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Wolf Rage #1
Avery
“My gaze stays out the window, “I was happy. So, happy.” A small smile forms on my face, “So full of life. When I came home that day. I cracked into a million pieces. Mind. Body. Soul.”
After witnessing the aftermath of her father’s gruesome murder, fifteen-year-old Avery was forever changed. Her inner sight once dormant, swelled like a cresting wave, sending her into a tailspin and eventually landing her in the care of a psychiatric institution. “Cured” and released from Green Brier two years later, she finds herself in her uncle’s custody. Only then does she begin to question her diagnosis and discover what she dismissed as madness may be something else entirely.
Dark, broody Kayden has become reckless with the Rage constantly snapping at his heels. His only goal is to find an Empath to form the em-bond or risk being stuck in the Rage. A wild animal forevermore.
After a five-year, long war against his Mother’s Empath. Dean disbanded the Court of Wolves and let the Rage consume him centuries ago. The only thing he’s ever known is to hunt, run and sleep. That was till he smelled winter in summer. Till Avery.
Three different people. Three different lives. What happens when they meet?
Their world explodes.
After witnessing the aftermath of her father’s gruesome murder, fifteen-year-old Avery was forever changed. Her inner sight once dormant, swelled like a cresting wave, sending her into a tailspin and eventually landing her in the care of a psychiatric institution. “Cured” and released from Green Brier two years later, she finds herself in her uncle’s custody. Only then does she begin to question her diagnosis and discover what she dismissed as madness may be something else entirely.
Dark, broody Kayden has become reckless with the Rage constantly snapping at his heels. His only goal is to find an Empath to form the em-bond or risk being stuck in the Rage. A wild animal forevermore.
After a five-year, long war against his Mother’s Empath. Dean disbanded the Court of Wolves and let the Rage consume him centuries ago. The only thing he’s ever known is to hunt, run and sleep. That was till he smelled winter in summer. Till Avery.
Three different people. Three different lives. What happens when they meet?
Their world explodes.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2017
298 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
July 11, 2017
Cursed Blood is a story about three characters, Avery, Dean and, Kayden. The book begins with Avery. She is a 15-year-old girl witnessing her father being murdered. The harsh realities of things kick in causing her to be admitted to a psychiatric institution. Things get worse when she is taken care of by the uncle. Strange things happen to her causing Avery to question things and to think out of the box.
Kayden, on the other hand, is a shapeshifter and rage is his trigger. He needs to find a way to control his anger or else he will stay as an animal. Dean is a Wolf. He has been a wolf for a very long time and is used to behaving like an animal only until he meets Avery.
I found the plot to be genuinely pleasing to read. The characters are unique and truly mesh well together. I sometimes felt lost in the world setting but that didn’t take much away from the experience. The author has great potential in creating better and stronger work. It is apparent that she has spent time researching and laying out the plot; however, there were plausible factors in the plot that was noticeable. Having said this, if the book is to have a sequel to it then, it is a very smart way to cover all of the questions in the second book.
I believe anyone that is interested in paranormal fiction and enjoys a little romance will find this book to be a great read.
Kayden, on the other hand, is a shapeshifter and rage is his trigger. He needs to find a way to control his anger or else he will stay as an animal. Dean is a Wolf. He has been a wolf for a very long time and is used to behaving like an animal only until he meets Avery.
I found the plot to be genuinely pleasing to read. The characters are unique and truly mesh well together. I sometimes felt lost in the world setting but that didn’t take much away from the experience. The author has great potential in creating better and stronger work. It is apparent that she has spent time researching and laying out the plot; however, there were plausible factors in the plot that was noticeable. Having said this, if the book is to have a sequel to it then, it is a very smart way to cover all of the questions in the second book.
I believe anyone that is interested in paranormal fiction and enjoys a little romance will find this book to be a great read.
June 10, 2017
I came across this book on Wattpad and decided to buy it to read the rest. The book starts great and the mystery sucked me in. I wanted to know who was behind the tragedy that took place and what was happening to Avery. Given the circumstances, I thought she handled things well, despite being committed. Her reactions were explained away as her hiding emotions behind a wall.
After reading this, I still don't understand a couple of characters, like Alpha Lee, Aden and even Cam is weird. I do not think the ribbon thing was explained well, since it was new to the pack too. Why did she seem drawn to only the black ones? What was the weird personality flip for? This book jumped from a potentially sweet, one mate conflict to a possible two mates? I enjoyed the storyline for most of the read, then it went downhill.
The most irritating issue was the spelling and grammar. Usually, I mentally "auto correct", but this was ridiculously wrought with errors. It became a distraction to the story and I lost the enjoyment and thrill of this book. I also had a hard time with the voice of each character. The story is written in different POVs, which is usually fine. Avery's POV was okay, but the others would change from first person to third person, like a seesaw. This started irritating me too.
I hoped that the published version would have been edited better than the Wattpad version. There were several changes made to the story that made this a better book, details that were missing from the original that enhanced the story. But, the price should have been lower for this poorly edited story. I do think the author has potential though. I do not see myself reading the next book.
2.5 stars
After reading this, I still don't understand a couple of characters, like Alpha Lee, Aden and even Cam is weird. I do not think the ribbon thing was explained well, since it was new to the pack too. Why did she seem drawn to only the black ones? What was the weird personality flip for? This book jumped from a potentially sweet, one mate conflict to a possible two mates? I enjoyed the storyline for most of the read, then it went downhill.
The most irritating issue was the spelling and grammar. Usually, I mentally "auto correct", but this was ridiculously wrought with errors. It became a distraction to the story and I lost the enjoyment and thrill of this book. I also had a hard time with the voice of each character. The story is written in different POVs, which is usually fine. Avery's POV was okay, but the others would change from first person to third person, like a seesaw. This started irritating me too.
I hoped that the published version would have been edited better than the Wattpad version. There were several changes made to the story that made this a better book, details that were missing from the original that enhanced the story. But, the price should have been lower for this poorly edited story. I do think the author has potential though. I do not see myself reading the next book.
