the action is fierce and the violence is not shied away from. But if you like a good supernatural adventure book, you will love this book. Also it's paired with a fantastic love story. I'd really like to give this book 4.5 stars.(less)

17 likes · like · see review

Dec 10, 2007 Shannon (Giraffe Days) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampires, paranormal, 2007, romance

This is the fourth book in the series, and I have to say it's wearing a little thin. Well, I don't expect great things from it, and they're enjoyable for what they are, but Feehan's writing is very unimpressive and starts to get annoying pretty quickly.

This is Gregori's story. One of the ancients, the second-oldest Carpathian alive*, he is revered and feared among his own kind for the ruthless hunter that he is. No Carpathian is more powerful or more knowledgable. If he turns, nothing will be ab...more

7 likes · like · see review

Feb 01, 2009 L8blmr rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oh, this one was outstanding! I'd been anxious for Gregori's story, and it didn't disappoint. He's the ultimate "bad boy" and, though it isn't very P.C. of me, I loved the depth of Gregori's love for his lifemate, his passion, his extreme protectiveness and even his jealousy! The unexpected touches of humor and the humans you will come to know are just icing on this delicious cake. Now, I'm looking ahead to Julian...

6 likes · like · see review

Jul 20, 2011 Carolyn F. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, audiobook-and-owned-book

2nd time reading - this time by audiobook.

Finally I am seeing why I liked these books in the first place. I've been going through the series by audiobook and have been more than a little frustrated. This book did have some of those moments in the beginning, but I loved that Savannah is seeing a lot of the good things about being the love interest of a Carpathian. I also enjoyed Gregori experiencing some of the things he would judge the other mated men for doing. Suspenseful, with romantic scenes...more

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Feb 23, 2009 Erinn rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-that-make-me-blush, pardon-me-your-fangs-are-in-my-neck

If you've read any of this woman's supernatural romance, then you know how this book reads. I lost count how many times she used the word velvet. I'm really not a romance reader, so by the end of the book I was skipping the sex scenes skimming the repetitive bits about how perfect they were for each other, yadda yadda yadda, and was trying to finish reading the bits with some actual plot in it.

I think what really bothered me were the inacuracies about NOLA. I've never lived there myself, but I'v...more If you've read any of this woman's supernatural romance, then you know how this book reads. I lost count how many times she used the word velvet. I'm really not a romance reader, so by the end of the book I was skipping the sex scenes skimming the repetitive bits about how perfect they were for each other, yadda yadda yadda, and was trying to finish reading the bits with some actual plot in it.

I think what really bothered me were the inacuracies about NOLA. I've never lived there myself, but I've visited enough times that all my trips are starting to blur together and I can't recall just how many times I've been to that city.

1) When sitting in Cafe du Monde, there is no possible way that the riverbank could be "calling" to anyone. I doubt most people know that the river is so close. Plus there is not riverbank, but a boardwalk full of gutterpunks and homeless during the night.

2) I don't recall there being many trees along the boardwalk, and I guaranty that there aren't any fraking snakes sleeping in them.

3) From the swamp tour I took a few months ago I learned that, yes people used to stuff their furniture and mattresses with the moss that grows on the trees. However that was about a hundred years ago and they stopped doing it because they never could get all the bugs out and their beds would always be full of biting insects. I really doubt the fellow in the book is that old.

4) And further more, there isn't a single cemetery in the Quarter. You see the first settlers figured out real quick that they couldn't bury their dead under ground, so they put all their cemeteries well away from where they lived. The closest cemetery to the Quarter would be in the Garden district where the newer, more naive, settlers from New England moved. They didn't have a clue, until it was too late, how much it would stink to have decomposing corpses above ground in their neighborhood. Thus the planted a lot of gardens to cover the smell as best they could. In any case the Garden District is a few miles away from the French Quarter, and not a fast walk for anyone much less a skeleton.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Jul 01, 2012 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-owned, part-of-a-series

This is Gregori and Savannah's story. It is along the same lines of the other books in this series as she does have a bit of a formula going, but these characters bring a different set of personalities to the book.

