Legendary Shifter

Legendary Warriors

by Barbara J. Hancock

She wanted a wolf…and she found a man

Once upon a time, Elena Pavlova was a ballerina. Now she is a fugitive, looking for the great black wolf who can save her from the witchblood prince who haunts her dreams. Cursed shifter Ivan Romanov cannot say no to this Elena, who may well be his destined mate!

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Romance, Paranormal, Shapeshifters

295 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

Coming in July 2023, writing as Willa Reece, WILDWOOD MAGIC from Orbit/Redhook. Were the Ross women really witches? A magical tale about coming home when the only home you’ve ever known is gone. Also be sure to check out the first book set in a mystical mountain wood, WILDWOOD WHISPERS.
For Harlequin Nocturne, I've written as Barbara J. Hancock, a Faustian series featuring men who've sold their souls and the women who save them--Brimstone Seduction, Brimstone Bride, and Brimstone Prince. And a fairytale shifter series featuring three Russian wolf shifters-- Legendary Shifter, Legendary Wolf and Legendary Beast. Also a YA Gothic Thriller for Entangled Publishing. When I'm not writing, I'm the adopted mom to many rescued pets. I live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains in Virginia with my soulmate where ghost stories are often told on a dark side porch in the flicker of firefly light.

Reviews

[Jaime · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea of mixing Beauty and the Beast, Swan Lake, and Eastern European folklore together was a good idea. Unfortunately beyond the idea there was nothing much. Elena is strong but desperate and Ivan is typically brooding and secretive. There was nothing about either lead that stood out. Also for too much of the story there were only three speaking characters, and a couple of wolves. So there is this long stretch of the book where nothing is really happening. Just sad people wandering around an empty castle. When things finally do get going they are predictable. Not to mention the villain was terrible. He was there to give the leads a conflict, but he wasn’t fleshed out. He was bad because he was bad, so he did bad things, then he was defeated.

This is the first book in a trilogy. The problem with motivating people to read the next installments after such a boring introduction to this world, is that the males it will feature weren’t truly present in the book. As for the female characters one was around, but dull. The other was just mentioned. I have no interest in reading any other books in this series. But if the author comes up with another mash up idea I would be open to reading it, with the hope that her storytelling skills have improved.

[Carly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beauty and the Beast meets Russian fairytales! I liked the concept well enough, and the book drew me in from the cover art alone. Romanov is definitely a brooding hunk of a hero! But sometimes it felt like the story relied a little too much on telling rather than showing, and the third act wrapped up things a little too quickly/neatly for my preference. However, I know this is the first book in a trilogy and I admit to being intrigued to check out future installments.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Rhapsody Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read....It married many a folklore and I had fun reading. I did not feel the desire to skim though chapters which for me is a good thing. I wasn't bored. It may not be true for many as books are subjective. It left me with the desire to know Lev's and Soren's stories.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

NCT #277

[Gin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written captivating shifter story with a long suffering werewolf hunk and a inspired ballerina being stalked by a paranormal villain. A good slow build to romance along with the mystery and action. A little slow in parts but keeps you engaged until the end. I voluntarily reviewed a NetGalley ARC.