What do you think?
Rate this book
Bite Back #4
La Danse Des Esprits
Prisonnière de sa nature hybride, Amber est sur le point de devenir renégate. Alors que les Athanate et les loups se méfient d'elle et que les Adeptes veulent sa mort, seule Diana, son mentor, pourrait l'aider à maîtriser les forces qui luttent en elle. Mais celle-ci a disparu en pleine mission secrète pour désamorcer les tensions entre Athanate. Le seul espoir d'Amber est à présent de s'aventurer dans le territoire interdit du Nouveau-Mexique afin de retrouver Diana. Heureusement, Amber a plus d'un atout dans sa manche…
573 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2015
655 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Mark Henwick
42 books362 followersI was born in Africa and left out in the sun too often.
After being persuaded that I wasn't going to be able to be a cowboy if I grew up, I got interested in philosophy and psychology. Tending bars proved to me they weren't as much fun as they sounded. While trying to enroll in a class to read Science Fiction full time, I ended up taking an electronic engineering degree which splendidly qualified me to move into marketing. That in turn spawned a late onset career in creative writing.
When not writing, I fly a microlight aircraft, or get muddy on a mountain bike.
I love reading obviously. Urban Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thrillers, History, Crime, Art, oh nearly everything.
After being persuaded that I wasn't going to be able to be a cowboy if I grew up, I got interested in philosophy and psychology. Tending bars proved to me they weren't as much fun as they sounded. While trying to enroll in a class to read Science Fiction full time, I ended up taking an electronic engineering degree which splendidly qualified me to move into marketing. That in turn spawned a late onset career in creative writing.
When not writing, I fly a microlight aircraft, or get muddy on a mountain bike.
I love reading obviously. Urban Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thrillers, History, Crime, Art, oh nearly everything.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
August 12, 2020
I've read nearly all of the books in the Bite Back series multiple times.
They are really that good.
As I've read them and reread them I've picked up things I missed or things that become important in subsequent books.
One of the things I love in these books is there are scenes which you can read as a mini-story. In this book there are two of my favourite scenes. The scene where Amber plays poker with the Albequrque pack and the scene on the New Mexico border with Olivia.
I can only think of one author who does this as well as Mark Henpeck and that's Eiji Yoshikawa with his book Musashi.
They are really that good.
As I've read them and reread them I've picked up things I missed or things that become important in subsequent books.
One of the things I love in these books is there are scenes which you can read as a mini-story. In this book there are two of my favourite scenes. The scene where Amber plays poker with the Albequrque pack and the scene on the New Mexico border with Olivia.
I can only think of one author who does this as well as Mark Henpeck and that's Eiji Yoshikawa with his book Musashi.
July 23, 2022
Great books can be read and read again...many times.
There is a scene in this book and in its companion Angel Stakes
that I wanted to revisit. Then I just decided to reread the whole book.
There is a scene in this book and in its companion Angel Stakes
that I wanted to revisit. Then I just decided to reread the whole book.
October 3, 2017
“Cool Hand (Bite Back #4)” continues the adventures of Amber as she tries to balance her own inner turmoil over being an Athenate, Were, an Adept and a human with the violently political battles within and between each of those communities.
Previous books have focused on the Athenates, Weres and humans. In Cool Hand we learn more of the Adept community, along with Were communities outside of Denver and hints of ancient and secretive Athenate orders. I’ve always liked Tullah, and I was glad to see her working with Amber again. Along with Kaothos (her dragon), of course!
Amber is desperate to find her mentor Diana. Otherwise, Amber will be unlikely to control herself and will go rogue…and will be executed. While there continues to be lots of action, much of this book focuses on Amber’s mental struggles with finding a way to stay sane. Her house members begin working together to help Amber, and it’s nice to see relationships continue to evolve among the secondary characters.
Several interesting new characters are introduced, and I especially like Rita…I can’t wait to see if my guesses about her come true in Book #5!
I’ve listened to several books by other authors that use similar paranormal plot devices (e.g., J.R. Rain’s Vampire for Hire series, and Rose Montague’s Three J’amigos). Mark Henwick’s Bite Back Series presents a much more complex MC, excellent secondary characters and a very intricately detailed world within which they can operate. Narrator Julia Motyka has done an amazing job picking up the series that began with a fine narration by Kimberly Henrie. If you like well-written paranormal action with frequent flirtations with only (sadly) occasional brief interludes of sex (ff and mf) you’ll really enjoy this series!
