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Jacky Leon #1
Oath Sworn
Librarian note: An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
I’ve never been the type to find trouble. Owning a bar takes work and that was all I wanted. Serving cold beers and paying my taxes. Those were the responsibilities I wanted for the rest of my life.
I didn’t ask to be a werecat. I didn’t ask for the responsibility to uphold an ancient treaty. I didn’t ask to get pulled into the middle of a werewolf pack’s coup.
But Carey Everson, the very human daughter of a werewolf Alpha, needs me. Her father’s enemies are on her heels and I’m her last defense. And I’ll be that defense until my final breath, even if it means challenging the very Laws that govern the supernatural. I gave her my word.
My name is Jacky Leon and nothing is going to stop me from honoring my word.
I’ve never been the type to find trouble. Owning a bar takes work and that was all I wanted. Serving cold beers and paying my taxes. Those were the responsibilities I wanted for the rest of my life.
I didn’t ask to be a werecat. I didn’t ask for the responsibility to uphold an ancient treaty. I didn’t ask to get pulled into the middle of a werewolf pack’s coup.
But Carey Everson, the very human daughter of a werewolf Alpha, needs me. Her father’s enemies are on her heels and I’m her last defense. And I’ll be that defense until my final breath, even if it means challenging the very Laws that govern the supernatural. I gave her my word.
My name is Jacky Leon and nothing is going to stop me from honoring my word.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2019
2091 people are currently reading
5770 people want to read
About the author
K.N. Banet
36 books716 followersAuthor of the Jacky Leon series, Kaliya Sahni series, and Everly Abbott series, along with standalones that belong in the same world as all of them!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 692 reviews
February 19, 2020
I am going to accept that this was a "its me not you" moment with this book because I see tons of positive reviews.
I did not like Jacky at all. She just seemed fake, I don't think I've ever had this issue with a character before. So Jacky is a werecat, which is a kind of shifter that's almost extinct. Werecats are better and more fierce than werewolves, they are solitary. They prefer to be by themselves in their territory, woe betide any wolf that tries to cross them.
During a wolf war in DFW, the human daughter of the alpha escapes and comes to Jacky for protection. See, Werecats take their duty seriously. So when the girl invokes the Words of Duty, its on. You see, Jacky is a werecat, which is a kind of shifter that's almost extinct. Werecats are better and more fierce than werewolves, they are solitary. They prefer to be by themselves in their territory, woe betide any wolf that tries to cross them.
When the wolves enter her territory and try to take her charge, Jacky is a protective mamabear , you see, Jacky is a werecat, which is a kind of shifter that's almost extinct. Werecats are better and more fierce than werewolves, they are solitary. They prefer to be by themselves in their territory, woe betide any wolf that tries to cross them.
That is literally how every page went in my head,thinking back I don't know if I'm actually right but Jacky got on my every nerve. The premise of this book is terrific, I thought I was about to read another Mercy Thompson series but no I get Jacky. I would have been able to overlook it if she had been a werecat from birth or at least a substantial amount of time. Jacky has only been a werecat for 10 years and during this time she was alone for most of the time because she doesn't like her "father" the person that changed her.
Everything was about her her her. I will not be reading the next book.
I did not like Jacky at all. She just seemed fake, I don't think I've ever had this issue with a character before. So Jacky is a werecat, which is a kind of shifter that's almost extinct. Werecats are better and more fierce than werewolves, they are solitary. They prefer to be by themselves in their territory, woe betide any wolf that tries to cross them.
During a wolf war in DFW, the human daughter of the alpha escapes and comes to Jacky for protection. See, Werecats take their duty seriously. So when the girl invokes the Words of Duty, its on. You see, Jacky is a werecat, which is a kind of shifter that's almost extinct. Werecats are better and more fierce than werewolves, they are solitary. They prefer to be by themselves in their territory, woe betide any wolf that tries to cross them.
When the wolves enter her territory and try to take her charge, Jacky is a protective mamabear , you see, Jacky is a werecat, which is a kind of shifter that's almost extinct. Werecats are better and more fierce than werewolves, they are solitary. They prefer to be by themselves in their territory, woe betide any wolf that tries to cross them.
That is literally how every page went in my head,thinking back I don't know if I'm actually right but Jacky got on my every nerve. The premise of this book is terrific, I thought I was about to read another Mercy Thompson series but no I get Jacky. I would have been able to overlook it if she had been a werecat from birth or at least a substantial amount of time. Jacky has only been a werecat for 10 years and during this time she was alone for most of the time because she doesn't like her "father" the person that changed her.
Everything was about her her her. I will not be reading the next book.
February 12, 2020
This was an unexpected delight, though it had some problems. The worldbuilding is weak, nearly lazy. The action scenes don't work. The eventual plot hinges on Heath (the alpha and main dude) being an idiot. But I didn't care.
Most of that is because I really liked Jacky and the motivation centering on protecting Carey was brilliant. I loved the connection those two made in such trying circumstances and I loved how well Banet does with their interactions and deepening attachment. But most of all, I loved how Jacky didn't squirm or back down in the face of danger and made active choices to hold to her oath of protecting Carey despite every obstacle stacked in her way. It was very paladin-like and that's always going to be my jam.
