onlyfiction | Dark Prince (Dark #1)

Dark Prince (Dark, #1)
By: Christine Feehan
Release Date: January 1, 2005 (First published March 8, 1999)
Publisher: Leisure Books
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Series: Dark (#1)
Summary: Carpathians are an immortal race of beings with animal instincts. Every Carpathian male is drawn to his life mate: a Carpathian or human female able to provide the light to his darkness. Without her, the beast within slowly consumes the man until turning vampire is the only option.

Raven Whitney is a psychic who has used her gift to help the police track down a serial killer. Now she is determined to escape the glare of recent publicity for the peace and quiet of the Carpathian Mountains.

Prince Mikhail Dubrinsky is the leader of his people but, as his ancient Carpathian race grows ever closer to extinction, he is close to giving in to the heavy weight of loneliness and despair.

From the moment their minds touch, Raven and Mikhail form a connection. But there are those who incorrectly view all Carpathians as vampires, and are determined to give their extinction a helping hand.

There is an extended edition with an additional 100 pages: Dark Prince: Author's Cut Special Edition.

Review: Mikhail Dubrinsky is the leader of the Carpathians, an ancient ethnic group whose female population is rapidly shrinking. After helping catch a serial killer with her telepathic skills, Raven Whitney, a human, is vacationing in the Carpathian Mountains. Raven sensed Mikhail’s distress, and the two realize they share a connection. In Mikhail’s eyes, Raven represents hope for the Carpathians, as she may be the life mate he thought he’d never find.

Despite being aware of Christine Feehan's books, I wasn't impressed with the Dark Prince.. Narrative style was the first problem.I’ve had trouble understanding endless text on more than one occasion. Dark Prince is crammed full of emotional descriptions, and it repeats itself endlessly. It forced readers to sit through repetitive scenes in the emotional recount.. They used stock phrases every time. I started thinking the book would never end.

Mikhail’s treatment of Raven was another issue. The situation was infuriating. If he continued to infantilize her, I would accuse him of pedophilia. He calls her “little one,” as if she were a toddler. The sex scenes make her sound like a child, with her “soft whimpers,” “keening cries,” and “sobbing breath.” He sometimes speaks to her in a childish tone, and she fills his mind with childlike laughter.

Raven objected to Mikhail's attempt to intimidate her. Although she's called smart, she doesn't see through Mikhail's seductive talk.

There was also the whole issue of the men lacking emotions. Though it’s an interesting twist, I don’t buy it. Without feelings, how can men feel loyalty or honor? Without emotional bonds, they would all be psychopathic loners.

Although I’m aware of how popular this series is, I don’t think it’s for me. Mikhail and Raven’s twisted relationship does not appeal to me, and I don’t want to read any more about it. It’s hard to imagine how any woman would find this sexy.