What do you think?
Rate this book
Tooth & Claw #1
The Given & The Taken
Love’s compass is never wrong—even when it points in two different directions. Tooth & Claw, Book 1After pleading his case to his wolf clan’s Elders, Levi is granted the right to bond with Ian, his male human lover, on one they must spend one year apart. Then Levi must use only their spiritual connection to find Ian, or the deal is off. Tracking down his lover is easy, but Levi isn’t prepared for the changed man he finds. The agony of separation was too much for Ian. In a moment of weakness, he reached out—to a vampire. Now he’s a vampire himself, and Levi’s devastation—and rejection—is like a stake to his heart. But it’s nothing compared to the fury of the clan that wants Ian brought to justice for desecrating their most sacred ritual. Afraid for Ian’s safety, Levi puts the pain aside and races to get to Ian first, but he faces unexpected Darius, Ian’s maker. When they come together, all hell breaks loose, Ian is on the run…and the only way Levi and Darius can save the man they love is work together. If they don’t kill each other first. Contains two vampires and a werewolf who really, really, really want to hate each other. Except when they want each other. And have violent, sweaty, angry sex with each other. But they still hate each other. Mostly.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2012
68 people are currently reading
754 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Witt
217 books2,720 followersL.A. Witt and her husband have been exiled from Spain and sent to live in Maine because rhymes are fun. She now divides her time between writing, assuring people she is aware that Maine is cold, wondering where to put her next tattoo, and trying to reason with a surly Maine coon. Rumor has it her arch nemesis, Lauren Gallagher, is also somewhere in the wilds of New England, which is why L.A. is also spending a portion of her time training a team of spec ops lobsters.
Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.
Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.
Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.
Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
July 6, 2018
~THE STUPID AND THE STUPIDEST~
I think this might be more a ragey rant than a review because The Given & The Taken is something else. It hit every bad nerve I have and just thinking about it gets me into a rage ...
The Rundown: Ian and Levi are bonded and with Levi being a werewolf he begged his ass off to make sure he could be bonded to his human lover Ian. The catch is that they have to spend a year apart after the bonding, and then the official ritual will be completed and they will be werewolf married. Well, love is in the air and they both commit to spending the year apart, and one year exactly to the day Ian will have to follow the pull of the bond to Levi. Which would show that the bonding worked and being a with human was a success.
The time comes. Ian shows up, but not quite Ian anymore (a vampire) and with a betrayal bomb about how he’s been loose with his favours.
Which he then tries to justify because it was hard out there in the streets...
Vampires and Wolves don’t mix so Levi is feeling the betrayal and equal parts anger (rightly so) and he ditches Ian. Ian whines about working it out and they separate
Cue next scene...Ian is back at it again playing whack- a -hole because we already know he fucks when he’s in pain 😒 (his cheating ass).
Things take a turn because Ian basically took a shit on a sacred bond and the wolves are out for blood. What ensues is a drama production of epic proportion where no hole is off limit, cheating is like breathing air, and love has no boundaries.
The Justifications: This is what pissed me off the most. The way it works into the plot as to why it was ok to screw each other and why no one should really be mad about anything. For me working this as a M/M/M relationship has so been shot to shit it has hit the proverbial roof. I can’t see it as anything less than 3 flaky guys with no moral compass, just a dick compass pointing in every direction.
Then it hits me with
“The situation isn’t that black and white, and you know it.”
ThE SitUaTion IsNt tHat BlacK And WHitE, AnD you KnOw iT
The book then continues with me in an element of rage that cannot be found on this earth. The oversimplification of Ian’s cheating really killed the read for me. I can understand things being hard, and I can understand making a mistake but up to that point all Ian had was, he maybe tripped fell landed on his dick.
Darius, the elusive third wheel. The inescapable allure of vampire extraordinaire Darius. The I want to sex you up Darius. His purpose was just to spend a extra amount of time with the other MCs for the purpose of coitus. I’m still waiting on why he’s really there, guess I’ll have to move on to book 2.
Honestly, at this point how the author is going to make me believe that this can be an actual relationship between three men when I find everything they do so shady. It will take a gosh darn miracle.
New title: The Fucker & The Fuckee
I think this might be more a ragey rant than a review because The Given & The Taken is something else. It hit every bad nerve I have and just thinking about it gets me into a rage ...
The Rundown: Ian and Levi are bonded and with Levi being a werewolf he begged his ass off to make sure he could be bonded to his human lover Ian. The catch is that they have to spend a year apart after the bonding, and then the official ritual will be completed and they will be werewolf married. Well, love is in the air and they both commit to spending the year apart, and one year exactly to the day Ian will have to follow the pull of the bond to Levi. Which would show that the bonding worked and being a with human was a success.
The time comes. Ian shows up, but not quite Ian anymore (a vampire) and with a betrayal bomb about how he’s been loose with his favours.
Which he then tries to justify because it was hard out there in the streets...
Vampires and Wolves don’t mix so Levi is feeling the betrayal and equal parts anger (rightly so) and he ditches Ian. Ian whines about working it out and they separate
Cue next scene...Ian is back at it again playing whack- a -hole because we already know he fucks when he’s in pain 😒 (his cheating ass).
Things take a turn because Ian basically took a shit on a sacred bond and the wolves are out for blood. What ensues is a drama production of epic proportion where no hole is off limit, cheating is like breathing air, and love has no boundaries.
The Justifications: This is what pissed me off the most. The way it works into the plot as to why it was ok to screw each other and why no one should really be mad about anything. For me working this as a M/M/M relationship has so been shot to shit it has hit the proverbial roof. I can’t see it as anything less than 3 flaky guys with no moral compass, just a dick compass pointing in every direction.
Then it hits me with
“The situation isn’t that black and white, and you know it.”
ThE SitUaTion IsNt tHat BlacK And WHitE, AnD you KnOw iT
The book then continues with me in an element of rage that cannot be found on this earth. The oversimplification of Ian’s cheating really killed the read for me. I can understand things being hard, and I can understand making a mistake but up to that point all Ian had was, he maybe tripped fell landed on his dick.
Darius, the elusive third wheel. The inescapable allure of vampire extraordinaire Darius. The I want to sex you up Darius. His purpose was just to spend a extra amount of time with the other MCs for the purpose of coitus. I’m still waiting on why he’s really there, guess I’ll have to move on to book 2.
Honestly, at this point how the author is going to make me believe that this can be an actual relationship between three men when I find everything they do so shady. It will take a gosh darn miracle.
New title: The Fucker & The Fuckee
January 6, 2012
3,5 stars
I`m not sure how to call it:
The book of gloom or the threesome of doom...
Werewolf loves human and both are forced by werewolf laws to be seperated for one year to complete the bond.The human can`t bear the seperation and seeks comfort in too many drinks and the arms of a vampire bartender who turns him into a vampire Werewolf hates vampires and rejects his cheating former-human-now-vampire-now-ex-boyfriend at their reunion.Of course the werewolf still loves his ex and all too soon regrets his decision.Too bad the werewolf clan is miffed that a human-now-vampire desecrated their sacred bond/mating thing...
Not to forget the vampire who turned the human and has feelings for him - now "helping" the wolf (together with the wolfs female bestie who is his "real" bondmate chosen by the clan elders - oh,complications!) to find an ex-human on the run from the clan AND his ex-lover who he thinks is trying to kill him.Wolf and vampire being in close proximity soon enough means either kiss or kill!
That was the short form for almost 400 bleak,depressing pages.Werewolves despised Vampires,Vampires hated wolves,every character in this book was miserable,unlucky,always making the wrong decisions and regretting them,loving the wrong/right man(one too much!)and feeling guilty about it...guilt everywhere...
Passionate sex scenes that always fitted the plot and with the cute touch of despair (of course)
and one(!) threesome sex scene that was in dire need of a choreograph made this sea of misery a bit more bearable...
As a first part of a series the almost but not quiet HFN ending that came at a high price (the word "happy" is so wrong here...) was o.k. but for now I`m not so sure if I will - or want to - read the second part...too depressing...
Aftertaste:
I`m not sure how to call it:
The book of gloom or the threesome of doom...
Werewolf loves human and both are forced by werewolf laws to be seperated for one year to complete the bond.The human can`t bear the seperation and seeks comfort in too many drinks and the arms of a vampire bartender who turns him into a vampire Werewolf hates vampires and rejects his cheating former-human-now-vampire-now-ex-boyfriend at their reunion.Of course the werewolf still loves his ex and all too soon regrets his decision.Too bad the werewolf clan is miffed that a human-now-vampire desecrated their sacred bond/mating thing...
Not to forget the vampire who turned the human and has feelings for him - now "helping" the wolf (together with the wolfs female bestie who is his "real" bondmate chosen by the clan elders - oh,complications!) to find an ex-human on the run from the clan AND his ex-lover who he thinks is trying to kill him.Wolf and vampire being in close proximity soon enough means either kiss or kill!
That was the short form for almost 400 bleak,depressing pages.Werewolves despised Vampires,Vampires hated wolves,every character in this book was miserable,unlucky,always making the wrong decisions and regretting them,loving the wrong/right man(one too much!)and feeling guilty about it...guilt everywhere...
Passionate sex scenes that always fitted the plot and with the cute touch of despair (of course)
and one(!) threesome sex scene that was in dire need of a choreograph made this sea of misery a bit more bearable...
