THE THING ABOUT WERES
Mystwalker Series #2
by Leigh Evans
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks (July 30, 2013)
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Adult
Format: eBook (432 pages)
Source: Free book from Netgalley for honest review
Purchase: Amazon Print | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5 stars)
THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER
In the never-ending saga that is my love-hate relationship with Robson Trowbridge, I, half-Were Hedi Peacock, have had a change of heart. Ever since I shoved Trowbridge through the Gates of Merenwyn, I’ve been the leader of the pack—hard to believe, right? The thing is: I’m half-Fae. So even though my Were side is ready to heed the call of the wild, the other part of me is desperate to take flight. And much as it pains me to admit it, life without Trowbridge is really starting to were me down…
I AM WERE, HEAR ME ROAR.
To make matters worse, the wolves of Creemore want my blood—and the North American Council of Weres wants me dead. So I’m just counting the days until Trowbridge returns from the other realm…and comes to my brave rescue…and becomes my alpha mate. Wishful thinking? Of course it is. But given all the mess I’ve been through already, what’s the harm in doing a little bit of daisy-plucking? Besides, Trowbridge owes me bigtime. A girl can dream.
At A Glance
Better than the first book and more romance, but not enough happened to warrant that cliffhanger.
The Good
Warning: It’s almost impossible to write this review without some spoilers. Just a heads up.
This book does not lack in twists, turns, and surprises. The things we learn…just wow. I was so excited to learn about what happened to Trowbridge in “fae land,” how Hedi had handled the pack all by herself, and the revelations about Hedi’s brother, Lexi. No one gets a break in this series. The bad luck keeps on coming and there is not a happy end in sight. We can only hope something eventually gives and this group is able to live a semblance of a normal life. *snickers* Yeah right. Not holding my breath. Don’t get me wrong. I love the drama and obstacles. It’s what keeps things exciting.
Hedi is not the best pack leader. Things have been getting worse and worse with Trowbridge gone. I was totally freaked when things hit a head with the werewolf pack, but Hedi seemed oddly calm but scared at the same time. I think that’s what I like about her. She has the most odd reactions to stressful and frightening situations. She likes to have internal monologues with herself and she notices the most random things when the world is falling apart around her. It’s nice to have a main character that doesn’t react they way you think she will or should. Kept me on my toes, that’s for sure. Hedi did the best she could after getting hit with shock after shock. Trowbridge is back but not in the condition or state of mind she hoped. Her long lost brother, who was stolen away to Merenwyn when he was young, is back, but is not the kind, caring brother she once knew. And Hedi is stuck between loyalty to her mate, her brother, and herself.
Trowbridge has had one messed up trip to Merenwyn. He has been to hell and back and he is not the same man as before. He’s changed, some for the better, and some for the worst. He’s keeping a lot of secrets and its so frustrating for Hedi. Trowbridge gets on my last nerve most of the time, but I can’t deny his alpha sexiness.
Lexi has lived in a nightmare most of his life, but it’s the only life he knows. His loyalty to his sister is questionable at best, but you can’t really blame him. He’s done bad things that seem unforgivable, but then you realize that he’s only done what he has to do to live. Lexi is a big whole question mark. I want him to find happiness but I don’t know if he is too far gone.
The writing was pretty good but Evans excels in plot twists, shocking moments, and complex characters. Sometimes we don’t even like the characters, but that’s okay. They aren’t perfect. Not everything can be rainbows and roses. Life is hard, life in a paranormal world is even harder. These people can only do what they think is best. And as a reader, we understand that and respect it. I loved the humor intertwined with the seriousness and the dialogue was great.
The Bad
For a lengthy book, not much happens. Okay, that’s not true. There are some pretty big events that take place, but there wasn’t enough going on to move the story along for me. I felt like there was a lot of waiting around on the characters’ part. And when we were going to get our big adventure, the story ends. Damn you, cliffhanger!!!!
I just can’t get behind Hedi and Trowbridge’s relationship. Or lack there of. Without me rooting for the couple, it’s hard for me to fall in love with this book.
I had to do some skimming when it came to descriptions. I just got bored.
The Snuggly
I did like the romance better in The Thing About Weres than The Trouble With Fate, but I still don’t buy that Trowbridge is really into Hedi. His actions don’t backup his mouth. He may say he feels for Hedi, but he rarely shows it. Sure, they have strong sexual chemistry, but if I was Hedi, I wouldn’t settle for a one-sided relationship.
Be ready for strong sexual tension and some hot sex. Nothing over the top but pretty steamy.
Final Thoughts
I have my problems with this series, but I can’t deny that I find it kind of fascinating too. I have this itch to know what is going to happen next. I will be reading the next book for sure. I just hope I can fall in love with the characters more the next time. Recommended overall.
He lifted the knife then paused.
He’s teasing me with it. I registered that and, absurdly, that the skin over Knox’s flared nostrils was potted with big pores and that–oh look at that–moonlight can make a silver blade gleam in a deadly and beautiful way. My belly tenses as he pointed the tip at my shoulder. It’s going to hurt, it’s going to–
“In this bed, it is just you and me. You are my Robbie Trowbridge.” I flattened my hands beside his head and bent until our mouths were inches apart. His breath and mine mingled. “And I am reclaiming you.”
Mystwalker Series (My Reviews):
Book #1: The Trouble With Fate
Book #2: The Thing About Weres
Jaclyn Canada
I really like what you said about the main character making choices and decisions that surprise you. The romance being one you can’t root for and skimming due to lack of action is tough though. I really enjoy fey and werewolves so I think I would like the series, but I’d really like to know where the romance and action go in the rest of this series, especially since these keep ending in cliffhangers. Great review! Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
Jennifer Bielman
OMG, both books had cliffhangers so if you can’t handle those, then yeah, wait until the rest of the books come out.
Brandi Kosiner
Glad to hear the romance and the story is getting better as it goes
Jennifer Bielman
As long there is progress I usually keep with series.