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Shadow Guild: Wolf Queen #1
Darkest Moon
I’m supposed to be the Alpha's mate. Screw that.
Since I was born, I was destined to be one thing—the Alpha’s Mate. It should be every girl’s dream. Not mine, though. He’s too dark and damaged, and I’ve got a secret he can never know: I’m not a true wolf.
Instead of waiting for him to figure out I’m an abomination, I left on my fifteenth birthday. But I didn’t go far. No way in hell would I let fate drive me from the town I love.
Ten years later, I’m still hiding in plain sight. When I occasionally see him on the street—deadly, sexy, powerful--I just walk by. Keep my head down.
Until that night. Wrong place, wrong time, and suddenly I’m accused of murdering someone from my old pack. And he’s there. Blaming me. I’ve got one chance to prove my innocence and find the real killer, or I'm dead by shifter law.
Fortunately, the Alpha doesn't recognize me because I'm no longer the same ugly duckling. He senses I'm special though, and he won’t stop until he figures out the truth. But when he does, I’ll be in danger from more than just the murderer.
Since I was born, I was destined to be one thing—the Alpha’s Mate. It should be every girl’s dream. Not mine, though. He’s too dark and damaged, and I’ve got a secret he can never know: I’m not a true wolf.
Instead of waiting for him to figure out I’m an abomination, I left on my fifteenth birthday. But I didn’t go far. No way in hell would I let fate drive me from the town I love.
Ten years later, I’m still hiding in plain sight. When I occasionally see him on the street—deadly, sexy, powerful--I just walk by. Keep my head down.
Until that night. Wrong place, wrong time, and suddenly I’m accused of murdering someone from my old pack. And he’s there. Blaming me. I’ve got one chance to prove my innocence and find the real killer, or I'm dead by shifter law.
Fortunately, the Alpha doesn't recognize me because I'm no longer the same ugly duckling. He senses I'm special though, and he won’t stop until he figures out the truth. But when he does, I’ll be in danger from more than just the murderer.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 8, 2021
About the author
Linsey Hall
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Before becoming a writer, Linsey was an archaeologist who studied shipwrecks in all kinds of water, from the tropics to muddy rivers (and she has a distinct preference for one over the other). After a decade of tromping around in search of old bits of stuff, she settled down to start penning her own adventure novels and is freaking delighted that people seem to like them. Since life is better with a little (or a lot of) magic, she writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance.
For giveaways, contests and book discussion join my Facebook group
here!
Before becoming a writer, Linsey was an archaeologist who studied shipwrecks in all kinds of water, from the tropics to muddy rivers (and she has a distinct preference for one over the other). After a decade of tromping around in search of old bits of stuff, she settled down to start penning her own adventure novels and is freaking delighted that people seem to like them. Since life is better with a little (or a lot of) magic, she writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 678 reviews
June 7, 2021
2 stars - dnf 30%
This was my fault.
I saw the cover, read the blurb, scrolled through my friend's ratings, noticed the wattpad vibes and still clicked.
Now I am dnfing like a big sore loser because really, I'm just not wasting my time on this shit. And THAT is coming from me....a person who wastes time 75% of her life.
In the past 3 days, I had the chance to finish this book a total of 10 times. What did I do instead?
-Took 3 naps
-watched 6 anime movies
-rewatched one series
-cooked not one BUT TWO lasagnas (and that shit sucks the soul out of me but I still did it to avoid this book)
Well....as I like to say *clears throat*
don't let anyone waste your time.
IT'S YOUR TIME!
Waste it yourself.
Waste it yourself on anything but this book, that is.
SO WHY'D I DNF?
I was in the mood for cliche shit and this was it, but the execution was kind of lazy, stupid and a little bland.
Eve is a wolf shifter and when she was.....15? Don't remember, don't care. She found out that the alpha is her fated mate and their mate bond will be her death WUA HA HA.
Right, so she runs away because the alpha is a dick or whatever and disguises herself as a fae. But then Danny, some random dude from the pack finds out the truth (that she is the runaway mate) and starts blackmailing her.
