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Gage was the first guy I ever wanted. He was my first crush and my first fantasy, but he wasn't my first in any other way because he never saw me as anything more than a friend— at least not until the night that changed everything.
It was all Gage's fault. He insisted we drive through the storm and take the back roads. By the time the storm hit full force we had no chance. One night of snowbound sex changed our relationship forever. The problem was at the same time I caught another guy’s attention. This other guy happened to be the alpha of a pack of shifter wolves. I thought the wolves were the worst of my problems, but I was wrong. When things went from bad to worse I had to make a lifelong sacrifice to save Gage, but what price is too much to save the one you love?
It was all Gage's fault. He insisted we drive through the storm and take the back roads. By the time the storm hit full force we had no chance. One night of snowbound sex changed our relationship forever. The problem was at the same time I caught another guy’s attention. This other guy happened to be the alpha of a pack of shifter wolves. I thought the wolves were the worst of my problems, but I was wrong. When things went from bad to worse I had to make a lifelong sacrifice to save Gage, but what price is too much to save the one you love?
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First published September 13, 2014
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About the author
Alyssa Rose Ivy
100 books2,487 followersAlyssa Rose Ivy is the bestselling author of more than forty novels with over one million books sold worldwide. She loves to weave stories with romance and humor, and she is best known for writing about college boys with wings. After surviving law school and earning her masters in library science, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. She lives in Alabama with her two children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.
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Blurb:
Gage was the first guy I ever wanted. He was my first crush and my first fantasy, but he wasn't my first in any other way because he never saw me as anything more than a friend— at least not until the night that changed everything.
It was all Gage's fault. He insisted we drive through the storm and take the back roads. By the time the storm hit full force we had no chance. One night of snowbound sex changed our relationship forever. The problem was at the same time I caught another guy’s attention. This other guy happened to be the alpha of a pack of shifter wolves. I thought the wolves were the worst of my problems, but I was wrong. When things went from bad to worse I had to make a lifelong sacrifice to save Gage, but what price is too much to save the one you love?
Blurb:
Gage was the first guy I ever wanted. He was my first crush and my first fantasy, but he wasn't my first in any other way because he never saw me as anything more than a friend— at least not until the night that changed everything.
It was all Gage's fault. He insisted we drive through the storm and take the back roads. By the time the storm hit full force we had no chance. One night of snowbound sex changed our relationship forever. The problem was at the same time I caught another guy’s attention. This other guy happened to be the alpha of a pack of shifter wolves. I thought the wolves were the worst of my problems, but I was wrong. When things went from bad to worse I had to make a lifelong sacrifice to save Gage, but what price is too much to save the one you love?
September 8, 2014
It was very different from what I was expecting. I've read lots of werewolf stories and there are different werewolf cultures and degrees of psycho possessive behaviors but I'd say this one really pushed on that. Mary Anne and Gage are traveling through the snow to get home. Mary Anne has known and loved Gage all her life so when they end up stranded together it seems like a dream come true. But then it goes all bad. A crazy possessive group of guys finds them and demands they stay while the leader wants to keep Mary Anne safe at all costs. It was weird. The group was so creepy. I love Gage and Mary Anne together but they are kept apart quite a bit throughout the story. They really can't catch a break. The ending has me really dying to see what the heck they will do next. They are so screwed. While it wasn't a totally enjoyable read in the way that most of the characters were psycho it still kept my attention and I finished it in a day.
January 18, 2015
Hmm, I am not even sure if it good enough to reach a 3 star rating...
It was pretty odd and not actually that interesting..
It was pretty odd and not actually that interesting..
January 11, 2015
stupid stupid becca
didn't listen to the warnings
cliffie? I think so
So who i staying up til midnight with me to read the next one?
God dammit, stupid me.
Real Review coming spoon
So i thought this was a thrilling read! I was on the edge of my seat, swiping as fast as I could comprehend and process all the words on one page to the next. I had to know what was going to happen next, where they going to escape? Did I want them to escape? When would Hunter finally fucking crack and just go postal? When would Falcon for that matter? What was their biggest secret because there is more i just KNOW IT.
I loved every heart-racing, page, turning point in this book! For reals! I thought yeah it kinda started out slow but I could see what it was doing. And as a girl who is a fan of characters doing stupid stuff because its more than not leads to exciting things, these two were pretty stupid. But I didn't care I knew it would lead more to the story. But here is where most of my problems came about. I wasn't the hugest fan of Gage and Mary Anne together. They're first "real" i like you, hey i like you too encounter just didn't strike me as genuine, he seemed horny, and she had been dreaming about him since god knows how long. And okay you are stranded on the side of the fucking road, in the middle of nowhere. Really? Even hot blooded teenagers probably had more sense than sure lets have the sex. I get why it was done, trust me I do. Had to soildify their *wiggly eyebrows* romantic relationship before they encounter "hell" together. Wellllllll I just didn't feel it honestly. I get they needed to be nekkid to get body heat, fine, whatever but being as I lived through *first world problems by the way* no power for 7 days straight because of an ice storm and it was well below zero weather, it wasn't my top priority. I think with the severity of their sitution it would have made more sense. I don't know maybe that is just me. Probably.
But still it felt very sudden to me. Ya know in high school or middle school you find out someone has a crush on you? Suddenly you are inclined to have a crush on them as well? That is how i sort of felt their relationship started so it didn't feel as real to me as it should have. I felt their relationship got better because of the circumstances they were in. I believed it more later in the book. I liked both characters don't get my wrong but the beginning was off-putting to me.
I also kinda liked Hunter, I don't condone his choices, i think they are terrible but I think that he has potential to make amends but the possibility that him and Mary Anne? I am not so sure about that. I will take him, crazy and all! Okay maybe not. ..... well maybe a little. hehehe im weird i know. Alright moving on so i feel there is so much more going on than this first book lets us see - and i get why she did that slowly introducing us into this world, and what is going to florish in this series but i am starving for more!
And that ending. Goddammit.
But i kinda saw it coming.
Still though.
Goddammit.
*sigh*
*patiently watches clock*
is it midnight yet?
didn't listen to the warnings
cliffie? I think so
So who i staying up til midnight with me to read the next one?
God dammit, stupid me.
Real Review coming spoon
So i thought this was a thrilling read! I was on the edge of my seat, swiping as fast as I could comprehend and process all the words on one page to the next. I had to know what was going to happen next, where they going to escape? Did I want them to escape? When would Hunter finally fucking crack and just go postal? When would Falcon for that matter? What was their biggest secret because there is more i just KNOW IT.
I loved every heart-racing, page, turning point in this book! For reals! I thought yeah it kinda started out slow but I could see what it was doing. And as a girl who is a fan of characters doing stupid stuff because its more than not leads to exciting things, these two were pretty stupid. But I didn't care I knew it would lead more to the story. But here is where most of my problems came about. I wasn't the hugest fan of Gage and Mary Anne together. They're first "real" i like you, hey i like you too encounter just didn't strike me as genuine, he seemed horny, and she had been dreaming about him since god knows how long. And okay you are stranded on the side of the fucking road, in the middle of nowhere. Really? Even hot blooded teenagers probably had more sense than sure lets have the sex. I get why it was done, trust me I do. Had to soildify their *wiggly eyebrows* romantic relationship before they encounter "hell" together. Wellllllll I just didn't feel it honestly. I get they needed to be nekkid to get body heat, fine, whatever but being as I lived through *first world problems by the way* no power for 7 days straight because of an ice storm and it was well below zero weather, it wasn't my top priority. I think with the severity of their sitution it would have made more sense. I don't know maybe that is just me. Probably.
But still it felt very sudden to me. Ya know in high school or middle school you find out someone has a crush on you? Suddenly you are inclined to have a crush on them as well? That is how i sort of felt their relationship started so it didn't feel as real to me as it should have. I felt their relationship got better because of the circumstances they were in. I believed it more later in the book. I liked both characters don't get my wrong but the beginning was off-putting to me.
I also kinda liked Hunter, I don't condone his choices, i think they are terrible but I think that he has potential to make amends but the possibility that him and Mary Anne? I am not so sure about that. I will take him, crazy and all! Okay maybe not. ..... well maybe a little. hehehe im weird i know. Alright moving on so i feel there is so much more going on than this first book lets us see - and i get why she did that slowly introducing us into this world, and what is going to florish in this series but i am starving for more!
And that ending. Goddammit.
But i kinda saw it coming.
Still though.
Goddammit.
*sigh*
*patiently watches clock*
is it midnight yet?
November 16, 2014
I was a little nervous when I first started reading Dire, it was feeling a bit angst ridden with a very young New Adult vibe that I mostly stay away from. The dialogue between Mary Anne and her best friend induced a few eye rolls and that is never a good sign. Mary Anne is just finishing her first semester of college and is very young. I don't generally connect with very young and immature characters, but I am so glad that I didn't put this one down. A young girl pining for a slightly older boy who she has grown up with, but doesn't see her as a potential girlfriend isn't what I was looking for since there's nothing particularly interesting to me in that type of storyline. Now I bet you think that I am going to say that I didn't enjoy this one right? Wrong! Once Mary Anne and Gage get stranded on the side of the road things take off quickly.
Enter hot, but somewhat creepy Hunter. Hunter offers refuge to Mary Anne and Gage but has a very different agenda planned for them than what they anticipated. Hunter immediately decides that Mary Anne will belong to him whether she or Gage want to cooperate or not. Hunter is the leader of a group of weres and by revealing themselves to Mary Anne and Gage they have made it impossible to let them go. Mary Anne and Gage now belong to the pack and will be held against their wills until they give in and accept their fates. Poor Gage tries to take charge and protect Mary Anne, but he really doesn't stand a chance against a pack of weres. There's a "Deliverance" feel to Mary Anne's and Gage's circumstance and it's all a bit weird and creepy, but in a good way!
