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cm636's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely a page-turner! I wish I knew what happened next to River and Jonathan ^^ I loved the merging part. This wolf-tale is amazing! This book is very well written and I was hooked from the first pages.
becs_l's review
5.0
4.5 Stars
Also available: www.areadersdevotion.blogspot.co.uk
Oh this is just the sort of book I needed; a good society, good characters and a good mystery that I can get my teeth into.
“Something growled.
The sound came from deep inside the mine. Okay, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all Jonathan slid out of the sleeping bad and fumbled around in the dark for his flashlight.
He directed the beam into the tune. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. Is that a wolf? The animal was freaking huge; black with a diamond shaped patch of white fur between its glowing, blue eyes. Blue? Didn’t wolves have yellow eyes?”
The main feature of the book, that I love, is the slow unveiling of the story, the discovery. What I enjoy the most when reading any book is following the characters through their story and slowly seeing bits and pieces about their world come together. I had read too many books recently where the character are sat down and told everything all at once. That’s boring. Straight away we got thrown into River’s world. Straight away, I knew I was going to love this one.
I had read many paranormal societies in my many years of reading paranormal. This was the first time in a while were a close knit shape-shifter society felt real. A few in the past felt a little fluffy, more innocent for a younger audience. This had a darker edge. It was a totalitarian society that didn’t feel too extreme that it became unreal. Yes it was a harsh society but it didn’t feel unbelievable. I wanted to find out more.
This is an alternating point of view book, changing between River and Jonathan. We also got the occasional Eli. I loved all of the characters. They had their own personality. And none of them were overly stereotypical. I loved all of them but especially Jonathan. I connected with him very quickly. He loses his brother very early on but straight away I felt his pain. I loved his connection to River. Even though fantasy shape-shifting bonding is part of the story, it was not insta-love. It felt real. River and Jonathan’s relationship was set at just at the right pace. I loved seeing it develop.
As for the story, I wasn’t sure where it was going to go once they met. It was exciting and unpredictable. There is more depth to the connections of the characters that I originally thought. It was great. I wanted more. Unfortunately, the story ended too soon. Where I expected the story to reach a climax, a destination where all the events were heading, it didn’t really happen. Tension, tension, tension … where is the rest of it? It wasn’t really a cliff-hanger; it felt like I was just missing the last part at the book. The book didn’t really feel complete.
Overall, I thought this this was a great start to the series and I am really looking forward to seeing where book 2 takes us. Go check River’s Recruit out.
Also available: www.areadersdevotion.blogspot.co.uk
Oh this is just the sort of book I needed; a good society, good characters and a good mystery that I can get my teeth into.
“Something growled.
The sound came from deep inside the mine. Okay, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all Jonathan slid out of the sleeping bad and fumbled around in the dark for his flashlight.
He directed the beam into the tune. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. Is that a wolf? The animal was freaking huge; black with a diamond shaped patch of white fur between its glowing, blue eyes. Blue? Didn’t wolves have yellow eyes?”
The main feature of the book, that I love, is the slow unveiling of the story, the discovery. What I enjoy the most when reading any book is following the characters through their story and slowly seeing bits and pieces about their world come together. I had read too many books recently where the character are sat down and told everything all at once. That’s boring. Straight away we got thrown into River’s world. Straight away, I knew I was going to love this one.
I had read many paranormal societies in my many years of reading paranormal. This was the first time in a while were a close knit shape-shifter society felt real. A few in the past felt a little fluffy, more innocent for a younger audience. This had a darker edge. It was a totalitarian society that didn’t feel too extreme that it became unreal. Yes it was a harsh society but it didn’t feel unbelievable. I wanted to find out more.
This is an alternating point of view book, changing between River and Jonathan. We also got the occasional Eli. I loved all of the characters. They had their own personality. And none of them were overly stereotypical. I loved all of them but especially Jonathan. I connected with him very quickly. He loses his brother very early on but straight away I felt his pain. I loved his connection to River. Even though fantasy shape-shifting bonding is part of the story, it was not insta-love. It felt real. River and Jonathan’s relationship was set at just at the right pace. I loved seeing it develop.
As for the story, I wasn’t sure where it was going to go once they met. It was exciting and unpredictable. There is more depth to the connections of the characters that I originally thought. It was great. I wanted more. Unfortunately, the story ended too soon. Where I expected the story to reach a climax, a destination where all the events were heading, it didn’t really happen. Tension, tension, tension … where is the rest of it? It wasn’t really a cliff-hanger; it felt like I was just missing the last part at the book. The book didn’t really feel complete.
Overall, I thought this this was a great start to the series and I am really looking forward to seeing where book 2 takes us. Go check River’s Recruit out.
mrose21's review against another edition
3.0
So for a free read I can't complain too much. It was so long without being too long. I didn't feel like I was reading an extremely long book nor did I feel bored that often.
The three stars represent that I was bored for a little bit at different parts. And because it wasn't what I was expecting. Which was good and bad, because I was surprised by twists and turns for the most part anyway. And the bad is I didn't want to read about a cult. Or new Eden. Which ever whom ever. Its a different take on shapeshifters and I can't grumble about that I just can't say I would reach for this book first above any other shapeshifter ones.
This being all said, I liked the characters for the most part. I do believe this could be a potentially interesting series and underrated one at that. Just this first book for me was a little rocky. I do think it could be great... just not sure its there yet...
The three stars represent that I was bored for a little bit at different parts. And because it wasn't what I was expecting. Which was good and bad, because I was surprised by twists and turns for the most part anyway. And the bad is I didn't want to read about a cult. Or new Eden. Which ever whom ever. Its a different take on shapeshifters and I can't grumble about that I just can't say I would reach for this book first above any other shapeshifter ones.
This being all said, I liked the characters for the most part. I do believe this could be a potentially interesting series and underrated one at that. Just this first book for me was a little rocky. I do think it could be great... just not sure its there yet...
aggielexi's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVED this book. I need the next one to be out now please.
kittynpawell's review against another edition
4.0
Easy to devour
I actually enjoyed this book. I didn't know if I would, because I didn't like the writing of the author in another one of her earlier books. However this was a very good read crushed that it's over ready for book 2
I actually enjoyed this book. I didn't know if I would, because I didn't like the writing of the author in another one of her earlier books. However this was a very good read crushed that it's over ready for book 2
kaziteega's review against another edition
3.0
Good but long winded
It was a good book, I had some issues getting through it because of how wordy it was. I did enjoy the book other than being a little slow it was a fun read
It was a good book, I had some issues getting through it because of how wordy it was. I did enjoy the book other than being a little slow it was a fun read
the_cover_contessa's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of this book from the author to read and give an honest review. This in no way influenced my review process. I am reviewing this book as part of a blog tour hosted by SupaGurlTours (http://www.supagurlbooks.blogspot.com).
Blurb from Goodreads:
Jonathan McKnight lost everything in Afghanistan. His left hand, his identical twin and his self-respect. He searches for redemption during a solo backpacking trip into the remote Sawatch Mountains of Colorado and discovers a secret tribe of shifters.
River, the beautiful young shifter that rescues Jonathan from certain death, wants to recruit him. He is equally determined to rescue her from her cult-like society — even if he has to kidnap her.
I absolutely love the cover of this book. It is totally how I pictured River in my mind. It does make me think a bit of fantasy but this book is not fantasy at all. I still love the cover!
River is an interesting character. A bit naive for sure. She's spunky and definitely confident. She is sweet and a little feisty. I love how strong she is. A great role model for young girls. But she is also a bit vulnerable and lets the reader peek at this throughout the book.
Johnathan is a broken man. He has had such tragedy in his life. He is in search of himself and what he needs to do to find that part of him that was lost when his twin brother died. He's a good man with a heart that needs to be healed.
Together their relationship is interesting given their different backgrounds. It was fun to watch them learn about each other.
The story line is very different from anything else I have ever read. There are many intense moments throughout the book that make it an interesting read. And the world building is very good. The characters are very real and it was easy to related to them.
I enjoyed Charlotte's writing. She creates a totally different shifter story.
This was a nice paranormal read.
4 out of 5 stars from me.
Blurb from Goodreads:
Jonathan McKnight lost everything in Afghanistan. His left hand, his identical twin and his self-respect. He searches for redemption during a solo backpacking trip into the remote Sawatch Mountains of Colorado and discovers a secret tribe of shifters.
River, the beautiful young shifter that rescues Jonathan from certain death, wants to recruit him. He is equally determined to rescue her from her cult-like society — even if he has to kidnap her.
I absolutely love the cover of this book. It is totally how I pictured River in my mind. It does make me think a bit of fantasy but this book is not fantasy at all. I still love the cover!
