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Change of Heart #5
Forging the Future
6 hrs 59 mins
Jin Church is back where he started, alone, wandering, and uncertain of his path. It’s not by choice but by circumstance, as he remembers he’s a werepanther… but not much else. He knows one thing for sure—he needs to find the beautiful blond man who haunts his dreams.
Logan Church is trapped in a living hell. His mate is missing, his tribe is falling apart, and he’s estranged from the son he loves with all his heart. His world is unraveling without his mate by his side, and he has no one to blame but himself.
If Jin can regain his memory and Logan can overcome the threats to his leadership, then perhaps they can resume their lives. The question is: Is that what they want? Back to the same house, the same tribe, the same troubles? They can choose from various roads leading to their future… or they can forge their own path.
Jin Church is back where he started, alone, wandering, and uncertain of his path. It’s not by choice but by circumstance, as he remembers he’s a werepanther… but not much else. He knows one thing for sure—he needs to find the beautiful blond man who haunts his dreams.
Logan Church is trapped in a living hell. His mate is missing, his tribe is falling apart, and he’s estranged from the son he loves with all his heart. His world is unraveling without his mate by his side, and he has no one to blame but himself.
If Jin can regain his memory and Logan can overcome the threats to his leadership, then perhaps they can resume their lives. The question is: Is that what they want? Back to the same house, the same tribe, the same troubles? They can choose from various roads leading to their future… or they can forge their own path.
7 pages, Audible Audio
First published June 29, 2015
78 people are currently reading
1248 people want to read
About the author
Mary Calmes
125 books5,016 followersMary Calmes believes in romance, happily ever afters, and the faith it takes for her characters to get there. She bleeds coffee, thinks chocolate should be its own food group, and currently lives in Kentucky with a six-pound furry ninja that protects her from baby birds, spiders and the neighbor’s dogs. To stay up to date on her ponderings and pandemonium (as well as the adventures of the ninja) follow her on Twitter @MaryCalmes, connect with her on Facebook, and subscribe to her Mary’s Mob newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews
June 30, 2015
Holy shit!
I really like it!
When I volunteered for this ARC I fully expected to have a rather meh reaction to it, like I've been having to a lot of Mary's recent work. Basically, I am fucking sick to death of reading about clueless dudes in Florida beach towns. Also, while I liked the last book in the Change of Heart series (Crucible of Fate) I can't say I found it that exciting. It was enjoyable, but rather silly. (<--That last sentence pretty much sums up 65% of all my reviews of Mary's work, even though I love, love, love her.)
But this book?
Forging the Future is a damn good read. From about the 2nd or 3rd chapter on I couldn't put it down. I read straight through Jon Stewart, people. I NEVER do that. Tyler Hoechlin and Dylan O'Brien could appear in my bedroom and insist I watch them have sex and if Jon Stewart were on I'd say, "You asshats can't wait 30 minutes? Have you no self-control?"
But, no, Jon Stewart was on, probably saying something hilarious and insightful but I didn't give a shit, I was reading about Jin and Logan's epic lurve.
**The rest of this review may contain minor spoilers. No, fuck it, it will definitely contain minor spoilers, but only for the first 10 or 15% of the book. There will be spoilers for the first four books in the series.**
Okay, the book opens 5 or so years after Crucible of Fate. Months previously something so horrible happened (no, I'm not spoiling that) that it not only made Jin run but completely lose his memory. He knows he's a werepanther, but other than that he remembers absolutely nothing--not the fact that he's a reah (the true-mate of a semel, or an alpha) and a nekhene cat (he can shift into all short of weird creatures), not his mate, Logan, their son, Ilia, or anything about their culture. (Which is odd, since Jin is usually a font of information while everyone else wanders around with their thumb up their asses with no idea what's going on.) Anyway, Jin (now called "Jim") is working at a restaurant run by werepanthers in New Orleans. Within a couple of chapters he meets the local semel and they soon realize that "Jim" is a reah. Still, the local semel has no idea that Jim is actually Jin.
I gotta say, that part bugged me. Jin's supposed to be the only reah alive, the only male reah ever and the only nekhene cat in existence. Also, he's mated to one of the semels who competed to be the ultimate semel of semels, the semel-aten. How could he not be well-known? (By the way, if I'm not making any sense to you it's because a) it's 2 am and I'm tired and b) you probably haven't read the other books in this series. Please start with Change of Heart. Thank you.) It's even more annoying later when Crane shows up and Jin asks him why the local semel believed him when he (Crane) said he was Jin's beset (aka a reah's BFF). Crane just grins and says it's because when you're a reah's beset you're pretty well-known. Well, how the fuck is Crane well-known if Jin isn't? How does that make sense? But whatever. Moving on.
Where was I? Okay, like a lot of people, when I read the blurb for Forging the Future it scared the shit out of me. My biggest concern was would Jin and Logan spend the majority of the book separated only to reunited at the end? Mary does that a lot in this series and it really bugs me. I like my heroes to be together. My second concern was Jin's memory and what the fuck did Logan do? Is he going to need a serious ass kicking and would I be able to forgive him?
But I didn't need to have any serious concerns about any of that. Yes, I was on the edge of my seat for a good portion of the book, but it wasn't until everyone's back in Nevada that shit gets real. Like it says in the blurb, Logan has to "overcome the threats to his leadership." And...
It is awesome. I didn't see any of that coming (though maybe I should've). If this is the last book in the series, it's really well-done because it made me want to go back and reread the whole series. Just to see "oh, is this where this happened?" and "is this where this guy turned into a raging douchebag?"
My only complaint about the ending is that there wasn't enough blood. There was some, and maybe it'll be too much for some readers (though I doubt it), but I'm a bloodthirsty, revenge-oriented asshole and I wanted more than a verbal ass-kicking. Seriously, I was so pissed off for Logan's sake. How dare those fuckers question his leadership? I wanted heads to roll, I wanted just a touch of mass murder, I WANTED THOSE FUCKERS TO CRY AS THEY DIED.
I may have issues.
Anyway, this was an all-around awesome read. Yeah, there's the usual Maryness that makes Mary, Mary. (For instance every new person that's introduced--and there are a lot of them--is fabulously good looking and it's necessary to devote at least one paragraph to everyone's prettiness. Barf. I'm telling you, if you took out all those paragraphs the book would be missing about 50 pages.) But if Mary weren't so Mary, I would miss it.
P.S. I just realized THERE IS NO PIE IN THIS BOOK. I repeat: NO PIE. I feel sad now.
**Copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
I really like it!
When I volunteered for this ARC I fully expected to have a rather meh reaction to it, like I've been having to a lot of Mary's recent work. Basically, I am fucking sick to death of reading about clueless dudes in Florida beach towns. Also, while I liked the last book in the Change of Heart series (Crucible of Fate) I can't say I found it that exciting. It was enjoyable, but rather silly. (<--That last sentence pretty much sums up 65% of all my reviews of Mary's work, even though I love, love, love her.)
But this book?
Forging the Future is a damn good read. From about the 2nd or 3rd chapter on I couldn't put it down. I read straight through Jon Stewart, people. I NEVER do that. Tyler Hoechlin and Dylan O'Brien could appear in my bedroom and insist I watch them have sex and if Jon Stewart were on I'd say, "You asshats can't wait 30 minutes? Have you no self-control?"