It helps, too, that the central characters are well-presented with strong characterization, clear motivations, and enough depth to make their interactions fluid and interesting. Heath and Hasan, most notably, but others are nearly as interesting (like Stacey the wolf-in-training).
So pretty much the characters make this work for me and I was carried along on that high through all the elements that didn't work (seriously, those action sequences were clunky). Plus, I love it when an author succeeds with a solid werecat story that makes them more than the simple snarky loners that most seem to conjure up. Not that they aren't snarky loners in this story. They're just that and more.
So this gets four stars because I can't not acknowledge the weaknesses, however thoroughly I enjoyed the story. And I'm eager for the next book, and that's always a win.
A note about Chaste: Yeah, werecats are loners, but it looks like things are heating with Heath. And I'd really like that. But we aren't anywhere near there in this story, and really, there's no space in the plot for hanky-panky. So it's a chaste story, though these are the kinds of shifters that have to take their own clothes off first, so we get some non-specific nudity (i.e. with zero sex and not even naming the fun bits). Which I consider plenty chaste, frankly.
Most of that is because I really liked Jacky and the motivation centering on protecting Carey was brilliant. I loved the connection those two made in such trying circumstances and I loved how well Banet does with their interactions and deepening attachment. But most of all, I loved how Jacky didn't squirm or back down in the face of danger and made active choices to hold to her oath of protecting Carey despite every obstacle stacked in her way. It was very paladin-like and that's always going to be my jam.
It helps, too, that the central characters are well-presented with strong characterization, clear motivations, and enough depth to make their interactions fluid and interesting. Heath and Hasan, most notably, but others are nearly as interesting (like Stacey the wolf-in-training).
So pretty much the characters make this work for me and I was carried along on that high through all the elements that didn't work (seriously, those action sequences were clunky). Plus, I love it when an author succeeds with a solid werecat story that makes them more than the simple snarky loners that most seem to conjure up. Not that they aren't snarky loners in this story. They're just that and more.
So this gets four stars because I can't not acknowledge the weaknesses, however thoroughly I enjoyed the story. And I'm eager for the next book, and that's always a win.
A note about Chaste: Yeah, werecats are loners, but it looks like things are heating with Heath. And I'd really like that. But we aren't anywhere near there in this story, and really, there's no space in the plot for hanky-panky. So it's a chaste story, though these are the kinds of shifters that have to take their own clothes off first, so we get some non-specific nudity (i.e. with zero sex and not even naming the fun bits). Which I consider plenty chaste, frankly.
May 23, 2020
Jacky Leon is the top predator in the region. On her own land she is all but unstoppable....unless she is attacked by a hunting party of werewolves.
The Dallas werewolves are at war and she just wants to stay out of it. But when the human daughter of the Dallas alpha shows up on her doorstep looking for sanctuary she has no choice but to fulfil her werecat obligation and protect her.
Then a group of werewolves arrive for the girl and she has little choice but to kill them all and she finds herself being drawn into a war she was trying to avoid. She has sworn to protect the girl but the werewolves hunting her aren't playing by the rules.
Oath Sworn is a hoot. It's one of those books where I can imagine the author sitting at her desk pounding the story into an old typewriter with a pile of broken typewriters in the corner. It's not perfect but the things that aren't great don't matter. A few spelling errors, stuff like that.
Now I'm going to sit down and start book two, Family and Honor.
(added for reread of Audiobook edition)
Savannah Gilmore is a pretty good choice for narrator. She does all of the adult characters (male and female) well. She's not so good with Carey, the 10 year old girl Jacky is protecting but I think this might be one of her first performances as a narrator and kid's voices are tough. I imagine as she gets more experience she will nail that.
The Dallas werewolves are at war and she just wants to stay out of it. But when the human daughter of the Dallas alpha shows up on her doorstep looking for sanctuary she has no choice but to fulfil her werecat obligation and protect her.
Then a group of werewolves arrive for the girl and she has little choice but to kill them all and she finds herself being drawn into a war she was trying to avoid. She has sworn to protect the girl but the werewolves hunting her aren't playing by the rules.
Oath Sworn is a hoot. It's one of those books where I can imagine the author sitting at her desk pounding the story into an old typewriter with a pile of broken typewriters in the corner. It's not perfect but the things that aren't great don't matter. A few spelling errors, stuff like that.
Now I'm going to sit down and start book two, Family and Honor.
(added for reread of Audiobook edition)
Savannah Gilmore is a pretty good choice for narrator. She does all of the adult characters (male and female) well. She's not so good with Carey, the 10 year old girl Jacky is protecting but I think this might be one of her first performances as a narrator and kid's voices are tough. I imagine as she gets more experience she will nail that.
December 10, 2019
Kristen banet- master of in-depth slow burn relationships
This is a PNR 1:1 MF love story about a warecat and werewolf but also is Adventure and edge of your seat action. It’s very reminiscent of patrica Briggs world about mercy thompson in that it’s a mature Female MC who befriends a alpha ware wolf with a daughter and they have adventures together. The MC is from a powerful family and her allies are part of what make her a formidable foe. She is smart, sarcastic, kind and maternal. I was really super impressed with the gentle and heart warming relationship between the love interest and the MC. The world is in-depth and very very well constructed which is unsurprising coming from banet. Multiple supes which is a winner in my eyes. The ONLY thing I could or would want is multiple POV but without it I’m not lacking when I read it.
