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Smoky Mountain Pack #1
Forged Wolf
6 hours and 7 minutes
Zasha comes from a family of cage fighters.
There was no time for playing with dolls or painting her nails … just learning how to survive in the ring.
When four men attack her, she’s ready for them.
Until they break the rules … and use dark magic against her.
They transform her into a wolf. A beast. Violating her very nature.
The Pound is an underground fighting arena, where wolves are pitted against each other to delight the whims of the perverse elite.
It’s where wolves are sent to fight—and to die.
She was never meant to be a wolf … but was always meant to be a fighter.
The ring is where she thrives.
Zasha comes from a family of cage fighters.
There was no time for playing with dolls or painting her nails … just learning how to survive in the ring.
When four men attack her, she’s ready for them.
Until they break the rules … and use dark magic against her.
They transform her into a wolf. A beast. Violating her very nature.
The Pound is an underground fighting arena, where wolves are pitted against each other to delight the whims of the perverse elite.
It’s where wolves are sent to fight—and to die.
She was never meant to be a wolf … but was always meant to be a fighter.
The ring is where she thrives.
7 pages, Audible Audio
First published February 19, 2021
1397 people are currently reading
1580 people want to read
About the author
Lucía Ashta
103 books903 followersLucía Ashta is the internationally top 20 bestselling author of young adult, new adult, and adult paranormal and urban fantasy books, including the series Magical Creatures Academy, Witches of Gales Haven, Smoky Mountain Pack, and Supernatural Bounty Hunter.
When Lucía isn't writing, she's reading, painting, or adventuring. Magical fantasy is her favorite, but the action, romance, and quirky characters are what keep her hooked on books.
Sign up for Lucía’s new release email list and you’ll be notified as soon as the next book publishes: https://www.subscribepage.com/luciaashta
Connect with Lucía:
www.facebook.com/authorluciaashta
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www.luciaashta.com
When Lucía isn't writing, she's reading, painting, or adventuring. Magical fantasy is her favorite, but the action, romance, and quirky characters are what keep her hooked on books.
Sign up for Lucía’s new release email list and you’ll be notified as soon as the next book publishes: https://www.subscribepage.com/luciaashta
Connect with Lucía:
www.facebook.com/authorluciaashta
www.facebook.com/groups/LuciaAshta
www.luciaashta.com
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
February 21, 2021
2.5 Indifferent Stars
I was really looking forward to this. A kickass heroine, shifters and dark magic combined sounded fab, but the execution of it all just didn't have me sighing in delight, or getting lost in the pages.
I liked the fact that the heroine never gave up.
Ends with a cliff-hanger, I won't be coming back for book 2.
Acquired via KU.
I was really looking forward to this. A kickass heroine, shifters and dark magic combined sounded fab, but the execution of it all just didn't have me sighing in delight, or getting lost in the pages.
I liked the fact that the heroine never gave up.
Ends with a cliff-hanger, I won't be coming back for book 2.
Acquired via KU.
February 22, 2021
Man, I really wanted to like this. Perhaps that is why I gave it a 2 instead of a 1. *sigh*
I feel like I know none of the characters. Finished this read with basic knowledge of each character in this read, so disappointing. There is a TON of filler in my opinion. Just lines and lines and lines of information that felt forced and somewhat unorganized. Almost as if the author was making the world build more complicated than it had to be.
The FMC was supposed to be badass and I can see where she could/should have been. The world build seemed to be the main focus leaving the FMC and MC flapping in the wind. I loved the concept of Zasha but it just fell flat.
Part of me really wants to give book 2 a try and see if it has some redeeming qualities. At this point I am undecided.
If you are looking for some heat it is NOT in this book. NOTHING was hot or steamy.
Happy reading,
DD
I feel like I know none of the characters. Finished this read with basic knowledge of each character in this read, so disappointing. There is a TON of filler in my opinion. Just lines and lines and lines of information that felt forced and somewhat unorganized. Almost as if the author was making the world build more complicated than it had to be.
The FMC was supposed to be badass and I can see where she could/should have been. The world build seemed to be the main focus leaving the FMC and MC flapping in the wind. I loved the concept of Zasha but it just fell flat.
Part of me really wants to give book 2 a try and see if it has some redeeming qualities. At this point I am undecided.
If you are looking for some heat it is NOT in this book. NOTHING was hot or steamy.
Happy reading,
DD
February 4, 2021
A fierce heroine. An alluring beta. A pulse-pounding storyline. Ashta’s Smoky Mountains Pack series is shifter romance perfection.
February 6, 2021
‘He grinned despite himself. Instead of checking him out, she was scoping out his weapons.’
This was soo good! Zasha is badass. Can’t wait for more from these characters!
This was soo good! Zasha is badass. Can’t wait for more from these characters!
