Review of KINDLE Ebook Wolfsbane – Book 4 of the Silver series by Rhiannon Held

I have really enjoyed the previous books in this superior werewolf series – see my reviews of Silver, Tarnished and Reflected – and was delighted to see this one on my Kindle, evidently bought as a gift from Himself.

When an envoy arrives from the secretive Russian werewolf pack, Roanoke alphas Silver and Andrew Dare are instantly suspicious. Tatiana claims she has been sent to locate an heirloom, lost by immigrants centuries ago, but she and the alphas both suspect that Russia fears the strength of the newly-united, continent-spanning Roanoke pack.

This is an interesting book. Andrew and Silver are absolutely correct to be concerned about this envoy as they fall prey to an unusual form of attack and while they lie comatose, fighting for their lives, they find themselves in vivid dreams or visions where an alternative timeline prevails.

It isn’t necessarily the same timeline and there is some confusion/crossover where Andrew, in particular, knows that he isn’t really a brutalised enforcer at the mercy of an inept alpha he actually took care of years ago. And that lands him in a shedload of trouble, just at a time when he doesn’t need it. However, it is Silver’s timeline which is probably the most heart-rending. In her alternate timeline, she has escaped the devastating effects of being injected with silver, so she no longer struggles with a paralysed arm or is unable to Change. So you’d think she would be capering for joy – except the consequences for her pack having not been the one hit is catastrophic. She is whole and her family are still alive, but the cost is terrible…

Meanwhile the Russian envoy, who incapacitated these two high-profile alphas, is having to cope with some hard truths of her own. Expecting to be torn to pieces for attacking Andrew and Silver, she is shaken at the response, having been raised so very differently. While I would recommend you read the series in order, this book would make a good entry point with the flashbacks and as we follow Tatiana as she copes with the difference in customs between the Russian and US packs, we learn a fair amount about the politics in this complex, intriguing world that Held has constructed. I was also pleased to meet up with John and Susan again – they are solid favourites of mine, particularly Susan. It’s refreshing to read an urban fantasy werewolf series where the strong characters aren’t necessarily the largest and shaggiest with the sharpest teeth.

Knowing how Held can take a story and produce unexpected twists, the pages flew by as I was engrossed in this story right up to the end. I don’t think this is her best book – the visions/dreams did slightly remove that edge of danger that generally permeates these adventures. However, there was more character development and it was lovely to get back to this enjoyable, complex world. I’m very much looking forward to reading more books in this quality series.
8/10

Sunday Post – 15th October 2017

This is part of the weekly meme over at the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where book bloggers can share the books and blogs they have written.

I don’t expect to have another fortnight quite like this last one anytime soon. I’m recovering from flu – but it’s taking its own sweet time to move on. In the meantime my nose is running like a tap, I have backache, tinnitus, headaches and a temperature and I’m really fed up with feeling this lousy. Oh, and on Wednesday, I self-published my first novel, Running Out of Space. Needless to say, the launch was very lowkey. But it is ‘out there’. On Amazon. I keep nipping across to have look… And despite feeling like something the cat sicked up, every time I look at the cover I find myself grinning…

I hope you have a good week and in the meantime, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I feel less like a snot-powered zombie and more like my old self by tomorrow night so I can resume my Creative Writing classes before my students forget what I look like.

This week I have read:

The King’s Name – Book 2 of The Tir Tanagiri series by Jo Walton
The warrior Sulien ap Gwien and her lord King Urdo have finally united the land of Tir Tanagiri into a kingdom ruled by justice under a single code of law. But where many see a hopeful future for the land, others believe they sense the seeds of a new tyranny. Soon Tir Tanagiri faces the blight of civil war, and Sulien ap Gwien must take up arms against former comrades and loved ones, fighting harder and harder to hold on to Urdo’s shining dream.
This sequel that concludes Walton’s magical version of the Arthurian legend continues to deliver. See my review of the first book The King’s Peace. Marvellous writing and a wonderful, poignant ending that is still resonating with me…

 

The Hostage Heart by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
When Emma Ruskin becomes governess to 10-year-old Poppy Ackroyd, the haughty Ackroyd family all treat her with contempt – particularly Gavin, the effortlessly superior eldest son. Yet Emma realises that Gavin alone genuinely cares for Poppy and their unexpected rapport flatters and alarms her – surely he is out of her league?
I requested this book without realising it was a romance adventure this author had written relatively early in her writing career. But as it happens, although romantic fiction isn’t generally my go-to genre, I really enjoyed this sprightly, enjoyable adventure.

