DARK DESTINY

Author: Christine Feehan ISBN: 0843950501 7/2004 FANTASY/VAMPIRE Publisher: Leisure

They were masters of the darkness, searching through eternity for a mistress of the light... Her childhood had been a nightmare of violence and pain until she heard his voice calling out to her. Golden and seductive. The voice of an angel. He had shown her how to survive, taught her to use her unique gifts, trained her in the ancient art of hunting the vampire. Yet he could not bend her to his will. He could not summon her to him, no matter how great his power. As she battled centuries-old evil in a glittering labyrinth of caverns and crystals, he whispered in her mind, forging an unbreakable bond of trust and need. Only with him can she find the courage to embrace the seductive promise of her . . . Dark Destiny.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

What else can I give a Dark series book by Christine Feehan but a Top Pick rating? Why, nothing else, of course! I realize I am a bit biased since everything with her name on it, with the exception of that Lion type book, gets a thumbs up from me. Naturally, I assumed DARK DESTINY was going to be great, and thank goodness, I was right!

Destiny, a female hunter with so much baggage from her horrible childhood it's tough to read about, is a bad a**. Her lifemate and only friend, Nicolae, an ancient hunter long forgotten (with a super-sexy brother sure to have his own story out next) make the pages sizzle. They try to get together despite Destiny having been turned by a vampire, making her lethal to her own lifemate.

Against all odds and much love they strive to turn Destiny's past into something she can leave behind and heal from, while fighting off the uniting hordes of vampires stalking them. There is nothing simple in Destiny's life, and her lack of trust and suspicious nature keep her alive. It also makes her one of the coolest heroines I have had the privilege to read about.

Though the Dark series share the same basis, they are all unique and, to my mind, can each stand alone. This one is definitely the book that stands apart and opens up some interesting issues the most. This story is a keeper. It actually borders on being my favorite, but I could never betray Gregori that way!

If you are an avid reader of these books, DARK DESTINY will be most impressive, and stand apart from the rest to you, too.

Shannon Johnson