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Michael Biörn #1
Shadow Pack Lib/E: A Michael Biorn Novel
Being a top predator is of little use when you are your own worst nightmare. Michael Biörn has known this for a thousand years, and he has been running from the ghosts of his past ever since.
After answering Lieutenant Harrington’s call for help, Michael finds himself in Houston staring at a peculiar crime scene. An expert in preternatural wildlife, Michael immediately identifies the killer as a werewolf. The motivation behind the murder remains unclear, but one thing is certain, Michael has no desire to stick his nose in wolf business. After all, the werewolves have hunted down his kin to the brink of extinction, and as the sole survivor of his kind, he strives to keep a low profile.
Michael’s resolve vanishes when he finds Harrington and his wife savagely murdered in their home. As he sets to unearth the true motivations behind his friends’ slaying, the body count rises, and Michael soon becomes a suspect in the eyes of the law. But the police are the least of his concerns; the werewolves have uncovered his true nature, and they are coming for him.
After answering Lieutenant Harrington’s call for help, Michael finds himself in Houston staring at a peculiar crime scene. An expert in preternatural wildlife, Michael immediately identifies the killer as a werewolf. The motivation behind the murder remains unclear, but one thing is certain, Michael has no desire to stick his nose in wolf business. After all, the werewolves have hunted down his kin to the brink of extinction, and as the sole survivor of his kind, he strives to keep a low profile.
Michael’s resolve vanishes when he finds Harrington and his wife savagely murdered in their home. As he sets to unearth the true motivations behind his friends’ slaying, the body count rises, and Michael soon becomes a suspect in the eyes of the law. But the police are the least of his concerns; the werewolves have uncovered his true nature, and they are coming for him.
Audio CD
First published July 12, 2013
847 people are currently reading
1360 people want to read
About the author
Marc Daniel
7 books63 followersMarc Daniel is the author of Shadow Pack, an urban fantasy novel and first book of the Michael Biörn series. After spending significant amount of time in Ohio, France, and Montana, Marc is currently living in Texas where he writes as a full time hobby.
Marc developed a taste for mystery novels very young, and was definitely hooked to the genre by age 11 after reading Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. The Queen of Crime's unparalleled talent for mystery has had a strong influence on Marc’s desire to write and this is reflected in his novels. His taste for science fiction literature came a couple years later after stumbling upon The Dreaming Jewls by Theodore Sturgeon. Simak, Asimov, Van Vogt, Zimmer Bradley, Wells, Bradburry followed in short order. Marc was 18 when he read Frank Herbert’s Dune, his first space opera, and was immediately fascinated by the genre. He spent the next few years reading Space opera sagas almost exclusively (Herbert, Anderson, Bordage, etc) with the exception of the occasional Agatha Christie. He discovered fantasy much later at age 25 with Tolkien’s Lord Of The Rings trilogy. In the years following, his reading started gravitating more and more towards this literary style. Surprisingly enough, it took Marc another eight years to read his first urban fantasy, Patricia Brigg’s Moon Called, and to realize he wanted more. Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series partially tamed his appetite but his thirst could only be quenched by writing his own series. A year later, Shadow Pack was born.
Marc is currently working on book #2 of the Michael Biörn series and is having way too much fun with the story line.
Marc developed a taste for mystery novels very young, and was definitely hooked to the genre by age 11 after reading Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. The Queen of Crime's unparalleled talent for mystery has had a strong influence on Marc’s desire to write and this is reflected in his novels. His taste for science fiction literature came a couple years later after stumbling upon The Dreaming Jewls by Theodore Sturgeon. Simak, Asimov, Van Vogt, Zimmer Bradley, Wells, Bradburry followed in short order. Marc was 18 when he read Frank Herbert’s Dune, his first space opera, and was immediately fascinated by the genre. He spent the next few years reading Space opera sagas almost exclusively (Herbert, Anderson, Bordage, etc) with the exception of the occasional Agatha Christie. He discovered fantasy much later at age 25 with Tolkien’s Lord Of The Rings trilogy. In the years following, his reading started gravitating more and more towards this literary style. Surprisingly enough, it took Marc another eight years to read his first urban fantasy, Patricia Brigg’s Moon Called, and to realize he wanted more. Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series partially tamed his appetite but his thirst could only be quenched by writing his own series. A year later, Shadow Pack was born.
Marc is currently working on book #2 of the Michael Biörn series and is having way too much fun with the story line.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
June 28, 2018
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
DNF at 48%. I couldn't finish this book. I did not care for the multi-point of views. Every single character has some chapters in this book, and there is a ton of chapters, and for me that took away from the quality of the book. I did not one star this because it has a very interesting storyline but seems extremely long and drawn out. I just wanted to get to the point already. The beginning makes this big mystery out of what Michael is and when its finally revealed it's like it's no big deal. I didn't care for any of the characters at all.
DNF at 48%. I couldn't finish this book. I did not care for the multi-point of views. Every single character has some chapters in this book, and there is a ton of chapters, and for me that took away from the quality of the book. I did not one star this because it has a very interesting storyline but seems extremely long and drawn out. I just wanted to get to the point already. The beginning makes this big mystery out of what Michael is and when its finally revealed it's like it's no big deal. I didn't care for any of the characters at all.
January 29, 2014
Eclectic urban fantasy that’s raw, edgy and wonderfully original
As darkly captivating as the front cover Shadow Pack could be called a paranormal thriller or crime novel with a contemporary fantasy ‘twist’. With a cast of unforgettable characters and an innovative, different take on classic creatures this unique story is supremely singular and quite remarkable.
Main character Michael Biörn appears to be your average mid-forty year old National Park Ranger and yet there is much more to him than initially meets the eye. At over 1,000 years old and a ‘Shifter’ Michael hides many secrets, all of which come to light in the wake of recent events and the brutal murder of his close friend. Lieutenant Steve Harrington is initiated {basically he knows about Wolves} and yet the presence of other Praeternatural Creatures including Werewolves, Vampires, Witches and Sorcerers are all unknown to him. As well as the existence of magic within the world that Marc Daniel has created, there are also many Supernatural beings too like Warlocks, Wizards, Elves and Mages to name but a few including the Wizard ’Ezekiel’ who goes to Michael’s aid. Lurking in Sam Houston Forest is a pack of Werewolves who work alongside a sinister Russian Mob, as well as other deadly foes dwelling beneath the shadows of this thoroughly contemporary city backdrop.
In the midst of several murders Michael finds the trail leading to other Wolves and linking his all but forgotten past irrevocably with the dangerous present…
The highly imaginative way in which the author combines all kinds of paranormal/ fantasy creatures within a modern-day setting is utterly extraordinary and like nothing I have encountered before. The Wolf packs with the Omega’s and Alpha, Michael {a shifter who also Morphs into Wolf form} and the presence of Vampires creates a distinct supernatural feel to what otherwise is a crime investigation. As a fan of the Da Vinci Code and First grave on the right etc. I liked how this novel cleverly merges together crime with a mystical otherworldly backdrop. Sprinkled amid the scintillating storyline were little inspired nuggets; such as how detective David Starks was Initiated or how Sheriff Max Zelwager was actually an Omega! Little elements such as these added to the overall drama and intricacy of the well-written, exquisitely complex plot and fantastic world building.
