 | Title: Stray
 A scene of mild sensuality. A semi graphic sex scene. Multiple references to rape. Several attempted rape scenes one of which is graphic. My Rating:
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Description
I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds.
Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked.
I'd been warned about Strays -- werecats without a Pride, constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female, and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared.
This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back . . . for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I'm no meek kitty. I'll take on whatever -- and whoever -- I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays -- 'cause I got claws, and I'm not afraid to use them . . .
Review
Faythe Sanders is a fiercely independent urban fantasy heroine, very reminiscent of Elena Michaels (the only female werewolf in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series) in fact STRAY was in many ways similar to Elena’s first book BITTEN: The prodigal daughter, a rare female shifter, is forced to return home and reunite with her Pack and former Love while hunting down some stray shifters. But the similarities didn’t bother me in the slightest. Both BITTEN and STRAY are excellent books with enough differences to be more than worthwhile reads on their own.
Faythe, in particular, was a consistent high note throughout STRAY. She was gutsy and brave, with a clear, often sarcastic, voice, that made sense since she grew up as the only girl in a house full of boys. Her unwavering insistence on independence was at times foolish, but she was quick to acknowledge her mistakes and that her stubbornness was a weakness that she constantly battled.
The romance was equally good as Faythe struggled not just with her ex Marc, but also with the childhood friend Jace, whom she’d always considered as a brother until now. The heated flirtation between Faythe and Jace added to the romantic tension and realistically fueled the doubt that Faythe experienced with her emotions for two very different men.
And all that romantic tension was only heightened by the dynamics of Pride life in STRAY which were fascinating in their complexity, specifically the role of females. Rachel Vincent does an admirable job of communicating all the intricacies of life as a Shifter without bogging her readers down with boring details.
All in all, STRAY was an excellent start to what promises to be an excellent series. This is the perfect time to jump into this series as the sixth and final book in the series came out last year which means you can read Faye’s full story with no waiting!
WARNING: This book deals heavily with the subject of rape both from the side of the victims and the rapists. Although there aren’t any rape scenes in the book, it is alluded to and attempted many times, one failed attempt in particular is somewhat graphic and disturbing.
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This is one of my favorite series - glad to see you enjoyed it; I think it gets even better with each book!
ReplyDeleteThis was some fun stuff, alright. Liking the deep social undertones in it.
ReplyDelete-LupLun
Lupines and Lunatics
Patti - I thought it was great and I love that I can read the whole series at once :)
ReplyDeleteLupLun - Me too. Rachel writes so well. I can't wait for her next series
ReplyDeleteOh this one sounds good, I have been contemplating getting it lately so thanks for a great honest review.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get into this book because it was too much like Bitten, I didn't like that fact that in both Bitten and Stray the female MC's are forced back into a life the obviously left for a reason it felt forced to me, but I guess I'm the odd man out because most people seem to love both series.
ReplyDeleteI read that book a while ago and loved it! But I was under the impression its a full series by now? maybe I am mistaken..so many paranormal boks so little time
ReplyDeleteAlexa - Go for it. Faythe is a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteRebs - You're right on both accounts, but I still like both series.
pawsitivelife - Yep, it is a finished series. All six titles have been released.
This is a truly awesome series and I hated to see it end. I almost wish I hadn't already read it so I'd have it to look forward to.
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Lisa - That's a nice endorsement :) Have you read her YA series? Different but lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteThis is my favourite book, and part of my favourite series :)
ReplyDeleteI really liked stray and the second book rogue. For me faythe started to get annoying in prey and ultimately the last book, alpha, was a huge disappointment. I stuck with all books hoping it would get better but it just got worse.
ReplyDeleteAmy - Oh good. It's nice to know a series is well received all the way through :)
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - That's too bad. I guess I'll have to find out if I agree with you.
I just reread this book as I've read the first three books in this series but it had been awhile. I decided before I continued on I would reread the first books and I'm glad I did. I was instantly hooked and it reminded me why I am such a fan of this series. Great review!
ReplyDeleteSamantha - I have a feeling this series will become a new favorite. I've got the rest of the series on my kindle just waiting for me :)
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