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Blood of the Pride #1
Blood of the Pride
When a severed rabbit's paw is delivered to her office, outcast cat shifter Rebecca Desjardin recognizes the summons home. One of their own has been murdered—and a shocking photo published in a local tabloid—and her Pride needs Rebecca, now a private investigator, to track down the killer.
Investigative reporter Brandon Hanover wants to find out who slipped the photo of the half-shifted cat-woman under his door, marking him as a suspect in her death. Determined to stay one step ahead of the sexy journalist, Rebecca reluctantly agrees to partner with him to find the real murderer. But as their mutual attraction heats up, Rebecca finds it harder and harder to keep Brandon from discovering the existence of the shifter society—and her own true nature.
When the search leads them back to the Pride, Rebecca must attempt to Change for the first time in years to face the killer, and save the man she loves...
80,000 words
Investigative reporter Brandon Hanover wants to find out who slipped the photo of the half-shifted cat-woman under his door, marking him as a suspect in her death. Determined to stay one step ahead of the sexy journalist, Rebecca reluctantly agrees to partner with him to find the real murderer. But as their mutual attraction heats up, Rebecca finds it harder and harder to keep Brandon from discovering the existence of the shifter society—and her own true nature.
When the search leads them back to the Pride, Rebecca must attempt to Change for the first time in years to face the killer, and save the man she loves...
80,000 words
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2012
9 people are currently reading
1082 people want to read
About the author
Sheryl Nantus
60 books369 followersSheryl Nantus is an award-winning romance writer published by Entangled, St. Martin's, and Harlequin's Carina Press.
When she's not writing about hunky heroes, she is sipping tea, playing board games and writing haiku.
A total fangirl at heart, she met her husband through an online fanfiction community and currently lives in Pennsylvania.
When she's not writing about hunky heroes, she is sipping tea, playing board games and writing haiku.
A total fangirl at heart, she met her husband through an online fanfiction community and currently lives in Pennsylvania.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 22, 2017
I'm being generous with the 2 stars because... I'm not sure. I think it has something to do with breaking my diet and making "brookies". I'm on a brownie-cookie high right now and that means I'm loving everyone! It's a good time to ask me for a favor.
Oh yeah, I'm happier than a fat baby at a boob convention.
But, let me tell you, this book is awful! Just horrible. Like, you will wonder what the hell you were thinking when you read it. It's the stuff of reader-nightmares. Insta-love, unrealistic everything, unlikable characters, stilted and awkward dialogue. I think my kids wrote better fiction than this when they were in grade school. I homeschooled them, and let's just say that every story they wrote had the same sentence at the end:
"then everyone died. The end."
My kids were so ahead of their time.
Still, because of brookies, I'm giving it 2 stars. I'd even read it again for cheesecake. Well, maybe. It would have to be that Godiva cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. Have you ever had that?? Chocolate lover's wet dream!
Oh yeah, I'm happier than a fat baby at a boob convention.
But, let me tell you, this book is awful! Just horrible. Like, you will wonder what the hell you were thinking when you read it. It's the stuff of reader-nightmares. Insta-love, unrealistic everything, unlikable characters, stilted and awkward dialogue. I think my kids wrote better fiction than this when they were in grade school. I homeschooled them, and let's just say that every story they wrote had the same sentence at the end:
"then everyone died. The end."
My kids were so ahead of their time.
Still, because of brookies, I'm giving it 2 stars. I'd even read it again for cheesecake. Well, maybe. It would have to be that Godiva cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. Have you ever had that?? Chocolate lover's wet dream!
May 22, 2021
Rebecca (Reb) was forced out of her Pride because of her inability to shift at will. She now works as a PI. When a Pride member is murdered and their picture taken & published, the Pride "asks" for her help. The issue with the picture is she was partially changed.
I liked the mystery and paranormal romance element. For the most part, I really like Reb and would have been happy for her to tell her Pride to go fuck themselves. I hated Brandon. He was a pushy asshole. He comes from money and was an investigative journalist. But now works for a shitty tabloid writing shitty sensationalist stories. This would have been better if I had liked Brandon. But, no, I hated him through the whole book. As a result, not reading the rest.
I liked the mystery and paranormal romance element. For the most part, I really like Reb and would have been happy for her to tell her Pride to go fuck themselves. I hated Brandon. He was a pushy asshole. He comes from money and was an investigative journalist. But now works for a shitty tabloid writing shitty sensationalist stories. This would have been better if I had liked Brandon. But, no, I hated him through the whole book. As a result, not reading the rest.
October 24, 2013
I guess it's kinda ironic that a purely cat person can't find a book to like when dealing with cat shifters. I found Stray an ok book that never convinced me to keep going on with the series. And I definitely disliked Blood of the Pride.
In both cases the heroine is the culprit. But here, to the heroine's faults, you can add a poor rich boy hero who's even more annoying.
I found them both unreal and lacking coherence.
When she was a teen she was severely beaten and thrown into the street with nothing but what she was wearing. Twenty years later the same people that did this summons her. She literally runs to them. No explanation given. She does go and she agrees to help them. Again no explanation given. She's a PI, how she came to be is unknown. Why she came to be is unknown. How she can be one is a mystery. She's bullied by the shifters, manipulated and blackmailed by the journalist in a move so predictable she looks more than naive: she's dumb (or a deus ex machina move).
She blabbers the secret she is supposed to keep from him in a heartbeat. She stops thinking the moment she scents him. They end up in bed by day two.
According to the blurb he is an investigative journalist. Nope, sorry he's worse than a tabloid one. He works for one of those rags who deals with aliens and the like. He's a rich guy who, after one sad experience (for the other people involved), decided to change his life. And of course, logically, went from journalist to rag-writer. WTF? Sure, logical and believable.
He moves from annoying to near-forgetting bland. But then I'm not able to remember either leading characters.
There were some moments that I wasn't sure what was going on: she suffers from headaches and pains and you don't understand why. They are not related to the story, or not all or always. And you wonder why exactly they are there on the page.
The flirting was awkward to read. And the mystery held no suspense or sense of dangers. Sorry, it was all a clusterfuck for me.
If you want to check a different opinion, here's Jenn's four star one:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
In both cases the heroine is the culprit. But here, to the heroine's faults, you can add a poor rich boy hero who's even more annoying.
I found them both unreal and lacking coherence.
