Note: I started this book without reading the previous series, stopped, read the previous series, and then came back and read this from the beginning. I highly recommend this reading order.


I really enjoyed returning to this world. This book is dual POV with one character we met in the previous series, wolf Eli, who I personally adore, and a newcomer human, Julien. Although I personally found Julien not as compelling as our previous dynamic duo, Cooper and Oliver, he's still dynamic and showcases the author's excellent characterizations. Our whodunit plot takes place in a setting from the previous series and has that same atmospheric quality. Moderately-paced, the relationship scenes are steamy and compelling, the mystery is intriguing and I found myself genuinely rooting for Eli and Julien.


Knowing what I know now about this book, would I still read it if I went back in time?
Yes.


 See below for the four criteria I use to decide whether and when to read a book



CHARACTERS: Eli is one of the best characters to come from the previous series (introduced in Thrown to the Wolves). Provocative, evocative, dynamic and compelling, I adored reading his scenes the most, whether from his POV or when he's interacting with Julien. We see a different side to Eli yet again, where he's hiding not only his past, but also his wolf from "unaware humans." As the new manager to the Retreat for rebel runaway wolves, he's only been in the area for thirteen days before this safe haven is threatened. He's caught for the first time in a place where he doesn't want to run away when running away has been his surviving lifeline up until this point. Enter Julien, an actor who has traveled across the country in search of information about what happened to his monster-hunting brother that resulted in his murder. The two of them choose to work together to uncover the mystery, building a relationship that's built on different levels of trust that I personally found fascinating to read. Subconscious vs. conscious and communicative trust. And, of course, we do get to see Cooper and Oliver again, which made my little heart so happy. I hope we see more of them in the next book.


PLOT: As expected from this author, we have another excellent murder mystery on our hands, though this time with a touch of the mythical conspiracy theory monsters, sabotage, and cold cases. How do they all fit together? What exactly is going on? Who is sabotaging the area and why? Through the plot we see that this is very much a part one to a series, though thankfully it doesn't end on a wild cliffhanger. One part of the plot is unraveled, but with a larger mystery still unsolved. Will Julien discover Eli's secret? If he does, how will it happen? What will their relationship become if the secret is out?




EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.

2:5/low. Atmospheric and mysterious, this book didn't touch on anything incredibly deep thematically, which left me with mostly an enjoyment factor.



CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled? 

60%. I did end up hugely disappointed when the author chose not to give us one POV near the end, something I am always so excited for when there is a dual POV (I adore not missing anything). All in all, things are left in a rather nebulous space and very indicative of this being only a first book in a duology. But I do feel we have a rather brilliant set up for the next book which I can't wait to read.