As a lover of Urban Fantasy fiction, Darynda Jones novels and Werewolves 100% I literally consumed this dazzling debut with eager enthusiasm for both the genre and the magnetic unusual storyline. Short sharp chapters and punchy prose makes this highly readable, engrossing story a quick read that is so deliciously addictive and interesting you will find it incredibly hard to put down! Not only was I eager to solve the riddle by placing all the pieces of this deftly woven, intricately detailed plot together but I was equally as fascinated by the paranormal components and dark fantasy side of this multilayered tale.
I am so impressed by the first Michael Biörn novel {which I won through a Goodreads, first-read giveaway} hence I cannot wait to read more in this series!!
As darkly captivating as the front cover Shadow Pack could be called a paranormal thriller or crime novel with a contemporary fantasy ‘twist’. With a cast of unforgettable characters and an innovative, different take on classic creatures this unique story is supremely singular and quite remarkable.
Main character Michael Biörn appears to be your average mid-forty year old National Park Ranger and yet there is much more to him than initially meets the eye. At over 1,000 years old and a ‘Shifter’ Michael hides many secrets, all of which come to light in the wake of recent events and the brutal murder of his close friend. Lieutenant Steve Harrington is initiated {basically he knows about Wolves} and yet the presence of other Praeternatural Creatures including Werewolves, Vampires, Witches and Sorcerers are all unknown to him. As well as the existence of magic within the world that Marc Daniel has created, there are also many Supernatural beings too like Warlocks, Wizards, Elves and Mages to name but a few including the Wizard ’Ezekiel’ who goes to Michael’s aid. Lurking in Sam Houston Forest is a pack of Werewolves who work alongside a sinister Russian Mob, as well as other deadly foes dwelling beneath the shadows of this thoroughly contemporary city backdrop.
In the midst of several murders Michael finds the trail leading to other Wolves and linking his all but forgotten past irrevocably with the dangerous present…
The highly imaginative way in which the author combines all kinds of paranormal/ fantasy creatures within a modern-day setting is utterly extraordinary and like nothing I have encountered before. The Wolf packs with the Omega’s and Alpha, Michael {a shifter who also Morphs into Wolf form} and the presence of Vampires creates a distinct supernatural feel to what otherwise is a crime investigation. As a fan of the Da Vinci Code and First grave on the right etc. I liked how this novel cleverly merges together crime with a mystical otherworldly backdrop. Sprinkled amid the scintillating storyline were little inspired nuggets; such as how detective David Starks was Initiated or how Sheriff Max Zelwager was actually an Omega! Little elements such as these added to the overall drama and intricacy of the well-written, exquisitely complex plot and fantastic world building.
As a lover of Urban Fantasy fiction, Darynda Jones novels and Werewolves 100% I literally consumed this dazzling debut with eager enthusiasm for both the genre and the magnetic unusual storyline. Short sharp chapters and punchy prose makes this highly readable, engrossing story a quick read that is so deliciously addictive and interesting you will find it incredibly hard to put down! Not only was I eager to solve the riddle by placing all the pieces of this deftly woven, intricately detailed plot together but I was equally as fascinated by the paranormal components and dark fantasy side of this multilayered tale.
I am so impressed by the first Michael Biörn novel {which I won through a Goodreads, first-read giveaway} hence I cannot wait to read more in this series!!
June 11, 2014
I received this book in exchange for an honest review (Lovers of Paranormal)
******WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS************
I will try my best not to give TOO Much away.
So, the main character of this book is Michael Biorn (whom I absolutely LOVED). Michael is a park ranger at Yellowstone, but is called in by his friend to help investigate a murder case. The reason? The perp is assumed to be a wolf, and Michael is a wolf expert. The real story: the perp is suspected to be a WEREWOLF and Michael is an expert in all things preternatural. In fact, Michael himself is not quite.......human. Things get even more complicated when his friend gets killed as well, and the werewolves find out Michaels true nature. SO not only is Michael trying to solve this case and catch his friends murderer, he's also fighting of his own life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. For the first few chapters, I was a little confused because there were so many characters introduced in the beginning and it kind of bounced around back and forth. But less than halfway through, I caught up to what was going on and then got swept away by the story. AND I guessed Michael's true nature before it was revealed!! I was so excited I screamed "I knew it! I knew he was a ________!" so loudly that my daughters came running and wanted to know who I was talking about and wanted to see pictures.
And just when you think you have it all figured out and the end is coming, the author gives us that final piece of the puzzle that clicks everything into place. I was like "OH my gosh.....how did I not see that?" I even went backwards in the book a few times trying to catch clues I missed!!!
The writing, story, and characters of this book are all excellent. And the author introduced a new preternatural aspect thats not normally written about.
I am also thrilled that this is book 1 of a series (right? Yes. Please write more, Marc Dainels PLEASE.)
I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars!
******WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS************
I will try my best not to give TOO Much away.
So, the main character of this book is Michael Biorn (whom I absolutely LOVED). Michael is a park ranger at Yellowstone, but is called in by his friend to help investigate a murder case. The reason? The perp is assumed to be a wolf, and Michael is a wolf expert. The real story: the perp is suspected to be a WEREWOLF and Michael is an expert in all things preternatural. In fact, Michael himself is not quite.......human. Things get even more complicated when his friend gets killed as well, and the werewolves find out Michaels true nature. SO not only is Michael trying to solve this case and catch his friends murderer, he's also fighting of his own life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. For the first few chapters, I was a little confused because there were so many characters introduced in the beginning and it kind of bounced around back and forth. But less than halfway through, I caught up to what was going on and then got swept away by the story. AND I guessed Michael's true nature before it was revealed!! I was so excited I screamed "I knew it! I knew he was a ________!" so loudly that my daughters came running and wanted to know who I was talking about and wanted to see pictures.
And just when you think you have it all figured out and the end is coming, the author gives us that final piece of the puzzle that clicks everything into place. I was like "OH my gosh.....how did I not see that?" I even went backwards in the book a few times trying to catch clues I missed!!!
The writing, story, and characters of this book are all excellent. And the author introduced a new preternatural aspect thats not normally written about.
I am also thrilled that this is book 1 of a series (right? Yes. Please write more, Marc Dainels PLEASE.)
I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars!
January 26, 2019
Sadly, not very good.
Shame really because I love a good shifter book, but sadly this wasn't one of them. I didn't really get the point of this being about shifters which in my opinion should be at least either scary and fill you with dread or hot or preferably both, otherwise what is the point! There wasn't anything anchoring the reader to the story, no character building, no emotion, no humour, bland dialogue. The main character needs to be padded out and given a personality so that the reader can give a damn and the plot needs to stop jumping around! And less stupid chapters cutting into the narrative. If the authors wants to write more books but especially in this genre, and be successful, he needs to invest some effort into the subject and not just add a few truly rubbish werewolves to a bland mediocre story and call it urban fantasy to sell a few books.
Shame really because I love a good shifter book, but sadly this wasn't one of them. I didn't really get the point of this being about shifters which in my opinion should be at least either scary and fill you with dread or hot or preferably both, otherwise what is the point! There wasn't anything anchoring the reader to the story, no character building, no emotion, no humour, bland dialogue. The main character needs to be padded out and given a personality so that the reader can give a damn and the plot needs to stop jumping around! And less stupid chapters cutting into the narrative. If the authors wants to write more books but especially in this genre, and be successful, he needs to invest some effort into the subject and not just add a few truly rubbish werewolves to a bland mediocre story and call it urban fantasy to sell a few books.
May 3, 2019
This was good up until Sheila decided to follow Michael into the Yellowstone National Forest, where he was going to do battle with 30 or more werewolves BUT the wolves got her first and I wished at that point that they would kill her. That was the stupidest thing the author could have written. Ruined the entire book as far as I’m concerned. At 62% I was tempted to stop reading I was so mad at where the author took this. But I soldiered on and finished it.
I liked Michael (the 800-pound bear-shifter, which was supposed to be extinct,) Ezekiel, (the powerful wizard) and Lewis and Salazar (the two detectives) but I didn’t like Sheila or Olivia because the author made them TSTL. I liked the story-line and was totally surprised at who the REAL baddie was. Never would have thought that!
It was all about a shifter who was killing off humans and other shifters because he wanted to take over Houston. He was delusional but he achieved a lot to reach his goals before he met up with Michael.
Some reviewers didn’t like all the different characters, but I did. I liked that I was able to read what every person was doing and thinking and saying, whether it was Michael, the bad guys, Sheila (the stupid reporter) Olivia (the college student who thought she could kill a werewolf) or the cops. Yeah, it did have 165 chapters but so what! What difference can that possibly make? Why is that even mentioned in a review?
There was no romance whatsoever and the F-bomb was used 10 times.
As to the narration: John McLain has a very nice reading voice, but he needs a little help with his female voices. And maybe a little more emotion when he read.
June 17, 2018
Wow. I loved this book. I want more! This is a great shifter book. I had problems getting it downloaded, but it was so worth it. You will not believe what Michael is. He is an amazing man and not human. He has to figure who killed his best friend and why. This starts a long journey that includes many colorful characters. Some are human some are not. If you like mystery with the elements of the supernatural I think you will like this one.
January 29, 2020
This was a good read. The story was well written and the characters as well. I found the storyline interesting and it kept my attention. I would recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 19, 2025
Not awful, but just okay. Plus, the author feels the need to describe the physical appearance of all the women characters in a way that is wince-ey. I guess I shouldn't be surprised in a book in which the main character is so Manly and debunked wolf dominance structures are in play.
January 23, 2019
Why is this fantastic work nearly perfect? Magic, it is the downfall of so many books that I read. Magic is the crutch that can do anything at any time it is needed doing. Shadow Pack missed this downfall but just barely. I am hopeful for the rest of the series. I hope, sincerely, that Mr. Daniel doesn't fall into that trap.
I highly recommend this book with the caution about magic.
I highly recommend this book with the caution about magic.
January 24, 2020
I got about 37% into this book, and went to read the reviews to check my assumptions, because it was highly recommended, and I was starting (!) to wonder 'why?'
Hmm. A lot of five stars - and a LOT of reviews. So I read the reviews. Okay - are we reading the same book?
So now I am about 60% into this book, and it increasingly looks like a DNF for me - which is pretty rare. And I am SERIOUSLY wondering about the people who gave this opus five stars.
What this reminds me of - forceably so - is a self-published book I read a few years ago, by a 19 year old girl. That one was a fantasy with dragons and a severe case of plot stealing from the Bible. But she did have a nice turn of phrase, occasionally, and I thought she had promise as a writer, with some more experience, and the use of a really good editor.
The following might be spoilers, but it doesn't matter, I don't think:
How many main character point of views can one book sustain, anyway? So far I have counted twelve and I'm not finished with the book yet.
Do I care about them - ANY of them? Not a whole lot - and it doesn't help that two or three of them are ALREADY murdered.
There is plenty of murder in here. Gory, violent, gratuitous murder and death, by ones, by twos and wholesale- especially the cannon fodder, who go down in droves and don't even GET names.
So - this cannot POSSIBLY be a spoiler because it is telegraphed from page one - Michael Biorn is a bear shifter - 'Biorn', get it? I got it. I got it. Really.
The author made double and TRIPLE sure the reader 'got it' from page one. Michael is living in Yellowstone park (hello? bears). He is 6'4" tall (mentioned several times so far) and weighs 300 pounds (that's pretty big for 6'4" and I know that because I once dated a football player about that size).
He has an abnormally acute sense of smell. Also his hair grows extra fast.
THAT IS ALL ON PAGE ONE.
The entire first chapter (or maybe two or three, because this thing has chapters out the kazoo) is purely there to tell you 'Biorn is a bear shifter' because otherwise, the gruesome death of a back country camper by a grizzly HAS NO PLOT SIGNIFICANCE WHATSOEVER.
Yes, by the time you get through that, if you didn't know Biorn was a bear shifter, you weren't paying attention.
Change of scene. Did I mention the multiple POV characters? There are at least twelve - so far.
So, change of scene - completely different characters in a completely different city, cue more bloody deaths.
Change of scene - MORE bloody deaths.
Biorn arrives and meets old buddy, who is just as promptly murdered along with wife - MORE bloody deaths.
Did I mention (no I didn't yet, sorry) that all the women characters are a) young (except a witch who is not), b) stacked and c) really pretty? Unless they are BAD guy women characters, in which case the beauty part is compromised.
What looks to be the 'main love interest of our hero' is nicely described - a, b, c plus 'Asian features' in a VERY not so subtle kind of racist sort of way. I couldn't guess from the name 'Wang' that she just might be Asian?
More murders.
Biorn is not only big, strong, etc, he is also near immune to bullets, which just fall out of him by the dozen after a fight with machine guns (multiple different scenes) AND he can come back to life after being actually dead, which is nice trick.
And since when did wolves and bears have some kind of undying eternal homicidal hatred for each other? They can't have a little meet and greet? Sign a treaty?
Oh please. There is a wizard. His name is Ezekiel. He wears the same clothes as the wizard in DISNEYLAND.
Give me a break.
Did I mention I am 60% into this book? At this point, I just want it to be OVER.
However, if you, dear reader, like violent gory deaths in multiples, and a hero that doesn't seem to actually HAVE any serious challenges in overcoming - everything - and if you enjoy meeting yet another NEW viewpoint character, especially ones who meet a violent death sometimes in the SAME tiny short chapter, then go for it!
I am informed from other reviews that there is a plot twist at the end. At this point, I barely care. I just want it to end.
Hmm. A lot of five stars - and a LOT of reviews. So I read the reviews. Okay - are we reading the same book?
So now I am about 60% into this book, and it increasingly looks like a DNF for me - which is pretty rare. And I am SERIOUSLY wondering about the people who gave this opus five stars.
What this reminds me of - forceably so - is a self-published book I read a few years ago, by a 19 year old girl. That one was a fantasy with dragons and a severe case of plot stealing from the Bible. But she did have a nice turn of phrase, occasionally, and I thought she had promise as a writer, with some more experience, and the use of a really good editor.
The following might be spoilers, but it doesn't matter, I don't think:
How many main character point of views can one book sustain, anyway? So far I have counted twelve and I'm not finished with the book yet.
Do I care about them - ANY of them? Not a whole lot - and it doesn't help that two or three of them are ALREADY murdered.
There is plenty of murder in here. Gory, violent, gratuitous murder and death, by ones, by twos and wholesale- especially the cannon fodder, who go down in droves and don't even GET names.
So - this cannot POSSIBLY be a spoiler because it is telegraphed from page one - Michael Biorn is a bear shifter - 'Biorn', get it? I got it. I got it. Really.
The author made double and TRIPLE sure the reader 'got it' from page one. Michael is living in Yellowstone park (hello? bears). He is 6'4" tall (mentioned several times so far) and weighs 300 pounds (that's pretty big for 6'4" and I know that because I once dated a football player about that size).
