Review: Wild Card - Rachel Vincent

Kaci Dillon is a man-eater.

She’s grown up on the fringes of shifter society, hearing the whispers. One desperate act as a starving, terrified child has made her the first tabby in history with no romantic prospects. But whatever. Eighteen is too young to get married anyway. Still, when she stumbles upon an opportunity to get away for a few days, who could blame her for seizing it?

Justus Alexander is screwed.

Confined to the South-Central territory, awaiting trial for crimes he committed as a traumatized, newly infected stray, Justus has discovered that the tribunal already intends to vote for the death penalty. He has no choice but to run. Too young to touch the trust fund that could finance his escape, he’s betting on a big win at the poker tables—until Kaci, his secret crush, catches him sneaking out and demands that he take her with him to Las Vegas…

After a wild night she can’t remember, Kaci wakes up with a ring on her finger, next to a young billionaire who can’t access his fortune until he turns twenty-five—or ties the knot. If she can keep her hands off her hot, charismatic new groom, she can have their unconsummated marriage annulled. But can she really abandon Justus to his death sentence, just to undo her own mistake?

Shifters Series:
Stray
Rogue
Pride
Prey
Shift
Alpha
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)

Wildcats Series:
(This series is set in the Shifters world featuring characters we've already met but is paranormal romance rather than urban fantasy)
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)
Lion's Share
Blind Tiger
Wild Card

Visit Rachel Vincent's website for more information

Review:
Kaci is a bit unusual in the Shifters world, she is only a werecat because both of her parents carried recessive genes so she wasn't raised in a Pride and it was a complete shock to her when she hit puberty and turned into a giant cat. Totally traumatised Kaci ended up in a bad place and if she hadn't been rescued by Faythe and the others she would still be living wild in her cat form. Faythe and Marc have been like parents to her and she's been loved and cared for on the Lazy S ranch but because of her man-eater status (and I mean that in a literal sense rather than a figurative one) she is the only rare tabby who doesn't have a crowd of adoring toms just waiting for her to be old enough to marry. Sick of being looked at like a monster and overhearing the enforcers make snide comments when she sees a chance at a weekend of complete freedom she jumps at it.

Justus is a stray who was turned against his will and left to fend for himself as part of an elaborate plot against his brother Titus. He wasn't given any help during his transition period and ended up accidentally killing two people and infecting a third. To make sure he was given a fair trial Faythe and Marc took him into their Pride to give him the rights not normally extended to strays. When he overhears some of the other enforcers talking he realises that the outcome of the trial has been decided before the alphas have even heard his side of the story. Unwilling to just sit around and wait for his death sentence to be announced Justus plots his escape. The last thing he planned to do was take one of the pride's valuable tabbies along with him but when Kaci blackmails him into helping her he doesn't have much choice.

Rachel Vincent states at the beginning of the book that this has a lighter tone to the previous two Wildcats stories because Kaci is younger than the previous heroines and also because she has such a traumatic past. I have to agree that was the case but it didn't stop me enjoying Kaci and Justus's story just as much as all the others. Wild Card was much more humorous and I really loved the slow build relationship between the main couple, the attraction was there from very early on but Justus was very patient with Kaci and didn't want to push her into anything she wasn't ready for. They both had a difficult introduction to their lives as shifters and that made them understand each other in a way a lot of others didn't. I was actually incredibly angry with the way some of Faythe's enforcers spoke about Kaci, I couldn't believe they held her past against her when she was just a young and seriously messed up kid at the time it happened. I'm happy to say that they got what they deserved in the end but be prepared to be angry in the meantime!

I really loved the chance to catch up with Faythe, Marc and so many of the characters from the original Shifters series. As always there was plenty of political manoeuvring by the alphas going on in the background but I absolutely loved the way Kaci was able to talk her and Justus out of trouble on several occasions. That girl should definitely become a lawyer because she can talk anyone into her way of thinking! We don't see much of Titus in this instalment but he does make an appearance nearer the end of the book. I have to admit I was annoyed by one particular thing he did but he came around eventually and redeemed himself in the end. There are some huge changes in this book that are bound to have a knock on effect as the series continues and I can't wait to see what is in store for the rest of the strays now. I can't tell you how much I love being back in this world, the Shifters series is still one of my favourites and this spin off is just as fantastic so I'm hoping we have many more books still to come!

