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World of the Lupi #11
Unbinding
In the newest Novel of the Lupi, the human and elven worlds are both about to come under attack…
After questing through the sidhe realms with her ex-hellhound lover, Nathan, Kai Tallman Michalski has finally returned home. But she knows Nathan will eventually be called back to serve his queen—and Kai will have to decide whether to enter her majesty’s service as well. Sure, the job comes with great bennies, but there’s one big downside: she would have to swear absolute fealty to the Queen of Winter.
For now, though, Kai is glad to be home, and glad that Nathan completed his mission for his queen with surprising ease. But what seemed to be a quick conclusion turns out to be anything but. The two of them helped thwart the sidhe god of chaos—and he is not happy about that. He’s got plans for them. Plans, too, for the sidhe who killed him some three millennia ago. Nor has he abandoned his plans for Earth, as they learn when chaos begins bursting out all over...
After questing through the sidhe realms with her ex-hellhound lover, Nathan, Kai Tallman Michalski has finally returned home. But she knows Nathan will eventually be called back to serve his queen—and Kai will have to decide whether to enter her majesty’s service as well. Sure, the job comes with great bennies, but there’s one big downside: she would have to swear absolute fealty to the Queen of Winter.
For now, though, Kai is glad to be home, and glad that Nathan completed his mission for his queen with surprising ease. But what seemed to be a quick conclusion turns out to be anything but. The two of them helped thwart the sidhe god of chaos—and he is not happy about that. He’s got plans for them. Plans, too, for the sidhe who killed him some three millennia ago. Nor has he abandoned his plans for Earth, as they learn when chaos begins bursting out all over...
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First published October 7, 2014
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About the author
Eileen Wilks
128 books1,518 followersEileen Wilks’ first book, a Silhouette Desire published in 1996, hit the USA Today Bestseller List and was nominated for Romantic Times' Best First Short Contemporary award. Since then, her books have appeared consistently on national bestseller lists. With thirty two books in print and novellas in nine anthologies, she has been a finalist in the prestigious Rita Awards three times, as well as receiving several nominations from Romantic Times, including one for Career Achievement in Series Romantic Suspense.
Each book in her World of the Lupi series gains a larger audience. It was originally sold in the Romance section of bookstores, but more and more you will be able to find copies cross-shelved under Sci-Fi and Fantasy as the popularity of the series grows!
Eileen has lived in the West Texas town of Midland, TX for over 30 years--three years as a young teen, and the remaining years since she moved back here as an adult. When she first started writing over 10 years ago, it hit her like the first drink for an alcoholic . . . or the first kiss for Romeo and Juliet.
She came to writing romance in a roundabout way. Having read and loved science fiction for years, that’s where she first tried her hand when the writing bug bit. Somehow her stories always ended up having a strong romantic subplot, but she hadn’t read a romance since the early 80’s and didn’t think “those little books” were her kind of stories. But when a friend in her critique group began working on a romance novel, Wilks decided she needed to give the genre another try. She asked her friend to recommend some titles--and quicker than you can say “Jayne Ann Krentz,” she fell in love. The genre had been busy growing up while she wasn’t watching. These days, with romances comprising over 50% of the mass market books published in the U.S., there are romances to appeal to almost every taste--historicals, paranormals and contemporaries that range from romantic suspense to romantic comedy, from inspirational to sizzling.
Eileen covered a lot of territory before coming home to Midland, having lived in Canada and Venezuela as well as twelve U.S. cities in five states.
Profile taken from the author's site with her permission.
Each book in her World of the Lupi series gains a larger audience. It was originally sold in the Romance section of bookstores, but more and more you will be able to find copies cross-shelved under Sci-Fi and Fantasy as the popularity of the series grows!
Eileen has lived in the West Texas town of Midland, TX for over 30 years--three years as a young teen, and the remaining years since she moved back here as an adult. When she first started writing over 10 years ago, it hit her like the first drink for an alcoholic . . . or the first kiss for Romeo and Juliet.
She came to writing romance in a roundabout way. Having read and loved science fiction for years, that’s where she first tried her hand when the writing bug bit. Somehow her stories always ended up having a strong romantic subplot, but she hadn’t read a romance since the early 80’s and didn’t think “those little books” were her kind of stories. But when a friend in her critique group began working on a romance novel, Wilks decided she needed to give the genre another try. She asked her friend to recommend some titles--and quicker than you can say “Jayne Ann Krentz,” she fell in love. The genre had been busy growing up while she wasn’t watching. These days, with romances comprising over 50% of the mass market books published in the U.S., there are romances to appeal to almost every taste--historicals, paranormals and contemporaries that range from romantic suspense to romantic comedy, from inspirational to sizzling.
Eileen covered a lot of territory before coming home to Midland, having lived in Canada and Venezuela as well as twelve U.S. cities in five states.
Profile taken from the author's site with her permission.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
December 14, 2016
Gather round, children. It is time for Auntie Jilly to tell you a story of the good old days - the 1980's. See, the television sit-com was a big thing. We never heard of some crazy stuff like Netflix, and we had very few channel choices. So, we sat around our giant televisions and watched our favorite characters get into madcap adventures and laughed our fanny-pack wearing asses off in a vapor of Aquanet and second-hand smoke. It was a simpler time...
But, every once in a while, something strange would happen. We would be watching our favorite show and the episode would focus on some peripheral character and their life. It was like mad science gone wrong! Where were Richie and Potsey? Why is this episode focused on Joannie and Chachi? Surely we are going to get back to the main characters, right? But,NO. We were wrong! The whole show was about the lesser-known characters. Sure, Fonzie made an appearance, but the whole damn episode was Joannie and Chachi! Crap! It's a spin-off show trap!
hmmm... I'd watch that...
This book is basically one of those television episodes. The whole story is focused on a couple who were introduced in a novella earlier. They were okay, but not whole-book-worthy. I just had a hard time caring about them. Plus, the biggest support characters in this one were Benedict and Arjenie - two of my least favorite characters in the series. So, my Give-a-Shitometer was even lower.
On top of all of that, there was a helluva lot of raping going on in this book, and it was treated a little too casually for me. In the end, the story gave way more sympathy to the rapist than to his victims. Not a fan of that.
Book?
Come back, Lily and Rule!! We neeeed you!
But, every once in a while, something strange would happen. We would be watching our favorite show and the episode would focus on some peripheral character and their life. It was like mad science gone wrong! Where were Richie and Potsey? Why is this episode focused on Joannie and Chachi? Surely we are going to get back to the main characters, right? But,NO. We were wrong! The whole show was about the lesser-known characters. Sure, Fonzie made an appearance, but the whole damn episode was Joannie and Chachi! Crap! It's a spin-off show trap!
hmmm... I'd watch that...
This book is basically one of those television episodes. The whole story is focused on a couple who were introduced in a novella earlier. They were okay, but not whole-book-worthy. I just had a hard time caring about them. Plus, the biggest support characters in this one were Benedict and Arjenie - two of my least favorite characters in the series. So, my Give-a-Shitometer was even lower.
On top of all of that, there was a helluva lot of raping going on in this book, and it was treated a little too casually for me. In the end, the story gave way more sympathy to the rapist than to his victims. Not a fan of that.
Book?
Come back, Lily and Rule!! We neeeed you!
April 13, 2015
Initial Thoughts: Another excellent installment in The World of the Lupi series. While it had a slow start and some missing favorite characters, Unbinding was an exciting story that focused on some of the secondary characters of the series. In this book a fae god favoring chaos gets a little too big for his britches and Kai, Nathan, Benedict, Cullen, and Arjeni and the rest of the San Diego pack work to bring back normality to the world. Oh, kudos to Dell, one of the best familiar characters ever.
The Review
The World of the Lupi series by Eileen Wilks has got to be one of urban fantasy's best kept secrets. I don't understand why more people haven't heard of this wonderful series. Everyone that I've recommended this series to has loved it. The series is full of all sorts of supernatural creatures: werewolves, dragons, fae, and more. The author takes from various lore and myths as well.
