Early Review: Hot Blooded

Hot Blooded (Jessica McClain #2)

Amanda Carlson

Publisher: Orbit – to be released 23^rd April 2013

E-Arc Courtesy of Netgalley and Hachette Books

It hasn't been the best week for Jessica McClain.
Her mate has been kidnapped by a Goddess hell-bent on revenge --- but Jessica is playing for keeps. Because she's the only female werewolf in town...it comes with its own set of rules...and powers.Aided by two vamps, two loyal Pack members, and one very reluctant human, Jessica must rescue her man while coming to terms with what being a wolf really means.
All in a day's work for a girl.

If the first book in this series, Full Blooded was fast paced, then this second book was Usain Bolt on skates, going downhill. Wow. There is little time for Jess or any of her friends to catch their breath as she, her brother, Tyler and their pack-mate Danny head off to rescue her mate, Rourke from the crazy goddess Selene. The only help they have are two tracking vampires and a police detective, Jess is trying to save now he knows about the supernatural world. The story is relentless action while at the same time exploring Jess’s new abilities and what makes her different (apart from being the only female werewolf of course!)

I loved Jess’s determination and how much she cares for others. Her care for Ray despite their troubled history was a nice insight into her personality especially as other supernaturals never really gave him much thought. Her growing friendship with the vampire, Naomi also shows her willing to rethink the inbuilt prejudice many supernaturals have. The relationship between Jess and Rourke feels a little more natural this time (it was a little too insta-love previously) and I really liked the way Jess’s powers are different from anything else in this world without making her too isolated. She already has family, friends, a mate and her own thoughts and opinions.

The action is frenetic and involving with each new challenge different and distinct. Jess doesn’t back down no matter what is thrown at her. At the same time she learns more about vampires in general and Naomi in particular, which helps give a wider perspective of what Jess could mean to the wider supernatural world and not just the wolves. I was hooked right from the beginning and never bored as Jess fought and thought her way to Rourke. While there is a nicely contained story here, the wider arc is not neglected and the ending will certainly have you wishing the next book, Cold Blooded was out much sooner than October!

Recommended for fans of Patricia Briggs and Jaye Wells. 9 out of 10

Early Review: Full Blooded

Full Blooded (Jessica McClain #1)

-       Amanda Carlson

Publisher: Orbit (Published 11th September 2012)

E-Arc read courtesy of Hachette Books and Netgalley

Born the only female in an all male race, Jessica McClain isn’t just different—she’s feared.
After living under the radar for the last twenty-six years, Jessica is thrust unexpectedly into her first change, a full ten years late. She wakes up and finds she’s in the middle of a storm. Now that she’s become the only female full-blooded werewolf in town, the supernatural world is already clamoring to take a bite out of her and her new Pack must rise up and protect her.

Just like Jessica, from the first page of Full Blooded you are thrown into a world within our own, where werewolves are a male only species, vampires and witches exist and imps can prey on children. Jessica is startled to discover at twenty-six that she actually a werewolf after growing up looked down on by the pack. Unfortunately the rest of the supernatural world won’t let her come to terms with the changes in her body and circumstances as someone immediately starts to track her down...

Just as with the taster novella, Blooded this is one fast paced ride with Jessica continually being attacked, on the run or waking up unsure of what has happened. She very much has to react and isn’t given a lot of time to be proactive, but as this story occurs over a short space of time that’s understandable! Towards the end Jessica start to make some decisions that will influence her future and allows her to start taking control of her own life. The action is frantic and tense, while the banter between characters who have known each other for a while is fun and shows how much they care about each other. One element that I never quite felt was the immediate connection between Jessica and a certain alpha male – I usually like characters to get to know each other before falling for each other. But seeing as Jessica herself didn’t understand it completely I’m looking forward to exploring it more in the future!

This is Urban Fantasy at it’s strongest – dynamic story, strong heroine with a good line in witty remarks, diverse characters and a wild ride. Unfortunately the book does end on a cliff-hanger – well, less a cliff-hanger and more a pause between adventures. I wish I had had Hot Blooded book next to me as I would have started reading that straight away without having to wait!

Recommended for fans of Patricia Briggs and Rachel Vincent. 8 out of 10

Blooded Review

Blooded (Jessica McClain #0.5)

- Amanda Carlson

 

Publisher: Orbit Short Fiction

 

Jessica McClain was born the only female in an all male race. The only problem is-she's no wolf. Called a curse, a witch and the Daughter of Evil by the superstitious wolves, Jessica decides to fight for her freedom, at age nineteen, the only way she can-in the ring.
When she's brutally attacked right after her fight, is it enough to finally earn her freedom off Compound, or will she be forced to endure the hatred even longer . . .

 

Blooded is a short prequel novella to the soon to release Full Blooded. It introduces us to Jessica and give an idea of the world of the Pack in which she was brought up. Being born the only female to werewolves would be bad enough, accept Jessica is human and without the strength to defend herself against those who rally to denounce her as Daughter of Cain. Despite this, Jessica is determined not to go down without a fight so she challenges a young alpha wolf to a fight without her father’s knowledge. Jessica is feisty and stubborn – and she is smart. She uses her brain while fighting always trying to figure out the next move. She is also aware that the tenuous place she currently holds in the pack cannot continue and that if she stays, something will have to break – her or the pack. This makes for a tense and exciting introduction to a new UF heroine

 

While short, this novella is a great tease for what lies ahead in Full Blooded both in terms of writing styles and characters. With so few pages I was amazed at how much I fell for not only Jessica but also her father and brother and friends Daniel and Nick – all of which I hope have more time in the series proper. The writing was assured and energetic feeling like a well-established world and author. I can’t wait to get my hands on Full Blooded and with the potential shown here, it could well be another new series to add to my must-purchase list!

 

Recommended for fans of Nancy Holzner and Kelley Armstrong. 8.5 out of 10