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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Review: Blind Tiger - Rachel Vincent

Robyn Sheffield wants her life back.

As the only female stray in the US, she's had to deal with bloodlust, flashbacks, a lack of impulse control (which might not have anything to do with being a shifter), and weeks under house arrest for crimes she never meant to commit. But when she overhears the territorial council plotting to marry her off to an eligible tom? It's time for this chick to fly the coop.

Titus Alexander wants recognition.

He’s spent the past year carving his territory out of the Mississippi free zone, forming a community for strays exiled and forgotten by the US Prides. As the first stray Alpha, he’s sworn to bring the toms under his authority the rights, support, and respect that official confirmation from the council will bring. But then the council’s precious female stray sneaks into the free zone in the back of his car and demands sanctuary.

The council gives Titus a choice: send Robyn back and have his Pride acknowledged, or prepare for war. Citizenship for his men is within his grasp. So why is it so hard for him to let one rebellious tabby go?

Shifters Series:
Stray
Rogue
Pride
Prey
Shift
Alpha
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)

Wildcats Series:
(This series is set in the Shifters world featuring characters we've already met but is paranormal romance rather than urban fantasy)
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)
Lion's Share
Blind Tiger
Wild Card

Visit Rachel Vincent's website for more information

Review:
I'm a huge fan of Rachel Vincent's Shifters series and I can't even tell you how much I'm enjoying being back in that world seeing glimpses of characters we already know and love while at the same time getting to know a whole new pride of werecats.

Blind Tiger picks up Robyn's story a couple of months after the ending of Lion's Share, her secret is out and she's been placed under house arrest as punishment for killing the human hunters who were tracking her and Abby. She's supposed to be learning how to control her new cat instincts and she's also undergoing contestant medical tests as they try to figure out how she was able to survive to become the first female stray in America. Robyn knows she agreed to her punishment (it was that or have her claws cut off and her teeth removed!) but she's so tired of being trapped inside and constantly monitored whatever she's doing. The last straw is when she hears several of the Alphas discussing which of their sons should get the chance to be her husband, she wants to go back to school not get married and start popping out little shifter babies.

Titus has spent years trying to turn the strays from the Mississippi free zone into a genuine Pride and he takes his Alpha responsibilities very seriously. He has been working alongside Jace, Abby, Faythe and Marc to get the Alpha Council to recognise them as an official Pride so that his men will have the same rights and opportunities as all the other werecats but a lot of the Council are old and stuck in their ways and it won't be easy to get them to accept a stray Alpha. When Robyn escapes from her house arrest by sneaking into his car she makes his goals even less achievable. Robyn begs him for protection, something he has promised to all strays in his territory, but if he doesn't return her then the council won't just refuse to acknowledge his Pride, they'll also go into full out war to get her back.

This was another great instalment in the Wildcats series, I loved seeing how Jace and Abby are getting along and I really enjoyed getting to know Titus and some of his enforcers. So many great characters and I really hope we're going to get stories for all of them eventually (even though that could be difficult considering the severe lack of tabbies in this world!). Robyn has been through a lot since she was turned and it was no surprise that she was rebelling against the way the Council were treating her, the old guard are so traditional that it would drive me insane being under their control and this is totally outside of Robyn's comfort zone. Titus is stuck between a rock and a hard place, by helping Robyn he would be risking everything he's worked so hard for and the lives of the rest of the strays under his protection but if he doesn't help her then he'd be turning his back on a stray that desperately needs his help.