“Cool Hand” is another excellent entry in the Bite Back series. 4.5* rounded to 5*
Previous books have focused on the Athenates, Weres and humans. In Cool Hand we learn more of the Adept community, along with Were communities outside of Denver and hints of ancient and secretive Athenate orders. I’ve always liked Tullah, and I was glad to see her working with Amber again. Along with Kaothos (her dragon), of course!
Amber is desperate to find her mentor Diana. Otherwise, Amber will be unlikely to control herself and will go rogue…and will be executed. While there continues to be lots of action, much of this book focuses on Amber’s mental struggles with finding a way to stay sane. Her house members begin working together to help Amber, and it’s nice to see relationships continue to evolve among the secondary characters.
Several interesting new characters are introduced, and I especially like Rita…I can’t wait to see if my guesses about her come true in Book #5!
I’ve listened to several books by other authors that use similar paranormal plot devices (e.g., J.R. Rain’s Vampire for Hire series, and Rose Montague’s Three J’amigos). Mark Henwick’s Bite Back Series presents a much more complex MC, excellent secondary characters and a very intricately detailed world within which they can operate. Narrator Julia Motyka has done an amazing job picking up the series that began with a fine narration by Kimberly Henrie. If you like well-written paranormal action with frequent flirtations with only (sadly) occasional brief interludes of sex (ff and mf) you’ll really enjoy this series!
“Cool Hand” is another excellent entry in the Bite Back series. 4.5* rounded to 5*
March 7, 2015
Cool Hand begins with tying up some loose plot threads from the previous book in the series; and with Amber dealing with her Athanate/Were hybrid issues, as well as issues dealing with her kin. The first quarter of the book was a little slow and overly detailed in places, sometimes getting lost in the minutiae. At about 28%, when Amber and Tullah left for New Mexico to hunt for her missing mentor Diana, the story took off and never looked back. It was an action-packed, exciting rollercoaster ride to the end as Amber faces off danger from every direction from several paranormal factions. Once again, we are left hanging just a bit with the ending; although there is finally a little closure on some of Amber's personal issues.
Despite the slightly slow beginning, this book has the most ambitious, broadest overall scope of the Athanate world to date in the series. A lot is happening in this world, with more to come. This series continues to be one of the best and most innovative UF series currently being written.
Despite the slightly slow beginning, this book has the most ambitious, broadest overall scope of the Athanate world to date in the series. A lot is happening in this world, with more to come. This series continues to be one of the best and most innovative UF series currently being written.
February 17, 2018
`I liked this book a lot more than the last one. I would like to think I got a better hold on all of the threads that go on in these books. I know I enjoyed them more this time around. One thing I liked was the were-centric sort of storyline that went on. Yes, there were the Athanate bits—but since she wasn’t in Denver for the bulk of it it didn’t seem to be center stage—at least to me. I’m curious to see how things will be with the New Mexico alphas in the future—Cameron is—well I want to see what is up with that guy for sure.
I liked the intrigue going on, the warrior nuns, the Carpathian angle, and finally a resolution to the “halfie” problem that had been brewing since it was first introduced. Amber didn’t have her normal crew, but Tullah and her dragon did a lot to make up for it. One thing I like is Amber’s plotting—it’s inspiring.
I look forward to the next book to see what all happens now since she basically kicked the ant hill with her actions at the end of this book.
I liked the intrigue going on, the warrior nuns, the Carpathian angle, and finally a resolution to the “halfie” problem that had been brewing since it was first introduced. Amber didn’t have her normal crew, but Tullah and her dragon did a lot to make up for it. One thing I like is Amber’s plotting—it’s inspiring.
I look forward to the next book to see what all happens now since she basically kicked the ant hill with her actions at the end of this book.
