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Zodiac Wolves #3
Sun Crossed
My true mate has fallen—but I will find a way to save him.
I've been kidnapped again, but this time it's by people who claim to be my allies. They're training me to use my powers so I can defeat my enemies and rescue everyone I love. Including my alpha.
Kaden is my true mate, and I won't rest until I get him back—and break the mate bond tying me to the wrong man.
But the secrets surrounding the Zodiac Wolves are even darker than I imagined, and somehow I'm going to have to convince the other packs that everything they believe is a lie.
I'm a Moon Witch. I'm an alpha female. And I'll do whatever it takes to save my pack, my family, my mate.
I've been kidnapped again, but this time it's by people who claim to be my allies. They're training me to use my powers so I can defeat my enemies and rescue everyone I love. Including my alpha.
Kaden is my true mate, and I won't rest until I get him back—and break the mate bond tying me to the wrong man.
But the secrets surrounding the Zodiac Wolves are even darker than I imagined, and somehow I'm going to have to convince the other packs that everything they believe is a lie.
I'm a Moon Witch. I'm an alpha female. And I'll do whatever it takes to save my pack, my family, my mate.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 11, 2022
About the author
Elizabeth Briggs
46 books2,599 followersElizabeth Briggs is a New York Times and Top 5 Amazon bestselling author of paranormal and fantasy romance featuring twisty plots, plenty of spice, and a guaranteed happy ending. She's a Stage IV cancer warrior who has worked with teens in foster care and volunteered with animal rescue organizations. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, their daughter, and a pack of fluffy dogs. Find her online at http://www.elizabethbriggs.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 710 reviews
October 22, 2022
Boring. Bland. Repetitive. Not much to offer.
This is how the first 50% of the book went and I kid you not.
Jordan - You are my mate. Come with me. *Whines about it*
Ayla - I don't want you, I want Kaden. *Stomps feet. Cries like a baby*
Kaden - I love you. But you don't want me. You want Jordan. *Throws a tantrum about it*
Ayla - *insert sob story about loving Kaden*
Kaden - Okay cool, let's have sex.
Repeat the whole process 10 more times.
The first 30% about Moon Witches and the whole cultism was made to be something big, but the way it was written as if the author had no heart in it. Tho, that I could say for the whole book.
We already read the same mate bond complications in book 1 and book 2. Why did we need to read it again, is beyond me. The poor FMC, gets kidnapped for the 100th time (exaggeration) and that's another never ending cycle.
I skimmed through some of it. The romance was so bland, it was so hugely downgraded in terms of writing. The chemistry that was between the two, no longer existed. Even the new characters introduced couldn't save this book.
This one is my least favorite in the series. I'm so disappointed. The last 20% were pretty good, the action was good enough for me to rate it two stars instead of one. I'll still read the last book, whenever it comes out.
This is how the first 50% of the book went and I kid you not.
Jordan - You are my mate. Come with me. *Whines about it*
Ayla - I don't want you, I want Kaden. *Stomps feet. Cries like a baby*
Kaden - I love you. But you don't want me. You want Jordan. *Throws a tantrum about it*
Ayla - *insert sob story about loving Kaden*
Kaden - Okay cool, let's have sex.
Repeat the whole process 10 more times.
The first 30% about Moon Witches and the whole cultism was made to be something big, but the way it was written as if the author had no heart in it. Tho, that I could say for the whole book.
We already read the same mate bond complications in book 1 and book 2. Why did we need to read it again, is beyond me. The poor FMC, gets kidnapped for the 100th time (exaggeration) and that's another never ending cycle.
I skimmed through some of it. The romance was so bland, it was so hugely downgraded in terms of writing. The chemistry that was between the two, no longer existed. Even the new characters introduced couldn't save this book.
This one is my least favorite in the series. I'm so disappointed. The last 20% were pretty good, the action was good enough for me to rate it two stars instead of one. I'll still read the last book, whenever it comes out.
March 14, 2022
– 2.5 stars
🧙♀️ It took me a while to get into this book, because Ayla (h) was once again taken to a new surrounding and several new characters were introduced. I barely have time to get attached to the old characters before Ayla is thrust into a new place. In book one she went from Cancer Pack to Ophiuchus Pack, beginning of book 2 she was a captive in the Leo Pack and here she was with the Moon Witches. How am I suppose to get attached to any of these characters. 🏃🏻♀️
🐺 Kaden (H) got on my last nerves in this book. He turned into such an one-dimensional almost villain with his single-mindedness to destroy the Sun Witches/Leo Pack that he started to slaughter people in cold blood. Was that suppose to make him some dark, broody & sexy anti-villain, cause lemme tell you that shit didn’t work on me. All Kaden managed to do is to give me dictator vibes, you’re either with him or against him. If you’re against him he has no problem killing you. Ok bro.
🔺 I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I liked Jordan more than the actual Hero in Sun Crossed. Jordan went from the asshole, arrogant, cocky villain (book 1) to complex main character material whom I wish a book for. There is just something about the villain redemption arc when done right, is so easy to root for.