Add in the mystery of someone who is deliberately breaking the rules and making new strays at an increasingly high rate and Titus has his work cut out to keep peace in his territory. I have to admit I'd guessed who was behind that mystery very early on, there weren't that many suspects after all, but I still enjoyed seeing Titus and Robyn try to figure things out. Their romance was great too and I loved seeing how they dealt with the Council. Robyn was willing to make a difficult sacrifice but they also had a lot of friends working with them and I think the Council is going to get a real shake up over the next few books. It's great to see Pack politics going through some much needed changes and I'm excited to see where the series goes from here.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

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Review: Lion's Share - Rachel Vincent

Abby Wade has a dangerous secret.

Two months ago, she disobeyed an order, but instead of kicking her out of the Pride, Jace offered her a job. Since then, she’s been battling a completely inappropriate crush on the young, hot Alpha. But when accepting his job offer seems like the only way to keep her skeletons safely in their closet, Abby doesn’t hesitate.

Jace Hammond has a big problem.

A rogue is slaughtering humans in his territory, and he must eliminate the threat before the entire shifter species is exposed. There could not be a worse time for Abby to accept a job he only offered as a boost to her confidence. Abby is smart, beautiful, and resilient—more than enough to distract any man from the mission. Unfortunately, she may just be the worst enforcer ever to hold the title.

As they hunt the killer, Abby’s secret becomes a threat to Jace’s authority and to her own life. But the real danger is the grip she has on his twice-shy heart.

Shifters Series:
Stray
Rogue
Pride
Prey
Shift
Alpha
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)

Wildcats Series:
(This series is set in the Shifters world featuring characters we've already met but is paranormal romance rather than urban fantasy)
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)
Lion's Share
Blind Tiger
Wild Card

Visit Rachel Vincent's website for more information

Review:
I absolutely loved Rachel Vincent's Shifters series but although I was happy with the way the series ended I have missed the world and the characters over the last five years. So as soon as I found out about this new spin off series I pre-ordered my copy of Lion's Share and I started reading it the moment it appeared on my kindle. In fact, I read all night until I finished it at 8am because I was enjoying it so much! I've been a bit lax with my review writing this year though so I decided a reread was in order so I could rave about the story properly. I don't do much rereading and it's incredibly rare for me to reread a book more than once in a year so that's high praise indeed. Where the Shifters series is definitely urban fantasy, and all told from main character Faythe's point of view the Wildcats books are going to be more romance focused with each book featuring a different couple and told from dual perspectives.

In this first instalment we finally get to see Jace's story and I loved every minute of it. I was always team Marc when I was reading the previous books because I thought he was a better fit for Faythe but I still loved Jace's character and was a little heartbroken for him when he was rejected. In the couple of years since the ending of Alpha Jace has been running his sister's Pride, he knows he'll have to leave when she gets married but for now he's enjoying being Alpha and has worked hard to make a success of things. Unfortunately he now has problems, there is a stray werecat in his territory murdering humans and they are bringing down far too much attention from the authorities. The Council aren't happy and they're questioning is authority so he needs to resolve things quickly if he doesn't want to loose his position.

Abby is a survivor, she went through hell as a teenager but she came out the other side and has worked hard to gain her independence. She had a close circle of friends at college but if you read the short story, Hunt, which connects the two series you'll know that things haven't gone smoothly for her. This time when Abby was attacked she was able to fight back though and although the event has left lasting consequences she has come a long way from the scared child we first met. I loved seeing how much Abby has matured, she has really come into her own as a strong and independent woman. She loves wholeheartedly and she will do anything to protect the people she thinks of as her own.

I absolutely loved the romance between Jace and Abby, considering her previous experience she is understandably nervous but Jace is very patient and makes it clear that things will only move forward at a pace she is comfortable with. There are some incredibly sweet moments between the two of them but they also have fantastic chemistry and Rachel Vincent manages to make even the most innocent interactions between them practically sizzle the pages. Although this story is focused more on the romance than the previous books were that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of other things going on to hold your interest. You have the intrigue over the stray werecat, there are hunters who have been stalking Abby, Abby herself is keeping some pretty major secrets and we are reminded just what a bunch of pompous old fools half of the alphas on the Council are. There is a major upheaval at the end of this book that is going to have a huge impact on the werecats and I can't wait to see how this plays out in the next instalment.

