fictionalkate's review
4.0
After loving the first book in the Magdeburg Trilogy, The Night has Teeth, I had high hopes for the second book. I’m delighted to tell you that The Night has Claws did not disappoint. Incorporating the characters I had adored with more of Kruger’s delightful writing and incredible take on werewolves, this book is even better than I was hoping.
Conner and Arden have both been bitten recently – only with entirely different outcomes. Conner is still trying to navigate his new life as one of the fanged and furry whereas Arden has been left for dead by his pack. Kruger has a great way with words. There are moments when I was reading this book when I was just struck with how much I enjoyed how she would phrase things. And how she would describe the world that Conner has found himself in the middle of. The way he discovers the way of the wolves and we the readers get to see things as he does is brilliant. These wolves do things are just as crazy to him as they are to me and there’s something about that I find comforting and somewhat disturbing. This is also one of those series where the setting adds to the ambiance. This is not a book which could be set just anywhere but rather the European influence becomes a part of the book – and that’s something I truly enjoyed about this book.
There’s a lot of young adult books around dealing with werewolves but Kruger’s treatment of the supernatural hounds sets this book apart. Whilst Conner may think that werewolf society is a little messed up, I found that these wolves are interesting and have a great history surrounding their condition. I like the born vs. bitten differences and the strange customs which the wolves maintain. These are not sweet and romantic dog but rather a little more gothic and bloodthirsty. They reminded me a little of Kelley Armstrong’s wolves in her Women of the Otherworld series in a good way.
If I was to describe this book using one word, that word would be “more”. More excitement, more of the characters I love to read about, more back story and – I just want more! The Night Has Claws is a brilliant follow-up to the first book in the series and has me eagerly anticipating the third and final book in this horrifyingly good trilogy
Conner and Arden have both been bitten recently – only with entirely different outcomes. Conner is still trying to navigate his new life as one of the fanged and furry whereas Arden has been left for dead by his pack. Kruger has a great way with words. There are moments when I was reading this book when I was just struck with how much I enjoyed how she would phrase things. And how she would describe the world that Conner has found himself in the middle of. The way he discovers the way of the wolves and we the readers get to see things as he does is brilliant. These wolves do things are just as crazy to him as they are to me and there’s something about that I find comforting and somewhat disturbing. This is also one of those series where the setting adds to the ambiance. This is not a book which could be set just anywhere but rather the European influence becomes a part of the book – and that’s something I truly enjoyed about this book.
There’s a lot of young adult books around dealing with werewolves but Kruger’s treatment of the supernatural hounds sets this book apart. Whilst Conner may think that werewolf society is a little messed up, I found that these wolves are interesting and have a great history surrounding their condition. I like the born vs. bitten differences and the strange customs which the wolves maintain. These are not sweet and romantic dog but rather a little more gothic and bloodthirsty. They reminded me a little of Kelley Armstrong’s wolves in her Women of the Otherworld series in a good way.
If I was to describe this book using one word, that word would be “more”. More excitement, more of the characters I love to read about, more back story and – I just want more! The Night Has Claws is a brilliant follow-up to the first book in the series and has me eagerly anticipating the third and final book in this horrifyingly good trilogy
mountie9's review
5.0
The Good Stuff
Truly unique take on the werewolves genre, it actually felt very real and believable that this could be happening in our world
Likeable characters that are flawed and so human (and werewolf of course). They feel like real people not characters
Plenty of dark humour used in just the right places
Really liked how the story is set in Paris and Germany, makes it more believable setting with all the ancient gothic architecture and wild landscapes
Love, love, love the cover
Enjoyed the scenes between Arden and Connor, found the reversal of their humanity fascinating
Fast paced and exciting - really impressive for a second book in a trilogy. This isn't just filler for the final book, there is depth and development. Bravo
Enjoyed some of the pop culture references
The Not So Good Stuff
A small thing I know as it is an arc, but I was frustrated with the lack of capitalization of proper names. Sometimes Arden was capitalized, yet in the next paragraph it wasn't. It's silly I know but it jarred me from the story
It's been a long time since I read the first part would have liked a little reminder of what happened in the first story to jog my memory - but hey that is just me and I am old and have kids so the memory isn't as good as it once was.
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"From this point of view he reminds me of Two-Face from Batman, only with Roul what you see is what you get. There's no unstable lunatic struggling for supremacy within him. At least, not that I've seen."
"Losing a mate is like losing a part of yourself. There's no cure for it, no drug to ease the agony of it. For the rest of your years, there will always be a place within you that feels-- hollow."
"What do you mean, it doesn't matter? It was a big enough deal for you to go all Stahem-esque down there."
"He makes it sound so Zen. Or Jedi. Like some kind of Wolf Yoda. There is no try."
