The Lycan Hunter

By Kelsey Jordan

Kyran of the Blue Ridge Pack has spent most of his life searching for an end to the Forever War. Finding a Hunter among their greatly diminished ranks who was willing to forgo their "shoot first" mentality was harder than it seemed. Then fate—or the gods—gifted him with Alexis James, a petite Hunter with a nasty habit for killing his kind and a need for his surgical skills.

Alexis only has two wishes in life: make it through her next assignment, or die a relatively quick death. With a heart hardened by miserable circumstances and painful memories, her view of kindness and common decency was marred by scars of swift retribution. So when the blue-eyed Lycan saw fit to save her life, she wondered: At what cost?
After eight thousand years of war, the end is becoming a reality, but is the possibility of peace worth Kyran's soul and possibly Alexis' life?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kelsey Jordan
• Release date: Oct 23, 2013
• ISBN: 1230000188050

Kelsey Jordan

Kelsey Jordan is the author of the Gardinian World Novels. She is a collector of back packs, pens, and an unseemly amount of paper. When she isn’t working on the series, you can usually find her scrawling on something, playing video games, or taking glorious naps.

Book preview

Prologue

Narn paused along a pathway among the roots of Liflasir, the world tree, to marvel at the full and radiant moon. Othion, God the Sky, claimed no one appreciated the beauty of his creation, but on this unusually bright night in Gardas, the realm of the gods, her father’s luminous orb would serve as her inspiration.

Silvered tendrils of light stretched deep under the tree, leading the way to Nunginn, the sacred grove where all life energy returned once it was fit to be reborn. Hidden in the depths of the grove, under the transformative glow of the moon, Narn gave birth to her creations.

She called them Lycans, as they were a marriage of human and beast forms, yet they were neither man nor beast. Only after their First Shift, which was tied to their inborn strength and their ability to resist the power of the moon on the eve of their creation, did they gain the ability to shift at will.

Narn also bestowed each of them a true mate, their Soul’s Mate, so that they would never know loneliness. When she was finally done, her Lycans, a total of six species, became her mortal guardians of the wilderness. Their existence was to be a secret, as creation was not her domain.

Centuries passed, and the time went unnoticed by Narn, who had quickly lost interest in the Lycans. That was until a day came when Ethus—creator of mankind and Oblivia, the realm of dreams in which Ethus called home—revealed the existence of dual-natured abominations that were slaughtering a small sect of Ethus’ human charges.

Nivar, God of Gods, Creator of the Universe and of Time itself, eventually discovered Narn's brief foray into his domain of creation. Among the gods, few things were more offensive than an overreaching god.

For Narn’s crimes, Nivar stripped her access to Nunginn. Furthermore, he stipulated that only when the last of her creatures ceased to exist could her access to the holy grove be restored. Narn had momentarily rejoiced, but Nivar, wise as he was, stated that the Lycans must perish by mortal means only. Through it all, Othion had stood helplessly by while she was regulated to merely a figurehead of her domain.

However, Othion’s hands didn’t remain idle long. In his rage, he cursed her creations to die by the silver of the moon, an apt punishment in his mind as they were born into creation on the eve of a brilliant moon. To further aid in her quest for redemption, Othion found it fitting to create a prophecy into being that stated: When the Lycan and the Hunter come to an accord, the fallen goddess will be restored. That way, should all else fail, his daughter would be restored by other means. He also brought together other gods and goddesses who sympathized with Narn’s plight. In secret, they crafted a plan that would allow for her restoration in the most expeditious fashion.

Together, Vili, the God of Wisdom; Jordis, the Goddess of Weaponry; Tuyir, God of War; and Lelah, the Goddess of Life and Death imbued humans with Gardinian essence, elevated senses, and the skills they would need in order to hunt down and eradicate all Lycans. At that moment, the Hunters were born.

The Hunters had an impressive start of ten thousand soldiers to combat the ever-expanding force of Lycans. The Forever War bloomed in secret, a seemingly eternal crusade that paid homage to Lelah with ribboned flesh and rivers of blood. The goddess welcomed both sides into her timeless grasp. Death, like Life, chose no sides.

More than eight thousand years later, the war continues. To Narn’s constant dismay, the Lycans are winning.

Chapter One

My Father Will Be Dead By Sunset

The thought should make the scene before him more ominous, but the waters of Blue Ridge Lake remained calm, unlike the energy boiling in Kyran’s veins. He stared out over the lush grounds of their Blue Ridge Mountain compound, taking in those gathered to bid a final farewell to his father, Arik, an aged, grey-haired version of himself. Ronan, his younger brother, stood on Arik's other side. Among the pack members who had gathered for the ritual was their mother, Erma. Her face was void of emotion, as though she was aware of the toll the ritual of Ardethen would take on her sons.

During the Ardethen, the ritual killing of an aging leader, the elder leader would call on the Ulryk, the God of Kings and Queens, to preside. Whoever killed the leader would be bestowed the powers to command those under him. At the moment, Kyran wasn’t sure whether he or his brother would be leading the pack in their father’s absence. He was the oldest, but his brother beat him in strength.

Lycans were created by Narn, the Goddess of the Wild, to be guardians of the wilderness. Thus all Lycans were born, not made through bite, scratch, or science gone wrong. The longer they resisted the initial call of the Full Moon past their thirteenth birthday, the stronger they were. Kyran had experienced the moon’s pull on his seventeenth birthday, Ronan on his twentieth.

Added to Ronan’s inherited strength was the supreme training earned under the revered guidance of Mikko Wayne, leader and founder of The Order of the Rockys.

The Order—also called The Rockys—was an unconventional group of Lycans. The members weren’t confined solely to Talas, the Lycan wolf form. At least one Lycan from every species owed their allegiance first and foremost to Mikko Wayne and all other Rockys, despite their difference in forms. ‘Once a Rocky always a Rocky’ was their motto.

The allegiance to the Rockys had become a core component of Ronan’s design. Despite having no desire to lead, Kyran knew that if called to do so Ronan would become the Mikko, or chief, that the Blue Ridge needed.

The pack stood in silence, waiting for their soon-to-be deceased Mikko to speak. When Arik stepped forward, the pack fell to its knees.

Today I will invoke the ritual of Ardethen. I seek to claim my place in Gardas and find the peace that has eluded me on Earth. As required, I must select from the fittest of those beneath me to rule in my absence. Arik looked at both of his sons. I sought the guidance of the gods and have followed their ever-wise advice in naming my successor.

Arik turned to face Ronan, and Kyran nodded, knowing that it was wise to choose the strongest to rule the pack full of über-dominant males that made up the Blue Ridge pack.

Ronan, you are of stout body and sound mind, and choosing you to succeed me would be an honor. Arik kissed his son softly on the cheek. The gods, however, sought a different path but acknowledged you as a formidable opponent to the throne.

Kyran stared at his father as if he was still trying to process what happened. Ronan, however, smiled at his father and returned the kiss. Arik wrapped Ronan in a fierce hug before he turned and stood before Kyran.

Ah, Kyran, my oldest, Arik said, flashing a smile. You have had desires I wondered if you would grow out of. At first mention of trying to end the Forever War, I thought it was nothing more than the folly of a child. You are a male past the age of youthful irrationality, and I see that you are steadfast in changing the lives of all Lycan kind. For that, I am proud to call you my successor. May you never forget to honor place upon you by the god Othion, who has blessed you with his ultimate gift of Amund.

Kyran's head jerked at the mention of Amund, a god’s way of providing divine protection. As the Doctrine of Liflasir—the Gardinian holy book—dictated, it was Othion who gave rise to the first starry night, and subsequently, the first dawn. Kyran nodded to his father that he would do all that was required to praise the god for the abundance of his gift.

Arik gave him a rough hug before he stepped back and smiled. It is you who the gods have chosen, and they have chosen wisely. I pray you seek solace in those wiser than you. When the road to the salvation of Lycan kind becomes wrought with tribulations, remember you hold the grace of one of the most high. He faced the pack and went to his knees. I Arik, Mikko of the Blue Ridge pack, call forth Ulryk, God of Kings and Queens, to see me through my Ardethen. I call you Ulryk to bless Kyran, my chosen, with the power that was once mine to command. May you see fit to bless him as he embarks to lead the pack following my trek into the realm of Gardas.

Silence spanned a few minutes before Ulryk, a savagely masculine god, stepped forward. He held a blade forged by Jordis, the Goddess of Weaponry, crafted from minerals found only in Gardas. Ulryk held the blade forward, letting it catch the light from the setting sun. As typical of god-blades, it held an indefinable array of colors and was devastatingly sharp.

Arik gripped the blade’s hilt, made of the same material but molded into an ornate design of crowns.

Mikko Arik, your successor is noted, and I find him to be acceptable. He will inherit the wealth that is my blessing to give all those who lead. Ulryk said in his characteristic rumbling baritone. Kyran, step forward, and claim the sword that your Mikko offers to you.

Kyran did as he was told, his chest tightening at the implications that holding the god-forged weapon rendered.

As a symbol of authority, I bid you rest, Mikko Arik. Find peace in the undeniable hold of Gardas. Ulryk nodded to Kyran. Fulfill your duty, and claim your title.

Kyran gave his father a final nod before he plunged the blade into his father’s heart. There was a flash of color—brilliant blue shining the brightest—before Kyran pulled the blade free. He let it clatter to the ground as he knelt, catching his father before he fell.

Ronan and their mother joined him, their sadness evident despite the necessity of Arik’s death. Kyran heard the muffled cries behind him, the pack marking the passing of their long ruling chief.

The soul-searing magic coursed through his veins, telling him that he was officially the Mikko of the Blue Ridge pack. Now all he had to do was tap the part of him that was only his—as the leader—to command, and he could bend the will of those under him to his own. Bend not break, because the gods understood the need for free will and maintained it. In the face of such power, disregarding the command of the Mikko was something only the strongest of alphas could manage.

Kyran faced his pack while Ronan and his mother placed Arik’s body on a stone platform used for the Passing, a funeral-like ceremony. They prepped his body while Kyran gave his first address to the pack.

I am both honored and saddened in this moment as I stand before you. I am blessed to be your Mikko, and I endeavor to lead you as successfully as my father did.

He turned to face the platform where his father lay nude under a silk sheet that held the messages of the love and remembrance of his deeds woven into the fabric. The wound in his chest had been stitched shut and the blood cleaned away.

As is my duty as Mikko and eldest son, I will call forth Lelah and ask that she welcome my father into her arms and usher him into the folds of Gardas.

Ronan carried a small fire pit with jeweled inlays to the center of the raised dais where the platform rested. He lit it and dropped a few pieces of sandalwood into the flames before stepping aside.

Kyran went to his father and knelt at the side of the platform. Today we gather, the faithful and true, to bid farewell as required by Ardethen. Travel safely to the arms of the beloved Goddess Lelah. Take your place in the arms of our people. May their presence bring you solace and healing. Farewell, until we see you in the peaceful embrace of Gardas.

The Goddess of Life and Death appeared at his father’s feet and gave Kyran a slight bow.

Kyran, son of Arik and honored Erma, I will take your dead and usher the Mikko into the arms of his people. He will rest in Gardas as the faithful and true deserve, she said.

She reached out and touched Arik, and Kyran bit back the misery that swelled in his chest. The pack—who had no reason to mute their cries of despair—cried openly.

Before his eyes, the man that had spent his life leading his people, being a force larger than his frame, crumbled to ash.

Ronan and Erma removed the draped silk and hung it against the front side of the platform before they gathered Arik’s ashes in a golden urn. They placed the urn in the gentle blaze and stepped aside when the flames leapt up to greet its newest occupant.

Each pack member rose in solemn silence, removed their red sashes of mourning, and added them to the blaze. Each addition was marked by the leaping flames and the sorrowed crackling, as if even the fire understood its destructive purpose in the moment.

Lelah stepped forward and extinguished the fire with the barest wave of her hand. Mourn no more, Talas of the Blue Ridge pack. You have welcomed the era of a new Mikko, and the former is safely in my care. May you find peace and strength in the coming days.

She bowed deeply to the pack and vanished.

Kyran turned to face the pack, telling them to prepare to feast the following day. Today they should spend the rest of the day in remembrance of a mighty male.

Kyran reread the request from the Mikko of the nearby Oconee pack. Apparently, his desire to end the war was reason enough for the Mikko to approach him with his distasteful offer.

Lycans didn’t take leadership lightly. If his request was any indication, the Oconee Mikko wasn’t a real leader. Any Mikko who would approach another with the intention of dumping responsibility on them generally ended up dead with their entire pack seized.

Kyran tossed aside the request and studied Ronan’s plan of attack. The Oconee Mikko would soon learn that despite the whispered rumors doubting his sanity, Kyran was far from weak. He would give the worthless male a chance to die as honorable leaders do in dominance challenge or to be killed in a way that was a reflection of his shortcomings.

Chapter Two

Deep under the Hunter’s central headquarters just north of Atlanta, Georgia, Alexis James sat on the rough pine bench opposite her locker. The combination locker-slash-weapon room wasn’t much to look at: splashes of gray paint on the walls, eye gouging red lockers, and cement floors that were often like pumice stones against her otherwise smooth feet.

She packed her weapons into a black duffel, which creaked in its newness, the leather complaining at her refusal to understand its capacity limits. She held an awed reverence for her weapons. Each blade, gun, and her single modified crossbow was weighted and balanced specifically for her. Alexis ran a gentle finger across the cool metal stirrup of her crossbow the color of headstones and let a smile drift onto her face.

With the exception of one assignment that she fought every day to forget, Alexis had gone months without a mission. She felt like an itchy trigger finger, but today she had a meeting with the council member responsible for her assignments.

A sudden increase in noise forced Alexis to turn from her locker and her beloved crossbow, only to find the women of her sector falling all over themselves in classless fashion for the man who just entered the unisex locker room. Suddenly, once secured towels fell like hammers on an anvil, all in the name of garnering his attention. Unfortunately for them all, he reserved it for one woman.

Alexis came from a long line of top-ranked Hunters, and at twenty- four, dodging claws and teeth was more important to her than changing diapers. Regrettably, the man with the seemingly intoxicating gait wanted her for marriage, sex, and children. Not necessarily in that order.

She scowled as he came to a stop by the bench on which she sat at and stared at her body, covered only by a towel. If lust had fingers, they would be tearing the towel away under his piercing gaze.

Alexis, we need to talk.

We always talk, Theo. I’m going to start praying to God for fewer talks.

Come on, Lexi. You can’t keep telling me no.

She grimaced. First, only my mother calls me that. Second, yes, I can. See, watch. She paused. No.

Theo leaned into one of the lockers, crossing his legs at the ankles. Think about it. As the top Hunters, we could—

Ugh, be still my heart. Alexis rolled her eyes. Theo, I know all of that, and yet I still find your proposal lacking. Just do me a favor and stop asking.

Why won’t you marry me?

Do you want the long or short version?

Am I really that bad? I mean look at me.

Damn her, but she trailed her eyes over him. Theo didn’t offer her anything that would make for a long-lasting relationship. Though if she didn’t think too hard about what he lacked, she could admit that she couldn’t go wrong with the creamy pale skin that stretched over his gym-carved body.

At twenty-eight, he was the perfect specimen of a man, with his light dusting of freckles across the bridge of his nose and his closely cropped brilliant red hair that clashed violently with the lockers he leaned against.

She caught the spark of amusement in his pale green eyes, as if he was aware of her thoughts as her gaze raked over him. He was a god in dark washed jeans and a ribbed t-shirt that displayed his body for her more indecent impulses. If only he wasn’t so…Theo.

An expression, something between seductive and a leer, passed over his chiseled features. Her face heated, but she held his gaze.

After a rough mental shake to dislodge the images of what his body could do if given the chance, Alexis filtered through possible responses to his arousing presence.

Theo, I’m not ready to get married. And before you ask again, yes, I have observed you. If that’s all you have to offer, then you might want to save it for someone who wants less in a spouse than I do.

He pulled away from the lockers and sat next to her on the bench—closer than she liked—so she put a little distance between them. Even though they were seated, she was forced to look up at him. At five-one, she was short by societal standards. As a Hunter, she was like a miniature pony, only taken seriously when she trampled over her victim.

We could always do what Carla and Shawn are doing if you don’t want to get married.

Alexis cringed at the mention of the procreation-only relationship that those two shared. On their best days, Carla and Shawn hated each other. On their worst, they were nuclear. The only thing that they agreed on was the love that they had for their twin boys, Jordan and Tristan.