2.5 stars
October 4, 2017
This story is unique and engaging, though in need of a good editor.
We are introduced to Avery briefly as she returns to her out of the way family home that she shares with her father. On returning home she is presented with her father’s dead body, blood all around, and she breaks. Her mind snaps and she awakens in a mental hospital many months later. The story then jumps to two years later and she is being released to her uncle. I would have loved to see how her transformation while in the hospital developed. We are told she learned to block her emotions, her feelings. But we are robbed of the how. This is a huge aspect of who the character is and without this I was left feeling disconnected from Avery as she entered her new world with the family she hardly remembers.
A multi POV novel, this story is not only told from the POV of Avery the MC, but also Kayden the main love interest and then later Dean briefly, also a love interest. I am not usually a fan of multi POV, but am finding it being used more and more. When done well, the reader follows the story easily, and in the last third of the book, Martin achieves a smooth transition. However early on she doubles up on the content, showing us Avery as she goes through a situation only to then show us Kayden as he saw it. This is not needed or wanted by the reader. As an author, know which side is more important to tell and then when the other POV takes over have it be because what they are now seeing/feeling/doing is more important.
The other issue I have is a narrator. If you have your MC and secondary characters telling us the story in first person, it is then very disconnecting to have a third person omnipresent narration of what they are doing mixed in with the story.
The main plot and characters develop beautifully over the course of the book and by the last third I was very much invested in the story as the characters and conflicts built. However I was left wanting at the end. The story doesn’t resolve any of the conflicts and leaves you with more questions than answers.
***Spoiler alert***
I thought the story would sort of follow like this; finding her father dead, losing her mind and her emotions, discovering her wolf/empath heritage, opening herself to feeling again, uncovering the truth of who she is and ultimately who killed her father. But no, she is left still unsure of herself, and mated to two wolves at fifteen. She doesn’t know who killed her father and at the end of the book it is like she doesn’t even care who did. She has let it go apparently. So the event that sparked her mind break and was the reason for everything is now not important at all?
I know it might sound harsh, but this story could be so much more than it is if it had the help of a good editor who could have pointed out these plot holes and general structure issues.
With readers having TBR lists as long as our arms, having spelling and grammar issues in a book can and will usually prevent them from picking up anything else from that author as it makes the story a struggle to read. I do not know if I will be reading book two, unless it has had the eyes of an editor before release.
Overall I give it 3 stars. It is a fantastic idea. I love the connections between the characters and the path the story could take. Losing one and a half stars for the spelling, grammar, and structure issues. And another half star off for the cover. Though not horrible, I actually really like the placement of the moon, the girl and the grass. But the tag line is hard to read and isn’t really a ‘grab you’ kind of line. The shadow around the girl is weird - if the moon is lighting her from the back and side, then there would be no shadow behind her.
I think Martin could develop this into a fantastic series, given the right support team and a good editor by her side. I look forward to seeing what she offers us in the future as she develops her craft.
We are introduced to Avery briefly as she returns to her out of the way family home that she shares with her father. On returning home she is presented with her father’s dead body, blood all around, and she breaks. Her mind snaps and she awakens in a mental hospital many months later. The story then jumps to two years later and she is being released to her uncle. I would have loved to see how her transformation while in the hospital developed. We are told she learned to block her emotions, her feelings. But we are robbed of the how. This is a huge aspect of who the character is and without this I was left feeling disconnected from Avery as she entered her new world with the family she hardly remembers.
A multi POV novel, this story is not only told from the POV of Avery the MC, but also Kayden the main love interest and then later Dean briefly, also a love interest. I am not usually a fan of multi POV, but am finding it being used more and more. When done well, the reader follows the story easily, and in the last third of the book, Martin achieves a smooth transition. However early on she doubles up on the content, showing us Avery as she goes through a situation only to then show us Kayden as he saw it. This is not needed or wanted by the reader. As an author, know which side is more important to tell and then when the other POV takes over have it be because what they are now seeing/feeling/doing is more important.
The other issue I have is a narrator. If you have your MC and secondary characters telling us the story in first person, it is then very disconnecting to have a third person omnipresent narration of what they are doing mixed in with the story.
The main plot and characters develop beautifully over the course of the book and by the last third I was very much invested in the story as the characters and conflicts built. However I was left wanting at the end. The story doesn’t resolve any of the conflicts and leaves you with more questions than answers.
***Spoiler alert***
I thought the story would sort of follow like this; finding her father dead, losing her mind and her emotions, discovering her wolf/empath heritage, opening herself to feeling again, uncovering the truth of who she is and ultimately who killed her father. But no, she is left still unsure of herself, and mated to two wolves at fifteen. She doesn’t know who killed her father and at the end of the book it is like she doesn’t even care who did. She has let it go apparently. So the event that sparked her mind break and was the reason for everything is now not important at all?
I know it might sound harsh, but this story could be so much more than it is if it had the help of a good editor who could have pointed out these plot holes and general structure issues.
With readers having TBR lists as long as our arms, having spelling and grammar issues in a book can and will usually prevent them from picking up anything else from that author as it makes the story a struggle to read. I do not know if I will be reading book two, unless it has had the eyes of an editor before release.
Overall I give it 3 stars. It is a fantastic idea. I love the connections between the characters and the path the story could take. Losing one and a half stars for the spelling, grammar, and structure issues. And another half star off for the cover. Though not horrible, I actually really like the placement of the moon, the girl and the grass. But the tag line is hard to read and isn’t really a ‘grab you’ kind of line. The shadow around the girl is weird - if the moon is lighting her from the back and side, then there would be no shadow behind her.
I think Martin could develop this into a fantastic series, given the right support team and a good editor by her side. I look forward to seeing what she offers us in the future as she develops her craft.
September 3, 2017
Great read!! I could hardly put it down, even to sleep! LOL! Seriously though, I found it to be a fast read, very enjoyable and very well written. It was a refreshing change from all the "wolf" books out there.
