Overview: Romance is anything but possible for Tristan, an embittered werewolf who’s still suffering the after-effects of going to war and mourning the loss of his former lover, Isabella. But when Izzie’s twin, Daniela—a persecuted but head-strong young she-wolf—suddenly roars back into Tristan’s tortured life, and manages to capture his heart at the very moment she becomes the point of contention for several Alphas vying for dominance, all hell breaks loose.
This unique and absorbing paranormal fantasy thriller by Alexa Whitewolf is more than just the usual paranormal fantasy fodder. “Second to Surrender” springs to life from the very first pages, drawing on a rich tradition of cryptid lore and legend, and presenting a cast of complex characters who possess a wide diversity of ethnicities and personalities based on their individual backgrounds and past experiences. Author Whitewolf then expands on her characters by creating and adding a blend of unnatural beings to her werewolf shifters which are far from the usual fare, including sentient ravens, feral wolves (They’re much more dangerous and wild than your standard wolves!), rare witch-hybrids, and (Get this...) a fully-fledged dragon-shifter! Whitewolf also draws a fine line between hero and villain in “Second to Surrender”, blurring each character’s ambitions and affiliations to the point where it’s nearly impossible to make out who’s a friend and who’s a foe.
The on-again/off-again romance between the two main protagonists, Tristan and Daniela, creates so much tension within the story, it’s impossible to remain detached from feeling their pain and elation as they strive to hold themselves together while battling it out against their enemies for the common good. In fact, Burgess’ plotline contains so many twists and turns, it’s a real treat to try to predict how all these characters, who are so intricately bound together by their pasts, for better or worse, will be dragged by Fate, kicking and screaming into their futures.
With inspired and unlikely partnerships, impossible odds, surprising revelations, steamy sexual encounters, and the deadliest of confrontations, “Second to Surrender” is one Roller-Coaster-of Doom ride you’ll never forget. Better yet, the cliff hanger at the end of this highly-charged story will leave you begging for the next chapter of the Moonlight Rogues series the moment you read “The End”. I highly recommend this macabre yet hopeful paranormal fantasy romance for ages 17 and up.