Early Review: Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh

Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh

Psy-Changeling Trinity #3

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh takes us on a new adventure in this next novel of the Psy-Changeling Trinity series…

The end of Silence was supposed to create a better world for future generations. But trust is broken, and the alliance between Psy, Changeling, and human is thin. The problems that led to Silence are back in full force. Because Silence fixed nothing, just hid the problems.

This time, the Psy have to find a real answer to their problems–if one exists. Or their race will soon go extinct in a cascade of violence. The answer begins with an empath who is attuned to monsters–and who is going to charm a wolf into loving her despite his own demons.

Some stories in the Psy-Changeling world are very insular, but in a good way, focusing heavily on the romance and the world events take a back seat. Then other stories are very worldly with the couple's romance playing a large part, but the overall series arch really taking the reins. WOLF RAIN was the latter. Memory and Alexei are a fantastic pair, and their banter is very enjoyable. Memory in particular has a feisty, iron will and doesn't let Alexei do anything but toe the line, and it's rather hilarious. They of course have the majority of the page time in this book and I really enjoyed seeing their relationship progress. However, the overall series momentum and plot additions stole the show this time around. It really is amazing just how much depth can be continually added to this world even though we are so very many books into the series. Bravo, simply bravo.

Hands down, Nalini Singh is an incredible talent in the genre and the ever growing Psy-Changeling world never ceases to amaze me. Fans of the series will be delighted with this new installment! I enjoyed this book so much it inspired a re-read of the entire series. A serious delight!

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
     The Alliterates
     Unstuck Pages

Previous Books:
     1. Silver Silence
     2. Ocean Light

Review: Wild Country by Anne Bishop

Wild Country by Anne Bishop

The Others #7

In this powerful and exciting fantasy set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Others series, humans and the shape-shifting Others will see whether they can live side by side...without destroying one another.

There are ghost towns in the world—places where the humans were annihilated in retaliation for the slaughter of the shape-shifting Others.

One of those places is Bennett, a town at the northern end of the Elder Hills—a town surrounded by the wild country. Now efforts are being made to resettle Bennett as a community where humans and Others live and work together. A young female police officer has been hired as the deputy to a Wolfgard sheriff. A deadly type of Other wants to run a human-style saloon. And a couple with four foster children—one of whom is a blood prophet—hope to find acceptance.

But as they reopen the stores and the professional offices and start to make lives for themselves, the town of Bennett attracts the attention of other humans looking for profit. And the arrival of the Blackstone Clan, outlaws and gamblers all, will uncover secrets…or bury them.

I always enjoy returning to The Others world, and WILD COUNTRY was no exception. I especially enjoyed this look into a different town with new characters, but a few returning favorites, and that the timeline ran parallel to Meg's last book. Seeing things from a different perspective is always interesting. It added an extra element to getting to know all of the new characters. I particularly loved the dynamic between Jana and Virgil, and their little Wolfguard pack. Seeing Virgil the alpha Wolfguard trying to figure out how to navigate and deal with a female human member of his police pack was nothing short of hilarious. It definitely added the perfect amount of levity to tense situations in this plot.

It is fascinating just how incredibly stupid some people are in this world. The Others have proven time and time again they are top of the food chain, and yet so many idiots think they can run the show. While sometimes this series at a first glance may seem formulaic with new idiots trying to take things over each book, each new set of "idiots" brought an entirely new element to the series. I have to say the villains of this book may just take the cake in the stupidity, greediness, and absolute arrogance department. The world surely doesn't suffer fools. It was like a train wreck I could see coming a mile away, but I enjoyed every minute of seeing it unfurl.

Anne Bishop has done it once again, and WILD COUNTRY is another fantastic installment in The Others series that is not to be missed!

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
     All Things Urban Fantasy
     Between Dreams and Reality
     a GREAT read

Previous Books:
     1. Written in Red
     2. Murder of Crows
     3. Vision in Silver
     4. Marked in Flesh
     5. Etched in Bone
     6. Lake Silence

Early Review: Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs

Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs

Mercy Thompson #11

In this new installment in the No. 1 New York Times bestselling series, Mercy Thompson must face a deadly enemy to defend all she loves . . .

My name is Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman, and I am a car mechanic.

And a coyote shapeshifter . . . And the mate of the Alpha of the Columbia Basin werewolf pack.

Even so, none of that would have gotten me into trouble if, a few months ago, I hadn't stood upon a bridge and taken responsibility for the safety of the citizens who lived in our territory. It seemed like the thing to do at the time. It should have only involved hunting down killer goblins, zombie goats, and an occasional troll. Instead, our home was viewed as neutral ground, a place where humans would feel safe to come and treat with the fae.

The reality is that nothing and no one is safe. As generals and politicians face off with the Gray Lords of the fae, a storm is coming and her name is Death.

But we are pack, and we have given our word. We will die to keep it.

I absolutely love Mercy and the entire series. Each new installment is like coming home to old friends, and STORM CURSED was no exception. Mercy has such an entertaining knack for getting herself both in and out of trouble, which is a delight to read. This time around she's found herself tangled up with the blackest of witches. And if that weren't enough there's things afoot with the government trying to control the pack. Plus all the continued repercussions from Mercy's declaration that the tri-cities were her territory and you have a whole lot going on in Mercy-land. As always she handles things with her normal wit and perseverance, and it made for one heck of an enjoyable read.

There were a whole lot of moving parts in STORM CURSED with so many different factions and issues Mercy and co were facing. It really made for and interesting read, and it felt great to return back to the tri-cities after the overseas hijinks from the previous book. As they say there's no place like home, and there's nothing like a Mercy book. Fans of the series will really enjoy this installment for all the action, comedy, familiar faces, and typically Mercy fun. Definitely a great read!

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
     Gizmo's Reviews
     Mrs Leif's Two Fangs About It
     The Bibliosanctum

Previous Books:
     1. Moon Called
     2. Blood Bound
     3. Iron Kissed
     4. Bone Crossed
     5. Silver Borne
     6. River Marked
     7. Frost Burned
     8. Night Broken
     9. Fire Touched
     10. Silence Fallen