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Black Sunshine: A Dark Vampire Romance (Dark Eyes Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 6,090 ratings

"Black Sunshine gives vampire romance Halle's signature plot twists, anti-heroes, and incredible chemistry. I fell in love with Solon and this dark vampire romance!" - Giana Darling, USA Today Bestselling author

A contemporary dark-toned romance with a vampire twist, from the New York Times bestselling author of A Nordic King and Sins & Needles

All Lenore Warwick wants for her 21st birthday is to hang out with her friends, finish her second year at Berkeley with flying colors, and maybe catch the eye of a hot musician playing a show at a club that she can now (legally) get into.

Unfortunately, fate has other plans for her.

A week before her birthday, she's kidnapped by the brooding and dangerous stranger with cold eyes and a lethal touch, who has been stalking her on San Francisco's fog-shrouded streets. Absolon "Solon" Stavig isn't your average criminal though. He's a centuries-old vampire who's caught between wanting to kill Lenore and wanting to save her.

You see Lenore, too, is a vampire.

She just doesn't know it yet.

Taken by a pair of vampire slayers when she was just an infant, Lenore was raised never knowing her true nature. All Lenore knows is that she has (normal) parents who love her, that she's exceptionally smart, and she's squeamish around blood. But once she turns twenty-one, she'll fully turn into a vampire, and Solon hopes he'll be there to guide her, opening her eyes to her deepest hunger...both sexual and otherwise.

But this turning can't be kept a secret. Soon both slayers and vampires are hunting Lenore, with only Solon and his unpredictable motley crew of vampires to save her.

If they don't kill her first.

Black Sunshine is a dark adult romance with a paranormal twist, about sex, love, secrets, and revenge, set in contemporary San Francisco. CONTENT WARNING: as a vampire romance with a sexy bite, it features stalking, kidnapping, blood, blood play, cutting, bondage, murder, violence, gore, borderline M/F/M or "sharing" and scenes of dubious consent. HOWEVER, it does NOT contain any rape or violence or psychological abuse from the hero toward the heroine, so please keep that in mind if you expect that kind of "dark romance."

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Editorial Reviews

Review

*****"When I started Black Sunshine by Karina Halle, I expected it to be an amazing read because she is an amazing author. But I didn't expect this story to bind me with layers of emotions and plot like this! This dark adult vampire romance with sensational chemistry and heart pumping storyline was a top 2021 read without a doubt." - PP's Bookshelf

*****"BLACK SUNSHINE was exactly what I had hoped it would be - a steamy AF, dark romance with Karina Halle's usual flair. This book has it all: the enemies to lovers trope, a fresh take on vampirism, romance and action...and did I mention a whole lotta STEAM?" - Bergamot & Books

****"Oh my stars! Black Sunshine is something so purely magical and unique that I could not put it down. The concept, the backstory, all of it. Something so unique and spellbinding that this is very much be one of my top 5 reads of 2021." - Suzanne (Vince Voices)

*****"To say their journey is unconventional, is an understatement, but it was one hell of a fun ride. Lenore and Solon had a flow from the start that worked for me. They both gave as good as they got and found that they truly liked everything about each other...even the darkness that swirled around and in both of them. I need more!" - Kahea (Vine Voices)

***** "Black Sunshine was a delectable treat that left me craving more. Captivating, sensual, addicting, and breathtaking. This vampire romance bulldozed it's way to my heart, it had me salivating and in its alluring mist awakened the blood flowing through my veins making it ignite with pure bliss." - Ness Reads

***** "These aren't your sparkly vampires. The author puts her creative spin to the story so that it is unlike any other. If you haven't read her work, just know that she is not afraid of taking chances, with darker themes and some intense heat." After Dark Book Lovers

******"I feel like I have been waiting for a book like this for a long time....darkly decadent, erotic, atmospheric, sometimes violent, sometimes swoony. Yes! Bring it on!" - A Book Nerd, Bookseller & Bibliophile Blog

***** "I haven't dove into a vampire story in quite a while but when Karina Halle writes paranormal...you need to grab onto it and immerse yourself into the Black Sunshine. Solon was perfection as the broody, alpha vampire who doesn't know exactly what he wants do with Lenore. His twisted view of right and wrong, his coldness in dealing with Lenore, his attractiveness to all creatures around him...he was an addictive mystery man who I wanted to slowly unwrap." - The Smutbrarians

***** "This isn't your run-of-the-mill vampire love story. It's dark, broody, and full of fire. It was amazing." - Drees Bookshelf