March 18, 2015
4.5 stars
cliffhanger ending
cliffhanger ending
March 14, 2015
Best book of 2015!!! It's particularly hard to take being stabbed in the back close to home. There's always a feeling of betrayal when people of your own group oppose you. - Catharine MacKinnonNearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. - Abraham LincolnThe most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire. - Ferdinand FochAmber Farrell knows everything about betrayal. Betrayal by the US Government, friends, coworkers. Betrayed in every way she ever thought possible – and some ways no one could have ever imagined. As a hybrid of Athanate, Werewolf and Adept, life is a complete misery. Athanates don’t trust her wolf side, wolves don’t trust her Athanate. And the Adept – well, they just want her dead. War is coming, the first shots have been fired, and without her mentor, Diana, Amber may be going rogue. So, in a desperate bid to salvage her sanity Amber and Tullah make a desperate bid to find Diana by entering the forbidden territory of New Mexico. Now, they are trapped in plots within plots as enemies are revealed as friends, friends as enemies, and death. "You tread a difficult path, Amber, where every way bears death and sorrow and pain and loss"As the story continues to wind tighter and tighter, and war becomes inevitable, Amber and her kin, her friends, and even her enemies, walk the razors edge – the edge of death, sorrow, pain and loss – and the brutal fires of a world war between humans, Athenate, were, and adept. Mark has outdone himself this time. His books have continuously gotten better, but this edition is beyond amazing. If you haven’t read the series, I can’t recommend it highly enough. But this one? This one is the best I have read this year. The hard part? Now I have to wait for the next one! Sigh. Write faster, Mark!!Highly, highly recommended!
March 6, 2015
I hate that I read it so fast!! I hate that it will be months before the next book comes out. But I LOVE this freaking book!! Unbelievably detailed, so many story lines connect and conclude while more spin out to taunt the imagination with possibilities. I am literally speechless and spellbound. I re-read the first three books this week knowing Cool Hand was coming out today. I would highly recommend doing that just to familiarize yourself with the world of Amber Farrell and kin. I just spent the last four hours gorging on this book. I wish I had lingered more but it was just too engrossing to sip - it must be gulped and guzzled. Tomorrow I'll sit back try to savor it slowly.
July 10, 2017
So good! A couple of loose ends are tied up. Relations between Adepts, Weres, and Athanate increases in intensity. Amber grows stronger, but there's always a cost.
One more book then I'll have to wait for the next release.
One more book then I'll have to wait for the next release.
May 17, 2019
Amber Farrell est un personnage de plus en plus complexe, de plus en plus en conflit avec elle-même, mais ici, j’ai eu l’impression qu’elle réussissait un peu plus à se recentrer, même si ce n’est pas encore gagner, après tout elle doit faire avec d’une part sa nature de vampire, mais tout en tenant compte de son côté loup et d’initiée.
Tout comme le vin se bonifie avec le temps, pour moi, eh bien c’est également le cas d’Amber Farrell. J’aime ce personnage depuis le début de la saga, mais plus nous avançons, plus je l’aime. Par contre, cela devient de plus en plus compliqué de donner un avis qui ne spoile pas ceux qui n’ont pas encore lu les tomes précédents !
Une chose est cependant certaine, c’est que je trouve que cette saga ne s’essouffle pas, il y a toujours quelque chose qui vient ranimer la flamme, un événement qui peut parfois remettre pas mal de choses en cause, un rebondissement auquel nous ne nous attendons pas, un nouveau personnage qui relance l’intrigue, l’évolution des personnages que nous connaissons déjà, des nouvelles révélations ou d’anciennes remisent en avant, … Bon, je pense que vous l’aurez compris, cette saga, j’en suis addict. En même temps, comment ne pas au moins apprécier le personnage d’Amber Farrel, je la trouve très complète, elle n’est pas parfaite et c’est justement ce qui fait que nous l’apprécions beaucoup plus que si elle n’avait aucun défaut.
Amber est une femme qui a du faire face lorsqu’elle faisait partie de l’Ops 4-10, qui a du faire face par la suite à son tout premier changement de nature déjà en acceptant qu’elle n’était plus tout à fait humaine, elle a du apprendre à vivre avec ce changement, ensuite vient se greffer à cela son côté hybride (vampire/loup). Avouez que cela fait déjà pas mal à digérer et surtout à gérer au quotidien ! Mais attention qu’à cela vient en plus s’ajouter son côté Initiée (chaman/sorcier). Honnêtement, il y a déjà longtemps que j’aurais lâché prise ! Heureusement elle n’est pas seule, mais pour le moment elle doit absolument retrouver Diana sans qui sa nature vampirique pourrait la faire tourner Renégate si elle n’y prend pas garde, mais son mentor ne pourra que l’aider, encore faut-il qu’elle la retrouve alors que celle-ci a disparu depuis un moment.
