BLURB:
Violet Jordan Rule #2 of being a superhero: Find reliable sidekicks
Dear Diary,
Once I took down Haverty, the Primo of the city, I thought life was going to get better. After four assassination attempts, I’m thinking not so much. Haverty’s pack needs a new leader and I’ve just about run out of reasons why I’m not right for the job. Besides, having loyal followers would definitely help me fight off whoever’s out for my blood. Especially since my boyfriend is always busy playing White Hat to every Wanderer except me.
So now I just need to figure out how to mentor new shifters, run a pack, keep my “real” job, and have some sort of personal life. I guess it’s all in a day’s work for this writer-by-day / panther-by-night.
REVIEW:
Claws and Effect is the second book in the Diaries of an Urban Panther series, featuring Violet Jordan. It’s written in first person, from Violet’s point of view. At the start of the story Violet is still struggling to come to terms with the power she received from Harvety. She constantly fights the magic that swirls in her and resists entreaties from other shapeshifters who want her to run the pack.
Sometimes it’s possible to read series out of order, but with this one you definitely need to read book one before you read this one. I think you’d struggle if you started with book two.
It’s the characters that really make this series for me. Violet shows definite growth as she learns to wield her power, starts to interact with some of the dog shapeshifters and struggles to stay ahead of the baddies. Violet has a boyfriend, but he is absent for a lot of the time, and she worries that he’s not interested in her any longer. Violet is like the girl next door, and sometimes a bit of a screw up, but as she starts to embrace her powers she becomes more kick-ass.
The secondary characters of Jessa, a fairy princess and the keyholder, add to the book, but it’s the dog shifters that I had a real soft spot for. They were interesting characters that also show distinctive character arcs throughout the story.
There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book—the plot, the characters, the pace and the setting work together beautifully to create a seamless read and an excellent addition to what is fast becoming one of my favorite series.
Note: this book was provided for review by the author.
Purchase Claws and Effect: A Diaries of an Urban Panther Novel
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January 14th, 2012 at 5:01 pm · Link
This sounds really good and that cover is amazing. I’m so happy to see a cover like this instead of a headless torso…lol I love looking at eyes on a book cover especially if they are strangely paranormal.
January 14th, 2012 at 5:50 pm · Link
I recall your comments about not liking headless torsos. I really like this cover too. The two books definitely need to be read in order for maximum enjoyment. I believe this one is out in print next month but is already out in eformat.
I’ll add a buy link. I forgot – hangs head.
January 14th, 2012 at 6:49 pm · Link
Wow, great sounding story! Thanks for the info.
debby236 at gmail dot com
January 14th, 2012 at 8:30 pm · Link
I really like this series and can’t wait for the third book.
January 15th, 2012 at 12:54 pm · Link
I have to admit. I was taken with the title. The author did a great job there. The book cover is simple and appealing. And that blurb hooked me. Thank you so much for this review.
January 16th, 2012 at 1:35 am · Link
I love both the cover and the title. I thought the title was very clever.