Title: Here Kitty Kitty
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Magnus Pack #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2007

I knew that Nik was going to be Angelica’s love interest from their little Meet Cute in Go Fetch!, I did not expect how good their romance was going to be. I thought that I enjoyed reading about Miki falling and dealing with all of her issues. That had nothing on Angie’s drama. Not only did I seriously love this story, but I also found Angie’s tendency towards violence for the sake of violence so much more entertaining and humorous. It concerns me how much I loved Angie’s tendency to just beat the crap out of others, but also, so very enjoyable.

Angie’s rage issues are a well-known fact from the beginning of the Magnus Pack series. What is not so obvious is the reasons behind her rage. I absolutely adored the reasons why she feels such rage (even if it is a little bit heartbreaking). Yet, even though she is actively working on not being completely unhinged in her rage… she still manages to absolutely kick butt whenever she needs to. I love that she’s the one who helps to ultimately control the hyenas and their evil ways… not just through her own violent tendencies, but also her willingness to create a previously unprecedented truce.

Having read enough of the shapeshifter world which Laurenston has beautifully constructed, I really admire how she differentiates between the different breeds / species of shapeshifter. In the case of tigers, the majority of them are still the type to eschew monogamy. However, I love Nik’s journey to coming to terms with his monogamous ways. And the fact that he takes after his father – who has harassed, tortured and loved the same woman his entire life. Whilst there is a bit of a battle at the beginning, he ultimately embraces this new sense of reality and just, doubles down on his commitment. The whole internal journey that Nik is forced to face was something that left me giggling and smiling throughout.

Here Kitty Kitty was filled with so much yummy, yummy adult scenes. Alongside all of the violence and banter. I absolutely adored this. Plus, I love how it rounds out the Magnus Pack trilogy in a way that felt like the end of one story, but the beginning of another. In this case, Sara’s rise to power is complete, the truce that they manage to have the cats, wolves and so many others push upon the hyenas is also completed. But the start of the next war is just on the horizon. Which is why it’s worth jumping into the Pride series next.

Image source: Shelly Laurenston

Title: Go Fetch!
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Magnus Pack #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2007

I’ve been wanting to read Miki’s story since her cameo in Like a Wolf with a Bone. She’s very obviously a handful and kind of unhinged. And that’s why I read Laurenston’s books – they feature women who are intense, unhinged and absolutely hilarious. Plus, as you read Go Fetch! you realise that Miki is absolutely chaos personified. Not only with constantly running her mouth, but her willingness to commit violence and set others on fire. And then, I love that Conall is just happy to calmly follow her around without judgement or insanity. He just… deals with all of it with a great big smile on his face.

As someone who can’t switch off their own brain, I really loved reading about a character who is also unable to do so. Miki never lets her plotting, scheming thoughts pause, and I relate to this 100%. However, Miki’s determination of what and who will make her happy is a bit difficult at times. She might be wrong, but I also love that she does eventually realise this and just go with the flow. Plus, even amongst all of her misinformed romantic ideals, she is completely able to handle herself in every other way – often in a completely hilarious fashion. One that involves a whole lot of mayhem.

As a contrast to Miki, Conall is incredibly quiet and incredibly calm. There are one or two moments when he does react, and the rareness of these and the overwhelmingly ridiculous circumstances in which he finds himself frustrated are absolutely hilarious. In particular, I couldn’t stop laughing when Miki tries to test him the first time, with drugs. And then finds out that maybe she’s finally bitten off more than she can chew. Plus, it gives them a great turning point in their relationship. Conall might finally realise what he’s up against, but then, so does Miki.

Reading this after I’ve read all of the published Pride and Honey Badger Chronicles books, helped me to see all of the ridiculous connections that take place throughout this world. I loved going back to the beginning to see just how much this world has expanded and grown. Plus, it just makes me laugh throughout the entire read through. Miki and Angelina may be placed in danger because of Sara ascension to Alpha. But it also opens up the world to them. I can’t wait to continue rereading and reading this series for the first time. The insanity is brilliant, and I get to spend the whole violence-riddled story smiling and laughing.

Image source: Shelly Laurenston

Title: Pack Challenge
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Magnus Pack #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2006

Ever since I picked up Hot and Badgered, I’ve wanted to go back to where it all started. But, sadly for me, some of these first stories aren’t actually on Kobo (because Kindle Unlimited and such nonsense). I’m so glad that I finally got around to reading this. It wasn’t quite the story I was expecting, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I love being surprised, and the way that Sara’s story unfolded, and introduced her little trio was fantastic. Now I can’t wait for Miki and Angela’s stories to grace my brain waves.

I kind of found Sara’s plight with her aggressiveness to be kind of hilarious. I’m not sure what it was, but the fact that she didn’t turn as a child leading to being an aggressive angry bitch sat really well with me. And the nonsense that she ends up formulating / the way she decides to take her new aggressive tendency by the horns… it just worked really well for me. Plus, I love how she uses this aggression to control her friends when they continuously try and get them all in trouble. Not to mention the sexual aggression and frustration which just jumps off the page as you watch her relationship with Zach unfold.

Although Sara and her two girlfriends aren’t quite as aggressively psychotic as Laurenston’s later characters, I still absolutely loved them. I mean, one of the reasons I absolutely demolish Laurenston books is that they are filled with aggressive, mouthy, take-no-prisoners types of women. Those who know what they want and who they are, and don’t necessarily apologise for it. Don’t get me wrong, there are moments of emotional scarring that they have to get past, but every single woman in these universe is strong willed and independent. Sara is a fantastic way to start off this world and show you what Laurenston’s women are made of.

I read Pack Challenge right after my Hot and Badgered ReRead, and I loved how you could tell how much Laurenston has grown over the years. Whilst I loved both of the stories, it was fun to see the sophistication and creativity that she is able to bring to her later works. Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed Pack Challenge, I definitely appreciated the growth that has gone into this world throughout the past few decades. Now onto the next phenomenal story created from this unique and fun mind.

Image source: Shelly Laurenston