Book Review: Ecstasy Untamed By Pamela Palmer

Avon Romance Pamela Palmer

Oct 25 2011 384 pages

BLURB ON BACK OF BOOK:

They are called Feral Warriors—an elite band of immortals who can change shape at will. Sworn to rid the world of evil, consumed by sorcery and seduction, their wild natures are primed for release . . .
Shattered by recent nightmarish events, Hawke feels his bond with his animal spirit weakening—and once it breaks, he’s finished. The arrival of Faith sends his life spinning even further out of control, for although she delights him and enflames his deepest primal passions, she’s promised to Maxim, the newest Feral Warrior.
Faith is drawn to Hawke from the start, but Maxim holds her in his thrall and has secretly bent her to his malevolent will. Though gravely damaged, Hawke is the only one who can end Faith’s slavery and protect the Feral Warriors from Maxim’s evil designs. But first they both must embrace the wild . . . and surrender body and soul to a forbidden, all-consuming ecstasy.
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I will admit I have read all the feral warriors books in Pamela Palmer's exciting paranormal series and I will also admit the last book in the series, Hunger Untamed left me lukewarm. So I came into Ecstasy Untamed with my expectations lower than usual.

Ecstasy focuses on Hawke, a character that always interested me all the way along in this series. He is recently rescued from a hellish prison with Tighe. Whereas Tighe had his bond with his mate to see him through, Hawke is not so lucky. He always had a prickly relationship with his inner animal spirit ( a Hawk, natch) and this nightmarish event just further strains the bond.

I like the subplot of when Tighe and Hawke are released, the animal spirits of long dead feral warriors are also released and looking for worthy hosts. YAY! More Feral Warriors! This series could go on forever at this rate. But the people showing up at the Feral compound are a little worrying to the other warriors. Something is not quite right.

Maxium is a case in point. He shows up all arrogance and attitude with a woman in tow, Faith, who he claims will be his mate. Hawke is none to thrilled to hear this news as he feels a pull/attraction toward Faith. Hawke is not alone in this feeling, Faith feels it as well. But isn't she destined to be Maxium's?

This is one of those books that you really need to read the previous books in the series to get a firm grip on the plot. Pamela quickly explains various back story plots, but it is not enough I feel for a new reader to get a grasp on all the intricate plots and characters.

The conflict and the romance is well done this time around, Hawke is wonderful. His inner struggle with his animal spirit makes him tortured and appealing, and Faith is the female counterpart to that. As with the other Feral books, the romance is tied up in a nice neat package, but cliffhangers abound. I know some readers don't like it, but here it works. Also the interaction between the Feral Warriors fuels these books. They are more than brothers. There is an unbreakable bond between men when they go into battle together and Pamela really drives that point home with her warriors. They fight and love fiercely which makes them so damned sexy.

I read a netgalley of this, but I will be sure to get the paperback to add to my collection. I really had no objections to the book except the ending, I sort of guessed what was going to happen, I would have liked to have been a little more surprised. Regardless, Ecstasy Untamed was a solid, very enjoyable paranormal read with sexy leads and fantastic characters backing them up. Can I say 'ouch' with what happened to Jag? *tease*

3.75 stars out of 4 for the Book

And YAY! Paul Marron on the cover! He's a perfect Hawke! Paul was also on Desire Untamed cover as Lyon.