The chapter starts with Eve meeting him at a bar/club for one of their "transactions", but much to her inconvenience Danny dies right on top of her lol.
Apparently, the entire pack has zero brains and a sheep mentality (Ha wolves with sheep mentality, gotta love the irony). Anyways they all point their fingers at Eve -no they seriously, physically lifted their fingers and pointed them like 5 year olds- and accused her of committing a murder. which........oookay, guess they didn't teach common sense in wolfie schools.
The big bad alpha (aka Eve's mate) is like oh yeah, I have absolutely zero evidence, haven't seen the crime happen and only heard a bunch of meaningless accusations....LET'S THROW HER IN A DUNGEON
All that is of course excused by the fact that the pack has a separate justice system than the rest of this fictional society. Sorry to rain on your parade but that's a pretty shitty justice system.
Once she wallows there for a good while the alpha permits his audience, which takes place at a party:) Let me note that, we have been informed multiple times that the wolves are extremely loyal and one of their pack members just died, so what do they do? PARTAAAAY🥳
I'd do the same😇
So after a pretty useless conversation, where the heroine is freaking out and the hero is oblivious to being in the presence of his runaway mate (but still simping), he appoints the woman he suspects of murder to solve the said murder.
And that's about when I dnfed.
If we're being honest here, the premise wasn't the problem, I was just bored out of my mind. The world building was boring, the hero was boring -maybe he gets interesting with time but as I've emphasised earlier; I take my time seriously😌-, the mystery was boring.
I just didn't care.
Oh and to add fuel to the fire, the heroine had a perpetual need to remind us that she is so much better looking now, as oppose to her uglier self 10 years ago.
You guys know how I feel about heroines who need to constantly comment on their appearance. I'm still a little traumatised from Alina Starkov and here we got her hotter Siamese twin.
This bitch decided to grate on my nerves double time and simultaneously talk about how hot AND ugly she is 24/7. Yes yes, Eve sweetie, we know you were ugly at 14 (because we all were goddesses at that blossoming age) but now you are a beautiful swan. Everybody knows, nobody cares.
And yes we know you are soooooo unrecognisable now because you are so much hotter and have fae ears.
Oh and let's not forget Eve is in the shadow guild, in other words, the guild of misfits. She's doesn't fit in AND SHE DOESN'T WANT TO FIT IN!!!
Well, that's about it. I'm gonna sound like such a dick after all that bitching....but really this wasn't all bad. I probably would've enjoyed this once upon a time, but today is not that time.
This was my fault.
I saw the cover, read the blurb, scrolled through my friend's ratings, noticed the wattpad vibes and still clicked.
Now I am dnfing like a big sore loser because really, I'm just not wasting my time on this shit. And THAT is coming from me....a person who wastes time 75% of her life.
In the past 3 days, I had the chance to finish this book a total of 10 times. What did I do instead?
-Took 3 naps
-watched 6 anime movies
-rewatched one series
-cooked not one BUT TWO lasagnas (and that shit sucks the soul out of me but I still did it to avoid this book)
Well....as I like to say *clears throat*
don't let anyone waste your time.
IT'S YOUR TIME!
Waste it yourself.
Waste it yourself on anything but this book, that is.
SO WHY'D I DNF?
I was in the mood for cliche shit and this was it, but the execution was kind of lazy, stupid and a little bland.
Eve is a wolf shifter and when she was.....15? Don't remember, don't care. She found out that the alpha is her fated mate and their mate bond will be her death WUA HA HA.
Right, so she runs away because the alpha is a dick or whatever and disguises herself as a fae. But then Danny, some random dude from the pack finds out the truth (that she is the runaway mate) and starts blackmailing her.
The chapter starts with Eve meeting him at a bar/club for one of their "transactions", but much to her inconvenience Danny dies right on top of her lol.
