The Unleashing (Call Of Crows Book 1)

This is the beginning of a new series for Shelly, even though you feel there will be at least one crossover with her other series. This series has humor and a nice heroine and hero. I know that it is a series, but I felt I was left hanging at the end of the book, even though I know the bad dudes will be back in the following books in this series. The dog, Brodie Hawaii, is fantastic!

The title pretty much sums up the story. The main MC's were alright but Kara took a while to enjoy. I found myself wanting to hear what the other characters had to say. Kara was not like the other characters S.L. usually portrays. I'm continuing the story only because I truly liked the sister-Crows more.

This book was a wonderful reprieve from the vampire and werewolf genre,not that I don't love my vampires but what an imagination! And.. my goodness, the humor that goes along with the fighting and romance it's like a HUGE red velvet cupcake that keeps appearing with a bow tied on top. Read it in one sitting and cannot wait for the next book! Great job Shelly Laurenston, you NEVER fail to entertain!

Ah, another well-written, humor filled book by Shelly Laurenston. Definitely another hit, but I want the next book so badly I would sell my firstborn for it... kinda. The book is phenomenal it has all the elements that Shelly Laurenston is known for; witty, hilarious characters, a unique and original plot with an amazing story. Best 4 hours I have spend lately.

This is another action packed series with a fantastic crew that runs the gauntlet from loony to psycho. In other words, typical humans. With a little punch to them. It takes you through the complete layout and tons of information to digest and think about while you learn about the new characters being spread out before you. Lots of action and interaction. Waiting for #2.

It's by Shelly, nuf said. Shelly is FUNNYYYYY. Yes, there is some violence (come on, it is the crows we are talking about here), absolutely has sexual content which keeps the reader rivited (little sumtin sumtin you can read to your sweetie and re-enact).

I love Shelly, aka GA Aiken for dragon series, and highly recommend all of her books.

I enjoyed her dialogue almost as much as her characters. Laurenston has developed some very complex characters in this book. They seem like real people given a second chance at their life but with some very interesting powers. Laurenston has injected just enough humor to make you like the characters, even the most despicable ones, on a personal level. I can't wait for #2 and that in itself says a lot about this author.

I was so happy reading this book. I really wondered if let's was ever going to connect with her sisters. The humor was great and just enough sex to keep your interest. I will read more of this series as soon as I can.

This was an amazing novel. I have enjoyed other books by Shelly Laurenston but I must say that this one was one of the best I have read. It held my attention and left me wanting more. The characters are well developed and you will find yourself wanting to read even more of their adventures.

I truly enjoyed this book. I started reading it expecting it to be more like the other books from this author author that I had read. (Shifters with a whole lotta crazy with some violence thrown in.). Instead this storyline was a lot more intense. It still has crazy, violent people but with a deeper plot than normal. A great read.

Thoroughly enjoyed it, I got annoyed at it, I laughed at it and I even got teary at it so overall a good read. I'd loved the slightly odd way in which the Crows interacted with each other and the way in which the Norse Gods and the mythology all came to make in a really interesting romance. Definitely going to buy the next one.

From the high ratings and reviews I expected a better book. It was unorganized and hard to understand. It. Was confusing and you had to figure too much out on your own almost like the heroine did. Also it had been compared yo the Valkyries in the immortal after dark series. Not at all the same? No fun at all

I still prefer her shifter series, but this one is interesting and entertaining. The winged hundred pound pit bull and the trip to Asgard were the most original parts. Asgard, of Norse legends, fight and die every day and party every night as heaven. The very definition of a different culture.

I have read most of Shelley Laurenston's books and again it was a great one. I can't wait for the next one in this series. The writing draws you in and the characters are great. The story keeps you interested and wanting more. I read a lot of paranormal books and this was great at being different yet awesome. I never write reviews so hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

This book was so confusing. I have never been confused about a plot. It seemed that the book was just ramble and the trademark humor was missing. In one word, I discribe it as "weird" and paranormal is my favorite genre. I din't feel any romance at all. Disappointed.

