What do you think?
Trickster's Eye #1
The Case of the Wandering Wolves
Six years ago Latrans found his mate—and had to let him go. Now York has returned pleading for Latrans' help. His daughter has been kidnapped and Latrans is the only person York trusts to get her back. But a simple matter of rescue proves to be far more complicated than anticipated, and even having his mate at his side may not be enough to win the day.
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2017
About the author
Mell Eight
71 books285 followersWhen Mell Eight was in high school, she discovered dragons. Beautiful, wondrous creatures that took her on epic adventures both to faraway lands and on journeys of the heart. Mell wanted to create dragons of her own, so she put pen to paper. Mell Eight is now known for her own soaring dragons, as well as for other wonderful characters dancing across the pages of her books. While she mostly writes paranormal or fantasy stories, she has been seen exploring the real world once or twice.
For more information on Mell’s stories and future writing plans, visit her website.
For more information on Mell’s stories and future writing plans, visit her website.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 10, 2017
3.5 stars.
As a fan of Mell Eight’s Supernatural Consultant series, it amused me to find this series also deals with a private investigation agency (Trickster’s Eye). I’m sensing a theme. Anyway, as with the other series, this is very much only a first part in something bigger. The case may well be solved during the story, but the wider romance plot has barely even begun.
Jackal Latrans, a were-coyote, found and fell for his mate at the worst time. While his instincts might make everything simple and easy for him, human York has a very different take on things. Which led to a painful rejection and separation that means they haven’t see each other for six years when York comes asking for help.
Since this is all told from Latrans’ pov, it’s easy to see how hurt and baffled he was by York’s rejection, but I like that York doesn’t return and simply fall head over heels back. In fact he’s pretty angry with all the ways Latrans has been trying to look after him and his daughter over the years. Some might think it sweet, others might call it stalking. It’s nice that the reader is allowed a certain leeway to make up their own minds. It’s also really nice that the romance doesn’t push York into brushing aside behaviour he thinks is problematic.
The mystery itself is interesting, with a few little twists that I didn’t expect, even if I did guess some of it. Due to the short length of the story, though, I do feel it was a little rushed at the end and sometimes lacking in a bit of detail and depth, which was a shame. Overall, though, this is an interesting beginning that leaves plenty of room for more, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for it.
(ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.)
As a fan of Mell Eight’s Supernatural Consultant series, it amused me to find this series also deals with a private investigation agency (Trickster’s Eye). I’m sensing a theme. Anyway, as with the other series, this is very much only a first part in something bigger. The case may well be solved during the story, but the wider romance plot has barely even begun.
Jackal Latrans, a were-coyote, found and fell for his mate at the worst time. While his instincts might make everything simple and easy for him, human York has a very different take on things. Which led to a painful rejection and separation that means they haven’t see each other for six years when York comes asking for help.
Since this is all told from Latrans’ pov, it’s easy to see how hurt and baffled he was by York’s rejection, but I like that York doesn’t return and simply fall head over heels back. In fact he’s pretty angry with all the ways Latrans has been trying to look after him and his daughter over the years. Some might think it sweet, others might call it stalking. It’s nice that the reader is allowed a certain leeway to make up their own minds. It’s also really nice that the romance doesn’t push York into brushing aside behaviour he thinks is problematic.
The mystery itself is interesting, with a few little twists that I didn’t expect, even if I did guess some of it. Due to the short length of the story, though, I do feel it was a little rushed at the end and sometimes lacking in a bit of detail and depth, which was a shame. Overall, though, this is an interesting beginning that leaves plenty of room for more, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for it.
(ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.)
January 8, 2017
This is the first story by this author I have read and while I enjoyed it and the writing was fine, there was something missing in it for me. The prologue has us at the end of something where the protagonist Latrans' advances to York, his human mate, are rejected (seven days after his girlfriend has died in a car crash leaving him with a newborn, so ya know, not unexpected).
Then we leap to 7 years later where the little girl has been kidnapped and York, the hitter of the prologue, asks Latrans, the hitter, for help. There is no instal-love of the part of the human, and even at the end after everything that happens, there is a demand for an apology for stalkerish behaviour which is always a worry in magic mates stories, so that was a fun part, but I felt a little bit like there was more to this story. It seems there is a part 2 but I just think this should have been longer. I don't know whether part 2 will be a continuation of this or just another couple in the world, but I don't even get the significance of the series title, unless it is the fact that Latrans is a coyote shifter and they are known as tricksters in mythology?
