kittynpawell's review
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
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
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
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
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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