When she was a teen she was severely beaten and thrown into the street with nothing but what she was wearing. Twenty years later the same people that did this summons her. She literally runs to them. No explanation given. She does go and she agrees to help them. Again no explanation given. She's a PI, how she came to be is unknown. Why she came to be is unknown. How she can be one is a mystery. She's bullied by the shifters, manipulated and blackmailed by the journalist in a move so predictable she looks more than naive: she's dumb (or a deus ex machina move).
She blabbers the secret she is supposed to keep from him in a heartbeat. She stops thinking the moment she scents him. They end up in bed by day two.
According to the blurb he is an investigative journalist. Nope, sorry he's worse than a tabloid one. He works for one of those rags who deals with aliens and the like. He's a rich guy who, after one sad experience (for the other people involved), decided to change his life. And of course, logically, went from journalist to rag-writer. WTF? Sure, logical and believable.
He moves from annoying to near-forgetting bland. But then I'm not able to remember either leading characters.
There were some moments that I wasn't sure what was going on: she suffers from headaches and pains and you don't understand why. They are not related to the story, or not all or always. And you wonder why exactly they are there on the page.
The flirting was awkward to read. And the mystery held no suspense or sense of dangers. Sorry, it was all a clusterfuck for me.
If you want to check a different opinion, here's Jenn's four star one:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
tbr-later
July 23, 201523 July 2015: $1.99 on Kindle
1 January 2015: $2.99 on Kindle
1 January 2015: $2.99 on Kindle
March 26, 2021
It's easy to believe that this story is real, thanks to well thought out worldbuilding, fully developed characters, engrossing conversations and a plot that keeps you guessing. And lets not overlook the value of a scrappy street cat that steals everyone's hearts. I quite enjoyed this story - the proof of that is that I was a little sad when it ended. I wasn't ready to leave!
January 15, 2013
This is the first book in an interesting new series by long time author Sheryl Nantus. Book 2 “Claws Bared” will be out on January 21st.
Rebecca is a cat shifter, and she is an unusual one at that. She is also a PI, and has just gotten a summons of a severed rabbit foot calling her back home to her Pride. The same Pride that kicked her out so many years ago.
Another Pride mate has been murdered and an investigative reporter is spreading evidence around that ‘cat people’ may exist. Now that Rebecca has to investigate this murder for her old, Pride-she decides to go to the source of the photo and she soon finds herself smitten with this sexy journalist. Therefore, they decide to investigate together.
This was quite the interesting book in that the author really takes her time in setting up the world so that there will be no questions asked by the readers. I really appreciated the time and effort this took Ms Nantus. It made it much easier for me to lose myself in the story – and really understand everything that was happening.
The characters are well written and defined. The use of Toronto as a home base is a slightly different one and is quite interesting for us south of the boarder. The story and mystery isn’t too complicated, but just enough to keep you guessing for a while. There is at least on sort of red herring thrown in to keep you off-kilter.
Some may be tempted to classify this as a romance, but romance takes a back seat to all of the investigating and action that fills these pages. In fact, on the one occasion that Rebecca and Bran DO get together, it is not written using explicit language or descriptions. This was a pleasant shift away from so many of these types of books that put so much emphasis on the sex even though they are touted as action/suspense books. Some of these books come off as more erotica with the adventure taking a back seat. Not so with this novel. Yes you do get romance, it just isn’t an ‘in your face’ type of romance.
Rebecca is a cat shifter, and she is an unusual one at that. She is also a PI, and has just gotten a summons of a severed rabbit foot calling her back home to her Pride. The same Pride that kicked her out so many years ago.
Another Pride mate has been murdered and an investigative reporter is spreading evidence around that ‘cat people’ may exist. Now that Rebecca has to investigate this murder for her old, Pride-she decides to go to the source of the photo and she soon finds herself smitten with this sexy journalist. Therefore, they decide to investigate together.
This was quite the interesting book in that the author really takes her time in setting up the world so that there will be no questions asked by the readers. I really appreciated the time and effort this took Ms Nantus. It made it much easier for me to lose myself in the story – and really understand everything that was happening.
The characters are well written and defined. The use of Toronto as a home base is a slightly different one and is quite interesting for us south of the boarder. The story and mystery isn’t too complicated, but just enough to keep you guessing for a while. There is at least on sort of red herring thrown in to keep you off-kilter.
Some may be tempted to classify this as a romance, but romance takes a back seat to all of the investigating and action that fills these pages. In fact, on the one occasion that Rebecca and Bran DO get together, it is not written using explicit language or descriptions. This was a pleasant shift away from so many of these types of books that put so much emphasis on the sex even though they are touted as action/suspense books. Some of these books come off as more erotica with the adventure taking a back seat. Not so with this novel. Yes you do get romance, it just isn’t an ‘in your face’ type of romance.
did-not-finish
February 21, 2012The beginning moved too slow, and I didn't feel as if the book would ever pick up. I couldn't relate to the main heroine either.
August 29, 2017
Urban fantasy and paranormal romance at its best, wrapped up in a right proper whodunit! I came across the Blood of the Pride books by Sheryl Nantus researching comp titles for the first novel of my own series featuring an adult female werecat. Navy career in ruins and her Affliction exposed, my protagonist must go underground to foil a plot to kidnap her family and frame the human lover she leaves behind. Halfway through Nantus' series opener her hard-boiled Toronto PI Rebecca Desjardin had me hopelessly snared, just like the rabbit from her first Hunt!
A lot has already been said about Nantus' intricate world building, vivid setting, endearing characterizations and how Reb and Bran slowly but surely come to complement each other. These alone make for a captivating read but, to my mind, a higher theme sets this book apart. Reb and Bran exemplify the importance of acceptance--of whatever circumstances one finds oneself in, of circumstances of those around them. A challenge to embrace the whirlwind of change swirling around us all with grace, openness and the thrill of discovery instead of fear, suspicion, and a closed mind. Reb will never get back her decades of forced exile from her own people and the bitter fruits of Jess' shortsightedness are certain to haunt her to her dying day. But each has given the other gifts of compassion, empathy, and dare I say forgiveness? No reason not to given a grieving widower does just that after Reb and Bran track down his wife's killer and, with help from their Pride, leads his children to do likewise. Jess and Reb too come to treasure one another, though I think both of these Tough Ol' Broads would rather be boiled in oil than to say it out loud. They accept their new realities with grace and poise--Jess to possibilities she never dreamed existed and Reb in her own tiny Pride with Bran and Jazz, separate from the Family though an outcast no longer.
My excitement never waned through the book. Highly recommended, giving this reader what I believe the best of both urban fantasy and paranormal romance wrapped up into a right proper whodunit.