In Unbinding, the author has moved the lead couple Lily and Rule away, out of the picture. While they are sadly missed, it is for their own good and it gives the reader a chance to meet Nathan and Kai, two very interesting characters with some unique capabilities and talents.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the ever changing fae city capital. I loved how the author integrates the clan mythology of the werewolves which is based on Native Indian lore with that of the fae. The magic is also fascinating.
I'm very excited to hear that book 12 Mind Magic is planned for release in November. I can't wait!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Berkeley NAL for a review copy of this book.
The Review
The World of the Lupi series by Eileen Wilks has got to be one of urban fantasy's best kept secrets. I don't understand why more people haven't heard of this wonderful series. Everyone that I've recommended this series to has loved it. The series is full of all sorts of supernatural creatures: werewolves, dragons, fae, and more. The author takes from various lore and myths as well.
In Unbinding, the author has moved the lead couple Lily and Rule away, out of the picture. While they are sadly missed, it is for their own good and it gives the reader a chance to meet Nathan and Kai, two very interesting characters with some unique capabilities and talents.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the ever changing fae city capital. I loved how the author integrates the clan mythology of the werewolves which is based on Native Indian lore with that of the fae. The magic is also fascinating.
I'm very excited to hear that book 12 Mind Magic is planned for release in November. I can't wait!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Berkeley NAL for a review copy of this book.
December 15, 2016
The question here is;
Because Nathan naming his stuff "little brother" is disturbing enough on its own. And just that name took away a star from my rating. While boring and a little problematic, this book wasn't 2 stars bad. But ffs little brother? There is a life lesson here for the guys. Do not fucking give creepy names to your womb raider.
After this review, I'm erasing those parts from my brain and I'll be left with an unassuming, snail paced and drab story of Nathan and Kai. Which is a shame, because their novella was lovely and they had good potential. Benedict and Arjenie as a sidekick is another black mark against this book. Hmm on second thought, book is actually begging for 1 star but I'll show some restraint.
Because Nathan naming his stuff "little brother" is disturbing enough on its own. And just that name took away a star from my rating. While boring and a little problematic, this book wasn't 2 stars bad. But ffs little brother? There is a life lesson here for the guys. Do not fucking give creepy names to your womb raider.
After this review, I'm erasing those parts from my brain and I'll be left with an unassuming, snail paced and drab story of Nathan and Kai. Which is a shame, because their novella was lovely and they had good potential. Benedict and Arjenie as a sidekick is another black mark against this book. Hmm on second thought, book is actually begging for 1 star but I'll show some restraint.
January 9, 2017
Arghhhh!!! Justwhen I thought I found a series that doesn't have bad books I read this one...
Maybe I'm not a big fan of spiritual part of this world, but here it was soooo confusing!!!
I liked Kai and Nathan, and I liked Benedict and Arjenie, but this book was more about Benedict and Nathan and Kai and Arjenie since the men were in a kind of godhood realm, while the women were on Earth. So not good...
The only part I liked is the ending where where the evil god were not really evil (even if he was!), but just lost in his grief and thus having become insane...
I know, that sounds crazy, but as I said this whole story was confusing... :(
And it took me an age to finish reading it...
On to the next!
Maybe I'm not a big fan of spiritual part of this world, but here it was soooo confusing!!!
I liked Kai and Nathan, and I liked Benedict and Arjenie, but this book was more about Benedict and Nathan and Kai and Arjenie since the men were in a kind of godhood realm, while the women were on Earth. So not good...
The only part I liked is the ending where where the evil god were not really evil (even if he was!), but just lost in his grief and thus having become insane...
I know, that sounds crazy, but as I said this whole story was confusing... :(
And it took me an age to finish reading it...
On to the next!
July 18, 2016
I have wanted more time with Kai and Nathan since they were introduced back in “Inhuman,” so I was actually pretty excited about the chance to get some quality time with them as lead characters. I wasn’t disappointed. This book has a different feel than the others, to be sure, but I think it was smart for Eileen Wilks to take a break from Lily and Rule. After all, they got their big moment at the end of the last book. It was the culmination of their romance. Anything that happened with them was going to be small potatoes after that. So Wilks sent them on their honeymoon, and switched her focus.
Thankfully, this story doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The series supporting cast of characters are in place, reminding us that even without Lily and Rule, we’re on familiar ground. The villain is even a continuation from the last book, which maintains continuity. But the crux of the story is a fae one. I missed the focus on the wolves more than I missed Lily and Rule. The fact that we are leaving the familiar means larger chunks of worldbuilding that do slow things down a little. But I was never bored.
Basically, the bad guy from Ritual Magic didn’t go away with the destruction of the knife he inhabited. He is causing more chaos and targeting Nathan and Kai. They need to figure out his big plan and how to stop him. That’s no small task, seeing as how he is a god and all. Another thing different about this story is that we actually spend a fair amount of time getting to know the bad guy. It made things interesting.
I can’t say there was much in the way of romance, but the bond between Nathan and Kai is real and it’s strong. I never doubted their love or devotion to one another. Kai is quite different from Cynna or Lily. She is not tough the way they are. Her spirit is –I don’t know– lighter, maybe. She isn’t weak. It’s just that her strength is a different kind from the other heroines’. And more so than they, she is trying to figure things out about herself and her future by looking deep within. Meanwhile, Nathan has such a deep sense of self. He’s like a rock, yet he needs Kai. She fills a void in him he didn’t even realize he had. Good stuff.
It was cool spending time with Arjenie. She and Benedict are underutilized in this series. His role was smaller than hers, but still important. I hope that the friendships established here carry over in future books.
Overall, I enjoyed it. But it definitely feels different than most of the other books in the series. And I don’t think it’s because of the leads so much as the cerebral and cold nature of the Fae as compared to the Lupi. There’s a lot of explaining. A lot of magic theory (though the last book had a lot of that too.) It wasn’t quite as encompassing, either, without the mantles and the clan stuff, the Great Enemy, the Dragons, or Grandmother. Still, I liked it for what it was. And I’m curious as to where Wilks will take the series next.
Rating: B
Thankfully, this story doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The series supporting cast of characters are in place, reminding us that even without Lily and Rule, we’re on familiar ground. The villain is even a continuation from the last book, which maintains continuity. But the crux of the story is a fae one. I missed the focus on the wolves more than I missed Lily and Rule. The fact that we are leaving the familiar means larger chunks of worldbuilding that do slow things down a little. But I was never bored.
Basically, the bad guy from Ritual Magic didn’t go away with the destruction of the knife he inhabited. He is causing more chaos and targeting Nathan and Kai. They need to figure out his big plan and how to stop him. That’s no small task, seeing as how he is a god and all. Another thing different about this story is that we actually spend a fair amount of time getting to know the bad guy. It made things interesting.
I can’t say there was much in the way of romance, but the bond between Nathan and Kai is real and it’s strong. I never doubted their love or devotion to one another. Kai is quite different from Cynna or Lily. She is not tough the way they are. Her spirit is –I don’t know– lighter, maybe. She isn’t weak. It’s just that her strength is a different kind from the other heroines’. And more so than they, she is trying to figure things out about herself and her future by looking deep within. Meanwhile, Nathan has such a deep sense of self. He’s like a rock, yet he needs Kai. She fills a void in him he didn’t even realize he had. Good stuff.
It was cool spending time with Arjenie. She and Benedict are underutilized in this series. His role was smaller than hers, but still important. I hope that the friendships established here carry over in future books.
Overall, I enjoyed it. But it definitely feels different than most of the other books in the series. And I don’t think it’s because of the leads so much as the cerebral and cold nature of the Fae as compared to the Lupi. There’s a lot of explaining. A lot of magic theory (though the last book had a lot of that too.) It wasn’t quite as encompassing, either, without the mantles and the clan stuff, the Great Enemy, the Dragons, or Grandmother. Still, I liked it for what it was. And I’m curious as to where Wilks will take the series next.
