Sebastian Volkov, a fox shifter raised among werewolves, ran from everything he ever loved after a brutal attack that left him fearing his own shadow. That night a single kiss saved his life and left him with fantasies of a man whose face he couldn’t remember. When Sebastian’s car breaks down in a small Washington town, he meets an Alpha werewolf who reminds him vaguely of a stranger’s kiss.A … kiss.
A year ago Liam Ulrich, Alpha of the Northern Cascade’s Pack, shared a magic filled kiss with a virtual stranger, the infamous Witchblood child of the most powerful werewolf in the world. Since that night, Liam has been waiting for Sebastian to find his way home. Liam knows that Sebastian doesn’t trust easily, or at all, so he’s going to have to give his prickly mate time and space.
The past Sebastian tried to escape still stalks him and slowing down gives it time to catch up.
When the werewolves’ ultimate enemy rises up to cast its shadow over them all, Sebastian realizes he will have to stop running or risk losing everything…. including his hope of a future with Liam.
Edit: A corrected file has been upload to correct minor character discrepancies, grammar, and remove 500 words. The storyline did not change.
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Sebastian has more than a few challenges to deal with in this book. His heritage, personal history, and lack of self confidence are only the beginning. I enjoyed watching Seb evolve in this story. His relationship with other characters gives him a chance to develop into a more confident and happier individual. His role as an omega was nicely portrayed. This is one of the few books involving an alpha/omega relationship that didn’t annoy me. I think the author understands the original intent of the manufactured social dynamic better than most writers.
The story has a rather complex and engaging plot. I started on the second book right after finishing this one. I was glad that I decided to listened to this story as an audiobook. The narrator did a wonderful job with the Alice in Wonderland inspired scenes, and the different character voices were well performed.
After discovering Lissa Kasey books I became a huge fan, mainly because the wonderful characters she wrote. Intensely emotional, with the exact balance between goodness and evil, I got trapped in their story witnessing the fight to regain the control of their lives and the struggles to get a well deserved HEA. When you put this with an action-packed, page-turner shifter story what you got is this amazing book. The original way in which Ms Kasey managed all the twists and turns of pack politics is simply brilliant!! Wonderful way to start a new series!
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
3.5 story rounded up
1 cover
Regarding the cover. I have issues with the fact that Sebastian’s father is supposed to be Native American, I think, and his mother is half Japanese and half African American. Sebastian often compares himself with his lighter skinned, “tanned” mate. His sense of self worth bothered me enough, but I find the fact that the cover depicts an extremely pale white man disrespectful. That is all.
This is a good start to a new supernatural series full of magic and weres, vampires and the fae. The story is told from a first person POV, and Sebastian is the narrator. I felt like his character was very well developed, but Liam, the other MC? Not so much. I’m hoping to learn more about him in the next book. The world building is beautiful, and the storyline is well thought out. However, no vampires, ghouls, or others are actually in this book, just talked about… A lot. As a side note: I have never read the other author’s books mentioned in many reviews, so I cannot comment. This review is strictly in regards to the storyline of “Witchblood.”
Sebastian is “witchblood,” or carries magic in his blood. He is an alchemist ( which is underdeveloped), a ward/spell-caster, an herbalist, and a baker. He also has more metaphysical traits that make him important to a pack and an alpha. His mother brought him to the Volkov, the leader of all werewolves, because even as a baby he was able to shift into his spirit animal, a red fox. Unfortunately, as werewolves age, they begin to lose their humanity, and the Volkov’s son Felix is well on his way to madness. He has fixated on Seb, and does not hesitate to use violence and his dominance to get exactly what he wants when he wants it.
After a brutal attack, Sebastian tries to get to his only hope of survival. But along the way, his soul calls out to its mate, and he appears. One stolen kiss sets the course of events from that point on throughout the next year.
Liam is an older, powerful alpha, who has been building up his own pack for a year in readiness for his mate to come to him. He is overbearing, as most alphas are, but he’s not an alphahole. He displays an extreme amount of patience toward Seb, but he has no problem keeping his pack in line. Liam says he is not as old as Felix, and that Felix is around five hundred, if I remember correctly. The age question regarding the weres and others confuses me because there are some conflicting statements about lifespans after the bite. I never did figure that out.
There is a constant fear in Sebastian’s mind; of Felix, others he has crossed over the last year, not being good enough for Liam, not being enough for anything. The danger comes, but Seb uses the little knowledge he has from his friend Robin to escape, but at a cost. As his memories and power are unlocking, his mate, family, and pack are suffering. There is a loose end attached to this part that is touched upon, but never really tied. Maybe it will come up in a book along the way.
When he finds Liam, the mating call is overwhelming. Then duty calls, regardless of the exhaustion weighing Seb’s body and mind down. The den needs healing, and as the Alpha-mate, Sebastian is ready to do something. Anything. Even if it goes against his nature. Once again, a fight is coming, but this time, Sebastian and Liam, along with the Volkov and Oberon, his second, are bringing the fight to the source of the darkness.
Through the harrowing battle, there are many times when all hope seems lost. But devotion between a mate and his alpha and pack, the love between a son and father, give strength and courage to the usually vulnerable little fox. He’s not so little anymore. In the aftermath of carnage, insecurities return to run circles in Seb’s brain. I liked the way the author shows the acceptance, or lack thereof, of Liam’s choice for a mate and how he handled it. Oftentimes everything comes out smelling like a rose, with love and hugs all around.
Change is coming, and I think I can see some of the future plotline. But, I may be surprised, you never know. Overall, Liam is starting to work on Seb’s mind and vulnerability, the pack is healing, the Volkov is charting a new way of life, and Sebastian is finally home. I would definitely call this a happily for now ending.
Happy reading!
* I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving my honest review. *
I like the world this author has built for this series. The author’s views on the makeup and hierarchy of these wolf packs are new to me, but they are interesting. I had to pause and rethink my knowledge of how these things worked before I could immerse myself in this book, but I found the differences compelling, especially as the wolves got older.
Liam is a good, strong Alpha character who pairs well with Sebastian’s Omega. His indomitable strength and a more modern way of thinking and doing are what allows him and Sebastian to be a good couple. I wish I could have seen Liam’s viewpoint. Sebastian is interesting but his incessant inner dialogue and thoughts tended to go on a bit.
The spicy times are very well done, and the progression of their mating and romance is believable.
I got lost in some parts of the book and had to reread to make sure I knew what was going on. When Sebastian gets into his head, things can get a bit muddled.
There were a few places that I needed a little more follow through on but hopefully it will be addressed in the next book.
I was satisfied with the HFN and look forward to the next book in the series.