Ravensong (Green Creek Book 2)

Gordo, Gordo, Gordo

How I loved your story

Learning your history was heartbreaking, at times, but it made me understand why you were the way you were

Granted 25 years is a long time to hold on to so much anger

Gordo, Gordo, Gordo

How you frustrated me at times

How I wanted to reach into the book and shake you

How I wanted to reach into the book and hug you

Gordo, Gordo, Gordo

packbrotherwitchlovemate

Ravensong is the second book in the Green Creek Book series, following on from the superbly written shifter novel Wolfsong. These books must be read in order and those new to the series are in for a rare literary treat. TJ Klune is a master storyteller and these books are a wonderful expressions of his craft.

Ravensong takes us back to Green Creek, home to the Bennett pack lands and the most powerful werewolf pack in history. In the aftermath of a battle to the death between the Bennetts and power-mad Richard Collins, with his army of Omegas, there is peace once more in their homeland. The great losses they incurred still weigh heavily on the pack-mates but with powerful Alphas Ox Maynard and Joe Bennett leading them, there is also a sense of moving forward and healing. The pack witch, Gordo, however, has a long history of hurt and betrayal to overcome. Having been separated from his possibly fated mate, Mark, for many years, Gordo holds his hurt close and is still stubbornly refusing to let his heart see what is right in front of him.

When a new threat comes to Green Creek it comes from within, and it will take the strength of a pack united, including their witch, if they have any hope of survival. No one has ever seen a pack as powerful as the Bennett’s and it is that power which will bring danger to their home. Gordo will need to let go of the past if he has any hope of moving forward and protecting what is his.

It’s almost impossible to find the words to describe the brilliance of TJ Klune’s writing. Ravensong is complex, multilayered, superbly written and his characters are so well constructed and diverse that they leap off the page to utterly engross the reader from the first until the very last page. Then you’ll want to go back and read it all over again. It’s just that amazing.
Simply the best shifter series I’ve had the pleasure of reading and one I not only highly recommend but would actually like to purchase for everyone I know and say “READ THIS!”

A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review (An Ali Review)
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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.

I was really excited about this book because Gordo was one of my favorite characters from book one and I'm a huge fan of second chance romances. This had the same unique storytelling style of book one but it was a bit darker. Gordo and Mark are very different people than Ox and Joe and there's no sweetness, no innocence left in either of them.

This book is told entirely from Gordo's pov. The story overlaps with the events of the end of Wolfsong. We see the guys leaving and we learn what happened while they were gone. It jumps around from these events to events from Gordo's childhood. We learn how he became the pack witch, now he learned his magic and we see the horrible things that shaped his childhood. We also see how he and Mark became friends and then fell in love. The constant time jumps at the beginning should have been a mess and for any other author they probably would have been. For this story and the vibe of it (& of Wolfsong) it totally worked. I was never confused and it all felt cohesive.

The story then proceeds to current day and the events that happen in this book. There is a lot of story. A lot. It's pretty fast paced and action filled. I think the overall plot line takes up the majority of the story. The thing that kept this from being a 5 star for me was that the romance is not as much a part of the story as I would have liked. Really though, this book is about Gordo's development. It's about him finally finding a measure of peace in his life. Gordo has been hurt repeatedly by both his family and the pack and my heart broke for him in more than one place. The road for him and Mark is hard. Harder than it needs to be in places because Gordo can't get out of his own way. I never felt that he should just get it over it though. I think I would have held on to my anger as long as he did if I'd been through so much. Their story is not so much a romance as a love story but by the end they find their way back to each other.

I don't want to say much about the overall plot because there is little that can be said without spoilers. Things develop with the Omegas and with the overall politics of the werewolf world. A lot of people are not happy with the power that Joe and Ox have with their rag tag pack. The gang's all here and they were some of the best scenes. The overall feel of this book was dark and sad and I needed the laugh out loud moments that Chris, Tanner and Rico provided. We see a lot of everyone from book one. Even Thomas was a big part through Gordo's memories.