I had so much fun being back in this world, it was great to catch a glimpse of characters I already knew and love but we have also been introduced to some new faces that I'm looking forward to spending more time with. I enjoyed this book so much that I've decided to dive straight into a reread of the Shifters series and I'm hoping that'll keep me going until the next book is released. Thank you Rachel Vincent for revisiting this world, I'm so excited to see where you're going to take us on this new journey with the Wildcats and I'll definitely be auto-buying anything else you release in this series.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
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Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Hunt - Rachel Vincent

It’s been more than four years since Abby survived capture and torture by a quartet of rogue shifters. Back then she was a scared kid, just trying to survive.

Now Abby is all grown up, and if she’s learned anything from training with Faythe Sanders, the world’s first female Alpha, it’s that she can take care of herself—and anyone else who comes along. So when her college roommate is abducted from a campsite deep in the Appalachian woods, Abby knows exactly how to get her back . . .

The rules of the hunt are simple. Kill or be killed.
Abby Wade is not ready to die.

This short story was previously published in the Chicks Kick Butt anthology

Shifters Series:
Stray
Rogue
Pride
Prey
Shift
Alpha
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)

Wildcats Series:
(This series is set in the Shifters world featuring characters we've already met but is paranormal romance rather than urban fantasy)
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)
Lion's Share
Blind Tiger
Wild Card

Visit Rachel Vincent's website for more information

Review:
I absolutely adore Rachel Vincet's Shifters series, I read it way back in 2010 and I still miss the world so as you can imagine I was incredibly excited when I heard that she was writing a new spin off paranormal romance series featuring some of the characters we've already met. The first book in the new Wildcats series, Lion's Share, is going to be published in February and features Abby and Jace as the main characters. I realised that I never read Abby's novella though so I thought this would be a great way to jump back into the world and get me even more excited for the new series. Hunt is actually a perfect crossover between the two series so I'd highly recommend picking it up if you haven't already.

Hunt is a short story set sometime after the ending of Alpha, I can't quite remember the timeline now but it's four years after we initially met Abby's character. Abby is living away from the rest of her pack while she studies at college and she's spending the weekend camping with her college friends when things go terribly wrong and her group is attacked by a bunch of humans. Abby knows fear, she was captured and tortured by rogue shifters as a young teen and there is no way she's going to sit back and let her friend's be terrorised by mere humans.

This may be short but Rachel Vincent packs a lot in and it was great to see how much Abby has grown since we first met her. She is able to put her fear to one side so that she can fight for her friends and it was great to see her kicking butt and taking names. We get a glimpse of her current alpha who just happens to be the lovely Jace and I really enjoyed the interactions between them, I have a feeling Abby is going to cause quite a bit of stress for Jace before she's finished!

I loved diving back into this world and Hunt has made me even more desperate to get my hands on Lion's Share. It's also made me really tempted to go back and reread the whole Shifters series.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Kindle:

Review: Alpha - Rachel Vincent

"The only thing I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt - I would live and die for my pride"

Everything is about to change for werecat Faythe when her father is ousted from the council that controls their secret world. And a shocking tragedy jeopardises her future as Alpha of the pride.

Now a rebel on the run, Faythe's biggest fight lies ahead. Old allies from the supernatural world are ready to stand by her side. And weretoms Marc and Jace would give their very souls in the duel for Faythe's heart...

Yet as their enemies draw near Faythe knows that she - and she alone - can lead the pride into what may be their final battle.

Shifters Series:
Stray
Rogue
Pride
Prey
Shift
Alpha
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)

Wildcats Series:
(This series is set in the Shifters world featuring characters we've already met but is paranormal romance rather than urban fantasy)
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)
Lion's Share
Blind Tiger
Wild Card

Visit Rachel Vincent's website for more information

Review:
This is the 6th and final book in the Shifters series so it is very difficult to review without giving spoilers for previous books. There won't be any spoilers for Alpha included in this review but if you're new to the series I strongly recommend you stop reading now as this series really should be read in order - why not check out my review for Stray instead. This is my favourite Urban Fantasy series though so I'd definitely recommend you check it out!

Anyone who knows me probably knows by now what a massive fan I am of this series, I have been completely hooked since I first read Stray and my addiction has only got worse as I continued reading. I think it's fair to say that I've been anticipating this book for what seems like forever but I've also been dreading it too. It's always sad to reach the end of a series you love and know that you're going to have to say goodbye to characters you've come to know and love and I know I could have happily read many more books set in this world. I have to say that I'm pleased that Rachel Vincent decided to end this series on a high though rather than drag it out until I wanted to stop reading like some authors who I refuse to mention here!

I doubt you'll be surprised to hear that as soon as this book arrived I immediately dropped everything else and settled in for the long haul. I did manage to make it last 2 days but that was more due to lack of reading time than anything else! If you've read the other books in the series then you'll already know how action packed the story lines usually are and Alpha was even more of a roller coaster ride. There were plenty of times I was reading with my heart in my mouth worrying desperately that everyone would survive the final battle. I'll admit that I was worried about Rachel's ability to tear my heart out and I'll confess to shedding more than a few tears during this instalment in the series.

I really did go through every possible emotion reading this book & was glad I was reading in the privacy of my own home as I literally shouted in indignation at the bad guys, sobbed my heart out with both joy & sadness and jumped up and down with glee. This probably isn't a story you'd want to be reading in public!

There are a lot of threads that needed to be tied up in the final instalment but one that was at the top of my list had to be the love triangle between Faythe, Marc and Jace. I'm not going to say if I was happy with the outcome of that as I'm sure I've mentioned in other reviews which guy I was routing for so I'll just say that Rachel managed to ratchet up the tension until I wasn't sure if I could stand any more. I swung wildly back and forth over who Faythe would eventually choose until I almost decided that she would be left without either of them. It was both heartbreaking and uplifting to read.

If you're a fan of the series you need to get hold of Alpha as soon as possible but if you're yet to enter the Shifters world then I'd urge you to do so as soon as possible. As soon as I'd finished the last page I wanted to pick up Stray and start the journey all over again (the only thing that stopped me is that it's already been packed in anticipation of my house move!). I'm pretty sure re-reading the series is one of the first things I'll do when I've unpacked. Faythe has come on such a massive journey since the beginning of the first book and I feel lucky that I got to share that experience with her. I can't recommend this series highly enough and am looking forward to seeing what Rachel Vincent comes up with next. I just hope that one day she will revisit the world of the werecats and that we will get to see how the future pans out for the characters we love.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
Ink and Paper
Portrait of a Woman
I Want To Read That
Tynga's Reviews
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Shift - Rachel Vincent

Sometimes you have to make a tough choice, knowing it might get you killed.

When vicious half-human, half-bird creatures kill two of her Pride and kidnap young tabby Kaci, sassy werecat Faythe is ready to wage war.

Yet with an injury preventing her from shifting into cat form, Faythe has to rely on her intelligence - and the help of hot-headed enforcers Marc and Jace, who are both ready to do battle for her heart.

With only forty-eight hours to save Kaci, Faythe faces impossible choices in the biggest test of her Alpha potential yet...

Shifters Series:
Stray
Rogue
Pride
Prey
Shift
Alpha
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)

Wildcats Series:
(This series is set in the Shifters world featuring characters we've already met but is paranormal romance rather than urban fantasy)
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)
Lion's Share
Blind Tiger
Wild Card

Visit Rachel Vincent's website for more information

Review:
This is the 5th book in the Shifters series so it is very difficult to review without giving spoilers for previous books. If you're new to the series I strongly recommend you don't read this review as this series really should be read in order - why not check out my review for Stray instead. This is my favourite Urban Fantasy series though so I'd definitely recommend you check it out!