Apparently, the entire pack has zero brains and a sheep mentality (Ha wolves with sheep mentality, gotta love the irony). Anyways they all point their fingers at Eve -no they seriously, physically lifted their fingers and pointed them like 5 year olds- and accused her of committing a murder. which........oookay, guess they didn't teach common sense in wolfie schools.
The big bad alpha (aka Eve's mate) is like oh yeah, I have absolutely zero evidence, haven't seen the crime happen and only heard a bunch of meaningless accusations....LET'S THROW HER IN A DUNGEON
All that is of course excused by the fact that the pack has a separate justice system than the rest of this fictional society. Sorry to rain on your parade but that's a pretty shitty justice system.
Once she wallows there for a good while the alpha permits his audience, which takes place at a party:) Let me note that, we have been informed multiple times that the wolves are extremely loyal and one of their pack members just died, so what do they do? PARTAAAAY🥳
I'd do the same😇
So after a pretty useless conversation, where the heroine is freaking out and the hero is oblivious to being in the presence of his runaway mate (but still simping), he appoints the woman he suspects of murder to solve the said murder.
And that's about when I dnfed.
If we're being honest here, the premise wasn't the problem, I was just bored out of my mind. The world building was boring, the hero was boring -maybe he gets interesting with time but as I've emphasised earlier; I take my time seriously😌-, the mystery was boring.
I just didn't care.
Oh and to add fuel to the fire, the heroine had a perpetual need to remind us that she is so much better looking now, as oppose to her uglier self 10 years ago.
You guys know how I feel about heroines who need to constantly comment on their appearance. I'm still a little traumatised from Alina Starkov and here we got her hotter Siamese twin.
This bitch decided to grate on my nerves double time and simultaneously talk about how hot AND ugly she is 24/7. Yes yes, Eve sweetie, we know you were ugly at 14 (because we all were goddesses at that blossoming age) but now you are a beautiful swan. Everybody knows, nobody cares.
And yes we know you are soooooo unrecognisable now because you are so much hotter and have fae ears.
Oh and let's not forget Eve is in the shadow guild, in other words, the guild of misfits. She's doesn't fit in AND SHE DOESN'T WANT TO FIT IN!!!
Well, that's about it. I'm gonna sound like such a dick after all that bitching....but really this wasn't all bad. I probably would've enjoyed this once upon a time, but today is not that time.
February 17, 2021
Why have I not tried a Linsey Hall book sooner?! This was SO good!!! Now to settle in for the wait for book two.
March 8, 2021
I kid you not, I think this book has almost the exact plot as the Presephone book. A book where nothing happens and then at the end the hero decides to imprison the heroine because she is special.
Nothing moves this book along, the mystery wasn't even that interesting to be honest. There was no sexual tension no matter how often they tried to kiss, I just got bored of their antics.
I don't think I am going to be reading more of this series.
Nothing moves this book along, the mystery wasn't even that interesting to be honest. There was no sexual tension no matter how often they tried to kiss, I just got bored of their antics.
I don't think I am going to be reading more of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2021
Editing this to add that while this is the first book in a series, there's an overarching story that strongly intersects this one. And it's such a strong imprint that I recommend reading the other stories first. Okay, I'm ditching on the Hades one, but The Rebel didn't entirely suck despite being a bit of a dribble towards the end and knowing about the character backgrounds would be an enhancement in this book.
An interesting story that relies on the characters to carry you through. The worldbuilding is a bit sloppy, with pieces of everything thrown together (Lucifer and Hades and fallen angels and shifters and witches and and and) and not a lot of coherence. So you can't really extrapolate anything reliably and just have to take it as stated that, for example, the shifters are somehow the most powerful "guild" (group) in magical London and that the seer that prophesied that Eve would die if she and her destined mate, uh, something? wasn't just blowing smoke.
But Eve is engaging and both her capability and worry feel earned and she makes reasonable choices. I particularly liked her potion-based ability and that she had to scramble a bit to keep up with the more powerful folks (though that's a bit hand-waved by giving her a stash of handy things at her beck and call).