4.25 Dewey's
I received this from Fierce Ink Press in exchange for an honest review
Truly unique take on the werewolves genre, it actually felt very real and believable that this could be happening in our world
Likeable characters that are flawed and so human (and werewolf of course). They feel like real people not characters
Plenty of dark humour used in just the right places
Really liked how the story is set in Paris and Germany, makes it more believable setting with all the ancient gothic architecture and wild landscapes
Love, love, love the cover
Enjoyed the scenes between Arden and Connor, found the reversal of their humanity fascinating
Fast paced and exciting - really impressive for a second book in a trilogy. This isn't just filler for the final book, there is depth and development. Bravo
Enjoyed some of the pop culture references
The Not So Good Stuff
A small thing I know as it is an arc, but I was frustrated with the lack of capitalization of proper names. Sometimes Arden was capitalized, yet in the next paragraph it wasn't. It's silly I know but it jarred me from the story
It's been a long time since I read the first part would have liked a little reminder of what happened in the first story to jog my memory - but hey that is just me and I am old and have kids so the memory isn't as good as it once was.
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"From this point of view he reminds me of Two-Face from Batman, only with Roul what you see is what you get. There's no unstable lunatic struggling for supremacy within him. At least, not that I've seen."
"Losing a mate is like losing a part of yourself. There's no cure for it, no drug to ease the agony of it. For the rest of your years, there will always be a place within you that feels-- hollow."
"What do you mean, it doesn't matter? It was a big enough deal for you to go all Stahem-esque down there."
"He makes it sound so Zen. Or Jedi. Like some kind of Wolf Yoda. There is no try."
4.25 Dewey's
I received this from Fierce Ink Press in exchange for an honest review
lostinagoodread's review
3.0
This review and others can be found on Cozy Up With A Good Read
THE NIGHT HAS CLAWS starts up right where we ended in THE NIGHT HAS TEETH, with a huge reversal in lives, we now see Connor as a werewolf and Arden has now become human. I can say happily that this book does not fall into the second book problem that many trilogies have of information dumping and just lagging a little bit behind the other books because the story needs a bit of a segue. Kat definitely keeps the surprises coming with this book and really gets you more invested in her story.
I found myself loving the characters that Kat has come up with so much more after this book, what I really loved was the relationship that Connor and Arden strike up. In the beginning they really help each other out (even though Arden is still mad about this change in his life). It was great to get a sense of Connor really learning how to control himself and his urges, he begins to understand more about this new life he has. But with this comes a huge decision for Connor as well, join with a pack (even though he is something different) or try to be out in the world alone. There are many events and secrets to come out that will lead up to Connor's eventual decision.
Interspersed throughout the story are added chapters from Madison's perspective which I really enjoyed, it gives readers a deeper look into her history and how she feels about everything. It was also interesting to see a more scientific approach to the werewolf history, and how these characters were able to become something different when bitten.
Kat also has added in a great amount of humour among all the darkness happening around, many of the characters are very sarcastic and it definitely lightens the mood at the perfect time. This book takes readers more into the Hounds of God group and how they came to be and really leads up to what I can guess is a great series ending.
THE NIGHT HAS CLAWS starts up right where we ended in THE NIGHT HAS TEETH, with a huge reversal in lives, we now see Connor as a werewolf and Arden has now become human. I can say happily that this book does not fall into the second book problem that many trilogies have of information dumping and just lagging a little bit behind the other books because the story needs a bit of a segue. Kat definitely keeps the surprises coming with this book and really gets you more invested in her story.
I found myself loving the characters that Kat has come up with so much more after this book, what I really loved was the relationship that Connor and Arden strike up. In the beginning they really help each other out (even though Arden is still mad about this change in his life). It was great to get a sense of Connor really learning how to control himself and his urges, he begins to understand more about this new life he has. But with this comes a huge decision for Connor as well, join with a pack (even though he is something different) or try to be out in the world alone. There are many events and secrets to come out that will lead up to Connor's eventual decision.
Interspersed throughout the story are added chapters from Madison's perspective which I really enjoyed, it gives readers a deeper look into her history and how she feels about everything. It was also interesting to see a more scientific approach to the werewolf history, and how these characters were able to become something different when bitten.
Kat also has added in a great amount of humour among all the darkness happening around, many of the characters are very sarcastic and it definitely lightens the mood at the perfect time. This book takes readers more into the Hounds of God group and how they came to be and really leads up to what I can guess is a great series ending.
angelamisri's review
5.0
Great follow up and I'm loving how this sub-community of werewolves is developing, it's both fascinating and a little chilling (which I think is Kruger's goal ; ) ... I didn't like Madison until this book, but you've turned me around, I am liking her and her voice much more. Nice work, can't wait till book 3!
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