He has an abnormally acute sense of smell. Also his hair grows extra fast.
THAT IS ALL ON PAGE ONE.
The entire first chapter (or maybe two or three, because this thing has chapters out the kazoo) is purely there to tell you 'Biorn is a bear shifter' because otherwise, the gruesome death of a back country camper by a grizzly HAS NO PLOT SIGNIFICANCE WHATSOEVER.
Yes, by the time you get through that, if you didn't know Biorn was a bear shifter, you weren't paying attention.
Change of scene. Did I mention the multiple POV characters? There are at least twelve - so far.
So, change of scene - completely different characters in a completely different city, cue more bloody deaths.
Change of scene - MORE bloody deaths.
Biorn arrives and meets old buddy, who is just as promptly murdered along with wife - MORE bloody deaths.
Did I mention (no I didn't yet, sorry) that all the women characters are a) young (except a witch who is not), b) stacked and c) really pretty? Unless they are BAD guy women characters, in which case the beauty part is compromised.
What looks to be the 'main love interest of our hero' is nicely described - a, b, c plus 'Asian features' in a VERY not so subtle kind of racist sort of way. I couldn't guess from the name 'Wang' that she just might be Asian?
More murders.
Biorn is not only big, strong, etc, he is also near immune to bullets, which just fall out of him by the dozen after a fight with machine guns (multiple different scenes) AND he can come back to life after being actually dead, which is nice trick.
And since when did wolves and bears have some kind of undying eternal homicidal hatred for each other? They can't have a little meet and greet? Sign a treaty?
Oh please. There is a wizard. His name is Ezekiel. He wears the same clothes as the wizard in DISNEYLAND.
Give me a break.
Did I mention I am 60% into this book? At this point, I just want it to be OVER.
However, if you, dear reader, like violent gory deaths in multiples, and a hero that doesn't seem to actually HAVE any serious challenges in overcoming - everything - and if you enjoy meeting yet another NEW viewpoint character, especially ones who meet a violent death sometimes in the SAME tiny short chapter, then go for it!
I am informed from other reviews that there is a plot twist at the end. At this point, I barely care. I just want it to end.
June 3, 2014
I was given this book for an honest review (LOP)
WARNING THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS
Well first things first HOLY CRAP! lol. This novel had me sitting on the edge of my seat from page one! The author’s writing was magnificent and ingenious, especially with leave the knowledge of what type of praeternatural being Michael was. The suspense of not knowing made me finish the book in one day.
The relationship that is shown between Steve and Michael was amazing, they seemed so comfortable together and it made Michael seem less alone. You also get a little bit go a glimpse into the history that is shared between Michael and Steve. They swerved in the army together and were part of the group that went through black hawk down. The most enlightening part of their history is that Steve knows about what Michael is, Michael was forced to morph in front of him after their entire platoon went on a recon mission behind enemy lines and were ambushed. To save himself and what was left of his team Michael morphed and took out the threat, this also shows the trust that is between these two characters since that is a huge secret to keep. Then you were sent a curve ball when Michael finds Steve and his wife murdered by a werewolf in their beds the day after arriving to help investigate the murder. You can almost see the internal struggle Michael is going through. With the descriptors that the author uses his guilt, loneliness and dark secrets almost take on a 3D life. For myself I was able to close my eyes and use the descriptors i just read to play a virtual movie in my head of what is going on in the book.
The next relationship that really caught me was between Michael and David Starks. The beginning of the relationship was very strained. When Michael, Steve and David had dinner Michael took an immediate disliking to the detective. With the little clues that the author gave about Michaels origin, you learned that he has an amazing sense of smell and can distinguish a praeternatural being from a normal human but with David his scent was undistinguishable which gave Michael some hesitation towards him. After Steve’s death Michael went away from what his instincts were telling him about David and made a working relationship with him. Since David seemed to know about werewolf and he was a cop Michael made him a deal. That they will work this investigation together and that for his help he will offer him his knowledge as well as his protection. Unknown to Michael is that David is actually a werewolf, he had came up with a drug that helped mask his sent so that no one was the wiser. An even more shocking turn of events at the end of this novel is that David was the wolf that murdered both Steve and his wife and orchestrated all the other police murders. He also tried to get a witch to cast a death spell on Michael and the only reason why she did not succeed was because Ezekiel (wizard of the second circle and friend of Michael) scared the crap out of her.
You also get to meet Steve’s daughters, Olivia and Lucy. Lucy does not have a lot of “scenes” within the novel but her sister Olivia was a key player. Olivia could not go back to the life she lead before the attack on her parents, she has a need to help find the killers. In her mind Michael was the best person to help her do this but when she approaches him and asks to help he tells her no. With the thirst for revenge and justice for her parents she took a job with the cleaning company that cleaned the Packs home, after a while of cleaning the house she brought a gun with her so that she could kill Peter Clemens, the pack alpha. Not realizing that the people she was after were werewolf she ended up being bite and turned. To everyones surprise she survived the process of turning. After the attack on the pack house and on the Pack within the wear house she was taken by David to his beach home. At the end of the novel you find out the David was the werewolf that killed her parents and this took me completely by surprise. I would have never thought that that would be the turn the author would take this novel but I loved it. It added another layer to the novel that just made the writing even more amazing.
The next relationship that seemed to have a key role within this novel was between Michael and Sheila. Sheila is a reported that ends up getting beaten up by the Russian mob for a article she wrote for the newspaper. After the attack Michael experienced a strong protective instinct towards her, which surprised him. Even with this attack Sheila decided she was not going to be silenced by these people. She published another article but after finding out about werewolf's by witnessing them attack Michael and Michael shifting, she left pretty much everything out that would have pointed towards the Pack. This did not deter them though, an attempt on her life was made by both the mod and the pack the only thing that saved her was that Michael was with her. Throughout their relationship you could see that they had a deeper connection and that (hopefully) that connect would continue to grow. It did continue to grow and in the end Michael and her were mated and she came to learn of the dark past that he hides and the guilt he carries from him first marriage.
When Michael is attacked by the pack you find out that his boss, Bill Thomason is a witch. Michael suspected this after finding some dead ravens in the man’s trash can. When the battle between the pack and Michael ensued within Yellowstone park Michael was losing and would have been killed if it was not for Bill casting a protective spell around him to allow him to heal. In the end this act of protected ended with Bill being killed.
When you came closer to the end of this novel Michael had to confide in the detectives so that he would be able to stop the shadow pack from taking over all the high ranking police positions. By doing this Michael made them Initiates, which are humans that are aware of the existence of praeternatural creatures. With this knowledge Michael was able to convince Lewis to go into Katia’s office and ask for a warrant for David’s arrest while planting a bug in her office. This payed off by getting Katia arrested and implementing David in the murders. After this Michael attacked David and right when he turned into his wolf form Michael knew that Davids was the wolf that killed Steve. While the battle raged Olivia was in the room and when she saw the Michael was losing she transformed into her wolf form and killed David.
As this novel came to a close you were once again taken aback by another twist that the author added in and it has made me crave the next Michael Biorn Novel. Having the knowledge of what happened with Michaels first wife it gives a whole new perspective on why he was so guarded when it came to Sheila. All in all this is one of my favourite novels I have read this month, and I think I'm at 6 lol. I cannot wait till more comes out in this series, it was a delight to read and an honour to review, Thank you.