👀 Let’s put aside for a second that Ayla and Jordan were suppose to be mates, even tho they are siblings and all the shit Jordan has put Ayla through. I like how far they’ve come from enemies to reluctant allies. These estranged siblings ‘bonding’ over card games was my highlight. Wesley go pack your bag, Ayla is about to have a new fav brother. 😌
🙄 The romance was meh... skimmed most of the AylaKaden smut and when they didn’t have sex, they were fighting about Kaden going dark and on a war path. At this point, I’m pretty over this couple and I’m just here cause I’m invested in the story and moreover the side characters.
🔥 Another series where I’m feeling more invested in the side characters than the main characters. Wesley & Mira 👀 I want a book for them, even tho Mira already has a mate and is currently pregnant with that mate, but I feel like Wes and Mira belong together. ETHAN!!! ETHAN MY LIBRA ALPHA I NEED A BOOK FOR HIM. 🛐 this man has me on a chokehold the way I started panting every time he was on screen. 🛐 Jordan can get a book too, he is my misunderstood boi. I hope they all will get a book eventually after the author fights colon cancer.
Conclusion
I feel weirdly engrossed in the plot of this series and I like the idea with the 13 Zodiac Pack and each of them different talents. The next book better be the last book about Ayla & Kaden, cause I don’t know how much more of these two I can take.
┈┈┈┈․° ☣ °․┈┈┈┈
IRRELEVANT THOUGHTS 12/03/22
this might seem like a very random question, but if a guy would sleep with a witch who is 42 years old, but is stuck in a 12/13 yr old teenage body, is it considered pedophilia? 🤔
(don’t worry, this doesn’t happen in the book or is in any way canon. The witch female character does exist in this book as a side character and loves reading romance books and that's it, but i was wondering 🤡)
┈┈┈┈․° ☣ °․┈┈┈┈
┍━━━━━━━━»•» «•«━┑
ZODIAC WOLVES SERIES
#1 Moon Touched – 3 stars
#2 Star Cursed – 2.5 stars
#3 Sun Crossed – 2.5 stars
#4 Zodiac Aligned – tbr
┕━»•» «•«━━━━━━━━┙
🧙♀️ It took me a while to get into this book, because Ayla (h) was once again taken to a new surrounding and several new characters were introduced. I barely have time to get attached to the old characters before Ayla is thrust into a new place. In book one she went from Cancer Pack to Ophiuchus Pack, beginning of book 2 she was a captive in the Leo Pack and here she was with the Moon Witches. How am I suppose to get attached to any of these characters. 🏃🏻♀️
🐺 Kaden (H) got on my last nerves in this book. He turned into such an one-dimensional almost villain with his single-mindedness to destroy the Sun Witches/Leo Pack that he started to slaughter people in cold blood. Was that suppose to make him some dark, broody & sexy anti-villain, cause lemme tell you that shit didn’t work on me. All Kaden managed to do is to give me dictator vibes, you’re either with him or against him. If you’re against him he has no problem killing you. Ok bro.
🔺 I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I liked Jordan more than the actual Hero in Sun Crossed. Jordan went from the asshole, arrogant, cocky villain (book 1) to complex main character material whom I wish a book for. There is just something about the villain redemption arc when done right, is so easy to root for.
👀 Let’s put aside for a second that Ayla and Jordan were suppose to be mates, even tho they are siblings and all the shit Jordan has put Ayla through. I like how far they’ve come from enemies to reluctant allies. These estranged siblings ‘bonding’ over card games was my highlight. Wesley go pack your bag, Ayla is about to have a new fav brother. 😌
🙄 The romance was meh... skimmed most of the AylaKaden smut and when they didn’t have sex, they were fighting about Kaden going dark and on a war path. At this point, I’m pretty over this couple and I’m just here cause I’m invested in the story and moreover the side characters.
🔥 Another series where I’m feeling more invested in the side characters than the main characters. Wesley & Mira 👀 I want a book for them, even tho Mira already has a mate and is currently pregnant with that mate, but I feel like Wes and Mira belong together. ETHAN!!! ETHAN MY LIBRA ALPHA I NEED A BOOK FOR HIM. 🛐 this man has me on a chokehold the way I started panting every time he was on screen. 🛐 Jordan can get a book too, he is my misunderstood boi. I hope they all will get a book eventually after the author fights colon cancer.
Conclusion
I feel weirdly engrossed in the plot of this series and I like the idea with the 13 Zodiac Pack and each of them different talents. The next book better be the last book about Ayla & Kaden, cause I don’t know how much more of these two I can take.
┈┈┈┈․° ☣ °․┈┈┈┈
IRRELEVANT THOUGHTS 12/03/22
this might seem like a very random question, but if a guy would sleep with a witch who is 42 years old, but is stuck in a 12/13 yr old teenage body, is it considered pedophilia? 🤔
(don’t worry, this doesn’t happen in the book or is in any way canon. The witch female character does exist in this book as a side character and loves reading romance books and that's it, but i was wondering 🤡)
┈┈┈┈․° ☣ °․┈┈┈┈
┍━━━━━━━━»•» «•«━┑
ZODIAC WOLVES SERIES
#1 Moon Touched – 3 stars
#2 Star Cursed – 2.5 stars
#3 Sun Crossed – 2.5 stars
#4 Zodiac Aligned – tbr
┕━»•» «•«━━━━━━━━┙
March 12, 2022
I devoured this book! The world building was great. The history we get to learn is so interesting. Everyone was left on the brink of war after book 2 and nothing was certain. This book picks up right where book 2 left off.