But, no, Jon Stewart was on, probably saying something hilarious and insightful but I didn't give a shit, I was reading about Jin and Logan's epic lurve.
**The rest of this review may contain minor spoilers. No, fuck it, it will definitely contain minor spoilers, but only for the first 10 or 15% of the book. There will be spoilers for the first four books in the series.**
Okay, the book opens 5 or so years after Crucible of Fate. Months previously something so horrible happened (no, I'm not spoiling that) that it not only made Jin run but completely lose his memory. He knows he's a werepanther, but other than that he remembers absolutely nothing--not the fact that he's a reah (the true-mate of a semel, or an alpha) and a nekhene cat (he can shift into all short of weird creatures), not his mate, Logan, their son, Ilia, or anything about their culture. (Which is odd, since Jin is usually a font of information while everyone else wanders around with their thumb up their asses with no idea what's going on.) Anyway, Jin (now called "Jim") is working at a restaurant run by werepanthers in New Orleans. Within a couple of chapters he meets the local semel and they soon realize that "Jim" is a reah. Still, the local semel has no idea that Jim is actually Jin.
I gotta say, that part bugged me. Jin's supposed to be the only reah alive, the only male reah ever and the only nekhene cat in existence. Also, he's mated to one of the semels who competed to be the ultimate semel of semels, the semel-aten. How could he not be well-known? (By the way, if I'm not making any sense to you it's because a) it's 2 am and I'm tired and b) you probably haven't read the other books in this series. Please start with Change of Heart. Thank you.) It's even more annoying later when Crane shows up and Jin asks him why the local semel believed him when he (Crane) said he was Jin's beset (aka a reah's BFF). Crane just grins and says it's because when you're a reah's beset you're pretty well-known. Well, how the fuck is Crane well-known if Jin isn't? How does that make sense? But whatever. Moving on.
Where was I? Okay, like a lot of people, when I read the blurb for Forging the Future it scared the shit out of me. My biggest concern was would Jin and Logan spend the majority of the book separated only to reunited at the end? Mary does that a lot in this series and it really bugs me. I like my heroes to be together. My second concern was Jin's memory and what the fuck did Logan do? Is he going to need a serious ass kicking and would I be able to forgive him?
But I didn't need to have any serious concerns about any of that. Yes, I was on the edge of my seat for a good portion of the book, but it wasn't until everyone's back in Nevada that shit gets real. Like it says in the blurb, Logan has to "overcome the threats to his leadership." And...
It is awesome. I didn't see any of that coming (though maybe I should've). If this is the last book in the series, it's really well-done because it made me want to go back and reread the whole series. Just to see "oh, is this where this happened?" and "is this where this guy turned into a raging douchebag?"
My only complaint about the ending is that there wasn't enough blood. There was some, and maybe it'll be too much for some readers (though I doubt it), but I'm a bloodthirsty, revenge-oriented asshole and I wanted more than a verbal ass-kicking. Seriously, I was so pissed off for Logan's sake. How dare those fuckers question his leadership? I wanted heads to roll, I wanted just a touch of mass murder, I WANTED THOSE FUCKERS TO CRY AS THEY DIED.
I may have issues.
Anyway, this was an all-around awesome read. Yeah, there's the usual Maryness that makes Mary, Mary. (For instance every new person that's introduced--and there are a lot of them--is fabulously good looking and it's necessary to devote at least one paragraph to everyone's prettiness. Barf. I'm telling you, if you took out all those paragraphs the book would be missing about 50 pages.) But if Mary weren't so Mary, I would miss it.
P.S. I just realized THERE IS NO PIE IN THIS BOOK. I repeat: NO PIE. I feel sad now.
**Copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
March 9, 2020
At least it finished strong. That's something.
Okay, so maybe the story was a little bit "borrowed" from the Charley Davidson series, and others, where the hero has amnesia, but I like that trope.
It's not overdone at all.
It was a good ending, except for one problem, IMO. The books got really bloody and killy throughout the series, but this one, when the time was right for going all Pulp Fiction on a few asses, the author pulled it back and let them live. I was severely disappointed. I mean, sure, it was implied that bad times might have been coming to them, but that wasn't enough. These people were characters that were trusted the entire series and then betrayed everyone. They needed to be murdered slowly, their families killed, their houses burned down, and the land salted where they once lived so all that is left is barren, fallow ground. Because, you know, justice.
Yeah, Timmy, do your fucking job.
Overall, I liked the two main characters, Jin and Logan enough to enjoy the series ok, but it isn't something I would reread and I'll forget about them in about 5 minutes. Like a certain someone else I know.
Okay, so maybe the story was a little bit "borrowed" from the Charley Davidson series, and others, where the hero has amnesia, but I like that trope.
It's not overdone at all.
It was a good ending, except for one problem, IMO. The books got really bloody and killy throughout the series, but this one, when the time was right for going all Pulp Fiction on a few asses, the author pulled it back and let them live. I was severely disappointed. I mean, sure, it was implied that bad times might have been coming to them, but that wasn't enough. These people were characters that were trusted the entire series and then betrayed everyone. They needed to be murdered slowly, their families killed, their houses burned down, and the land salted where they once lived so all that is left is barren, fallow ground. Because, you know, justice.
Yeah, Timmy, do your fucking job.
Overall, I liked the two main characters, Jin and Logan enough to enjoy the series ok, but it isn't something I would reread and I'll forget about them in about 5 minutes. Like a certain someone else I know.
July 3, 2015
OK, Mary Calmes is a goddess who puts crack in her stories. I LOVED this! I've always been a MC fan but this brought it to the next level. I adored this book.
Some people were brought into the
This book is by far, in my opinion, the best of the bunch. It was everything I'd hoped it would be and more. The blurb scared the shit outta me and there was a point about 75% in where I was a little afraid to go on. I laughed while reading this story. I cried too, but most of all I felt. I was overflowing with emotions. I wanted to hug my e-reader when I was done. The ending was perfect. I'm sad this is the end of their story but I certainly won't be missing them as I'm sure I'll be reading this entire series over and over again until the end of time.
***********************************************************
That blurb scares the shit outta me.
My spoon is ready.
Bring it.
April 15, 2022
5+ Stars!!!
I enjoyed this so much, I immediately read it again.
This had it all: action, romance, betrayal, hot sex...I think it's by far the best of the series - and that's saying something as I absolutely LOVE this series.
Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up.
[image error]
I was both terribly excited and horribly nervous about this story. I love Jin and Logan and the blurb for this did not a good portent make. But, ultimately, I had unshakeable faith in Mary that she wouldn't let me down or leave me without a HEA. (Spoiler: I was right.)
I don't understand why they keep messing with Jin. As Crane points out:
“They keep testing you, and for what reason, I do not know. There may be no limit to your power, but certainly, why would we want to push you and find out?”
I liked the fact that in the end you know the "bad guys" are all ruined. That they'll all, with the exception of Russ who will be killed quickly in the first challenge, have to live with their actions in misery and hopelessness. Death is too quick for those motherfuckers. The best revenge is they will stew in it for the rest of their lives.
I just loved every part of this. It worked for me in every way. Mary Calmes knocked it out of the park.
P.S.: I can't wait for the audio book.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
ETA 10/9/2015: AVAILABLE ON AUDIO TODAY!!!! Immediate purchase. Booyah!!