She gave us not 1, not 2, but 3 points of view to the same story--each clearly distinct and different from each other. Which couldn't have been easy as two were boys!! Ha!!
The story never dragged nor was it boring-far from it. She kept the pace moving even as she was telling a small part of a scene over again from a different character's viewpoint.
I felt honored to be given the chance to read this book**. I await the next book eagerly, knowing it will be just as good as this one.
Definitely a "must read" series!!
**was given an advanced copy for an honest review**
She gave us not 1, not 2, but 3 points of view to the same story--each clearly distinct and different from each other. Which couldn't have been easy as two were boys!! Ha!!
The story never dragged nor was it boring-far from it. She kept the pace moving even as she was telling a small part of a scene over again from a different character's viewpoint.
I felt honored to be given the chance to read this book**. I await the next book eagerly, knowing it will be just as good as this one.
Definitely a "must read" series!!
**was given an advanced copy for an honest review**
September 7, 2017
This is my first book by A. M. Martin and I absolutely loved it!! I was captivated from the first sentence. I was drawn to the characters and the story! The story starts with a young Avery and I'm quickly drawn into her story! Everything that happened and how she dealt with her problems. As we get to know Avery we meet Kayden, Cam, Aden and Dean.
Avery is a shifter story that is different from the others and its darn good!! The story develops slowly and you get the view points of the characters and get to see their reactions to each situation. You get to understand what they are feeling! You think something is happening then BAM!! I did scream NO!!! Then POW!!! Another twist in the plot I didn't see coming! WHY!!! HOW!!! All I can say Avery is awesome and you won't be disappointed!!
Avery is a shifter story that is different from the others and its darn good!! The story develops slowly and you get the view points of the characters and get to see their reactions to each situation. You get to understand what they are feeling! You think something is happening then BAM!! I did scream NO!!! Then POW!!! Another twist in the plot I didn't see coming! WHY!!! HOW!!! All I can say Avery is awesome and you won't be disappointed!!
September 4, 2017
I loved the story and the characters. Once I started I couldn't put this story down! I wanted to know what was gonna happen and where the characters would end up! Telling a story from three very different points of view must be hard but the author did a fantastic job making sure they were seamless and very different.
I was a little disappointed when it left off with a huge cliff hanger. I prefer to read books without cliffhangers or at least ones that finish the story! All in all it was a good book and I will definitely be ready the second one.
I was a little disappointed when it left off with a huge cliff hanger. I prefer to read books without cliffhangers or at least ones that finish the story! All in all it was a good book and I will definitely be ready the second one.
December 1, 2017
I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others. There wasn't anything in this book that I felt I'd already read before - it was refreshing to read new (original) werewolf story! I actually enjoyed how the author made the main character Avery emotionally stunted. I could see why Avery was the way she was. The mate bond versus empath-bond was kind of confusing and Dean's involvement felt abrupt, but the triad bond was a nice twist. I like how there wasn't any real jealously - after the dominance challenge - and they just kind of fell into place without drama. Can't wait for the next book and to learn more about Dean's past.
Read
June 2, 2018Good read
I've discovered this book by accident and it looked interesting so I went for it I'm happy I did this story has good characters that make you want to learn more about them I would recommend
I've discovered this book by accident and it looked interesting so I went for it I'm happy I did this story has good characters that make you want to learn more about them I would recommend
Read
August 15, 2018KU
This book would have been so much better with some useful and much sorely needed editing. Aside from that glaring oversight this is an enjoyable, classic werewolf romance.
This book would have been so much better with some useful and much sorely needed editing. Aside from that glaring oversight this is an enjoyable, classic werewolf romance.
October 1, 2017
First I have to say this is a great story and I loved the characters they were well developed and enjoyable to read. I enjoyed the concept of something new and completely different. I liked the two different characters points of view. That being said this book could have been a solid 5 stars with just a good edit. I read prices of this authors work on wattpad so the fact that she has the ability is clear just with book two running it by an editor would sell her strychnine ten fold. I will still read book two and love what she's doing with the plot so far.
September 26, 2017
I really loved this shifter romance! It’s written in alternating first person POV by the two main characters: Avery & Kayden. Love me some 1st person POV! I really felt everything Avery went through, and LOVED seeing her progression throughout the story! Really enjoyed the fresh take on weres including having more than one mate;) Made for a super interesting plot point, and I really hope there is much angst with push/pull in the next book!
September 14, 2017
I received this book free and asked to write a fair review . Avery's is 15 she comes home from school and finds her father in a pool of blood dead . She finds herself in hospital as she has a breakdown . When she leaves she finds that her father is not her father and her life is involved with wolves , mates and empaths . I have to admit that I do like shifter books I like romance with a twist . I do like this book , it has got a few editing problems . Nothing that could not be ironed out , it has no sexual content so can be read by an under 18 . A few bits I had to re-read as it got a bit confusing , but I do want to read the next book . If you can get past the editing problems , I found it was a book that I could not put down .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2017
Wow. Totally Captivating!
This story creates tons of emotions and just when you think you figured it out it takes a slight turn that changes everything. Wonderful story and I can't wait to read the books that follow.
This story creates tons of emotions and just when you think you figured it out it takes a slight turn that changes everything. Wonderful story and I can't wait to read the books that follow.
July 17, 2017
One good read
This is a good read. I like the characters and the twist at the end I wish it was longer. But I can't wait to read the next book
This is a good read. I like the characters and the twist at the end I wish it was longer. But I can't wait to read the next book
September 20, 2018
After Avery found her father brutally murdered and two years in a mental asylum, she has no emotions. Like literally, she shuts her own emotions off. Thanks to her being a super special and completely different. But she doesn’t know that. Now the cruel, cold, girl that everyone fears finally gets out and moves in with her Uncle. From ththe first time she lays eyes on the beautiful, brooding Kayden she finally feels a hint of emotion. But she doesn’t like it, she can’t face the pain of what she saw and what she’s done. But if Kayden has anything to do with it, she will feel something. Then there’s Cole, the big wolf who seems a little two alert for a wolf. Who is he? And why does Avery feel something for him too? Something is going on here, secrets are being kept. But what? That’s what Avery is going to find out.