*****"This book was absolutely incredible. If you love vampires, blood and forced proximity, along with an impeccably dressed alpha vampire king and a girl that continues to fight for herself- you need to pick this up. I loved the plot, the character development and the overall chemistry that Lenore and Absolon had." - Your Favorite Book Bag

*****"This is easily the best thing i've ever read from Halle--if you're into darker romance (& vampires!!) check this one out!" - What Fel Reads

*****"I can't believe how great and original this vampire novel was. It had none of the cliche or expected writings of a vampire novel and for that I was happily shocked and surprised. It's like Karina Halle has created a sub genre of vampire novels all on her own. This novel is as unique is the main characters Lenore and Absolon and I loved every minute of this richly written tale." - Toni Marie Noble

*****"I freaking loved Black Sunshine, it's so refreshing and I devoured it! It's atmospheric and it gave me goosebumps in a good way! Solon is dark, mysterious, possessive enigmatic and so sexy." Pavlina, Read More Sleep Less

**** "These aren't your sparkly vegetarian vampires, they are dark and twisty with their own set of moral guidelines that may not match ours. The book is both gritty and lush at the same time, with violence and sex entwined in the most delicious way. It also has possibly the coolest way to murder someone I've ever read" - Romance Reviewed

From the Author

EXCERPT FROM BLACK SUNSHINE:
The door opens and Absolon strides inside, dressed in a sharp black suit, black dress shirt, collar open. For some reason I thought he would be in a tux, but of course he looks impeccable in this. Stealthy and deadly, like a walking weapon. Gorgeous beyond words.
I instinctively inhale, my heart thudding.
He stops in his tracks and looks at me for a moment, his eyes flicking over every inch of skin, leaving sparks of electricity in their wake. His gaze is intense, smoldering, something that makes me feel restless and unsettled.
He quickly breaks the spell, closing the door behind him, and it's only then that I notice he has a jewelry box in his hands.
"What is that, a corsage?" I comment.
He stops right in front of me, his smell washing over me, and holds out the box, the dark blue velvet shining. "Funny," he says dryly. "Take a look for yourself."
Curiosity gets the best of me and I reach out and flip open the lid.
Inside are a pair of drop earrings and a matching necklace on a delicate chain. Blood red rubies sit amongst burnished silver. The beauty of the stones takes my breath away. For a moment, it feels like I'm being wooed by some wealthy gentleman, instead of what this all really is.
"I thought vampires couldn't wear silver," I say after a moment, not wanting to fawn over them.
"Don't believe everything you read," he says. Then he hands me the box, leaving the earrings to me while he takes out the necklace.
"Burma rubies," he says in a low voice that makes me shiver as he comes behind me. With his presence at my back, my neck exposed, I'm on high alert. "Very, very rare. Pigeon blood is the color."
"That's disturbing."
"I'd say macabre. And beautiful. Now you realize how some things in this world can be both."
I swallow as he gently places the necklace around my neck, the ruby sitting below my collarbone. There's a feeling of warmth from the back of the jewel, like it's connecting to my skin and fusing with it. I have to wonder at the magic of stones and where he got this, if it means anything, if it's doing anything.
His hands go to the back of my neck, and I feel his unblinking eyes burn into me, more of those sparks alighting my skin, alternating between flames and ice. He fastens the necklace and I hear a low sigh from his mouth, as if there's some sort of relief.
Then he runs his palms over my shoulders, smooth skin skimming over mine, until he grips my upper arms.
I hold my breath, feeling his face come closer, his nose brushing over the back of my head. He inhales sharply, a sensation that causes goosebumps to prickle down my entire body, his nose moving behind my ear.
He's
smelling me.
I can hardly stay still, but his grip is strong, and my pulse is going wild, and I'm not sure if I want to flee, or fight...or f*ck.
"So much fear," he breathes into my neck, and my eyes roll back into my head. "Alongside so much desire."
"You're compelling me," I say, but the tremor in my voice betrays me.
He slowly breathes out, causing my knees to buckle.
"I'm not," he murmurs. "This is just you, reacting to me." His mouth brushes against the back of my ear, unravelling me further. "This is how it will always be."