Once again Sean Crisden does a fantastically entertaining job. I LOVED IT.
As an aside because I'm weird...It's probably only going to be me that will miss Crane's original Muppet voice.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
I enjoyed this so much, I immediately read it again.
This had it all: action, romance, betrayal, hot sex...I think it's by far the best of the series - and that's saying something as I absolutely LOVE this series.
Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up.
[image error]
I was both terribly excited and horribly nervous about this story. I love Jin and Logan and the blurb for this did not a good portent make. But, ultimately, I had unshakeable faith in Mary that she wouldn't let me down or leave me without a HEA. (Spoiler: I was right.)
I don't understand why they keep messing with Jin. As Crane points out:
“They keep testing you, and for what reason, I do not know. There may be no limit to your power, but certainly, why would we want to push you and find out?”
I liked the fact that in the end you know the "bad guys" are all ruined. That they'll all, with the exception of Russ who will be killed quickly in the first challenge, have to live with their actions in misery and hopelessness. Death is too quick for those motherfuckers. The best revenge is they will stew in it for the rest of their lives.
I just loved every part of this. It worked for me in every way. Mary Calmes knocked it out of the park.
P.S.: I can't wait for the audio book.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
ETA 10/9/2015: AVAILABLE ON AUDIO TODAY!!!! Immediate purchase. Booyah!!
Once again Sean Crisden does a fantastically entertaining job. I LOVED IT.
As an aside because I'm weird...It's probably only going to be me that will miss Crane's original Muppet voice.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2017
2nd read: 03-07-2015 (I need more Mary Calmes in my life.)
3rd read: 17-09-2015
4th read: 08-11-2015
*happy sigh* This was such an amazing installment. I loved it so much! I can never get enough of Jin and Logan and everyone else. Mary Calmes stole my heart with this series.
Oh. My. God. Look at that blurb.
ETA 18-06-2015 I just finished re-reading all four books in this series. I'm so freaking ready for this one! *fist pump*
3rd read: 17-09-2015
4th read: 08-11-2015
*happy sigh* This was such an amazing installment. I loved it so much! I can never get enough of Jin and Logan and everyone else. Mary Calmes stole my heart with this series.
“We’re going to be all right,” he said as he bent and kissed me tenderly, achingly, because he loved me, and my heart swelled that much more. “We’ll make this home.”
I turned to look at him over my shoulder. “It already is. You’re with me, and so that makes it home. Always.”
Oh. My. God. Look at that blurb.
ETA 18-06-2015 I just finished re-reading all four books in this series. I'm so freaking ready for this one! *fist pump*
January 19, 2018
4.5 Stars
You know, I've got quite a bit of shifter books under my belt and they all have some degree of claiming, marking, mating - but I'd have to say that this takes the cake, because the way Calmes describes and lays it all out how Logan and Jin are just made for each other, really impressed me.
"Every part of me: human, beast, heart, mind, and dear God, body, recognized him as belonging to me...There was no part of me that could have denied his claim as the animal I was recognized its mate, without question, and yearned to lie down and submit. I wanted him all over me, holding me down, moving inside me..."
So yes, this still had massive info dump. There's still the insane werepanther laws to shake your head at and a cast of characters too large to remember. But the bond between these two?? Possession. Obsession. Unf.
"You ask too much if you expect me to live and not have your sweet eyes on me at every moment. You must be the first I see when I wake and the last before I sleep. It can be no other way...my heart can't take any less."
Now I haven't read all of Calmes's works but I think I can say that she really out did herself with this. Granted, there will always be convenient loopholes and over the top shenaningans, but I swooned the hardest in this last installment. Please consider reading this series in one go, lest important brain cells be lost in trying to remember the intricacies of this complex but impressive world.
A truly satisfying end wrapping up fate and destiny, and giving Jin and Logan the best possible happy ending. Everything surely happens for a reason and what will be was always meant to be - it's simply maat.
A shout out to Meags for all the fun and torture we had with these two crazy cats!
You know, I've got quite a bit of shifter books under my belt and they all have some degree of claiming, marking, mating - but I'd have to say that this takes the cake, because the way Calmes describes and lays it all out how Logan and Jin are just made for each other, really impressed me.
"Every part of me: human, beast, heart, mind, and dear God, body, recognized him as belonging to me...There was no part of me that could have denied his claim as the animal I was recognized its mate, without question, and yearned to lie down and submit. I wanted him all over me, holding me down, moving inside me..."
So yes, this still had massive info dump. There's still the insane werepanther laws to shake your head at and a cast of characters too large to remember. But the bond between these two?? Possession. Obsession. Unf.
"You ask too much if you expect me to live and not have your sweet eyes on me at every moment. You must be the first I see when I wake and the last before I sleep. It can be no other way...my heart can't take any less."
Now I haven't read all of Calmes's works but I think I can say that she really out did herself with this. Granted, there will always be convenient loopholes and over the top shenaningans, but I swooned the hardest in this last installment. Please consider reading this series in one go, lest important brain cells be lost in trying to remember the intricacies of this complex but impressive world.
A truly satisfying end wrapping up fate and destiny, and giving Jin and Logan the best possible happy ending. Everything surely happens for a reason and what will be was always meant to be - it's simply maat.
A shout out to Meags for all the fun and torture we had with these two crazy cats!
September 28, 2015
I fucking loved this series! Read it, everyone! Worth every moment.
October 4, 2024
It’s safe to say it took me awhile to warm to this series. I even briefly considered tapping out after the first book. But I’m so glad I continued on.
After enjoying the previous book I was looking forward to this. That is until I read the blurb. Now lets be clear I was always going to read this but I didn’t like the idea of Jin and Logan being separated. Again.
Yes I was nervous when I started reading but it was fabulous. Most of the separation happens off page. We’re with Jin while his memory is lost. It doesn’t flit from one to the other. It’s not dragged out. It just works.
It’s Mary so it’s crazy OTT. I mean towards the end of the book I was thinking right that’s everything. There’s nothing else she could throw in there. Okay, so now there’s nothing else. Oh wow and that as well.
It’s been a crazy ride but overall it’s been a good one. This book I couldn’t get enough of, in fact I was up until after 3am finishing it.
I was assuming/hoping there would be another book but from what I’ve gathered this is it.
After enjoying the previous book I was looking forward to this. That is until I read the blurb. Now lets be clear I was always going to read this but I didn’t like the idea of Jin and Logan being separated. Again.
Yes I was nervous when I started reading but it was fabulous. Most of the separation happens off page. We’re with Jin while his memory is lost. It doesn’t flit from one to the other. It’s not dragged out. It just works.
It’s Mary so it’s crazy OTT. I mean towards the end of the book I was thinking right that’s everything. There’s nothing else she could throw in there. Okay, so now there’s nothing else. Oh wow and that as well.
It’s been a crazy ride but overall it’s been a good one. This book I couldn’t get enough of, in fact I was up until after 3am finishing it.
I was assuming/hoping there would be another book but from what I’ve gathered this is it.
April 18, 2017
I'm kinda surprised that even though this series wasn't the best I've read, I'm still not ready to say goodbye to Logan and Jin. Even though I didn't necessary want to continue the series, I still found myself each and every one and still wants more. Which is so strange when you think about it, but that's just how it is when you get attached to the characters. I wonder if we'll be getting more from this series...