I LOVE Ayla and how strong and resilient she is. And let me just say, the spice is *chefs kiss*
So ready for the next book now!!
I LOVE Ayla and how strong and resilient she is. And let me just say, the spice is *chefs kiss*
So ready for the next book now!!
November 8, 2021
Omg this needs to come out NOW! I just read the first two books in 2 days! How am I supposed to wait until January???
March 25, 2022
Wow, a lot happened here.
The ending of book 2 was a lot to take in. Ayla is given the opportunity to change it all IF she can master her powers. Her determination to save Kaden is all it takes to motivate her. This path leads her to two very interesting characters, Celeste and Larkin, which play a big role in book 3. Their relationship with Ayla was a great surprise. Both added a lot to the storyline playing a BIG part in the upcoming battle. Larkin especially is a very unique interesting character I hope Briggs builds off in the future.
Kaden takes a walk on the dark side. It will be interesting to see of he goes full dark alpha or if he can rein it in. The continued threats to Ayla has caused him to snap. Granted it is kinda sexy, but I mean I guess I should be concerned about his killing rampage....I guess?
Now what threw me a little is the budding relationship Ayla is creating with Jordan. There is a small part of me still not willing to accept this new development. We will see if Briggs can bring me around to it in book 4.
Happy reading,
DD 🥂
The ending of book 2 was a lot to take in. Ayla is given the opportunity to change it all IF she can master her powers. Her determination to save Kaden is all it takes to motivate her. This path leads her to two very interesting characters, Celeste and Larkin, which play a big role in book 3. Their relationship with Ayla was a great surprise. Both added a lot to the storyline playing a BIG part in the upcoming battle. Larkin especially is a very unique interesting character I hope Briggs builds off in the future.
Kaden takes a walk on the dark side. It will be interesting to see of he goes full dark alpha or if he can rein it in. The continued threats to Ayla has caused him to snap. Granted it is kinda sexy, but I mean I guess I should be concerned about his killing rampage....I guess?
Now what threw me a little is the budding relationship Ayla is creating with Jordan. There is a small part of me still not willing to accept this new development. We will see if Briggs can bring me around to it in book 4.
Happy reading,
DD 🥂
Want to read
November 10, 2021I have read first 2 books. Couldn't put it down. Fell behind at work cause of it. PLEASE LET ME GET AN ADVANCED COPY OF THIS BOOK. I WON'T TELL ANYONE.
December 2, 2021
help I read the two books in the span of 3 hrs I NEED THE THIRD BOOK 😭😭😭 i cant wait for the release !!!!!!
(u can send me an advanced copy I promise I won’t tell ☺️ /lh /hj)
(u can send me an advanced copy I promise I won’t tell ☺️ /lh /hj)
January 12, 2023
3.5 ⭐
After a huge debate with my inner self I'd written this review.
This book really tested my morals. I loved the characters so much in the previous books but not so much in this one. There were instances where I felt like banging my head because of the ridiculousness of the plot and characters.
What I didn't like -
1. The repetition. The plot somehow feels way too repetitive in this one. And don't even getting me started on the kidnapping scenes. This was the third or maybe the fourth time the mc gets kidnapped.
2. The character arc of Kaden. I mean I was seriously supporting Kaden till the long end but his actions towards Ayla were downright disappointing. I expected him to behave atleast a little bit level headed.
3. No detailed description for stuff. Everything just felt so rushed in this one. And conflicts suddenly don't feel like conflicts anymore. Guess I expected too much from it.
4. Jordan's character. Like bruh wth is this guy's role anymore? Too much conflict regarding his personality. Let him either be a villain or a nice dude or morally grey character. I didn't realise there was any other option apart from such category. If there is please let me know. The ending paints Jordan in a totally different light but then again I have no idea what to expect anymore from him.
5. The chemistry between the lead characters is not presented in a proper way anymore. I skipped those scenes altogether. Couldn't be bothered to read them because what's the point of reading it when the author is writing it to fill the ongoing half developed plot? And also because it lacks so much of the chemistry which I previously loved?!
What I loved -
The only thing which made reading intriguing was the action scenes and the conflict between all the zodiac wolves.
PS I know that the author was undergoing through stage 3 cancer while writing this book so I don't mean to be disrespecting towards her hardwork that she's put in the book. This are just my opinions and dislikes I felt the need to addressed.
Despite all of my dislikes I'm looking forward to read the next book and hoping for something good!
After a huge debate with my inner self I'd written this review.
This book really tested my morals. I loved the characters so much in the previous books but not so much in this one. There were instances where I felt like banging my head because of the ridiculousness of the plot and characters.