River is an interesting character. A bit naive for sure. She's spunky and definitely confident. She is sweet and a little feisty. I love how strong she is. A great role model for young girls. But she is also a bit vulnerable and lets the reader peek at this throughout the book.
Johnathan is a broken man. He has had such tragedy in his life. He is in search of himself and what he needs to do to find that part of him that was lost when his twin brother died. He's a good man with a heart that needs to be healed.
Together their relationship is interesting given their different backgrounds. It was fun to watch them learn about each other.
The story line is very different from anything else I have ever read. There are many intense moments throughout the book that make it an interesting read. And the world building is very good. The characters are very real and it was easy to related to them.
I enjoyed Charlotte's writing. She creates a totally different shifter story.
This was a nice paranormal read.
4 out of 5 stars from me.
aimee70807's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good story, even though it seemed to lack a certain versimilitude. I can't really put my finger on why I thought the hero was a cookie-cutter guy-who-went-off-to-war-and-came-home-injured, but I can definitely tell you that any society that's been growing all their own food for centuries in a temperate climate shouldn't be rationing fresh apples and living entirely out of jars in late fall.
If you just suspend your disbelief, though, the story is certainly fun. Unfortunately, it ends on a major cliff-hanger and no second book seems imminent, so I'm not sure I'd recommend anyone else read it at the moment....
If you just suspend your disbelief, though, the story is certainly fun. Unfortunately, it ends on a major cliff-hanger and no second book seems imminent, so I'm not sure I'd recommend anyone else read it at the moment....
marneechua's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure about this book when I picked it up, but liked the cover art and there were so many positive reviews. I love a strong female lead and here you have one in buckskins with a bow and arrow add that to a link to wolves and I'm in! Initially, I was very confused about the genre, for some reason, I thought this was a fantasy book when I picked it up, but then realized that it is actually more of a modern paranormal romance. That said, it was nothing like any of the same genre that I've read before. I was very surprised and pleased with the story in this book. It was a very unusual take of how a society that had developed around secrecy and a link to wolves and humans may look just like a strict religious cult from the outside. If you've ever been curious or read about the Mormon cults, there are some definite similarities in what Abel has created, and clearly on purpose. I really liked Jonathan's story and his character. I haven't read a modern story about a soldier returning from war with amputated limbs before, and while I know they are out there, I have never wanted to pick one up. But Jonathan's story is very strong and the relationship with his twin and his guilt over the loss of his twin really got to me. The unique perspective and beautiful concept of Jonathan's character are the reason I gave this book four stars.
Unfortunately, I didn't like River, the female lead. She is supposed to represent a strong female character, but she is so naive it's painful and there are several ridiculous scenarios with her naked in front of the men in the story. If their society is so OK with the idea of shared women's and men's baths (think Roman bath) and nudity, the situations where she is in them seem to be a far stretch, in my mind they shouldn't have merited as much attention, making the reader feel that they are as common place as they are supposed to be in their society. Her character comes across a lot more whiney than fiery, which I think it's supposed to be. All of the intimacy between River and Jonathan seem contrived. These little details made the romance more difficult for me to get into, but I am hoping that the characters will grow in the second book.
And now that I mention the second book, what a cliff hanger! Ugh, did not see that one coming. Now we all have to wait to find out what happens, and it looks like I'm not the only one who feels bad for Jonathan! I am hoping for some more surprises in the second and maybe some growth/development in the supporting characters as well.
Unfortunately, I didn't like River, the female lead. She is supposed to represent a strong female character, but she is so naive it's painful and there are several ridiculous scenarios with her naked in front of the men in the story. If their society is so OK with the idea of shared women's and men's baths (think Roman bath) and nudity, the situations where she is in them seem to be a far stretch, in my mind they shouldn't have merited as much attention, making the reader feel that they are as common place as they are supposed to be in their society. Her character comes across a lot more whiney than fiery, which I think it's supposed to be. All of the intimacy between River and Jonathan seem contrived. These little details made the romance more difficult for me to get into, but I am hoping that the characters will grow in the second book.
And now that I mention the second book, what a cliff hanger! Ugh, did not see that one coming. Now we all have to wait to find out what happens, and it looks like I'm not the only one who feels bad for Jonathan! I am hoping for some more surprises in the second and maybe some growth/development in the supporting characters as well.
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