What I don't like:
Gregori rapes Savannah and I don't like the way that it is dealt with. I think there should have been more than just the "Oh its ok you had to wait so long for me" that was presented in the book. I know that the premise of the book is that he waited so long for her a...more

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Jun 01, 2010 Seamonster403 rated it 2 of 5 stars

My review is based mostly on the series itself and not 2 much on Dark Magic.I have read the first five books in Feehan's Dark Series. Once u've read one of these books u have read them all. They are EXTREMELY repetitive. Everything is described as being velvet. All the women are the same; long hair (velvet hair mind you) past their hips, narrow ribcages and small waist which empahsize their full breast. They are all petite and fragile...same characteristics/personalities.. u name it. The only th...more

4 likes · like · see review

Sep 18, 2009 Debbie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance

The Dark One, Gregori knew his time was running short and he needed a lifemate. He believed he had the power to force the daughter of the Prince to become his lifemate but when she asked for a few years of freedom, he could do nothing else but let her go. Savannah Dubrinski may have been the daughter of a powerful ancient, she knows the basics about being Carpathian, but she never really understood the life of the male Carpathian until Gregori, the most scary of all males, claimed he could wait...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 06, 2012 Shell rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: challenge-books-read-2012, series, vampire, audiobook

narrated by Juanita Parker. The novel was a "re-listen" for me, as I remembered I had read this several years ago. As I listend to the novel, I got the sense of "wow, is the dialogue, characters really that ... redundant"? The author kept repeating "Gregori, the Dark One" and "I can do no other but..." so many times I heard it in my sleep. The two MC's were bleh, until they had interaction with Gary, the human scientist. The chemistry between Savannah and Gregori was less than steamy. I remember...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Bron rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: carpathian, alpha-male, vampire, steamy

This is the story of the Carpathian healer Gregori and his lifemate Savannah, the daughter of Mikhail and Raven. Savannah is 23 and faced with the daunting prospect of what is the equivalent to an "arranged marriage" with a much older and very scary man. Unbelievably, it doesn't take her long to overcome her fears and accept Gregori for what he is.

What is it with the Carpathian males, thinking they are so special that a woman must do as they demand every time? Gregori is not just an alpha male,...more

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Feb 19, 2011 Katya rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampire

I really looked forward to reading Gregori's story after him popping in and out of the previous Dark Series Novels. He was portrayed as one of the strongest, fiercest, "darkest" of the cast of characters. He operated by a different set of rules. He was an unknown, mystery, ancient force. H e was the “boogie man” to Carpathian children. Even grown men were a little uncomfortable around him at times. He reminded me of “Controlled Power.” In Dark Desire I especially loved the parts where he interac...more I really looked forward to reading Gregori's story after him popping in and out of the previous Dark Series Novels. He was portrayed as one of the strongest, fiercest, "darkest" of the cast of characters. He operated by a different set of rules. He was an unknown, mystery, ancient force. H e was the “boogie man” to Carpathian children. Even grown men were a little uncomfortable around him at times. He reminded me of “Controlled Power.” In Dark Desire I especially loved the parts where he interacts with Savannah before she was born and with her mother Raven. They were so tender and intriguing; I really thought this was a foreshadow of things to come in his own book Dark Magic.

Gregori and Savannah’s story started out okay but… She had to know he was relentless and would come for her in five years. Where was her fear and foreboding? Another thing, knowing how the Carpathians are hunted…how did her parents ever let her out into the world traveling for five years? I think, correct me if I am wrong, that Savannah said she had not been home since she was 18. For a society that “treasures” their women so….how did that happen without her parents constant interference….I mean we are not talking about a 30 year old woman, but rather a 18 year old who led a sheltered life?????

Loved that scene in the cave where Gregori is sitting with his face in his hands and she slips into his mind without him knowing...She really saw him for what he was for the first time and starting coming around. The guilt and anxiety that Gregori felt over manipulating Savannah into being his LM made me think we were setting up for an interesting hurdle to overcome. But that kind of fizzled out.

I kept thinking….where is this story going? Where is the friction? I didn’t get it. In previous books from the series I felt that Ms. Feehan made me feel what the main characters were feeling. I felt I was inside their heads too! But I just felt this novel fell a little flat.

I enjoyed the read, but would have really loved it if the story line had a real direction. Who is Gregori? I wish we could have gotten to know him better and seen Savannah fight a little bit more before she gave into to him and then whined the rest of the novel about not having a real life of her own. Hey, could they have contacted Savannah’s parents to let them know she was okay and Gregori’s LM? The bright spot in the novel is the introduction of Gary....and seeing Gregori warm up to him....

I really wanted to love this story-Did I miss something? Is it me?
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Sep 14, 2009 Suz rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: pnr

I liked this one better than the previous, Dark Gold, installment. Predominantly because there was a lot more humor in this book than the previous installments and because the heroine's whining was a bit more truncated. I liked seeing Gregori get his comeupance in regards to his previous attitude about being indulgent with women.

Although they are decent books, so far I am finding them rather formulaic and most of the "alpha" males are essentially just twits. Because the first one I read, Dark Sl...more

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May 06, 2010 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010

I really do like this series! Really. I'm just having such a hard time with it. I can read a few chapters and then I have to take a breather and rid myself of all the OMG!ANGST! before stepping back to it. *deep breath* I'm still of the opinion that the reason this series feels so claustrophobic to me is that the relationships are so intense. The two leads don't exist outside of one another. The woman is repeatedly asked to submit to the man. Not just sexually, either. She is expected to step ba...more

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Aug 15, 2012 HÜLYA YILMAZ rated it 3 of 5 stars

Kara Büyü-Christine Feehan

Dark Serisinin 4.Kitabı idi..Goodreads puanı 4,16
Gregory'i serinin ilk kitabından beri merak ediyordum..Okumak için sabırsızlanıyordum..Ama öyle bir çeviri ile karşımıza geldi ki...Bunu çok eleştirdiğim Ödül'de bile görmedim..Tam anlamı ile bir felaket idi..
Başlarda okumak tam bir işkence oldu benim için..Bu kadar ağdalı kelimeler,yarım kalmış cümleler..Goodreads'e baktığımda kitap Dark Serisinin en beğenilen kitabı ama sağ olsun çevirmen ve editör işbirliği ile Türkiy...more Kara Büyü-Christine Feehan

Dark Serisinin 4.Kitabı idi..Goodreads puanı 4,16
Gregory'i serinin ilk kitabından beri merak ediyordum..Okumak için sabırsızlanıyordum..Ama öyle bir çeviri ile karşımıza geldi ki...Bunu çok eleştirdiğim Ödül'de bile görmedim..Tam anlamı ile bir felaket idi..
Başlarda okumak tam bir işkence oldu benim için..Bu kadar ağdalı kelimeler,yarım kalmış cümleler..Goodreads'e baktığımda kitap Dark Serisinin en beğenilen kitabı ama sağ olsun çevirmen ve editör işbirliği ile Türkiye'de şu ana kadar çeviri ile katledilen ilk kitap..Yayın evine çok kötü bir prestij kazandırdı...
Çeviri ile güzel bir kitabın ne hale gelebileceğinin en güzel örneği olmalı..Örnek budur yaniii...
Kitap ortalarından sonra biraz daha okunur hale gelince bende biraz daha rahat okuyabildim..Artık o hissetmek yerine duyumsamak,farkındalık devamlı tekrarlayan Gregori ismini bir yana attım..Atmasaydım kesinlikle okuyamazdım..okurken gerekli kelimeleri kendimce ekleyerek okudum..Okumaya başlayabildim..Bazen çok da zevk alarak okuyabildim bu kelimeleri ve tekrarlamaları zihnimden sildikten sonra..
Orjinalden okuyabilseydim bu kitabı kesin Fantastik Serilerinin en güzel kitaplarından biri olarak sevecektim..Çünkü okurken o hava bazen esiyordu..Kararı siz verin okumak istiyor musunuz? Tavsiye ederim tüm çeviri hatalarına kitabı,hikayeyi yavaşlatmasına ragmen okumak isterseniz...Duyumsamaktan hissetmeyebilirsiniz...