A lot has already been said about Nantus' intricate world building, vivid setting, endearing characterizations and how Reb and Bran slowly but surely come to complement each other. These alone make for a captivating read but, to my mind, a higher theme sets this book apart. Reb and Bran exemplify the importance of acceptance--of whatever circumstances one finds oneself in, of circumstances of those around them. A challenge to embrace the whirlwind of change swirling around us all with grace, openness and the thrill of discovery instead of fear, suspicion, and a closed mind. Reb will never get back her decades of forced exile from her own people and the bitter fruits of Jess' shortsightedness are certain to haunt her to her dying day. But each has given the other gifts of compassion, empathy, and dare I say forgiveness? No reason not to given a grieving widower does just that after Reb and Bran track down his wife's killer and, with help from their Pride, leads his children to do likewise. Jess and Reb too come to treasure one another, though I think both of these Tough Ol' Broads would rather be boiled in oil than to say it out loud. They accept their new realities with grace and poise--Jess to possibilities she never dreamed existed and Reb in her own tiny Pride with Bran and Jazz, separate from the Family though an outcast no longer.
My excitement never waned through the book. Highly recommended, giving this reader what I believe the best of both urban fantasy and paranormal romance wrapped up into a right proper whodunit.
June 13, 2018
This was a good read. Granted, I’m not heavily familiar with this genre, but I liked most of the characters and found myself eager to find out the ending. I wouldn’t mind rereading this book.
If you like werecats and mystery, then try out this book!
-A
If you like werecats and mystery, then try out this book!
-A
August 7, 2017
Funny, good plot and background. To read when you are in need of some book to enjoy without not so much thinking.
November 11, 2021
pride
Interesting system for the felis to be raised in. Once off the farm and on their own just like people it's harder to control.
Interesting system for the felis to be raised in. Once off the farm and on their own just like people it's harder to control.
January 7, 2017
Decent writing, interesting premise, but a few flaws.
On Amazon (where I originally posted this review, right after finishing the e-book), I gave it 4 stars, for 3.5 to 3.75 rounded up.
A number of my favorite authors write urban fantasy and/or paranormal romance (Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Eileen Wilks, Nalini Singh, et al). This falls about in the middle, though if you're specifically looking for detailed sexy times, look elsewhere: this one is basically fade-to-black. That's not usually a negative for me, though honestly, given the lead characters' general attitude and dialogue, I was a little surprised.
The relationship seems to develop a bit hastily, from her merely being annoyed by the distraction of her sexual attraction to him, to trusting him (a reporter!) with a full reveal of the secret she'd been raised to protect above all else, at all costs. Yes, he'd begun to suspect, but it's such a crazy idea that surely she had other options -- if only to protect him from the "elimination" she just barely convinces the Pride leader not to carry out.
As for her semi-former Pride, it's shown as having a very rigid and extreme set of restrictions, driven by secrecy, and enforced by violence. She has some warm childhood memories, but they're outweighed by the cruelty of how she was cast out at only fifteen.
N.B., at first I wasn't clear on what kind or kinds of cats they Change into, especially given the kittens in the nursery cribs, but it was eventually stated that adult Felis become the feline version of the classic horror-movie wolfman (something like Curran's "Warrior form" in the Kate Daniels stories).
When she realizes who killed the Felis wife/mother/schoolteacher whose death she and Bran are investigating (fairly realistically if a bit superficially depicted, BTW, with speaking to family and contacts, internet searches, visiting the crime scene, and -- since she's Felis -- sniffing), it becomes clear that all the Felis will have to re-evaluate some of their longtime assumptions and ways, which hopefully will be interesting to see play out in future volumes of the series.
The writing is mainly fairly smooth and well-edited, though it didn't have any passages so perfectly crafted that I had to stop and reread them just to appreciate the author's imagery or emotion, but that'd just be what tips a 4.5 to a 5.
However, there was one shortcoming that an editor should've caught: redundant body language. Too many times, a character (not always the same one, so you'd say that it's a trait of that particular individual) would touch, tap, or rub the tip or side of their nose. It became noticeable, and I wasn't always even certain what emotion it was meant to convey: at times uncertainty, or confidentiality, or...
Also, if she's living on ramen noodles and canned tuna (finding evidence on cheating spouses, locating the occasional runaway teen, etc., doesn't pay that well), shouldn't she be more upset about having to throw out clothes and bedding damaged by blood and/or odors too unpleasant for her sensitive nose, not to mention the issue of whether she'll get paid for the destruction of more of her property?
I have to confess, though, that the element that bugged me the most was something most readers would probably consider a trivial one. In a number of scenes, mention is made of claws painfully cutting their way out at/between the knuckles -- and leaving visible marks to show when that partial transformation has occurred. Given how quickly the full transformation can take place, and how little pain the shifting of bones and muscles seems to cause (again, see the scene with the Felis kittens) that seems inconsistent. Worse, as much as I can enjoy Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, his type of "claws" make no anatomical sense. A cat's retractable claws are nails, made of keratin just like ours (not of bone), and *hinged* (not shrinking/growing) in their own openings; no skin needs to be cut and re-cut. I guess on a human hand, they *would* have to grow, but it'd just be a thickening of the nails, hardening and extending beyond the fingertips -- and partly closing said hand would be the last thing you should do to *use* them: they wouldn't stick up/out like brass knuckles, for heaven's sake! (Declawing involves removing the first joint of each toe, BTW -- so don't make your pets endure this lifelong handicap just for the sake of some furniture!)
Okay, rant over. In short, it's a pretty good story, with pretty well developed and appealing lead characters. I do plan to continue with the series, but I doubt it'll ever be among the names I recommend to everyone.
On Amazon (where I originally posted this review, right after finishing the e-book), I gave it 4 stars, for 3.5 to 3.75 rounded up.
A number of my favorite authors write urban fantasy and/or paranormal romance (Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Eileen Wilks, Nalini Singh, et al). This falls about in the middle, though if you're specifically looking for detailed sexy times, look elsewhere: this one is basically fade-to-black. That's not usually a negative for me, though honestly, given the lead characters' general attitude and dialogue, I was a little surprised.
The relationship seems to develop a bit hastily, from her merely being annoyed by the distraction of her sexual attraction to him, to trusting him (a reporter!) with a full reveal of the secret she'd been raised to protect above all else, at all costs. Yes, he'd begun to suspect, but it's such a crazy idea that surely she had other options -- if only to protect him from the "elimination" she just barely convinces the Pride leader not to carry out.
