The Undoing (Call Of Crows)

I am not sure where to start, except to say that I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!! 5 MAGNIFICENT, MIND-BLOWING, BREATHTAKING STARS!!!!!!! What an awesome ride into a wonderful world filled with the descendants of Vikings. This story is the second book in the Call of Crows series and I enjoyed it immensely. I made sure to read every single word because it was that enthralling. This is the story of Jacinda "Jace" Berisha, a raging Crow Berserker turned by Skuld and Danski "Ski" Eriksen, Keeper of the Word and second in command to Ormi, Leader of the Protectors. The Protectors are Owls, how insanely cool is that!!! He even wears a sleeveless white hoodie and can turn his head 270 degrees,Lol. Jace is an introvert and I related to her in so many ways... "She was an antisocial introvert who didn't hate people...just small talk." That's me! Lol. This was a wonderful story of a woman who had been put in a cult by her Mum at the age of 10 for a decade before her husband killed her and Ski, the Protector who knew, she was the one for him. There were so many hilarious moments that I was in stitches from laughing so hard. My favorite... "Well?" Jace pushed. "Well what?" "For me. Please." "Stop saying that!" Ski let out a very angry but resigned breath, He looked directly at Rundstom and snarled, "Thank you for saving my life." The raven stared at Ski a moment before bellowing, "Now you owe your soul to me!" Hahahahahaha....Ski had to thank Vig, a Raven, whom they despise because they think they are stupid, for saving his life during a recent fight with the Carrions, nasty, beasty things that you can't really kill, unless you have a Hel's blade, and he didn't want to do it. Lol, I laughed so hard imaging that scene. It was just brilliant for me. As per usual, Laurenston had me from the word go and I just enjoyed every morsel and sucked all of it into my being. This story is filled with love, so much love, loyalty, pranks as only the Crows can do, heartache, and so much action and blood. I really love the fighting and blood part. I wonder what that says about me. Lol. All of the secondary characters are awesome and we learn even more about Viking lore and their ancestors. I could go on and on and on, but I'll stop for now. 5 stars!!!!!

What happens when you take trademark Laurenston humor and action, mixed with a ton of Norse mythology and a dash of romance? This series is what happens. Ms. Laurenston’s latest urban fantasy series is hard to describe but a hoot to read. The premise: The second book in the series begins a few weeks after the first book ends. The Crows, a group of women who have been given a second chance at life by serving the nordic goddess Skuld, are just finding out that Gullveig, the big Bad introduced in the first book, isn’t as vanquished as they thought she was. There are nine Clans that were formed by various gods and goddesses to work towards preventing Ragnarok, aka the apocalypse, or at least an incredibly bad day. The Crows are one of the Clans, but they all play a part in this story, as well as cameos by several gods including (dumb as a hammer) Thor, Odin, Tyr and Freyja. This is the overarching storyline that drives it all, and while there’s plenty of exposition given to get the reader up to speed when necessary, I do recommend reading the first book. Jace is my soul sister-Crow: Jacinda “Jace” Berisha, is the sister-Crow at the heart of this entry and we get a glimpse of her first Life as the wife of a crazy bastard cult leader. From the prologue on, I was solidly in Jace’s corner. It also didn’t hurt that Jace is an anti-social introvert who will take a good book and her dog Lev over (most) people. Frankly, she’s a girl after my own heart. Ski’s hot and nerdy, just like I like ‘em: Danski “Ski” Eriksen, one of the Protectors, wears glasses, is just as into books as his bethren but a better at the social game than anyone else. He’s nerdy but self-aware, a great combination. He also needs Jace’s help in translating some old Russian books he and his Protector brothers found. Jace captivates him but she’s a bit oblivious and I liked that alot. Ski’s a great gamma type of hero - as essentially the protector of his Protector brothers, he’s perfectly equipped to deal with their introverted, absent-minded professor ways. This also makes him the perfect man to love Jace. That dash of romance: I think that going into this read with the mindset of urban fantasy rather than a more traditional paranormal romance helped my enjoyment because my expectations were tempered. When I say a dash, while each book is anchored by a love story, it’s the big picture and the day-to-day lives and interactions between all these different warriors and gods that drives the narrative. The romance is like a tasty, sexy garnish rather than the meat of the tale. This story is clearly unfolding over several books, and there’s alot of moving parts at work. It can make some scenes with alot of explanations of the Gods and their relationship a bit unwieldy. That said, I truly enjoyed getting to see more of the ‘verse, the different characters, as well as deepening the relationships established in the first book. The Bottom Line I always enjoy a chance to visit one of Ms. Laurenston’s diverse and hella-funny worlds, and The Undoing builds and expands on the first book so well, I can’t wait to see what’s next. The Crows are moving up my list of favorites and if you’re into urban fantasy/paranormal romances, I encourage you to give Ms. Laurenston’s (who also publishes under the name G.A. Aiken) books a shot. **ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review** For more reviews, visit [...]

