I have finally finished! The sequel to Six of Crows and the finale of this duology ends to me with a satisfying conclusion. It has been a wild journey for me, a long one (my fault, due to reading slump and work) and in the end, it's almost perfect.

Continued from where it was left off, Kaz Brekker and his crew returns to Ketterdam as wanted fugitives. After being double crossed by Jan Van Eck, the crew needs to hide their most wanted prize, if only they won't be hunted by every one who wants that prize and killing the crew. But Kaz has a plan that will change the game of odds to his favor and the only way to do this, is that his crew able to survive to challenge what's ahead of them.

I do love the finale and how it ended. Its not really great but its good enough that it ends as its meant to be. I love the characters, its development and the relationship between one another. The scheming and the planning, the plot and the twist is just good enough to keep me reading. If not for the slump, I would have finished this sooner. There is so much to explore on this book that I want to talk about but this is definitely worth re-reading... one day. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.

In the first book of the Call of the Crows series, we learned a lot about the Crows and the Ravens. In this second installment, we learn about more of the nine clans that have been chosen by the gods to fight at Ragnarok when the time comes and to try to keep it at bay. Mostly, we learn about the Protectors. They are a group of males who are raised knowing what they are. They served the god Tyr. They had owl-like qualities, including turning their heads 280 degrees, which freaks everyone else out.

This story starts off with a bit of a flashback to Jacinda “Jace” Berisha turning into a Crow. She was the wife of a cult leader who kills her. She awakens while he is burying her. Jace joins in with the Crows. She goes on a berserker rage and attacks him. She becomes an introvert who spends the majority of her time hiding from the others, anywhere from under the house to in the cupboards, to read her books. She also has a very adorable puppy that follows her everywhere.

Danski “Ski” Ericson is a Protector. He lives at their library (how can you not love him already.). It isn’t just any library. Think of one of the best libraries you’ve ever seen. Think the library from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The Protectors just acquired some Russian books that they need cataloged, but they don’t have anyone who can speak Russian. So Ski goes to ask Jace who can speak tons of languages (I can’t remember the number or if it is even mentioned. I know they discuss several of the languages that she can speak and how she learned them all). She finally agrees, reluctantly to help them.

There’s a couple of different plot lines in this story. There is the craziness that is the Crows. There is the fact that Jace’s ex-husband is wanting to bring her back into the fold. There is also the matter that in the previous book, a certain god they thought they had killed, is not actually dead. Oh, I can’t forget the books that Jace is translating and her time in the library. I know that sounds like a lot is going on, but it isn’t all crazy. Most of the story revolves around the ex-husband and the god that they fight.

I loved Jace. I think it is mostly because of her love of reading and avoidance of people. As a heavy reader and introvert myself. I can’t help but see a bit of myself in her. I don’t go on berserker rages, but I would love to be able to. I know a few people who I would love to unleash those rages on. Ski is so sweet. I love how much he just wants to see Jace happy. He completely understands that she doesn’t like small talk and doesn’t ask her to do it.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the pets. They are adorable. There is Rev, Jace’s puppy. There is also Brodie Hawaii, Kara’s pit bull who was also turned into a crow when Kara was turned. She is quite an interesting character. Then there’s Ski’s cat, Sulka.

Lastly, I should mention Bear, one of the Protectors. He is excessively protective of the books. He cracked me up several times about the books and then again with the puppy. I should also mention that Jace’s grandma is pretty great too. I should also mention that there are a few hints from Shelly Laurenston’s Pride series with Grizzlies and Wild Dog shifters. Don’t worry if you haven’t read them, they’re just some shifters who make an appearance. I would recommend that series though. It is a lot of fun too.

If you’re looking for a super fun series that is based on Norse mythology, this is the series for you. I do don’t know a whole lot about Norse mythology. The stuff I do know, I don’t know how much is accurate, so I can’t say how much of this is accurate. I just know that it is fun.

“I’ve got an idea,” Gundo cut in. “Have the Ravens kill your ex-husband.”
“Pardon?”
“It makes complete sense. That way you and society won’t have to worry about him at all.”
“If you’re so worried, why don’t you kill him?”
“Because I’m a Protector,” Gundo patiently explained. “I’ll protect you because that’s we do. But outright murder? That’s a mindless enterprise. Seems much more ravenesque.”
“You just think that the Ravens are stupid.”
“They are stupid.” Erickson muttered.

Narration

I really love the narration of Johanna Parker. I think she does a great job with the humor in this series. She does a good job with the different voices for both male and females. I do listen at an increased speed, but that is normal for me. Johanna Parker is one of my favorite narrators when it comes to series that is filled with humor.

**I like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. 

And I'm hooked on yet another series. Dang it!!

What I liked: The Unleashing is my first book by Shelly Laurenton. I have, however read her Dragon Kin series, written under G.A. Aiken and await each release impatiently. This series looks to be loosely based on Norse mythology, in which I've always been interested. I love history, what can I say.

In order to become a Crow, the female has to die and Skuld offers them a second chance at life to serve her in battle. Yep, the Crows are good at killing. Kera, the protagonist in this first book, was a Marine and had served in battle in the Middle East, so she should understand killing, right? She's good at following rules and she's very good at organization, much to the dismay of her fellow Crows. They hate clipboards for some reason. (You'll have to read The Unleashing to find out about that remark).

Kera is having a bit of an adjustment problem and there is a face from her past life willing to help her learn the ropes. Vig has been captivated with Kera for a while and is instrumental in having her changed into a Crow. He's a part of the Ravens and they usually work with the Crows, at least in The Unleashing, they do. Since all the Ravens are male and all the Crows are female, it makes for some interesting by play. 

Ms Laurenston also introduces a number of other characters in The Unleashing that you can just imagine getting their own books. Not all are Crows either. As a first in the series, The Unleashing has much world building and character development to do, the author is more than capable of all those tasks while keeping you entertained with Kera and Vig's story. Of course, you can feel there is more to come. The ending leaves everything...plot, characters and bad guys...open for more.

What I didn't like: I got nothing for you! I enjoyed the whole book and inhaled each and every word.

Excellent opening to a new series by Ms Laurenston and in case you don't know, she does humor and snarky better than many. Wait until you meet Kera's dog!!

Highly Recommended!!!!!