As for her semi-former Pride, it's shown as having a very rigid and extreme set of restrictions, driven by secrecy, and enforced by violence. She has some warm childhood memories, but they're outweighed by the cruelty of how she was cast out at only fifteen.
N.B., at first I wasn't clear on what kind or kinds of cats they Change into, especially given the kittens in the nursery cribs, but it was eventually stated that adult Felis become the feline version of the classic horror-movie wolfman (something like Curran's "Warrior form" in the Kate Daniels stories).
When she realizes who killed the Felis wife/mother/schoolteacher whose death she and Bran are investigating (fairly realistically if a bit superficially depicted, BTW, with speaking to family and contacts, internet searches, visiting the crime scene, and -- since she's Felis -- sniffing), it becomes clear that all the Felis will have to re-evaluate some of their longtime assumptions and ways, which hopefully will be interesting to see play out in future volumes of the series.
The writing is mainly fairly smooth and well-edited, though it didn't have any passages so perfectly crafted that I had to stop and reread them just to appreciate the author's imagery or emotion, but that'd just be what tips a 4.5 to a 5.
However, there was one shortcoming that an editor should've caught: redundant body language. Too many times, a character (not always the same one, so you'd say that it's a trait of that particular individual) would touch, tap, or rub the tip or side of their nose. It became noticeable, and I wasn't always even certain what emotion it was meant to convey: at times uncertainty, or confidentiality, or...
Also, if she's living on ramen noodles and canned tuna (finding evidence on cheating spouses, locating the occasional runaway teen, etc., doesn't pay that well), shouldn't she be more upset about having to throw out clothes and bedding damaged by blood and/or odors too unpleasant for her sensitive nose, not to mention the issue of whether she'll get paid for the destruction of more of her property?
I have to confess, though, that the element that bugged me the most was something most readers would probably consider a trivial one. In a number of scenes, mention is made of claws painfully cutting their way out at/between the knuckles -- and leaving visible marks to show when that partial transformation has occurred. Given how quickly the full transformation can take place, and how little pain the shifting of bones and muscles seems to cause (again, see the scene with the Felis kittens) that seems inconsistent. Worse, as much as I can enjoy Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, his type of "claws" make no anatomical sense. A cat's retractable claws are nails, made of keratin just like ours (not of bone), and *hinged* (not shrinking/growing) in their own openings; no skin needs to be cut and re-cut. I guess on a human hand, they *would* have to grow, but it'd just be a thickening of the nails, hardening and extending beyond the fingertips -- and partly closing said hand would be the last thing you should do to *use* them: they wouldn't stick up/out like brass knuckles, for heaven's sake! (Declawing involves removing the first joint of each toe, BTW -- so don't make your pets endure this lifelong handicap just for the sake of some furniture!)
Okay, rant over. In short, it's a pretty good story, with pretty well developed and appealing lead characters. I do plan to continue with the series, but I doubt it'll ever be among the names I recommend to everyone.
December 15, 2015
About 3.5, maybe 3.75.
Decent writing, interesting premise, but a few flaws
A number of my favorite authors write urban fantasy and/or paranormal romance (Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Eileen Wilks, Nalini Singh, et al). This falls about in the middle, though if you're specifically looking for detailed sexy times, look elsewhere: this one is basically fade-to-black. That's not really a negative for me, though honestly, given the lead characters' general attitude and dialogue, I was a little surprised.
The relationship seems to develop a bit hastily, from her merely being annoyed by the distraction of her sexual attraction to him, to trusting him (a reporter!) with a full reveal of the secret she'd been raised to protect above all else, at all costs. Yes, he'd begun to suspect, but it's such a crazy idea that surely she had other options -- if only to protect him from the "elimination" she just barely convinces the Pride leader not to carry out.
As for her semi-former Pride, it's shown as having a very rigid and extreme set of restrictions, driven by secrecy, and enforced by violence. She has some warm childhood memories, but they're outweighed by the cruelty of how she was cast out at only fifteen.
N.B., at first I wasn't clear on what kind or kinds of cats they Change into, especially given the kittens in the nursery cribs, but it was eventually stated that adult Felis become the feline version of the classic horror-movie wolfman (something like Curran's "Warrior form" in the Kate Daniels stories).
When she realizes who killed the Felis wife/mother/schoolteacher whose death she and Bran are investigating (fairly realistically if a bit superficially depicted, BTW, with speaking to family and contacts, internet searches, visiting the crime scene, and -- since she's Felis -- sniffing), it becomes clear that all the Felis will have to re-evaluate some of their longtime assumptions and ways, which hopefully will be interesting to see play out in future volumes of the series.
The writing is mainly fairly smooth and well-edited, though it didn't have any passages so perfectly crafted that I had to stop and reread them just to appreciate the author's imagery or emotion, but that'd just be what tips a 4.5 to a 5.
However, there was one shortcoming that an editor should've caught: redundant body language. Too many times, a character (not always the same one, so you'd say that it's a trait of that particular individual) would touch, tap, or rub the tip or side of their nose. It became noticeable, and I wasn't always even certain what emotion it was meant to convey: at times uncertainty, or confidentiality, or...
Also, if she's living on ramen noodles and canned tuna (finding evidence on cheating spouses, locating the occasional runaway teen, etc., doesn't pay that well), shouldn't she be more upset about having to throw out clothes and bedding damaged by blood and/or odors too unpleasant for her sensitive nose, not to mention the issue of whether she'll get paid for the destruction of more of her property?
I have to confess, though, that the element that bugged me the most was something most readers would probably consider a trivial one. In a number of scenes, mention is made of claws painfully cutting their way out at/between the knuckles -- and leaving visible marks to show when that partial transformation has occurred. Given how quickly the full transformation can take place, and how little pain the shifting of bones and muscles seems to cause (again, see the scene with the Felis kittens) that seems inconsistent. Worse, as much as I can enjoy Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, his type of "claws" make no anatomical sense. A cat's retractable claws are nails, made of keratin just like ours (not of bone), and *hinged* (not shrinking/growing) in their own openings; no skin needs to be cut and re-cut. I guess on a human hand, they *would* have to grow, but it'd just be a thickening of the nails, hardening and extending beyond the fingertips -- and partly closing said hand would be the last thing you should do to *use* them: they wouldn't stick up/out like brass knuckles, for heaven's sake! (Declawing involves removing the first joint of each toe, BTW -- so don't make your pets endure this lifelong handicap just for the sake of some furniture!)
