TAKEN BY STORM by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Taken By Storm
Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Rating: C+


Synopsis from goodreads.com:
Bryn knows first-hand that being the alpha of a werewolf pack means making hard decisions, and that being human makes things a thousand times worse. She's prepared to give up her humanity, but the wolf who promised to Change her is waiting - though for what, Bryn doesn't know. Still human, she must take her place in the werewolf Senate, the precarious democracy that rules the North American packs. Standing side by side with werewolves who were ancient long before she was ever born is enough of a challenge, but Bryn soon learns that the Senate has been called to deal with a problem: the kind of problem that involves human bodies, a Rabid werewolf, and memories that Bryn, Chase, and the rest of their pack would rather forget. With bodies stacking up and political pressure closing in from all sides, Bryn and her pack are going to have to turn to old enemies and even older friends for help - especially when it starts to look like this time, the monster might be one of their own.


My thoughts on the book:
Taken by Storm did not blow me away. It took me four days to get through the freaking thing, and it wasn't even that long of a book. It is only 320 pages. Still, it was slow moving for me. I'm not sure if that's because I was an idiot and read Good Reads reviews before I read the book, and some inconsiderate reviewers (using that term loosely) spoiled it for me, or if it is because the book just wasn't that interesting. I got really tired of being in Bryn's head in this novel. Also, she didn't seem to grow as a character at all. If this is the end of the series, then I am very disappointed by this final installment. If the series continues, I'll just pretend that Barnes knew it was going to and decided to make this a transition book. Overall, Taken by Storm alternates between boring and depressing. I'm not sure which is worse. 


I am a huge fan of the Raised by Wolves series. The first two books are amazing, and I had high hopes for Taken by Storm. Maybe that's why I feel so let down now that I've finished it. I just expected something more from Barnes than what I got. Oh, the writing was fine, but the characters were obnoxious. Bryn has gone from being a powerful alpha to a whiny teenage girl. All she does is run around blaming herself for everything and whining about how life isn't fair. Chase is as boring as ever. Ali is barely present, and Devon isn't around much either. The only bright spot in this novel is that there is quite a bit of Callum. He actually shows some emotion, too. I enjoyed getting to know him a little bit better. Bryn doesn't grow at all. If anything, she regresses. The rest of the characters remain unchanged as well.


I just don't feel that this is a good conclusion for the series. I feel like there should be some character growth with the leading character in order for a series to be complete. And the ending left me wondering what is going to happen next. I didn't feel a sense of resolution at all. Sure, some people's storylines wrapped up because they died (not saying who, though Good Reads is full of inconsiderate jerks who posted it), but with Bryn, there is no resolution. And it's hardly a happily ever after. The story ends with her feeling like she's lost everything. Not the way I like for a series to end. I prefer at least an ounce of happiness in my endings. 


The pacing is slow even though there is a lot going on. As I said, it took me four days to get through this book. I put it down every chance I got and dreaded picking it back up. However, I kept hoping it'd get better and that I'd forget the spoilers I read. I even cleaned to avoid reading this novel, and I hate cleaning. However, I made it through. I'm not sure if I'm glad I did or not. 


There is a lot of drama in this novel. Plenty of bad guys attacking means plenty of action. I couldn't make myself really care, though. I mean there were a few points of pure brilliance, a few which even drove me to tears, but overall, I felt nothing for the characters or this novel. I just wanted it to be over so I could move on to the next book in my TBR pile. 


Overall, I'd recommend this book to fans of the series. You need to know what happens in this book. I hope there are other installments to follow, but if not, maybe this book will give you more closure than it did me. Taken by Storm isn't the worst thing I've read, but it's not the best either. It is just okay. 


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