Although I didn't find these book as uproarious as the pride series I was sucked in. I'm looking forward to seeing how the crows and ravens intertwine and get on each other nerves. I love the story line with the Nordic gods and goddess as well

Shelley has man me fall in love with her characters. Now I can tell I will be looking for more in this series. Between the hot guys and the funny things that happen I can't wait to hear about the other characters in this series. Shelley always keeps me laughing.

I always enjoy Ms. Laurenston's writing, and this was as good as usual. I liked the characters - both the male Viking Ravens and the female mixed-ethnicity Crows become predictable in their eccentricities. The Nordic gods environment made a great setting for the story.

Was afraid it would require knowing too much history. But no, the book described everything you needed for the story. Same quirky characters we have seen in her other books. Same destruction and laughter. I really like the laughter. And a whole lot of acceptance of other people just the way they are!

I read the recommendations before ordering & I have to disagree with those that felt this was an uneven start to a new series. I liked it & I'm looking forward to the next book. I understand, that I'm not reading great works of literature when I read paranormal romance books.

I love this writer generally. This entry in this series is solid though this is clearly the first in a set. It ends in a mild cliffhanger, btw. However, as always, the characters have depth and complexity--also snark and humor. No easy perfect types here. The folks are diverse too. The situation is paranormal and the plot is high-stakes.

Another hit by S.L. Truly enjoyed this read from start to finish and can't wait for the next in the series. Could see where she was fleshing out future characters for future books and am anxiously awaiting them. My only regret is that I read too fast, wish I could enjoy it longer.

Death does not stop the Crows, well not the first one anyway. I do believe I want those girls along with the Ravens ( those are the guys ) watching my back, front and middle. Can't wait for the next book to come out, there is a world to save.

I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Foremost, this is not a rehash or a continuation of her previous novel Hunting Season. While I admittedly enjoyed that book, it was, to say the least, rough. The premise was something very intriguing though, so I was excited to see she started fresh with it.

Oh Shelly Laurenston, how do I adore thee? Over the top, kick-ass heroines? Endearingly sweet alpha heroes rather than alpha-holes? Plenty of action? Fun world building? Shelly Laurenston always provides a wild ride and endearing (and typically hysterical) characters.
Kera isn’t exactly making her life all it can or should be since leaving the Marines, frankly she’s floundering a bit. But she’s got her job and her dog and her life. And then suddenly she doesn’t exactly have her life any more, but she’s unwilling to leave her dog. So Skuld, who has always been a bit of a rebel (she’s got the only clan who isn’t full of pure bred Vikings), brings her along, and drops them both in with the Crows. These ladies are crazy, a band of women who were killed and brought back as hammers for their particular god, but with a motto like “let rage be your guide” what else can you expect. And of course there is conflict with a by the book Marine getting dropped in with a band of no holds barred women living out their second chance at life, but that’s half the fun. This book is action packed, largely angst free, and has a nice action and mystery to counterbalance the romance. Vig is just the kind of sweet alpha Viking hero I love to read about. And can I just say the dog, Brodie Hawaii; she’s the best plot pet EVER. Yes there are probably some mythology issues, and we do just get dropped into this world with very little information (but then so did the heroine), and it is over the top. But I couldn’t put it down, and I’ve already re-read it twice. I LOVED this book. It was fun and already has me hooked for the next in the series, and I can’t wait to see what those other crazy ladies get up to.