WARNING THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS
Well first things first HOLY CRAP! lol. This novel had me sitting on the edge of my seat from page one! The author’s writing was magnificent and ingenious, especially with leave the knowledge of what type of praeternatural being Michael was. The suspense of not knowing made me finish the book in one day.
The relationship that is shown between Steve and Michael was amazing, they seemed so comfortable together and it made Michael seem less alone. You also get a little bit go a glimpse into the history that is shared between Michael and Steve. They swerved in the army together and were part of the group that went through black hawk down. The most enlightening part of their history is that Steve knows about what Michael is, Michael was forced to morph in front of him after their entire platoon went on a recon mission behind enemy lines and were ambushed. To save himself and what was left of his team Michael morphed and took out the threat, this also shows the trust that is between these two characters since that is a huge secret to keep. Then you were sent a curve ball when Michael finds Steve and his wife murdered by a werewolf in their beds the day after arriving to help investigate the murder. You can almost see the internal struggle Michael is going through. With the descriptors that the author uses his guilt, loneliness and dark secrets almost take on a 3D life. For myself I was able to close my eyes and use the descriptors i just read to play a virtual movie in my head of what is going on in the book.
The next relationship that really caught me was between Michael and David Starks. The beginning of the relationship was very strained. When Michael, Steve and David had dinner Michael took an immediate disliking to the detective. With the little clues that the author gave about Michaels origin, you learned that he has an amazing sense of smell and can distinguish a praeternatural being from a normal human but with David his scent was undistinguishable which gave Michael some hesitation towards him. After Steve’s death Michael went away from what his instincts were telling him about David and made a working relationship with him. Since David seemed to know about werewolf and he was a cop Michael made him a deal. That they will work this investigation together and that for his help he will offer him his knowledge as well as his protection. Unknown to Michael is that David is actually a werewolf, he had came up with a drug that helped mask his sent so that no one was the wiser. An even more shocking turn of events at the end of this novel is that David was the wolf that murdered both Steve and his wife and orchestrated all the other police murders. He also tried to get a witch to cast a death spell on Michael and the only reason why she did not succeed was because Ezekiel (wizard of the second circle and friend of Michael) scared the crap out of her.
You also get to meet Steve’s daughters, Olivia and Lucy. Lucy does not have a lot of “scenes” within the novel but her sister Olivia was a key player. Olivia could not go back to the life she lead before the attack on her parents, she has a need to help find the killers. In her mind Michael was the best person to help her do this but when she approaches him and asks to help he tells her no. With the thirst for revenge and justice for her parents she took a job with the cleaning company that cleaned the Packs home, after a while of cleaning the house she brought a gun with her so that she could kill Peter Clemens, the pack alpha. Not realizing that the people she was after were werewolf she ended up being bite and turned. To everyones surprise she survived the process of turning. After the attack on the pack house and on the Pack within the wear house she was taken by David to his beach home. At the end of the novel you find out the David was the werewolf that killed her parents and this took me completely by surprise. I would have never thought that that would be the turn the author would take this novel but I loved it. It added another layer to the novel that just made the writing even more amazing.
The next relationship that seemed to have a key role within this novel was between Michael and Sheila. Sheila is a reported that ends up getting beaten up by the Russian mob for a article she wrote for the newspaper. After the attack Michael experienced a strong protective instinct towards her, which surprised him. Even with this attack Sheila decided she was not going to be silenced by these people. She published another article but after finding out about werewolf's by witnessing them attack Michael and Michael shifting, she left pretty much everything out that would have pointed towards the Pack. This did not deter them though, an attempt on her life was made by both the mod and the pack the only thing that saved her was that Michael was with her. Throughout their relationship you could see that they had a deeper connection and that (hopefully) that connect would continue to grow. It did continue to grow and in the end Michael and her were mated and she came to learn of the dark past that he hides and the guilt he carries from him first marriage.
When Michael is attacked by the pack you find out that his boss, Bill Thomason is a witch. Michael suspected this after finding some dead ravens in the man’s trash can. When the battle between the pack and Michael ensued within Yellowstone park Michael was losing and would have been killed if it was not for Bill casting a protective spell around him to allow him to heal. In the end this act of protected ended with Bill being killed.
When you came closer to the end of this novel Michael had to confide in the detectives so that he would be able to stop the shadow pack from taking over all the high ranking police positions. By doing this Michael made them Initiates, which are humans that are aware of the existence of praeternatural creatures. With this knowledge Michael was able to convince Lewis to go into Katia’s office and ask for a warrant for David’s arrest while planting a bug in her office. This payed off by getting Katia arrested and implementing David in the murders. After this Michael attacked David and right when he turned into his wolf form Michael knew that Davids was the wolf that killed Steve. While the battle raged Olivia was in the room and when she saw the Michael was losing she transformed into her wolf form and killed David.
As this novel came to a close you were once again taken aback by another twist that the author added in and it has made me crave the next Michael Biorn Novel. Having the knowledge of what happened with Michaels first wife it gives a whole new perspective on why he was so guarded when it came to Sheila. All in all this is one of my favourite novels I have read this month, and I think I'm at 6 lol. I cannot wait till more comes out in this series, it was a delight to read and an honour to review, Thank you.
October 30, 2018
This book was recommended by a friend who knows how much I love the Monster Hunter series from Larry Correia. The main character, Michael, is something I've never really heard of before, and the internal conflict between his human and "other" side was not only interesting, it gave an emotional depth to the story I wasn't really expecting. The action is fast-paced, the mystery aspects were really well done with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing (even though I thought I knew who the bad guy was about halfway through, I wasn't sure until the end, which is unusual for me). The setting is mainly Houston, Texas but there are some parts that take place in Yellowstone national park and the world-building of the preternatural and supernatural creatures, the magical creatures, the witches, wizards, and the normal, human ones was believable (and made me want to visit there). I also loved Ezekiel - he's kind of a mix between Gandalf (Lord of the Rings) and Zedd (Sword of Truth series) and his sarcastically flippant sense of humor gave some much needed (if brief) levity and breath-catching time between all the action sequences. As soon as I finished the first book, I immediately logged into Amazon and got the second one - I can't think of any higher praise to give the author than that.
August 19, 2019
I have very mixed feelings about this book; initially I found it quite enthralling. Action orientated, with interesting characters and a touch of the paranormal, it ticked all the boxes. I will even concede that it did inspire some nightmares at the start, which is always a good sign but then we had major revelation one.
Now I am all for challenging the norms but in this instance I think Marc Daniel should have considered what he was doing a little better, for the term he coined to describe Michael Biorn just ruined the whole experience for me. I’m not going to state it here, as I don’t want to give away the plot but lets just state that everything time I read the book and came to this term I dissolved into hysterics. For a book which I had been finding quite compelling it completely destroyed the atmosphere.
Moving on from this point the storyline itself was pretty typical of the genre. It was well written, the fight scenes were great but the twists at the end were just plain confusing. I personally didn’t really enjoy the conclusion and found the climax more than a little disappointing.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy the paranormal and crime stories and don’t have a sense of humor.
Now I am all for challenging the norms but in this instance I think Marc Daniel should have considered what he was doing a little better, for the term he coined to describe Michael Biorn just ruined the whole experience for me. I’m not going to state it here, as I don’t want to give away the plot but lets just state that everything time I read the book and came to this term I dissolved into hysterics. For a book which I had been finding quite compelling it completely destroyed the atmosphere.
Moving on from this point the storyline itself was pretty typical of the genre. It was well written, the fight scenes were great but the twists at the end were just plain confusing. I personally didn’t really enjoy the conclusion and found the climax more than a little disappointing.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy the paranormal and crime stories and don’t have a sense of humor.
December 18, 2019
Park Ranger Michael Biorn lives an idyllic life in Yellowstone Park, as far from civilization and modern troubles as possible. However, Michael has a secret. When Chief Deputy Mark Sullivan of the Harris County Sheriff Department is found torn apart, along with his Rottweilers, it is obvious that they were killed by an animal of some sort. However, this animal doesn't seem to be anything that has been seen before, at least not in Houston Texas. Because Michael Biorn is an expert on animals of all types, he is called to Houston to identify the animal. More killings take place and Michael uses his preternatural abilities to track whoever or whatever is responsible. As the book progresses, we are introduced to the Russian mob, and a pack of werewolves; both of whom seem to have a part to play in the apparent murders of high ranking law enforcement officers. This book will keep you hooked as the action and suspense build up to an exciting conclusion. The protagonist, Michael Biorn, is well drawn and proves to be a likable, although unusual hero. The book is well written with short, snappy chapters. This book will appeal to you if you like crime dramas or supernatural tales. I would highly recommend it.
March 7, 2019
I haven't reviewed a book for a while, because I usually don't have the time, but I think this book deserves one. First off, the author is new and self-published so I wanted to help him out; I got the book through Kindle Unlimited, so it was cheap for me; and the book was good fun.
I'm usually attracted to more character driven stories; I like getting inside of their heads and being able to put myself in their shoes. This book was not like that. This was more of a plot-driven story, a mystery. In it are a wide variety of fantastical creatures: werebears, werewolves, wizards and witches. We have a handful of dead cops and a millenia of bad blood between were-beasts. Also, we have a few juicy plot twists.
Mainly, my decision on whether I will recommend a book is decided by if it was fun, I enjoyed it, I wasn't distracted by to many errors, and I want to read the sequel. This book met all of my criteria. Was it the best book ever written? No, but it is decent, fast moving, interesting, and well worth a good escapist read. Best of all, at the end, I wanted to read the sequel. So, if you want a decent urban fantasy read, pick it up!
I'm usually attracted to more character driven stories; I like getting inside of their heads and being able to put myself in their shoes. This book was not like that. This was more of a plot-driven story, a mystery. In it are a wide variety of fantastical creatures: werebears, werewolves, wizards and witches. We have a handful of dead cops and a millenia of bad blood between were-beasts. Also, we have a few juicy plot twists.
Mainly, my decision on whether I will recommend a book is decided by if it was fun, I enjoyed it, I wasn't distracted by to many errors, and I want to read the sequel. This book met all of my criteria. Was it the best book ever written? No, but it is decent, fast moving, interesting, and well worth a good escapist read. Best of all, at the end, I wanted to read the sequel. So, if you want a decent urban fantasy read, pick it up!
March 31, 2014
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway (Thank you for the free book, btw ^_^). My actual rating would be 3.5 stars; but because I can't do half stars with the website's rating system, and because I am an optimistic person by nature, I rounded my rating up to 4 stars.
Shadow Pack is the first book in the Michael Biörn series. This book, if one felt inclined to peg it into certain genres, would fall under the labels of urban fantasy, paranormal mystery, and crime thriller- among others. The book itself functions well as a stand alone, but the author leaves some wiggle room for future stories starring the protagonist, Michael Biörn, to grow and develop into follow-up novels.
There were some elements I really liked about this novel and, in opposition to those elements, some aspects which provoked my inner critic to repulsion. Before I extol and praise the pleasurable facets of this novel, I first want to clear the air with a constructive critique of the more invidious parts of this work.
The way point of view and perspective shifts were handled within the book was distracting, especially when the perspective shifted not just chapter to chapter but sometimes paragraph to paragraph. If perspective shifts had been transitioned better, this book would have been a cleaner and more engaging read. This is not to say, however, that the perspective shifts in and of themselves were bad; I think that changing the character the reader viewed the tale from enriched the story more than it harmed it. Not to mention that aspects of point of view seem to be, in general, important to the telling of stories within the genre of mystery...That said, I still stand by the view that a more structured approach and better transitional clues would have benefited this tale (I could see a structure of perspective used by writers like Robert Jordan or George R.R. Martin, where we are in the head of one character per chapter, working well with this series, for example.)
Another issue I had with this novel was the ratio of showing versus telling and the choice of what details to draw to the reader's attention. Many writers, especially newer ones, tend to give into the impulse of telling the reader the story when, by artful use of small background details, imagery, and dialog, they can paint the same information down in a much more powerful and meaningful way. You see this same issue within the field of interpretation, ironically enough, when newer interpreters tell visitors a bunch of facts which may mean a lot to the interpreter but, placed out of the context or connectional experience of the visitors, are pretty dry for the listener...This approach is contrasted to the more experienced interpreters who will rely more on making emotional and intellectual connections by "showing" the same facts within a relatable story. I have gotten off on a small tangent, sorry, but I guess what I am trying to say is that you do not always have to explain exactly what was done within the story and what it was suppose to mean...Readers are generally pretty good at reading between the lines and half the fun of reading is putting your own interpretations into what you are hearing/seeing within the text.
Way back when I was in undergrad, I took a course on writing fiction. Within that course, one of my professor's favorite lessons regarded the metaphor of a gun hung above a doorway. The gun represented the details put into the story and the basic message was that you don't hang your details in a prominent and eye catching place unless they are meant to open the door to an important character development or plot point. I think that this piece of advice goes a long way in explaining my concern in how some of the details were handled within this story. Sometimes the author would include details, like the scene with the ducks, which don't really add much to the story and ended up being slightly distracting and superficial (They are just there...they don't add anything to the characterizations nor the plot). Thankfully, this did not happen to often in the novel, but it was not totally absent either.
Finally, my last criticism had to do with the development of the romance...While I did not dislike the inclusion of the romance into the story, I did think that the way it was included left it coming off as slightly forced and plot driven. I sort of wish a slight bit more time had been put into developing the relationship between the two characters and making the outcome of their attraction more realistic.
Having survived the minefield of criticism we have now reached the peaceful pasture of praise. My criticisms above were not meant to be a diatribe, but moreso an aid to the author. I hope that my voiced concerns do you give off the impression that this is a bad book or that I disliked it because the opposite is true; Despite the minor flaws, this was an enjoyable story and a really good novel when put under consideration that it is the author's first published work.
The characters were developed and memorable, the world building was creatively done for the most part and the author did a good job on the mystery aspects of the story. The twist at the end was a nice touch as well. I also liked how there was a slightly mystery within a mystery, with the author making the reader ponder what type of supernatural creature Michael Biörn is and not revealing the information until late in the book but giving hints early on (such as his last name, his food preferences, etc) so that the reader, if so inclined, can work it out for themselves.
Overall the story was a fun ride and the novel was (for the most part) an easy and fast read. Is it the best urban fantasy story I have come across? Well no, but it certainly is entertaining and it shows signs of promise. I am sure that the author will only continue to improve his craft and I would certainly recommend this book to someone if they are interested in the genre(s) the novel works within.
Shadow Pack is the first book in the Michael Biörn series. This book, if one felt inclined to peg it into certain genres, would fall under the labels of urban fantasy, paranormal mystery, and crime thriller- among others. The book itself functions well as a stand alone, but the author leaves some wiggle room for future stories starring the protagonist, Michael Biörn, to grow and develop into follow-up novels.
There were some elements I really liked about this novel and, in opposition to those elements, some aspects which provoked my inner critic to repulsion. Before I extol and praise the pleasurable facets of this novel, I first want to clear the air with a constructive critique of the more invidious parts of this work.
The way point of view and perspective shifts were handled within the book was distracting, especially when the perspective shifted not just chapter to chapter but sometimes paragraph to paragraph. If perspective shifts had been transitioned better, this book would have been a cleaner and more engaging read. This is not to say, however, that the perspective shifts in and of themselves were bad; I think that changing the character the reader viewed the tale from enriched the story more than it harmed it. Not to mention that aspects of point of view seem to be, in general, important to the telling of stories within the genre of mystery...That said, I still stand by the view that a more structured approach and better transitional clues would have benefited this tale (I could see a structure of perspective used by writers like Robert Jordan or George R.R. Martin, where we are in the head of one character per chapter, working well with this series, for example.)
Another issue I had with this novel was the ratio of showing versus telling and the choice of what details to draw to the reader's attention. Many writers, especially newer ones, tend to give into the impulse of telling the reader the story when, by artful use of small background details, imagery, and dialog, they can paint the same information down in a much more powerful and meaningful way. You see this same issue within the field of interpretation, ironically enough, when newer interpreters tell visitors a bunch of facts which may mean a lot to the interpreter but, placed out of the context or connectional experience of the visitors, are pretty dry for the listener...This approach is contrasted to the more experienced interpreters who will rely more on making emotional and intellectual connections by "showing" the same facts within a relatable story. I have gotten off on a small tangent, sorry, but I guess what I am trying to say is that you do not always have to explain exactly what was done within the story and what it was suppose to mean...Readers are generally pretty good at reading between the lines and half the fun of reading is putting your own interpretations into what you are hearing/seeing within the text.
Way back when I was in undergrad, I took a course on writing fiction. Within that course, one of my professor's favorite lessons regarded the metaphor of a gun hung above a doorway. The gun represented the details put into the story and the basic message was that you don't hang your details in a prominent and eye catching place unless they are meant to open the door to an important character development or plot point. I think that this piece of advice goes a long way in explaining my concern in how some of the details were handled within this story. Sometimes the author would include details, like the scene with the ducks, which don't really add much to the story and ended up being slightly distracting and superficial (They are just there...they don't add anything to the characterizations nor the plot). Thankfully, this did not happen to often in the novel, but it was not totally absent either.
Finally, my last criticism had to do with the development of the romance...While I did not dislike the inclusion of the romance into the story, I did think that the way it was included left it coming off as slightly forced and plot driven. I sort of wish a slight bit more time had been put into developing the relationship between the two characters and making the outcome of their attraction more realistic.
Having survived the minefield of criticism we have now reached the peaceful pasture of praise. My criticisms above were not meant to be a diatribe, but moreso an aid to the author. I hope that my voiced concerns do you give off the impression that this is a bad book or that I disliked it because the opposite is true; Despite the minor flaws, this was an enjoyable story and a really good novel when put under consideration that it is the author's first published work.
The characters were developed and memorable, the world building was creatively done for the most part and the author did a good job on the mystery aspects of the story. The twist at the end was a nice touch as well. I also liked how there was a slightly mystery within a mystery, with the author making the reader ponder what type of supernatural creature Michael Biörn is and not revealing the information until late in the book but giving hints early on (such as his last name, his food preferences, etc) so that the reader, if so inclined, can work it out for themselves.
Overall the story was a fun ride and the novel was (for the most part) an easy and fast read. Is it the best urban fantasy story I have come across? Well no, but it certainly is entertaining and it shows signs of promise. I am sure that the author will only continue to improve his craft and I would certainly recommend this book to someone if they are interested in the genre(s) the novel works within.
October 17, 2018
I really wanted to like this book, as the premise was good -- who wouldn't be interested in a thousand-year-old shapeshifter as the main character? The book started out well but then there were just too many plot holes, the writing overall felt stale and lifeless. The main character, Michael, doesn't seem to do ANYTHING except be attacked by various people. He spends over a month living in a hotel in Houston and literally doesn't seem to do anything productive during that time there, except speculate on what is going on, never guessing at anything the reader doesn't already know (thanks to liberal use of point of view from the side of the villains). Michael wants to solve the mystery behind who killed his friend but doesn't seem to do any actual investigating.
This book was disappointing, but despite that I'm almost tempted to read the sequel. As I said, the premise is good and I like the overall world created, I feel like some improved writing (with an actual moving plot) would really make this series stand strong.
This book was disappointing, but despite that I'm almost tempted to read the sequel. As I said, the premise is good and I like the overall world created, I feel like some improved writing (with an actual moving plot) would really make this series stand strong.
April 28, 2019
DNF @ 60%.
I wanted to like this book but I just couldn't. Much of it has to do with boredom. For over a month I tried to read this book, with a similar cycle happening every few days: I would pick up the book, read a chapter or 3 and then put it down again.
It wasn't a singular negative that kept me from truly enjoying the book but a whole cocktail of annoyances that made me scamper to any other book I could find.
Namely:
- Uninteresting characters that I couldn't get myself to care for
- Jarringly short chapters that break flow regularly
- A mundane world (this is a personal thing, it takes a unique world for me to appreciate it, this one just felt way too much like ordinary life)
- A central mystery/plot that seemed to be all to distant to the main character/s. There was no sense of urgency or feeling of forward progression. The plot just seemed to meander from one event to the next.
I wanted to like this book but I just couldn't. Much of it has to do with boredom. For over a month I tried to read this book, with a similar cycle happening every few days: I would pick up the book, read a chapter or 3 and then put it down again.
It wasn't a singular negative that kept me from truly enjoying the book but a whole cocktail of annoyances that made me scamper to any other book I could find.
Namely:
- Uninteresting characters that I couldn't get myself to care for
- Jarringly short chapters that break flow regularly
- A mundane world (this is a personal thing, it takes a unique world for me to appreciate it, this one just felt way too much like ordinary life)
- A central mystery/plot that seemed to be all to distant to the main character/s. There was no sense of urgency or feeling of forward progression. The plot just seemed to meander from one event to the next.
June 15, 2019
A series of grisly deaths. Cops killed at home and it appears to be some sort of animal, a big animal. Michael Biorn is called in to help with the investigation. To most people he is a forest ranger but to those who truly know him he is a berserker, a Viking and very old. He has many skills and begins the investigation with the focus on werwolves
This is a very complex storyline with many different sectors of the criminal world, paranormals and law enforcement. It is full of twists, turns and surprises that make the story action-packed.
The main character is interesting and it takes intellect, cunning, and persistence to sort through everything that is going on. It is a very creative book and realistic in that some characters are hurt, killed or changed. If you like paranormal thriller that are more on the graphic side rather than cozy side, you will like this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a very complex storyline with many different sectors of the criminal world, paranormals and law enforcement. It is full of twists, turns and surprises that make the story action-packed.