 

Wolfsbane – Book 4 of the Silver series by Rhiannon Held
When an envoy arrives from the secretive Russian werewolf pack, Roanoke alphas Silver and Andrew Dare are instantly suspicious. Tatiana claims she has been sent to locate an heirloom, lost by immigrants centuries ago, but she and the alphas both suspect that Russia fears the strength of the newly-united, continent-spanning Roanoke pack. What Tatiana doesn’t realize is that her pack is willing to sacrifice even their own trained spy for their goals…
I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting this clever, nuanced werewolf world once more, after falling in love with the first three books – see my reviews of Silver, Tarnished and Reflected – and I am delighted to see that Held has decided to self-publish this book after her publishers took the decision to no longer continue with this series.

 

Falling Apart – Book 2 of the Otherworlders series by Jane Lovering
Jessica Grant liaises with Otherworlders for York Council so she knows that falling in love with a vampire takes a leap of faith. But her lover Sil, the City Vampire in charge of Otherworld York, he wouldn’t run out on her, would he? He wouldn’t let his demon get the better of him. Or would he? Sil knows there’s a reason for his bad haircut, worse clothes and the trail of bleeding humans in his wake. If only he could remember exactly what he did before someone finds him and shoots him on sight.
I loved Vampire State of the Mind featuring a feisty heroine who helps to keep the ancient city of York safe for its human inhabitants. This adventure gives us more insights into the courageous, funny cast of characters when one of them is threatened. Or is he actually the threat? The Department for Otherworldly Affairs has to deliver a decision – along with a dead vampire… I really enjoyed this one and the snarky humour was very welcome as I sneezed and snuffled my way through the action.

 

A Local Habitation – Book 2 of the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire
Toby Daye-a half-human, half-fae changeling-has been an outsider from birth. After getting burned by both sides of her heritage, Toby has denied the fae world, retreating to a “normal” life. Unfortunately for her, the Faerie world had other ideas… Now her liege, the Duke of the Shadowed Hills, has asked Toby to go to the Country of Tamed Lightening to make sure all is well with his niece, Countess January O’Leary. It seems like a simple enough assignment-until Toby discovers that someone has begun murdering people close to January, and that if the killer isn’t stopped, January may be the next victim.
Another classy series that I started with Rosemary and Rue a while ago and taken a while to return to. This classic murder mystery, where the victims are picked off one by one as Toby desperately tries to unravel who is committing these crimes, is gripping and unexpectedly poignant at the end. There is a real sense of loss over the deaths, which I appreciated. No doubt about it – McGuire’s writing packs a punch.

My posts last week:

Teaser Tuesday featuring Falling Apart – Book 2 of the Otherworlders series by Jane Lovering

PUBLISHED TODAY! featuring Running Out of Space – Sunblinded: 1 by S.J. Higbee

*NEW RELEASE SPECIAL* Review of Shadowblack – Book 2 of the Spellslinger series
by Sebastien de Castell

Friday Face-off – You have nice manners for a thief and a LIAR! featuring Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton

Review of Waking Gods – Book 2 of The Themis Files by Sylvain Neuvel

Interesting/outstanding blogs and articles that have caught my attention during the last week and a bit, in no particular order:

Saying Thanks to Great Teachers https://dogdaysanddelights.wordpress.com/2017/10/13/saying-thanks-to-great-teachers/ A moving tribute to a clearly remarkable teacher by someone who wants to say thank you. Before it’s too late…

Finding Inspiration in the Space Race – In the Spotlight Guest Post http://www.secondrunreviews.com/2017/10/finding-writing-inspiration-space-race-guest-post.html Yours truly musing on the impact that growing up during the height of the space race had on my expectations

Times they are a-changing (I hope) ~ on the prevalence of sexual harassment & on why we’re starting to speak up https://zenandtheartoftightropewalking.wordpress.com/2017/10/12/times-they-are-a-changing-i-hope-on-the-prevalence-of-sexual-harassment-on-why-were-starting-to-speak-up/ Viv’s articles are always worth reading and I particularly enjoyed this one…

Richard & Linda Thompson, Sam Cooke and Charlie Rich – The Cry for Home! https://theimmortaljukebox.com/2017/09/26/richard-linda-thompson-sam-cooke-and-charlie-rich-with-the-cry-for-home/ If you love popular music, then swing by this marvellous site. I don’t know anyone who writes with such passion and knowledge about the music we grew up with.