This book was pretty good but I liked the previous Crow/Raven book "Hunting Season" (The Gathering Book 1) so much better. Of course maybe it's not fair to compare since "Hunting Season" is one of my favorite Shelly Laurenston books of all times. I've read it over and over and it still makes me laugh. I think the shift from the East coast to the West coast with this new book may be one of the reasons I didn't enjoy this book as much. While the LA Crows have some spunk, and are powerful in their own right, half of them sounded too much like air heads to be believed (the author's attempt at showing "California dreamers" I guess - a bit too stereotypical for me). I could see why the heroine kept wanting to bang her head against the wall. The snarky East coast Crows and their Raven brethren seem so much more interesting and colorful! Also in this book we are following the "adventures" mostly of a new Crow - with the heroine experiencing many pages of confusion and doubt until she finally "accepts her fate". I kept wanting her to quit with the angst and jump in! What a relief when she does. (I felt the book took off at that point very nicely but it took half the book to get there). Another aspect that made the story a bit less enjoyable to me was there was very little trial and tribulation in the romance department. In "Hunting Season" the heroine and hero had a long history of being a Crow and a Raven respectively (and both were strong leaders in their own right), plus they had a long "will she/won't he" history with each other - the "chase" was a blast. I found this new relationship a bit less enjoyable to read. Finally, in this new book, the crows and ravens (the birds, not the people) seemed to give their support to every Crow out there. Unlike in "Hunting Season" where the heroine was the only one with a special rapport with the birds. Maybe this is a change in the rules of this new series. If so I felt this lessened the impact of this cool concept a bit. On the plus side, the heroine and hero were nice, honorable, and brave people and I did enjoy reading about them. And I did think the first person description of how the Crows got started was very well done. A nice bit of background for readers. And finally Brodie the dog was a definite hit in the story! What a sweetie (in a loyal and aggressive pit bull kind of way). I loved how the heroine kept telling him he was a representative for all Pit Bulls out there and had to be on his best behavior! Very cute,

All in all I am glad Ms. Laurenston has returned to this "universe". It seems I've been waiting forever for her to write another Crow/Raven book. I will definitely read the next book in this series. Hopefully East will meet West in the future!

First you need to know I normally LOVE Shelly Laurenston. I preordered this book...man it was LAME! Starts out ok but rapidly falls flat. Vig is not scary..at all..just quiet and sweet. The crows teach her nothing, Vig teaches her how to fly and fight as a crow. She was a marine but had a problem fighting to the death?? She wanted to help organize and the Crows that just suddenly stops, she want to help Vets with PTSD( she "helps ONE GUY" )that suddenly stops The Seer is going to show Kera something that is going to help her fight...err she shows her the beginning of the formation of the first Crows...how does that help Kera kill? All that does is let her recognize the old dead Crows when she goes with VIG to find her battle rage. Seriously the Seer doesn't "see" anything useful, not even to help herself. Heck even her dog wasn't real loyal to Kera...that dog she saved and would never abandon...had NO problem running off with total strangers? That is just so random. ( None of our dogs would do this and they weren't abused and abandoned) I was so looking forward for this book. Did Shelly REALLY write this?

While I enjoyed this book overall, I found some parts contradictory. Such as being told you can always count on this group of people, yet their actions show otherwise. Still, enjoyable, and I'll certainly read the next in the series.

Good start to a new series. This book had everything I enjoy about all of Shelly Laurenston's books. Plot, strong male and female characters, humor and romance. The origin of the Crows is unique. I look forward to the next book

Shelly Laurenston always has good books to read and this one was worth the wait. Highly recommend this series . Hope the next book will not be too long coming. If you like this one try " Hunting Season."

It has been worth the wait. The story, characters and ending were so detailed and fleshed out that it felt like I could get to know them. I loved that Brodie Hawaii was introduced. I can't wait for the next one

This new story line is awesome! Cannot wait for the next installment! I really would love to read more about Kera and Vig's story. They're great and when Kera comes fully into her powers, it'll be too good to miss!

Looooooooooved it. i couldn't stop reading. i was at a family lunch, and i kept sneaking away to just read a little more. this story was just so captivating and i actually caught myself laughing. the hole chemistry in the bird house, was just so fantastic. i loved the crazy women that lived there. this definitely will be read again.