This book was hilarious at times, and incredibly dark and gloomy at the same time. For the first half of the book Avery creeped me out, a lot. Especially when she was smile her “doll like smile”. Creepy! But when she turned her emotions back on, she was a completely different person. I get that everything she’s been through is very tramtic. But did she really have to turn her emotions off for a second time? It was just unnecessary. Kayden was OK. But it seemed like he just like Avery because she was his mate, not for who she is. And then he has to go and forcefully mark her without her permission! But I loved Dean! He was so protective of her in his wolf form, and even more in his human. He was so cute after he just turned back and didn’t understand everything. He just end smirked at her with those “plump lips” :) But it did seem like he only liked Avery because they were mates too. They just met, so hopefully they will begin to get to know eachtother and start to like eat other for who they are. I didn’t like how everyone kept secrets from Avery. In nearly all of the books, that never goes well. I wonder who her birth father is. And who killed her adoptive father? I need more of the sweet and hot romance of Kayden, Avery, and Dean. I need book two ASAP! :)
This book was hilarious at times, and incredibly dark and gloomy at the same time. For the first half of the book Avery creeped me out, a lot. Especially when she was smile her “doll like smile”. Creepy! But when she turned her emotions back on, she was a completely different person. I get that everything she’s been through is very tramtic. But did she really have to turn her emotions off for a second time? It was just unnecessary. Kayden was OK. But it seemed like he just like Avery because she was his mate, not for who she is. And then he has to go and forcefully mark her without her permission! But I loved Dean! He was so protective of her in his wolf form, and even more in his human. He was so cute after he just turned back and didn’t understand everything. He just end smirked at her with those “plump lips” :) But it did seem like he only liked Avery because they were mates too. They just met, so hopefully they will begin to get to know eachtother and start to like eat other for who they are. I didn’t like how everyone kept secrets from Avery. In nearly all of the books, that never goes well. I wonder who her birth father is. And who killed her adoptive father? I need more of the sweet and hot romance of Kayden, Avery, and Dean. I need book two ASAP! :)
July 17, 2018
Avery had been happy, excited, full of joy and wonder. She was her father's Rainbow girl because she filled his world with colour and beauty. Until something stripped the beauty from her. Locked away physically and mentally she still sees the rainbow colours, but now they are from other people, she sees their emotions through ribbons, the very things she has locked away are on display. But she doesn't care, she has escaped it all, neither happy nor sad about the empty vessel she has become. Until Jeff takes her home, a place where secrets and confusion will hold her in their grasp, a place she will need to embrace everything to survive. Her family had a secret, and as she comes to learn of the hidden world of shifters and bonds she finds a greater purpose, a reason to maybe try to tear down the defences she has so desperately fortified.
Avery is the first book in A.M Martin's Wolf Rage series, and it will sink its claws into your imagination. Written in alternating character first-person perspective you are given a clear and vivid picture of the inner thoughts of key characters at critical times, sometimes even reliving the same scene through different eyes. There are some interesting and original ideas that are bound to please and leave you wondering what next? More questions form from answers as Avery's own uniqueness brings about change and perhaps even a balance.
Avery is the first book in A.M Martin's Wolf Rage series, and it will sink its claws into your imagination. Written in alternating character first-person perspective you are given a clear and vivid picture of the inner thoughts of key characters at critical times, sometimes even reliving the same scene through different eyes. There are some interesting and original ideas that are bound to please and leave you wondering what next? More questions form from answers as Avery's own uniqueness brings about change and perhaps even a balance.
October 16, 2018
There was a lot of grammar errors, spelling errors, and repeat words or the wrong word for the sentence. The story was confusing at parts and didn't give enough background in some areas and too much in others.
August 14, 2023
Ed-i-tor
Say it with me folks...editor! There's a really good reason for them, like misusing words, inserting apostrophes where they don't belong, capitalizing words that have no business being capitalized in the middle of a sentence, missing punctuation, changing from present to past tense narrative from one sentence to the next, etc. The only reason this wasn't a single star rating was the plot. That said, the author ought to respect their craft and at least use grammar check if not an actual editor. I mean, really, this is insulting to the readers.
Say it with me folks...editor! There's a really good reason for them, like misusing words, inserting apostrophes where they don't belong, capitalizing words that have no business being capitalized in the middle of a sentence, missing punctuation, changing from present to past tense narrative from one sentence to the next, etc. The only reason this wasn't a single star rating was the plot. That said, the author ought to respect their craft and at least use grammar check if not an actual editor. I mean, really, this is insulting to the readers.
November 30, 2017
Don't even think about it
Its so sad because this is the first time saying this, but I hated this book. I have no idea the twisted direction the author put Avery into acting as and the book seem disjointed. There is no real ending and lot of confusion. Please don't read this.
Its so sad because this is the first time saying this, but I hated this book. I have no idea the twisted direction the author put Avery into acting as and the book seem disjointed. There is no real ending and lot of confusion. Please don't read this.
June 21, 2017
Good Book
Really good book to read with a great story line that pulls you in. Can't wait for the second book to come out.
Really good book to read with a great story line that pulls you in. Can't wait for the second book to come out.
Read
June 3, 2021Interesting plot.
Avery comes home from school one day to find her father murdered. From there she goes to a hospital and eventually an asylum where she stays for two years. She thinks she's crazy because she can see people's emotions as colorful ribbons that surround their body. After spending 2 years at Green Briar, her uncle comes and brings her back to his home. Soon she learns that not only is she not crazy, but she is an empath and she now lives with wolf shifters.
This story is unique and interesting. I like the twist with the shifters needing an empath to keep their humanity and the em-bonds.
