July 23, 2012
In this skimpy paranormal thriller, all werewolves are male—until Jessica McClain, daughter of the respected pack alpha of the Northern U.S. Territories, discovers she can shift. She wanted a relatively quiet life as a PI, but being the first full-blooded female werewolf means that many other supernatural beings want a piece of her, and many of her fellow werewolves want her dead. While every protagonist is by definition special, Jessica is excessively so. Besides lycanthropy, her long list of virtues includes the ability to assume the extremely rare half-wolf, half-human Lycan form; blocking her alpha’s psychic link (which no one has ever done before); mate-bonding with an ancient, dangerous were-beast whose animal form has never been seen by anyone living; and violet eyes. Jessica’s appallingly stereotyped Hispanic neighbor Juanita (“Ooooh, Chica! I have been so worried! It es soooo good to see you here in the live”) heads up a lightly sketched cast, unsupported by the thin plot and exposition-heavy writing. Agent: Nicole Resciniti, the Seymour Agency.
September 15, 2012
Jessica McLain comes from a proud family of werewolves. Her father heads Pack Alpha of the U.S. Northern Territories; her twin brother, Tyler, acts as one of the pack's defenders. When Jessica shifts into wolf form for the first time, however, her pack--and her family--are shaken: no female in the history of their species has ever manifested her inner wolf. Jessica's change could threaten the safety of her pack and the people she loves. Complications arise when she discovers that a powerful supernatural mercenary is on her trail and that her pack may harbor a traitor intent on bringing about a war between the two largest packs in the country. VERDICT Carlson's urban fantasy debut takes a fresh approach to the werewolf tale, giving Jessica's "inner wolf" its own personality and voice. Solidly written, with a strong heroine and a compelling romantic lead, this series opener should find a large audience.
Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.