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Call of Crows #2
The Undoing
A risk worth taking…
No one would ever accuse Jace Berisha of having an easy life—considering her husband…you know…killed her. But that was then! Now she fights for mighty Viking gods with the spectacular and vicious Crows.
But things are turning very bad, very quickly because a vengeful, ancient goddess has come into the world with just one thing on her mind—ending it. And the only way they can hope to stop her is if the Crows join forces with their one-time enemies, the Protectors. A Viking Clan created to do nothing but kill every Crow they see.
Thankfully, Protector Ski Eriksen is a peace loving kind of guy. Because the woman he is desperately trying to get close to is the beautiful and not-very-chatty Jace. Battling Nordic clans? Unkillable goddesses? Jace’s mean-spirited dog? None of these things would ever get in the way of a true Viking!
No one would ever accuse Jace Berisha of having an easy life—considering her husband…you know…killed her. But that was then! Now she fights for mighty Viking gods with the spectacular and vicious Crows.
But things are turning very bad, very quickly because a vengeful, ancient goddess has come into the world with just one thing on her mind—ending it. And the only way they can hope to stop her is if the Crows join forces with their one-time enemies, the Protectors. A Viking Clan created to do nothing but kill every Crow they see.
Thankfully, Protector Ski Eriksen is a peace loving kind of guy. Because the woman he is desperately trying to get close to is the beautiful and not-very-chatty Jace. Battling Nordic clans? Unkillable goddesses? Jace’s mean-spirited dog? None of these things would ever get in the way of a true Viking!
374 pages, Paperback
First published March 29, 2016
518 people are currently reading
3667 people want to read
About the author
Shelly Laurenston
46 books7,937 followersOriginally from Long Island, New York, Shelly Laurenston has resigned herself to West Coast living which involves healthy food, mostly sunny days, and lots of guys not wearing shirts when they really should be. Shelly Laurenston is also The New York Times Bestselling author G.A. Aiken, creator of the Dragon Kin series. For more info on G.A. Aiken's dangerously and arrogantly sexy dragons, check out her website at www.gaaiken.com.
Pseudonym G.A. Aiken
Pseudonym G.A. Aiken
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 741 reviews
April 19, 2017
KINDLE MONTHLY DEAL! (On sale)
*Amazon US*Amazon UK*
Before she became a Crow, Jace led a very different life, and it all ended the night her then husband, killed her. That's when she made the choice to fight for the Viking God's and changed her life to become a sister to the Crows with a rage like no other. A rage that doesn't stop until her enemy is destroyed.
For an introvert like Jace, living in a house full of her sister Crows isn't very easy. Small talk is painfully annoying to her, and having to listen to incessant talking makes her want to go off on a rage. When she's told she needs a job she decides to take a translating job for the Protectors, and finally finds her place. They aren't like her sisters, they study and love books, and most importantly they don't find a need to constantly talk.
Ski Erikson is the Protector that looks over all the rest. He leads them in battle and in life, since most of them don't worry about menial things like paying bills, when there are books to be read and studied. Ski has always been interested in knowing more about Jace, the enigma of the Crows, so when she's in his territory and alone, he's determined to get her out of a book for once and into his arms.
This book kicked some ass! I forgot how amazing Shelly Laurenston was, and how much I liked her writing. The Undoing was nothing but perfect for this series. It was very easy to follow along with, and all the Gods and Goddesses weren't hard at all to keep track of. It's amazing how I picked up this book and was instantly taken to this different kind of world, where things such as Viking God's existed. Any book that can do that get's my stamp of approval.
Jace and Ski were amazing characters and I really enjoyed the humor they brought to the book, especially Jace. Their romance was very slow building, but getting to see they steps they took to get to being a couple was really sweet and I adored seeing Jace fumble around a bit, learning what a real relationship is like. It was great to see Ski pulling Jace out of her shell and I liked that he was so patient with her, and helped her along the way in their relationship.
The story had the usual action that I've come to expect from this author, and I loved the parts of the book where we got to see some ass kicking. These girls are badass and I love all of them so far. They each have their own abilities, and all have their own, very different, personalities. I like that the books have a little piece of all the Crows and we get to see how close they are with one another, even in those moments when there's drama between them.
Overall, The Undoing was an amazing, action-packed, sweet story that I highly recommend for any paranormal lovers. Even if you haven't read this genre before, I still recommend this series, and it would be a great introduction to the world of PNR.
ARC kindly provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*Amazon US*Amazon UK*
Before she became a Crow, Jace led a very different life, and it all ended the night her then husband, killed her. That's when she made the choice to fight for the Viking God's and changed her life to become a sister to the Crows with a rage like no other. A rage that doesn't stop until her enemy is destroyed.
For an introvert like Jace, living in a house full of her sister Crows isn't very easy. Small talk is painfully annoying to her, and having to listen to incessant talking makes her want to go off on a rage. When she's told she needs a job she decides to take a translating job for the Protectors, and finally finds her place. They aren't like her sisters, they study and love books, and most importantly they don't find a need to constantly talk.
Ski Erikson is the Protector that looks over all the rest. He leads them in battle and in life, since most of them don't worry about menial things like paying bills, when there are books to be read and studied. Ski has always been interested in knowing more about Jace, the enigma of the Crows, so when she's in his territory and alone, he's determined to get her out of a book for once and into his arms.
This book kicked some ass! I forgot how amazing Shelly Laurenston was, and how much I liked her writing. The Undoing was nothing but perfect for this series. It was very easy to follow along with, and all the Gods and Goddesses weren't hard at all to keep track of. It's amazing how I picked up this book and was instantly taken to this different kind of world, where things such as Viking God's existed. Any book that can do that get's my stamp of approval.
Jace and Ski were amazing characters and I really enjoyed the humor they brought to the book, especially Jace. Their romance was very slow building, but getting to see they steps they took to get to being a couple was really sweet and I adored seeing Jace fumble around a bit, learning what a real relationship is like. It was great to see Ski pulling Jace out of her shell and I liked that he was so patient with her, and helped her along the way in their relationship.
The story had the usual action that I've come to expect from this author, and I loved the parts of the book where we got to see some ass kicking. These girls are badass and I love all of them so far. They each have their own abilities, and all have their own, very different, personalities. I like that the books have a little piece of all the Crows and we get to see how close they are with one another, even in those moments when there's drama between them.
Overall, The Undoing was an amazing, action-packed, sweet story that I highly recommend for any paranormal lovers. Even if you haven't read this genre before, I still recommend this series, and it would be a great introduction to the world of PNR.
ARC kindly provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2016
4.5 stars
This was another fantastic read from Shelly Laurenston. I was thoroughly entertained and I wish I could linger in the world she has created just a little while longer.
You shouldn't read this book unless you have read the first one, The Unleashing. S.L. literally unleashed a whole world in it, filled with so much new information and characters it was a tad overwhelming. This book thankfully is relatively toned down, not just in information but general Crow hijinks. It does re-cap some facts here and there but not in an exasperating-I've read-this-100-times-already way.
As in the first book our main characters are the Crows, Skuld's Harbingers of Death. Specifically here Jace,the Crows's Berserker. Jace, like all the Crows met an untimely death, at the hands of her husband. For a person that has been through so much she is level headed despite the Berserker rage that grips her every so often, usually after a physical confrontation or threat to her friends. Quite unlike her fellow Crows, she craves quiet and solitude to read her books in peace. It's not that she doesn't love all of them just that she needs that space to recharge.
The Protectors were created by the God Tyr, just as Skuld has Crows and Odin has Ravens, Tyr has Owls. They were created to be humanity's Protectors with a strong sense of justice and natural enemies of the Crows and Ravens. After killing each other extensively they finally realized that the Crows and Ravens and indeed all the Clans were essential to keep Ragnarok(End of Days) from happening. The Protectors are studious with an almost fanatic love for books. Protecting and acquiring knowledge is their life.
Protector Ski Eriksen approaches Jace with a job offer she agrees to after being put on the spot by her leader Chloe. Ski is the Protectors second in command and tries to take care of his Clan when they get too absorbed in their studies to notice the outside world. Jace fits right in with their ways and endears herself to them.
The plot picks up where it was left of at the end of the previous book. The spoiler is for those that have already read the first book, if you haven't it wont make much sense to you . As before we have multiple POVs that actually work. The beginning focuses on the budding relationship between Ski and Jace with intersecting POVs and events. At some point it feels as though the book is setting it's self up as filler but soon enough the villains atrocities escalate and the action begins. We have a new player making things more difficult for the Clans but so much more interesting for us.
