Shifting Shadows: Metal and Magic Book 1, Michelle Frost

On a regular patrol Deckard hears a ruckus coming from the neighboring territory.  What sounds like something that is not their business quickly becomes his personal business; his mate is being taunted, chased, hurt.  There's something special about the human he's saved yet he's determined not to keep him.  But when he realizes the next morning that the young man has amnesia, Deckard knows he can't just send him on his way.  He gives him the name Colt and they form a friendship of sorts as they navigate their complicated situation all while searching for an unnamed threat and managing pack politics which are gearing up for a challenge.  The threat is closer than anyone could have predicted and it's clear that Colt is right in the thick of it all.  They'll have to choose sides and fight together or watch everyone they care for fall prey to the darkness.

Deckard is a complicated man.  We get a little of the why's near the end of the story but not nearly enough to understand his reaction to a prophecy, why he's willing to send his mate away, why he and his wolf are struggling so hard in their union...and so on.  What we're sure of is the tenderness inside him for not just his mate but for his family and friends.  He's a fierce protector with a big heart.

Colt is much more of a mystery.  Yes, he does have amnesia, but there's still a sense that we should know who he is right now.  We're basically watching him go from almost childish responses to PTSD panic attacks all the time so it's unclear how we should feel about him.  I do think there's potential, especially after his two experiences are once again whole, but would like to see more growth and solid character development.

The first scene is attention-grabbing, to say the least.  From there, though, it slows down quite a bit and drags for quite a long time only to speed up again when the confrontations and revelations are forced.  It created a rush to the end and a somewhat contrived set-up for the rest of the series.  I like the direction and am curious to know more but if we aren't given some kind of background in the next installment I'm not sure how invested I'll become.  Overall it's an interesting story with a great premise but the final product is quite rough.  I'm withholding any excitement of the series for after book 2 to see if the path will be laid and followed rather than just the vague direction we're left with now.

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