Christine Feehan is still the reigning queen of paranormal. Another great addition to the Carpathian series but also can read as a standalone.

4.25 stars--DARK ILLUSION is the twenty-ninth instalment in Christine Feehan’s CARPATHIAN / DARK erotic, paranormal, romance series. This is ancient Carpathian Isai Florea, and mage Julija Brennan’s story line. DARK ILLUSION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: All Carpathian males must find their lifemates before they turn vampire or greet the dawn. Without a lifemate, the males no longer see in color, feel pain or experience emotions. A lifemate is the light to their dark. She is the keeper of his heart and the keeper of his soul. As the unmated Carpathian male ages, the darkness begins to envelope his soul.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Julija and Isai) DARK ILLUSION continues to focus on a group of ancient Carpathians, nearing the end of their search for a lifemate who have isolated themselves away from the world in a monastery high in the Carpathian mountains. As his search for his younger brother Iulian takes him to the Sierra Mountains, Isai comes across a woman he discovers to be his fated lifemate. On the run from her family and her past, Julija Brennan believes herself to be an enemy of the Carpathian people due to her family’s attempts to destroy them all. What ensues is the building relationship between Julija and Isai, and the potential fall-out as our couple come under fire from some very powerful mages.

Julija Brennan doesn’t believe she is worthy to be a Carpathian mate, and immediately refuses Isai attempts to claim her as his own. Having struggled through the abuse and captivity of her earlier life, Julija battles between head and heart when Isai is willing to walk away without a fight. Isai Florea knew immediately Julija Brennan was his lifemate but her stubbornness amounted to silence in an effort to protect the man with whom she would fall in love. As Julija and Isai search for Isai’s missing brother, our couple find themselves the target of Julija’s past, and the family that is determined to imprison her, once again.

The relationship between Julija and Isai is one of immediate attraction but our heroine believes she is an enemy of the Carpathian people. Unable to resist the pull between one another, Julija and Isai will complete the bonding but to both their surprise Julija is so much more than a powerful mage. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

DARK ILLUSION is a revealing story line, one that begins to reveal the history and back story of one of the Carpathian’s most hated enemies, an enemy who was and is determined to take down a race of people using any means necessary. Christine Feehan has pulled from one of her more successful story line arcs where the Carpathian people had to fight and discover the truth, in order to survive. The premise is engaging, entertaining and edgy; the romance is steamy and seductive; the characters are strong and determined but there is limited interaction with any of the previous story line characters.

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I have read all of Christine Feehan's Dark series and I usually love them. That was not the case with this one. It just fell flat for me. I could not get a good feel for the characters and it could not keep my attention. I kept feeling like I was missing part of the story. So much so I looked to see if I had missed a previous book.




I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Julija Brennan has no idea how powerful she really is. She’s been utterly destroyed by her father and the cruel men that surround him. They think that she alone could never gather the strength to find and destroy the one book that they desire above all else. They are so wrong.

Isai Florea is searching for his brother. Iulian, an ancient warrior, disappeared shortly after obtaining a book of spells rumored to be powerful enough to wipe out the entire Carpathian race. What he finds instead is a beautifully broken young mage who is not only headstrong beyond anything that he’s ever encountered – she’s also his lifemate.

Together they must find a way to blend the magic of the mage with the strength of the Carpathian if they are going to win this war. But their bond is brand new and Julija’s traumatic past is ever present. Will their love end before it even has the chance to really begin?

“You have to stop. I can’t think when you’re staring at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. A hungry wolf. You look as if you might devour me any minute.”
He flashed a small enigmatic smile at her. “It is a possibility.”
“I’m sorry I doubted you, Isai. Or even acquainted you at all with the likes of Barnabas or my father. I should have believed in my own ability to tell truth from lie.”
“Do not apologize to me, my little mage. They conditioned you to doubt everything. You will soon believe in yourself again and in us.”

In Dark Illusion, Christine Feehan once again introduces us to a lifemate who is just as fierce as her fated Carpathian! Julija is a study in contrasts. She embodies the kind of strength and vulnerability that makes her the perfect equal to a hardened warrior like Isai. The push and pull between them is an actual living force. It flows flawlessly from tentative beginning to satisfying ending. And fans of the Dark series – both old and new - will fall completely under its sensual spell…

It's amazing that Ms. Feehan is 33 books into the series and by all indications is definitely planning many more stories to come. While there have been some books along the way that I could have passed it's books like this one that keep me vested in the series.
Ms.. Feehan matches a woman who is a mage and a dragon seeker Carpathian a descendant of the evil mage Xavier with an ancient warrior in search of a life mate. While this book has it's share of heat and action that is typical of this series, it also offers a history lesson giving readers answers to questions they might not even realize they have while introducing a host of new characters who all have stories waiting to be told. Julija is in the Sierra mountains of California on the trail of a Carpathian warrior who has Xavier's spell book. In the wrong hands this book can do untold damage. Isai is on the hunt as well seeking the same warrior and the same book. Of course the moment Isai spots Julija, he can see in colors but it's definitely not rainbows and flowers from that point on since Julija has a lot of baggage that causes her to reject Isai.
Despite their rough start and professed desire to resist the mate bond the two join up together to hunt the book and the Carpathian warrior while themselves being hunted by evil mages who want the book for their own nefarious purposes. As the two stay one step ahead of the enemy and subvert the animals that Julija's brothers created to do their evil they spend a lot of time talking about both their histories and indulge in sexual pursuits. The main body of the book is similar to most books in this series as the two seek blood, complete the necessary blood exchanges and consummate their life mate bonds. What I really enjoyed is their conversations as Julija shares her history she helps answer a lot of open questions from past books in the series.
Will the two find the spell book ahead of the mages? Can they safeguard the book? are questions dear readers you'll have to grab your own copy of the book to answer. I will tell you that there are some great battles between the mages and Carpathians also given that Julija as it turns out is Carpathian but very much a mage. I really did enjoy how the story unfolded and am definitely interested to see how Elizaveta's romance turns out. Then of course there are all those other ancient warriors who still have to find their life mates.

First time reading Christine Feehan. I thought it was fantastic!

Carpathians are the bomb in the paranormal world. Of course they are not perfect, but they can do so much. They are in essence a sort of mix between vampires (good vampires that don’t kill humans), shifters, and they have some magical ability thrown in for good measure.

Carpathians have to find their lifemate, since as they very slowly age over the millennia, they lose the ability to see color and feel emotions and eventually they will turn into a vampire which will be be dangerous to humanity since they will feed with no thought for life and kill humans indiscriminately.

Isai Florea is one of the ancient Carpathians, he was a warrior who spent his life hunting Vampires until a time when he believed himself to be getting to dangerous. Isai went to a monastery high in the Carpathian Mountains with his brethren to live a simple life where there was no danger of turning Vampire. Isai left the monastery in search of his brother who stole an evil book of spells that was created by the worst high mage that ever existed, Xavier. The book was in the property of the Prince of the Carpathians, Mikhail.

Isai’s brother Iulian stole the book and a mage named Julija is following him in the Sierra Mountains in the Western United States. Isai isn’t sure if Julija wants the book for herself or helped him steal it. However, when he catches up with her he finds that she is both high mage and Carpathian on her mother’s side and his lifemate. From there the adventure begins.

The book seems to me to be as much Fantasy as it is Paranormal. I have read Vampire books and Shifter books and they both have aspects of adventure in them. Meaning they have storylines that take the main characters on a quest-like journey to find someone or something. But even when they add different Supernatural beings with other powers they pretty much stick to the paranormal genre. This felt more like a fantasy quest, probably because there was so much magic and shifting into different beings, in addition to drinking blood.

There were some huge magical battles between Julija and her family who had treated her horrendously in her life. There were some great scenes with these unnatural shadow creatures and there were other crazy out of this world creatures and characters that were involved. The world Christine Feehan built was so unbelievably detailed and awesome, I could picture it completely in my mind.

The characters were the same. Every character was well rounded and explained fully, especially how they treated the main characters. Christine has a great way of doing that, not only in the characters own memories, but once their lifemate joins with them, they can read each other’s memory. The lifemate can see how others act or treated them. With dual POV, that shows the characters from a completely separate viewpoint.

The romance between Julija and Isai is sizzling hot from the very start. Though there is tension, so it is not smooth sailing for them. I liked that, because even if they have that instant lifemate attraction and lust, that doesn’t always mean they want that or know each other right away.

I have read long running series before like The Breeds and Black Dagger Brotherhood and I know how they work, so I realize that there are probably some things that I missed as far as storylines that have been ongoing throughout the series, since this was my first book. However, it truly didn’t bother me at all. This can be read as a stand-alone without any problem. Though now I definitely want to read more.

Dark Illusion continues one of my favorite series, the Carpathians. I love the fated mates trope, so this series has always been a hit for me. Isai and Julija were delightful as well. I think readers will LOVE Isai-what a steadfast and honorable hero! I will say he is VERY alpha. If that isn't your thing, you won't find Isai so perfect.

Isai is a warrior and he is enchanting. He has a list of swoon worthy qualities I could go on about forever, but basically, he is perfection! He is strong, patient, and devoted. Julija isn't instantly likable and there were times when I felt she was NOT good enough for Isai (because he was so perfect). However, her life hasn't been easy-her family was horrible, her ex was abusive, and she is seeking an evil book so it can't be used to destroy everything. Isai (being perfect and wonderful) helps her not only with her quest, but in finding her courage and strength. Julija is a really powerful mage and I enjoyed that aspect of the story.

Dark Illusion was fast paced (like most of Feehan's stories) and you will be sucked in fairly quickly as Isai and Julija's emotional journey unfolds. While the beginning is a tad angsty (ok, for me, it was really angsty), once I got to understand the characters better, the story began to level out and the angst was focused outside the couple. If you enjoy paranormal romance, a variation on the vampire lore, and steamy romance, Dark Illusion delivers!

Mage Julija Brennan’s unique talents because of her Carpathian blood combine with the strength of the Ancient Carpathian who turns out to be her lifemate, Isai Florea has spent centuries hoping to find that one true love made especially for him. Now they have come together to find an evil book that could cause great harm if found by their enemies searching for it as well. Unfortunately the worst enemies are Julija’s family and former lover. She grew up in a seriously evil household where Julija was physically and mentally tortured, used and abused. They tried to crush her soul; however, its beautiful light shines brightly most especially to Isai, who only saw the world in dull colors and no emotions until they came together.

Since Julija has learned to protect her heart, it takes some time for them to work things out. Initially Isai thinks that will not happen, but after they spend time together while looking for his blood brother who has the book, they find common ground. It is not easy for a modern young woman and a man who has lived has a monk for centuries to have a smooth relationship, but they both realize fate has declared it so.

Julija and Isai bring out the best in each other working as a bonded team to defeat her nasty, evil brothers, father, and the man she fears most who nearly broke her spirit. Isai will do anything to protect and help Julija live her best life. She has so much magic and skill if she can just believe in herself. Isai is a warrior first and foremost, but takes his lifemate duties very seriously wanting to love, protect, and defend Julija. Together they are a powerful force to be reckoned with no matter what the wicked mages throw at them. This is book # 29 in this longing running series, fans will be pleased with this installment.

Christine Feehan can be a hit or miss for me. I'll admit that I thought this was going to be a miss in the beginning but I held in and it became a hit. I am not saying this was the greatest book ever or even Feehan's greatest but it was enjoyable. This followed the usual pattern of old ancient guy falling apart, young woman who is damaged by her past. They heal each other and fight a bad guy. Simple and to the point.

Three stars for enjoyable but nothing special.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC. This is an honest review.

DARK ILLUSION is, as usual, an amazing read, and though it did begin a little shaky for me personally, I was soon swallowed up by the action, steamy and sweet romance, and enjoyed the moments of lightness that warded off a little of the darkness that was a large part of the story. But, as all fans know, author Christine Feehan knows how to please her readers and give us a HEA, despite all attempts to thwart it.

Annetta Sweetko, reviewer for Fresh Fiction

Complete review: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=69069

Dark Illusion is the newest installment in the Carpathian series or also known as the “Dark” series, and I truly had such a fun time with this book. Its a crossover of a paranormal and romantic suspense like many of her books. With each installment in this series the more I have learned to adore. The world building that Feehan has done is one the BEST ever created and I truly love the development in the more recent books and after reading this one I really really NEED the next book because oh my I know its going to tear me to shreds but I am ready.

So this story begins with our heroine who is traveling the Sierra Mountain range in search of a evil book —the book that Xavier created that could only bring about more evil works of his relations. Relations that our heroine, Julija is connected to. She is hunting it to make sure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands but along her search she finds herself being the lifemate to a very ancient Carpathian. Their first interactions are very tense and some distrust and emotional damage is formed, but when they join forces to bring down their enemy, their relationship is mended and the lifemate bond is cemented.

Isai Florea has been living in a monastery with his other Carpathian brethren for many years and is one of the oldest of his kind. When he finds his lifemate and the danger she is put in, all other concerns are put in the backseat and even though his instincts are telling him to protect her he also realizes how powerful she is and that she is the key to bringing down the evil members of her family who have used, abused her in the worst of ways. Together they form a bond so powerful and so intimate nothing evil will stand….

This was truly a fabulous story here and I am in love with this. now I will admit the beginning of the book began very angsty and I wasn’t really on board, in fact I almost wanted to put it down. Almost had a bodice ripper theme to it but I did become won over and they do get the issue resolved pretty quickly here. Now its important to understand the HERO is very alpha, one of the stronger alpha’s I have seen from this author so I di let some of what he did go because he is SUPER old so I get it but at the same time it did rub me the wrong way at times. So just fair warning to keep that in mind when you start reading this one.

I did feel like this book was truly emotional and life changing in many ways here. There was so much emotional dynamics that it will really tear at your emotions at times. What they both go through but most especially what our heroine really has dealt with in her young life is very heart breaking. But you see her true strength at the core and how determined she is to make she they don’t win because they are truly evil. We see the level of intimacy that develops between our pair here and probably one of my favorites to be honest. These moments that form between them from their support of each other, playing and teasing each other and the sexual chemistry that is fiery hot that will send all the tingles down the spine is truly elemental to the story.

Overall I found Dark Illusion to be a on the edge of your seat story that will delight, enlighten, and create emotional reactions to adore in every sense!!

Dark Illusion is the next installment of the Carpathians. Ancient hunter Isai finds his lifemate in Julija but can a Carpathian and a mage be together. Feehan keeps adding more and more depth to these ancient hunters and finding their lifemates. Excellent book for anyone who has enjoyed the others in this series

Ms. Feehan keeps building this world! There is not one book in this series I would not recommend.! The carpathian battle with the mages, the surprise keeps coming. I cannot wait until the next chapter in the series, the anticipation is killing me!

Christine Feehan is a master of romantic paranormal novels. Readers can pick up any one of her books and get lost in the amazing storylines and character development. Dark Illusion is another hit for Feehan as the reader delves back into the Carpathian world and into Julija’s story. Like her other Carpathian novels, this story has all of the wonderful magic, character development, love, danger, and plot twists that make up a great Feehan novel.

We have had the story of the Carpathian with wolves riding her skin, and now we have shadow cats. While the complex characters were the center of the story, it was the shadow cats that really stole the show. I simply could not put this story down, wondering where the author was going to go next with these cats. I loved how they bound themselves to the heroine's new beau with surprising ease. It kept our heroine on her toes and kept our hero on the chase. Wonderful story with interesting storyline. Very hard to go wrong with a Feehan novel.

I usually enjoy books in this series but for some reason I just couldn't get into this one. Isai and Julija are lifemates and when they first meet it doesn't go well. Isai is from an era in which men told their women what to do and Julija is not inclined to put up with that. They spend a majority of time talking with each other with intermittent bouts of intense fighting against her evil family members. Not my favorite book in this series.

I was so intrigued by this story based on the cover, but it was a total slog for me. Maybe it is because I have not read any Christine Feehan books in awhile, but there was just so much talking. I understand exposition is important, especially for backstory, but that seemed to be most of the story. I get that Julija had a hard and depressing childhood, but she seemed very juvenile to the point of frustration at times. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I had recently read any of the previous books in the series, but ultimately it was a long, pretty depressing read despite its HEA.

Feehan once again delivers with the latest in the Dark Saga. The addition of a new bad guy was welcomed, and should give more fodder for the next few installments.

A strong woman is trying to stay alive while keeping a dangerous spell book out of the wrong hands. A great fantasy/romance. I enjoyed the portrayal of a woman with doubts about her own strength and having people in her life that empower and encourage her to become who she was always meant to be.

Christine Feehan never seems to disappoint with het plots and her style of writing.
I liked this book for its magical and paranormal aspects. The plot keeps you engaged in reading and sometimes it makes you feel like you are sitting on edge of the seat.
It was enjoyable read that I can only recommend to all those who like paranormal romance with a twist.