I loved this book! I just love it when two book loving nerds find love together. It means there is hope out there for the rest of us. It has been awhile since I read the “Unleashing” and I forgot so many of the things about the Crows, Ravens and Protectors. But in a good way it was cool because I rediscovered how much I loved this series. I won’t however spoil those things and leave you to rediscover them for your selves or discover them for the first time. Jace is definitely one the most misunderstood Crows in the murder and after reading this book I totally got her. The life she lived before becoming a crow was not pleasant. She was force to act, say and do things she didn’t want. So I get why she stays quiet and keeps to herself (introvert) after she became a Crow. She is extreme intelligent and hates chit chat with a passion. She’ll bale on you using any means necessary to get away from you and your small talk. She is versed in a dozen different languages and prefers to be left alone with her puppy Lev. Jace is a heavy reader and can usually be found doing so in odd places where her sister Crows wouldn’t think to find her. Danski ‘Ski” is second in command of the Protectors. He is also known as the “Keeper of the Word”. Ski is a swoon worthy guy not just because he is handsome and built but because he is nerdy looking especially with his glasses and he is full of 80’s movie clichés. He has a big heart and he is a worrier. He is an over thinker and he is constantly taking care of the other Protectors and Jace. Ski turned into a Jewish mother more than a few times during the story “Are you hungry?” “No.” “Ok I feed you” so so funny. Ski also wants to help Jace anyway he can. He isn’t shy about his intentions and he is bold and can be playful in his pursuit. Jace just might be in trouble. What both Jace and Ski have in common is a love for books and they also both prefer alone time with themselves with exception of their pets. Ski has a cat named Salka (mean little thing except to Jace). I found it weird that Jace despises chit chat but had some of the oddest/weirdest, funniest and most alarming off the wall conversation with Ski and seemed perfectly fine. It shows just how odd they are and how much they have in common that they can talk about this stuff and find it interesting. I liked that the Crows, Ravens and Protectors have pets though it seems a little odd. I know that they are human (ish) but it’s hard to see pets in their crazy world though they seem to managing just fine. But I love Brodie Hawaii and her wings and Salka and Nikolayevich Tolstoy “Lev”. It definitely makes for a fun story when Bear gets involved. Jace fits in more with the Protectors than she does the Crows. The Protectors leave her to work and don’t bug her. They seem to understand her better. Something that struck me as weird was that even though the Protectors were keepers of knowledge none of them knew Russian. Shouldn’t they all be well versed in speaking, reading and writing in multiple languages and dialects? Jace is being more open with the Protectors than she is with crows though they never really asked. She feels a kinship to them and she shares her past with Protectors. Jace wants the Protectors to be more social with Crows and Ravens and for them all to get along. This means there will be more fun and shenanigans in the future when all three get together. Bear is hilarious and I think I fell in love with him during this book. It’s like he had his nose stuck in a book his whole life and just now looked up and is discovering things for the first time. Everything from woman, courting customs, pets and their care to Shifters. It’s all new and foreign to him and he can’t seem to compute it. And I love his OCD and his care/worry for the books. He is definitely holds a place in my heart. I hope he gets his own story it will be hilarious and so sweet…maybe not for the girl but for the readers yes or at least this one. There is more things I want to talk about but it would all be spoilers and I don’t want to spoil this story anymore than I already have for anyone it’s that good.

This is the second book in her Call of Crows series and it's just as awesome as the first. While it is the second book in the series you can easily read it without having read the first one and not be lost. I have to admit I wondered about Jace in the first book. What her history was and why she was the way she was, and I got the information to satisfy my curiosity about her in this book. This series is a bit darker that her previous Pride series, but still has her awesome ability to tell a story, her use of sarcasm and humor only add to story and comes across as very natural and "real". While the story line of them being women who died violently and were give a second life (and it is a second life and not immortality like a lot of other authors go for) to serve the Nordic goddess Skuld could be considered very out there, she does a great job of weaving that part of the story with the modern age and making you think that you, or someone you know, would have said that or done this in the same situation. I fell in love with Shelly Laurenston as an author with her Pride series and now she is a pre-order as soon as I know a new book is coming out and this series just reinforces that decision. Her humor, wit, sarcasm, characters and action make her books a wonderful read and this book is no exception. I have already pre-ordered the next book in the series The Unyielding due out next year! If you love your romance with plenty of action, humor and well written characters don't pass up this book!!!