March 21, 2022
I am a bit disappointed by his book. The synopsis had a lot of promise, and I was excited to find something new and intriguing.
MFC is kidnapped, and turned wolf-shifter without consent by a group of fanatics and morally corrupt assholes who throw paranormal dog fight nights for gambling bucks. She quickly meets some members of the Smoky Mountain pack, and learns wolfie ways. Sort of. She and the pack Beta have eyes for each other.
That pretty much sums up the whole book. Characters are fairly basic, without much depth. I feel like they had potential, but so much about them felt too easily navigable. There wasn't much in terms of development, interpersonal conflict, dynamic, or personal growth.
I hope the second in the series will create more plot, or promise smoother story progression.
MFC is kidnapped, and turned wolf-shifter without consent by a group of fanatics and morally corrupt assholes who throw paranormal dog fight nights for gambling bucks. She quickly meets some members of the Smoky Mountain pack, and learns wolfie ways. Sort of. She and the pack Beta have eyes for each other.
That pretty much sums up the whole book. Characters are fairly basic, without much depth. I feel like they had potential, but so much about them felt too easily navigable. There wasn't much in terms of development, interpersonal conflict, dynamic, or personal growth.
I hope the second in the series will create more plot, or promise smoother story progression.
March 28, 2021
49% in and I’m gonna have to DNF. I haven’t clicked with any of the characters yet and now there’s a new POV from Gideon with even MORE world building and backstory. There’s been hardly and dialogue whatsoever and it feels like a collection of fight scenes and world building without any character development or chemistry. This is so heavy on the narrative that I just don’t care anymore.
The descriptions are good, spelling and grammar all good, action all good. But I just.... I’m halfway through and our main girl has been kidnapped, changed into a Wolf, made to fight and been rescued by the smoky mountain pack. In theory it should be excellent. But it’s taken a long time to get her even in the back of a van and she hasn’t had a conversation with anyone at all yet so we don’t even know what her personality is beyond ‘bruiser’.
The descriptions are good, spelling and grammar all good, action all good. But I just.... I’m halfway through and our main girl has been kidnapped, changed into a Wolf, made to fight and been rescued by the smoky mountain pack. In theory it should be excellent. But it’s taken a long time to get her even in the back of a van and she hasn’t had a conversation with anyone at all yet so we don’t even know what her personality is beyond ‘bruiser’.
October 22, 2021
Good
Zasha has been trained all her life to become a fighter and that's what's she did for a living: fighting. But when her dad died, she got kidnapped and turned against her will into a wolf shifter by dark magic and imprisoned into an underground illegal fighting circle where people pay to watch wolf shifters kill each other. When Zasha's turn came, she refused to fight her opponent who was hurt and defenseless. What she didn't know is that this opponent is a member of the Smoky Mountain Pack. When his pack came to free him, the beta, Quannah, reluctantly freed Zasha. But wolves made by dark magic don't survive and all bets were against Zasha but she proved them how wrong they were.
Well, Zasha is a likeable character: she's strong, fierce, and didn't let people giving her sh**. She has as well a sweet side, grieving her dad's death and sparing life of innocent.
Quannah, the beta of the Smoky Mountain Pack, is the typical assh*le in this book🙄. He couldn't stop saying that Zasha will die eventually and treat her like she was nothing. But... he will become more and more interested in her...😉
In this book, we have also the POV of a wolf shifter hunter: Gideon. Reading about his thoughts and despicable actions was unnerving and I felt a certain discomfort sometimes but for sure, the author did it in purpose and I wonder what it will add to the story eventually🧐
If you didn't understand what happened at the end (like me), let's read the next one!
Zasha has been trained all her life to become a fighter and that's what's she did for a living: fighting. But when her dad died, she got kidnapped and turned against her will into a wolf shifter by dark magic and imprisoned into an underground illegal fighting circle where people pay to watch wolf shifters kill each other. When Zasha's turn came, she refused to fight her opponent who was hurt and defenseless. What she didn't know is that this opponent is a member of the Smoky Mountain Pack. When his pack came to free him, the beta, Quannah, reluctantly freed Zasha. But wolves made by dark magic don't survive and all bets were against Zasha but she proved them how wrong they were.
Well, Zasha is a likeable character: she's strong, fierce, and didn't let people giving her sh**. She has as well a sweet side, grieving her dad's death and sparing life of innocent.
Quannah, the beta of the Smoky Mountain Pack, is the typical assh*le in this book🙄. He couldn't stop saying that Zasha will die eventually and treat her like she was nothing. But... he will become more and more interested in her...😉
In this book, we have also the POV of a wolf shifter hunter: Gideon. Reading about his thoughts and despicable actions was unnerving and I felt a certain discomfort sometimes but for sure, the author did it in purpose and I wonder what it will add to the story eventually🧐
If you didn't understand what happened at the end (like me), let's read the next one!
August 20, 2021
Series Review and Overview
⎯» Rating: 3.25 Stars
⎯» Genre(s): Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
⎯» POV: Multiple—Third Person
❥
I enjoyed the overall story as well as the characters, but I struggled to understand the author's thought process when it came to certain storylines. There were just too many instances where she didn’t convince, and or sell-me-on, the explanations and conclusions she gave. Additionally, I felt like the secondary characters were too disposable, screaming that they were just tools to push the plot along.
❥
⎯»Extra Information
❥
*by the end of the last book
⎯» Rating: 3.25 Stars
⎯» Genre(s): Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
⎯» POV: Multiple—Third Person
❥
I enjoyed the overall story as well as the characters, but I struggled to understand the author's thought process when it came to certain storylines. There were just too many instances where she didn’t convince, and or sell-me-on, the explanations and conclusions she gave. Additionally, I felt like the secondary characters were too disposable, screaming that they were just tools to push the plot along.
❥
⎯»Extra Information
❖ Series or Standalone:
Smoky Mountain Pack Series.
This is a trilogy, and must be read in order.
❖ HEA*:
❖ Cliffhanger:
End of books 1 & 2
❖ Relationship:
M-F Romance
❖ Tropes:
➢ Age-Gap (15 years)
➢ Alpha-Male-Hero
➢ Badass-Heroine
➢ Fated-Mates
➢ Magic
➢ Slow-Burn
➢ Wolf-Shifters
❖ Triggers:
Yes
❥
*by the end of the last book
February 19, 2021
The utter incredible awesomeness of this book is unparalleled! The MC’s are sublime, the bad guys are vile enough to have me baying for blood and all utter vengeance and the storyline, with its continuous plot thickening has the emotional, physical and mental impact of a friggin’ asthma attack (a really great one… *sheepish*); it is all encompassing.
Our FMC inspires so much loyalty and admiration – she’s a fighter to the core; and I’m not talking about the metaphorical stuff, although, duly noted, there is that; she’s an actual cage fighter: fast and strong and insanely smart with amazing instincts! Her witty retorts and cutting rejoinders are utterly amusing even when she’s just having mental conversations with herself! She’s a lethal, powerhouse combination of brains and brawn and her physical prowess serves her very well in any form.
People, FMCs like this one, written so perfectly in a story like this one, with an arc and supporting characters like those that exist in this book… it’s proof that there is a Higher Power who loves me something awesome! Zasha is bomb.com
We are also introduced to some of our other characters midway through this book. I have 3 favourites - maybe 1 favourite, with the other 2 breaking even at second.
I know that things like honor, valor, loyalty and people protecting and caring deeply for one another has become, seemingly, a rather old-fashioned sentiment, but to the people she meets, it is a second, beautiful nature. They’re not soft by any stretch of the imagination and the connections run deep.
I am so eager for the next book in this series; I need to see where the little cliffy takes us and I need to know what friendships Zasha chooses to foster as she already has 3 fans and 1 snarky, moody mutt (who currently has a pass because life was hard, right?) And I do hate a cliffy, even in a series, but everything about these characters and everything I have learnt as I read made me yearn to know more.
I am fully invested in this amazing new series. I hope you’ll join me for the ride. That way you’ll be there with me when they catch the bad, bad kidnappy wackadoodles and Zasha rips their heads and spinal cords from their bodies. Fun times folks, fun times! 😉
Our FMC inspires so much loyalty and admiration – she’s a fighter to the core; and I’m not talking about the metaphorical stuff, although, duly noted, there is that; she’s an actual cage fighter: fast and strong and insanely smart with amazing instincts! Her witty retorts and cutting rejoinders are utterly amusing even when she’s just having mental conversations with herself! She’s a lethal, powerhouse combination of brains and brawn and her physical prowess serves her very well in any form.
People, FMCs like this one, written so perfectly in a story like this one, with an arc and supporting characters like those that exist in this book… it’s proof that there is a Higher Power who loves me something awesome! Zasha is bomb.com
We are also introduced to some of our other characters midway through this book. I have 3 favourites - maybe 1 favourite, with the other 2 breaking even at second.
I know that things like honor, valor, loyalty and people protecting and caring deeply for one another has become, seemingly, a rather old-fashioned sentiment, but to the people she meets, it is a second, beautiful nature. They’re not soft by any stretch of the imagination and the connections run deep.
I am so eager for the next book in this series; I need to see where the little cliffy takes us and I need to know what friendships Zasha chooses to foster as she already has 3 fans and 1 snarky, moody mutt (who currently has a pass because life was hard, right?) And I do hate a cliffy, even in a series, but everything about these characters and everything I have learnt as I read made me yearn to know more.
