Full Blooded (Jessica McClain #1) by Amanda Carlson – An easy listen, maybe too easy

I received this audiobook as a gift, so this was a first for me in a long while.  Amanda Carlson’s debut novel introduces us to Jessica McClain, the first female werewolf.  Her first transformation catches her by surprise, initiating a decade late. This unique occurrence has put her at the center of the supernatural community, and they all want a piece of her.  As a being more powerful than her male counterparts, can she navigate her new abilities in time to defend herself against a growing number of foes, werewolf or otherwise? Thankfully she doesn’t have to fight the good fight alone, with family and new friends to help her along the way.

While it wasn’t a bad book, the writing felt a little elementary to me.  There were adult themes at times, but I think with a little tweaking it’d be better suited for young adult. While this was the first book in the series, I didn’t feel like a whole lot happened and I wasn’t particularly interested in their pack politics.  I’m also not a fan of Mary Sues right out the starting gate, and Jessica’s powers put her in that category.

I expected more.  It never really grabbed me.  Being in audiobook form is probably the only reason why I finished this.  The narrator is pretty good. I liked her accents.If you’re a fan of cliffhangers then this is certainly the book for you!

Werewolves/shifters/lycans, etc.  aren’t my favorite supernaturals to read about usually, so a series had to be REALLY awesome to pull me in.  I’ve certainly read worse, but I think I’ll just stick to Kate Daniels and Mercy Thompson when I need that kind of fill.

It probably didn’t help that I read this on the heels of two series that are practically urban fantasy royalty (The Hollows and October Daye respectively) and have some of the best world building you’re going to find. The short-comings of Full Blooded were all the more prominent due to that.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *