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If Angels Burn (Darkyn #1)

3.77 of 5 stars 3.77 · rating details · 3,990 ratings · 303 reviews

SHE RESTORES THE LIGHT OF HOPE.
Dr. Alexandra Keller is Chicago's most brilliant reconstructive surgeon.

HE DWELLS IN SHADOW.
Michael Cyprien is New Orleans's most reclusive millionaire--and in desperate need of Dr. Keller's skills.

A NEW DAWN AWAITS THEM BOTH....
Beneath the foundation of a mansion in the heart of the Garden District, Alexandra will perform an illegal surgery....more

Paperback, 291 pages

Published April 5th 2005 by Signet

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Jul 09, 2010 Shawna rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of dark, gritty paranormal/urban fantasy romance

Shelves: lynn-viehl, pnr-vampires, series-darkyn-kyndred, doctor-or-nurse-in-the-house-shrink, hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst, hero-bayou-cajun-french-nola, hero-or-heroine-exotic, urban-fantasy, heroine-i-adore, heroine-kickass-spirited-strong, hh-social-class-wealth-matters, heroine-abused-traumatic-past-rape, hero-stalk-me-baby-possessive, hero-cold-cruelbrute-dark-dangerous, hero-alpha‎, enemies-to-lovers-opposites-attract, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, 2010-reads, sizable-packages, horror-mystery-suspense-thrillers, i-read-no-longer-own-sold-swapped, captive-kidnapped-hostage-slave, psychic-special-abilities-powers, interracial-romance, hh-disfigured-injured-scarred-ill, 5-stars, mystery-intrigue-espionage-subplot, knights-templar-crusades

5 stars – Vampire/Urban Fantasy Romance

I’ve had Viehl’s Darkyn series on my TBR shelf for quite some time now, but I’d made a decision not to start on any new series until I’ve caught up with all the others that I’m following. Oh well, resolutions are made to be broken, right? I have to say that in this case, I’m glad because I found this to be an engrossing and chilling read.

As some other reviewers have noted, it leans more towards urban fantasy rather than straight paranormal romance due to th...more

26 likes · like · see review

Jun 25, 2011 Shannon C. rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: paranormal romance and urban fantasy fans

Shelves: vampires, magic-special-powers

Series gets better and better with each book

I had put off reading this, based on the mixed reviews on Amazon. After reading the book, I thought it was more of a dark urban fantasy with some romance, rather than a paranormal romance as its marketed. The romantic relationship is not the primary storyline in book one. I suspect that might be the reason for so many mixed reviews--the book missed its target market. However, now that I've read more of the series (I'm through book 4) I learned that as...more

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Jun 22, 2011 Buggy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: shelf-09, paranormal-rom, vampalicious, blah

Opening line: "Got another letter from that Cyprien guy" Grace Cho said as she placed the office mail on Dr Alexandra Keller's desk."

Dr Keller is a reconstructive surgeon, and a really fast surgeon at that. She has a booming practice and with her skills in demand she can afford to choose her cases. One patient in particular, Michael Cyprian won't take no for an answer and eventually has his people kidnap Alex, flying her to his mansion in New Orleans and forcing her to reconstruct his horribly...more Opening line: "Got another letter from that Cyprien guy" Grace Cho said as she placed the office mail on Dr Alexandra Keller's desk."

Dr Keller is a reconstructive surgeon, and a really fast surgeon at that. She has a booming practice and with her skills in demand she can afford to choose her cases. One patient in particular, Michael Cyprian won't take no for an answer and eventually has his people kidnap Alex, flying her to his mansion in New Orleans and forcing her to reconstruct his horribly disfigured face. Due to her compassionate nature Alex performs the surgery; its quite tricky though because once cut Michael heals immediately but she's up for the challenge. After the successful surgery Michael is beautiful once again but unfortunately for Alex he's also very hungry.

