Alpha Divided by Aileen Erin
Series: Alpha Girl #3
Published by Ink Monster
Published on: October 14, 2014
Genres: New Adult, Werewolves
Pages: 213
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Life has been crazy since Tessa McCaide moved to Texas. She’s gone from being a normal-ish girl with visions to a super-powered werewolf. She’s fought off vampires and broken a nearly unbreakable curse. And she’s got a hot mate, Dastien Laurent, to keep her busy.
Things are looking up until the full moon ceremony rolls around. Before Tessa can strengthen her bond with Dastien, the local coven crashes the gates, demanding that Tessa—their heir apparent—be returned. If the pack wants to avoid a war with the witches, handing Tessa over is the only option.
Tessa doesn’t want to cause an all-out fight, but joining a dark-magic coven isn’t on her to-do list, especially if embracing her magic side means parting with Dastien. When the coven leader tries to control Tessa with dark-magic, Tessa realizes she has to dismantle the coven or prepare the pack for war. Either choice will change her life—and her world—forever.
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ALPHA DIVIDED was everything that AVOIDING ALPHA should have been with its bruja plot line, True Mates romance, and full bodied adventure. Tessa really came into her own in this installment by not only embracing her werewolf half, but her witch roots as well. The villain was easy to hate, tied in nicely with the previous novel, and helped expand the ALPHA GIRL world by adding demons, fey, and the possibility of having to ‘out’ supernaturals to humans in the near future. My complaint about the price vs. length remains mind you; two hundred pages (bk 2 & 3) shouldn’t cost the same as four hundred (bk 1) in my opinion, and I wish that Aileen Erin would have ended this tale with the full moon ceremony rather than forcing readers to wait until AFTER the upcoming ‘Claudia’s trip to Peru’ story due out in May 2015.
I’ve been looking forward to spending more time with Tessa’s cousins ever since their characters were first introduced, so I was pleased that the vast majority of this book took place in la Aquelarre. Life in the coven is very different than St Ailbe’s, especially under Luciana’s leadership. I’ve heard of roughing it, but this was an extreme case with thirties style housing, no tech, and a kill switch on every member’s land line. I enjoyed learning more about McCaide’s family through her visions, and great aunt, Tia Rosa. The craft aspects were equally well-developed with Daniel’s spell lessons, Alverez’s dark mojo, and the game changing ritual. Tessa’s failed attempts at learning magic were downright laughable—those poor jars!—however, she eventually realized that her strengths lie elsewhere, and finally embraced her visions.
The plot was easy to follow, and the outcome was foreseeable because the Big Bad broadcast her intentions in the opening chapters, but that in no way lowered my overall enjoyment. There were still a number of unanticipated surprises, and the ending managed to catch me off guard with a regrettable character death. I liked the shout-outs to FIREFLY, THE MATRIX, and Christine Feehan’s SEA HAVEN novels, and McCaide’s eclectic taste in music was fitting given this is New Adult. The author also broadened the ALPHA GIRL universe by roping in the fey, demons, and sorcerers. I wish that the heroine’s brother and BFF hadn’t been sidelined, although it did make sense on account of the la Aquelarre locale, and Claudia & Raphael were an acceptable substitution.
I was disappointed that Dastien didn’t appear in more scenes, however the ones he did have packed a formidable punch which certainly went a long way in appeasing me on that front. Tessa obviously needed to learn how to stand on her own two feet before committing herself to one man for the rest of her life, especially given all of the recent changes she’s had to deal with, and I think this novel accomplished that. I wasn’t sold on the whole insta-love thing in the earlier installments, but their relationship has now reached a happy place. This story began with Tessa and Dastien’s full moon ceremony getting interrupted, so I was peeved that the author didn’t conclude with that, and learning that the werewolves will be MIA in book 4 didn’t exactly help.
Hiccups aside, ALPHA DIVIDED renewed my love of this series, and I look forward to reading not one but TWO new ALPHA GIRL novels in 2015!
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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
Nice review. That cover is beautiful – all of them are really. Glad this book picked up for you where the others have lacked. It’s always nice when you don’t give up on a series and proves you right but getting better.
Jessica Cooley recently posted…The Lions of Little Rock – Review
The covers are gorgeous! I’m not often swayed by pretty artwork, but I was with this series. Fortunately it worked out in my favour this time.
I love that this is a new adult werewolf story! I have yet to read one but it sounds like this series is a great place to start!
Great review Carmel, happy Friday!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Blog Tour Review and Giveaway: Cinder & Ella by Kelly Oram
The New Adult aspect was one of the main things that drew me to these novels as well. Well, that and the werewolves of course!
I could definitely be persuaded to read this series. If you say it’s easy to follow, then I’ll take your word for it. One of the reasons why I can’t commit to a series (especially one that’s already on its 3rd instalment) is that I have the patience of a 6-year-old. A relatively easy to follow plot is definitely key for me to start reading UF/Paranormal again. 🙂
Joy (Joyousreads) recently posted…Throwback Thursday [7]: The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller
There’s pretty much only one (or two) plot threads per installment which makes it easy to dive back in after waiting months for the next book. Normally, I’m not a fan of that, but in this instance it works.
I’ve had this series on my radar for a while now, sounds like I have to hurry up and start it. I’m not huge on new adult titles but if it has paranormal elements I’m more likely to read them. I sometimes wish these type of books came in trilogies instead of series….like I need another series in my life..LOL Great review Carmel 🙂
Lori recently posted…Blog Tour: BLOOD GATE by Amy Lee Burgess {Character Interview + Giveaway}
I know what you mean about series, there are two more installments in the works for 2015 which is discouraging. I can do 1 a year, but 2? We’ll see! And, if you have to play catch-up it’s 10x worse.
I really like the cover to this one! And yes, pricing and ebooks will always be something that bothers me! And you’re right, an ebook that’s twoo hundred pages shorter should not cost the same as a 400-page book. My personal pet peeve? When the first installment is like $3 and the subsequent books are 8 or 9 dollars. I’m sure there’s a word for that. :/
Back to the review! This reminds me a bit of True Blood with the whole outing of the supernatural world! Thanks for the review!
Amber Elise @ Du Livre
I’ve received review copies of all of the novels in this series, so I shouldn’t really be complaining about the price, but I thought it was worth informing potential readers about that aspect. It bugs me!
So with you on the cover. Definitely sounds like a series I need to check out when I have the time. Thanks for the intro to it!
anna (herding cats & burning soup) recently posted…Happiness Challenge–Day 20–cardio can bite me, inappropriately naughty things & calling out Pat Fordyce & Mary (The Book Swarm)
Two new covers were just revealed over the weekend, and they are just as gorgeous as these three. I kinda want to buy physical copies because they’d look so pretty on my shelves. The artwork is wasted on my eReader.
I added the first book to my TBR when you reviewed it…I’m still waiting for the audio..LOL I sound like a broken record..LOL But I’m glad to hear this one is good too 🙂
Lupdilup recently posted…Hunger Untamed Audiobook by Pamela Palmer (review)
You do sound like a broken record, Loupe, but that’s ok. I expect nothing less from you! 😛
A character that is coming into what she really is and finally accepting it is what I love to see in books. It sometimes fails to happen and I really get annoyed so I’m glad that you’ve got to experience that here. Also LOVE the cover. Great review, Carmel 🙂
Tanja recently posted…ARC Review: Get Happy by Mary Amato
Tessa took her sweet time in getting there, no, not really, 3 books is acceptable I think. The last installment kinda felt like filler, so I’m happy that the author turned things around.
I was wondering about this series. It looks great. Fantastic that there are two new books coming next year!
Heidi recently posted…Something Wicked Strikes Day #24 Friday Forecast October 26th-November 1st
I need more New Adult in my life, so these novels were perfect for me! I’m not sure about Claudia’s story, but I’m SO looking forward to Tessa & Dastien’s full moon ceremony.
Not a fan of insta-love but this one seemed to work it out. Oh and you had me at Firefly nod. 😀 I’m bummed that the next will be sans were in 4 but hopefully 5 will fix that. 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Chasing Power by Sarah Beth Durst
Another FIREFLY fan-girl! I knew we were kindred spirits! Yeah, I wasn’t thrilled about the insta-love, and book 4 might be a struggle, time will tell.
Nice. That’s a great sign that you had issues, but it still turned out really good.
Christy recently posted…Thief by Tarryn Fisher
I love it when a series bounces back! Becoming Alpha was good, Avoiding Alpha not so much, and now this one. We’re getting there!
I just read the third book from her writing partner Christina Bauer this week. I’ve been curious about this one. Sounds like they have quite a bit in common, including a just an okay sequel. I thought these were werewolf books, adding the witchy element makes me want to read them even more! The other supernatural creatures sound cool too! That stinks that the book didn’t wrap things up, but at least there’s more to the story. Nice review! 🙂
Molly Mortensen recently posted…Angelbound Armageddon By Christina Bauer
Ha! I just read your Christina Bauer review this morning, so it looks like we added to each other’s TBR. The witchy elements were a nice bonus, although Erin sure took her sweet time in getting to that aspect.
Na…eh, I will leave it there
blodeuedd recently posted…Romance Friday Novella style x3
Suit yourself. 🙂
The MC is half werewolf and half witch? Like both my favorites mixed into a single amazing character? You sold me right there, Carmel, even if the first book sounds a little less exciting than this one.
Great review, Carmel 🙂 Happy reading.
Lexxie recently posted…Stacking The Shelves #55 Bought Borrowed and Bagged #5
Sorry if I wasn’t clear in my review, I liked the first novel, it was the second one that I had problems with. I hope you enjoy Tessa’s character!
These covers are always really pretty. I’m glad to see you still had a great time with the story even if you would have wanted more of Dastien. I should try it one day. Great review!
I have to wait a whole YEAR for more Dastien because of Claudia’s book, that’s just plain cruel! *cries*
I’ll need to add this book to my ever growing TBR pile since you had such nice things to s ay about it! Makes me want to read it too!
That’s my #1 goal in life; to add to others’ TBR piles, just don’t be tossing any titles onto mine. 😉
New discovery for me
i’m quite tempted but i think i would wait until teh series is complete before making a decision. one thing for sure .. i absolutely LOVE the cover
miki recently posted…Deadly Curiosities ( Deadly Curiosities 1) by Gail Z. Martin
I have no idea how many installments are planned in this series, so you might be waiting a long time. Those covers though… LOVE!
I am really not a fan of the covers, they look like childrens books. Thanks for the review, I will keep this series in mind.
Aurian recently posted…Recommendations from Karin for October 2014.
Hmm… I guess you’re the exception to the rule. These titles are New Adult, so the children’s look isn’t completely out of left field.
I’m glad this installment renewed your love in the series, Carmel. I’ve not heard of our before but I’m going to check it out because I’ve renewed my love in paranormal recently. 🙂
You’ve love of paranormal is renewed, my love of this series is renewed. Looks like we’re both in trouble now. Hehe!
I have to confess that I didn’t read this whole review because I haven’t read the other books in the series, but I HAD to click on this post because I was so in love with the cover. Now I see that I’m not the only one who loves it! Plus, the other covers look awesome too, so now I have to check out this series (for all the wrong reasons, I know!). 🙂
Nicole recently posted…Let’s Discuss – Are the Number of Followers You Have Important to You?
I was originally hooked by the cover of Becoming Alpha, so don’t feel too bad about being drawn in for all of the wrong reasons. That’s how they get ya! LOL
I totally agree with your review! The book only really picked up for me after half-way and I missed Dastien, her bro & BFF as well but loved getting to know the brujo gang. I was happy that Aileen slowed the pace down a bit to savor some scenes as I felt book #2 was a bit rushed and well short as we both agree. Great review Carmel 🙂
Chanzie recently posted…September & October MWYA Buzz
I think you’re the only other blogger I know who’s actually read this series, so I’m glad you agree with my review. I’m off to check-out your post. 🙂
I’ve been curious about this series for a while, since I’ve been reading a series from the same imprint and love that one, and by your review it sounds like it’s quite a fun series to read, with an interesting and unique enough take on witchcraft and supernatural and paranormals!
Great review Carmel!
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