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World of the Lupi #3.5
Inhuman
Out of the shadows of "USA Today "bestselling author Eileen Wilks's World of the Lupi series comes an enthralling novella of a man and woman whose true natures could be the death of them...
Certain people in Midland, Texas, are dying. All of them were Gifted, and all of them have been drained of their blood. Kai is a reluctant telepath with a skewed Gift--she sees thoughts instead of experiencing them. So, unlike other Midlanders, she can intuit that they have a "Guardian." She also knows that the Guardian Nathan isn't human. His true nature hasn't been divined. Neither has hers. But when another one of the Gifted is found dead, Kai herself becomes a suspect. And only Nathan can save her.
Previously published in "On the Prowl. "
Includes a preview of Eileen Wilks's "Mortal Ties," coming September 2012.
Certain people in Midland, Texas, are dying. All of them were Gifted, and all of them have been drained of their blood. Kai is a reluctant telepath with a skewed Gift--she sees thoughts instead of experiencing them. So, unlike other Midlanders, she can intuit that they have a "Guardian." She also knows that the Guardian Nathan isn't human. His true nature hasn't been divined. Neither has hers. But when another one of the Gifted is found dead, Kai herself becomes a suspect. And only Nathan can save her.
Previously published in "On the Prowl. "
Includes a preview of Eileen Wilks's "Mortal Ties," coming September 2012.
124 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2012
42 people are currently reading
494 people want to read
About the author
Eileen Wilks
131 books1,526 followersEileen Wilks’ first book, a Silhouette Desire published in 1996, hit the USA Today Bestseller List and was nominated for Romantic Times' Best First Short Contemporary award. Since then, her books have appeared consistently on national bestseller lists. With thirty two books in print and novellas in nine anthologies, she has been a finalist in the prestigious Rita Awards three times, as well as receiving several nominations from Romantic Times, including one for Career Achievement in Series Romantic Suspense.
Each book in her World of the Lupi series gains a larger audience. It was originally sold in the Romance section of bookstores, but more and more you will be able to find copies cross-shelved under Sci-Fi and Fantasy as the popularity of the series grows!
Eileen has lived in the West Texas town of Midland, TX for over 30 years--three years as a young teen, and the remaining years since she moved back here as an adult. When she first started writing over 10 years ago, it hit her like the first drink for an alcoholic . . . or the first kiss for Romeo and Juliet.
She came to writing romance in a roundabout way. Having read and loved science fiction for years, that’s where she first tried her hand when the writing bug bit. Somehow her stories always ended up having a strong romantic subplot, but she hadn’t read a romance since the early 80’s and didn’t think “those little books” were her kind of stories. But when a friend in her critique group began working on a romance novel, Wilks decided she needed to give the genre another try. She asked her friend to recommend some titles--and quicker than you can say “Jayne Ann Krentz,” she fell in love. The genre had been busy growing up while she wasn’t watching. These days, with romances comprising over 50% of the mass market books published in the U.S., there are romances to appeal to almost every taste--historicals, paranormals and contemporaries that range from romantic suspense to romantic comedy, from inspirational to sizzling.
Eileen covered a lot of territory before coming home to Midland, having lived in Canada and Venezuela as well as twelve U.S. cities in five states.
Profile taken from the author's site with her permission.
Each book in her World of the Lupi series gains a larger audience. It was originally sold in the Romance section of bookstores, but more and more you will be able to find copies cross-shelved under Sci-Fi and Fantasy as the popularity of the series grows!
Eileen has lived in the West Texas town of Midland, TX for over 30 years--three years as a young teen, and the remaining years since she moved back here as an adult. When she first started writing over 10 years ago, it hit her like the first drink for an alcoholic . . . or the first kiss for Romeo and Juliet.