I am fully invested in this amazing new series. I hope you’ll join me for the ride. That way you’ll be there with me when they catch the bad, bad kidnappy wackadoodles and Zasha rips their heads and spinal cords from their bodies. Fun times folks, fun times! 😉
January 27, 2022
Gritty and good!
This was a great start to a new series - Zasha's character is stubborn and she's a fighter through and through. Quannah is fantastically complex and I loved also having his POV so we could see everything he had to weigh and process in order to make decisions.
I liked having Gideon's POV as well. As a hunter, he could have been incredibly one-dimensional, but LA had given one of the villains of the book motivation with a story readers will likely be sympathetic to.
Ready for Beta Wolf!
This was a great start to a new series - Zasha's character is stubborn and she's a fighter through and through. Quannah is fantastically complex and I loved also having his POV so we could see everything he had to weigh and process in order to make decisions.
I liked having Gideon's POV as well. As a hunter, he could have been incredibly one-dimensional, but LA had given one of the villains of the book motivation with a story readers will likely be sympathetic to.
Ready for Beta Wolf!
September 15, 2021
survival
An amazing, exciting adventure full of magical creatures, dark magic, evil villains, wolf shifters, and a grieving girl! Captured, tortured, changed, and force to fight for survival, refusing to give euphoria become evil she will battle to survive! It will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat?
An amazing, exciting adventure full of magical creatures, dark magic, evil villains, wolf shifters, and a grieving girl! Captured, tortured, changed, and force to fight for survival, refusing to give euphoria become evil she will battle to survive! It will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat?
Want to read
September 13, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/13/2021)! 🎁
August 24, 2021
Took a bit to get into
Took me about 1/2 the book to actually get into it & I’m glad I stuck it out. The book is good and I’m excited to read #2. For new readers, the beginning just had a lot of extra detail that will probably be important in the future- it was just hard to get through the first 1/2. Once you do that- it’s worth it.
Took me about 1/2 the book to actually get into it & I’m glad I stuck it out. The book is good and I’m excited to read #2. For new readers, the beginning just had a lot of extra detail that will probably be important in the future- it was just hard to get through the first 1/2. Once you do that- it’s worth it.
December 28, 2021
Curiouser and curiouser
Zasha is a fighter. Literally. She was raised by her dad and several of his "brothers" to be able to take care of herself. She took those skills into the octagon. She fights MMA, kickboxing, whatever has a prize purse and lets her vent on someone else. But all her skills don't help when some magic wielding weasel zaps her. It feels like her body, soul and mind are shredding. But what really floors her is when she wakes up on 4 legs with a fur coat. And then they toss her into the arena to battle 2 more wolves. What fresh hell is this?And who does she have to kill to get out of here?
Spoilers ahead.
This one came out swinging and didn't stop. We have wolf shifters- ones who are born that way, werewolves- bitten and often aggressive and dangerous, mages, Hunters- a society dedicated to hunting wolves and not able to differentiate between shifters and weres, and the Pound- the arena where she was that has magic wielders and humans working together creating wolves for their bloodsport. So, a lot of moving parts. Zasha never stops fighting. She's smart about it though, and is willing to wait for the best moment. We get a really good bit of information while this non-stop action is going on, too. Rotating POV fills in the blanks, insights and character backgrounds. All this happens across the span of maybe 5-6 days but it feels like so much more, because of the way it's all laid out. You have a lot thrown at you, but it's easy to absorb and flow with. Dialogue doesn't drop, repeat unnecessary bits ad nauseam, even as wolves they're communicating verbally and mentally. The interesting part is what Zasha has become shouldn't exist. Those magically changed go mad and die fast. But she's absorbed the power that made her, is healing, and can shift back and forth. I'm definitely interested enough that I've already got the next lined up. What a great find after the recent disappointments I've come across.
Zasha is a fighter. Literally. She was raised by her dad and several of his "brothers" to be able to take care of herself. She took those skills into the octagon. She fights MMA, kickboxing, whatever has a prize purse and lets her vent on someone else. But all her skills don't help when some magic wielding weasel zaps her. It feels like her body, soul and mind are shredding. But what really floors her is when she wakes up on 4 legs with a fur coat. And then they toss her into the arena to battle 2 more wolves. What fresh hell is this?And who does she have to kill to get out of here?
Spoilers ahead.
This one came out swinging and didn't stop. We have wolf shifters- ones who are born that way, werewolves- bitten and often aggressive and dangerous, mages, Hunters- a society dedicated to hunting wolves and not able to differentiate between shifters and weres, and the Pound- the arena where she was that has magic wielders and humans working together creating wolves for their bloodsport. So, a lot of moving parts. Zasha never stops fighting. She's smart about it though, and is willing to wait for the best moment. We get a really good bit of information while this non-stop action is going on, too. Rotating POV fills in the blanks, insights and character backgrounds. All this happens across the span of maybe 5-6 days but it feels like so much more, because of the way it's all laid out. You have a lot thrown at you, but it's easy to absorb and flow with. Dialogue doesn't drop, repeat unnecessary bits ad nauseam, even as wolves they're communicating verbally and mentally. The interesting part is what Zasha has become shouldn't exist. Those magically changed go mad and die fast. But she's absorbed the power that made her, is healing, and can shift back and forth. I'm definitely interested enough that I've already got the next lined up. What a great find after the recent disappointments I've come across.