Glossary:
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Paranormal Romance (M/M)
Series: - Series, Book Five
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Logan Church.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Unsure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Think I'm done now, right?
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2.5 stars
Glossary:
“What is he like?”
“Logan?”
“He is the kind of man you pray to be able to serve—he’s like a great king from olden times.”
“Who always does what’s right,” Andrian chimed in.
“Yes,” Artem agreed. “He can always be counted on to make the best choice.”
“And he normally does it, except where you’re concerned.” Crane cackled. “With you, he has no idea what the hell he’s doing.”
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Paranormal Romance (M/M)
Series: - Series, Book Five
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Logan Church.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Unsure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Think I'm done now, right?
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2.5 stars
March 13, 2016
3.5 Stars
This series, when viewed as a whole, was a lot of fun. If someone had told me after I finished Change of Heart that I would end up genuinely adoring Jin and Logan, and even view them as one of my favourite shifter pairings in fantasy fiction, I would have laughed in that someones face! Clearly my reader/character relationship took a while to develop, but over time, and during the course of some pretty crazy and intense werepanther ordeals, somewhere along the way I became totally and unashamedly hooked.
Generally, I am awed and impressed by the shifter world that Calmes has created here. This kind of story, with its complex and wholly original world-building and unique terminology, is completely my kind of thing, but it won't be for everyone. The info-dump can be overwhelming at times, but I tend to enjoy this kind of intricately layered storytelling; it keeps me focused and intrigued. I like learning new information (regardless of the fact that it's completely fictional) and I like then adding upon said information as a series of books progresses. In this regard, the Change of Heart series delivered in spades.
I even love how gritty and violent these stories became. It gave the whole thing an edge that many shifter books shy away from - the story went from the usual "mates/mine/claim/HEA" formula, and instead developed quite a detailed, layered plot, that built across several books, culminating nicely here.
In the end, my main concern was that many of the nefarious assholes in this particular story didn't get what they so very much deserved (i.e. brutal deaths - don't judge me, this is how I roll). For this reason - and due to a few other random details which are easily summed up by my status updates - I kind of felt unsatisfied with this final book. (Is this actually the final book?).
Don't get me wrong, overall I very much enjoyed this installment. There were plenty of hell yeah! moments, and many great, often touching scenes between Jin and other important characters from this series - *cough* CRANE *cough* - not to mention, all of the romantic and possessive good stuff that I've come to yearn from Jin and Logan. But, I guess, there was just something missing for me personally, something that I can't quite put my finger on. Although, there's a good chance that part of me may just be grumpy that there are no more books to read in this series, and my subconscious is acting out by claiming she feels a little bit indifferent, when truly she just cares too damn much and hates that it's seemingly over.
A big thank-you to R, for what has surely been the most engaging and enjoyable reading marathon of our BR history!
This series, when viewed as a whole, was a lot of fun. If someone had told me after I finished Change of Heart that I would end up genuinely adoring Jin and Logan, and even view them as one of my favourite shifter pairings in fantasy fiction, I would have laughed in that someones face! Clearly my reader/character relationship took a while to develop, but over time, and during the course of some pretty crazy and intense werepanther ordeals, somewhere along the way I became totally and unashamedly hooked.
Generally, I am awed and impressed by the shifter world that Calmes has created here. This kind of story, with its complex and wholly original world-building and unique terminology, is completely my kind of thing, but it won't be for everyone. The info-dump can be overwhelming at times, but I tend to enjoy this kind of intricately layered storytelling; it keeps me focused and intrigued. I like learning new information (regardless of the fact that it's completely fictional) and I like then adding upon said information as a series of books progresses. In this regard, the Change of Heart series delivered in spades.
I even love how gritty and violent these stories became. It gave the whole thing an edge that many shifter books shy away from - the story went from the usual "mates/mine/claim/HEA" formula, and instead developed quite a detailed, layered plot, that built across several books, culminating nicely here.
In the end, my main concern was that many of the nefarious assholes in this particular story didn't get what they so very much deserved (i.e. brutal deaths - don't judge me, this is how I roll). For this reason - and due to a few other random details which are easily summed up by my status updates - I kind of felt unsatisfied with this final book. (Is this actually the final book?).
Don't get me wrong, overall I very much enjoyed this installment. There were plenty of hell yeah! moments, and many great, often touching scenes between Jin and other important characters from this series - *cough* CRANE *cough* - not to mention, all of the romantic and possessive good stuff that I've come to yearn from Jin and Logan. But, I guess, there was just something missing for me personally, something that I can't quite put my finger on. Although, there's a good chance that part of me may just be grumpy that there are no more books to read in this series, and my subconscious is acting out by claiming she feels a little bit indifferent, when truly she just cares too damn much and hates that it's seemingly over.
A big thank-you to R, for what has surely been the most engaging and enjoyable reading marathon of our BR history!
July 1, 2015
On the one hand: completely illogical. How come everyone knows the laws that let them kill other people, but they don't know any of the other gazillion laws that let them live in a society or own property?
On the other hand: SO MANY RULES, and at any given time there's only one person in the room who knows whichever one is at play at that moment.
On the third hand: not long enough? These books usually meander on for hundreds of pages of stuff that happens to Jin because of course it does.
On the fourth hand: WTF with all the loyalty/betrayal/loyalty again/no really, betrayal? For god's sake are these people or windsocks?
On the fifth hand: was there a sale on icy, power-hungry bitches? You are over your quota.
On the sixth hand: Crane is awesome and Domin and Yuri should have another book.
On the other hand: SO MANY RULES, and at any given time there's only one person in the room who knows whichever one is at play at that moment.
On the third hand: not long enough? These books usually meander on for hundreds of pages of stuff that happens to Jin because of course it does.
On the fourth hand: WTF with all the loyalty/betrayal/loyalty again/no really, betrayal? For god's sake are these people or windsocks?
On the fifth hand: was there a sale on icy, power-hungry bitches? You are over your quota.
On the sixth hand: Crane is awesome and Domin and Yuri should have another book.
July 16, 2015
A fitting end to the Change of Heart series
The first few chapters were just full of info-dump. Usually, that would annoy me to no end. But in this case, I didn't mind at all. It's been a few years since I'd read any of the preceding books in their entirety (though I have gone back to read my favourite scenes often), so I appreciated the werepanther review lessons.
Not only were there review lessons, but there were also some new things that Mary Calmes introduced throughout the book. The werepanther world is complex, and often very confusing, but it's hella fun. I think fans of the series will be pleased with the different direction that the story took. I didn't see any of it coming, so I was certainly surprised.
As always in this series, family plays a big part in 'Forging the Future'. Ilia, who is now five-years-old, stole the show every time he was on page. I loved it! The kid's a little monster, but he's an extremely cute monster. And of course, it was great catching up with the other members of Logan and Jin's ragtag self-made family.
As for Logan and Jin's relationship, there's not really much added to what we already know. But that's to be expected, seeing as they've been together for years at this point. There's some angst with the whole memory-loss thing, but it more so reinforces their prior relationship, rather than introducing anything new.
This book was full of everything I've come to expect from the Change of Heart series: love, hot sex, family and friends, family drama, violence, action, excellent worldbuilding, and a happy ending. 'Forging the Future' was a great end to Jin and Logan's story!
The first few chapters were just full of info-dump. Usually, that would annoy me to no end. But in this case, I didn't mind at all. It's been a few years since I'd read any of the preceding books in their entirety (though I have gone back to read my favourite scenes often), so I appreciated the werepanther review lessons.