She came to writing romance in a roundabout way. Having read and loved science fiction for years, that’s where she first tried her hand when the writing bug bit. Somehow her stories always ended up having a strong romantic subplot, but she hadn’t read a romance since the early 80’s and didn’t think “those little books” were her kind of stories. But when a friend in her critique group began working on a romance novel, Wilks decided she needed to give the genre another try. She asked her friend to recommend some titles--and quicker than you can say “Jayne Ann Krentz,” she fell in love. The genre had been busy growing up while she wasn’t watching. These days, with romances comprising over 50% of the mass market books published in the U.S., there are romances to appeal to almost every taste--historicals, paranormals and contemporaries that range from romantic suspense to romantic comedy, from inspirational to sizzling.
Eileen covered a lot of territory before coming home to Midland, having lived in Canada and Venezuela as well as twelve U.S. cities in five states.
Profile taken from the author's site with her permission.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
December 2, 2016
Another half book in the series that is about some random people who have nothing to do with the story, but will probably be crucial in later books. Also, they are cute and their romance is all awwwww...
So romantic!
See? I can be all squishy and sentimental.
So romantic!
See? I can be all squishy and sentimental.
December 2, 2016
This novella is the intro to the prologue of the next book. Hmm that sounds kinky...
Anyways, here we meet Kai and Nathan and witness the turn of their friendship into love. While doing that we learn a little bit of what's going on in the rural areas after the turn and the Sidhe.
It was well written and nice read.
Anyways, here we meet Kai and Nathan and witness the turn of their friendship into love. While doing that we learn a little bit of what's going on in the rural areas after the turn and the Sidhe.
It was well written and nice read.
March 22, 2016
This is the second novella I’ve read in this series, and I really like the fact that both seem to stand alone very well, yet tie in to the larger series. Just as with the first one, Lily and Rune don’t make any appearances. It focuses on an entirely new couple, Kai and Nathan, who I understand will be featured in the fourth novel, Night Season. I’m already excited.
Kai is a telepath, but not one like any other she knows of. She can see thoughts and emotions as colors and shapes. And her gift is stronger than it’s ever been in a time where many fear, and even hate, those who are more than human. Kai is nursing a serious crush on her friend Nathan, who is a police detective and a being from another realm. She doesn’t know what he is, but she knows how much he means to her, and she doesn’t want to lose him.
I don’t want to spoil too many details, as the story is short. But I really enjoyed the tension between these two. Kai wants to much to go beyond friendship with Nathan, and it is so gratifying when we finally get in his head and realize it goes both ways. I liked the way his truths unfolded as he revealed them to Kai. And I am very curious to see where their story will go next.
The World of the Lupi novellas definitely have a more PNR vibe than the UF we get from the novels in the series. I wish a little more of the romance would bleed over, because I like it a lot.
Rating: B/B+
Kai is a telepath, but not one like any other she knows of. She can see thoughts and emotions as colors and shapes. And her gift is stronger than it’s ever been in a time where many fear, and even hate, those who are more than human. Kai is nursing a serious crush on her friend Nathan, who is a police detective and a being from another realm. She doesn’t know what he is, but she knows how much he means to her, and she doesn’t want to lose him.
I don’t want to spoil too many details, as the story is short. But I really enjoyed the tension between these two. Kai wants to much to go beyond friendship with Nathan, and it is so gratifying when we finally get in his head and realize it goes both ways. I liked the way his truths unfolded as he revealed them to Kai. And I am very curious to see where their story will go next.
The World of the Lupi novellas definitely have a more PNR vibe than the UF we get from the novels in the series. I wish a little more of the romance would bleed over, because I like it a lot.
Rating: B/B+
May 23, 2022
I am rereading this book even though it has only been a couple of weeks since I first read it. Why may you ask? It is because I just found out that Nathan and Kai will be featured in the next book in this series Unbinding. I'm almost done with this series finally, and I can't figure out if I'm happy about it or annoyed because there aren't any more books
August 12, 2017
World Building: B+ (because I think they could have done more. I expect there will be tons more world building in the full-length novels)
Suspense: B+
Girl Power: B
Guy Hero: A-
Feels: B+
Love Interest: B+
For you clean-readers: this book DOES have mature content. Some self-editing/scene-skipping may be needed to read this one.
Suspense: B+
Girl Power: B
Guy Hero: A-
Feels: B+
Love Interest: B+
For you clean-readers: this book DOES have mature content. Some self-editing/scene-skipping may be needed to read this one.
July 3, 2016
Read in 2011 as part of the anthology On the Prowl. Review to be found there.
February 12, 2018
I read this previously in the anthology On the Prowl
I really liked the story, sort of a forbidden romance that inexplicably grew. I still remember most of the story.
I really liked the story, sort of a forbidden romance that inexplicably grew. I still remember most of the story.
February 16, 2017
Do not read that blurb! It tells you about the things that happen some two thirds into the story. I spent most of it waiting for the damn thing to happen. Blurb writers, here's a thought - you don't have to kill all the suspense in the story! Some of us like not knowing what will happen near the end.
Anyway, this novella takes place five months or so after Blood Lines. Since the magic wave hit everything, the Gifted ones got a boost and those with latent powers found themselves Gifted.
People being wonderful as expected, there's a lot of 'thou shall not suffer a witch to live' in the part of the world where Inhuman takes place (I can only imagine what it would be like elsewhere).
Someone is killing the Gifted and two wonderful characters are in the middle of it. I like the build-up of their connection.
I liked the resolution. It's not clean-cut as far as Kai's life goes but it's still good.
Anyway, this novella takes place five months or so after Blood Lines. Since the magic wave hit everything, the Gifted ones got a boost and those with latent powers found themselves Gifted.
People being wonderful as expected, there's a lot of 'thou shall not suffer a witch to live' in the part of the world where Inhuman takes place (I can only imagine what it would be like elsewhere).
Someone is killing the Gifted and two wonderful characters are in the middle of it. I like the build-up of their connection.
I liked the resolution. It's not clean-cut as far as Kai's life goes but it's still good.
February 19, 2018
3.5 stars rounded up because it was good enough.
Kai is, in her own words, a telepath with a skewed Gift. She sees thoughts, and emotions associated to them, in the form of colours.
Really liked Nathan. His dual nature shines in the way he acts, thinks, compares usual human activities to his way of thinking. His innocence and straightforward nature are endearing as well as his protective streak and extraordinary abilities. Kai was soft with a steel core. Scared but holding her ground, kind and caring towards others. The two make a good pair. I hope the author stays true and we'll hear of them in Night Season. It will be interesting to see see them interact with Lily and Rule.
A quote that stuck with me.
"No, he blamed the modern culture of urgency. Only the most urgent sensations, emotions, and situations were considered important. [...]
Nathan thought people needed to wash dishes by hand sometimes. Prepare their own meals more often. And take walks."
Kai is, in her own words, a telepath with a skewed Gift. She sees thoughts, and emotions associated to them, in the form of colours.
Really liked Nathan. His dual nature shines in the way he acts, thinks, compares usual human activities to his way of thinking. His innocence and straightforward nature are endearing as well as his protective streak and extraordinary abilities. Kai was soft with a steel core. Scared but holding her ground, kind and caring towards others. The two make a good pair. I hope the author stays true and we'll hear of them in Night Season. It will be interesting to see see them interact with Lily and Rule.
A quote that stuck with me.
"No, he blamed the modern culture of urgency. Only the most urgent sensations, emotions, and situations were considered important. [...]
Nathan thought people needed to wash dishes by hand sometimes. Prepare their own meals more often. And take walks."
January 16, 2019
Read this novella before starting book 4, Night Season.
This is another novella that introduces new characters. Wilks doesn't have much time to explore all the flavors of the magically 'gifted' in her other books, so she is using this short story to do so. Kai can see auras, tell their moods, know if they're lying, and influence their thoughts while her friend is able to speak to ghosts.
Something is killing gifted humans and Nathan, an officer who works with the Sheriff's office, is trying to hunt it down before his friend Kai is targeted. Unfortunately, Kai has been identified as the killer and a warrant has been put out for her arrest. Nathan is sure that she will die in jail, where he will be unable to protect her. He goes on the run with her.... and bits of this story do not get nicely wrapped up. It also ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, which is the biggest reason why I suggest that this is read before Night Season. I hope that book wraps up some of these loose threads.
In the beginning, I felt like the writing wasn't well edited and the characters appear to just babble as Wilks attempts to quickly reveal information about all the characters. Once the story got moving, however, it was one of her better ones. It ended up on a strong note.
long:
This is another novella that introduces new characters. Wilks doesn't have much time to explore all the flavors of the magically 'gifted' in her other books, so she is using this short story to do so. Kai can see auras, tell their moods, know if they're lying, and influence their thoughts while her friend is able to speak to ghosts.
Something is killing gifted humans and Nathan, an officer who works with the Sheriff's office, is trying to hunt it down before his friend Kai is targeted. Unfortunately, Kai has been identified as the killer and a warrant has been put out for her arrest. Nathan is sure that she will die in jail, where he will be unable to protect her. He goes on the run with her.... and bits of this story do not get nicely wrapped up. It also ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, which is the biggest reason why I suggest that this is read before Night Season. I hope that book wraps up some of these loose threads.
In the beginning, I felt like the writing wasn't well edited and the characters appear to just babble as Wilks attempts to quickly reveal information about all the characters. Once the story got moving, however, it was one of her better ones. It ended up on a strong note.
long:
October 5, 2014
I enjoyed it, although I'm troubled by the lack of information that a lot of people have in this world. Considering that there are lupi and trolls and Gifts, people who learn about additional Otherness seem to be sorely lacking in knowledge of these possibilities. Not having some inkling about what a hellhound is? Not knowing about the sidhe? Does no one read fantasy in this world? Has no one gone to see a movie with fantastic elements in it?
January 4, 2019
Really great story, really enjoyed reading it again! Really enjoyed the start of Kai and Nathan's story!
*First read November 8th, 2015*
Really great book, I really enjoyed reading about these characters, and if I'm remembering the synopsis's of later books, we're going to see them again, yeah!
*First read November 8th, 2015*
Really great book, I really enjoyed reading about these characters, and if I'm remembering the synopsis's of later books, we're going to see them again, yeah!
October 9, 2012
This short story is a good set-up for what I understand will be a new series by Eileen Wilks. Kai and Nathan are good characters, and the story leaves us wanting more.
September 22, 2019
Read as part of the "On the Prowl" anthology.
It's rare to find books featuring the fey that make them genuinely likeable, and I'm keen to read more of her works. From other reviews apparently this is a prologue to two characters that enter into the main series that I'll have to look up at some point.
Seems to be an interesting premise, the world seems to be the world as we know it except with the addition of those who are "Gifted" - bit unclear there on if it's magic based gifts or psychic... or magic-based-psychic gifts or both, but maybe if I hit up the main series I'll have that figured out.
It's rare to find books featuring the fey that make them genuinely likeable, and I'm keen to read more of her works. From other reviews apparently this is a prologue to two characters that enter into the main series that I'll have to look up at some point.
Seems to be an interesting premise, the world seems to be the world as we know it except with the addition of those who are "Gifted" - bit unclear there on if it's magic based gifts or psychic... or magic-based-psychic gifts or both, but maybe if I hit up the main series I'll have that figured out.
August 9, 2019
Had to reread this after reading Unbinding, and it was great to read it after having several Lupi novels under my belt. It almost makes me want to reread The Night Season too.
The first time I read this, it was part of a novella collection and the first Wilks I’d read. I liked it, but it was so much more enjoyable once I was familiar with the Lupi world. I love these characters, and I hope they’ll continue to show up in the Lupi novels.
The first time I read this, it was part of a novella collection and the first Wilks I’d read. I liked it, but it was so much more enjoyable once I was familiar with the Lupi world. I love these characters, and I hope they’ll continue to show up in the Lupi novels.
October 8, 2021
This was actually the novella that got me started reading this series. I wanted to know more about what happened to Kai and Nathan (and didn't get much of it in Book 4, had to wait until Book 11!) It was a really interesting introduction to an alternative United States, one with magic, lots of it. If you read it in order with the rest of the series, the presence of magic is less of a surprise. But even if you start with this novella, it stands on it's own very well.
August 17, 2022
Started off boring, picked up a neat pace in the second half.
March 15, 2017
Short story set in the middle of a series, a standalone work that reveals an utterly fascinating paranormal universe
An excellent short story, providing a good balance of interesting characters, a complex but nicely revealed supernatural setting, and focus on the relationship (as well as background story). It's the first I've read in the series, and this short story certainly has my attention.
There was an important (but in overall experience, very minor) issue for me. The story raises the question "when is summary justice (i.e. an immediate death sentence) justified - and required - versus when is it acceptable to forgive/ignore past atrocities (e.g. multiple murders)." The resolution is arbitrarily justified in a sentence or two, treating something that appears to be a central focus for a couple of characters almost as a throw away plot device. (Perhaps this theme of when can a "hunter" exercise discretion in carrying out justice as a "deputized" judge/jury/executioner is explored in the series - I've only read the short, interlude story.)
Overall, a solid, entrancing 4.5 stars for me.
An excellent short story, providing a good balance of interesting characters, a complex but nicely revealed supernatural setting, and focus on the relationship (as well as background story). It's the first I've read in the series, and this short story certainly has my attention.
There was an important (but in overall experience, very minor) issue for me. The story raises the question "when is summary justice (i.e. an immediate death sentence) justified - and required - versus when is it acceptable to forgive/ignore past atrocities (e.g. multiple murders)." The resolution is arbitrarily justified in a sentence or two, treating something that appears to be a central focus for a couple of characters almost as a throw away plot device. (Perhaps this theme of when can a "hunter" exercise discretion in carrying out justice as a "deputized" judge/jury/executioner is explored in the series - I've only read the short, interlude story.)
Overall, a solid, entrancing 4.5 stars for me.
December 21, 2017
Only started reading as it was a part of an anthology. Terrible. Stopped after ch 5.
January 14, 2022
Collected in On the Prowl, this World Of The Lupi Series short story takes place after book 3 Blood Lines and serves as the prologues for book 4 Night Season. The world is wracked by "Power Winds" that are gateways for supernatural entities to invade Earth. The Power Winds also awaken latent gifts in a proportion of the world's population, causing a growing divide and hate between the normal and the "gifted," which include Wiccans, shape changers and all manner of other talents.
The protagonist, Kia, seems to be an empath who is not in total control of her power, when in reality, she's hiding the fact that she's a telepath. Her group of Gifted friends tease her about why she is spending so much time with Guardian Nathan - her denials that they are "only friends" do nothing but cause more teasing. That night, the serious dinner conversation is about the recent murder of 2 people reported in the Newspapers. What is left out is both are gifted and have been drained of blood. Who, or what, could possibly have done this?
While the premise is interesting and Nathan is rather intriguing, the writing on this short story is lacking punch. The characters are not compelling despite a ton of time spent on Kia, she comes across like one of those annoying "I want the best of everything for everyone all the time." Meaning she's the party member whose ideals are most likely to be unpopular because such inability to make decision usually results in disaster including the death of the rest of the party.
About the best thing I can say about this story is only in paranormal romance does someone get OUT out of the dreaded Friendzone, because face it, this almost never happens.
Really wanted to like this more but if the rest of the series is like this I will probably pass on reading the series.