There are familial bonds that are introduced in this book and I’m Intrigued to find out more about these characters ... banet states she is planning on making this an 8 book series and I for one am over joyed !!! I’m off to read the second
This is a PNR 1:1 MF love story about a warecat and werewolf but also is Adventure and edge of your seat action. It’s very reminiscent of patrica Briggs world about mercy thompson in that it’s a mature Female MC who befriends a alpha ware wolf with a daughter and they have adventures together. The MC is from a powerful family and her allies are part of what make her a formidable foe. She is smart, sarcastic, kind and maternal. I was really super impressed with the gentle and heart warming relationship between the love interest and the MC. The world is in-depth and very very well constructed which is unsurprising coming from banet. Multiple supes which is a winner in my eyes. The ONLY thing I could or would want is multiple POV but without it I’m not lacking when I read it.
There are familial bonds that are introduced in this book and I’m Intrigued to find out more about these characters ... banet states she is planning on making this an 8 book series and I for one am over joyed !!! I’m off to read the second
March 26, 2023
This was a really interesting and unique new series, and I pretty much just inhaled it.
I have quibbles though. Why was the Law held over her head like a guillotine when the entire situation was the result of the werewolves breaking the Laws repeatedly? Why was this not all put on them? What is their repercussion for repeated violation? Why aren't we told?
The other quibble is that Jacky was a lot tougher before she met Heath than she was after. It's like meeting him turned her into a bit of a damsel. I don't understand why.
But those are minor. I really enjoyed it, and am already halfway through book 2. I am super excited to find out more about Hasan, because I like him...a lot more than Jacky does. I want more info! And I want to see more of their world.
****4 enthusiastic stars****
Re-read April 2020
I wasn't ready to leave the world, so after finishing book 3 I jumped back into a re-read. The only additional comment to add to my original review is that it's a pretty slow start. Lots of world-building, which isn't surprising in a first book, but it's a little on the dry side. On the re-read, I found myself skimming sections until I got to about the halfway mark. *shrug*
Re-read Sept 2020
Ha! Again wasn't ready to leave the world - this time after book 4 - so I am doing a series re-read. I like it very much, though some stuff about Jacky's past was retconned a bit in book 4 because it doesn't match the bits we get here. Minor stuff though, and it doesn't bother me... just interesting to see in terms of process (I always wonder how much of a series an author arcs out ahead of time).
The stand-out to me, in this re-read, is how ridiculous the Law is. Seriously, that the wolves could utterly violate the Law over and over, attacking Jacky, but she's facing Tribunal for upholding her Duty and going after the wolves who violated Law ... that's some stupid shit. If Jacky is going to be given this much trouble about the Law, then every single wolf who participated in this attempted coup should be executed. I don't care if they didn't know this was how it was going to go down - the Law and Tribunal clearly don't allow for context to justify breaking of the Law. So was every one of them executed? I want to know.
I also want to know the backstory about how the war started, because for it to all be the cats' fault sits poorly with me, especially when the majority of the wolves are such assholes in this book, and they so vastly outnumber the cats.
Re-read Dec 2021
It was fun to re-read this with the new perspective after book 7.
I have quibbles though. Why was the Law held over her head like a guillotine when the entire situation was the result of the werewolves breaking the Laws repeatedly? Why was this not all put on them? What is their repercussion for repeated violation? Why aren't we told?
The other quibble is that Jacky was a lot tougher before she met Heath than she was after. It's like meeting him turned her into a bit of a damsel. I don't understand why.
But those are minor. I really enjoyed it, and am already halfway through book 2. I am super excited to find out more about Hasan, because I like him...a lot more than Jacky does. I want more info! And I want to see more of their world.
****4 enthusiastic stars****
Re-read April 2020
I wasn't ready to leave the world, so after finishing book 3 I jumped back into a re-read. The only additional comment to add to my original review is that it's a pretty slow start. Lots of world-building, which isn't surprising in a first book, but it's a little on the dry side. On the re-read, I found myself skimming sections until I got to about the halfway mark. *shrug*
Re-read Sept 2020
Ha! Again wasn't ready to leave the world - this time after book 4 - so I am doing a series re-read. I like it very much, though some stuff about Jacky's past was retconned a bit in book 4 because it doesn't match the bits we get here. Minor stuff though, and it doesn't bother me... just interesting to see in terms of process (I always wonder how much of a series an author arcs out ahead of time).
The stand-out to me, in this re-read, is how ridiculous the Law is. Seriously, that the wolves could utterly violate the Law over and over, attacking Jacky, but she's facing Tribunal for upholding her Duty and going after the wolves who violated Law ... that's some stupid shit. If Jacky is going to be given this much trouble about the Law, then every single wolf who participated in this attempted coup should be executed. I don't care if they didn't know this was how it was going to go down - the Law and Tribunal clearly don't allow for context to justify breaking of the Law. So was every one of them executed? I want to know.
I also want to know the backstory about how the war started, because for it to all be the cats' fault sits poorly with me, especially when the majority of the wolves are such assholes in this book, and they so vastly outnumber the cats.