Not sure how I feel about this story now that I've written all this down.
Then we leap to 7 years later where the little girl has been kidnapped and York, the hitter of the prologue, asks Latrans, the hitter, for help. There is no instal-love of the part of the human, and even at the end after everything that happens, there is a demand for an apology for stalkerish behaviour which is always a worry in magic mates stories, so that was a fun part, but I felt a little bit like there was more to this story. It seems there is a part 2 but I just think this should have been longer. I don't know whether part 2 will be a continuation of this or just another couple in the world, but I don't even get the significance of the series title, unless it is the fact that Latrans is a coyote shifter and they are known as tricksters in mythology?
Not sure how I feel about this story now that I've written all this down.
January 27, 2017
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.com review
Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
For the full review, visit http://wp.me/p220KL-9so
From that review: "I dive right into every Mell Eight book with enthusiasm and a certain amount of expectation on what I'm going to find in her stories. Her imagination almost certainly provides me with something new to think about, great characters and a wildly entertaining story. However, The Case of the Wandering Wolves (Trickster's Eye #1) by Mell Eight did provide some a couple of elements I liked, it mostly had me scratching my head in disappointment. Why? Because there are huge holes in the narrative here and in the thinking of the characters and plot."
For all our reviews, author interviews and all things books, visit us at http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
For the full review, visit http://wp.me/p220KL-9so
From that review: "I dive right into every Mell Eight book with enthusiasm and a certain amount of expectation on what I'm going to find in her stories. Her imagination almost certainly provides me with something new to think about, great characters and a wildly entertaining story. However, The Case of the Wandering Wolves (Trickster's Eye #1) by Mell Eight did provide some a couple of elements I liked, it mostly had me scratching my head in disappointment. Why? Because there are huge holes in the narrative here and in the thinking of the characters and plot."
For all our reviews, author interviews and all things books, visit us at http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
December 3, 2017
Reviewed on The Blogger Girls
3.5 stars
I won’t go too much into this story because, for one, it’s pretty short and two, the blurb does a good job of describing what it’s about. What I will say is that I really loved Latrans as a character. I loved that he was so willing to give York the space he needed without taking advantage of him. I also really adored the fact that he did everything he could to look out for York and his daughter without really intruding. As for York, I didn’t really like him that much. I felt like he was just a bit of a user so it was hard for me to connect with him after he expected Latrans to help without even wanting to give him the time of day.
I was really enjoying this story but I must say, I’m a little disappointed in the ending. I expected something much different instead of just a hopeful for now. Not even a happy for not, it was just hopeful. Hopeful that the next book will be about Latrans and York and not about anyone else. So while I really loved the set up to the story, my enjoyment was lessened by the fact that this could have been much longer and a little more concluded, IMO.
Overall, I like the story. I loved the premise of it and the fact that Latrans waited so long for his mate to come to him but I didn’t connect with York at all and then the ending was just so sudden and I expected more even though it was such a short story. Even still, I think if readers have liked Mell Eight’s stories in the past, they’ll probably like this one as well.
3.5 stars
I won’t go too much into this story because, for one, it’s pretty short and two, the blurb does a good job of describing what it’s about. What I will say is that I really loved Latrans as a character. I loved that he was so willing to give York the space he needed without taking advantage of him. I also really adored the fact that he did everything he could to look out for York and his daughter without really intruding. As for York, I didn’t really like him that much. I felt like he was just a bit of a user so it was hard for me to connect with him after he expected Latrans to help without even wanting to give him the time of day.
I was really enjoying this story but I must say, I’m a little disappointed in the ending. I expected something much different instead of just a hopeful for now. Not even a happy for not, it was just hopeful. Hopeful that the next book will be about Latrans and York and not about anyone else. So while I really loved the set up to the story, my enjoyment was lessened by the fact that this could have been much longer and a little more concluded, IMO.
Overall, I like the story. I loved the premise of it and the fact that Latrans waited so long for his mate to come to him but I didn’t connect with York at all and then the ending was just so sudden and I expected more even though it was such a short story. Even still, I think if readers have liked Mell Eight’s stories in the past, they’ll probably like this one as well.
January 11, 2017
I've received a copy via NetGally, in exchange for an honest review.
2,5 stars, rounded up as it's promising start of a series.
