Werecats Convergent (Forest Exiles Saga Book 2) by Mark J. Engels | Book Review | #Werecats #Shifters #ContemporaryFantasy @MJ_Engels
Book Details
Werecats Convergent by Mark J. Engels
Series: Forest Exiles Saga Book 2
Published by Independent Author on August 21, 2023
Genres: Contemporary Fantasy, Thrillers, Urban Fantasy
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 282
Source: Amazon Purchase, Kindle Unlimited, Received from the author or publisher for review.Defeated, conflicted, and on the run…
Born in an ethnic Chicago neighborhood following her family’s escape from Cold War-era Poland, were-lynx Pawly flees underground to protect her loved ones after genetically enhanced soldiers led by rogue scientist and rival werecat Mawro overrun her Navy unit in the Gulf of Oman.
Pawly’s family seeks her out in a desperate gambit to return to their ancestral homeland and reconcile with their estranged kinsmen. But when her human lover arrives to thwart Mawro’s plan to weaponize their feral bloodlust, Pawly must face a daunting choice: preserve her family secrets and risk her lover’s life or chance her true nature driving him away forever.
Werecats Convergent is the second installment of the Forest Exiles Saga featuring the modern-day remnant of an ancient clan of werecats, torn apart as militaries on three continents vie to exploit their deadly talents. Stories which fans of Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson franchise and Brad Magnarella’s Blue Wolf series can sink their teeth into!
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Purchase Links for Werecats Convergent
Amazon-OneLink for all countries
Werecats Convergent: An Urb...Shop on Amazon
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My thoughts on Werecats Convergent
In “Werecats Convergent,” the second installment of the Forest Exiles Saga penned by Mark J. Engels, readers are once again thrust into the captivating world of werecats, a modern-day incarnation of an ancient clan grappling with their feral natures amidst global power struggles. Engels crafts a narrative that seamlessly blends action, drama, mystery, and unexpected revelations, making for a gripping reading experience that will leave urban fantasy fans on the edge of their seats.
The story centers around the determined were-lynx, Pawly, who finds herself defeated, conflicted, and on the run. Born into a Polish family that escaped Cold War-era Poland, Pawly flees underground after a group of genetically enhanced soldiers led by the rogue scientist and rival werecat, Mawro, overruns her Navy unit in the Gulf of Oman. As Pawly’s family seeks to reunite with her in a bid to return to their ancestral homeland and reconcile with estranged kinsmen, she is faced with a gut-wrenching choice: protect her family’s closely guarded secrets, potentially jeopardizing her lover’s life or risk revealing her true nature and pushing him away forever.
Engels masterfully weaves together the threads of family loyalty, personal identity, and the complexities of love, all set against a backdrop of genetic manipulation and geopolitical tension. The stakes are high, and the emotional turmoil that Pawly experiences is palpable, drawing readers into her internal struggle as she grapples with the weight of her decisions.
One of the novel’s strengths lies in its well-crafted character development. Returning readers will be pleased to encounter familiar faces from the first book alongside a cast of new, intriguing characters. Engels takes his time introducing these individuals, allowing them to come to life gradually and become integral to the unfolding plot. This careful attention to character portrayal adds depth and richness to the overall narrative.
The narrative structure itself is noteworthy. Engels employs flashbacks to earlier years, skillfully using them to introduce new readers to the intricate world of werecats and their history. While this choice might slow the pace through the early chapters, it serves a crucial purpose by offering necessary context for newcomers without alienating those who have already delved into the saga.
As the story progresses, the pace picks up considerably, reaching a crescendo by the midway point. Engels draws readers into a whirlwind of action, drama, and mystery that keeps them engaged and invested. Unexpected revelations and twists further heighten the tension, ensuring that the pages practically turn themselves in anticipation of what comes next.
In Conclusion
“Werecats Convergent” is more than just an urban fantasy novel; it’s a thought-provoking exploration of identity, loyalty, and the lengths one is willing to go to protect the ones they love. Engels has crafted a worthy sequel that continues to build upon the foundation laid in the first book, offering readers a satisfying blend of familiar elements and new developments.
Unless otherwise noted, the book is from my personal library or Kindle Unlimited.
I received an ARC of the book from the author for an editorial review.
This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love to read books through my Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription.
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About Mark J. Engels
Boyhood interests in trains and electronics fostered Mark J. Engels career as an electrical engineer, designing and commissioning signal and communications systems for railroads and rail transit agencies across the United States.
Along the way, Mark indulged his writing desire by authoring articles for rail and transit industry trade magazines. Coupled with Mark's long-time membership in anime, manga, and anthropomorphic fandoms, he took up writing genre fiction.
Growing up in Michigan, never far from his beloved Great Lakes, Mark and his wife today make their home in Wisconsin with their son and a dog who naps beside him, as he writes.
Mark is a member of Allied Authors of Wisconsin, one of the state's oldest writing collectives. He also belongs to the Furry Writer’s Guild, dedicated to supporting, informing, elevating, and promoting quality anthropomorphic fiction and its creators.
For more on Mark and his books, links to his social media, or to subscribe to his email list, please visit his website.
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Easy Amazon Links
Amazon-OneLink for all countries
If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:
Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.
Werecats Convergent: An Urb...Shop on Amazon
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More reviews from the Werecats Convergent series.
Werecats Emergent (Forest Exiles Saga Book 1) by Mark J. Engels | Book Review
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Maybe I’m biased?
So glad you enjoyed, G! Thank you for reading. And for all your support.