June 8, 2021
synopsis is the whole book dude
*mild spoilers to explain the rating*
2.5 for me because if I’d bought this book, I would’ve been disappointed. But since it’s a KU read, I’m just going to critique it and move on to the next book as if the story never ended.
So I’m mostly disappointed for the following:
In the first 40% of the book, she’s at the Pound. The book gave me the impression that the Pound rescue was just the beginning of the story. I didn’t think it would be the WHOLE story. By the time they get out and to pack lands, half the book is already ending. It’s literally her getting kidnapped, turned, rescued, and kept on their lands until they go looking for their alpha. And nothing lasts more than a day. Honestly. And then it ENDS right there on a “cliffhanger”. I say “cliffhanger” because it’s not even a cliffhanger, the book just ends in the middle of nothing and you have to get the second book to continue with the story.
I would have been so irritated had I got this book. But thanks to my subscription, I could care less about how it ends because I have the luxury to pretend I’m still reading when I get the next book.
As a non-KU recommend, I say don’t do it. It’s not worth it. Book is cut up, it takes forever to describe her day at the Pound but zips through everything else, and the tension is so forced it’s not even funny. I hate leaving things unfinished so I’m going to continue. As a KU reader, I’d say why not try it. The story plot was obviously really interesting to me. A lot of work needs to be done. There was potential.
*mild spoilers to explain the rating*
2.5 for me because if I’d bought this book, I would’ve been disappointed. But since it’s a KU read, I’m just going to critique it and move on to the next book as if the story never ended.
So I’m mostly disappointed for the following:
In the first 40% of the book, she’s at the Pound. The book gave me the impression that the Pound rescue was just the beginning of the story. I didn’t think it would be the WHOLE story. By the time they get out and to pack lands, half the book is already ending. It’s literally her getting kidnapped, turned, rescued, and kept on their lands until they go looking for their alpha. And nothing lasts more than a day. Honestly. And then it ENDS right there on a “cliffhanger”. I say “cliffhanger” because it’s not even a cliffhanger, the book just ends in the middle of nothing and you have to get the second book to continue with the story.
I would have been so irritated had I got this book. But thanks to my subscription, I could care less about how it ends because I have the luxury to pretend I’m still reading when I get the next book.
As a non-KU recommend, I say don’t do it. It’s not worth it. Book is cut up, it takes forever to describe her day at the Pound but zips through everything else, and the tension is so forced it’s not even funny. I hate leaving things unfinished so I’m going to continue. As a KU reader, I’d say why not try it. The story plot was obviously really interesting to me. A lot of work needs to be done. There was potential.
April 20, 2021
I liked the heroine a lot. She was tough and feisty and knew how to defend herself and was not willing to give up but also had her heart in the right place. The beta seemed like a pretty cool guy too. Sometimes it was a bit annoying how in dangerous situations he kept focusing on her boobs but maybe that really is the thinking pattern of a man.
The plot is new and creative and doesn’t have any cringe typical werewolf stuff in it (like the wolf suddenly being super possessive and only thinking about sex, etc)
The reason why I’m only giving it 3 stars is that it was kind of slow. I know Lucia was being descriptive but I kept skipping parts cause sometimes she would repeat herself or describe the exact same thing from another persons perspective and that was kind of exhausting.
Also, some of the characters were a little lame. Like one was called Kisha and she was constantly angry and picking on Zasha even though she’d done nothing to provoke it and it just seemed unnecessary.
And why do you take the injured wolves with you on a rescue mission??? They just seem so hot headed at that moment and it annoys me when smart thinking just gets thrown out of the window. Tbh their entire safety system isn’t very good considering they’re “one of the strongest packs in...”. But for the most part I liked the book.
The plot is new and creative and doesn’t have any cringe typical werewolf stuff in it (like the wolf suddenly being super possessive and only thinking about sex, etc)
The reason why I’m only giving it 3 stars is that it was kind of slow. I know Lucia was being descriptive but I kept skipping parts cause sometimes she would repeat herself or describe the exact same thing from another persons perspective and that was kind of exhausting.
Also, some of the characters were a little lame. Like one was called Kisha and she was constantly angry and picking on Zasha even though she’d done nothing to provoke it and it just seemed unnecessary.
And why do you take the injured wolves with you on a rescue mission??? They just seem so hot headed at that moment and it annoys me when smart thinking just gets thrown out of the window. Tbh their entire safety system isn’t very good considering they’re “one of the strongest packs in...”. But for the most part I liked the book.
