lizziew30's review
4.0
I’m not a massive fan of wear wolves ect but I had previously read this author and enjoyed her writing style so I gave it shot. I’m so glad that I did. It had everything hot wolves/men sexual tension a little drama and a good story.
Garnet is a Rouge wolf who has form a pack of rouge wolves. Together they work well running a Cabaret club all performing different routines that have people coming from all over to see.
Carnell is a Rouge wolf who wants to settle down and become the Alpha of this rouge pack he has been hearing about. When he go’s to check out the show and challenge the Alpha for his position that’s where things go slightly different from the plan.
Even if your not a fan of wolves I would still recommend you try this story it’s fun and entertaining a pleasure to read.
I received an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
Garnet is a Rouge wolf who has form a pack of rouge wolves. Together they work well running a Cabaret club all performing different routines that have people coming from all over to see.
Carnell is a Rouge wolf who wants to settle down and become the Alpha of this rouge pack he has been hearing about. When he go’s to check out the show and challenge the Alpha for his position that’s where things go slightly different from the plan.
Even if your not a fan of wolves I would still recommend you try this story it’s fun and entertaining a pleasure to read.
I received an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
the_novel_approach's review
3.0
~ 3.5 Stars ~
Author Sydney Blackburn is a first time read for me, and I must say I enjoyed many aspects of the novel Cabaret Rollo Rouge, particularly the fresh look at bisexual and gay wolves. It’s their sexuality that labels a wolf “rouge” and subsequently “curses” them to both a packless and mateless life. Or so they have always been informed. For Garnet it means being pseudo alpha to a small gang of misfit wolf performers that make up their cabaret act. Having just purchased their own building on the outskirts of town, life is good for this group, even though the spectre of Garnet’s past hangs over them as an ever-present threat.
For some reason, the mate of Garnet’s oldest sister has an intense dislike for him—one that has bordered on near-death encounters and left Garnet both fearful of and angry with his brother–in-law, Holt. When Holt’s son is discovered with his childhood buddy in a seemingly compromising position, Holt’s anger drives the boy straight into his uncle’s arms, where he remains with the blessing of his mother, unbeknownst to his father. If all that isn’t exciting enough for Garnet, a drifter arrives in town to challenge Garnet for the position of alpha over his ragtag pack.
Carn himself is also rouge and was thrown out by his father at the age of fifteen. After a brief stint with a gang and a few months in prison, Carn got his GED and began work as a mechanic. However, the restless and lonely life without a pack has eaten at Carn more steadily over time, and he figures if he can take control of Garnet’s group, his life will at least be less solitary. When the two men meet, more than fur flies, and long-held beliefs are shattered. Now Carn and Garnet must decide who will be alpha and how they fit into each other’s lives, if at all.
While I loved this idea of “rouge” wolves, that plus a few other plot vehicles were never as fully developed as I might have wanted. Instead, much like the unreasonable anger (read: murderous intent) that Holt had for Garnet, we heard much about it but there was never really enough back-story given to understand it. I think my one complaint with this story, overall, was the shallow feel the history of these wolves had. I really liked Garnet and Carn together; their attraction developed beyond the fierce feelings produced by the mating call to one of easy camaraderie laced with flirty behavior and a dose of good old lust. The side characters surrounding them all had great potential as well, but again we danced around them, barely learning who they were in terms of their place in the troupe and never what life events actually brought them to the cabaret.
In essence, Cabaret Rollo Rouge was built on an interesting premise but had too little depth to really make it soar. The relationships between various characters really stood out and were a major strength of the novel, but the limited view into their current and past lives made them feel more shallow and incomplete. I think this author has great potential to become an incredible writer, primarily because this book reveals the depth of imagination and some definite finesse in crafting an interesting tale. I will be sure to check out other works by this author in the future.
Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach
Author Sydney Blackburn is a first time read for me, and I must say I enjoyed many aspects of the novel Cabaret Rollo Rouge, particularly the fresh look at bisexual and gay wolves. It’s their sexuality that labels a wolf “rouge” and subsequently “curses” them to both a packless and mateless life. Or so they have always been informed. For Garnet it means being pseudo alpha to a small gang of misfit wolf performers that make up their cabaret act. Having just purchased their own building on the outskirts of town, life is good for this group, even though the spectre of Garnet’s past hangs over them as an ever-present threat.
For some reason, the mate of Garnet’s oldest sister has an intense dislike for him—one that has bordered on near-death encounters and left Garnet both fearful of and angry with his brother–in-law, Holt. When Holt’s son is discovered with his childhood buddy in a seemingly compromising position, Holt’s anger drives the boy straight into his uncle’s arms, where he remains with the blessing of his mother, unbeknownst to his father. If all that isn’t exciting enough for Garnet, a drifter arrives in town to challenge Garnet for the position of alpha over his ragtag pack.
Carn himself is also rouge and was thrown out by his father at the age of fifteen. After a brief stint with a gang and a few months in prison, Carn got his GED and began work as a mechanic. However, the restless and lonely life without a pack has eaten at Carn more steadily over time, and he figures if he can take control of Garnet’s group, his life will at least be less solitary. When the two men meet, more than fur flies, and long-held beliefs are shattered. Now Carn and Garnet must decide who will be alpha and how they fit into each other’s lives, if at all.
While I loved this idea of “rouge” wolves, that plus a few other plot vehicles were never as fully developed as I might have wanted. Instead, much like the unreasonable anger (read: murderous intent) that Holt had for Garnet, we heard much about it but there was never really enough back-story given to understand it. I think my one complaint with this story, overall, was the shallow feel the history of these wolves had. I really liked Garnet and Carn together; their attraction developed beyond the fierce feelings produced by the mating call to one of easy camaraderie laced with flirty behavior and a dose of good old lust. The side characters surrounding them all had great potential as well, but again we danced around them, barely learning who they were in terms of their place in the troupe and never what life events actually brought them to the cabaret.
In essence, Cabaret Rollo Rouge was built on an interesting premise but had too little depth to really make it soar. The relationships between various characters really stood out and were a major strength of the novel, but the limited view into their current and past lives made them feel more shallow and incomplete. I think this author has great potential to become an incredible writer, primarily because this book reveals the depth of imagination and some definite finesse in crafting an interesting tale. I will be sure to check out other works by this author in the future.
Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach
gabi90's review
4.0
I ship #Carnet. ;D
Garnet is a "rouge" wolf, that means he's gay, and his own alpha chased him out of the pack's territory, when he was 13. Since then he formed his own pack (him as appointed alpha), with other rouge wolves, and they live by their own rules. They opened a cabaret, where everyone has their role: dancers, magicians, etc.
And then Carn shows up on opening night. He's a lone rouge alpha, and he wants Garnet's pack. Only problem is, Carn is Garnet's mate, which should be impossible. They were told rouge's can't have mates. All Carn wanted was a family, somewhere to belong to, and he tries to convince Garnet to let him in the pack, he doesn't insist to be the alpha.
Carn isn't the only complication Garnet has to deal with. Before opening night his nephew, Bariston shows up. He ran away, because he thinks he's bisexual, does that makes him rouge? He's confused. Bariston is also the alpha's son, who deeply hates Garnet for some reason, which in the end will cause more problems.
This was a very unique story, with a hint of humor, and playfulness. It wasn't deeply emotional, which I liked, and it was sexy, but I missed that carnal desire that mates have for each other. It was there, but I wanted more.
I don't know if the author planned a series or not, I would totally go for it. Every character could have their own story, even Mike, the human bouncer. ;) And Bariston, even though he's only 16.
Garnet is a "rouge" wolf, that means he's gay, and his own alpha chased him out of the pack's territory, when he was 13. Since then he formed his own pack (him as appointed alpha), with other rouge wolves, and they live by their own rules. They opened a cabaret, where everyone has their role: dancers, magicians, etc.
And then Carn shows up on opening night. He's a lone rouge alpha, and he wants Garnet's pack. Only problem is, Carn is Garnet's mate, which should be impossible. They were told rouge's can't have mates. All Carn wanted was a family, somewhere to belong to, and he tries to convince Garnet to let him in the pack, he doesn't insist to be the alpha.
Carn isn't the only complication Garnet has to deal with. Before opening night his nephew, Bariston shows up. He ran away, because he thinks he's bisexual, does that makes him rouge? He's confused. Bariston is also the alpha's son, who deeply hates Garnet for some reason, which in the end will cause more problems.
This was a very unique story, with a hint of humor, and playfulness. It wasn't deeply emotional, which I liked, and it was sexy, but I missed that carnal desire that mates have for each other. It was there, but I wanted more.
I don't know if the author planned a series or not, I would totally go for it. Every character could have their own story, even Mike, the human bouncer. ;) And Bariston, even though he's only 16.
karentje's review
4.0
I really liked this one! It was a very enjoyable read with quite a new take on the whole shifter universe.
Instead of the usual big, strong alpha swooping in to save the omega or weaker wolf, the author puts a different spin on that well-known trope and we get a very atypical, non-alpha leader of the pack and an alpha who uses his strength to submit to and support his mate.
The resolution of this story took me by surprise and I loved it!
Garnett is a really great and caring leader for his pack of rouge outcasts. And I love that he doesn't give in to the pull of the mating bond right away, but keeps Carn at a bit of a distance until he's convinced that bringing him into the pack is the right decision for everyone. In spite of the chemistry between them, Garnett's pack remains his primary concern.
Carn is an amazingly endearing MC. Underneath the alpha bluster, he is insecure about what he can bring to his mate and his pack and he tries very hard to get the pack to accept him and convince Garnett that he can be trusted. Of course, Garnett's reluctance is easy enough to understand seeing as how Carn did intend to take over the pack initially....
It's a great start to a new series and a lot of interesting secondary characters were introduced. Can't wait to see what happens next!
Instead of the usual big, strong alpha swooping in to save the omega or weaker wolf, the author puts a different spin on that well-known trope and we get a very atypical, non-alpha leader of the pack and an alpha who uses his strength to submit to and support his mate.
The resolution of this story took me by surprise and I loved it!
Garnett is a really great and caring leader for his pack of rouge outcasts. And I love that he doesn't give in to the pull of the mating bond right away, but keeps Carn at a bit of a distance until he's convinced that bringing him into the pack is the right decision for everyone. In spite of the chemistry between them, Garnett's pack remains his primary concern.
Carn is an amazingly endearing MC. Underneath the alpha bluster, he is insecure about what he can bring to his mate and his pack and he tries very hard to get the pack to accept him and convince Garnett that he can be trusted. Of course, Garnett's reluctance is easy enough to understand seeing as how Carn did intend to take over the pack initially....
It's a great start to a new series and a lot of interesting secondary characters were introduced. Can't wait to see what happens next!
More...