Filled with bloodlust Cyprian bites the good Doctor thus infecting her with the vampire virus. Alex then spends her time trying to figure out how to cure herself as she goes through some dark changes on her way to becoming a Darkyn. Lots of attention here is also given to her brother John. A very tired priest who travels to Rome and undergoes special training with some not so nice monks known as the Breathen. Their mission is to hunt down and torture (extensively) the Darkyn, ultimately destroying the race. Bad news for Alex who is on her way to becoming one of them.

I will admit I struggled through the first half of If Angels Burn. The amount of French spoken and Darkyn language without a glossary was overwhelming and the considerable sub plots and characters confusing. It came together a bit for me in the end and I really liked Alexandra's spunkiness as well as the old fashioned speech and mannerisms of Micheal.

This was a dark, violent ride but full of adventure and well written. However I wouldn't label it a romance and I definitly wouldn't call it erotic as the cover states. Its more The Da Vinci Code
meets medical mystery with a little vampire love thrown in. The one and only love scene (if you could even call it love) doesn't take place until almost the end of the book and even then it's pretty mundane.

As a by-the-way does anyone else think the guy on the cover looks like Toby Mcquire from Spiderman? I'm just saying its a little weird. (less)

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Jan 30, 2009 MK (Consultant, Corporal Therapist) rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of vamp-themed romance, dark romance

Recommended to MK (Consultant, Corporal Therapist) by: Paranormal Romance Group

Shelves: romance-vampires-demons, urban-fantasy

This is the first vamp-themed romance, for me, in which the vampire (Darkyn) are the dominant characters in the story. I also enjoyed the story. Perhaps the somewhat darkly painted world aided in cultivating my pleased feelings for the Darkyn.

The story between Michael and Alex had merit and carried well through the severed views of alternate characters telling the story from their POV. Sometimes this can throw the story if done to often but Lynn Viehl wove the pieces masterfully. For me she giv...more

7 likes · like · see review

Jun 28, 2008 Tina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-paranormal, interracial-romance

I was standing in my local Borders one day looking for someone new to read. I was in the mood for something from the Paranormal family having just finished reading two of JR Ward's books back-to-back. I had soured on Laurell K. Hamilton. JR Ward wasn't due for a new book for a six months. And who knows when L.A. Banks was coming out with her next one. I had enjoyed Richelle Mead and was waiting for her next one to come out as well. I was on the library waiting list for unread Marjorie Liu's and...more

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Mar 28, 2009 Christel rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: paranormal vampire readers

ok, New series by author Lynn Viehl. This is the first I have read of her writing.

Alexandra Keller is a brillant reconstructive plastic surgeon practicing in Chicago. She had a booming practice, a boyfriend, a fulfilling life in most ways.

Micheal Cyprien is from New Orleans and is one of the most reclusive milllionaire's in Louisiana. But he does have a secret, he is a centuries old vampire. He has been horribly scarred by an order of priests called the Brethren. He needs Alexandra to reconstruc...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Kasey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paperback, series, contemporary, pnr-uf

I keep hearing/reading a lot of good things about Lynn Viehl, so I figured it was time to give her writing a try.

Let me just say - as many have already mentioned in reviews for this book - that this book is uber-DARK. If I were to categorize it as a stand-alone book, I'd say that it absolutely belongs in the Urban Fantasy genre (where the story revolves around a conflict and romance - if any - is secondary to the storyline). In fact, there is practically no romance here. I happen to enjoy Urban...more

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Mar 26, 2008 Nichole (Dirty H) rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, vampires, 2008

My god, this book is terrible! I am baffled by all the good reviews.
First of all, I don't think I'd call this a romance novel, because there's no actual romance in it. There's some sex, but there was never any emotional connection between the two main characters. I think on the last page, one of them said "I love you" while tossing the other a weapon or something. Wow.
The rest of the story was gory, gross and disturbing. Rape, torture, decapitation... I'm not afraid of a dark tone, these types...more

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Dec 13, 2012 Jen rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: wtf-did-i-just-read, yawn-snore, the-worst, library-book

Incredibly boring and just sloppy: either the main character can pass for white or she gets teased for being black, which is it? Put the book down when she literally transforms into a white woman. Fuck that noise.