Okay, rant over. In short, it's a pretty good story, with pretty well developed and appealing lead characters. I do plan to continue with the series, but I doubt it'll ever be among the names I recommend to everyone.
Decent writing, interesting premise, but a few flaws
A number of my favorite authors write urban fantasy and/or paranormal romance (Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Eileen Wilks, Nalini Singh, et al). This falls about in the middle, though if you're specifically looking for detailed sexy times, look elsewhere: this one is basically fade-to-black. That's not really a negative for me, though honestly, given the lead characters' general attitude and dialogue, I was a little surprised.
The relationship seems to develop a bit hastily, from her merely being annoyed by the distraction of her sexual attraction to him, to trusting him (a reporter!) with a full reveal of the secret she'd been raised to protect above all else, at all costs. Yes, he'd begun to suspect, but it's such a crazy idea that surely she had other options -- if only to protect him from the "elimination" she just barely convinces the Pride leader not to carry out.
As for her semi-former Pride, it's shown as having a very rigid and extreme set of restrictions, driven by secrecy, and enforced by violence. She has some warm childhood memories, but they're outweighed by the cruelty of how she was cast out at only fifteen.
N.B., at first I wasn't clear on what kind or kinds of cats they Change into, especially given the kittens in the nursery cribs, but it was eventually stated that adult Felis become the feline version of the classic horror-movie wolfman (something like Curran's "Warrior form" in the Kate Daniels stories).
When she realizes who killed the Felis wife/mother/schoolteacher whose death she and Bran are investigating (fairly realistically if a bit superficially depicted, BTW, with speaking to family and contacts, internet searches, visiting the crime scene, and -- since she's Felis -- sniffing), it becomes clear that all the Felis will have to re-evaluate some of their longtime assumptions and ways, which hopefully will be interesting to see play out in future volumes of the series.
The writing is mainly fairly smooth and well-edited, though it didn't have any passages so perfectly crafted that I had to stop and reread them just to appreciate the author's imagery or emotion, but that'd just be what tips a 4.5 to a 5.
However, there was one shortcoming that an editor should've caught: redundant body language. Too many times, a character (not always the same one, so you'd say that it's a trait of that particular individual) would touch, tap, or rub the tip or side of their nose. It became noticeable, and I wasn't always even certain what emotion it was meant to convey: at times uncertainty, or confidentiality, or...
Also, if she's living on ramen noodles and canned tuna (finding evidence on cheating spouses, locating the occasional runaway teen, etc., doesn't pay that well), shouldn't she be more upset about having to throw out clothes and bedding damaged by blood and/or odors too unpleasant for her sensitive nose, not to mention the issue of whether she'll get paid for the destruction of more of her property?
I have to confess, though, that the element that bugged me the most was something most readers would probably consider a trivial one. In a number of scenes, mention is made of claws painfully cutting their way out at/between the knuckles -- and leaving visible marks to show when that partial transformation has occurred. Given how quickly the full transformation can take place, and how little pain the shifting of bones and muscles seems to cause (again, see the scene with the Felis kittens) that seems inconsistent. Worse, as much as I can enjoy Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, his type of "claws" make no anatomical sense. A cat's retractable claws are nails, made of keratin just like ours (not of bone), and *hinged* (not shrinking/growing) in their own openings; no skin needs to be cut and re-cut. I guess on a human hand, they *would* have to grow, but it'd just be a thickening of the nails, hardening and extending beyond the fingertips -- and partly closing said hand would be the last thing you should do to *use* them: they wouldn't stick up/out like brass knuckles, for heaven's sake! (Declawing involves removing the first joint of each toe, BTW -- so don't make your pets endure this lifelong handicap just for the sake of some furniture!)
Okay, rant over. In short, it's a pretty good story, with pretty well developed and appealing lead characters. I do plan to continue with the series, but I doubt it'll ever be among the names I recommend to everyone.
February 19, 2012
You can also read this review at Reflections on Reading Romance
A few years ago I was looking for some steampunk novels for my Kindle, and Amazon recommended that I read Sheryl Nantus’s Wild Cards and Iron Horses. I liked the book so much, I went back and bought two more of her books, both in wildly different genres. Blaze of Glory features reality tv super heroes suddenly forced to step up and actually BE super heroes, and What God and Cats Know is a mystery with a feline shapeshifter PI. I loved all the books, so when I saw Blood of the Pride was available on NetGalley, I immediately requested it, thinking it was a sequel to What God and Cats Know. I realized as soon as I started reading that it’s not actually a sequel – it’s the same book published under a different title. That’s actually not a bad thing. I suspect that Ms. Nantus will get wider distribution with Carina Press, and I loved the book the first time I read it. Upon re-reading it for review, I STILL love the book.
Rebecca Desjardin is a Felis shifter kicked out of her Pride nearly 20 years earlier, because she was unable to shift. She’s living in the human world, working as a private investigator, when a severed rabbit’s paw mysteriously appears in her office, the signal that the Pride wants to meet with her. A woman was murdered, and photos of her corpse stuck in mid-shift are splashed across the pages of a tabloid. Even though Rebecca’s convinced that no one will take the photos seriously, the pride wants her to investigate the woman’s death.
Investigative reporter Brandon Hanover found copies of the photos slipped under his door and decided to publish them, even though he’s convinced they’re nothing more than the tabloid’s usual fare. But there’s no doubt that the woman in the photos was brutally murdered, so when PI Rebecca Desjardin approaches him for his help, Brandon senses that there’s more to the story. Before long he’s involved in a world of felis shifters that he never knew existed, and he’s very interested in the mysterious felis PI. But the more they learn, the more danger both Rebecca and Brandon find themselves in. Can they solve the case without exposing the felis shifters to the world?
If you’re looking for a strong romance, this is not the book for you. While the book has a romance, that’s not the principal focus. For at least the first part of the book, I found Brandon to be a bit of a nuisance, and while he eventually won me (and the heroine) over, the most important storylines of the book are the mystery surrounding the murder and Rebecca’s broken relationship with the Pride.
That said, the book drew me in from the first. Rebecca is a strong character who’s dealt with rejection from her pride while carving out a new life for herself. She’s a kickass PI, and I love that she’s the focus of the novel. Her relationship with Jess Hammersmythe, the leader of the Pride, is complex and troubled, as Jess made several troubling decisions about Rebecca in the past in order to protect the Pride. As Rebecca uncovers the truth behind the murder, she risks exposing the Pride and has to make difficult decisions about her future and how best to punish the murderer.