I honestly don't know why I enjoyed this one. I just can't put my finger on what made it a good read for me, but it was. Nothing is fully revealed and I was left with many more questions than answers by the end. By the end we still don't know why Hunter is so attracted to Mary Anne. We don't know why this group of weres are living there and why there's only one other woman around. There's an odd band of deranged and evil witches living down the road with peculiar practices that will impact Mary Anne and Gage. And the doozie at the end? Yes, you guessed it! There's a big ole cliffhanger at the end of this one. I really, really wish that this wasn't so because I didn't feel like I got enough in this installment. It went very quickly with lots of holes left to fill in. I must be a glutton for punishment because I really want to see what happens next, but I'll just have to wait for book 2, Dusk to be released.
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
You can find more from me at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/
Enter hot, but somewhat creepy Hunter. Hunter offers refuge to Mary Anne and Gage but has a very different agenda planned for them than what they anticipated. Hunter immediately decides that Mary Anne will belong to him whether she or Gage want to cooperate or not. Hunter is the leader of a group of weres and by revealing themselves to Mary Anne and Gage they have made it impossible to let them go. Mary Anne and Gage now belong to the pack and will be held against their wills until they give in and accept their fates. Poor Gage tries to take charge and protect Mary Anne, but he really doesn't stand a chance against a pack of weres. There's a "Deliverance" feel to Mary Anne's and Gage's circumstance and it's all a bit weird and creepy, but in a good way!
I honestly don't know why I enjoyed this one. I just can't put my finger on what made it a good read for me, but it was. Nothing is fully revealed and I was left with many more questions than answers by the end. By the end we still don't know why Hunter is so attracted to Mary Anne. We don't know why this group of weres are living there and why there's only one other woman around. There's an odd band of deranged and evil witches living down the road with peculiar practices that will impact Mary Anne and Gage. And the doozie at the end? Yes, you guessed it! There's a big ole cliffhanger at the end of this one. I really, really wish that this wasn't so because I didn't feel like I got enough in this installment. It went very quickly with lots of holes left to fill in. I must be a glutton for punishment because I really want to see what happens next, but I'll just have to wait for book 2, Dusk to be released.
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
You can find more from me at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/
July 10, 2015
Stars: 3
Overall: Gage & Mary Anne are on their way home and the snow is coming down really heavy. Gage decides to take a back road because the main highway is closed off. While driving the back road something jumps out into the road and they crash. The send that night keeping warm in the back of his truck and having sex. The next day they decide to start walking, but only make it a mile or two before they see smoke in the woods. They head towards the woods and two men come upon them and offer shelter. After this point things get a little weird and Hunter decides to claim Mary Anne and try and keep Gage away from her. They make an escape attempt, but are found by the witches and the ending leaves you with a huge cliffhanger and Gage's fate hangs in the balance.
Pros: I really did love the idea of this story, I just wish it played out a little differently. I also liked how patient and persistent Hunter was towards Mary Anne. I also liked the added drama with the witches and hopefully the next books will have more information about the other paranormal people.
Cons: I was confused and conflicted about this book for many reason. #1 I didn't understand the relationship between Gage and Mary Anne. I get that she was crushing on him for years, but they quickly jumped into sex and than all of a sudden they had these love feelings towards each other. #2 I didn't understand anything about Hunter and the weres. I felt that most of the story was shrouded in mystery and I wasn't sure why Hunter was so into Mary Anne. #3 I personally wish that Mary Anne's feelings would've changed from liking Gage to really liking Hunter. I was waiting the whole book for it, but she couldn't get Gage out of her system. #4 Why the hell would Gage and Mary Anne have sex in the abandoned train station after getting away from Falcon. I kept shaking my head and asking myself what was going on.
Characters: Gage ; Mary Anne & Hunter
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont: Yes
Recommend: Yes
Overall: Gage & Mary Anne are on their way home and the snow is coming down really heavy. Gage decides to take a back road because the main highway is closed off. While driving the back road something jumps out into the road and they crash. The send that night keeping warm in the back of his truck and having sex. The next day they decide to start walking, but only make it a mile or two before they see smoke in the woods. They head towards the woods and two men come upon them and offer shelter. After this point things get a little weird and Hunter decides to claim Mary Anne and try and keep Gage away from her. They make an escape attempt, but are found by the witches and the ending leaves you with a huge cliffhanger and Gage's fate hangs in the balance.
Pros: I really did love the idea of this story, I just wish it played out a little differently. I also liked how patient and persistent Hunter was towards Mary Anne. I also liked the added drama with the witches and hopefully the next books will have more information about the other paranormal people.
Cons: I was confused and conflicted about this book for many reason. #1 I didn't understand the relationship between Gage and Mary Anne. I get that she was crushing on him for years, but they quickly jumped into sex and than all of a sudden they had these love feelings towards each other. #2 I didn't understand anything about Hunter and the weres. I felt that most of the story was shrouded in mystery and I wasn't sure why Hunter was so into Mary Anne. #3 I personally wish that Mary Anne's feelings would've changed from liking Gage to really liking Hunter. I was waiting the whole book for it, but she couldn't get Gage out of her system. #4 Why the hell would Gage and Mary Anne have sex in the abandoned train station after getting away from Falcon. I kept shaking my head and asking myself what was going on.
Characters: Gage ; Mary Anne & Hunter
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont: Yes
Recommend: Yes
October 6, 2014
Originally posted at:
* I received an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.
I have a love-hate relationship with this book. I still can't tell you how I finished it and actually wanted to write up a review.
The first 24% of this book didn't capture me. It was actually SO unrealistic that I felt it pushed the fictional romance boundaries, to me. First of all, why would anyone in their right mind decide to "out run" a snowstorm just to avoid being on campus for another 2-3 days? Why would they not call home and say something to someone that they were actually going? Why would they throw common sense out the window and still go through with it? To say the least, after that 24% I stopped reading.
A few weeks passed (and this being an ARC I had agreed to review and create a promo post on release day), and I had received the media kit and was creating my post. It came along with an excerpt and being that I hadn't read the full book I went along and skimmed through it. What I read sounded pretty darn awesome to me. So I went back to the book and skimmed through a chapter or two and found myself actually getting into the story.
You know that feeling when you know something is wrong, but you can't look away? Well that's how I felt reading this book. I disliked both guys in the love triangle and yet I still wanted to know the out come of the story. Maybe it was the creep factor that was coming off this book in waves. I still don't know who to root for and that's what has me most intrigued. The cliffhanger actually did something for this book, which I was NOT expecting.
I will pick up Book #2 just to see what happens next.
* I received an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.
I have a love-hate relationship with this book. I still can't tell you how I finished it and actually wanted to write up a review.
The first 24% of this book didn't capture me. It was actually SO unrealistic that I felt it pushed the fictional romance boundaries, to me. First of all, why would anyone in their right mind decide to "out run" a snowstorm just to avoid being on campus for another 2-3 days? Why would they not call home and say something to someone that they were actually going? Why would they throw common sense out the window and still go through with it? To say the least, after that 24% I stopped reading.
A few weeks passed (and this being an ARC I had agreed to review and create a promo post on release day), and I had received the media kit and was creating my post. It came along with an excerpt and being that I hadn't read the full book I went along and skimmed through it. What I read sounded pretty darn awesome to me. So I went back to the book and skimmed through a chapter or two and found myself actually getting into the story.
You know that feeling when you know something is wrong, but you can't look away? Well that's how I felt reading this book. I disliked both guys in the love triangle and yet I still wanted to know the out come of the story. Maybe it was the creep factor that was coming off this book in waves. I still don't know who to root for and that's what has me most intrigued. The cliffhanger actually did something for this book, which I was NOT expecting.
I will pick up Book #2 just to see what happens next.
September 5, 2014
☆ I received an ARC via Inkslinger PR in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! ☆
#Woah! This book exuded one word: COMPLICATED!!
Dire had many good qualities that I was looking in a paranormal themed romance:
☑ interesting and realistic plot
☑ intriguing characters
☑ sound pacing
☑ and the “right amount” of steam to keep me sated and satisfied *wink wink*!!
As a lover of all that is all out of the box, I’ve always enjoyed reads with supernatural entities and elements and Ms. Ivy does not disappoint!!
Dire definitely kept me on my toes with the romance, the unforeseen twists and turns as well as the involvement of Hunter and his pack!! Sheesh, Gage and Mary Anne just could not get a break could they? So much stakes on the line as well as lots of mystery, suspense, and tension to keep them busy!!
And that ending!! Wah, I want, no, I NEED MORE ALREADY!!
#Woah! This book exuded one word: COMPLICATED!!
Dire had many good qualities that I was looking in a paranormal themed romance:
☑ interesting and realistic plot
☑ intriguing characters
☑ sound pacing
☑ and the “right amount” of steam to keep me sated and satisfied *wink wink*!!
As a lover of all that is all out of the box, I’ve always enjoyed reads with supernatural entities and elements and Ms. Ivy does not disappoint!!
Dire definitely kept me on my toes with the romance, the unforeseen twists and turns as well as the involvement of Hunter and his pack!! Sheesh, Gage and Mary Anne just could not get a break could they? So much stakes on the line as well as lots of mystery, suspense, and tension to keep them busy!!
And that ending!! Wah, I want, no, I NEED MORE ALREADY!!
September 11, 2014
I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
HOLY. FREAKING. CRAP. That was gooooood!!! Alyssa Rose Ivy enters the paranormal New Adult world with the incredibly awesome Dire Wolves Chronicles! Dire starts off the trilogy and it was A-MAZING! I am still left utterly speechless! The vibes and feels I had the entire time I was reading had me on my toes and my heart racing and my mind whirling! It was incredibly incredible!
Mary Anne is your typical college freshman. She's ordinary, but not totally plain, but not overly popular or beautiful. She's someone you could relate to, she studies hard and all that, and she has an enormous crush on her friend, Gage. Gage and Mary Anne went to high school together and have known each other for a long time. Gage is sort of the resident playboy, but hasn't been with anyone lately. He offered to take Mary Anne home for winter break after the semester ended and along the way they encounter a bit of car trouble...
That's putting it mildly too! During their impromptu stay in the woods overnight, they realize there might be something between them. That or it was all in the timing. As they venture to find civilization they encounter an odd group of people who live in cabins. The leader Hunter has an immediate fondness for Mary Anne that's almost downright creepy and Gage will do everything he can to protect the girl he's starting to fall for.