Re-read Dec 2021
It was fun to re-read this with the new perspective after book 7.
July 20, 2019
Not my favorite but well written. Also my first non-RH by this author.
Another UF with a strong FMC from Banet which she is great at writing. I do love how powerful and independent her heroines are.
Jacky owns a bar and tries to live apart from other shifters but when a local werewolf packs starts a war she ends up entangled and sworn to protect the daughter of the local alpha.
The shifters are different than in Banets other series, the werecats aren't the usual Lion, Tigers etc they were more of a prehistoric sabre-tooth which was interesting.
But there was too much "were"politics for me to enjoy this. A lot of info dumping about the Laws and Duty, to the point I was sick hearing about her "Duty" to protect the human girl .
There was also no romance but a promise of a slow burn in the next one. I struggle with any book that doesn't have a solid underlying romance sub-plot. And good 60% of this didn't even feature the potential. I might be interested in continuing because the romance looks like it will be worth it and its clear who it will be at the end.
You could read this as a standalone. It wraps up by the end and thankfully has no cliffhanger. Just the promise of the slow burn to keep you interested.
It had a good bit of action but again it was overshadowed by the politics and the long winded explanations for her actions. I did think about skimming a few times
I won an ARC for this and had no obligation to post a review
Another UF with a strong FMC from Banet which she is great at writing. I do love how powerful and independent her heroines are.
Jacky owns a bar and tries to live apart from other shifters but when a local werewolf packs starts a war she ends up entangled and sworn to protect the daughter of the local alpha.
The shifters are different than in Banets other series, the werecats aren't the usual Lion, Tigers etc they were more of a prehistoric sabre-tooth which was interesting.
But there was too much "were"politics for me to enjoy this. A lot of info dumping about the Laws and Duty, to the point I was sick hearing about her "Duty" to protect the human girl .
There was also no romance but a promise of a slow burn in the next one. I struggle with any book that doesn't have a solid underlying romance sub-plot. And good 60% of this didn't even feature the potential. I might be interested in continuing because the romance looks like it will be worth it and its clear who it will be at the end.
You could read this as a standalone. It wraps up by the end and thankfully has no cliffhanger. Just the promise of the slow burn to keep you interested.
It had a good bit of action but again it was overshadowed by the politics and the long winded explanations for her actions. I did think about skimming a few times
I won an ARC for this and had no obligation to post a review
December 13, 2019
Unexpectedly good enough.
February 6, 2022
ETA 2/5/2022: It just hit me that Jacky Leon is like Mercy Thompson meets Arcadia Bell (with its own special sauce that develops with the series).
This was a 3.5 star read. And the series gets even better with Book 2, so I do recommend this for urban fantasy fans (especially those of Mercy Thompson/Kate Daniels).
I hesitated to start this series due to the obvious similarities with Patricia Briggs's Mercy Thompson series. Jacky is an independent, solitary werecat who comes to the attention of a local(ish) Alpha werewolf, Heath. Said werewolf is solo parenting a daughter (Carey), who is driven to Jacky for protection by a werewolf turf war. This leads Jackie and Carey to become quite close. Oh, Jacky runs her own business (a bar) and is basically were-royalty . The world has fae, vampires, witches, and various shifters, but only the werewolves are “out.”
Despite all that, the story itself did feel different even with the VERY similar world. (And the similarities faded even more with the second in the series.) The oath/call of duty angle is creative and unique and I enjoyed the interaction between Jackie and Carey. .
The story lost its way a bit when Jacky visited Dallas and started to meet the werewolf pack. The turf war and associated scenes were not only lacking in development but also plain boring. I enjoyed Jacky’s interactions with some of the wolves, like Heath and teen pre-werewolf Stacy (but what was up with the interlude with that ancient, crazy wolf — this also reminded me of Asil in Alpha and Omega but didn't go anywhere)? Sidenote: it was a plus that the relationships between women were all positive.
The story picked up again when it moved on to the Tribunal and supernatural politics, although there is still a lot of room for the author to develop these angles further. The book ends with an interesting twist, but thankfully not a cliffhanger. There is basically no romance in this book - just a hint of what might be to come.
The second book doesn't add much in the romance department either, but gets better, introducing Jacky’s werecat family and adding a new mystery. Read this and then read on!
This was a 3.5 star read. And the series gets even better with Book 2, so I do recommend this for urban fantasy fans (especially those of Mercy Thompson/Kate Daniels).
I hesitated to start this series due to the obvious similarities with Patricia Briggs's Mercy Thompson series. Jacky is an independent, solitary werecat who comes to the attention of a local(ish) Alpha werewolf, Heath. Said werewolf is solo parenting a daughter (Carey), who is driven to Jacky for protection by a werewolf turf war. This leads Jackie and Carey to become quite close. Oh, Jacky runs her own business (a bar) and is basically were-royalty . The world has fae, vampires, witches, and various shifters, but only the werewolves are “out.”
Despite all that, the story itself did feel different even with the VERY similar world. (And the similarities faded even more with the second in the series.) The oath/call of duty angle is creative and unique and I enjoyed the interaction between Jackie and Carey. .