Dans ce quatrième opus, j’ai trouvé certains passages un peu plus longs que ce que je trouvais nécessaire, principalement dans le début du livre. Mais par la suite, c’est comme si l’auteur c’était repris et qu’il changeait de manière de faire, en allant simplement à l’essentiel sans s’embarrasser de superflu. Quoi qu’il en soit, cela ne me fait pas moins aimer cette saga, et j’ai plus que hâte de pouvoir m’installer avec le cinquième opus. Il y a des sagas comme celle-ci avec laquelle nous sommes toujours impatient de lire la suite alors que nous venons de refermer notre livre. C’est l’effet Amber Farrell, ou tout simplement l’effet de pouvoir lire une bonne saga qui renferme tout ce que l’on attend.
Tout comme le vin se bonifie avec le temps, pour moi, eh bien c’est également le cas d’Amber Farrell. J’aime ce personnage depuis le début de la saga, mais plus nous avançons, plus je l’aime. Par contre, cela devient de plus en plus compliqué de donner un avis qui ne spoile pas ceux qui n’ont pas encore lu les tomes précédents !
Une chose est cependant certaine, c’est que je trouve que cette saga ne s’essouffle pas, il y a toujours quelque chose qui vient ranimer la flamme, un événement qui peut parfois remettre pas mal de choses en cause, un rebondissement auquel nous ne nous attendons pas, un nouveau personnage qui relance l’intrigue, l’évolution des personnages que nous connaissons déjà, des nouvelles révélations ou d’anciennes remisent en avant, … Bon, je pense que vous l’aurez compris, cette saga, j’en suis addict. En même temps, comment ne pas au moins apprécier le personnage d’Amber Farrel, je la trouve très complète, elle n’est pas parfaite et c’est justement ce qui fait que nous l’apprécions beaucoup plus que si elle n’avait aucun défaut.
Amber est une femme qui a du faire face lorsqu’elle faisait partie de l’Ops 4-10, qui a du faire face par la suite à son tout premier changement de nature déjà en acceptant qu’elle n’était plus tout à fait humaine, elle a du apprendre à vivre avec ce changement, ensuite vient se greffer à cela son côté hybride (vampire/loup). Avouez que cela fait déjà pas mal à digérer et surtout à gérer au quotidien ! Mais attention qu’à cela vient en plus s’ajouter son côté Initiée (chaman/sorcier). Honnêtement, il y a déjà longtemps que j’aurais lâché prise ! Heureusement elle n’est pas seule, mais pour le moment elle doit absolument retrouver Diana sans qui sa nature vampirique pourrait la faire tourner Renégate si elle n’y prend pas garde, mais son mentor ne pourra que l’aider, encore faut-il qu’elle la retrouve alors que celle-ci a disparu depuis un moment.
Dans ce quatrième opus, j’ai trouvé certains passages un peu plus longs que ce que je trouvais nécessaire, principalement dans le début du livre. Mais par la suite, c’est comme si l’auteur c’était repris et qu’il changeait de manière de faire, en allant simplement à l’essentiel sans s’embarrasser de superflu. Quoi qu’il en soit, cela ne me fait pas moins aimer cette saga, et j’ai plus que hâte de pouvoir m’installer avec le cinquième opus. Il y a des sagas comme celle-ci avec laquelle nous sommes toujours impatient de lire la suite alors que nous venons de refermer notre livre. C’est l’effet Amber Farrell, ou tout simplement l’effet de pouvoir lire une bonne saga qui renferme tout ce que l’on attend.
November 11, 2020
This was good but I didn't enjoy it as much as the other books in this series.
It took me longer to get into this, really can't pin point why but I think sometimes the amount of different parts in this book; the characters the setting changes and the difference of what people are and do can sometimes get quite heavy and if you don't have quiet to really read this book and get immersed in the world and the story you do feel a little overwhelmed at parts.
I'm going to read on purely because I am enjoying the story I'm just going to hope I get more quiet to really read this series.
It took me longer to get into this, really can't pin point why but I think sometimes the amount of different parts in this book; the characters the setting changes and the difference of what people are and do can sometimes get quite heavy and if you don't have quiet to really read this book and get immersed in the world and the story you do feel a little overwhelmed at parts.
I'm going to read on purely because I am enjoying the story I'm just going to hope I get more quiet to really read this series.
November 29, 2019
Fascinating series
Something new in paranormal fiction? By gosh, it actually seems to be. Henwick is a fluid and imaginative writer, with a real gift for sustaining tension, lots of good shoot 'em up events, and hard won victories by the good guys and gals. There's even a very articulate thread of morality-play philosophically in among the Woo woo stuff and gunslinging. Love the characters. So happy I found Bite Back.