As a first part of a series the almost but not quiet HFN ending that came at a high price (the word "happy" is so wrong here...) was o.k. but for now I`m not so sure if I will - or want to - read the second part...too depressing...
Aftertaste:
Want to read
July 29, 2017ALL 3 BOOKS ARE FREE ON AMAZON TODAY! 7/29/17
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06...
dnf
July 29, 2017Well, that was definitely the fastest DNF I've ever had. Since I dnf'd at 5%- I won't be rating it but I am super disappointed. Some wolf+ vamp+ human smut sounded so amazing right now.
SPOILER!!!
Nopety nope.
SPOILER!!!
Nopety nope.
July 6, 2012
Ok, this is not my cup of tea and I'm reading because a truth or dare, I'll still try to be as objective as I can taking in consideration my likes and dislikes.
I'm on page 43 and I hate it already.
Ian is a selfish unapologetic bastard, he wants Levi, but he doesn't want to compromise for him, even accepting the bond feels like he really, REALLY just did it because he had no other choice, second you know if you're going to cheat on your boyfriend at least seek for another human/wolf, not a frigging vampire which you know are the enemies of your lover the person you supposedly love more than anyone else, but even when we are on his head instead of serving for understand him better it just makes me hate him more, He just thinks about himself, he didn't really try reach to Levi and he's not really pissed at Darius, fucking selfish prick, I wish he just dies, so far there's nothing redeemable about him, nothing.
Secondly, one thing I really hate is when books tell me how to feel, don't tell me how to feel, MAKE ME feel it, and for supposedly having suffering for a year and stuff, Ian is so whatever, Darius is meh, even Levi is not really there for me, which makes it for a boring start, and if a beginning is boring is hard to muster enough interest to keep going on, I wish the detail used on the sex was applied on the emotions instead.
The first sex scene between Darius and Ian has this "Beg-me-for-it" quality which is fucking wrong, but what do I know?, I'm not a slutty vampire who couldn't care less about just having losing The man he supposedly loves, again I can't connect because I don't feel at all the pain that supposedly Ian feels to make him go and try to dull it with sex, he acts quite normal like of everything was peaches and cream and he just enjoys being a slut.
Sigh, next time I'll choose truth, and I'm gonna need coffee, something tells me I'm going to wish Ian dead for quite a lot of times before I finish the book.
I know it's probably not gonna happen, but i so wish Levi falls out of love with these two and goes to seek for a more healthier relationship with someone that actually is worth his time.
---------------Update----------------
I'm on page 211I'm still having problems with connecting with the characters, I still hate Ian, the story is good and the action believable, but that never was the problem, now after Levi and Darius first sex I have two things to say, first, the sex for the sake of sex alone was good, BUT their attitude after was... less than believable, from wanting to kill each other they move to comforting each other and trying to be the better man and decide that whoever Ian chooses the other will just bow and move away, and the caress and kiss with the easiness of a couple that have been together for a long time.
Ian... Ian, Ian, Ian, Ian. I just don't like him, the way he accepts Darius after he converted him when he wouldn't even hear Levi about it was unbelievable, all the emotions he supposedly portrait are unbelievable shallow, like he was on Prozac or something and was unable to feel any proper emotion correctly, I certainly don't feel his "love" for Levi at all, and for someone who's supposedly suffering so much from the bond he was certainly able to function, I never never felt that the pain of being separated was excruciating for him, God, even after we're explained why Darius converted him I was expecting to feel more emotion coming from him, and nothing, I'm gonna classify him as emotionally challenged/null/retard and a slut, even when he went to a club he was too busy checking the dudes and describing to us the "leather pants God" and then when he refused to blow the dude after he had let Ian feed from him i snorted, I mean Ian was a slut already, had been for quite some time, but as refusing after the other dude had helped him, he comes across as an asshole and it doesn't help him at all to come across less slutty, really I don't know what Darius or Ian see on him, probable the sex because overall he comes across as a selfish shallow and little man, I don't see any redeeming/appealing qualities in him.
---------------Finished---------------
Quite frankly I still hate Ian, He was willing to kill Levi without listening to him, that is quite unbelievable how he swears he loves him when he learns the truth, I still wish Levi and Darius would throw him away and just make a live for themselves as a couple.
I'm on page 43 and I hate it already.
Ian is a selfish unapologetic bastard, he wants Levi, but he doesn't want to compromise for him, even accepting the bond feels like he really, REALLY just did it because he had no other choice, second you know if you're going to cheat on your boyfriend at least seek for another human/wolf, not a frigging vampire which you know are the enemies of your lover the person you supposedly love more than anyone else, but even when we are on his head instead of serving for understand him better it just makes me hate him more, He just thinks about himself, he didn't really try reach to Levi and he's not really pissed at Darius, fucking selfish prick, I wish he just dies, so far there's nothing redeemable about him, nothing.
Secondly, one thing I really hate is when books tell me how to feel, don't tell me how to feel, MAKE ME feel it, and for supposedly having suffering for a year and stuff, Ian is so whatever, Darius is meh, even Levi is not really there for me, which makes it for a boring start, and if a beginning is boring is hard to muster enough interest to keep going on, I wish the detail used on the sex was applied on the emotions instead.
The first sex scene between Darius and Ian has this "Beg-me-for-it" quality which is fucking wrong, but what do I know?, I'm not a slutty vampire who couldn't care less about just having losing The man he supposedly loves, again I can't connect because I don't feel at all the pain that supposedly Ian feels to make him go and try to dull it with sex, he acts quite normal like of everything was peaches and cream and he just enjoys being a slut.
Sigh, next time I'll choose truth, and I'm gonna need coffee, something tells me I'm going to wish Ian dead for quite a lot of times before I finish the book.
I know it's probably not gonna happen, but i so wish Levi falls out of love with these two and goes to seek for a more healthier relationship with someone that actually is worth his time.
---------------Update----------------
I'm on page 211I'm still having problems with connecting with the characters, I still hate Ian, the story is good and the action believable, but that never was the problem, now after Levi and Darius first sex I have two things to say, first, the sex for the sake of sex alone was good, BUT their attitude after was... less than believable, from wanting to kill each other they move to comforting each other and trying to be the better man and decide that whoever Ian chooses the other will just bow and move away, and the caress and kiss with the easiness of a couple that have been together for a long time.
Ian... Ian, Ian, Ian, Ian. I just don't like him, the way he accepts Darius after he converted him when he wouldn't even hear Levi about it was unbelievable, all the emotions he supposedly portrait are unbelievable shallow, like he was on Prozac or something and was unable to feel any proper emotion correctly, I certainly don't feel his "love" for Levi at all, and for someone who's supposedly suffering so much from the bond he was certainly able to function, I never never felt that the pain of being separated was excruciating for him, God, even after we're explained why Darius converted him I was expecting to feel more emotion coming from him, and nothing, I'm gonna classify him as emotionally challenged/null/retard and a slut, even when he went to a club he was too busy checking the dudes and describing to us the "leather pants God" and then when he refused to blow the dude after he had let Ian feed from him i snorted, I mean Ian was a slut already, had been for quite some time, but as refusing after the other dude had helped him, he comes across as an asshole and it doesn't help him at all to come across less slutty, really I don't know what Darius or Ian see on him, probable the sex because overall he comes across as a selfish shallow and little man, I don't see any redeeming/appealing qualities in him.
---------------Finished---------------
Quite frankly I still hate Ian, He was willing to kill Levi without listening to him, that is quite unbelievable how he swears he loves him when he learns the truth, I still wish Levi and Darius would throw him away and just make a live for themselves as a couple.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2017
So I have been on a shifter kink lately and since I didn't (still don't) have time to sit down and read an actual book right now, I was able to borrow the audio version from my library. While the narration was seriously lacking, I was still able to enjoy the story. I look forward to continuing with the series, but I am not sure I will listen to the audio version. The narrator didn't communicate emotion very well. If a character is angry or sad, or sarcastic, or whatever, the narrator didn't chance his voice. It was always just flat and calm. Now, the sex scenes were a little better. ;-)
Levi and Ian, Ian and Darius, Darius and Levi, AND then, Darius, Levi and Ian. Mmmmmm. :-D
It was interesting to see Levi come to the realization that his wolf clan isn't as great as he thought it was. When Levi fell in love with human Ian, the wolf elders "forced" them to become a bonded pair and separate for 1 year, to then only use the bond between them for Ian to find Levi once again. Except, nobody told Ian or Levi how hard such a bond and separation would be for Ian. Ian is truly suffering from the loss of his mate and to cope, he turns to alcohol, and then sex with Darius. At some point it stopped being "just sex" with Darius, and more about love. But Ian is suffering from guilt and a whole bunch of other emotions after cheating on Levi, that
When Levi learns that Ian is now a vampire, things don't go well and the whole rest of the story is about Levi and Ian reuniting, and getting away from other shifters who wish to do harm to Ian, and also Darius. In their combined search of Ian, Darius and Levi become close, and at the end, all 3 men are together as a thruple.
There was a lot in this book that I think could have been cut or re-written. I didn't think certain events needed to play out the way they did, however something needed to happen to allow Darius and Levi to come together, so I guess it couldn't have been all sunshine and roses. However, I did enjoy everything and can't wait to see how these men make it thru the next book.