Avery is unique. The first half of the book was rough, dealing with her and her emotions being completely shut off. She's kind of (she absolutely is) creepy with the way she interacts with people. The whole time I'm reading it, I'm wondering why she is having such an extreme reaction to losing her father. I'm in no way trying to downplay her grief, however, it does seem a little extreme UNTIL they explain more about what exactly Avery is and why she is the way she is. That said, it was kind of abrupt the way her personality flipped when she allowed herself to feel again. It was almost like two completely different characters.
The MMCs were just ok. There is a bit of insta-love (more like obsession) and its not clear who exactly ends up in her harem until like the last 20% of the book. And even then it really isn't a harem.. just Avery and her two guys We do get POVs from the guys, but we don't learn much about them since they spend their chapters basically rehashing events told from Avery's POV or waxing poetic about the girl who smells like winter and calls to their souls or whatever.
So, all that aside, there were some serious editing issues. There were many times in the book where the author uses a word that sounds like another word, but the word she used made zero sense.
Examples:
-Tremulous instead of tremendous
-Enduring instead of endearing
-In grained instead of engrained or ingrained
those are just a few that I remembered to make a note of. It is almost as if the editor went through with spell check without reading the actual book and just substituted whatever words were misspelled? Idunno.. careless and lazy.
Also, there were a few instances where the author wrote "I and *insert name here*" or "I and he." This is stuff we learn in elementary school so I have no idea why these types of mistakes are being made... it was frustrating to say the least.
As it got closer to the end of the book, it seemed like the author was just trying to fill pages. A lot of repetitive talking. The MC literally repeats herself multiple times on the same page. Not sure if it was an attempt at humor? Add that to the fact that there were multiple chapters where we are reading the same event just through different POVs... I ended up skimming a lot of the last half of this book. And I won't even comment on the Dean chapters, because they are just that bad.
Anyways, it was an interesting concept and for the most part it was a decent read, just as it got towards the end it got sloppy. I probably won't continue the series because
1) the 2nd book is like 90 or 100 pages long 😕 (what is that like a chapter or two?) and
2) its been a few years since the last book was released leading me to believe that the author has just given up on this series.
SO, yeah.
Avery comes home from school one day to find her father murdered. From there she goes to a hospital and eventually an asylum where she stays for two years. She thinks she's crazy because she can see people's emotions as colorful ribbons that surround their body. After spending 2 years at Green Briar, her uncle comes and brings her back to his home. Soon she learns that not only is she not crazy, but she is an empath and she now lives with wolf shifters.
This story is unique and interesting. I like the twist with the shifters needing an empath to keep their humanity and the em-bonds.
Avery is unique. The first half of the book was rough, dealing with her and her emotions being completely shut off. She's kind of (she absolutely is) creepy with the way she interacts with people. The whole time I'm reading it, I'm wondering why she is having such an extreme reaction to losing her father. I'm in no way trying to downplay her grief, however, it does seem a little extreme UNTIL they explain more about what exactly Avery is and why she is the way she is. That said, it was kind of abrupt the way her personality flipped when she allowed herself to feel again. It was almost like two completely different characters.
The MMCs were just ok. There is a bit of insta-love (more like obsession) and its not clear who exactly ends up in her harem until like the last 20% of the book. And even then it really isn't a harem.. just Avery and her two guys We do get POVs from the guys, but we don't learn much about them since they spend their chapters basically rehashing events told from Avery's POV or waxing poetic about the girl who smells like winter and calls to their souls or whatever.
So, all that aside, there were some serious editing issues. There were many times in the book where the author uses a word that sounds like another word, but the word she used made zero sense.
Examples:
-Tremulous instead of tremendous
-Enduring instead of endearing
-In grained instead of engrained or ingrained
those are just a few that I remembered to make a note of. It is almost as if the editor went through with spell check without reading the actual book and just substituted whatever words were misspelled? Idunno.. careless and lazy.
Also, there were a few instances where the author wrote "I and *insert name here*" or "I and he." This is stuff we learn in elementary school so I have no idea why these types of mistakes are being made... it was frustrating to say the least.
As it got closer to the end of the book, it seemed like the author was just trying to fill pages. A lot of repetitive talking. The MC literally repeats herself multiple times on the same page. Not sure if it was an attempt at humor? Add that to the fact that there were multiple chapters where we are reading the same event just through different POVs... I ended up skimming a lot of the last half of this book. And I won't even comment on the Dean chapters, because they are just that bad.
Anyways, it was an interesting concept and for the most part it was a decent read, just as it got towards the end it got sloppy. I probably won't continue the series because
1) the 2nd book is like 90 or 100 pages long 😕 (what is that like a chapter or two?) and
2) its been a few years since the last book was released leading me to believe that the author has just given up on this series.
SO, yeah.
November 8, 2018
What's colder than cold?
Avery's fifteenth birthday does not go as planned. Forget drivers licenses and cake. What awaits her is blood and heartache. But something snaps inside her. She shuts down. Grief became more, consuming. And then a switch flipped. Now she not only feels what is inside her, but everyone else, too. And joy of joys, she's in a mental health facility. So, all those emotions flying about? Yeah. Not good. But after 2 years, she's deemed stable, if not healed. Heading off to her Uncle's home means being a part of the world again. But can you do that from behind a wall? Without the wall to protect her, she'll crumble. But hiding behind the wall allows something else inside her to run loose. Something without emotions. Something hungry. Which is worse: crippling emotions or that awful hunger for others' emotions?
Beware, spoilers ahead!
