Review: Phoenix Rising – Cara Carnes

Sometimes you have to crumble to ashes before you can fly.

Riletta knew hardship. As a shifter who couldn’t shift, she was raised in a wolf pack that ostracized her. She was ready to tackle the world when she was dropped off at the university with no identity, very little cash, and the only thing she wanted—freedom. The last thing she expected was for the university’s resident Alpha wolf to stake a claim.

Macen Giordano hadn’t expected the little female to bring out his protective wolf, but he’s not about to let university politics harm the innocent shifter. Riles may not be wolf, but she is his.

When prejudices threaten them both and shed light on her true nature, the two must survive the impossible to earn their destiny.

Series:
Release Date: October 6, 2014
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Source: Provided by Author/Publisher via Manic Readers
Reviewer: Iris
Rating:

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Reviewer’s Thoughts

Phoenix Rising is part of the new ROAR series, which takes place on a college campus where paranormals of all kinds form vampires to werewolves to werebadgers roam in their respective packs while supposedly attending classes. I say supposedly because it seems that everything but actually going to class takes place at this university. Riletta was dumped on campus with a suitcase, a handful of 20s and no identification. Luckily for her the first person she literally bumps in to has decided to take her under his wing. Macen is tall, hot and very much the Alpha and as such he’ll be damned if he lets anyone stand in his way of keeping Riletta, who has quickly come to mean so much to him, safe and at his side.

Carnes provides us with a fast paced and enjoyable story. Riles was a bit of a paradox for me. One minute she’s this quiet and subdued “mouse” and the next she’s snapping and publicly going toe to toe with the resident wolf pack Alpha. I could see the attraction between the characters, but at times it seemed a bit tepid. The heat level just wasn’t always consistent.

Although this was a complete story, I couldn’t help but feel that a big chunk was left out as we just grazed over the issues with Macen’s family back home. All in all it was a good story however it could have been great if not for the unexplored potential. Definitely worth the read though.