Rhenna Morgan has taken quite a unique take on a shifter series. In fact, it doesn't even feel like a shifter series. It's so much more.

The descendants of the clan have an option of accepting their destiny or refuse it and remain a singura, a human. They go on a quest where the keeper will offer them their companion and the magic that best suits them and signifies their clan house.

Eerikki, known as Priest since he was chosen as the High Priest by the keeper, is the hero in book 1. He is the one who guides the clan. He goes on the quests with them and trains them.

Kateri, known as Katy is the heroine and Priest's mate. She and her brother were not raised on the knowledge of the clan. Her father refused his quest and raised them as singura. when he and their mother were brutally murdered, their Nanna explained to them their heritage and brings them to Priest.

Draven is Priest's brother and the evil villain of the story. The keeper saw a darkness in Draven and gave the High Priest to Eerekki and ultimately what pushes Draven to attack the clan.

There is a lot to learn in this first book but it's not difficult to keep up. I love that this is so different from what I've read in a shifter series before. They do have mates in this series and it's instantly known by the male but not by the female. They have to earn their love and trust to accept the bond to form. It's the best of both worlds. You have instant love but a slow burn love as well.

Priest was a calm presence for an alpha persona. He was patient and protective but his possessiveness reared it's ugly head when provoked. Katy's father squelched her open mind when she was young and molded her into a scientific mind. Despite seeing the truth to this new knowledge, she still struggles to let go and accept.

Priest is determined to keep her hidden from his brother but she is ultimately what he needs to beat back the darkness.

I'm excited to see where the author will take us with this journey. There are so many possibilities and I look forward to the next book. ARC provided by NetGalley.

Guardian's Bond the first in the Ancient Ink series introduces us to the Volan and promises an exciting series arc. This race of shifters unlike most shifters we know view their animal as a companion. Both their animal form and abilities are gifted to them at the time of their quickening. Priest Rahandras is the spiritual guide of the clan. There are different families and branches each with its own healer, protector, sorcerer etc. When Priest was chosen as leader his brother in a fit of jealousy turned to the dark. During an attempted coup he wiped out almost a generation of the clan. The surviving clans scattered and Priest thought his brother was dead.  Now, dreams warn of danger to come and a knock on the door soon alerts him that the threat isn't over. Now he must assemble the clan and prepare to stop his brother once and for all.

In this first book, Morgan builds the world, while introducing us to key characters and allowing Priest to find his mate. The story is heavy with sensuality and pushed into the erotic genre with heated and detailed scenes. While the scenes were well done, I found myself eager to return to the action, threat, and development of the world. I like my stories to be balanced and this was not.

The worldbuilding was clever in that Kateri and her brother know almost nothing about the Volan until their parents were murdered. Through their spirit walks and training, we learn about their clan. It made for a fast-paced story with virtually no info dumps. I loved events in the big house that Priest owns, and like how tattoos play a part in their clan.

The mythology, the structure of the clan and the different types of companions from owls to panthers was fascinating. I like that each clan member is tested and that Priest in his role acts as their spiritual guide. Native American stories came to mind as I listened and the paranormal elements had a believability to them.

Nicole Poole narrates and as always does a wonderful job with pacing, character voices and setting the tone. She is one of my favorites and as I said, it was her name that pulled me to this story. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

This one didn't work for me unfortunately. The 1st few chapters were interesting, but then between 50-60% I wanted to dnf, but I ended up skimming some. After 76% nothing was really happening! This story moved so slow. While the characters where developed enough, the story as a whole, wasn't enough to keep me enticed. Some major events should have happened already by then, and they didn't.

3.5

DNF, as soon as I started the book I thought hang on, is there another book before this as it was talking like I should know things. This is the 1st book of Rhenna Morgan I have listened to and I am not sure if this is her normal style. I found the pacing off and I just couldnt get into the storyline. I listened to about 1/2 of it.

I really enjoyed this book. A whole new world of paranormal that hasn't really been done though I can see similarities to several of my favorites. Looking forward to continuing the series.

3.5 stars

I did like it, just a little too much push from the heroine for my taste. Love this author though and will be continuing the series.

This book is a tough review. I love the mythology around this shifter world.
A family who was removed from this world suffers the murder of their parents and finds out the family’s mystical history as Volan.
Priest, leader of the group and renowned tattoo artist, is stunned to meet his mate in a woman who knows little about his world.
Kateri is shocked by all that she’s learning and cannot fathom this sexy man who is way up in her business. When her brother goes on his spirit quest and shifts to a wolf she cannot believe what is happening.
Interesting twists. Bad brother and fated mates.

This book is a tough review. I love the mythology around this shifter world.
A family who was removed from this world suffers the murder of their parents and finds out the family’s mystical history as Volan.
Priest, leader of the group and renowned tattoo artist, is stunned to meet his mate in a woman who knows little about his world.
Kateri is shocked by all that she’s learning and cannot fathom this sexy man who is way up in her business. When her brother goes on his spirit quest and shifts to a wolf she cannot believe what is happening.
Interesting twists. Bad brother and fated mates.