Not only were there review lessons, but there were also some new things that Mary Calmes introduced throughout the book. The werepanther world is complex, and often very confusing, but it's hella fun. I think fans of the series will be pleased with the different direction that the story took. I didn't see any of it coming, so I was certainly surprised.
As always in this series, family plays a big part in 'Forging the Future'. Ilia, who is now five-years-old, stole the show every time he was on page. I loved it! The kid's a little monster, but he's an extremely cute monster. And of course, it was great catching up with the other members of Logan and Jin's ragtag self-made family.
As for Logan and Jin's relationship, there's not really much added to what we already know. But that's to be expected, seeing as they've been together for years at this point. There's some angst with the whole memory-loss thing, but it more so reinforces their prior relationship, rather than introducing anything new.
This book was full of everything I've come to expect from the Change of Heart series: love, hot sex, family and friends, family drama, violence, action, excellent worldbuilding, and a happy ending. 'Forging the Future' was a great end to Jin and Logan's story!
March 14, 2016
The good news is...IT'S MARY CALMES, IT'S BOOK CRACK!!! IT'S FRICKIN' AMAZING BOOK CRACK!!!
The bad news is according to everything I've seen it's the end of the series and I love this series...even more than ever after reading this book.
I resisted reading this series initially because at the time I just wasn't into shifter stories, so I figured it didn't matter who wrote it I probably wouldn't really like it....WRONG....I have loved it.
Seriously this book was released on June 29th, I wasn't able to get a copy until June 30th. I read the last 20 pages this morning because I had to sleep, I finally reached the point where my eyes would not stay open no matter how good the words on the page were and believe me they were good.
I know I could go on and on about how much I loved reading this book and I also know that there are already some really good reviews for it. So because I'm tired and my brain isn't really formulating a lot of impressive thoughts right now. I'm just going to wrap this up by saying this book was all that and a bag of potato chips. However, if you haven't read the rest of the series stop right now go back and read it otherwise I'm pretty sure you're going to find yourself more than a little dazed and confused and definitely not enjoying the story near as much as you should be.
Also before I forget I love that cover it's awesome. Definitely my favorite one of the series.
The bad news is according to everything I've seen it's the end of the series and I love this series...even more than ever after reading this book.
I resisted reading this series initially because at the time I just wasn't into shifter stories, so I figured it didn't matter who wrote it I probably wouldn't really like it....WRONG....I have loved it.
Seriously this book was released on June 29th, I wasn't able to get a copy until June 30th. I read the last 20 pages this morning because I had to sleep, I finally reached the point where my eyes would not stay open no matter how good the words on the page were and believe me they were good.
I know I could go on and on about how much I loved reading this book and I also know that there are already some really good reviews for it. So because I'm tired and my brain isn't really formulating a lot of impressive thoughts right now. I'm just going to wrap this up by saying this book was all that and a bag of potato chips. However, if you haven't read the rest of the series stop right now go back and read it otherwise I'm pretty sure you're going to find yourself more than a little dazed and confused and definitely not enjoying the story near as much as you should be.
Also before I forget I love that cover it's awesome. Definitely my favorite one of the series.
June 30, 2015
4.5
Such a great ending to the series that I'm hoping it's not the end. Jin and Logan have such a fabulous story I'd love to see a time jump and see what happens with Ilia.
Such a great ending to the series that I'm hoping it's not the end. Jin and Logan have such a fabulous story I'd love to see a time jump and see what happens with Ilia.
December 11, 2023
August 16; 2017
And here I was thinking that I had only read this book two times before now. Gosh! four times, but this book is definitely one that can be read again and again because I love it each time.
November 15; 2015
I just read this book for the third time and Jin & Logan take my breath away every time.
June 29; 2015
Okay, Now I can die happy.
This book was everything that I needed.
I needed Jin and Logan to be okay.
I needed Jin to stop running and embrace his bond with Logan.
I needed them to fight together as one.
I needed them to combat all the things that caused problems in their life.
But first and foremost, I just needed more Jin and Logan.
And guess what, I got all that... and more.
This book is awesome.
I loved the nuances that the author manages to incorporate into her writing. Like when Jin doesn't have his memories back, how he feels off but the moment he gets his memories back you can feel the shift and how he is back to being the Jin we all know.
This book is just awesome. I loved the fact that after five years there is this familiarity that Jin and Logan had settled into that reflects on how they are together now. No more of that cat and mouse routine with Jin running and Logan chasing. This book once and for settled all forces against Jin and Logan and gave them peace.
I am at peace too...=)
After so many years it felt so nice to be back with Logan, Jin, Domin, Yuri, Mikhail (even though he speaks not one word in the entirety of the book, but it was good knowing he was there), Crane, Yusuke, Eva, Delphine, Markel, Ivan, Danny, Justin, Christophe and all the others, even those on the bad side.
It just felt nice to get everything settled and over for once.
This book has given me the closure that was sorely lacking after the fourth book and now as I said I can die happy.
June 5; 2015
I am so happy right now like nothing could go wrong I just want my hands on that book.
Can I talk about how much I loved the first three books? Like so much that Jin and Logan are in my blood (not really but that's how much I love them, even now). In fact, I think I will reread the series right now to be totally prepared for this one.
I can't remember the number of times I wanted this story to go back to Jin and Logan especially after all the tantalizing glimpses we got of them in the fourth book...worse than torture. And I think I read somewhere that the fifth book would be about someone completely different and since then I have prayed that the fifth one should be about Logan and Jin especially because in the fourth book nothing seemed resolved between Logan and Jin and I would have hated to see the last of them on that note.
AND NOW IT SEEMS LIKE THE UNIVERSE HAS GRANTED ME MY WISH!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! CAN'T WAIT! CAN'T WAIT! CAN'T WAIT! OMG! OMG! OMG!
And here I was thinking that I had only read this book two times before now. Gosh! four times, but this book is definitely one that can be read again and again because I love it each time.
November 15; 2015
I just read this book for the third time and Jin & Logan take my breath away every time.
June 29; 2015
Okay, Now I can die happy.
This book was everything that I needed.
I needed Jin and Logan to be okay.
I needed Jin to stop running and embrace his bond with Logan.
I needed them to fight together as one.
I needed them to combat all the things that caused problems in their life.
But first and foremost, I just needed more Jin and Logan.
And guess what, I got all that... and more.
This book is awesome.
I loved the nuances that the author manages to incorporate into her writing. Like when Jin doesn't have his memories back, how he feels off but the moment he gets his memories back you can feel the shift and how he is back to being the Jin we all know.
This book is just awesome. I loved the fact that after five years there is this familiarity that Jin and Logan had settled into that reflects on how they are together now. No more of that cat and mouse routine with Jin running and Logan chasing. This book once and for settled all forces against Jin and Logan and gave them peace.
I am at peace too...=)
After so many years it felt so nice to be back with Logan, Jin, Domin, Yuri, Mikhail (even though he speaks not one word in the entirety of the book, but it was good knowing he was there), Crane, Yusuke, Eva, Delphine, Markel, Ivan, Danny, Justin, Christophe and all the others, even those on the bad side.
It just felt nice to get everything settled and over for once.
This book has given me the closure that was sorely lacking after the fourth book and now as I said I can die happy.
June 5; 2015
I am so happy right now like nothing could go wrong I just want my hands on that book.
Can I talk about how much I loved the first three books? Like so much that Jin and Logan are in my blood (not really but that's how much I love them, even now). In fact, I think I will reread the series right now to be totally prepared for this one.
I can't remember the number of times I wanted this story to go back to Jin and Logan especially after all the tantalizing glimpses we got of them in the fourth book...worse than torture. And I think I read somewhere that the fifth book would be about someone completely different and since then I have prayed that the fifth one should be about Logan and Jin especially because in the fourth book nothing seemed resolved between Logan and Jin and I would have hated to see the last of them on that note.
AND NOW IT SEEMS LIKE THE UNIVERSE HAS GRANTED ME MY WISH!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! CAN'T WAIT! CAN'T WAIT! CAN'T WAIT! OMG! OMG! OMG!
June 27, 2018
4.5 stars. Excellent ending to this series!
Action-packed, edge-of-my-seat story! This was a roller-coaster ride of a shifter story that was amazing to experience.
The betrayal blindsided me. But thinking back on things from the previous books, maybe not. I definitely wanted more bloodshed than was provided to those responsible, but the laws of these shifters have always made little logical sense.
Best of the series by far!
Action-packed, edge-of-my-seat story! This was a roller-coaster ride of a shifter story that was amazing to experience.
The betrayal blindsided me. But thinking back on things from the previous books, maybe not. I definitely wanted more bloodshed than was provided to those responsible, but the laws of these shifters have always made little logical sense.
Best of the series by far!
October 23, 2017
~ 4.5 stars ~
July 20, 2022
4th re-read July 2022
Read
June 30, 2015Before reading: Scared to start this........Will be reading with one eye open.......
After reading: Jaw up off the ground. Just shocking!!!! Somethings I need answers to, somethings I want them to go back and kill, and man the death in this one.......Everything just happened so fast.
After reading: Jaw up off the ground. Just shocking!!!! Somethings I need answers to, somethings I want them to go back and kill, and man the death in this one.......Everything just happened so fast.
July 18, 2015
OMG OMG OMG OMG!!
Jin and Logan, one of my all time fav couples, and this one of my all time fav series. I absolutely loved this book and I am definitely going to be rereading this series. I am so sad it's over.
Highly recommended!!!
Jin and Logan, one of my all time fav couples, and this one of my all time fav series. I absolutely loved this book and I am definitely going to be rereading this series. I am so sad it's over.
Highly recommended!!!
July 2, 2015
This was not a successful read. Too much going on, lost the plot and who was who and what was what half the time. Pity, because that is a damn nice cover!
September 26, 2015
Apparently there was always another test, of fidelity, of the bond, of faith and loyalty.
It was all I had to believe in.
You can say that again!
I am conflicted with this book. One one hand, I loved it because it was Jin and Logan again and on the other hand, I am wrestling with the thought of it being necessary.
You see, I read this series back to back and it took over my life for a week. For me to read five books in one week, that is a lot. For me to read books this intense and dark for one week straight is crazy and for me, an emotional reader to NOT be affected deeply by this series... is undheard of.
The blurb for this scared the shit out of me. How and why is Jin in TMCSS (for those who didn't read my last review of Crucible of Fate, that stands for "The Mary Calmes Separation Stipulation") and how the hell will this all work out? I was so lost and frankly irritated that once again, Jin and Logan were not together.
As the story unfolds, we get they why and how and they hurt. When the reunion happens, so much more begins to swirl around this story that I was breathless and wanted it to be over and quick. Why couldn't the Nekhene cat end just eviscerate me instead of killing me so slowly and piece by piece?
Good lord.
Seriously? I wanted to throw my Nook across the room at about 71% when I was lost and in a rage. WHY was that happening and would anyone be able to handle it because I wasn't at all. I was a mess and once again, just wanted it all to be over.
This series is intense and full of a new world I never thought I would read. I was always so focused on remembering the laws of the werepathers that I, honestly, could not see a way out of the darkness once it enveloped me, there was no light and I was just swallowed and held down by the extreme feelings the story forced upon me.
But that isn't to say I didn't love this book. I did, but just like with real emotions, there is a thin line with love and this tetered back and forth for me.
Oh and the selfish asshole was back in full force and still being an asshole. Nope. No redemption for him at all and he deserves to die alone with no man or woman loving him, no family, just him. Argh. Ugh. He turned me into a zombie pirate right along with the dads in this book. Fuck them all right in the neck! Good lord. Dad's in this suck major ass and not in a good way. Blah... *grumbles*
So this book and this series has left me read hard and put away... um, I'm strung out. I need a breather and a palate cleanser and some sweet no angst fluff because I OD'd on the Calmes Crack and I need 72hr hold to be okay.
July 11, 2015
Gave this 3 stars mostly because I enjoyed revisiting this series and its characters. What I didn't enjoy was the direction the plot went in after Jin was found and reunited with Logan. Many events that occurred throughout the story were completely unnecessary, some just too farfetched to be believable, and really bothered the hell out of me. The sole purpose of this book was to get Logan and Jin back to Sobek (and Domin), and I felt the plot was just too out there and could've gone in a much different/better direction to achieve that, which lowered my enjoyment considerably.
January 12, 2016
Amazing series ❤️
April 8, 2017
Re-read April 2017
Enjoyed this just as much as the first time. Still not happy Calmes decided to create havoc with Logan and Jin's family. Super sucky!!! But still love Jin and Logan, and amnesia - totally my thing! :)
Original Review November 2015
I love this series. Jin and Logan are a great couple. I have read shifter stories before but this series has so much detail and it was confusing the first time, but you can't read this series just once so the 2nd time around, I understood all the rules.
I have been waiting for the chance to read this book for a long time and I was lucky enough to borrow this title from a goodreads member - thank you!
If you haven't read the previous books in the series you have to, otherwise you will be lost. It's been a while since I've read the previous books so I was a little confused about things but as I kept reading my memory slowly came back.
I enjoyed being able to revisit some of my favorite characters, I just wish it didn't have to be so hard on Logan and Jin. Maybe this plot is how Calmes justifies moving the family to Sobek, don't know, but I think their could have been a better way than taking Logan's family away from him. I didn't get that part because from what I remember in books past, Logan's family (his father not at first) were accepting of Logan and Jin mating, even though they would be a gay pair. They whole pack had been through so much together, I really hated these turn of events.
I also felt Jin's obtuseness about some matters was ridiculous. Seriously, he got his memory back, how 'bout some smarts too? Jin is smarter than some of the story makes one believe. He totally should have been quicker on the uptake of what Domin and Logan were planning. Anyway, I did really like seeing Logan and Jin again, I hope Mary Calmes keeps these men going, even if it's just small short stories like she does for her other series, A Matter Of Time (Sam and Jory). I love being able to check in with my favorite men! If the plot hadn't gone in the direction it did, because for me I couldn't really buy the change of events the way it played out, I would have given 5 stars. But because I feel the story didn't stay true to what we the readers were expecting from these characters, it gets 4 stars. Never fear though, I will always read the next installment of Logan and Jin!
Enjoyed this just as much as the first time. Still not happy Calmes decided to create havoc with Logan and Jin's family. Super sucky!!! But still love Jin and Logan, and amnesia - totally my thing! :)
Original Review November 2015
I love this series. Jin and Logan are a great couple. I have read shifter stories before but this series has so much detail and it was confusing the first time, but you can't read this series just once so the 2nd time around, I understood all the rules.
I have been waiting for the chance to read this book for a long time and I was lucky enough to borrow this title from a goodreads member - thank you!
If you haven't read the previous books in the series you have to, otherwise you will be lost. It's been a while since I've read the previous books so I was a little confused about things but as I kept reading my memory slowly came back.
I enjoyed being able to revisit some of my favorite characters, I just wish it didn't have to be so hard on Logan and Jin. Maybe this plot is how Calmes justifies moving the family to Sobek, don't know, but I think their could have been a better way than taking Logan's family away from him. I didn't get that part because from what I remember in books past, Logan's family (his father not at first) were accepting of Logan and Jin mating, even though they would be a gay pair. They whole pack had been through so much together, I really hated these turn of events.
I also felt Jin's obtuseness about some matters was ridiculous. Seriously, he got his memory back, how 'bout some smarts too? Jin is smarter than some of the story makes one believe. He totally should have been quicker on the uptake of what Domin and Logan were planning. Anyway, I did really like seeing Logan and Jin again, I hope Mary Calmes keeps these men going, even if it's just small short stories like she does for her other series, A Matter Of Time (Sam and Jory). I love being able to check in with my favorite men! If the plot hadn't gone in the direction it did, because for me I couldn't really buy the change of events the way it played out, I would have given 5 stars. But because I feel the story didn't stay true to what we the readers were expecting from these characters, it gets 4 stars. Never fear though, I will always read the next installment of Logan and Jin!
March 30, 2025
That was a great opportunity for a new beginning
October 25, 2015
This took me some time to write, this series…I dived completely in this series!! what can I do ?...I’m a sucker for good fiction, and as long as it’s totally understandable in that world, then it works for me.
We come back to Logan and Jin’ story oh and their son… (and no! it’s fiction but here guys don’t get pregnant!! Just clarifying, given that I already read books where they can! XD).
So… set some (guess 5, due to the kid’s age)years after Dom takes the position as Semel-aten…Jin loses his memory due to a big event caused, like it or not, by Logan, yep his very own mate(but it was an event involving their son…so that was a very normal reaction for parents) but even though he should
Listen first!!!!
Anyway, so Jin goes blank… and the only thing he knows is that he’s a shifter and…oh right, that a golden blonde handsome man invades his dreams…even though he doesn’t even know who he is. So the word comes around, Jin is finally presented to a Semel of certain region, the word goes to Dom, Dom sends his assistant to go get Jin and take him back to Logan, but as he is a REAH he has to find him among a sea of people, in order to prove that they’re actually mated(as after everything I’ve read he’s going to change! Right!)…
So Jin doesn’t remember anything about Logan so his love will be put at a test.
But luckily for him, his other side did remembered him
and with the help of their favorite game…
They found each other again.
And of course they were in joy, they got to celebrated it, and so…
This being A LOVELY, AWESOME AND HOT JOURNEY… this is a Family… and we get to see how it gets to expands and go bigger, I was soaking in tears of happiness when I was reading about everyone kids and mates… and even if I was heartbroken at the third book, I have to say that with this one the family goes together stronger and bigger as ever
I just can’t stop skip a bit in my heart every time I think of what it took to these guys to be together…I just can’t!!
All that is left to said is, that there is another book published…I’m definitely buying it!
We come back to Logan and Jin’ story oh and their son… (and no! it’s fiction but here guys don’t get pregnant!! Just clarifying, given that I already read books where they can! XD).
So… set some (guess 5, due to the kid’s age)years after Dom takes the position as Semel-aten…Jin loses his memory due to a big event caused, like it or not, by Logan, yep his very own mate(but it was an event involving their son…so that was a very normal reaction for parents) but even though he should
Listen first!!!!
Anyway, so Jin goes blank… and the only thing he knows is that he’s a shifter and…oh right, that a golden blonde handsome man invades his dreams…even though he doesn’t even know who he is. So the word comes around, Jin is finally presented to a Semel of certain region, the word goes to Dom, Dom sends his assistant to go get Jin and take him back to Logan, but as he is a REAH he has to find him among a sea of people, in order to prove that they’re actually mated(as after everything I’ve read he’s going to change! Right!)…
So Jin doesn’t remember anything about Logan so his love will be put at a test.
But luckily for him, his other side did remembered him
and with the help of their favorite game…
They found each other again.
And of course they were in joy, they got to celebrated it, and so…
“…My staff isn’t used to lot of noise coming from the sack…so you guys might need to get your room soundproofed”
“Nope” ”They want me, they get to hear me being loud in bed.”
“Okay, brother. Hey it’s okay, you guys can do it again. I’ll just stand here”
This being A LOVELY, AWESOME AND HOT JOURNEY… this is a Family… and we get to see how it gets to expands and go bigger, I was soaking in tears of happiness when I was reading about everyone kids and mates… and even if I was heartbroken at the third book, I have to say that with this one the family goes together stronger and bigger as ever
I felt it, my overwhelming love for my mate, my child, my friends, the place I live now, and the people of my tribe. I thought I was home before, but it turned out the priest had been right all those many years ago. I belonged in Sobek, and so did everyone I loved.
I just can’t stop skip a bit in my heart every time I think of what it took to these guys to be together…I just can’t!!
All that is left to said is, that there is another book published…I’m definitely buying it!
November 2, 2015
Wow oh wow! When I saw the excerpt for this I just knew Mary was gonna give us the ugly cry!
We start off with Jin separated from Logan and with no memory of him, his life, his powers, or even his SON!
(Mary – why do you separate our boys like that – it kills me!!!)
There is some weird tribal stuff that happens and apparently it is figured out that Jin belongs to someone and someone important. Finally, Crane comes around and Jin doesn’t even recognize him! (Oh, Mary, cruel, cruel Mary!)
Apparently Jin has to prove he and Logan are mated by recognizing him without being told who he is – another stinkin’ test! – but of course he does! However … he still doesn’t have his memory back – he just knows Logan is HIS!
(I love it when they go all MINE! on each other- so sexy!)
It has been rough on Logan to have Jin gone for so many months. His tribe is questioning his strength. His a-hole family is stirring trouble and it looks like there is going to be a big ol’ fight sooner rather than later to determine who is the rightful leader of the Mafdet tribe.
In addition, Domin has been trying to lure Logan to Egypt to lead a tribe there that would be both benefited by his leadership and serve to help Jin and Ilia train their own powers.
When Jin finally does regain his memory (So, so touching!) there is a huge fight and big trouble and much bloodshed. At one point I found myself yelling at Mary – NOOOOOOO! – but it all worked out in the end – as we knew it would.
**
Mary is my hero. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. She can write such amazingly diverse subject matter and do it so well. Kudos!
There is no way this story will mean much to you if you haven’t been reading the series, so I’m assuming you are all fans, like me.
I adored catching up with Jin and Logan and Crane and the gang. There are some new romances on the horizons, new babies, new deaths, more heartache – life.
I felt the end was a bit rushed for my taste. I got the abbreviated version of what’s happening with everyone in Egypt and a rough idea of what Jin and Logan will be doing there – I’m assuming (read: hoping!) that there is another book coming to take us through that experience more fully.
