Being immortal doesn’t mean you can’t die. It just means you’re damn hard to kill.When Alexei Medvedev joined the Forgotten Brotherhood—paranormals hired to assassinate other paranormals—he knew it wouldn’t be a cake walk. But his next target is one of Death’s own Reapers gone rogue. For the first time since he started this gig, “damn hard to kill” feels more like “damn near impossible.”Tracking … impossible.”
Tracking Cassie Dobbs brings him to a remote bar in small-town Alaska, where this hot-as-hell Reaper is casually serving drinks, as if she doesn’t have a bounty on her head from Death himself. Alexei is dangerously intrigued. Everyone in the Brotherhood knows the first rule: don’t fall for your target.
But Alexei soon has bigger problems to face than an unexpected attraction. They only send assassins after those who deserve to die…or so he’s been made to believe. Now that he’s met Cassie, though, he’s not so sure.
What if everything he’s been told is a lie, and the person he’s been sent to kill is the only one who knows the truth?
Each book in the Fury Unleashed series is STANDALONE:
* Fury Unleashed
* Arctic Bite
more
Full review appeared at Reader’s Edyn on 05/20/20
Cassie had decided to take time off from her job – possibly permanently. The problem is, she’s a reaper and what she’s done has never been done before. In taking a sabbatical, she’s also put a target on her back. You don’t just get to stop being a reaper and a precedent must be set. If all reapers were to abandon their positions, imagine the chaos if no one was there to lead the souls to where they are meant to be. Now she’s got one the most elite assassins standing right in front of her, but rather than avoid him, she’s drawn to him. Like a magnet. He says he will protect her with his life, but can she trust him? Despite all odds, she feels like she can. And that attraction … it’s only getting stronger. There are things Alexei hasn’t told her about himself and likewise for Cassie. There’s even a little bomb of information Cassie doesn’t even know about herself. But the connection that they have is beyond her comprehension. She knows she loves him, but admitting that out loud is a vulnerability she isn’t willing to expose just yet. Even so, she risks it all and places her trust completely in him. She’s either going to survive or die trying. Either way, she’s done with reaping. And if she ends up getting reaped herself, then she’ll go out on her own terms and make sure she indulges in a bit of Alexei first. Who is she kidding? She’ll indulge in as much as she can get until her fate is determined. With more assassins breathing down her neck and fellow reapers hot on her trail, it looks like time is rapidly running out on her tiny vacation from … well, life as she knows it. Or knew it as the case may be.
Alexei senses something off about his new target. As a member of the Forgotten Brotherhood, they are trained to investigate their marks before accepting any contract. For one, he isn’t immediately able to identify her supernatural species. Odd given his abilities as a polar bear shifter and vampire. But he also can’t get to the source of who took out the contract or why they want her dead. Every instinct he has tells him to protect her and so he does. At least until he determines if the contract should be carried out. But it isn’t long before Alexei realizes there is something bigger at play here and reaches out to his leader, Maccus, for help. With information seemingly impossible to dig up and Death now involved in this mess, Alexei goes completely on the defense in protecting Cassie – until he discovers she may be more dangerous than he is – something he’s seldom admitted, let alone come across. But still, he’s got her back and that is something neither of them has had before. With so many secrets between them and each only giving information in small increments at a time, neither is entirely sure who the other is. All they know is the raging desire between them that doesn’t seem to be diminishing one bit – the knowledge that they love one another despite the reluctance to vocalize the truth their hearts already know – and that fact that Alexei knows he’s in the presence of his mate. One of the foremost rules within the Brotherhood is to not get involved with the target. Alexei may have sealed his own fate in doing so, but deserting your mate once found isn’t exactly an option. It’s a long shot with so much working against them, but with a bit of luck, these two may have stumbled into a most unexpected place, but also exactly where they were meant to be. Who knows what level of potential they could achieve and even exceed if working as a team?!?!?!
And it just gets better. I can only imagine what Ms. Walters has planned within this series. I can’t say that any of my questions were answered from the first book to the next, but that the web of deception runs deep. Do we have any idea who is behind it? Absolutely not! But given that insightful little epilogue at the end of FURY UNLEASHED (book 1), I am left to assume it is Lucifer. I did know going in that each book is plugged as being able to be read as a stand-alone and I wasn’t sure I was in love with that idea given how hard I crushed on Maccus in the initial book. Now that I have read this second book in series, I agree with that description. However, I was not nearly satisfied with the small number of interactions with Maccus and Morrigan. Yes! They are both back but in limited quantity. My heart gave a little jump for joy as soon as Maccus was mentioned. And I am sure my face had a huge grin when both Maccus and Morrigan were brought into a scene. For that, I was grateful. I just wanted more. If I have a complaint it would be their lack of presence. But I understand it. So definitely not a deal-breaker. And can we discuss that cover, please? Now, I did like the first cover a bit better. It is what truly drew me to the series after all. However, this cover is everything. It one hundred percent captures the essence that is Alexei. It’s magnificent. I adore covers that actually have to do with the book they are associated with and this one couldn’t be any better. And the best scene? Be still my heart. That had to be the almost volatile revelation of love between Alexei and Cassie. She doesn’t like to be told what she can and can’t do and Alexei is in a state of disbelief that she could love anything as monstrous as he is despite his fierce love for her. For the two of them and the characters we understand them to be, it couldn’t have been written any better. It was absolutely perfect for them.
I did find it a bit odd that Alexei didn’t have a ton of knowledge about himself on the vampire side. I get that he is a loner in what amounts to a forced exile, but given his hundreds of years of existence, you’d think he’d have been able to garner a bit more information for himself. Also given Maccus’s association with Asher in the previous book, he maybe could have reached out and obtained some knowledge that way. I will say that this book and the first book are identical in the following sense: brooding male loner, nonpareil in the sense that there is no other like him (hence the Brotherhood), falls for target, she is strong and capable and has a secret regarding her heritage, their joining in passion and love triggers an event or decision that makes them more than they initially were, stronger together. If you strip both books down to the bare bones you have the exact same story. That said, each book remains completely unique and an entertaining escape all on its own. Please do not take my words as a deterrent for reading. I just noticed a strong parallel connecting these books. But they are a part of the same series, so I suppose it isn’t shocking. And despite the identical basic idea, I remained engrossed as I allowed Ms. Walters to take me on yet another thrilling ride of crazy, mystery, action, hot af passion, and paranormal awesomeness. When you think about it, that’s actually quite an accomplishment; to work from the same groundwork and create a story that rejects deja vu yet embraces individuality. The action wasn’t quite as off the hook as the previous book, but there was still plenty of it within this fast-paced, electrifying read. I am now two books in with this fabulous series and haven’t regretted a second. I am sure the books are building toward a huge conspiracy of some sort and it will be up to Maccus and the rest of the Brotherhood to end it. How many books it will take to get there, I couldn’t tell you. What I can say is that I look forward to meeting more of this elite group of paranormal assassins and the fierce women who capture their hearts. And I wouldn’t even be a little mad if I were to encounter any of these remarkable characters again as the series progresses. I’ll be snatching the next book up just as soon as I can do so.
Kindle version provided by NetGalley/Entangled in exchange for an honest review.
This is book 2 in the Forgotten Brotherhood series but it can absolutely be read as a stand alone. In this one we get the story of Alexei Medvedev and Cassie Dobbs. Alexei is a member of the Forgotten Brotherhood, the assassin’s who are hired to kill other paranormals. They are only supposed to send a contract to them for those who deserve to die. When a contract comes in for Cassie, he does what they always do and goes to research and confirm that the target is legit. And when he tracks her to a remote bar in Alaska, he is intrigued. Cassie is a reaper, but she has left her job in order to actually live her life and try to be more than what she truly is. She is hiding out in Alaska in the hopes of being left alone, even knowing that it truly won’t happen. She doesn’t expect to have an assassin sent after her though. Now she has to figure out what is truly going on and hopefully survive at the same time.
I absolutely loved this one! Alexei had me hooked right from the start and then you throw Cassie in there and I couldn’t put it down. Everything about this one was great. Alexei is this strong man who went through something that no one should have to go through, and it was made even worse by the ones who should have loved him. Cassie is this woman who wants to be more than what she has been allowed to be, but in doing so she knows that she will probably be killed. All for wanting to be more than she truly is. There is secrets and action that just suck you in. And then you get the twist that I NEVER saw coming but absolutely loved!! Another great installment and I definitely can’t wait to read more in this series just going by the first 2 books!
A great read! Once again Ms. Walters does not disappoint, lol. This is Cassandra and Alexei’s story. Alexei is part of the Forgotten Brotherhood and has taken interest in a contract involving, Cassandra. Once he meets her, he knows that the hit put out on her is wrong. Filled with action, surprises, and hot lovemaking makes for an awesome read. Truly enjoyed it and I know have to read the first book in this series, too! 4 BEAR LOVING VAMP HYBRID REAPER STARS
****I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book provided by NetGalley*****
Where do I begin? Seriously, Arctic Bite is a perfect example of all things I love about paranormal romance!
1. Fun, engrossing storyline. Who doesn’t love the thought of a group of hot and sexy assassins taking out the baddest of the bad guys in the paranormal realm?
2. Speaking of hot and sexy assassins. Alexei Medvedev ticks off all the boxes. Strong, smart, loyal, and protective all wrapped up in a tall, blond, and handsome package. Count me in!
3. Plus a smart, snarky, strong leading female—Cassie Dobbs—who the hot and sexy assassin can’t help but fall for.
4. And a big hit of romantic suspense as to what will happen when the truth is revealed.
5. All equates to an “unputdownable” 5 star read.
Arctic Bite is a fantastic addition to the Forgotten Brotherhood series, but it truly does standalone! I one-clicked the first book, Fury Unleashed, though, and it’s at the top of my TBR because the series is just that fantastic!
RATING 4.5 STARS
Arctic Bite is book two in the Forgotten Brotherhood series by N.J. Walters. First, I need to mention the covers of both of the books in this series. They are gorgeous. It’s what first drew me in. Then, when I read the first book, I was in love. I’ve been anxiously waiting for the next book, Alexei’s story, and it was fantastic!
Alexei Medvedev is a polar bear shifter. Only, he’s not just an ordinary bear shifter. He is a bear with a little something extra. Shunned by his own kind at an early age, he was taken in by the Brotherhood, a band of paranormals for hire, assassins hired to kill other paranormals that needed to be taken out, put down, the worst of the worst. Before any contract is signed, they always investigated the mark, making sure it was truly someone that needed to be killed. Alexei was very glad of this detail, very glad he had not yet signed that contract, the night he walked into The Pit, the bar where his current mark worked, and first laid eyes on her.
Cassandra (Cassie) Dobbs is an ex-reaper. She’s been reaping souls since the dawn of time and she just couldn’t do it anymore. Now she’s in hiding, learning to live as a human, experiencing life for the first time. The night Alexei walked in to her bar, she knew he was something other, just not sure what. What she did know was that when they touched, it was electric. She was drawn to him like a moth to a flame.
“She belonged to him. Now all he had to do was convince her of that.”
Alexei knew this woman was innocent. So why did someone have a contract out on her? He also felt a need to protect her with his life. He could let no harm come to her. Together, these two are a force to be reckoned with. As they explore the attraction to each other, they are also forced to face danger, as they try to figure out what is going on.
I loved this book. I read the entire book with the front cover image of Alexei in my head and that worked just fine! Alexei and Cassie’s chemistry burned up the pages. Not only were they both trying to stay alive, they were also forced to face shocking details of their own pasts. They also both discovered that the power of love, the power of loving someone else more than life, is the most powerful weapon of all.
I am so in love with this world the author has created. I have no idea what is next in this series but I can’t wait to find out! I can’t wait to meet the next member of The Forgotten Brotherhood.
Super-god-like beings doing amazing things; even Lucifer and Death are impressed!
Each book is a standalone with previous characters making cameo appearances. I loved FURY UNLEASHED but this one is even better. ARCTIC BITE grips you from the prologue which will break your heart. Cassandra just can’t do her job anymore. It is crushing her spirit to continue leading the dead to their future. She is a Reaper for Death.
Huge burley Russian Alexei Medvedev is one of the Forgotten Brotherhood, a select group of immortal assassins. What sets them apart is that they investigate every hit they are given and only perform the job if it is a just kill. Alexei is studying Cassie at her bar. As she performs her duties as bartender to her nightly patrons in Nome, Alaska, she is kind, efficient and beautiful. There is an immediate attraction and frustration, why does someone want her dead? On a side note, his backstory will squeeze your heart too.
This is a thoughtful, well-written, steamy, fast-paced, intriguing paranormal story about “god-like” beings doing outrageous things. Along the way you will fall in love with these characters for their “humanness.” The romance between Cassie and Alexei is beautiful although tragic at times and chapter 18 and 19 will bring tears to your eyes. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through Entangled/NetGalley and give it way more than 5 stars! LOVE THE COVER…perfect Alexei.
Love learning about the Forgotten Brotherhood. Alexei, although ferocious and intimidating, he’s a big softie when it comes Cassie. Which I think is very fitting of a bear shifter!
They’re definitely a dynamic duo that completely drew me in. All the intrigue when it comes to these two. I loved that Walters slowly dropped little truths of what they are and what they’re capable of. I was such in awe of how strong they both were.
Cassie’s story arc was a big winner for me and I just couldn’t stop reading.
With just a burst of action to get your heart pumping, there’s plenty of romance to keep you satisfied. I truly loved Alexei and Cassie, but it felt like not a whole lot was happening with the overall storyline.
Regardless of that, I can’t wait to meet the next one from the Forgotten Brotherhood!
**AN ARC WAS PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR A REVIEW**
I have fallen in love with this new series of Assassins with a moral compass and hidden hearts of gold!
Alexei is far more comfortable in freezing temperatures as only a polar bear shifter could be. But he has a couple of extra talents after being attacked by a vampire centuries ago. He has essentially been on his own since his family shunned him and his only family now (if you could call a collection of assassins a family) is the Forgotten Brotherhood.
As with his brother assassins Alexei does not take on jobs blindly and there is something off-putting about his latest assignment. Whilst carrying out his own investigation into Cassandra at the local watering hole The Pit he stumbles only a much bigger stumbling block than he imagined!
Cassandra walked away from being a reaper. She just could not do it any more, it sapped her soul century after century. She is enjoying learning to be human and when she runs into Alexei, she realises he may be able to help her “experience” a few more things! Now to navigate the intense passion they feel all while determining who has set up Cassandra to be terminated!
Alexei and Cassie burn hot and bright! There were more than a few WTF moments, interspersed with some really emotional reveals. They both have pasts they want to run or hide from, with varying degrees of success. Hot passion, adventure, dysfunctional families – everything you want in a book!
This is the second book in this fun series about immortals who are all trying to find a place in life This latest story is about Alexei Medvedev a bear shifter who is a member of the Forgotten Brotherhood see book 1 Fury Unleashed for the story of who and what they are, and his latest target is Cassie Dobbs and she is a reaper The only problem been he doesn’t really want to kill her and she has walked away from her family (that is why she has a target on her back) She loves the Alaskan town she has settled in Alex decides to just watch her to see what happens but can he fight the attraction he is feeling towards her. Why is starting to question his orders and is all that it seems to be the truth. This is a book that draws you in from almost the first page just like most of this authors work does
I wouldn’t say I had high hopes for this book. I have read two other books by this author before and sadly was not that impressed. However, the original plot and world to this book promised had a big pull on me so I decided to give the author another chance. While Arctic Bite was better than the two previous books, I just couldn’t fall in love with this story.
I did like the start to the book with Alexei scooping out the target while finding himself drawn to and curious about said target; Cassie. Cassie had a bubbly persona as the bartender and their first interaction was charming and held a lot of intrigue, especially being what they were and the circumstances that brought them together. I really thought the book would take of from there with high speed, drama and a real nail biter of a conflict and I guess to some extent it did. Sadly though, it didn’t fully pull me along for the ride. This was because of the main characters.
For having a good start the characters never really developed any distinct personalities from there, staying generic throughout the book. Sure, there were synonyms connected to their names like Cassie being compassionate, brave, witty. Or Alexei being distant, scary, funny, but the only reason I knew that they had these traits was because I was told so by the story. Nowhere in the book did this actually show and, more than both characters constantly doubting or being extremely insecure where they stood with the other in the relationship, they didn’t really have anything else to them.
This made the plot and conflict of the story feel … off, for lack of a better word. I did like the complexity and the unique touch of the world the story painted, with the brotherhood, shifters, angels, demons and reapers. However the big center of the story and conflict weren’t any of the above, but was the romance between Alexei and Cassie. Considering I had trouble seeing any characterization you can understand that the romance between them just didn’t do it for me.
Since they didn’t have much personality that I could see all I could see between them were great sex, slightly strange sex talk and their constant and repetitive fear of scaring the other one away with their own freaky natures. Oh, and their repetitive validations of “I love you” and the like. These validations and their need to protect one another were beautiful and heartwarming, sure, but it was the only sign that they loved each other. I would have preferred to have this shown to me through good and distinct character development and a growing relationship instead. As it was it was a bit too close to insta love for me and that just takes out all the excitement in the romance.
There were still good moments between them with some development, like their first meeting or them talking about their pasts. Especially Alexei opening up about his parents. It was the first time in the book that I got a bit more from him and actually felt for him. Had this book taken more advantage of that and built the romance by them going through thick and thin to fall in love I probably would have enjoyed it better. As it is now it lands on three stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.