Shapeshifting – Nonfiction and Nonsense

Into the Flame by Christina Dodd

I was supposed to have finished a book on sociology for this week’s review, but it is taking me longer to read than I originally thought (I’ll explain more next week). So instead this week I have finished reading the fourth book in the Darkness Chosen series, Into the Flame.

So I made a few predictions about some plot points in the book and I was wrong about the Wilder daughter, sort of. Although she does not initially find the fourth icon she does end up bringing it back to the family. The fourth son is technically the one who finds it, but like all the other Varinski men he cannot touch it. He manages to remove it from its hiding place by wrapping it up, and after he has hidden it Firebird finds it and brings it to the family home. I also had this idea that the fourth son was possibly an illegitimate son of Konstantine’s from before he ran away with Zorana, but I was wrong about that too.

The series ends nicely, it’s a happy ending with a massacre preceding it. Overall, it’s a decent series, not nearly one of the best ones that I’ve ever read, but I might be willing to read at least the second and third books again. If you’re looking for an easy read, something to take for a day by the pool, you can choose any one of these books, you can finish one in a day.

Into the Shadow by Christina Dodd

Fiction

I was able to read the third book in the Darkness Chosen series over this past week and it was just as good as the previous book, Touch of Darkness. The plot is kind of similar to the last book, as we follow the story of the third brother, Adrik, and his love interest, Karen, who are far from their homes and the rest of the Wilder family who are back in the states. Now that I have enjoyed two out of the three books in this series, I am optimistic that I will enjoy the fourth, which I already have ready to go in my to read pile on my dresser. I have a feeling that I know who the fourth son is, the prophecy is so far coming true as it was told, and while I originally thought that maybe the Wilder daughter would step in and find the fourth icon, I don’t think it’s going to turn out that way. There is another man that I can’t wait to be introduced to.

I am currently reading a very interesting book on a topic in sociology, but if I manage to finish it early, I think the fourth and final book in this series could be my bonus Friday blog next week.

Touch of Darkness by Christina Dodd

Fiction

I like this book a lot more than the first book in the Darkness Chosen series, there is more action, a better story, and it is much more spicy. We follow the second eldest Wilder brother, Rurik, the ex military pilot and current archaeologist, as he searches for one of the four icons that his family is desperately trying to find. Unlike how the icon was discovered in Scent of Darkness, finding the second piece requires research, deciphering ancient pictures and symbols, and actual digging. I found this much more exciting than having the icon just falling into the lap of the prophesied chosen one. I love the female love interest in this story as well, Tasya, she is the complete opposite of Ann and I absolutely admire her strength and independence. The entire book gives the feeling of reading a well written movie script, and, in fact, I would love to see this made into a film, I think it would be amazing.

I have a feeling that out of all the books in this series this one might end up being my favorite. I could be wrong, maybe I just liked this one so much because it makes the first one seem bland in comparison. The ending conveniently sets you up for the next book in the series, which is on order, so I’ll be posting a review of it very soon.

Scent of Darkness by Christina Dodd

Fiction

Shapeshifting romance novels are currently very trendy. There seem to be so many of them in existence right now, indeed, it seems more are being published every day, that you would have no problem finding one at any bookstore or second hand book selling site. If this is the type of story you are interested in, consider the Darkness Chosen series if you find yourself overwhelmed with choices and are open to suggestions. Scent of Darkness fulfills the craving for someone who is looking for a book in the human to animal transformation combined with a love story genre. The first book in this four part series sets the premise for what we can expect to happen in the form of a prophecy, parts of which are already fulfilled by the end of this book. I predict that all parts of the prophecy will become reality by the end of the series, and I’m going to continue reading just so I can see if I am correct. This wasn’t the most captivating book I have ever read, but I wasn’t entirely disappointed, I didn’t think it was a waste of my time, and I do want to see what happens. Also, the spicy bits in it certainly helped me to enjoy it. If you are someone who lacks patience, the spice happens pretty early on, but then you do have to read for a while before you get to the next racy bit.