This book continues the story just a couple of weeks after the ending of Prey - Faythe and the rest of her Pride are still devastated by the loss of an important Pride member and are preparing to go to war to get their revenge and stop Calvin Malone's attempt to take over the Pride Council. But attack comes in an unexpected form when they are set upon by the Thunderbirds - a Flight of bird shifters who are determined to destroy the Pride. The Pride have no idea why they are under attack and they are at a major disadvantage when their enemy can fly - they can't afford to lose more members if they are going to have a chance in the upcoming war. When the Thunderbirds manage to kidnap Kaci it falls to Faythe to discover what they want and to figure out a way to rescue her.

I have been a massive fan of the Shifters series ever since I read Stray but with each book I've been amazed that it has managed to be better than the last. Shift didn't disappoint and I was drawn into Faythe's world from the very first page.  I love the way Faythe's character has grown throughout the series - she still has flaws and makes mistakes but she is truly starting to show her full potential.

Shift is action packed from the word go and kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page. I really didn't know how the book was going to end and there were some great twists that I wasn't expecting. I have no idea how the relationship issues between Faythe, Marc & Jace will be resolved after the events of the last book. I feel for each of the characters and just can't see a way to give all three of them a happy ending.

The style of Rachel Vincent's writing has created an absorbing world that hooks you from the moment you pick up the book. I don't think I've ever felt so emotionally invested in the outcome of a series before and for that reason I am both longing for and dreading the final book Alpha. I'm sure Rachel will manage to surpass my expectations but I really don't want my journey with Faythe, Marc & the Pride to come to an end. If you haven't tried this series yet then I really recommend you go out and get a copy of Stray today - I'm sure you'll be as hooked as I am.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
Tynga's Reviews
Ink and Paper
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Prey - Rachel Vincent

"The fight was about to get unbelievably, irreversibly bad"

Having barely escaped a tribunal with her life, defiant werecat Faythe can't seem to keep out of trouble. Her disobedience jeopardises her father's position as Alpha of the south-central Pride and a young tabby in her care refuses to shift into cat form to save her own life.

But a darker danger lurks in the bloody and mysterious disappearance of Faythe's boyfriend, exiled stray Marc. Tired of being a target, Faythe's ready to embrace her destiny and fight like an Alpha to get Marc back and defend the honour of her Pride.

Shifters Series:
Stray
Rogue
Pride
Prey
Shift
Alpha
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)

Wildcats Series:
(This series is set in the Shifters world featuring characters we've already met but is paranormal romance rather than urban fantasy)
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)
Lion's Share
Blind Tiger
Wild Card

Visit Rachel Vincent's website for more information

Review:
This is the 4th book in the Shifters series so it is very difficult to review without giving spoilers for previous books. If you're new to the series I strongly recommend you start reading from the beginning as this really is a series you need to read in order.

I was already a massive fan of this series but I honestly think that this is the best book yet. There was so much going on & I literally couldn't put it down! Marc is in exile which is bad enough but when he goes missing Faythe is out of her mind with worry. Along with searching for Marc she has to deal with Manx's trial and Kaci's diminishing health as she is still refusing to shift. That's nothing compared to the political manoeuvres that Calvin Malone is putting into place to try and oust Faythe's father as the Alpha of the south-central Pride. If ever there was a character I wanted to climb into a book just to punch it would have to be Malone!

Prey takes you on a complete emotional roller coaster - it is the first book in a long time that actually made me cry. Parts of the book are absolutely heartbreaking and although at the time I was crying "Noooooo" and begging Rachel Vincent not to do it, I do think that what happened is going to have an important impact for the series. The plot is as even more action packed than I was expecting and the number of twists the story takes is incredible.

We really do see Faythe start to grow up in this book. Without Marc to lean on she has to stand on her own 2 feet and I can see the makings of a great Alpha in her. She still isn't perfect and makes several mistakes but her character has come a long way since Stray. The book doesn't end on as much of a cliff-hanger as some of the previous books but don't let that make you think you won't be itching to get on with the rest of the series because you definitely will be. This really is a series that I can't praise highly enough - if you haven't already started reading it then you need to buy it now. I promise you won't regret it!