I have a fondness for Norse mythology and this series brings it all into vivid,colourful life. I know that it's probably not completely accurate but I don't care, I 'm having too much fun! The Crows ruthlessness in protecting their own, their unparalleled craziness, their pets, their love interests and so much more combine to make a hell of an entertaining series that I can't help wanting to read more of. If you are a fan of PNR and UF, don't miss out, give this series a try.
**ARC courtesy of Kensington Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
---------------------------------------
7/3/2016
I GOT AN ARC!!!! My very next read!
Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley!
----------------------------------------
15/12/2015
We have blurb, date and cover people!!
This was another fantastic read from Shelly Laurenston. I was thoroughly entertained and I wish I could linger in the world she has created just a little while longer.
You shouldn't read this book unless you have read the first one, The Unleashing. S.L. literally unleashed a whole world in it, filled with so much new information and characters it was a tad overwhelming. This book thankfully is relatively toned down, not just in information but general Crow hijinks. It does re-cap some facts here and there but not in an exasperating-I've read-this-100-times-already way.
As in the first book our main characters are the Crows, Skuld's Harbingers of Death. Specifically here Jace,the Crows's Berserker. Jace, like all the Crows met an untimely death, at the hands of her husband. For a person that has been through so much she is level headed despite the Berserker rage that grips her every so often, usually after a physical confrontation or threat to her friends. Quite unlike her fellow Crows, she craves quiet and solitude to read her books in peace. It's not that she doesn't love all of them just that she needs that space to recharge.
The Protectors were created by the God Tyr, just as Skuld has Crows and Odin has Ravens, Tyr has Owls. They were created to be humanity's Protectors with a strong sense of justice and natural enemies of the Crows and Ravens. After killing each other extensively they finally realized that the Crows and Ravens and indeed all the Clans were essential to keep Ragnarok(End of Days) from happening. The Protectors are studious with an almost fanatic love for books. Protecting and acquiring knowledge is their life.
Protector Ski Eriksen approaches Jace with a job offer she agrees to after being put on the spot by her leader Chloe. Ski is the Protectors second in command and tries to take care of his Clan when they get too absorbed in their studies to notice the outside world. Jace fits right in with their ways and endears herself to them.
The plot picks up where it was left of at the end of the previous book. The spoiler is for those that have already read the first book, if you haven't it wont make much sense to you . As before we have multiple POVs that actually work. The beginning focuses on the budding relationship between Ski and Jace with intersecting POVs and events. At some point it feels as though the book is setting it's self up as filler but soon enough the villains atrocities escalate and the action begins. We have a new player making things more difficult for the Clans but so much more interesting for us.
I have a fondness for Norse mythology and this series brings it all into vivid,colourful life. I know that it's probably not completely accurate but I don't care, I 'm having too much fun! The Crows ruthlessness in protecting their own, their unparalleled craziness, their pets, their love interests and so much more combine to make a hell of an entertaining series that I can't help wanting to read more of. If you are a fan of PNR and UF, don't miss out, give this series a try.
**ARC courtesy of Kensington Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
---------------------------------------
7/3/2016
I GOT AN ARC!!!! My very next read!
Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley!
----------------------------------------
15/12/2015
We have blurb, date and cover people!!
August 11, 2017
5 ★★★★★ Crazy Crows ~ Stars
Genre: Paranormal/Vikings
Type: Book 2 of in the Call of Crows Series
POV: Shifting - Multiple
This book was phenomenal. I fell in love with all the crows and Vikings since book one and going into this book I didn't know what to expect. When I realized it was Jace's story I was super excited and I know that this one was going to be even better than the first one if that's even possible. I was correct this book had everything. We meet new characters but we still get to see Kera and her man Vig and enjoyed all the drama of the crows.
Jacinda "Jace" Berish is shy at least that's what everyone thinks because she doesn't want to talk with anyone. However what everyone interprets as shy is nothing but away for her to escape from speaking to anyone. She didn't feel the need to speak if she didn't have to. She was given the gift of rage by the Scult when her husband killed her and tried to bury her. She awoke as a crow and not just any crow but one that with he rage could kill everyone.
Danski "Ski"Eriksen is the leader of he guardian Vikings; he meets Jace on one of their missions and her anger and attitude attracted to him. There was just something about this crow that he liked. Maybe the fact that she was shy or the fact that she knew so many languages either way he like her right from the start. He found himself needing her help to translate books for their Viking clan. However; Jace didn't want anything to do with them or anyone.
The crows blew everything out of proportion as usual and decided that someone Jace's sudden race needed to stop and they though perhaps getting her a job will help her be more social. Jace didn't want to be social so she decided to accept Ski's job position to translate books for them.
Their relationship was so funny and just perfect I absolutely loved these two. Jace had a dark past that she preferred not talking about but she felt at home and different with this clans and she opened up to them. They immediately loved her and protected her. Now Jace had the crows and these nerdy gods to protect her. But she didn't need protecting mostly everyone else needed to be protecting from her and her rage once she would go into rage there was nothing that could stop her.
This book was full of funny events you will laugh so much to the point that your belly will hurt. There is so much drama but what do you expect with a bunch of girl crows fighting all the time and you will see a lot of action and defiantly some sexy steamy scenes. This book was packed with everything I look for in a book and it will leave you wanting more because yes there is more and I am already looking forward to the next book on the series. Lovers of paranormal would enjoy this book as long as you are comfortable with multiple point of views.
MORE OF THESE CRAZY CROWS I love it...
CALL OF CROWS
BOOK ONE
BOOK TWO
Book Order Series:
Amazon ---> https://amzn.com/B010ZZY2CQ
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Genre: Paranormal/Vikings
Type: Book 2 of in the Call of Crows Series
POV: Shifting - Multiple
This book was phenomenal. I fell in love with all the crows and Vikings since book one and going into this book I didn't know what to expect. When I realized it was Jace's story I was super excited and I know that this one was going to be even better than the first one if that's even possible. I was correct this book had everything. We meet new characters but we still get to see Kera and her man Vig and enjoyed all the drama of the crows.
Jacinda "Jace" Berish is shy at least that's what everyone thinks because she doesn't want to talk with anyone. However what everyone interprets as shy is nothing but away for her to escape from speaking to anyone. She didn't feel the need to speak if she didn't have to. She was given the gift of rage by the Scult when her husband killed her and tried to bury her. She awoke as a crow and not just any crow but one that with he rage could kill everyone.
Danski "Ski"Eriksen is the leader of he guardian Vikings; he meets Jace on one of their missions and her anger and attitude attracted to him. There was just something about this crow that he liked. Maybe the fact that she was shy or the fact that she knew so many languages either way he like her right from the start. He found himself needing her help to translate books for their Viking clan. However; Jace didn't want anything to do with them or anyone.
The crows blew everything out of proportion as usual and decided that someone Jace's sudden race needed to stop and they though perhaps getting her a job will help her be more social. Jace didn't want to be social so she decided to accept Ski's job position to translate books for them.
Their relationship was so funny and just perfect I absolutely loved these two. Jace had a dark past that she preferred not talking about but she felt at home and different with this clans and she opened up to them. They immediately loved her and protected her. Now Jace had the crows and these nerdy gods to protect her. But she didn't need protecting mostly everyone else needed to be protecting from her and her rage once she would go into rage there was nothing that could stop her.
This book was full of funny events you will laugh so much to the point that your belly will hurt. There is so much drama but what do you expect with a bunch of girl crows fighting all the time and you will see a lot of action and defiantly some sexy steamy scenes. This book was packed with everything I look for in a book and it will leave you wanting more because yes there is more and I am already looking forward to the next book on the series. Lovers of paranormal would enjoy this book as long as you are comfortable with multiple point of views.
MORE OF THESE CRAZY CROWS I love it...
CALL OF CROWS
BOOK ONE
BOOK TWO
Book Order Series:
Amazon ---> https://amzn.com/B010ZZY2CQ
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
April 3, 2016
Yes!! A female berserker! I'm so happy! That's right, boys, Jace is so kickass that you'd better run and hide when she gets mad!
She's all sweet and quiet on the outside - just wants to be left alone to read. (sound familiar?) But, if you poke the bear, you will be sorry.
Yeah, you don't want to see Jace's bear-side.