The protagonist, Kia, seems to be an empath who is not in total control of her power, when in reality, she's hiding the fact that she's a telepath. Her group of Gifted friends tease her about why she is spending so much time with Guardian Nathan - her denials that they are "only friends" do nothing but cause more teasing. That night, the serious dinner conversation is about the recent murder of 2 people reported in the Newspapers. What is left out is both are gifted and have been drained of blood. Who, or what, could possibly have done this?
While the premise is interesting and Nathan is rather intriguing, the writing on this short story is lacking punch. The characters are not compelling despite a ton of time spent on Kia, she comes across like one of those annoying "I want the best of everything for everyone all the time." Meaning she's the party member whose ideals are most likely to be unpopular because such inability to make decision usually results in disaster including the death of the rest of the party.
About the best thing I can say about this story is only in paranormal romance does someone get OUT out of the dreaded Friendzone, because face it, this almost never happens.
Really wanted to like this more but if the rest of the series is like this I will probably pass on reading the series.
December 21, 2024
**MINOR SPOILERS**
This novella is part of the Lupi world created by the author. It is not part of the main story line but sets up two characters that will be more important in the series later. The world in which it is set is very rich and detailed. It can be read as a standalone.
This book introduces Nathan and Kai. They have been friends for a few years and both are interested in more but are hesitant about taking the next step. Their loyalty and care for each other was wonderful and their devotion to each other was apparent from the first page.
Kai has a Native American background and was born with a gift that allows her to see the emotions of others. They appear as colors swirling around that person. Later in the book, you found out that she can do more than that.
Nathan slowly reveals a bit more about his history. You find out he was sent from another realm to hunt someone. Once that task was complete, he was trapped on Earth. He selected more villains to hunt, and this gives him purpose. He works as a deputy for the sheriff’s office.
The author works interesting ethical and moral questions into her books, and it is interesting and thought provoking to read.
The story begins when Nathan begins an investigation into bodies that have been drained of blood. There are twists and turns. There is a dangling thread…spoiler…Nathan is shot at the beginning of the book and you do not find out why. It is not important to the story (believe it or not), and, looking back, I think you can guess who did it. The fact he was shot works more into his trust of Kai to take care of him and sets them both on the path to finding out the villain.
The pace was good. The dialogue was realistic.
This author is an auto buy for me and I recommend her work. I recommend this novella.
This novella is part of the Lupi world created by the author. It is not part of the main story line but sets up two characters that will be more important in the series later. The world in which it is set is very rich and detailed. It can be read as a standalone.
This book introduces Nathan and Kai. They have been friends for a few years and both are interested in more but are hesitant about taking the next step. Their loyalty and care for each other was wonderful and their devotion to each other was apparent from the first page.
Kai has a Native American background and was born with a gift that allows her to see the emotions of others. They appear as colors swirling around that person. Later in the book, you found out that she can do more than that.
Nathan slowly reveals a bit more about his history. You find out he was sent from another realm to hunt someone. Once that task was complete, he was trapped on Earth. He selected more villains to hunt, and this gives him purpose. He works as a deputy for the sheriff’s office.
The author works interesting ethical and moral questions into her books, and it is interesting and thought provoking to read.
The story begins when Nathan begins an investigation into bodies that have been drained of blood. There are twists and turns. There is a dangling thread…spoiler…Nathan is shot at the beginning of the book and you do not find out why. It is not important to the story (believe it or not), and, looking back, I think you can guess who did it. The fact he was shot works more into his trust of Kai to take care of him and sets them both on the path to finding out the villain.
The pace was good. The dialogue was realistic.
This author is an auto buy for me and I recommend her work. I recommend this novella.