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
Ink and Paper
Tynga's Reviews
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Pride - Rachel Vincent

It's not a game, Faythe. It's a power play and they've already won.

The werecat council has three cardinal laws - and headstrong Faythe stands accused of breaking two of them: infecting a human with her supernatural skills and killing him to cover her tracks. With the death penalty hanging over her head, Faythe has no escape route left.

That is, until a shapeshifter informs the pride of a rash of rogue strays terrorising his land. Yet this threat is nothing like any they've seen before. Only Faythe has the knowledge to save the pride, but can she prove her worth? Or will the council's verdict condemn them all...?

Shifters Series:
Stray
Rogue
Pride
Prey
Shift
Alpha
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)

Wildcats Series:
(This series is set in the Shifters world featuring characters we've already met but is paranormal romance rather than urban fantasy)
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)
Lion's Share
Blind Tiger
Wild Card

Visit Rachel Vincent's website for more information

Review:
The review for this book will include major spoilers for anyone who hasn't yet read the first 2 books Stray & Rogue so please don't read any further if you're new to the series.

The end of the last book saw Faythe kill her ex-boyfriend Andrew in self defence, this is the same ex-boyfriend who she had accidentally infected when she was partially shifted. Now she is on trial for both of these crimes and if she is found guilty she will be facing the death penalty. As far as the council is concerned she is guilty until she can prove her innocence and unless she can convince them that she infected Andrew by accident she is going to be in serious trouble. Considering she is the only werecat in history who claims to be able to do a partial shift, and all the witnesses she has have good reason to lie for her, she is going to have to show the council that it can be done. She has yet to learn how to do this on command though, so is finding it difficult to demonstrate the ability.

The trial is being held on neutral territory & 2 of the 3 alpha judges seem determined to push for the death penalty. It soon becomes clear that there is more to this than their first seemed and they are using the situation against Faythe's father for political reasons. While the trial is ongoing they soon become aware of strays causing problems in the area. 2 humans are missing and they need to solve the mystery before the human search parties find them.

There is so much going on in this book that I just couldn't put it down! Rachel Vincent is an expert at complex plots and it is impossible to guess everything that is going to happen. I loved the developments in Faythe & Marc's relationship but was heartbroken at the situation they find themselves in at the end of the book. I am going to have to read Prey now just so I can find out what happens! Rachel Vincent has a well earned place in my favourite authors list & this series is the best one I've come across for ages.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
Ink and Paper
Tynga's Reviews
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Review: Rogue - Rachel Vincent

There's a reason we have the rules we have, and apparently you're it.

Rebellious werecat Faythe is shocked when the bodies of murdered men begin turning up in her Pride's territory, especially as the killings can be traced back to her former life as an ordinary college student. But could a message from an old friend provide a chilling clue?

Faythe knows that a past indiscretion may have led to these men's deaths. She also risks exposing her family's supernatural secret. Faced with a terrifying choice, Faythe must decide: pray the council grant her mercy - or risk everything to pursue her own brand of justice.

Shifters Series:
Stray
Rogue
Pride
Prey
Shift
Alpha
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)

Wildcats Series:
(This series is set in the Shifters world featuring characters we've already met but is paranormal romance rather than urban fantasy)
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)
Lion's Share
Blind Tiger
Wild Card

Visit Rachel Vincent's website for more information

Review:
I loved Stray, the first book in this series, and I was far from disappointed with Rogue. I would really recommend reading this series in order & although there won't be spoilers for Rogue in this review I can't help but give away some things that happen in Stray. If you've not started this series yet then I suggest you don't read any further.

The story continues several months after the end of Stray and as she promised her father Faythe is now working as an enforcer alongside Marc, who she is also now dating again. She is still unsure of her long term plans but is enjoying being an enforcer and is determined to prove herslef to her father & the rest of the Pride.