This is the second book in an awesome series that is super hilarious and entertaining. There is tons of Nordic mythology in zany form. Yes, zany. Like when the squirrel, Ratatosk, who lives in the World Tree - Yggdrasil- came to give the clans a message, we learn that he is a jerk.
not only did he transport messages between the gods and the underworld, but he was also a major, grade A shit starter. Literally, that was his job. To start shit and keep that rage going.
...sometimes he's make a leader guess the message by doing pantomime.
In other words, Ratatosk was just a dick. As many squirrels were.
See? Now, how could I not possibly love a book that has lines like that last one? It speaks to the snarky little black heart of mine.
And, this book has everything my dark dark soul loves: bloodshed, talking shit, fighting, an awesome dog who eats bad humans, getting drunk and inappropriate, a fake bad party, and love. Don't forget about the love.
I would suggest that most of my friends read this series because you are all just as demented and hilariously evil as I am. That means you will like it.
She's all sweet and quiet on the outside - just wants to be left alone to read. (sound familiar?) But, if you poke the bear, you will be sorry.
Yeah, you don't want to see Jace's bear-side.
This is the second book in an awesome series that is super hilarious and entertaining. There is tons of Nordic mythology in zany form. Yes, zany. Like when the squirrel, Ratatosk, who lives in the World Tree - Yggdrasil- came to give the clans a message, we learn that he is a jerk.
not only did he transport messages between the gods and the underworld, but he was also a major, grade A shit starter. Literally, that was his job. To start shit and keep that rage going.
...sometimes he's make a leader guess the message by doing pantomime.
In other words, Ratatosk was just a dick. As many squirrels were.
See? Now, how could I not possibly love a book that has lines like that last one? It speaks to the snarky little black heart of mine.
And, this book has everything my dark dark soul loves: bloodshed, talking shit, fighting, an awesome dog who eats bad humans, getting drunk and inappropriate, a fake bad party, and love. Don't forget about the love.
I would suggest that most of my friends read this series because you are all just as demented and hilariously evil as I am. That means you will like it.
March 1, 2017
Fun, sexy, Nordic, action filled, cute animals adventures.
I really enjoy this series. It's sexy, funny, filled with gods, goddesses, nordic men and furry beasties. The women are never the fragile wall flowers waiting for their hero and the men are confident enough to stand back and admire the women as they do it for themselves. This book #2 in the series stepped up the volume with Ski and Jace finding some form of connection. Hot hot hot, no games played, just viking loving action. I appreciate and adore the upfront honesty between these characters, it's so refreshing. They say it like it is and move on. This works for me, my biggest gripe is that some authors write their characters to hold on to their secrets/emotions/thoughts like their lives depend on being the same as everyone else. BLECH Good communication wins every time !
There is some excellent payback that you don't want to miss. I squealed and cheered and scared my family, it was that good. :D
You must read book one to understand what is happening here. The characters are slowly developing and their past comes up here and grows.
I really enjoy this series. It's sexy, funny, filled with gods, goddesses, nordic men and furry beasties. The women are never the fragile wall flowers waiting for their hero and the men are confident enough to stand back and admire the women as they do it for themselves. This book #2 in the series stepped up the volume with Ski and Jace finding some form of connection. Hot hot hot, no games played, just viking loving action. I appreciate and adore the upfront honesty between these characters, it's so refreshing. They say it like it is and move on. This works for me, my biggest gripe is that some authors write their characters to hold on to their secrets/emotions/thoughts like their lives depend on being the same as everyone else. BLECH Good communication wins every time !
There is some excellent payback that you don't want to miss. I squealed and cheered and scared my family, it was that good. :D
You must read book one to understand what is happening here. The characters are slowly developing and their past comes up here and grows.
February 20, 2016
With this book the author has well and truly nailed it. I'm talking fist pumping, running around like a headless chicken and screaming because it's that good .Honestly I wasn't absolutely and totally enamoured by the previous foray into this crazy Nordic world but this instalment is quite simply fierce!
Jace is the heroine this time and she's quiet, introverted but when she gets mad you really need to run because Jace has a berserker rage inside her! Her fellow Crows may not understand fully her need to be solitary ( this girl hides in cupboards!) but she's one of them and they've got her back no matter what. Jace also happens to be extremely bright and blessed with a knowledge of languages that could really help the Protectors. Ski is determined to get to know Jace a whole lot better but there's a teensy problem to sort out first as a Goddess is walking around sacrificing humans in a bid to start Ragnarok. Ok maybe not such a small problem but if the Crows squabble and bicker amongst themselves how on earth can they ever cooperate with any of the other Vikings? Yes it's fair to say Jace and Ski have a lot on their plate.
I loved this book. Yes it's a romance but it's a slow burn as Jace has a whole lot of baggage from her past and boy was her first life unbelievable. The Crows are just the wackiest bunch of characters who at first seem selfish, bitchy and fearless but as their hysterical antics play out the reader begins to see the true strength of their bonds. I don't wish to say too much about the story but will say Ski is the ultimate Protector , it's almost as if he is the Protector who protects the Protectors! Jace holds so much passion inside her, be it for books, knowledge, her dog and eventually Ski. It was fabulous seeing the Crows work together even if at times they do seem to deliberately hinder themselves but it's all done in fun ok not everyone sees the funny side . If you have read the authors shifter stories then you will be overjoyed to see how she introduces quirky sometimes morose shifters here.
What more can I say? Such an assortment of characters to cheer for. We have wind up merchants , bullish and very large alarm clocks, flying dogs, disapproving grandmothers and of course those self obsessed Gods and Goddesses . If you want to tear up with laughter whilst shaking your head in disbelief then this book will fulfil those needs. I loved it and heartily recommend it and I can't wait to see what happens next.
I was gifted a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Jace is the heroine this time and she's quiet, introverted but when she gets mad you really need to run because Jace has a berserker rage inside her! Her fellow Crows may not understand fully her need to be solitary ( this girl hides in cupboards!) but she's one of them and they've got her back no matter what. Jace also happens to be extremely bright and blessed with a knowledge of languages that could really help the Protectors. Ski is determined to get to know Jace a whole lot better but there's a teensy problem to sort out first as a Goddess is walking around sacrificing humans in a bid to start Ragnarok. Ok maybe not such a small problem but if the Crows squabble and bicker amongst themselves how on earth can they ever cooperate with any of the other Vikings? Yes it's fair to say Jace and Ski have a lot on their plate.
I loved this book. Yes it's a romance but it's a slow burn as Jace has a whole lot of baggage from her past and boy was her first life unbelievable. The Crows are just the wackiest bunch of characters who at first seem selfish, bitchy and fearless but as their hysterical antics play out the reader begins to see the true strength of their bonds. I don't wish to say too much about the story but will say Ski is the ultimate Protector , it's almost as if he is the Protector who protects the Protectors! Jace holds so much passion inside her, be it for books, knowledge, her dog and eventually Ski. It was fabulous seeing the Crows work together even if at times they do seem to deliberately hinder themselves but it's all done in fun ok not everyone sees the funny side . If you have read the authors shifter stories then you will be overjoyed to see how she introduces quirky sometimes morose shifters here.
What more can I say? Such an assortment of characters to cheer for. We have wind up merchants , bullish and very large alarm clocks, flying dogs, disapproving grandmothers and of course those self obsessed Gods and Goddesses . If you want to tear up with laughter whilst shaking your head in disbelief then this book will fulfil those needs. I loved it and heartily recommend it and I can't wait to see what happens next.
I was gifted a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
February 24, 2017
First let me say how happy and excited I was when I saw this was going to be Jace's story. She immediately grabbed my attention in the first book. I wanted to know everything about her and I couldn't wait for her book. And Shelly Laurenston didn't disappoint (she never does though!)
Jace is very much an introvert, who loves books and knowledge. People assume she's shy and just needs to get out more, but she just doesn't like pointless chit chat and tries to avoid it by hiding in cupboards and under houses. She was also gifted with berserker like rage when she came back as a Crow and it was hilariously entertaining to read about her going slightly crazy and taking out all the bad guys around her. Jace is definitely my favourite character in the this series and I pretty much love everything about her.
Ski is a Protector from a clan that values knowledge, books, and justice above all else. Ski was super cute, he was basically the den mother for a bunch of book nerds who are usually too busy reading to take care of real life stuff. I thought he was the perfect partner for Jace because he could completely understand her and what she needs. I especially loved all the scenes with Ski, Jace, and all his brothers. They were all just such big book nerds together, it was adorable.