I recommend the book but not the narration.
5-17-17: Currently Free on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Given-Taken-To...
Levi and Ian, Ian and Darius, Darius and Levi, AND then, Darius, Levi and Ian. Mmmmmm. :-D
It was interesting to see Levi come to the realization that his wolf clan isn't as great as he thought it was. When Levi fell in love with human Ian, the wolf elders "forced" them to become a bonded pair and separate for 1 year, to then only use the bond between them for Ian to find Levi once again. Except, nobody told Ian or Levi how hard such a bond and separation would be for Ian. Ian is truly suffering from the loss of his mate and to cope, he turns to alcohol, and then sex with Darius. At some point it stopped being "just sex" with Darius, and more about love. But Ian is suffering from guilt and a whole bunch of other emotions after cheating on Levi, that
When Levi learns that Ian is now a vampire, things don't go well and the whole rest of the story is about Levi and Ian reuniting, and getting away from other shifters who wish to do harm to Ian, and also Darius. In their combined search of Ian, Darius and Levi become close, and at the end, all 3 men are together as a thruple.
There was a lot in this book that I think could have been cut or re-written. I didn't think certain events needed to play out the way they did, however something needed to happen to allow Darius and Levi to come together, so I guess it couldn't have been all sunshine and roses. However, I did enjoy everything and can't wait to see how these men make it thru the next book.
I recommend the book but not the narration.
5-17-17: Currently Free on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Given-Taken-To...
December 31, 2017
3.7 Stars
Damn it, I knew there were more books in this series but I thought they were more "other" stories for this trio...not more of THIS story, stories. Talk about a cliff-hanger.
I'll admit it, too: Right up until I honestly thought Selena was in cahoots with the pack and had every intention of screwing Levi over for not being her mate after all. See what having so many stereotypical female bitch characters does to a person's expectations. I feel so bad given what she sacrificed...well, for her entire life. Now that I know I might make this a re-read to see if it helps alleviate the nervous angst I kept trying to reel in, waiting for that other shoe to drop.
If I do, I might actually read it because while the narration wasn't bad, it really wasn't all that memorable either. There was some character differentiation but not enough IMHO (although Selena's soft-spoken voice was actually quite beautifully performed).
That said, I'm actually looking forward to the next book; I can't wait to see if these guys basically started a species war between the Vamps and Weres and if so, how it all unfolds. I love how Levi seems to want to wash his hands of all things Were...because, given those stupid rituals and pointless rites and whatnot? Who can blame him!?!
(One thing though: That cover? UGH! It looks like the wolf is sticking his tongue out or something...weird. Why is it like that? A simple, scary snarl would have sufficed.)
Damn it, I knew there were more books in this series but I thought they were more "other" stories for this trio...not more of THIS story, stories. Talk about a cliff-hanger.
I'll admit it, too: Right up until I honestly thought Selena was in cahoots with the pack and had every intention of screwing Levi over for not being her mate after all. See what having so many stereotypical female bitch characters does to a person's expectations. I feel so bad given what she sacrificed...well, for her entire life. Now that I know I might make this a re-read to see if it helps alleviate the nervous angst I kept trying to reel in, waiting for that other shoe to drop.
If I do, I might actually read it because while the narration wasn't bad, it really wasn't all that memorable either. There was some character differentiation but not enough IMHO (although Selena's soft-spoken voice was actually quite beautifully performed).
That said, I'm actually looking forward to the next book; I can't wait to see if these guys basically started a species war between the Vamps and Weres and if so, how it all unfolds. I love how Levi seems to want to wash his hands of all things Were...because, given those stupid rituals and pointless rites and whatnot? Who can blame him!?!
(One thing though: That cover? UGH! It looks like the wolf is sticking his tongue out or something...weird. Why is it like that? A simple, scary snarl would have sufficed.)
September 9, 2017
3.5
There's cheating but it's about M/M/M and so there has to be cheating somehow because 3 men falling in love at the same time together would be nearly impossible to make me believe in. So there's also a world of guilt and reasoning but all in all L.A. Witt found a way to make it comprehensible and the guys don't get an easy way to get over the starting reason of their triangle with Ian falling for Darius while being in a relationship with Levi but somehow it seems Ms. Witt's muse got exhausted with that task because the falling in love of Levi and Darius as fun and in the end hot as it was to watch I had some trouble to buy it and the closing of the triangle after getting Ian back was much too easy.
I loved what she did with the Holy Grail of shifter romance: making the bonding and mating into the result of some religious ritual monopolized by shamans and so called Elders and showing what that can do in patriarchal society. The focus is not so much on the world building than the complicated romance and adventure but we get a lot of it and it's more than satisfying. L.A. Witt even allows a strong woman to nearly be more than just some supporting character and I always enjoy that especially if it's not in the role of villain or mother. Pity that in the end it's only the role of a victim.
Oh, and I better don't rate the cover ;)
There's cheating but it's about M/M/M and so there has to be cheating somehow because 3 men falling in love at the same time together would be nearly impossible to make me believe in. So there's also a world of guilt and reasoning but all in all L.A. Witt found a way to make it comprehensible and the guys don't get an easy way to get over the starting reason of their triangle with Ian falling for Darius while being in a relationship with Levi but somehow it seems Ms. Witt's muse got exhausted with that task because the falling in love of Levi and Darius as fun and in the end hot as it was to watch I had some trouble to buy it and the closing of the triangle after getting Ian back was much too easy.
I loved what she did with the Holy Grail of shifter romance: making the bonding and mating into the result of some religious ritual monopolized by shamans and so called Elders and showing what that can do in patriarchal society. The focus is not so much on the world building than the complicated romance and adventure but we get a lot of it and it's more than satisfying. L.A. Witt even allows a strong woman to nearly be more than just some supporting character and I always enjoy that especially if it's not in the role of villain or mother. Pity that in the end it's only the role of a victim.
Oh, and I better don't rate the cover ;)
January 15, 2012
This review was originally posted on my blog Joyfully Jay.
The Given & the Taken opens with Levi pacing in a snowy field, eagerly awaiting the arrival of his boyfriend Ian. They have been separated for a year after Levi's wolf clan required a test to ensure that as a human (and a male) Ian could bond with Levi and be a proper mate. The men were required to spend a year apart, after which Ian must find Levi using only the strength of their mating bond. Although Levi is nervous, he is confident in his and Ian's love and can feel the bond between them. When Ian finally shows up, however, Levi is shocked to find he has become one of the wolf's worst enemies... a vampire.
Levi is devastated, both that Ian is a vampire, and to learn that Ian cheated on him with another man who ultimately turned him against his will. Even though he still loves him, Levi can't bear to be around Ian and leaves him, thinking that will be the end of things between them. He knows the clan will never forgive Ian becoming a vampire, so he lies and tells them Ian didn't show. But he is surprised to learn they insist on finding Ian and bringing them before the clan to defend his actions for breaking the ritual bond. Levi knows the clan will punish Ian when the find him and realize he has become a vampire, and knows that the only way to protect Ian is to find him himself.
But there is another man involved in all this, Ian's maker Darius. Darius is in love with Ian and knows the wolves will be after him. He is determined to protect Ian and convinces him he needs to flee. Eventually Ian is on the run from both the wolves and Levi, never realizing that Levi is actually trying to protect him. As the wolves close in, Darius and Levi must work together to find Ian and get him to safety. Although as wolf and vampire they start off as bitter enemies, as they continue to track Ian they find common ground, and eventually a fierce attraction to one another. So now the three men must figure out how to stay safe, and how to work out a relationship between the three of them.
I found this a really interesting and somewhat unusual menage story. The relationships between the men really develop as a series of couples that ultimately become a larger threesome. Each man falls in love with each of the others fairly independently (Ian and Levi first, then Ian with Darius during the bonding year, and finally Darius and Levi while searching for Ian). It isn't until well into the story that we actually see the guys as a threesome, even though they are all quite interconnected through out the book.
The story is told from a rotating point of view between all three men. This has the potential to be confusing but I found that it really worked well (with a few small exceptions). When we start the book, none of the men know exactly what is going on with the others -- their feelings, the motivations for their actions, parts of their history, etc. By getting the POV of each man, the reader is able to slowly uncover what is really going on and to better understand their motivations. I found this especially important because each of them has some things they are not proud of and for which they feel remorse. Getting insight into their feelings helped me to understand them better and to accept their behavior.
A central point in the story is the significance of the clan's rituals and the importance they place on the bonding ceremony. Levi and Ian had been together for many years prior to the bonding ritual, yet the clan insisted they could not be mates without it. In fact, a female mate had been chosen for Levi and only by going through the year-long separation would the clan allow him to be with Ian instead. Levi places a high importance on these religious rituals and convinces Ian to go along with the plan. Neither man realizes how horrible the experience will be however. The bond makes them deeply aware of one another all the time, making them both crazy with the strong pull to be together when they knew they must stay apart. Although Levi had the support of his fellow wolves, Ian was alone and desperately struggling to get through each day. He was drowning himself in alcohol and eventually gave in to the comfort Darius provided. So clearly there is cheating in this story, which I know for some folks is a deal breaker. But I think we get a good understanding of what caused Ian to stray, and Levi comes to understand his actions and forgive him. Levi also recognizes his role in placing the clan's demands above his relationship, especially as they become increasingly hostile and vicious in their search for Ian. At times I thought that the topic was a bit belabored, but overall I felt like the bonding stuff really worked well to help explain the mistakes each man makes.
One of my favorite parts of the book was Ian's intended mate (and best friend) Selena. I can't remember ever liking a female supporting character so much in a m/m story. They are so often such flat characters, either the bitchy friend or the stereotypical gal pal. But Selena is totally awesome. She could hold her own against the most kick butt heroines of any het romance, no problem. Selena is totally supportive of Levi and his relationship with Ian even though it means she will never have a mate in this lifetime (if a woman's intended mate finds someone else, she is up the creek). She goes along with Levi to find Ian and she is amazing. Strong, tough, brave, smart, and drives like a complete bad ass. Honestly, I so rarely like most female side characters I was just thrilled to find one who can really hold her own and makes such a big impact on the story.
So just a few quibbles. As I mentioned before, I felt like at times we got a bit too heavy into the politics of the clan and the bonding. It is a major plot point that required attention, but at times the details slowed things down for me. I also had a bit of a hard time relating to Ian out of the three men. Not because of the cheating, because I think that is well explained. But he spends so much time running on his own that I didn't feel we get to know and understand him nearly as well as the other two men, or to get as good a sense of his dynamic with them since his relationship with each of them happens mostly before the book begins. And there was a time or two where I got a little lost in the POV, primarily when a scene continued from one chapter to the next but the viewpoint shifted. But these are all pretty small issues.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I found much of it quite thrilling as Darius, Levi, and Selena work to evade the wolves and race to find Ian in time. And I really liked how Levi and Selena come to really take a look at the beliefs they have held blindly, and evaluate what is really important to them. But most of all I really loved the guys and liked them together. They felt like three distinct characters and I loved the way the story twisted and turned to give each of them a chance to explore the relationship with each of the others, eventually bringing them all together. Although we do get an ending, the story clearly sets up for the next book in the series. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!
The Given & the Taken opens with Levi pacing in a snowy field, eagerly awaiting the arrival of his boyfriend Ian. They have been separated for a year after Levi's wolf clan required a test to ensure that as a human (and a male) Ian could bond with Levi and be a proper mate. The men were required to spend a year apart, after which Ian must find Levi using only the strength of their mating bond. Although Levi is nervous, he is confident in his and Ian's love and can feel the bond between them. When Ian finally shows up, however, Levi is shocked to find he has become one of the wolf's worst enemies... a vampire.
Levi is devastated, both that Ian is a vampire, and to learn that Ian cheated on him with another man who ultimately turned him against his will. Even though he still loves him, Levi can't bear to be around Ian and leaves him, thinking that will be the end of things between them. He knows the clan will never forgive Ian becoming a vampire, so he lies and tells them Ian didn't show. But he is surprised to learn they insist on finding Ian and bringing them before the clan to defend his actions for breaking the ritual bond. Levi knows the clan will punish Ian when the find him and realize he has become a vampire, and knows that the only way to protect Ian is to find him himself.
But there is another man involved in all this, Ian's maker Darius. Darius is in love with Ian and knows the wolves will be after him. He is determined to protect Ian and convinces him he needs to flee. Eventually Ian is on the run from both the wolves and Levi, never realizing that Levi is actually trying to protect him. As the wolves close in, Darius and Levi must work together to find Ian and get him to safety. Although as wolf and vampire they start off as bitter enemies, as they continue to track Ian they find common ground, and eventually a fierce attraction to one another. So now the three men must figure out how to stay safe, and how to work out a relationship between the three of them.
I found this a really interesting and somewhat unusual menage story. The relationships between the men really develop as a series of couples that ultimately become a larger threesome. Each man falls in love with each of the others fairly independently (Ian and Levi first, then Ian with Darius during the bonding year, and finally Darius and Levi while searching for Ian). It isn't until well into the story that we actually see the guys as a threesome, even though they are all quite interconnected through out the book.
The story is told from a rotating point of view between all three men. This has the potential to be confusing but I found that it really worked well (with a few small exceptions). When we start the book, none of the men know exactly what is going on with the others -- their feelings, the motivations for their actions, parts of their history, etc. By getting the POV of each man, the reader is able to slowly uncover what is really going on and to better understand their motivations. I found this especially important because each of them has some things they are not proud of and for which they feel remorse. Getting insight into their feelings helped me to understand them better and to accept their behavior.
A central point in the story is the significance of the clan's rituals and the importance they place on the bonding ceremony. Levi and Ian had been together for many years prior to the bonding ritual, yet the clan insisted they could not be mates without it. In fact, a female mate had been chosen for Levi and only by going through the year-long separation would the clan allow him to be with Ian instead. Levi places a high importance on these religious rituals and convinces Ian to go along with the plan. Neither man realizes how horrible the experience will be however. The bond makes them deeply aware of one another all the time, making them both crazy with the strong pull to be together when they knew they must stay apart. Although Levi had the support of his fellow wolves, Ian was alone and desperately struggling to get through each day. He was drowning himself in alcohol and eventually gave in to the comfort Darius provided. So clearly there is cheating in this story, which I know for some folks is a deal breaker. But I think we get a good understanding of what caused Ian to stray, and Levi comes to understand his actions and forgive him. Levi also recognizes his role in placing the clan's demands above his relationship, especially as they become increasingly hostile and vicious in their search for Ian. At times I thought that the topic was a bit belabored, but overall I felt like the bonding stuff really worked well to help explain the mistakes each man makes.
One of my favorite parts of the book was Ian's intended mate (and best friend) Selena. I can't remember ever liking a female supporting character so much in a m/m story. They are so often such flat characters, either the bitchy friend or the stereotypical gal pal. But Selena is totally awesome. She could hold her own against the most kick butt heroines of any het romance, no problem. Selena is totally supportive of Levi and his relationship with Ian even though it means she will never have a mate in this lifetime (if a woman's intended mate finds someone else, she is up the creek). She goes along with Levi to find Ian and she is amazing. Strong, tough, brave, smart, and drives like a complete bad ass. Honestly, I so rarely like most female side characters I was just thrilled to find one who can really hold her own and makes such a big impact on the story.
So just a few quibbles. As I mentioned before, I felt like at times we got a bit too heavy into the politics of the clan and the bonding. It is a major plot point that required attention, but at times the details slowed things down for me. I also had a bit of a hard time relating to Ian out of the three men. Not because of the cheating, because I think that is well explained. But he spends so much time running on his own that I didn't feel we get to know and understand him nearly as well as the other two men, or to get as good a sense of his dynamic with them since his relationship with each of them happens mostly before the book begins. And there was a time or two where I got a little lost in the POV, primarily when a scene continued from one chapter to the next but the viewpoint shifted. But these are all pretty small issues.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I found much of it quite thrilling as Darius, Levi, and Selena work to evade the wolves and race to find Ian in time. And I really liked how Levi and Selena come to really take a look at the beliefs they have held blindly, and evaluate what is really important to them. But most of all I really loved the guys and liked them together. They felt like three distinct characters and I loved the way the story twisted and turned to give each of them a chance to explore the relationship with each of the others, eventually bringing them all together. Although we do get an ending, the story clearly sets up for the next book in the series. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!
September 1, 2016
i neeeeeeeeeeeeed to read this or i will become like this....
one day a young girl was using gr, someone had added a book to her tbr, about three gay men, she dreamed to read the books of course because she was still too young for these kinds of books and she couldn't got them.
a while ago i remembered that girl which was me, but i didn't remember the book (s) title the one which swept me over the face of the earth, now i was looking around and i found it, and i fucking remember it....
and it is making me act like this
May 3, 2018
If you've read my reviews before, then you know I adore the paranormal world. I'm also a huge fan of ménage. Now, you put paranormal together with three hot men in a ménage and I've pretty much hit the jackpot. Heck, I get so excited I start to squeal, at which point hubby closes the door so he doesn't have to listen. The description of this book interested me tremendously. A werewolf and his human lover suffer a year apart after being bonded per the elders' decree (pesky darn elders). The pain of the separation is too much for the human and he turns to a friend for sex and comfort. The friend happens to be a vampire and turns him, and so after the year is up, he's meeting his werewolf mate as a vampire, hated and destroyed enemy of the wolves. Seriously? How could I not read this?
Levi, the werewolf shifter, spent months pleading his case in front of the elders before they would allow him to bond with a human male. Rare enough that they allowed two men to bond, but a human to boot? They insisted on performing the bond and then the men had to stay apart for one year. At the end of that year, the human had to use the bond to find his way back to Levi and then their bonding would be recognized. Imagine Levi's shock when Ian has become a vampire in the last few months.
Ian knows it's going to be difficult to admit to Levi that he cheated on him. But it's not Ian's fault he was turned. That was all Darius's doing. Ian thinks it will take some time before Levi will forgive him, but it was so horrible being separated. The constant pull of the bond drove Ian practically crazy until drinking at a bar with loud music became the only thing that could drown the bond out. Ian is shocked when Levi turns from him stating he wants nothing to do with him anymore. He's also angry, as it was Levi who insisted on the bond, when Ian was happy with the way things were, but Levi is a firm follower of the pack's beliefs and laws.