The need for new Hunters bordered on desperation, as they were down to only two hundred to protect the entire planet. It was a shame considering that the ranks once topped over ten thousand.

She shuddered. I face the threat of death every day. You want me to be miserable, too?

He ran his hand through his hair, frustration coming off of him in waves. I was only using them as an example.

She already knew the reasons that he pursued her so relentlessly, and none of them had to do with love. Theo’s attraction to her was linked to the fact that she was the next choice for the soon-to-be vacated female slot on the Edict Council.

Theo loved nothing more than to be associated with those in power. The mention of potentially having his children did nothing to ally her suspicions regarding his offer. Plenty of less defective females were more than willing to give him the attention he wanted. Granted, none of them were nearly as adept in the field as she was.

The Council, made up of twenty-five former Hunters, was equivalent to the Hunters management. They were responsible for everything from acquiring property to assigning hunt missions. She wasn't likely to be a welcome addition, but the selection of the next member of the Council required a top-ranked, active duty Hunter of the same sex to replace the former council member. Despite months of inactivity, Alexis was the most successful female Hunter, which might explain why her more recent missions had been so deadly. They wanted to kill her before the Councilwoman Annabelle’s retirement.

Then you should pick a better one if you want to increase your already slim chances with me. Not that it really matters. The answer’s still no.

You’re lucky I even pay you any attention, Lexi. He pointed to the women at the front of the room. I could have anyone in here. Do you think you have those same options? Especially after your failure of a brother, he sneered and rose from the bench. "I’ll let you think about it. You know where to find me when you change your mind." He left the room, his groupies swooning after him.

She snorted. Thinking about it wouldn’t change her mind. Alexis didn’t share the need to procreate like most Hunters. All relationships—happy or otherwise—were expected to result in potential Hunters. She was an anomaly, defective because of her height and overall smaller build than other Hunters were not handicaps she wanted mirrored in her offspring.

Theo didn’t earn any favors when he threw her brother’s recent death—a death she was forced to mourn in silence—in her face. She was already living a life wrought with battle after battle just to prove she was a valuable asset to the Hunters’ cause. Now she was being tormented with her beloved brother’s failures. The fact that Theo desired her for nothing more than her familial legacy and her potential for a council seat, despite the many covert ways the council tried to get her killed, was just another reason that they could never be anything more than competition.

At one time in her life, lost somewhere in her shattered childhood, she had believed in fairy tales and happily-ever-afters. Now she only knew how to kill or be killed, bring death or roll over and die. She’d lived and thrived in the face of those who sought to crush her. She had no choice. Her brother's death should mean something, even if she had to spend the rest of her life killing the ones that caused such a drastic change in his perspective. She'd avenge him if it took her dying breath.

Turning her attention from her depressed musings, Alexis dressed as she always did for a Hunt—cargo pants, a plain shirt, and comfortable boots—everything solid black. She pulled her waist-length hair, its color and sheen closely resembling licorice jelly beans, back into a single, unyielding braid. When she was done, she grabbed her small bag of clothes and weapon bag and went to meet Nigel, the council member responsible for her assignments.

At thirty, Nigel was the youngest member of the Council, but he didn’t act like it. He preferred books to people; thus she knew she would find him in the library buried behind a desk cluttered with tomes in various languages.

Nigel lived a reclusive life that held him apart from others save for his duties regarding the Council. He had messy, shoulder-length chestnut hair, rugged features, intelligent blue eyes, and a vicious kill count. While he was moderately attractive, it was his brain that she found sexiest. It really was a shame that he wasn’t married. They could use more brilliant Hunters.

Hey, Nigel. Where am I going?

He pushed his long hair away from his face before he turned his gaze away from his book and the furious scratching of his notes.

One minute, AJ. I have to… His voice trailed off as he went back to his notes.

At first glance, Nigel could easily be mistaken for a nerd. His wiry, unkempt appearance didn’t add an air of malice to his seemingly weak presence, but hidden under the bulk of his ill-fitting clothes were corded muscles that rippled over his lanky frame. Muscles that he kept honed for a fight through weights and various forms of martial arts.

Alexis drifted around the room, glancing at the several stacks of books in the seemingly random piles, and let him work. Getting impatient and trying to force a conversation out of him was useless. Nigel was among the best she had ever encountered at the tune-out strategy.

Under normal circumstances, waiting for Nigel to finish his thoughts was no big deal. With the exception of one nightmarish assignment, Alexis had been off rotation for months. It only took ten minutes before she found herself stalking around a room made too small by its floor to ceiling bookshelves. Nigel’s bony fingers cracked, and he stretched his lean frame before he rose from his seat.

Alex, sorry, that was research for a pending Hunt. He handed her a file and gestured for her to open it before he continued. You’re going to Suches, Georgia. He gave her a knowing look. I wouldn’t have given this assignment to you, but the higher-ups demanded it.

She nodded, knowing that it was yet another test that the Elder Council—the Hunter’s governing council and the true ruling body of the Hunters—was handing out to her. Yet another task that she had to do to prove she wasn’t like her brother. She was tired of the tests, but she’d been submitted to them since the day she started training to be a Hunter.

She turned her attention to the file and flipped through the photos inside.

That, he said, pointing to one of the photos, is the work of a rogue in the area.

The bloodbath in the photos was almost the worst she had ever seen, training videos included. The exception was her last clean-up mission. If she thought too hard about it, she could still smell the blood that caked the walls.

She stared at the photos, absorbing the details and applauding herself on not redecorating the carpet with her lunch.

Lycan rank and species?

He looked down at his desk. It’s a Tala. Alpha if the damage is any indication.

In most lore, there was only one Alpha. For the Lycans, however, alpha was a denotation to all dominates while omegas denoted the submissives.

Alexis studied the photos and tried to assess how a wolf had managed to create so much carnage from only two bodies. She would have assumed the Lycan was feral, but research on Lycan text said that feral Lycans had no control. They slaughtered all in their paths. This Alpha Lycan was just a rogue, meaning he slaughtered with purpose. Not that he’d get a pardon from the Hunters.

Giving up, she met Nigel’s tired gaze. Is there anything else that I should know?

There is a pack in the area, supposedly a large one, so take some precautions. As of right now, I am still gathering some intel on the pack, so don’t actively hunt them. The driver is ready whenever you are.

Alexis gave Nigel a nod, which he missed because he had already turned his full attention back to his book, and headed for the door. A blacked out SUV with its engine running was waiting for her. Assuming it was her ride, she opened the hatch, loaded her bags inside, and climbed into the back seat.

The driver turned around gave her a nod. He told her that he was waiting for one more just before the rear door opened, two solid bags landed in the rear, and the door opposite of her opened.

What are you doing here? It’s one freaking rogue. I think I can handle it.

Theo’s eyes danced with amusement. Relax, Lexi, everything isn’t about you. There is a report of a rogue Shiriki about thirty miles south of your Tala. The Council told me to leave with you.

The Shiriki were relatively tame compared to the other Lycans, but the coyotes could still do some pretty heinous work when the mood suited them. Apparently it had, because Theo was being sent in for the kill. Ranked number one among the males, Theo’s kill count just two shy of the sixty-five her brother had managed to accumulate before his death. The fact that the council was sending him meant that the risk for exposure was high, and he excelled at the business of killing.

She nodded and settled for flipping open her file, anything to avoid meeting his gaze. Theo laughed and turned his attention to his own folder. He could be accused of many things, but she couldn’t call him a slouch when it came to being a Hunter.

Never in his ten years as a Hunter had he gotten as much as a scratch. Nor had he gone off the grid, which was something that she preferred. Not being able to locate her drove those in the command center insane, probably due more to their desire to know the second she was dead than out of any concern for her well-being.

In spite of their indifference to her safety, once she settled into her kill zone, Alexis turned off her phone thus disconnecting the GPS. She liked to hunt alone, and nothing said alone like not having a way to call for backup. Though that wasn’t entirely true.

Every Hunter was equipped with a GPS tracker that was only activated when two halves were pressed together. Alexis’ was a jeweled medallion that hung from the small hoops in her ears. If pressed, it would send a GPS location to the command center for the purpose of body retrieval. Those with a morbid sense of humor called it a Hunter’s Last Call.

How the researchers managed to get the intel on Lycans was always a mystery, but she was grateful for the help it gave her. She

Reviews for The Lycan Hunter

[jenivan1000 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was okay. It was enjoyable, a good summer read I suppose, but there was just way too many characters. The timing/pace of the book confused me a bit as well (so I usually went back to re-read). However, I still look forward to the next book.

[dpiccini · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I received this book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.I wanted very much to love this book, as I absolutely love paranormal fiction, but I just couldn't. There were a lot of Gods and Goddesses to try to keep straight, but I was enjoying trying.As this was Kelsey's first book in the series, I am looking forward to reading the next book to see if it gets easier. Once I start a series, I have to find out how it ends!

[dlynch-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The last thing Lycan Hunter, Alexis James, expects is to be saved by a wolf. Pack leader, Mikko Kyran, will do what it takes to stop the war, even playing nice with the local Lycan Hunter. Neither one of them expects to be part of a prophecy. Lycan Hunter was an exciting and creative novel. It kept me intrigued and wanting more.The characters are well-developed and believable. I especially enjoyed, Mikko Kyran, founder and leader of The Order of the Rockys. He is a likeable character and good leader.The plot was original and carefully thought out. This story felt unique and complex. Jordan did a wonderful job with her descriptions and painting a vivid world.Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

[jayblac21 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was a good book I enjoyed it. Shape Shifters, Hunters, Gods, Goddesses and guardian angels War and Romance. What's not to like. The book was a good length even so I was surprised when it, the story was really getting good. looking forward to book 2. Can't wait to see what Camden And Aryanna get into also cant wait to see what happens with omar and anise

[dawna.kreis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free through the Early Reviewers program on LibraryThing. However, this is an honest review and my opinion of this book.When it comes to paranormal, my tastes tend to lean a good deal more toward werewolves than vampires. If I were a fan of the Twilight series books, which I am not, I would likely be part of Team Jacob. So, when this book was shared with me, I found I was quite excited and cracked it open at my earliest opportunity.I found that I quite enjoyed the tale Ms Jordan wove. The idea of the hunter living among the hunted, even becoming sympathetic to their situation and later being assimilated into the pack was a fairly unique one for me. I have always been a fan, however, of the "fish out of water" theme, in which one is asked to learn of situations and those which are completely foreign to them. So, it is one that thoroughly grabbed hold of my imagination.With that being said... Despite the fact that I had consciously exchanged my "editor hat" for my reader, which was firmly in place, I did find errors missed in editing to be quite distracting. It is for that reason why I didn't feel as though I could give it 5 stars despite the enjoyment I derived from it.I would, however, recommend this book to those who enjoy paranormal stories centered around werewolves. I am also very much looking forward to reading the next book in the series, which - as I understand it - is scheduled to be released in the near future .

[jadavid-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book. I really liked the characters. Some were somewhat flawed, but most were likeable. The only thing that I didn't like was the timing. It seemed to flip around until I wasn't sure about time. Sorry if it doesn't make sense. Anyway, I liked the book, it was entertaining.

[meggie_3 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I wish I could provide a more coherent review, but I simply found the whole thing to be bad.The characters felt flat, lifeless, and devoid of agency until even they were confused about what they were supposed to be doing, where they were supposed to be, when, and why any of it mattered. The pacing was horribly rushed. There were too many named characters running around who mattered. I wasn't sure if the protagonists were the gods, or the Lycans, or the Hunters, or nobody at all, or anybody at all.There were several problems with word choices ("dominates" instead of "dominants" to refer to a plural number of individuals with dominant personalities; "tenants" instead of "tenets" of a religion, that sort of thing). The descriptions were lifeless and didn't provide any sort of symmetry or allegory - in one particularly cringe-worthy incident, a woman of color’s features are physically compared to melting chocolate.The basic plot was one I’ve seen before - the hunter joins the hunted - in numerous genres and formats. It still had the potential to be interesting, but there were too many named characters, too many events, and too little coherence knitting things together. As the book progressed, the gods literally appeared from on high well over a dozen times (possibly more!) to steer the main characters back into carrying out their bidding.It left the book cluttered with named characters, lacking in direction, and generally floundering through what otherwise could have been an entertaining story.