This one ends much like the first book did. The main events come to a resolution and the group are happy for the moment. They know though that they have another hurdle coming. The set up for the next book is fantastic. I can't wait. Like seriously, it can't come soon enough.

This book can not be read as a standalone. I'm not generally a re-reader but I almost wish I had re-read Wolfsong. Or at least the last few chapters. It would have helped with the beginning of this book. It's not mandatory though. After the first few pages you realize what's going on time wise (well, if you've read my review you will know before you start and you'll be all good)

Anyways......a really, really good read. Not quite as magical as book one was for me but still very enjoyable.

Cover:  This cover was done by Reese Dante and I love it.  It's perfect for the story and it compliments book one in the series perfectly.

Ravensong…I was waiting so long for this book. I was anxious to read it and a bit afraid because I remember what Wolfsong was doing to me.

When it comes to TJ Klune's universes, there is not enough words to describe his genious. He handles words to cut right into your feelings. Ravensong is no exception.

Do you remember pinecones and candy canes and epic and awesome? If you are a Klune fan of course you do…

Ravensong continues with the story of Gordon and Mark, one year later to what happened to Ox (if you read Wolfsong, you know what I’m talking about). We learned about Gordo's childhood, him growing up with the Benetts. After an unfortunate event (no, I’m not telling you that!), he feels betrayed by those he loved. He grows angry with the Benetts but mostly with Mark.
We all know about those stone wolves and what that means when one is given, right? Gordon gives that wolf back to Mark (yes, you will cry like a baby, don't try to fight it).
The story is from Gordon’s POV. The first part of the book, Klune gives us glances of what went down when the Bennett boys went after the man who took so much from them. But also Gordon's memories of his childhood. I promise you it's nothing you don't want to read in those chapters!

Then we are in the now, where the singing of Mark getting louder and louder, and ignoring it is not an option. His raven screams for its mate.

Than…hunters…omegas…hurts…

I don't want to spoil the book for you. But I can assure you that this is exactly what you were waiting for! This is the story that kept you anticipating.

Yes, I'm in book hangover. But that's not new when it comes to TJ Klune is it? While Wolfsong reduced me to a crybaby, well Ravensong did it too, but in this book, the plot was more angsty…and no…this is not the end...

First things first, being back in Green Creek was amazing. Not that I’m ever very far away, I’ve listened to Wolfsong so many times I can’t even count. I loved being in Gordo’s head. Seeing things from his perspective was heart wrenching and heart achingly good. The humor he has, regardless of the gruff and grump he puts on, will make you adore him even more. You see how he grows and what makes him the amazing man and witch he is.
I cannot NOT talk about Rico, Tanner, and Chris. They are his best friends and beyond amazing. I was laughing so much when they were on page. Their friendships are one in a million.
Mark, oh Mark, the love story between him and Gordo is rough and heart aching. But, even through all that, you still feel the love.
Last, but definitely not least is Ox. I love him. His relationship with Gordo and what they are for one another is one of the best.

Tj definitely puts us through the punches with this one. The action is all there. From the past, in the present, and what will definitely happen in future. Meeeep!

packpackpack

OMG! And Lovesong comes out TODAY! Perfect timing. <3 <3 <3

Ravensong didn’t affect me nearly as much as Wolfsong, but it was still powerful in its own way. Going in, readers that paid attention were warned by the author that this was Gordo’s story and being in his head wasn’t going to be anything like it was with Ox. I paid attention and I knew that, but I still wasn’t prepared for Gordo’s darkness. That’s not a bad thing because Gordo had been through so much, it would have been weird if he didn’t have a harder edge.

Mark and Gordo were broken and in a lot of ways they had broken each other. They still loved each other though and the kind of bond they had wasn’t an easy one to break. Gordo thought he had though. He thought that he could keep Mark at a distance and ignore his feelings. He thought he hid them well, but it’s hard to hide things from a pack, especially when one of them is destined to be your mate.