Kara Prens Mikhael ve Raven'in kızı Savannah ve Karpatların şifacısı Gregorynin hikayesi idi..Savannah yüzyıllardır yaşadığı koyu karanlıktan ancak bir ruh eşi ile çıkabilecekti..Ama Karpatlarda kadınlar çok azdı..Raven hamile iken ona sahip çıkar ve ruh eşi olacağını ilan eder..Raven doğduğu andan itibaren sahiplenir onun gizli kurt arkadaşı olur..

Raven ailesi tarafından Amerika'ya gönderildiğin de tüm benliği ile onu aramıştır..Ülkenin en ünlü sihirbazlarından biri haline gelmiştir..Gregori bu beş yıl boyunca onu beklerken bir vampire dönüşmemek için oldukça güç zamanlar geçirmiş ve hızla kontrolünü kaybetmeye başlamıştır.Raven ise asla başka bir erkek ile yakınlaşamamış bunu denemek istese bile Gregori tarafından engelleniyordu..Aralarındaki iletişim sayesinde ondan kopmamasını da sağlıyordu..Sonunda Gregori daha fazla beklememeye karar verdi..Savannah'ı ikna edecekti.:))
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May 19, 2011 Mara rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: pnr

I thought the first book was bad. Nothing compared to the forth one. Rape, pedophiles, domination (and not in bed) choose your pick. And all of it boring to death (yes, sex too. sigh)

I know I prefer heroines who kick, rather than kiss, ass. Still I enjoy pararomance and their domineering males. I may appreciate soulmates, but not lifemates when this means no choice whatsoever, a woman turned into a slave forced even in her mind. nope, no way.

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Feb 07, 2010 Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-romance

Gregori - has been a presence in the first 3 books... he is powerful, almost as old as Michael... a student of their past, a healer, a vampire hunter... and more powerful than any... and soooo close to turning.

Savannah, Michael and _____ 's daughter. and she is now 25. Gregori attempted to claim her on her 18th birthday, but she was afraid. He can wait no longer.

Gregori - he doesn't understand how Michael & Aiden allow their lifemates so much freedom... he feels guilty for using his power...more

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Sep 30, 2011 Rachel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-romance-x, reviewed

I really wanted this book to be a 5 star read; I even thought it would be. I was disappointed. The story was well written, as usual, and it had the right combination of humor, action and sex. However this is Gregori's story!!! I was so anxious to read it I skimmed Dark Gold quickly just to see any foreshadowing or info. related to Gregori's story (there was!)

Normally, I have a hard time pinpointing what I am missing in a sorry or what I don't like; that was not a problem for me with this book. T...more

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Feb 14, 2012 Terri Pray rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books, paranormal-romances

Savannah Dubrinski, daughter of Mikhail and Raven from Dark Prince, and the first female to be born to the Carpathian's in centuries, fled to America earning a living as a magician. But the male she belongs to, the one who knew she was his before she was even born, has followed her. Gregori, the Dark One, isn't a male to be denied and if he doesn't claim Savannah soon the darkness will consume him and he will turn into a Vampire. The very creature he has spent his life hunting.

The head hopping t...more

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Aug 25, 2011 Taria Reed rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampires

OH MY GOD!! I'm only 45minutes into the audiobook and the fricking heroine is already getting on my nerves. The women in this series aren't independent, they are stuipid to a deadly fault. The whole premise is that the women have to submit completely to these overly dominant men.

Now I'm all for a well written sexy alpha male, but holy cow, these books take it to the point of "if I can't have you no one will". Very stalkerish and obsessive.

6hrs into the audiobook and we have another heroine who...more

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Jan 28, 2012 Esme rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: horror-fantasy-scifi

Karpatianer sind ein Volk von nachtaktiven Unsterblichen, die sich von Blut ernähren, aber nicht töten. Sie sind wild, gefährlich und zerstörerisch. Nach einigen Jahrhunderten verlieren sie die Fähigkeit echte Gefühle zu empfinden und können keine Farben mehr sehen. Dann übernimmt die Finsternis in ihnen die Herrschaft und sie werden zu Vampiren, töten und machen Menschen zu ihren Sklaven. Die karpatianischen Männer brauchen, um die dunkle Seite ihrer Seele in Schach zu halten, eine Gefährtin.

