May062011

BOOK REVIEW: ‘The Dark Highlander’ by Karen Marie Moning

by Carolyn • Posted in 4 Star Reviews, Authors M-P, Book Reviews, Karen Marie Moning, Paranormal Romance, Reviews by Laura

Title: The Dark Highlander (Highlander #5)

Author: Karen Marie Moning

Publisher: Dell

Publication Date: October 2002

Ebook: 382 Pages

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Source: Own Copy

Reviewed by: Laura

RATING: 8/10 – Brilliant, couldn’t put it down

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

I am Dageus MacKeltar, a man with one good conscience and thirteen bad ones, driven to sate my darkest desires…

From his penthouse lair high above Manhattan, Dageus looks out over a glittering city that calls to the darkness within him. A sixteenth-century Scot trapped between worlds, he is fighting a losing battle with the thirteen Druids who possess his soul, dooming him to an eternity of sexual pursuit. When Chloe Zanders, student of antiquities, is drawn into his world, she finds the insatiable alpha male an irresistible lure.Before long, she is caught up in an ancient prophecy that will sweep her back into time to medieval Scotland. Plunged into a world of timeless magic and dark seduction, she will soon face the challenge of a lifetime: fighting thirteen evil spirits for the heart of one irresistible man….

REVIEW:

We met Daegus in the previous book in the series ‘Kiss of the Highlander‘ as Drustan’s identical twin. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t read any of the other books in the series. But, I would recommend that you read ‘Kiss of the Highlander‘ first, as it makes for richer reading.

At the end of the last book we were left with a cliffhanger. Drustan had discovered the terrible news that Daegus had broken the rules of the faery compact to save his life, and became possessed by thirteen evil druids.

This book opens with Daegus living in the modern day, desperately trying research a cure for his curse and cling onto his sanity. He works at ruthlessly acquiring ancient texts be it through legal or slightly nefarious means.

Enter Chloe who works at a local museum. Much to her indignation her boss sends her to deliver an ancient text to Daegus’s apartment. Chloe is geeky cool and I loved her. Her crazy obsession with ancient relics and books as well as her ability to speak numerous languages, makes her quirky and fun, as well as super clever.

With my weakness for time travel romances, I was delighted for some time hopping with Chloe and Daegus heading back to the sixteenth century in their quest to find Daegus’s cure. Hot Scottish men in kilts and castles, how can you go wrong?

There are some cheesy parts to the story. Daegus’s need to ‘toop’ (Scottish for having sex apparently), in order to keep the evil Druids at bay is the main example of this. But if you can put it to one side, and acknowledge it for its cheesiness it doesn’t detract from the story. Inevitably and the main reason it was added of course, is that it adds an interesting dynamic to Chloe and Daegus’s growing relationship. It’s a romance after all.

The tone of this book is darker and dare I say it, sexier. Quite frankly some of the scenes my have you reaching for something to quickly fan yourself. Daegus has a harder edge to him than Drustan, compelled by desperation, but with the same amount of nobleness and honour. His sacrifice for his brother makes him all the more compelling as a hero, and he ended up being my favourite of the two.

VERDICT:

Let’s face it, this book, or series even isn’t going to win any serious literature awards. It’s corny, predictable and will make you giggle at some of the scenes. But at the same time it’s hugely entertaining. My advice, just suspend your disbelief and enjoy. It’s a warm, cosy indulgence that paranormal romance fans will lap up.