So much happened in Ravensong. There was a lot of overlap with events that took place in Wolfsong, but they were seen from Gordo’s POV, so it wasn’t redundant. It actually added to both stories.

Richard Collins may be dead, but what he started is far from over. I don’t want to spoil anything, but TJ Klune’s concept of an Omega wolf plays a very big role in Ravensong. I can’t say much more except that I spent a lot of time in this book holding my breath. Mainly because I had no idea exactly how much of his #EvilAuthor side was going to come into play. Yeah, that love/hate relationship is still going strong.

Regardless of the tension – there was so much to love about Ravensong… The sense of family (pack!pack!pack!) continued to be strong. The characters were amazing. The twists and turns and craziness kept the pages turning and I loved every single minute of it.

THAT ENDING!!!! I am SCREAMING!!!!! I cannot believe it and it’s Carter’s mate and AHHHHHHH!!!!! I cannot wait for rest of the series!!!! I am a touch saddened that Robbie will be narrator of Heartsong because I really wanted to be my ace baby, Kelly, but still really excited for the next book. Robert is back in the picture!!! Ahhhhhh!!!!!!

More coherently:

This book was, once again, super intense. There’s lots of emotional gut punches and the abuses that these characters have experienced is just heartbreaking. It’s so easy to see how Ox and Gordo are two sides of a coin, similar paths that diverged, and their relationship, their closeness is one of my favorite parts of this series thus far.

The found family, the chosen family in this is wonderful to see/read. There was one scene where Gordo ripped at Mark saying “Sometimes a family of choice is better than that of blood,” and that feels like such a central part of Gordo’s story. His blood-family did their best to break him down and make him malleable, but the pack, his friends always strengthened him so he could survive to become the a-hole I so love.

The history between Mark and Gordo was so sweet until it hurt because they kept hurting each other. Gordo knew what to say, do to cut Mark the deepest and he just isn’t the kind of person who will hold back. I love that in the end they find their way to each other and are making their happiness together, but god did it hurt to get to that point!

The rest of the story is INTENSE!! So much happens, and technically in such a short space of time. The stuff with the Hunters and the history with the Kings was so well done. It really is just a phenomenal story and I cannot wait for the Bennett pack to come for Alpha Hughes cuz it’s going to be GLORIOUS!!!

I have been impatiently waiting for this book since I finished Wolfsong way back at the beginning of the year, to the point that I started reading this book at midnight the day it came out. There will be some plot spoilers in this review, so please don't read this unless you want to see spoilers. It was a wild ride from start to finish, with movie-like fight scenes and heartbreaking romance. I felt that the main issues in Wolfsong had been wrapped up by the end of the book, but with the amount of foreshadowing I picked up in the sequel...maybe I was just oblivious and didn't notice it; however, I knew that there would be some new antagonist(s) added, and it was a lot crazier than I was expecting.

As I mentioned, I picked up on a lot of foreshadowing in this book. There were a lot of details with in the narrative that seemed to be mentioned too conveniently or too offhandedly for them to not be important later on. A lot of the details turned out to be incredibly important later. This made things a bit predictable, as I knew that these things were likely to come up again later, but it didn't make the book any less interesting. I wasn't expecting the movie-like aspects of this novel, despite the author's description of it in an interview where he said things would go boom (I thought he meant figuratively, but I assure you, he meant literally). One issue I did have with some scenes is that they were essentially the same scenes as in Wolfsong, just with different characters; this was mostly an issue with the romantic scenes, and especially with the love confessions. It makes sense, as the characters have a lot of similar life experiences despite being very different characters themselves.

I really enjoyed reading from Gordo's perspective, and I loved his interactions with the rest of the pack (specifically with Tanner, Chris, and Rico, his longtime friends). He was constantly threatening people with bodily harm, but it turns out that's just how he shows affection. There's even a conversation at one point about how threatening is the only thing that gets through his hard exterior. I loved seeing Ox from Gordo's perspective--partially because we didn't really get to see much of Ox as a wolf in the first novel, and also because of Gordo's connection to his tether.

