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sillylittlefishey's review against another edition
2.0
I was a bit disappointed with this one....I need a little more story and a little less sex and 'cunt' for me to like it. I will probably give the series another shot...eventually.
smartcookiesca's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Rape, Torture, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Child death and Miscarriage
beckiebookworm1974's review against another edition
3.0
I decided to reread this series from the beginning as I ceased reading back in the day and wanted to start again afresh. I've been doing this a lot with older ones I've previously read. Seeing if I can recapture the magic and if I still feel the same about them as I once did. If I recall this series was first published by the now-obsolete Elloras Cave, so as you can imagine it's heavily ensconced in the erotica genre. Later books still were geared this way but I do feel the earlier ones before the publisher changed were much more so. Not that I'm complaining mind as this was the reason I initially picked it up. Well, that combined with the hybrid animal storyline as I was heavily in my human breeds era at the time.
This is the first book and it introduces us to the origins of the breeds. Our heroine Merinus is tasked along with her special ops brother Kane to attempt to persuade Callan Lyons to tell his story to the public. Her family want to expose the corrupt council and for Callon to come out of hiding and speak his truths. Merinus's task is to establish first contact with the secretive lion hybrid and Kane is the backup research.
The bones of the story are intriguing and the potential for expansion huge. Being firmly in the erotica camp there's a hell of a lot of spice and descriptive language which is very detailed and this is as hot as Hades especially when these two go into heat. The pages sizzled with the intensity and the chemistry was explosive. The actual world expansion does take a bit of a back seat to all of this at least in this first book but it's still there and I enjoyed revisiting this series.
I'll be frank, book one isn't the strongest but I do remember this series only improving the further I read so I will be continuing on. This is mostly erotica with some additional world explanation but it's a definite good time and the subject matter is so interesting.
I liked both main characters and loved all the primal instincts and dominance battles. I'm now looking forward to rereading further and though this first book isn't my favourite it was still enjoyable and I know it's only on the up from here on out.
This is the first book and it introduces us to the origins of the breeds. Our heroine Merinus is tasked along with her special ops brother Kane to attempt to persuade Callan Lyons to tell his story to the public. Her family want to expose the corrupt council and for Callon to come out of hiding and speak his truths. Merinus's task is to establish first contact with the secretive lion hybrid and Kane is the backup research.
The bones of the story are intriguing and the potential for expansion huge. Being firmly in the erotica camp there's a hell of a lot of spice and descriptive language which is very detailed and this is as hot as Hades especially when these two go into heat. The pages sizzled with the intensity and the chemistry was explosive. The actual world expansion does take a bit of a back seat to all of this at least in this first book but it's still there and I enjoyed revisiting this series.
I'll be frank, book one isn't the strongest but I do remember this series only improving the further I read so I will be continuing on. This is mostly erotica with some additional world explanation but it's a definite good time and the subject matter is so interesting.
I liked both main characters and loved all the primal instincts and dominance battles. I'm now looking forward to rereading further and though this first book isn't my favourite it was still enjoyable and I know it's only on the up from here on out.
hmmreads's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars
Okay... this book was kinda bad and a hot mess. The world building was weak and all over the place. FMC was a bitch and MMC wasn't that interesting. The sex was bleh.
We started the book with Merinus (the h, I can't get over how odd that name is for a girl/in general) arguing with her family of guys (in total seven bros and their dad) about wanting to get involved in Callan's story. Her dad's part of the National Forum and her and her brothers were also involved in the news cycle in some way. Out of the family, Kane, the eldest, and the dad were the only ones highlighted.
Their dad was sent scientific evidence of Callan's existence by his surrogate mother and proof of the violence he endured while he was in the lab. Apparently, a bunch of people that had soldiers, had this lab and were breeding human-feline species. The book did a piss-poor job explaining this too. They used "soldiers" in the same breath talking about the government (supposedly the good guys in this world) while both could've meant the same side of people, because government-army-soldier, you know? It was just a mess and confusing. Callan's surrogate mother and Merinus' whole family's idea was that exposing Callan to the world would get the bad guys locked up and so Callan didn't have to hide anymore from these soldiers. Callan thought this was a bad idea because the world would treat him as a freak and the gov would just run more tests on him instead, which fair point, what would've happened in the real world. But of course, Merinus was too naive and thought the gov was all good and great and exposing Callan would solve the problem for good. So besides the data, Merinus needed Callan to come out of hiding as evidence. So she was there tracking him. Kane, the eldest brother was supposedly well-connected and scary (I didn't really get what this job really was tbh) and super protective but somehow was the one that supported Merinus to approach Callan. And I don't think this was ever explained.
Turns out, Callan and Merinus were mates. She started going into heat and they mated, she lost her virginity. Callan's doctor had to take a bunch of test and Merinus was grouchy, uncooperative, and annoying about it all the damn time. She was hot and cold toward Callan, always needing her independence (bcs she's not like other girls. this was also noted at the beginning of the book with her not wearing makeup) but she was just so hot for him. Callan was a detached person so he kept her at arms-length at first but then he started to be protective of her because of their bond. At least he was consistent.
