📖 Overview
Dark Possession follows Manolito De La Cruz, a Carpathian male on the brink of turning, and Mary Ann Delaney, a counselor for battered women. Their paths cross during a celebration in the Carpathian Mountains, leading to an unexpected blood bond and a near-fatal injury.
The story moves to South America, where Mary Ann travels to help counsel another woman while struggling with memories of Manolito's apparent death. Meanwhile, Manolito awakens from his injuries with fractured memories and a deteriorating mental state, creating complications for those trying to help him.
The narrative interweaves Carpathian mythology with modern elements, centering on the connections between healing, memory, and trust. This installment builds on the established world of the Dark Series while introducing new dimensions to the Carpathian culture and its ancient customs.
The novel explores themes of psychological healing, the impact of trauma on both healer and patient, and the complex nature of predestined bonds in a supernatural context.
👀 Reviews
Readers rate Dark Possession as one of the weaker entries in Feehan's Carpathian series. Reviews highlight repetitive dialogue and plot elements that mirror previous books too closely.
Readers liked:
- Development of side characters
- Action sequences
- Emotional connection between leads
- Continuation of series mythology
Readers disliked:
- Reused phrases and descriptions from earlier books
- Slow pacing in middle sections
- Domineering male lead behavior
- Predictable story beats
"The same lines appear in every book now," notes one Amazon reviewer. "The hero acts more like a stalker than a romantic lead," comments a Goodreads user.
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.2/5 (12,800+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.4/5 (320+ ratings)
Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings)
Long-time series fans rate it higher than new readers. Multiple reviews suggest skipping this entry unless committed to reading the complete series.
📚 Similar books
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Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian A breed warrior vampire discovers his destined mate while hunting vampiric enemies through the streets of Boston.
Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon An immortal Dark-Hunter meets his match in a woman who holds the key to his survival against ancient Greek gods and demons.
Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh A vampire hunter works for archangels in a world where angels rule and vampires serve, leading to forbidden attraction between species.
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs A female mechanic who shifts into a coyote navigates pack politics and romance while solving supernatural murders in the Pacific Northwest.
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian A breed warrior vampire discovers his destined mate while hunting vampiric enemies through the streets of Boston.
Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon An immortal Dark-Hunter meets his match in a woman who holds the key to his survival against ancient Greek gods and demons.
Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh A vampire hunter works for archangels in a world where angels rule and vampires serve, leading to forbidden attraction between species.
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs A female mechanic who shifts into a coyote navigates pack politics and romance while solving supernatural murders in the Pacific Northwest.
🤔 Interesting facts
⚜️ "Dark Possession" marks Christine Feehan's 100th published novel, showcasing her prolific career in paranormal romance writing.
⚜️ The Carpathians featured in the book are based on ancient Romanian folklore about immortal beings who require blood to survive but aren't traditional vampires.
⚜️ The novel's South American setting was extensively researched by Feehan, incorporating authentic details about the region's rainforests and indigenous cultures.
⚜️ Mary Ann's character was groundbreaking for the series as she's the first human lifemate who works as a counselor, bringing mental health themes into the paranormal genre.
⚜️ The Dark Series has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, with "Dark Possession" helping to establish the paranormal romance genre as a mainstream literary category.