Lachlan is a bit of a boo, though. Broody alpha is a thing, and at least he isn't completely stupid about his broodiness, but his whole "emotions are yuck" schtick got old fast, even if there's a magical curse thing backing him up on it.
Anyway, I liked the characters. Mostly Eve, but her pals were interesting and fun, and Lachlan didn't bring me down any more than I expected. It doesn't hurt that the mystery plot holds together and kept the pace up to drive the story along. So I'm going to come in at 3½ stars that I'm rounding up, but I'm not really sure why. Both characters and plot that hold together isn't nothing and I was fully engaged throughout. Yeah, that's why.
A note about Cliffhangers: All of the rising action of the story is wrapped up by the end. So I don't consider it a cliffhanger, even though there's some unresolved arcs and a late-story reveal that fundamentally alters everything. If you're going to hang a cliff, this is how it's done without spitting in a reader's eye.
A note about Chaste: There are fated mates in this story, which I'm not actually opposed to, particularly if it's done with a bit of sense, like it is here. Both of them have reason to fight the pull, however, and Eve is actively disguised throughout this story. So while there's a bit of yearning, and even a very fine kiss, there's no sex, explicit or otherwise. So it's pretty chaste.
An interesting story that relies on the characters to carry you through. The worldbuilding is a bit sloppy, with pieces of everything thrown together (Lucifer and Hades and fallen angels and shifters and witches and and and) and not a lot of coherence. So you can't really extrapolate anything reliably and just have to take it as stated that, for example, the shifters are somehow the most powerful "guild" (group) in magical London and that the seer that prophesied that Eve would die if she and her destined mate, uh, something? wasn't just blowing smoke.
But Eve is engaging and both her capability and worry feel earned and she makes reasonable choices. I particularly liked her potion-based ability and that she had to scramble a bit to keep up with the more powerful folks (though that's a bit hand-waved by giving her a stash of handy things at her beck and call).
Lachlan is a bit of a boo, though. Broody alpha is a thing, and at least he isn't completely stupid about his broodiness, but his whole "emotions are yuck" schtick got old fast, even if there's a magical curse thing backing him up on it.
Anyway, I liked the characters. Mostly Eve, but her pals were interesting and fun, and Lachlan didn't bring me down any more than I expected. It doesn't hurt that the mystery plot holds together and kept the pace up to drive the story along. So I'm going to come in at 3½ stars that I'm rounding up, but I'm not really sure why. Both characters and plot that hold together isn't nothing and I was fully engaged throughout. Yeah, that's why.
A note about Cliffhangers: All of the rising action of the story is wrapped up by the end. So I don't consider it a cliffhanger, even though there's some unresolved arcs and a late-story reveal that fundamentally alters everything. If you're going to hang a cliff, this is how it's done without spitting in a reader's eye.
A note about Chaste: There are fated mates in this story, which I'm not actually opposed to, particularly if it's done with a bit of sense, like it is here. Both of them have reason to fight the pull, however, and Eve is actively disguised throughout this story. So while there's a bit of yearning, and even a very fine kiss, there's no sex, explicit or otherwise. So it's pretty chaste.
Read
July 6, 2021DNF at 35% just not feeling this book or the world
March 24, 2021
This was a fun read. It does end with not everything resolved and you get this impression early on that things will continue. Theirs a bigger ARC happening. The characters are fun. Looking forward to reading on.
Rated: 4 Stars
Rated: 4 Stars
February 22, 2021
Kinda digging this!
-Interesting world
-Sexy MC
-Dramatic/twisted storyline
-Intriguing secondary characters
Those reasons are why I am rating this a 4 star.
Eve has the potential to be a high ranking FMC for me. Love how she ran from the mating when she discovered it was for her own good. Love ho she became a badass with potions. Did not love so much how she was a little to quick to go along and be led my Lachlan. Also, not a big fan on how easily she caved to her feelings which for me contradicted her original feelings.
