121. Alpha by Rachel Vincent...

Title: Alpha (Shifters #6)
Author: Rachel Vincent
ISBN-13: 9780778328186 (paperback copy)
eBook
Publisher: Mira, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository

FTC Disclosure: My copy of Alpha sat on my nook for all of an hour before I had to pick it up... I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.

drey's thoughts:
Alpha is the final installment in Rachel Vincent's fabulous Shifters series, and I am sad to see it end. After all that Faythe has been through, I'm amazed that she can still come up kicking and screaming. Or trying to kick and scream, anyway. As much as you can while you're grieving the loss of your brother, still recovering from the latest round of let's-beat-Faythe-to-a-pulp, and having an impossible time trying to decide which of the two men you love will get his heart broken to bits. *sigh*

As much as I love Faythe, though, she's definitely not perfect. In fact, that not-perfect is why they're in this mess. Then again, it's not like she has much choice in the matter. Unless she just gives up and lets Calvin Malone start his dictatorship right then and there. But my girl Faythe, she's not one to give up, not when there are others counting on her. Not when so many lives could be destroyed by one insane megalomaniac.

Alpha is a rough, hard, ride to the finish line, complete with heartbreak and loss. And as hard as some of the losses are, it is absolutely worth the journey, to see the Faythe that ends the series.

drey's rating: 4/5 Excellent

Challenges: 100+, Pub

Rachel Vincent's Alpha trailer!

Been meaning to post this for a few days now, just haven't gotten around to it. For fans of Rachel Vincent's Shifters series, here's a trailer for Alpha, coming Sept. 28!



I cannot wait!!

Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository Challenges:

77. Shift by Rachel Vincent...

Title: Shift (Shifters #5)
Author: Rachel Vincent
ISBN-13: 9780778327608
eBook
Publisher: Mira, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository

FTC Disclosure: My copy of Shift was purchased. I am an affiliate for IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.

drey's thoughts:
Well, after reading Prey and being impressed, I had high hopes for Shift. It met my expectations for a good follow-up to the overall storyline, introduced more drama as well as character growth, and definitely tugged on the heartstrings--especially as Faythe's pride deals with the aftermath of Ethan's death.

Apparently taking over as council chairman isn't enough for Malone, as he seems to want to take out Faythe's pride too--except (maybe) for the tabbies, because he's got a plan for the tabbies... I so do not like Malone. He makes my want to bare my teeth and growl, grr! When the sudden appearance of thunderbirds--not seen in twenty-five years--on Faythe's pride's land involves an attack, they're correct in assuming something fishy is going on. Finding out what is dangerous work, but Faythe manages to accomplish it in the end, getting banged up (again, of course) in the process.

The thunderbirds were a cool addition to the storyline, but I wasn't sure how I felt about them. After all, we've only been dealing with cats up to this point. I was happy with Faythe's growth though. She's stepping up, making the hard decisions, and relying on instinct and observation instead of just reacting. I cannot wait for Alpha.

drey's rating: 3.5/5 Very Good

Challenges: 100+, Pub

71. Prey by Rachel Vincent...

Title: Prey (Shifters #4)
Author: Rachel Vincent
ISBN-13: 9780778329138
eBook
Publisher: Mira, 2009
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon

FTC Disclosure: My copy of Prey is bought and paid for. I am an IndieBound and Amazon affiliate, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.

drey's thoughts:
Well. Book #4 in Rachel Vincent's Shifters series sure amps things up a couple notches. Maybe a bit more than a couple notches... Anyway. Now the power grabbing is out in the open, and the factions are building forces. Strays are banding together to attack Prides. Marc disappears. What the heck is going on??

Prey is an attention-grabber, and kudos to Ms. Vincent for keeping everything moving so that you never lose interest. Parts of it are emotionally draining, so have a box by you if you're prone to getting teary-eyed. The best part of Prey? Faythe does a lot of growing up. And y'all know how I am about immature heroines, right? Well, Faythe made me proud with how she handled things, and herself. This installment is the best so far, and I can only hope that Shift and Alpha (coming in October) keep the bar up high. Grab this (start with #1) if you're a fan of urban fantasy. I don't think you'll regret it.

drey's rating: 4/5 Excellent

Challenges: 100+, Pub

59. Pride by Rachel Vincent...

Title: Pride (Shifters #3)
Author: Rachel Vincent
ISBN-13: 9780778326496
eBook
Publisher: Mira, 2009
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon

FTC Disclosure: I own my Epub version of Pride. I am an IndieBound and Amazon affiliate, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.

drey's thoughts:
Well. If you know me at all, you'll know that when I find a series that I really like, I tend to go through the books as fast as I can find 'em and read 'em! And I am really liking Rachel Vincent's Shifters series...

In Pride, Faythe is now on trial. After the fiasco of having her ex-human, ex-boyfriend Andrew killing girls who looked like her, she now finds herself on trial for killing him, even though it was self-defense. Too bad for her the tribunal doesn't care what her explanations are...

Luckily (hah!) for Faythe, the tribunal soon finds something else to distract them from their discussions on whether she lives or dies. There's a pack of strays hanging around, and when the Pride investigates, they do not like what they find. Faythe takes a chance to prove her worth to the Pride. Is she successful? Will she save her own life? And if so, at what cost? The thumb-wringing continues...

drey's rating: 4/5 Excellent

Challenges: 100+

58. Rogue by Rachel Vincent...

Title: Rogue (Shifters #2)
Author: Rachel Vincent
ISBN-13: 9780778325550
eBook
Publisher: Mira, 2008
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon

FTC Disclosure: My copy of Rogue was purchased for my nook after I finished Stray and liked it. I am an IndieBound and Amazon affiliate, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.

drey's thoughts:
So Faythe survived Stray and came out alive, if not exactly smelling like roses... Now she's got problems... Someone is killing toms. And Andrew starts leaving cryptic messages for Faythe. What's going on?

Apparently Faythe's last ex-boyfriend is intent on finding her. And teaching her some lessons. Is he suicidal for heading to Pride lands? Only time (& Rogue) will tell.

I am really enjoying Faythe's story. And while she's still all claws and hiss (heh), she's starting to use her noggin too. Love the sarcasm and humor in the dialogue. Now I'm off to read Pride.

drey's rating: 3.5/5 Very Good

Challenges: 100+

56. Stray by Rachel Vincent...

Title: Stray (Shifters #1)
Author: Rachel Vincent
ISBN-13: 9780778324218
eBook
Publisher: Mira, 2007
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon

FTC Disclosure: My copy of Stray was purchased for my nook on my latest trip. I am an IndieBound and Amazon affiliate, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.

drey's thoughts:
I've been following Rachel Vincent's blog pretty much since I started blogging, but have only just now picked up her Shifters series. And I have to say, I shouldn't have waited so long--Stray was quite an enjoyable read, some of the hard scenes notwithstanding.

Faythe just can't catch a break. Even when she's gotten some freedom from the Pride, there's someone watching over her. And then she's summoned home. Which she responds to with a whole lot of attitude, attitude that she feels they deserve, until she finds out why she's been summoned home. Apparently someone has been kidnapping female werecats.

Here is where I expected Faythe to step up and help out. Which she does, but with attitude intact, which I didn't quite get. And the whole Marc-Jace-Faythe thing didn't quite ring true for me. Marc and Faythe, yes. Jace? Hmm... And while we're on the subject of love interests, whatever on earth happened to Andrew?

Anyway, Faythe gets herself well and truly tangled up in the whole kidnapping plot, and somehow manages to come out alive (which isn't really a spoiler, since this is a #1 book and that implies more Faythe, right?).

Stray is an entertaining read for those who live urban fantasy & shifters, but wanted something other than those of the canine variety. How much different are cats from dogs? Well, you'll just have to pick this up and find out.

drey's rating: 3/5 Good

Challenges: 100+