I will say that the romance in this was a real slow burn, nothing romantic really happened till like 50 or 60% but even though I would have loved more Ski and Jace steamy scenes, I felt like the pace made sense for their characters. And once they did get there, it was hot, hot, hot!
I can't wait for the next book in this series, really hoping its Erin's since I think it will be hilarious to watch her fall in love. Very much recommend this one to anyone looking for a great paranormal romance read, just make sure you read them in order! They are about separate couples but they have a running storyline through out that will make more sense if read from the first book.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jace is very much an introvert, who loves books and knowledge. People assume she's shy and just needs to get out more, but she just doesn't like pointless chit chat and tries to avoid it by hiding in cupboards and under houses. She was also gifted with berserker like rage when she came back as a Crow and it was hilariously entertaining to read about her going slightly crazy and taking out all the bad guys around her. Jace is definitely my favourite character in the this series and I pretty much love everything about her.
Ski is a Protector from a clan that values knowledge, books, and justice above all else. Ski was super cute, he was basically the den mother for a bunch of book nerds who are usually too busy reading to take care of real life stuff. I thought he was the perfect partner for Jace because he could completely understand her and what she needs. I especially loved all the scenes with Ski, Jace, and all his brothers. They were all just such big book nerds together, it was adorable.
I will say that the romance in this was a real slow burn, nothing romantic really happened till like 50 or 60% but even though I would have loved more Ski and Jace steamy scenes, I felt like the pace made sense for their characters. And once they did get there, it was hot, hot, hot!
I can't wait for the next book in this series, really hoping its Erin's since I think it will be hilarious to watch her fall in love. Very much recommend this one to anyone looking for a great paranormal romance read, just make sure you read them in order! They are about separate couples but they have a running storyline through out that will make more sense if read from the first book.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2016
Fun, sexy, Nordic, action filled, cute animals adventures.
I really enjoy this series. It's sexy, funny, filled with gods, goddesses, nordic men and furry beasties. The women are never the fragile wall flowers waiting for their hero and the men are confident enough to stand back and admire the women as they do it for themselves. This book #2 in the series stepped up the volume with Ski and Jace finding some form of connection. Hot hot hot, no games played, just viking loving action. I appreciate and adore the upfront honesty between these characters, it's so refreshing. They say it like it is and move on. This works for me, my biggest gripe is that some authors write their characters to hold on to their secrets/emotions/thoughts like their lives depend on being the same as everyone else. BLECH Good communication wins every time !
There is some excellent payback that you don;t want to miss. I squealed and cheered and scared my family, it was that good. :D
You must read book one to understand what is happening here. The characters are slowly developing and their past comes up here and grows.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to write an honest review.
I really enjoy this series. It's sexy, funny, filled with gods, goddesses, nordic men and furry beasties. The women are never the fragile wall flowers waiting for their hero and the men are confident enough to stand back and admire the women as they do it for themselves. This book #2 in the series stepped up the volume with Ski and Jace finding some form of connection. Hot hot hot, no games played, just viking loving action. I appreciate and adore the upfront honesty between these characters, it's so refreshing. They say it like it is and move on. This works for me, my biggest gripe is that some authors write their characters to hold on to their secrets/emotions/thoughts like their lives depend on being the same as everyone else. BLECH Good communication wins every time !
There is some excellent payback that you don;t want to miss. I squealed and cheered and scared my family, it was that good. :D
You must read book one to understand what is happening here. The characters are slowly developing and their past comes up here and grows.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to write an honest review.
April 4, 2017
An incredibly boring book. The banter, the calling card of this author, here was irritating, stupid, and meaningless.
There was an overabundance of characters with the unwanted effect to make them undistinguished and flat. You know Kira as the marine, Rachel as the nuisance, that other as the crazy or that as the psychopath. Even the heroine was just a stereotype, a cardboard. The men were even worse, I kept switching them in my mind. I wasn't able to pinpoint the hero for most of the first chapters.
If there was a story I couldn't really see it, there were 3 very threadbare ideas that never got running (romance, cult, the end of the world). At 55% there was no meat on these bones. At all. No romance, no plot, no ragnarock. Just an excuse for the messy "laughing" part. Honestly I couldn't give a damn. I couldn't even go beserk on this book. It's really not worth it.
It seems this the cheap slapstick version of Immortals after Dark. Or at least it seemed to me that way. Nix on steroids and cloned. Sorry, it doesn't work.
I'm just happy it was on offer. But even at this price I can't recommend it.
There was an overabundance of characters with the unwanted effect to make them undistinguished and flat. You know Kira as the marine, Rachel as the nuisance, that other as the crazy or that as the psychopath. Even the heroine was just a stereotype, a cardboard. The men were even worse, I kept switching them in my mind. I wasn't able to pinpoint the hero for most of the first chapters.
If there was a story I couldn't really see it, there were 3 very threadbare ideas that never got running (romance, cult, the end of the world). At 55% there was no meat on these bones. At all. No romance, no plot, no ragnarock. Just an excuse for the messy "laughing" part. Honestly I couldn't give a damn. I couldn't even go beserk on this book. It's really not worth it.
It seems this the cheap slapstick version of Immortals after Dark. Or at least it seemed to me that way. Nix on steroids and cloned. Sorry, it doesn't work.
I'm just happy it was on offer. But even at this price I can't recommend it.
April 3, 2016
The Undoing (Call of Crows, #2) by Shelly Laurenston has everything I want in a humorous paranormal romance! I was laughing and cheering, anxious and worried and just overall in love with all the characters, good and bad in this book. I highly recommend you read The Unleashing (Call of Crows, #1) first because it sets up the Norse mythology, world-building, conflict that carries over into book #2 and characters.
Jacinda “Jace” Berisha is an introvert member of the Crows who has the rage of a Berserker since her rebirth after her husband killed her. Ms. Laurenston takes an introvert, language specialist, book and puppy loving heroine and turns her into a kick-butt Berserker and makes it work. Protector Ski Eriksen is the perfect hero and mate for Jace. He runs the Protectors’ library and their personal lives because nothing is more important than books and learning for this group, except the occasional protection of innocents for their god, Tyr. Jace and Ski work together, with back-up from the Clans to uncover a way to defeat an unkillable goddess.
I cannot recommend this series enough! It is so much fun. It has characters that are original, crazy, funny and lovable. I am anxiously awaiting the next book!
Thank you to Kensington Books and Net Galley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was wonderfully funny, original and well written.
Jacinda “Jace” Berisha is an introvert member of the Crows who has the rage of a Berserker since her rebirth after her husband killed her. Ms. Laurenston takes an introvert, language specialist, book and puppy loving heroine and turns her into a kick-butt Berserker and makes it work. Protector Ski Eriksen is the perfect hero and mate for Jace. He runs the Protectors’ library and their personal lives because nothing is more important than books and learning for this group, except the occasional protection of innocents for their god, Tyr. Jace and Ski work together, with back-up from the Clans to uncover a way to defeat an unkillable goddess.
I cannot recommend this series enough! It is so much fun. It has characters that are original, crazy, funny and lovable. I am anxiously awaiting the next book!
Thank you to Kensington Books and Net Galley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was wonderfully funny, original and well written.
March 26, 2016
"THE UNDOING will no doubt have you smiling from ear to ear by the time you're done with it."
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
March 11, 2016
What happens when you take trademark Laurenston humor and action, mixed with a ton of Norse mythology and a dash of romance? This series is what happens. Ms. Laurenston’s latest urban fantasy series is hard to describe but a hoot to read.
The premise: The second book in the series begins a few weeks after the first book ends. The Crows, a group of women who have been given a second chance at life by serving the nordic goddess Skuld, are just finding out that Gullveig, the big Bad introduced in the first book, isn’t as vanquished as they thought she was. There are nine Clans that were formed by various gods and goddesses to work towards preventing Ragnarok, aka the apocalypse, or at least an incredibly bad day. The Crows are one of the Clans, but they all play a part in this story, as well as cameos by several gods including (dumb as a hammer) Thor, Odin, Tyr and Freyja. This is the overarching storyline that drives it all, and while there’s plenty of exposition given to get the reader up to speed when necessary, I do recommend reading the first book.
Jace is my soul sister-Crow: Jacinda “Jace” Berisha, is the sister-Crow at the heart of this entry and we get a glimpse of her first Life as the wife of a crazy bastard cult leader. From the prologue on, I was solidly in Jace’s corner. It also didn’t hurt that Jace is an anti-social introvert who will take a good book and her dog Lev over (most) people. Frankly, she’s a girl after my own heart.
Ski’s hot and nerdy, just like I like ‘em: Danski “Ski” Eriksen, one of the Protectors, wears glasses, is just as into books as his bethren but a better at the social game than anyone else. He’s nerdy but self-aware, a great combination. He also needs Jace’s help in translating some old Russian books he and his Protector brothers found. Jace captivates him but she’s a bit oblivious and I liked that alot. Ski’s a great gamma type of hero - as essentially the protector of his Protector brothers, he’s perfectly equipped to deal with their introverted, absent-minded professor ways. This also makes him the perfect man to love Jace.
That dash of romance: I think that going into this read with the mindset of urban fantasy rather than a more traditional paranormal romance helped my enjoyment because my expectations were tempered. When I say a dash, while each book is anchored by a love story, it’s the big picture and the day-to-day lives and interactions between all these different warriors and gods that drives the narrative. The romance is like a tasty, sexy garnish rather than the meat of the tale.
This story is clearly unfolding over several books, and there’s alot of moving parts at work. It can make some scenes with alot of explanations of the Gods and their relationship a bit unwieldy. That said, I truly enjoyed getting to see more of the ‘verse, the different characters, as well as deepening the relationships established in the first book.
I always enjoy a chance to visit one of Ms. Laurenston’s diverse and hella-funny worlds, and The Undoing builds and expands on the first book so well, I can’t wait to see what’s next. The Crows are moving up my list of favorites and if you’re into urban fantasy/paranormal romances, I encourage you to give Ms. Laurenston’s (who also publishes under the name G.A. Aiken) books a shot.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
For more reviews, visit
The premise: The second book in the series begins a few weeks after the first book ends. The Crows, a group of women who have been given a second chance at life by serving the nordic goddess Skuld, are just finding out that Gullveig, the big Bad introduced in the first book, isn’t as vanquished as they thought she was. There are nine Clans that were formed by various gods and goddesses to work towards preventing Ragnarok, aka the apocalypse, or at least an incredibly bad day. The Crows are one of the Clans, but they all play a part in this story, as well as cameos by several gods including (dumb as a hammer) Thor, Odin, Tyr and Freyja. This is the overarching storyline that drives it all, and while there’s plenty of exposition given to get the reader up to speed when necessary, I do recommend reading the first book.
Jace is my soul sister-Crow: Jacinda “Jace” Berisha, is the sister-Crow at the heart of this entry and we get a glimpse of her first Life as the wife of a crazy bastard cult leader. From the prologue on, I was solidly in Jace’s corner. It also didn’t hurt that Jace is an anti-social introvert who will take a good book and her dog Lev over (most) people. Frankly, she’s a girl after my own heart.
Ski’s hot and nerdy, just like I like ‘em: Danski “Ski” Eriksen, one of the Protectors, wears glasses, is just as into books as his bethren but a better at the social game than anyone else. He’s nerdy but self-aware, a great combination. He also needs Jace’s help in translating some old Russian books he and his Protector brothers found. Jace captivates him but she’s a bit oblivious and I liked that alot. Ski’s a great gamma type of hero - as essentially the protector of his Protector brothers, he’s perfectly equipped to deal with their introverted, absent-minded professor ways. This also makes him the perfect man to love Jace.
That dash of romance: I think that going into this read with the mindset of urban fantasy rather than a more traditional paranormal romance helped my enjoyment because my expectations were tempered. When I say a dash, while each book is anchored by a love story, it’s the big picture and the day-to-day lives and interactions between all these different warriors and gods that drives the narrative. The romance is like a tasty, sexy garnish rather than the meat of the tale.
This story is clearly unfolding over several books, and there’s alot of moving parts at work. It can make some scenes with alot of explanations of the Gods and their relationship a bit unwieldy. That said, I truly enjoyed getting to see more of the ‘verse, the different characters, as well as deepening the relationships established in the first book.
I always enjoy a chance to visit one of Ms. Laurenston’s diverse and hella-funny worlds, and The Undoing builds and expands on the first book so well, I can’t wait to see what’s next. The Crows are moving up my list of favorites and if you’re into urban fantasy/paranormal romances, I encourage you to give Ms. Laurenston’s (who also publishes under the name G.A. Aiken) books a shot.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
For more reviews, visit
October 11, 2016
I definitely liked this book more than the first. I think the first suffered a bit from all of the background and world building - a common occurrence for first books in a series. Maybe it's just me, but I was having a hard time keeping up with all the characters introduced. I think she hit her stride with this entry.
This book picks up right where the previous book left off and we aren't bombarded with a lot of new characters. The hero and his clan(The Protectors) had a brief appearance in the first book and the heroine, Jace, is known as well. She is the very quiet girl who latched on to the puppy Kera brought home to "foster" in the first book. Plus, we also get to see Kera and Vig quite a bit.
Again I'd call this more Urban Fantasy with romance than pure PNR. That's fine with me. If the story is interesting I'm ok with that. I'm warming up a bit to the narrator as well. Still not my favorite, but when you stare at a computer screen all day it's hard to read a long book the traditional way without massive headaches.
This book picks up right where the previous book left off and we aren't bombarded with a lot of new characters. The hero and his clan(The Protectors) had a brief appearance in the first book and the heroine, Jace, is known as well. She is the very quiet girl who latched on to the puppy Kera brought home to "foster" in the first book. Plus, we also get to see Kera and Vig quite a bit.
Again I'd call this more Urban Fantasy with romance than pure PNR. That's fine with me. If the story is interesting I'm ok with that. I'm warming up a bit to the narrator as well. Still not my favorite, but when you stare at a computer screen all day it's hard to read a long book the traditional way without massive headaches.
July 26, 2019
Very entertaining! Once again the romance is more of "on the side" vs. as a main focus but that's ok. The multitude of characters in this series had me hooked and completely entertained.
February 27, 2016
Oh. My. God. I loved it. Classic Shelly Laurenston. Fangirling so hard right now.
I'll try writing sensible sentences now.
The Undoing is an action-and-humor-packed sequel to the Call of Crows series about Nordic gods and their super-human Clans, who fight off mythical creatures, demons and gods on an every day basis and make this world a little bit more livable.
Aside from the already familiar Ravens and Crows, we're now introduced to the Protectors (who fight for justice in the name of Tyr) and Great Killers (Thor's Clan, who are as stupid as their god), and my personal favorite, kick-ass nuns also known as the Sisters of St. Mary Magdalene Convent of All Saints aka the Chosen Warriors of God. Can you imagine badass nuns? Hard, right?
The world-building, writing, character development is just amazing, I have nothing but praise for this book. It was immensely entertaining, funny, cute, interesting, informative, the whole deal.
Highly recommended for fans of PNR with strong and smart female characters who support each other, caring and respectful, but still very manly and fiersome male characters, and just a bunch of whiny and bratty gods. Two thumbs up.
A big thank you to Kensington Books for gifting me a copy via NetGalley.
I'll try writing sensible sentences now.
The Undoing is an action-and-humor-packed sequel to the Call of Crows series about Nordic gods and their super-human Clans, who fight off mythical creatures, demons and gods on an every day basis and make this world a little bit more livable.
Aside from the already familiar Ravens and Crows, we're now introduced to the Protectors (who fight for justice in the name of Tyr) and Great Killers (Thor's Clan, who are as stupid as their god), and my personal favorite, kick-ass nuns also known as the Sisters of St. Mary Magdalene Convent of All Saints aka the Chosen Warriors of God. Can you imagine badass nuns? Hard, right?
The world-building, writing, character development is just amazing, I have nothing but praise for this book. It was immensely entertaining, funny, cute, interesting, informative, the whole deal.
Highly recommended for fans of PNR with strong and smart female characters who support each other, caring and respectful, but still very manly and fiersome male characters, and just a bunch of whiny and bratty gods. Two thumbs up.
A big thank you to Kensington Books for gifting me a copy via NetGalley.
June 29, 2016
Witty, Action Packed, Steamy, Crazy, Intriguing & Laugh Out Loud Funny! A Awesome Series! I Loved It!
October 14, 2022
This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I have some pretty mixed feelings about this book. I must say that I enjoyed the first book in this series much more than this one. I really liked some parts of the but was bored or confused during other sections. I liked Jace and Ski and thought that they were great characters with excellent chemistry. I really wish that the focus of the book would have just stayed with them instead of being spread across so many characters. My main issue with this story is that there are just too many characters to keep track of which made the book hard to follow at times. I listened to the audiobook and thought that Johanna Parker did a good job with the story.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Kensington Books and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.
I have some pretty mixed feelings about this book. I must say that I enjoyed the first book in this series much more than this one. I really liked some parts of the but was bored or confused during other sections. I liked Jace and Ski and thought that they were great characters with excellent chemistry. I really wish that the focus of the book would have just stayed with them instead of being spread across so many characters. My main issue with this story is that there are just too many characters to keep track of which made the book hard to follow at times. I listened to the audiobook and thought that Johanna Parker did a good job with the story.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Kensington Books and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.
December 2, 2025
Who would have thought an introvert would make an awesome kick butt heroine? With Shelly Laurenston behind the pen, anything is possible.
Viking gods, mystical warriors and absolute mayhem, The Undoing rocked the pages.
Jace is the quiet introvert that rather hide under the house than deal with people. What a combo, berserker, introvert and a scholar.
The Protectors need some ancient texts translated and Jace is the only person for the job. The key to defeating the unkillable god is riding on Jace’s ability to read these texts. But the warrior librarian is about to get her pages ruffled by the sexy Protector Ski. If they are not careful, they might just ignite some of those rare pages with their passion.
If the outlandish and hair brained schemes, a dog imbued with powers, a vengeful ex-husband, crazy crows and a god that just keeps coming back doesn’t rivet you to the pages, the humor will definitely have you laughing until tears roll down your face.
I loved The Undoing, it’s a romantic comedy that shouldn’t be missed. Laurenston, a go to author for me.
I received this ARC copy of The Undoing from Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.
Viking gods, mystical warriors and absolute mayhem, The Undoing rocked the pages.
Jace is the quiet introvert that rather hide under the house than deal with people. What a combo, berserker, introvert and a scholar.
The Protectors need some ancient texts translated and Jace is the only person for the job. The key to defeating the unkillable god is riding on Jace’s ability to read these texts. But the warrior librarian is about to get her pages ruffled by the sexy Protector Ski. If they are not careful, they might just ignite some of those rare pages with their passion.
If the outlandish and hair brained schemes, a dog imbued with powers, a vengeful ex-husband, crazy crows and a god that just keeps coming back doesn’t rivet you to the pages, the humor will definitely have you laughing until tears roll down your face.
I loved The Undoing, it’s a romantic comedy that shouldn’t be missed. Laurenston, a go to author for me.
I received this ARC copy of The Undoing from Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2019
Jace Berisha is a Crow Berserker, kickass and feared she also happens to be an introvert that would rather hide under the house or up a tree than deal with people. Protector Ski Eriksen is fascinated by Jace and wants to get close to her, recognising her to be the women he wants at his side for all time. But first there is a tiny problem the Crows and Protectors have to deal with, they have to stop a Goddess who is walking around sacrificing humans in a bid to start Ragnarok.
A nice re-read, and there were moments that made me smile and laugh but it never grips my attention or makes me laugh as potently as my re-reads of other books by Laurenston do.
A nice re-read, and there were moments that made me smile and laugh but it never grips my attention or makes me laugh as potently as my re-reads of other books by Laurenston do.
May 14, 2018
http://bookslifewine.com/r-the-undoing/
Note: This review has spoilers for The Unleashing (Call of Crows #1). Please read The Unleashing prior to reading this review...or don't say I didn't warn you!
Another winner!! Shelly Laurenston has really reeled me back in with The Undoing.
The Undoing is book two in the Call of Crows series which starts with The Unleashing . I read The Unleashing due to a previously written book Hunting Season (The Gathering #1) (set in the same universe) that I adored. I enjoyed The Unleashing but...in comparison to Hunting Season it was a little lacking. I can NOT say the same for The Undoing. The Undoing...has just about everything I look for in an PNR (except for gratuitous sex, lol).
The Undoing starts up shortly after the ending of The Unleashing: Gullveig is freely walking around LA in Brianna's skin, weird sacrifices are multiplying exponentially and Betty is still in a coma. In order to stop Gullveig and Ragnarök, the Crows begin to work with the Protectors.
So far, I'm loving the Protectors. They are...extremely badass warrior geeks. The Protectors are winged warriors like the Crows and the Ravens but they are also keepers of knowledge and libraries. That is so incredibly sexy. A hot guy who can discuss the finer points of literature while still kicking major ass??! I'll just be over here in the corner drooling, lol. The Protectors are owls instead of the typical Raven/Crow mix. At first, I was a little surprised: owls? But when you think about it, owls are the apex nocturnal avian predator. Owls are strong, swift, silent and deadly.
I sorta adored the MCs as well: Jace, an antisocial introvert Crow with major anger issues, is paired with Protector Ski. Jace fits in with the quiet, studious Protectors perfectly: she's a multi-lingual bibliophile (I love that. LOVE. THAT.) who hates small talk with the passion of a billion fiery suns. Ski is perfect for Jace: he's intelligent, avoids small talk unless necessary, he's an excellent warrior and as the second in command of the Protectors, he's great with people who need to be managed. Like Jace who will sit down with a book and not get up (to eat, drink, etc) until finished. O_O I know nothing about sitting around hungry or thirsty because books! at all... Don't judge me! lol
When Shelly Laurenston re-booted this universe with The Unleashing, she diverged from the initial direction that she took in Hunting Season. Ms Laurenston changed locations, she tweaked the Universe, she toned down the vulgarity (*sad face*) and changed the series plot arc. As a series, Call of Crows is rather different from The Gathering. In The Undoing, Ms Laurenston is allowing the twain to meet: Neecy from Hunting Season makes a small cameo and a potential antagonist from The Gathering has become a potential antagonist in Call of Crows. This makes me all types of giddy inside, lol.
As I was reading The Undoing, I realized that this series is about more than just warriors and viking gods/goddesses: Call of Crows is about sisterhood. The Crows are sisters - like sisters they often dislike each other and fight with each other incessantly - and like sisters they viciously protect their own. Only Crows get to fight Crows...the rest are just "bird feed."
Gaaaah! I LOVE this series so. flipping. much! If you like intelligent PNR, I can't recommend Call of Crows enough. Ms Laurenston stuck her big toe in this one for sure. The way Ms Laurenston displays her research in this series much like a male peacock presents: with a sick strut in her walk.
RECOMMENDED.
Note: This review has spoilers for The Unleashing (Call of Crows #1). Please read The Unleashing prior to reading this review...or don't say I didn't warn you!
Another winner!! Shelly Laurenston has really reeled me back in with The Undoing.
The Undoing is book two in the Call of Crows series which starts with The Unleashing . I read The Unleashing due to a previously written book Hunting Season (The Gathering #1) (set in the same universe) that I adored. I enjoyed The Unleashing but...in comparison to Hunting Season it was a little lacking. I can NOT say the same for The Undoing. The Undoing...has just about everything I look for in an PNR (except for gratuitous sex, lol).
The Undoing starts up shortly after the ending of The Unleashing: Gullveig is freely walking around LA in Brianna's skin, weird sacrifices are multiplying exponentially and Betty is still in a coma. In order to stop Gullveig and Ragnarök, the Crows begin to work with the Protectors.
So far, I'm loving the Protectors. They are...extremely badass warrior geeks. The Protectors are winged warriors like the Crows and the Ravens but they are also keepers of knowledge and libraries. That is so incredibly sexy. A hot guy who can discuss the finer points of literature while still kicking major ass??! I'll just be over here in the corner drooling, lol. The Protectors are owls instead of the typical Raven/Crow mix. At first, I was a little surprised: owls? But when you think about it, owls are the apex nocturnal avian predator. Owls are strong, swift, silent and deadly.
I sorta adored the MCs as well: Jace, an antisocial introvert Crow with major anger issues, is paired with Protector Ski. Jace fits in with the quiet, studious Protectors perfectly: she's a multi-lingual bibliophile (I love that. LOVE. THAT.) who hates small talk with the passion of a billion fiery suns. Ski is perfect for Jace: he's intelligent, avoids small talk unless necessary, he's an excellent warrior and as the second in command of the Protectors, he's great with people who need to be managed. Like Jace who will sit down with a book and not get up (to eat, drink, etc) until finished. O_O I know nothing about sitting around hungry or thirsty because books! at all... Don't judge me! lol
When Shelly Laurenston re-booted this universe with The Unleashing, she diverged from the initial direction that she took in Hunting Season. Ms Laurenston changed locations, she tweaked the Universe, she toned down the vulgarity (*sad face*) and changed the series plot arc. As a series, Call of Crows is rather different from The Gathering. In The Undoing, Ms Laurenston is allowing the twain to meet: Neecy from Hunting Season makes a small cameo and a potential antagonist from The Gathering has become a potential antagonist in Call of Crows. This makes me all types of giddy inside, lol.