Having been given a choice of life as a crow or continued death, Jace Berisha took the chance as a crow. Her second life has been good so far, but she could live with a little bit of quiet. The crow women are a talkative bunch and most think she is shy, however that is far from Jace is. Jace would rather spend her time reading a book and cuddling with her puppy Lev. Protector Ski Eriksen, a Viking Clan, needs Jace's help. They have acquired books that need translation, but Jace has declined the job offer. Ski though is persistent because his interest is not only in Jace taking the job, it is also to see if he can get close enough to ask her out. When push comes to shove and Jace is ordered to take a job, she runs to Ski. Heaven, that is what Jace feels like she is in when she realizes that Protector's are more like her than the crow's. It is a wonderful balance, but her loyalty as always is to her fellow sister crows. As danger seems to be ramping up and her assignments becoming more brutal, it becomes clear that the clans need to join together to protect not only the humans but the world. Ski and Jace grow closer but can they fight off the god who is out to destroy everything? Loved this, there are several laugh out loud moments. All the favorite characters from the first book are involved plus a few added surprises. Loved Bear, he is a hoot and so literal. Jace was a surprise because you don't really know her story when the book starts and it is a shocker. Ski is adorable, he has a natural need to protect and is very sweet when it comes to Jace. Excellent read, author always exceeds expectations, can't wait to see which characters are getting their book next.

4 stars - It was really good Everyone thinks Jace Berisha is shy and antisocial but they couldn’t be further from the truth. She isn’t shy, she just doesn’t like small talk and socializing with most people. When she is tasked with translating for the Protectors she finds herself surrounded by people who understand her, especially Ski Eriksen. Like almost all of Laurenston’s books, this was another action packed adventure with some kickass characters. Jace was a wonderful heroine who has finally found her place in the world. She really bloomed and opened up to everyone in this book, while also being her antisocial self. I really related with Jace because I enjoyed being around people but usually prefer to observe instead of interact. Her past was heartbreaking but it really made her a strong, and deadly, woman in her second life. Ski was a wonderful and supportive hero. He never pushed Jace and understood her like no other man had before. I really enjoyed getting to know the Protectors and their dedication to learning. I really connected to their drive to protect and preserve books and the constant need to self-educate. They were great side characters and I want to know more about them. I really enjoyed the action in this one. The battles were great and the enemy was a very tricky one. So no complaints there. My absolute favorite thing about this series though is the friendships and found family elements. I love the friendship between Kara, Jace and Erin and the other Crows. You can really feel the bond between all the women and it is wonderful. I can't get enough of this series with its blend of action, romance, and friendship. Trigger Warnings: References to cults, forced marriage, and domestic abuse leading to death.

I loved this book and continue to love this series and Shelly Laurenston. Many of the 5 star reviews capture what I thought as well, so let's Reader' Digest this review: Looking for Paranormal Fantasy Storyline: Yes! But definitely read the first book, or you'll be lost. This is world building at it finest (and SL has left herself myriad opportunity to go multiple directions with the presence of other pantheons), but if you like a simple, small number of characters easily wrapped up storyline, you may find this taxing. Looking for Sex: Yes and No. There's not much sex in this book. When there is, its great and pretty hot (as Viking sex is), but this, like the Dragonkin books progressively became as the series progressed, seems to have too much story to cover to devote more than a few hot scenes to doin' it. IMO, this is not a negative, unless you really wanted a lot of hot sex (in which case -- go read Charlotte Stein!) Looking for Characters to Whom You Are Already or Want to Be Devoted : Yes! Some have complained that there are too many characters -- well there are a lot but they are pretty much awesome. How do you know when the author is doing it right? When you are excited to see previously-introduced ones (Kera, Vig - and huge continuity shout out, Neecy! From Hunting Season!), you like the new ones (Bear. So, so much) and you find yourself speculating about whose book may be "next" and with whom they might be paired (Erin and Steig? Katja and someone amazing?). Looking for a Break from "Romance" Tropes: Yes. yes. Here there be women who are, variously: kick ass. multicultural and multi-racial. not always skinny. not always dumb for a man. not always 18-25 (for REAL Betty needs her own book. sayin'.)

Shelly Laurenston has a great sense of humor if you enjoy reading series where you get a plot you enjoy unfolding that is good through out there is none of the just get past this boring bit when reading. More than once on Shelly Laurenston books I've read the description thought oh ok got nothing else new at the moment and then end up really enjoying the books as well as looking forward to the next one. I'd thought nothing would be as enjoyable as her Badgers especially when saw this incorporated using gods of myths but I was wrong the Badgers are my favorite but I'm so looking forward to more books from this series, Bear, Erin, Annalise, Steig are just a few of the characters I'm waiting for their own books though I suppose since some are Protectors some Ravens etc, the different clans may be different series with cross overs however Ms Laurenston develops the series its going to be enjoyable combine a good sense of reality, compassion for the strife trouble in world people face in their lives, a strong sense of ridiculous, creativeness [its true there are limits to plots a genuine need to be able to creative new development of characters makes Shelly Laurenston a must read]