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08ZYWCRXM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (March 23, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 23, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.0 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 452 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B08ZW38D4G
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 6,090 ratings

About the author

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Karina Halle
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Karina Halle is a screenwriter, former music & travel journalist, and the New York Times bestselling author of Grave Matter, Blood Orange, & The Royals Next Door, as well as 80 other romances across all sub-genres, ranging from spicy rom coms to gothic horror and dark fantasy. Needless to say, whatever you're into, she's probably written an HEA for it. When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
6,090 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoyed the storyline and found it suspenseful. They enjoyed reading the book and savoring every page. Many appreciated the romance aspect, finding it steamy and enjoyable. The characters were described as likable, morally gray, and had human characteristics. Readers found the world intriguing and refreshing. The writing style was praised as amazing and captivating.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

142 customers mention "Storyline"121 positive21 negative

Customers find the storyline engaging with a good plot and suspense. They enjoy the vampire origin story and the vampire/witch combination. The pace is steady throughout, with a lot of different parts and characters. Readers appreciate the mystery and hot sex.

"...This book doesn’t end on a CH, but the story is not closed and continues in book 2. I’m curious how their love will flourish!..." Read more

"...This a much darker story with a lot of different parts and characters...." Read more

"...There's enough mystery to surprise me and the hottest sex that I crave in these types of books...." Read more

"...Super cool and I loved the story line with Lenore being a vampire raised by vampire hunters, very unique and fun story to start with...." Read more

110 customers mention "Readability"110 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They say it's a good read with fantastic banter and a fun heroine and antihero. The book is worth their time and addictive, especially if you are into Norwegian culture.

"...The spice was Karina-style, intense and super 🔥 This book doesn’t end on a CH, but the story is not closed and continues in book 2...." Read more

"...This was such a good break from my usual reads and reinforced my original love for PNR...." Read more

"...Final thoughts: The book was good but not great. The writing style was easy to read but I do feel the writing wasn’t mature enough for my liking...." Read more

"...SO if you can get past that it is a very good book, Lenore is a secret badass and I am very much looking forward to the next book to see what..." Read more

78 customers mention "Romance"78 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book. They find the story sensual and gothic, with vampires and sex scenes. The world-building is described as mysterious and steamy.

"...The spice was Karina-style, intense and super 🔥 This book doesn’t end on a CH, but the story is not closed and continues in book 2...." Read more

"...There's enough mystery to surprise me and the hottest sex that I crave in these types of books...." Read more

"...First things first, the art cover is beautiful. Something that caught my eye for sure and made me curious to read...." Read more

"...Super cool and I loved the story line with Lenore being a vampire raised by vampire hunters, very unique and fun story to start with...." Read more

66 customers mention "Character development"56 positive10 negative

Customers enjoy the character development in the book. They appreciate the morally gray characters with human characteristics. The tension between the main characters and the history of the world is also appreciated. Readers praise the strong female leads and how the characters find themselves through the story.

"...This a much darker story with a lot of different parts and characters...." Read more

"...Each Character has a story and Karina allows the reader to become part of their lives...." Read more

"...When she was pissed, so was I, and so on. KH writes strong female leads and I always transport myself into their shoes...." Read more

"...I would recommend this to lovers of vampire stories and morally gray characters...." Read more

48 customers mention "Writing quality"41 positive7 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality. They find the characters well-written and the phrasing captivating. The book is well-planned and thought-out, with an engaging style that keeps readers hooked. Readers also enjoy the humor and Marvel references.

"...The writing is flawless and the pace of the book, like the other two I read, flows quickly yet not rushed...." Read more

"...Final thoughts: The book was good but not great. The writing style was easy to read but I do feel the writing wasn’t mature enough for my liking...." Read more

"Karina Halle is an amazing writer, honestly after River of Shadows and Crimson Crown I'd read just about anything by her...." Read more

"...Like building up to evil. But I do like the writing and how detail everything is. I’ll read the second book. :)" Read more

44 customers mention "Intrigue"44 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's intrigue. They find the world compelling and engaging, with a fresh take on supernatural tropes. The story grips readers and keeps them hooked throughout. Readers appreciate the passionate romance and powerful heroine.

"...It opens up a whole new universe to be explored with witches and vampires in our everyday normal world...." Read more

"...It's refreshing to read a new way if life for these timeline supernaturals. There's some violence but not really the focus of the story...." Read more

"...Something that caught my eye for sure and made me curious to read. For those vampire fanatics like myself this may be up your alley...." Read more

"Wow. What a wild ride. This was deep and … almost sad, in a beautiful way...." Read more

16 customers mention "Dark tone"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the dark tone of the book. They appreciate the darker elements and hope for more books in the series. The book has a rich history, secrets, and attractions that readers find captivating.