What I didn't like -
1. The repetition. The plot somehow feels way too repetitive in this one. And don't even getting me started on the kidnapping scenes. This was the third or maybe the fourth time the mc gets kidnapped.
2. The character arc of Kaden. I mean I was seriously supporting Kaden till the long end but his actions towards Ayla were downright disappointing. I expected him to behave atleast a little bit level headed.
3. No detailed description for stuff. Everything just felt so rushed in this one. And conflicts suddenly don't feel like conflicts anymore. Guess I expected too much from it.
4. Jordan's character. Like bruh wth is this guy's role anymore? Too much conflict regarding his personality. Let him either be a villain or a nice dude or morally grey character. I didn't realise there was any other option apart from such category. If there is please let me know. The ending paints Jordan in a totally different light but then again I have no idea what to expect anymore from him.
5. The chemistry between the lead characters is not presented in a proper way anymore. I skipped those scenes altogether. Couldn't be bothered to read them because what's the point of reading it when the author is writing it to fill the ongoing half developed plot? And also because it lacks so much of the chemistry which I previously loved?!
What I loved -
The only thing which made reading intriguing was the action scenes and the conflict between all the zodiac wolves.
PS I know that the author was undergoing through stage 3 cancer while writing this book so I don't mean to be disrespecting towards her hardwork that she's put in the book. This are just my opinions and dislikes I felt the need to addressed.
Despite all of my dislikes I'm looking forward to read the next book and hoping for something good!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2023
2.5 stars.
If booktok, Instagram, a kindle, and tik tok weren’t mentioned in this, and the fact that Ayla didn’t make Kaden grovel enough, it would have been 3.5 stars.
Also, it felt very repetitive. Same conflicts and making up over and over again (the same ones we got in book 1&2). Also wish we got more from the moon witches too.
I still really enjoyed this, and I liked the spice, but it didn’t give me the same feeling the first book did. I’m still excited for the fourth book.
If booktok, Instagram, a kindle, and tik tok weren’t mentioned in this, and the fact that Ayla didn’t make Kaden grovel enough, it would have been 3.5 stars.
Also, it felt very repetitive. Same conflicts and making up over and over again (the same ones we got in book 1&2). Also wish we got more from the moon witches too.
I still really enjoyed this, and I liked the spice, but it didn’t give me the same feeling the first book did. I’m still excited for the fourth book.
March 12, 2022
A little disappointed...
I won't get into spoilers here, but I definitely didn't love this book as much as I have loved the others. It felt hastily written, and parts of it felt very superficial. And I guess the biggest issue I had with it was the connection with Ayla and Kaden. It felt like the romance wasn't there nearly at all. The guy was barely thankful Ayla brought him back to life. And though I wont share spoilers, I'm shocked at what he did at the end of the book and how Ayla seemingly overlooked it and forgave it.
I do give the author grace here because of the situation, but I cant be dishonest in a review. I'm kind of blown away by how much I didn't enjoy it. The abrupt ending didn't help - I'm thankful it wasn't a huge cliffhanger as the other books have been, but I would have appreciated at least some general acknowledgement about Ayla and Kaden's current situation.
Definitely felt like it missed the bar and the magic the first two books had.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 ⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 🌶🌶🌶
🆓️ on KU
I won't get into spoilers here, but I definitely didn't love this book as much as I have loved the others. It felt hastily written, and parts of it felt very superficial. And I guess the biggest issue I had with it was the connection with Ayla and Kaden. It felt like the romance wasn't there nearly at all. The guy was barely thankful Ayla brought him back to life. And though I wont share spoilers, I'm shocked at what he did at the end of the book and how Ayla seemingly overlooked it and forgave it.
I do give the author grace here because of the situation, but I cant be dishonest in a review. I'm kind of blown away by how much I didn't enjoy it. The abrupt ending didn't help - I'm thankful it wasn't a huge cliffhanger as the other books have been, but I would have appreciated at least some general acknowledgement about Ayla and Kaden's current situation.
Definitely felt like it missed the bar and the magic the first two books had.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 ⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 🌶🌶🌶
🆓️ on KU
July 3, 2022
So, not to be smug or anything, but I actually PICKED THE TITLE OF THIS BOOK! I know, it's amazing! I'm trying to be unbiased here but how could I not love this! ❤️
Ayla and Kaden's story continues with them being separated. Not going to lie, I tend to hate separations in books but I was quite enjoying Ayla's journey to her Moon Witch self and the new people in this story. Larkin stole my heart and I wonder what her journey will be later on. Elizabeth tends to write books filled with action but not moving very fast towards the resultion of the series overall but I don't mind it at all in her case.
I was apprehensive when people in other reviews stated they hated Kaden in this book but I kindalovedhim? I do get why someone would be mad at him but I like bossy Kaden and how he just finally takes charge while others are still mulling over their decisions. Ayla's actions confuse me, I do like how she wants Jordan to be her brother and have a relationship with him but Kaden is her mate, 100%, she should always choose him or at least reason with him and have some sort of power over him when they have such a bond.