The main character is interesting and it takes intellect, cunning, and persistence to sort through everything that is going on. It is a very creative book and realistic in that some characters are hurt, killed or changed. If you like paranormal thriller that are more on the graphic side rather than cozy side, you will like this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 31, 2019
I loved this book. After the murder of a police officer, an expert is brought in by one of the detectives investigating the murder. The expert is Michael Biorn who is an expert on wolves. He was brought in because he was in the Marines with the detective. Something strange is going on and more murders occur that appear to be committed by wolves, including the police detective Steve Harrington and his wife. Then Steve's daughter goes missing and more murders happen. This is a paranormal mystery where the main character Michael has some praeternatural connections. There are wizards, shifters, the mob and bullets flying. The action is incredible and the many disparate story lines all come together in the end. I can't wait to read the next in this series. A fun, easy to read murder mystery.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 6, 2020
*I received a free copy of this book from the author via voracious readers only in exchange for an honest review* What a book to start the new year with! It was fast paced with great characters and lots of twists and turns. It’s got some interesting concepts which I’d never read before. Being a vampire fan I was a bit skeptic that I’d enjoy this book at all but it was great and I generally don’t like werewolves. I think having the whole power struggle aspect for the werewolves made it more interesting for me instead of the old mortal enemies fighting to the death for no reason spiel, I mean there was a lot of that but at least this time Michael had a reason to hate the wolves. I also liked the inclusion of magic and the wolves not needing the full moon to turn. Can’t wait to see more from Michael.
June 2, 2019
Michael is a ranger in Yellowstone National Park when he gets a call from a old army buddy who is a detective in Houston. He needs his help with a case concerning the death on a police officer by a wolf. Michael is an expert on wolves so agrees to go help.
Shelia is a reporter trying to work the story when she's attacked by some thugs from the mob. This is how she meets Michael. The two of them must work together in order to survive attacks from both the mob and the werewolves. This is a great story and you don't figure it out until the writer wants you to. I am looking forward for more from this writer.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Shelia is a reporter trying to work the story when she's attacked by some thugs from the mob. This is how she meets Michael. The two of them must work together in order to survive attacks from both the mob and the werewolves. This is a great story and you don't figure it out until the writer wants you to. I am looking forward for more from this writer.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 30, 2024
Are you ready to enter the world of the praeternatural? Daniel brings us werewolves, wizards, witches, the mob, and Michael (I can't tell you what sort of being he is without spoiling it, so . . . ), all connected through a considerably larger web of murders than one finds in most mysteries. Of course, mob/pack gang warfare will lead to much bloodshed.
Usually, I have no interest in werewolf stories, but when I read the first few pages of the "sample" that Amazon provides, I was hooked. This is due, in large part, to Daniel's drawing of realistic, living, breathing characters and pulling them together in this mystery. Much is not as it seems and there are some unexpected twists.
Have fun!
Usually, I have no interest in werewolf stories, but when I read the first few pages of the "sample" that Amazon provides, I was hooked. This is due, in large part, to Daniel's drawing of realistic, living, breathing characters and pulling them together in this mystery. Much is not as it seems and there are some unexpected twists.
Have fun!
February 24, 2019
I didn't hate it...
I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either. The biggest detractor were the chapters. The author used the chapters as a way of changing the perspective of the narrator. It bogged down the story and stretched it out needlessly. Another detractor was the use of the term Skin Walker. Generally speaking it is a term and concept originating with the First People, and skin walkers weren't limited to one animal form. This was confusing since the being in this book only changed into one other form. And last, the rushed ending with no real explanation of the plot or the villians motive.
I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either. The biggest detractor were the chapters. The author used the chapters as a way of changing the perspective of the narrator. It bogged down the story and stretched it out needlessly. Another detractor was the use of the term Skin Walker. Generally speaking it is a term and concept originating with the First People, and skin walkers weren't limited to one animal form. This was confusing since the being in this book only changed into one other form. And last, the rushed ending with no real explanation of the plot or the villians motive.
May 20, 2019
Other authors have written werewolf stories or police procedurals; others have written police procedurals including werewolves. Very few write police procedurals including werewolves in such an intriguing and engaging manner that the reader gets lost in the action, living the story with the characters and cannot put the book down. Moreover, the world that the author created is carefully detailed and consistent, yet allows for human `error` and impulse. This kind of writing I usually see in epic fantasy like George R.R. Martin`s work. I am looking forward to book 2.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 24, 2022
Not Your Grandmother's Werewolf Story!
An amazing array of characters, with an exceedingly interesting protagonist, and a twisting devious plot line make this paranormal story stand out from the current plethora of fiction now readily available on-line. I was intrigued and fascinated by the changes in focus as well as locale. The author appeared knowledgeable about both Houston and Yellowstone National Park, and used both to give the story more depth and realism. The conclusion is both shocking and totally in keeping with the characters. I recommend the book highly, and look for more from this author,
An amazing array of characters, with an exceedingly interesting protagonist, and a twisting devious plot line make this paranormal story stand out from the current plethora of fiction now readily available on-line. I was intrigued and fascinated by the changes in focus as well as locale. The author appeared knowledgeable about both Houston and Yellowstone National Park, and used both to give the story more depth and realism. The conclusion is both shocking and totally in keeping with the characters. I recommend the book highly, and look for more from this author,
July 26, 2018
Michael Biorn has lived for hundreds of years, and he turns into a very large bear at will. His friend, Lt. Steve Harrington, calls him for assistance, so Michael finds himself in Houston, Texas, at a very unusual crime scene. Michael doesn't want anything to do with this case, but he knows the human police have no chance against the werewolves.
Wow, I loved this book. Exciting, action packed and suspenseful read that has fascinating twists in the plot. Well written and very unique characters, in a book you won't be able to put down.
Wow, I loved this book. Exciting, action packed and suspenseful read that has fascinating twists in the plot. Well written and very unique characters, in a book you won't be able to put down.
January 23, 2019
This one will throw you for a loop.
I really like books with magic and shifters in them and this is not expection. The book jumps around a lot and seems to be told for almost all the characters points of view all at once. It is a longer book but I love that the chapters are short which makes it easy to read between everything that can make it hard to sit and read a book.
This is a must read if you like were's of all sorts. It includes many twists that can keep you guessing and keeps things vague to keep the mystery of the characters going.
I really like books with magic and shifters in them and this is not expection. The book jumps around a lot and seems to be told for almost all the characters points of view all at once. It is a longer book but I love that the chapters are short which makes it easy to read between everything that can make it hard to sit and read a book.
This is a must read if you like were's of all sorts. It includes many twists that can keep you guessing and keeps things vague to keep the mystery of the characters going.
February 13, 2019
A park ranger is called into a set of apparent wolf attacks in Texas, but there is more than that going on.
Our ranger is a long thought dead werebear, and werewolves are behind the attacks killing high level law enforcement officers. An old friend of his has called him in to consult on the wolf attacks. The question is why are cops being killed, since the deaths seem unrelated, and soon include the rangers friend and his wife. The mob seems to be involved, as does the local pack of werewolves, and now Michael is determined to find the killers.
Our ranger is a long thought dead werebear, and werewolves are behind the attacks killing high level law enforcement officers. An old friend of his has called him in to consult on the wolf attacks. The question is why are cops being killed, since the deaths seem unrelated, and soon include the rangers friend and his wife. The mob seems to be involved, as does the local pack of werewolves, and now Michael is determined to find the killers.
August 19, 2019
A paranormal/urban fantasy murder mystery, with a plethora of characters, an intricate and complex storyline and lots of plot twists, "Shadow Pack" hooked me right from the start and kept me reading till the early hours. I loved the multiple POV narrative, but I'd liked a little bit more character development for the secondary characters. Still, it was a highly enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to more books by Mark Daniel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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