Tara West

Buckle up folks, this was a rollercoaster of emotion and adventure/chaos. In Calling of Her Court, we learn more about the Crimson Tide and how it evolved into the chaotic mess it now is, including being introduced to Radnor's mate, Isa, prior to Thorin mind spinning everyone. I think the prologue alone is a wild twist to an already incredibly strong curse, and it really pulls a lot of details together to answer open questions. Isa is certainly a very stubborn force to be reckoned with; she show more neither forgets nor forgives easily. Like with Isa, we also get to experience Flora reuniting with Malvolia, and boy does she hold a grudge as well (rightfully so in this case).

I've been sympathetic to Tari throughout the books, but in the first part of the book, I was really frustrated with her. She had a lot of internal battling of emotions and thoughts, which caused her to appear whiny and heartless at times. She was pissed at Helian, wouldn't let him explain anything, but then also pined for him. I think this made things more complicated than they need to be, but alas, I was left yelling at the pages for better communication between them. Like dragon, like witch in terms of their stubborn pride. I get guarding her heart and treating him as if she'd rather him dead, but then wanting him - you can't have your cake and eat it too. Similarly, I found Helian to be a pathetic shell of his former self in the first half of this book. It almost seemed to be a completely different character at times.

On a positive note, I still love Shiri and her mates. My heart broke as she rides the wave of grief when her nieces are reunited with their parents. After being their mother for four years, she is depressed at losing them, while also happy to see them reunited. Ember continues to be my favorite with her blunt surprise statements from her "friends." I can just tell her knowledge is going to help turn the tables in the final book. The last few chapters had quite an interesting character arc and I look forward to seeing how that progresses in book six.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. show less

I've seen a few negative reviews for this book and its characters, and to each their own; however, I absolutely adored Heart of Her Wolves. While I was able to accurately predict many of the twists and surprises in the plot, I still found it quite enjoyable. As a mood reader, I started a handful of books in the last week, which were all good in their own way, but weren't scratching the itch. This did the trick; witches, fae, shifters, dragons, fated mates, and spice, oh my!

I could've watched show more him pet my bunny all day.

Girl, you and me both! I'm a sucker for RH fated mates romance and this was no exception. It started off strong; the FMC accidentally drugs the MMC and her pet rabbit with a love potion. That is certainly one way of being introduced to one another. Helian redeemed himself through the book, as he was such a gross jerk in the beginning. Anya seems to bring the best out in him. Asher has evolved into a harsh shifter, who seems like he is willing to burn the world in revenge for his life being torn from him. Finn is just too cute and it's utterly impossible to hate him in anything he does or says.

Now, I saw quite a few readers hating on Anya and her continual "whiny" concerns about her appearance. Let me just start by saying, "so, she's a normal girl?" I like my books with strong, sassy FMCs, but just because Anya has constant doubts about herself and whether she is loved, does NOT take away from the fact she is a very strong and capable character. It is hard to not think poorly of oneself after having a life of being told you are nothing, on top of not remembering much; I just don't see a story where a person is able to come out of that with extreme confidence and pride. This added depth to her character and aside from her magic, she read like a real person suffering through identity crisis and amnesia. With that all being said, of course there are frustrating parts (my screaming written comments all over my copy) where I found myself yelling at her, but I recognize as the reader, I figured out the plot, but the characters were lagging behind. Should Anya come clean about her suspicions? It's easy to say yes, say something, ANYTHING! Need to stop and look at the big picture and realize she's in a difficult position where she feels like it's one or the other, not all.

Lastly, without spoiling for others, we have a little mix of Evil Witch vibe meets GoT incest, with our mastermind villain; a real winner. I can already tell from the number of times I had to figuratively pick my jaw up off the ground in a single chapter, that this villain is going to do quite the number on the harem. The author has set up a character that is going to be so cringe worthy in every interaction and dialogue.

Excuse me as I run to dive into the second book! I'm dying with that cliffhanger.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. show less

This novel is exactly the kind of book I might have read in my twenties but positively avoid now. Screwed up characters whose lives are a mess and who drink too much yet are 'smart' and 'witty' in every line. Cliche. Cliche. Cliche. But.... (ssshhhh - don't tell anyone) .... I quite enjoyed it nonetheless.

The protagonist (and her sister) have each led messed up lives ever since their mother published a scathing book in which she spoke about how awful motherhood was and how she'd have been show more better aborting them. Now their mother has published a new book, and the sister is traumatised that that she's going to spill the beans in the memoir about her daughter's teenage son not being her husband's child as he thinks. As they desperately try to get their hands on a pre-copy of the book before it is released, acquaintances and issues from the past come to the fore that need mental closure in different ways.

3.5 stars - Would I recommend this? Most certainly not, but it was enjoyable, nonsense escapism for a few hours nonetheless. show less

In a strong continuation of the Court of Fae and Firelight series, Revenge of Her Wolves, starts with an intriguing distant memory, before picking right up in the middle of the nail biter ending of book 1. Tarianya recalls the day she met the mind spinner and the events leading up to that.

Opposite to the first book, I found myself loving Finn and Asher, and frustrated with Tarianya and Helian. Helian unfortunately drinks himself into a constant stupor and continues to walk the path of his show more father in his views of white witches. Anya keeps pining for Helian to the detriment of her fated mates. Every time she got upset, my heart went out to the wolves, who very clearly worshipped the ground their goddess walked upon.

I did find this book was a bit more predictable than the first, but it didn't take away from the enjoyment of the story. I felt I was constantly on the edge of my seat for most of the plot. I teetered between happiness, anxiety and some emotional tears. Now that Anya has her mates again, she is transforming into a very powerful white witch, who has the unfortunate knowledge that she will need to battle her sister when the war starts. As the reader, you are made aware of the Avias twins pattern and you ride the waves with Anya wondering if she's the good or evil sister. Only time will tell, as we move to Shirina's story with her mates. I can only hope these twins break the cycle and don't repeat the path of Flora and Malvolia.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. show less