Gordo's perspective meant that we got to learn more about specific characters and even have new characters introduced. The first six chapters of the novel alternate between Gordo's childhood and his three years on the run in Wolfsong. His childhood brings about a multitude of characters only previously mentioned, but now actually taking part in the narrative, like Abel Bennett and Robert Livingstone. There was also more diving into his friends, such as learning that Tanner is aromantic and meeting Rico's badass girlfriend Bambi (whom I, and everyone else, would die for). It was cool to see the other witches Gordo knew, and to see that they didn't have to be in a pack in order to survive (although I didn't like the characterization/dialect, as I thought it was a little problematic) It was also interesting to see how even the small characters I wasn't expecting to be important later had a great impact on the events of the novel.

Beyond those first six chapters, the rest of the novel takes place over the span of two weeks. It is an incredibly stressful two weeks, as it's essentially a race against time in a life or death situation that has a lot of angsty bumps along the way. The main problem made everything super angsty and stressful, but highlighted the bonds between the characters. You get to see a lot more about Kelly and Carter, and their love for each other. You get to see Mark and Gordo fall in love again (although its debatable if they were ever out of love in the first place).

Gordo is stubborn but Mark is as well, which makes a lot of the book face-palm-worthy. They purposefully cut themselves off in the middle of showing affection, and pretend that they don't want to be together when that's actually the only thing they really want. There were a few scenes where you get to read from Mark's perspective, and it is so so heartbreaking. Their relationship in the early, flashback chapters is also a lot different than the early relationship between Joe and Ox; it dealt better with the age difference between them, which was one of the things I had an issue with in Wolfsong. I loved seeing the shared thoughts of the pack, and how everyone was on one wavelength except for Mark, who was constantly focused on Gordo more than anything else. Overall, Mark and Gordo are just idiots in love who like to pretend they aren't in love just for the angst of it all.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. I can't wait to return to Green Creek in the upcoming novella about fan-favorite Elizabeth Bennett, and again in 2019 for Heartsong.

For all those Ox fans from Wolfsong . . . well dayum, wolf-Alpha Ox is just everything!!! He's so freakin' cool.

Ravensong - is an achingly beautiful tale of Gordo and the wolf that loves him. And of Gordo learning who he is, and then having to re-learn who he truly is.
Gordo and Mark are put through a lot . . . A LOT during their lifetime! It it wrecks you seeing what they go through, seeing forces outside of their control keeping them apart, and the choices they make which hurt and devastate. And yet, even with distance, and anger, and pain they still come together, they still orbit each other, they still know that each other is it - even with the obstacles they face. And seeing it come together, oh boy, it's hard and easy all at the same time.

The cast of secondary characters are AMAZING!!! We see even more sides and dimensions of the characters from Wolfsong. And they build on this story, create a depth and scope that keeps you hypnotised, amused, gives you laugh out loud moments and you can't help but be warmed by their presence. There are some new characters too who add beautifully to the cast of many. I can't wait to learn more about everybody.

No spoilers, but wow . . . the plot of this story . . . it's brilliant. And enthralling. You won't be able to stop turning those pages.

This is a BIG story - growing on Wolfsong; the two stories mirror each other in a few places and then Ravensong just builds on that; it is the logical step in the Green Creek saga. There's action, funny, heartbreak, heartache, some more funny, some more action and a deep and constant beat of love (love between Gordo and Mark, Gordo and the pack, the pack with each other).

I cannot wait to see what's next.

Ravensong had that same effect that Wolfsong did -- they both grabbed ahold of my heart and wouldn’t let go. Not even when I read the last sentence and closed it. Tj Klune has this..this way of writing that hook you from the start. From the first page, the first sentence. I was dragged in and unable to stop reading. Caught between wanting it to last but not wanting to stop. Each sentence had this poetic feel to it. I felt everything through each repetitive sentence...and it was oh so beautiful and oh so intense.