Rating: B
October 8, 2014
I wish I could say I loved this as much as I loved all the pervious books in the series, but I can't. For reason I just couldn't click with Kai and Nathan, unfortunately I got bored at some points and resorted to skimming over scenes. I miss Rule and Lily, I hope we get them in the next book.
June 7, 2023
Eleventh in the World of the Lupi urban fantasy series and revolving around Rule Turner and Lily Yu with the Nokolai Clan. The couple focus in Unbinding is on Kai and Nathan in San Diego, mostly.
My Take
Just so you know, Rule and Lily only get a mention here. I suspect that Wilks is stretching out the series to include the elven and Diné worlds.
I do like this more benevolent depiction of the Queen of Winter as a decent person. Oh, she'll still destroy you, but it will be for a good reason.
Wilks also creates a reason for why guns don't work in Faerie. Interesting and an idea that could be useful on earth…if magic really existed, lol. it also provides an opportunity to discuss how elvish culture works economically.
The traumatic events lead Nathan to understand loneliness and his reasons, in the past, for not caring if he died. It's an interesting concept to explore psychologically. The victims' experience is also traumatic as I read their reactions to the compulsion Dyffaya laid on them. It's terrifying to think of a person having this kind of power, how easily it becomes evil.
Whew, what Benedict and Nathan come up with to win this battle is a pip while Kai's grandfather has his own bomb to drop on Isen, lol.
It is an exciting story with lots of action on earth and in the Upper World with a flash of Diné culture with the overt focus on this god of Chaos. The covert focus is an explanation of magic and elvish culture while the truly important focus is on Kai's and Nathan's independent revelations.
The Story
Chaotic events are erupting all over San Diego causing people to disappear, raising panic. And it all has but one aim. One that Nathan completely misconstrues.
The Characters
Kai Tallman Michalski (her grandfather calls her Yázhi Atsa, a.k.a., Little Eagle) has a rare gift for mindhealing. Teacher is the teaching sword Nathan bargained for that speeds up how fast Kai learns bladework. Dell is a chameleon who is bound to Kai as her familiar. Joseph Tallman is Kai's grandfather and a Navajo shaman who is the mortal guardian for Doko'oosliid, Abalone Shell Mountain.
Nathan Hunter, a.k.a., Nadrellian, is Wild Sidhe, a former hellhound, and the Queen's Hound. He's also Kai's lover. His queen sends him out on hunts and Hunts. His Gifts include perfect muscle memory, and he's very good with knives. Claw is the sword made from a living dragon's freely given claw that can kill anything, including a god. We first met Kai and Nathan in Ritual Magic , 10.
Clan Nokolai is…
…the werewolf clan led by Isen Turner, the Rho. Rule Turner is his youngest son and the Lo Nuncio, heir to Nokolai; he is also the Rho for Clan Leidolf after events in Mortal Ties , 9. Special Agent Lily Yu, a touch-sensitive, is Rule's Chosen. Toby is Rule's son and lives in North Carolina. Benedict Jones is Rule's older brother and in charge of security and training. Arjenie Fox (Benedict's Chosen from Blood Challenge , 7), half-fae and half-human, is the geeky witch with her own Gifts including invisibility and a researcher for Unit with a fascination for facts. Dr. Nettie Two Horses, Benedict's daughter, is a physician, healer, and a shaman of the Diné. She's only been out of the hospital for a month.
Cullen Seabourne is a sorcerer, a lupus, and a consultant for the FBI who is married to Cynna ( Blood Lines , 3). Cynna Weaver is a former FBI agent, a very strong Finder, and the new Rhej of Nokolai Clan. They have a daughter, Ryder.
Arjenie's werewolf guards include Doug McMillan, Josh, Ridley, José Alvarez, Kennedy Garcia, Justin, Casey, Nick Mathews, and Kevin. Other wolves include Carl who is Isen's houseman, Harris, Abe Keetso, Pete, and Sammy.
The Law
San Diego PD
Lieutenant Jenkins is a pain. Officers Akins, Ruiz, and Dupree are involved in various stages. Franklin Boyd is the assistant chief of police who goes rogue. Mary Boyd is his wife. Lieutenant Calverone has met José before.
Unit is…
…the Magical Crimes Division, a department within the FBI that investigates magical events. Ruben Brooks, an off-the-charts precog, is the head of Unit Twelve and the Shadow Unit; he's also a lupus after events in Death Magic , 8. Ida is Ruben's secretary.
Special Agent Derwin "the Big A" Ackleford is rude, crude, and excellent at his job — with a slight patterning Gift; he's also in charge of the FBI's local office, but not the magic one. Special Agent Karin Stockman is Fire Gifted with Wiccan training and carrying a huge grudge against magic users. Nieman is another agent.
Major Joseph Simmons is the CO for the two U.S. Marine companies that will deploy.
Iath is…
…the realm of the sisters, the Queens of Winter and Summer, with Aléri the largest city in Iath and home to the queens. Sandetti was a young boy who became an adept. The snotty Eharin An'Ahedra is the only elf who could be talked into teaching Kai to use her gift. Malek has a gift for crossing the realms without a gate, and he is the human the Queen of Winter told to make Kai welcome in Iath. Elves First, a.k.a., Firsters, are elves who think the evils in their world are due to the mingling of humans with elves.
Other realms include…
…Edge which is more about gnomes than elves. A lot of the Wild Sidhe and many humans live in Deredon.
Dyffaya áv Eni — who had been an adept human and is now an almost-dead sidhe god of madness, chaos, compulsion, and revenge — was encountered in Ritual Magic , 10, in which Nathan destroyed Nam Anthessa.
Fagioli is a coffee house where Cammy, a little girl, and Britta Valenzuela disappeared. Henry Lester had been there with Britta. Whaley House is the most haunted house in America. Victims at the beach include Mark Weinerman, Penny, Phil, and Frank (Liu). Dr. Piresh is the eye doctor scheduled to do Kai's surgery. Samision is an elf who can defeat Nathan with a sword. Clara is an EMT. Gary is the president of the Navajo nation.
Sun Mzao, a.k.a., Sam or the Eldest, is a black dragon who has made California part of his territory and whom we first met in Blood Magic , 6. Coyote is a Power, a troublemaker. The Old One, a.k.a., the Great Bitch or the Great Enemy, is the enemy of the lupi. A godhead is local accumulations tied to a particular place and can be occupied by Old Ones or former mortals. A locus is a "place" made of spiritual energy.
The Wild Sidhe are nature-beings who live apart from the other sidhe groups but are attracted to the most powerful group. The Ents are Wild Sidhe! Mindhealing is the careful metaphysical nudging of a person's mind to help them heal from a traumatic event; a binder forces false thoughts on another mind. Kish is a matrix that determines the form one's magic takes. P'tuth is revenge raised to the level of performance art. Magic is the result of the friction between chaos and order. Birith is magic which can be divided into healing magic, body magic, and transformational magic. Beguilement is a type of compulsion, infatuation on steroids. Assassin's fire is the ability to set anything on fire.
The preferred term is lupus, a werewolf, with lupi the plural. Chameleons are sentient gestalt thinkers unable to talk unless they take a form capable of speech. They use magic to survive, and they store large quantities of magic that the person to whom they're bound can draw upon.
The Cover and Title
The cover is browns with a background of fluorescent yellow, a maelstrom of swirling waves of chaos, the biting bats, and Kai in a cocky pose standing amongst the rocks in her worn blue jeans and rust colored tank top, her long brown hair blowing in the currents, and Teacher on her hip.
The title is what Kai and Nathan learn about themselves, an Unbinding of sorts that helps Kai understand her fears and Nathan his loneliness.
My Take
Just so you know, Rule and Lily only get a mention here. I suspect that Wilks is stretching out the series to include the elven and Diné worlds.
I do like this more benevolent depiction of the Queen of Winter as a decent person. Oh, she'll still destroy you, but it will be for a good reason.
"You might turn my life upside down again, but not for a small reason. …you don't require or expect me to be anything other than what I am."There's a fascinating discussion on order and chaos, and it makes perfect sense. Living things are highly ordered while creativity, discovery, delight, and madness are chaotic, and when chaos meets up with order, it generates a lot of magic. It's a discussion that leads to the truth of Kai's doubt about herself.