October 20, 2019
After the wave of magic increased the number of "gifted" and paranormal events, the harsh feelings towards magic has also increased. Kai is one of the gifted, living in Texas and hiding the fact that she's a strong telepath. The only person who knows is Nathan, who isn't actually human, but Kai doesn't know what he is. She only knows that she's fallen in love with him, but he's shown no interest. When gifted begin dying in mysterious ways, Nathan knows it is a chameleon, pretending to be Kai...when she's soon to be arrested, he steps in to help her, calling on his masters (and friends) from another realm to help the woman he has also fallen in love with, against all odds.
An interesting addition to the Lupi universe. This doesn't involve any characters we already know and, if I'm not mistake, introduces some new ones that will have some importance in future books. This starts out with some promise, with Kai and Nathan shuffling around a romance, but neither really giving in. Kai wants it, and so does Nathan or that matter, but he's got secrets and an insecurity or two that keep him from it... We don't get to know either of them really well in this. The chameleon turns out to be not so bad despite the fact that it killed four people...and that completely gets overlooked by the end of the story. We find out that Nathan is actually a hellhound sent to Earth hundreds of years ago and has been trapped her since...but now that the magic has increased he hasn't returned because of his attachment to Kai. His queen tells Kai that she has to do a quest in some other worlds and the case is dropped and I suspect all those dead people no longer matter. I feel like there needed to be some closure there.
An interesting addition to the Lupi universe. This doesn't involve any characters we already know and, if I'm not mistake, introduces some new ones that will have some importance in future books. This starts out with some promise, with Kai and Nathan shuffling around a romance, but neither really giving in. Kai wants it, and so does Nathan or that matter, but he's got secrets and an insecurity or two that keep him from it... We don't get to know either of them really well in this. The chameleon turns out to be not so bad despite the fact that it killed four people...and that completely gets overlooked by the end of the story. We find out that Nathan is actually a hellhound sent to Earth hundreds of years ago and has been trapped her since...but now that the magic has increased he hasn't returned because of his attachment to Kai. His queen tells Kai that she has to do a quest in some other worlds and the case is dropped and I suspect all those dead people no longer matter. I feel like there needed to be some closure there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2018
Wonderful book but much too short! Another novel or 2 just on this theme/characters would be good. I have read most of the 14 books in the series and this is 3.5 now it is called. For me, focusing on just these 2 characters would be fine for 1 or 2 more books to finish their story set up. Enough interest in the world created would bring me to test the other novels in series. I dislike that when I read the series years ago this novel was not written or not linked on Amazon. It is a very good book, never want to set it down-the kind you think about later or even dream about, a world you delight in revisiting and sharing. This novel does not deal with the lupi per say, but is set in their world, one of many realms after the Turn and after the Winds blew creatures across the realms. The fact that the main character is part Native American and this is an important part of her life is always welcome, as it is not gratuious nor trivalized. Wicca is a religion that links many of the characters but is a more minor part of the world. Spoiler--I love the Wild Hunt being involved, again in a minor way but to link so many lovely things in a perfectly plausible way and not on a derogatory way is refreshing!
September 28, 2024
The first time I read this it was part of the 'On the Prowl' novella anthology and I had no idea how it fitted in with the rest of the World of the Lupi books (in fact, I wasn't sure it did, and wondered if it tied in with a different series Ms Wilks was writing).
This time around, I'm reading it close enough to having read Night Season that I knew who Kai, Nathan and Dell all were (or at least, I knew what roles they were going to play in that book, and therefore how they fitted in with the overall series arc). And it definitely made a difference.
It was interesting seeing who Kai and Nathan were before we meet them in Night Season, and the origin story for Dell was kind of awesome as well. I'm not sure if the three of them will come back into later WOTL books, but I, for one, will enjoy it immensely if they do.
This time around, I'm reading it close enough to having read Night Season that I knew who Kai, Nathan and Dell all were (or at least, I knew what roles they were going to play in that book, and therefore how they fitted in with the overall series arc). And it definitely made a difference.
It was interesting seeing who Kai and Nathan were before we meet them in Night Season, and the origin story for Dell was kind of awesome as well. I'm not sure if the three of them will come back into later WOTL books, but I, for one, will enjoy it immensely if they do.
