Ravensong Review

Title:  Ravensong
Series:  Green Creek, #2
Author:  T.J. Klune
Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press
Release Date:  July 31, 2018
Purchase Link:  Amazon

My Rating:  4 Magical PackPackPack Hearts

Synopsis:
Gordo Livingstone never forgot the lessons carved into his skin. Hardened by the betrayal of a pack who left him behind, he sought solace in the garage in his tiny mountain town, vowing never again to involve himself in the affairs of wolves.

It should have been enough.

And it was, until the wolves came back, and with them, Mark Bennett. In the end, they faced the beast together as a pack… and won.

Now, a year later, Gordo has found himself once again the witch of the Bennett pack. Green Creek has settled after the death of Richard Collins, and Gordo constantly struggles to ignore Mark and the song that howls between them.

But time is running out. Something is coming. And this time, it’s crawling from within.

Some bonds, no matter how strong, were made to be broken.

Review:

Ravensong is a stunning, intense addition to the Green Creek series, and once again, I find myself at a loss for words to adequately express the experience of reading one of these books.  Klune's unique singsong voice and lyrical style are hypnotic, calling to something within me like a siren - drawing me into this deceptively simple feeling yet complex story and world.  His books are raw, gutsy, and oh-so-emotional - an experience that will drain you while leaving you ravenous for more.

Klune has spun another magical tale in this fantasy world of shifters, witches, packs, Alphas, Omegas, and yes, humans.  While a lot of backstory is woven into this book through some early flashbacks, do yourself a favor and read Wolfsong before venturing into Ravensong.  There's so much world building, story, and character relationship development to be found there.  Both books are truly an experience that I promise are unlike anything you've ever read before.

Ravensong defies genres (as did Wolfsong), refusing to be boxed in.  It's so full and more and bigger than life and yet so real.  It can be labelled fantasy, paranormal, m/m, second-chance romance, but more than anything else . . . I'd call it epic.  It's dark and edgy with plotlines growing, creeping, clinging, and intertwining, driving characters and readers to a state of urgent frenzy.  Like an out of control train on a collision course, the emotional complications and consequences of family threaten to implode the Bennett pack, taking Gordo and others down with them . . . even as outside forces threaten their homes, lives, and very existence.  Broken bonds and promises fester making it difficult for old wounds to heal leaving Gordo and Mark in limbo - unable to stand together and in danger of loosing everything if they don't.

Ravensong is Gordo and Mark's story . . . and so much more.  I wouldn't call it a romance as much as a love story with all the heartbreak and pain that can accompany fickle fate and love-gone-wrong.  It's not pretty, sweet, or kind.  But there is needed comic relief through some awesome support characters.  Be warned - Once you enter this world, you'll lose yourself in the story, setting, and characters, burning through pages until the climax and conclusion explode on the final pages bringing resolution to characters and readers with a blockbuster ending . . . and the perfect setup for book 3!  Bring it on!  An absolutely, without-a-doubt Must Read!

My Rating:  4 Magical PackPackPack Hearts . . . And that's the truth!

Cross My Heart . . . xxx

Sandra