These books have vampires, werewolves, elves, humans and shapeshifters...it even has a dryad! But it isn't your classic horror story at all. For the most part there is a gritty side to it. The author doesn't use a ton of foul languag and there really isn't any sexually explicit content. She alludes to sex but there is no details or uncomfortable references. But still there is a grit to it--there is violence and of course, whenever you bring in vampires and werewolves, there is always that dark edge to it. There is a flashback to a rape...again, it is not in gross detail or over-shared but it is in there. But I liked the book. I like the love story, you can kind of see it building up.
At times, I feel like Forest is a little self-loathing and I get impatient with it. Often with a heroine, you get these storylines where the girl is tough, doesn't need anyone, can do it all herself and that is a great heroine in a book. But with Forest, she starts to feel she isn't worthy of this or that, she questions motives, and pushes away love b/c "he's better than me; I can't be what he needs" blah, blah, blah. I get bogged down with it and sometimes I would like a heroine that says "yeah, I'm imperfect but he loves me so I'm gonna jump in!" Despite all that grumbling, I read both books and enjoyed them and I'm curious to see where she takes a third book with another character. She gives you a taste and then backs off a little...a teaser for sure. Below is Amazon's description of the first two books.
Forbidden Forest by Tenaya Jayne:
Born in shame. Cast from society. Shape Shifter/Elf hybrid, Forest must fight for any respect she can get. Targeted in her youth by a vampire noble who placed an illegal slave mark on her, she is forced to obey him, no matter what.
Slipping the grip of her master and abandoning the prejudice of Regia, her native world, Forest takes a job on Earth, guarding the portal, using her skills as a warrior to enforce Regia's laws. Now, called home for a black ops mission, Forest must put aside her own prejudice to transport the vampire prince, Syrus, through enemy territory in a time of war.
Prince Syrus, mage and master of the Blood Kata, wants Forest more than he's ever wanted anything. In spite of their mutual mistrust, their attraction cannot be denied. Through the danger of their mission, and the secrets they both keep, it doesn't matter what they feel. Forest is forbidden.
Slipping the grip of her master and abandoning the prejudice of Regia, her native world, Forest takes a job on Earth, guarding the portal, using her skills as a warrior to enforce Regia's laws. Now, called home for a black ops mission, Forest must put aside her own prejudice to transport the vampire prince, Syrus, through enemy territory in a time of war.
Prince Syrus, mage and master of the Blood Kata, wants Forest more than he's ever wanted anything. In spite of their mutual mistrust, their attraction cannot be denied. Through the danger of their mission, and the secrets they both keep, it doesn't matter what they feel. Forest is forbidden.
