In the fourteenth book of the Dark/Carpathian series, Mikhail Dubrinksy calls his hunters home to the Carpathian Mountains to celebrate Christmas. Though the Carpathian men are not religious, many of their lifemates used to be humans and still enjoy human-type celebrations. Most of the men hadn’t been home in centuries—living elsewhere in the world to fight vampires—and several heed the prince’s call.
Each couple from the previous books return, and it’s great to see how their relationships are progressing. This story follows Mikhail as he visits those couples, some single men in need of lifemates, and lots of children who need protection.
Two new lifemate pairs are introduced, but the men are unable to claim their women.
My heart ached every time Skyler and Dimitri were on page together. Skyler has had such a hard life. Most males cannot recognize their lifemates until the women are adults, but Dimitri recognized Skyler as his even though she’s only 16. Given her past, she’s matured quickly. Gabriel, her adopted father, is not happy about this and is determined to keep them apart. Even though she’s scared of falling under Dimitri’s thumb, she stands up for him against Gabriel. I enjoyed every scene with them, especially the one where they’re dancing and finally connecting.
The other new couple is Manolito and Mary Ann. I’m not a fan of the De La Cruz brothers, but I felt so bad for Manolito. He nearly dies and no one knows he’s found his lifemate.
I loved the scene when Mikhail visits Joie, Traian, and her siblings, Gabrielle and Jubal. Even though Gabrielle and Gary are in love, she’s now a Carpathian and they can no longer be together if Gabby finds a destined lifemate with a Carpathian male. Gabrielle’s mom hates Gary at first sight, and this is when we readers discover that Gary is distantly descended from the Jaguars. When the mom attacks Gary and tries to go through Mikhail to do so, Traian fails to protect his prince as he’s supposed to, and Gregori berates him like crazy. It’s a very intense scene, even though Mikhail is amused, if not exasperated, with his second-in-command.
Since it’s Christmas and there are lots of small children present, someone has to play Santa. Poor Gregori. It’s so hilarious when Mikhail, his father-in-law and his prince, “request” this of him, and Gregori’s brothers are there watching from the sidelines. Savannah, however, Gregori’s lifemate, isn’t about to let her father win, so she makes Gregori into the best Santa ever.
With so many Carpathians and lifemates in one place, it’s the perfect time for their enemies to strike. The evil mage Xavier and his grandson Razvan cause trouble, and it’s a bitter reunion between Razvan and his twin sister Natalya.
I absolutely love this story. It’s my all-time favorite in the series.
5 Stars
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This book was pretty good for what it was. I enjoy a book from Christine Feehan from time to time. I thought it was a little predictable though. ( )

This one was a little unfocused. ( )

I know I have read several books by Christine Feehan. But apparently it was before I started keeping track of what I was reading, and I have forgotten which ones I read and which ones I didn't.

Dark Celebration brings together all the characters from the Carpathian series. Some of these people I remembered, some I didn't. I felt this book was a little too gimmicky. With one chapter dedicated to each of the couples, the book began to feel very repetitive. There was a cohesive plot tying it all together, but I still felt the author tried to hard to give updates on each of the couples.

The ending of the book was a let down. It seemed very abrupt and left some unanswered questions. I wanted to know more about what went on at the party after the main group left.

I think this book will be good for fans of the series to catch up on the different characters. But for the casual reader it felt too disjointed and tried to cover too much ground. ( )

It is Christmas in the Carpathian Mountains and from all over the world these intensely sumptuous and dangerous men are returning to their homeland. Some are bringing their lifemates and some are bringing their children. But all of them are looking for a moment of peace and happiness. This was my absolute favorite of the "Dark" Series books. All of the characters from the previous books come together, they are touching in their desire to interact with the humans. It's like reuniting with old friends and family. I would give this a dozen stars if I could. ( )