Master Wolf (Capital Wolves duet, #2)

This book was magnificent. It would have been hard to top the Gentleman Wolf, but Ms Chambers not only managed that but completely blew my mind! The emotions were raw, the struggle was intense, the human nature was cruel, but the wolf’s instincts were loyal and true. The most important point of the book was Drew finding his way and figuring out that there was no simple black and white, that love did exist beyond time and despite the made bond, and that it did not take too much to follow your heart when it was finally at peace.

Most of the book I was on the verge of tears, I loved and at times hated the characters that graced the pages, I was scared to read the next chapter to find out what happens next, but at the same time I so wished Lindsay and Drew happiness I knew they deserved. I have no words, the book is stunning. In parts told from flashbacks, we get to see how Drew saw Lindsay and what exactly tormented him. In present time we get to see Marguerite and Drew and the nature of their bond within the pack. I loved it all.

In the conclusion I will say this. Lindsay is the bravest and most caring of men a mate could ever wish to have, Drew is the most stubborn and bull headed person who constantly bit his nose to spite his face (I saw and commiserated with him and his pain, but really, Drew!), Wynne is the most loyal companion and the truest of friends anyone would be lucky to have in their lives, Marguerite is decent enough woman/wolf who should not have let thing be as they were for so long, Francis is the worst of the lot (selfish, self centered and an unworthy friend, and I shall not speak of him ever again), Duncan the malevolent should have been pitied if not for his crimes then for what was lost (poor devil). Beautifully written story that proves that love does conquer all.

Is forgiveness even possible? (an audio review)

Drew Nicol is angry with Lindsay. Yes, Lindsay saved his life. But he also condemned Drew to a life he would never have chosen for himself. A life from which he cannot ever escape. He’s done his best to avoid Lindsay for the past thirty years, but when Drew is summoned to Edinburgh, he has no choice but to return. His pack is being threatened and he is someone uniquely in a position to do something about it.

Although the task seems simple enough – obtain the skeleton of a half-changed wolf – there is so much more going on. Lindsay has been trying to grant Drew’s wish that their bond be severed forever. His way of going about that is about to exact a price almost too high to pay.

The first book was entirely from Lindsay’s point of view while this one is in Drew’s. That works on many levels, most of which is that Drew is struggling to deal with his identity as a werewolf – something he would never had done voluntarily. Instead of being grateful for Lindsay saving his life, he’s been resentful and livid. But the need to protect the pack is strong within him.

As with the first book, there’s action, adventure, intrigue, and even love. I so desperately wanted Lindsay and Drew to find their happily ever after, but there were moments when I despaired it might happen.

I enjoyed the duology even more than I would have thought. The two books really have to be read in tandem and I recommend doing it in a short period of time to get the maximum enjoyment – I consumed them in three days.

I’ll also again mention Hamish McKinlay. He did a brilliant job with the narration and I’ll add him to my list of favorite narrators.

Audiobook review:
Story – 5
Performance – 5

What a thrilling conclusion!

While I loved book one, Gentleman Wolf, I loved Master Wolf even more. Drew and Lindsay have a difficult path to follow before they get their HEA. I loved all of the different characters in this story (well, except for the ones we’re supposed to hate). All of the loose ends were tied up and I didn’t feel like there was anything left unresolved.

The story spans many years and there is a bit of going back and forth but I didn’t have any trouble following the time shifts. While it’s hard for me to put into words what I loved about this story I can, without reservation, say that the lengths Lindsay was willing to go to because he loved Drew so much, were the most amazing things I’ve read in a story in quite some time.

There were some surprising events that I didn’t see coming and the last few chapters had me hanging on the edge of my seat. Absolutely a fantastic conclusion to this duet.

I almost forgot to say how much I once again enjoy Hamish McKinlay’s fantastic performance of this book.

A copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.

Lindsay left Drew behind, in the caring hands of his servant Francis.
After Lindsay turned Drew into a wolf to save his life, Drew was angry at him, furious.
The bond is undeniable strong, Lindsay’s longing, yearning for Drew are heavy, Drew feels everything. But the stubborn man slash wolf he turns his back to Lindsay.
So Lindsay leaves as Drew requested.

Marguerite, leader of their small pack, asks Drew for help for three cases. They have to travel to Edinburgh to secure a skeleton, try to find a lead to her mate Alys and try to discover the reason why Lindsay is weakening.
Then there is also the part where Lindsay hides himself for Duncan, his cruel master. Please read part #1 and you’ll know everything about this.

“His wolf was beside itself with joy, but his human self was anxious.”

Alternating between past and present we get to understand what Lindsay and Drew have been through over more than three decades.
After remembering all the feelings from book one I was stunned this story made me feel the same, heartbroken.

Lindsay took faith in his hand. Bearing offers… You don’t want to know.
My heart shattered.

I understood Drew’s reasons, well, some of them, he doesn’t want to be a slave or have a master, he wants to be free. But omg, to me he was stubborn, his poor wolf so denied. My heart hurt for Lindsay.

When Marguerite finally found she was looking for after all those years I cried ugly tears and had thick goosebumps all over my body.

“Thunderstruck.
Lovestruck.”

It was an amazing journey, hurtful, sweet, sensual, every part was connected, the possible side stories were as important as the main.
There are so many lines I want to share, ALL beautifully written. Read it!!
You know that feeling while reading and your heart is racing, where you can’t read fast enough and you get nauseous from excitement? Where you don’t know if you want to laugh or cry wholeheartedly?
That was my experience here, more than once. And all those scents, I’m a sucker for scents, I love everything about scents.

It was a grand finale, glorious. Looking back it was a long loooong road to get where they are now, where they supposed to be.
There was so much hurt/comfort, for my peace of mind and disclosure, I wished there was more story afterward, when everything was finally fine, more sweetness and kindness. Thank goodness for the moment where awareness showed and realization imbed of what was real and in front of them. A very emotional moment.

This author has created an extraordinary experience. One where all the pain was palpable. Where hurt sliced your heart in pieces. Where courting and dedication were everything.
There are some cruel terrifying moments to witness, moments you want to forget you ever witness.
All written in the spirit of the time, looking around I saw it all clear, the masquerade, the colors, the servants, the clothes, the language. This all was consistently written and plausible.
The feelings expressed are all highly sensitive, emotional and many were almost unbearable. What a great job to write so.
Summarizing (almost impossible) a story with beautiful wolves, magic, witchcraft, passion, sacrifices, hurt, comfort and thank you lord Love with a capital.

After reading (and adoring) the first book, I can’t even imagine having to wait for this one to come out! I read Gentleman Wolf in one sitting and then went right into Master Wolf. Everything about this duet, and I mean everything, was just so right and kept me glued to the pages. I think the plot in this book is even more interesting than the first (which I quite liked), perhaps because there are even more moving parts in this book. But it’s the characters that really shined in both of these books. I felt so emotionally invested in them by the end of the first book and had to know more.

This second book is told from Drew’s point-of-view and I think it immediately fills in any questions or concerns you may have lingering from the first book. Rather than guessing what Drew is thinking, he simply tells us. And with a better understanding of Lindsay from the first book, I felt confident assuming his thoughts, feelings and motives. I definitely liked Drew more in this book than the first; he was kind of a jerk! But as I said in my previous review, you have to keep in mind that Drew truly doesn’t like himself and he allows that to taint everything else.

The story and characters and emotions in this book aren’t perfect. And I don’t mean that it wasn’t written well. I mean that the author conveys them as messy as they would be in real life. I think that’s the true beauty of this story. It has a natural, organic flow through some hard truths and stark realities, but the fantasy aspects are enough to keep your head out of the real world and in the whims of the story. There are some things that aren’t neatly wrapped up by the end of the book, but I think the author does such a good job of impressing upon the reader that things are rarely, if ever, given a clean and satisfying conclusion.

I loved this duet. Loved it! I would love love love to see more of Lindsay and Drew; their story is far from over (outside the context of these books, that is) and they are such lovely characters.