As I was reading The Undoing, I realized that this series is about more than just warriors and viking gods/goddesses: Call of Crows is about sisterhood. The Crows are sisters - like sisters they often dislike each other and fight with each other incessantly - and like sisters they viciously protect their own. Only Crows get to fight Crows...the rest are just "bird feed."
"Don't look at me," Ski told them. "It was Bear who insisted we needed a translator for these books."
"I didn't know she'd bring her insane friends!" Bear feebly argued, because of course Jace had brought her insane friends. Crows never went into another Clan's territory without at least one of their own.
-pages 69-70
And then, Bystrom looked behind Jace and she knew, without looking, that her sisters now stood behind her. They stood outside the glass doors. They sat on the chairs. They crouched on the staircase banisters.
Like a scene from Hitchcock’s The Birds, they had appeared in order to protect one of their own. And they’d done it without Jace saying a word because they just knew. They knew something was really wrong.
-page 134
[Redacted] lifted her gaze. First to Jace’s face and then above her.
Her eyes widened and Jace new her sister-Crows were perched on the roof, watching out for Jace. Protecting her.
-page 368
Gaaaah! I LOVE this series so. flipping. much! If you like intelligent PNR, I can't recommend Call of Crows enough. Ms Laurenston stuck her big toe in this one for sure. The way Ms Laurenston displays her research in this series much like a male peacock presents: with a sick strut in her walk.
RECOMMENDED.
May 19, 2016
This is the most entertaining series! Love the Crows... a bunch of young ladies who have been given a second chance at life. They can be and do anything they want in this second life as long as they serve the God who created them when needed. They have wings, they have powers, they have baggage, they have "attitude"and they all live together in a facility named... The Bird House. :) These ladies are self-centered, they drive each other nuts, they care nothing for rules and order and they do the most shameless things to each other that in the human world would just be unacceptable. Despite all of the attitude and bad behavior of this bunch though, there is one thing that they do exceptionally well, protecting their sister crows fiercely and swiftly. No one messes with a crow except for a crow. That's just the way it is... and it is so amusing.
I love this author's sense of humor. There were so many laugh out loud moments and lots of crazy... lots and lots of crazy!
In this second book we follow the blooming romance between the crow Jace and the Protector Ski. They were perfect for each other and Ski had just the right kind of personality to draw Jace out of her quiet shell. Jace had an unusual past and was quite happy being a full-time introvert. But, when her powers came out it was another story. Rage was her weapon! Everyone ducked for cover when the quiet Jace came out of the closet in a fit of rage.
The protectors were such a fun bunch. They were incredibly smart, incredibly strong, they wore nerdy glasses and had a deep love of books. Jace fit in really well with the protectors and so much so that she was finally able to move past some of her protective barriers.
This is a series that is a perfect fit for lovers of Paranormal Romance. Especially if you like storylines that revolve around Gods behaving badly and love strong, kick-your-butt females. I have loved both books in this series so far and I'm really looking forward to the next release.
I plan on checking out other series by this author. I really love her creative mind and her sense of humor.
ARC was provided by Kensington Publishers
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I love this author's sense of humor. There were so many laugh out loud moments and lots of crazy... lots and lots of crazy!
In this second book we follow the blooming romance between the crow Jace and the Protector Ski. They were perfect for each other and Ski had just the right kind of personality to draw Jace out of her quiet shell. Jace had an unusual past and was quite happy being a full-time introvert. But, when her powers came out it was another story. Rage was her weapon! Everyone ducked for cover when the quiet Jace came out of the closet in a fit of rage.
The protectors were such a fun bunch. They were incredibly smart, incredibly strong, they wore nerdy glasses and had a deep love of books. Jace fit in really well with the protectors and so much so that she was finally able to move past some of her protective barriers.
This is a series that is a perfect fit for lovers of Paranormal Romance. Especially if you like storylines that revolve around Gods behaving badly and love strong, kick-your-butt females. I have loved both books in this series so far and I'm really looking forward to the next release.
I plan on checking out other series by this author. I really love her creative mind and her sense of humor.
ARC was provided by Kensington Publishers
Follow us on
KT Book Reviews
March 6, 2016
I think that I have a new girl crush in Jace. In the previous book Jace was always just there, in the background, so I wasn't sure how this one would go. But as we got to know Jace the more I loved her. Jace is the typical introvert, one who happens to live in a house full of extroverts in the Crows. While a little bit of the Crows goes a long way, what I loved about them is how they accepted Jace and let her do her thing. There were even some of them that tried to draw her out, much to Jace's consternation.
I really didn't expect to like the Protectors, but they were the perfect group of people for Jace to be around. They didn't think she was weird and loved her for her eccentricities. Ski was great, especially as he realized Jace's oddities and altered his behavior to hers. Jace needed that touch stone.
As much fun as the romance was with Jace and Ski, her friendship with Kera was just as great. Kera accepted Jace as she was. It helped that they could bond over their dogs. And how cute was it that Brodie Hawaii seemed to mother Lev.
Jace's past was a bit crazy and not what I expected. I was glad that she and the Crows found a way to beat them and that Jace was able to reconcile with her Grandmother, who was scary on her own, but has the ability to be a good ally to the Crows.
While the Crows won this battle it doesn't seem like the war is over. I look forward to seeing more crazy antics from this group!
I really didn't expect to like the Protectors, but they were the perfect group of people for Jace to be around. They didn't think she was weird and loved her for her eccentricities. Ski was great, especially as he realized Jace's oddities and altered his behavior to hers. Jace needed that touch stone.
As much fun as the romance was with Jace and Ski, her friendship with Kera was just as great. Kera accepted Jace as she was. It helped that they could bond over their dogs. And how cute was it that Brodie Hawaii seemed to mother Lev.
Jace's past was a bit crazy and not what I expected. I was glad that she and the Crows found a way to beat them and that Jace was able to reconcile with her Grandmother, who was scary on her own, but has the ability to be a good ally to the Crows.
While the Crows won this battle it doesn't seem like the war is over. I look forward to seeing more crazy antics from this group!
January 3, 2017
4.5 stars
I don't know why I waited so long to read this book, but I guess since the first book was a bit of a mess for me and the quirks that this author's characters bring, weren't something I was in the right frame for when I read the first one, but this time around, I really liked this one. Are the characters crazy? Absolutely! But if you like this author's voice you know what to expect! Crazy weird and often violent characters, not so mushy romance but a good ride. And the world with the gods and clans is mighty interesting too.
I also appreciate a totally female centric- female power books this author does.
But I should point out that I found it pretty weird that Jace wasn't affected by her past so much. But then this is a Shelly book in the best of ways and it is par for the course for her.
I don't know why I waited so long to read this book, but I guess since the first book was a bit of a mess for me and the quirks that this author's characters bring, weren't something I was in the right frame for when I read the first one, but this time around, I really liked this one. Are the characters crazy? Absolutely! But if you like this author's voice you know what to expect! Crazy weird and often violent characters, not so mushy romance but a good ride. And the world with the gods and clans is mighty interesting too.
I also appreciate a totally female centric- female power books this author does.
But I should point out that I found it pretty weird that Jace wasn't affected by her past so much. But then this is a Shelly book in the best of ways and it is par for the course for her.
May 3, 2016
3.75 stars
January 23, 2020
OMG, seriously lol, the last line in the book, I mean, come ooooon, ""Duuuude, you have to let that go!" I started laughing so hard my body shock from it. Like the first one, this one is nothing that you would expect and its a continuation from the first exactly, and I have a feeling the third will be just as is, as well. So I'm excited, I wanna see what happens to the clans, to the evil bitch goddess, and all of the..umm...Ima not ganna do any spoilers.
June 1, 2016
I freakn loved this book! Shelly Laurenston can do no wrong in my eyes! It’s smart, it’s funny and it’s action packed. What more could you want? Seriously? It has all the makings of a very entertaining read.
I could totally relate to Jace especially to her aversion to small talk. All her sisters think she is just shy, but really she’s just an introvert. She’s the only berserker amongst her sisters and she gets completely out of control. It’s kind of funny that someone mostly calm gets so crazy when there are certain triggers. Ski is of the Owl clan, they are all level headed and anti-social. They can turn their heads almost 360 degrees. Kinda freaky. The owls need some stuff translated and Jace is the only one that can do it. Ski decides that he wants to date Jace but when she throws herself out of a moving car to avoid talking to him, it seems pretty grim, but he is persistent.
This is a hysterical novel with a bunch of Vikings, even the ones that are not technically Vikings are Vikings. Who doesn’t love a Viking?! They are big and love to fight! Sign me up! There is also plenty of action as they battle the baddie that was released in the first novel. You totally need to read this series, go on hurry up and go grab the first book.
I could totally relate to Jace especially to her aversion to small talk. All her sisters think she is just shy, but really she’s just an introvert. She’s the only berserker amongst her sisters and she gets completely out of control. It’s kind of funny that someone mostly calm gets so crazy when there are certain triggers. Ski is of the Owl clan, they are all level headed and anti-social. They can turn their heads almost 360 degrees. Kinda freaky. The owls need some stuff translated and Jace is the only one that can do it. Ski decides that he wants to date Jace but when she throws herself out of a moving car to avoid talking to him, it seems pretty grim, but he is persistent.
This is a hysterical novel with a bunch of Vikings, even the ones that are not technically Vikings are Vikings. Who doesn’t love a Viking?! They are big and love to fight! Sign me up! There is also plenty of action as they battle the baddie that was released in the first novel. You totally need to read this series, go on hurry up and go grab the first book.
March 28, 2016
It is SOOOOOO goood!! I can´t wait for the next one, this series keeps getting better and better :D
February 2, 2019
Excellent as always. Love this woman.
April 7, 2016
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy:
Shelley Laurenston (who also writes the Dragon Kin series as AG Aiken) has a particular way with heroines who are not your typical kick-ass urban fantasy heroines - and I love it!
Jace is a super interesting, layered character and although her quiet behaviour confuses her sister-Crows, most of us can understand the need to get away from unnecessary chit chat and noise. Jace has a particularly dark "first life", her life before she was chosen by Skuld to become a Crow at the moment of death. Still, she isn't overly negative and manages to care for her new family, the rowdy, loud, violent women of the Crows.
She meets Danski "Ski" from the Protectors, an owl-like group of book keeper/warriors, when they need her Russian language translating skills. Once they find out how many different languages she speaks, the entire Protectors team takes her own as one of their own (she isn't quite as loud as the other Crows either, which helps). Ski is used to watching over a household full of ultra strong, absent-minded, ultra-devoted librarians (who can turn their heads nearly 360 degrees around!) gets where Jace is coming from. Their partnership grows while she translates mystical Russian texts, and after figuring out a few things, they really click and it's adorable - and super hot.
The mythology is a bit overwhelming but it all sorted itself out by the end and I felt I had a good handle on it by the time the book finished. Each of the gods has their own strike teams, from the bookish Tyr and his protectors, to the absolutely stupid Thor and his violent, idiotic Killers, who are picked for their brawn and not their brains. It makes for a merry mix of characters and archetypes that was super interesting.
I almost always feel a bit sad when I finish a book by Aiken/Laurenston - I never want the books to end. A world where kickass women save the world and avoid Ragnarok, all while hooking up with sexy book geeks? Love it! Although there isn't another book listed on the horizon yet, there was definitely some unresolved over-arching plot lines, so I am super looking forward to the next one.
Shelley Laurenston (who also writes the Dragon Kin series as AG Aiken) has a particular way with heroines who are not your typical kick-ass urban fantasy heroines - and I love it!
Jace is a super interesting, layered character and although her quiet behaviour confuses her sister-Crows, most of us can understand the need to get away from unnecessary chit chat and noise. Jace has a particularly dark "first life", her life before she was chosen by Skuld to become a Crow at the moment of death. Still, she isn't overly negative and manages to care for her new family, the rowdy, loud, violent women of the Crows.
She meets Danski "Ski" from the Protectors, an owl-like group of book keeper/warriors, when they need her Russian language translating skills. Once they find out how many different languages she speaks, the entire Protectors team takes her own as one of their own (she isn't quite as loud as the other Crows either, which helps). Ski is used to watching over a household full of ultra strong, absent-minded, ultra-devoted librarians (who can turn their heads nearly 360 degrees around!) gets where Jace is coming from. Their partnership grows while she translates mystical Russian texts, and after figuring out a few things, they really click and it's adorable - and super hot.
The mythology is a bit overwhelming but it all sorted itself out by the end and I felt I had a good handle on it by the time the book finished. Each of the gods has their own strike teams, from the bookish Tyr and his protectors, to the absolutely stupid Thor and his violent, idiotic Killers, who are picked for their brawn and not their brains. It makes for a merry mix of characters and archetypes that was super interesting.
I almost always feel a bit sad when I finish a book by Aiken/Laurenston - I never want the books to end. A world where kickass women save the world and avoid Ragnarok, all while hooking up with sexy book geeks? Love it! Although there isn't another book listed on the horizon yet, there was definitely some unresolved over-arching plot lines, so I am super looking forward to the next one.
March 2, 2016
So there was this little thing that happened (in reality something big didn’t happen) at the very end of The Unleashing. That little thing becomes a big problem for the Crows and inevitably all of the other Clans of the Nine in The Undoing. I do recommend reading this series in order as the events from the first book carried over into this one.
In the first installment of the Call of Crows readers get a tiny bit of story on each the Nine. Of the Nine the Crows and the Raven get the majority of the page time in The Unleashing. We’ve moved on to the second book now with Jacinda and Danski. Ski is one of the Protectors. At the time of their creation their god Tyr wanted them to rid the world of all the Crows and Ravens. Now they more or less monitor their adversaries to a certain extent. They prefer the quiet of their books, the solitude of their libraries. They’re fighters, protectors, and they believe in justice.
It’s the love of books (quiet and solitude) that sends Jace into the owls nest. The Protectors need some recently acquired books translated. Jace has been ordered to find a job. It’s a win win all around for all involved. Most of the Protectors fear the berserker Crow. Jace’s rages are legendary and those who truly know her fear her. Something interesting is happening though, the more time that Ski spends with Jace the more he discovers he has in common with her. He begins to get to know her. Jace is so different from the image she presents of herself and it doesn’t take Ski long to see the real Jace, the one that her fellow Crows know and love.
It’s no secret that I want to be as bad ass as a Shelly Laurentson heroine. I now want to somehow claim Jace’s Nëna as my very own. She added some insight (even if slightly vague) into Jace’s upbringing. I want more of these crazy characters. All of the characters are entertaining. The characters even have fascinating pets. The action is constant. The humor is on every single page. The Call of Crows books have turned out to be something different while still amazing. I’m eager to see where the next book will take us.
In the first installment of the Call of Crows readers get a tiny bit of story on each the Nine. Of the Nine the Crows and the Raven get the majority of the page time in The Unleashing. We’ve moved on to the second book now with Jacinda and Danski. Ski is one of the Protectors. At the time of their creation their god Tyr wanted them to rid the world of all the Crows and Ravens. Now they more or less monitor their adversaries to a certain extent. They prefer the quiet of their books, the solitude of their libraries. They’re fighters, protectors, and they believe in justice.
It’s the love of books (quiet and solitude) that sends Jace into the owls nest. The Protectors need some recently acquired books translated. Jace has been ordered to find a job. It’s a win win all around for all involved. Most of the Protectors fear the berserker Crow. Jace’s rages are legendary and those who truly know her fear her. Something interesting is happening though, the more time that Ski spends with Jace the more he discovers he has in common with her. He begins to get to know her. Jace is so different from the image she presents of herself and it doesn’t take Ski long to see the real Jace, the one that her fellow Crows know and love.
It’s no secret that I want to be as bad ass as a Shelly Laurentson heroine. I now want to somehow claim Jace’s Nëna as my very own. She added some insight (even if slightly vague) into Jace’s upbringing. I want more of these crazy characters. All of the characters are entertaining. The characters even have fascinating pets. The action is constant. The humor is on every single page. The Call of Crows books have turned out to be something different while still amazing. I’m eager to see where the next book will take us.
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