Callan wasn't the only Pride left and there were like idk 6 of them. Kane turned out to be an ex-soldier working for the labs and had to rape one of the shifter girls as an experiment. Kane turned out to be the mate of this girl. There was this side thing with one of the guy shifter where he betrayed Callan because he wanted to be alpha. It was stupid and unnecessary.
I so did not want Merinus's stupid exposee belief to be the endgame but of course it was. Callan willingly got exposed and things went all fine and dandy. We got a brief pov from the bad guy saying it wasn't over blablabla but the rest of the world was just basically, "yeah, whatever". Which was just SO realistic ugh.
I originally wanted to give this book a 3 stars, but the more I write the more the stars are going down. It's currently at a 1 but I guess I'll give it a 2.
Okay... this book was kinda bad and a hot mess. The world building was weak and all over the place. FMC was a bitch and MMC wasn't that interesting. The sex was bleh.
We started the book with Merinus (the h, I can't get over how odd that name is for a girl/in general) arguing with her family of guys (in total seven bros and their dad) about wanting to get involved in Callan's story. Her dad's part of the National Forum and her and her brothers were also involved in the news cycle in some way. Out of the family, Kane, the eldest, and the dad were the only ones highlighted.
Their dad was sent scientific evidence of Callan's existence by his surrogate mother and proof of the violence he endured while he was in the lab. Apparently, a bunch of people that had soldiers, had this lab and were breeding human-feline species. The book did a piss-poor job explaining this too. They used "soldiers" in the same breath talking about the government (supposedly the good guys in this world) while both could've meant the same side of people, because government-army-soldier, you know? It was just a mess and confusing. Callan's surrogate mother and Merinus' whole family's idea was that exposing Callan to the world would get the bad guys locked up and so Callan didn't have to hide anymore from these soldiers. Callan thought this was a bad idea because the world would treat him as a freak and the gov would just run more tests on him instead, which fair point, what would've happened in the real world. But of course, Merinus was too naive and thought the gov was all good and great and exposing Callan would solve the problem for good. So besides the data, Merinus needed Callan to come out of hiding as evidence. So she was there tracking him. Kane, the eldest brother was supposedly well-connected and scary (I didn't really get what this job really was tbh) and super protective but somehow was the one that supported Merinus to approach Callan. And I don't think this was ever explained.
Turns out, Callan and Merinus were mates. She started going into heat and they mated, she lost her virginity. Callan's doctor had to take a bunch of test and Merinus was grouchy, uncooperative, and annoying about it all the damn time. She was hot and cold toward Callan, always needing her independence (bcs she's not like other girls. this was also noted at the beginning of the book with her not wearing makeup) but she was just so hot for him. Callan was a detached person so he kept her at arms-length at first but then he started to be protective of her because of their bond. At least he was consistent.
Callan wasn't the only Pride left and there were like idk 6 of them. Kane turned out to be an ex-soldier working for the labs and had to rape one of the shifter girls as an experiment. Kane turned out to be the mate of this girl. There was this side thing with one of the guy shifter where he betrayed Callan because he wanted to be alpha. It was stupid and unnecessary.
I so did not want Merinus's stupid exposee belief to be the endgame but of course it was. Callan willingly got exposed and things went all fine and dandy. We got a brief pov from the bad guy saying it wasn't over blablabla but the rest of the world was just basically, "yeah, whatever". Which was just SO realistic ugh.
I originally wanted to give this book a 3 stars, but the more I write the more the stars are going down. It's currently at a 1 but I guess I'll give it a 2.
rbradley923's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault and Pregnancy
Minor: Rape
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
First in the erotic Breeds (and Feline Breeds) paranormal-romance series set in an alternate America.
My Take
Great action story both in the sex and the battles. Leigh has created an amazing backstory reminiscent of Hitler's medical experiments with all the charm and decency of his concentration camps. This is not to put down what happened in the Holocaust but to point out that evil exists within humanity in any time, any race where greed and power coexist. It's disgusting that it does. And I love the battle that the Breeds and other compassionate people take against it.
I do like her persistence in forcing Callan to release his "inner beast". Acceptance for all of Callan and the love Merinus has for her father and brothers. The longing in his heart to experience even a small part of that faith.
We learn what the Breeds have always known of betrayal, running, hiding, protecting each other, their mates. Even as we learn that some decency exists, that compassion can rise up and do battle against hatred, racism, and intolerance.
Don't expect a shapeshifters' tale because the Breeds do not shift their shape. They have simply been genetically modified to incorporate traits from each breed of animal that was incorporated into them.
The Story
Merinus insists on doing the fieldwork and making Callan Lyons the offer to bring him in and expose the Council's perfidy through her father's paper and her uncle's power as a senator. There is something about the man that draws Merrie, and she will meet him.
And so it begins, the irresistible passion, the intense need that grows between them, the mating heat that only slowly do their doctors and scientists begin to understand.
The Characters
Merinus Tyler is a stubborn idjit who wants her cake and then complains when she gets a tummy ache. Kane Tyler is the oldest of Merinus' seven brothers. Ex-Special Forces, he is driven to expose the horrors of the labs in which the Breeds were bred and trained. Driven by a love he lost. Her father runs a newspaper; her uncle is a senator.
Callan Lyons is a lionshifter who escaped the labs and protecting his pride: Taber, Dawn, Sherra, Tanner, and Dayan.
The Cover and Title
The cover is rather over the top, although they both appear to be dressed. The long mane of hair sported by Callan with the partial face of a lion looking out at us is quite leonine.
The title is truly accurate as Merinus is Tempting the Beast.
My Take
Great action story both in the sex and the battles. Leigh has created an amazing backstory reminiscent of Hitler's medical experiments with all the charm and decency of his concentration camps. This is not to put down what happened in the Holocaust but to point out that evil exists within humanity in any time, any race where greed and power coexist. It's disgusting that it does. And I love the battle that the Breeds and other compassionate people take against it.
I do like her persistence in forcing Callan to release his "inner beast". Acceptance for all of Callan and the love Merinus has for her father and brothers. The longing in his heart to experience even a small part of that faith.
We learn what the Breeds have always known of betrayal, running, hiding, protecting each other, their mates. Even as we learn that some decency exists, that compassion can rise up and do battle against hatred, racism, and intolerance.
Don't expect a shapeshifters' tale because the Breeds do not shift their shape. They have simply been genetically modified to incorporate traits from each breed of animal that was incorporated into them.
The Story
Merinus insists on doing the fieldwork and making Callan Lyons the offer to bring him in and expose the Council's perfidy through her father's paper and her uncle's power as a senator. There is something about the man that draws Merrie, and she will meet him.
And so it begins, the irresistible passion, the intense need that grows between them, the mating heat that only slowly do their doctors and scientists begin to understand.
The Characters
Merinus Tyler is a stubborn idjit who wants her cake and then complains when she gets a tummy ache. Kane Tyler is the oldest of Merinus' seven brothers. Ex-Special Forces, he is driven to expose the horrors of the labs in which the Breeds were bred and trained. Driven by a love he lost. Her father runs a newspaper; her uncle is a senator.
Callan Lyons is a lionshifter who escaped the labs and protecting his pride: Taber, Dawn, Sherra, Tanner, and Dayan.
The Cover and Title
The cover is rather over the top, although they both appear to be dressed. The long mane of hair sported by Callan with the partial face of a lion looking out at us is quite leonine.
The title is truly accurate as Merinus is Tempting the Beast.
whitecat5000's review
mysterious
medium-paced
1.0
Reread is a DNF. I don't think the writing aged well. It's repetitious and feels dated with word choice.
keberwick's review against another edition
3.0
This book was quite literally the definition of Porn Without Plot. I mean, seriously. Every two pages there was a sex scene. Don't get me wrong, the sex scenes were seriously fab, but I can only take so much!
The characters of Tempting the Beast fell very flat for me. There was no real depth added to any of them and I remember next to nothing about the characters other than Callan had a massive dick with a weird barb thing that was often described as a thumb (that weirded me the hell out, not even going to lie) and Merinus (jesus, fuck that name really bothered me) loved it. Also, I totally had to look up those names because I couldn't remember them if my life depended on me.
There was also no story whatsoever. Merinus is supposed to be studying the pride of genetically mutated cat-people for her siblings so they can bring the organization responsible for the cat-peoples cat-ness to the public's attention. When she spies Callan through her binoculars it's lust at first sight. The two somehow meet and end up hooking up, which causes some sort of chemical reaction that causes the two of them to NEED TO HAVE SEX AT LEAST ONCE EVERY HOUR. And that was basically how the rest of the novel went. I'm not even kidding, I have no real memory of what happened other than sex. The only reason that I gave this 3 stars was because the sex scenes were just enough to salvage the trainwreck.
And after writing this review, I've removed this book from at least 3 of my shelves. I would not recommend. Unless you like Porn Without Plot, in which case you will love this book.
The characters of Tempting the Beast fell very flat for me. There was no real depth added to any of them and I remember next to nothing about the characters other than Callan had a massive dick with a weird barb thing that was often described as a thumb (that weirded me the hell out, not even going to lie) and Merinus (jesus, fuck that name really bothered me) loved it. Also, I totally had to look up those names because I couldn't remember them if my life depended on me.
There was also no story whatsoever. Merinus is supposed to be studying the pride of genetically mutated cat-people for her siblings so they can bring the organization responsible for the cat-peoples cat-ness to the public's attention. When she spies Callan
Spoiler
masturbatingAnd after writing this review, I've removed this book from at least 3 of my shelves. I would not recommend. Unless you like Porn Without Plot, in which case you will love this book.