Darius is shocked when he discovers that the human he turned is bonded to a wolf. It's only been a few decades that marginal peace has been in place between the two paranormal factions. Because the humans like the wolves better, vampires have been regulated almost to martial law, and Darius knows that when Levi's pack discovers Ian debased their honored bonding tradition, they'll be coming for Ian and his maker.
So, they've got a giant conundrum, huh? The funny thing is, and I'm fairly certain this is a first for me with characters, I understood each person's choices and felt equally horrible for each of them. There was no "set-in-stone" bad guy responsible for all of their pain. They each shared equal responsibility for the disastrous mess they found themselves in. And, of course, the mess gets worse!
Between Darius and Ian trying to flee from Levi, and the entire wolf clan out to hunt them down, Ian becomes separated and travels via tractor trailer heading continuously north trying to evade Levi and what he thinks is his own death at Levi's hands. This leaves Darius, Levi, and Levi's best friend, Selena, working together to find and protect Ian. Of course, it's at this time that Levi and Darius discover that sex might be better than trying to kill each other. And, lo and behold, the sex is hot and some feelings develop.
Now, the story reaches its crescendo when Levi and Darius finally track Ian down. Luckily, for my piece of mind, the guys lay it all out there and are honest with one another, meaning Ian admits to loving them both and Darius and Levi admit to a physical attraction. It doesn't take long for the ménage to occur and, yep, it was as hot as I thought it would be. Now, the only problem is rescuing Selena from the pack that is holding her hostage in exchange for Ian.
I really enjoyed this book. It is very long and there is a lot going on, at all times, but not once did I get bored or lose interest. The ending was sad but left the three main characters still together and still running for their lives. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
NOTE: This book was provided by the publisherfor the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Levi, the werewolf shifter, spent months pleading his case in front of the elders before they would allow him to bond with a human male. Rare enough that they allowed two men to bond, but a human to boot? They insisted on performing the bond and then the men had to stay apart for one year. At the end of that year, the human had to use the bond to find his way back to Levi and then their bonding would be recognized. Imagine Levi's shock when Ian has become a vampire in the last few months.
Ian knows it's going to be difficult to admit to Levi that he cheated on him. But it's not Ian's fault he was turned. That was all Darius's doing. Ian thinks it will take some time before Levi will forgive him, but it was so horrible being separated. The constant pull of the bond drove Ian practically crazy until drinking at a bar with loud music became the only thing that could drown the bond out. Ian is shocked when Levi turns from him stating he wants nothing to do with him anymore. He's also angry, as it was Levi who insisted on the bond, when Ian was happy with the way things were, but Levi is a firm follower of the pack's beliefs and laws.
Darius is shocked when he discovers that the human he turned is bonded to a wolf. It's only been a few decades that marginal peace has been in place between the two paranormal factions. Because the humans like the wolves better, vampires have been regulated almost to martial law, and Darius knows that when Levi's pack discovers Ian debased their honored bonding tradition, they'll be coming for Ian and his maker.
So, they've got a giant conundrum, huh? The funny thing is, and I'm fairly certain this is a first for me with characters, I understood each person's choices and felt equally horrible for each of them. There was no "set-in-stone" bad guy responsible for all of their pain. They each shared equal responsibility for the disastrous mess they found themselves in. And, of course, the mess gets worse!
Between Darius and Ian trying to flee from Levi, and the entire wolf clan out to hunt them down, Ian becomes separated and travels via tractor trailer heading continuously north trying to evade Levi and what he thinks is his own death at Levi's hands. This leaves Darius, Levi, and Levi's best friend, Selena, working together to find and protect Ian. Of course, it's at this time that Levi and Darius discover that sex might be better than trying to kill each other. And, lo and behold, the sex is hot and some feelings develop.
Now, the story reaches its crescendo when Levi and Darius finally track Ian down. Luckily, for my piece of mind, the guys lay it all out there and are honest with one another, meaning Ian admits to loving them both and Darius and Levi admit to a physical attraction. It doesn't take long for the ménage to occur and, yep, it was as hot as I thought it would be. Now, the only problem is rescuing Selena from the pack that is holding her hostage in exchange for Ian.
I really enjoyed this book. It is very long and there is a lot going on, at all times, but not once did I get bored or lose interest. The ending was sad but left the three main characters still together and still running for their lives. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
NOTE: This book was provided by the publisherfor the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
February 18, 2012
I struggled to choose between 4 and 5 stars for this, but I figured if there was even a question then I should go with 4. But I really really really liked this book.
I typically do not like paranormal m/m. Vampires and werewolves - like 'em in het romance or urban fantasy, but in m/m they always seem cheesy for some reason. I don't know if it makes sense but it's just how I am, I guess. Add that to how convoluted the blurb for this was, and under normal circumstances I would have said "Nope, not for me" and never picked this book up.
But I am an L.A. Witt fangirl and she is an auto-buy for me, so I went ahead and read it anyway. And boy am I glad I did.
The plot was great - fresh and original with lots of action, unpredictable without being so off the wall that you rolled your eyes or had a hard time following. The pacing was perfect. Each chapter was from the first person POV of each of the three main characters, it just rotated through them. This could have been a disaster, I can't imagine how much work L.A. had to put in to keep it balanced, but it worked out so perfectly. Each scene was told from exactly the right person's POV - especially near the end, where Levi and Ian's reunion was actually told from Darius' POV. I loved that.
And the romance. It wasn't one of those where my heart skipped a beat and I fell in love along with them or anything like that, and that's probably why I didn't give 5 stars, but of all the m/m/m I've ever read I think this did the best job of illustrating the connection between all three men. Usually in m/m/m, there's at least one side of the triangle that's weaker than the others but not in this one. We were given adequate time/scenes to see each of them fall in love individually and it made sense. You didn't necessarily feel like anyone was intruding on anyone else's relationship.
The only complaint I have is that I had stuff I needed to get done today but I just couldn't put this sucker down. So yeah, I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book.
I typically do not like paranormal m/m. Vampires and werewolves - like 'em in het romance or urban fantasy, but in m/m they always seem cheesy for some reason. I don't know if it makes sense but it's just how I am, I guess. Add that to how convoluted the blurb for this was, and under normal circumstances I would have said "Nope, not for me" and never picked this book up.
But I am an L.A. Witt fangirl and she is an auto-buy for me, so I went ahead and read it anyway. And boy am I glad I did.
The plot was great - fresh and original with lots of action, unpredictable without being so off the wall that you rolled your eyes or had a hard time following. The pacing was perfect. Each chapter was from the first person POV of each of the three main characters, it just rotated through them. This could have been a disaster, I can't imagine how much work L.A. had to put in to keep it balanced, but it worked out so perfectly. Each scene was told from exactly the right person's POV - especially near the end, where Levi and Ian's reunion was actually told from Darius' POV. I loved that.
And the romance. It wasn't one of those where my heart skipped a beat and I fell in love along with them or anything like that, and that's probably why I didn't give 5 stars, but of all the m/m/m I've ever read I think this did the best job of illustrating the connection between all three men. Usually in m/m/m, there's at least one side of the triangle that's weaker than the others but not in this one. We were given adequate time/scenes to see each of them fall in love individually and it made sense. You didn't necessarily feel like anyone was intruding on anyone else's relationship.
The only complaint I have is that I had stuff I needed to get done today but I just couldn't put this sucker down. So yeah, I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book.
August 5, 2016
I am going to be honest; this book pissed me off so much I’m not even sure I can write a decent review for it. So warning: rant ahead. I should have walked away and been done with it, but I was at work and didn’t have another audio to listen to, so I stuck it out. I loved the premise of this book, but the execution left a lot to be desired. Here is my biggest beef with this book – it makes a mockery out of mates. Yes, I know mating isn’t ‘a thing,’ OK? It’s a tool used in paranormal stories to create a bond between characters. (And for more than that, but for the purpose of this ‘review,’ that’s the part I’m focusing on.) I feel like this book took everything that was sacred about mating and chucked it into outer space. I didn’t find the sex in this book to be the least bit sexy. I thought it was disgusting and did little to add to the plot, and besides all of that, I thought Levi was a selfish prick. That’s all I can really share without giving any spoilers, but I think it goes without saying that I won’t be picking up the rest of this series. The narrator was OK, but he wasn’t given much to work with, and I’d like to hear him narrate a different story before I really form an opinion on whether or not I like his work.
This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews.
This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews.
February 27, 2014
A bond between two lovers should be a good thing, but not when the two are separated for a year. How do they each deal with the pain? Levi has his clan to help even if it is not the clan he who raised him. Ian did not understand the pain that the separation would cause. He had no support. I still had problems with Ian's cheating. I had problems with him leading Darius on. I felt for Darius though out this story. Levi is shocked by Ian's situation. Shifters and Vampires are enemies. Wolf shifters have political influence and have made it bad to be a Vampire. This is a story of discrimination and hate. It is a story of one group oppressing another and the resultant pain and hurt that occurs from that oppression. It is also a story of growing unusual love. Ian was my least favorite character. Darius the most sympathetic. Levi the character who tried to work within the boundaries of his culture while loving outside that boundary. When his love is threatened he puts everything aside to protect. The tragic figure is the woman who also loved Levi. She still supports Levi and his love. This is a fast moving story with a love outside the boundaries. I must read the next book.
July 25, 2012
Holy crap! I stayed up late two nights in a row to read this puppy (er, no werewolf pun intended) and it was worth it. I picked this one up because I saw a sequel was coming out soon. I love Witt's contemporary books, and I was interested to see how she handled paranormal. And I think she did an excellent job. The world-building was handled well, with just enough detail to orient me without overloading me with exposition.
I liked the three main characters. The author has a deft hand at managing multiple first-person POV's. I also liked that this wasn't a neat, tied-with-a-bow story with a saccharine-sweet ending. These guys had it rough, and the journey isn't quite over, so I'm eager to read book two and see what comes next.
I liked the three main characters. The author has a deft hand at managing multiple first-person POV's. I also liked that this wasn't a neat, tied-with-a-bow story with a saccharine-sweet ending. These guys had it rough, and the journey isn't quite over, so I'm eager to read book two and see what comes next.
February 7, 2016
LOVED IT!!! Their was so much drama, suspense,action and sexual tension I could hardly put this book down!! Total winner for me and I can't wait to start the next book in this excellent series! :-)
December 31, 2018
I've had this book for a while and recently got around to reading it. The concept was interesting and I was actually looking forward to it. My enthusiasm was short-lived. And I can only think that it was very........ disappointing.
Quick summary: Ian and Levi are bonded (after Levi breaks his first bonding). But because Levi is a werewolf and Ian is human and male the elders are against it and after some (a lot) of begging Levi gets them to approve the mating with one condition; be apart for one year and have Ian find Levi. One year later Levi waits for Ian, who shows up to tell him he got turned by the vampire he was cheating on Levi with. After arguing and Levi helping Ian get back to his car so not to fry in the sun, Darius (vampire who turned Ian) helps Ian to run away from the very soon to be pissed off pack of werewolves that will come after him for disrespecting their sacred ritual. This is then followed by a long game of cat and mouse until Levi and Darius (and Levi's werewolf bestie and first bonded mate) can get to Ian and protect him.
Spoilers ahead.
Here is my problem with everything after Levi's initial reaction to this situation.
I hate Ian. Every part of this book is pretty much centered around him and he's the biggest jerk (this is the nicest description I can give) in the whole story. That might even include the elders and shamans. His apology to Levi is basically "sorry I cheated but this was hard for me." The whole argument went from I said sorry why won't you forgive me to you should feel bad for me. And through the whole book he barely shows any reflection on what happened except for clearing his selective amnesia. So I guess his apology at the end is based on his supposed guilt for cheating on Levi with Darius. That would have been slightly more believable if the first thing he did after Levi left him wasn't sleeping with Darius. But later decides that being a slut is bad (after checking out all the guys in a club) and ditches a guy after drinking his blood even though he'd agreed for a hook up. Not to mention blaming Darius for turning him when he tried to kill himself because he finally realized he was doing something bad by cheating on Levi after Darius says he's fallen in love with him. Ian is a selfish a-hole for like 95% of the book and there's nothing very endearing to make me like or sympathize with him. He said he cheated because it dulled the pain of missing Levi but Levi was going through the same thing and stayed loyal. For Levi it was downplayed because he's a wolf and had his family and pack but he still endured it! Through half the book Ian was ignoring Levi's phonecalls but did he ever think to use that phone call Levi during the year? Or if he couldn't why not talk to some family or other wolves? But if he couldn't this wasn't explained because very little detail was given about the year they were apart, which is another part of the problem. There's little development for characters and world building. A majority of Ian's perspective is in trucks or at gas stations. And I spent the majority of this book waiting for the focus to shift away from just chasing Ian. What made it worse was that I could more understand the wolf clan's mentality in this. The only reason bringing Ian to the elders seemed bad was because the clan was set up like a cult. Even the name changed so much that it was confusing to whether it was one wolf pack that was a clan or multiple packs. Even the practice of following traditions (and preserving their culture I guess) got turned into cult mentality and this was basically spelled out every time Darius asked about the mating and voiced his opinions on their rituals. His opinion pretty much just boiled down to "that's stupid." And I don't understand how this can be such a strong opinion (except towards mating equality) when all the rituals actually work! But eventually even Levi and Selena (werewolf bff and original mate) couldn't disagree. It was pretty much the moment when two cult members realize 1: they can have their own thoughts and 2: their cult might be wrong. Kind of a simplified point in a book where they keep saying not everything is black and white. Even though for the most part werewolf government seem to be the bad guys. Life is hard for vampires, wolves took over the government and made it hard. Myths that make vampires look bad, most likely wolf rumors. Everybody hates vampires, it's because the wolves are manipulating the humans and making them. But on anything else it's more than what it looks like. Case in point: Levi and Ian. Levi is basically told by everyone that he was wrong to be mad and hurt that Ian cheated and should have heard him out and understood him. Selena: he's human and the mating is harder for him. Ian: you don't understand how hard this was for me. Darius: this was hard for him why would you put him through this? Darius (the guy who probably got the shortest end of the stick and would rightfully be the angriest) repeats this so much even Levi forgets his anger and becomes wrapped up in his own guilt. At no point after the beginning is Ian faced with seeing Levi's reaction or understanding his feelings on what he did it's all just everyone saying how Levi was inconsiderate to Ian. This also downplayed the importance of the mating bond (which is basically a marriage of your SOUL!!) to the point of why was it even a thing? It doesn't help that even though it was described how hard Ian took the bonding the myth of the werewolves and vampires was so watered down that being a werewolf wasn't much different from being human. Better senses and shifting were pretty much the main differences and everything else seemed to be culture and up bringing. That just made me think that if Ian had talked to someone like Levi did this could have all been avoided. Through all this there's also Darius who constantly blames Levi for being so selfish because of course when you fall in love you're supposed to give up EVERYTHING for the other person. Levi should have been prepared to give up all of his friends, family, and pack/clan no matter how supportive they may have been because that's what happens when you fall in love and compromising is just being selfish and greedy. Either Darius was a lovestruck teen when he was turned or the author really loves the Little Mermaid. And to spend most of this disastrous situation trading insults Darius and Levi falling for each other was ridiculous sudden. And unbelievable since not long after they get together Darius spends most of his time worrying about Levi (when he's in a comma) while explaining that he's only worried because he's using him to find Ian. Darius spends the entire story pining after Ian, worrying about Ian, defending Ian, talking about Ian, thinking about Ian, or wondering whether Ian will choose Levi. I'm hard-pressed to believe that either Darius or Ian genuinely love Levi and for the whole book I just wanted to read one part of either Darius having to understand Levi and the werewolves better or Levi finally saying "forget it I'm done" and just going home to get the bond broken and mating Selena or just accepting execution over having to put up with Darius and Ian. For Ian to have to do something to fix his own mistakes instead of having two guys blindly in love with him for no reason do it for him would have been way more satisfying. I don't hold out really any hope for the next book and maybe that was the problem with this book; my expectations were way too high. M/m/m really only works when all three feel like they're fully in the relationship equally and that didn't happen. It felt like two guys in love with one guy (who supposedly loves them back) and tolerating each other. I really don't like being left with that feeling since it takes it the joy of reading the book and makes it a chore. But maybe knowing what I know with this book I'll try reading the next book some day (possibly) since I'm curious that maybe Witt did this on purpose to develope the characters later. Maybe this is just a very VERY long prologue. That's unlikely but still this is just my opinion.
Quick summary: Ian and Levi are bonded (after Levi breaks his first bonding). But because Levi is a werewolf and Ian is human and male the elders are against it and after some (a lot) of begging Levi gets them to approve the mating with one condition; be apart for one year and have Ian find Levi. One year later Levi waits for Ian, who shows up to tell him he got turned by the vampire he was cheating on Levi with. After arguing and Levi helping Ian get back to his car so not to fry in the sun, Darius (vampire who turned Ian) helps Ian to run away from the very soon to be pissed off pack of werewolves that will come after him for disrespecting their sacred ritual. This is then followed by a long game of cat and mouse until Levi and Darius (and Levi's werewolf bestie and first bonded mate) can get to Ian and protect him.
Spoilers ahead.
Here is my problem with everything after Levi's initial reaction to this situation.