Let me just say that the tension in this book was so, so astounding! There is a lot of mystery being built up left and right. Hunter's fascination for Mary Anne is kind of stalkery, creepy, but knowing what he is, you have to wonder if there's something more to it. And there's definitely a story to him, but I won't get into that or else ruin the surprise!
And let's just say, there's more in the woods than Hunter and his pals. Just one of the reasons why he won't let Mary Anne and Gage go. There was pretty much a reason for everything that happened in this book and it all leads to the gushing end!
Seriously, I am still in a sort of shock here! It's kind of rare when a book keeps me on my toes from start to finish! Books keep me on my toes from one point to another and then repeat, but from nearly start to finish?! Totally rare! And I LOVED it!!!
I have to say that I did enjoy the romance in this one. Gage did have me leery of him for a time, as he is known to be a playboy going from girl to girl. But Alyssa doesn't leave us hanging, as Gage does start to see Mary Anne in different ways and I love that! Hunter's seemingly random obsession with Mary Anne is something that has yet to be explored. We're given a reason of sorts, but I feel like there's more to it than that. It's definitely got to be something that will be expanded upon in the next books! And it's I think it will definitely lead to a decision of sorts. A love triangle is in the making here, but it hasn't really been set yet.
Of course, Alyssa could still totally surprise us and demolish that notion! And I for one cannot wait to find out how it all turns out!
Dire is an incredibly amazing paranormal New Adult read that is sure to delight paranormal fans everywhere as there are so few paranormal New Adults to be had, this is one that you must grab right away and read endlessly! Also to note, I read this baby in one sitting because it's the kind of read you cannot put down even for a second!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
Dire releases September 15, 2014
HOLY. FREAKING. CRAP. That was gooooood!!! Alyssa Rose Ivy enters the paranormal New Adult world with the incredibly awesome Dire Wolves Chronicles! Dire starts off the trilogy and it was A-MAZING! I am still left utterly speechless! The vibes and feels I had the entire time I was reading had me on my toes and my heart racing and my mind whirling! It was incredibly incredible!
Mary Anne is your typical college freshman. She's ordinary, but not totally plain, but not overly popular or beautiful. She's someone you could relate to, she studies hard and all that, and she has an enormous crush on her friend, Gage. Gage and Mary Anne went to high school together and have known each other for a long time. Gage is sort of the resident playboy, but hasn't been with anyone lately. He offered to take Mary Anne home for winter break after the semester ended and along the way they encounter a bit of car trouble...
That's putting it mildly too! During their impromptu stay in the woods overnight, they realize there might be something between them. That or it was all in the timing. As they venture to find civilization they encounter an odd group of people who live in cabins. The leader Hunter has an immediate fondness for Mary Anne that's almost downright creepy and Gage will do everything he can to protect the girl he's starting to fall for.
Let me just say that the tension in this book was so, so astounding! There is a lot of mystery being built up left and right. Hunter's fascination for Mary Anne is kind of stalkery, creepy, but knowing what he is, you have to wonder if there's something more to it. And there's definitely a story to him, but I won't get into that or else ruin the surprise!
And let's just say, there's more in the woods than Hunter and his pals. Just one of the reasons why he won't let Mary Anne and Gage go. There was pretty much a reason for everything that happened in this book and it all leads to the gushing end!
Seriously, I am still in a sort of shock here! It's kind of rare when a book keeps me on my toes from start to finish! Books keep me on my toes from one point to another and then repeat, but from nearly start to finish?! Totally rare! And I LOVED it!!!
I have to say that I did enjoy the romance in this one. Gage did have me leery of him for a time, as he is known to be a playboy going from girl to girl. But Alyssa doesn't leave us hanging, as Gage does start to see Mary Anne in different ways and I love that! Hunter's seemingly random obsession with Mary Anne is something that has yet to be explored. We're given a reason of sorts, but I feel like there's more to it than that. It's definitely got to be something that will be expanded upon in the next books! And it's I think it will definitely lead to a decision of sorts. A love triangle is in the making here, but it hasn't really been set yet.
Of course, Alyssa could still totally surprise us and demolish that notion! And I for one cannot wait to find out how it all turns out!
Dire is an incredibly amazing paranormal New Adult read that is sure to delight paranormal fans everywhere as there are so few paranormal New Adults to be had, this is one that you must grab right away and read endlessly! Also to note, I read this baby in one sitting because it's the kind of read you cannot put down even for a second!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
Dire releases September 15, 2014
September 16, 2014
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**
Yay for some good new adult paranormal. We need more of that, in my opinion. And yay for Alyssa Rose Ivy for creating an original storyline. It was part kidnapper story, part shifter and a whole lot of interesting. I really enjoyed Dire. I wasn't sure what to make of the romance a lot of the time. I liked Cage, and Hunter left me with mixed emotions. But I do know one thing for sure, I need to get my hands on a copy of Dusk as soon as possible because I am dying to know what is going to happen next. Alyssa Rose Ivy created this world I think set in the world of the Empire Chronicles and the Crescent Chronicles because the creatures are the same and a king was alluded to, but there hasn't been any character cross over yet (although I haven't completed the Empire Chronicles, so maybe there is) I think that was a really cool way to set up a book. I love that the paranormal world is the same one that I loved in Crescent Chronicles. It is not as daunting, but still felt fresh and different since we were exploring a different creature.
Cage and Mary Anne are driving home in a snowstorm when they are stranded and found by Hunter and his crew. Cage and Mary Anne have known each other their whole lives, but were never more than neighbors until this trip. I couldn't get a good read on Cage before the wolves were introduced. I didn't know if his feelings were genuine or not, and because of that I didn't write Hunter completely out. I am just a mess of emotions between the two of them. Yes, Cage seems to care about Mary Anne the more the book went on, and yes Hunter is technically the person holding them hostage, but I have no idea who I want the romance to be between. And the awesome thing about Dire is the book doesn't go one way or the other! There isn't really a ton of romance. The bulk of the story was set up on Mary Anne and this world she found herself thrown into.
I can't even get into how terrifying this must all be for Mary Anne and Cage. I mean being forcibly taken into this whole new world, and being so powerless to do anything is scary. I admired Mary Anne a lot. And I admired Cage for sticking by her side the whole time. He really does seem like a good guy.
Alyssa Rose Ivy certainly knows how to keep a girl on the edge of her seat. This was unlike any book that I have read in a while. I can't get a good read on what is going to happen in the coming books. Sure, I know some things, and I have a guess as to what the conflicts will be, but the Dire Wolves Chronicles is turning out to be anything but predictable. There was a lot of stage-setting in this Dire, and I feel like the romance and conflicts are really going to take off in Dusk. I am not revealing any of my "teams" or "sides" until I read the next book. But fans of Alyssa Rose Ivy will really enjoy Dire. It is another solidly enjoyable read. (not that I am surprised, I seem to love everything Alyssa writes.) People that are burned out on new adult contemporary should give new adult paranormal, and Dire, a chance!
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
Yay for some good new adult paranormal. We need more of that, in my opinion. And yay for Alyssa Rose Ivy for creating an original storyline. It was part kidnapper story, part shifter and a whole lot of interesting. I really enjoyed Dire. I wasn't sure what to make of the romance a lot of the time. I liked Cage, and Hunter left me with mixed emotions. But I do know one thing for sure, I need to get my hands on a copy of Dusk as soon as possible because I am dying to know what is going to happen next. Alyssa Rose Ivy created this world I think set in the world of the Empire Chronicles and the Crescent Chronicles because the creatures are the same and a king was alluded to, but there hasn't been any character cross over yet (although I haven't completed the Empire Chronicles, so maybe there is) I think that was a really cool way to set up a book. I love that the paranormal world is the same one that I loved in Crescent Chronicles. It is not as daunting, but still felt fresh and different since we were exploring a different creature.
Cage and Mary Anne are driving home in a snowstorm when they are stranded and found by Hunter and his crew. Cage and Mary Anne have known each other their whole lives, but were never more than neighbors until this trip. I couldn't get a good read on Cage before the wolves were introduced. I didn't know if his feelings were genuine or not, and because of that I didn't write Hunter completely out. I am just a mess of emotions between the two of them. Yes, Cage seems to care about Mary Anne the more the book went on, and yes Hunter is technically the person holding them hostage, but I have no idea who I want the romance to be between. And the awesome thing about Dire is the book doesn't go one way or the other! There isn't really a ton of romance. The bulk of the story was set up on Mary Anne and this world she found herself thrown into.
I can't even get into how terrifying this must all be for Mary Anne and Cage. I mean being forcibly taken into this whole new world, and being so powerless to do anything is scary. I admired Mary Anne a lot. And I admired Cage for sticking by her side the whole time. He really does seem like a good guy.
Alyssa Rose Ivy certainly knows how to keep a girl on the edge of her seat. This was unlike any book that I have read in a while. I can't get a good read on what is going to happen in the coming books. Sure, I know some things, and I have a guess as to what the conflicts will be, but the Dire Wolves Chronicles is turning out to be anything but predictable. There was a lot of stage-setting in this Dire, and I feel like the romance and conflicts are really going to take off in Dusk. I am not revealing any of my "teams" or "sides" until I read the next book. But fans of Alyssa Rose Ivy will really enjoy Dire. It is another solidly enjoyable read. (not that I am surprised, I seem to love everything Alyssa writes.) People that are burned out on new adult contemporary should give new adult paranormal, and Dire, a chance!
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
December 10, 2019
4 stars
*ARC received in exchange for a fair and honest review*
My Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it. I also know I am definitely going to be keeping up with the series as well. The book was fast-paced, but didn’t feel very rushed. The characters get tossed into a situation that was very interesting, scary, and not what I expected at all. I honestly didn’t know where the storyline was going and I think Ivy did a good job at keeping me guessing. The detail was simple, but still enough for me to feel the characters, their personalities, and the world they get thrown into.