"...Horrible things happen to Lenore, but I still think it wasn’t overly dark but definitely had elements that I don't usually see in other PNR..." Read more

"Loved the vampire romance and darkness. Can’t wait to see Lenore tap in to her witchy side as well as she finds her purpose." Read more

"...This book is dark and sexy and I loved every damn page! I love dark paranormal romance...." Read more

"...beautiful creatures from past and present, that sets this up to be dark, steamy, romance, of the vampire kind.. Destiny, in the supernatural world,..." Read more

17 customers mention "Pace"8 positive9 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's pacing. Some find it fast-paced and engaging, reading it in one sitting. Others feel the relationship moves too slowly at times, and the rest of the book drags at times.

"...I devoured this book in 24hrs. I loved it. In the beginning its pretty slow, because its building you up...." Read more

"...is flawless and the pace of the book, like the other two I read, flows quickly yet not rushed...." Read more

"...I really enjoyed this. The beginning started a bit slow for me. Some of the info dumping seemed unnecessary, but it picked up...." Read more

"...The slow burn hurts so good and the pace is perfect...." Read more

A good read but..
3 out of 5 stars
A good read but..
This book came on my feed after purchasing another genre like book a few months ago. I’ve never read a book from Karina Halle so I wasn’t sure what to expect. First things first, the art cover is beautiful. Something that caught my eye for sure and made me curious to read. For those vampire fanatics like myself this may be up your alley. The protagonist of this story is a college student living in San Fran. Some of the dialogue of the character was a bit “cheesy” for me. This part of the writing is what got me rolling my eyes and wondering if this was intentional or just bad writing. In other areas of the book, I’d ask if this character lacked a vocabulary. Example: she says “cuz” (that is how it’s printed in the book by the way) instead of “because”. I’ll try not to Spoil much:-The relationship between the two main characters was good-the author did a good job in building the chemistry between them and the author focused on creating the sexual tension between the two.-There are sexual scenes but the typical vampire scenes, one in particular, exaggerated and over the top that it just made me lose interest and made me roll my eyes.-At times I did question as to why the main character was portrayed a bit naive- and why did she cry a lot? We need more strong female leads please!!-The so called villain of this book didn’t have much scenes. It just seemed so odd to even introduce a villain. It just felt out of place so that was disappointing.Final thoughts: The book was good but not great. The writing style was easy to read but I do feel the writing wasn’t mature enough for my liking. There were a few cheesy lines and the dialogue with the best friend was cringe worthy! Do girls really talk like that?? I think there could have been more character development with all the characters. It almost felt a bit rushed. Would I recommend this book? It’s a hit or miss. Some may say it’s great, others might find it ok. For me I read it to finish it but I didn’t find myself invested or loving the story or the characters as I hoped.. hence the 3 stars..
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2022
    Black Sunshine is book 1 in Karina Halle’s Dark Eyes duology. This book is a dark vampire romance set in contemporary San Fran.

    Lenore is on the verge of celebrating her 21st birthday and to becoming an archeologist. She has a loving family, and a BFF to share her secrets with.
    A week before her Bday, she’s kidnapped by her mysterious stalker. She can’t tell up from down in this new world where witches and vampires exist and for some reason, everyone wants a piece of her. There’s no one she could trust, especially not the hot, centuries-old vampire, Solon who kidnapped her and who can’t decide whether to kill or keep her.

    Now, this was fun! I’m only just dipping my toes into dark romance and I think this was a good start. Horrible things happen to Lenore, but I still think it wasn’t overly dark but definitely had elements that I don't usually see in other PNR books.
    Lenore loves her parents and her best friend, but these are the only people she has in her life (and an idiot ex). For some reason, people avoid her. She has dreams and goals and she works hard to reach them. She stood her ground so well during the whole ordeal and tried to resist Solon for a long time. She didn’t sit idly and waited for Solon’s change of heart, she tried to take matters into her hand and tried to take her power back. Even if it sometimes meant danger.
    Solon is dark, mysterious and ruthless. At first, I didn’t know what to do with him. Something happened early in the book which threw me off course a little, but it’s only because I don’t read dark romance. This book was a slow burn, but there was chemistry between them from the beginning. I honestly think it wouldn’t have worked if it was faster because of the other, non-romance-related happenings. The spice was Karina-style, intense and super 🔥

    This book doesn’t end on a CH, but the story is not closed and continues in book 2. I’m curious how their love will flourish! Karina created an atmospheric, twisted world, and I feel like we only scratched the surface of everything

    🥴 moment: "I felt you across time. You're a myth to everyone but me."

    Tr: enemies 2 lovers, forced prox, fated mates, blood play
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2023
    It’s been a while since I’ve considered any vampire romances and honestly, it’s because Edward Cullen ruined me for everyone else. But this was recommended by my fraternal twin (not really related), voracious.reading, and I really enjoyed it.

    This a much darker story with a lot of different parts and characters. It opens up a whole new universe to be explored with witches and vampires in our everyday normal world.

    Lenore is headstrong and though I do love that about her, some of her mistakes were simply because she didn’t have the foresight that Solon does. It can come off a little naive but I welcome it with her. She is young and a new vampire. It’s to be expected that she will make mistakes.

    Solon is much more grounded and is literally the morally grey character even in their own universe. He has no loyalty to witches or his own kind, only to the people in his home. His backstory was actually super tragic to read.

    I won’t lie. I’m very invested in our other vampire boys, especially Wolf. He has had my attention from the get go with Amethyst in the background. I’m pretty excited for their standalone.

    This was such a good break from my usual reads and reinforced my original love for PNR. Not to mention it’s been a long time since I’ve loved a universe with vamps. Highly recommend.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2023
    So far I have read Blood Orange and Black Rose and now this book. None disappoint and I have read a lot of Paranormal dark romance books! I love Lenore and was excited to read her and Absolon's story. It's not a typical vampire way of life and it has unique differences from other stories. It's refreshing to read a new way if life for these timeline supernaturals. There's some violence but not really the focus of the story. There's enough mystery to surprise me and the hottest sex that I crave in these types of books. Both have a sadness to them and together, with the help from the other vamps, they discover that they truly need each other to survive the heartache that has been in their past, is happening in their present and will be part of their existence, forever. The writing is flawless and the pace of the book, like the other two I read, flows quickly yet not rushed. Each Character has a story and Karina allows the reader to become part of their lives. It's not just a book about vampires its got messed up family dramas, extremely toxic family members on Solon's side and each are, in fact, deadly beings and have to deal with destroying those they hold or held dear. Karina's writing is not just about vampires its about our own dark and destructive side and dealing with the power all of us have to unleash it without becoming consumed by it. I'm looking forward to continuing the series! I would suggest reading about Lenore first then the Dracula retelling next. Although I had no difficulty grasping this book even though I read Dracula retelling books first! Truly one of the best dark romance books I've read!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • KAROLINka B.
    5.0 out of 5 stars YOU ARE my sunshine
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2025
    I cant stop rereading this book . Karina you are my sunshine. The Dracula series is brilliant too. Vampires and witches rule. Great hot writing !
  • Booklover
    5.0 out of 5 stars intriguing
    Reviewed in India on October 30, 2023
    The characters were so intriguing in this book. I loved the bond between characters. The setting was good. The book is engrossing.
  • J.W.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!!!
    Reviewed in Canada on March 31, 2021
    Seductive, intriguing, and indulgent from page one ... if you haven't read Dark Romance before or haven't read a Vampire romance in a while, this certainly ticks off all the boxes for that genre, but it goes above and beyond to suit the needs and wants of the discriminating romance reader. One taste of Halle's new work will only make you crave more. 5 stars for chemistry, storyline, characters, everything!
  • Madison Anderson
    5.0 out of 5 stars This was so good
    Reviewed in Australia on January 27, 2024
    I can't get over how good this was. I'm a long-time Karina Halle fan but this was my first paranormal read from her. Honestly, it was not what I was expecting at all and I am all the more happier for it. It ticked so many boxes or me, the story was intriguing, the characters were complex and morally grey with interesting pasts leading up to the present and the writing was (as always) well done. Karina Halle is so good at setting the scene in this book with her scenery descriptions and I love it. As for the characters, I really enjoyed the 2 MCs, as well as some of the side characters. It was so interesting to learn about the vampire lore of this book it felt well formed, logical and not half-baked like some others I've read previously. As someone who does not gravitate towards vampire tropes, I'm excited to read not only the sequel for Black Sunshine, but the spin-off books as well. Check your trigger warning and happy reading!
  • Candice Bauman
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun
    Reviewed in Canada on December 26, 2024
    This is a very fun vampire romance book. With a troupe like an over powerful main character, an older but rich male vampire.

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