By 2/3s of the book I was definitely feeling Lachlan. The dominate sexy alpha I love to read had begun raising to take control of the situation. He has a very interesting storyline/backstory which really pulls a reader in.
Ended on a smidge of a cliffy. I can say I am looking forward to book 2!
Happy reading,
DD
-Interesting world
-Sexy MC
-Dramatic/twisted storyline
-Intriguing secondary characters
Those reasons are why I am rating this a 4 star.
Eve has the potential to be a high ranking FMC for me. Love how she ran from the mating when she discovered it was for her own good. Love ho she became a badass with potions. Did not love so much how she was a little to quick to go along and be led my Lachlan. Also, not a big fan on how easily she caved to her feelings which for me contradicted her original feelings.
By 2/3s of the book I was definitely feeling Lachlan. The dominate sexy alpha I love to read had begun raising to take control of the situation. He has a very interesting storyline/backstory which really pulls a reader in.
Ended on a smidge of a cliffy. I can say I am looking forward to book 2!
Happy reading,
DD
February 7, 2021
I have become a big fan of this author over time, and each time she starts a new series like this one, I know why. We are now at Eve’s story, and it’s a doozy. She isn’t the species everyone thinks she is, but she’s drawn back into her “real” world by being blackmailed. Everything goes wrong when her blackmailer dies right in front of her. Just like this author’s previous books, there is much action, great characters, and a plot that keeps you entertained. Eve and Lachlan are a great couple, and I love watching their story unfold. Seeing Eve’s friends take a role in what’s going on was excellent, and I can’t wait to see what comes next. Highly recommend.
March 20, 2022
2 stars. I like the premise but the execution is lacking Imo. Not much forward momentum until near the end. This was a let down.
Cliffhanger ending. Unlikely to continue series.
Cliffhanger ending. Unlikely to continue series.
March 20, 2022
2.5 Ok so...
I've read this author before, I've disliked this author before, but I wanted to give her another chance.
This first book was pretty meh, kinda boring, took me a while to get into it. Still, I'll go on with the series. The plot is interesting and, for whatever reason, I am curious to see what happens next. Maybe it was the cliffhanger, but whatever, I'll go on.
Am I torturing myself? Maybe... Will let you know.
I've read this author before, I've disliked this author before, but I wanted to give her another chance.
This first book was pretty meh, kinda boring, took me a while to get into it. Still, I'll go on with the series. The plot is interesting and, for whatever reason, I am curious to see what happens next. Maybe it was the cliffhanger, but whatever, I'll go on.
Am I torturing myself? Maybe... Will let you know.
February 11, 2021
I was looking forward to reading this, despite not liking the previous books in this series, this one featured a new heroine and the premise piqued my interest.
However, it was a DNF at 46%.
I think I need to give Kindle Unlimited a rest for a while as this is the third book on KU that I have not finished this week. There are many authors that are popular on KU and churn out 3 books in a year, some of them one month after the other (Like this one, the next book is due next month) but isn't that the problem? It's just a rinse and repeat without any real suspense or exhilaration? Nothing new here, just the same super powerful heroine with different hair. Also, I've worked out in this series it's a bunch of 'misfit' friends who all end up mated to THE most powerful men in the Guild City. I find it so tedious. The hero in this book (Who was the alpha, of course) was kind of bland, his sections of the book were very stilted, woe is me, waaa...she's so beautiful and I'm broken. Not sexy at all, more like a a guy who does the traffic surveys.
For the last six months I have been on a quest to find a decent Shifter UF with a bit of romance. I've read Leia Stone, CN Crawford, Sara Snow, Kelly St Clare etc...and none of them have hit the spot. They are just lacking in something. So, I'm going to give it a rest and wait until the next Patricia Briggs (Charles & Anna) book comes out in March. I know a whole lot of readers love these authors but I think I'm going to move on and maybe come back to KU in a couple of months.
However, it was a DNF at 46%.
I think I need to give Kindle Unlimited a rest for a while as this is the third book on KU that I have not finished this week. There are many authors that are popular on KU and churn out 3 books in a year, some of them one month after the other (Like this one, the next book is due next month) but isn't that the problem? It's just a rinse and repeat without any real suspense or exhilaration? Nothing new here, just the same super powerful heroine with different hair. Also, I've worked out in this series it's a bunch of 'misfit' friends who all end up mated to THE most powerful men in the Guild City. I find it so tedious. The hero in this book (Who was the alpha, of course) was kind of bland, his sections of the book were very stilted, woe is me, waaa...she's so beautiful and I'm broken. Not sexy at all, more like a a guy who does the traffic surveys.
For the last six months I have been on a quest to find a decent Shifter UF with a bit of romance. I've read Leia Stone, CN Crawford, Sara Snow, Kelly St Clare etc...and none of them have hit the spot. They are just lacking in something. So, I'm going to give it a rest and wait until the next Patricia Briggs (Charles & Anna) book comes out in March. I know a whole lot of readers love these authors but I think I'm going to move on and maybe come back to KU in a couple of months.
October 14, 2021
I tried so many of Linsey Hall's books and they never work for me. It's a shame because I really love her concepts.
I think I finally figured out what gets me: her male POVs.
Her books are simplistic in emotions with alpha heros, relatable heroines, and simple but colorful world building. That's completely fine if you're looking for a brain candy type of story. It should be fun.
But then the Hero's POV comes in and ruins everything. He's always lovesick and obsessed with the heroine, but pushes her away bc of ~reasons~. It's insta love with the worst kind of tension and manufactured drama. There is no mystery, no good sexual tension, no personal growth, and nothing to even look forward to expect a stop to the angst when he finally gets over himself. Plus he doesn't really sound like a convincing man.
If the story stayed in the heroine's POV, I would've enjoyed it much more. She was likable and easy to root for in this book.
I think I finally figured out what gets me: her male POVs.
Her books are simplistic in emotions with alpha heros, relatable heroines, and simple but colorful world building. That's completely fine if you're looking for a brain candy type of story. It should be fun.
But then the Hero's POV comes in and ruins everything. He's always lovesick and obsessed with the heroine, but pushes her away bc of ~reasons~. It's insta love with the worst kind of tension and manufactured drama. There is no mystery, no good sexual tension, no personal growth, and nothing to even look forward to expect a stop to the angst when he finally gets over himself. Plus he doesn't really sound like a convincing man.
If the story stayed in the heroine's POV, I would've enjoyed it much more. She was likable and easy to root for in this book.
February 17, 2021
At this point, I can’t even be bothered to write a lengthy review with everything wrong with this book so I’m just going to outline a few points.
- So this seerer claims that because they are fated mates, it will destroy them. Why is this only mentioned once??? This would be a lot more effective and believable if we got a flashback scene or something explaining what she said.
- Why would he be so horrible to her back then? It doesn’t make sense. He can’t switch how he feels that much.
- I was excited when I read they were going to be working together to solve a murder but it was eye rollingly bad. It was mostly him growling at everyone.
- The writing was unimaginative and boring.
I honestly don’t know how I finished this.
- So this seerer claims that because they are fated mates, it will destroy them. Why is this only mentioned once??? This would be a lot more effective and believable if we got a flashback scene or something explaining what she said.
- Why would he be so horrible to her back then? It doesn’t make sense. He can’t switch how he feels that much.
- I was excited when I read they were going to be working together to solve a murder but it was eye rollingly bad. It was mostly him growling at everyone.
- The writing was unimaginative and boring.
I honestly don’t know how I finished this.
March 8, 2021
ugh. I swear this four star rating is because I can't think straight and melt into a puddle when there is a second-chance romance involving an werewolf alpha.
But seriously this was a really good book, the heroine is strong, smart, and independent, as all Linsey Hall heroines are. The romance was good but not dominating the plot. Looking forward to the next one.
→ 4 stars
But seriously this was a really good book, the heroine is strong, smart, and independent, as all Linsey Hall heroines are. The romance was good but not dominating the plot. Looking forward to the next one.
→ 4 stars
February 12, 2021
So good
I loved this book so much. No water. Just action. Perfect balance between dialogue and internal monologue. Characters stayed true to themselves the entire time and had real depth to them.
I loved this book so much. No water. Just action. Perfect balance between dialogue and internal monologue. Characters stayed true to themselves the entire time and had real depth to them.
February 9, 2021
Eh. I liked it. It kept me interested, although the heroine poured out the sassiness a bit thick. Note to heroine: if you have a target on your back don’t walk down alleys.
February 9, 2022
darkest moon: 1/5
terrible.
terrible.
February 20, 2021
I'm not a fan of the writing, the author tends to explain by telling instead of describing or showing. It makes for a bit of a clunky read. Character voices aren't all that distinct from each other and they tend to just tell you their thoughts and conflicts, it makes me feel like I'm reading fan fiction. BUT the story is fairly interesting and I'll probably read the next book to see what happens. I feel like the author could have used some editing and finessing to elevate the writing.
February 13, 2021
3.5 stars
A quick, entertaining read good for killing time.
A quick, entertaining read good for killing time.
June 5, 2021
the random, no context racoon friend was great... everything else was pretty bad.
April 15, 2021
DNF @ 56%
June 5, 2021
I went into this book, because I had read other works from this author, one or two years ago. They all ca be summed up to a lovers-haters relationship of a heterosexual couple, written in two POVs (his and hers), where, on the surface, they are both chasing some goal, while in fact struggling to keep their hands off each other.
Not that challenging of a plot, but, the writing, per se, does not lack in its skillfulness. I mean, even if the follow-up scenes are easy to anticipate, the pleasure that one gets out of these books is in the details, in the language form.
But, again, you are not reading some classic in life, the bar is pretty low.
I am judging this book by comparison with other paranormal/fantasy/urban-paranormal/fantasies.
This is not the latest masterpiece in English language, but nonetheless, the general tone of the writing is still somehow “eh, ok, fine”:
“My life had been all cold duty until she arrived.”
A bit sappy isn`t it? But we can go even further:
“What the hell was I doing? Trying to mark my territory? It was common with mates, but she wasn`t my mate.”
In all fairness, the parts that are the most cringe-worthy are those in HIS voice, while those in HER voice are quite good. Perhaps, the author is more comfortable with writing from one point-of-view, only, without having to make the jump to and fro, but for some reason she chose to do it in here.
But, overall, it was a short neat book.
It was quite welcomed.
Instagram\\my Blog\\
Not that challenging of a plot, but, the writing, per se, does not lack in its skillfulness. I mean, even if the follow-up scenes are easy to anticipate, the pleasure that one gets out of these books is in the details, in the language form.
But, again, you are not reading some classic in life, the bar is pretty low.
I am judging this book by comparison with other paranormal/fantasy/urban-paranormal/fantasies.
This is not the latest masterpiece in English language, but nonetheless, the general tone of the writing is still somehow “eh, ok, fine”:
“My life had been all cold duty until she arrived.”
A bit sappy isn`t it? But we can go even further:
“What the hell was I doing? Trying to mark my territory? It was common with mates, but she wasn`t my mate.”
In all fairness, the parts that are the most cringe-worthy are those in HIS voice, while those in HER voice are quite good. Perhaps, the author is more comfortable with writing from one point-of-view, only, without having to make the jump to and fro, but for some reason she chose to do it in here.
But, overall, it was a short neat book.
It was quite welcomed.
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June 14, 2023
DNF @50% honestly I’m surprised I made it this far. I skimmed most of this. If you’re looking for a book with every shifter cliche then this is for you. This is predictably boring. The FMC is a grade A “pick me girl” who constantly reminds us how she used to be an ugly duckling but now she’s unrecognizable and the MMC is forgettable. I think the murder mystery concept of this is cool but the execution of it was lazy. I felt like this author was just going through the beats and there was no nuance. I felt nothing for these characters. This book is a bunch of overdone tropes and wattpad dialogue smashed together.
