Review: Blood Law by Karin Tabke

Blood Law 
(Blood Moon Rising Trilogy #1)
by Karin Tabke
Paperback, 323 pages
Published May 3rd 2011 by Berkley Trade
ISBN 0425240924 

For all eternity, only one thing shall separate them—until the Blood Law is avenged… 
The coming of the Blood Moon will lead two Lycan packs into war, spur two rival brothers into conflict, and spark an act of vengeance so evil that its effects will be felt for generations. 
One woman stands at the center of it all. 
As undisputed Alpha, Rafael must choose a life mate to preserve the dominance of his Lycan pack. He never suspected, his mate would be a human, the same wounded, girl-woman he seduces from the brink of death. Falon is a dangerous combination of Lycan and Slayer—beings bred to destroy his kind. Even more, she’s a mesmerizing beauty whose sensuality tempts the seasoned warrior to take unnecessary risks. The primal heat between them is irresistible, yet surrendering to it could destroy them both…for a vengeful foe stands ready in the shadows to fulfill what is rightfully his by Blood Law.

GoodReads
Purchase at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Amazon Kindle and The Book Depository 


Crystal’s Thoughts:
Rafael Vulkasin killed his twin brother’s Chosen One fourteen years ago, a slayer who put Lucien Mondragon under her spell and would have destroyed the pack. But Lucien would not believe Rafael that his love was a slayer and so they fought to the death as their wolves. When their pack’s healer asked the great spirits to spare them they did but only under the condition that Rafael would live his nights as a man and his days as a wolf and Lucien vice versa until the Blood Law is avenged. To do that, Rafael must take a mate and sacrifice his Chosen One to Lucien. Rafael has refused though to sacrifice an innocent for his brother’s revenge and so the brothers live as enemies, with the packs split and each an alpha of their own. The great Rising is coming though, the battle between Slayers and Lycans and if the brothers cannot reunite then their nation has no hope of coming out victorious.  

Falon always knew she was different but she didn’t know just how different until, starving, she walks into a convenient store to pilfer a sandwich and runs into a Conan look-alike who tries to kidnap her. Fearing for her life Falon calls upon the strange powers she feels inside of her but it’s not enough to stop Conan until a gorgeous man pulls up on a motorcycle wielding two swords. The two warriors fight and when Falon is badly injured the stranger, who turns out to be Rafael Vulkasin, takes her back to his pack’s compound to heal her and there he decides that since Falon is only human than she is expendable and he can mark her as his Chosen One to give to his brother and finally end this blood feud by fulfilling the Blood Law. But there is something more to Falon and Rafael quickly develops feelings for her. Can Rafael give Falon up to Lucien for the good of his pack and the future of all Lycans? 


Blood Law was a fantastic read that is sure to leave you howling for more!  Karin Tabke masterfully introduces you to her fantastical world of Lycans and Slayers pulling you in with their history right away. From there she takes you on a thrilling and sensual ride that you never want to end. The world of the Blood Moon Rising novels is complex but easy to understand and the characters are well-developed with a multitude of layers that immediately capture the reader. Rafael Vulkasin is a golden, sexy and strong alpha wolf that reigns supreme in his pack and has earned the respect of his neighboring packs. One of the strongest pack leaders in the country, Rafael is honorable to a fault and he places the good of his pack above his own personal wishes or needs. When he meets Falon he thinks of her only as a means to an end but the electrical chemistry between them is hard to deny and flares strong and hot. And Falon quickly feels a connection with Rafael, at first she doesn’t understand what he is but she knows that he is different like her and finally feels as if she has a place in this world. I really loved her growth throughout this novel from a scared, inexperience girl to a confident woman who is not afraid to kick butt. But then enters Rafael’s twin brother Lucien, the dark to Rafael’s light. Falon can’t stop the way her body responds to him and Lucien takes full advantage of it, seeking any way to make his brother suffer. I have to say; I was more intrigued by Lucien then Rafael. I blame it on the bad-boy-effect, you know there is really a huge heart and a lot of hurt under that tough exterior and I’d really like to explore that more as well as what he and Falon could have together. 


The sexual scenes were well-written and down-right sizzling but I was uncomfortable with some of them.  A few felt forced on the heroine; her body might have been saying yes but if she is not fully conscious or repeatedly saying stop, I think that is a pretty big ‘No.’ The characters, and especially the males, didn’t seem to see it this way though so that made it a little hard for me to believe that Falon would welcoming go along with it all. 


Blood Law was full of action, intrigue and suspense with sexy, passionate characters. I think this would be a great read for any werewolf lover. The end had a big, bad cliffhanger and I was thankful that I had the next book, Bloodright, to read right afterwards because the wait would have been harsh!  The series is a continuous story line following the Rising, Falon’s heritage and the prophecy of three and I can’t wait to see what happens next! 

Rating: 4 Wine Glasses