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Showing posts with label Lynn Viehl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lynn Viehl. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Review: Nightbound by Lynn Viehl
Nightbound
Author: Lynn Viehl
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Signet
ISBN: 978-0451239815
Lords of the Darkyn #3
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): paperback (336 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/ NetGalley
About the book:
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Beaumaris of York has many secrets. No human can know that he’s an immortal Darkyn assigned to Knight’s Realm, the Kyn stronghold disguised as a medieval theme park. And none of his brethren can discover that he’s a half-breed, rescued from slavery as a child. Lately Beau has been yearning for action—and he’s about to find it with his new mission.
Brilliant archaeologist Dr. Alys Stuart is infamous for her extraordinary theories—especially those concerning the mysterious Knights Templar—and she is unaware that her research is funded by the Kyn coffers. When the Kyn sends a vexingly good-looking man to assist—and protect—her, she doesn’t expect the surge of attraction she feels for him.
When a powerful Templar artifact surfaces, Alys and Beau must trust each other enough to stop mankind’s greed for immortality from sparking a war between mortals and Kyn that will destroy the world.
What VampBard’s talking about:
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I am actually sad to see the Lords of the Darkyn series end! It was an action-packed, quick-moving off-shoot of her previous Darkyn titles. Guess I may have to pick 'em up for a fix!
Nightbound, the final title in Lynn Viehl's Lords of the Darkyn trilogy hit it out of the park for me! Replete with action, adventure, and a fabulous wrap-up for the spin-off series, this book definitely was an excellent 'closer'! Rarely do I enjoy the last book of a series as much – or more – than the first book. I am somewhat biased toward world-building, and generally fall madly in love with the world at that time. Other books seem like a bit of a let-down in comparison. Not so with this title! HEAT INDEX: 3.5 out of 5, but there was delicious sexual tension throughout!
Lords of the Darkyn was my first venture into Ms. Viehl's world of the Kyn, so I'm not sure whether any of the others mentioned in the series had backstories in prior titles, but it really doesn't matter. The trilogy presented three focus couples – one in each book – and I have to say that Beau and Alys were my favorite! I drooled over the Robin of Loxley lore in this book, and found that Nightbound expertly combined both worlds and left me with just a content sigh & a smile. Not many books can say that!
The Robin of Loxley lore was one of the plot points that drove me through this title. I'll be honest. Nothing compares to a good Robin Hood fanfic or re-imagining. Nightbound was no exception. From the first mention of Richard Tremayne, Nottingham, and Robin, I waited with baited breath for the next murmuring about this infamous tale. I loved the spin Ms. Viehl placed on the story. The addition of the Templars – a theory I'd always entertained with regard to the Sherwood tale – well, that absolutely drove home my **need** to finish this story. I'll be honest. I read it in about 4 hours. Four (pretty much) consecutive hours. The family insisted I go to a movie with about 20 minutes of reading left. The ending hovered over me the entire time I was at the movie. Theories running rampant in my head. I swear, the family KNEW exactly where I was in the book & decided that the 2:25 PM movie would be the perfect choice to rip me away from my book. **grumble**
Beaumaris, our dashing hero, was brilliantly described:
The crystal chandeliers overhead sketched him with thin slashes of amber light, from the tigereye streaks in his thick sorrel hair to the blunt toes and buckled straps of his dull black boots. His shoulders and chest filled out his leather jacket with enough bulge to make Alys think bodybuilder, but the elegance of his strong hands belonged to a musician, and the long, beautifully muscled stretch of his legs suggested an athlete. He was the tallest and most well-built male in the bar.
Formerly a Templar, Beaumaris (a.k.a. Beau) was now part of Jayr's garrison. He's over 700 years old, and he has been a phenomenal fighter for the duration. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised in a home with the head of the garrison who thought of him as a brother. Installed on a secret mission by Richard Tremayne, High Lord, Beau is charged with keeping tabs on an archaeological dig he's funded to obtain legendary Templar artifacts. Purported to have powers to create more Kyn. Um. Fountain of Youth was mentioned, too...Spanish missionaries, indigenous peoples... Yeah. A bunch of **my** topics! **happydance** Little did he know that he'd encounter Alys and her fabulous feminine wiles! What I liked most about Beau was the fact that he knew he was totally into Alys from the beginning, but let her take the lead. He put his machismo on the back burner, and let things develop at a clip that would keep the woman he loved comfortable with him and his eccentricities.
We had a fabulous description of our heroine, Alys, as well:
Tall and slender as a yearling filly, Alys had been graced with skin like sunlit snow, the eyes of a fawn, and the mouth of an enchantress.
Um. Wow. I think I have a girl-crush on Alys. She's smart, sassy, and fearless. Brilliant would better describe her, actually. Because of her upbringing – also orphaned at a young age – she has social skills & social confidence that are definitely far outside (below) the social norm. Oh, and she's my hero because she totally deals with her interns in a kind yet firm way. Jus' sayin'. I can't really discuss much about Alys without giving away this fabulous story, but suffice it to say that I love the way her brain works.
As for supporting cast, we had treason, attempted murder, and a phenomenal leader in Jayr with a sexy, protective partner in Byrne. As the bastard daughter of Robin of Loxley, Jayr was... well... you'll have to read about all the fabulous connections here! They all eventually circle back to the main conflict in the story, however. Mmmhmm. Love.
I'm really sad to see the Lords of the Darkyn trilogy end, but Ms. Viehl has quite a backlist of other Kyn stories to sate my hunger for this fabulous world she's created.
VampBard’s Rating:
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Personal favorite - a must read (A+)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
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Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Review: Nightbred by Lynn Viehl
Nightbred
Author: Lynn Viehl
Release Date: Dec. 4, 2012
Publisher: Signet
Lords of the Darkyn #2
ISBN: 978-0451238795
Genre: here
Format(s): Paperback (336 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/ NetGalley
About the book:
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Jamys Durand has survived being made an immortal Darkyn, horrific torture, and years of grueling warrior training. But he has no future to offer Chris, the mortal woman he loves, without his own territory. When he learns of a lost Templar treasure, Jamys vows to possess it and win his lady’s heart.
No one knows Chris Lang wants to be a tresora so she can live with Jamys, her secret love. Her superiors offer to make her dream come true, but only if she finds the lost treasure before Jamys can. Working together, Chris and Jamys track the jewels through a shadowy maze of priceless artifacts, decadent secrets, and one ruthless opponent who can possess an immortal’s mind…and will stop at nothing to have Chris.
What VampBard’s talking about:
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Nightbred, the second book of Lynn Viehl's Lords of the Darkyn series, was an action-packed, well-crafted tale that further developed the world of the Darkyn, leaving the readers wanting more (in a good way!). I can't wait for the next Darkyn title, expected May 2013.
I think Nightbred could be read without reading Nightborn, the first title in the series. Launched into the story with John Keats' poem, “Ode to Psyche,” the reader receives much foreshadowing, as well as beautiful poetry to set the stage for this work. With brilliant description of both persons and places, Ms. Viehl reveals her characters and plot via a masterful interweaving of interpersonal interactions and broad-reaching events. Add in a dash of magic, and a pirate long-thought dead, and you've got a fabulous story, destined to entertain.
I simply adored the settings and atmosphere. Strongholds. Goth nightclubs touting specialty drinks including:
“...Tanya Huff Highballs, Anne Rice Raspberry Smashes, and the latest dark fantasy authorial cocktail craze, Larissa Ione Imperials, classic martinis sporting two black cherries skewered by a miniature silver caduceus.”
Not only were favorite authors mentioned, but there were Amy Lee, Evanescence, and Linkin Park references. Way to hook me for the long-haul, Ms. Viehl!
We were even treated to some light-hearted commentary and snarkiness, on occasion. One of the funniest lines I found was said by a ruler from another area:
“Aedan wishes to open another theme park, and does not believe me when I say modern mortals have no desire to attend Medieval Torture World.”
We also had a 'moment' where Chris was commiserating and finding positives for the Kyn with a peer about the demands they're trained to meet: “They don't sparkle or get you pregnant with a life-sucking fetus.”
Lucan and Samantha, as well as Burke, seem to be important characters, besides our leading lady and gent. Lucan, naturally the leader of this geographic region, has a bit of a problem during the course of the novel. He was described by Burke's grandfather as being, “...'the deadliest son of a bitch ever to walk the night.'” Samantha realizes something is up, and altogether too late realizes her mistake. She's captured. Burke has come from a long line of tresori, and is as reliable as the day is long. Without all of these people and more believing in Jamys and Chris' ability to control the situation, the beautiful world in which these characters reside would surely be a smidge less interesting!
We were introduced to Jamys, our hero, early on, and in his home territory. While Jamys maintains a youthful, older adolescent facade, he has survived over seven centuries. Described through Christian's eyes, Jamys appears with “...big dark eyes, or black hair as fine as silk fringe, or hands that moved like water flowed.”
His father, Thierry Durand and stepmother, Jemma, seem to have tried to keep him a child. He's not been 'allowed' to grow up. He's been kept from training with his father's garrison, and left to train his body, as well as his mind, on his own. Over the course of the story, Jamys asserts his independence from his father, proves himself amongst others of his kind, and proves to the woman he loves that he's worth every ounce of effort. No small feat, considering they're Kyn, and each Kyn has special gifts and talents. Jamys is able to mentally communicate with others.
Christian, our heroine, has a discriminating eye for detail. After all, who else could have ascertained the importance of using rare documents – poetry – on the walls of a room? And... how could anyone else connect the poetry to not only Samantha, Lucan's (the leader of the local Kyn in the area) mate, but to Jamys? The logic for the connection was flawless, in my opinion. Chris strives to become tresora in order to pledge herself to Jamys, as (basically) a servant. Her love for him had grown since their initial meeting, three years ago. She thought this was the only way to be with him for her lifetime.
As Chris and Jamys realized that they needed to communicate with one another, O. Henry's class short story, Gift of the Magi, was referenced because Chris trained to be a tresora (one who serves a Kyn), and Jamys trained so he could win a territory, and become a Lord:
“You are not laughing,” he murmured, drawing her closer.
“How can I? You sold your watch to buy combs for my hair, and I cut off my hair and sold it to buy a chain for your watch.” She sighed. “Don't take that literally, it's an analogy.
Something two other misguided lovers did in an O. Henry story.”
“'Gift of the Magi.'” He nodded. “I know it well.”
“So do I, and yet we both made the same mistake anyway.”
Upon figuring out the whole deal with the human and the Kyn thing, they pledged their love to one another, and begin their life together.
Alas, things aren't all sunshine, rainbows and unicorns throughout the entire story. A legendary bad guy sails into the picture, causing quite a ruckus with our characters. Conflict IS a necessity in a plot arc, after all! I did enjoy the way in which Ms. Viehl revealed the conflict and all the major players. Giving more detail, however, is not something I can do. Everyone should have the pleasure of yelling at their book, 'Oh, HECK no!'
Dear Ms. Viehl, thank you for having the last book in the Lords of the Darkyn trilogy release on my anniversary. I'm pretty sure we can celebrate a couple days late, as I simply won't be able to keep my hands off the story. Kudos, Ms. Viehl!
VampBard’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend
Purchase Info:
Nightbred: Lords of the Darkyn #2
Reviews in the Series:
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Review: Nightborn
Nightborn
Author: Lynn Viehl
Release Date: March 6, 2012
Publisher: Signet Select
Lords of the Darkyn #1
(Spinoff series)
(Spinoff series)
ISBN: 978-0451413215
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (336 pages), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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As the high lord's most trusted warrior, Korvel is resigned to eternal loneliness, because he has sacrificed everything, even love for his duty. When he is ambushed while retrieving and ancient Templar scroll, he is saved by Simone Derien, and innocent who captivates him.
Only Simone knows the scroll's terrible power, and her duty is to prevent its curse from being unleashed. Somehow she must recover it while resisting the dangerous passion she feels for the handsome warrior.
As Korvel helps her track the scroll and elude a crazed assassin on their trail, Simone hides another terrifying secret: She has been ordered to kill Korvel as soon as they secure the treasure...
What VampBard’s talking about:
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I'd like to go on record as saying this: I've been trying to get to reading some of Ms. Viehl's work prior to this point in my romance-reading frenzy. I was excited and jumped at the chance to review Nightborn, as it is the first title in Viehl's new Lords of the Darkyn series (a trilogy?). This series is a spin-off of her Kyndred series. I am NOT disappointed! Besides her spectacular writing, I was also impressed about several other things regarding Ms. Viehl: 1) She has 45 novels published in 8 genres. 2) Her blog refers to the title of a Beatles song. 3) She doesn't seem to do a lot of shameless self-promotion. **meekly raises hand** Can I please be Ms. Viehl when I grow up?!?!
Nightborn had me hooked prior to the first page. Between the dedication and the first page of the novel, Ms. Viehl inserted an excerpt from William Blake's poem Auguries of Innocence. She let out some of the line and snagged me again, in the first eight pages. This backstory projected images of seven dark horsemen, relics of inconceivable measure, and the Templars. In. Eight. Pages. My imagination had kicked into overdrive. Who were the horsemen? Templars!?!?! Relics??? Theories clouded my brain, and I started the story with several hypotheses.
Flash forward: Present day. We meet Korvel immediately, and begin to learn about his stature, allure, and physical prowess as we meet Simone. While I felt as though Korvel had a bit of the Florence Nightingale Syndrome, that thought was quickly eradicated as Korvel presented his feelings in a manner that was soul-reaching and more than just a passing fancy. Interestingly enough, Simone's reaction to Korvel was equally as powerful. Karma, those two crossing paths.
Helada. If I never hear that name again, it will be too soon. While a spectral apparition, or merely a vivid memory, Helada served as part of the evil duo in Nightborn. Helada was pretty much clouded in mystery and intrigue. While we did learn that he was Simone's father, we didn't truly learn the full truth of the secret he was protecting. Simone, however, was bound by her biology to protect the same secret as her father. Unfortunately, because Helada did such a bang-up job of training his only biological offspring, and because he introduced her to several male youth during her childhood and training. EXCELLENT twist to the plot that I didn't expect! Pajero. Not. Impressed. Pajero thought he was going to steal the artifact and snatch a bit of immortality for himself. Sorry. Not really.
We are also introduced to Gabriel and Nicola. I LIKE them! Nicola's snarky commentary truly brought a bit of comedic relief to a very tense portion of the plot. Alexandra, a human-turned-Kyn, a doctor, is called in to assist with an emergency toward the end of the book. Korvel and Alexandra had a sort-of 'thing' previously. We also get a cursory glance at Richard. Pompous arse.
One of my favorite quotes from the 'supporting characters' is from Nicola:
“She's a nun who's having sex with him (Korvel), and she lured him into an ambush, and she's the sister of the guy who grabbed them.” Nicola shook her head. “You're right. I'm being too quick to judge. When we're done with the mission we should invite her over one night to play Pictionary.”
Simone appears to be a quiet, sentient being. However, she is quite powerful and skilled in combat. She thinks quickly and appears to react even faster. A lover that is also her protector is not necessary. Simone also is duty-bound to her family, protectors of a rare and dangerous artifact. She is riddled with inner turmoil and conflict, and struggles to resolve her learned duty and the whispers of her heart. Simone discovers, through her interactions with Korvel, that she is capable of being loved. She also learns that it's highly enjoyable to have an attentive partner. Through the skillful conflict driven by a moving plot, Ms. Viehl shows us how Simone came to be who she is today. Toward the end of the story, Simone is rewarded in a heart-warming reunion with many people she thought she'd lost during her childhood.
Korval, our hot, copper-allergic hero began the story a solitary soldier, sent on what appeared to be a trivial seek-and-find task. Because he is Kyn, a.k.a. Vampire, he has special gifts and talents. I was quite intrigued with the pheromone description for Korval – larkspur – and definitely will be seeking out this scent, just to get a first-hand experience with it's allure. While much of the getting-to-know-you was happening with Simone, I thought that Korval kept his distance, even though he knew he loved Simone. Part of that distance, I believe, was to 'convince' himself that Alexandra was really no longer a true pull for him. He wanted to believe that Simone was his true mate. The most beautiful scene, for me, was mid-story, when Korval and Simone were sharing a dream, in the 'nightlands':
“I never wanted this,” Simone whispered. “Any of this.”
“Then let it go.” Korvel removed her head veil and threaded his fingers through the bright tresses, drawing them over her shoulders. “Forget your father and this place. Be with me.”
“I'm not fit to serve you.” …
...Korvel held on to her. “I don't need a servant,” he shouted over the screaming wind. “I need you. I want you, Simone.”
After all the fighting was over, there was an emotion-packed scene. I nearly cried. No spoilers here, but grab a few tissues. I was pleased with the ending, and as Mr. VampBard can attest, I did say, 'la la la...I'm not believing this... it's a romance story, and there's always a happily-ever-after...' (as I sniffled and unobtrusively dabbed my teary eyes).
While the end of the story was action-packed, I was left with a lot of questions. I'm guessing that most of them will be answered in future installments of the Lords of the Darkyn series. I definitely cannot wait to see what the next title, Nightbred, holds in store for the Lords!
VampBard’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
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