Review: Complex, Intense and Utterly Amazing
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 20, 2013
(This book was received from author in exchange for an honest review.)I never know how to begin a review, and I don't like going in to details about the story as such, because that's the whole point of diving into a book yourself. So I'm just going to jump in with what I got from this book, and how I felt. So, there are no spoilers.In regards to Dianna Hardy's work, I have said before that as an author I envy her imagination and ideas, and as a reader I enjoy her voice and am totally in love with her stories and characters; and this is indeed the case with Heart of the Wolf.What I love about The Eye of the Storm Series is that Dianna has remoulded how werewolves work. We all know facts and myths about these creatures, and all authors - including myself - try to stick to and rework certain aspects, but Dianna has taken that extra step. She has gone outside what people believe to be the "known dynamics" of how a werewolf and a pack work, and that difference, that risk and uniqueness is what makes this series all the more fascinating to read.I mean heck, the full moon is due to rise. Lydia is going to have her first shift. Everyone's hormones are going crazy, and they're on high alert because we have some fantastically made Frankenstein-type-beast/werewolves known as The Trident, trying to ruin everything, and kidnap Lydia.A bat-shit-crazy old woman who is just evil and you want to hate her, but at the same time really want to know what the hell her deal is.A desperate female werewolf who you want to feel sorry for, but don't because you're loyal to the relationship of the main characters, but then you end up feeling really freakin' sorry for her by the end of the book.There's the bad boy who is trying to turn a new leaf.The X-wife who your heart goes out for.So much going on and keeping you on your toes. I was actually getting really anxious at a couple of points and found myself talking to my kindle. . . "oh god. Don't do it. Don't go there." The story plot is twisting, and becoming even more interesting with each book, and I really can't wait to find out what happens next.But back to my original point, to the reason which makes this series stand out so much is the complexity of the relationship between Lydia, Ryan, Taylor, and Lawrence. Relationships between two people are hard enough, but between four? Can you say drama? Fights? Passion? These four are intense, and the way they all work is just brilliant.All I can say is that most werewolf lovers know how mating works in a traditional sense, well, you have to forget traditional in regards to this series. Be open minded. Lust isn't something you solely ever feel toward one person, it happens again and again toward many people and for many reasons. And love, throughout our lives we love many different people and in many different ways. And Romance is all about interoperation.Heart of the Wolf shows that. It shows how the heart is strong, forgiving, understanding, accepting, and heck, adaptable. It shows how people view romance/love/lust/life differently, and connections between people can heal and give an individual strength, courage and hope, and it's even more beautiful to read and watch the characters develop together and because of each other, because they are werewolves. Everything is more intense, raw, and urgent.Like the books before it Heart of the Wolf is a great read. The chemistry and the connection between the characters is strong and jumps off the page. Any moments of intimacy between them, be it sweet and gentle or urgent and aggressive, melt both your heart and right off the page. Each character is unique, and it is so great to watch their individual development - especially Lawrence, oh Lawrence- as well as their development as a unit. The secondary characters continue to grow in number and they fit perfectly into their roles, and as stated early the plot continues to thicken in such a way that you will consider hounding the author to get on with the next one. ;-PFantastic read. If you love the first two you will definitely love this one. If you haven't read this series you should definitely give it ago. My advice would simply be forget what you know about Werewolves and go in with an open-mind, because the world building, history, myths and dynamics of this series and its characters is just fabulous.