All of the above makes for fascinating reading. I was as invested in solving the mystery the second time I read the book as I was the first, and if you’re a fan of strong female characters and mysteries with a paranormal twist, this is a real winner. I have high hopes that one day I’ll see a sequel to this book, since the story really sticks with you.
I received a copy of the book for review from the publisher through NetGalley.
A few years ago I was looking for some steampunk novels for my Kindle, and Amazon recommended that I read Sheryl Nantus’s Wild Cards and Iron Horses. I liked the book so much, I went back and bought two more of her books, both in wildly different genres. Blaze of Glory features reality tv super heroes suddenly forced to step up and actually BE super heroes, and What God and Cats Know is a mystery with a feline shapeshifter PI. I loved all the books, so when I saw Blood of the Pride was available on NetGalley, I immediately requested it, thinking it was a sequel to What God and Cats Know. I realized as soon as I started reading that it’s not actually a sequel – it’s the same book published under a different title. That’s actually not a bad thing. I suspect that Ms. Nantus will get wider distribution with Carina Press, and I loved the book the first time I read it. Upon re-reading it for review, I STILL love the book.
Rebecca Desjardin is a Felis shifter kicked out of her Pride nearly 20 years earlier, because she was unable to shift. She’s living in the human world, working as a private investigator, when a severed rabbit’s paw mysteriously appears in her office, the signal that the Pride wants to meet with her. A woman was murdered, and photos of her corpse stuck in mid-shift are splashed across the pages of a tabloid. Even though Rebecca’s convinced that no one will take the photos seriously, the pride wants her to investigate the woman’s death.
Investigative reporter Brandon Hanover found copies of the photos slipped under his door and decided to publish them, even though he’s convinced they’re nothing more than the tabloid’s usual fare. But there’s no doubt that the woman in the photos was brutally murdered, so when PI Rebecca Desjardin approaches him for his help, Brandon senses that there’s more to the story. Before long he’s involved in a world of felis shifters that he never knew existed, and he’s very interested in the mysterious felis PI. But the more they learn, the more danger both Rebecca and Brandon find themselves in. Can they solve the case without exposing the felis shifters to the world?
If you’re looking for a strong romance, this is not the book for you. While the book has a romance, that’s not the principal focus. For at least the first part of the book, I found Brandon to be a bit of a nuisance, and while he eventually won me (and the heroine) over, the most important storylines of the book are the mystery surrounding the murder and Rebecca’s broken relationship with the Pride.
That said, the book drew me in from the first. Rebecca is a strong character who’s dealt with rejection from her pride while carving out a new life for herself. She’s a kickass PI, and I love that she’s the focus of the novel. Her relationship with Jess Hammersmythe, the leader of the Pride, is complex and troubled, as Jess made several troubling decisions about Rebecca in the past in order to protect the Pride. As Rebecca uncovers the truth behind the murder, she risks exposing the Pride and has to make difficult decisions about her future and how best to punish the murderer.
All of the above makes for fascinating reading. I was as invested in solving the mystery the second time I read the book as I was the first, and if you’re a fan of strong female characters and mysteries with a paranormal twist, this is a real winner. I have high hopes that one day I’ll see a sequel to this book, since the story really sticks with you.
I received a copy of the book for review from the publisher through NetGalley.
February 23, 2012
Originally posted at http://ufreview.com/2012/02/22/blood-...
Review:
I got this one from Netgalley as an eARC in turn for a fair and honest review. Rebecca was a member of the Pride as a child and was kicked out of the pride as a teenager because she didn't have the ability to shift forms, now several years later the Pride brings her back to solve a murder of one of their own. A photo of the dead shapeshifter in mid change is sent to a tabloid reporter, so Rebecca must prevent their secrets from being revealed as well. Her investigation leads her back to the Pride as one of their own is the killer.
The one thing I liked about this book is that it took place in Canada, so place the author had described I had been to so that was kinda cool, and that was where the cool factor ended. I read almost exclusively Urban Fantasy so I have read some really exceptional books and have some pretty high standards. The thing with Blood of the Pride is, it wasn't a bad book but it wasn't particularly memorable or original. While I do realize that it is extremely hard to come up with something new especially in this genre but something has to hook your interest the plot, the characters...something. Sadly here that wasn't the case.
The story moved along at a good pace so it was a quick read, but the story just wasn't engaging enough for me. I didn't care who committed the murder or if they found them or not. I found the romance between Rebecca and Brandon just kinda bland, there was no conflict no tension nothing to get into. I read a ton of books on weres and in this one I honestly couldn't figure out til the end if they changed in to big cats; lions, tigers etc or house cats or something in between. So for me this book is a 2.5/5 it didn't suck but didn't have a lot to recommend it either, I doubt I will grab any other books by this author.
♥ ♥ ♥ 2.5/5 Meh could take it or leave it.
Review:
I got this one from Netgalley as an eARC in turn for a fair and honest review. Rebecca was a member of the Pride as a child and was kicked out of the pride as a teenager because she didn't have the ability to shift forms, now several years later the Pride brings her back to solve a murder of one of their own. A photo of the dead shapeshifter in mid change is sent to a tabloid reporter, so Rebecca must prevent their secrets from being revealed as well. Her investigation leads her back to the Pride as one of their own is the killer.
The one thing I liked about this book is that it took place in Canada, so place the author had described I had been to so that was kinda cool, and that was where the cool factor ended. I read almost exclusively Urban Fantasy so I have read some really exceptional books and have some pretty high standards. The thing with Blood of the Pride is, it wasn't a bad book but it wasn't particularly memorable or original. While I do realize that it is extremely hard to come up with something new especially in this genre but something has to hook your interest the plot, the characters...something. Sadly here that wasn't the case.
The story moved along at a good pace so it was a quick read, but the story just wasn't engaging enough for me. I didn't care who committed the murder or if they found them or not. I found the romance between Rebecca and Brandon just kinda bland, there was no conflict no tension nothing to get into. I read a ton of books on weres and in this one I honestly couldn't figure out til the end if they changed in to big cats; lions, tigers etc or house cats or something in between. So for me this book is a 2.5/5 it didn't suck but didn't have a lot to recommend it either, I doubt I will grab any other books by this author.
♥ ♥ ♥ 2.5/5 Meh could take it or leave it.