This book was definitely the smuttiest out of the three and I'm freaking dying over here over them not once fucking in a bed. Still, the smut was good, nothing extra special, but still delicious. I ofc loved possessive Kaden too much. 🔥
All the side characters make this story so much better. I'm here dying to know more about Wesley and Mira, about the fake mate bonds, Stella, Harper, Larking, the vampire guy and so many others.
I'm obsessed with the idea of Ayla becoming pregnant when they break the mate bonds and I have a feeling it will happen and I'm going to enjoy every second of it!
4 stars ✨
Ayla and Kaden's story continues with them being separated. Not going to lie, I tend to hate separations in books but I was quite enjoying Ayla's journey to her Moon Witch self and the new people in this story. Larkin stole my heart and I wonder what her journey will be later on. Elizabeth tends to write books filled with action but not moving very fast towards the resultion of the series overall but I don't mind it at all in her case.
I was apprehensive when people in other reviews stated they hated Kaden in this book but I kindalovedhim? I do get why someone would be mad at him but I like bossy Kaden and how he just finally takes charge while others are still mulling over their decisions. Ayla's actions confuse me, I do like how she wants Jordan to be her brother and have a relationship with him but Kaden is her mate, 100%, she should always choose him or at least reason with him and have some sort of power over him when they have such a bond.
This book was definitely the smuttiest out of the three and I'm freaking dying over here over them not once fucking in a bed. Still, the smut was good, nothing extra special, but still delicious. I ofc loved possessive Kaden too much. 🔥
All the side characters make this story so much better. I'm here dying to know more about Wesley and Mira, about the fake mate bonds, Stella, Harper, Larking, the vampire guy and so many others.
I'm obsessed with the idea of Ayla becoming pregnant when they break the mate bonds and I have a feeling it will happen and I'm going to enjoy every second of it!
4 stars ✨
April 8, 2022
Yessss 😩 I tried to read this slowly because I know the author is having a battle with Cancer and the final book will be released later than plan but I couldn’t help it. I love it too much. I love how it didn’t end in a brutal cliffhanger like the second one did 😅 but it still has me wondering and thinking of all that’s to come in Zodiac Aligned ❤️ kick Cancers ass Elizabeth!
February 26, 2024
3.75⭐️🥹🐺 Book 3 in the Zodiac Wolves series was quite the wild ride. Emotionally draining and all over the place the drama and trauma were great! Its like watching a ping pong 🏓 match of bonkers and batshit crazy and I could not look away! In to the next book….📚
April 17, 2024
Konu biraz fazla uzadı bağlanmas��nı bekliyorum 🙄
April 4, 2022
I DNF'd at 76%. I've been wanting to abandon this since.... very early on.
1. Structural issues
Ah yes, we will have our main character go off to get special magical power training and then show less than hardly anything about it. Also anti-Deus Ex Machina, the super powerful witches are cowards—which actually makes sense in the context of the story and what they've been through, but then stop f-ing bringing it up!! Oh lord. And supposedly Ayla is gone training for "months" but we spend less than 10% of the book there? It just is such a wasted opportunity and bothers the shit out of me. I always try to envision a book like a season of TV to get a good picture of how the pacing works, and this does nooot work for me. Again, I'm not sure if it's just been too long since I read the first books and I'm just not used to the writing style anymore, because I remember really enjoying those first two books! Follow up: I went and read my (pitifully short) reviews of the first two books, and yes allegedly I enjoyed them. Even finished reading the second one on my birthday! As I said in that second one though, I was more pulled to the plot than to the smut! And I think that's still true in this case as well!! I did prefer the war and political machinations to the weird smut and non-con scenes. See Section 2 for more, lol.
2. Abusive relationship
Oh MAN is this relationship toxic and terrible. I know it's a personal preference thing for the romance genre, but the uber Alpha Male who can control the MC with sex is just repugnant to me. I miss the delicate dance of enemies to lovers that respects consent and bodily autonomy. It may be wish fulfillment for some people to have a partner who can completely take control over you and pleasure you without shame or you having to ask for what you want. But turns out that sh*t just ain't for me. Lots of dubious-/non-consensual sexual encounters in this book, which lead to the DNF. I also get the ick from public sex and the point where I cut it off (the final straw) was a sexual encounter in a hotel garden where literally anyone can see what they're up to, the weird abusive controlling mess. I genuinely was more interested in the plot, and I would have enjoyed the book a lot more if Ayla could stand up to Kaden and withhold sex from him as a bargaining tool (Lysistrata style). I think it would have been more interesting to read about, lent more tension to their relationship and the war (Kaden is still getting 80% of exactly what he wants?! Where're the stakes for him?!), plus a MC who is more interesting to read about because she has some goddamn agency. I just... I'm glad I decided to bail.
3. Pesky self-aware meta commentary
Ah yes, Zoom! TikTok! Romance novels as an integral personality trait. Hey, I read a lot of romance, don't get me wrong, but the execution of some of these comments were so incongruous with the story and so out of place it just lead to me having a really horrible eye-rolling reaction to it. Also a brief and terrible moment of asking why no one has agreed to have sex with someone who is in the body of a pre-teen girl.............. It's brought up and immediately followed by "oh nevermind I know why", but why even get to that point?! Just jump straight to the "Ah, I can see why, and also why a 42 year old in a 12 year old body would be frustrated and yet understanding of the situation." Yikes.