4 likes · like · see review

Apr 05, 2010 Zeek rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites-all-time, favorites-pnr, favorites-uf, favorite-author, alpha-hero, kick-ass-heroine, vamps

Not the best in the series- shame too because it's the first, but it's a wonderfully intricate story that I recommend!

Warning: the Darkyn series is mostly Urban Fantasy with romantic elements. There is a different couple for each book but the first couple's story, Michael and Alexandra from this book, archs throughout the series. (Don't expect your typical HEA at the end of this book!)

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Feb 22, 2010 Cláudia Rocha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, vampires

Interessei-me por este livro porque nas críticas aqui no Goodreads chamam a atenção para o facto de não se tratar de uma mera história de amor entre uma humano e um vampiro-macho-alfa. Bem, de facto, os ingredientes estão todos lá: a humana (mais ou menos), o vampiro-macho alfa e a paixão entre os dois. Mas, por vezes, o mais importante não são os ingredientes, mas a forma como eles estão misturados. E a mistura não me desapontou.

A escrita é acessível sem ser simples. A autora segue a máxima do...more Interessei-me por este livro porque nas críticas aqui no Goodreads chamam a atenção para o facto de não se tratar de uma mera história de amor entre uma humano e um vampiro-macho-alfa. Bem, de facto, os ingredientes estão todos lá: a humana (mais ou menos), o vampiro-macho alfa e a paixão entre os dois. Mas, por vezes, o mais importante não são os ingredientes, mas a forma como eles estão misturados. E a mistura não me desapontou.

A escrita é acessível sem ser simples. A autora segue a máxima do "show don't tell" e, em momento algum, põe as cartas todas sobre a mesa. Pelo contrário, as cartas são lentamente distribuídas, cabendo ao leitor a tarefa de construir as suas próprias teorias. Isto é feito com alguma mestria, especialmente se tivermos em conta que este é sobretudo um livro de world-building que, à partida, tinha tudo para ser aborrecido.

O ponto forte é, sem dúvida, as personagens. Senti uma grande empatia pela Alex, a protagonista feminina. É uma mulher forte, bem sucedida e dona de uma grande força de vontade. O seu sarcasmo arrancou-me algumas gargalhas. Mas é interessante que, apesar do mau feitio, é movida por uma genuína compaixão.
O seu romance com o Michael (o tal vampiro-macho-alfa) é muito divertido. É hilariante ver o poderoso vampiro do século XIV, com uma mentalidade do século XIV, sem saber o que fazer com esta mulher do século XXI, tão senhora do seu nariz. Não senti pelo protagonista masculino, o atormentado irmão da Alex, a mesma empatia, mas os seus conflitos interiores são muito bem explorados e estou curiosa sobre o seu futuro nos próximos livros. As personagens secundárias são igualmente interessantes. Adorei o servo do Michael, Philipe, e a relação que está a estabelecer com a Alex.

Quanto aos vampiros, não têm nada de extremamente original. A ideia de cada um vampiro exalar o odor a uma flor específica, que utilizam para atraírem as suas vítimas é intrigante. Mas, para além disso, são tudo aquilo que se espera que os vampiros do século XXI sejam: perigosos, sensuais, mas com alguma humanidade.

Vou, de certeza, seguir esta série, até porque foram deixadas várias pontas soltas, mistérios por resolver... e um cliffhanger!

Recomendado não só aos fãs de vampiros, mas a todos aqueles que gostam de protagonistas femininas com pêlo na venta!(less)

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Jun 01, 2008 Heather rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: nobody...

Shelves: sci-fi-fantasy

**Bad review ahead***

This book had a really stupid plot and I didnt even really like the characters... the 2 main characters seemed to fall in love as an afterthought at the end of the book... wtf?? Sorry if others really liked this book, it just didnt do it for me...

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Sep 02, 2008 Anita rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fan of violent urban fantasy

Recommended to Anita by: Paranormal romance group

Shelves: urban-fantasy, too-violent

This is the first book in the Darkyn series, and boy, am I disappointed. I've heard Lynn Viehl's name repeatedly on the Paranormal Romance group, so I thought I'd give this series a try. It's a vampire series, and it has a couple passionate scenes in it, but it's not the least bit romantic - more like dark and evil. It's more accurate to bill this book as an exploration of torture techniques than a romance. Really - I kid you not - graphic descriptions of torture is fairly common in this book.

