Release Day Review: Ravensong by TJ Klune #Review #Giveaway

Author: TJ Klune
Title: Ravensong
Series: Green Creek #2
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Publication Date: July 31 2018
Length: 400 pages

Reviewed by Erin

Synopsis

Gordo Livingstone never forgot the lessons carved into his skin. Hardened by the betrayal of a pack who left him behind, he sought solace in the garage in his tiny mountain town, vowing never again to involve himself in the affairs of wolves.

It should have been enough.

And it was, until the wolves came back, and with them, Mark Bennett. In the end, they faced the beast together as a pack… and won.

Now, a year later, Gordo has found himself once again the witch of the Bennett pack. Green Creek has settled after the death of Richard Collins, and Gordo constantly struggles to ignore Mark and the song that howls between them.

But time is running out. Something is coming. And this time, it’s crawling from within.

Some bonds, no matter how strong, were made to be broken.

Buy Links

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon US 

Amazon UK

Review

We might be only, what, not quite two-thirds of the way through the year, but I can say with 100% absolute certainty that Ravensong is my #1 MOST anticipated book of the year. TJ Klune has other books out this year, but hands down it's THIS book that had me counting down the days. It's hard, right, when you anticipate something with such fervor, that quiet fear that the book won't live up to the expectations you've been building and building, but y'all don't worry in the slightest because damn was Ravensong EVERYTHING I wanted. I promise not to spoil anything for those of you who have been waiting with bated breath just like I was because I would cry if someone had spoiled anything in this book for me. I was honestly flipping the pages as fast as I could read them because I couldn't stop and had to know what was coming next. I will say this though, do yourselves a favor and re-read Wolfsong before picking this up, especially if it's been a while. For those of you who, like me, listen to Kirt Graves' brilliant audio almost on repeat, you're good to go! 

Ravensong is the story of Gordo Livingstone, witch to the Bennett pack and Mark Bennett, his mate and the one who shattered his heart all those years ago. I've been dying to find out the backstory to Gordo and Mark and to see exactly what happened between them to make Gordo so angry, so hard and cold toward all the Bennett's and boy did TJ deliver!  This is a second-chance romance at it's absolute best. There's heartbreak and betrayal, anger and resentment, and so much pain between Gordo and Mark. Some of it I figured out from the bits and pieces shared in Wolfsong, but most of it I read with my mouth hanging open. As always, TJ's storytelling brilliance shines as bright as the sun. There really isn't anyone in the whole of the fiction genre, romance or otherwise, that tells a story quite like he does. His words, the pacing, the way he builds and is able to transport you directly into the story is unparalleled. I absolutely loved how TJ showed the past and how those events helped shape who Gordo, Mark, Elizabeth, Thomas became and even how Gordo views Carter, Kelly, and Joe. That history was fascinating to read about and boy did it ever make so many things make so much more sense! *no spoilers, remember, so yeah that's vague!

This is a heavy, intense book. There is so much going on, so many things in play as the Bennett pack fortifies itself for the battles headed their way. But in the midst of the angst and drama, there are some truly wonderfully lighthearted moments that will make you laugh out loud until you cry. The humans of the pack, Rico in particular, and then of course Carter and Kelly bring some much needed levity in the perfect moments. It's never too much, but just exactly right as someone with only TJ's mastery can do. It would be easy for their actions to be over the top and take away from the story itself, but it never does. 

And in case you were wondering about the "Big Bad" TJ has mentioned more than a few times in the lead-up to Ravensong's release, never fear. The "Big Bad" is definitely big and so, so bad. As you'd expect, the action in Ravensong is every bit as on the edge of your seat as Wolfsong. There are some truly hold your breath moments where you're not at all sure what's going to happen and you can never guess with TJ so you just have to keep going and going. The suspense in this book nearly gave me heart palpitations, I kid you not. I love how different this book is from Wolfsong, while keeping the same tone and of course the lyrical, repetitive way TJ emphasizes certain things (pack, pack, pack) lets you know you are most definitely back in Green Creek. Gordo as a narrator is certainly not Oxnard Matheson and it's such a delight to be immersed in Gordo's jaded, snarky viewpoint. 

I know there are two more books coming in this series and if I thought the wait for Ravensong was never ending, the wait for Heartsong (Robbie and Kelly's book - that's not a spoiler btw, it's been mentioned by TJ many times!) is going to be interminable. But that's what makes this series so out of this world fantastic. These characters that have become like family and friends that we don't want to say good bye to we welcome back with open arms because it's like coming home. Ravensong is a love story, but it's also about family and loyalty and fighting to protect those you love. It's also one hell of an emotional roller  coaster so be sure to strap in folks. The ride is going to get even bumpier so be ready. 

Giveaway

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