Gale Reads: Dark Slayer by Christine Feehan

I have found this book in the sale bin of National Bookstore last month for only Php30 (that's less than $1!) and I wanted to try reading works from other authors so I bought it. I learned after reading it that Dark Slayer is part of a series called The Dark Series and that it's a Carpathian novel. 

So without further ado, here's my "first impression" on Christine Feehan's work :)

GENRE: Romance, Fantasy, Vampires, Magic
Synopsis: (from http://www.christinefeehan.com/dark_slayer/)
A rumor has persisted in the vampire world of a dark slayer—a woman—who travels with a wolf pack and who destroys any vampire who crosses her path.  Mysterious, elusive and seemingly impossible to kill, she is the one hunter who strikes terror into the hearts of the undead.
She is Ivory Malinov. Her only brethren, the wolves. Long ago betrayed by her people, abandoned by her family, and cast out by everyone she held dear, Ivory has lived a century without companionship or love. She has sustained her sanity by the habit of the hunt and the custom of the feeding. Until the night she picks up the scent of a man, her unexpected salvation. Her lifemate. The curse of all Carpathian women.
He is Razvan. Branded a criminal, detested and feared, he is a dragonseeker borne of one of the greatest Carpathian lineages, only to be raised as its most despised—and captive—enemy. Fleeing from his lifetime of imprisonment, Razvan now seeks the dawn to end his terrible existence. Instead he has found his deliverance in the Dark Slayer.
In spirit, in flesh and blood, in love, and in war, Ivory and Razvan are made for each other. For as long as they dare to live.


MY REVIEW:
I read the whole story without researching anything about it or the series so from the point of view of someone who have no clear idea of the premise of the story, the author was able to make me understand the what, why, who, how questions I had for this story alone. I think this book even though is part of a series can also be read as a stand alone novel. It doesn't really require the readers to read the previous ones since it's already explained somewhat. But on the other hand, I think it would create a better impact on me if I do have read the earlier books prior to reading Dark Slayer as to know the start of the whole conflict and how it affected all the characters I have encountered. Over all, I can say that this is a good read and it has a very entertaining and somewhat unique fantasy world and concept. It's actually a fast read, which surprised me. I loved how the heroine is a very strong woman, that's what really pushed me to get this book after reading the synopsis.  I just can't put my finger on it, I kept on thinking it's good but it didn't wow me that much. I can't pinpoint the exact reason why I can't give it a grade higher.

oh, wait, I take that back. I believe what put me off was the way the dialogues are written. It actually bothered me that they "speak" in Russian (I believe) and then the author will put italized English translation after it or vice versa. It's a nice touch actually until I experienced it in the entire book! It's too redundant in my opinion. Especially the endearments because  you can just put the translation once in the beginning and then continuously use the Russian word throughout the book. Or put an appendix at the end to explain all the terminologies. But aside from that, I really liked the book :)

OVER ALL RATING: 4/5 

I enjoyed reading it & I am intrigued enough on this series. I am still debating whether to buy the other ones or just download ebook copies, but I am pretty sure that i will check out more books by Christine Feehan in the future. Though I won't be reading those until much later coz I still have a lot of book in my list to read first :) 

I would recommend this to those who are looking for an action packed romance novel w/lead the heroine as a warrior.  

Do comment below if you have read other works by her. What should I get next? :)