It isn't long before strange things start to happen though. The Pride starts to get anonymous phone calls directing them to the bodies of dead strays in their territory. They also discover a pattern of missing human strippers that seems to be linked to the bodies and Faythe is getting threatening phone calls from her ex-boyfriend Andrew. Is it all a coincidence or is everything somehow linked together?

I really enjoyed reading this book, Rachel Vincent has a way of sucking you into the story and making it impossible to leave. Faythe is strong and independent but she can also be selfish and immature. At times I wanted to shake her but the very fact that she has her weaknesses makes her seem more human. None of us are perfect and it can be easier to relate to someone who has such obvious faults. There is also a lot of room for Faythe to grow up throughout the series & I'm looking forward to watching this happen.

I love the relationships between the Pride members and it is easy to feel like you know the characters personally. Marc is fantastic & I really have to wonder at Faythe's sanity when she pushes him away, sometimes it is really hard to see why he puts up with some of the things she does. I also really like Faythe's brothers. We didn't really get to see much of Faythe's mother in the previous book but she comes into her own more in this book and you get to see more of her influence on Faythe's character.

As with the previous book there are lots of things going on and although I was able to make some guesses about how things were going to tie together there were a lot of things that came as a complete surprise. The book ended on a major cliff hanger & I was just relieved that I already own Pride and was able to start reading it immediately! If you haven't already discovered this series then I can't recommend it strongly enough.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
Ink and Paper
Tynga's Reviews
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Review: Stray - Rachel Vincent

The difference between the movies and reality? In real life, I was the monster.

Faythe Sanders looks like an ordinary student, but she's hiding a dark secret: she is a werecat, a powerful supernatural predator. Yet headstrong, independent Faythe resents her power, heading to college to escape her family and her overprotective ex, Marc.

That is until a stray - a dangerous werecat without a pride or territory - catches her scent. With two werecat girls already missing, Faythe is summoned home for her own protection.

But Faythe will do whatever it takes to find her kidnapped kin. She has claws - and she's not afraid to use them.

Shifters Series:
Stray
Rogue
Pride
Prey
Shift
Alpha
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)

Wildcats Series:
(This series is set in the Shifters world featuring characters we've already met but is paranormal romance rather than urban fantasy)
Hunt (Novella that links the Shifters and Wildcats Series)
Lion's Share
Blind Tiger
Wild Card

Visit Rachel Vincent's website for more information

Review:
Stray is a fantastic start to the Shifters series & I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of the books. Faythe is one of only 8 unmarried female werecats in America which makes her a very important member of her Pride. Her family are very keen to see her settled & married so she can start producing the next generation of werecats but this is the last thing Faythe wants to do. She is very independent and determined to have a life of her own outside the Pride. For the last 5 years she has been at college but when she is attacked by a stray this gives her over-protective family the perfect excuse to bring her home.

Faythe is a brilliant character - she is smart & tough but she has plenty of flaws too. She can come across as selfish but it is easy to understand the motivation behind her actions. The fact that she isn't perfect makes her easier to relate to and made her feel more real to me. Back at home Faythe discovers she isn't the only one who has been attacked - 2 of her fellow tabbies are missing and she is determined to find out what has happened to them. Her family are equally determined to keep her safe and she is practically under house arrest, under 24 hour supervision from her brothers and her ex-boyfriend Marc. I absolutely loved Marc - he is madly in love with Faythe and wants her back. He has an incredible jealous streak but apart from that is he is pretty much my ideal man!

Feeling stifled by her family & Marc, Faythe tries to find room to breathe but ends up putting herself in danger. It is going to take all her strength and cunning if she is going to save herself and her fellow tabbies. Once the main action started I couldn't put this book down although there were times when I was almost frightened to read what was going to happen next - it was like watching a horror film where you can only watch by peeking over the top of a cushion! I think I went through every emotion possible when reading this - a sure sign of a good book. I'll definitely be going back for more of this series.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
Ink and Paper
The Bibliophilic Book Blog
Tynga's Reviews
Story Wings
Magic Faerie's Paranormal Review
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle: