[Review]: "Daring Fate"

Daring Fate by Megan Erickson
Publisher: Megan Erickson (November 14, 2016)
Series: Silver Tip Pack, 1
Genre: M/M Romance -- Paranormal

We all have tragic backstories in today's world. 

I wake up chained to the wall of a dark cell aware of two things: I failed my sister, and I smell my enemy.

When I’m taken to meet Dare, the alpha of the Silver Tip pack, I’m sure I’m about to lose my throat. The last thing I expect is for the Alpha to recognize me as his fated mate. No way is he going to let me go now, and I still have to find a way to rescue my sister.

As I plot my escape to save her, I find that if I leave, Dare could be killed by power-hungry members of his pack. And now he’s more to me than my fated mate—my heart is involved. With time ticking by on my sister’s life, I have to make a choice I never thought I’d face—my sister’s life or my mate’s? That’s if I can survive the undead shifters intent on killing me first...

Where to Buy*:

Kindle | NOOK | Kobo

More Info:

Author's Site
Add it on Goodreads! | Find the Series

Reviews of Erickson's Previous Novels:

Changing His Game (#1) -- TBQ
Tied to Trouble (#3) -- TBQ
Leveling the Field (#4) -- TBQ

Trust the Focus (#1) -- TBQ
Focus on Me (#2) -- TBQ
Out of Frame (#3) -- TBQ
Overexposed (#4) -- TBQ

Strong Signal (#1) -- TBQ
Fast Connection (#2) -- TBQ


My Review:

"[...] books are made to be read and worn edges and tears are okay as long as it's because you learned from the words inside."

I have to be honest: I never thought I’d want to read a cross between The Walking Dead and Underworld (especially TWD; zombies are sooo not my thing). But when I heard about Daring Fate, I had to read it anyway because I love Erickson’s writing and trust her. I was not disappointed. At all. Erickson created such a great new world to explore, one that’s not like other shifter books I’ve read, and that alone is always something to be excited about.

In this world, the human race has been killed off, and all that remains are three species – werewolves, who have two forms (human and wolf); Weres, who have three forms (human, large wolf, and a fucking huge hybrid form -- think Underworld, or even the werewolf on Van Helsing); and the Noweres, which are basically Weres infected with a zombie virus. A bite from a Nowere kills a werewolf outright and turns a Were. There is no cure.

Reese is a werewolf. His pack was attacked by Noweres years ago; his parents were killed, and he, his brother, and his sister got away, running to another pack for sanctuary. Only the Bluefoot pack was anything but sanctuary, only taking the three young wolves in to use as labor. When the Alpha of the pack, a particularly nasty wolf, picks Selene as his mate – very much against her will – Reese knows it is time for them to get out of there. Their plans are ruined though, leaving Reese badly beaten and left for dead in Noweres land, Selene still stuck in the compound, and leaving Jude to get his older brother to the only available safety -- the Silver Tip pack (Weres).

Reese wakes up in pain only to find out that he failed to save his sister. When the Silver Tip alpha, Dare walks in, things get complicated. Dare is his True Mate. The two men know right away what they are to each other, but it takes some time for them to truly trust one another. The pull and chemistry is there from the very beginning though, and as always Erickson brings the heat!

"Do you want this?"

His Adam's apple bobbed. "I guess."

I had to smile at that. "You only guess?" When I sunk in two fingers, Reese gasped and dropped his head forward onto my shoulder. His hips began to move. "Oh fuck, oh fuck," he chanted as I pumped in and out a few times before plunging back in to find his prostate. When I rubbed across it, he cried out, hands digging into my shoulders.

I grinned and pulled out.

"Nooooo!" he cried, flinging his head back and smacking my chest. "Do not stop, you Were bastard."

"Tell me you want it, then. Tell me."

Fuck, he was still mad, eyes blazing, neck muscles tight, and I was close to throwing him onto his back and pounding home.

"I want it," he said, through clenched teeth, grinding against me.

"What do you want?"

"I'm going to fucking smother you in your sleep."

"Tell me, Reese."

"Argh!" he yelled. "I want you in my ass. Your fingers, your cock, your come. I want my alpha's smell in me and on me. Please, Dare!"

Now here’s where Erickson also altered her world: the men have what is called “slick”. To put it bluntly, they have their own anal lubrication that happens during arousal. At first, I couldn’t stop giggling whenever this was mentioned. But then I realized – why the fuck shouldn’t there be a male lubrication in this world? It’s a PNR world with Weres and zombie wolves; why can’t there be slick, too? So Megan, I promise while I may still giggle at the name/idea (because I am apparently a teenage boy), I’m giving you props for your use of it. Your world, your rules, and that should apply to all things involved in world building. Plus, it’s quite handy in this post-apocalyptic world where food and survival is a bit more important than manufacturing actual lube. J

Note: I realize that this idea is only noteworthy to ME because I'm not familiar with PNR/fantasy M/M that already uses male lubrication. I'm not implying that Erickson created it first. :)

Also related to the sex: I love that sexuality is very fluid and open in this world. There’s no labels, it’s just a straight (heh) forward “I’m attracted to you”, regardless of gender. Now true, both Dare and Reese mention that they’re not really attracted to women, but there are others in the pack who do look at both genders as potential partners without hesitation or shame. [Note: I say both genders simply because, at least in this book, there’s no mention of nonbinary or other gender identities.]


Erickson mentioned on her site that there might be a ménage or M/F in the future for this series. To which I say YES PLEASE GIVE US ALL THE ROMANCE PAIRINGS.

So interesting world building -- in many ways! -- healthy and open sexuality, and hot sex between mates? Yes, please!

I adored Reese and Dare getting to know each other (and *know* each other, as already established . . . did I mention the hot sex?!). BUT, I wasn’t really fond of the secrets they kept. Of course it was necessary for conflict and later plot, but I still wanted to smack them and make them just sit down and talk, dammit!

There were so many characters introduced, and I want to visit with all of them – and read their stories: Jude and G, Vaughn, Bay, Selene, oh hell, most of the pack, really. And Nash . . . Oh, please let there be more to his story, somehow . . .


In short, I need ALL THE STORIES in this series. Like, yesterday.

Oh, and FYI, this is told in alternating 1^st POV.

Honestly, I’m wavering between 4 and 4 ½ Stars. Either way, know that I highly, highly recommend Daring Fate.

"Fate is not always right. A lot of times she's a wrong bitch, but she was right with you, my mate. She was so right when she gave me you." 

Plenty of action, an interesting new world, fated mates, and Erickson’s usual (fantastic) writing makes this a perfect start to a new series that you don’t want to miss!

4 STARS! 

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I received an e-ARC of this book from the author.

*Note: The quotes used belong to Megan Erickson; TBQ's Book Palace does not claim them. Any mistakes or typos in the quotes are my own fault.

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This was also my first M/M shifter romance. Let's just say I'm glad I let Erickson pop my "cherry" for that. :)

Enjoy!


Until Next Time,




  *TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!