If you had an extra sense, would you consider it a curse . . . or a gift? What if it stood in the way of everything you’ve ever wanted?Makenna Goldwin has spent her life knowing she’s different. She was born cursed with a gift and blind to the true meaning of it. Alone and distrustful, she’s determined to survive in a world where she has no one, except herself.As Alpha to the Cloven Pack, Evo … Cloven Pack, Evo Johnson has a duty to protect his wolves. He has every intention of keeping their race a secret, even if that means hunting down the deranged rogue shifter who is threatening to expose them.
When Evo and Makenna meet, the sparks fly, but neither one is ready to accept the truths that lay in front of them.
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A fantastic start to the series!
For being the author’s first book, I have to say, this was amazing. The story line was incredible, catching and entertaining. It had some new aspects to shifters, which I really liked because there are so many shifter books out there that it’s nice to have some new characteristics for them!
This story is about Makenna and Evo and their journey to love. Though, it’s not JUST a romance novel. The two of them meet in an interrogation as they are both trying to find out what happened to the women who have gone missing in their town. Naturally, they are both equally drawn to one another, they just can’t seem to figure out why. This story is all about how they come to accept one another and get through the obstacles that stand in their way.
This story is action packed and really keeps you on the edge of your seat. I love how Makenna is a ‘spitfire’. How’s she naturally independent and knows how to handle herself. But I also love how she knows when to ask for/accept help from Evo and the pack. Speaking of Evo, he’s a freaking dreamboat. Like seriously. He’s the perfect mix of dominant, caring, protective, romantic and he is the absolute perfect alpha.
Because this was the author’s first book, you can tell that the writing is a little rough/juvenile, in the beginning, but towards the end it gets a lot smoother. Plus, I hear she’s revised the book since I’ve gotten this one for that exact reason. Even so, it does not take away from the amazingness of this story!
5 out of 5 stars, though I’d give more if I could!
I don’t read a lot of shifter novels but after reading this author’s Howl for the Damned series, I felt compelled to go back and discover the books from the Cloven Pack series. Some of the characters from that earlier series either make an appearance or are alluded to and I just had to find out more about them. I have to say, I’m loving it so far. So if you’re a regular reader of the genre or just dipping in for the first time, this series is a winner.
This started as a police procedural with PI Makenna Goldwin being called in to help on a case involving a suspect held on suspicion regarding his proximity to a string of missing women. Evo Johnson, ex FBI was also called in to assist with this case and the chemistry was instant. Kenna wants nothing to do with it. When her next case also seems to involve the same unsub and she is thrown deep into Evo’s world, the story line takes a swift turn into PNR territory. Although the unsub still plays an integral role to the story climax, the investigation takes a back seat to Kenna’s new place in the pack and her relationship with Evo.
At first it bothered me how quickly Kenna left her old life behind when self-reliance was such a defining characteristic her entire life – but as more information came out it made sense. Plus she stayed true to her alpha self. I would have liked to see more of the investigation and less of the mating ritual (which got really steamy fwiw) but based on the teasers dropped in the end of the book pack politics seem to be a big theme of the series moving forward so it was important to have that established.
Book 1 in a series, this book was well paced and built a believable world with overall likeable characters and a couple despicable villains. The reveals at the end added complexity that hint at interesting things to come. The narration was well done; easy to understand with good expression.
I very much enjoyed this book. I really like the characters and the development. I love how sassy Kenna is. She’s my kind of gal, not here to put up with anyone’s BS. The progression was steady so that you didn’t feel like too much was happening too fast. I liked the subtle twists and on the big twist, I loved that I only guess half or it. As an avid reader, I am usually pretty good about guessing what’s to come so I love when there is a little surprise for me. I really enjoyed the supporting cast in this story and I can’t wait to learn more about each of them in future book. Give it a try out, you won’t be sorry.
A blessing or a curse…..
“A Gifted Curse” by D. Fisher, the first book in “The Cloven Pack” Series is a story about coming to terms with one’s abilities not matter how strange and unfitting they may seem at first glance. It is a journey to self-finding with a very interesting Urban Fantasy twist.
Makenna Goldwin is a PI accustomed to analyzing facts and to find the truth in every case, she is also an empath, which she is unaware of. This ability sometimes lets her questioning her own judgement, when the “gift” feels more like a curse or a mental state than a factual skill. As empath however, she can feel when someone is lying, which helps her immensely in her line of work.
As Evo Johnson, an FBI agent and wolf-shifter, ask her for help in identifying the culprit in a crime, things become suddenly clear. Makenna ability is not a mental unbalance but a real shifter trait. Now Makenna have to come to terms with the new information, she is in fact a wolf-shifter, and Evo is supposed to be her mate. Abandoned as a baby, Makenna is accustomed to deal with all kind of situations on her own, thus is not surprising that she takes this in stride, even when if becomes a little bit too much… Evo is in for a really bumpy ride
The story is fast-paced without feeling rushed, the chemistry between the main characters is obvious and credible, the pack are true to nature and yet so endearing (well at least the vast majority) and Evo is… an truly alpha-shifter rapidly learning the meaning of “she-alpha” in a very practical way
The book is well-written, with multifaceted characters and an interesting plot set in credible verse, true to lore and fresh at the same time. A thoroughly enjoyable reading. I’d love to see the characters develop throughout the series.
Thrilling and scary! Never knowing when a sociopath will strike is extremely nerve racking.
Very good book, plot is amazing, writing is great. Only thing that I didn’t like is I noticed a few spelling errors but overall a GREAT book and would recommend it to everyone.