March 28, 2022
Wrapped in deep grief, minutes after her father died, cage-fighter Zasha Volkov is overpowered by a gaggle of men and spelled. Waking, aware her body is full of dark magic but unsure what was done, Zasha realizes when she looks down at her hands and realizes they’re paws! Tuning into her captors, Zasha hears defying the odds, she’d been magicked into a wolf!
Zasha is magicked into a cage to battle Ty and Kisha of the Smoky Mountain pack, who’d been searching for three missing members for six months. Rumors of the Pound’s location, where real and magic forged wolves are forced into death matches, reach them. Pack beta, Quannah Shaw arrives to wreak vengeance as the three wolves face-off center stage.
For the first time in 32years, Gideon was elated when Quannah walked through the door. The anti-shifter society he was a part of was anxious to get the Smoky Mountain pack and that particular pack had been Gideon’s personal goal for years. Meanwhile, pack alpha, Corin stops for gas on his way home and he’s recognized by Gideon at the next pump.
Rating: 3.75stars
Zasha is magicked into a cage to battle Ty and Kisha of the Smoky Mountain pack, who’d been searching for three missing members for six months. Rumors of the Pound’s location, where real and magic forged wolves are forced into death matches, reach them. Pack beta, Quannah Shaw arrives to wreak vengeance as the three wolves face-off center stage.
For the first time in 32years, Gideon was elated when Quannah walked through the door. The anti-shifter society he was a part of was anxious to get the Smoky Mountain pack and that particular pack had been Gideon’s personal goal for years. Meanwhile, pack alpha, Corin stops for gas on his way home and he’s recognized by Gideon at the next pump.
Rating: 3.75stars
April 20, 2021
Surprise find
The first few pages in, I had a bad taste in my mouth reading this book. There was too much repetition with our main heroine thoughts and words that I became skeptical. However, its a few brief pages and then the action starts. It doesn't let up either. What I read wasn't even close to what I was expecting. I may have confused this story with another one because I thought the alpha was her potential mate. We don't even meet him. We get a glimpse and that's it so I was just puzzled. Our h has a shady past that isn't fully explained. Her mom is gone, her dad called her a name that means "little wolf", and her uncles are all well built big men. Hmm. Sounds all too "shifty" for me. (Yeah I wrote that). Who are the evil magic people? Why does h have a connection to this pack though she's not a member? Why on earth was the alpha traveling alone? Hello, wolves travel in packs...fishy stuff. Good read!
The first few pages in, I had a bad taste in my mouth reading this book. There was too much repetition with our main heroine thoughts and words that I became skeptical. However, its a few brief pages and then the action starts. It doesn't let up either. What I read wasn't even close to what I was expecting. I may have confused this story with another one because I thought the alpha was her potential mate. We don't even meet him. We get a glimpse and that's it so I was just puzzled. Our h has a shady past that isn't fully explained. Her mom is gone, her dad called her a name that means "little wolf", and her uncles are all well built big men. Hmm. Sounds all too "shifty" for me. (Yeah I wrote that). Who are the evil magic people? Why does h have a connection to this pack though she's not a member? Why on earth was the alpha traveling alone? Hello, wolves travel in packs...fishy stuff. Good read!
February 25, 2024
Not your typical shifter book
A young woman named Zasha has just suffered a loss and is walking around getting some air when she gets jumped. Raised to be a fighter, typically this wouldn't be a big deal, until one of them hits her with something she HASN'T learned to fight against: Magic.
She is made into a shifter and expected to fight other wolves until a group comes in to rescue a few of them and brings her with them. Magically made wolves aren't supposed to exist. They aren't meant to survive either the magic or the shift, but somehow, she survives both. The pack that rescued her isn't exactly sure what to do with her, but they have bigger issues to worry about. They're being hunted, a member of their pack is missing, and they're getting ready for a fight. Though it may not be the kind of fight she's used to, Zasha isn't going to just sit back and watch. She's mad at the hunters for what they did to her, and she's going to fight right alongside the others.
A young woman named Zasha has just suffered a loss and is walking around getting some air when she gets jumped. Raised to be a fighter, typically this wouldn't be a big deal, until one of them hits her with something she HASN'T learned to fight against: Magic.
She is made into a shifter and expected to fight other wolves until a group comes in to rescue a few of them and brings her with them. Magically made wolves aren't supposed to exist. They aren't meant to survive either the magic or the shift, but somehow, she survives both. The pack that rescued her isn't exactly sure what to do with her, but they have bigger issues to worry about. They're being hunted, a member of their pack is missing, and they're getting ready for a fight. Though it may not be the kind of fight she's used to, Zasha isn't going to just sit back and watch. She's mad at the hunters for what they did to her, and she's going to fight right alongside the others.