We won Best Books And Literature Blog Of The Year! https://librarystaffpicks.wordpress.com/2017/10/09/we-won-best-books-and-literature-blog-of-the-year/ I thoroughly enjoy browsing this entertaining library blog where the staff chat about books in an approachable entertaining way. No wonder they won – congratulations, guys.

ANDDD…

Rainne Atkins has kindly invited me today to share my top ten fiction authors during my blog tour for Running Out of Space on her delightful book blog Just Books…

 

Thank you very much for taking the time and trouble to visit, like and comment on my site and may you have a great week.

Review of Reflected – Book 3 of the Silver series by Rhiannon Held

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series about werewolf society – read my review of Silver here and Tarnished here – would this third novel be as compelling?

The were have lived among humans for centuries secretly, carefully. They came to America with the earliest European colonists, seeking a land where their packs could run free. Andrew Dare is a descendant of those colonists, and he and his mate, Silver, have become alpha in the Roanoke pack… the largest in North America. But they have enemies, both within their territory and beyond the sea. Andrew is drawn away to deal with the problem of a half-human child in Alaska, leaving Silver to handle the rest of the pack just as a troublemaker from Spain arrives on the scene.

So one of the main characters had initially drew us into the action is now absent for most of the narrative – would it unbalance the story? Nope. Silver has plenty in the locker to keep this reader absolutely locked into the action. I love her character – Held has given her a strong sense of difference. So instead of Silver merely being a normal woman with occasional wolf behaviour – her were side completely defines who she is and how she reacts to all situations. This is one of the most successful werewolf series I’ve read, because of that sense of difference. The other interesting wrinkle about Silver is that she is compromised – a were who can no longer change into wolf form. So how will she manage to keep control of the pack without Andrew Dare’s lethal skill in fighting and his knack for keeping order?

For that matter, how do females manage a pack when they cannot change during pregnancy? Perhaps females shouldn’t be alphas at all – there are certainly dominant males who believe this. The issue of pack order and dominance is never something you can forget in this book – because it is overriding concern of werewolves in both human and wild form.

Held manages to produce a storyline in this world with these compelling characters that had me hooked right to the end. This entertaining, accomplished read was a cut above most of the werewolf tales I’ve read and a worthy addition to an enjoyable series. If your taste runs to werewolf tales, but you have become fed up with some of the second-rate offerings out there, then track down this series. You’ll thank me if you do.
9/10

Review of Silver – Book 1 of the Silver series by Rhiannon Held

With my customary lack of organisation, I read the second book, Tarnished earlier this year – read my review here. Immediately I was struck by the strong characterisation and immediacy that Held managed to evoke with her werewolf society. This sub-genre has some strong authors who set the benchmark for newer arrivals – the likes of Kelley Armstrong, Patricia Briggs and Gail Carriger leave a long shadow. Does Rhiannon Held’s debut trilogy hit the mark?

The girl is running. She’s alone, a werewolf without a pack, a shape-changer who cannot change, an intruder in Roanoke’s territory. It’s Andrew Dare’s job to catch her, expel her, or kill her. He’s the enforcer, after all, in charge of security. But when he catches her at last, he finds someone he wants to protect, not kill. A tortured stranger who needs him… and who warns of a threat to all the packs of North America.

So there’s the blurb – Tor gets a gold star from me for a thoroughly good example of how to tease the reader without lurching into spoiler territory, other publishers please note…

Held pushes the envelope with her characters, particularly Silver. She has long conversations with Death and laments that the Lady has left her, right at the start of the book when we don’t know all that much about her. She doesn’t seem to be much more than a very damaged, mentally compromised stray from Andrew Dare’s viewpoint, either. At first…

The narrative arc is very well paced – the story grabbed me from the first page and wouldn’t let go. Even though I’d already read the second book, so had some idea of how the plotline progressed. Held kept events moving on, but still managed to give her characters time to develop so that we got to know their strengths and vulnerabilities and above, care about them. I’m a simple soul and although I can cope with protagonists who are revoltingly repellent, given the choice, I’d far rather read about someone who I have bonded with emotionally. Held gave me two strong, reasonably complex characters – one with an interestingly dark backstory that was revealed only in hints and allusions. I enjoyed the fact that Held didn’t see the need to tell her readers everything about the world or her characters right at the start of the story – or even at the end. This is the beginning of a trilogy, after all.

If you are feeling a tad jaded at the plethora of werewolf tales, give this particular series a go – it is different and thoroughly enjoyable. You may even find yourself reading the whole book in one greedy gulp, like me…
9/10

Review of Tarnished by Rhiannon Held

The cool cover and the author’s even cooler name snagged my attention, so I plucked this offering off the shelves, despite the fact that this is the second book in the series. Would my impulsive choice be a good read?

Silver has found her mate in Andrew Dare, but they haven’t found the pack they can call home. Some of Andrew’s old friends think he should return to the East Coast and challenge Roanoke for leadership. But Andrew has baggage, with his violent history with the packs of Europe and rumours of his lack of control. Can Silver and Andrew find a refuge within American werewolf society, or are they doomed to wander the continent as loners – only visiting pack territories on sufferance of the ruling alphas?  And – no – that isn’t the actual blurb, which contains far too many spoilers in my opinion. As Tarnished is the second in the series, it is all too easy to tell the whole story of Silver – the first book – while furnishing readers with an enticing tidbit.

So my advice would be to set aside Tarnished for the time being, and seek out Silver, because if it’s half as good as the sequel, it’s worth the effort to start in the right place with this interesting addition to the urban fantasy genre. Tarnished is all about werewolf society and focuses on the struggles of a single female trying to cope in a pack environment where might is right. And – yes – this is an oft-travelled route since the likes of Kelley Armstrong and Bitten – but Held has taken the genre and given it a good old shaking.
In her world, werewolves can only be bred, not turned. So it is all about bloodlines and biological imperatives – and silver is absolutely poisonous to them. Recovering after a terrible attack, Silver is now unable to turn into wolf form, so when she teams up with Andrew, the two of them immediately pose a problem for any pack. And when one pack agrees to take them in, their mere presence triggers a chain of events that leads to a Convocation – a meeting of all the pack alphas to pass judgement on a major crime committed within pack society. So this book is mostly about the politics running werewolf society and how the main characters react and try to conform, or not, into the pattern set hundreds of years ago to allow weres to exist alongside humans.

Held’s taut prose has the slightly elevated feel of a literary novel, but with the pace and narrative drive customary in urban fantasy – it’s a heady mix. The character that stands out is Silver. Scarred and crippled, she regularly communes with Death, who appears to her as a large black wolf. He often helps her – but also can be taunting and apparently unconcerned when she is in trouble. There is no sense that this communication is somehow a secret weapon that makes up for her physical weakness and the aching void left by being unable to run with the rest of pack. Silver tries to remember not to talk to Death in front of others – she is aware that far too many people already believe she is mad – but occasionally it is not always possible. So does the depiction of such a compromised character work in a sub-genre that habitually produces tough females who are able to square up to the males and give as good as they get? Yes – because Silver refuses to see herself as a victim, and can still assert her own form of authority. One of Held’s major sub-plots also involves Susan, the human mate of a were alpha, who finds herself on the edge of were society without fully appreciating her own danger. Until Silver takes upon herself to ensure Susan knows what she has got herself into.

I found this book immensely affirming in a way that many books featuring female protagonists simply don’t. I’ve grown a tad tired of the generic kick-ass heroine, armed and feisty, who has Attitude oozing out of every pore along with a smart mouth, is drop-dead gorgeous/sexy – and able to produce an arsenal of lethal weaponry from the back pocket of those skintight jeans she is wearing and mix it up with the roughest, toughest male in the neighbourhood. Okay, I’m exaggerating – but you get the point… That formula has been done to death.

Silver is none of those things and Held makes it very clear that there is no cure lurking around the corner for her terrible injuries. She has to make up for her physical weakness by living on her wits and keeping sharp – there is no magic gismo to give her any sense of invulnerability. Yippee! A heroine I can empathise with. Because the hard fact is, as any woman who’s ever been faced with an angry/drunken man will testify, we are weaker and in any physical conflict, we mostly come off worse.  If you are a fan of urban fantasy, track down Silver and give it a go. That’s what I’m going to do – I need another fix of Held’s world until Reflected comes out next year.
9/10