Ok, that was weird. Avery goes from numb to almost diabolically evil to just a confused teenager with mercurial speed. Barely any transition, no real reason and barely a hiccup between them. I get the numb. Grief, fear, loss, got it. Bombarded by the mess at the facility. Ok, makes sense. But the evil that comes with the wall? Her mind didn't actually break. It's still whole. No mention of dark corners, pockets or anything else. Just that protective wall. The whole empath/wolf/dud thing is never properly explained, either. Why can empaths bond with wolves but not mate them? When clearly it has happened before? Jeff's kid, Avery, and there has to be others. And what is a dud? Non changing wolf? A null empath? Both? Confusing. What actually happened to the girl being abused at the facility by the guard? Why mention it if not to explain anything other than Avery's brief brush with violent tendencies? He never preyed on any others? Was the girl helped and transferred? Or killed? What? Grrr. The time skip at the end was odd, too. One minute Avery is going out to comfort Dean and then bam, 2 months have passed. And the neck mark? RH is 3 or more. So far she has 2 and the mark seems balanced and complete. The neck of someone 5' (or 5'1", they mention both) is a small area. I know this because I'm 5'1". Short of looking like it's a rune necklace running from shoulders to her ears, there's not many other places to add another. Kayden went from possessive to passive quickly. Dean healed amazingly fast for a guy who been more animal than man for that length of time. Are the hair colors supposed to be symbolic of their last names? Because this council of 6 is gonna look like a rainbow festival if so. Oh, and for people with animal abilities or senses they don't seem to "flavor" their world much. No color depths, no scents mentioned other than hers, no keen hearing, taste other than her inner comment about better food outside the facility. So much world building was left out. There's a lot of potential here. But, for fun, let's get into the typos. This one is my favorite:
"His five o'clock shadow tiring to turn into a full bread that makes him look older."
There's another about her fury, but spelled as furry. Ironic, considering they're wolves, but context lets you know it should have been fury as she was angry. There are other hysterical ones scattered around in there. But that full bread one had me rolling. A good edit, a little fleshing out, a slight change of focus and some serious world building could take this from ho-hum to hell yeah.
Avery's fifteenth birthday does not go as planned. Forget drivers licenses and cake. What awaits her is blood and heartache. But something snaps inside her. She shuts down. Grief became more, consuming. And then a switch flipped. Now she not only feels what is inside her, but everyone else, too. And joy of joys, she's in a mental health facility. So, all those emotions flying about? Yeah. Not good. But after 2 years, she's deemed stable, if not healed. Heading off to her Uncle's home means being a part of the world again. But can you do that from behind a wall? Without the wall to protect her, she'll crumble. But hiding behind the wall allows something else inside her to run loose. Something without emotions. Something hungry. Which is worse: crippling emotions or that awful hunger for others' emotions?
Beware, spoilers ahead!
Ok, that was weird. Avery goes from numb to almost diabolically evil to just a confused teenager with mercurial speed. Barely any transition, no real reason and barely a hiccup between them. I get the numb. Grief, fear, loss, got it. Bombarded by the mess at the facility. Ok, makes sense. But the evil that comes with the wall? Her mind didn't actually break. It's still whole. No mention of dark corners, pockets or anything else. Just that protective wall. The whole empath/wolf/dud thing is never properly explained, either. Why can empaths bond with wolves but not mate them? When clearly it has happened before? Jeff's kid, Avery, and there has to be others. And what is a dud? Non changing wolf? A null empath? Both? Confusing. What actually happened to the girl being abused at the facility by the guard? Why mention it if not to explain anything other than Avery's brief brush with violent tendencies? He never preyed on any others? Was the girl helped and transferred? Or killed? What? Grrr. The time skip at the end was odd, too. One minute Avery is going out to comfort Dean and then bam, 2 months have passed. And the neck mark? RH is 3 or more. So far she has 2 and the mark seems balanced and complete. The neck of someone 5' (or 5'1", they mention both) is a small area. I know this because I'm 5'1". Short of looking like it's a rune necklace running from shoulders to her ears, there's not many other places to add another. Kayden went from possessive to passive quickly. Dean healed amazingly fast for a guy who been more animal than man for that length of time. Are the hair colors supposed to be symbolic of their last names? Because this council of 6 is gonna look like a rainbow festival if so. Oh, and for people with animal abilities or senses they don't seem to "flavor" their world much. No color depths, no scents mentioned other than hers, no keen hearing, taste other than her inner comment about better food outside the facility. So much world building was left out. There's a lot of potential here. But, for fun, let's get into the typos. This one is my favorite:
"His five o'clock shadow tiring to turn into a full bread that makes him look older."
There's another about her fury, but spelled as furry. Ironic, considering they're wolves, but context lets you know it should have been fury as she was angry. There are other hysterical ones scattered around in there. But that full bread one had me rolling. A good edit, a little fleshing out, a slight change of focus and some serious world building could take this from ho-hum to hell yeah.
March 8, 2018
I didn’t like Avery. I couldn’t relate to her, I didn’t particularly enjoy reading her narrative. But then around the 30k mark, I loved her. No, I FLOVED HER. Call me bi-polar, lock me up, it was emotional whiplash.
Avery. Is. Freaking. Life.
I mean, the poor girl is presented with her father's dead body! I don’t know what I was expecting. It’s not like she’d have a smile plastered on her face and carry birthday balloons around with her. I regret disliking her in the beginning. My stomach churns at the thought of this happening to anyone. I would literally go insane.
…And so does Avery. She goes completely bonkers and is put into a psychiatric institution for two years.
She is supposedly cured from her craziness and goes to live with her uncle. I would have loved to see her transformation here. Her uncle! I love him! I pretty much loved everyone in this book except for Avery for the longest time.
What does one do after being checked in to a mental health institution? Question things.
It’s not until she’s with her uncle that she begins to question why she was locked up to begin with. Ooo! Dun dun dunnn.
Entering from stage HOT: Kayden.
This man. THIS MAN. Err mer gurd. We’re watching the lives of young adults here, so I need to be careful not to seem like a cougar or anything, but if I could whistle, I would. Kayden is reckless and compulsive. He’s the bad boy we all want to “change.”
And then there’s Dean. Yes, my friends, there are two saucy men in this book. It’s NOT a love triangle. Avery's got the hots for two men.
This isn't a super graphic romance novel if you're obsessed with that kinky wolf-shifter-ness. 😏
Okay, so I’m reading this book, totally in FLOVE with the vulnerable Avery at this point. I’ve also got two males my inner coyote wants to howl at. Life is great. But who killed her father?! I think I'm going to find out, until I turn the page and there’s nothing there. The book is over.
WHAT.
