Pride (Shifters, #4)

by Rachel Vincent

[Angie]

Pride is probably the best filler book I have read. That may seem odd, but really, almost everything felt like filler, but it was interesting filler! It was stuff I definitely wanted to know and learn more about, so I couldn't complain. Although the plot did feel a bit forced in the beginning. Faythe is facing the Tribunal to be sentenced for her crimes. It's already been decided that she's guilty of infecting her ex-boyfriend, but the murder charge is still up in the air. But, before her fate can be sealed they have a visitor complaining about their party causing trouble in the area. None of the Pride cats at the trial are out and about, so who's causing a ruckus?

I'll start with why I felt like the plot of Pride was forced. Faythe's trial is the big thing, or so I thought. Then a bruin (werebear!) comes along complaining about cats on his property and there's a couple of missing hikers. They're currently in free territory, so it's none of the Council's business that there are stray cats around. Yet, they get involved anyway, and make it a priority over Faythe's sentencing. There was no reason for them to, except to maybe find the hikers, but in all likelihood, their murders would have been put off as a wild animal attack since they are in the mountains. With wild animals. It didn't sit right with me, since the Council had their own concerns and were sticking their noses where they don't belong. However, as much as I disliked this set up, everything it leads to was completely captivating!

So much amazing world building! Pride is chock full of information about the (extremely flawed) werecat justice system as well as their biology. One of the strays they find is female, which has everyone confused. The Alphas all believe she's a missing Pride tabby, but Faythe is convinced she is a stray because she knows nothing about the species and didn't even know how to shift. Kaci did serve as a distraction from the trial, but she also allowed for a ton of insight. I actually figured out her situation long before the others did, and was happy to have my suspicions confirmed with science! Thanks, Dr. Carver! Even if it was simplified science, but simplified science is better than no science! She was also a nice contrast to Faythe in how the Council treats tabbies who have committed crimes. So much hypocrisy and twisting of laws to suit their needs!

Speaking of twisting to suit needs, Pride had me absolutely furious in places! I was honestly so angry that I was shaking. This so-called unbiased Tribunal was so screwed up! I just could not believe it! Yes, Faythe is guilty of infecting her ex; she admitted it. But when it came to her killing him in self-defense, they just brought up all kinds of irrelevant personal stuff so they could call her guilty and give her the death sentence! What a load of crap! The Prides are very into protecting tabbies, and even have laws in place to punish any harm brought to them, but they want to kill her because she isn't ready to settle down and pop out some kittens! She's only as good as her uterus! I was enraged! Clearly, they weren't going to kill her since there's three books left, but still. I am way too invested in Faythe's life.

As far as filler books go, Pride is in a category all its own. I do think it's the best of the series so far, despite the rough start. I can't remember another book enraging me so much before! It did take way too long for Faythe's trial to end, but then again, without all of the other stuff going on, it would have been over in one chapter. Where's the fun in that? There's also a lack of romance, but oh, that ending! My emotions!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.