May 26, 2021
Good
It's a little slow, but I appreciate the time and care she took in building her story. I am so very happy to be reading a shifter romance with a Native as our love interest! I just hope she builds more on that aspect of his character in future books. I love the plot, it's very unique as far as I'm concerned. A cage fighter magically turned wolf and forced to fight in an underground wolf fight? Hell yeah! Come to find out our heroine is something special, I'm banking on future alpha. The world of shifters NEEDS more female alphas! Feminism for the win! I'm hoping that we get more than just innuendo for the romance bit, because she has done a great job building the tension between these two. I have a feeling that the next book will be even better. Five out of five stars to Forged Wolf.
It's a little slow, but I appreciate the time and care she took in building her story. I am so very happy to be reading a shifter romance with a Native as our love interest! I just hope she builds more on that aspect of his character in future books. I love the plot, it's very unique as far as I'm concerned. A cage fighter magically turned wolf and forced to fight in an underground wolf fight? Hell yeah! Come to find out our heroine is something special, I'm banking on future alpha. The world of shifters NEEDS more female alphas! Feminism for the win! I'm hoping that we get more than just innuendo for the romance bit, because she has done a great job building the tension between these two. I have a feeling that the next book will be even better. Five out of five stars to Forged Wolf.
July 26, 2021
PROS
- I’ve read a lot of shifter books that mostly have similar plots but this is the first time I’ve read one where wolves are pitted to fight each other just like dog fights. This new spin on shifter stories was a breath of fresh air.
- transforming people into wolves, fight pits, fights and rescues made this an exciting book. I was so enthralled that I couldn’t believe I was already at 80%. I felt like I only would have been at 60%.
- like the author’s writing style. She writes vivid details but not long winded. The details that are provided are only the necessary ones and not additional fluff. Zascha’s first shift was very descriptive and it is probably the best description of a human shifting that I’ve read.
CONS
- Zascha accepts being a wolf a little too fast. She kind of acts like it is just a bump in the road.
- I’ve read a lot of shifter books that mostly have similar plots but this is the first time I’ve read one where wolves are pitted to fight each other just like dog fights. This new spin on shifter stories was a breath of fresh air.
- transforming people into wolves, fight pits, fights and rescues made this an exciting book. I was so enthralled that I couldn’t believe I was already at 80%. I felt like I only would have been at 60%.
- like the author’s writing style. She writes vivid details but not long winded. The details that are provided are only the necessary ones and not additional fluff. Zascha’s first shift was very descriptive and it is probably the best description of a human shifting that I’ve read.
CONS
- Zascha accepts being a wolf a little too fast. She kind of acts like it is just a bump in the road.
February 27, 2021
I love kick-a** heroines in an urban fantasy or paranormal setting. Give me one who in (involuntarily turned into) a wolf shifter in an exciting adventure written by someone, Lucía Ashta, who simply excels at these sorts of tales? I’m soo there. I loved Zasha, the star of Forged Wolf (Smoky Mountain Pack, Book 1). With her cage fighter background this gal is the ideal kick-a** heroine, and a total wake up call fir the pack she ends up with and the nasties they need to desk with. A feeling thrill ride of a tale with a great cast snd story line. It’s left me drooling for book 2 and I’m very happy to recommend this book 1.
March 2, 2021
Fast-paced and enticing read
I was sucked in from the first few pages. I couldn't stop reading. Zasha's character is strong and fiery, but also smart. The idea of a magic made shifter was interesting and especially so when it became apparent it was unnatural in the world the author created. The Beta( can't remember how to spell his name) is slowly gaining my respect. I wasn't sure about him after his initial decision to leave Zasha behind. Gideon I just don't like. He is too focused\obsessed with his revenge. Can't wait to see what happens!! ( especially between the Beta and Zasha )
I was sucked in from the first few pages. I couldn't stop reading. Zasha's character is strong and fiery, but also smart. The idea of a magic made shifter was interesting and especially so when it became apparent it was unnatural in the world the author created. The Beta( can't remember how to spell his name) is slowly gaining my respect. I wasn't sure about him after his initial decision to leave Zasha behind. Gideon I just don't like. He is too focused\obsessed with his revenge. Can't wait to see what happens!! ( especially between the Beta and Zasha )
November 5, 2023
4 stars
Enjoyed this new author and story. I was drawn right in to the story. Love the MC Zasha, she is strong and feisty. As she was dealing with the death of her father she is kidnapped and changed into a werewolf by dark magic. She is forced to fight in a match to the death against other captive wolves. She is reluctantly rescued by the Smokey Mountain pack. Loved the characters and the action. There is just a little world building in this one but it's enough to set up the next book. We do get to see the MC's strength and character. And I look forward to seeing what happens in the next book.