August 13, 2013
This is a strange one for me, I listened to the audio book of Sheryl Nantus's Blood of the Pride rather than reading it as I normally would and I think the god awful narration has really affected my opinion of the book. Although the heroine Reb came across really well the narrator made the hero reporter Brandon came across as far too upbeat and beyond annoying, the pride alpha Jess sounded more like a posh granny than a powerful alpha and the narrators Irish accent for the doorman made me honestly laugh out loud it was the worst accent I have ever heard! I found it so off putting I really struggled with listening to this to the end.
That being said I quite enjoyed the story. Shifter Rebecca Desjardin's parents died when she was young leaving Reb unable to fully shift. As a result, Reb then finds herself being cruelly banished from the pride and ends up in foster care. Despite this, Reb survived on her own and now works as a private investigator in Toronto. When a photograph of a dead "cat woman" ends up in the local newspaper courtesy of local journalist Brandon Hanover, the pride call on Reb to investigate the murder of the pride member. Reb agrees to work with Brandon to track down the killer who has risked the secrecy of the pack.
I quite liked the fact that the pride wasn't the normal kind of "pack" seen in other shifter books. It wasn't quite the supportive tight knit family I expected instead the alpha and her pack are cold, hostile and judgemental, hell-bent on keeping their existence a secret at all costs. Pack justice is equally cold and deadly as Reb discovered as a teenager so it was easy to cheer and support Reb as she was forced to deal with the pack politics again. Although I would only give Blood of the Pride 3 out of 5 I am intrigued enough to want to carry on with the series but I'll definitely read the next instalment rather than listen to the audio book.
That being said I quite enjoyed the story. Shifter Rebecca Desjardin's parents died when she was young leaving Reb unable to fully shift. As a result, Reb then finds herself being cruelly banished from the pride and ends up in foster care. Despite this, Reb survived on her own and now works as a private investigator in Toronto. When a photograph of a dead "cat woman" ends up in the local newspaper courtesy of local journalist Brandon Hanover, the pride call on Reb to investigate the murder of the pride member. Reb agrees to work with Brandon to track down the killer who has risked the secrecy of the pack.
I quite liked the fact that the pride wasn't the normal kind of "pack" seen in other shifter books. It wasn't quite the supportive tight knit family I expected instead the alpha and her pack are cold, hostile and judgemental, hell-bent on keeping their existence a secret at all costs. Pack justice is equally cold and deadly as Reb discovered as a teenager so it was easy to cheer and support Reb as she was forced to deal with the pack politics again. Although I would only give Blood of the Pride 3 out of 5 I am intrigued enough to want to carry on with the series but I'll definitely read the next instalment rather than listen to the audio book.
January 27, 2013
I’m always on the lookout for new Canadian authors and Sheryl Nantus fits the bill. I’ve had this review copy for a while and actually read the book a few times but I’ve been on the road and not in a great position to write up a review. With the second book in the series now available, I thought it was past time to talk about it because it’s a great story. There’s a lot to like in Blood of the Pride. First, it’s set in the Toronto area, which was really fun for me since that’s where I’m from. It was cool to see local places referenced — it’s something I really get a kick out of. Beyond that, though, there’s lots for readers to enjoy. To begin with, there’s the worldbuilding. I’m a sucker for the supernatural outcast storyline and Sheryl Nantus does a great job of making Rebecca an outcast with a bit of a chip on her shoulder, simultaneously willing and unwilling to go back to the fold when she’s summoned. Her return to the Pride digs up old feelings and resentments and also shows Reb just how far she’s come from when she was exiled.
Rebecca was an engaging protagonist. She’s smart and resilient and dedicated. I found it really easy to relate to her, which is always a good quality for a main character. Her emotions left off the page and I really felt for her at certain points in the story. Brandon provided a strong male lead, with his smarts and resources. He brought a lot to the table for the romance and for the investigation. The relationship between Reb and Brandon was well written and fun since you could feel the connection between them.
I thoroughly enjoyed the investigative portion of Blood of the Pride. This part of the plot was quite smart and I enjoyed the twists in Rebecca’s search to find the murderer. I’m quite excited to see what will happen in Claws Bared!
Posted on I Read Good (http://ireadgood.wordpress.com)
Rebecca was an engaging protagonist. She’s smart and resilient and dedicated. I found it really easy to relate to her, which is always a good quality for a main character. Her emotions left off the page and I really felt for her at certain points in the story. Brandon provided a strong male lead, with his smarts and resources. He brought a lot to the table for the romance and for the investigation. The relationship between Reb and Brandon was well written and fun since you could feel the connection between them.
I thoroughly enjoyed the investigative portion of Blood of the Pride. This part of the plot was quite smart and I enjoyed the twists in Rebecca’s search to find the murderer. I’m quite excited to see what will happen in Claws Bared!
Posted on I Read Good (http://ireadgood.wordpress.com)
February 23, 2012
You don't find very many cat shifter stories. Rachael Vincent has a great one but up until reading Blood of the Pride I had not found any others that were worth reading. Mrs Nantus did a great job building her Felis world. Their society is well thought out with a clear structure that comes through in the story without being boring or overwhelming.
Now onto our main character. Reb's life is far from glamorous. As an outcast from her own kind she is living in the bad part of town as a PI. She has no close friends, unless you count a street cat she has adopted. This is the perfect setup for a budding romance, especially with all of the action she and Brandon are going to have to face in order to bring a killer to justice. Lucky for her Brandon seems just as attracted to her as she is to him and isn't deterred by her constant pushing him away.
This was a fun read with strong characters. Even though Reb is obviously the main character enough time was taken with each of the minor characters so that you felt like you knew them. The action was intense and spread out enough through the story to keep you interested.
I do have to warn you there was a couple of spots where I had to stop and reread something when the conversation didn't seem to flow. Overall though this was a great story and well worth the time. I hope to see this turn into a series. I'd love to see where Reb and Brandon end up next.
Now onto our main character. Reb's life is far from glamorous. As an outcast from her own kind she is living in the bad part of town as a PI. She has no close friends, unless you count a street cat she has adopted. This is the perfect setup for a budding romance, especially with all of the action she and Brandon are going to have to face in order to bring a killer to justice. Lucky for her Brandon seems just as attracted to her as she is to him and isn't deterred by her constant pushing him away.
This was a fun read with strong characters. Even though Reb is obviously the main character enough time was taken with each of the minor characters so that you felt like you knew them. The action was intense and spread out enough through the story to keep you interested.
I do have to warn you there was a couple of spots where I had to stop and reread something when the conversation didn't seem to flow. Overall though this was a great story and well worth the time. I hope to see this turn into a series. I'd love to see where Reb and Brandon end up next.
