Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Shifter, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Jay
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About The Book
Bad news always comes in threes.
As do the hits that knock Keon’s perfectly laid plans into chaos. His no-good brother conducted a hostile takeover of their pack, became Alpha, and got killed in the space of a year. Grief has crippled their father, leaving Beta Weston desperate for Keon’s return, as Simeon’s last act as Alpha was to name Keon his successor.
Leaving his friends is heartbreaking. Arriving home to a hostile pack is unsurprising. But finding a rival pack hovering on the boundaries of his land, vying for blood, could be a problem. With Simeon dead, they don’t seem to care which Alpha bleeds for the crimes.
With no other choice, Keon shoulders the burden of being Alpha. Fighting, bleeding, and sacrificing.
As a new Alpha, he needs to prove himself to get the respect needed for them to accept change…like dragging Vihaan into the 21st century. On the top of the list is finding a mate. But who would want to mate an Alpha whose own pack doesn’t respect him?
The Review
In book one, A Touch of Danger, we met Keon. If you haven’t read it yet, I suggest you start there. There is a lot that happened to Keon, and reading the series from the beginning will give you a better understanding of what his life was like before he was called back home to Vihaan.
Keon moved to Dnara for a new beginning, because Vihaan is a homophobic society, in addition to not being accepting of anyone different – gay, trans, or disabled. Keon made a best friend in Drew, who will be mentioned in this book, a friend that was more of a brother than the ones he grew up with who enjoyed belittling and bullying him.
Keon receives a message from the Beta of his pack back home, requesting his return. His brother, the Alpha, was killed, and he appointed Keon to take his place. Returning is something that Keon is not happy about, but he refuses to shirk his responsibility, even though he is sure he will not get a warm welcome, after being gone for so long. His brother was a cruel Alpha, but now Keon has a chance to make changes to improve his pack, changes he hopes will help others in Vihaan who still aren’t treated with dignity.
Keon wants to set up some new rules. Everyone can mate with the one they choose, regardless of whether they are of the same sex. Those who are disabled will be cared for, and he will not accept cruelty toward those who are perceived to be different. Weston, his Beta, is a huge help in getting word out to the pack, who have not embraced Keon with open arms. Change is something new, and they are still hesitant to believe Keon is not like his brother.
Fate chose Keon’s True Mate, Vega – only he turned out to be cruel, and mated with his brother, even though his brother was not his True Mate. When Keon returns, Vega is happy to complete their bond and mate, but Keon refuses. If Keon is not mated before his birthday, he will lose his position as Alpha, but he still won’t accept Vega.
His pack is put in danger by Alpha Thatcher, who demands the return of something Keon’s brother supposedly stole. Thatcher refuses to reveal what was taken, and also refuses a chance to sit down to try to settle things peacefully. He’d rather bring an army and demand that Keon turn over his territory.
A call to the Meskli, whose job it is to approve the changing of rules and to settle disputes, brings about a challenge to surrender. Thatcher puts his son Usher in as the challenger. Keon doesn’t want to put anyone else in danger, so he accepts the challenge himself.
This challenge will be life changing for Keon and Thatcher’s son Milo. Milo was pushed into a challenge to the death by his father, which left him with spinal injury and in need of equipment to help him walk. His disability puts him into a serious disadvantage with his father, and when he learns about the challenge between Keon and his brother Usher, he sees it as a chance to get away. If Keon wins, he might be able to find sanctuary in Keon’s pack.
Keon would never turn away someone in need of help, so he doesn’t hesitate to welcome Milo. He needs a mate, and Milo could be the one, not his True Mate, but his chosen mate. Amd for the first time, an Alpha would openly mate with someone of the same sex.
Milo needs someone to give him a purpose, and Keon is the answer to his prayer. I leave it up to you to find out for yourself what happens next.
Surprises, romance, and a fresh chance for someone who disabled. There are amazing characters here, and two of them will star in the next book. I can’t wait!
4 Stars.
The Reviewer
I’ve been doing book reviews on my website, crossposted or linked to various social media, for a few years. I read a number of genres but I really enjoy all kinds of speculative fiction so thought I’d like to share my views with you. I love sci fi and other speculative fiction because of the way it can, at its best, make us see ourselves in a new light. Quite apart from the exciting stories, of course! I used to be an English teacher, and I’m a writer (fantasy) so I can be quite critical about style etc. but I hope I can also appreciate properly some books that don’t appeal to me personally but might be simply perfect for others. I have, obviously, read widely, and continue to do so.