Enjoyed this new author and story. I was drawn right in to the story. Love the MC Zasha, she is strong and feisty. As she was dealing with the death of her father she is kidnapped and changed into a werewolf by dark magic. She is forced to fight in a match to the death against other captive wolves. She is reluctantly rescued by the Smokey Mountain pack. Loved the characters and the action. There is just a little world building in this one but it's enough to set up the next book. We do get to see the MC's strength and character. And I look forward to seeing what happens in the next book.
February 14, 2021
I voluntarily review an ARC.
This is the first book of the Smoky Mountains Pack series, the books should be read in order.
I confess I'm not the biggest fan of shifter stories. But Lucía Ashta did it again - she created a new world so interesting it doesn't matter what you thought you liked before.
If you decide to read this series (and anyone really should) make sure you have the time to read it in one sitting. It's almost impossible to put it away to do something boring like eat, work or sleep.
Sometimes I wonder if there's something like magic involved that addicts me to her books...
This is the first book of the Smoky Mountains Pack series, the books should be read in order.
I confess I'm not the biggest fan of shifter stories. But Lucía Ashta did it again - she created a new world so interesting it doesn't matter what you thought you liked before.
If you decide to read this series (and anyone really should) make sure you have the time to read it in one sitting. It's almost impossible to put it away to do something boring like eat, work or sleep.
Sometimes I wonder if there's something like magic involved that addicts me to her books...
February 20, 2021
Great start to a series, I always love the descriptions in books like this author gives, it makes it feel like your are in the book. Zasha is definitely a fighter, on the worst day after losing her father she lets her guard down and is kidnapped. A adventure happens to her even though the fist part of it is by bad people she eventually meants Quannah and i won’t give anything away but lots of action and i’m glad to see Zasha remained a fighter with what happened and looking forward to the next book.
March 31, 2021
Forged Wolf... Paranormal With A Bite!
"Zasha registered only one thing: this wolf planned to kill her. And it seemed the only way to stop her was to kill her first.
Zasha cleared her mind of any ideas of fear, embraced the readiness of her instincts, and coiled her muscles. She’d trained to fight all her life. Zasha was a warrior.
And warriors overcame … until they died." - Zasha
Brutally graphic, this novel will transport you into a world unlike any other. It will leave your head spinning!
"Zasha registered only one thing: this wolf planned to kill her. And it seemed the only way to stop her was to kill her first.
Zasha cleared her mind of any ideas of fear, embraced the readiness of her instincts, and coiled her muscles. She’d trained to fight all her life. Zasha was a warrior.
And warriors overcame … until they died." - Zasha
Brutally graphic, this novel will transport you into a world unlike any other. It will leave your head spinning!
April 24, 2021
Forged Wolf, book 1 of the Smoky Mountain Pack series, is an ebook I downloaded from Kindle Unlimited. I really like the story line--very unusual with great set up for layers and depth between characters. This book was fast-paced and I never was sure where the author was taking me. I will say, there are some information conflicts between this book and book 2. While this didn't lessen my enjoyment, it did slow down and interrupt the pace when I had to go back to re-read portions. Don't let this stop you from grabbing the book, just be aware there are a couple things out of sync.
May 15, 2021
It’s alright
DNF at 84%. I just got mentally tired of it. There was so much repeating monologue. So much. Also, why were there so many POVs??? I didn’t know who was who. Why was the story told from the perspective of the bad guy. I skipped his chapters. Everybody and their freaking mother had a chapter. And when I finally stopped I looked to see what percentage I was at (guessing 30) and it was 84! Thought my eyes were gonna pop out my head. So in conclusion. Short, confusing book.
DNF at 84%. I just got mentally tired of it. There was so much repeating monologue. So much. Also, why were there so many POVs??? I didn’t know who was who. Why was the story told from the perspective of the bad guy. I skipped his chapters. Everybody and their freaking mother had a chapter. And when I finally stopped I looked to see what percentage I was at (guessing 30) and it was 84! Thought my eyes were gonna pop out my head. So in conclusion. Short, confusing book.
July 8, 2021
Violent adventure
You know from the description that horrible things are going to happen to our heroes in this novel. If you can't handle that, don't buy it. There is a hint of romance, but just that. I'd call this book epic fantasy or thriller fantasy.
This is the first book in a series, and nothing is resolved. I'm not sure "cliffhanger" is the right word for the ending, but "stand alone" this novel isn't. Luckily, the next novel in the series is available.
Be prepared to keep reading.
You know from the description that horrible things are going to happen to our heroes in this novel. If you can't handle that, don't buy it. There is a hint of romance, but just that. I'd call this book epic fantasy or thriller fantasy.
This is the first book in a series, and nothing is resolved. I'm not sure "cliffhanger" is the right word for the ending, but "stand alone" this novel isn't. Luckily, the next novel in the series is available.
Be prepared to keep reading.
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