Heart of the Wolf is a re-release and having only picked up one Terry Spear book in the past, I decided it was the perfect time to give this a read. I went in knowing little of the story, but having heard good things!
I picked up the story and it starts in 1850 so I was instantly curious about the world Spear created. Were these immortal wolves? Was this the story of the history of the pack? Was this a historical PNR?? Spear's wolves, once they are of age, only age 1 year for every 30 human years. They exist in the world without human knowledge and the number one rule? Never let humans know! In the prologue, you meet Bella, the heroine, who is a red wolf that has been raised in a grey wolf pack after a wildfire killed her family. Volan, the grey pack alpha has decreed that Bella will be his mate, but she will do anything to avoid that fate.
Bella is a scrappy thing and I liked that about her! She is pragmatic yet vulnerable. She is smart, yet not so cocky she thinks she is invincible. Even though she is a wolf, Bella is an incredibly relatable character. However, she spends the first 30-40% of the book avoiding getting raped by so many men (and one actual wolf). Seriously, they all want to forcibly mate her because there is apparently a shortage of females (and a major shortage of red wolf females). She is in love with Devlyn, but fears that he will be killed if she mates him (because all the other dudes will be pissed!).
Bella wants Devlyn but Velan wants Bella. But, that isn't their only problem! Alfred, Nicol, and Ross also want Bella and will NOT back down. Plus, there is a serial killer on the loose. So, you know, kind of busy! Bella wants to protect everyone and that makes Devlyn feel a bit less manly. I understand why his male ego would be wounded, but I also understand Bella's desire to keep everyone safe. This point of contention was the biggest issue between these two. I wished they would have just talked through things. Obviously, Bella isn't going to just stop trying to save everyone so Devlyn's attempts to force her to stay in the car, go to a safe house, etc are irritating. I also wasn't sure about their actual mating-was it official once they had sex or did they have to wait for the moon and change into wolves? Could the other wolves still take her for their own after she was mated? It just wasn't explained well (or perhaps I missed it!).
Heart of the Wolf was an engaging read, even when it made me want to knock some skulls together! The end felt a little anti-climatic after all the build up but it was satisfying! I certainly plan to read more from Spear!
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: shifters
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger: no
- HEA: yes with epilogue
Shifter's Sacrifice by Lisa Ladew, Blade by Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright, Wolf's Mate by Celia Kyle...then you will probably like Heart of a Wolf!
See full review on The Book Disciple