I did enjoy the characters. Gage was a very nice guy. And he wasn’t the cocky, pushing love interest either. I think he brought in a bit of freshness. Mary Anne was sweet, but didn’t think too highly of herself. But in the end, I saw that she has a will of steel. The relationship between Gage and Mary Anne played out nicely, though it did develop really fast. But the chemistry was very much there. The challenges they faced were unreal, testing in so many ways, and very much frightening. I enjoyed watching how they reacted and grew from those experiences.
The building of the conflict was probably my favorite aspect of the story. It was intense, kept me guessing, and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The villains are not what I imagine either, another aspect I loved.
Oh! And that ending! It left in such a cliffhanger I know I will be grabbing the next book as soon as it’s out!
Dire was definitely not like any werewolf book I have encountered before. I couldn't put it down once I started it. It was filled with gripping action, intense situations, and quite a bit of thrill. Dire was a quick read, but had a very creepy feel to it.
*ARC received in exchange for a fair and honest review*
My Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it. I also know I am definitely going to be keeping up with the series as well. The book was fast-paced, but didn’t feel very rushed. The characters get tossed into a situation that was very interesting, scary, and not what I expected at all. I honestly didn’t know where the storyline was going and I think Ivy did a good job at keeping me guessing. The detail was simple, but still enough for me to feel the characters, their personalities, and the world they get thrown into.
I did enjoy the characters. Gage was a very nice guy. And he wasn’t the cocky, pushing love interest either. I think he brought in a bit of freshness. Mary Anne was sweet, but didn’t think too highly of herself. But in the end, I saw that she has a will of steel. The relationship between Gage and Mary Anne played out nicely, though it did develop really fast. But the chemistry was very much there. The challenges they faced were unreal, testing in so many ways, and very much frightening. I enjoyed watching how they reacted and grew from those experiences.
The building of the conflict was probably my favorite aspect of the story. It was intense, kept me guessing, and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The villains are not what I imagine either, another aspect I loved.
Oh! And that ending! It left in such a cliffhanger I know I will be grabbing the next book as soon as it’s out!
Dire was definitely not like any werewolf book I have encountered before. I couldn't put it down once I started it. It was filled with gripping action, intense situations, and quite a bit of thrill. Dire was a quick read, but had a very creepy feel to it.
October 25, 2015
10+ Howling Stars!
Dear God. Just. Breathe. OK.
Now let me tell you about this brilliantly woven story! This wasn't the normal everday werewolf read. No ladies and gents! This different angle was f_(king magnificent! I just can't put into words. This will forever stick out.
Mary Ann has just started college and is soon to go on winter break. She has had a thing for Gage....well since forever. Both of them growing up in the same small town and ending up at the same college. Mary Ann has had non stop wet dreams about Mr.Hottnest, Gage of course.
Loved this for the dual POVs and was not disappointed in either of them. Anywho-
Gage has come to realize that Mary Ann has actually grown up and is now being noticed as the "sexy nerd". Which in this seems to perk Gages interest a little more. Gage and Mary Ann have made plans to ride back home together and to try to get ahead of a massive blizzard, Gage decides they should leave the night before. Record snow fall and all that junk. Obviously not the brightest idea...
Skip forward to the back of truck scenes! Whoo! I wasn't overly done and that made my imagination just run wild with possibilities lol.
But! Ladies hold onto your panties, because in walks Sex dipped in chocolate. Sigh. Hunter. Sorry Gage! Really, but gotta love the swoon worthy of a man like Hunter. He didn't talk much.. oh but when he did. Oh! Towel please, seems I'm drooling.
The ending is totally a cliff hanger and I need to get my hands on book two! At this second. If you haven't read this - Why the hell not? You're obviously interested in to read this. Lol.
Dear God. Just. Breathe. OK.
Now let me tell you about this brilliantly woven story! This wasn't the normal everday werewolf read. No ladies and gents! This different angle was f_(king magnificent! I just can't put into words. This will forever stick out.
Mary Ann has just started college and is soon to go on winter break. She has had a thing for Gage....well since forever. Both of them growing up in the same small town and ending up at the same college. Mary Ann has had non stop wet dreams about Mr.Hottnest, Gage of course.
Loved this for the dual POVs and was not disappointed in either of them. Anywho-
Gage has come to realize that Mary Ann has actually grown up and is now being noticed as the "sexy nerd". Which in this seems to perk Gages interest a little more. Gage and Mary Ann have made plans to ride back home together and to try to get ahead of a massive blizzard, Gage decides they should leave the night before. Record snow fall and all that junk. Obviously not the brightest idea...
Skip forward to the back of truck scenes! Whoo! I wasn't overly done and that made my imagination just run wild with possibilities lol.
But! Ladies hold onto your panties, because in walks Sex dipped in chocolate. Sigh. Hunter. Sorry Gage! Really, but gotta love the swoon worthy of a man like Hunter. He didn't talk much.. oh but when he did. Oh! Towel please, seems I'm drooling.
The ending is totally a cliff hanger and I need to get my hands on book two! At this second. If you haven't read this - Why the hell not? You're obviously interested in to read this. Lol.
January 10, 2016
ummmm WTF did i just read?! I have to say I'm not opposed the fantasy world being the bad guys, but from what I've read in reviews of this one and the next the creepy shifter is supposed to be the hero of the whole thing? The same shifter that holds the 2 people against their will in the middle of nowhere and does endlessly creepy creepy things is supposed to be a guy I root for? How about no. How about it's not sweet or protective its FUCKING CREEPY? What the hell are people thinking rooting for him? Even if Gage was only using mary anne for sex he's still less of a bad guy than someone who forces her into being his mate with threats and just all around psychotic craziness. I could go on to talk about how the whole plot of this thing was on the bad side of weird. Or how it had no real explanation of the world we're dumped into (not one that makes sense anyways). But really I shouldn't have to say anymore than one of the supposed heroes is an actual literal sociopath and if you are into that you might want to seek some professional help because IRL this guy would be an abusive prick he's not sweet or considerate...he's creepy.
Bottom line: nope nope nope nope nope. This should definitely go on your skip list and I definitely won't be reading the next
Bottom line: nope nope nope nope nope. This should definitely go on your skip list and I definitely won't be reading the next
September 10, 2014
I have loved every single thing I have read by Ivy, so of course I went into this expecting something great and unique and that, thankfully, is exactly what I got.
I admit, even though by the end I loved this, it took me awhile to warm up to some of the characters and even now, knowing that Ivy will throw some twist on us in the next book that will completely make me change my mind again about my thoughts on the characters, I am hesitant to say that I liked Hunter.
Once again Ivy has managed to create a rather unique take on weres and of course her ability to blend them with the world she has already created in her other NA series the Crescent Chronicles really does make this a stand out read that was so much fun. Non stop guessing, action, and of course romance made this a read I didn't want to end.
I can't wait for book two. It felt like just when I was warming up to everything and starting to really like the idea of where this book was headed and all the characters, it was over too soon and I was left wanting the next book.
I can really see this series being another huge hit with fans of her Crescent Chronicles and all Ivy fans in general.
I admit, even though by the end I loved this, it took me awhile to warm up to some of the characters and even now, knowing that Ivy will throw some twist on us in the next book that will completely make me change my mind again about my thoughts on the characters, I am hesitant to say that I liked Hunter.
Once again Ivy has managed to create a rather unique take on weres and of course her ability to blend them with the world she has already created in her other NA series the Crescent Chronicles really does make this a stand out read that was so much fun. Non stop guessing, action, and of course romance made this a read I didn't want to end.
I can't wait for book two. It felt like just when I was warming up to everything and starting to really like the idea of where this book was headed and all the characters, it was over too soon and I was left wanting the next book.
I can really see this series being another huge hit with fans of her Crescent Chronicles and all Ivy fans in general.
September 3, 2014
amazaballs! i loved both gage and mary ann. they had amazing chemistry right from the start. i loved the way they bickered and the sexual tension. their connection was strong and they were willing to do so much for one another. I have read a lot of paranormal and was very interested in seeing Alyssa's take on the wolves. I saw how possesive and the impact on how controlling they could be when they choose their mate.
there were many twists in this book and the journey is crazy to say the least. if u love paranormal books that contain humans, wolves, witches, and a love triangle this book is for you. Im sure this book will keep u wanting more. what an ending, definitely cant wait for the next book.
there were many twists in this book and the journey is crazy to say the least. if u love paranormal books that contain humans, wolves, witches, and a love triangle this book is for you. Im sure this book will keep u wanting more. what an ending, definitely cant wait for the next book.
August 24, 2016
3.5
Although I like the actual story for this series, I have a problem skimming with much of Alyssa's work. The story always seems to slow down enough for me to do a skim, sometimes a major hop, skip & jump. I also have a few issues identifying with the female protagonist whom I find not completely likable. Nonetheless, the story pulls me on to the next novel.
Although I like the actual story for this series, I have a problem skimming with much of Alyssa's work. The story always seems to slow down enough for me to do a skim, sometimes a major hop, skip & jump. I also have a few issues identifying with the female protagonist whom I find not completely likable. Nonetheless, the story pulls me on to the next novel.
May 18, 2020
It’s not the worse book I’ve ever read but it’s definitely not the best. I’m not sure I liked the whole kidnapping, I love shifter books but there was absolutely no romance between Hunter and Mary Anne like at all. He just forced her to stay there and try to get her to like him when she’s already in love with gage. It was weird.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2019
Great book, I couldn't put it down, can not wait to read the next one 😆
September 15, 2014
GENRE: Paranormal Romance
THEME: Werewolves and Witches
RECEIVED: Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
3.5 star
REVIEW:
As a werewolf fanatic I was super excited to be introduced to Alyssa Rose Ivy’s writing through my favorite shifters. I was very surprised with how the werewolves were introduced, as Ivy takes a different route with not only the paranormal aspects but also the romance. If you’re looking for romance it’s all here and then some, but it’s not the normal paranormal romance I was expecting.
Dire follows Mary Anne who is heading home for winter break, but her excitement about going home is all about who she is traveling with. Mary Anne’s long time crush and star of her dreams, Gage, is heading back to his hometown that is also hers. But on their way they hit a massive snowstorm, which causes them to be stranded on an empty back road. Even though things start to heat up with Gage while waiting for the storm to die, they notice their not alone outside. Risking the cold they venture toward a hopeful town only to come face to face with very large men, who seem to want Mary Anne safe. Now Mary Anne isn’t so sure about their little road trip, as well as her and Gage’s safety. But what these men want, especially one named Hunter, in particular isn’t anything she ever thought she’d come across.
Mary Anne is known for being smart and the girl who doesn’t attract guys, well…so she thinks. She actually catches the eye of many guys but only has them for her “friend” Gage. With the chance to be with him on a road trip back home, she jumps at the chance. Mary Anne is a sweet and innocent girl, her personality is hard to grasp at first as she is a bit different with her best friend than she is with Gage. I can tell she’s going to grow a tougher exterior with everything that’s happened in this book. She is put in a scary as heck situation and I feel she acts the way I would, she is on guard, knowing the as long as she sticks with Gage she’ll be safe. But in all seriousness she is on her own and I can tell she’s going to be taking the lead in how everything goes.
Gage is the popular guy, always getting girls attention and does find Mary Anne attractive but tries not to go past friends. But being stranded with her makes him realizes he’s making a mistake in letting a good girl slip through. But when they meet the strangers in the woods he not only becomes more than a friend he becomes her protector. I actually liked Gage more than anyone in this book, they way that he acts and wants to escape is what I’d hope someone would do if I was in their situation. He has the best intensions for Mary Anne and I’m glad doesn’t trust Hunter and the other people. Realistically who the heck would trust some random people in the woods? It all sounds like a really creepy horror story.
Hunter is one of the many people in the woods that help get Mary Anne and Gage out of the cold. But he’s also a werewolf and leader of his pack, as well as interested in Mary Anne. When Hunter is first introduced he’s all mystery and all brawn, I wasn’t sure about him and his pack at first. His persona is way too overbearing and I couldn’t understand why they thought Gage and Mary Anne would trust them with the creepy way he and his pack acted. Nearing the mid point of the book, Hunter started opening up about the situation he was in; I can see some potential for a sweeter more alpha hot Hunter. I’m going to keep my fingers crossed because I always love my alpha males and Hunter just needs to stop being creepy and be more careful with Mary Anne.
Overall I loved the paranormal bits, the Dire wolfs and the introduction to the witches have a lot of back story, I can see Ivy has only just began to get into but it was awesome. The romance is heavy and smoking hot, but also I can see the love triangles and even potentially an old romances getting in the way. My number one pet peeve is love triangles, not a fan what so ever, especially when I feel like both guys have a chance. The characters need a bit more development as I was only really able to connect to Gage, but I can see Mary Anne is going to step it up a notch after the ending. Speaking of ending, holy moly!! Cliffhangers are another my big pet peeves, but thankfully Ivy doesn’t hit us with a major one just an exciting one that I seriously cant wait to see what’s going to happen.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is an young adult novel with sexually content meant for readers over the age of 18+. Fans of Terry Spears Heat of the Wolf series and Sierra Dean’s Secret McQueen series will want to meet Alyssa Rose Ivy’s Dire wolves in Dire.
THEME: Werewolves and Witches
RECEIVED: Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
3.5 star
REVIEW:
As a werewolf fanatic I was super excited to be introduced to Alyssa Rose Ivy’s writing through my favorite shifters. I was very surprised with how the werewolves were introduced, as Ivy takes a different route with not only the paranormal aspects but also the romance. If you’re looking for romance it’s all here and then some, but it’s not the normal paranormal romance I was expecting.
Dire follows Mary Anne who is heading home for winter break, but her excitement about going home is all about who she is traveling with. Mary Anne’s long time crush and star of her dreams, Gage, is heading back to his hometown that is also hers. But on their way they hit a massive snowstorm, which causes them to be stranded on an empty back road. Even though things start to heat up with Gage while waiting for the storm to die, they notice their not alone outside. Risking the cold they venture toward a hopeful town only to come face to face with very large men, who seem to want Mary Anne safe. Now Mary Anne isn’t so sure about their little road trip, as well as her and Gage’s safety. But what these men want, especially one named Hunter, in particular isn’t anything she ever thought she’d come across.
Mary Anne is known for being smart and the girl who doesn’t attract guys, well…so she thinks. She actually catches the eye of many guys but only has them for her “friend” Gage. With the chance to be with him on a road trip back home, she jumps at the chance. Mary Anne is a sweet and innocent girl, her personality is hard to grasp at first as she is a bit different with her best friend than she is with Gage. I can tell she’s going to grow a tougher exterior with everything that’s happened in this book. She is put in a scary as heck situation and I feel she acts the way I would, she is on guard, knowing the as long as she sticks with Gage she’ll be safe. But in all seriousness she is on her own and I can tell she’s going to be taking the lead in how everything goes.
Gage is the popular guy, always getting girls attention and does find Mary Anne attractive but tries not to go past friends. But being stranded with her makes him realizes he’s making a mistake in letting a good girl slip through. But when they meet the strangers in the woods he not only becomes more than a friend he becomes her protector. I actually liked Gage more than anyone in this book, they way that he acts and wants to escape is what I’d hope someone would do if I was in their situation. He has the best intensions for Mary Anne and I’m glad doesn’t trust Hunter and the other people. Realistically who the heck would trust some random people in the woods? It all sounds like a really creepy horror story.
Hunter is one of the many people in the woods that help get Mary Anne and Gage out of the cold. But he’s also a werewolf and leader of his pack, as well as interested in Mary Anne. When Hunter is first introduced he’s all mystery and all brawn, I wasn’t sure about him and his pack at first. His persona is way too overbearing and I couldn’t understand why they thought Gage and Mary Anne would trust them with the creepy way he and his pack acted. Nearing the mid point of the book, Hunter started opening up about the situation he was in; I can see some potential for a sweeter more alpha hot Hunter. I’m going to keep my fingers crossed because I always love my alpha males and Hunter just needs to stop being creepy and be more careful with Mary Anne.
Overall I loved the paranormal bits, the Dire wolfs and the introduction to the witches have a lot of back story, I can see Ivy has only just began to get into but it was awesome. The romance is heavy and smoking hot, but also I can see the love triangles and even potentially an old romances getting in the way. My number one pet peeve is love triangles, not a fan what so ever, especially when I feel like both guys have a chance. The characters need a bit more development as I was only really able to connect to Gage, but I can see Mary Anne is going to step it up a notch after the ending. Speaking of ending, holy moly!! Cliffhangers are another my big pet peeves, but thankfully Ivy doesn’t hit us with a major one just an exciting one that I seriously cant wait to see what’s going to happen.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is an young adult novel with sexually content meant for readers over the age of 18+. Fans of Terry Spears Heat of the Wolf series and Sierra Dean’s Secret McQueen series will want to meet Alyssa Rose Ivy’s Dire wolves in Dire.
September 15, 2014
"Dire" was a new and refreshing paranormal romance. I really fell in love with some of the characters, and I am anxiously awaiting the second book, "Dusk". One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the fact it was written in dual POVs. I loved being able to see inside Gage's head as well as Mary Anne's.
Mary Anne was the main character, and I really enjoyed reading the book from her point of view. She was a smart and caring girl that was easy to relate to. Mary Anne also had some funny lines, which I was extremely grateful for. It added humor to scenes that had so much sexual tension that I thought I was going to suffocate. Speaking of sexual tension, I need to talk about my favorite character, Gage.
Now, upon reading the description for the book, I figured I was going to be cheering for Hunter, the alpha werewolf, in this love triangle. However, I was surprised when I found myself liking Gage a lot more than Hunter. Gage had everything a girl could want wrapped up in one beautiful package. Gage was witty and the sexual tension between him and Mary Anne made my Kindle sizzle. Some of the scenes were super steamy, and I enjoyed every minute of them. Not to mention Gage was appropriately protective of Mary Anne, which made me extremely happy.
"I couldn't take on both guys, they were right. We'd freeze to death outside. It would all be okay if we remained together.
"She stays with me."
"Let's get moving then. She needs to get out of the cold." The second man reached for her arm, but I pulled her further into my side.
Both men laughed. "A little protective are you?"
"No one touches her." "
Gage also said some cute things to Mary Anne that made my heart squeeze with happiness. Basically, Gage made me squeal like a schoolgirl because I loved him so much.
"He didn't release me for a moment, he just studied my face. Finally I had to break the silence that set it in.
"See anything you like?"
"Yes." He kissed my forehead in a surprisingly affectionate gesture and took my hand.
"But I figured I can't just look at you all day."
I bit back a smile and looked around."
When it comes to Hunter, I am really confused on my feelings for him. I honestly wanted to like him, but I couldn't. I understand that he was an alpha werewolf, so he does things a bit differently than a normal male would, but he kind of creeped me out. Sometimes I really liked the scenes with Hunter in them, but then other times I thought he was a psychopath. I was just really indecisive upon whether or not I liked Hunter and if I wanted him to end up with Mary Anne. I am intrigued to see how his character develops in the next books, and if I will still be team Gage after reading the next books.
"He stepped towards me, backing me up to the bed until my only choice was to sit down.
"I'm attracted to you, Mary Anne. My body aches to join with yours, but that doesn't mean I'll listen to that desire. I can control myself, and I'd never force myself on a woman. I have patience.""
This book ending on a crazy cliffhanger so be warned. I am dying to get the next book because I need to find out what happens next! I could not believe the book was over after that ending. It was not an ending that made me upset, it just made me want to cry because I want to know what is going to happen! I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a New Adult Paranormal Romance. I can tell there is a love triangle forming, but I do find myself enjoying this love triangle. It might just because I am heavily team Gage right now, and he was absolutely perfect in this book. In my opinion, in this book Hunter really wasn't that much of competition for Gage, but I can tell that he is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming books. I am excited to continue to watch these relationships grow and see what happens to the characters.
4/5 Fangs
Cliffhanger: Yes
MrsDaemon
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
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Mary Anne was the main character, and I really enjoyed reading the book from her point of view. She was a smart and caring girl that was easy to relate to. Mary Anne also had some funny lines, which I was extremely grateful for. It added humor to scenes that had so much sexual tension that I thought I was going to suffocate. Speaking of sexual tension, I need to talk about my favorite character, Gage.
Now, upon reading the description for the book, I figured I was going to be cheering for Hunter, the alpha werewolf, in this love triangle. However, I was surprised when I found myself liking Gage a lot more than Hunter. Gage had everything a girl could want wrapped up in one beautiful package. Gage was witty and the sexual tension between him and Mary Anne made my Kindle sizzle. Some of the scenes were super steamy, and I enjoyed every minute of them. Not to mention Gage was appropriately protective of Mary Anne, which made me extremely happy.
"I couldn't take on both guys, they were right. We'd freeze to death outside. It would all be okay if we remained together.
"She stays with me."
"Let's get moving then. She needs to get out of the cold." The second man reached for her arm, but I pulled her further into my side.
Both men laughed. "A little protective are you?"
"No one touches her." "
Gage also said some cute things to Mary Anne that made my heart squeeze with happiness. Basically, Gage made me squeal like a schoolgirl because I loved him so much.
"He didn't release me for a moment, he just studied my face. Finally I had to break the silence that set it in.
"See anything you like?"
"Yes." He kissed my forehead in a surprisingly affectionate gesture and took my hand.
"But I figured I can't just look at you all day."
I bit back a smile and looked around."
When it comes to Hunter, I am really confused on my feelings for him. I honestly wanted to like him, but I couldn't. I understand that he was an alpha werewolf, so he does things a bit differently than a normal male would, but he kind of creeped me out. Sometimes I really liked the scenes with Hunter in them, but then other times I thought he was a psychopath. I was just really indecisive upon whether or not I liked Hunter and if I wanted him to end up with Mary Anne. I am intrigued to see how his character develops in the next books, and if I will still be team Gage after reading the next books.
"He stepped towards me, backing me up to the bed until my only choice was to sit down.
"I'm attracted to you, Mary Anne. My body aches to join with yours, but that doesn't mean I'll listen to that desire. I can control myself, and I'd never force myself on a woman. I have patience.""
This book ending on a crazy cliffhanger so be warned. I am dying to get the next book because I need to find out what happens next! I could not believe the book was over after that ending. It was not an ending that made me upset, it just made me want to cry because I want to know what is going to happen! I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a New Adult Paranormal Romance. I can tell there is a love triangle forming, but I do find myself enjoying this love triangle. It might just because I am heavily team Gage right now, and he was absolutely perfect in this book. In my opinion, in this book Hunter really wasn't that much of competition for Gage, but I can tell that he is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming books. I am excited to continue to watch these relationships grow and see what happens to the characters.
4/5 Fangs
Cliffhanger: Yes
MrsDaemon
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
September 12, 2014
4 Sweet and Scary Wolvish Stars
So let me start by warning you that this book has one hell of a cliff-hanger ending. Stupid me thought this book was a series but each book with new characters… Ughhh, the frustration in wishing I was right…. I loved and devoured DIRE and I’m dying to finish all three books to see how the crazy world Mary Anne and Gage walked into can possibly deliver them a HEA. DIRE was extremely fast pace after the first few chapters and things just went out of control.
Mary Anne is your average college student. She harbors an enormous crush on fellow hometowner Gage. With the upcoming holiday Mary Anne plans to ride home with Gage, not that she couldn’t find a ride elsewhere mind you. Before they can leave, weather reports suggest a record breaking snowstorm is headed their way. Gage doesn’t want to wait to leave until after the storm and Mary Anne doesn’t want to wait because she plans to cherish each and every hour she can in the small confines of Gage’s truck.
On the road, streets become impassable and highways are closed. But Gage, like a typical man, refuses to stop until something jumps in front of the car and Gage loses control. From here they have no choice but to share body heat. What a wonderful excuse for these two to get naked. Mary Anne doesn’t mind, she’s loved Gage for far too long and he’s not gonna complain curling up next to a naked woman. But what happens when the minimal supplies they have left are gone and the vehicle is unrecognizable from the street, if there were even cars driving by to help.
Let’s just say they might have been a lot safer and less stressed had they stayed in the car. The two walk into a new world and meet some interesting characters there. Both Mary Anne and Gage are welcomed back to a compound of sorts and immediately the head male, let’s call him the Alpha, takes a liking to Mary Anne. All she wants to do is be near Gage but the overbearing Hunter does everything he can to keep them apart. Mary Anne may be getting the royal treatment but Gage is being treated like competition and a threat.
I don’t want to give too much away about the story. It’s obvious from the blurb, cover and title, this book is about a dangerous situation involving wolves. I know many of us love our alpha male shifters but Hunter and his friends are different and it’s hard to accept his seductions when you and Mary Anne both want her with Gage.
Overall I really loved this book and I was happy with the end, even if I’m pissed about the end but dying for more. What surprised me as well was how certain things in the story surprised me, normally I feel everything is too predictable and though some of the scenes in this book after seem obvious, the author excellently blended it within the story so it flowed seamlessly and I felt shocked by each event. This was my first novel from the author and I am totally psyched to read more. Fellow cliffy haters (like myself) might want to put DIRE on hold until the following two novels are released. As of yet neither has a release date.
Copy Provided by Author for Review
September 9, 2014
Wow, super awesome! I had a book hangover, unbelievable!.
This story was totally different, a common theme but there were so many different aspects that really stuck with the stereotypical werewolf/ paranormal story, like the main concept, but was able to branch off into new and fresh territory. I just love what Ivy brought to the table with these characters. I definitely got served.
College students Mary Anne and Gage are leaving campus and heading back to their hometown. Mary Anne is completely smitten with Gage while he barely started to see her in that kind of light. Weather turns bad and gets them stranded in a ditch with a snow storm underway. This trapped-together-in-the-snow kind of thing leads to snuggling-together-naked-to-keep-warm kind of thing. (I only thought this worked when you were in clothes soaking wet but it'll do) Then this is where the mysterious men come in. Hunter invites them to stay in his home but is adamant that Mary Anne sleeps separate from Gage. They try to come up with a plan to leave once Hunter lets them know that there is no way he is letting them leave. If they thought these people were trouble, they spoke to soon.
Almost throughout the whole story I was thinking about how werewolves are usually over-protective and possesive and domineering most of the time, and also the way the usually treat their mates with the utmost respect, love and adoration. It was completely lost to Mary Anne, and sense the story more often is in here perspective, or in a human perspective in general, it was great to get the picture of what she was thinking when everything was happening and while she was discovering new phenomenons.
I always had that thought in my head that Mary Anne should just give in to Hunter, but then again I have personal experience with pining over somebody you grew up with your whole life and to finally be able to catch there eye.
In the end, I wasn't really shocked on how things generally played out because I was already analyzing how things would andd could work out in the end. I just didn't see the ending coming. I kept swiping my finger for the next page thinking it may've froze or something. Then I looked at the page number and BAM! It hit me, I did not want it to end, of all places and moments, right there. It was just getting to the even juicier parts, argh! But I was still ecstatic and giddy about how things are going to be from now on.
Overall, I had an amazing time reading this story. I literally wanted more to read near the end, I was starving for more, more Hunter, more Gage, more Mary Anne and see how everything turned out and what these wonderful characters were planning to do next. I can't wait for the next installment in this series.
This story was totally different, a common theme but there were so many different aspects that really stuck with the stereotypical werewolf/ paranormal story, like the main concept, but was able to branch off into new and fresh territory. I just love what Ivy brought to the table with these characters. I definitely got served.
College students Mary Anne and Gage are leaving campus and heading back to their hometown. Mary Anne is completely smitten with Gage while he barely started to see her in that kind of light. Weather turns bad and gets them stranded in a ditch with a snow storm underway. This trapped-together-in-the-snow kind of thing leads to snuggling-together-naked-to-keep-warm kind of thing. (I only thought this worked when you were in clothes soaking wet but it'll do) Then this is where the mysterious men come in. Hunter invites them to stay in his home but is adamant that Mary Anne sleeps separate from Gage. They try to come up with a plan to leave once Hunter lets them know that there is no way he is letting them leave. If they thought these people were trouble, they spoke to soon.
Almost throughout the whole story I was thinking about how werewolves are usually over-protective and possesive and domineering most of the time, and also the way the usually treat their mates with the utmost respect, love and adoration. It was completely lost to Mary Anne, and sense the story more often is in here perspective, or in a human perspective in general, it was great to get the picture of what she was thinking when everything was happening and while she was discovering new phenomenons.
I always had that thought in my head that Mary Anne should just give in to Hunter, but then again I have personal experience with pining over somebody you grew up with your whole life and to finally be able to catch there eye.
In the end, I wasn't really shocked on how things generally played out because I was already analyzing how things would andd could work out in the end. I just didn't see the ending coming. I kept swiping my finger for the next page thinking it may've froze or something. Then I looked at the page number and BAM! It hit me, I did not want it to end, of all places and moments, right there. It was just getting to the even juicier parts, argh! But I was still ecstatic and giddy about how things are going to be from now on.
Overall, I had an amazing time reading this story. I literally wanted more to read near the end, I was starving for more, more Hunter, more Gage, more Mary Anne and see how everything turned out and what these wonderful characters were planning to do next. I can't wait for the next installment in this series.
September 9, 2014
3.5/5
Dire is the first book in the new paranormal NA series by Alyssa Rose Ivy. Obviously due to the paranormal nature and title of the book, some aspects of the plot were obvious from the beginning. For instance, being rescued by a strange group of overprotective men – oh yeah wolves anyone ;)
Told in dual narrative from male and female perspective, Gage and Mary Jane (I just want to call her MJ spiderman style). They’ve known each other nearly all their lives, growing up in the same small town and Gage being friends with Mary Jane’s older brother. A typical case of brother’s friend crush, MJ has been fantasizing about Gage for quite some time. Although charismatic, Gage is a typical douche-bag player at the start of the book. Access to his inner thoughts did nothing to endear him to me. Their chemistry may be set to boiling point but I can’t say I really wanted Mary Jane to be with Gage. Mary Jane has her eyes wide open where Gage is concerned, knowing that he isn’t relationship material yet unable to fight her feelings for him.
Travelling home together (I can’t quite remember if it’s for Winter Break or Thanksgiving) they end up battling the elements only to get stuck in a blizzard. The only option for warmth is body heat – yep you can guess how that goes :) So a few bad decisions and a deliciously hot overnight stay in Gage’s truck sees them wandering the wilderness in search of safety, only to cross path with the aforementioned group of overprotective men, lead by Hunter.
In a strange twist, I actually found myself preferring Hunter to Gage. He is completely alpha male yet with a capacity for tenderness. Hunter has an insta-connection to Mary Jane (details are revealed as to why as the plot develops and did make me question the nature of the connection in a negative way). However, I practically melted with Hunter’s proposition of ‘love, passion and complete adoration’ who doesn’t want that.
Few details in respect of the plot are revealed through the book while tantalizing threads leave the reader desperate to know more, a high level of anticipation for the next book is most definitely achieved.
Alyssa Rose Ivy manages terrific world building within the pages of Dire paving the way for the rest of the series. While Dire doesn’t give much insight into the history of the Dire Wolves or the personalities of the characters, it does do a fabulous job of laying the groundwork with which to develop the plot and characters further.
Dire is the first book in the new paranormal NA series by Alyssa Rose Ivy. Obviously due to the paranormal nature and title of the book, some aspects of the plot were obvious from the beginning. For instance, being rescued by a strange group of overprotective men – oh yeah wolves anyone ;)
Told in dual narrative from male and female perspective, Gage and Mary Jane (I just want to call her MJ spiderman style). They’ve known each other nearly all their lives, growing up in the same small town and Gage being friends with Mary Jane’s older brother. A typical case of brother’s friend crush, MJ has been fantasizing about Gage for quite some time. Although charismatic, Gage is a typical douche-bag player at the start of the book. Access to his inner thoughts did nothing to endear him to me. Their chemistry may be set to boiling point but I can’t say I really wanted Mary Jane to be with Gage. Mary Jane has her eyes wide open where Gage is concerned, knowing that he isn’t relationship material yet unable to fight her feelings for him.
Travelling home together (I can’t quite remember if it’s for Winter Break or Thanksgiving) they end up battling the elements only to get stuck in a blizzard. The only option for warmth is body heat – yep you can guess how that goes :) So a few bad decisions and a deliciously hot overnight stay in Gage’s truck sees them wandering the wilderness in search of safety, only to cross path with the aforementioned group of overprotective men, lead by Hunter.
In a strange twist, I actually found myself preferring Hunter to Gage. He is completely alpha male yet with a capacity for tenderness. Hunter has an insta-connection to Mary Jane (details are revealed as to why as the plot develops and did make me question the nature of the connection in a negative way). However, I practically melted with Hunter’s proposition of ‘love, passion and complete adoration’ who doesn’t want that.
Few details in respect of the plot are revealed through the book while tantalizing threads leave the reader desperate to know more, a high level of anticipation for the next book is most definitely achieved.
Alyssa Rose Ivy manages terrific world building within the pages of Dire paving the way for the rest of the series. While Dire doesn’t give much insight into the history of the Dire Wolves or the personalities of the characters, it does do a fabulous job of laying the groundwork with which to develop the plot and characters further.
September 6, 2014
**Received an ARC for an honest review**
I guess the best place to start would be to say that for myself personally it's hard to sink into anything paranormal, however, with this being about werewolves it was easier to like. Dire is prefaced with a flash-forward, which I thought was a nice touch and a duel PoV, before we head into getting a feel for things starting with Gage and Mary Anne at college just before break.
Mary Anne and Gage have been longtime friends and while Mary Anne has always pined after Gage..he's taken notice of her but isn't inclined to do anything (even though it's crossed his mind) mainly because of the repercussions he'd likely face. I really enjoyed the wit and banter as well as the steamy sexual tension between these two. Definitely had me enjoying this book even more!
But of course things go awry when a huge snow storm is moving in as they're getting ready to leave. Gage and Mary Anne decide to try to beat it and all the while I'm trying to tell them to stay put. But do they listen? Nooo, of course not. So it doesn't come as a total shock when they slide off the road into a ditch. They're stranded for the time being and it's only getting colder. This is where the sexual tension just ignites! I felt the sex scenes where rather tasteful and Gage and Mary Anne sure did like going at it!
But we can't just leave the danger to freezing because where's the fun in that? Gage and Mary Anne decide to hoof it and try to find a way home since Gage's truck is a goner. While on their way they're taken captive and held by a secretive pack of werewolves (or shifter wolves) that claim to be protecting them from far worse things. Okay, yeah..Hunter the leader of the pack was weird. Usually I like the whole alpha male thing and I did...just with Gage. Hunter needed to tone down the creep factor but I guess he grows on you after awhile. It was just a different approach than what I'm used to with Alphas.
Some of the happenings near the end were unexpected and not particularly my cup of tea. However, this having been my first paranormal read from Alyssa I found I rather enjoyed it. She has a way of writing that makes it hard to put her books down and I am looking forward to reading more from her!
4 stars from River Book Reviews!!
I guess the best place to start would be to say that for myself personally it's hard to sink into anything paranormal, however, with this being about werewolves it was easier to like. Dire is prefaced with a flash-forward, which I thought was a nice touch and a duel PoV, before we head into getting a feel for things starting with Gage and Mary Anne at college just before break.
Mary Anne and Gage have been longtime friends and while Mary Anne has always pined after Gage..he's taken notice of her but isn't inclined to do anything (even though it's crossed his mind) mainly because of the repercussions he'd likely face. I really enjoyed the wit and banter as well as the steamy sexual tension between these two. Definitely had me enjoying this book even more!
But of course things go awry when a huge snow storm is moving in as they're getting ready to leave. Gage and Mary Anne decide to try to beat it and all the while I'm trying to tell them to stay put. But do they listen? Nooo, of course not. So it doesn't come as a total shock when they slide off the road into a ditch. They're stranded for the time being and it's only getting colder. This is where the sexual tension just ignites! I felt the sex scenes where rather tasteful and Gage and Mary Anne sure did like going at it!
But we can't just leave the danger to freezing because where's the fun in that? Gage and Mary Anne decide to hoof it and try to find a way home since Gage's truck is a goner. While on their way they're taken captive and held by a secretive pack of werewolves (or shifter wolves) that claim to be protecting them from far worse things. Okay, yeah..Hunter the leader of the pack was weird. Usually I like the whole alpha male thing and I did...just with Gage. Hunter needed to tone down the creep factor but I guess he grows on you after awhile. It was just a different approach than what I'm used to with Alphas.
Some of the happenings near the end were unexpected and not particularly my cup of tea. However, this having been my first paranormal read from Alyssa I found I rather enjoyed it. She has a way of writing that makes it hard to put her books down and I am looking forward to reading more from her!
4 stars from River Book Reviews!!
September 16, 2014
Mary Ann and Gage are childhood friends now attending college together. What Gage doesn't know is that Mary Ann has been in love with him the whole time. Stranded on the side of the road while heading home over break, they take the opportunity to open up about their feelings for each other. The sexual tension and witty banter between these two are hilarious. Mary Ann is ecstatic over her new relationship with Gage but feel he will dump her when they return to school.
With the possibility of freezing to death and the snow not letting up they decide to try to walk to the next town for help. On their trek they run into a pack of werewolves lead by Hunter who takes an automatic liking to Mary Ann. Vowing to protect her Hunter's actions enrage Gage when he refuses to let her out of his site. With two men vying for her attention, will Mary Ann follow her heart with Gage or stay with Hunter who vows to protect her forever?
I have always enjoyed Alyssa Rose Ivy's books and this one is amazing also. I was skeptical at first because I usually don't like paranormal books about shape shifters and werewolves. This book was amazing though with a wonderful storyline that kept you reading and wanting more.
I really liked Gage and I was rooting for him and Mary Ann to be together. Gage seems to really care about her and is very protective of her even when the wolves separate them. Mary Ann really wants to be with Gage and seems repulsed with Hunter's attention. I did not like Hunter at all. It was his way and that was it. I usually love the strong Alpha Male but not in his case. He keeps Gage and Mary Ann apart and tells Mary Ann that she will be his one day.
The ending is torture. What a cliffhanger! I don't know if I am going to like the new direction I am sure the next book is going to go in. But true love always finds a way, right? For all fans of Alyssa, you have to read this book. If you have never read a book by Alyssa before, you have to read this one. It is so good!
Thank you to Alyssa Rose Ivy and InkSlinger for sending me a copy of this book for review. All thoughts are my own.
With the possibility of freezing to death and the snow not letting up they decide to try to walk to the next town for help. On their trek they run into a pack of werewolves lead by Hunter who takes an automatic liking to Mary Ann. Vowing to protect her Hunter's actions enrage Gage when he refuses to let her out of his site. With two men vying for her attention, will Mary Ann follow her heart with Gage or stay with Hunter who vows to protect her forever?
I have always enjoyed Alyssa Rose Ivy's books and this one is amazing also. I was skeptical at first because I usually don't like paranormal books about shape shifters and werewolves. This book was amazing though with a wonderful storyline that kept you reading and wanting more.
I really liked Gage and I was rooting for him and Mary Ann to be together. Gage seems to really care about her and is very protective of her even when the wolves separate them. Mary Ann really wants to be with Gage and seems repulsed with Hunter's attention. I did not like Hunter at all. It was his way and that was it. I usually love the strong Alpha Male but not in his case. He keeps Gage and Mary Ann apart and tells Mary Ann that she will be his one day.
The ending is torture. What a cliffhanger! I don't know if I am going to like the new direction I am sure the next book is going to go in. But true love always finds a way, right? For all fans of Alyssa, you have to read this book. If you have never read a book by Alyssa before, you have to read this one. It is so good!
Thank you to Alyssa Rose Ivy and InkSlinger for sending me a copy of this book for review. All thoughts are my own.
March 21, 2019
I think this might be too far from the norm. I finished it and am still just left confused about what's happening. It just felt off but I can't seem to articulate why.
September 5, 2014
Big thanks to Alyssa for an ARC copy for review.
Alyssa Rose Ivy has done it again. I am hooked on her newest series, The Dire Wolves Chronicles. It's fast paced, sexy, dangerous and thrilling. I absolutely love the mythical and magical world Alyssa creates. Just like both The Crescent Chronicles and The Empire Chronicles this novel is still set in the same paranormal realm, but now the wolves are front row and center and they most certainly have a story to tell.
The story is told from two perspectives, Mary Anne and Gage. I really enjoyed the character Mary Anne, a simple girl, who was sweet, strong willed and down to earth. She also happens to be attending the same college as her long time crush, Gage. Now for my boy Gage, what's not to love. He is attractive, outgoing, charming, and protective. The strong feelings and sexual chemistry between Mary Anne and Gage were certainly sizzling.
"I need her. I didn't care about where we were, I needed Mary Anne, and I was going to have her." ~ Gage
But.. What happens when a stranger appears. This stranger is ruggedly handsome, mysterious, demanding, and yet captivating, and has some secrets. Yep, that would Hunter. The guy most definitely had my attention. He feels a powerful connection to Mary Anne, and a need to keep her safe and cared for. The Hunter and Mary Anne scenes were very entrancing, and just something as simple as a look or a touch said a thousand words.
He ran a hand down my arm. "You'd also be cherished. You body worshipped and adored. You're every need and desire fulfilled because I know them better than you know them yourself." ~ Hunter
Of course, like any great book of Alyssa's, this one is action packed toward the end and will leave you with a cliffhanger. But thankfully there are two novels ahead for this series. I cannot wait to see what happens!
My review also posted at:Jess Time To Read
Alyssa Rose Ivy has done it again. I am hooked on her newest series, The Dire Wolves Chronicles. It's fast paced, sexy, dangerous and thrilling. I absolutely love the mythical and magical world Alyssa creates. Just like both The Crescent Chronicles and The Empire Chronicles this novel is still set in the same paranormal realm, but now the wolves are front row and center and they most certainly have a story to tell.
The story is told from two perspectives, Mary Anne and Gage. I really enjoyed the character Mary Anne, a simple girl, who was sweet, strong willed and down to earth. She also happens to be attending the same college as her long time crush, Gage. Now for my boy Gage, what's not to love. He is attractive, outgoing, charming, and protective. The strong feelings and sexual chemistry between Mary Anne and Gage were certainly sizzling.
"I need her. I didn't care about where we were, I needed Mary Anne, and I was going to have her." ~ Gage
But.. What happens when a stranger appears. This stranger is ruggedly handsome, mysterious, demanding, and yet captivating, and has some secrets. Yep, that would Hunter. The guy most definitely had my attention. He feels a powerful connection to Mary Anne, and a need to keep her safe and cared for. The Hunter and Mary Anne scenes were very entrancing, and just something as simple as a look or a touch said a thousand words.
He ran a hand down my arm. "You'd also be cherished. You body worshipped and adored. You're every need and desire fulfilled because I know them better than you know them yourself." ~ Hunter
Of course, like any great book of Alyssa's, this one is action packed toward the end and will leave you with a cliffhanger. But thankfully there are two novels ahead for this series. I cannot wait to see what happens!
My review also posted at:Jess Time To Read
September 2, 2014
This is one of those books I have to take a few moments to gather my thoughts before I rush into a review. Don't get me wrong...I enjoyed the story, there just was some parts that made the storyline hard for me to shallow. I’ll get to that in a bit.
Let me start off by saying that I love Gage. Like love-love him. He is a great character that I ended up loving more and more as the story unfolded. Mary Anne? I liked her, but wasn't in love with her character. But she was ok. As for Hunter...no! Just no. He is one of those characters you scream and scream at, trying to make them see reason to no avail. Read on, you'll see.
Okay, so here is where parts of the storyline got me. I think my problem was how everything seemed to center around sex. Again, don't get me wrong. There is a story here, but it evolved around sex. To me, the storyline started out good. Really good. Until the wolves showed up and then it seemed like a meeting of the horn dogs. (Wolf pun intended.) Everyone wanted a piece. And don't get me started on the twist towards the end. I think the story had great potential to go somewhere amazing or do something spectacular with it, but it just got to me and not in a good way. But I am holding out faith for book 2. I know Ivy has something up her sleeve and I cannot wait to see what it is.
DIRE is a quick read that had me glued to my ereader, eagerly devouring it until I couldn't hold my eyes open any longer....only to pick it up and finish it as soon as I was awake the next morning. I really do look forward to what is going to happen next, as the ending left me wanting and needing more. Mary Anne and Gage have found themselves in quite the predicament. 4 Wolfy Stars!
Let me start off by saying that I love Gage. Like love-love him. He is a great character that I ended up loving more and more as the story unfolded. Mary Anne? I liked her, but wasn't in love with her character. But she was ok. As for Hunter...no! Just no. He is one of those characters you scream and scream at, trying to make them see reason to no avail. Read on, you'll see.
Okay, so here is where parts of the storyline got me. I think my problem was how everything seemed to center around sex. Again, don't get me wrong. There is a story here, but it evolved around sex. To me, the storyline started out good. Really good. Until the wolves showed up and then it seemed like a meeting of the horn dogs. (Wolf pun intended.) Everyone wanted a piece. And don't get me started on the twist towards the end. I think the story had great potential to go somewhere amazing or do something spectacular with it, but it just got to me and not in a good way. But I am holding out faith for book 2. I know Ivy has something up her sleeve and I cannot wait to see what it is.
DIRE is a quick read that had me glued to my ereader, eagerly devouring it until I couldn't hold my eyes open any longer....only to pick it up and finish it as soon as I was awake the next morning. I really do look forward to what is going to happen next, as the ending left me wanting and needing more. Mary Anne and Gage have found themselves in quite the predicament. 4 Wolfy Stars!
September 15, 2014
3.5 - 4 Stars in my Sky!
I've read a LOT of werewolf stories over the years and whilst some are rather obvious and predictable, I was pleased with the different approach Alyssa Rose Ivy takes in Dire.
Mary Anne wants Gage. Gage is just starting to notice her, but then suddenly they find themselves immersed into a strange, supernatural world. Enter Hunter! On a side note, the snowy elements kinda reminded me of the scenario in JLA's Frigid but with added paranormal elements.
The characters were a bit of a mixed bag for me (at least initially) because I wasn't totally won over by Gage and I did find Mary Anne a little annoying. She did grow on me as the story developed. I also appreciated how she didn't give in to certain expectations and remained firm (mostly) in her beliefs. I really liked Hunter! He's possessive, demanding and uber controlling, but he made me smile when he tried to be sweet. Plus even with his extreme alpha-like tendencies I did like him. I felt as though I shouldn't have liked and excused his actions, but I couldn't help hoping for things to go his way.
There are some interesting supernatural twists in the story; Ivy doesn't pull her punches when it comes to certain topics. There were moments when the plot seemed more like a horror movie scenario than a paranormal book, both the mixed genres worked well together. I'm looking forward to the next instalment and am still recovering from the cliffy at the end - I hope that Mary Anne will be able to completely win me over and become slightly more assertive.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!
Also reviewed on my blog Zili in the Sky
September 15, 2014
Mary Anne has always had the hots for Gage, a home town friend giving her a ride home for the holiday. Gage is a player who doesn’t realize that he has some strong feelings for Mary Anne. But when they are stranded in the wilderness during a snowstorm, everything in their lives change, starting with their feelings for each other.
When they are rescued from the elements by Hunter and his companions, everything seems wrong, especially when Hunter makes some serious dominant alpha-moves on Mary Anne. It's clear something's going on, but it isn't until they try to run that they find out just how much trouble they are really in.
Gage and Mary Anne struggle to find a way to escape Hunter and his group. They take a chance and are close to getting free when a new threat enters the game causing very serious consequences for Gage. Things go terribly wrong, and Mary Anne is forced into making a very significant promise to Hunter.
Alyssa Rose Ivy creates a certain atmosphere that was part terror, part romance, part alpha-hotness that built really nicely to an ending that had me pawing at my e-reader for more. Hunter rides a fine between alpha-sexy and could-be-creepy which makes for a very intriguing character -- I definitely need more of him! Gage and Mary Anne are convincing as college students in a whole heap of trouble and it’s going to be interesting to see how Mary Anne handles the sacrifices she’s made.
And Gage! What is going to happen to Gage! Nice ending to this first book in the series. Can’t wait for Dusk!
This review also appears on my blog at: http://redhotbluereads.blogspot.com/2014/09/release-day-excerpt-giveaway-review.html
When they are rescued from the elements by Hunter and his companions, everything seems wrong, especially when Hunter makes some serious dominant alpha-moves on Mary Anne. It's clear something's going on, but it isn't until they try to run that they find out just how much trouble they are really in.
Gage and Mary Anne struggle to find a way to escape Hunter and his group. They take a chance and are close to getting free when a new threat enters the game causing very serious consequences for Gage. Things go terribly wrong, and Mary Anne is forced into making a very significant promise to Hunter.
Alyssa Rose Ivy creates a certain atmosphere that was part terror, part romance, part alpha-hotness that built really nicely to an ending that had me pawing at my e-reader for more. Hunter rides a fine between alpha-sexy and could-be-creepy which makes for a very intriguing character -- I definitely need more of him! Gage and Mary Anne are convincing as college students in a whole heap of trouble and it’s going to be interesting to see how Mary Anne handles the sacrifices she’s made.
And Gage! What is going to happen to Gage! Nice ending to this first book in the series. Can’t wait for Dusk!
This review also appears on my blog at: http://redhotbluereads.blogspot.com/2014/09/release-day-excerpt-giveaway-review.html
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