A review - Rated 
Almost from the moment he transformed her from human to Kyn, they have loved one another. However, Scottish vampire Laird Byrne and his loyal seneschal Jayr have hidden their love for one another from each other with each having what they believe is a good reason to conceal their feelings. However, recently Byrne has struggled with temptation, which has led to a loss of self control and jealous rage. Fearing he will harm his beloved, he hosts a tournament in which the winner will replace him as Laird of Orlando. Meanwhile Jayr has decided enough with eternal unrequited love she plans to seduce her master and let that lead to whatever fate she wrought. Vampires from around the realm arrive for the contest, but one of them is trying to steal the prize by assassinating the host and if necessary his beloved head of household. --- This is an excellent medieval paranormal romance due to the relationship between the lead couple as they share blood, but anything more is taboo. Furthermore although they love one another, he feels guilt for converting her and she is wary of what will happen if she follows her heart. Treachery at the tournament compounds the feelings as life in Lynn Viehl's Darkyn realm turns darker!! I'd also recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestseller--The Fates--if you missed it!
evermore a novel of the darkyn by lynn viehl - Rated 
I have read the previous 4 books in this series and enjoyed them and found them hard to put down, this one was very different it was very slow to start, i was half way through the book before i really got involved in the plot, but the last part of the book was good, i felt the relationship between the main charactors didn't really develop to nearly the end of the book which is probably why i didn't enjoy this book as much as the others!
A story that does not disappoint - Rated 
As soon as I had read the 'teaser' for Evermore in the last Darkyn story, I placed my advance order. Sometimes you end up with a book that is not as good as promised. Happily this was not the case with Evermore.
The parts I like particularly are Jayr's reaction to biology, Philippe's continuing attempts at learning English and the bittersweet ending with a twist to the story of Robin Hood. I do hope that the character Robin of Locksley develops further, perhaps with his own book.
I am now going to advance order the next in the series.
The Darkyn Series Continues - Rated 
Evermore tells the story of Jayr and Byrne who we first met in Dark Need (Bk 3). Byrne is the suzerain of Knight's Realm - a castle complete with moat, where tourists visit to experience medieval life. Jayr is unique among the Darkyn as she is the only female seneschal. We join them during a winter tournament, when humans are banished from the castle and Kyn test themselves against one another in sword fighting, jousting and archery. Byrne has made the decision to step down as suzerain, a fact which he keeps from Jayr. As their relationship strains against the conventions that keep them apart, an unknown enemy will use the tournament to seek revenge.
For anyone unfamiliar with the Kyn series, whilst each book follows one couple, there is also an ongoing major story arc between Michael and Alexandra (the couple from If Angels Burn Bk1). The books also follow minor story arcs, though in Evermore, the Brethren (the Kyn's enemy) and John Keller are only mentioned briefly. We also have new plot threads, notably the proper introduction of Robin of Locksley as a member of the Kyn, and we find out more about the Jardin Wars.
Evermore is a pretty accessible entry in the series, as a major plotline was concluded in the previous book Night Lost. The plotline of Evermore is perhaps the most linear so far, and even though there are still multiple storylines, they take place in one location - Knight's Realm. However, there is also some fallout from Night Lost, as Alex deals with the consequences of her kidnap, so familiarity with the previous books is helpful.
There is a wonderful parallel in this book, between the relationships of Michael and Alex, and Jayr and Byrne. Jayr and Alex turned into Kyn under similar circumstances, trapped with a starving male Kyn. But the way Byrne and Michael handled the situation, completely different. Alex becomes Michael's sygkenis, Jayr becomes Byrne's seneschal. And the contrast between the two relationships is just wonderful to read. There is a point early in the story where Michael confesses his guilt over turning Alex to Jayr, and it's eerie, I felt like it could be Byrne speaking.
For me this is the most darkly erotic of the Darkyn books. Maybe because the feelings between Jayr and Byrne have to be repressed. The relationship between them is that of suzerain and seneschal, but underneath you are aware of this passionate intensity between the two of them that they deny. This tension builds and builds until it HAS to be consummated.
Also worth mentioning again, is Robin of Locksley - whose past has come back to haunt him. Indeed that could be the other theme of this book - as Robin, Byrne, Alex, and other characters deal with the consequences of their past. Robin's story entwines with that of Jayr and Byrne. Just rereading the ending again whilst I write this review, makes me appreciate anew how well the story is put together. I have my fingers crossed that there will be a continuation of Robin's story in a future book, as I'm sure there's much more for us to learn.
Jayr and Byrne's story reaches a happy conclusion. However, Evermore ends on a bittersweet note, and leaves me looking forward to finding out, more than ever, where the story goes from here. Highly recommended.
Twilight Fall (Bk6) To be released July 2008 (subject to change)
Also available - If Angels Burn (Bk1), Private Demon (Bk2), Dark Need (Bk3), Night Lost (Bk4)
|