Wasn't sure at first. I've read Shelly Laurenston's books before and truly enjoyed them, but this was so different. The more I read the more I got into the story, amazing! Can't wait for the next one!

Another great book from Shelly Laurenston. Same great humor and steamy scenes I've come to expect from Ms. Laurenston. I love the strong leading lady who isn't afraid to get things done and think outside of the box. A great book and read, I definitely recommend!

Kera Watson has been discharged from the Marines and working at a coffee shop, just waiting for her chance to re-enlist. Unfortunately, Kera doesn’t get that chance. When she sees a girl being abused by a since she’s killed. Horribly. However, the Goddess Skuld brings her back to life as a Crow, her harbingers of death. She does this at the request of Vig Lundstrom, a Raven. There’s some romance, but this urban fantasy is much more about Kera adjusting to life after death.

The Good, The Bad and Everything In Between

-Trademark Laurenston humor: Shelly Laurenston is an auto-buy for me. Even my least favorite book has moments that make me laugh out loud. The relationships and the banter between her characters are always witty and snarky, sometimes on the edge of mean and never dull. Kera’s relationship with her fellow Crows, and her attempt to whip them into shape when they thrived on chaos was pretty freakin’ funny. Their conversations were contentious, angry and ultimately fascinating to see all these women learn to put aside their differences and have each other’s backs no matter what.

-Worldbuilding is complex: The world that Ms. Laurenston’s setting up is all about the details. And the devil is in them. Ok, not literally, though a few characters come close. What I’m saying is, when you choose to use Viking/Norse mythology as a basis for an entire universe of Gods and beings that are being used by them for their own purposes to possibly bring about Ragnarok? Well, you need to settle in and pay attention. There’s no glossary, but the backstory for many of the characters is given to the reader as you go along, and I enjoyed getting to know the Crows and some of the Ravens. But….

-There’s ALOT to get familiar with: Having said that, there may have been too many to get familiar with. It was overwhelming at times to have so many factions thrown into the mix and I know I’ll have to re-read this before the next one comes out just to refresh my memory. As a consequence of this intricate setup...

-Romance isn’t as big a part of the story: My favorite Laurenston books are the ones that have the romance as the heart of the story. It grounds the tale for me, and allows me to enjoy the introduction of fantastical characters and situations in a way that straight urban fantasies usually don’t. So, I was a little disappointed that Kera and Vig’s romance was given short shrift. I would have liked to have seen them interacting before she died, if only to give a foundation to Vig’s love for her. Vig and Kera’s relationship felt incidental to the real deal involving ...

-Overarching storyline that will unfold over the series: The theft of a necklace belonging to Skuld and a Goddess determined to bring about the end of the world is the real “A” story and that is not completed in this installment. There is a feeling of resolution through Vig and Hera’s HEA, so I was left satisfied on that front. But there’s alot left to happen and I’m wondering how it’s going to work. Kera certainly seems as if she’s the star of it all, so I’m not sure how it’s going to work feature a different relationship in each book. Either way, it will be interesting to read.

The Bottom Line (3.5 stars)
Rich, complex mythology set up for a long series. Loved it even if I wanted more romance. Eager to read the next one.

**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

I loved the concept, the characters and the story line. I bought this books based on her shifter books and was hoping I hadn't made a mistake. If you love her other books you'll love this one. Enjoy!!!

The first crow book was better and funnier. This was like it was written by someone else, no flowy storyline and tons of different charactors. The whacky humor i love was missing. Hope the next one is better.

I love this author s work but was uncertain about a new series, I love her others so much. This was a pleasure to read. Great character development and of course steamy sex. I will definitely be looking for the next installment.

While it took a bit, I again found myself laughing out loud. Loved Kera and of course Brodie. I find myself saying to my dogs..you represent all dogs..behave. does not work on them either. Dislike Erin in the beginning but loved her in the end...so looking forward to her book....she kinda reminds me of my favorite honey badger...