Review: Stuck in neutral  2.5 stars
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 09 20, 2013
I wanted to enjoy this book a lot more than I did. I love m/m paranormal or fantasy stories and I am always on the hunt for new authors. While I loved the premise, the execution fell flat for me. Both Kjartan and Skinker remain one dimensional throughout the story. While you do find out some things about their histories as the plot develops, there is very little about them personally to allow the reader to make a connection to the characters. They meet, go on the run, almost get captured and/or killed (repeatedly). Skinker is kind and deferential while Kjartan is tough and gruff, so you have numerous conversations that are basically Skinker: "I'm tired/hungry/in pain", Kjartan: "Suck it up". When the quest ends, the big confrontation is a failure if you recall how an earlier battle scene played out. Just a hint. pay close attention to what the talking squirrel does in battle. Yeah, there's a never explained talking squirrel sidekick. One positive thing is the emotional growth by the character of Skinker, who by the end of the book is showing real signs of a spine. If this is the first in a series, I might revise my opinion of this story. Viewing it as a prelude gives the author ample opportunities to expand his heroes and humanize them. At the end of this book, I didn't care if either of them lived or died.