August 14, 2017
Would help to know more about world. Library has only one of the series.
WARNING - ENTIRE PLOT SUMMARY AHEAD (used for me to keep track of series events)
REALLY - DON'T READ THIS; IT SUMMARIZES BOOK.
wild cat thing killing those with magic. Is a chameleon, takes Kai's form. Nathan is deputy, saves Kai from arrest.
Nathan is Hellhound, has been in human form hundreds of years; can't easily return to Faerie. Finally accepts it's okay to love Kai.
Kai is similar to "binder" which almost has the Winter Queen kill her when she arrives to help. Nathan called hound master to take wild cat thing back to Faerie; he says he's going to kill Kai. N calls Queen to help, she wants to kill Kai as well, but reads her life and decides she's okay.
Queen is sending them on off-world quests.
WARNING - ENTIRE PLOT SUMMARY AHEAD (used for me to keep track of series events)
REALLY - DON'T READ THIS; IT SUMMARIZES BOOK.
wild cat thing killing those with magic. Is a chameleon, takes Kai's form. Nathan is deputy, saves Kai from arrest.
Nathan is Hellhound, has been in human form hundreds of years; can't easily return to Faerie. Finally accepts it's okay to love Kai.
Kai is similar to "binder" which almost has the Winter Queen kill her when she arrives to help. Nathan called hound master to take wild cat thing back to Faerie; he says he's going to kill Kai. N calls Queen to help, she wants to kill Kai as well, but reads her life and decides she's okay.
Queen is sending them on off-world quests.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2021
The world is an interesting twist on the unexplained magical burst changing the world trope. Magic and unexpected creatures running amok sound cool. It's just a pity that the characters aren't as vibrant. Kai is either fretting about hiding the truth about her abilities or mooning over Nathan. Nathan has an interesting plot reveal, but his personality irked me. That he is quickly willing to turn his back on everything that he's been building in recent years over a possibility that something bad could happen to Kai rubbed me the wrong way. I'm not saying that his final decision was wrong, but some contemplation about any potential fallout would have been nice.
I don't think I'll be looking into any of the books in this series.
I don't think I'll be looking into any of the books in this series.
July 8, 2024
A great story with likable characters and a great plot that moves quickly and resolves in a logical manner. This is affiliated with the Lupi series and involves the background to some of the characters that are in the 4th book "Night Season". I read the book first and then found out about this story so I read them out of order. This did not prevent me from enjoying "Night Season" and actually added an element of mystery and surprise when I was reading the book because I did not know the background to the Nathan and Kai and what they could do. A fun read that can be read as a standalone story or part of the series, either way its an entertaining way to pass the time.
January 17, 2017
I'd forgotten that this was one of the stories in the anthology "On the Prowl". Great twists on traditional ideas about the natures of these two beings. I love the gradually unfolding mystery that accompanies the tale of two (and eventually a third) quintessentially unlovable creatures finding a safe haven. A great side story to the world of the Lupi, but as always, I wish there was more!
(library book)
(library book)
January 27, 2019
2 stars - I am writing this review not knowing what the main books of the series are as this novella is included in the anthology “On the Prowl”. I do not know the extent of Nathan and Kai’s friendship prior to this book so it seemed to much of insta-love and Nathan’s persona, at first mysterious and powerful, somewhat deflates over the short story. (I do admit it was hilarious how he bought tampons and Kai sees that as him being a keeper lol). Not normally something I would read but not bad.
May 22, 2019
I'm a bit torn about this one. On the one hand I REALLY LIKED Nathan. His feelings for Kai and his "otherness" were very well done. Kai's Gift was interesting and I liked the friends-to-lovers theme. But the first chapter was frankly dull and almost lost me right there. If it hadn't been a short novella I probably would have DNF'd. The plot never really grabbed me and some twists seem to come out of nowhere.
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