Unlike Anything I've Ever Read
Before you read my review, please understand that it is a review of the SERIES and not the individual books. There are no spoilers, though. I would hate to give away too much. This is a series that needs to be experienced firsthand.
First, don't read this series for the smut. There is some hanky-panky, but it's a glacial burn, not very detailed, and feels like it was written for a YA series. (Although, if you like dirty talk, you are going to LOVE Wyatt and Quartz!) For me, this isn't really a bad thing, because I am way more of a plot reader than a smut reader. But I know it's something a lot of folks look for in reviews.
That sounds like a bad way to start a positive review, but I like ripping the Band-Aid off quickly, and that is really the only "negative" comment that I have, so I've ripped it off, and now we can get right to the good stuff!
I have been reading for 40 years, and I have never come across anything akin to this series. It is incredibly original and unique in how it's written, and I'm struggling to find a way to explain it to you. Most RH/WC have multiple, first person points of view (PoV), and this one is no different. However, unlike most, this series isn't told strictly from the primary characters' PoV. This one is told through the eyes of the main group, their individual wolves, and assorted friends, family, and colleagues' perspectives. I relished the opportunity to get to know these characters so very well. Many side characters also find their HEA in these pages, and it is very much a feel good story.
Here's a disclaimer. While this may be a feel good story, that doesn't take away from the fact that this series contains some darker themes, particularly those of domestic violence, child abuse, portrayal of autistic character, and mental health concerns such as PTSD - including flashbacks, hypervigilance, and panic attacks. Multiple characters seek outside help in the form of a pack therapist. That isn't an all inclusive list all of potential triggers, though, so read the author's content warnings and be mindful of your own mental health.
For me, this series is all about the character development. I absolutely adored the split between the human characters and their wolves. The wolves are just so much fun. I couldn’t help but fall in love with each of them. Just seeing a chapter header with one of the wolves made me grin and read faster. The sheer amount of personality written into each character, human and wolf, is simply staggering. I dare you to read it and not love Garnet, Quartz, Topaz, Granite, and Sid just as much as you love their boys. Go on. Try it.
I will say that having 12 main characters is a lot, and it took me a bit to be able to associate each wolf with its corresponding human. Things may get a little confusing at first, but the author does a magnificent job of maintaining separate, differing personalities, and it is absolutely worth a little more brain work to have the chance to really get to know everyone.
Watching Posy find solid footing and grow into a B.A.B. (bad *** *****) is pure joy. She is a delightfully innocent and naïve soul, but her lack of knowledge doesn't come across as childlike, which was a concern I had at the beginning. Reau (one of the side characters) is quite childlike in his behavior, though, and he will break your heart.
The actual plot is fairly simple. You won't find too many twists and turns here. By book 3, I had accepted that there isn't really a major, overarching storyline, so you don't really get a good grasp on what to expect from each book. There's no third act break-up. Almost zero OW/OM drama, and no ultimate bad guy who needs to be dealt with. Five Fangs is the story of what happens AFTER the bad guy gets what he deserves.
All in all, I loved the way this series was written. Every character is a delight to read, and the story gave me the warm fuzzies. 5/5 - I would definitely recommend.