I was just getting into the grove of things! 4 angry alpha stars!
In the text, we follow Avery, Dean and Kayden’s POVs. The content is flawed in areas and near the end of the book all the characters find a similar rhythm. I wanted just a little more varie-tay in the characters. I almost want the cray V1.0 Avery back. But the best news is: there's a sequel!
I’m excited to read the next in the series. I’m curious what trouble Avery will get herself into next time.
*FTC Disclaimer: I received a copy of Avery from A.M. Martin in exchange for an honest review. I have in no way been influenced by the author and/or publisher's generosity. You can't fake these stars, baby!
Avery. Is. Freaking. Life.
I mean, the poor girl is presented with her father's dead body! I don’t know what I was expecting. It’s not like she’d have a smile plastered on her face and carry birthday balloons around with her. I regret disliking her in the beginning. My stomach churns at the thought of this happening to anyone. I would literally go insane.
…And so does Avery. She goes completely bonkers and is put into a psychiatric institution for two years.
“Nothing’s wrong with her, sweetie.”
She shakes her little head. “But Daddy there is…there’s nothing there. She’s hollow like the chocolate bunnies I get for Easter.”
I tilt my head to the side, looking at his daughter. Wondering what she knows and how…"
She is supposedly cured from her craziness and goes to live with her uncle. I would have loved to see her transformation here. Her uncle! I love him! I pretty much loved everyone in this book except for Avery for the longest time.
What does one do after being checked in to a mental health institution? Question things.
It’s not until she’s with her uncle that she begins to question why she was locked up to begin with. Ooo! Dun dun dunnn.
Entering from stage HOT: Kayden.
This man. THIS MAN. Err mer gurd. We’re watching the lives of young adults here, so I need to be careful not to seem like a cougar or anything, but if I could whistle, I would. Kayden is reckless and compulsive. He’s the bad boy we all want to “change.”
"I loved the feeling of my arms wrapped around Avery's small body. Being able to feel her body heat and the pitter-patter of her heart." —Kayden
And then there’s Dean. Yes, my friends, there are two saucy men in this book. It’s NOT a love triangle. Avery's got the hots for two men.
"She is mine..." —Dean
This isn't a super graphic romance novel if you're obsessed with that kinky wolf-shifter-ness. 😏
Okay, so I’m reading this book, totally in FLOVE with the vulnerable Avery at this point. I’ve also got two males my inner coyote wants to howl at. Life is great. But who killed her father?! I think I'm going to find out, until I turn the page and there’s nothing there. The book is over.
WHAT.
I was just getting into the grove of things! 4 angry alpha stars!
In the text, we follow Avery, Dean and Kayden’s POVs. The content is flawed in areas and near the end of the book all the characters find a similar rhythm. I wanted just a little more varie-tay in the characters. I almost want the cray V1.0 Avery back. But the best news is: there's a sequel!
I’m excited to read the next in the series. I’m curious what trouble Avery will get herself into next time.
*FTC Disclaimer: I received a copy of Avery from A.M. Martin in exchange for an honest review. I have in no way been influenced by the author and/or publisher's generosity. You can't fake these stars, baby!
December 7, 2017
This book has me in knots. Mostly because even though I really liked it, there was so much wrong with it, I could give 3 stars at most and the third star is mostly an encouragement to he author to try more.
To begin with I really liked the plot, or rather the very idea how Avery got into the mental institution and how she later left and met the guys. I actually liked the emotionless and sociopatic Avery much more than the one with all the feelings. She became an blubbering idiot once her emotions were restored.
I usually like different POVs. In this case I am not entirely sure this worked. The guys' POVs mostly repeat what Avery described in previous chapter and only some of them actually give meaningful insight into their feelings and how they see the situation.
Some of the secondary characters act very randomly and it was unclear to me whether that is how they are supposed to seem or not. Additional information on the pack structure, relationships and positions could be added, but I just went with the flow thinking that it is not very different compared to other universes where shifters exist.
And this book is in serious need of an editor or at least a beta reader. There are so many mistakes (spelling, punctuation, etc.) and sentence structure is appalling at times. If not for a really interesting story, I would have given up after the first few chapters.
So while this is a nice story, if your eyes bleed at incorrect grammar, this book is not for you. I will try the next book in the series hoping it will be much better.
To begin with I really liked the plot, or rather the very idea how Avery got into the mental institution and how she later left and met the guys. I actually liked the emotionless and sociopatic Avery much more than the one with all the feelings. She became an blubbering idiot once her emotions were restored.
I usually like different POVs. In this case I am not entirely sure this worked. The guys' POVs mostly repeat what Avery described in previous chapter and only some of them actually give meaningful insight into their feelings and how they see the situation.
Some of the secondary characters act very randomly and it was unclear to me whether that is how they are supposed to seem or not. Additional information on the pack structure, relationships and positions could be added, but I just went with the flow thinking that it is not very different compared to other universes where shifters exist.
And this book is in serious need of an editor or at least a beta reader. There are so many mistakes (spelling, punctuation, etc.) and sentence structure is appalling at times. If not for a really interesting story, I would have given up after the first few chapters.
So while this is a nice story, if your eyes bleed at incorrect grammar, this book is not for you. I will try the next book in the series hoping it will be much better.
May 9, 2021
***SPOILERS***
Avery discovered her father's body after his brutal murder. It unlocked her empath abilities, which were dormant thus far. She was locked in a psych ward for it and released two years later due to her uncle's petition for custody. When she moves in with her uncle she meets several boys who are shifters. Shifters have to bond with an empath or else their wolf completely takes over. She bonds with Dean, a wolf who has lost his humanity and she brings it back to him. She also bonds with Kayden. Turns out Dean is a centuries-old werewolf whose mother served on the council a long time ago. Now the council is corrupt, hunting empaths and forcing bonds on them. They have requested Avery's presence.
This book kept me eagerly entertained until the end. I felt like in the last chapter of the book a million, outrageous things came out of nowhere. Now, there's too much history, too many plots, I just don't have the energy to try and follow them all right now. The beginning and end felt like two different books. Will not be reading the second.
