The Fifth Moon's Wolf (The Fifth Moon's Tales Book 1) Kindle Edition

The world was vivid and the characters well rounded, but the interactions between the characters left MUCH to be desired. The connections, desires and actions of the protagonists were left to be explained by the readers minds as we were left without any reason as to why their connection was so deep without any sign of love. No love can exist without calm encounters and the entirety of the story revolved around lust driven sexual encounters which ALL ended with his leaving and her left to feel/wonder if she was anything more or even close to the courtesan that use to be in her place. His only explanation was that she turned him on like no other. Yeah, so? Maybe it is better explained in the next volumes of the series but I will not be reading them, this story did not draw me in.

I have read many hundreds of paranormal romances involving shifters. This is the first book that has the had me scrambling for foot holes. The world that was created by the author was so unlike anything that I was familiar with. To me that is amazing. She kept my mind whirling to create an imagine of the world she so masterfully put together. My heart cried out for Mirella. I could actually feel her torment, fear, longing, and love. I didn't like Valentine at first. He seemed very cold, and cruel. I couldn't have been more wrong. The two main characters are products of their environment the long for something better. The supporting characters are just as well developed. I'd love to have friends like Valentine has in Dragon and Gabriel, Mirella's sisters (Lucilla & Vera) remind me of my sister and best friend. All the characters are well developed. The plot had angst, intrigue, suspense, and love. I do not like RONDA AT ALL!!! All the components I love in a book. This story woven by Monica La Porta has me screaming for more. When an author can take me to a place in mind I've never been before and has me wanting more is a success in my book. Thank you for the wonderful journey Monica and I look forward to reading more of your world.

This author always gives us entry into her imaginary world, but this one is really out of this world! Our hero, Valentine Lobo, is centuries old and a werewolf. In fact, he's the last werewolf survivor from the planet Earth, the last of his kind. All of the survivors now live on planet Lupine in the Coral System, and he is their leader. He's been waiting centuries for his Bride, a genetically engineered woman, her sole purpose in living is to mate with Val and produce an heir. He's presented to us as an Alpha, arrogant, controlling, and ruthless. Then we meet the Bride, and this is where my jaw dropped in shock. Mirella is just turning twenty-five, but she has been closeted all of her life, taking lessons and training like a Victorian miss in deportment and manners and her "duty" to produce the next heir. She's not stupid, but she is incredibly naive, sweet and smiling and happy all the time, with no idea of what she's facing. As you read, you begin to realize what's really happening, and she's just so darn nice! You'll want to snatch her up and run away. For the rest of the story, you'll have to get the book and start reading. It's only 99¢ for now, so grab it while you can.
Jgtimm

Really different take on a werewolf story. This one winds up in space in a totally original world. The world building, while totally original and fun to read, was a little disjointed. It is a mix of old victorianish customs, steampunk scifi, with a dash of shifters who actually cant shift anymore. The relationship between the hero and his bride is very well done, with plenty of character building and emotional investment. The authors writing style could a little more fluid however; alot of the sentences seemed incomplete, missing verbs, nouns, or finished thoughts. Maybe a better editor would have helped. the reason I couldnt give this more stars is simple: the "ending." The story stops like a train that the emergency cord has been pulled on. One minute you are hearing the reconciliation of the couple over a pretty huge misunderstanding, the next nano-second the story is over. Without resolving 2 HUGE plot points. 1. who is trying to hurt them? Throughout the whole story there is someone trying to ruin them. Not only do you not find out the identity of the villian/s, they are obviously not caught. Not even a hint. 2. The biggest point of the whole story, the Blessed Bride history and legacy, which is known by the hero but not by the heroine, is never revealed to her. It is a hidden secret through the whole story and you keep waiting for Mirella to find out the real meaning of being a blessed bride, but the book ends with a screeching halt and she never knows the truth. If this is meant as a cliffhanger for a book two, it is an awful way to leave it-amazingly abruptly. One minute he is holding her while she sleeps, and then, boom, no more story. not even a teaser for a book two.

I almost stopped reading this book at the very beginning, but I'm so glad I pressed onward. The narrator's voice is somewhat distant and the mood is bleak at the start of the novel.

Mirella has been bred and raised for one single purpose - marry the last werewolf and bear his heir, a task that will certainly kill her, though she doesn't know about that last bit. She is essentially a sacrificial lamb in an antiquated tradition, which few even remember why it was ever done that way in the first place. Lobo, her husband, is rich, philandering, overbearing, and knows exactly what will happen to his wife - and he doesn't really care.

That's why I almost didn't finish. I hated Valentine Lobo. And Mirella's blasé and simpering attitude didn't help. But I committed to reading at least the first few chapters and I'm glad I did. The characters arc quickly however, as Mirella begins to show some backbone against her husband and Lobo begins to show signs of real affection and loyalty for his wife. That affection grows between them and you find their relationship blooming into a truly passionate, if often misguided, romance. But other unknown forces are up against them and the potential antagonists seem endless. From jealous fits of rage to attempts on Mirella's life, challenges abound. Perhaps the greatest threat of all is their relationship itself, and the reason for it - to produce the heir that will kill the mother.

My biggest complaint is that this book very nearly ends in a cliffhanger, in that the most obvious and critical threat is hardly addressed after the midway point and the main antagonist(s?) are not discovered. However, there is a white-knuckle climax and a sufficient epilogue, and the very last sentence addresses the question that had been bothering me, at least acknowledging that plot thread and promising more in the next book. Good save, Ms. La Porta.

Now for the good stuff - I loved the way the author wove in aspects of a futuristic sci-fi space opera, a gothic romance, spunky steam punk, and a hot paranormal romance. Quite a feat! And she did it seamlessly as if they were all common to one another, rather than blaringly anachronistic.

The language was beautifully chosen; such a relief after reading so much crass romance since I discovered ebooks. Even the common names of body parts were replaced with terms so genteel they might be considered purple, except La Porta made them seem like nothing less than normal for the culture and setting she created.

Her setting was skillfully rendered and described, though it was torture to read that exposition right after a particularly gripping cliffhanger chapter just before (bad timing, IMO, but it was an isolated incident). Even still, La Porta's landscapes and wild beasts fit the tone of this novel perfectly, adding dimension to an already vividly poignant story.

As I mentioned earlier, the characters have distinctive and profound arcs, changing and growing immensely by the end. I never did fall in love with the hero, unfortunately, but I could easily accept that his behaviors were a product of his territorial wolfish blood and an elitist, emotionally destitute life. Same with Mirella. The sheltered and meek heroine would know no better, raised as she was to be nothing more than an ornament, brood mare, and plaything for a misogynistic male. Yet her disposition seemed genuine to me, so I could accept it. It was better than reading about a heroine with forced 'spunk' and contrived rebelliousness and sarcasm that seem to invade all romances. Refreshing to see a different, and probably more credible considering the setting, female lead.

The intimate scenes are most definitely MATURE, but not vulgar. Yay! Even the characters intimacies seemed to evolve with the evolution of the characters. Well done.

All in all, a very enjoyable and creative read. Thanks, Monica La Porta. If only the rest of the series was in Kindle Unlimited, I wouldn't hesitate to finish immediately.