Hunter. Half-werewolf. One hell of a baker.Need someone, or something, hunted down? Akira Murakami is your man! No target is too small for him to get his energy-sucking blades swinging, and all jobs are welcome at the right price.The bills have to be paid after all.Living in a world where the apocalypse almost happened can be complicated, as is being the hybrid son of the High Werewolf of, well, … son of the High Werewolf of, well, everything. But Akira likes to live a relatively simpler life than dear old papa would like, shunning all the political crap, living by the sword and perfecting that recipe for dark chocolate and raspberry brownies.
Killing is easy.
Brownies are easy.
Too easy.
To hell with the simple life!
There’s a werewolf killer stalking the city, and Akira is about to be caught in the middle of everything.
Step into an alternative London where the London Underground is above your head, Hyde Park a prison for some creepy shadow creatures, and plenty of baking goes down in a tiny flat on Grays Inn Road.
A kick-ass Urban Fantasy adventure with a slow-burn MM Romance.
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I got pulled into this story very quickly. I loved Akira’s narrative style. It’s very informal and fits his character and mindset perfectly. I liked the different feel of this story, with its urban fantasy feel yet AU as well. The world building is fabulous, as are the characters. I liked the take on an alternate London which also feels futuristic in some ways, yet not. I especially liked the different take on werewolves and vampires.
Akira rocks as a character. He’s strong, yet vulnerable, and I love how his default way of coping with stress is baking! I thought him being a werewolf who can’t shift, but has other skills was an interesting mix. Rose and Bob are very cool, and so are Aki’s blades.
I love Gabriel—G—and their slow burn romance. Considering what Akira has been through in the past, it makes a lot of sense that he does the one step forward, two back dance. I’d love to see something, even a short story, from G’s POV at some point. He’s intriguing, and an all round nice guy who clearly has feelings for Akira.
I had to smile at the Banshees that Aki is hunting, and now want revenge. It’s a not so subtle reference to a well known social media thing in our world.
The supporting cast rounds out the world and gives it an added depth. I like that there’s a mix of good and bad guys in this world, and across different species of supernatural. I’m wondering if Aki’s dad is entirely the cold guy Aki thinks he is, or whether that is part unreliable narrator as the story is told from Aki’s POV. On the other hand, I really hope Colin gets what’s coming to him, and more. He’s a total piece of work. And Xavier is all kinds of awesome.
The plot had me guessing and trying to connect the dots and I didn’t see the twist coming. It is very well done, and full of lots of hurt/comfort which always makes me happy.
Be warned that this story isn’t resolved in the first book, but is a series wide arc that will leave you wanting the next book NOW.
Akira is a werewolf hybrid who cannot shift but has the ability to call his two wolves from within to come out and help track but know one can see them. He is a bounty hunter with skills and special energy-sucking swords who also likes to bake to relive stress. Akira’s father is the High Alpha, don’t get me started on that relationship that man ugh no.
Gabriel is a beta wolf working for Akira’s father and is trying to keep Aki out of trouble and they are friends on a certain level.
The characters are really intriguing and so is the story, I even want to smack some of MC’s upside the head. Hardly any romance between the MC’s even though there is a hint that they may like each on that level.
Very intriguing story if you are looking for a new book I definitely recommend.
Brilliant new storey in a new world.
Amazing diverse Character & world building whilst drawing you into the storey and not losing the plot at all along the way. Slow burn it most definitely is as this book sets out the scene and the storey which itself is quite complex which is part of its appeal but alas not a lot of room for romance but knowing the author this will change in book 2.
This book has everything you would expect from an Urban Fantasy with a few Richard Amos twists hear and there which make it uniquely his.
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I really rather enjoyed this book! It’s a step out of my usual fayre, but I am so glad I stepped out!
Akira is half Wolf, half. . . something. He isn’t FULL wolf, he knows that much. The beings that lurk in Hyde Park leave him alone, but everyone else doesn’t. His father is High Alpha, and rules London. He doesn’t much care for Akira, so long as Akira behaves himself. Akira is about to become the centre stage for some very bad happenings, and he doesn’t know why. Someone, or something, is killing wolves, and Akira might just be next.
Ok so!
First things first, written in British English, with some subtle, but very English, jokes and I really enjoyed that! Akira does make me chuckle! He likes his baking, and bakes when stressed. That’s all he wants to do, really, perfect his raspberry brownie recipe. But bills need paying and Akira is VERY proficient with his katana.
The book comes with a slow burn romance tag. Now, in THIS book, there are only a few hints at what is to come. There is next to nothing in the romance department, but you can put the pieces together to see WHERE the romance will come in future books.
I got a weeny bit lost in the back history about London and Hyde Park and the beings that live there, I will be honest, but it doesn’t detract from my enjoyment. I just kinda muddled along. And I’m still not sure I got the whole thing about Akira and his “babies”. I can’t see that bigger picture here, either, but maybe that’s because it hasn’t been made clear, maybe it’s just me, but I like being kept on my toes.
It does get somewhat gruesome, there is blood split by Akira and his swords, but it really is needed to get the point across. Some very dark family secrets are revealed, too.
Only Akira has a say. Yes, I wanted Gabriel, Akira’s bodyguard sent by his father, to have a say, because I think I might have even stretched to 5 stars if he had.
And the book ends on a bloody cliff hanger! You need to know this, people! The end of this book came at from left field and I did NOT see it coming. And I gotta wait til June til the next bit. Bloody JUNE!!
So, because of the single point of view, and because of the cliff hanger coming out of nowhere . . .
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I’ve been a fan of this author for a while, and I both love and hate when an author I enjoy comes out with a new series as this one is. What if it isn’t as good as the other books I enjoy? Well, no worries here because this is probably the best book by this author yet. Aki is a werewolf but not in the common way. I loved this unique spin. He has issues, but he is a good guy at heart. The story progressed nicely, and I was utterly surprised at the end: I did NOT see that coming. I am looking forward to more in this universe with the next book! Highly recommend, and I provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
First Moon by Richard Amos is the first book in the new ongoing Urban Fantasy series Four Moons. Right from the start, I was sucked in by the exciting story and intriguing characters. Action, mystery, heat, humor… this story is amazing and I need more now.
My first by this author but definitely not my last, this was just a little different but a thoughly mind grabbing, totally enjoyable action packed fantasy adventure. Arika is a stylized bounty hunter off on missions to take out certain targets for pay, but he is also the head Alpha’s son, under hisfathers protection, who has no problems using his half breed son when problems arise. Being who he is makes him a go between with the different species who inhabit their world so he is perfect to send into the middle elf territory to try to solve a murder mystery and hopefully discover who is killing the werewolves and stop the possible threat of war.