Avery discovered her father's body after his brutal murder. It unlocked her empath abilities, which were dormant thus far. She was locked in a psych ward for it and released two years later due to her uncle's petition for custody. When she moves in with her uncle she meets several boys who are shifters. Shifters have to bond with an empath or else their wolf completely takes over. She bonds with Dean, a wolf who has lost his humanity and she brings it back to him. She also bonds with Kayden. Turns out Dean is a centuries-old werewolf whose mother served on the council a long time ago. Now the council is corrupt, hunting empaths and forcing bonds on them. They have requested Avery's presence.
This book kept me eagerly entertained until the end. I felt like in the last chapter of the book a million, outrageous things came out of nowhere. Now, there's too much history, too many plots, I just don't have the energy to try and follow them all right now. The beginning and end felt like two different books. Will not be reading the second.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2018
Pretty Cool, But Lots of Errors
This book really needs to be looked over by an editor. There are too many simple mistakes that could have easily been fixed taking away from how amazing the book can be. Missing letters, "task, task, task" instead of "tsk, tsk, tsk," "to" instead of "too," lack of punctuation or punctuation in random places. It's aggravating to say the least.
The story is dark, and I have a hard time liking Avery as a person, mostly because she is a lunatic. The cover says she thought she was crazy, turns out she was wrong. No, she really is crazy. To put it in terms of a psychologist, she is a sociopath with alexithymia. Basically, she shows zero emotion and doesn't give a rat's patooty about other people and their feelings.
She later learns what she is, and we figure out why she is the way she is. Just keep in mind, it still isn't normal.
I do love Dean and Kayden though. I need a break before continuing the series.
This book really needs to be looked over by an editor. There are too many simple mistakes that could have easily been fixed taking away from how amazing the book can be. Missing letters, "task, task, task" instead of "tsk, tsk, tsk," "to" instead of "too," lack of punctuation or punctuation in random places. It's aggravating to say the least.
The story is dark, and I have a hard time liking Avery as a person, mostly because she is a lunatic. The cover says she thought she was crazy, turns out she was wrong. No, she really is crazy. To put it in terms of a psychologist, she is a sociopath with alexithymia. Basically, she shows zero emotion and doesn't give a rat's patooty about other people and their feelings.
She later learns what she is, and we figure out why she is the way she is. Just keep in mind, it still isn't normal.
I do love Dean and Kayden though. I need a break before continuing the series.
February 7, 2018
Really interesting
With wolves needing an Empath bond to prevent the loss of the human self is different. The story goes along nicely. A few twists, like who Dean actually is. Other reviewers have said Avery changes to a different person. I can see why she changes from the person she was. When the book starts out Avery seems cool and badass but to me she seemed almost evil. When she regains her emotions she becomes kinda wimpy and afraid. But I understand why. When she cut off her emotions to protect herself she lost the ability to control them. So when her emotions came back she couldnt stop expressing everything. Avery seemed to get better by the end of the book. Hopefully book 2 will bring Avery more stability. Really liked the book looking forward to book 2.
With wolves needing an Empath bond to prevent the loss of the human self is different. The story goes along nicely. A few twists, like who Dean actually is. Other reviewers have said Avery changes to a different person. I can see why she changes from the person she was. When the book starts out Avery seems cool and badass but to me she seemed almost evil. When she regains her emotions she becomes kinda wimpy and afraid. But I understand why. When she cut off her emotions to protect herself she lost the ability to control them. So when her emotions came back she couldnt stop expressing everything. Avery seemed to get better by the end of the book. Hopefully book 2 will bring Avery more stability. Really liked the book looking forward to book 2.
March 29, 2018
Some stories need to be told. I love anything supernatural - so to me this was a good fit. I really enjoyed this paranormal tale and that is entirely what I am basing my review on. Avery is an enjoyable main character and I wanted to follow just to know what happened to her. There was a bit of confusion for me happening around the ribbon stuff, but not enough to ruin the read.
I literally laughed out loud at the scene in the sneak peek when Avery refers to another girl as a flea bag!
Does it need some fine tuning? If I am being honest... in a few places, yes. It didn't bother me, though.
I literally laughed out loud at the scene in the sneak peek when Avery refers to another girl as a flea bag!
Does it need some fine tuning? If I am being honest... in a few places, yes. It didn't bother me, though.
June 16, 2018
The best thing I can say about this one is that it just wasn't for me.
Avery is a happy go lucky teenage girl until she comes home one day to find her father had been brutally killed. She ends up in a mental hospital and seems to have no emotions. Her uncle eventually pops up out of nowhere and takes her home.
That's about as far as I got. I don't know if it was because Avery started this book at age 15 and it just didn't seem accurate...or if was simply Avery. I get that there was probably a perfectly good explanation for Avery acting like a complete psycho but it wasn't written well enough for me to care.
Avery is a happy go lucky teenage girl until she comes home one day to find her father had been brutally killed. She ends up in a mental hospital and seems to have no emotions. Her uncle eventually pops up out of nowhere and takes her home.
That's about as far as I got. I don't know if it was because Avery started this book at age 15 and it just didn't seem accurate...or if was simply Avery. I get that there was probably a perfectly good explanation for Avery acting like a complete psycho but it wasn't written well enough for me to care.
March 21, 2018
Shifter love.
Supernatural. YA. Menagerie. 2 wolf shifter mates. Snowflake heroine. Avery is an empath that has shut off her emotions due to the death of her father and being imprisoned at a mental institution. Her uncle get her out to live with him. He then introduces her to the life of being supernatural. There she meets her mates. Loved the story. Hope the next one comes out soon.
Supernatural. YA. Menagerie. 2 wolf shifter mates. Snowflake heroine. Avery is an empath that has shut off her emotions due to the death of her father and being imprisoned at a mental institution. Her uncle get her out to live with him. He then introduces her to the life of being supernatural. There she meets her mates. Loved the story. Hope the next one comes out soon.
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