Review : Bonds Of Fenris by S.J Bell

Summary (from Goodreads)

Talia Thornwood's life ended one year ago, when she became a werewolf. She survived the attack, and the horrifying transformation a month later, but the life she has now is barely worth living. She lurks about in a filthy, run-down house, with too many werewolves crammed into too small a space. Every day is a struggle against the stress of human contact, the romantic prodding of her obnoxious packmate Pierce, and the gnawing hunger for flesh in her soul.

She's all but resigned herself to a dreary existence on the margins of society when she meets Corwin. Corwin is a werewolf like none other. He walks among humans as if it was nothing, and can keep his wolf under control even when the moon is full. Talia's mind is suddenly opened to the possibilities before her, and the realization of how little she really knows about lycanthropy.

Corwin claims that he can teach her how to cope as he does, even how to transcend her affliction. But it will not be easy. It is a hard education that requires her to question everything her pack taught her, and confront exactly what she has become. And, more amazingly, what she never stopped being.

Personal Thoughts

When I first started Bonds Of Fenris, I had no idea of what to expect from the book. I thought it would be yet another supernatural YA book. I was wrong. Bonds Of Fenris was a lot more than that. It was definitely not your typical YA werewolf story and I think everyone should give this book a shot.

Bonds Of Fenris tells the story of Talia who has just turned into a werewolf and is slowly learning to control and accept wholly her werewolf side. With the help of Corwin, she slowly begins her apprenticeship. However, things aren't as easy as it seems.

Talia goes through a dilemma in the book. Learning to accept and fully embrace who she was wasn't something easy for her. I liked her as a character, but unfortunately trying to be in synch with her wasn't something easy, especially because her personality was different to mine. Maybe, if she was a little more developed than she was, I would have appreciated her character a little more. Also, seeing her go through the numerous hurdles in the book was very interesting, in my opinion.

The romance in the book wasn't the instant love kind. The characters slowly got to know each other and then started to fall for each other over the course of the book. It's always captivating when the characters fall for each other gradually because it's so much easier to find it realistic.

One complaint I had with Bonds Of Fenris was the pacing of the story. I felt like some parts were way too rushed which dampened my enjoyment of the book. Other than that, the author's writing style is brilliant. S.J Bell manages to encompass the harsh difficulties of being a werewolf remarkably. I loved how everything wasn't as simple as that. In fact, the life of a werewolf was very complex as depicted in Bonds Of Fenris.

Overall, I think that Bonds Of Fenris was a somewhat unique addition to the YA werewolf genre. It was different, yet enjoyable since it was fairly realistic. The ideas and concepts in the book were so refreshing that I have no doubt that many readers will enjoy the book.

Rating

Cover : 3/5

Plot : 4/5

Characters : 3/5

Writing : 3/5