Finally, after 3 failed attempts (which means 2 books I didn’t finish, and one I finished, but the day after couldn’t even remember the name of the characters–a bad, bad sign) I found a story that kept me going. Happily.

Yes, I had issues with it, hence the 3.5 stars. But it also had merits, hence my going on until the end.

I had the book here a few weeks back, but I’ll post the synopsis and the link again just in case.

Full disclosure: the review has spoilers.

Rush is a Fae Guardian, a wolf-shifter whose enhanced abilities have made him a ruthless protector of Elphyne. His job is to protect the realm from the human enemy, and to ensure the sins of the past never come to pass again lest magic die forever. But one night of weakness resulted in a curse worse than death – exile. Now he spends his lonely time longing to be part of the living, once again protecting them from monsters… until one mysteriously washes up on the shores of his lake.

Clarke is human. She’s beautiful, feisty, and fierce. She’s also the only person who can see him, speak to him, and touch him. 

If he hands her over to the Order, she’s his ticket to having his curse removed. Unable to resist the opportunity, he tricks her into a bargain of obedience, never once suspecting his world is about to be turned upside down. The more he learns about this human enemy, the more he realizes she’s not the monster he’s been trained to believe. In fact, she’s capable of inciting passion he’d never dreamed possible again. But Clarke has a message from the past… sins are already repeating. This time, if they don’t stop the coming evil, it won’t just be magic that dies. It will be everything.

3.5 stars (4 on Amazon, because I don’t know how to do the half star. But the cover is fantastic so I went for 4 and not 3).

I liked things about it so strongly, and disliked others in the same way.

Let’s start with the good.

– I loved the Characters.

Clarke was really well made. Her insecurities came out little by little, and always at the right time in the story (which was, of course, the wrong time for them). In the end, she was faced with the same tough choice she had at the beginning of the story. But this time, eventually, she reacted differently. I loved it, as it shows the great character’s arc she’d gone through. This time, she fought for the people she’d come to love.

Rush had reasons to be the way he was. Yes, he was a jerk. But who wouldn’t be, stepping in his shoes? The way he changes makes a lot of sense, too, and every little step he takes in changing was well-timed.

– The post-apocalyptic setting was nothing short of genius.

The history of how this new Earth was born was perfect in every detail (although, alas, the many details such history requires are part of my biggest issue with this book, but I’ll get there later).

– Along the same line, the explanation for the fae and other being’s existence is the most satisfying I’ve ever read.

They don’t simply exist. There’s a reason for it, and one that makes perfect sense on top of being (to me) unheard of.

– Loved, loved, loved the explanation for how the well-blessed union played out.

Perfectly logical and in line with the “rules” Lana set out for the world.

Now, all that being said.

It was crammed.

So many people, each with his/her story briefly narrated, so many new concepts and rules, so many feuds, so many details…

As a fantasy reader, I’m used to taking in new places and realities but here, sometimes, I was lost. Or I was losing the train of the main concept or action. I found myself taken away from the main topic of the scene, and that was cause of frustration.

The writing style didn’t help.

Not per se, as I favor short and to the point as opposed to long narrative and descriptions, but when that style is paired with such complex world-building, chances are it gets messy.

I do understand the author’s conundrum of being faced with a task so big as inventing Earth from scratches and do it without dragging the story for 500,000 words. Sometimes the author doesn’t want to, other times the pub-house would not allow it and would require a reduction of words. Whatever the reason, in this case, running like that in a world so complex, left me breathless (not always in a good way).

I think my getting to the end of it is a testament to how good the story’s concept and characters are. That would be well over 5 stars.

I’m also sure that the second book would go more smoothly, because the rules are set, and it’s worth the reading.

Please, share this post!

My Review of Longing of the Lone Wolves by Lana Pecherczyk @lana_p_author #RomanceBooks #books #BookLover #GreatReads #bookaddict #MustRead #WhatToRead #weekendvibes #Review #Paranormal

Tweet