Review: Primal Hunger by Sydney Somers

Primal Hunger

Author: Sydney Somers

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Series: Pendragon Gargoyles, Book 1

ISBN: 1605046698
Purchase Information:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

For more information please visit Sydney Somer's website.

When the sun goes down, passion is unleashed.

Kennedy Beaumont loves her bartending job, even if her spirited nature sometimes gets her in trouble. Like threatening to hose down one of Pendragon’s co-owners. When it comes to Tristan, she could use a good hosing down herself—maybe it’ll help her stop casting him as the star of her wickedest dreams. Since he goes out of his way to avoid her, it ought to be easy to put him out of her head—until he reluctantly offers her a ride home.

Gargoyle shape-shifter Tristan Callaghan hasn’t had time for anything other than recovering the mystical dagger that was used to permanently lock his brother in a prison of stone. The cat inside him should have stopped craving Kennedy’s touch long ago, but now that she’s sitting next to him in his car, his very human need for her is sharper than ever.

The distraction is costly. In a split second, Kennedy finds herself thrust into a dangerous, millennia-old hunt for Excalibur. A hunt that marks her for death—and leaves Tristan with a painful choice—sacrifice his family, his quest…or the one woman meant to be his.

Review:

Primal Hunger, the first installment in The Pendragon Gargoyles series by Sydney Somers, packs a great punch despite its size! Filled with action, romance, and a wonderful lore, the premise of this novella will have you addicted and hungry for more!

First off, let me say that I loved the originality of this story. Gargoyle shifters are definitely something I hadn't seen before and I was engrossed by their mythical origins dating back to the days of King Arthur. Also, the other little additions that tie back into the Arthurian lore were excellent. From the Wraiths who are former Knights of the Round Table to dragons who battle to keep Morgana from entering their territory and the Pendragon Gargoyles themselves who eagerly await Arthur's return and the reclamation of Excalibur. All of this is nicely tied in and enacted within a modern day setting, making this tale even more enjoyable.

The characters themselves are quite interesting and wonderfully entertaining as they come to grips with the situation fate has dropped them in. From the first sentence of the novel I was endeared to Kennedy, from her strong will to her snarky demeanor. She's tough, independent and a wonderful heroine to follow as she is thrust, by no fault of her own, into a centuries old battle. Tristan is also quite the interesting alpha male. He quickly comes to grips with the idea of Kennedy being his intended mate, though he has tried desperately to keep his distance from her. The simmering attraction he feels soon becomes a dominate need to protect her and fight the assassin sent to kill her. His gruff alluring nature is then split between warrior and lover as he tries not only to keep Kennedy safe, but to convince her to accept that she is connected to him for better or for worse. Briana, Tristan's sister is also rather interesting. I would have liked to have gotten to know more about her, but the fierce loyalty she displays in trying to protect her family made her quite likable. Her desire to use any tools at her disposal, in this case Kennedy in her ignorance of the bond she shares with Tristan, while harsh was done repentantly showing the softer side of her nature. So, while she can be construed as being bitchy, an assumption I made when she first appeared, I came to like her forth right nature and that need to keep her brother safe. It just had the ring of truth to it that came with all the characters, an aspect that marvelously showcased both Somers's writing ability and her wonderful character development.

The world created was truly intense despite the small time frame in which is was developed. There is still quite a visceral touch of reality to it, as if the reader, like Kennedy is coming to find the world is so much more fantastical then we could imagine. I think a lot of that is due to the fact that it is built upon lore in which our culture has been immersed in for centuries. Who didn't grow up knowing the stories about King Arthur and Avalon? That familiar basis built atop a somewhat familiar atmosphere, the Pendragon bar, douses it in the here and now.

The downside of this novel? It's a novella. But, despite that, this snippet at only just over a hundred pages shows that size doesn't necessarily matter. In fact, it's got all you would expect from a full length novel-action, romance, suspense and drama. Not to mention that it doesn't leave you feeling like the world was lacking like a lot of novellas, but to the contrary was wonderfully developed and brought to life. In fact, it left me quite satisfied, but I can't deny that I want more! Would a longer novel make me happy? Hell yes. Am I disappointed it wasn't? Not even a little.

In the end, the action is fast paced and the romance is scorching making The Pendragon Gargoyles an utterly addictive series for any fan of Urban Fantasy or Paranormal Romance. I definitely can't wait to get my hands on book 2, Primal Attraction.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Scars

Advisory: Strong Sexual Content