I was on edge from the beginning of this book because I knew it had to be angsty -- if it was anything like the first and just from getting to know Gordo’s character...and, oh it was angst ridden. From the start to the very end.

Getting to know the backstory of Gordo and his relationship with Mark was something in itself. So very heartbreaking. Gordo and Mark had to work so hard and it was heartbreaking but wonderful. It made the end result so satisfying. Through each milestone they had to face..one after another. Through each flashback. All heart gripping. All enough to make me have to close the book and just breathe. But, the way you watched them grow...together, apart and then together again was everything. It wasn’t easy and I suspect it never will be but it is worth it.

This book has romance, yes. But, it was so much more than that. It was about forgiving. Trusting. Family. About bonds. And, so, so much more. The way you get to know characters from the first book better. The way you watched some of the characters change but somehow still remain the same. The way you saw the bonds grow stronger throughout the pack.

I missed these characters. Despite not long ago reading Wolfsong -- I MISSED them all. The Bennett pack is filled with extraordinary people who. And, even with all the twists and turns Ravensong takes (that admittedly had my bowing my head into my hands at times) -- but no matter what turn it took it always led back to how beautiful the bond between Bennett pack is.

I am intrigued beyond belief with what the future will hold for this pacl. I know it will be hard but they’re the Bennett pack and I hope they never stop fighting for their happy ending.

Ravensong was beautiful. Gordo and Mark are beautiful and my heart is full for them...even though it did take quite the beating a few times...more than a few times if I am being honest. Because, like I said, it was hard. It wasn’t easy -- but great things never are and these two together are pure magic.

( I won’t spoil anything but there was this one particular scene that was mentioned a few times that had my heart turning into dust and falling to the floor at my feet...just saying. )

Thank you, Tj! For such a lovely book! What an amazing edition to the Green Creek series. <3

'Epic and awesome' is insufficient to describe the sheer beauty that is this powerful, brilliant book. With his typically stunning prose, finely held tension, irreverent humour & phenomenal storyline, TJ has delivered another absolute masterpiece. Gordo and Mark get the story they deserve, we get further insight into the wonder that is Ox, we totally fall for the friendship goals that are Chris, Tanner & Rico, and everyone is rewarded with a superb tale of passion, intrigue, betrayal, family and love. #packpackpack #nevermore

So Ravensong, book two in the Green Creek Series.

Going in I wasn't sure how I'd feel about Gordo because Ox's story was so strong I was really hoping I'd enjoy Gordo's as well. I didn't know what I was worried about, TJ Klune is a brilliant storyteller. In Ravensong he's managed to bring the reader even deeper into Green Creek. One of my favorite parts is the wolves interaction with the townsfolk. The worldbuilding is top notch.

Gordo. Gordo. Gordo. He broke my heart. Plain and simple, going back in time to when he first met the Bennett pack and reading about the betrayal. Ouch. I legitimately hated the Bennett pack for a while there. Family is a really strong topic in this book. Family isn't always the one your born into sometime it's the ones you make of your own choosing and sticking by them even when they break your heart.

Team Human for the win baby!

I highly recommend WOLFSONG & RAVENSONG to any fans of Paranormal, Werewolves, and Romance.

Also, Dale. Yeah, he'll get his.

I've been eagerly awaiting this sequel to Wolfsong forever it seems!! But the genius that is Tj Klune did not disappoint! I was obsessed for days including reading late into the night and then dreaming about it. Always a good sign that a book is brilliant in my mind. Wolfsong was amazing and Ravensong was definitely comparable in it's epic and awesome-ness ;-)
I will not rehash the story. There is no need. Gordo and Mark's story was swoon worthy and all of the Pack Pack Pack added everything else we needed. I'm so looking forward to the next part in my very favorite wolf series of all. Thank you for your genius mind Mr. Klune, I bow down to you <3

Loved it. Just as emotional and heartbreaking as <I>Wolfsong</i>. I felt Gordo's pain and abandonment when Thomas and Mark and the pack left him in Green Creek. I understood his resentment and bitterness long after they returned.