The story lost its way a bit when Jacky visited Dallas and started to meet the werewolf pack. The turf war and associated scenes were not only lacking in development but also plain boring. I enjoyed Jacky’s interactions with some of the wolves, like Heath and teen pre-werewolf Stacy (but what was up with the interlude with that ancient, crazy wolf — this also reminded me of Asil in Alpha and Omega but didn't go anywhere)? Sidenote: it was a plus that the relationships between women were all positive.
The story picked up again when it moved on to the Tribunal and supernatural politics, although there is still a lot of room for the author to develop these angles further. The book ends with an interesting twist, but thankfully not a cliffhanger. There is basically no romance in this book - just a hint of what might be to come.
The second book doesn't add much in the romance department either, but gets better, introducing Jacky’s werecat family and adding a new mystery. Read this and then read on!
February 7, 2022
Wow! This is a new author and book for me and I am LOVING both! The story takes an interesting twist in the very popular (and often overused) shifter genre that keeps the interest high and the pages turning. My only complaint (and it is a personal one) is that there isn’t even a hint of a romantic interest in the book. Still, I’m absolutely continuing with this series!
July 16, 2019
I thought the adventure a refreshing change of pace. I look forward to the next book.
May 30, 2025
I was going to give this 4 stars but it was a little too clunky and Jackie's character was a little too wishy washy. But I did enjoy it quite a bit and will definitely be reading the next one. I think in book format instead of Audio.
The audio reader was OK, but I didn't think her snarky tone really suited the character. In the end Jackie wasn't as cool headed and cynical as I was expecting. And that's fine, but it didn't reflect in the reader's voice.
I liked that Jackie felt very young to me by the end of the story. I mean, she is technically 38, but that's a baby by werecat standards, or any magical creature standards in this world building.
The world building was good but pretty straight forward.
I loved that werecats are bad asses when compared to werewolves. Bigger, stronger, faster.... and yet that one werewolf almost kicked her ass. But other than that one time, she was pretty fiercesome.
Jackie is minding her own business in her edge of town bar, when a little girl running for her life invokes an ancient law of protection. Now she's a kick ass baby sitter on the run from wolves who aren't following the rules.
It was a pretty simplistic straight forward tale with interesting characters, but a lot of fun.
Safety is good
I am leaving goodreads by the end of May.
I have a new account with storygraph
My user name is dirtyMartini
I am trying to clean up my online associations to be more responsible.
I want to distance myself from Trump and his associates. As a Canadian, I take his threats seriously.
I will miss all my book friends here and I wish you all happy reading!
p.s. I will leave my account open on Goodreads so my past reviews don't disappear
The audio reader was OK, but I didn't think her snarky tone really suited the character. In the end Jackie wasn't as cool headed and cynical as I was expecting. And that's fine, but it didn't reflect in the reader's voice.
I liked that Jackie felt very young to me by the end of the story. I mean, she is technically 38, but that's a baby by werecat standards, or any magical creature standards in this world building.
The world building was good but pretty straight forward.
I loved that werecats are bad asses when compared to werewolves. Bigger, stronger, faster.... and yet that one werewolf almost kicked her ass. But other than that one time, she was pretty fiercesome.
Jackie is minding her own business in her edge of town bar, when a little girl running for her life invokes an ancient law of protection. Now she's a kick ass baby sitter on the run from wolves who aren't following the rules.
It was a pretty simplistic straight forward tale with interesting characters, but a lot of fun.
Safety is good
I am leaving goodreads by the end of May.
I have a new account with storygraph
My user name is dirtyMartini
I am trying to clean up my online associations to be more responsible.
I want to distance myself from Trump and his associates. As a Canadian, I take his threats seriously.
I will miss all my book friends here and I wish you all happy reading!
p.s. I will leave my account open on Goodreads so my past reviews don't disappear
April 23, 2021
I am torn on how to rate this one. I don't exactly love the heroine but I don't hate her either. You see, the characters make or break the story for me. I commend her for going beyond her duty defending the kid but what's up with always saying "I am a werecat, stronger than a werewolf, blah, blah". Got on my nerves after repeating it again and again. Yeah, I got it. You're a badass. Maybe I am just being too hard on her or I just don't understand her character. I haven't decided yet to continue with book 2 or throw in the towel.
December 25, 2020
Interesting first book in a series.
The heroine is a werecat!
Hah! Never read about a werecat shifter before.
The story is unusual, with a minor take a major role.
The romance currently inexistent, but the hero certainly will be the one for her.
Since, this is a turtle slow burn romance, I won’t expecting they’ll together soon.
But, I don’t really care!
I like this world so far.
❤️❤️❤️
The heroine is a werecat!
Hah! Never read about a werecat shifter before.
The story is unusual, with a minor take a major role.
The romance currently inexistent, but the hero certainly will be the one for her.
Since, this is a turtle slow burn romance, I won’t expecting they’ll together soon.
But, I don’t really care!
I like this world so far.
❤️❤️❤️
November 5, 2025
Audio:
5 stars for Savannah Gilmore
Book: 2.5 stars
Do you think Jacky knows she’s a werecat, one of the most, if not the most powerful supernatural?
5 stars for Savannah Gilmore
Book: 2.5 stars
Do you think Jacky knows she’s a werecat, one of the most, if not the most powerful supernatural?
June 24, 2024
This story had a really promising start. Jackie is a really fun character. While she is a loner, she is empathetic and caring. When a human girl runs to her for help, she protects her and claims her as her own. The relationship between her and Carey was the best thing! I love found family and this had that in spades.
The background story is also very compelling as Jackie is supposed to protect this human daughter of the local werewolf alpha from a civil war in their pack while also not getting involved in the fight. When the girl gets snatched by the villains’ side, she is out for blood and will not rest until Carey is rescued.
The audiobook is pretty good with a casually spoken narration that does a good job at making the story live.
It really worked until the revealing of the villains and then just fell apart. The villains make absolutely no sense. I actually searched the book to see if there was any hint about these folks. And there was none. The idea that the villains could have been scheming for as long as they would have had to and the alpha and all his followers would have no idea? Makes no sense.
The world building also didn’t hold up at the end. The story spends the whole time telling us that the alpha and heroine cannot do things because of Laws and practices… and then they both do those things with no thoughts.
It’s sad because this was SO good… but I’m not sure I can trust the author to continue the series in a way that makes sense.
Highly recommend reading Jacob's review as well.
The background story is also very compelling as Jackie is supposed to protect this human daughter of the local werewolf alpha from a civil war in their pack while also not getting involved in the fight. When the girl gets snatched by the villains’ side, she is out for blood and will not rest until Carey is rescued.
The audiobook is pretty good with a casually spoken narration that does a good job at making the story live.
It really worked until the revealing of the villains and then just fell apart. The villains make absolutely no sense. I actually searched the book to see if there was any hint about these folks. And there was none. The idea that the villains could have been scheming for as long as they would have had to and the alpha and all his followers would have no idea? Makes no sense.
The world building also didn’t hold up at the end. The story spends the whole time telling us that the alpha and heroine cannot do things because of Laws and practices… and then they both do those things with no thoughts.
It’s sad because this was SO good… but I’m not sure I can trust the author to continue the series in a way that makes sense.
Highly recommend reading Jacob's review as well.
July 17, 2019
*No spoilers*
There's a thing that happens when I find a really good book. I suddenly find myself on team No-Sleep, sneaking pages in at every possible moment until then end. I obsess. Now, I'm not gonna lie, that didn't happen immediately with this one. I struggled to get into the rhythm of the story for the first few chapters. It may be because there was really only one path for this story to take, at least in my head. I was pretty sure I knew who the "bad guy" was pretty early on, but I didn't let that detract from my enjoyment of the story. I focused instead on character development. And I was not disappointed. As is signature to KB's writings, these characters have a certain organic, messy realness to them that I find endearing and interesting. A lot of things happen in this book, so if this is just the beginning, I can't wait to see where the story goes.
Heat- a hint of flirting, this is book is not a romance. The series remains to be seen.
Action - Fight scenes, bloody, death (it's wereanimals, ya'll. You know somebody got eaten.)
This author is a one-click purchase, no-brainer. Not every series is for every person, but I can guarantee there will be none of that unedited, poor sentence structure, weak plot-vapid character BS that one often finds among self-published authors. Not in this book, not from this author.
My copy of this book was generously provided by the author for my honest review.
There's a thing that happens when I find a really good book. I suddenly find myself on team No-Sleep, sneaking pages in at every possible moment until then end. I obsess. Now, I'm not gonna lie, that didn't happen immediately with this one. I struggled to get into the rhythm of the story for the first few chapters. It may be because there was really only one path for this story to take, at least in my head. I was pretty sure I knew who the "bad guy" was pretty early on, but I didn't let that detract from my enjoyment of the story. I focused instead on character development. And I was not disappointed. As is signature to KB's writings, these characters have a certain organic, messy realness to them that I find endearing and interesting. A lot of things happen in this book, so if this is just the beginning, I can't wait to see where the story goes.
Heat- a hint of flirting, this is book is not a romance. The series remains to be seen.
Action - Fight scenes, bloody, death (it's wereanimals, ya'll. You know somebody got eaten.)
This author is a one-click purchase, no-brainer. Not every series is for every person, but I can guarantee there will be none of that unedited, poor sentence structure, weak plot-vapid character BS that one often finds among self-published authors. Not in this book, not from this author.
My copy of this book was generously provided by the author for my honest review.
July 28, 2019
I don't have words to properly tell you how awesome this was. Unlike her other works, this one was pure kick ass urban fantasy and didn't even have a hint of reverse harems. And I'm so in love.
The MC is real.. she isn't just some heroine with 150% snark and sarcasm. Which honestly we see so often these days that it's almost too much. Jacky is complex, she has feelings and layers and stuff she rather not talk about. And you learn more about her as the book goes, so it isn't just the same chick from page 1 all along, you're actually getting to know somebody.
And the story? the world? The law between the races? I fucking loved it. Every second. I didn't move from my sofa while reading this and ran back to the PC to see if there was more to read but sadly there isn't.
Read this. Honest to god. If you like urban fantasy you must read this.
The MC is real.. she isn't just some heroine with 150% snark and sarcasm. Which honestly we see so often these days that it's almost too much. Jacky is complex, she has feelings and layers and stuff she rather not talk about. And you learn more about her as the book goes, so it isn't just the same chick from page 1 all along, you're actually getting to know somebody.
