Styx’s StormAuthor:Lora Leigh
Release Date: October 5, 2010
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
A Breeds Series Book (#22 according to Goodreads)
ISBN: #978-0425237397
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): mass market paperback (304 pgs), e-book
From the back cover:
When Storme Montague’s father and brother are killed by the Breeds, her father’s research is also destroyed–except for a crucial date chip that both the Council and the Breeds would kill to possess. Betrayed to the Council, she is rescued by Styx, a Wolf Breed who is different from most other Breeds she has ever known. Storme has something he wants too–but it’s not a data chip.
There’s never been a woman who bad boy Styx couldn’t seduce. But can the charmer of the Wolf Breeds charm the enemy?
Or has the enemy come up with a plan of her own? A plan that could destroy the tentative balance the Breeds have created in society and among their allies–and that may ultimately destroy them both…
What I’m talking about:
Lora Leigh’s Breeds Series is my guilty pleasure. I admit it. I really enjoy the books. Yes, they tend to follow the same basic storyline. Yes, the males are bit hard-headed and dominate/possessive. Yes… I love it! And this story is no different.
Spoiler Alert (this contains information learned in previous Breed books and may be a spoiler if you haven’t read them)
Picking up about 6 weeks after the end of Lion’s Heat (my review HERE), we find out there there may be information out there to help Breed Director, Jonas Wyatt, figure out what was done to his infant daughter. That information is hidden by Storme Montague, who’s father and brother were Council scientists that helped create the Breed race. She was raised in a Breed laboratory setting and witnessed a rouge Breed murder her brother and father. Storme has been on the run for ten years and doesn’t trust ANYONE. The Breeds have followed Storme from afar, always protecting her without her knowledge, hoping she would come to them one day and share the secrets that her father and brother left with her. Unfortunately, time has run out and the Breeds send out Wolf Breed Styx to bring in Storme.
Styx is not your average Breed. He is known as quite the ladies man and for good reason. Even when scared, this is Storme’s first impression of her undiscovered mate:
Squared, strong features drew instant female attention, as did the exotic eyes that appeared to be lined with kohl. High cheekbones, well-molded male lips, broad shoulders, a strong chest and impressive biceps. He was larger and broader than the other men, and looked exactly like what he had been created to be. A Scots warrior. He would have looked at home in a kilt with a sword strapped to his waist.
Styx knows Storme is his mate, yet the mating process doesn’t complete after they have hot and steamy smex. He is perplexed and frustrated, and he cannot share the information with Storme until he knows if she will betray the Breeds or not. At first I thought this may be a repeat of either Mercury’s War or Tanner’s Scheme, but Ms. Leigh tweaks the story enough to make it a bit different. Unfortunately, we never really learn why the mating process was delayed, and I felt a bit let down by that.
What I did enjoy (besides the passionate and very hot romance) was that Storme got the chance to fall in love with Styx before the mating took hold. Although she is involuntarily taken and protected by the Breeds, she is treated with kindness and respect. Styx doesn’t try to force the mating and he doesn’t try to overtly dominate Storme. She does hate and fear the Breeds and her captor/mate, but she starts to observe that her perceptions may not be true. She struggles with her emotions and fights the dueling attraction and lust verses her long-held beliefs. This is a refreshing change from some of the earlier Breeds Series books.
We didn’t learn much about the overall story arc and conflict of Breed verses Council, and there were more unanswered or open questions (see earlier comment on delayed mating process). However, I enjoyed the focus on Storme and Styx. The romance was extremely hot and I felt more of a connection with this couple than I did in the previous couple of stories.
This is a must read for Breed fans. However, if you haven’t been following the series, I don’t know if this book would be well received. As I wrote in my review of Lion’s Heat, you can start with Megan’s Mark and get enough background and story to make the series worthwhile. But if you haven’t followed the series, you really should!
My Rating:
4: Really enjoyed – strongly recommend (A-)
I’ve never read LL…but all this Breeds talks make me verra curious 🙂
I really liked Styx. Now the wait for the next Breed book begins. Le sigh.
I haven’t read any of these and I feel after reading this that I might be missing out on a great guilty pleasure. Thanks for sharing this one:)
I really wanted to know what was on that data chip!
My copy is on the way! I can’t wait to read this one. I agree, Breeds is such a guilty pleasure!
Mandi: Yes! you really should check them out!
Eliza: At least we don’t have to wait too long – Navarro’s book is April 2010 – only 6 months *bangs head on laptop*
Jenny: Yes! Definitely a guilty pleasure!!
Smokin’: I know… She has been dropping LOTS of little pieces w/out an end in sight – I wanna know what’s up with the baby and what is on that chip!
Una: ENJOY!
I haven’t been following this series, but I think that must change. 🙂
[…] Reviews in the Series: Dawn’s Awakening by Lora Leigh Lion’s Heat by Lora Leigh Styx’s Storm by Lora Leigh “Primal Kiss” by Lora Leigh (Primal) Navarro’s Promise by Lora Leigh Lawe’s […]