August 5, 2016
My mini-review can also be found on my blog Collections.
2.5 stars
I would say Blood of the Pride managed to hold my interest, considering I was able to read it till the very end. However, I didn't think it was a stand out amongst other paranormal and urban fantasy novels I've read. I also felt that the characters weren't always consistent in the things they said. They would go on and on about the consequences of certain actions, yet later they would backtrack or change their mind. It was a little too convenient.
Blood of the Pride is book one in the series, and while I probably won't continue with it, I think if you want to give this book a shot you should go ahead and read it.
August 6, 2014
I've always loved the idea of cat shifters. Normally I see them as panthers, but these cat shifters are unique unto themselves. Rebecca was kicked out of her pride because she is unable to shape-shift, which left both emotional and physical scars behind. This created a wonderfully in-depth character right from the get go, which had me hooked. The reporter, Brandon, pops into the story with a flurry of alpha maleness that few humans have in paranormal stories.
Along with an interesting cat human hybrid the story also offers a great detective plot. The plot runs deep within the pride and before Rebecca knows it she's tossed to the wolves, or cats in this case. It was hard to put down the book without finding the next break through clue in the story line.
Over all a great story with a nice sprinkling of romance.
Along with an interesting cat human hybrid the story also offers a great detective plot. The plot runs deep within the pride and before Rebecca knows it she's tossed to the wolves, or cats in this case. It was hard to put down the book without finding the next break through clue in the story line.
Over all a great story with a nice sprinkling of romance.
October 29, 2014
I have to say that I liked that the cat shifters weren't lions or tigers, they weren't even lynx or bobcats, they were just the supernatural equivalent of any old housecat you see on the street. It was quite novel that they weren't amazing or exotic and yet they were still stronger and more lethal than any regular unarmed human would be.
Overall it was a fun, though fairly generic, read and I quite liked the story and the characters, but it didn't seem to matter what was going on I never really found a sense of urgency or danger from it. I'm happy to tell others to give it a go if you're in the mood for yet another "independent female P.I" UF novel, but there was nothing about this story that really drew me in and made me want to run out and pick up the rest of the series either.
Overall it was a fun, though fairly generic, read and I quite liked the story and the characters, but it didn't seem to matter what was going on I never really found a sense of urgency or danger from it. I'm happy to tell others to give it a go if you're in the mood for yet another "independent female P.I" UF novel, but there was nothing about this story that really drew me in and made me want to run out and pick up the rest of the series either.
Read
February 25, 2012This book had some continuity problems, there were a few glaring (to me) hiccups on this line, seemingly changed at the last minute to tie things up easily. But despite these the world was interesting.
While the two main characters were interesting, the romance kinda wasn't.
Everything was a little to pat, answers coming relatively quickly and conveniently.
It was at times a bit slow paced.
But where normally even one or two of these sort of things would have me putting the book down, I did read the whole thing and reasonably enjoyed it. o_O
So I have no idea how to grade it.
While the two main characters were interesting, the romance kinda wasn't.
Everything was a little to pat, answers coming relatively quickly and conveniently.
It was at times a bit slow paced.
But where normally even one or two of these sort of things would have me putting the book down, I did read the whole thing and reasonably enjoyed it. o_O
So I have no idea how to grade it.
September 6, 2014
A good story with bad characters. The plot was great, a little murder mistery with some cat shifters involved. I didn't like the characters, though. The hero was boring and stupid, the heroine was confusing me by alternating between weak shifter and badass investigator. Their relationship evolved far too fast, basically jumping into bed after 48 hours, with no explanation for it. Also, the reason for the collaboration between them was really really stupid.
All in all, I'll read the next to see where it goes.
All in all, I'll read the next to see where it goes.
August 7, 2014
Won this book along with the 3 sequals through a goodreads giveaway.
Although nothing groundbreaking, I still found Blood of the Pride to be an enjoyable read. Though it would technically be considered urban-fantasy due to the feline shape shifters, in the end it was mostly a typical murder/mystery novel. Will be interested to see where this series will lead to as I don't see the current setup being able to carry over to 3 more books.
Although nothing groundbreaking, I still found Blood of the Pride to be an enjoyable read. Though it would technically be considered urban-fantasy due to the feline shape shifters, in the end it was mostly a typical murder/mystery novel. Will be interested to see where this series will lead to as I don't see the current setup being able to carry over to 3 more books.
October 28, 2012
Well-written urban fantasy with a strong, appealing heroine. Rebecca is an exile from the shifter Felis tribe, but gets called back in to help solve a murder. Politics and a shifter society focussed on secrets make for dangerous waters. I also liked the romantic subplot between Rebecca and tabloid reporter, Brandon.
April 4, 2013
I have read many urban fantasy s and maybe my standards are too high. It was ok, did not really bring anything new and I felt I had read the story before elsewhere, did not make me excited but it was not a badly written either.. it was just missing an elusive something. Will still give the next book in the series a go.:)
October 6, 2013
keywords: shifters, crime, romance, YA 15+, Murder
In short: A good read with an interesting storyline and want to know characters would have been 4 stars if the story didn't drag somewhat in the middle. Despite the story dragging i am look forward to the development of the characters lives and their personalities.
In short: A good read with an interesting storyline and want to know characters would have been 4 stars if the story didn't drag somewhat in the middle. Despite the story dragging i am look forward to the development of the characters lives and their personalities.
July 24, 2014
I am always on the look out for new shifter stores and I enjoyed this book.
Blood of the Pride is different from other shifter stories which for me has it's pros and cons. Mainly I found it hard to visualize what they looked like as cat-people because they are not the average shifter. But that may be a refreshing change in the long run.
Onward---->
Blood of the Pride is different from other shifter stories which for me has it's pros and cons. Mainly I found it hard to visualize what they looked like as cat-people because they are not the average shifter. But that may be a refreshing change in the long run.
Onward---->
October 25, 2014
meh. it was ok to begin with but the longer the book went on the worse it got. cheesy, hokey, full of aww shucks back and forth filler dialogue. world building was a total joke. absolutely amateur. compared to other books in the same genre, girl detective with something extra to make it paranormal/urban fantasy fun times, this is not good.
August 1, 2012
I did enjoy this book and the premise of a extensive pride of cat shifters. But I think I would have enjoyed it more if the shifters had been more feline. The overall story-telling was fast paced, yet it did lack the sexy aggressive attributes of common to most shifter novels.
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