Review and Giveaway: Primal Law

Posted August 9, 2011 by Jen in 3.5 stars, Paranormal Romance, Rating B, Urban Fantasy Tags: , ,

Primal Law
Author: J. D. Tyler  
Release Date: August 2, 2011
Publisher: Signet
Alpha Pack series #1
ISBN: #978-0451234346
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (352 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
      Founded by a group of former Navy SEALS, the Alpha Pack is a top-secret team of wolf shifters with Psy powers tasked with eliminating the most dangerous predators in the world. But the gift of their abilities comes at a price…
      After a massacre decimates half his team and leaves him crippled, Jaxon Law must relearn how to fight—and battle the anger and guilt threatening to overwhelm him. But when he rescues a beautiful woman who reawakens his primal instincts, Jax is unprepared for the dangers that lie ahead.
      On the run from her employer, brilliant lab assistant Kira Locke has evidence that leads the Alpha Pack on a hunt for someone targeting human civilians with Psy abilities. And as Jax and Kira circle both the killer and each other, Jax will have to decide if the deep connection he feels with Kira is worth breaking the ultimate shifter rule—because bonding with Kira means putting his abilities at risk, and they might be the only tools he has to keep his mate alive… 
What G & U are talking about:
      Primal Law is the debut novel in the Alpha Pack series by J.D. Tyler.  Gikany and Una had much discussion over this book and hope you enjoy our following review.
      Una enjoyed Primal Law.  She considers it up there with her other guilty pleasures (Lora Leigh’s Breeds series and J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood).  For her, this is what she considers romantic-fluff fun.  It’s urban fantasy with a ribbon of romance running through it.  Oh, and don’t forget… lots of smexy moments, hot smexy moments are not missing in this story.  However, Gikany is right…there are a few issues…but for Una, they didn’t detract from her overall enjoyment of the novel (in fact, it was difficult for her to put down).
      This is the first book in a series and like most, due to world-building and introducing all the main players, the overall story arc suffers.  Gikany wishes the author started the story with the team being changed in Afghanistan versus starting with the team’s betrayal which occurs years later (six months prior to where the main storyline begins).  Una wonders if maybe the author is holding this back to use as a flashback for a subsequent novel.  However it would have helped the world-building to have included it in Primal Law.  It also has moments that are just too “easy”.  To hire someone you have known for five minutes is a little far-fetched…regardless of your pre-cognitive abilities.  Not to mention, you can cure depression with a five minute conversation and a hug.  Again, this is why Una classifies it as fluff.  There are unrealistic moments that have a tendency to be major plot points.
      Una was at first reluctant to read this since it felt a bit similar (from the book blurb) to the Breeds series but it is in fact different.  The mythology and characteristics of the shifters is vastly different and Primal Law has a very different feel to it.  Gikany isn’t a fan of Breeds (but is hooked on BDB).  We do agree that it doesn’t quite qualify as erotica, though it tries, but it is more explicit than just romance.  As an urban fantasy it doesn’t measure up with our favorite series, however, it was enjoyable.  Gikany had more trouble with the jarring (unrealistic) moments disrupting her enjoyment of the novel.  Una had an easier time flowing over those.
      Gikany will most likely read the next novel because Una is interested.  Also, you can’t (usually) judge a series by the first novel so we tend to read the second book just in case.  We (at least Una) look forward to reading the next book in the new Alpha Pack series, Savage Awakening due out April 2012.  If you are interested in a fun, fluffy new urban fantasy series, give Primal Law a chance.
Their Rating:
Liked it a lot – recommend (B+)
 
 
GIVEAWAY: We are giving away one (1) copy of Primal Law by J. D. Tyler starting today.  All you need to do is leave a comment at the end of this post to enter. You do not need to be a GFC Blog Follower, but it is appreciated. Contest is open to United States mailing addresses only. Contest runs until Friday August 12, 2011 at 9:00 PM EDT. If your email is not part of your profile, please leave it so I may contact the winner.  One entry per person. One (1) winner will be selected from eligible entries using random.org. I am not responsible for items lost in the mail.

17 responses to “Review and Giveaway: Primal Law”

  6. mrsworldwidewebb

    My friend just read this and she says it is amazing.. I want to read it 🙂 would love to win it so I didn’t have to buy it..LOL

    mrsworldwidewebbATcoxDOTnet

    aka Kathy

  7. Una

    I know of one ARC that wrote a scathing review which I read. I disagree with that review, but there is always a difference in taste and I think that is what it really came down to. I really enjoyed this and hope you guys do too. Good luck!

  12. ~Danni

    Heard good things about this book, and I’ve been wanting to try it.

    And if it is at least similar to the Breeds series, then we know it is good! 🙂

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    Danni
    dannigv616AThotmailDOTcom

  14. Review: Savage Awakening | That's What I'm Talking About...

    […] Posted on Apr 25, 2012 in 4 stars, paranormal romance | 1 comment Savage Awakening Author: J. D. Tyler   Release Date: April 3, 2012 Publisher: Signet Alpha Pack #2 ISBN: #978-0451236449 Genre: Paranormal Romance Format(s): Paperback (341 pgs), e-book Book Source: Publisher About the book:       A group of former Navy SEALS, the Alpha Pack is a top-secret team of wolf shifters with Psy powers combating the greatest dangers in the world. But sometime those dangers are more intimate than they bargained for…       After a mission goes wrong, Aric Savage is taken prisoner. Half-dead and despairing, he makes a stunning discovery: his Pack mate Micah Chase, who was reported dead, is a fellow captive. When the Alpha team goes into full-rescue mode, accompanying them is an absolute stunner with sable hair–and a spine of solid steel.       LAPD officer and Psy Dreamwalker Rowan Chase has one priority: her brother Micah’s recovery. Still, she can’t help but be drawn to Aric, the ruggedly handsome wolf shifter who pleasures her as no man ever has–however fleeting their affair is destined to be. But when Aric’s life is endangered, Rowan must ask herself what she’s willing to sacrifice in the name of love, for the man fated to be her Bondmate. What G & U are talking about:       Savage Awakening is the second full-length novel in the Alpha Pack series.  While preparing for this review, we discovered an ebook novella, Black Magic, which takes place between the first novel, Primal Law and this one.  We enjoy this series enough that Una bought it.  We will read it and let you know if you should read it before Savage Awakening or not.  We feel that the gist of the novella is given in this book, but who wouldn’t want to read about a sexy sorcerer who shape shifts into a black panther?  Exactly!       Back to our sexy wolf shifter, Aric Savage. We enjoyed his story.  The Alpha Pack series is a wonderful somewhat light-hearted guilty pleasure read.  Personally, for Una, it was a great escape from the emotionally charged previous readings (Devil’s Punch, Lover Reborn, Shadow’s Fall, etc).  Aric is a loudmouth, sarcastic yet loyal soldier who feels completely unworthy of his pack’s acceptance or the mate he finds in tough-cop Rowen.  The banter between them is funny and allows the reader some laughs.  Even though Rowen’s lost brother and Aric suffer through some horrific experiences, the humor balances the novel.       Please let us warn you, this is smexy writing.  The plot flows at a gentle pace, even though the sex is steamy and hot.  The internal struggles that our couple face – singularly and together, give their happenstance romance grounding.  Their overall story arc progresses well and the conflict resolution feels real.  In fact, it is a very gripping read – partly due to the humor and partly for those (did we mention yet?) steamy moments.  It is a quick and delightful read.  The continuing struggle against the big bad develops well for an over-arcing story line through the novels.  Each book is well paced and the overall story arc develops gradually over each novel.  Which makes it very easy to follow and enjoy.       The next novel is Black Moon, and will focus again on Mac and Kalen Black – the panther/sorcerer.  Needless to say, Gikany and Una cannot wait to read this next installment in the Alpha Pack novels.  This is only book 2…you should really jump on this train to smexy-goodness before you have too many books to catch up on! Their Rating: Enjoyed – strongly recommend (A-)   Purchase Info: Savage Awakening: Alpha Pack #2 Reviews in the Series: Primal Law: Alpha Pack #1 […]