TL;DR—yo this shiz wasn't for me and rather than subjecting myself to literally only another 34 minutes of reading (thank you Kindle for the estimate), I'm throwing in the towel and just saying I "finished" this, and the half hour I spent writing this review counts towards me finishing the book and I have absolutely zero qualms about leaving it off at this point. Maybe when I'm feeling like reading some toxic het-smut I will come here to wrap it up, but that isn't yet. Only regret I have it that I have investment/interest in seeing how the plot pans out and I'm moderately frustrated that I won't get to see that to conclusion because I'm so squicked out by the "romance" at the center point of the book. Oops ::shrugs shoulders:: I feel only slightly guilty about the super low rating and perhaps later my opinion will soften and I can come back and give it a nicer rating, but not yet...
1. Structural issues
Ah yes, we will have our main character go off to get special magical power training and then show less than hardly anything about it. Also anti-Deus Ex Machina, the super powerful witches are cowards—which actually makes sense in the context of the story and what they've been through, but then stop f-ing bringing it up!! Oh lord. And supposedly Ayla is gone training for "months" but we spend less than 10% of the book there? It just is such a wasted opportunity and bothers the shit out of me. I always try to envision a book like a season of TV to get a good picture of how the pacing works, and this does nooot work for me. Again, I'm not sure if it's just been too long since I read the first books and I'm just not used to the writing style anymore, because I remember really enjoying those first two books! Follow up: I went and read my (pitifully short) reviews of the first two books, and yes allegedly I enjoyed them. Even finished reading the second one on my birthday! As I said in that second one though, I was more pulled to the plot than to the smut! And I think that's still true in this case as well!! I did prefer the war and political machinations to the weird smut and non-con scenes. See Section 2 for more, lol.
2. Abusive relationship
Oh MAN is this relationship toxic and terrible. I know it's a personal preference thing for the romance genre, but the uber Alpha Male who can control the MC with sex is just repugnant to me. I miss the delicate dance of enemies to lovers that respects consent and bodily autonomy. It may be wish fulfillment for some people to have a partner who can completely take control over you and pleasure you without shame or you having to ask for what you want. But turns out that sh*t just ain't for me. Lots of dubious-/non-consensual sexual encounters in this book, which lead to the DNF. I also get the ick from public sex and the point where I cut it off (the final straw) was a sexual encounter in a hotel garden where literally anyone can see what they're up to, the weird abusive controlling mess. I genuinely was more interested in the plot, and I would have enjoyed the book a lot more if Ayla could stand up to Kaden and withhold sex from him as a bargaining tool (Lysistrata style). I think it would have been more interesting to read about, lent more tension to their relationship and the war (Kaden is still getting 80% of exactly what he wants?! Where're the stakes for him?!), plus a MC who is more interesting to read about because she has some goddamn agency. I just... I'm glad I decided to bail.
3. Pesky self-aware meta commentary
Ah yes, Zoom! TikTok! Romance novels as an integral personality trait. Hey, I read a lot of romance, don't get me wrong, but the execution of some of these comments were so incongruous with the story and so out of place it just lead to me having a really horrible eye-rolling reaction to it. Also a brief and terrible moment of asking why no one has agreed to have sex with someone who is in the body of a pre-teen girl.............. It's brought up and immediately followed by "oh nevermind I know why", but why even get to that point?! Just jump straight to the "Ah, I can see why, and also why a 42 year old in a 12 year old body would be frustrated and yet understanding of the situation." Yikes.
TL;DR—yo this shiz wasn't for me and rather than subjecting myself to literally only another 34 minutes of reading (thank you Kindle for the estimate), I'm throwing in the towel and just saying I "finished" this, and the half hour I spent writing this review counts towards me finishing the book and I have absolutely zero qualms about leaving it off at this point. Maybe when I'm feeling like reading some toxic het-smut I will come here to wrap it up, but that isn't yet. Only regret I have it that I have investment/interest in seeing how the plot pans out and I'm moderately frustrated that I won't get to see that to conclusion because I'm so squicked out by the "romance" at the center point of the book. Oops ::shrugs shoulders:: I feel only slightly guilty about the super low rating and perhaps later my opinion will soften and I can come back and give it a nicer rating, but not yet...
January 21, 2023
I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as the others, but knowing everything the author was going through during the time she was writing this I am thankful for what she was able to give us. It certainly wasn’t without flaw but it was still an entertaining read.
I will say though Kaden annoyed me a bit with his single mindedness this book. It felt like his character regressed. On the other hand, Jordan’s character saw a lot of growth. I was glad to see him and Ayla form a reluctant friendship/sibling bond.
I will say though Kaden annoyed me a bit with his single mindedness this book. It felt like his character regressed. On the other hand, Jordan’s character saw a lot of growth. I was glad to see him and Ayla form a reluctant friendship/sibling bond.
May 17, 2022
DNF @ 8%
I'm putting this on hold for now. I read the first two and that fulfilled my paranormal/shifter wants. So in efforts to avoid getting burned out in general, I'm gonna wait and read this another time. I have a lot of fun with the first two books and this picks up in the action from the previous, I'm just not I'm the mood.
I'm putting this on hold for now. I read the first two and that fulfilled my paranormal/shifter wants. So in efforts to avoid getting burned out in general, I'm gonna wait and read this another time. I have a lot of fun with the first two books and this picks up in the action from the previous, I'm just not I'm the mood.
June 9, 2023
Edit: upon reread I'm bumping this up to a four because it makes more sense now, but man did I hate Kaden during this reread just as much, but the fact that the author elicited that much emotion from me, it was really well written.
Genre/Tropes: Straight romance, rejected-mate, fated-mates, shifter
📖Summary: In the third book of the Zodiac Wolves Series we find Ayla with the Moon Witches, learning who she is, where she comes from and how to use her powers. Ayla knows Kaden is her true mate, and all she wants is to get back to him.
✍🏻 Review: Some of the story line felt out of alignment to the characters that we’d met and gotten to know in the first two books. Kaden feels out of control and pushed to his limit and starts to teeter over the line between hero and villain. Ayla remained true to the character we have gotten to know. It also felt like the love story fell apart as Kaden become more single minded in his pursuit to end the Sun Witches. No spoilers but I was very disappointed.
⭐️ Rating: 3
🔥 Spice: 3
🚨 TW/CW: Childhood abuse- neglect, psychological abuse, physical abuse. Bullying.
Genre/Tropes: Straight romance, rejected-mate, fated-mates, shifter
📖Summary: In the third book of the Zodiac Wolves Series we find Ayla with the Moon Witches, learning who she is, where she comes from and how to use her powers. Ayla knows Kaden is her true mate, and all she wants is to get back to him.
✍🏻 Review: Some of the story line felt out of alignment to the characters that we’d met and gotten to know in the first two books. Kaden feels out of control and pushed to his limit and starts to teeter over the line between hero and villain. Ayla remained true to the character we have gotten to know. It also felt like the love story fell apart as Kaden become more single minded in his pursuit to end the Sun Witches. No spoilers but I was very disappointed.
⭐️ Rating: 3
🔥 Spice: 3
🚨 TW/CW: Childhood abuse- neglect, psychological abuse, physical abuse. Bullying.
September 9, 2024
3,5⭐️
Já nevím, mě to celkem i bavilo, ale není to nijak hluboký, srdceryvný příběh. Veškerá tajemství jsou hned osvětlená, bitvy a dialogy jsou taky tak jakoby hrc prc, hned odbyté… Absurdní a nelogické chování postav mě extrémě štvalo 🤦🏼♀️ Kaden mě v tomto díle neskutečně štval, za to jsem si ale oblíbila jiné postavy, do kterých bych to neřekla. Otevřený konec mě nicméně přesvědčil, ze až vyjde další díl v češtině, určitě si ho přečtu 😄
Já nevím, mě to celkem i bavilo, ale není to nijak hluboký, srdceryvný příběh. Veškerá tajemství jsou hned osvětlená, bitvy a dialogy jsou taky tak jakoby hrc prc, hned odbyté… Absurdní a nelogické chování postav mě extrémě štvalo 🤦🏼♀️ Kaden mě v tomto díle neskutečně štval, za to jsem si ale oblíbila jiné postavy, do kterých bych to neřekla. Otevřený konec mě nicméně přesvědčil, ze až vyjde další díl v češtině, určitě si ho přečtu 😄
January 11, 2023
Need the last book!!!
Omg! This was intense between Aria finally meeting her Mother and learning her Moon Magic. I really liked Larkin but felt bad for her at the same time.
Kaden is intense as usual. We will have to see if Aria will forgive him in the end. It's time for the packs to come together or so I hope. They need to remove the evil Sun Witches.
Omg! This was intense between Aria finally meeting her Mother and learning her Moon Magic. I really liked Larkin but felt bad for her at the same time.
Kaden is intense as usual. We will have to see if Aria will forgive him in the end. It's time for the packs to come together or so I hope. They need to remove the evil Sun Witches.
June 17, 2022
DNF at 39% I really wanted to like this book but I couldn’t get into it. I thought everything was forced and annoying. I couldn’t care less what happens to the characters. That’s what happens when the MC gets together with her love interest and then the author doesn’t know what to write about.
January 18, 2023
Wow!!!
This one blew me away! I couldn't put it down and it kept me in constant goosebumps. There was so much action. I cried and cheered! I am completely obsessed with this story and can't wait to see what happens next.
This one blew me away! I couldn't put it down and it kept me in constant goosebumps. There was so much action. I cried and cheered! I am completely obsessed with this story and can't wait to see what happens next.
September 10, 2023
ok
Maybe it’s just me, but storylines that drag on and on start to bore me. I started skipping chapters. 🫤
Maybe it’s just me, but storylines that drag on and on start to bore me. I started skipping chapters. 🫤
March 4, 2023
I didn't want to be anyone's miracle, but it seemed I didn't have a choice. This was my fate, my destiny, my calling. I only prayed Selene had chosen the right person for this burden.
5 stars!
Holy shifter hotness, this series truly keeps getting better and more addictive with each book! SUN CROSSED picks up right where STAR CURSED left off; Ayla has once again been taken, this time by the Moon Witches, during a tumultuous battle in which Kaden is gravely injured. While Ayla is desperate to return to her pack and her defenseless mate, the Moon Priestess offers promises of helping Ayla hone her powers in exchange for protection from the Sun Witches. As Ayla continues to get stronger in an attempt to protect herself and her pack from multiple attacks, she also fights to keep Kaden from veering off on a dark path in which he won't be able to come back from.
We learn so many new and surprising truths in this book as Ayla is attacked from all sides, fighting to keep her pack and her sanity. I just love Ayla as a heroine because even though she has moments of self-doubt and vulnerability, her strength and resilience never wavers. She isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes, even if it means standing against her alpha. And even though Kaden struggles with his sense of vengeance and retaliation, the chemistry and sexual tension between them was so freaking HOT. Seriously y'all better have a glass of iced tea handy for the steamy scenes between Kaden and Ayla👀
The last 25% of the story was the best yet as there was plenty of sexy fun, nonstop action, a surprising friendship, and an epic betrayal that I never saw coming but devoured. I am so stoked to see what happens in the next book as the final battle between the Zodiac Wolves and the Sun Witches finally comes to head!
Tropes: rejected mates, outcast heroine, heroine-on-the-run, broody hero, alpha j/p hero, 'touch her and die' vibes, forbidden love, hate-to-love-you, fated mates, 'who did this to you' vibes, hidden powers, found family, mating frenzy, pack politics, STEAMY🔥
My Kaden, the mysterious, broody and irresistible alpha of the lost pack...
February 27, 2023
It wasn't a bad book, but the story went in a whole different direction than I wanted it to.
I was in the mood for a shifter romance and the first book really gave me that, then the second was alright but a bit slow and the third just didn't give what i wanted it to give me. I feel like we focused a lot on the war and the whole magic thing, and we lost the whole wolf aspect of the story. We barely know any of the pack members, the relationship between our characters is either not interesting or they are stupid and there's a lot of telling and not showing.
I did not hate the book, even if it sounded like it. It's again just not giving me what i wanted. So I have decided to not read the last book because I was really struggling to get through this book already. I really don't want a reading slump, so we are moving on. Maybe I will finish some time later.
Rating: 2,5 (but rounding it up to a 3 because i hate giving 2 stars)
I was in the mood for a shifter romance and the first book really gave me that, then the second was alright but a bit slow and the third just didn't give what i wanted it to give me. I feel like we focused a lot on the war and the whole magic thing, and we lost the whole wolf aspect of the story. We barely know any of the pack members, the relationship between our characters is either not interesting or they are stupid and there's a lot of telling and not showing.
I did not hate the book, even if it sounded like it. It's again just not giving me what i wanted. So I have decided to not read the last book because I was really struggling to get through this book already. I really don't want a reading slump, so we are moving on. Maybe I will finish some time later.
Rating: 2,5 (but rounding it up to a 3 because i hate giving 2 stars)
March 13, 2022
3.99
A lot happened in this book and also a lot didn't happen.
Ayla and Kaden's romance is literally a yoyo right now and while I love a redemption arc Kaden has not earned any part of Ayla back. The story line with Jordan is a bit muddled but potentially easily clarifed if everyone switched their brains on. This book could have been the last and wrapped up a trilogy but has been extended for another book.
I'm enjoying the series but ultimately a bit frustrated with this one!
A lot happened in this book and also a lot didn't happen.
Ayla and Kaden's romance is literally a yoyo right now and while I love a redemption arc Kaden has not earned any part of Ayla back. The story line with Jordan is a bit muddled but potentially easily clarifed if everyone switched their brains on. This book could have been the last and wrapped up a trilogy but has been extended for another book.
I'm enjoying the series but ultimately a bit frustrated with this one!
June 30, 2024
4⭐️
It’s scary how invested I am in this series - it’s so bingeable, action packed and the plot is just too good that I keep wanting to read more. Certain things slightly annoyed me - a lot of the decisions made by both Ayla and Kaden but honestly I understand why they had to make them. I’m so impressed with this author and her ability to keep me entertained in under 300 pages.
It’s scary how invested I am in this series - it’s so bingeable, action packed and the plot is just too good that I keep wanting to read more. Certain things slightly annoyed me - a lot of the decisions made by both Ayla and Kaden but honestly I understand why they had to make them. I’m so impressed with this author and her ability to keep me entertained in under 300 pages.
June 9, 2024
2.5 ⭐️ There was hardly and plot progression through the book and some severe character regression. If I didn’t physically have to finish series I would have quit by the end of this. Hopefully the next book redeems the series.
May 4, 2022
4.5 stars
Read
February 16, 2023rtc
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