Something new in paranormal fiction? By gosh, it actually seems to be. Henwick is a fluid and imaginative writer, with a real gift for sustaining tension, lots of good shoot 'em up events, and hard won victories by the good guys and gals. There's even a very articulate thread of morality-play philosophically in among the Woo woo stuff and gunslinging. Love the characters. So happy I found Bite Back.
May 28, 2021
OMG!!!
This book was so exciting! I had to take breaks to read it because it was so intense. Wow! I got so wrapped up in it, I forgot I was reading it and not living it. Man, this series is so good, I am either going to pass out from the excitement or finish them all. If you see me writing another review on the next book, you will know I managed to survive. Lol.
This book was so exciting! I had to take breaks to read it because it was so intense. Wow! I got so wrapped up in it, I forgot I was reading it and not living it. Man, this series is so good, I am either going to pass out from the excitement or finish them all. If you see me writing another review on the next book, you will know I managed to survive. Lol.
August 5, 2023
Ohhhhhhwoah. Wow.
Where to begin...
The whole series, to this point, has been a very good read, and it isn't finished yet.. I'm going to go back and see to it that this story is a permanent part of my library.
I guess you could describe this book as the end of the 1st story arc, and it seriously delivers. I'm a 60 year-old male, raised to be a stoic, and this part broke thru my walls. I can't wait to read the next installment. I'm NOT waiting. Seriously, go get the first book and get started.
Where to begin...
The whole series, to this point, has been a very good read, and it isn't finished yet.. I'm going to go back and see to it that this story is a permanent part of my library.
I guess you could describe this book as the end of the 1st story arc, and it seriously delivers. I'm a 60 year-old male, raised to be a stoic, and this part broke thru my walls. I can't wait to read the next installment. I'm NOT waiting. Seriously, go get the first book and get started.
July 15, 2024
Dang
Amber is certainly juggling a lot by this point. Walking a path with more questions than answers and everyone has an agenda that wants to use her. She has a good support system in her house and pack. Hopefully that continues to grow. Also I hope thet conclude what's going on in her mind. The struggle is real and followimg that rabbit hole can be a bit of a trigger.
Amber is certainly juggling a lot by this point. Walking a path with more questions than answers and everyone has an agenda that wants to use her. She has a good support system in her house and pack. Hopefully that continues to grow. Also I hope thet conclude what's going on in her mind. The struggle is real and followimg that rabbit hole can be a bit of a trigger.
September 1, 2020
Absolutely gripping. I couldn't put this down.
This is the fourth in the Bite Back series. Each book is better than the last. Amber's character has grown exponentially since book one.
The story is complex, engrossing and beautifully written. I've spent the last two nights reading into the small hours because I just couldn't put it down.
I'm buying book five immediately.
This is the fourth in the Bite Back series. Each book is better than the last. Amber's character has grown exponentially since book one.
The story is complex, engrossing and beautifully written. I've spent the last two nights reading into the small hours because I just couldn't put it down.
I'm buying book five immediately.
July 14, 2018
Excellent
An outstanding addition to a wonderful series. Lots of thrills and action and some very surprising developments. Very well done!
An outstanding addition to a wonderful series. Lots of thrills and action and some very surprising developments. Very well done!
August 7, 2020
WOW
I don't know whether to laugh or cry. This book was the rollercoaster from hell! The characters have grown in the midst of some very rough times. No cliffhangers. I can't stop reading this series.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry. This book was the rollercoaster from hell! The characters have grown in the midst of some very rough times. No cliffhangers. I can't stop reading this series.
August 27, 2020
That's cold
That was pretty cold ending the book like that. You get the book so intense near the end then ease it down just a little and stop. What the heck so many questions. While i already had and was going to listen to the next book now I have to right now. I need to know. It's like i said in my review of the last book addictive.
That was pretty cold ending the book like that. You get the book so intense near the end then ease it down just a little and stop. What the heck so many questions. While i already had and was going to listen to the next book now I have to right now. I need to know. It's like i said in my review of the last book addictive.
September 4, 2020
Super Tome ...
January 19, 2021
We get out of Denver and meet the wolves. This is fun.
