Silke Reinders is a trained demon slayer, and she knows a war is coming. If those in this remote village lose this war all mankind is endangered. There is, however, a DARK HOPE coming in the guise of a Carpathian who is Silke’s fated lifemate. An ancient stranger who will help with the coming battle and claim his mate.

Benedek Kovak is one of the oldest and most dangerous of the ancient Carpathians and his only hope has been finding his lifemate. He and the other ancients had locked themselves away to protect their own people and the growing world around them. Now with his lifemate in danger, he must find her. Yet the enemy will do anything to stop the warriors. Benedek wonders if it is possible for the holder of his soul to be strong enough to fight the darkness that threatens him so he can fight the adversary who is determined to destroy all Carpathians and humans alike.

DARK HOPE is Christine Feehan’s Carpathian series at its best! Fans of the series have already met Benedek and the other Carpathians in previous offerings. Benedek and Silke have an immediate attraction which is expected of lifemates, but unusual for the series, they try to get to know one another to alleviate some of Silke’s fears for the future. This also gives readers a chance to get to know all the characters of the village, the traditions and even a bit more of the Carpathians who have travelled with Benedek.

Set in the Netherlands, readers are introduced to the area and the people who are important to Silke. It is always easy for this storyteller to draw you into the world. You will feel as if you are there as these people go about their daily.  The evil entity causes problems for Silke who is a warrior in her own right as well as a gardener and tarot card reader. Benedek is an ancient who fears that he is beyond redemption, but he follows the danger to protect Silke and her people. He is not completely trusting of others but soon learns there are those he can and should give his trust.

Other characters include his brothers (Mataias, Lojos, Nicu, Tomas); Silke’s adopted mother, Fenja, who taught her tarot and gardening, and the gatekeeper Tora brings a variety of emotions including humor and warmth to the danger surrounding them.

Fans of Ms. Feehan’s Carpathian series will love DARK HOPE. For those who are new to his author, and you are looking for a romance that is filled with love, laughter, danger and intrigue, good versus evil and love conquering all then DARK HOPE (and everything else written by this amazing author) is what you need.