In the nineteenth book of the Dark/Carpathian series, Marguarita Fernandez has lived all her life in service to the De La Cruz family. Her family runs one of the brothers’ ranches in Brazil, and she knows all about Carpathians. She met Zacarias a few months earlier when he saved her life after a vampire attack that left her mute, and now she finds him in a field, ready to meet the sun. Instead of letting him die, she drags him inside her house and protects him even though he’s telepathically threatening her with retribution.
Zacarias De La Cruz is very close to turning vampire, but refused to end his life until his four brothers found their lifemates. Now, he’s free to die with honor but never expected a human woman to upend his plans.
Zacarias treated Marguarita deplorably, but it made sense. He’s suffering from extreme PTSD and was justifiably furious at Marguarita for saving his life. However, he never should’ve flung her across the room, viciously fed from her, frightened and insulted her, and punished her in other ways. He acted so horribly because he was losing control of himself and feared he would become a vampire capable of slaughtering his brothers and countless other people. He was portrayed as cold and heartless in the other books, and that characterization continued in this one.
Darkness has always run strong in his family, so much so that he didn’t recognize Margaurita as his lifemate even when he psychically spoke to her or drank her blood. That’s basically unheard of for a Carpathian male, but for one very close to turning, the lifemate bond doesn’t work as well as it should. A female lifemate is supposed to permanently restore emotions and color to a male, but Zacarias loses his emotions and can no longer see in color when he is far away from Marguarita and when their minds are closed to one another.
Marguarita was naturally submissive and wanted someone to boss her around, but her tendencies to obey so easily definitely made her a doormat. She knew Zacarias needed to be in control of her and their relationship for his own sanity, so she submitted and rarely stood up for herself. Throughout the story, she did become more assertive in matters of grave importance, and he learned to ask and accept her opinion even if it differed from his. While I liked that, it still seemed too little too late.
This story focused more on the H/h’s relationship than on secondary characters and subplots, as per usual. There’s no set up for the next book in the series.
For the most part, I like description and flowery language, but everything was so detailed and repetitive that it took me out of the story. Zacarias was constantly thinking and saying how dark and obsessive he was that it became tiresome. Also, there were a few typos.
Anyway, I think Zacarias was portrayed accurately for his character, but I just couldn’t relate to him or to Marguarita.
3 Stars
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She could have done so much more with this than she did. And you shouldn't finish reading a book and hate the main male protagonist. ( )

Not her best but a good read, was very formula to the series. Real emphasis on Zazharia's age and stuck with caveman attitude, it was fun to watch his mate pull him around.
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Zacarias goes to his ranch to meet the sun but is stopped by Marguerita. She had already proven that she is very protective of the De La Cruz brothers when a vampire ripped out her throat and while Zacarias healed her, she was left without vocal chords. Didn't have high hopes but it went better than hoped. ( )

I have so many words for this book, and none of them fit for your ears. So sorry, it's going to be an angry rant, not a review.

Dark Prince was THE BOOK which introduced me to the genre of paranormal romance, and for years I loved this series. The men were noble, the women were strong and powerful in their own right, some of them pretty awesome and kick-ass, even the plot was somewhat unique. Sadly, it all ended at Dark Slayer.

I though Dark Peril was the most god awful book in the series, surely. There was nothing in it apart from endless jungle descriptions and a parade of whorish clothing.

But here comes Dark Predator with Zacarias in it. The biggest jerk and misogynistic pig ever. Really, no really? Do we need a trip back to the 70s-80s bodice rippers? Because this is how it felt.

He is abusive, violent and I could find absolutely no excuse for his behavior. He laughs at Marguarita's expense. Sorry, wasn't funny. He violates her mind and her body.

There was a moment in the book when I almost DNF it. Marguarita's friend Julio touches her arm, and Zacarias attacks him, drinks his blood, leaves him unconscious and tells Marguarita something along the lines

"Do you want to be taken for a whore?"

Come-freaking-on! She is to wear only skirts. Not go anywhere or do anything without his permission or there is punishment. She behaves like a victim and makes excuses for his behavior.

I truly felt sick. If this is story of love, then Julia Roberts was a happy married woman in Sleeping with the Enemy. ( )