April 20, 2021
Excellent writing, fascinating world building, engrossing story arc and absolutely wonderful characters. Complex and intelligent. Who could ask for anything more ?!?
January 12, 2021
5 stars
God I love this series. This is such an adrenalin fueled read. So much action. Superb writing. Awesome worldbuilding. Badass heroine. You need to read this series.
God I love this series. This is such an adrenalin fueled read. So much action. Superb writing. Awesome worldbuilding. Badass heroine. You need to read this series.
August 21, 2021
Great read next!
I am caught up in her world, soldier, a than ate, werewolf and adept. Slowly conquering all or at least allies
I am caught up in her world, soldier, a than ate, werewolf and adept. Slowly conquering all or at least allies
December 13, 2023
New Mexico & a whole lot of broken orders.
Diana has been missing for too long. Altu seems to not be concerned. However, for Amber it's a huge problem because each day she gets closer to going rogue. Without Diana to teach her how to feed she can't drink blood. Not that she really wants to. There is a lot of backstabbing & betrayal in this book. As usual Amber's over thinking & paranoia run rampant. In some cases though it helps her figure out what is really going on in the enemies mind. She gets a replacement necklace for the ritual to help the Were she just needs the ritual after that. I love Game's character in this book.
Diana has been missing for too long. Altu seems to not be concerned. However, for Amber it's a huge problem because each day she gets closer to going rogue. Without Diana to teach her how to feed she can't drink blood. Not that she really wants to. There is a lot of backstabbing & betrayal in this book. As usual Amber's over thinking & paranoia run rampant. In some cases though it helps her figure out what is really going on in the enemies mind. She gets a replacement necklace for the ritual to help the Were she just needs the ritual after that. I love Game's character in this book.
June 24, 2024
I really enjoyed it, things are building really well. I did get confused on a few points, but overall the plot is building and was super engaging. On to the next book in the series.
April 24, 2021
Poetry
Many moments felt like a lovely song or poem,wrapping death pain and life together into a new and glorious love and power going into a new future.
I am not a writer often, but I was sparked into writing this by this book. So spiritual and powerful.
Many moments felt like a lovely song or poem,wrapping death pain and life together into a new and glorious love and power going into a new future.
I am not a writer often, but I was sparked into writing this by this book. So spiritual and powerful.
April 30, 2015
Amber returns to shake up the world.
Amber and company have just come off their most important battles, House Farrell and Pack Deauville have reached detente with the counterparts in Denver. The Matlal have been contained; Nagas are on the run, the Confederation has been sent packing, and Nobel the rogue has been revealed and killed. The time has finally come for Amber to deal with her own problems. If only it could be that easy... for every problem that Amber deals with it seems two come up in their place.
Diana her chosen Athanate mentor has still not returned to Denver. The FBI still wants to know how Amber fits into the puzzle that surrounds her. Olivia is getting closer to her time of change and Amber still does not have any idea how to help her change to wolf. Her relationship with her sister is broken and her family has never been farther from her. In addition her were and athanate natures are starting to overwhelm her and she's worried that they will start to push her to rogue behavior.
In the midst of all this we come in on Amber finding herself sidelined by the commitments she has ended up binding herself to with her allies. Yet her instincts are telling her that she needs to be in New Mexico. The Confederation has been spotted there, Diana was last seen in the area and House Romero that was allied with Matlal is silent. In addition she must discharge her duty and find the kin of Larry Dixon and rescue them if she can.
||~~||~~||~~||~~||~~||~~||~~||
I really enjoyed the story but found it a little too action packed.
The characters are not really getting any down time and because we are bouncing crisis to crisis we still are in the dark about just how everything in the world works. In addition the effects from what has already happened in the story may not have reached the entire hidden world. I realize that this is fiction but so much has happened and we haven't seen the full reactions of the world. This means that in my mind we need the time so everyone allies and enemies can come together before anything else can conceivably happen; because I can't see so many of these long lived beings ready to improvise more and more in such a changed world. I was also really hoping that more information about the world would be passed on as we see Amber build her own house and Pack.
The ending was well integrated and showed that no matter what happens the story is moving forward. I wouldn't be surprised if echoes of that event become more significant as the series goes on. So many threads are finished or move on that I wouldn't be surprised if events in the background could or did occur. In many ways this book ended the first part of the series Amber has now entered the hidden world and now must assert her role and work for Emergence.
