Review: Dark, Raw, Intense, Layered
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 25, 2014
Do you read the prologues in a book or do you skip right to chapter one? Let me tell you, if you miss this one, you WILL miss a classic “hook” into what follows. Jaz has a nightmare that feels real, even manifests itself as real in an eerie way. Is she losing her mind? Will therapy help? Enter the aunt she has never met, her father’s sister, who offers to take Jaz away for some rest and relaxation, to a “spa.” Instead she is held prisoner, treated brutally and told she is NOT human and “they” are trying to “help” her. If not human, what is she? Why should she trust these people who keep her chained, defenseless and naked. They have poked prodded and examined her, violating her body, all “for her own good.” Oh, and Jaz had a twin sister, who was murdered, along with her unborn child and it happened exactly as her dreams had shown her. Can she trust the pack leader, the father of her sister’s baby? He can be ruthless and cold one minute and warm and caring the next. Jaz can’t even process what is happening around her, but down deep, she knows the truth, after all, she had her own secrets that make her a target for death. Her attraction, the love/hate thing she has with Nik is intense, very intense. What is the mystery behind who killed Jaz’s sister? Is there a traitor in their midst? Who is just waiting on the sidelines to make his move and bring an end to Nik’s pack? Enemies and betrayal are everywhere. Yet Jaz finds a confidant who has her back, no matter what, who would die for her. Will Jaz find her place in a life she never knew existed? Will she find love with Nik? Will we find out who the dark enemy is, more important, will the foe be vanquished?Beasthood by A. Z. Green is NOT one of those light and fluffy cookie-cutter dark paranormal romances. You will not flash through this tale. It is one of those stories that, the more you savor its flavor, the more subtleties you will pull out of it. What may seem chaotic at one moment becomes clearer as each layer is folded back and all of the complex pieces and players come together. Ms. Green has created her own style of writing that will wrap around your brain and pull you into each scene, no matter how dark or how tender. She has taken a well-travelled road and claimed a piece of it as her own. Her tale will make you uncomfortable while peaking your curiosity to this unique group of paranormal creatures that are unlike any you have read about before. Did I mention you will love Jaz’s character, her intense strength of will, her desire to survive, her colorful dialogue, both mental and verbal? She has some rough edged thoughts she is not afraid to share, love that girl!How does an author build the promise of a fascinating, dark series? A. Z. Green started with a firm foundation, filled with vivid details, a plot that never allows the reader to become overconfident that they have it “all figured out.” She added a large cast of characters that each fit into place in their own way, some more important than others, yet the sheer number indicates how large her world can grow.