FYI: I read the first in the Darkyn series and then picked up the first two in the Kyndred world as that is what was at my local library :)Also, my review contains SPOILERS!!I was originally very intrigued with the mythology of the books. I loved the idea that vampirism came from a mix of pathogens during the dark ages. I found it a neat twist to the standard demon/magic side of paranormal fiction. I was originally also buying into some of the psychic traits possessed by Darkyn/Kyndred as a biological/genetic side effect of their specific DNA. But the whole "reveal" with the two main male characters in this book... I know the author gave a loose explanation of how it happened, but seems way too mystical for me to buy into based on the rest of her world building. Maybe I would have an easier time accepting it if I had read more of the original Darkyn series. Also, like some other reviewers, this book had way too many coincidences for me to be believable (even with the standard suspension of belief most fantasy novels require!). And I am confused on why the genetics company just dropped the hunt for the dominant female as it seemed so critical to their research.All that said, I will probably still check out more books in the two series :) The world that Lynn Viehl has created, with its melding of science and vampires, is not the easiest to wrap one's mind around, with all of its complexities and twists, but it is entirely original, and genuinely interesting in all respects. Beyond that, what makes this book stand out in the increasingly-crowded field of paranormal romance, is the actual romance. Viehl has created, and sufficiently developed, three main characters who are easy to root for, and compel a person to read on to find out what happens to them. There is the street-smart heroine Rowan, who is talented in some surprising ways, and who is quite strong, but is not the standard tough-as-nails heroine that has become commonplace - she has her vulnerabilities, and readers can relate to her, regardless of the things she has endured. Further, once she finds love, she embraces her feelings rather than fighting them tooth and nail (even though the situation is not without its fair share of complications). Then there is Sean, who is testosterone personified - a man of few words, who is all muscles and attitude. What he is not, however, is obnoxious and abrasive, because even though he's not an easy man to relate to and has more than a few rough edges, he is also a man of character, with a strong sense of right and wrong; he may not readily accept his feelings, but once he's forced to face them, he falls hard and is utterly devoted. Finally, there is Jean-Marc, who is gorgeous, elegant, and sophisticated beyond the telling of it. He is a man who (like Sean) has some huge secrets, but he doesn't let them lessen his enjoyment of life, or harden him to the joys of human interaction and emotions.The connections between Rowan and Jean-Marc, and Rowan and Sean, are instantaneous and cannot be denied. Viehl has written a love triangle that avoids all of the usual cliches and pitfalls, while simultaneously reveling in an abundance of heat, passion, and genuine affection and caring. In fact, I found the relationships so compelling and sincere that they actually provided my one problem with the book - I wish more time had been devoted to these characters and their interactions with one another. Granted, Viehl had to juggle a fairly large cast of supporting characters and several different plotlines, and it is to her credit that sufficient time was devoted to all of them. I just wanted Rowan, Jean-Marc, and Sean to be featured a bit more.One of the most captivating aspects of the book is Rowan's feelings for both men, and her struggle with the thought of having to choose one over the other. And it is here that Viehl truly impressed me - her resolution to the love triangle was inventive and creative, and like nothing I had ever read before. She deserves a lot of praise for that, in my view, because given the sheer amount of love triangles that have been tackled by writers, I thought that it would be impossible to break any kind of new ground. Happily, Viehl's talent and imagination proved me wrong. And then some. It takes a very special, talented writer to not only come up with all of these plots, but to ensure that they are always fresh and original. I highly recommend this book, and I am very much looking forward to the next installment in this series.
What do You think about Dreamveil (2010)?
It was good ... but a bit all over the place.... didnt keep me hooked
—jache
Great book with a surprising ending, which I didn't expect.
—weebleville
