The Alpha's Warlock Series, Kris Sawyer

The first half was a bit slow and the voice was a bit distanced so it didn't draw me in very well. After that the drama increased and the connection between Clyde and Terry deepened so I felt more engaged in their world. The villain was expected but their appearance was completely surprising. There was also another villain who turned out to be just a vindictive, violent person adhering to an old grudge. Which is which?

It was well written but could have been more engaging. Ending the story at the point it did made me believe in the love of the MC's and excited for the continuation in Resurrection. The two men need a lot more detail as individuals because we get a little background about their fathers but we don't have much to go on in terms of knowing them as men. There's much to improve on in that aspect. There is also no steam, almost every passionate moment begins with heat and then cuts to a vague mention of their satisfaction. Fine, I suppose, not every story needs hot sex, but it would be much appreciated.

Overall, this is a good start to a series and a generally enjoyable and very quick read.  3 stars.

This was a good continuation.  We begin with just as much uncertainty and confusion as we were left with when Cursed ended.  Here, however, we're given an additional "bonus" of emotional angst and an ever-widening gap between Clyde and Terry.  Terry is committed to finding out about the past that was stolen from him and Clyde is so uncertain about what the truth is.  He wonders if his feelings are getting in the way of truth but can't bear to let Terry go.  They're both struggling under the weight of the unknown.  There's something else at work, though, someone banished to memory and secrecy...but not for long.  With the pack's future hanging by a thread and Terry's presence bringing more turmoil than it soothes the lovers are unsure of where their future lies.

So making a decision for them both, Terry goes off in search of his past.  But the darkness that clings to him from the land between is another unknown that threatens everything.  There's a new power in him that he needs to learn to control or it will control him.  There are also the people in the past that he finds.  I can't say I'm a fan of his avoidance and acceptance of affection with Dominic.  For being so connected to and devoted to Clyde, he should have, after the first instance, encouraged more distance from his past because it would be the right thing to do.  Then the thing with the council, I can see that coming to haunt him in the next book.

I was far more excited by this book than Cursed and have high hopes for where this whole story will go.  There's Terry's new power, Clyde's new Alpha status, a pack divided, a war brewing, factions and mysteries at every turn...there are a lot of places to go with this.  3.5 stars.