As Feral Sins is comparable to a sunrise, The Mating is comparable to an eternal night. So What does that mean? For lack of a better word, you keep reading and wish the sun will rise, but as time passes you realize, albeit disappointingly that it will never come. You feel, depressed because you know that when sunrise comes it will be beautiful, and memorable. The Mating by Nicky Charles is the complete opposite of Feral Sins. Don’t get me wrong it had the potential of becoming something more. However, there was never that final push into awesomeness.
The lackluster writing, mundane story plot, and one-dimensional characters were just a few of the minor issues throughout the novel. When you write, you need to capture your audience, you need to guide them with a helping hand when they need it, so they won’t get lost. However, you do not guide them so carefully, that you smother the potential of imagination and suspense. The story introduces your heroine, Elise (one of my favorite names, by the way), and your hero Kane. The premise is built upon the fact that the Father has made an arranged mating with Kate, the Alpha of a different pack. Elise, who is in love with another shifter, Bryan, understands the responsibilities to pack and ends up mated to the stranger. She expresses dismay, but thats all there is. You would think she would through a fit, if she was in love with someone else. Anyways, the story continues with Kane being so busy with pack issues, that Elise is left on the sidelines. Alone, newly mated, and living in a new pack full of strangers, Elise tries to find her place. After awhile, drama arises, someone is causing chaos within the pack, and the thing you have to figure out is who it is?
Guess what it wasn’t that hard, I probably figured out the whole entire 30% through the book. I like a book that has an air of mystery to it. Unfortunately, the author failed to arise to the occasion. So many parts could have been expanded upon, Elise was literally a character, she did not come to life. The issues of the pack could have been solved so early it is almost depressing. Furthermore, the love story between Kane and Elise, felt half hearted. I understand, you can come to love and respect a person through an arranged marriage, however there was nothing in the book that allowed me to make the connection, except sexually. The only connection they truly had was sex. They never just really sat down and talked. Oh, I’m sure they did, but the author never truly revealed these conversations to us. Which left me feeling empty.
Many parts reminded me of Feral Sins. Feral Sins is the potential that The Mating could become. You have once again the annoying female who hates the heroine, because she thinks the alpha male is hers. Marla, is just so pathetic, that she has no redeeming qualities. She is just an annoying, fake who can manipulate people easily. Which leads me to Kane, who always sided with Marla, he is so dense that I could take a brick to his head, and he wouldn’t feel it.
I’ll stop here, because I can go on and on about the story. Unfortunately, or maybe not, I just finished the book, so the story and first thoughts are overtaking rationality. I’m sure if I wait a day, I’ll be calm and rational. I probably (most likely not) be able to see that this book is not so bad. Anyways, I give it a 1.5 for personal like, and 3 in an attempt to be rational. It is not, by far, the worst book. It just failed to meet the expectations I have. I love a strong willed heroine, and Elise is as dull as they come. Nevertheless, it just depends on personal preference. Goodreads has given this book a 4.08 rating (which I’m failing to see). So there are many people who loved this book. The writing is eloquent enough, the story is there, and… well I finished the book. It just failed to reach what it could have been. I guess this disappointed me most, because i know it could have been more. Anyways, for those who have read, please leave a comment, and tell me what you think. I hope you enjoyed it more than I did!!! The next book is entitle The Keeping, which I don’t think I can read. But it’s out for you guys to check.
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