Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Published: 6.8.10 by Egmont
Pages: 418
Inky's Blurbings
I don't read a lot of werewolf books. I just don't. I've never been a big fan of those human-turned-blood-lusting-creature kind of books. So when this was chosen as my Random Read for July I was a little unsure what to expect. But this book surprised me. Even though I eventually gave it 3.5 stars, I liked it more that I thought I would. 

Bryn wasn't a very hard MC to connect with at all. She was well explained and you could understand most of the reasoning behind feelings and choices. But still was still WAY to stubborn. Or just...pig-headed. Sometimes I would be sitting and thinking "You idiot! What are you doing?" It wasn't overly bad though, just a few times luckily. But other than some of her moments, it was really interesting to watch the mental struggles and strong points about her, including her weird power, which I will not say anything about.

As for supporting characters Devon and Lake were THE BEST. Hands down. Devon was this werewolf who's a geek for musicals. Um, yes please? And then we have Lake, a kick-butt werewolf with a gun named Matilda. If I ever get bit, I know who is going to be my new BF. Callum, the alpha of the pack, was half parent, half alpha to Bryn. Their relationship was one of the most unique I think I've ever read. Of course it's not often that you see a werewolf-turned-parent-to-a-human.Seeing the tension, growth and understanding between them was really well portrayed. The triangle between Callum and Bryn and the Pack was all very good, and hard to explain, yet really interesting to see how she focused on the Pack more than in individuals. A very nice take I think.

But I think the thing that drove me the most nuts, was the romance. Ugh, talk about insta-love? So it wasn't insta-LOVE. I didn't feel very much of the love in their relationship. It was more like insta-BOND. It was a little weird though. She's drawn to him because they went through similar situations and she wants to talk to someone who understands. But from the near beginning it's like, I-Have-To-Be-With-You... And then there is this whole deal with psychic connection to the pack and how Bryn kinds bonds the two of them so they need each other. All in all, it was strange and confusing. Maybe it sounds that way to you. (sorry it I'm confusing you!) But the bottom line is, I didn't feel any development. No growing relationship, where the characters really got to know each other as well as they could have. Just...bonding.

However Jennifer still portrayed a good setting, and story. I really did enjoy it for the most part and her writing wasn't all flawed. Yes, it seemed a little TOO poetic or wordy, at times, but it flowed and was nice for the most part. Hopefully, I haven't confused you in my blurbings. I would recommend this as a nice read if you like the werewolf aspect of paranormals. But it is not a favorite or a book I feel is a must-read. I have left out talking about a big part of the plot was super interesting and great, but more talk would be spoilers. Soo...that is Raised by Wolves.
Have you read this book? What did you think? I'd love to hear! TNT,

Author: Francine Rivers
Series: Mark Of The Lion #1
Published: 2. 18. 98 by Tyndale House Publishers
Pages: 520
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Summary: Torn by her love for a handsome aristocrat, a young slave girl clings to her faith in the living God for deliverance from the forces of decadent Rome.

Note: This is a work of Christian Fiction.

My Thoughts: Incredible. I loved this book. It was moving, and a very well done work of historical fiction.

First off I want to mention how awesome the historical setting was. Francine has painted one of the most realistic setting I've ever read. It just makes me wonder and appreciate all the research that went into this book! This was no light matter at all. With the time period this book covers, the setting is decadent Rome and that wasn't always very pretty. The image I picked up was a very rowdy immoral society. They were wild and not very refined. It for sure wasn't the golden age. I think Francine defines this with incredible accuracy and skill. She doesn't just glance over it all and mention it. We get the juicy details. We see the different perspectives of the characters in all aspects of this society. We are very aware of it and the things that the characters choose.

However, for those who are worried about content, because this book was not light in content. Many violent or sexual things happen. But I will say that I didn't find it bugged me as much, because I found it to be part of the story and the society that was being shown. True, it was a bit much in some parts but for the most part it didn't hit me as it normally would.

The character development was fabulous. I loved getting the POVs from all the different aspects of the culture. Those completely immersed in the hard, wild aspects of the world at the time, characters like Decimus who was a worried parent beginning to feel out of his element as the Rome he knew is changing, and those like Hadassah, with the more Christian view. I loved how each fit into their own category and were so different. It was all so believable. I loved it!

The storyline itself was very intriguing and wove into one bright quilt that will keep you on your seats, and eagerly anticipating the next installment. It was full of new plot twists and felt very well thought out and planned. The ending was so unexpected and I was on the edge that I can't wait to get my hands on the next book! Loved it!

Favorite Quote: "Unless you have something worth dying for, Atretes, you have nothing worth living for."


Content: Heavy
Language -((characters swear on their Roman gods))
Sexual - ((Reference to Homosexual people in the society. Two homosexual males seen kissing. A girl kisses a girl. A girl moves in with a male homosexual so that she can have the freedom she wants to be with her lover. A girl has an abortion. A girl has "love" a few times to a man she isn't married to. Once, during marriage a girl gives herself to a man for an hour to help settle problems. People known to have had affairs with a few members of the opposite sex. Some innuendo or references to people speaking that way. Girl gets pregnant from her lover when she isn't married. Gladiators show off their bodies to the crowd before the games. Nude statues and art seen in town, villas and in bedrooms. Man wants a girl but she is not willing to be his "lover" and being the master, almost forces her to.))
Violence/Other - ((Gladiator games are very gory and some references to the bloody fighting. Description of blood and the crowd loving the games. Woman poisons her husband to death because she is sick of him. Abusive husband. Women are slapped a few times. People drink wine and get drunk. Some characters lead others to do wrong things under their influence))

A fabulous read that I really enjoyed. This book is made of Awesome-Sauce and is highly recommended for lovers of Historical Fiction.










This review is 100% from Inky's brain, and use of this review without consent is prohibited.