DARK WOLF is Book 25 in this author's Dark Carpathian series, but within that series it's the second book in a Lycan trilogy. I don't think it's necessary to have read every previous book in this series to enjoy this book. However, I think it is necessary to have read at least a few of them to be familiar with some key terms and the author's mythology -- particularly the book Dark Legend (which introduced the Skyler character), Dark Celebration, as well as the book immediately preceding this one. I have been a fan of the earlier books in this series, and have been looking forward to this story for years. This is not the story I imagined it would be, but I like the story that it ended up being.

DARK WOLF opens with three friends on a secret rescue mission. The heroine of this story -- Skyler -- is a 19yr. old woman. When her fated mate is in danger, she and her two best friends Josef and Paul set off to rescue him. I loved that that this is a story in which the heroine rescues the hero. I thought this was a good story even without the paranormal elements. If you put aside the magical and paranormal elements, for me this was a good coming-of-age story.

Skyler was cruelly abused when she was younger. Consequently, when she finally became part of a loving family, she was often treated with kid gloves. To some degree, that was what she needed at the time. However, over the past few years she has done a lot of healing emotionally and gotten a self-esteem boost from getting proficient at her magic skills. The very fact that her two best friends are guys shows that she's in a very different place emotionally than she was years ago. She faced her fears in this book, both ingrained and the present danger she faced in this story.

I liked that Dimitri recognized and appreciated her courage and skill rather than played the role of angry father-figure. Dimitri was a different kind of hero from the aggressive alpha Carpathian males of the last few books. I liked that. He was accepting and supportive of Skyler's friendship with Josef and Paul rather than being unreasonably jealous and territorial. I also liked that he let Skyler advance their relationship on her terms and at her comfort level.

DARK WOLF makes me optimistic about Zev's book because he seems cut from the same cloth as Dimitri. They prove that being strong and alpha does not necessarily equal being a jerk. The Lycan/Carpathian politics didn't interest me that much, but I enjoyed the new wolf dynamic. Highlights of this story included Skyler using her earth magic, expanding her magical skills, and connecting with her biological father. There were one or two sexually awkward moments toward the end between Skyler and Dimitri, but that is understandable given Skyler's age and background. I look forward to the next book in this trilogy.

Book Summary

In Dark Lycan, Christine Feehan journeyed into the heart of the Carpathians, and into the souls of two lifemates stirred by the flush of passion and the threat of annihilation. In Dark Wolf, the breathtaking story continues as the bonds of family are imperiled, and the fate of two lovers lies hidden in the seductive shadows between life and death.

Skyler Daratrazanoff always recognized the miracle that was Dimitri Tirunul, a man beyond any dream that had ever engaged her nights. But she was human. Vulnerable. He was Carpathian. Nearly immortal. She was nineteen. He was an ancient. Yet she held half his soul, the light to his darkness. Without her, he would not survive. Caught between the two warring species, Dimitri has spent centuries hunting the undead to keep his people free, and humans safe. He had survived honorably when others had chosen to give up their souls. But now, marked for extermination by the Lycans, Dimitri found himself alone, and fearing for his life. But salvation was coming…

No Lycan would ever suspect someone like Skyler to dare mount a secret rescue operation. A teenage girl. A human of untested abilities. But she had something no one else had. She was predestined for Dimitri—as he was for her. And there was nothing stronger for Skyler than her desire to see her life-dream come true. Whatever the risk.