Da...more Karpatianer sind ein Volk von nachtaktiven Unsterblichen, die sich von Blut ernähren, aber nicht töten. Sie sind wild, gefährlich und zerstörerisch. Nach einigen Jahrhunderten verlieren sie die Fähigkeit echte Gefühle zu empfinden und können keine Farben mehr sehen. Dann übernimmt die Finsternis in ihnen die Herrschaft und sie werden zu Vampiren, töten und machen Menschen zu ihren Sklaven. Die karpatianischen Männer brauchen, um die dunkle Seite ihrer Seele in Schach zu halten, eine Gefährtin.

Dark Magic (Magie des Verlangens) ist der vierte Teil aus Christine Feehans Reihe über diese Karpatianer und wird von Bastei Lübbe als Vampir-Liebesroman klassifiziert. Savannah Dubrinsky floh ihrer Bestimmung und macht in San Francisco als Magierin Karriere. Gregori, der Dunkle Heiler, spürt, dass er die Dunkelheit und Grausamkeit in sich nicht mehr lange zurückhalten kann und will nun Savannah als Gefährtin der Unsterblichkeit. Diese sträubt sich erst noch ein wenig, um ihre Selbstständigkeit, Unabhängigkeit und Freiheit nicht einzubüßen, kann sich aber schon sehr bald Gregoris sinnlicher, erotischer Ausstrahlungskraft nicht entziehen. Dann folgt eigentlich nur noch eine Sex-Szene nach der anderen und macht damit etwa zwei Drittel des Buches aus. Und wenn es die Beiden einmal aus dem Bett schaffen, müssen sie sich gegen ein paar Vampiren und Vampirjägern wehren. Man sollte auch annehmen, dass ein Typ mit einigen Jahrhunderten an Lebenserfahrung so einiges erlebt hätte, hier reicht dafür gerade einmal eine halbe Seite. Auch ein Ortswechsel von San Francisco nach New Orleans bringt den Charme der Städte nicht aufs Papier, das könnte sich genausogut in Hintertupfingen abspielen.

Die Grundidee dieser phantastischen Parallelwelt und der Genese der Vampire ist ja so schlecht nicht, wird dann aber mit Machos und Frauchen zu doof zum Geradeauslaufen verhunzt. Außerdem sind die Charaktere recht beliebig, austauschbar, stereotyp und kommen so in fast jedem derartigen Buch vor. Es ist schon irgendwie bedauerlich, wenn eine Autorin es nicht schafft aus halbwegs guten Ansätzen etwas herauszuholen und stattdessen wieder nur einen dieser unsäglichen Vampir-Softpornos produziert.(less)

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Jun 30, 2011 Oleta Blaylock rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is Gregori's story and one of the reasons that I love these books. Gregori has been alone for so long and has scarificed so much for his people that when he finally finds his lifemate he is sure that it is because he messed with fate and made it happen. Savannah is such a free spirit and so fun loving she is the perfect mate to loosen up Gregori and make him see that not all human's are bad and that love and laughter do have a place in his life. You also meet Gary Jensen in this book. He pl...more

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Apr 25, 2012 Kari Metzger rated it 3 of 5 stars

Something about these books does draw me back, but I have to complain of the repetitiveness of the storyline. Same thing each time - man: barely controlled animal, woman controller, can't think straight because of his 'needs', woman - fearful but strangely aroused, curious, gentle, loves the man she can see within.... Seriously the early scenes of this book seemed a bit like him forcing himself on her. What ever happened to 'no means no'?

But then, on the other hand, it was really nice to see Gr...more

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Jul 18, 2009 Gardavson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-romance, paranormal

I have been waiting for Gregori's story since book 1. It was a good book. I think this one had potential to be fantastic, but the author just didn't take it there. Gregori could have been built up more. He had great potential for being one of the greatest hero's of the series but Feehan left him a bit mediocre. The book was good, don't get me wrong, and I am SO glad Savanna didn't spend the entire book fighting being Carpthian, being a lifemate, etc etc. I just hoped for more emotional connectio...more

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Jan 09, 2010 Stacie M. Ritchie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: christine-feehan, paranormal, romance, carpathians

This is Gregori and Savannah's story. I have read many of the other books in the series and knew these two would be together. For some reason, Christine Feehan writes a strong alpha male lead; along with the independent women in the stories usually give some fight against the domineering male. Her story has developed over time in the Carpathian series, but this story was lacking some. The later books address the issues that the Carpathians face. The downsides of this book are that it fell flat....more

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Feb 18, 2009 The Flooze rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, vanquished_2009, glutton_for_punishment

How's about half a star?

I know many people love Feehan, but I just cannot bring myself to like her writing. The novels I've read so far, Dark Magic included, seem best summed up by the phrase "all talk, no action."

Feehan favors exhaustive exposition as opposed to furthering a plot. If you prefer to remain inside the characters' heads for the duration and relish flowery, over-the-top emotional tangents, this series is for you. We spend the entire novel focusing on the characters' feelings and dou...more

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view all 6 comments

Dhfan4life The Flooze (Michelle M.) wrote: "LOL! Yes, we are of a similar mindset!

"I want pickles on my sandwich but I can't open the jar."
"Let's have sex! The...more The Flooze (Michelle M.) wrote: "LOL! Yes, we are of a similar mindset!

"I want pickles on my sandwich but I can't open the jar."
"Let's have sex! The magic will help us twist off the lid!"

This year's installment of the ..."

You have more strength and will than I to keep up with either AB or Merry's books. My relatability to Anita dropped almost instantly. I think I actually picked up Micah's book randomly. And after reading about one of Merry's books being about how she thought she might be pregnant by her uncle that tried to kill her. I knew there was no going back to that one at all.

I'm still kind of new to the paranormal/urban fiction genres. But I'm still very selective as well. SK's books and world is so far the only world I can actually relate to. Not just because of the characters. But the various aspects of betrayal that have been brought up. And from my own personal background there is a lot of that going on for sure. The love scenes don't actually don't bother me as I figure that is the typical way a love scene is written for any romance book.

Save for SK I think goes for more of the sensual side of it. And most other author's just seem to feel like they feel awkward writing about sex in their story. As it is either too rough or so dainty that its like what the hell are you talking about? Took me forever to figure out what sword in her sheath meant from a previous historical romance I read once, lol. But at least SK has managed to write love scenes that blend well with the story. And don't go from her typical humor and responses to suddenly being the sword and sheath euphemisms or getting down right dirty (which I think that should be reserved for the erotica), then going back to her familiar humor. Would just be weird and out of place.

So I have to say that I am pleased with SK's work so far. She may have a few characters and books that raise a brow or two but you can still get through and onto the next and I haven't felt the urge to quit reading her stuff. So that is always a good sign to me.(less)
Dec 06, 2010 12:36pm

The Flooze Sword and sheath, LOL. There's also the common descriptor of "velvet over steel" - every time I see it I don't know whether to laugh or weep.

Many peo...more
Dec 11, 2010 05:25pm

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About Christine Feehan

#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan has over 40 novels published, including four series. Each of her four series has hit #1 on the NY Times. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature for 1999. Since then she has been published by Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7...more

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Quotes from Dark Magic

“Stay out of my mind. You certainly weren't invited.' Her hands went to her hips. 'And just for the record, your mind needs to be washed out with soap! Half the things you think we're going to do are never going to happen. I could never look at you again.” — 10 people liked it

“She thumped him again.
He looked startled, then caught her flying fist in his hand and gently pried her fingers open. Very carefully he pressed a kiss into the exact center of her palm. 'Savannah? Were you trying to hit me?'
'I didn't hit you--twice, you scum. You didn't even notice the first time.' She sounded very irritated with him.
For some reason it made him want to smile. 'I apologize, mon amour. Next time, I promise I will notice when you strike me.' The hard edge to his mouth softened into a semblance of a smile. 'I will even go so far as to pretend that it hurts, if you wish it.” — 7 people liked it

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Dark Magic (Dark Carpathian #4)

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