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A review by laurenjodi
Love and Other Wild Things by Molly Harper
4.0
Love and Other Wild Things
3.5 Stars
Danica Teel, an energy witch, is sent to Mystic Bayou by the League to try and stabilize the mysterious rift that is causing chaos among the town's supernatural and human residents. Together with mayor Zed Barron, Dani faces off against a malevolent stalker determined to widen the rift and destroy the only place magical beings can coexist with humans.
Despite the charming setting and quirky characters, there is something missing from this follow-up to How to Date Your Dragon, and the problem lies in the romance.
Unfortunately, Zed and Dani's romance falls flat, especially when compared to the couple in the first book. Their interactions are lacking the witty banter that so enhanced Bael and Jillian's chemistry, and aside from an instant-lust attraction, there doesn't seem to be any foundation to their relationship. Zed is a homebody while Dani has wanderlust; he wants a mate to share his cave with while she is looking for a lover and not a partner. Obviously, these issues are resolved by the end, but it all feels contrived rather than natural.
In contrast, the suspense plot revolving around the person widening the rift is intriguing, and the climax and resolution are intense and exciting. Harper also managed to surprise me with the identity of the villain; someone who wasn't even on my radar. So kudos here!
In terms of the audiobook narration, Amanda Ronconi is as fantastic as ever and Jonathan Davis's deep baritone is growing on me.
In sum, there are hints at a larger agenda at play in the world of Mystic Bayou, and I look forward to finding out what happens next.
3.5 Stars
Danica Teel, an energy witch, is sent to Mystic Bayou by the League to try and stabilize the mysterious rift that is causing chaos among the town's supernatural and human residents. Together with mayor Zed Barron, Dani faces off against a malevolent stalker determined to widen the rift and destroy the only place magical beings can coexist with humans.
Despite the charming setting and quirky characters, there is something missing from this follow-up to How to Date Your Dragon, and the problem lies in the romance.
Unfortunately, Zed and Dani's romance falls flat, especially when compared to the couple in the first book. Their interactions are lacking the witty banter that so enhanced Bael and Jillian's chemistry, and aside from an instant-lust attraction, there doesn't seem to be any foundation to their relationship. Zed is a homebody while Dani has wanderlust; he wants a mate to share his cave with while she is looking for a lover and not a partner. Obviously, these issues are resolved by the end, but it all feels contrived rather than natural.
In contrast, the suspense plot revolving around the person widening the rift is intriguing, and the climax and resolution are intense and exciting. Harper also managed to surprise me with the identity of the villain; someone who wasn't even on my radar. So kudos here!
In terms of the audiobook narration, Amanda Ronconi is as fantastic as ever and Jonathan Davis's deep baritone is growing on me.
In sum, there are hints at a larger agenda at play in the world of Mystic Bayou, and I look forward to finding out what happens next.