I've read several of Moning's other highlander series and was disappointed with the others. This one is by far the best. If you are only going to read one of the series, it should be this one.

It was far more interesting and seriously written than the rest. The plot kept me turning the pages. I also enjoyed the fact that Ms. Moning in this book (finally) devoted as much time to developing an interesting (and funny) heroine as she devoted to developing the hero. Chloe is torn because she is both drawn to and afraid of Dageus and I readily identified with her.

What makes this book so compelling is the characterization of Dageus, who at first is portrayed as a heartless womanizer. By the end of the book we grow to love and understand him (he's not heartless, but exerting extreme control over his emotions in order to keep his demons at bay) and want him to win over Chloe. He's a womanizer because he's looking for love but although women are sexually drawn to him, they are so afraid of him that they enjoy his bed, but invariably turn to other less frightening men to be their boyfriends and husbands. The sexual tension between the two is built up to a tremendous level before Chloe finally succumbs to his charms. Dageus is head over heels that he has finally found a woman (Chloe) who can accept and love him just as he is despite his warning to her and feelings that he doesn't deserve her (You're a good lass and I'm no' a good man.)

There is never a dull moment in this story and it seems the background setting for this book was better researched than the others. The story about the Tuatha de Danaan and how they gave the druids the secret of time travel provides an interesting context for the novel and could almost stand on its own as a fantasy novel aside from the romance theme.

Dageus is truly a tragic hero (almost in the greek tragedy sense... his fault was that he loved too much )and the ending is at once shattering (left me in tears) and yet well written and ultimately satisfying.

Perhaps I was too harsh in my other review of Moning (The Highlander's Touch) Perhaps it is unfair to compare any Romance writer to Diana Gabaldon... her books are so much longer, more than romance (historical action/adventure) founded in historical research and better developed that I think other authors in this genre cannot compare.

However, for what it's worth, in this romance category, I think the Dark Highlander was well written and a worthwhile read.

The reason I didn't give this book four or five stars is because the heated parts were too short and often evaded so that the reader was left with a hollow feeling... like a luke warm lover. The books also closely resemble those of the Dark Hunter novels, though with more of a Celtic spin. There is adventure and some interesting lore, but overall I felt that the story was unoriginal and predictable. I feel this story may be unmemorable in a month.

Moning pulls out her best highlander novel so far in The Dark Highlander. It's worth reading The Highlander's Kiss just so that you know the back story in this novel The Dark Highlander. Daegus is by far the most developed of her Heroes and it shows as he goes through his emotional transformation in the course of this novel.

Warning: Moning uses the same plot devices in all of her Highlander novels, each time with varying degrees of sucess. It's gotten to the point where having read four or five of her novels I could almost write the next one based off of the back cover blurb. I reccomend reading one or two but not bothering with as many as I have. If you read only one: pick this one!

This was the first time that I've ever read Karen Marie Moning and by the time I was almost through this book I ran out of my house to buy her other books I love this book.Chloe Is perfect and funny Dageus Is a dark and hansome highlander. All In all this book was garet. What brought Chloe to her dark highlander Is her love for historic artifacts and once Dageus has chloe he Is not letting her go If he can help It and I love those words that Dageus said to Chloe.This book will make you laugh and cry at the same time.

I read all of the books in this series and absolutely loved all of them!