I highly recommend this to all the fans of the series 5 of 5 stars
Audiobook:
The narration of this series is mostly done by Sean Crisden (books 2 and 3 by Jeff Gelder). Sean – by far – did the best job IMHO and I’m always sad when a series isn’t done by the same narrator especially when they are doing a fabulous job, but that is neither here nor there.
Sean did his best work with this, by far. It’s a very complex story with so many people and so many different accents and voice types and regionalities. Women, children, older people, younger, anger, crying, passion – you name it. Add to that the very complex names and places and I’m sure it was WORK to do this so well.
(I had the luck to see/meet Sean at GRL this year and he’s agreed to answer some questions about this narration – so look for that to follow!)
I love Sean’s Alpha growly voice that he gives to Logan. It absolutely makes my toes curl. When Logan is on the plane and tells Jin how sorry he is for doubting him and he’s all choked up… yep. Tears. It’s very moving.
I also liked what he did with Crane’s voice in this narration, it seemed more natural. I’m amazed that he can go from an American to British to Egyptian to… you name it, so smoothly and flawlessly. They are all in this book and he did them all very, very well.
So, as you can probably guess I’m giving this a big 6 of 5 stars for an absolutely amazing book, series and narration. Highly recommended.
We start off with Jin separated from Logan and with no memory of him, his life, his powers, or even his SON!
(Mary – why do you separate our boys like that – it kills me!!!)
There is some weird tribal stuff that happens and apparently it is figured out that Jin belongs to someone and someone important. Finally, Crane comes around and Jin doesn’t even recognize him! (Oh, Mary, cruel, cruel Mary!)
Apparently Jin has to prove he and Logan are mated by recognizing him without being told who he is – another stinkin’ test! – but of course he does! However … he still doesn’t have his memory back – he just knows Logan is HIS!
(I love it when they go all MINE! on each other- so sexy!)
It has been rough on Logan to have Jin gone for so many months. His tribe is questioning his strength. His a-hole family is stirring trouble and it looks like there is going to be a big ol’ fight sooner rather than later to determine who is the rightful leader of the Mafdet tribe.
In addition, Domin has been trying to lure Logan to Egypt to lead a tribe there that would be both benefited by his leadership and serve to help Jin and Ilia train their own powers.
When Jin finally does regain his memory (So, so touching!) there is a huge fight and big trouble and much bloodshed. At one point I found myself yelling at Mary – NOOOOOOO! – but it all worked out in the end – as we knew it would.
**
Mary is my hero. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. She can write such amazingly diverse subject matter and do it so well. Kudos!
There is no way this story will mean much to you if you haven’t been reading the series, so I’m assuming you are all fans, like me.
I adored catching up with Jin and Logan and Crane and the gang. There are some new romances on the horizons, new babies, new deaths, more heartache – life.
I felt the end was a bit rushed for my taste. I got the abbreviated version of what’s happening with everyone in Egypt and a rough idea of what Jin and Logan will be doing there – I’m assuming (read: hoping!) that there is another book coming to take us through that experience more fully.
I highly recommend this to all the fans of the series 5 of 5 stars
Audiobook:
The narration of this series is mostly done by Sean Crisden (books 2 and 3 by Jeff Gelder). Sean – by far – did the best job IMHO and I’m always sad when a series isn’t done by the same narrator especially when they are doing a fabulous job, but that is neither here nor there.
Sean did his best work with this, by far. It’s a very complex story with so many people and so many different accents and voice types and regionalities. Women, children, older people, younger, anger, crying, passion – you name it. Add to that the very complex names and places and I’m sure it was WORK to do this so well.
(I had the luck to see/meet Sean at GRL this year and he’s agreed to answer some questions about this narration – so look for that to follow!)
I love Sean’s Alpha growly voice that he gives to Logan. It absolutely makes my toes curl. When Logan is on the plane and tells Jin how sorry he is for doubting him and he’s all choked up… yep. Tears. It’s very moving.
I also liked what he did with Crane’s voice in this narration, it seemed more natural. I’m amazed that he can go from an American to British to Egyptian to… you name it, so smoothly and flawlessly. They are all in this book and he did them all very, very well.
So, as you can probably guess I’m giving this a big 6 of 5 stars for an absolutely amazing book, series and narration. Highly recommended.
October 20, 2015
Per usual, I don't have problem with Ms. Calmes' writing, style and prose. But she seems to repeat or rehash herself in the writings often this time, enough that I wonder if her editor say anything or not...
Plot wise... It could be divided to first half and second half. First half read a bit like the first book of the series. Where Jin, again, get the attention from the local semel and have to fend off people's attention to him.
The second half was... Once we got the revelation I thought that the next scene would be
This book also a reminiscence of the first book in terms of time frame. From the first chapter to the one before last, I think it was less than 5 days, definitely not more than week. So, for all these things that happened, supposedly under Logan's nose, and no one picked up the trails? Not to mention Domin's people didn't see this (as I would assume he had people to monitor all the tribes or at least keep tabs on Logan's tribe). Seems a huge deal that both Logan and Jin failed to see (perhaps because they were too close?). And talked about Domin, I would assumed that he was informed of what transpired and that Jin went AWOL. Was there any of his people sent to search for Jin?
Also, all the talked about laws and rules, again, there seems to no laws about maliciously endangered your own people, even with the threat of exposure.
The habits of having only beautiful looking characters and describe them excessively is not for me.
So, to conclude my review. Ms. Calmes fans would be very happy with this book. I am not much of a fan so what I did not enjoy about this book outweigh the enjoyable parts. After the initial read, the uneven parts, the strange plot points and reasoning puzzled me.
Plot wise... It could be divided to first half and second half. First half read a bit like the first book of the series. Where Jin, again, get the attention from the local semel and have to fend off people's attention to him.
The second half was... Once we got the revelation I thought that the next scene would be
This book also a reminiscence of the first book in terms of time frame. From the first chapter to the one before last, I think it was less than 5 days, definitely not more than week. So, for all these things that happened, supposedly under Logan's nose, and no one picked up the trails? Not to mention Domin's people didn't see this (as I would assume he had people to monitor all the tribes or at least keep tabs on Logan's tribe). Seems a huge deal that both Logan and Jin failed to see (perhaps because they were too close?). And talked about Domin, I would assumed that he was informed of what transpired and that Jin went AWOL. Was there any of his people sent to search for Jin?
Also, all the talked about laws and rules, again, there seems to no laws about maliciously endangered your own people, even with the threat of exposure.
The habits of having only beautiful looking characters and describe them excessively is not for me.
So, to conclude my review. Ms. Calmes fans would be very happy with this book. I am not much of a fan so what I did not enjoy about this book outweigh the enjoyable parts. After the initial read, the uneven parts, the strange plot points and reasoning puzzled me.
July 20, 2015
Yummy sugary sweetness that just hit the spot. I gotta say, I was a bit leery of reading anything by Mary at this point since the last few books have not been all that great. But she is back in top form in this one! It was wonderful to fall right back into Jin and Logan's love story, and to see all of the old gang again. And the story itself totally fit into the previous storyline and made complete sense. And I was thrilled with Domin's guest star appearance. Great to see him again too.
Now I'm going to go back and re-read Change of Heart and start this wonderful series again from the beginning.
Now I'm going to go back and re-read Change of Heart and start this wonderful series again from the beginning.
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