Wilks also creates a reason for why guns don't work in Faerie. Interesting and an idea that could be useful on earth…if magic really existed, lol. it also provides an opportunity to discuss how elvish culture works economically.
The traumatic events lead Nathan to understand loneliness and his reasons, in the past, for not caring if he died. It's an interesting concept to explore psychologically. The victims' experience is also traumatic as I read their reactions to the compulsion Dyffaya laid on them. It's terrifying to think of a person having this kind of power, how easily it becomes evil.
Whew, what Benedict and Nathan come up with to win this battle is a pip while Kai's grandfather has his own bomb to drop on Isen, lol.
It is an exciting story with lots of action on earth and in the Upper World with a flash of Diné culture with the overt focus on this god of Chaos. The covert focus is an explanation of magic and elvish culture while the truly important focus is on Kai's and Nathan's independent revelations.
"The only way to live is to 'live' — and [the little] death[s] is always, always, part of living."This quote provides an alternative perspective on "stop and smell the roses" with a very elvish slant to it, lol.
The Story
Chaotic events are erupting all over San Diego causing people to disappear, raising panic. And it all has but one aim. One that Nathan completely misconstrues.
The Characters
Kai Tallman Michalski (her grandfather calls her Yázhi Atsa, a.k.a., Little Eagle) has a rare gift for mindhealing. Teacher is the teaching sword Nathan bargained for that speeds up how fast Kai learns bladework. Dell is a chameleon who is bound to Kai as her familiar. Joseph Tallman is Kai's grandfather and a Navajo shaman who is the mortal guardian for Doko'oosliid, Abalone Shell Mountain.
Nathan Hunter, a.k.a., Nadrellian, is Wild Sidhe, a former hellhound, and the Queen's Hound. He's also Kai's lover. His queen sends him out on hunts and Hunts. His Gifts include perfect muscle memory, and he's very good with knives. Claw is the sword made from a living dragon's freely given claw that can kill anything, including a god. We first met Kai and Nathan in Ritual Magic , 10.
Clan Nokolai is…
…the werewolf clan led by Isen Turner, the Rho. Rule Turner is his youngest son and the Lo Nuncio, heir to Nokolai; he is also the Rho for Clan Leidolf after events in Mortal Ties , 9. Special Agent Lily Yu, a touch-sensitive, is Rule's Chosen. Toby is Rule's son and lives in North Carolina. Benedict Jones is Rule's older brother and in charge of security and training. Arjenie Fox (Benedict's Chosen from Blood Challenge , 7), half-fae and half-human, is the geeky witch with her own Gifts including invisibility and a researcher for Unit with a fascination for facts. Dr. Nettie Two Horses, Benedict's daughter, is a physician, healer, and a shaman of the Diné. She's only been out of the hospital for a month.
Cullen Seabourne is a sorcerer, a lupus, and a consultant for the FBI who is married to Cynna ( Blood Lines , 3). Cynna Weaver is a former FBI agent, a very strong Finder, and the new Rhej of Nokolai Clan. They have a daughter, Ryder.
Arjenie's werewolf guards include Doug McMillan, Josh, Ridley, José Alvarez, Kennedy Garcia, Justin, Casey, Nick Mathews, and Kevin. Other wolves include Carl who is Isen's houseman, Harris, Abe Keetso, Pete, and Sammy.
The Law
San Diego PD
Lieutenant Jenkins is a pain. Officers Akins, Ruiz, and Dupree are involved in various stages. Franklin Boyd is the assistant chief of police who goes rogue. Mary Boyd is his wife. Lieutenant Calverone has met José before.
Unit is…
…the Magical Crimes Division, a department within the FBI that investigates magical events. Ruben Brooks, an off-the-charts precog, is the head of Unit Twelve and the Shadow Unit; he's also a lupus after events in Death Magic , 8. Ida is Ruben's secretary.
Special Agent Derwin "the Big A" Ackleford is rude, crude, and excellent at his job — with a slight patterning Gift; he's also in charge of the FBI's local office, but not the magic one. Special Agent Karin Stockman is Fire Gifted with Wiccan training and carrying a huge grudge against magic users. Nieman is another agent.
Major Joseph Simmons is the CO for the two U.S. Marine companies that will deploy.
Iath is…
…the realm of the sisters, the Queens of Winter and Summer, with Aléri the largest city in Iath and home to the queens. Sandetti was a young boy who became an adept. The snotty Eharin An'Ahedra is the only elf who could be talked into teaching Kai to use her gift. Malek has a gift for crossing the realms without a gate, and he is the human the Queen of Winter told to make Kai welcome in Iath. Elves First, a.k.a., Firsters, are elves who think the evils in their world are due to the mingling of humans with elves.
Other realms include…
…Edge which is more about gnomes than elves. A lot of the Wild Sidhe and many humans live in Deredon.
Dyffaya áv Eni — who had been an adept human and is now an almost-dead sidhe god of madness, chaos, compulsion, and revenge — was encountered in Ritual Magic , 10, in which Nathan destroyed Nam Anthessa.
Fagioli is a coffee house where Cammy, a little girl, and Britta Valenzuela disappeared. Henry Lester had been there with Britta. Whaley House is the most haunted house in America. Victims at the beach include Mark Weinerman, Penny, Phil, and Frank (Liu). Dr. Piresh is the eye doctor scheduled to do Kai's surgery. Samision is an elf who can defeat Nathan with a sword. Clara is an EMT. Gary is the president of the Navajo nation.
Sun Mzao, a.k.a., Sam or the Eldest, is a black dragon who has made California part of his territory and whom we first met in Blood Magic , 6. Coyote is a Power, a troublemaker. The Old One, a.k.a., the Great Bitch or the Great Enemy, is the enemy of the lupi. A godhead is local accumulations tied to a particular place and can be occupied by Old Ones or former mortals. A locus is a "place" made of spiritual energy.
The Wild Sidhe are nature-beings who live apart from the other sidhe groups but are attracted to the most powerful group. The Ents are Wild Sidhe! Mindhealing is the careful metaphysical nudging of a person's mind to help them heal from a traumatic event; a binder forces false thoughts on another mind. Kish is a matrix that determines the form one's magic takes. P'tuth is revenge raised to the level of performance art. Magic is the result of the friction between chaos and order. Birith is magic which can be divided into healing magic, body magic, and transformational magic. Beguilement is a type of compulsion, infatuation on steroids. Assassin's fire is the ability to set anything on fire.
The preferred term is lupus, a werewolf, with lupi the plural. Chameleons are sentient gestalt thinkers unable to talk unless they take a form capable of speech. They use magic to survive, and they store large quantities of magic that the person to whom they're bound can draw upon.
The Cover and Title
The cover is browns with a background of fluorescent yellow, a maelstrom of swirling waves of chaos, the biting bats, and Kai in a cocky pose standing amongst the rocks in her worn blue jeans and rust colored tank top, her long brown hair blowing in the currents, and Teacher on her hip.
The title is what Kai and Nathan learn about themselves, an Unbinding of sorts that helps Kai understand her fears and Nathan his loneliness.
May 31, 2017
I was so glad this wasn't about Lily although from a glimpse at the cover I thought that was another artist's rendition of her and kept waiting for her to pop up. The story was good, the villain was a good at being bad villain and the ending was enjoyable. 4 stars out of 5.
October 27, 2014
Since Nathan first story in Inhuman -and then a few snippets in Night Season and the end of Ritual Magic-, I was fascinated with the idea of the Hound turned 'human' (or Wild Sidhe). So this is a story about Nathan and Kai that I was waiting a long time ago.
Nathan destroys the artifact in Ritual Magic, but not the god of chaos … and vengeance. So when San Diego starts to show odd events of magic and attacks is not good news.
We have a mad sidhe god, Lupi, Cullen and Cynna, Arjenie and Benedict, Nettie, and Nathan with Kai and Dell (the chameleon). Better prepare yourself for a wild run.... and Hunt.
There are a few moments of blabla when they speak about 'spirit' and the difference between 'intention', 'compulsion' and 'mental wash' that I do not understand very much as a matter of fact. But later, we have the typical friction between the FBI, the Unit 12 and the local policemenwhen they all feel in disadvantage before the magic threat that some do not understand, whereas others try to avoid an imminent disaster.
The incorporation of Navajo mythology joined to the peculiar idea of the sidhes and the adorers (that already has appeared in other novels of the series) it is very interesting.
Winter, the queen sidhe turns out to be different enough from our fantasy fey, not as a capricious creature, but wise, though always immensely powerful.
Algunos puntos en contra:
-The macho posturing of Benedict with Nathan is very annoying.
-El final del 'villano' es algo apresurado.
At the end is all about loneliness
Winter:
Nathan:
And luuurv
En suma, una de las mejores novelas de la serie.
Nathan destroys the artifact in Ritual Magic, but not the god of chaos … and vengeance. So when San Diego starts to show odd events of magic and attacks is not good news.
We have a mad sidhe god, Lupi, Cullen and Cynna, Arjenie and Benedict, Nettie, and Nathan with Kai and Dell (the chameleon). Better prepare yourself for a wild run.... and Hunt.
There are a few moments of blabla when they speak about 'spirit' and the difference between 'intention', 'compulsion' and 'mental wash' that I do not understand very much as a matter of fact. But later, we have the typical friction between the FBI, the Unit 12 and the local policemenwhen they all feel in disadvantage before the magic threat that some do not understand, whereas others try to avoid an imminent disaster.
The incorporation of Navajo mythology joined to the peculiar idea of the sidhes and the adorers (that already has appeared in other novels of the series) it is very interesting.
Winter, the queen sidhe turns out to be different enough from our fantasy fey, not as a capricious creature, but wise, though always immensely powerful.
...You will live a long time, my beautiful Nadrellian. Not as long as I, but long enough to grow weary, as many of my people do. Remember this: the only way to live is to live — and death is always, always, part of living. We die over and over.We die over and over. Oh, the big death comes but once, but a thousand deaths arrive with every turn of the seasons — the death of a day or a lover, of a friend or a dream, death piled upon death. The slow sundering of years parts us even from who we once were and from the memories which parented us. Live anyway.”
She’d straightened, suddenly regal, the mantle of her power falling over her — Winter in full truth. “With those thousand deaths come a thousand births. Ten thousand, if we’re alive enough to notice. Drink whatever comes to you, death or life or both together, drink it down, whether the draught be sweet or bitter. If you refuse the one, you won’t be able to taste the other.”
Algunos puntos en contra:
-The macho posturing of Benedict with Nathan is very annoying.
-El final del 'villano' es algo apresurado.
At the end is all about loneliness
Winter:
For you already know, don’t you? True connection, deep connection, is as rare as it is precious. When it happens in spite of all we can do to hide from it — you must have noticed how you terrified me at first? — when it happens anyway, hold nothing back.”
Nathan:
It was insane to wish himself in Benedict’s place, punctured lung, slow healing, and all, just because that man wasn’t alone. There was another lesson for him. Seemed he’d lost the knack of being alone. Isolated. Cut off from everyone and everything that mattered.
Cut off from Kai.
And luuurv
En suma, una de las mejores novelas de la serie.
June 13, 2024
Reread 6/2024 in Graphic audio. It's been 10 years but this is the first book in this series reread that I remembered nothing of. It still is not one of my favorites in the series, but I think I liked it better this time since I am listening back to back with everything fresh in my mind. One thing that I am noticing in the reread is that the series background ARC isn't very strong. This and much of the last book was a side jaunt from the lupi's war with her great enemy with another big bad becoming the threat to the world.
Originally read 10/2014 3 stars = I liked it ( but with nits) Lily and Rule are off on their Honeymoon, but trouble doesn't take a break just because they are gone. A chaos god out for revenge and has Nathan and Kai, who are back from the fae world in his sights.
I like this but with nits. I didn't mind reconnecting with Nathan and Kai ( from Inhuman and Night Season ( Book 4)) and I liked seeing Arjenie again (but would have liked more Benedict). This didn't end up being one of my favorite Lupi stories though because there were way too many info dump discussions of magic and such and without those this had the heart of a short story.
I peeked at the teaser for the next book and there's a character that I don't recognize. If Wilks' is going to shift focus from Lily and Rule, I wish we'd get some more or Ruben, I'd like to see more of him since his Change. That said, this did make me want to go back and read Inhuman to see a bit more of Nathan and Kai.
Originally read 10/2014 3 stars = I liked it ( but with nits) Lily and Rule are off on their Honeymoon, but trouble doesn't take a break just because they are gone. A chaos god out for revenge and has Nathan and Kai, who are back from the fae world in his sights.
I like this but with nits. I didn't mind reconnecting with Nathan and Kai ( from Inhuman and Night Season ( Book 4)) and I liked seeing Arjenie again (but would have liked more Benedict). This didn't end up being one of my favorite Lupi stories though because there were way too many info dump discussions of magic and such and without those this had the heart of a short story.
I peeked at the teaser for the next book and there's a character that I don't recognize. If Wilks' is going to shift focus from Lily and Rule, I wish we'd get some more or Ruben, I'd like to see more of him since his Change. That said, this did make me want to go back and read Inhuman to see a bit more of Nathan and Kai.
October 10, 2014
Well, the first thing I did after finishing this was to start re-reading Inhuman World of the Lupi 3.5, which is where we first meet Kai and Nathan. Actually, now I kind of want to re-read the entire series.
I love these characters: how they're mature adults who still make mistakes and have room to grow. As a part of that, I also love how nuanced the morality is: characters are not good or evil in a static way, but become so because of decisions they make over time. And these decisions don't come with big flashing warning signs "stop! your alignment will change from neutral good to chaotic evil with this choice!" Once his history is pulled apart and explored, the big bad in this book -- who rapes and tortures or destroys at will -- becomes sympathetic. It's not that his actions become sympathetic, but he as a flawed but at one time heroic being becomes deserving of compassion. And it's not that the author does a magic hand-wave to sweep the trauma he caused under the rug. It is acknowledged and does serve to develop the series story arc -- or it looks that way, given the ending.
Anyway, I really like that Wilks is willing to go there with her writing. I don't see a lot of moral explorations like this in genre fiction, and when I do it's usually a lot more heavy handed than this. Very much looking forward to the next book!
I love these characters: how they're mature adults who still make mistakes and have room to grow. As a part of that, I also love how nuanced the morality is: characters are not good or evil in a static way, but become so because of decisions they make over time. And these decisions don't come with big flashing warning signs "stop! your alignment will change from neutral good to chaotic evil with this choice!" Once his history is pulled apart and explored, the big bad in this book -- who rapes and tortures or destroys at will -- becomes sympathetic. It's not that his actions become sympathetic, but he as a flawed but at one time heroic being becomes deserving of compassion. And it's not that the author does a magic hand-wave to sweep the trauma he caused under the rug. It is acknowledged and does serve to develop the series story arc -- or it looks that way, given the ending.
Anyway, I really like that Wilks is willing to go there with her writing. I don't see a lot of moral explorations like this in genre fiction, and when I do it's usually a lot more heavy handed than this. Very much looking forward to the next book!
May 7, 2015
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Unbinding is the Eleventh novel in the World of the Lupi series. With Lily Yu and Rule Tanner off on their honeymoon, Kai Tallman Michalski and Nathan, her hellhound partner and lover, take over the spotlight. If you are a fan of this series, and have read everything, including the novellas, you know that Nathan appeared in Inhuman, and at the end of Ritual Magic where he destroyed a key artifact.
Nathan works for the Queen of Winter, and has shed his hellhound persona, and took up a more human one in order to do the Queen's work on Earth. Nathan and Kai, who is able to see thoughts by colors and patterns, and is also a mind healer, are sent back to Earth to finish off the God of chaos who is once again causing problems. Not much has changed in that area. There is always a POWER willing to set the world on fire in order to create chaos and mass hysteria and it is up to the Lupi and their allies to save the day.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Published: October 7th 2014 by Berkley Sensation
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Unbinding is the Eleventh novel in the World of the Lupi series. With Lily Yu and Rule Tanner off on their honeymoon, Kai Tallman Michalski and Nathan, her hellhound partner and lover, take over the spotlight. If you are a fan of this series, and have read everything, including the novellas, you know that Nathan appeared in Inhuman, and at the end of Ritual Magic where he destroyed a key artifact.
Nathan works for the Queen of Winter, and has shed his hellhound persona, and took up a more human one in order to do the Queen's work on Earth. Nathan and Kai, who is able to see thoughts by colors and patterns, and is also a mind healer, are sent back to Earth to finish off the God of chaos who is once again causing problems. Not much has changed in that area. There is always a POWER willing to set the world on fire in order to create chaos and mass hysteria and it is up to the Lupi and their allies to save the day.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Published: October 7th 2014 by Berkley Sensation
February 8, 2025
To get the full flavor of this book, you should read Inhuman, which gives backstory to Kai and Nathan. If I hadn't refreshed my memory with this prequel, I might not have waded through the first chapter or so of this story. I'm really glad I persevered; the first chapter's events become very relevant later in the book.
That being said: I really enjoyed this chapter of the Lupi saga. Even if Rule and Lily weren't there, for the most part, many other characters were and helped make this story entertaining. Nathan's unique - almost alien - POV and commentary on humans, Lupi, and others are interesting. He and Kai obviously love each other - their mutual dependence is tangible without being stifling.
So please don't be put off by the lack of Lily and Rule. There is plenty going on for Kai and Nathan.
That being said: I really enjoyed this chapter of the Lupi saga. Even if Rule and Lily weren't there, for the most part, many other characters were and helped make this story entertaining. Nathan's unique - almost alien - POV and commentary on humans, Lupi, and others are interesting. He and Kai obviously love each other - their mutual dependence is tangible without being stifling.
So please don't be put off by the lack of Lily and Rule. There is plenty going on for Kai and Nathan.
Read
June 3, 2017Just wasn't feeling this one. I missed Lily and Rule; and prefer to read about the Lupi and Lily's cases. I'm not a big fan of the Fae; never have cared for them. I finally skimmed to the end to read the last chapter and epilogue.
I want to read about Lily and Rule !!!
I want to read about Lily and Rule !!!
September 26, 2016
The World of the Lupi series has been a wide and varied world following mostly the story of FBI Magic Unit Special Agent Lily Lu and her Lupi mate, Rule Turner. Occasionally, however, the author allows some of the other characters from the large cast to take the center stage. In this installment, the author takes a break from the series arc story line to have a reunion with recurring characters, Kai and Nathan.
Kai and Nathan first appeared in the novella, Inhuman, from the anthology, On the Prowl. Next, they are encountered in Night Season when Cullen and Cyenna adventure in the Faerie realm, and finally in the previous installment, Ritual Magic where they antagonized a god of chaos and he is now set on revenge.
The World of the Lupi has always struck me as Urban Fantasy for the analytical. If the reader loves to explore all the detail and explanation behind the supernatural world (or should I say worlds since there are many realms) the author created, then this series hits the spot. The author has the talented ability to pair detailed explanation with rich worldbuilding, sharp and exciting action and intrigue, and characters that are deftly painted so that they layer with flaws and strengths that make them feel like real people and not some perfect and perfectly talented supe who will always do the right thing and save the day.
This book, Unbinding, not only is no exception to all the above, it is also moreso than many in the series all about the details and explanations. I notice when the author brings in the Faerie realm that it tends to be like that. This story also takes a slight detour from where things are going. Lily and Rule are off scene, but all the other usual suspects are around to help Kai and Nathan take down a mad god.
The story poses internal conflicts along with the external. Kai is having what is closest described as an identity crisis. She has been living in Faery with Nathan and trying to develop her magical gift, but now back in the human realm she doubts herself, doubts her relationship with Nathan, and has no idea what is to be next for her. And she very much doubts that she can help with the problem at hand let alone survive it particularly when Nathan has closed her off and has his own hunt afoot. Nathan, like a typical male, is in protect mode and will do what he feels is best to keep Kai safe and take down the big baddie for good. As to the external conflict, as is par for the course with this author, it got pretty desperate and intense, enemies had the good guys on the run, and there were some big twists before the end came about. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, rug went out from under me and not just once.
Like with the usual stories, I love the camaraderie of the group who fight off the bad guys and was glad that they were not missing for this side trail with Kai and Nathan. Benedict and Arjenie along with Cullen and Cyenna, Isen, Nellie, Acklesford, and Ruben. Loved that hint of a secret about Cullen and I can't wait to see if I guessed that one right in further stories.
In summary, it was another cunning Urban Fantasy adventure and I highly recommend this series to other UF fans who love getting the 'hows and whys' along with all the excitement.
Kai and Nathan first appeared in the novella, Inhuman, from the anthology, On the Prowl. Next, they are encountered in Night Season when Cullen and Cyenna adventure in the Faerie realm, and finally in the previous installment, Ritual Magic where they antagonized a god of chaos and he is now set on revenge.
The World of the Lupi has always struck me as Urban Fantasy for the analytical. If the reader loves to explore all the detail and explanation behind the supernatural world (or should I say worlds since there are many realms) the author created, then this series hits the spot. The author has the talented ability to pair detailed explanation with rich worldbuilding, sharp and exciting action and intrigue, and characters that are deftly painted so that they layer with flaws and strengths that make them feel like real people and not some perfect and perfectly talented supe who will always do the right thing and save the day.
This book, Unbinding, not only is no exception to all the above, it is also moreso than many in the series all about the details and explanations. I notice when the author brings in the Faerie realm that it tends to be like that. This story also takes a slight detour from where things are going. Lily and Rule are off scene, but all the other usual suspects are around to help Kai and Nathan take down a mad god.
The story poses internal conflicts along with the external. Kai is having what is closest described as an identity crisis. She has been living in Faery with Nathan and trying to develop her magical gift, but now back in the human realm she doubts herself, doubts her relationship with Nathan, and has no idea what is to be next for her. And she very much doubts that she can help with the problem at hand let alone survive it particularly when Nathan has closed her off and has his own hunt afoot. Nathan, like a typical male, is in protect mode and will do what he feels is best to keep Kai safe and take down the big baddie for good. As to the external conflict, as is par for the course with this author, it got pretty desperate and intense, enemies had the good guys on the run, and there were some big twists before the end came about. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, rug went out from under me and not just once.
Like with the usual stories, I love the camaraderie of the group who fight off the bad guys and was glad that they were not missing for this side trail with Kai and Nathan. Benedict and Arjenie along with Cullen and Cyenna, Isen, Nellie, Acklesford, and Ruben. Loved that hint of a secret about Cullen and I can't wait to see if I guessed that one right in further stories.
In summary, it was another cunning Urban Fantasy adventure and I highly recommend this series to other UF fans who love getting the 'hows and whys' along with all the excitement.
September 19, 2024
I definitely missed Lily and Rule, although it was good that their pack was still involved. This book dragged for me. This felt more like a book 1, trying to explain the rules of Kai and Nathan's powers that it interrupted the flow of the story.
Kai and Nathan are ok. They make a good couple and Dell the chameleon is a very interesting character with her ties to Kai. I usually love fae, but their involvement was pretty limited in this story. And while I liked these characters just fine, I'm glad the next book goes back to Lily and Rule.
Kai and Nathan are ok. They make a good couple and Dell the chameleon is a very interesting character with her ties to Kai. I usually love fae, but their involvement was pretty limited in this story. And while I liked these characters just fine, I'm glad the next book goes back to Lily and Rule.
August 7, 2019
I don’t always enjoy when the focus is taken off Lily and Rule, but I really liked this detour in the Lupiverse. Besides getting away from the machinations of the GB and her minions, which was a welcome reprieve, I was happy to see a plot centered on Kai, Dell, and Nathan. Having Benedict and Arjenie in the mix was a nice bonus. I loved the friendships formed between the Lupi and the leads—it seems this might not be the last time we see them.
Two things I like about this series: women and men form friendships with each other instead of viewing everyone as a romantic rival, and the people who are in relationships grow as couples and work on their relationships, changing as their respect and trust in their partners increases. Very refreshing!
Two things I like about this series: women and men form friendships with each other instead of viewing everyone as a romantic rival, and the people who are in relationships grow as couples and work on their relationships, changing as their respect and trust in their partners increases. Very refreshing!
December 2, 2021
I started this series when I was a teenager in 2004 with Cravings & after a reread of the series now in 2021 I can honestly say I continue to be a fan of the world but have fallen out of love with the FMC. I’d warn everyone my original ratings do not reflect my current feelings on the series. I’d rate most of the books a strong 3. I will say the GraphicAudio dramatizations for this series is well done & highly entertaining. If you decide to start the series I’d choose the audio versions.
January 3, 2017
Kai and Nathan are still in San Diego while Kai tries to heal some of the damage caused by the rampaging magical dagger in the last book
But it’s soon clear that destroying a magical artefact imbued by a god of chaos has ramifications. They may have foiled his plans, but the god of chaos is now out and he may be dead but he is powerful and looking to change that
All the while Kai still has decide what she wants to do with her life. She loves Nathan and she has a unique powerful talent the elves can help develop – but does she want to be the human in the Court of Winter, separated from her friends, divided from her culture and often derided by the oh-so-superior elves?
Hmmmmmmm
Definitely hmmmmmm.
This is my brain on this story:
Brain 1: It’s a book without Lily and Rule. This is going to be interesting because we’re going to get to see this world through a different lens. We’re going to see a different mind set and excellent part of the world setting that Lily would otherwise not notice. This is an excellent way to open up this world when we’ve excellently established Lily is the central protagonist so it isn’t a distraction
Brain 2: But but but, Lily was established as protagonist because she’s super awesome and amazing. And I’ve had several books of back stories to make me not only be invested in Lily but be thoroughly cheering her every move. Who is this Kai and Nathan and why do I care? They’ve had, what, one short story and a couple of cameo appearances? I am not invested enough in this people for them to displace my awesome Lily. They’re far too external to the main plot, the main battle etc to be really relevant to the rest of the series. It feels more like a spin off series – hey an awesome spin off series –but now these people are stood in Lily’s space. I don’t know half of these people We keep getting revelations and shocks about these people that completely miss because I feel like I’m supposed to have read 4 other books to actually know who they are
Brain 1: But this let’s us examine so much of the world building is accessible here! Lily sees the elves as an annoying enemy and is pretty much not that involved or invested in elven culture or world building and her practicality makes her tolerate the need for Cullen’s theorising but definitely not being willing to run with it. Kai is front and centre in elven culture, sidhe realms, dramatis personae who are constantly mentioned actually appear in this book. We meet them and the depiction of elven society is awesome – we have such an awesome building of a completely alien culture, different standards and values and ethics. As well as a really really interesting take on the concept of the Fae Queen of Winter – not just a queen of cold, but a queen of hard truths and a queen of the warm winter hearth. Definitely an original take
Brain 2: but but but Lily isn’t invested in all of this because it’s not relevant. And I love the world expanding, I really do. I love the world setting. I love expanded world setting. I love how Kai brings her own views and conflicts to this huge world setting. But we already had one book where a new big bad muscled in on the whole storyline and now we have another one? Sure there’s more than one thing happening in this world – but while Rule and the werewolves and Lily are dealing with their enemy perhaps undead elven gods of chaos can go get their little party together in a city other than San Diego. What is the enemy and her minions actually doing while we have a hiatus anyway?
So I’m left thinking I loved loved loved this book and would also be a really awesome… but also feel this excellent world has reached a point where branching into spin off series would be better arcs than protagonist shifting when the protagonists have such disparate goals. If Kai and Nathan and Lily and Rule were actually aiming at goals that were closer together then they would work as shifting protagonists. But the only real reason Kai and Nathan are there is because a random occurrence pulled them in and there was a brief coinciding of goals with Lily and Rule
Read More
But it’s soon clear that destroying a magical artefact imbued by a god of chaos has ramifications. They may have foiled his plans, but the god of chaos is now out and he may be dead but he is powerful and looking to change that
All the while Kai still has decide what she wants to do with her life. She loves Nathan and she has a unique powerful talent the elves can help develop – but does she want to be the human in the Court of Winter, separated from her friends, divided from her culture and often derided by the oh-so-superior elves?
Hmmmmmmm
Definitely hmmmmmm.
This is my brain on this story:
Brain 1: It’s a book without Lily and Rule. This is going to be interesting because we’re going to get to see this world through a different lens. We’re going to see a different mind set and excellent part of the world setting that Lily would otherwise not notice. This is an excellent way to open up this world when we’ve excellently established Lily is the central protagonist so it isn’t a distraction
Brain 2: But but but, Lily was established as protagonist because she’s super awesome and amazing. And I’ve had several books of back stories to make me not only be invested in Lily but be thoroughly cheering her every move. Who is this Kai and Nathan and why do I care? They’ve had, what, one short story and a couple of cameo appearances? I am not invested enough in this people for them to displace my awesome Lily. They’re far too external to the main plot, the main battle etc to be really relevant to the rest of the series. It feels more like a spin off series – hey an awesome spin off series –but now these people are stood in Lily’s space. I don’t know half of these people We keep getting revelations and shocks about these people that completely miss because I feel like I’m supposed to have read 4 other books to actually know who they are
Brain 1: But this let’s us examine so much of the world building is accessible here! Lily sees the elves as an annoying enemy and is pretty much not that involved or invested in elven culture or world building and her practicality makes her tolerate the need for Cullen’s theorising but definitely not being willing to run with it. Kai is front and centre in elven culture, sidhe realms, dramatis personae who are constantly mentioned actually appear in this book. We meet them and the depiction of elven society is awesome – we have such an awesome building of a completely alien culture, different standards and values and ethics. As well as a really really interesting take on the concept of the Fae Queen of Winter – not just a queen of cold, but a queen of hard truths and a queen of the warm winter hearth. Definitely an original take
Brain 2: but but but Lily isn’t invested in all of this because it’s not relevant. And I love the world expanding, I really do. I love the world setting. I love expanded world setting. I love how Kai brings her own views and conflicts to this huge world setting. But we already had one book where a new big bad muscled in on the whole storyline and now we have another one? Sure there’s more than one thing happening in this world – but while Rule and the werewolves and Lily are dealing with their enemy perhaps undead elven gods of chaos can go get their little party together in a city other than San Diego. What is the enemy and her minions actually doing while we have a hiatus anyway?
So I’m left thinking I loved loved loved this book and would also be a really awesome… but also feel this excellent world has reached a point where branching into spin off series would be better arcs than protagonist shifting when the protagonists have such disparate goals. If Kai and Nathan and Lily and Rule were actually aiming at goals that were closer together then they would work as shifting protagonists. But the only real reason Kai and Nathan are there is because a random occurrence pulled them in and there was a brief coinciding of goals with Lily and Rule
Read More
June 16, 2020
4.5 ★I wasn't sure what to think about this one when I first started reading it. It's been long enough ago that I finished the last one that I couldn't really remember these two people who are central to the story. Where were Rule and Lily!!?? Off on their honeymoon and only accessible by phone. But as the story progressed, I began to love it as well as Nathan and Kai. So much happens in this one and yet the author keeps firm hold of the reins and the climax of the story is exactly as it needs to be. Great stuff!!
March 10, 2016
Nathan Brown
Kai Tallman Michalski
May 2015
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Kai Tallman Michalski
May 2015
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January 7, 2017
I missed Lily and Rule. These Graphic Audio editions are quite interesting. I liked Kai's voice more than whoever is doing Lily's.