And the story? the world? The law between the races? I fucking loved it. Every second. I didn't move from my sofa while reading this and ran back to the PC to see if there was more to read but sadly there isn't.
Read this. Honest to god. If you like urban fantasy you must read this.
April 13, 2020
I liked the focus on a female werecat instead of a werewolf. She is an honorable recently changed were who is living a loner existence, which is broken up when the human daughter of the deposed Alpha from the Dallas Fort Worth claims sanctuary.
Chased from her home by werewolves seeking the girl for leverage against the Alpha, she has multiple run-ins with the enemy wolves. Later she ends up joining with remnants of the Alpha's pack to rescue her charge.
The plot and character were good, but as a first person story there was a lot of long exposition paragraphs and not a lot of dialogue.
The book is currently available for free on Amazon. So its good to grab and is short enough to read in a weekend.
I liked it enough to buy the second from Amazon as well.
Chased from her home by werewolves seeking the girl for leverage against the Alpha, she has multiple run-ins with the enemy wolves. Later she ends up joining with remnants of the Alpha's pack to rescue her charge.
The plot and character were good, but as a first person story there was a lot of long exposition paragraphs and not a lot of dialogue.
The book is currently available for free on Amazon. So its good to grab and is short enough to read in a weekend.
I liked it enough to buy the second from Amazon as well.
December 13, 2019
4.5.
This was a little slow, but I really loved the characters. Jacky is just brilliant. So tough and kick ass but so vulnerable as well. Banet really does write briiliantly nuanced heroines. I loved her relationship with Carey.
I also really enjoyed the beginning of a tentative friendship with Heath. It is so refreshing to read a book where they don't instantly go gaga for one another and, when the clearly eventually get together, it will be based on friendship and knowing each other and not some fickle lust or mate bond. It reminds me of the start of great UF couples like Kate and Curran or Mercy and Adam.
I also loved the ending.
Off to read the next one.
This was a little slow, but I really loved the characters. Jacky is just brilliant. So tough and kick ass but so vulnerable as well. Banet really does write briiliantly nuanced heroines. I loved her relationship with Carey.
I also really enjoyed the beginning of a tentative friendship with Heath. It is so refreshing to read a book where they don't instantly go gaga for one another and, when the clearly eventually get together, it will be based on friendship and knowing each other and not some fickle lust or mate bond. It reminds me of the start of great UF couples like Kate and Curran or Mercy and Adam.
I also loved the ending.
Off to read the next one.
September 19, 2023
Jacky Leon
This is a new to me author, and I loved this book. I liked that Jacky is not your typical 20 something year old. I liked that the most meaningful relationship she had in this novel was with an eleven year old girl she was trying to protect. Jacky wasn't a Mary Sue, but was still a strong character. She has a tenuous relationship with her family and that is where most of her angst comes from. I am definitely moving on to book two.
This is a new to me author, and I loved this book. I liked that Jacky is not your typical 20 something year old. I liked that the most meaningful relationship she had in this novel was with an eleven year old girl she was trying to protect. Jacky wasn't a Mary Sue, but was still a strong character. She has a tenuous relationship with her family and that is where most of her angst comes from. I am definitely moving on to book two.
January 22, 2020
This may be one of my newest favorite urban fantasy series!
For the first book in a series, it was very good. The world was easy to understand. The action and the characters were interesting. There is a chance for a future romance, but that was not the focus of this story.
This series and the world that it takes place in are unique.
For the first book in a series, it was very good. The world was easy to understand. The action and the characters were interesting. There is a chance for a future romance, but that was not the focus of this story.
This series and the world that it takes place in are unique.
July 17, 2019
Another hit from Banet. She knows how to write great characters and interesting story lines, and this book has both.
I really liked Jacky because she is strong, but also not infallible or jaded. I’m looking forward to the next one in this series.
I really liked Jacky because she is strong, but also not infallible or jaded. I’m looking forward to the next one in this series.
July 17, 2019
Jacky is fierce, protective, and sometimes a bit of a mess. She's spent the last few years on her own, really only interacting with the small-town patrons of her bar and the one werecat that she enjoys talking to. Honestly, I like that she's actually a bit socially removed because I think it gives us the chance to really learn about her when she DOES have to interact with others.
For a were, especially werecat, Jacky is very young, so getting thrown in the middle of a pack war as the bodyguard to the missing alpha's child is really a trial by fire. Through her journey to uphold her pledge of protection, we also get a little taste of Banet's version of the fae, and my curiosity is peaked as to how they'll play a bigger role in future books.
One thing I really liked about Jacky Leon was this world that Banet is building. I find the idea of the Council very interesting, and I like that there's this complex Treaty between the supernatural species. The #1 thing I want to learn more about is the kind of magic and abilities the werecats have. Every writer makes their own mythos, and Banet's approach of this almost-prehistoric cat is something that's new for me.
Overall, Jacky Leon is a solid start to this new series. Sometimes there were some moments that dragged a little bit, but it's generally a very enjoyable read!!! Jacky is likable, relatable, and the supporting characters are intriguing while also having their own draw that will make you invested in them. There are a lot of mysteries to uncover, especially about Jacky's relationship to her "Father" (the werecat who changed her) and the circumstances of how she joined his family. That's the #1 item on my curiosity list right now, so I hope we get more information on that in book two.
