Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9977 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 304 pages

Synopsis
Hired by reclusive millionaire Michael Cyprien, who is in desperate need of her skills, Dr. Vanessa Killian, a renowned reconstructive surgeon, is drawn in a dark world of desire where the true nature of this mysterious, seductive man is revealed, forcing her to make a life-changing decision. Original.

Customer Reviews

Hurray - Paranormal (and almost no Romance)
I have got increasingly tired of novels with strong women who when confronted with vampires/paranormal being who they naturally hate, just can't help themselves for falling in love and/or leaping into bed with them. Alexandra was thus very refreshing as she continued to resist the first ugly then stunningly attractive (of course) Michael. The Darkyn, or dark kin, seem a good addition to the genre. Even more interesting is the role of the Brethren, their mortal enemy Catholic monks, and it appears the Darkyn are related to the Knights Templar. This book has a well developed plot (reminds me a bit of the Da Vinci Code) and thankfully the romance is kept on the back-burner. One niggle - it is obvioulsy leading to the next book and I strongly belive a book should be able to stand alone. If you like the love obsessed paranormals this isn't for you (ref. Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan) and it isn't one of the funny paranormals (Katie MacAlister and Mary Janice Davidson). If you like Laurell Hamilton, Kim Harrison, Kelly Armstrong and Rachel Caine then you might.

A Disappointing Introduction To The Darkyn
Dr. Alexandra Keller, a brilliant reconstructive plastic surgeon, with a private practice in Chicago, is a dedicated doctor and frequently does pro bono work for the poor. Her extremely busy schedule barely allows time for a social life. When Alexandra receives a mysterious offer to perform extensive reconstructive surgery on an unknown patient in New Orleans for a $4 million dollar fee, she smells something fishy. She is told that the prospective patient, one M. Cyprien, is unable to travel and that she will only be required to spend a few days in Louisiana. Obviously, her persistent refusals are ignored, as are her professional commitments. M. Cyprien arranges to have her kidnapped and forcefully brought to his mansion, La Fontaine, in the heart of the New Orleans' Garden District.

After recovering from a knock-out dose of ether, a lengthy sleep, nausea and a terrible headache, Alexandra is taken to meet Michael Cyprien, a man without a face - literally. Obviously, he had been horribly injured. Her job would be to construct an entire face, and the underlying structure, from scratch, using just an old portrait to go by. Cyprien presents an unusual challenge as he has a strange disease which causes him to heal almost immediately after any cut or incision is made on his flesh. The primary reason he insisted on Dr. Keller performing the surgery, is because an article written about her in Time Magazine called her the "fastest scalpel in the world." She is able to perform accurate surgical procedures very quickly. And a fast scalpel is just what M. Cyprien needs.

Fortunately for Cyprien, the miraculous operation succeeds with almost perfect results. Unfortunately for Dr. Alexandra Keller she is given more than money in payment for her services and winds up back in Chicago - in the hospital with almost all the blood drained from her body. Her reclusive former patient is a member of an immortal species called the Darkyn. They have been ruthlessly hunted and destroyed, since they began rising from the dead in the 14th century, by a Vatican-sponsored order of soldier monks dedicated to their annhiliation. Alexandra's brother, a priest, has just been recruited by this group of holy Brethren.

I am a major fan of good vampire fiction. Laurell Hamilton's Anita Blake series is my absolute favorite. I also really enjoy Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire series, Poppy Brite's novels, as well as many of Anne Rice's books. Therefore, when a friend recommended Lynn Viehl's "If Angels Burn: A Novel of the Darkyn," I couldn't wait to pick the book up. I am extremely disappointed. The characters are not well developed at all, not are they compelling. There is little chemistry between Alexandra and Michael. I cannot understand why not, for the life of me. All the components are there, except the sizzle. And I am shocked that any author would have a professional, a doctor and romantic protagonist say, "Bite my a*s!" How terribly unsexy!!

There are many possibilities for this series to improve with future novels. The author's premise is a good one. I like the attempt at plot complexity - but please not at the expense of character complexity. I will rate this as average - barely, because it is not boring and does have the potential to be much more. I keep my fingers crossed and look forward to the author's next effort, due out in the autumn, I believe.
JANA

Very promising new series
I really liked this book and although there are a few complaints mainly that there wasn't really enough sexual tension between the main characters and their relationship wasn't that well developed. I like my heros dark and dangerous and Micheal certainly had potential. The sex scenes although brief were hot and erotic without being slushy which I hate. I am really looking forward to Lucan's story as he seems to be the ultimate bad boy... If you are more of a fan of L K Hamilton rather than Christine Feehnan and like your romances darker and more erotic then I think you will enjoy this.