Book: Feral Fates by Evie Mitchell, E V Mitchell
Reviewed by Suzy Wickedly Good Reads
Rating: 4/5
Feral Fates was a VERY pleasant surprise. I love discovering a new-to-me author and finishing the book already looking for what I can read next, and let's just say this title is appropriate because I was a little feral over this one.
Kitara is an unmated female who can communicate with her wolf, but has never been able to shift. She's also a seer, a gift her pack doesn't honor. They exploit it. Because they consider her "defective," she's treated less like a person and more like property, with some truly horrifying plans being made for her future. Then comes the "Claiming". Unmated females run. Unmated males chase. If you're caught, you're claimed. Needless to say, I was STRESSED from Chapter One.
Kitara runs toward the one place the other wolves won't venture, and basically straight into Ryder, the scarred, mismatched-eyed Alpha of the feared Shadowmist Pack. Ryder proceeds to absolutely destroy the wolves trying to claim her. A sensible woman probably would've run. Kitara's wolf? Basically sat there purring like a house cat while watching this terrifying Alpha fight. Because apparently Mr. Biggest-B@ddest-Wolf-in-the-Region is her fated mate. (YES PLEASE. I would have sat and watched the fight, too. Just saying)
From the moment Ryder puts Kitara on his back, I was sold. He's protective and supportive with her while remaining absolutely lethal to anyone who threatens his mate or pack. Give me a terrifying Alpha who's secretly a teddy bear for exactly ONE woman, and I'm a happy reader. But Kitara becoming Kick@ss Kitara might have been my favorite part. She's spent her life believing something is wrong with her, only to discover just how thoroughly she's been suppressed; including her abilities. Watching this underestimated woman find her place, discover her power, and slowly win over even the toughest members of Ryder's pack simply by being herself was incredibly satisfying.
The fated-mate connection is immediate, there's plenty of spice, pack politics and danger keep the story moving, and the touch-her-and-die energy is DELICIOUS.
And the audiobook? YES. Jack Calihan has exactly the kind of deep, growly Alpha voice Ryder deserves, while Hannah Chiclana was fantastic as Kitara. The duet narration made their chemistry even better. The ending gives us a glimpse of the couple coming next, and apparently I'm invested in the Shadowmist Pack now because I'll be grabbing that audiobook as soon as I can.