"New York Times"-bestselling author Viehl reveals the secret progeny of the Darkyn: the Kyndred, ordinary people unaware that they've been altered ...
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Jan 04, 2011
Zeek
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Seamlessly transitioning into the next arch of her Darkyn universe, Lynn Viehl starts off her Novels of the Kyndred series with a sharp, sexy entry that focuses on genetically altered children known as the Kyndred. Unbeknownst to the Darkyn- templar knights cum vampires, introduced in her first seven book series- twenty odd years ago, a shadow group experimented with children who are neither human, nor Kyn (vampire). Orphans nobody wanted, the children are secretly adopted out and few of them ar
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Dec 18, 2011
Moss
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SPOILERS AHOY FOR READERS OF BOTH DARKYN AND KYNDRED SERIES. ABANDON SHIP NOW IF NEED BE.
I'm a fan bordering on stalker of Viehl’s earlier Darkyn series, and was beyond excited when the last few books started to set up a spin-off world. Dr. Alexandra Keller, one of the recurring protagonists of the Darkyn world, is my favourite kind of girl warrior and her vamp man, Michael Cyprien, is also a lovely bit of alright. Although a brief period of mourning was observed as t More...
I'm a fan bordering on stalker of Viehl’s earlier Darkyn series, and was beyond excited when the last few books started to set up a spin-off world. Dr. Alexandra Keller, one of the recurring protagonists of the Darkyn world, is my favourite kind of girl warrior and her vamp man, Michael Cyprien, is also a lovely bit of alright. Although a brief period of mourning was observed as t More...
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Nov 12, 2009
new_user
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I got my Lynn Viehl fix! I miss the fangs, I admit. Where the hunger, the primal instincts, of my vampires and werewolves? Waxing poetic, LOL.
I liked the scenes starring GenHance, the shady genetics corp, à la science and lab thrillers like Paycheck, if it were good, with monsters. What can I say, I'm a science nerd.
Readers of Viehl's Darkyn series will be happy to see edible ex-assassin and vampire lord Lucan, fan favorite, and his mate, ex-homicide detective, Samantha. More...
I liked the scenes starring GenHance, the shady genetics corp, à la science and lab thrillers like Paycheck, if it were good, with monsters. What can I say, I'm a science nerd.
Readers of Viehl's Darkyn series will be happy to see edible ex-assassin and vampire lord Lucan, fan favorite, and his mate, ex-homicide detective, Samantha. More...
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Sep 29, 2011
Lindsay
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Ummm...not sure what to say here. I didn't really start to really enjoy the book until I was about 70 - 75% complete with it. There are so many story lines and characters in this book, it was confusing as heck to keep it all straight. It does all start to pull together towards the end and I am guessing since this is the first book in the series that the bulk of the background information to the entire series is in this book. Therefore, I am going to go ahead and give the next book a try, but
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Nov 26, 2009
Darcy
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I wasn't sure what to think of this book. I really like the Darkyn series and thought it was the same. It took me until the end of the book to realize while it was in the same universe it was a little different. I like the new concept and am looking forward to see what happens.
The going back and forth with times and people at the beginning of the book very much confused me. It wasn't until I was over half way in that I realized what was going on and had to go back to read to real More...
The going back and forth with times and people at the beginning of the book very much confused me. It wasn't until I was over half way in that I realized what was going on and had to go back to read to real More...
Sep 15, 2009
Miap45
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 08, 2009
Melindeeloo
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Great new characters and a few familiar faces get Viehl's Kyndred off to a great start!
Shadowlight starts by introducing Min, who having just lost her adoptive father is embarking on a new life and starting a new job, her limited talent of foresight hasn't twinged but she has the future all mapped out. Min seemed like such a sweet and promising character, that when something really bad happens to her - she only senses when good things are going to happen - that I was so bummed, that More...
Shadowlight starts by introducing Min, who having just lost her adoptive father is embarking on a new life and starting a new job, her limited talent of foresight hasn't twinged but she has the future all mapped out. Min seemed like such a sweet and promising character, that when something really bad happens to her - she only senses when good things are going to happen - that I was so bummed, that More...