First of all: it was very quick read (kindle shows something around an hour) and it was pretty nice short story for sleepless night. It was enough to keep me entertained, but unfortunately not enough to give me something more. Plot is pretty straightforward, without much of a surprise. World is logical, well defined and neatly explained; it takes a lot from popular culture and it uses popular tropes (ie mating bond that can't be wrong), but it's okay - for story that short, it could not be any different. There is simply no space for being innovative.
Characters are well outlined, but not much more than that (and what's a pity! Both main characters have a lot of potential). - and I'd really like to see them expanded a little.
The manner in which characters communicated with each other seemed to me a bit unnatural - most people, when they are familiar with each other stick rather to names or nicknames, not surnames. (For a better part of the story, I was convinced that York is a name, not surname of the character).
However there is one thing, I actually really liked in the story: stalkerish behaviours were called out and weren't described as absolutely understandable and romantic.
2,5 stars, rounded up as it's promising start of a series.
First of all: it was very quick read (kindle shows something around an hour) and it was pretty nice short story for sleepless night. It was enough to keep me entertained, but unfortunately not enough to give me something more. Plot is pretty straightforward, without much of a surprise. World is logical, well defined and neatly explained; it takes a lot from popular culture and it uses popular tropes (ie mating bond that can't be wrong), but it's okay - for story that short, it could not be any different. There is simply no space for being innovative.
Characters are well outlined, but not much more than that (and what's a pity! Both main characters have a lot of potential). - and I'd really like to see them expanded a little.
The manner in which characters communicated with each other seemed to me a bit unnatural - most people, when they are familiar with each other stick rather to names or nicknames, not surnames. (For a better part of the story, I was convinced that York is a name, not surname of the character).
However there is one thing, I actually really liked in the story: stalkerish behaviours were called out and weren't described as absolutely understandable and romantic.
January 22, 2017
I wished it was just a bit longer and that I got to see a little more of York & Latrans relationship play out.
February 18, 2017
Short and sweet, but felt a little incomplete. Ready for book 2 to see how the story progresses.
January 21, 2017
This is a short and sweet story; however, do not expect any romance. Yes, they are mates; however, being human and brought up by very religious parents did not fare well for York. The author does a good job showing the struggle he faces; what he's taught versus what his heart wants. In fact, York has denied his mate, a coyote shifter, for the past six years.
Latrans, like any possessive mate, has kept an eye on York. Making sure he and his daughter Sammy are taken care of. It kills Latrans that he can be nothing more for the man he's destined for. In the end, he's able to save his mates daughter, but something unfortunate happens to York where his life is changed forever.
I cannot wait for the second book to see where the author takes this. I want to see how York feels now that the game has changed on him, and if this will affect his mate. I also wonder what will happen with Sammy and her new status. I don’t know about everyone else, but I really think that this could turn out to be a really good series. Here is to hoping!
Side Note: If you need further clarification on anything, please ask. I am one not to divulge potential spoilers that might ruin it for others. It is just my thing :)
I am one of many reviewers at Gay Book Reviews and can be found here: http://gaybook.reviews/author/steph/
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Latrans, like any possessive mate, has kept an eye on York. Making sure he and his daughter Sammy are taken care of. It kills Latrans that he can be nothing more for the man he's destined for. In the end, he's able to save his mates daughter, but something unfortunate happens to York where his life is changed forever.
I cannot wait for the second book to see where the author takes this. I want to see how York feels now that the game has changed on him, and if this will affect his mate. I also wonder what will happen with Sammy and her new status. I don’t know about everyone else, but I really think that this could turn out to be a really good series. Here is to hoping!
Side Note: If you need further clarification on anything, please ask. I am one not to divulge potential spoilers that might ruin it for others. It is just my thing :)
I am one of many reviewers at Gay Book Reviews and can be found here: http://gaybook.reviews/author/steph/
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2017
I know authors hate when reviewers complain that short stories are too short. I get it; it sounds oxymoronic. But I've read 50 page stories that felt complete and I've read 50 page stories that read like someone's left half of them out. This is the latter. It is 48 pages long, but given the plot, character history and world, it needed AT LEAST a hundred pages to feel complete.
The story as stands feels barely sketched out. There is six years of important history that just exists off page, despite being referenced frequently. There is a world of supernaturals that is so poorly drawn that I couldn't even figure out if people were supposed to know about them or not. There were several plot holes that moved the story but made no sense. (What presumably 19-20 year old woman has life insurance for her 19 year old boyfriend to inherit, for example?)
I didn't actually mind Latrans' weird stalkery habits. I actually liked that almost desperate side of him. But I never felt even remotely connected to York. Heck, half the time I couldn't even remember his name. The children are puppets, never given any depth and every woman in the book is described disparagingly for being sexually active.
This is the first Eight story I've read and it was a failure. I've read several good reviews of her other series, but I won't be continuing this one.
The story as stands feels barely sketched out. There is six years of important history that just exists off page, despite being referenced frequently. There is a world of supernaturals that is so poorly drawn that I couldn't even figure out if people were supposed to know about them or not. There were several plot holes that moved the story but made no sense. (What presumably 19-20 year old woman has life insurance for her 19 year old boyfriend to inherit, for example?)
I didn't actually mind Latrans' weird stalkery habits. I actually liked that almost desperate side of him. But I never felt even remotely connected to York. Heck, half the time I couldn't even remember his name. The children are puppets, never given any depth and every woman in the book is described disparagingly for being sexually active.
This is the first Eight story I've read and it was a failure. I've read several good reviews of her other series, but I won't be continuing this one.
January 29, 2017
Disclaimer - I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
(Sorry for the short review, couldn't think of much)
This book is LGBTQ, one of the main character is gay and the other one is bisexual.
I did not like this book at all. The whole story was rushed and never really got to the point.. actually the book didn't really have a point.
The whole story is about this guy named Latrans, help his 'mate' look for his daughter. Latran's mate is named York and he's human. (Latrans is a shifter I think). The story starts off a few years back with Latrans and York arguing, then York leaves Latrans, and York tells him to get out of his life. Then the story fast-forwards to when York's daughter disappears and needs Latrans to help. So they go around looking for his daughter and who took her and why.
What I mean by his 'mate' is York doesn't want to be his mate. But because of the 'mating bond', Latran's 'coyote' /needs/ to have York.
(Sorry for the short review, couldn't think of much)
This book is LGBTQ, one of the main character is gay and the other one is bisexual.
I did not like this book at all. The whole story was rushed and never really got to the point.. actually the book didn't really have a point.
The whole story is about this guy named Latrans, help his 'mate' look for his daughter. Latran's mate is named York and he's human. (Latrans is a shifter I think). The story starts off a few years back with Latrans and York arguing, then York leaves Latrans, and York tells him to get out of his life. Then the story fast-forwards to when York's daughter disappears and needs Latrans to help. So they go around looking for his daughter and who took her and why.
What I mean by his 'mate' is York doesn't want to be his mate. But because of the 'mating bond', Latran's 'coyote' /needs/ to have York.
January 13, 2017
3.5 stars
February 2, 2017
There are some points in story that confuse but I loved this story nevertheless, I might be bias since I like most of authors work.
March 22, 2017
I enjoyed this take on shifters and mate bonds, but I didn't really enjoy some of the finer points, nor was I much a fan of the ending.
Latrans is a coyote shifter who found his mate York when he came to him for a job. The fact that York was nineteen, had just lost his girlfriend, was raising his newborn daughter, and had a family that frowned on him being bi, made it the worst idea for Latrans to approach him about that mate bond. York runs, but Latrans keeps an eye on him, until York's daughter is kidnapped.
I enjoyed seeing how Latrans dealt with the situation because he had good instincts, and handled it very calmly. He was clearly a good help to York even though that wasn't always appreciated. York sees his behaviour as to stalkerish and honestly, you can see that it is. But at the same time, without Latrans as his guarantor and such through the years he literally wouldn't have had half of what he did. It was a weird situation and the ending That threw me off so I just wasn't really interested after that.
Latrans is a coyote shifter who found his mate York when he came to him for a job. The fact that York was nineteen, had just lost his girlfriend, was raising his newborn daughter, and had a family that frowned on him being bi, made it the worst idea for Latrans to approach him about that mate bond. York runs, but Latrans keeps an eye on him, until York's daughter is kidnapped.
I enjoyed seeing how Latrans dealt with the situation because he had good instincts, and handled it very calmly. He was clearly a good help to York even though that wasn't always appreciated. York sees his behaviour as to stalkerish and honestly, you can see that it is. But at the same time, without Latrans as his guarantor and such through the years he literally wouldn't have had half of what he did. It was a weird situation and the ending That threw me off so I just wasn't really interested after that.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews