The Raven & His Selkie, Amelia Bishop

It actually took me a few tries to sink into the idea of finishing the book.  Not because it was bad or disappointing, but because it wasn't captivating for me at all.  I liked it by the time I finished it, but it didn't grab me at the start or hold my attention in the middle either.  It was a truly interesting start to a series and I will be continuing with it if more books in the world are written, it's just that it'll probably be a case of me being willing to wait for it to be on KU instead of requesting an ARC of it.

Murdoch was playing the game of the Selkie Prince and playing it well despite his intense desire to not come into the ruling leader's seat.  His reluctance was intriguing to me and I wanted to see how that played out.  It went fine enough, but the moment of challenge seemed so forced and far-fetched with characters playing a role instead of being something organic.  Forcing Murdoch to make a choice between blood and heart was one thing, but the way it played out was unnecessary and it felt overly dramatic.

The bonding issues between Murdoch and Grigory were far more intriguing because of the species difference and the lack of knowledge of fated mates.  I was constantly being disappointed in Murdoch's impatience and Grigory's inconsistency.  The misunderstandings were believable though juvenile and when Murdoch was finally educated about Grigory by another source things started really coming together.  I liked their journey from that point.  Though I actually dislike how the dominance switch thing played out...it just felt kind of icky and more forced than accepted and given.  I had to start skimming because it made me uncomfortable.

Grigory was actually my favorite of the two men because he was written in a way that actually made me feel both for and about him.  His upbringing, his longing, his control, his care...all of it made him far more real and complex than Murdoch and he was why I finished the story.  Seeing his evolution was worth it.

The overall story and plot and complications in their world are why I want to continue the series, if it becomes one.  I'll be back for more...eventually.

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Murdoch, a Selkie, joins the Immortal Alliance of Six, an otherworlder task force. There he meets Grigori, and the two soon realize they are fated mates. As they fight threats to the otherworlder population, they also fight to come to terms with their unexpected mate bond.