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Nov 22, 2009
Cindy
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Good read, a 4.5 if you've read the Darkyn books first rather than a 4. It was interesting seeing a plot without the Brotherhood although the author has found a suitably evil entity to take its place. The new Kyndred characters are fascinating with their own series of special abilities and murky pasts. The hero, Matthias, predates the Darkyn by centuries [something Alexandra will find fascinating when she finally learns it:] and can call storms. The heroine, Jessa, can see your deepest, dark
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Jun 06, 2011
BamaGal
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Although it wasn't necessary to have read the Darkyn series before this one, I'm really glad I had. There were so many references and characters either in or alluded to in this book, that it was helpful to have already known them. I can see why people who hadn't read the Darkyn series might be a bit confused, or thought they were a bit left out of what was going on.
It took me awhile to start getting into the story. As typical with the first book of a new series, so much wordbuildin More...
It took me awhile to start getting into the story. As typical with the first book of a new series, so much wordbuildin More...
Dec 08, 2009
Krista
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I really wanted to give this book a five star review because I usually love this author's work. Unfortunately, this was only a so-so read for me.
There were a few too many passages that I felt impatient with, enough so that I found myself wanting to skip them and, in the spirit of full disclosure, did. While the hero's back story was interesting, the passages dedicated to them were too long and too far removed from the immediate concerns of the central characters. I didn't have t More...
There were a few too many passages that I felt impatient with, enough so that I found myself wanting to skip them and, in the spirit of full disclosure, did. While the hero's back story was interesting, the passages dedicated to them were too long and too far removed from the immediate concerns of the central characters. I didn't have t More...
Sep 22, 2009
Mandi
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Jessa runs her own firm doing background checks for large companies. She is successful because when she touches someone, she can see their darkest, deepest most evil secret. When this happens she goes into shadowlight. When she emerges back to reality, she is back in sunlight. Because of this she is alone in the world. Never dates because as soon as she touches, she knows something she doesn't want to know about the person. When she discovers someone who committed a crime by using her talent, sh
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Apr 23, 2011
Missy
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I actually read this book a few months ago and didn't realize this was the same book until yesterday. Imagine my disappointment when I thought I was reading the second book in this spin-off series. Oh well, this is a really good book and one I enjoyed. I liked the way the characters related to the original Darkyn series but were different enough to have their own series and their own name, the Kyndred. In this book, the difference between the two types of characters is established as well as a n
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May 25, 2010
Erinaceina
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I've given this book the bad-science tag for its appalling European geography. A day trip from Northern Italy to Berlin? And why would you go to Berlin anyway to buy a cuckoo clock if you're pretty much sitting on top of Switzerland? And the Battle of the Teutoberg Forest (which is pretty much on a line of latitude with Amsterdam) seems to happen surprisingly near the Italian Alps, given how quickly Tanicus manages to make his way there in the flashbacks.
Equally, the romance plo More...
Equally, the romance plo More...
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Jan 16, 2010
Marissa
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I probably would have given this book a 2 1/2, but no half stars at goodreads... the story has so much promise, but falls so flat. The premise is good but the story and plot are so convoluted that its hard to keep interest. There is very little focus on Mattias, one of the main characters, and we know almost nothing of his character other than he barely understands english and speaks sort of like a cave man, and not someone unfamiliar with the language.
Not sure if I will read this series More...
Not sure if I will read this series More...
Sep 17, 2009
Annette
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I started the Darkyn series by Lynn Viehl in March of this year and happily read thru all of the books, getting terribly attached to a few of the characters (Robin & Scarlet are definitely the top of that list).
I was sad when I finished the last book...it ended too early.
Now Ms. Viehl has started a new series in the Darkyn world with Shadowlight and I'm happy to say that while the focus of the stories are all new characters (not surprisingly) there are a few familiar fac More...
I was sad when I finished the last book...it ended too early.
Now Ms. Viehl has started a new series in the Darkyn world with Shadowlight and I'm happy to say that while the focus of the stories are all new characters (not surprisingly) there are a few familiar fac More...