For a were, especially werecat, Jacky is very young, so getting thrown in the middle of a pack war as the bodyguard to the missing alpha's child is really a trial by fire. Through her journey to uphold her pledge of protection, we also get a little taste of Banet's version of the fae, and my curiosity is peaked as to how they'll play a bigger role in future books.
One thing I really liked about Jacky Leon was this world that Banet is building. I find the idea of the Council very interesting, and I like that there's this complex Treaty between the supernatural species. The #1 thing I want to learn more about is the kind of magic and abilities the werecats have. Every writer makes their own mythos, and Banet's approach of this almost-prehistoric cat is something that's new for me.
Overall, Jacky Leon is a solid start to this new series. Sometimes there were some moments that dragged a little bit, but it's generally a very enjoyable read!!! Jacky is likable, relatable, and the supporting characters are intriguing while also having their own draw that will make you invested in them. There are a lot of mysteries to uncover, especially about Jacky's relationship to her "Father" (the werecat who changed her) and the circumstances of how she joined his family. That's the #1 item on my curiosity list right now, so I hope we get more information on that in book two.
July 26, 2019
I am absolutely loving this new outlook on the supernatural. Where we have all kinds of supernaturals but our female lead is a werecat. Which with this new take makes them so much more different than the wolves. Usually we have them grouped together with wolves stronger. Kristen has such a way with creating these kick a@@ characters that you just absolutely fall for. Jacky is one such character. She does what she must, as evident when she steps up for something. I will leave that for you to read, but really it just made me fall for her more. The relationship with the guys feels like it is not the main focus, which is a nice change and leaves the story to develop more.
So overall, this is a great start to another series from Kristen. Trust me you do not want to miss this!
So overall, this is a great start to another series from Kristen. Trust me you do not want to miss this!
August 19, 2019
Joey, bruh, just mind ya business
This book was surprising. It was ok then went straight to good once it got to about 79%. I can definitely say I would be interested in book two. No cliffhanger but you still know there is more story to tell. One thing that irritates me is throwing a whole heap of supernatural creatures into a book and then not explaining them. It just felt like there was no need for them. Maybe they will take a more active role in the coming books. More Hasan. More Heath.
This book was surprising. It was ok then went straight to good once it got to about 79%. I can definitely say I would be interested in book two. No cliffhanger but you still know there is more story to tell. One thing that irritates me is throwing a whole heap of supernatural creatures into a book and then not explaining them. It just felt like there was no need for them. Maybe they will take a more active role in the coming books. More Hasan. More Heath.
January 4, 2021
Good things first: ...uh...Jacky is a werecat. Cool.
Bad things: mediocre writing including bad grammar i.e., dangling participles, split infinitives, and my very favorite -"him and I". The author would also benefit from a thesaurus. No one *ever* smiled in this book, they all smirked. EVERY. SINGLE. PAGE.
Jacky was whiny, the werewolves were bland as vanilla pudding, and Jacky is saved at the end by her self-sacrificing heroics. The book was completely forgettable. I will not be reading the rest in the series.
Bad things: mediocre writing including bad grammar i.e., dangling participles, split infinitives, and my very favorite -"him and I". The author would also benefit from a thesaurus. No one *ever* smiled in this book, they all smirked. EVERY. SINGLE. PAGE.
Jacky was whiny, the werewolves were bland as vanilla pudding, and Jacky is saved at the end by her self-sacrificing heroics. The book was completely forgettable. I will not be reading the rest in the series.
March 16, 2020
Wohooooo... A series that I am arrogant enough to say was made for me. I am in love with these kind of tropes and was in a funk because I couldn't find any that satisfied my high-maintenance reading check list.
However, this is pretty close to all of that. I am glad I gave it a chance. The story is very interesting and the characters even more so.
However, this is pretty close to all of that. I am glad I gave it a chance. The story is very interesting and the characters even more so.
December 15, 2019
Really enjoyed this
Fast paced, great characters and storyline. Going to read the next one right away. Really like the MFC as well. It's a promising start to a series!
Fast paced, great characters and storyline. Going to read the next one right away. Really like the MFC as well. It's a promising start to a series!
June 26, 2024
Re-reading this entire series! So happy to be back :D
March 18, 2020
This was a really good read and Jacky has become one of my favourite heroines, although I did have a few doubts about halfway through.
There were minor irritations such as not taking a gun when about to enter the werewolves’ territory, because she didn't know where to put it!
What really got me worried was the whole 'Law' thing. It was clear the author was going to make a big thing of Jacky breaking the 'Law', but the ‘Law’ wasn't logical. Jacky has to protect the human as a matter of duty, but then she isn’t allowed to follow the human, it doesn't make sense.
If possible I might have given 4.5 stars, but in the end settled for four.
There were minor irritations such as not taking a gun when about to enter the werewolves’ territory, because she didn't know where to put it!
What really got me worried was the whole 'Law' thing. It was clear the author was going to make a big thing of Jacky breaking the 'Law', but the ‘Law’ wasn't logical. Jacky has to protect the human as a matter of duty, but then she isn’t allowed to follow the human, it doesn't make sense.
If possible I might have given 4.5 stars, but in the end settled for four.
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