F...more This is the first book in the Darkyn series, and boy, am I disappointed. I've heard Lynn Viehl's name repeatedly on the Paranormal Romance group, so I thought I'd give this series a try. It's a vampire series, and it has a couple passionate scenes in it, but it's not the least bit romantic - more like dark and evil. It's more accurate to bill this book as an exploration of torture techniques than a romance. Really - I kid you not - graphic descriptions of torture is fairly common in this book.

For the sake of an interesting romance with compelling characters, I'm generally willing to read a little gore and horror, but this is WAY over the top for me. It is well written, and the characters are complicated and well described, but I doubt I'll read the next in the series.

Basic premise: Vampires first arose during the plaque in the 14th century, victims of a strange virus, though all the vampires think it's because they are damned. It's modern day America, and a female plastic surgeon is forced to repair the severely burned face of the leader of the American vampires. He accidently bites her and gives her his blood, making her the first newby vamp in several hundred years. Meanwhile, her brother is recruited into a sadistic Catholic army called the Brethen who are set upon exterminating the vampires. (They are the ones who burned off the vamp's face.) The surgeon is very smart and manages to figure out how to stall the progress of the virus, leaving her in a half human/half vampire state. She and the vamp are also extremely attracted to one another, but, here's a little realism for you, she hates his guts for turning her. She agrees to help a family of vamps that were tortured by the Brethen - and let me tell you - it is ghastly what was done to them. Meanwhile, the Brethen are out to kill both her and her brother, though it beats me why they bother. Along the way, the Brethen torture, kill, and maim. There's also some vampire political intrigue as a sub-plot.
---time lapse----
I just finished this book at lunch, and it got a little better at the very end - a whole bunch of evil Bethen died. (less)

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Dec 10, 2012 StrangeBedfellows rated it 2 of 5 stars

More vampires--gotta love 'em. Thankfully, not a frilly, laced-necked poet's shirt was found among them. The story opens with Alexandra Keller, plastic surgeon extraordinaire. She's being pursued by a mysterious millionaire, one Michael Cyprien, to perform an undisclosed operation. The catch? He refuses to leave his home in New Orleans, offers a suspicious payment of $4 million, and won't take 'no' for an answer. We can see where this is going, I'm sure.

What follows is an intriguing story as Al...more

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Jun 13, 2013 Ana Maria Rivera rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: someone just to see if it was me or the book was really not that good....

I am into paranormal fantasy reading and when I got this book I thought it had great potential: what could be better than a combination of vampires-humans and priests. I was wrong. It's been a long while since I have to force myself to finish a book and I am reading junkie seriously! but with this one I had to.
As the characters were introduced, and I am 100% pro female-heroine-character that kick ass, but this one come on! did not have an ounce of feminity to herself, I hated that... you can be...more

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Jan 07, 2013 Jodi Aubihl daume rated it 2 of 5 stars

So, there are the Darken (vampires) and the Brethren (guys that want to kill the vampires). These vampires consume blood (can do it without killing), are immortal of course, can go out in the day, and are almost impossible to kill - copper works best on them as an fyi.

Alex is a cosmetic surgeon in Chicago who was raised by a foster family along with her brother, who left her after they died. She has been referred to as the doctor with the fast hands so that's why Michael (vampire) needs her to f...more
So, there are the Darken (vampires) and the Brethren (guys that want to kill the vampires). These vampires consume blood (can do it without killing), are immortal of course, can go out in the day, and are almost impossible to kill - copper works best on them as an fyi.

Alex is a cosmetic surgeon in Chicago who was raised by a foster family along with her brother, who left her after they died. She has been referred to as the doctor with the fast hands so that's why Michael (vampire) needs her to fix his face that was destroyed when he was tortured by the Brethren (because he heals so fast). He lives in New Orleans and can't come to Chicago so he offers Alex millions to come to him. She, being the good samaritan doctor, places her clients above millions of dollars so turns him down, making it necessary for him to kidnap her.

So, he is described as having virtually no face, but she makes him handsome again in the space of 12 hours. Pretty impressive I would say. Who wouldn't pay millions?

But then he attacks her after the operation. She survives (obviously) and is left at O'Hare after missing 5 days. Her kinda sorta boyfriend was worried - she ignores him for the most part and he finally moves on - best move for him I say.

The romance between Alex & Michael is not that great. Yeah they have physical attraction (now that he has a face and all), but he has to forcibly pursue her.

I actually liked Alex and a minor character, Phillipe. She is a good moral doctor - trying to help people. Michael is hung up on himself and hasn't adapted well to the times.

One of the things I didn't get with this book was how the Brethren continued to get the Darken (Dark Kin). The Darken are stronger and many have lived for centuries - didn't they learn anything? Yet, they continue to get taken by them. However, many of them escape - at least according to this book - many after much torture. There is an incident where one of the Darken (an assassin) kills 20 of the Brethren in one sitting, but the rest of the time the odds favor the Brethren.

There is a parallel story about the brother and his path that leads against Alex's.

There are a lot of bad people in this book. That was one of my least favorite things. I read a lot of paranormal romance so you do expect that to some degree, but this one was certainly worse than others. The Brethren are REALLY into torture. The person who commits the worst atrocities is a female. Women's lib at work I suppose.

(less)

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Oct 15, 2012 Kerry rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2005, 7, paranormal, romance

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was a good story and I really like the world Viehl has created. However, it took me forever to read and I'm not sure why. I had to keep going back to it, but I wasn't sucked into it and trapped there like I often am with a book I really like. I don't know if I would reread it, but I certainly want to know more about the world and will be buying the sequel. I'll see how that one goes before making any final decisions about reading or not reading more book...more

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Jul 13, 2012 Stacey Brutger rated it 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Alexandra Keller is Chicago’s most brilliant reconstructive surgeon.

Michael Cyprien is New Orleans’ most reclusive millionaire—and in desperate need of Dr. Keller’s skills.

Beneath the foundation of a mansion in the heart of the Garden District, Alexandra will perform an illegal surgery. Her patient’s disfigurement is beyond medical repair. But his body’s ability to recuperate from his wounds borders on the miraculous.

Alexandra knows Michael Cyprien is no ordinary patient. I...more

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May 14, 2012 Kathy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Really Deserved at 3.5 Rating

I picked up this book based on the recommendation that it was similar to the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I have to say I find the two series similar, in the fact that they both have romantic elements but not necessarily focus on romance and the plots in both series are dark and gruesome. Dr. Alex Keller is dedicated to her patients and her work. Unfortunately, having a reputation as one of the fastest and most efficient plastic surgeons has made her a target. Mi...more Really Deserved at 3.5 Rating

I picked up this book based on the recommendation that it was similar to the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I have to say I find the two series similar, in the fact that they both have romantic elements but not necessarily focus on romance and the plots in both series are dark and gruesome. Dr. Alex Keller is dedicated to her patients and her work. Unfortunately, having a reputation as one of the fastest and most efficient plastic surgeons has made her a target. Michael Cyprien, a vampire part of the Darkyn society (Darkyns are Dark Kyn, a/k/a vampires) chooses to kidnap Alex and force her to perform surgery on his face, that has been obliterated by the Brethren (the Brethren are a group of men/cult who have hunted down and killed the Darkyn through the ages). A terrible situation arises and Alex is exposed to the Darkyn blood. Regardless of Alex's exposure, the virus fails to fully turn her, therefore causing her to walk between two worlds, Darkyn and human. Straddling both worlds pushes Alex into the spotlight and renders her an anomaly that breathes new hope for certain Darkyn of expanding the species, and also causes her to become a threat to the Brethren. Alex is a strong woman, who has confidence, independence, intelligence and fire. However, her constant resistance and verbal abuse towards Michael started to became overbearing. Had the author toned down Alex's spunk a bit, Alex would have pretty much been the perfect heroine. There was a religious aspect to the novel that I could've done without. The author is not preaching to us, actually it's just the opposite; the church turns out to be the hypocrites. Personally I would've liked the author to have chosen a different back story for the Brethren that didn't include being tied to the church. Regardless of the religion included, the author fabulously built a dark world, where nighttime is a feeding ground for those naïve enough not to believe or protect themselves from monsters and those unlucky enough to be caught. As a dark urban fantasy reader, I am always looking for something new to read. I would recommend this to fellow dark urban fantasy readers who can spare the patience to flip through the too coincidental, predictable and emotional parts to stick with the plot. Regardless of my 3-star rating, this series has great potential and I look forward to reading the next book in the series Private Demon.
I also recommend:
Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1)
Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, Book 1)
Insatiable Desire (The Demonborn)
Witch Fire (Elemental Witches, Book 1)
Grave Illusions (less)

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Sep 17, 2011 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars

One of the best things about book blogging is the chance to explore lots and lots and LOTS of books I might not have picked up or explored otherwise. The price to be paid for that, though, is that sometimes there aren't always enough hours in the day, which means that revisiting favorite series sometimes have to take a backseat. The Darkyn series is one of my favorites, but until now I haven't taken the time to feature the books. Well, there's no day like today, and so I'm working my way through...more One of the best things about book blogging is the chance to explore lots and lots and LOTS of books I might not have picked up or explored otherwise. The price to be paid for that, though, is that sometimes there aren't always enough hours in the day, which means that revisiting favorite series sometimes have to take a backseat. The Darkyn series is one of my favorites, but until now I haven't taken the time to feature the books. Well, there's no day like today, and so I'm working my way through the series again- If Angels Burn is the first installment and it gets things off to a fantastic start.

It should be stated at the onset that this first book is a unique combination of romance and drama, in that the heroine, at least for a while, truly dislikes the hero and has every reason to. Dr. Alexandra Keller is a brilliant reconstructive plastic surgeon and wants nothing to do with Michael Cyprien, whom she sees as an obscenely rich playboy who can't know a thing about having problems.

Michael Cyprien has a lot of problems, as he's the North American leader of a secret group that's been under the public radar since the Middle Ages. Believing themselves to be cursed by God, they rose from the grave, subsist on blood, and each possesses a unique talent. Persecuted by a sect of the church and constantly at risk for exposure, Michael has a lot going on. When he's captured by the Brethren and brutally assaulted, Alexandra is the only one who may be able to return him to health.

One thing leads to another, and Alexandra is brought against her will to operate on Michael. Once she sees how badly he's been hurt she decides to help of her own volition; she doesn't expect to be set up to be killed to protect the Darkyn's identity. She was supposed to die, but she didn't, and that's where the story truly takes off.

Michael and Alexandra find themselves bound together emotionally and increasingly attracted to one another, and both of them are unhappy about it. As far as Alexandra's concerned, Michael ruined her life, and as far as Michael is concerned, Alexandra is a complication that he doesn't need in the slightest. Them finding a compromise and finding their way to each other is a great start and while nothing is permanently resolved there, it's better that way, since they get time to grow and develop individually and together.

We're also introduced to a varied cast of secondary characters who lay out the foundation for future books in the series. We meet Alexandra's brother, a priest, who has his own demons, as well as other Darkyn who have to figure out how to deal with the fact that some people can be turned to Darkyn despite centuries of failure. The world, as they say, is rocked.

I'm a huge fan of this series so you can expect to see reviews of the other books here at What Book is That? as time goes on. It's a great series to savor so I'm looking forward to revisiting the other volumes in order. With the school year back in full swing it'll be a great way to relax.

Overall Grade: A(less)

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May 27, 2011 Anna Rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

I can't believe I just gave a romance novel a five star rating! I hate to admit this, but this book was great. I don't know how the author wrote a romance novel I actually read in just two sittings. The plot drew me in and wouldn't let me go. Viehl created an excellent culture and history for the Darkyn and used science, albeit loosely, to explain the existence of vampires. Finally a romance novel that shows a little thought and research! I also liked the fact that the male lead didn't ride in a...more

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Apr 08, 2011 Tracy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Dark, Unique Urban Fantasy Series Premiere
This is such an underrated book - but I've noticed from the reviews I saw on Amazon.com, that's probably because it's been promoted as a paranormal romance. That's truly a shame, because it is in no way a paranormal romance. What it is is a deep, dark, sometimes ugly, definitely treacherous but imaginative world with complex and flawed characters leading extraordinary lives.

Alex is a reconstructive surgeon stolen off the streets of Chicago and brought to...more Dark, Unique Urban Fantasy Series Premiere
This is such an underrated book - but I've noticed from the reviews I saw on Amazon.com, that's probably because it's been promoted as a paranormal romance. That's truly a shame, because it is in no way a paranormal romance. What it is is a deep, dark, sometimes ugly, definitely treacherous but imaginative world with complex and flawed characters leading extraordinary lives.

Alex is a reconstructive surgeon stolen off the streets of Chicago and brought to Michael, the tragically scarred Darkyn who was captured and tortured by the Brethren, a sect of religious fanatics out to destroy the race of beings who survived...in a manner of speaking...the Black Plague. Restoring Michael leads Alex down a path of loss and pain and change for both of them.

I admit I had some difficulty getting into this book and I felt a bit overwhelmed with the story at first. I felt it introduced the main characters of both factions - Darkyn and Brethren - and Alex and her estranged brother, John - without really building the world or explaining what was going on. There was terminology used between characters but not explained to the reader, and quite a bit of French treated the same. At times I felt confused and a little lost, but I stuck with it and I'm very glad I did. Things do eventually become clearer, and are explained a little better the further you go into the book. Once I did start to grasp the mythos of the Darkyn and some of their political structure and spent a bit more time with the characters, I ended up really liking and appreciating the depth and breadth of the story and the world. I can't say I have a total grasp of the Darkyn's political and societal structure, and there are questions that aren't answered in this book - though for a series beginner, that's not at all uncommon - but by the book's end I was satisfied that enough had been explained and the world fleshed out enough to be very satisfied with the read.

There were several aspects of the book I liked very much - Alex's character in general and any of the scenes where she was dealing with the Darkyn family she helped were a particular favorite, as well Phillipe, Michael's Seneschal. He was definitely my favorite secondary character. There were also a couple of really nifty plot twists towards the end that I in no way saw coming and I like when a book catches me off guard that way. All in all, it wasn't a completely comfortable read...it's very dark and has several truly torturous themes...but I ended up liking it a lot more than I did at the beginning. I will be continuing the series, but I'll hold off recommending this one to paranormal romance fans. Dark urban fantasy fans would dig it if they can be patient with the beginning, but those looking for a feel good HEA may want to go elsewhere.

~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.(less)

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Feb 27, 2011 Jenny Delandro rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampires, paranormal-romance

I read this book in March 2010 Borrowed from Pennant Hills Library
I loved Buggy's synopsis & story outline and I copied it
(view spoiler)...more

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Oct 23, 2009 Kalynn rated it 4 of 5 stars

I liked this book, but I think potential readers should keep one thing in mind; this, despite the classification, is not a romance. Yes, there is a love story, but the primary focus of the book is world building, and the story is a paranormal thriller with a romance sub plot. If I judge the book this way, I like it a lot. If I were to judge it as a romance, it would fail, because Viehl's primary purpose is not developing romantic love; it's the story of one a woman and her brother and their dang...more

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May 29, 2009 Michelle (meshe) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bookcrossing

Synopsis

In the depths of human desire, eternity awaits…

She Restores the Light of Hope.

Dr. Alexandra Keller is Chicago's most brilliant reconstructive surgeon.

He Dwells in Shadow.

Michael Cyprien is New Orleans' most reclusive millionaire -- in desperate need of Dr. Keller's skills.