Jan 09, 2010
Hali
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Jess, as she now calls herself has a "talent" she can see the things that make people feel ashamed or the bad things they have done. She also knows she is not alone in this, there are others out there like her, others she calls Kyndred, all of which have been adopted from Catholic Orphanages. Gaven Matthias is a Dark Kyn and he needs to save Jess, for Jess is being hunted by a corporation run by a man who wants to harvest her talent for his own needs. Matthias kidnaps Jess to protec
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Oct 19, 2009
Erotic Horizon
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Jessa Bellamy is at it again, that is according to her employee’s and after finding out yet another secret she is not saying anything of how she does it, because she is carrying her own secret known as shadowlight and she is not willing to give up her secret for anything.
Jessa is one of those gifted - and her skill is in her hands, with one touch she is able to see the darkest secret of anyone. This comes in handy in her professional life as a background checker of people who are hi More...
Jessa is one of those gifted - and her skill is in her hands, with one touch she is able to see the darkest secret of anyone. This comes in handy in her professional life as a background checker of people who are hi More...
Jan 04, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
Once again, Lynn Viehl has given us a great story with enough twists and turn to keep any whodunit fan intrigued. Right from our introduction to the gorgeous Gaven we just knew that he would be the gorgeous good guy, and Ms. Viehl did not disappoint. Allusions to the 'shadowlight' that is a 'gift/affliction' shared by character Luisa from the Darkyn series, and new heroine Jessa give clues to their shared experiences. Enough bridges to the previous series means that this is the next generatio
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Nov 05, 2009
Carla
rated it: 
I have loved the Darkyn series and have always enjoyed the way Lynn Viehl writes her paranormal romances...so when this came out I couldn't wait to pick it up.Front cover looked good ( hot picture of mans chest), read the synopis...looked interesting..bought it.The first few chapters looked promising...with the introduction of all the characeters both good (Matthias & Jessa) and friends and evil The GenHance Corpration a genetics and DNA operation, Lawson ( mad bad man turns even more evil & mur
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May 22, 2011
Kerry of Musings of a bookworm
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Well now this is a spin off from Lynn Viehl's Darkyn series. The story was long and drawn out but in the end worth the effort. I have to admit that if it hadn't been for the inclusion of the Darkyn I would have given up, but I love the Darkyn characters and they feel like old friends. But all said and done I did enjoy this story and as a spring board to a new series it has me hooked enough that I want to read the next one about Rowan so job done really.
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Jan 15, 2011
Kerry
rated it:
I like Viehl's prose style and the way she weaves multiple storylines together, but I could not get over one fundamental flaw in this one: the heroine.
Jessa knows she has a special ability. She has gathered up several others like her, so she knows other have special abilities. They've compared notes and determined that they were experimented upon as children. She is paranoid about being found out and imprisoned to be poked and prodded and dissected.
Yet when Matthias rescu More...
Jessa knows she has a special ability. She has gathered up several others like her, so she knows other have special abilities. They've compared notes and determined that they were experimented upon as children. She is paranoid about being found out and imprisoned to be poked and prodded and dissected.
Yet when Matthias rescu More...
Oct 08, 2010
Alina
rated it:
Alright. Even though this book is marketed as the first of a series that is separate from the Darkyn, I believe that is false advertising. Those who have not followed the Darkyn series will be quite confused, especially when Alexandra, Samantha, Michael, and Lucan, appear without warning.
Regarding the book itself, it was quite disjointed, with too many threads left open. I didn't connect to Matthias (and I guessed who and what he was about a quarter into the book), and I really di More...
Regarding the book itself, it was quite disjointed, with too many threads left open. I didn't connect to Matthias (and I guessed who and what he was about a quarter into the book), and I really di More...
May 28, 2010
Cid
rated it:
I’m going to be up front and say I’m biased. I think Lynn Viehl is amazing.
The Setting — is current day, so not much to say. I do really like the way Georgia and Sapphire House are described. I actually felt like I knew where they were, so that I never felt lost.
The Characters — were difficult for me. Not because of who they were or anything, but because I have issues with with names. It’s a me thing, I know, I’m just SO bad with names that when people are mentioned More...
The Setting — is current day, so not much to say. I do really like the way Georgia and Sapphire House are described. I actually felt like I knew where they were, so that I never felt lost.
The Characters — were difficult for me. Not because of who they were or anything, but because I have issues with with names. It’s a me thing, I know, I’m just SO bad with names that when people are mentioned More...
Jun 16, 2010
Shannon
rated it:
4.5 stars:Great spin off to the Darkyn vampire series
Years ago scientists experimented on orphans, resulting in those kids growing up to be different--with unique powers. They are known as the Kyndred. As adults, a few of them formed a secret group, so they could talk to others of their kind. But that's when they found out the scientists were not gone--the GenHance scientists want to kill them and harvest their powers. Jessa Bellamy is one of those Kyndred in hiding. When Gavin Matth More...
Years ago scientists experimented on orphans, resulting in those kids growing up to be different--with unique powers. They are known as the Kyndred. As adults, a few of them formed a secret group, so they could talk to others of their kind. But that's when they found out the scientists were not gone--the GenHance scientists want to kill them and harvest their powers. Jessa Bellamy is one of those Kyndred in hiding. When Gavin Matth More...
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Mar 28, 2011
La La
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A great start to a really good series. The Kyndred are a group of orphans who have strain of DNA in them that give them extrodinary power. Many times their powers do not fully manifest themselves until something traumatic happens to them. In this introduction to the Kyndred we meet Jessa and Mathias. Jessa has the power to be able to tell someones deepest and darkest secret by touching them. she uses this power to tip off the FBI when she finds that a person secret is going to harm others.
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Jan 24, 2011
Sarah
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Spoilers----Check out my blog at: Escape by Fiction
If I had not had tears at the end it really would have been a 3.
Jessa has a special ability, one no one can know about. Unfortunately some already do. The baddies and the goodies. The baddies and goodies have both been tracking Jessa for a while now and when the baddies make their move to abduct Jessa, the goodies step in.
Playing for the goodies is Gaven Mattias (Matt) and some other Kyndred. Matt saves Je More...
If I had not had tears at the end it really would have been a 3.
Jessa has a special ability, one no one can know about. Unfortunately some already do. The baddies and the goodies. The baddies and goodies have both been tracking Jessa for a while now and when the baddies make their move to abduct Jessa, the goodies step in.
Playing for the goodies is Gaven Mattias (Matt) and some other Kyndred. Matt saves Je More...
Sep 18, 2009
Soleil
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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May 29, 2011
Carolyn F.
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This book was good, but being the first book in the series there were couples in here which I didn't remember and I have a few of the Darkyn books so I was looking. Also the beginning was a little confusing and then throwing in a character who mentions the heroine's old love's name but with no explanation, I don't know what the author was trying to do with that. Maybe this wasn't edited correctly or it will be explained later, I couldn't figure it out. I'm planning on reading book #2, but I t
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Oct 11, 2009
Gardavson
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So far this book has not scored high reader reviews, and having read it, I understand why.
First let me say that I enjoyed the Darkyn series. It's been a few months since I last read the series, so perhaps that played a factor in my lack of enthusiasm with this book.
I found myself often confused, not understanding who was what or who, and who knew about who. Yeah.
I also found the characters maybe not so much underdeveloped as just, disconnected. I couldn't find More...
First let me say that I enjoyed the Darkyn series. It's been a few months since I last read the series, so perhaps that played a factor in my lack of enthusiasm with this book.
I found myself often confused, not understanding who was what or who, and who knew about who. Yeah.
I also found the characters maybe not so much underdeveloped as just, disconnected. I couldn't find More...
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Jun 23, 2011
LorettaLynn
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This book was really good..
After i figered out what was going on.I love the twists and turns it makes.
Im not sure what i would do if something like that happend to me.
I think they all handled it really well.There was a few things that i didnt get
Im hoping with book 2 that it will tell me.
I really enjoyed the story
Makes you wonder what you would do if you had a talent like the ones in this book..wow
Happy Reading
After i figered out what was going on.I love the twists and turns it makes.
Im not sure what i would do if something like that happend to me.
I think they all handled it really well.There was a few things that i didnt get
Im hoping with book 2 that it will tell me.
I really enjoyed the story
Makes you wonder what you would do if you had a talent like the ones in this book..wow
Happy Reading