Rico and the guys along with a new character, Bambi, added some comic relief. I also loved the storyline. The added dimensions flowed nicely and made me say, "oh no" more than once. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for bad things to happen. But you can trust TJ. Just brilliant storytelling. Looking forward to more.

*Purchased through iBooks*

Wolfsong was amazing. I didn't know if Ravensong would compare.

Trust Klune, y'all. WOW.

This was a roller coaster of a read. There were twists I was not expecting, a new side character I fell absolutely in love with, a foil for Ox in Gordo, and an epilogue that has me already anticipating the third Green Creek book. If you haven't read it, grab it! SO. GOOD!

5++++ Stars!!!

I can’t explain how amazing this book is. Every part of it was amazing. Gordo and Mark are amazing. The Bennett pack is AMAZING!! This book took me places I wasn’t expecting and didn’t know I needed. I NEED the next book! The ending was crazy. In just the last chapter so many twists were revealed that I didn’t expect. I honestly need to know what happens. I can not wait.

Packpackpack PackLoveMateMine ❤️

Ravensong is an excellent and well crafted sequel to Wolfsong. TJ Klune is a master storyteller and does not disappoint. While this series does have romance, it falls into a more literary cataegory where people live full and complicated lives and it’s about more than just an HEA. So much more. I cannot recommend TJ Klune’s enough, and Ravensong is right up with his best.

Once again, TJ Klune takes us back to Green Creek for Gordo & Mark's story. Ravensong is a fantastic continuation to the story begun in Wolfsong. Some things will be revealed and explained, and other questions will be raised to be solved later in the arc. The first 6 chapters are non-linear, but they definitely set the tone for the narrator, Gordo. I actually enjoyed Ravensong even more than Wolfsong (heresy, I know...) Looking forward to Heartsong!

Just finishing book 2. Really sloppy beginning, flash backs not announced, stuff all over the place.
And the beginning, which is not just one chapter but a significant part of the book, reprises the first book from a different point of view.
But the writer is establishing a vocabulary of metaphor for emotions such that (he) can quickly sketch in using only a single word. Just in (his) world, but that is enough.
Then sometimes repeating for emphasis. A kind of prose poetry, I think.
I do feel it when (he) says green or blue or violet. Red does not have a feeling for me.

Have you ever stumbled upon something accidentally that turned out to be the best surprise ever?!

That's how I feel about TJ Klune's Green Creek series.
I could gush on endlessly about how these characters amaze me.
I could sing praises for the way this author puts the words to paper.
I could tell you how I laughed, cried and gasped out loud at every surprising turn.

But I won't, oh wait, I think I just did, but what I will most definitely do, is tell you that if you're not reading this series, you are missing out on something spectacularly special.

I'm sad that I have such a long wait for the next installment, but each one in the series can be read as a standalone. (although trust me, you won't want to) These will definitely go in the re-read pile!

Werewolves, witches, pack, and humans with special affinities for the wolves, this book has it all! We get to hear this story from Gordo’s POV, and there is so much stacked against their pack that it is nonstop, impossible to put down. A virus affecting the wolves that destroys their tethers and bonds, a human hunter hell bent on eradicating the wolf population and anyone that associates with them, in the name of the lord, an evil temporary Alpha of All who is trying to claim their territory after the ashes fall, and a crazy witch who may be the one responsible for the virus (and also Gordo’s father) are just the highlights. It will take both Alphas, Ox and Joe, their witch, and everyone in their pack, human and wolf alike, to come against those odds on top!

I knew this one would be different from Wolfsong. Oh, it was. But it has the same awesomeness, which is just wonderful. Both the story and the writing are just awesome. Thankfully, re-reading books is a thing!