*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I like the blend of two narrators, dividing the male and female roles. It gives more dynamic to the characters. Jeff knows these characters well, and has all their voices ready to go for us here. Laurie is new to me and the series, and reads through the female cast with heart. When I first started I didn’t know if I liked the up-swing at the end of her sentences when voicing Michelle. It gave Michelle a felling that she was better than others that I didn’t think Michelle had. As the book went, it eased and Laurie fell into Michelle’s voice for me.
Michelle is such a nice person/character. I like that about her. Trouble finds her because she works with the police on cases. But in this books, it’s because she’s a clanless witch and her grandmother is determined Michelle will take her rightful place in her clan. Michelle, however, likes the freedom of being clanless. Michelle doesn’t want to hurt anyone, she wants to help and not be tied to a specific clans rules. However she still has lingering memories of what she had to do in the last book. It weighs on her mind, even though it was the only option and something Sylvia wanted. She worries about her and Elron as well as it’s something she doesn’t want to do.
Oh my. Elron is such a great person. He’s an elf, and he’s fighting his protective instincts when it comes to Michelle. Elron’s feelings for Michelle are finally seen by Michelle. Michelle starts to see that even though she had to do what she did, Elron does not hold it against her. They are just so adorable!
We have a case of characters that live in the lodge. It’s always great seeing them as they are friends and a few rotate through. We don’t see as many of them in this book as this book is focused on Michelle and the problems that have found her – the clans. We do get answers to Michelle’s clan scar and things with her grandmother. Michelle fights hard against many things, but she’s going to have a very full future ahead of her.
This book felt to be a little different in the story line. We follow Michelle and the troubles that find her, bringing her to make some tough choices. We don’t get a case she’s working on, though there are small items that come up she tends to. This is mostly Michelle learning about herself and growing. The story still has the same action and full of spell being thrown around, but it’s about Michelle this time and not just helping others.
There are more books in the series with Michelle. I’m looking forward to them as there are hints of what’s to come in this book… what’s next in Michelle’s life, demons, and more I’m sure.