A New Dawn Awaits Them Both…

Beneath the foundation of a mansion in the heart of the Garden District, Alexandra will perform an illegal surgery. Her patient’s disfigurement is beyond medical repair. But his body’s abilit...more

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Jun 11, 2010 Jess the Romanceaholic rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampires, kidnapped, child-molestation, priest-nun-monk, its-a-conspiracy, urban-fantasy, doctor-nurse, bondage-or-kink, 2010-read, alpha-male, alpha-female, angsty-read, betrayal, blame-it-on-your-parents, jnmk, temper-temper, starvation, stalkerific-hero, raped-or-abused, physically-tortured, physically-imperfect-or-scarred, major-illness-or-injury, family-issues, enemies-to-lovers, dubious-consent

This book was... interesting.

I agree with the other reviewer who said it felt more like UF than PNR, because there's no definite HEA at the end. I mean, yeah, there's the ILY's, but things didn't feel resolved between the H/h at the end. Which, considering there's a bunch of books in the series, really isn't that big of a problem.. Though honestly, while the UST was nice and thick between Alex and Michael, I never really felt her falling in love with him. It was kind of like "I hate you, I hate...more

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May 14, 2013 Paula Marlene rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampire, blöde-besitzansprüche, doof, pseudo-amore, meine-meinung

Eigentlich war ich auf der Suche nach einem kurzweiligen Schmuddel-Sex-Vergnügen-was mir am Ende sowieso nicht gefallen hätte, aber gut manchmal muss das sein.
Statt dessen bekam ich eine halbwegs ausgegorene Geschichte präsentiert, die den Versuch unternahm eine toughe Heldin zu porträtieren. Betonung liegt auf Versuch. Denn Alex ist zwar angemessen ziegig, kann aber auch der äußerst mysteriösen Anziehungskraft eines gewissen Herren nicht widerstehen. Die mehr oder weniger darauf beruht, dass e...more

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Sep 10, 2012 Mary rated it 2 of 5 stars

This had some interesting ideas : a reconstructive surgeon working on those who heal too quickly for ordinary surgery, who is also trying to reconstruct where the cause of vampirism comes from since it’s now happening to her. What I disliked was the “Angels and Demons” meets one of the “Saw” movies – so much melodrama and torture packed into one book. And here’s the kicker – a woman cuts the power to the victim’s house, and it later mentions her looking at blood by candlelight, after burning the...more

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Jan 08, 2013 Lucia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

3.5 stars

This is a violent, gritty urban fantasy. not a paranormal romance. The vampires are the good boys, well most of them at least, and the Catholic church is the bad boy, and "He" is very very bad. This concept alone might offend many. I found this to be a very entertaining, mildly disturbing, fast read. I had one very major gripe: the main character, Alexandra, is a plastic surgeon that talks like she is teenager from the ghetto. I know she lived on the streets for a portion of her life, b...more

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Sep 18, 2012 Artemis rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: action, adult, action-romance, adventure, fantasy, historical, mystery, magic, science-fiction, war, humor

I would've rated this book 2 stars if I hadn't skip through all the sadistic parts. Ms. Viehl, your imagination was… too much for me to stomach. Indeed, I might've throw up if I hadn't skipped.

Definitely not a book for you if you have a weak stomach, a weak heart or high moral. (Or highly religious, for that matter…) NOT FOR CHILDREN!! Or YA come to think of it. I'm just the weird guinea pig that grew tired of children's books when I was still a child and am moving into adult books when I'm stil...more

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About Lynn Viehl

Also see S.L. Viehl, Gena Hale, Jessica Hall. Rebecca Kelly.

She writes mostly novels in a variety of genres and under several pseudonyms. Among them are science fiction (as S. L. Viehl), romantic fiction (as Lynn Viehl, Gena Hale, and Jessica Hall), and Christian fiction (as Rebecca Kelly). She has described herself as primarily a writer of romance: no matter what genre she is working in, an eleme...more

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“Yours is... il sent comme lavande."
Is that French for 'You stink'?"
It means 'lavender'."
Huh." She sniffed at her wrist. "I thought I smelled more like a grape Popsicle.” — 10 people liked it

“And no man, not even Cyprien, could chase a girl with his pants down.” — 2 people liked it

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If Angels Burn (Darkyn #1)

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