Leader of the Pack

Tolerable, but doubtful if I'll ever pick up the other books in the series. This is actually book three in a series, but it seemed to stand by itself. Although it referenced a situation from an earlier book twice or so, and the ex-boyfriend makes an appearance, the only thing that might be said to suffer is the world view. Apparently there is magic in the world now, as Sophie's mom is a witch, and there are were-animals, as reference is made to a were-cat late in the text. But most people don't know anything about them, so magic must be in the closet still. I don't see how, as Sophie seems fairly indiscreet, as her "best friend" knows about being a were and her main goal is to become one. Additionally, midway through the book, her ex- show more becomes aware of weres as well, and Sophie outs the werecat to both of them. Very surprising since she tells Lindsey, "if the wrong people find out about me... They might kill me or stick me in a cage."
Definitely a book for the paranormal romance fans due to three lust interests and multiple sexual encounters. I'm not much of a paranormal fan, and I'm sensing a disturbing trend in authors focusing on sexual incidents in lieu of emotional development. We see very little depth in the relationship between Sophie and Mark, except for heated sexual exchanges, flirting over the phone and one dinner. Yes, he's "hot," but this is the emotional point she's at after breaking up with her almost-fiance? Didn't seem plausible, but if it was, it's a person I don't care much to know. Sophie's interests in both Mark and Tom seem to be largely sexual, Health's partly nostalgic, and it's only midway through that more of an emotional attachment starts to develop with Tom.

Sadly, the emotional relationship with Lindsey, her "best friend" is also lacking as well. Lindsey is begging Sophie to make her into a werewolf, and Sophie refuses. The reason for Sophie's reluctance that seems to do with self-loathing, but really aren't well explored on either part. Lindsey show up for the occasional brainstorm and to bring Health back into the picture, but I'm not feeling the friendliness between them, unlike the female friendships in Chloe Neill's Chicagoland series.

Surprisingly, the challenge of figuring out the real killer is a good mystery. Not particularly good or tension building in the process of solving, but in the final solution. Most of the tension comes from the threat of her father's (fixed) trial. Sophie makes attempts at trying to solve the mystery, but ends up mostly providing the emotional leverage to involve other people in helping her. The final solution had an unexpected twist that made a great deal of sense without being too obvious.

Upshot: this is the Hershey bar version of guilty pleasure readings. Tolerable when you can't find any better chocolate. show less

One of the reasons why MacInerney's series is not "just another werewolf tale" is that it really has its own flavor. The main character, Sophie Garou hasn't grown up in a Pack. So the reader is not withered down immediately with all the hierarchical rule weaving that most authors strain to include at the very beginning of a series. And it's refreshing because the reader goes on the journey of discovery with the character.

So in addition to not growing up in a pack, Sophie's natural talent of shielding herself has enabled her live right under the noses of the Houston pack of werewolves for most of her natural life. This has come with its advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage being that when she is finally discovered by a rogue show more packette, and a werewolf enforcer, she is thrust into a series of events that she won't be able to wiggle out of.

Leader of the Pack is the third in this urban werewolf series and usually in the third book there is a big payoff. In On the Prowl, readers were left off with wondering exactly who and what Mark was. Was he some type of demon or spirit? Perhaps both. Wondering if Tom Fenris and Sophie were ever going to make a love connection. Wondering if the mission she completed would get her out of owing any allegiance to the Houston pack. But while there were some resolutions, I expected just a tad more.

We see more development in Mark, Tom, Lindsey's and Heath's character and overall that makes them more interesting in relation to Sophie. And the introduction of Sophie's absent father who is now on trial by the Houston pack plunges her and her friends into new territory of pack politics and a battle for succession, which has a surprisingly satisfying ending.

Readers might be reminded by the Kitty Norville series by Carrie Vaughn with regard to pace and plot development. I'm a fan of MacInerney's and I'd say, let's up the ante just a bit. But Leader of the Pack doesn't disappoint and it was an incredibly good bubble bath read that I enjoyed. show less

From the back 'On the outside, Sophie Garou is living every woman's dream: She has beauty, brains and a big-time position in Austin's most respected accounting firm(not to mention a very sexy, very successful new boyfriend). But there's one thing Sophie would rather keep under wraps: She's a werewolf. Sophie's life gets a little more hairy when her long-estranged father, Luc, arrives in the Live Music Capital to attend the werewolves' annual Howl and reconnect with his daughter. But Luc's plans fall apart after he's accused of murder and arrested by his archrival, Wolfgang, leader of the Houston pack (and one notoriously dirty dog). Wolfgang drools at the thought of Luc's impending execution, but Sophie won't let her father die without show more a fight. Determined to prove her innocence, she and her friends set out to find the real killer. Along the way, Sophie must deal with taboo attractions, Machiavellian intrigues, sinister agendas, and hair-raising betrayals.'

Well this is the third in the series and you can't say it was boring! This one turns Sophie's world completely upside down, no part of her life is left untouched. Saying that, both Heath and Lindsey's lives are changed too. Secrets are aired and declarations made, plus there is new love, old love and plenty of lust (as well as blood).

After Luc's ambitions for Sophie are realised, I'm not sure how Sophie is going to cope with her new life after this but I really really hope that Tom stays in Austin to help her after everything that takes place in this book, it was one of the few questions left unanswered by the end.

As for Mark, well we knew he was something completely different through his actions in ON THE PROWL so I guess it wasn't too big of a surprise when we find out what he is. I can't say anything more on him without revealing too much.

The only thing I was a bit unsure of was how well Heath took Sophie's being a werewolf and what he was willing to do for her and her father. I'm not sure whether he or Lindsey took things seriously enough until the end even though they were given a way out. You'll understand what I mean if you read it.

Overall the story was excellent and the ending was happy. It sort of reminds me of the progression in Carrie Vaughn's Kitty Norville series. show less

Had it really been that long since I read the last book? It took me a little while to come up to speed in this one. But once I caught on I fell in love with these characters all over again! Sophie Garou has found herself tangled up with one of clients and she finds him absolutely irresistable. And next thing ya know her life is turned upside down because her long-lost father (sire) has come for a visit. Things get really interesting from this point as her father is then accused of murder and then a huge mystery unfolds around her as she tries to save her fathers life. Werewolves are coming up dead and she falls right into the fray. Upon being in this strange world, she learns an awful lot of being a werewolf. But she is in for quite the show more surprise when she finds out exactly what her boyfriend really is. And it's not a very nice thought.

The characters really come alive in this book, because Sophie is faced with the truth and reality that she is a werewolf and she has a lot to learn especially with that happens at the end of the book. She can't hide her feelings towards Tom any longer either, because he is what she is and there is no denying that the tension between these two can be felt vibrating off of the paper of the book.

I look forward to reading more with this series and seeing what comes next with Sophie and Tom. Will he or won't he.....I dunno.....but I can't wait to read the next book! show less

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, much more developed than the last two book. Sophie's dad arrives in Austin and causes unrest that almost becomes war. We get more of Tom in this book and we also find out more about Mark, and I will just say... I knew it!

I can't wait for the next in series.

Awesome, even better than the first two. Things happend fast in this installment. Tons of action and adventure. Sofie finds her true calling even though she doesn't know that she wanted it in this book. I don't want to give to much away, but there are demons involved and werewolf duels and indictments and trials to be had. Great read. I really cannot wait for the next installment to come out. This one had me holding my breath and trying ot read faster and faster.

Ehhh. It was alright; I found the ending far too 'perfect' for my taste--all the plot lines neatly wrapped up in the most predictable of ways. Sophie just felt very Mary Sue-ish to me by the end of the series, which was irritating. Plus, a large part of the reason I stuck with the series was to see how Sophie and Tom's inevitable steamy scene ('cause c'mon, you just KNEW it was coming)would play out...and I found it diappointing. Sigh. Not a keeper for me!