I hate Ian. Every part of this book is pretty much centered around him and he's the biggest jerk (this is the nicest description I can give) in the whole story. That might even include the elders and shamans. His apology to Levi is basically "sorry I cheated but this was hard for me." The whole argument went from I said sorry why won't you forgive me to you should feel bad for me. And through the whole book he barely shows any reflection on what happened except for clearing his selective amnesia. So I guess his apology at the end is based on his supposed guilt for cheating on Levi with Darius. That would have been slightly more believable if the first thing he did after Levi left him wasn't sleeping with Darius. But later decides that being a slut is bad (after checking out all the guys in a club) and ditches a guy after drinking his blood even though he'd agreed for a hook up. Not to mention blaming Darius for turning him when he tried to kill himself because he finally realized he was doing something bad by cheating on Levi after Darius says he's fallen in love with him. Ian is a selfish a-hole for like 95% of the book and there's nothing very endearing to make me like or sympathize with him. He said he cheated because it dulled the pain of missing Levi but Levi was going through the same thing and stayed loyal. For Levi it was downplayed because he's a wolf and had his family and pack but he still endured it! Through half the book Ian was ignoring Levi's phonecalls but did he ever think to use that phone call Levi during the year? Or if he couldn't why not talk to some family or other wolves? But if he couldn't this wasn't explained because very little detail was given about the year they were apart, which is another part of the problem. There's little development for characters and world building. A majority of Ian's perspective is in trucks or at gas stations. And I spent the majority of this book waiting for the focus to shift away from just chasing Ian. What made it worse was that I could more understand the wolf clan's mentality in this. The only reason bringing Ian to the elders seemed bad was because the clan was set up like a cult. Even the name changed so much that it was confusing to whether it was one wolf pack that was a clan or multiple packs. Even the practice of following traditions (and preserving their culture I guess) got turned into cult mentality and this was basically spelled out every time Darius asked about the mating and voiced his opinions on their rituals. His opinion pretty much just boiled down to "that's stupid." And I don't understand how this can be such a strong opinion (except towards mating equality) when all the rituals actually work! But eventually even Levi and Selena (werewolf bff and original mate) couldn't disagree. It was pretty much the moment when two cult members realize 1: they can have their own thoughts and 2: their cult might be wrong. Kind of a simplified point in a book where they keep saying not everything is black and white. Even though for the most part werewolf government seem to be the bad guys. Life is hard for vampires, wolves took over the government and made it hard. Myths that make vampires look bad, most likely wolf rumors. Everybody hates vampires, it's because the wolves are manipulating the humans and making them. But on anything else it's more than what it looks like. Case in point: Levi and Ian. Levi is basically told by everyone that he was wrong to be mad and hurt that Ian cheated and should have heard him out and understood him. Selena: he's human and the mating is harder for him. Ian: you don't understand how hard this was for me. Darius: this was hard for him why would you put him through this? Darius (the guy who probably got the shortest end of the stick and would rightfully be the angriest) repeats this so much even Levi forgets his anger and becomes wrapped up in his own guilt. At no point after the beginning is Ian faced with seeing Levi's reaction or understanding his feelings on what he did it's all just everyone saying how Levi was inconsiderate to Ian. This also downplayed the importance of the mating bond (which is basically a marriage of your SOUL!!) to the point of why was it even a thing? It doesn't help that even though it was described how hard Ian took the bonding the myth of the werewolves and vampires was so watered down that being a werewolf wasn't much different from being human. Better senses and shifting were pretty much the main differences and everything else seemed to be culture and up bringing. That just made me think that if Ian had talked to someone like Levi did this could have all been avoided. Through all this there's also Darius who constantly blames Levi for being so selfish because of course when you fall in love you're supposed to give up EVERYTHING for the other person. Levi should have been prepared to give up all of his friends, family, and pack/clan no matter how supportive they may have been because that's what happens when you fall in love and compromising is just being selfish and greedy. Either Darius was a lovestruck teen when he was turned or the author really loves the Little Mermaid. And to spend most of this disastrous situation trading insults Darius and Levi falling for each other was ridiculous sudden. And unbelievable since not long after they get together Darius spends most of his time worrying about Levi (when he's in a comma) while explaining that he's only worried because he's using him to find Ian. Darius spends the entire story pining after Ian, worrying about Ian, defending Ian, talking about Ian, thinking about Ian, or wondering whether Ian will choose Levi. I'm hard-pressed to believe that either Darius or Ian genuinely love Levi and for the whole book I just wanted to read one part of either Darius having to understand Levi and the werewolves better or Levi finally saying "forget it I'm done" and just going home to get the bond broken and mating Selena or just accepting execution over having to put up with Darius and Ian. For Ian to have to do something to fix his own mistakes instead of having two guys blindly in love with him for no reason do it for him would have been way more satisfying. I don't hold out really any hope for the next book and maybe that was the problem with this book; my expectations were way too high. M/m/m really only works when all three feel like they're fully in the relationship equally and that didn't happen. It felt like two guys in love with one guy (who supposedly loves them back) and tolerating each other. I really don't like being left with that feeling since it takes it the joy of reading the book and makes it a chore. But maybe knowing what I know with this book I'll try reading the next book some day (possibly) since I'm curious that maybe Witt did this on purpose to develope the characters later. Maybe this is just a very VERY long prologue. That's unlikely but still this is just my opinion.
June 29, 2022
Fantastic! I can't wait to see what happens next!
I stumbled onto this book by chance and as soon as I read the blurb, I knew that I wanted to read it. I loved the thought of mates having to spend a year apart before they could complete their bond. I had no idea it would become so complicated. It's not often that I get sucked into a really long book and finish it in 2 days but I could not stop reading it. Vampires pitted against wolves, lover against lover, misunderstandings galore and tons of twists and turns, the action never stopped and I loved every minute of it.
I stumbled onto this book by chance and as soon as I read the blurb, I knew that I wanted to read it. I loved the thought of mates having to spend a year apart before they could complete their bond. I had no idea it would become so complicated. It's not often that I get sucked into a really long book and finish it in 2 days but I could not stop reading it. Vampires pitted against wolves, lover against lover, misunderstandings galore and tons of twists and turns, the action never stopped and I loved every minute of it.
March 15, 2013
Yeah, so...this book, for me? Was a big NO. 400+ pages of chasing, riding in trunks and trailers and bumping into werewolves (how come there was no trace of other vampires on that whole daunting trip?). But maybe I should start with the beginning.
All in all, this would have worked better as a short story, because then, the readers don't really expect that much development. But one sees a book of 400 pages, one expects a LOT more. And unfortuntely, this book doesn't deliver.
All in all, this would have worked better as a short story, because then, the readers don't really expect that much development. But one sees a book of 400 pages, one expects a LOT more. And unfortuntely, this book doesn't deliver.
May 4, 2018
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reviews.
This is a story about a werewolf, a human and a vampire who just can’t stop themselves from falling into bed together - even when their choices put their lives at risk.
I usually enjoy poly relationships in books but non-monogamy without consent or communication is cheating and these three tend to shag first and ask permission later. I found it difficult to invest emotionally in Ian, Darius and Levi when their relationship starts with revenge sex and never quite progresses to communication and considering each others’ needs. These guys are hot together but I’m not sure there’s much potential for a long term relationship.
For the first book in a new paranormal romance series, there is surprisingly little worldbuilding to support the story. The author relies on familiar and slightly tired shifter/vampire lore and expects readers to understand without much explanation. We don’t know much about Darius’ vampire world and I found Levi’s shifter politics confusing. And then there is the Selena problem. Levi is determined to defy his pack and marry Ian, not Selena. But if he succeeds, Selena is prohibited from finding another partner. It annoyed me that the men barely spared a thought for the quiet, self-sacrificing female.
Honestly, this is a perfectly fine paranormal romance. I just expected more from one of my favourite m/m authors. These characters are too simplistic. Their world isn’t clearly explained and their relationships aren’t developed enough to be believable.
This is a story about a werewolf, a human and a vampire who just can’t stop themselves from falling into bed together - even when their choices put their lives at risk.
I usually enjoy poly relationships in books but non-monogamy without consent or communication is cheating and these three tend to shag first and ask permission later. I found it difficult to invest emotionally in Ian, Darius and Levi when their relationship starts with revenge sex and never quite progresses to communication and considering each others’ needs. These guys are hot together but I’m not sure there’s much potential for a long term relationship.
For the first book in a new paranormal romance series, there is surprisingly little worldbuilding to support the story. The author relies on familiar and slightly tired shifter/vampire lore and expects readers to understand without much explanation. We don’t know much about Darius’ vampire world and I found Levi’s shifter politics confusing. And then there is the Selena problem. Levi is determined to defy his pack and marry Ian, not Selena. But if he succeeds, Selena is prohibited from finding another partner. It annoyed me that the men barely spared a thought for the quiet, self-sacrificing female.
Honestly, this is a perfectly fine paranormal romance. I just expected more from one of my favourite m/m authors. These characters are too simplistic. Their world isn’t clearly explained and their relationships aren’t developed enough to be believable.
November 30, 2016
The book descriptive really made me sit up and think yes please and so I went and downloaded it. The beginning was promising and I thought I was on to a winner but I'm afraid for me it just went down hill after the woods scene and I ended up flicking.
The book starts with Levi who is a werewolf going off to reunite after a forced parting for a year to his bonded mate Ian, this happened because Ian's human and the werewolf elders didn't want Levi to mate with Ian so they enforced this but when he gets there Ian has been turnt into a vampire and also cheated with a vampire Darius. I didn't warm or engage with these characters, Ian after being dumped by Levi then goes back to Darius and sleeps with him and didn't seem to be heartbroken. Also when Ian's on the run it just went on to long all I seemed to be reading was him getting in and out of lorries where he was hiding behind pallets and how cold he was which was frankly boring so I skipped here. Another little peeve was that Levi and Darius just seemed to fall in to bed together and then declare love to each other, which yeah I know fiction but just didn't seem to be right to me. The end left you on a cliff hanger at the end also but I presume there be a second but sadly I won't be buying it. The book description was making me feel really excited but it just fell flat for me and the characters just didn't make me feel for them so I wasn't bothered what happened. Not for me
The book starts with Levi who is a werewolf going off to reunite after a forced parting for a year to his bonded mate Ian, this happened because Ian's human and the werewolf elders didn't want Levi to mate with Ian so they enforced this but when he gets there Ian has been turnt into a vampire and also cheated with a vampire Darius. I didn't warm or engage with these characters, Ian after being dumped by Levi then goes back to Darius and sleeps with him and didn't seem to be heartbroken. Also when Ian's on the run it just went on to long all I seemed to be reading was him getting in and out of lorries where he was hiding behind pallets and how cold he was which was frankly boring so I skipped here. Another little peeve was that Levi and Darius just seemed to fall in to bed together and then declare love to each other, which yeah I know fiction but just didn't seem to be right to me. The end left you on a cliff hanger at the end also but I presume there be a second but sadly I won't be buying it. The book description was making me feel really excited but it just fell flat for me and the characters just didn't make me feel for them so I wasn't bothered what happened. Not for me
July 6, 2014
The Given And The Taken
OR
The Give Me a Break And Just Do Each Other
I wanted to like this book. I have a soft spot for more than two partners in a part, I really do. A three way arrangement full of hate sex? I am sold! But the book didn't live up to that sell. This... this just wasn't any fun. For one, it's really angsty and dreadfully introspective. We spend the first half of the book having the same three conversations again and again with slight variations of person and script while one character is riding around the back of trucks. It's really not as interesting as the setup of two vampires and a werewolf pretends its going to be.
There's sex, at least, the author doesn't tease sex, jumps straight into that. And there's some biting, but it's not really sexy biting, just kind of a side plot item. Certainly no trancing and the wolves only show up as wolves a smidgeon of the time.
Frankly, this was just a let down for me. I am not against angst, I even like intense focus on characters. But I prefer action, by which I DON'T mean sex, I mean things happening. Like, you know. Anything other than chapters upon chapters spent driving around in a car. It was a struggle to get through and when I'm reading porny supernatural books, it shouldn't feel like a battle, it should be delicious fluff reading.
OR
The Give Me a Break And Just Do Each Other
I wanted to like this book. I have a soft spot for more than two partners in a part, I really do. A three way arrangement full of hate sex? I am sold! But the book didn't live up to that sell. This... this just wasn't any fun. For one, it's really angsty and dreadfully introspective. We spend the first half of the book having the same three conversations again and again with slight variations of person and script while one character is riding around the back of trucks. It's really not as interesting as the setup of two vampires and a werewolf pretends its going to be.
There's sex, at least, the author doesn't tease sex, jumps straight into that. And there's some biting, but it's not really sexy biting, just kind of a side plot item. Certainly no trancing and the wolves only show up as wolves a smidgeon of the time.
Frankly, this was just a let down for me. I am not against angst, I even like intense focus on characters. But I prefer action, by which I DON'T mean sex, I mean things happening. Like, you know. Anything other than chapters upon chapters spent driving around in a car. It was a struggle to get through and when I'm reading porny supernatural books, it shouldn't feel like a battle, it should be delicious fluff reading.
January 16, 2019
This was a dark angst story centred around the relationship between Ian and Levi. Poor Darius gets pulled into the whole mess without knowing it exists till he’s too far committed to walk away. Selena is brought in from day one bc she is the most loyal incredible BF ever. The story starts off with a series of events that could very well spark a civil war. And all they boys want is to stay alive.
I almost skipped this series due to all the “it’s so angsty” reviews. But I liked it.
The closest I can compare it to is picture the last twilight book - breaking dawn. Except Bella is a boy and in love w Jacob first. And Edward had no clue what was happening till after he turned boy Bella into a vamp. And Jacob says, “screw choices, I’m pissed but you’re hot and we’re both horny... and if you’re good enough for Bella???” All while the V.... (oh I forget what they were called. But those three creepy vamp bullies) are instead wolves (elders) who set Ian and Levi up to prove a point that they then tried to reinforce and backfired spectacularly. And instead of it taking 3.5 novels to get to that point, this is where the tooth and claw series begins.
The whole book is a fight for survival while learning what it really means to love someone and what true sacrifice is. And finding the good in an awful situation.
I almost skipped this series due to all the “it’s so angsty” reviews. But I liked it.
The closest I can compare it to is picture the last twilight book - breaking dawn. Except Bella is a boy and in love w Jacob first. And Edward had no clue what was happening till after he turned boy Bella into a vamp. And Jacob says, “screw choices, I’m pissed but you’re hot and we’re both horny... and if you’re good enough for Bella???” All while the V.... (oh I forget what they were called. But those three creepy vamp bullies) are instead wolves (elders) who set Ian and Levi up to prove a point that they then tried to reinforce and backfired spectacularly. And instead of it taking 3.5 novels to get to that point, this is where the tooth and claw series begins.
The whole book is a fight for survival while learning what it really means to love someone and what true sacrifice is. And finding the good in an awful situation.
January 23, 2012
Exactly how not to start a threesome. This read was all wrong for me and I feel compelled to explain why due to the fact that Witt was/is? on auto-buy. Usually when I read Witt I get so invested in her characters that I love when they love, hurt when they hurt, and feel what they feel. I can honestly say I felt no happiness for Ian, Darius, Selena, or Levi. Just a sad sense of acceptance. A "this is how it is so let's move on." Every conversation "told" me what Selena gave up so that Levi and Ian could be happy, what Darius felt towards Ian, why Levi felt betrayed, and how they all were going to get over it. This was a hot mess and I have to say I would not buy a sequel. I care not a smidgen about their futures. The scene when Levi, Darius, and Ian are all in the hotel room just didn't sit right. Darius and Levi were an easy way to end that conflict. I am still feeling bewildered as to how this book was supposed to make the reader feel. A drawn out read without enough substance. Not recommended.
February 24, 2012
Argh. Loved it, but it's not all there! =) This is how I felt after reading An Uncommon Whore: there's a lot more to the story after this. This is only part one. It's a very good part, but I'd like the rest now, plzkthx.
There is plenty of guilt to spare in this story and none of the three feels good enough for the others. This is believable due to the situation, though I can't decide whether I was hit with it over the head too much or not. I guess since I'm having the thought that maybe I was. I liked the flaws within each character. Their motivations and reactions felt natural. Their forgiveness also.
I'm looking forward to how they're going to get themselves out of this bind, because it isn't going to be easy.
There is plenty of guilt to spare in this story and none of the three feels good enough for the others. This is believable due to the situation, though I can't decide whether I was hit with it over the head too much or not. I guess since I'm having the thought that maybe I was. I liked the flaws within each character. Their motivations and reactions felt natural. Their forgiveness also.
I'm looking forward to how they're going to get themselves out of this bind, because it isn't going to be easy.
December 13, 2017
Warning: cheating
I don't get Levi/Darius, sorry. There was nothing (bar pure hate) for the longest time, and all of the sudden there is an orgy and a half, butterfly kisses andribbons and kittens . Nope. Not working for me.
I don't get why Levi had to lie, along with the stupid decision on Ian's behalf not to pick up a phone call to clear up the situation. You can listen, you don't have to meet face to face, that's the benefit of a phone call, right? So, one silly thing after another after yet another... That's the way of the book. Which leaves me with a shrug and 1.75 stars.
Писательское мастерство автора, да в мирных бы целях.....
I don't get Levi/Darius, sorry. There was nothing (bar pure hate) for the longest time, and all of the sudden there is an orgy and a half, butterfly kisses and
I don't get why Levi had to lie, along with the stupid decision on Ian's behalf not to pick up a phone call to clear up the situation. You can listen, you don't have to meet face to face, that's the benefit of a phone call, right? So, one silly thing after another after yet another... That's the way of the book. Which leaves me with a shrug and 1.75 stars.
Писательское мастерство автора, да в мирных бы целях.....
February 27, 2016
Vampire/wolf menage story and heat
This story starts a little slow and choppy for me. When it hits its stride it becomes a decent enough story with somewhat interesting characters that builds to a heated, menage payoff.
While I'm not usually a fan of cheating narratives, the story does a rather decent job of exploring the emotions and fallout of a "betrayal" (and it also helps that the cheating was made under extraordinarily extreme paranormal stress).
3.5 stars rounded to four because I absolutely loved Selena
This story starts a little slow and choppy for me. When it hits its stride it becomes a decent enough story with somewhat interesting characters that builds to a heated, menage payoff.
While I'm not usually a fan of cheating narratives, the story does a rather decent job of exploring the emotions and fallout of a "betrayal" (and it also helps that the cheating was made under extraordinarily extreme paranormal stress).
3.5 stars rounded to four because I absolutely loved Selena
March 21, 2013
I made it to about 40% before I started skim reading. It was just way too drawn out and kinda depressing and dark. And hopeless feeling even. The writing was excellent and I love her books but this one was just too long-winded for me. But I finally finished and we'll see if I can read the next one if there even is one.
January 14, 2017
I listened to this book as an audiobook. The narrator was terrible. The voice of Darius was so whiny that it was a complete turn off. If I had read it I might have enjoyed it a little bit more. However, it would still have the silliest plot of any book I've read in some time.
When Ian and Darius went from mortal enemies to having sex,well, I just burst out laughing.
When Ian and Darius went from mortal enemies to having sex,well, I just burst out laughing.
January 7, 2012
I really enjoyed this one. I was seriously pissed at the Elders and I felt so much for Ian first and then Levi & Darius. It was just horrible situation. Already looking forward to Book 2.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews