Dirty Blood (Dirty Blood, #1)

Apr 29, 2011 Katrina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

On a cold frosty night Tara finds herself abandoned and no way to get home, so she decides to catch the bus. On her way to the bus stop, she finds a young girl shivering uncontrolably, and Tara approaches her to offer her help, the young girl bolts towards her and changes into a wolf.
A wolf with snapping teeth, large claws and one whom wants to kill her. Tara reaches for the only weapon she can find a large pipe and hits the wolf. Now lying beside Tara, motionless, Tara realized she has killed...more

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Nov 19, 2012 Octavia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: time-and-money-wasted, please-grow-up

Soooo Dirty Blood was a ok read. It was a cool perspective of werewolves that's I've never read before but the overall book was pretty predictable. 15 pages in I knew what Tara was how Wes and her mom played into that. I liked that Tara had a back-bone but I got tired of her constant hard headed attitude issues. Wes, Fee, and Jack were all nice addition and while I wasn't head over heels in love I did really like them. Wes was a very refreshing love interest, he was caring, attentive, sweet, an...more

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Mar 23, 2013 Anachronist rated it 1 of 5 stars

EN GARDE!

My impressions:
ENGAGEMENT
If you read the synopsis then you will know...nothing, literally nothing about this novel. What's more, you might be tricked into thinking it is a nice YA Urban Fantasy with werewolves. It is NOT. Before I reveal the whole ugly truth about this one let me put on my protective suit and I warn you: things will become dangerous from that point. If you are queasy, just avert your eyes and leave. Yes, there will be BLOOD.
Now, protected by many charms, garlic and si...more EN GARDE!

My impressions:
ENGAGEMENT
If you read the synopsis then you will know...nothing, literally nothing about this novel. What's more, you might be tricked into thinking it is a nice YA Urban Fantasy with werewolves. It is NOT. Before I reveal the whole ugly truth about this one let me put on my protective suit and I warn you: things will become dangerous from that point. If you are queasy, just avert your eyes and leave. Yes, there will be BLOOD.
Now, protected by many charms, garlic and silver, with my faithful sword, cape and a hat, I can proceed.
FIRST SLASH:
It is not a book about werewolves. It is a book about vampires masquerading as werewolves.Have you ever heard about a series featuring sparkling, vain, teenage bloodsuckers, one of them called Edward Cullen? Yes, we are hunting that rainbow-coloured git again. Prepare yourself for a ferocious fight. He is the cunning one but I've dealt with him in the past so I know my enemy. Just follow my steps and you'll be safe.

SERIOUS FENCING TRICKS

I got the inkling we might deal with him again when I read his description: brown hair, artlessly mussed up, brown eyes with golden sparks, muscled body, but one can never be sure in my profession, right? So I waited and then, after a very short time, I struck gold. He was stalking a girl, yes, once again, and her name was Tara. He went into her house several times completely unannounced - sometimes through the door, sometimes through the window. He never bothered to knock. He was a controlling ass...thingy. I was almost sure I got the sparkling idiot again but I had to be 100% certain. And yessssssss...finally the last proof. He could read minds and manipulate memories. It's him.

DIRTY FEINTS
So what that he claimed his name was Wes and he was a kind of werewolf this time? My word against his, right? He told that Tara girl (the main protagonist) his mind-reading abilities were on full display only during full moon but he was able to read her mind and influence it without any problems, right? I know Edward Cullen when I see him and let me repeat it once again: it WAS him. He drove a silver Aston Martin for heavens' sake! Do you still need any other argument? YOU DO? Verry well.

Right after their second or third meeting Tara asks "How old are you?" and Wes replies "Nineteen". Tara then says "How long have you been nineteen?" Weirdly it sounds exactly like one of those Bella and Cullen sweet dialogues, don't you think? Plus these other crappy promises: he is "protecting your virtue" honey, protecting all the time even when he lies to you; then he is referring to neutral ground as "Switzerland". If you need more you simply don't qualify for this job.

COUP DE GRâCE

Having dispatched the ugly Cullen let me take care of the rest. The characters, ALL the characters were cardboard flat copies of different Twilight vampires (and let me say that those weren't exceptionally well-rounded to begin with). Apart from that the author seemed to be rather at loss how to make this novel logic and distinguishable. The main heroine is repeatedly lied to by: her mom, her grandma, her boyfriend, her would-be boyfriend Wes. They do it to protect her, a born Hunter, against other, 'bad' werewolves. Yes, instead letting her train as she was supposed to, they endanger her life because it's their idea of 'protection'. Well, last time I looked knowledge was power, not ignorance and stupidity...

At the very beginning Tara kills a werewolf girl called Lilian. Yes, the girl attacked her and yes, Tara was just defending herself but she kills her nevertheless. What's her reaction and what other weres think ? First Wes/Cullen observes Tara as if she was a scientific experiment that backfired; Lilian's body is just something that he must get rid of. Then he makes Tara forget the whole incident for 'her own good' of course, and then we are told that it was practically ok. Although Lilian was one of those 'good', bunnies-hugging werewolves who want world peace and social benefits for everyone, her killing wasn't Tara's fault because she simply couldn't help herself. Lilian... *emphatic shrug* well...Lilian was a blonde and a traitor anyway. Or almost a traitor because nobody had any tangible proof at the time of her death. Apart from that only a baddie, Leo, mourns her. No big deal, right? Remember, Cullen doesn't do blondes, one more, one less, just a cannon fodder...

The last remark. I almost died of evil laughter when Wes announced to Tara that she was his destiny. DESTINY!!! That's what entitled him to enter her room unannounced whenever he wanted to, that's why he was drawn to her from the very ugly beginning, even though she killed a girl in cold blood right before his eyes. She was his destiny, it explains everything. For that sentence alone Cullen deserves a slow, painful death by sunrays, werewolf or not and if you've heard a sillier excuse to stalk anybody do let me know.

BURYING THE BODY or Final verdict:

It's time to go - I have things to do and vampires to kill. Just let me say this: the less I read such novels the more happy I am. You have been warned.

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May 12, 2012 Emily AKA Doodle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed, provided-by-author, favorites

Review originally posted at Doodle's Book Blog

I received an email from Heather Hildenbrand asking me to review her book. After reading the first three lines in the summary I immediately said "Yes!" If you think the summary sounds good, you NEED to read the book! Heather did an excellent job not only creating a world a werewolves and their hunters, but also a story that will hook you from page one.

Dirty Blood opens to Tara breaking up with her boyfriend and him just up and leaving. Minutes later...more Review originally posted at Doodle's Book Blog

I received an email from Heather Hildenbrand asking me to review her book. After reading the first three lines in the summary I immediately said "Yes!" If you think the summary sounds good, you NEED to read the book! Heather did an excellent job not only creating a world a werewolves and their hunters, but also a story that will hook you from page one.

Dirty Blood opens to Tara breaking up with her boyfriend and him just up and leaving. Minutes later she realizes she has no way home in the snow. Her options are limited: call her mom, call her friend, or take the bus. The first two options aren't feasible, so she makes her way outside only to be attacked by a girl, er...wolf. It isn't long before a boy shows up and helps her forget what she saw.

There were two main characters in this book, Tara and Wes. Tara is like most rebellious teenagers. She doesn't do well with being told she can't do something and she doesn't want to involve, or worry, her mom. She was cautious and made me laugh. Wes becomes intrigued by Tara. He helps her forget, but is dying to know how it was possible for her to kill that werewolf so easily. He comes off as overprotective, but he truly only wants to make sure he will always have her.

I loved Dirty Blood because I was sucked in from page one and I never wanted to put it down. There was never a dull moment where I wasn't fully entranced in every word on the page. Tara and Wes were funny and I found myself wanting to tell them to stop being stupid on occasion. Some decisions they made were poor, but who doesn't mess up every once in a while. Tara was a little obsessive about Wes, but I was able to overlook it because they have a magnetic pull to one another.

Overall, this book was fantastic and only made my love for werewolves stronger. I highly recommend Dirty Blood if you want to read a book full of action, werewolves, and just a smidgen of romance.

FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion. (less)

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Aug 12, 2012 Elaina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: wolves-tigers-shifters, ya

I really enjoyed this. This was a different spin on the werewolf stories out there. The story pulls you right it and moved along at a fast pace. The writing was really good, the descriptions were just right; enough to get a feel for the world Ms. Hildenbrand created without going overboard. And it definitely left me wanting more and I am off to read book 2 next.

a few negatives for me: some of the secondary characters seemed a bit cliche and underdeveloped, hopefully that will change in the next...more

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Nov 22, 2011 Sarah Grace James-Miller rated it 4 of 5 stars

W O W! this book was great! for once i actually enjoyed the main character in a were-book! Tara is sweet and sassy with some insecurity and a little bit of an adittude! Tara is a Hunter that are born to kill werewolves but she doesnt know this until one night she is forced to either kill or die... interesting right? the plot was pretty good, there was just some times i thought to myself "God Tara, your in the middle of the woods all alone and you didn't see that one coming? tsk tsk". she may be...more

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May 06, 2013 Katy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of werewolves, paranormal/urban fantasy/YA

Recommended to Katy by: Cambria Hebert

Shelves: ebook

Please Note: I read and reviewed this book in December 2011 from an E-book copy I won in a giveaway.

My Synopsis: Tara Godfrey is just a normal girl, living in Frederick Falls, VA on the night her life changed completely. After breaking up with her boyfriend at the pool hall and sending him home, she is unsuccessful in finding a ride home, so sets out to walk to the bus stop. While going through an alley, she comes across a girl who seems to be in some distress – however, before she can try to he...more Please Note: I read and reviewed this book in December 2011 from an E-book copy I won in a giveaway.

My Synopsis: Tara Godfrey is just a normal girl, living in Frederick Falls, VA on the night her life changed completely. After breaking up with her boyfriend at the pool hall and sending him home, she is unsuccessful in finding a ride home, so sets out to walk to the bus stop. While going through an alley, she comes across a girl who seems to be in some distress – however, before she can try to help the girl, the girl … changes into a wolf, and attacks Tara. Tara, to her surprise, manages to not only survive, but to actually kill the werewolf. With the help of her new friend Wes she discovers that everything she thought she knew about herself was a lie – she is a Hunter, and it is her destiny to fight werewolves. How is it she never knew about this? And what are the “sides” that Wes alludes to? Will Tara decide to embrace her destiny, or will she decide to go about her life as it was?

My Thoughts: While I don’t dislike werewolves, I’m more of a vampire person, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. I was a bit astonished – no, taken aback is more like it – when I learned that the favored weapon of the Hunters against werewolves was … a wooden stake. Seriously? Why not a knife? Well, that is actually explained a bit later, but it still seems a bit strange – I hope it is further explained in later books. The characters are well developed and the plot is smooth and quick-paced. Overall the editing and writing style are well-done – at least in the first third of the book or so. After that, there are more editing errors, but still not too bad. This is classified as young adult, since the main character is a 17-year-old girl, and overall it’s a book I would feel comfortable letting younger readers have – there is some violence, but it’s not bad, and while there are some romantic scenes, there is no sex. I was also happy that the romance between the characters seemed more or less realistic. Overall, a great book, one I’d definitely recommend for fans of werewolves and paranormal/urban fantasy.
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Oct 30, 2011 The BookWhisperer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, series

Hell Yeah!!! This was an incredible book. I would go as far as to say that this is a comparison to my beloved Cat and Bones Series. Heather Hildenbrand offers a kick ass and brutal read that will grab readers from the first page. Tara is your intense heroine that will take no crap from anyone. I was in love with her character from the start. Her sarcasm along with her no nonsense approach gives her a well round and fun personality that proves an immediate attention grabber.

This concept of the “...more

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May 24, 2011 Tee loves Kyle Jacobson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Warning: I have said this a lot but it is true, this book was a GREAT book! I could not put it down and I wanted more. I am so looking forward to the sequel to this book. This is an awesome paranormal read.

My Rating: 5 out of 5

My Cover Thoughts: I so love.... love.... this cover. There is a werewolf on a cliff looking up at the full moon in the sky howling.

My Thoughts/Review: This story had me at the edge of my seat wanting more and more. Tara is just an average girl just trying to make it out...more Warning: I have said this a lot but it is true, this book was a GREAT book! I could not put it down and I wanted more. I am so looking forward to the sequel to this book. This is an awesome paranormal read.

My Rating: 5 out of 5

My Cover Thoughts: I so love.... love.... this cover. There is a werewolf on a cliff looking up at the full moon in the sky howling.

My Thoughts/Review: This story had me at the edge of my seat wanting more and more. Tara is just an average girl just trying to make it out of high school and on to college. She has her dream boyfriend George and her best friend Sam who is always there for her. Then the beginning of the school year starts and George is acting strange towards Tara by not spending a lot of time with her and ditching her for football scouts. Tara has had enough of George and his leaving her behind. So she tells him to meet her at their favourite pool hall. George is late and when he gets there Tara tells him it is over between them. George tells her no because he loves her and they can work it out Tara says no George it’s time to move on. George is devastated by what Tara has just says and he asks her if she wants a ride home and she says no because she can take the bus.

While Tara is walking to the bus stop she sees a girl who looks like she is having a seizure. So she stops and asks the girl f she needs help but the girl is shaking so bad that Tara doubts she understands what she is saying so Tara gets close to her when all of the sudden the girl changes into a werewolf and tries to attack Tara. Tara kicks into fight mode to protect herself and she is fighting this werewolf with all her might. When out of the corner of her eye she sees a pipe and wacks the mess out of the werewolf until she stops trying to attack Tara. Tara is in shock and she does not know what just happened until she sees this guy who is GEORGOUS looking at her from head to toe and he asks her if she is okay. Tara isn’t really sure what she saw and what just happened so she is in shock and the guy says he is going to alter her memory and then they can discuss it in the morning.

The next morning Tara wakes up in her bed sore and confused. That is when she realizes someone is in her bedroom bathroom. That is when a husky voice asks her if she is okay. She asks the stranger who he is and he says sorry I forgot to tell you last night I am Wes. Wes then tells her that she killed a werewolf and that she may be in danger. At first Tara does not believe him but then things start to happen to her and her family and friends that she has no choice but to believe what Wes is saying. Wes then decides he will protect her from what is stalking her. In the mean time Tara is starting to have feelings for Wes but she feels like he does not like her. That complicates things more when she finds out she is in the middle of a blood war and she is the targeted person of interest. Her and Wes do all they can to save her and her family from being killed.

But what Tara doesn’t know is that Wes is keeping more than a little secret from her. It will take a lot for him to spill the beans and in the end he does not tell her everything. This is a must read that you will not be able to put down. In the second we will see if Wes and Tara are together and if they have found the person who was trying to kill her and her family.

Memorable Quotes: page 13 “Tara.” Wes’ voice was low and soothing. “I know you’re scared but I’m not going to hurt you. I’m trying to help you. Let me help you.” He took a step closer. Some closed off part of my brain was yelling at me, telling me to shake it off and stop acting like a complete lunatic. But I couldn’t seem to calm down.
“I can see that you’re in shock,” Wes said, still edging closer while I fought the urge to bolt. “I can’t afford to take you somewhere to be treated so I’m going to do something for you. I’m going to help you forget – just for now. It should wear off in the morning, and if not, I’ll help you remember. But for right now, it’s better if you just forget for awhile. Okay?”
I didn’t answer. Partly because I was scared if I tried to talk, I’d scream like a banshee, and partly because not a single thing he’d just said made any kind of sense.

Advice: This is a must read if LOVE Paranormal!
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Apr 18, 2011 Andrea rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I recently read another of Heather Hildenbrand's books, Across the Galaxy, and absolutely loved it. So needless to say, I was anticipating this book with very high expectations. Dirty Blood did not disappoint. Dirty Blood offers the much beloved werewolf story, but with a new, cool twist.In Dirty Blood, there are werewolves, and Hunters. Weres and Hunters are natural enemies, their purpose to destroy each other. The main character is Tara, a seemingly typical girl.But, when Tara is pulled into...more

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Jun 29, 2011 Regina Linton rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook

I won this book in a contest on Nightly Readings Blog. It was a delightful novel. Tara kills a girl, understandably it was self defense...she was a werewolf after all. But at the time Tara doesn't realize what is in store for her.

She mets the handsome and uber sexy Wes who becomes her bodyguard to protect her through her legacy. Falling for him is inevitable but it cannot get in the way of the terror that is out there wanting to destroy Tara.

In a world where hunters and werewolves merge, Tara f...more

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May 13, 2013 Melissa Anderson added it

On one hand, this book may have everything you are looking for in an easy read... Good looking girl with hidden talent, one mysterious good looking guy who saves her and then takes on the job of protecting her and another guy who wants her as well. On the other hand it may be a symbol of everything you didn't like in all the other YA novels you have read so far. Sub par writing, flat conversations, skin deep character spx autoboss v30 development etc... Once more, it seems like I belong to the m...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Kindaslick added it

Shelves: abandoned, ugh

UGH!

The flow of this story is unbelievable and not in a good way. Wes continuously keeps shit from her and this annoys her to no end reaching the point that she is done. Don't blame her, I would have been too. BUT! (view spoiler)

She finds her ex boyfriend of two weeks sucking face with her nemesis and is completely heartbroken but withi...more

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Dec 22, 2012 Tiera rated it 4 of 5 stars

Overall rating would actually be 4.5! But i don't get that option. I got this for free on Amazon in Sept. i didn't remember what the book was about but I was looking for a short read after several western themed books. Once i started I found that I had to finish, even thought I couldn't stay awake ( long wk at work.) so I got up this morning and finished it! Now I have gone and got the next 2 books. It sounds like its more than a trilogy which suits me just fine, if they r as good as this one.
El...more

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Dec 20, 2012 K.G. C.J. rated it 4 of 5 stars

C.J. from Book Nerd and Proud
http://booknerdandproud.blogspot.com

4.5/5 stars
I was so surprised that this book ended up being GOOD. First off, I'm going to be honest with you. I'm not a fan of werewolf books. I'm really not sure WHY, but they usually bore me. Second, it was a free book. In my experiences, free Kindle books were for those authors who could never get published (and there's usually good reasoning behind that.) But the story line was great, the characters were strong. Oh, but I did...more

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Nov 18, 2012 Sophia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: pnr-uf, ya-na

Some books I have read are a piece of cake to write up a review for and then there are others that leave me wondering what words I can use to express how I feel about them. Usually, this happens when I'm undecided whether I like a book or not and that is the case with this one. I liked several things about the story, but then there is one glaring thing that I didn't like.

Tara Godwin is having a bad night. First, her boyfriend is late picking her up for a date which seems to be the case of recent...more Some books I have read are a piece of cake to write up a review for and then there are others that leave me wondering what words I can use to express how I feel about them. Usually, this happens when I'm undecided whether I like a book or not and that is the case with this one. I liked several things about the story, but then there is one glaring thing that I didn't like.

Tara Godwin is having a bad night. First, her boyfriend is late picking her up for a date which seems to be the case of recent weeks for their dates and she was already considering breaking things off with him. Now she does break it off because he is focused on his future football career to the exclusion of other things. Then after she sends him off and leaves herself with no ride home, she cuts through a dark alley to a nearby bus stop. This brings her face to face with a creature from legend that is set to kill her. Amazingly, Tara is able to defend herself against a werewolf and take it down. A mysterious boy appears seeming to know what is going on and he is able to help her and get her home.

From that point on, Tara finds herself discovering that there is a whole new aspect to the world she lives in. Werewolves are real, some want to hurt humans, and there is a group of humans called Hunters with extraordinary abilities whose purpose is to defend the humans against the threatening werewolves. Not only does Tara learn about this secret struggle between these two groups, she learns of The Cause, a group made up of both werewolves and Hunters who fight to get the two sides to live in peace. She also starts learning her own life has been built on secrets when the war comes close to home stripping away all the comfortable lies and lies meant to keep her safe.

Tara is forced to juggle her old former 'normal' life including school and friends with this new hidden life with the Cause group she is learning from and hopes to help someday when her training is complete. Enemies close in and danger is nearby at every turn, but the mysterious guy, Wes, from the first night turns out to be someone she learns to trust and love though he tends to try to protect her by keeping info from her and not getting involved with her. Not that his decision to remain distant works out so well because Tara is a danger magnet and Wes really cares for her so he struggles to not be with her.

In the end, many secrets are revealed and a last minute betrayal almost costs several lives. The book ends on a tentative note leaving things wide open for the change that is coming for Tara.

The plot and world building were pretty good. I like this take on werewolves and this new creation of people called Hunters. I'm always one for intrigue and second-guessing characters and what's really going on so I enjoyed that aspect. I found the shifts between the ordinary world of school and friends and then the time spend avoiding killer wolves and meeting with The Cause members an interesting contrast.

The majority of the characters around Tara like her school friends and members of the Cause, the enemies at school and enemy werewolf were generally good additions. I really appreciated the character of Wes. That poor guy lived his life constantly walking a tightrope and I don't just mean because of who and what he is. He had to do it a lot with Tara. He tried to be her friend, to protect her and do the decent thing which often meant cutting himself off from her to do his duty. His alpha gave him orders that prevented him from saying and doing what he would like and then he chose to respect Tara's mother's wishes and all he gets for his trouble is an angry, pouting and hurt Tara.

That leads me to what I didn't enjoy about this book- namely Tara. Yeah and that's a real problem because the story is told first person from Tara's point of view meaning- Tara is the book in certain ways. Some might call her gutsy, brave and put upon- to each their own. I found her arrogant, willful, and selfish much of the time.
It's slightly acceptable for a three year old to think the world revolves around them. In an eighteen year old? Not so much. There are so many times in this book beginning with the first scene where I just want to hand her the Too Stupid to Live award- get rid of your ride and refuse to call your mom to give you one because you don't want to deal with her (legitimate) questions of why you don't have ride and then you head down a dark alley at night. Really? Then refuse to receive freely given and freely offered training and help when you know almost every werewolf will be gunning for you. Why? Slip away from your protectors not once, but a few times because you 'need some space' which usually forces others to endanger themselves to rescue you.
Added to this behavior, there is the way she responds to everyone around her- instant anger and sometimes show of temper if there is not full and instant disclosure or someone tries to tell her she's not ready for something- you know, like taking on the werewolf race?
She jumps all over poor Wes constantly. He tells her he's been ordered to obey his alpha and the other leaders to withhold information and he tells her this much at great risk to himself for disobeying. Is she mad at those who ordered it? Uh-uh, she's mad at the messenger, Wes. When she tells him she's done with him, I breathed a huge sigh of relief for the guy, but naturally he didn't see it as such a good thing.
Then her whole attitude with her mother- yeah, don't get me going on that. I'm not real fond of a trend in YA books where the parents and authority figures are made out to be bumbling idiots or ignorant next to their 'brilliant' children (not that all adults are the most mature founts of wisdom out there, but generally they can be given credit for knowing a little more about how the world works).
Now, I'm going to be fair and say that I do not think it is wrong of her to want to know what's going on and feel that she should be put in the information loop. I also think some hurt feelings might be in order when she discovers how much of her life was a lie. I'd feel off kilter too. My issue is how she goes about it with the pushy attitude without any respect for others or without the need to think through the why of things in the process. I'll also go so far as to say that there were times when she had her good moments. The way she handled things in that final climatic battle made me really root for her and see that there is potential for her growing up in the next book.

The book is devoid of foul language and sex, but the violence is moderate.

In the end, I found that I could set aside what I didn't like about Tara so that I could enjoy other aspects of the book. I think this book would appeal to many teens and teens at heart with its characters, danger, intrigue, light romance and paranormal elements.(less)

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Oct 29, 2012 Trixie Vardon rated it 5 of 5 stars

No spoilers...

I've just finished reading books one, two and three in an omnibus edition that I cannot seem to locate here in Goodreads. So will just do a copy/paste to each of the three books listed.

First up, this is a great YA read. I'd only give it one HOT out of five, but that is as it should be. Then again, I would definitely give some of the male characters staring in these books five HOTS our of five, because phewwwwie, they are smokin'

I love the female lead in these books. She gets to gro...more

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Oct 10, 2012 Heidi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Four Stars: An action packed book that introduces us to Hunters and Werewolves!

Tara is at the end of a miserable date. Her best friend and now boyfriend, George, put football ahead of their relationship so Tara ends it. Unfortunately, breaking up while out on a date means she doesn't have a ride home. It is February and the wind whips icy cold around her as she scurries down the deserted alley to the bus stop, trying to shorten her time in the frosty night. Unexpectedly, a figure darts out and...more

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Sep 30, 2012 Hannah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-romance

Tara first discovers she's a Hunter by killing a girl-Werewolf that attacked her unprovoked. Apparently all Hunter and Werewolves can sense each other (Tara gets goosebumps every time a Were comes near). At least Hildenbrand attempts to create a world different from the one with every supernatural creature a person can think of. Humans are just ignorant of a couple different species now! Anyway...Tara of course crushes on the person who introduces her to this new world, the "dirty-blood," half-w...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Dani Morales rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am so so so excited that Christina recommended Heather Hildenbrand! As soon as I started Dirty Blood, I seriously could not put it down, yes it was that good! I’ve come down with a cold, thanks to this crazy weather we are having in Las Vegas, 100 plus degrees with rain, no bueno let me tell you! I would totally be starting book 2, Cold Blood, if my meds weren’t kicking in!
So Tara, the MC in this book just broke up with her boyfriend Greorge, walking out of the pool hall she was at to make it...more I am so so so excited that Christina recommended Heather Hildenbrand! As soon as I started Dirty Blood, I seriously could not put it down, yes it was that good! I’ve come down with a cold, thanks to this crazy weather we are having in Las Vegas, 100 plus degrees with rain, no bueno let me tell you! I would totally be starting book 2, Cold Blood, if my meds weren’t kicking in!
So Tara, the MC in this book just broke up with her boyfriend Greorge, walking out of the pool hall she was at to make it to the bus stop, only to be attacked by Liliana. Normally it would be no big deal right, coming across a stranger in the ally, well Lilana isn’t a normal stranger, she isn’t normal at all. Relying on her reflexes, Tara manages to kill Lilana, the werewolf and turns into Wes’s arms. Let me tell you if I had to have a werewolf around me, Wes would definitely be my top choice!

Though Wes helps Tara out, there’s something different about him as well. Wes has his suspicions of what Tara is but for some reason can’t confirm it, so they take a trip to meet Jack, another Were. In the meantime Tara and Wes spend more time together and this magnetic force draws them together…but is it attraction or is it simply because of whom they are or should I say what they are? Innocent people are used to send Tara a message; message sent by a werewolf by the name of Leo…Intrigued yet?? This is when the story starts getting way interesting, wait I forgot to mention the swoon worthy kiss between Wes and Tara…that’s right it was wicked awesome and totally leaves you wanting more!

Tara finally figures out she’s more like Wes than they both originally thought, which further confuses Tara. A few fights break out, then a massive set up by someone Jack thought he could trust. Everyone around Tara is trying to protect her when all she wants to do is be able to do something. That’s the only thing that frustrated me, I just wanted Tara to be able to do what she wanted and it seems like all the way to the end someone is always calling shots for her, telling her what to do…..at the end the person they were trying to protect her from, she ends up proving her strength and taking care of the problem.

I seriously cannot wait to start reading Cold Blood! I have a new author to add to my ever growing list of favorites! I definitely will be checking out Heather’s other books!
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Aug 03, 2012 Chaotic Book Corner rated it 5 of 5 stars

I personally loved reading Dirty Blood. Honestly at first I thought I was not going to like it but once it got good, it REALLY got good and I could not put it down. I had to force myself to put it down and go to sleep at 2am. 5 Stars in my opinion!!

Tara’s night started off with a game of pool with her boyfriend, George, who she was having doubts about, little did Tara know her night would become unforgettable, literally, while heading for the bus stop Tara came across a girl, Liliana, that would...more

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May 30, 2012 Julie Bockover rated it 4 of 5 stars

Genre: YA/Supernatural/Romance/Suspense
Publisher: Accendo Press
Release Date: April 2, 2012

Review:
Tara is the new Buffy in town. Rather than slaying vampires, she hunts down and slays werewolves. Tara comes from a your normal town, she’s a normal teenager but she’s not quite normal as the rest of us. Growing up with her best friend, George, who she finds herself falling for as they grow up, gets a big head about himself when he starts playing football. Realizing she’s worth more than being a jock...more

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May 01, 2012 Tiffany Mahaffy rated it 4 of 5 stars

When Heather asked me if I would review Dirty Blood I was so excited! I had seen the book everywhere for a long time and then Cold Blood came out and more good things were said. Needless to say I couldn't wait to see what all of the fuss was about. Right from the get go I was excited that this seemed like it was going to be a different kind of werewolf book and it didn't let me down from the start.

Tara is just what I love in a female protagonist. She is strong, independent and completely KICK B...more When Heather asked me if I would review Dirty Blood I was so excited! I had seen the book everywhere for a long time and then Cold Blood came out and more good things were said. Needless to say I couldn't wait to see what all of the fuss was about. Right from the get go I was excited that this seemed like it was going to be a different kind of werewolf book and it didn't let me down from the start.

Tara is just what I love in a female protagonist. She is strong, independent and completely KICK BUTT!! Her world is changed in just one night and yes she deals with it but not without asking questions. I LOVE that she accepts what is going on (even gives her more confidence) but not without wanting more knowledge. There is power in knowing what is going on and let me tell you this girl has the power. Even as she starts to really develope and the book progresses there is always something that she questions. I found myself laughing out loud and frequently smiling when it came to Tara and her entire personality!

"I grinned, unable to help myself. I felt like an idiot in some sober part
of my brain, but the drugged part just shrugged and grinned bigger
at that part."

Every character in this book is clearly written. You have Wes, Jack, Fee.... Everyone!! Fee also has to be one of my favorite characters. I see her as all kinds of beautiful and graceful but you have to know that there is power under all of that. Each and every time one of these characters or any of the others for that matter step into the pages you know who you are looking at. Normally it takes a couple of times of seeing someones name to remember who they are but not with Heather's wonderful writing and descriptions. Even the villain has his own clearly drawn story!!

Normally with books you have to kind of read a bit before you get to some really juicy parts. Not this one you are thrown right in, in the first chapter! The book just takes off from there and you really wont want to stop. For those of you that are sick of love triangles PICK THIS UP!! This is a love triangle free book. I found that even the romance that does happen isn't an insta love. Yes there is an instant attraction but it's not they are stuck at the hip. So there is another common element that people are trying to avoid that this book avoids as well. So overall if you want to read a book that is love triangle free, has no insta love. lots of action and an amazingly strong female protagonist PICK THIS UP!!
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Jul 13, 2011 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ancient rivalries are nothing new to this pack. The death toll is rising daily, and when you learn children who should not even been here are the keys to it all, each side will do what they can to secure or eliminate the keys.

The Cause: a group that tries to create peace between the Weres and the Hunters. The Cause has been the reason many on both sides have been left to die, the reason so many are suffering. But the Cause is the side to support, isn't it? Or should the ancient rivalry continue...more Ancient rivalries are nothing new to this pack. The death toll is rising daily, and when you learn children who should not even been here are the keys to it all, each side will do what they can to secure or eliminate the keys.