Additionally, i never want to see the word "recognized" ever again.
pg 2 "No one would recognize me."
pg 6 "She had recognized me."
pg 16 "They'd recognize me if they saw me on the street."
pg 20 "What if he recognized me?"
pg 23 "What if he recognized me?"
pg 26 "His gaze traveled over me. Did he feel it, too? Did he recognize me?"
pg 27 "Did he really not recognize me?"
pg 45 "Had he really not recognize me?"
pg 46 "He hadn't recognized me yet, and maybe he never would."
WE GET IT, she's paranoid about someone finding out she isn't who she appears to be.
This book reads like a draft. Like maybe this author put all these in as placeholders and forgot to go back and edit them.
Additionally, i never want to see the word "recognized" ever again.
pg 2 "No one would recognize me."
pg 6 "She had recognized me."
pg 16 "They'd recognize me if they saw me on the street."
pg 20 "What if he recognized me?"
pg 23 "What if he recognized me?"
pg 26 "His gaze traveled over me. Did he feel it, too? Did he recognize me?"
pg 27 "Did he really not recognize me?"
pg 45 "Had he really not recognize me?"
pg 46 "He hadn't recognized me yet, and maybe he never would."
WE GET IT, she's paranoid about someone finding out she isn't who she appears to be.
This book reads like a draft. Like maybe this author put all these in as placeholders and forgot to go back and edit them.
June 1, 2021
What a pleasant surprise I found in KU. I haven’t read much of this author before but after a great spin on the werewolf genre I’m excited to see what else she has done.
July 26, 2022
Why did it have to end like that 😭 So damn anticlimactic
March 9, 2021
The Darkest moon is about Eve and Lachlan. She is destined to be his mate, but she ran away and had been hiding in plain sight. Until she is accused of murder and now has to prove her innocence while keeping her secret.
I looooved this book! I haven't read many shifter books, but Linsey Hall made me a fan! I loved how well-rounded this book is! It has everything! Mystery, Urban Fantasy, strong friendships, and a very slow burn romance that had me internally screaming, "will you please just kiss already??" And after that ending, I just CAN'T wait to see how everything will play out.
I could not recommend this book more! The sequel, Wild Hunt, is already out, and the next book will come out in April! They are also available on Kindle Unlimited!
I looooved this book! I haven't read many shifter books, but Linsey Hall made me a fan! I loved how well-rounded this book is! It has everything! Mystery, Urban Fantasy, strong friendships, and a very slow burn romance that had me internally screaming, "will you please just kiss already??" And after that ending, I just CAN'T wait to see how everything will play out.
I could not recommend this book more! The sequel, Wild Hunt, is already out, and the next book will come out in April! They are also available on Kindle Unlimited!
March 13, 2021
That will continue at the end of the book was terrible.I hate when they do that, it's cruel to leave the reader with so many questions. Other than that, I enjoyed the read
March 15, 2021
First book I've read by this author and I liked it a lot.
I love the world she has created to set this almost impossible love story.
The way she narrates traps you and invites you to elaborate theories about all the possible scenarios in which Eve and Lachlan (name I love) will be involved, to face the circumstances to which they have been thrown.
Both characters have internal struggles that have defined them and are driving them further and further apart, even though forces both their own (their bond) and external (the killer(s)) are determined to make them work together.
The question is, to what end?
My only negative point is that it leaves me with too many unanswered unknowns until the next book, not fair.
I love the world she has created to set this almost impossible love story.
The way she narrates traps you and invites you to elaborate theories about all the possible scenarios in which Eve and Lachlan (name I love) will be involved, to face the circumstances to which they have been thrown.
Both characters have internal struggles that have defined them and are driving them further and further apart, even though forces both their own (their bond) and external (the killer(s)) are determined to make them work together.
The question is, to what end?
My only negative point is that it leaves me with too many unanswered unknowns until the next book, not fair.
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