Author: Cathy Clamp
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Tor Books (August 18, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Book Description:
USA Today bestselling author Cathy Clamp reboots the Sazi universe in Forbidden, a tightly-paced, high-tension urban fantasy thriller.
Ten years have passed since the war that destroyed the Sazi Council and inflicted a horrible "cure" on thousands of Sazi, robbing them of their ability to shapeshift.
Luna Lake, isolated in Washington State, started as a refugee camp for Sazi orphans. Now it's a small town and those refugees are young adults, chafing at the limits set by their still-fearful guardians.
There's reason to fear: Sazi children are being kidnapped. Claire, a red wolf shifter, is sent to investigate. Held prisoner by the Snakes during childhood, Claire is distrusted by those who call Luna Lake home.
Before the war, Alek was part of a wolf pack in Chicago. In Luna Lake he was adopted by a parliament of Owls, defying Sazi tradition. The kidnappings are a painful reminder that his little sister disappeared a decade ago.
When Claire and Alek meet, sparks fly—but the desperate race to find the missing children forces them to set aside their mutual attraction and focus on the future of their people.
Having not read the original series I was a little apprehensive jumping right into this new series. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about.
Ms. Clamp did an amazing job not only explaining past events but also exactly what the Sazi were. I never felt lost, confused, or wondering what was going on. Instead I was intrigued by the strangeness of the town, the events that took place, and the mystery behind it all. Drawn into the story after the first chapter, this story was one that was hard to put down simply because I had to know what in the world was going on.
Captivating every bit as it was unique, I truly had a great time reading this from the beginning to the very end.
Luna Lake was like no place I have ever been before, the residents even more so. Strange to the extreme but oh so interesting, this was a read unlike anything I have read in the genre, from the beast that lurked in the shadows to those that lurked in the very heart of the town itself, this was a fun and entertaining UF series.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
Sounds like a great fun read. Good to hear everything was explained well- Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Grace, I was too. :D
DeleteOoh this sounds interesting, Ali! I have never heard of this series but I would enjoy it from the looks of it. Glad to know that the author explained the background and that it wasn't confusing.
ReplyDeleteLovely review!
Thanks so much Nick!
DeleteYay! It's so nice when you can slip seamlessly into a spinoff series without having read the original and not be lost in the least. I need more UF in my life Ali:)
ReplyDeleteIt is really nice when that happens for sure. I think we all could use more UF. :P
DeleteDang, Ali, this one does sound captivating. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for checking it out Tyler!!
DeleteUrban Fantasy is not my genre but this sounds good ! Glad you liked it :)
ReplyDelete@ "Book Addict"
Thank you!
DeleteMmm love ones that pull me in like that and get me all curious and intrigued. Sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anna!
DeleteSounds like there is a lot going on in this series. I would probably have to read the original series but I'm glad you were able to enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSarah @ One Curvy Blogger
Honestly it wasn't hard to jump right in to it but I completely understand that feeling of wanting to read the others first.
DeleteThis sounds like a fun read. It's not my usual read but I am glad you enjoyed it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Charnell!
DeleteIt's always great when you can follow along with the story even without reading its preceding books. Glad you loved it!
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed this, definitely sounds like something right up my alley!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it too!
DeleteWow I love your review Ali, hmmm characters you've never seen the likes of before now that's a real great recommendation for me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThey were original for sure!
DeleteA reboot? Interesting. I don't think I've seen this series anywhere nor have stumbled on this author. Gots to check it out, this almost new series.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do and that you like it.
DeleteI'm always afraid to jump into a companion series too (or is this something different, since they call it a reboot?) Glad to hear that this one was great, even if you hadn't read the first one!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I am too but this was so easy it was awesome!
DeleteI haven't tried this author. So is this a spinoff or just set it the same world?
ReplyDeleteI think it is a spin off. It never said but I got that impression.
DeleteI haven't tried this author. So is this a spinoff or just set it the same world?
ReplyDeleteI got this in the mail, but was kind of worried since I haven't read the previous series. So I feel better knowing that won't be an issue.
ReplyDeleteI think you will do okay with it.
DeleteI'm always a little afraid to jump into a spin off series, but it sounds like this was a great choice. I'm glad the author gave a good feel for the story's background. Now you have me very curious about Luna Lake and its residents :)
ReplyDeleteI'm always the same way Kim, this was so easy to get into though.
DeleteOh that's good to know you can jump into this one. I love urban fantasy and have been craving it more lately.
ReplyDeleteI really have to for some reason.
DeleteSo this is a spin-off series? Happy it worked out for you.
ReplyDeleteYep! I hadn't even heard of the first series so I'm glad this was brought to my attention.
DeleteYou really know how to pick the best in Urban Fantasy; the premise is intriguing! I'm so glad you enjoyed this book :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Claudia!
DeleteI love reading your reviews. What I love most is the "Stand alone" part....I have so many series in my life right now. hehe
ReplyDeleteI know! It is nice to get a good stand a lone every now and then.
Delete* Wipes sweat from forehead * lol. I'm so glad that you liked it, because HELLO this is so up your alley! I received this for review as well, and was a little nervous about picking it up. One I hadn't read the previous series and two . . . well it's UF, something I haven't read in about a year or two. I did say just a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to read more from the genre, so I'm happy to be starting with a book that was rated highly from you. I'll be picking this up soon :)
ReplyDeleteI really hope you like it!
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