Dark Prince: Author's Cut Special Edition [Mass Market Paperback]

What I didn't like: This book still has the stigma of romance novel cheesiness, although it is not as prounced in this story as in some. Using words like "sheath" and "member" to describe body parts - that just sounds stupid to me. The author is especially fond of the words "satiny," "silky," and "velvety," and she uses them on every other page, which gets old fast. Another thing I didn't like, but can't really fault the author for because her fans probably want and expect it, is the multitude of sex scenes that became repetitive and didn't really move the story along.

What I did like: Carpathians are hot. They are handsome, powerful, and when they find their life mate, they are physically and emotionally incapable of cheating on their woman. This is very much a woman's fantasy and done in a sensual way that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's also told mainly from a woman's point of view, which I also like. The story was good, and there was enough mystery, excitement, and surprise twists to keep my interest throughout.

I will definitely read the next book in the series, and I recommend this book as it is well written for its genre. If you want to read a supernatural book that has romance in it without the cheesiness and tells the story from a female perspective, I also highly recommend Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (vampires) or Bitten by Kelley Armstrong (werewolves).

During these times of wars and rumors of wars, I will forever keep this book on hand to reread again and again on those days and nights when I need a reminder that the simple love between a man and a woman is the reason our existence continues; even as bombs are bursting, towers are falling, and mankind's hatred seeks to destroy anyone who is of a different race, religion, gender, sexual preference...

So far I have reread Dark Prince and Dark Gold*****

An ingenious novel that takes romance to a new realm,
August 2, 2001
Reviewer: Michele Bowie (see more about me) from Marietta, GA United States
A good romance novel is an interesting read. An excellent one touches your heart. However, a masterpiece is truly an unforgettable piece of art that will be forever etched in nostalgia like the Beetles, Woodstock, The Wizard of Oz...and anything written by the late Barbara Courtland. For me, Dark Prince is such a novel. One that takes you on a captivating journey into forbidden love, intrigue, history, and a sense of family. The characters are so powerfully depicted that you find yourself wondering things like: Do beings of this nature really exist? Are my partner and I true Lifemates? Preferring historic romance novels, I was not sure this book would appeal to me, but to my delight, I found myself eager to read page after page. Because of my preference, I was able to appreciate and admire the old-world traits in Mikhail. Also, I believe that only an independent woman of the 21st century like Raven could handle such a dominant albeit, loving male. Gregori is so compellingly mesmeric that you just know the author can not resist featuring him in a novel of his own....and of course, she does (Dark Magic). I look forward to reading all of the books in Ms. Feehan's "Dark" series and much more.