Dark Celebration

The story takes place during the Christmas season, and the Carpathians are gathering together to celebrate the birth of a new child. The main characters of the book are Mikhail Dubrinsky, the prince of the Carpathians, and his lifemate Raven Whitney. They are joined by other Carpathians, including Gregori Daratrazanoff, the warrior leader, and his lifemate Savannah Dubrinsky.

The audiobook begins with Mikhail and Raven preparing for the celebration. They are both excited to see their friends and family, but they are also worried about the threat of the vampire hunters who have been targeting the Carpathians. Mikhail is determined to protect his people, but he is also struggling with his own inner demons. He has been alive for over a thousand years, and he is starting to feel the weight of his immortality.

As the Carpathians gather together, they are joined by a group of human women who have been rescued from the vampire hunters. Among them is a young woman named Natalya Shonski, who has been traumatized by her experiences. Mikhail and Raven take her under their wing, and they soon discover that she has a special gift that could help them in their fight against the vampire hunters.

The audiobook is filled with action, romance, and suspense. The Carpathians must work together to protect their people and defeat their enemies. Mikhail and Raven’s relationship is also a central focus of the story. They have been together for centuries, but they still face challenges in their relationship. Mikhail is overprotective of Raven, and she struggles to assert her independence. However, they are both deeply in love, and their bond is unbreakable.

One of the strengths of the audiobook is the world-building. Feehan has created a rich and complex world filled with supernatural beings and ancient traditions. The Carpathians have their own language, customs, and history, and the audiobook does an excellent job of immersing the listener in this world. The narration by Ferrone also adds to the atmosphere of the story. His deep, gravelly voice is perfect for the male characters, and he does a good job of differentiating between the various characters.

Another strength of the audiobook is the character development. Mikhail and Raven are well-developed characters with complex personalities and motivations. They are both strong and independent, but they also have vulnerabilities and flaws. The other characters in the book are also well-developed, and each one has their own unique personality and backstory.

The romance between Mikhail and Raven is a central focus of the audiobook. They have been together for centuries, but their relationship is still evolving. They are deeply in love, but they also face challenges in their relationship. Mikhail is overprotective of Raven, and she struggles to assert her independence. However, they are both committed to each other, and their bond is unbreakable.

The audiobook also explores themes of family, loyalty, and sacrifice. The Carpathians are a close-knit community, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to protect their people. They are also willing to make sacrifices for the greater good. Mikhail, in particular, is willing to make difficult decisions in order to protect his people, even if it means putting himself in danger.

One of the weaknesses of the audiobook is the pacing. The story moves slowly at times, and there are long stretches of exposition and dialogue. This can make the story feel slow and plodding, especially in the middle of the book. However, the action picks up in the second half of the book, and the audiobook ends on a satisfying note.

Overall, Dark Celebration is a well-written and engaging paranormal romance audiobook. The world-building is rich and complex, the characters are well-developed, and the romance is satisfying. The audiobook is recommended for fans of the Dark series, as well as readers who enjoy paranormal romance and urban fantasy.