That being said I am upset how Amber's crisis was left. It's been hanging over her head for the last few books and while interesting in my opinion it doesn't add much to the story. Having her "working toward equilibrium" and making it less fatal would have left the stories just about the same at this point. It sound as if it might be resolved quickly for the next novel which I look forward to because she only has a couple of days to meet the FBI.
Here's hoping that the books keep coming ASAP because I know that I'm hooked and can't wait for the next one.
March 10, 2015
LOVE LOVE LOVE this series. These books just keep getting better and better. If you want an urban fantasy that is unique, multi layered, complicated, has characters that make you want to laugh, weep and shout and just generally make you totally forget the world everywhere than but your head you have found the perfect read. Mark Henwick put himself firmly into my top 10 favourite authors about 3 books ago and these just keep getting better! Mind blowingly good.
Why are these so great? I won't go on about what happens as a story, the synopsis is just up there and to be honest so much happens I'm not sure I could sum it up. I think one of the things I love is that my brain is constantly turning over and thinking about who is in league with who, who is friend, foe or something grey in-between. So many things all happen at once it is hard to keep pace, but Mark spins us all in a direction that doesn't make it too over the top, it all seems to come together to make sense eventually. A few plot points are cleared up in Wild Card and it is satisfying to see them resolved but there are so many more opened up I wish the next book was here already!
As always Amber is the driving force of the book, always thinking, always learning, and always moving forwards. She never makes a decision that she doesn't have to and all three sides of her nature are coming together as a whole now. I enjoyed hearing more about the Adept side of Amber this time round and I'm very intrigued to see where she will go with this in the future. The story takes place mostly outside of Denver for this instalment and so we don't get to see a lot of Jen and Alex and the gang. However we do get to see Tullah and Kaothos, I love that dragon, she is awesome! Tullah really is, like all the other characters, simply wonderful and is not so much a 'secondary' character as one of the many main cast of this set. We got to see more of Felix this time round and I'm beginning to understand a little of the wolf packs, utterly fascinating. We also get introduced to another wolf pack or 2 down in New Mexico and I for one hope this is certainly not the last of them. Please more page time! The Athanate world and the Wolf Packs and to some extent the Adept worlds are beginning to collide and it is all beautifully orchestrated towards the end in one awesome scenario. No detail is skipped, none too small, the book satisfyingly long and infuriatingly too short, I could read on and on. There are other new characters, in particular a new member to Amber's house that had me totally fascinated. Beautifully crafted characters, this is the sort of book that makes even the best of TV shows one dimensional. Simply put, this is a perfect example of why I read, the sheer joy of a world waiting to be discovered.
Why are these so great? I won't go on about what happens as a story, the synopsis is just up there and to be honest so much happens I'm not sure I could sum it up. I think one of the things I love is that my brain is constantly turning over and thinking about who is in league with who, who is friend, foe or something grey in-between. So many things all happen at once it is hard to keep pace, but Mark spins us all in a direction that doesn't make it too over the top, it all seems to come together to make sense eventually. A few plot points are cleared up in Wild Card and it is satisfying to see them resolved but there are so many more opened up I wish the next book was here already!
As always Amber is the driving force of the book, always thinking, always learning, and always moving forwards. She never makes a decision that she doesn't have to and all three sides of her nature are coming together as a whole now. I enjoyed hearing more about the Adept side of Amber this time round and I'm very intrigued to see where she will go with this in the future. The story takes place mostly outside of Denver for this instalment and so we don't get to see a lot of Jen and Alex and the gang. However we do get to see Tullah and Kaothos, I love that dragon, she is awesome! Tullah really is, like all the other characters, simply wonderful and is not so much a 'secondary' character as one of the many main cast of this set. We got to see more of Felix this time round and I'm beginning to understand a little of the wolf packs, utterly fascinating. We also get introduced to another wolf pack or 2 down in New Mexico and I for one hope this is certainly not the last of them. Please more page time! The Athanate world and the Wolf Packs and to some extent the Adept worlds are beginning to collide and it is all beautifully orchestrated towards the end in one awesome scenario. No detail is skipped, none too small, the book satisfyingly long and infuriatingly too short, I could read on and on. There are other new characters, in particular a new member to Amber's house that had me totally fascinated. Beautifully crafted characters, this is the sort of book that makes even the best of TV shows one dimensional. Simply put, this is a perfect example of why I read, the sheer joy of a world waiting to be discovered.
November 19, 2025
my new favourite series. Very well done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews