Cover Reveal: Shattered Pack by Aileen Erin

Shattered PackAileen Erin

(Alpha Girl, #6)
Published by: Ink Monster LLC
Publication date: November 29th 2016
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Meredith Molloney never thought she’d find a mate, let alone someone like Donovan Murry—one of the most powerful Alphas alive. Now that she’s no longer cursed and the evil Luciana Alvarez has been taken care of, she thinks life will finally settle down. Boy, has she never been so wrong
In the middle of the night, Donovan gets a call telling him that his pack has gone to pieces. The news that his second in command has been found brutally murdered has Donovan packing his bags for Ireland, but the last thing Meredith wants to do is leave Texas. She’s heard about how the Celtic Pack are with outsiders. And Donovan has more than a few exes in the pack that will be less than friendly.
Meredith’s never let a few angry wolves stop her, and she’s not about to start now. She’s faced down much worse the past few months. But when she gets there, she finds that it’s not just a few exes who stand in the way between her and her Full Moon Ceremony with Donovan
Meredith is thrust into a deadly game of pack politics, one the fey have happily joined in on. When the dust settles, she knows she’ll either have everything that she wants or lose it all.

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Author Bio:

Aileen Erin is half-Irish, half-Mexican, and 100% nerd--from Star Wars (prequels don't count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW), she reads Quenya and some Sindarin, and has a severe fascination with the supernatural. Aileen has a BS in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives with her husband in Los Angeles, and spends her days doing her favorite things: reading books, creating worlds, and kicking ass.

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Review: Bruja by Aileen Erin

Bruja

Author: Aileen Erin
Publisher: Ink Monster, LLC
Series: Alpha Girl #4
Genre: YA
Release Date: May 12th 2015

Summary:

Claudia De Santos has always looked out for every witch but herself. She fought from the shadows as her coven turned dark, and with a little help from her half witch/half alpha werewolf cousin, Tessa, Claudia is doing everything she can to keep her friends and family in the light.

Now the coven has splintered into two factions: Luciana’s army of witches wielding dark magic, and Claudia’s few stragglers who fight with the wolves. War is coming, and it won’t be much of a battle if Claudia can’t find the spells to counteract Luciana’s demonic power.

The answers lie in ancient magic, and Claudia must journey to Peru to rediscover what the Inca mages knew. Fighting evil will require a pure spirit, but her quest is full of temptations, including a handsome Peruvian guide with secrets of his own.

As she struggles to gain the knowledge her friends will need in the coming battle, conflict rages in Claudia’s heart. Following through with her arranged marriage could bring hope and more allies to the side of good, but at the cost of her own happiness. Should Claudia stay on the same path of duty she’s always walked or risk it all—her life and the futures of all brujos—for a chance at something more?

Review:

Bruja is a fun, fast-paced, adventure packed PNR. A touch of Indiana Jones, some fabulous witch magic and nice shifter romance make this a really enjoyable read.

Just like in all the previous books of the series I adore the world building.
Each novel brings new elements to the world of Alpha Girl. When I started the series I wasn't quite sure if shifter novels were my cup of tea. And well, Erin changed my mind. I do like shifter books, if they are written as well as these...

Erin's prose is possibly getting better and better. I like her story telling skills and I adore her sense of humor that comes through. But most of all I noted how different Claudia's POV is from Tessa's. While Tessa is a bit wild and definitely a lot cheeky, Claudia looks at the world very differently. It was actually quite amazing how much my opinion of Claudia changed while reading Bruja. See I wasn't a huge fan of hers in the last three books.
Though there was some redeeming done at the end of Alpha Divided, I would have never thought I'd be totally routing for Claudia after this.

I think this is not only due to Erin's wonderful writing, but mostly to the well done character building. I really like the gang. And it was really nice to go back to it. And I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Mr. Hottie aka Lucas.
I really enjoyed getting a glimpse of Rafaels and Claudia's relationship as well.
But the best part was seeing Claudia's determination, her struggling with her past and trying to do the right thing.

The plot as I said an epic adventure with some romance thrown in makes this a fabulous book.
But I had a couple of issues with this one, the first one is that the romance felt a bit rushed. I mean, I get the whole soulmate thing, (well at least the idea of it anyway) but somehow while I believed their developing friendship, I missed chemistry between Lucas and Claudia. Maybe I just expect way to much, since Tessa and Dastien's bond was done epically well.. but yeah somehow for me it was Claudia's and Luca's chemistry was lacking and their bond was a bit - ok we belong, done, story over. Let's move one.
The second issue are the villains. I feel that there is too much black and white. They not just baddies, they kinda over the top evil. It makes the villains to caricaturist for my taste. But also I couldn't understand what their motives would be at times. It made no sense to me, other that look how evil they are now...
Still this is another great instalment in a rather good series. And I am going to take back what I said after Alpha Divided- well at least to a degree- I think Erin should write more story set in this world. Well, I would like Tessa's and Dastien's story to be done with. I am hoping that Alpha Unleashed will take care of that. BUT I want more about this rather fabulous group of friends. Namely I want Raphaels story aaaaand I want more about the elves!!
This could work as a standalone. BUT if you plan on reading Tessa's story, read this in order of the series, because it would have to many spoilers, even for someone like me who seems to make it a hobby to read series out of order.

One of the best shifter YA series out there. Enthralling action, interesting world building, fabulous group of friends all wrapped up with a wonderful prose makes this a must read for lovers of the genre!

Rating: 

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Review: Alpha Divided by Aileen Erin

Alpha Divided

Author: Aileen Erin
Publisher: Ink Monster, LLC
Series: Alpha Girl #3
Genre: PNR
Release Date: October 14th 2014

Summary:

Life has been crazy since Tessa McCaide moved to Texas. She’s gone from being a normal-ish girl with visions to a super-powered werewolf. She’s fought off vampires and broken a nearly unbreakable curse. And she’s got a hot mate, Dastien Laurent, to keep her busy.

Things are looking up until the full moon ceremony rolls around. Before Tessa can strengthen her bond with Dastien, the local coven crashes the gates, demanding that Tessa—their heir apparent—be returned. If the pack wants to avoid a war with the witches, handing Tessa over is the only option.

Tessa doesn’t want to cause an all-out fight, but joining a dark-magic coven isn’t on her to-do list, especially if embracing her magic side means parting with Dastien. When the coven leader tries to control Tessa with dark-magic, Tessa realizes she has to dismantle the coven or prepare the pack for war. Either choice will change her life—and her world—forever.

Review:

Alpha Divided deed indeed leave me divided.
But let me start at the beginning ...
I was really looking forward to this one, actually. I love Erin's writing style. Well, clearly I do, since this is the third book of hers I am reading. But this series is did however change my view on shifter novels. Just when I thought, I might chalk this genre up as being not for me, I read Becoming Alpha. Her take was the same - it's shifters after all- but yet so different. And just like that, the genre was back on board.
Simple.
The second book was really good as well. But a tad bit to over dramatic for my taste... I was so looking forward to the conclusion of the series....
AND therein lies the problem. Halfway through this one, I realised this is never going to have a satisfying end. Which kinda put me off the book, until I discovered that the series is not going to be over yet! There are going to be at least 2 more books.
So this is good. But also bad.
Simply put:
The good obviously, I might get my satisfying end. The bad, it will take a while. A long while.
This is exactly where I am left absolutely divided.

Sounds so simple if I put it down like this. But seriously I promise this isn't just about having to wait at least another year to get my satisfaction. Nope. I really is not. Though that does naturally kinda suck.

As I said Erin's prose is beautiful. She is a master at getting Tessa's feelings through.

Her character building is meticulous. I have seriously grown to like the crew. In fact going back to the series was partly not quite as satisfying because half of the book did not have the crew in.
The attraction and relationship between Tessa and Dastien is sizzling as ever. I adore Dastien and somehow Erin still has me gasping and sighing on cue when ever he is around. I totally love the couple and more so I believe it. EVEN with the whole true mate thrown it. I kinda just cobble it up... which in itself is proof of both great character building and wonderful writing.

The world building is getting better and better. After exploring mainly the shifter world- in this instalment we get an insight into the world of the brujas. There is loads about magic in it. AND there is mention of fay.... not sure if Erin will will explore this part in either of the next instalment. But there will be definitely more witch and magic stuff in the next book- it being call Buja and all. So another reason to look forward to more...

But my worries honestly lie in the plot. I am worried that Erin won't be able to keep my attention. Because I found myself kinda thinking, oh more drama for nothing. Let's face it. Each book had the exact same pattern, intro and a great build up until about 40%, then big turn of events, struggling and angst until about 80%, the big show down and in the end a temporary solutions with hope for the future.

Don't misunderstand me, it works. At least it worked for the first two books, but in this one, I felt like nothing much happened in the end. I did wonder why Erin didn't write just 3 or 4 books. And at this point in time I really doubt that with this pattern she can keep me wanting more.... BUT I would be the first to celebrate if she proves me wrong.
So while divided and apprehensive I am sure as hell going to read the next instalment.

Rating: 

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