The Cause: a group that tries to create peace between the Weres and the Hunters. The Cause has been the reason many on both sides have been left to die, the reason so many are suffering. But the Cause is the side to support, isn't it? Or should the ancient rivalry continue as it always has: the hunters against the Weres. Then you know who the enemy is. Either your friend has fur, or he doesn't. The cause blurs these lines and that is what is making everyone so tense. Or is it?

The Answer - Wes. A creation of the Cause, he fits no where, has no real side, but is respected and even feared. A young, but powerful young Were, Wes is able to overcome challenges many older and more experienced Weres in combat. Sure, he may only be 19 and not overly qualified in the laws of love, but he is one fighter no one wants to turn their tail on. Wes makes a discovery, one that blows the members of the Cause away. This leads to not one, but several twists and turns that will bombard your senses with every page turn. Come prepared for a long stay, you won't want to leave til the battle is over.

This has got to be one of the best self pubbed books that I have read. The writing was engaging, the characters were well developed, the plot was tight, and the editing was superb. Had I not already known she was a self-published author, I would have assumed she had the forces of a big time publishing house behind her.

I loved Jack. He wasn't the star of the show, but he sure could have been. He and Fee were the stars of the show in my eyes. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy my time with Tara and Wes, but this older, more experienced couple made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Fee's anxious habit of baking brownies and Jack's strong, but gentle arms, made me want to cuddle up with him just once. (I wouldn't want to get on Fee's bad side. I'm sure baking brownies wouldn't be her reaction to me making snuggle time with her hubby.) Jack could be a bit on the trusting side, but some tough guys do have soft spots.

This leads me to Tara and Wes. They are great people, but a bit immature at times. This tendency didn't seem to wane at all through the book either. This and a few other small points is what kept me from being able to award it 5 stars. Tara comes off a bit whiny when it comes to Wes. I understand a girl can get a bit emotional when it comes to love, life and learning your life will never be the same, but when a boy says something quite important to you, I can't handle hearing her keep harping at him, saying that he said EXACTLY the opposite of what he just said...Grrr, Tara, Grrrr. (I'm trying to write this review with no spoilers, and it really isn't as easy as it seems!)

Overall, I say it is a VERY good book, and I will be reading the sequel to this book. Congrats on creating such a wonderful book. You got the formula down right, girl. Brava!!(less)

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Jul 11, 2011 Cassie McCown rated it 4 of 5 stars

Dirty Blood
By: Heather Hildenbrand
ISBN: 9781461065715
Published April 28, 2011 by Accendo Press
Available Format: Paperback, ebook

My Rating: ★★★★☆

After an impulsive breakup with her boyfriend at her favorite pool hall, Tara is stranded without a ride back home. Taking a shortcut through a dark alley (hello?!?), she has a run-in with a girl who seems to hate her for no reason whatsoever. When the girl shifts into a huge wolf right before Tara’s eyes, some hidden instinct kicks in and Tara manages t...more Dirty Blood
By: Heather Hildenbrand
ISBN: 9781461065715
Published April 28, 2011 by Accendo Press
Available Format: Paperback, ebook

My Rating: ★★★★☆

After an impulsive breakup with her boyfriend at her favorite pool hall, Tara is stranded without a ride back home. Taking a shortcut through a dark alley (hello?!?), she has a run-in with a girl who seems to hate her for no reason whatsoever. When the girl shifts into a huge wolf right before Tara’s eyes, some hidden instinct kicks in and Tara manages to kill the wolf-girl, sustaining some minor injuries. Insert hot, mysterious guy who helps Tara clean up the mess and temporarily forget the evening even happened. When he shows up in her bedroom the following day, Tara is suddenly thrust into a world she never imagined existed and learns she is a born and bred Werewolf Hunter.

There is some inexplicable magnetism between Tara and her new pal Wes, but more than that, it seems it is Tara’s destiny to be the powerful new leader of The Cause – a society of werewolves and Hunters that are working together to bring peace between all such beings around the world. The opposition has other ideas about the relationship between the shifters and those that wish them dead, and Tara is soon to be caught right smack in the middle.

Overall, I liked Dirty Blood. I liked the storyline. I liked the characters. I liked the secrets. I liked the action. I did have a moment, when Tara meets Wes, where I thought, Oh Lord, here we go again. She’s falling for this guy she knows nothing about. And, here we have another less- than-self-sufficient heroine on our hands. Granted, Tara doesn’t know that she is a Hunter, and she has obviously never trained before, but I am almost sick of seeing the damsel-in-distress protagonists that all these female authors keep throwing at us! It used to bother me less. Heck, I’ve even written one myself. But the more I read and the more I discuss books with other people, the more it irks me. Tara does toughen up and fight for herself as the plot moves on, but it still bothers me that she doesn’t put up more of a fight for all the decisions everyone else is making for her. If she is supposed to be a leader, shouldn’t she be standing up for herself in a big way?

That really is a minor complaint, however. I can totally live with love at first sight and weak girls. If I turn off my critical side, I absolutely get the attraction she has to Wes. I can see how she can so easily trust the other members of The Cause. I even understand why she can’t quite let poor ol’ George go. Lord knows the last thing on my mind when I was her age was being able to kick werewolf butt, much less thinking rationally about who I was and was not attracted to.

If you like YA fantasy/paranormal, especially werewolves, you’ll definitely like Dirty Blood. I’m looking forward to checking out Heather’s other books and the next in the Dirty Blood series, Cold Blood!
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Nov 10, 2012 ♥ Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: pnr, 5-splendid-stars, ya-na

YES!!

I was having a dry week, one of those weeks where nothing I read could keep my attention, and everything just seemed so boring, predictable, and shitty. Just cliche.

I just finished Anew, & Awry by Chelsea Fine, so naturally, I was done for. Everything else paled in comparison. Until I came across the Dirty Blood series.

I downloaded the e-book for free at B&N. And maybe it was because I wasn't expecting much, or maybe because it involved werewolves (which I love), or the passionate,...more

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Sep 14, 2012 ɑƨħŵɑɡ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 220-in-2012, ya-shifters, fantasy, own-ebook, awesome-heroine

I picked this up randomly from Smashwords when I found that it was free plus its description was pretty intriguing, right? my expectation were like “omg, this is going to be a disaaaaster”. Fortunately, it actually was pretty good.

Seventeen years old Tara Godfrey is the perfect student, daughter and best friend. She has everything except her boyfriend George who is now a famous football star. The night she breaks up with him, and on her way home she meets a girl, who turns to be not really a gir...more

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Aug 10, 2012 Erin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: august-reading-challenge, favorite-authors, favorites, ya-fantasy-favorites

Wow this is going to be a great series!! First off, a huge thank you to author Heather Hildenbrand for sending me a ebook for review, because not only was this a thoroughly enjoyable read, but I'm now hooked on this series and very much look forward to getting to the sequel!!

Dirty Blood is about a seemingly average girl named Tara, who finds herself face-to-face with a werewolf alone in an alley one cold night. With no help in sight, suddenly instincts she never knew she had just kick in, and T...more Wow this is going to be a great series!! First off, a huge thank you to author Heather Hildenbrand for sending me a ebook for review, because not only was this a thoroughly enjoyable read, but I'm now hooked on this series and very much look forward to getting to the sequel!!

Dirty Blood is about a seemingly average girl named Tara, who finds herself face-to-face with a werewolf alone in an alley one cold night. With no help in sight, suddenly instincts she never knew she had just kick in, and Tara somehow manages to kill the shewolf and come out relatively unscathed. In shock and clueless as to what it all means, Tara is happy to trust in the handsome boy named Wes who stumbles upon the scene. He seems to know what's going on, and he offers to help Tara at a time when she desperately needs it. Injured, confused, and wanting answers, she is slowly introduced to a whole new world by Wes and his allies. Turns out Wes is also a werewolf, and Tara is a hunter, someone born to hunt and kill his kind. But there's more to these two species than black and white, and Wes and his friends are all members of The Cause. A group of werewolves and hunters who, together, are trying to make peace amongst their kinds. And it may all depend on the secret behind Wes and Tara's bloodline. With enemies on both sides and a werewolf from Tara's past hell-bent on destroying her future, she's in the fight of her life and Wes is desperate to save her.

I loved the unique twists in this story. There are so many books out where the young heroine with the normal life suddenly realizes that she's actually something more than human, but there was more to it here and it sucked me in from the very start. I loved the mystery behind Tara's true nature and how it plays such a huge part in their fate. She was so infuriated with Wes and the others for not divulging the information she wanted about their world 'for her own good', and who could blame her?! She was flying blind and everyone kept hiding things from her even though there were some things she really needed to know. Tara was really an awesome heroine, she kicked ass and didn't stood up for herself when she felt like it was time for truths to be revealed. With no training, she still managed to hold her own against Leo and his cohorts, and I'm really excited to see what she's capable of later in this series!! And Wes, oh, sweet lord this boy had me melting at every turn!!! I mean, holy smoking hot furball with a protective streak that kisses like you're his last hope of survival...whew!! I adored him for the way he was all Tarzan-like masculine one minute, then tender and loving the next; I was swooning after both sides of him! Yes, I was just as irritated as Tara was every time he decided to keep another secret from her, but I also understood that from his perspective he was protecting her. And how can you stay mad at that??!! I love how destiny is playing a part in their love story; not because they are being forced down a certain path, but that it feels like they were always meant to complete each other and be each other's other half. *sigh*

Hildenbrand hardly gives her readers a chance to breathe once the action starts picking up in this story! Between the heartbreaking decisions that are made and the attacks around every corner, I never had a spot where I could put the book down and not be worried about what was coming up next! As Tara learns about her past and discovers who her attacker really is, a whole new light is shed on her past and what it means for The Cause. There were a lot of unexpected twists that led up to an unforgettable ending to this story that surely means exciting things for the sequel Cold Blood! Awesome story, incredible start to the series, and a definite recommended read!!

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Feb 11, 2012 Lorin-nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've seen this book on Amazon for quite a while and never even read the description. We all know the saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover" and I guess I was guilty of that. It's only 99 cents and a fun, quick read. Defiantly worth it's price if you're into this genre.

The story starts out with, Tara, a normal Junior in high school, on a date with her current boyfriend, and it's not going so well. She finds herself having to take the bus home and while taking a short cut (through a dark, dese...more

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Oct 04, 2012 Heidi R. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: heather-hildenbrand

I think I've mentioned I'm really not a good review writer....so here's the synopsis (this was a freebie book, which is what got me to read it):

"I killed a girl last night. I did it with my bare hands and an old piece of pipe I found lying next to the dumpster. But that’s not the part that got me. The part that scared me, the part I can’t seem to wrap my head around and still has me reeling, was that when she charged me, her body shifted – and then she was a wolf. All snapping teeth and extended...more

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