Review: Strong Sequel- Jin Has to Learn the Hard Way to Trust and Appreciate What He Has
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 2, 2012
This was a nice strong sequel to Change of Heart which must be read in order (so shoo! go read it if you haven't before reading this and getting spoilers).  The story begins a few months after the other one ends.It opens with Jin trying to hide from Logan because of an incident that has happened in Logan's absence to install Simone with her new mate in NYC.  Logan returns to find his home empty of its residents particularly his mate.  Jin tries to explain that he's going to be away without actually telling Logan what is going on.  Logan in true fashion scents out that Jin his hiding from him and hiding a secret.No sooner does Logan get his errant mate back and spilling the secret that Jin also starts spilling all of what is on his mind.  He still doesn't trust in the bonding with Logan and questions Logan's love for him.  Naturally this hurts his mate and threatens to tear them apart so Logan issues him an ultimatum even while breaking it to him that his best friend- the one he leans on for strength- is planning to move away.And that's just the beginning of Jin's unraveling because in a flash, Jin will learn a hard and painful lesson just how real and trustworthy his mate bond with Logan truly is.  One moment he is in his home and then he is taken.  His past has caught up with him and this leads to new and startling revelations about himself that might take him away from Logan for good just when he realizes that being with Logan is all that he wants.This book picks up where the first one left off in intensity and suspense.  There is harsh danger, pain and heartbreak.  And there are also new revelations about Jin and the were-panther world.  The were-panther world is a creative blend that focuses on Egyptian mythology and it is fascinating.  I love the way the author dishes it out in small doses and didn't just do an info dump in the first book.  In this story, Jin learns that he is even more rare and special than just being the only male reah.  His status as male reah makes him coveted by others who seek to keep him apart from Logan and for themselves, but it is his other nature that has the potential to permanently separate them or be the only means to keep them together.The story is in Jin's first person perspective and that worked fine although, again, I really would have loved to dip into Logan's mind too.  Jin's issues of insecurity were irritating and the way he kept pushing Logan away made me want to slap him, but then when the story unfolded I appreciated how Jin grew and learned so that he learned to set aside doubt and embrace what he really wanted.  Not that he didn't have his moments.  I loved how the other were-panthers could joke about Jin's insecurities and how Logan could lovingly and patiently drag him back on track by ordering him not to overthink things.The reunion with the characters from the previous book was great.  I love what is developing in the romances for Logan's siblings.  And the new characters were intriguing add-ins.  The story wouldn't be complete without a visit with Jin's horrid father, but he wasn't the worst monster by far in this one.  There's a guy that will make Hannibal Lechter seem like a lamb.So, great sequel and I cannot wait to get to the third story.  Again, I recommend this one for those who like their shifter stories on the darker and more dangerous side.