Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #986 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Customer Reviews

The Darkyn Series Continues
Twilight Fall is the sixth and penultimate book in the Darkyn series. For anyone looking to get into the Darkyn books I can't recommend that you start here, you really need to go back to the beginning with If Angels Burn.

Twilight Fall is Valentin Jaus's story. His first major appearance was in Bk 2 Private Demon, when he lost the woman he loved. TF finds him in a kind of holding pattern, but all of that is about to change as he meets Liling Harper a woman with extraordinary talents of her own. Unbeknownst to the two of them, their enemies are closing in and are determined to see them dead.

As always in the Darkyn books this is a multi-plotline story. Michael and Alex's story continues, Val and Lilings relationship blooms, John Keller's story reaches breaking point. We find out more about what the Brethren have been up to and also catch up with Jayr & Byrne (from Evermore) and Luisa, the woman who was horrifically scarred at the beginning of the series. I think when all seven books are available it will be well worth reading back over the series and finding out how all the clues fit together.

So there is a lot packed into this book. Most of it leading back to previous books and starting to bring plot threads together.

Like Evermore this book has a much more sexual feel to it. Valentin is dominant which I think is something he repressed during his time with Jema. However it is this dominant side of him that attracts Liling.

Liling has a quiet strength, and even though she chooses to submit to Valentin. Everyone else would do well to treat her with caution. She may appear fragile, but at her core she's steel.

One of the best things about this series (for me) is Michael and Alex, they have been the major arc holding the series together.

"I could tie you to the bed, you know."
"No, you can't. It's round and you don't have any rope."

They prove that a love story written after the first happy ending is just as enthralling as the initial get together. It's also interesting to read about Alex's relationship with her brother - when is she going to look at him and truly see him?

We also have the introduction of a new 'species' for want of a better word. I think of them as elementals as they have power over fire or water. Initially I did have a problem with this and wondered if it was getting a little fantastical for me. But at the end of the story I think it works. Some people may also question how much coincidence plays in the plotline, but here I'm not sure how far the influence of the Brethren extends, so it may be less coincidence and more, good planning.

The Darkyn series is dark, real and intense. Some readers I think, find it too non linear and not neat enough. But I'm going to miss this series. I can't wait to find out how Lynn Viehl's going to tie it all together.

The best one yet of a series which keeps improving
This book is one of the few which I have found difficult to put down, because Lynn Viehl has managed to find a new theme to run through the books after "Night Lost".

Without wanting to ruin the details, there are two strands to the book: one romantic and one mystery. The first is the relationship between Valentin Jaus, Suzerain of Chicago, and the gardener of the private hospital in which Luisa Lopez has been having her reconstructive surgery. The second strand, centered around Alex Keller and Michael Cyprien also involves her brother's discovery from the end of "Evermore". Whilst the romantic strand is enjoyable, and in a style which has some similarities with previous books, it is the mystery strand involving Alex, Michael and John which holds the attention more, with some tantalising theories on why a group of modern women have been changed to Darkyn, surviving a process which was believed to kill. The question is, how many more are there? Also, was this something that was meant to happen or did the Brethren shoot themselves in the proverbial foot in a big way?

In addition, the book does not end on the usual 'happy ever after' type ending which might expected from this genre. This change from the norm was also seen at the end of "Evermore", but here, whilst one might suspect what was going to happen, it still comes as a surprise. Suffice it to say that John is going to have some major issues to deal with in subsequent books.

A highly recommended latest installment to a great series. Can't wait for the next one (featuring Robin of Locksley and Atlanta).