In a Badger Way

Code Status:

Star rating DOA—EMS: Emergency Must See: 5

Allergies/Sensitivities:

Content that some readers may find triggering or objectionable, not exhaustive

There is on page sex and violence and superiority complexes and evil ex-boyfriends imprisonment and attempted DNA manipulation Several characters also have mental health disorders that are discussed at certain points throughout the book. There is some heteronormative language also.

History:

Is this part of a series, a spin off, a debut, or a stand alone?

This is book 2 in a spin-off series called the Honey Badger Chronicles. The main (hehe) series is the Pride series and starts with The Mane Event. Well, the further back original series is the Magnus pack trilogy starting with Pack Challenge. That's when I first fell in love with Shelly Laurenston's writing and though there has been a noticeable increase in finesse or polish she has retained the voice and style that first made me a fan!

Temperature:

Heat level- 1 to 5 thermometers noting the amount of explicit content

There is on page sex and some blunt language concerning it. I would call it a 3 as it is definitely not a majority and each scene serves to advance the story line.

Pain Level:

How much angst, drama, or emotional pain is contained, 1-10?

One of the reasons I love Laurenston's writing, is the way she handles what can be pretty heavy topics without losing the overall humor of book. Her books are very low on angst to me (which I like!).

Heart Rate:

How much Action, Horror, Thriller, Mystery, and Excitement etc 0-5

3 there is definitely conflict and some tense moments, enough to keep the story moving and the pages turning but nothing that stressed me out.

Breathing:

How long is the novel and how was the pacing? 1-3

2 I thought the book was great but I would have been okay with more at the end. I feel like it wrapped up kind of fast at the end but I was smiling so it worked ;-)

Diversity:

How much and what kind of diversity is found among the characters? Any glaring issues noticed by the reviewer?

Shelly Laurenston (an author of color) writes a realistically diverse world in a multitude of ways. Not only do many of her books feature interracial lead couples but all of those characters are surrounded with multiethnic/multiracial characters AND since we're talking shifters, the majority of her books feature hybrid shifters (ie Tigons, Ligers, Coydogs, Wolf Dogs, Honey Badger-tiger, etc) This is where many of the conflicts come in actually, with groups being intolerant of hybrid shifters. It is really masterfully done and creates a much more realistic world and foil for real issues without taking the fun and humor out of the story. I simply adore the way all of these things are handled in the book. In some books there are mentions of same-sex couples as well. I would also love if we got a story actually starring a same-sex couple, or a polyamorous relationship etc.

Examination:

Overall review; may contain minor spoilers

Book two in the Honey Badgers Chronicles does not disappoint. Stevie is a genius in math/science and in music. She also has a panic disorder and isn't quite in control of her shifting into a ginormous honey badger-tiger hybrid (yes, that is as terrifying as it sounds). She's afraid of Bears, among other things, but not Pandas. Enter Shen Li, giant panda shifter and security expert. He's supposed to protect Kyle a narcissistic Jackal prodigy who is hanging out with the Mackilligan sisters because he and Stevie are friends when most people find him rage-inducing. Male bears are the most confused predators on the planet and poor Shen is very confused that Stevie seems to find him so cuddly and seems to have attached herself to him like a stray cat.

I love that the MacKilligan sisters now have overlap with many of the characters from the Pride Series. You don't have to have read those but it's incredibly enjoyable if you have! I love to see former lead characters living their HEA. I also love that these sisters have 'flaws' uncommon in the shifter world and they're accepting of themselves and each other and really stick together (even when they argue about ridiculous stuff just the way siblings really do). This book is just fun, and romantic and a great read. The author has a recognizable voice while giving each of her characters their own feel. She addresses issues and has a diverse cast of characters across all over books and best of all you laugh on your way to a HEA. I highly recommend you read all of her books but if you want to read this one particularly then consider at least reading Hot and Badgered first, to better understand some of the conflicts at play here.

#AOC #geneticmod #mf #onpagesex #Binarylanguage #Diverse #ParanormalRomance #violence #PTSD #5Star #Shifters