I finished this book in two days, I stayed up way too late to finish it too. I fought sleep because I wanted to read this one so bad, I'm so mad I listened to all the naysayers who said this one sucked, it didn't it was amazeballs, and I found myself enjoying way more than I have enjoyed any of the others in while, this had so many great moments that I needed to finish it.
I found myself laughing out loud while reading this, and really reading so I could know just what was on the next page, what adventure was waiting and how far these villains thought they could go before the good prevailed. I was thoroughly intrigued and loved that in this one story, the woman was the best of the best and that once again the circle of women became the greatest assets that the warriors had. I really love Zev, even if he is a little bit kinkier than I personally liked, his woman loved it so to each their own I guess. I know that moment might upset some so there are going to be trigger warnings for those who might need it. Also I must issues a trigger warning for those who might need it, most of that happens off screen but if reading about violence and what happens when psychopaths reign then you might want to skim those pages.
Braka grew up with her sister trapped within the ice walls as her father used and abused as many people as he could, his evil knew no bounds and he had accomplices that made him seem tame compared to them, and it's here that Braka must return, to face the past before she can even begin to consider a true future.
I really enjoyed the coming together of these two, especially because we knew it was going to happen, but also because they were from different clans and much like MaryAnn & Manolito they were a inter-species relationship. Bronnie (to her family and Braka to her mate) unknowingly became her father's greatest pupil, trapped as she was, she was witness to all his crimes, all his experiments and all his spells, he gave her lessons and never even knew it, and this makes her his greatest enemy. As the story unfolds, we get to see a great mixing of the clans, and picked up right were the books previously left off, we hang out with Dimitri and Skyler ( who we learn even more about her family lineage and where she really comes from), see even more of Fen and Tati (Bronnie's sister), work closely with the Prince (why isn't he called the King, he's not waiting to rule he is the ruler of his people) and even get some screen time with Gregori (who is by the way my fave out of all of them). The scary De La Cruz brothers come to call and we see a fave who almost die come into the fold.
This was just as much a book about the over arcing story as it was a bit of a reunion story as well. Even as the world around them expands and the bigger mystery is shown, we also learn even more about the Carpathians and their traditions, we see so much more from the lycans and realize that sadly racism isn't just a human flaw.
I loved reading the adventure from both Zev and Braka's views, loved that Braka had to fight more than Zev did, that she was the one who could save them all, that this time she was the one with the knowledge and the know how, that even with all the extra that made Zev the ultimate Alpha, he still had to take his ques from his lifemate. I really enjoyed see the different relationships, and loved how the men embraced Zev and shared with him. I loved seeing that the brand of leadership that makes Mikhail their Prince isn't an easy brand to bear. Mikhail literally houses the energy that makes his people who they are if he falls, then so do the people. It's why so many have tried to come for him. Gregori and his clan have protected the Prince and his clan since the beginning of their people and they literally are together the most unstoppable force ever, and even in the children can this be seen.
I loved the glimpses of the future that we are getting in seeing the children, and how they are growing, learning and changing. I loved that the families are starting to expand, that each couple is finding a way to not only carry to term, but ti keep their children alive, it's a part of the plan to exterminate them that they are starting to beat. I loved seeing them not just at war but learning to come back together as a people, embracing their differences, and their talents. I really loved seeing the re-emergence of thier Culture and their traditions, it's awesome to see them try to keep from going under, and that makes the difference. Hope really makes the difference.
This was a great book to read, not just because the whole gang was there, but because of the healing that takes place for Braka, and for Tati and Skyler. It's amazing to read the changes that are coming and knowing that there are even more stories to come from the expanding worlds. I can't wait to see how they battle the next evil coming for them, and I like knowing that they very well might win this war.
I'm hoping that we get stories from Andre, Luiz, Matais, and the other men mentioned, it would be really cool if the wolves could find mates among them as well.
Now I've got to go read the latest one which will make me totally caught up on my Christine Feehan challenge. yassss!!!
★★★★☆
