Dark Memory
Carpathian, book thirty-seven
By Christine Feehan
Release Date: October 3, 2023
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Couple: Petru and Safia
Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Flames 🔥🔥🔥
Review:
The Carpathian books are my most beloved series out of all genres; I have read every book several times and am always astonished at the immersive, addictive experience each book has. This universe has expanded exponentially since Dark Prince in 1999. My mind is blown thinking of this passionate, action-packed, intelligent series.

In the last few books, we have been following the ancient’s journeys of those whom we met in Dark Ghost. I instantly fell in love with these dinosaurs of men who have seen too much evil with no emotion or color to comfort them. This is Petru’s story.

Petru and Safia have a very unique past, their origin story being different than any couple I have read. Christine Feehan has spent many hours re-creating Safia’s people’s culture, and it enriched the book immensely.

This book focused more on the couple than the last two, which I enjoyed. There were still plenty of complications with Lillith, queen of the underworld. At times, I fear the addition of these new enemies and the introduction to new arcs can overwhelm new readers. There is so much lore at this point that the books must be read in order.

I loved the connection between Petru and Safia. Their story started in tragedy over two thousand years ago, and they finally find each other again. Safia is tough, beautiful, and intelligent. What I loved most about her was her ability to see her failings and be willing to learn from them.

Petru allowed Safia to be the kick-butt heroine she was without getting in her way but assisting her. The couple’s love story was intense and fast since they were facing a war, but I wished for a little more romance.

This was a solid addition to a series that should be in the grouping of “all-stars” regarding paranormal romance! I am excited to see where Christine Feehan takes us next! Dark Memory is a book that stood out in a long series, giving the series a fresh, young feel. If you love paranormal romance, I beg you to read the quintessential series in this genre.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Christine Feehan works her magic yet again as the Quest of these Ancient Carpathians continues! Lilith Queen of the underworld has been trying for ages to plot and plan and gain the heart of Mother Earth and power over the world. So far, these Ancients have come up against her in some different way in their pasts... and now, with their lifemates and brethren, they have come against her yet again…in this latest installment, we learn of Petru’s story.

Our brave warrior, master of weapons and strategy. He and the Amazigh people made the greatest sacrifice millennium ago, to sacrifice the One, his one, to save the many. He carried his guilt awaiting her rebirth, the return of the light of his soul.

Safia discovers she is the one promised to an ancient warrior, one who has lived in her dreams, the battle of her nightmares…Petru Cioban. Petru finally has his lifemate. Lilith plots again to destroy them keep them apart. This time his woman is not a child but a strong powerful warrior in her own right. And She has her warrior to help save her people. And the battles and action fill the pages to go along with it!

But also woven into the threats is the dreamy sigh moments of man and woman . His discovering her skills and partnership that truly makes her the other half of his soul. And Safia discovering Petru as more than the warrior but as the man, the one not only to fight beside but to love her and in return one she can love. Along with the aid of her family, his brethren this is truly a journey that has you turning pages with the gambit of emotions.

I used to love this series but it really hasn’t aged well. The characters are very one dimensional and the male characters are very old fashioned and misogynistic. The dialogue is cringe, the “romance” is not believable. The backstory/past life story was incredibly awful. I hate when adult characters recognize their mate and their mate is a literal baby. It’s gross. I have seen other authors handle this scenario better having the older character not recognize and connect with the mate until they reach adulthood even when they meet before that. Also not a fan of children being murdered on page in front of other characters for shock value.

This series has really gone on too long and lost its way.

Dark Memory is like book 100 in this series (I'm exaggerating, but it is a really long series) and features a new family. Safia's culture was new to me. Feehan does a lot of front loading about this culture, and it makes the first part of the book really slow. I struggled a lot with that aspect. It was interesting and well researched, but I typically expect a lot of action and heat from this series.

Safia was not pleased when she finds out she has been promised to Petru. She is a fiercely independent woman. She knew she would have to marry, but with the ever present danger to her family, she has a lot going on. Safia is a spunky for sure, and she does not suffer the fools. Petru is more of a speak softly and carry a big stick kind of guy. There is plenty of action and suspense once the story gets going and I always appreciate that.

This book was good, but I didn't love it as much as some of the others in the series. I feel like what I loved about the series was the Carpathians and this book got away from that. Trying to learn about a totally different culture and family dynamic made the pace slow a lot in the beginning.

I adore this particular series from Feehan, and this installment felt truly unique. I love the lore that she brought into this particular story, and our tortured hero was incredibly patient while our heroine got her feet and mind around the situation. You never know what to expect from this dark yet passionate world with its beautifully extraordinary characters. I know I am never disappointed, and I am always left wanting more.

DARK MEMORY gives you moments of laughter and tears and will have your heart pounding out of your chest with danger and intrigue and moments later fanning yourself because of the steamy romance.

Reviewed by Annetta Sweetko for Fresh Fiction

Complete review: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=84036

Saphia is from an Amazonian tribe and is the chosen 1 and defender of her family. It is a very close family. Her brothers and sisters are happily married thanks to her grandfather who is Aseeer and the priest and leader of the family. Saphia is the one who was chosen to be the defender of their family and watches over her grandfather when he goes to commune with the spirits whenever she ask her grandfather who she will marry he tells her you will find out in the day has come what her father and grandfather tells her makes her angry they say she will marry a Carpathian warrior Who was born over 1000 years ago but thanks to him saving her ancestors they promised when the warrior was needed he would come back but when he did they had to promise the chosen daughter would be his bride and the time has come and the daughter is Saphia. Lately she has been having little accidents and feeling dark spirits somethings she had first blows off but once her grandfather realizes the danger he tells the whole story to her and about her soon to be bride groom. Let me just say this is an awesome awesome story I am not in to stories about vampires and they have those in here as a matter of a fact that they are the danger but everything about the story is awesome from her meeting her Carpathian warrior to the battle with the vampires the little ones and the biggest ones it’s all awesome if this is the beginning of a series Count me in this girl is such a bad ass and I haven’t even mentioned her spiritual sister or Mia I know I spelled that wrong but either way the story is a story that keeps giving because that’s the story goes along each little nuance and secret is revealed and it makes the story that much better I do think this book could’ve had A more spectacular name but OMG it really is a relevant want to get into the story such a great book! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it I want to thank the publisher and Net Galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I'm just going to start by saying, I knew this book was part of a series, but I apparently didn't register it was book 33!!! Thank goodness you can read this as a standalone and generally figure out what you need to know.

The start of the book was quite heavy. It has tons of backstory on Safia's tribe, her grandfather, their people, traditions, the whole works. As a result the start may seem a little slow to some people. I, however, found it quite interesting. The idea that Safia has been promised to someone since the day she was born is, different. Her whole life she is trained to be the defender of her people against demons, possessed creatures, vampires and whatever else life dares to throw at her. Queen of the underworld, sure why not? lol I digress.

Safia has been given all the knowledge her people could impart to her. How to read the sacred tarot cards, how to use magic, how to fight with sword, trident, etc. She's a walking tactician. (Side note: I really like how the author used Petru to give us the awe inspiring way Safia's brain works when she is facing an enemy intent on creating a crisis situation.) Her grandfather, head of the tribe, even taught her to speak Carpathian so she could better communicate with her lifemate/betrothed. Only he doesn't tell her her lifemate is Carpathian, or what exactly that means, or that she would be eternally bound to him, become like him, have to drink blood, etc. So obviously when all of this comes to light, she's a bit freaked out and tries to get out of the arrangement. After all, the first time she met her betrothed she had just beaten a vampire in combat and he all but takes over the situation. Carpathian males are notoriously controlling.

Petru rapidly realizes though that his lifemate will not be one to sit on the sidelines when her people are in danger. Going against his nature he tries to let her preform her duties to her people (while silently hoovering over her to make sure she doesn't get hurt). Doing this he rapidly realizes just how extraordinary his lifemate is and how instrumental she will be in the upcoming battle. Despite being a Carpathian male, he allows her to battle all sorts of monsters and do all sorts of things. He consciously tries to be the best mate he can be, recognizing they come from two very different cultures and backgrounds. He actually asks her grandfather, father and brother for help to better unstand their people, customs, and way of life in order to better understand his mate. He also realizes that he will never be able to pull her away from her family and have her live happily; so he doesn't even try.

Not bad for a 2000 year old warrior who seems pretty set in his ways.

For people who have been reading the series, I don't think we meet anyone you know from previous novels in this book. Some of them are mentioned in passing towards the end of the book, and that's about it. Even Petru's five companions are pretty vague. You know one is his constant traveling partner, 3 are triplets brothers, and one is...handsome according to human women? You do get a brief bit of conversation between them and Petru, establishing that one is a bit sassy (I forget who) and you learn that the brothers have some special talents among them.

Obviously the book does pick up the pace. I would probably say around the halfway mark. If you don't like a heavy history lesson on what sounds to be a pretty traditional tribe, you are going to struggle. And I think any westerner will struggle a little with the idea of arranged marriages, some where the couple don't even get to meet. Seeing how I binge watched The Matchmaker on Netflix, I found this pretty interesting and wished a little more time was spent on it, though there was time spent on it.

My only thing was that I kept forgetting that this was taking place in modern times. Her tribe lives together on a larger farm that has sheep and goats and such. Everyone seems to be some sort of craftsman. One makes clothes, another jewelry, carpets, tea ware, etc. They sell it at the market. The boats the fisherman use are wood, etc. There isn't a lot of mention of modern day things. So when they randomly whipped out a phone to text I was like "oh yeah. Modern times. Right." My brain just kept setting it back a century or two. Silly brain. I mean, they mention guns. But all the 'heroes' fight with swords or hands (and I wish there were more descriptions).

But, other then my own brain betraying me, I quite liked this one. It seems like Safia and Petru's story arch is done, but there is potential that the next couple of books will be about his traveling companions! It feels like this book might be signaling the eventual end of the series, but apparently I have 36 other books I have to read to catch up. So I could be very wrong. I hope it does though, cause I think it would be awesome to have a Carpathian and lifemate epic throw down against the creatures of the underworld.

Dark Memory by Christine Feehan is the 33rd book in her fantastic Carpathian series. I absolutely loved this book, as Dark Memory was fascinating and thrilling from start to finish. Dark Memory continues the story of the remaining 4 ancients to find their Life-mates, Petru is the hero in this book, with Benedek and Nicu still to come in future books.

We meet at the start, Safia Meziane, our heroine, who is an important member of her family, who live in Algeria. Safia has trained her entire life to defend against demons, to protect her family, as she is a demon hunter. Safia worries that she will not be able to protect her family, as she is the ‘chosen one’; she is very independent, devoted to her family, and has extraordinary abilities to fight evil. She can sense the evil coming, she learns from her grandfather that she is not alone; since years ago, she was promised to an Ancient Carpathian warrior, who will join her, with some other warriors to help in the battle.

Petru Cioban, our hero, is one of the oldest Carpathians, knowing that 2000 years he found his life mate, who was still a child, only to have lost her to the evil vampires under control by Lilith. Petru waited all these years for her to be reborn, and is determined to get there in time to help her fight another evil battle, but this time he will do anything to keep her safe.

Even though Safia, senses her life mate on his way, she manages to stop an early attack, using her ability to control animals/insects, as well as mind control others (vampires/hounds). As soon as things escalate, Petru and his group (Benedek, Nicos, Mataias, Tomas, Lojos) appear and they stop the onslaught for now; but evil Lilith is even angrier and will bring everything she has soon. Lilith and her demons, hellhounds, vampires will use everything to kill Safia, Petru and all the family. Can they survive?

Petru and Safia get to know each other, and in a short period, they both know they were destined to be together. Petru was wonderful with Safia’s family, and together they all made plans on how to defeat this horrific evil. Petru marveled at how Safia had amazing mind control abilities, and knew she would always want to be able to use her powers when needed; and he easily worked closely with her. I got a kick out of Petru teaching Safia how to shift into a small bird. I love that Petru was sweet and caring, giving her time to accept their bond; I loved Petru and Safia together, as they were so good. I did like that Safia near the end, would be able to read the cards, letting the other 4 men know they do have life-mates.

What follows is an exciting, intense story line where both Safia and Petru were in constant danger, with lives on the line. Dark Memory was a pulse-pounding, edge of your seat thriller, that kept me unable to put the book down. Safia and Petru were such an amazing couple, not to mention all the wonderful members of her family, who would join the battle against evil. Dark Memory was another masterpiece by Christine Feehan. If you are a Dark/Carpathian fan, you need to read this book.

Christine Feehan , introduces another Carpathian novel, Dark Memory. Safia Meziane, human, has trained since birth to protect her family and community from demons and other dark creatures; Aura, a Carpathian immortal, has helped train her. Now Safia is being claimed by her Carpathian lifemate and she is unsure about acceptance. Petru looks forward to mating with Safia as she is his lost lifemate reborn. Safia has unexpected talents for a human but she is attracted to Petru. Together they battle demons and vampires.

Safia is a kickass heroine with superpowers to vanquish the bad guys. She finds out she’s been promised to Petru, a Carpathian hottie and legendary vampire fighter, her lifemate. Safia’s not too happy she wasn’t told about this, but there are bigger things to worry about like evil vampires, demons and Lillith the ultimate baddie, coming for her and her family!

Love the whole “fated mates” concept and they have a past! Their romance is a slow burn, well done and hot!

Dark Memory was an exciting paranormal romance! Good vs. evil, danger and action at every turn, a chemistry filled romance and a family, both found and blood related, to love and root for!

Things to note: The story took a bit to get into but worth the time. Safia and Petru’s story wraps up, but the fight against evil isn’t over. Petru’s Carpathian friends will be getting their own stories complete with lifemates. Dark Memory can easily be read as a standalone.

The story sucks you and keeps you enthralled as it unfolds.  It's hard to believe that this is the 37th book in one of the longest running series and is as fresh and exciting today as when it all began. 
Safia has green eyes that are meaningful in her family as it marks her as an ancestor reborn and also a warning to her tribe that the time has come to fight evil.  She is not without her own gifts that enable her to scent evil and to fight it plus she's been well trained as a warrior from birth.  As her siblings are married and settled, she wonders who her grandfather will find for her mate little knowing that she is already bound to an ancient Carpathian warrior who is finally on his way to her after 2 centuries. 
Petru with his brethren is on his way to the part of Algeria when Safia lives and where unknowingly there is a portal to hell.  Lilith has also stepped up her activity in starting to send out her minions to start testing the defenses of the locals in the area. As he approaches, he realizes that he has been here before and fought a battle with the minions of hell where he sacrificed his 5-year-old life mate in order to save everyone else. Clearly, he is determined that things will be very different this time around. As he binds Safia to himself in the way of the Carpathian people he knows he has to learn how to be the life mate his young mate can love and accept beyond the biology.
Together, flanked by a fabulous cast of characters made of his entourage of Carpathians and Safia's family they will face the challenges that are thrown their way.  This series continues to get more and more exciting as two more of the ancient Carpathians make their way to find their life mates.

Rating-3.5 Stars

Received a ARC copy in exchange for a honest review

My Review:
First Impressions
Dark Memory is the 33rd installment in the Carpathian series (also known as the Dark Series), and in this one we get the story of Petru and Safia. I had been pretty excited for this one but honestly, I knew I wasn’t going into this one in the right mood to enjoy it fully. I did enjoy many aspects of this book though and it was intriguing to see that this book was set on an island and had some strong family aspects to it that I really enjoyed. There is something so endearing and compelling about the ways in which Feehan will create the atmosphere of her stories and it can immediately pull you into a story. The premise of this book was very intriguing and I was curious to see how it would be handled. And while it didn’t quite fully work for me in the ways that I would have liked, many readers of PNR and those that love kick ass heroines, will quite get a kick out of this one. Its also important to note that I recommend at least reading Dark Tarot and Dark Whisper before reading this one just due to some of the aspects of the world building that is implemented within this one here.

Summary
Safia Meziane was raised on an island with her family and her tribe. She has been trained almost since birth to be the fighter of her tribe. All she has really known is training and solitude. Even though she loves her family she has felt lonely. There has been some evil that has been spreading across their island, and she learns that her family has kept secrets from her and a destiny that she never knew existed. Safia is the “Chosen One” which means that she was born to be the lifemate to a Carpathian, which is unknown for any in their tribe. But she is learning she has been destined to marry a complete stranger and her family kept the truth of it from her. She has trained to fight demons and to be the cardholder. Then we have Petru Cioban, who is one of the older Carpathians and he lost his lifemate as a child but knew that she would come back to him and that rebirth has been done within Safia. Safia and Petru are complete strangers to each other. As they learn each other, they also have a growing evil of vampire and demons coming for them and Safia’s tribe. But there are secrets that will need to be revealed before Safia and Petru can find the destiny they are meant for…

What I Loved
There were so many aspects to this story that I truly loved. I really was curious to see where the author would take this story. The setting first off I was super impressed with. I am not sure I have read this author ever having such a setting and it felt so rich in culture and vibes of mystery and intrigue. This is also the perfect book to kick off my October month with. If you want some kick ass and spooky vibes, then look no further than Dark Memory. It was superb in delivering the right atmosphere that you can easily get behind on. I also adored the hero. He is so patient and understanding with Safia. For a man and immortal who has lived for centuries, he definitely delivered more grace than Safia deserved at times. And while he isn’t perfect, he is sincere and genuine with Safia. There were aspects of Safia’s character that I did like at times. She does have a caring heart and is devoted to her family even when they have kept secrets from her for years, she has a forgiving heart for them. She also is brave and willing to face whatever challenge that comes to her and I did admire her spirit in fighting evil.

What I Struggled With
There were some aspects to this story that I did struggle with. It wasn’t an easy read. And first off, I do recommend making sure you are in the mood for a kick ass type of heroine. Because if you aren’t, this might not be for you. I struggled with Safia’s character at times. I wanted to love her and I went into this story with an open mind but to be honest, she is one of my least favorite heroines that I have read from this author. She was a bit too modern for my liking. Some aspects of her character just didn’t quite fit and she was self-righteous at times which turned me off. She tended to be a bit naive when it came to the relationship with Petru and was not willing to take accountability for her own actions, but willing to place the blame on others.

Overall View
Dark Memory is a sensational tale that will keep you hooked. It’s a story of second chances, claiming your destiny, and moving forward with courage and zeal! AN ACTION-PACKED GEM THAT ONLY FEEHAN CAN DELIVER!

DARK MEMORY is the thirty-seventh instalment (33 plus 4 novellas) in Christine Feehan’s adult DARK CARPATHIAN erotic, paranormal romance series focusing on a group of powerful warriors known as Carpathians. This is ancient Carpathian Petru Cioban, and Safia Meziane’s story line. DARK MEMORY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines 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, eventually turning the male vampire or forcing him to greet the dawn.

Told in several parts from dual omniscient third person perspectives, once again leaning strongly on the Tarot cards, DARK MEMORY follows the building relationship between Petru and Safia. Thousands of years earlier Petru found his lifemate, a five year old child, then lost her to a vampire’s madness. Fast forward to present day Petru has been told his ‘lifemate’ is alive in the current timeline, a woman who is very aware of the vampire’s existence. Safia Meziane has been trained in the ways of killing vampires and demons who escape from behind the gates of the Underworld, gates that are guarded by three powerful and ancient Carpathian women. When Petru comes face to face with his lifemate, he will discover that the danger is already present and he must claim our heroine before it is too late. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Petru and Safia, and the potential fall-out as Lilith was determined to take control

Safia Meziane has been trained to kill with a magical sword; to take down a vampire, a demon and all sorts of evil that threaten the lives of her family and friends. With the aid of Aura, an ancient Carpathian, a female whose duty it is to guard the gate to the Underworld, Safia is more than aware of the coming war, and the man that is about to take control of her world.

As per usual, there is a large ensemble cast of colorful, powerful and often dangerous secondary and supporting characters: many of Safia’s extended family and friends; Carpathian ancients Nicu Dalca, and Benedek Kovac, Tomas, Lojos and Mataias, as well as Lilith who commands the demons, the vampires, the mages from the Underworld; and a not so surprising Master vampire

DARK MEMORY continues to focus on a new series arc, one that now follows a form of reincarnation; the Tarot cards that tell the ancients of the existence of a mate, gate keepers, demons and demon slayers, hellhounds and the Underworld, as well as the woman in charge. The arc also renegotiates the death of a lifemate; the scarring of a Carpathian, and vampires that continue to work with someone else. The slow building, action-packed premise is intriguing and captivating but also familiar with a very prolonged fight scene; the romance is insta-lust to love, provocative and intense; the characters are charismatic and determined.



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Christine feehan has done it again. I was hooked on to it since the very beginning. This was an easy book to relax into with a fast paced story serving all the action, engaging plot, entertaining characters couple with some romance!

Safia has trained her entire life to defend against demons. She is aware she is promised but learning her mate is not a local shatters her...too bad she doesn't have time to shift her focus.
Dark Memory is the latest in Christine Feehan's Dark series. I love seeing the Ancients find their forever and this time is Petru's. He has survived after a perceived betrayal to his life mate. Can he move past his guilt to see the woman fated to be his in the here and now? I loved finding out as he get a crash course in making his mate happy even as they prepare for war.
Safia is no shrinking violet. She has trained for a future she wasn't sure was real. But when her future comes she has no time to process. Danger and evil are coming fast. I love that Petru gives her what time he can. I love that he allows her the time to process even as their choices are limited. I love that he comes to love her as she is and not through guilt distorted lens.
I thoroughly enjoyed this addition to Ms. Feehan's Dark series and cannot wait to see where she will take us next.

Petru made a decision centuries ago concerning his lifemate.
He walked away... but never again.

Safia god I just loved this woman. She is strong, fierce and so much more than even she knows.
She has been trained her whole life for what is to come and what she must do.

The cards do play a large part in this story and I just love the more Dark parts...

Petru and his brothers make their way to where his lifemate is in need but they are not prepared for what they find in this small town.

Safia may not believe how Petru accepts all so easily after what she has heard about lifemates which wasn't much.

These two are an amazing couple together. And I can not wait to see which of the brothers finds their mate next... we know it's coming!

I will never be bored of this series... and I highly recommend it if you like the paranormal, vampires, shifters, warriors, and strong women. It truly is a series you could read over and over again. They are so well written.

This book started out incredibly slow with all the backstory about Safia's people and how her grandfather is the head of her tribe and has trained her to speak the Carpathian language for when she meets her lifemate. But he never told her that until recently and now she is not happy that the person she's supposed to marry is not someone from her tribe. Her grandfather also didn't tell her that this male she's been promised to is an immortal who drinks blood to live or that she will have to become like him in order to become his lifemate. Safia has been trained since she was very young to be the defender of her people against vampires and demons but she has yet to actually battle any. But her grandfather knows the time she will have to is fast approaching.

Safia is a warrior and when she has to face down vampires, demons and insects being controlled by evil who is out to kill her, she does so easily. She is also a tarot card reader and the cards tell her the future. When she finally meets Petru and the five Carpathian males that have accompanied him to help rid her village of the master vampires and demons that were sent there to kill her, she's not sure what to think of the male who is to be her lifemate.

This is not one of my favorites from this series because it's getting away from how this series started out with lots of Carpathians interacting with each other, nor did it bringing back characters from previous books. We don't see a lot of characters from previous books and that's a real shame, a missed opportunity right there. But I did like Petru, he was of course the typical Carpathian male who is bossy and likes to take charge but he saw Safia for the warrior she was and gave her the respect she deserved. So he at least had that going for him.

Towards the middle of the book it did pick back up and I found myself again very engaged in the story.

Dark Memory is book 37 in the Dark series by Christine Feehan, but I think it would be read as a standalone because we don't get a lot of backstory about the other characters from previous books.

Disclosure: I was given an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

✦Review: DARK MEMORY by Christine Feehan https://bit.ly/45eXTNA
Publication Date: 10/3/2023
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 4.5 Stars

I got lost in this tale from the start. I loved the Algerian aspect and family customs so easily incorporated into the storyline. Safia came alive as the family and tribe’s demon slayer and protector. Those around her aided in describing her character and strength just by their interaction with her, making me become invested in all the tribe’s future. Petru is the usual ancient Carpathian. He had a few different nuances because of his and Safia’s history, but his character was not as rounded out as hers. I enjoyed their lover’s banter as the relationship progressed. Nice sexiness intertwined with the danger and evil surrounding them.

The story itself was fast paced and quite riveting. Safia’s way of fighting demons and vampires had new aspects that made it interesting. Lilith and her demon horde had their work cut out for them when facing Safia and Petru’s people. I cannot wait for the next installment. The hints about it sounded quite enticing.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

~*~*~*~

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A legend, a protector of her tribe, and a 2000-year-old warrior are combined with suspense, action, and romance in Dark Memory by Christine Feehan. This is the thirty-seventh book in the Carpathian Dark paranormal romantic suspense series. Safia Meziane has trained to protect her tribe and family since birth. Evil is coming to Dellys, Algeria soon. While afraid she won’t be able to protect those she loves, she always thought she would face evil alone. However, her family reveals that isn’t so. She has been promised to a warrior. He’s an outsider and a Carpathian. Petru Cioban is over 2000 years old and has spent that time without the presence of his destined lifemate. Now he arrives only to find her ready to battle vampires and other evil beings.

While Safia and Petru are physically attracted to each other, their cultures are very different. This means they must work through their expectations and needs. Safia has been trained to be a warrior and defender of her people. She has abilities other humans don’t. She’s courageous, giving, compassionate, has fast reflexes, loves to bargain, and is used to speaking her mind. Petru is dangerous, a man of honor, powerful, intimidating, intelligent, an experienced fighter, and doesn’t believe in arguing. The secondary characters provided balance, opportunities for humor, support, and conflict and were well-developed.

While the novel is set in contemporary times, Safia’s family has passed down legends from generation to generation and have trained each to fight the coming evil. The narrative was descriptive giving readers a good feel for the Meziane farm as well as the nearby town of Dellys.
The plot was somewhat straightforward with high stakes and lots of risk. The significant amount of danger and action kept me fully engaged and made this a true page turner for me. This is a riveting story with protagonists that I liked and cheered on as their journey progressed and became ever more dangerous. The prose is well-written and engaging. Woven through the novel are threads of caring for others, family, betrayal, treatment and expectations of women, leadership, love, respect, trust, friendship, and the battle between good and evil. There are a couple of spicy scenes and a lot of violence in the story.

Overall, this novel is entertaining, suspenseful, full of danger, and has great characterization. If you enjoy thrilling paranormal romantic suspense novels, then I recommend you check out this series. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Berkley Publishing Group and Christine Feehan provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for October 03, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.