May 31, 2019
EDIT: I blame the indoctrination of all the media I've consumed over the years for me completely missing this point originally, but this book was REALLY rapey. The chaos god makes all the people he kidnaps love him and then has tons of sex with them....and tries to get OTHERS to have sex with his mind-slaves, too. For too long, it's been no big deal for characters (usually women) to suffer this way at the hands of villains who are then allowed to redeem themselves...it's a lazy way to make someone look evil, but not SUPER evil (because women secretly want the sex, right? Good girls have to say no, even though they mean yes). At the end, we're supposed to find the chaos god a sympathetic character. He'd "sacrificed" himself by becoming a god to help win a war thousands of years ago, so everything he did recently is completely excusable....we can ignore all the massive amounts of murder & raping. Right? Argh. Let's stop normalizing sexual abuse, people.
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It seems odd that characters that were introduced in a novella & which have had a couple of quick cameos now have their own entire book in this series. There's Nathan, the hellhound of the powerful elf queen Winter, and Kai, a human with an ability to 'see' people's emotions and thoughts. They must battle the evil god of chaos that was given access to earth in the previous book. He has captured several humans, along with Benedict and Cullen, and brought them to his realm, where those without a magical Gift eventually waste away and die. The chaos god is trying to get people of earth to worship him in fear, which will allow him to walk on earth in physical form. Rule & Lily are on their honeymoon & it's decided that coming back to the states would only endanger them & their family more...handily keeping them out of this storyline.
Wilks needed a bit more editing in this one....while sometimes the discussion between characters on how magic works in Wilk's world can be interesting, it seemed to drag on longer than it needed to.
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It seems odd that characters that were introduced in a novella & which have had a couple of quick cameos now have their own entire book in this series. There's Nathan, the hellhound of the powerful elf queen Winter, and Kai, a human with an ability to 'see' people's emotions and thoughts. They must battle the evil god of chaos that was given access to earth in the previous book. He has captured several humans, along with Benedict and Cullen, and brought them to his realm, where those without a magical Gift eventually waste away and die. The chaos god is trying to get people of earth to worship him in fear, which will allow him to walk on earth in physical form. Rule & Lily are on their honeymoon & it's decided that coming back to the states would only endanger them & their family more...handily keeping them out of this storyline.
Wilks needed a bit more editing in this one....while sometimes the discussion between characters on how magic works in Wilk's world can be interesting, it seemed to drag on longer than it needed to.
June 12, 2018
Difficult to enjoy and finish this (obvious by the number of days it took me to read the book).
I like Kai and Nathan well enough but they weren't strong enough to carry the entire book. And I admit I have a weakness for Lily and Rule as the main stars of the series so this installment felt more like an interlude than an actual novel. Much like Blood Lines felt.
The villain was interesting and complex. God of Revenge. The naming itself tells you everything you need to know. However, he was true to his name. Not sure how much this was planned by the author as a characteristic of the god and how much was mere sloppiness but the events in the book were random and chaotic (for lack of a better word). I couldn't make head or tails of what everything meant and how it aligned in the great scheme of things
I like Kai and Nathan well enough but they weren't strong enough to carry the entire book. And I admit I have a weakness for Lily and Rule as the main stars of the series so this installment felt more like an interlude than an actual novel. Much like Blood Lines felt.
The villain was interesting and complex. God of Revenge. The naming itself tells you everything you need to know. However, he was true to his name. Not sure how much this was planned by the author as a characteristic of the god and how much was mere sloppiness but the events in the book were random and chaotic (for lack of a better word). I couldn't make head or tails of what everything meant and how it aligned in the great scheme of things
August 10, 2021
This is a good book but not a great one in this series. Often a risk when the book is basically a sidestory to the main narrative. What didn't help is that it has quite a slow start and then there just wasnt such a great sense of pace that others in the series have had. Hope the next is better
October 2, 2021
I liked a having a whole book dedicated to Kai and Nathan. Kai is the character who got me started on this whole series. This book was plagued with errors, though. From wrong names to wrong pronouns, and some continuity errors too. It was distracting.
May 1, 2025
audiobook
November 10, 2014
4.25!!
Wasn't at all what I expected!!
What I liked: Even though I like all the characters in this series, I adore Lily and Rule. So, when I found out Unbinding was coming out, I was estatic until I realized it wasn't a Lily and Rule book. When I started reading, I was playing catch up because this series is so involved, you forget a lot. Imagine my surprise when I didn't find myself missing Lily all that much. Kai and Nathan more than held my attention. Yes, some other favorite characters are all present and that made me even happier.
Ms Wilks has taken this series to a new level. When I read one of her stories, I know I won't want to quit and in Unbinding, after the initial reorientation, I didn't want to put the book down. The plot of each book plays off the others in someway and the development of those plots is fabulous. I get lost each and every time. The world building just seems so real, I feel like I actually there with the characters.
Speaking of characters, Ms Wilks doesn't hold back. They are not infallible and not perfect but seem like people I would want to know. As I said, I thought I would miss Lily and Rule much more as I have in other books where they don't star, I was happily mistaken!!
I was really wondering how the author was going to resolve this book. She more than delivered and the ending was very well thought out!
What I didn't like: It might take you a while to try and remember the starring characters in Unbinding. I had to go back and scan my reviews of other books in the series to remember just what was happening and why. That bothered me for the beginning of the book. I feel like I lost time reading a wonderful story trying to tie everything together. The biggest thing I don't like is I have to wait soooo long for the next in the series!!
Highly Recommended to fans of this series. If you've not read it yet, boy are you missing out!!
Wasn't at all what I expected!!
What I liked: Even though I like all the characters in this series, I adore Lily and Rule. So, when I found out Unbinding was coming out, I was estatic until I realized it wasn't a Lily and Rule book. When I started reading, I was playing catch up because this series is so involved, you forget a lot. Imagine my surprise when I didn't find myself missing Lily all that much. Kai and Nathan more than held my attention. Yes, some other favorite characters are all present and that made me even happier.
Ms Wilks has taken this series to a new level. When I read one of her stories, I know I won't want to quit and in Unbinding, after the initial reorientation, I didn't want to put the book down. The plot of each book plays off the others in someway and the development of those plots is fabulous. I get lost each and every time. The world building just seems so real, I feel like I actually there with the characters.
Speaking of characters, Ms Wilks doesn't hold back. They are not infallible and not perfect but seem like people I would want to know. As I said, I thought I would miss Lily and Rule much more as I have in other books where they don't star, I was happily mistaken!!
I was really wondering how the author was going to resolve this book. She more than delivered and the ending was very well thought out!
What I didn't like: It might take you a while to try and remember the starring characters in Unbinding. I had to go back and scan my reviews of other books in the series to remember just what was happening and why. That bothered me for the beginning of the book. I feel like I lost time reading a wonderful story trying to tie everything together. The biggest thing I don't like is I have to wait soooo long for the next in the series!!
Highly Recommended to fans of this series. If you've not read it yet, boy are you missing out!!
May 3, 2015
I am more than a little surprised at my low rating for one of the Lupi World books. I read Inhuman before picking up Unbinding so I would know who Kai and Nathan were which was good, but I didn't reread any other books and perhaps I should have because I didn't think EW's recaps of who was who and past important events was really sufficient. Nevertheless I read on thinking it would come back to me and it sort of did but my enjoyment of the story was largely overshadowed by feeling like I was missing something important (all the references to Kai's quest for Winter, which I think happened "off screen") and the huge amount of information "dumped" to explain magic etc.. I didn't find it fun to read at all and I can only feel relief that I have finished. Normally EW is detail heavy but I felt Unbinding was something else. I liked Kai and Nathan but they spent so much of the book apart (since Kai had to save him) and I would have liked to see them work together.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
October 17, 2014
I normally really like books in this series, not so much with this one. There was so much magic that had to be explained, which bogged down things. There are so many great secondary characters in this series, Benedict and Isen among them. I was so happy that we got a lot with them. I loved how Isen accepted Kai and Nathan, along with their extended family which really put a stress on the supplies at Clanhome. But I really missed Lily and Rule, all we had with them was a very short phone call.
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