The Dark Highlander by Karen Marie Moning is a captivating story about Dageus MacKeltar, a Druid Warrior from 16th century Scotland, who is fighting a losing battle with 13 evil Druids who possess his soul due to a forbidden act he committed to save his brother's life. The book combines elements of time travel, Celtic mythology, and romance as Dageus teams up with Chloe, a historian obsessed with Celtic artifacts, to find a way to rid himself of the evil souls within him. The plot unfolds in modern-day Manhattan and Scotland, with a mix of dark seduction, emotional turmoil, and magical elements that keep readers engaged throughout the story.

Karen Marie Moning's writing style in The Dark Highlander is praised for its excellent storylines, well-developed characters, and mystic edge. Despite some readers finding the plot progression slow at times, the chemistry between Dageus and Chloe, the intense sexual tension, and the presence of Celtic legends and time travel elements make the book a compelling read. The book delves into themes of sacrifice, love, redemption, and the battle between good and evil, creating a rich and immersive world that draws readers in from the beginning.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Dageus as a complex, tortured hero and Chloe as a curious and strong heroine, both evolving through their challenges.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and descriptive, with humor and emotional depth, enhancing the romance and conflict.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows Dageus, cursed and possessed by evil druids, and Chloe, who becomes intertwined in his quest to save himself, exploring themes of romance and adventure across time.

Setting:

The setting spans contemporary New York and historical Scotland, rich in cultural and mythical significance.

Pacing:

The pacing includes slow character development with well-built tension, though some find the ending somewhat rushed.

It wasn’t just what he looked like, with his sculpted body, skin poured like gold velvet over steel, chiseled features, and silky black hair. Or that lazy, utterly arrogant smile that promised a woman...

Notes:

The Dark Highlander is the fifth book in Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series.

The protagonist, Chloe Zanders, is a curator and is tasked with delivering a rare book to a wealthy man.

She ends up encountering Dageus MacKeltar, who is a Druid possessed by thirteen evil spirits.

Dageus initially kidnaps Chloe to keep her from revealing his secret of possessing stolen ancient manuscripts.

The story features time travel elements, taking characters from modern New York to sixteenth century Scotland.

Chloe is portrayed as an innocent yet strong heroine, while Dageus is a dark, brooding alpha male.

There is significant chemistry and tension between Chloe and Dageus as their relationship develops throughout the story.

The book includes themes of love, sacrifice, and the battle between good and evil flesh within Dageus.

The series blends romance with elements of fantasy, history, and Celtic mythology.

The author Karen Marie Moning has a reputation for writing strong female characters alongside complex male leads.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers may include themes of possession, evil spirits, and explicit sexual content.

Has Romance?

The romance between Chloe and Dageus is a focal point of the narrative, characterized by intense chemistry and emotional growth.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

Journey to a world of ancient magic, breathtaking sensuality, thrilling time-travel…. Journey to the world of The Dark Highlander. Crisscrossing the continents and the centuries, here is a novel as gripping as it is sensual-an electrifying adventure that will leave you breathless….

I am Dageus MacKeltar, a man with one good conscience and thirteen bad ones, driven to sate my darkest desires…

From his penthouse lair high above Manhattan, Dageus looks out over a glittering city that calls to the darkness within him. A sixteenth-century Scot trapped between worlds, he is fighting a losing battle with the thirteen Druids who possess his soul, dooming him to an eternity of sexual pursuit. When Chloe Zanders, student of antiquities, is drawn into his world, she finds the insatiable alpha male an irresistible lure.Before long, she is caught up in an ancient prophecy that will sweep her back into time to medieval Scotland. Plunged into a world of timeless magic and dark seduction, she will soon face the challenge of a lifetime: fighting thirteen evil spirits for the heart of one irresistible man….

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Reader Stats (15):

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About the Author:

Karen Marie Moning is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fever series, featuring MacKayla Lane, and the award-winning Highlander series. She has a bachelor's degree in society and law from Purdue University.

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The Dark Highlander

Karen Marie Moning

Book 5 in the series:Highlander