A NIGHT OWL REVIEWS BOOK REVIEW | Reviewed by: Megan
"Heart's Sentinel" by PJ Snyder was one of those rare, original stories where I could say "Wow, I've never read that before". From a shifter-involved war to potential aliens, sea-lion shifters and forests made up of beautiful cat-friendly tree houses amongst other things, it all keeps you hooked while, surprisingly, never feeling contrived. One of the highest lauds for this tale was the world-building. The story is basically set in an alternative, future world for human-kind, where, after a catastrophic war, shifters and humans have worked to reclaim nature and repair. All of this is threatened by unknown "hunters" that target and seek to capture both born and the rare Changed shifters. Mackenzie, after being stalked and viciously turned by a mad, rogue Enforcer, has come to Adam's pride to gain her life back and protect those she loves. Yet, in the end, both she and Adam end up saving each other, as well as finding a forever mate. I really enjoyed the main characters in "Sentinel". Mackenzie and Adam are so funny, and big-hearted, demonstrating both the human and cat qualities that fit their personalities, it's impossible not to fall for them. In the meantime, their romance plays out as sweet, hot, and sassy all at once, never rushed, and definitely worth waiting for. The villains are all bad-to-the-bone which is kind of one-dimensional, but the action is well-paced throughout most of the book. However, the focus is mainly to show our heroine's strength and recovery, and how Adam's odd combination of serious protector instincts and gift for puns (which are so bad/corny you can't help but laugh!) are a great foil for Mac's spicy temper and penchant for trouble. Overall, the only things I wasn't crazy about here included the fact that, for the first book in a series, the author really didn't include much back-story on the war, shifters, etc. which would have set me out of my reality a bit more. And lastly, I really do enjoy a tight romance, but I'd prefer a bit more building of the secondary characters. I'd love to know the healer's story, or a bit more about Mack, but this did not happen throughout. One can only hope with the next volume, more answers will be forthcoming. I'll definitely be anticipating the next book in the series and discovering another piece to the puzzle of `Terra's Guardians'.
Sep 01, 2011 | B003ZSIBV4
5 - Rare Top Pick | 4.5 - Top Pick | 4 - I Liked It | 3.5 - Enjoyable | 3 - OK | 2.5 - It just didn't click
Book Blurb for Heart's Sentinel
Born human, Mackenzie never wanted to be a shapeshifter. After a shifter stalks and brutally Changes her, she runs to the jaguars of River Gap pride for protection from the stalker still searching for her, to come to terms with the attack and learn to control her new, powerful cougar body.
Adam, a River Gap Sentinel, is assigned as her guard and mentor. Well aware of his strength and how new she is the shapeshifter world, he holds himself back from the flames of primal desire she ignites. But, to survive the stalker, they both need to first battle their pasts and learn what it truly means to be the sentinels of each other’s hearts.
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