Feral Nights by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Series: Feral Nights (?) or Tantalize Spin-Off Series (bk. 1)

Genera: Paranormal Romance/Semi-Dystopian

Subjects: supernatural, shape-shifters, islands, survival

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 290 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Summary/ product description: “Fans of the Tantalize quartet will thrill to see werepossum Clyde and other favorite secondary characters — plus all-new ones — take to the fore in book one of an all-new series.
When sexy, free-spirited werecat Yoshi tracks his sister, Ruby, to Austin, he discovers that she is not only MIA, but also the key suspect in a murder investigation. Meanwhile, werepossum Clyde and human Aimee have set out to do a little detective work of their own, sworn to avenge the brutal killing of werearmadillo pal Travis. When all three seekers are snared in an underground kidnapping ring, they end up on a remote island inhabited by an unusual (even by shifter standards) species and its cult of worshippers. Their hosts harbor a grim secret: staging high-profile safaris for wealthy patrons with evil pedigrees, which means that at least one newcomer to the island is about to be hunted. As both wereprey and werepredator fight to stay alive, it’s up to mild-mannered Clyde — a perennial sidekick — to summon the hero within. Can he surprise even himself?”

 

My Review: The first in a spin-off series of one of my favorite vampire/shape-shifter/angel and demons series. It doesn’t feel like a brand new series because it takes place during the event of the final Tantalize book, Diabolical. I just read Diabolical before this and I’m glad I did. Clyde was one of my favorite side characters, and Aimee I forgot about, but I’m glad she was in this book. And Ruby brother Yoshi is an awesome new edition to this set of characters.

I loved Clyde and Aimee’s geekiness about super heroes and comic books. I liked getting to know Yoshi and finding out he wasn’t just a player, but a decent guy. I really hope he’s in the next book too. It may have felt like it took forever for them to end up on the island, but the familiar setting of Austin and Sanguini’s was awesome.

When the got to the island, I felt like the story became a dystopian/survival story. Kind of like The Hunger Games, The Hunt (Andrew Fukada) or Forsaken (Lisa M. Stasse). Or even Lord of the Flies, but with shifters being hunted, not kids. It was a really interesting setting, and made it very different from the previous books. The shifters worked together to fend off hunters. And Aimee was stuck as a maid/kitchen help because she’s human. I liked that we got to find out about different shape-shifters. There were new creatures too.

This book was humorous, full of action and some romance. There was this awesome twist that relates to Clyde. I never saw it coming. There  were tons of funny quotes and fun dialog. I enjoyed it so much. This is exactly the kind of paranormal book I love. Fun, creative, and made of awesomeness. It’s really hard for me to review it without spoiling too much. I can’t wait to see what the next spin-off book will have.

Cover Art Review: Doesn’t seem very unique or YA looking. I like the island landscape below, and panther relates to the book, but it’s just all glossy. If it was metallic I’d like it better.