Ravensong: A Green Creek Novel (Green Creek, 2)

How in the world am I just NOW reading a TJK book for the first time?? I ran into Wolfsong a few days ago, couldn’t put that down to save my life, and immediately picked up this sequel. Then promptly looked up TJ’s website and read his most recent blogs going back a few months. I LOVE this book, as much as Wolfsong, which is a feat in itself. I remember thinking as I was reading Wolfsong if Gordo and Mark’s history would be revealed at some point. This book puts them front and center, with so much history and angst, love and anger. Wolfsong is lovely and poetic in many ways while Ravensong is more gritty and raw. If I may make a movie analogy (these were among my favorites last year): Wolfsong is to Ravensong what Call Me By Your Name is to God’s Own Country. Both (sets) of works are beautiful but they tell the story of love (romantic, familial, platonic... pack) in very different ways. Gordo intrigued me in WS, and Mark’s quiet longing pulled at me. These two, talk about being put through the wringer. I LOVE how all of it came together in this book.

This is a planned four book series (yay!!), with Carter and Kelly getting their own books as well. And finding out who a certain person’s shadow is at the end of this book?? And what may be in store for Robbie?? My only regret about reading these now is that the entire series isn’t done yet. I am not a patient person. At least I have a bunch of TJ’s books to catch up on until Heartsong comes out EONS from now.

I also want to say that TJ has a way with dialog- especially funny- that is truly a gift. I love the interactions between all of the characters. And I keep picturing Michael Pena as Rico and Evangeline Lilly as Jessie (they’re recently known for their Ant Man movie roles). I might move on to obsessing about who else I’d cast for these characters. I do have a life... really, I do.

Reading in order is an absolute must, and you’ll love doing it.

This is one of the most complex stories I’ve ever read. I’m in total awe of how the author was able to weave together so much without a gap in sight.

I’m really appreciative of how the first part goes back and fills in events from Book 1; Gordo’s youth and those 3 years of separation. Then hold onto your seat, because it’s full-speed ahead!

There are moments in this book so intense that I needed to take a break and read something lighter for a bit. Tragedy, angst, and one of the most bad ass villains I’ve ever read are all here. That’s not a complaint but more a reflection of me and a huge compliment to the author’s incredible talent. There are also moments of laugh-out-loud laughter, deep love of pack, and of course, the love between Gordo and Mark.

And that cliffhanger! It’s worthy of an old Dallas or Dynasty episode!

I am so invested in this story. I’ll be starting Book 3 immediately after submitting this review.

When I saw that this book was from Gordo's perspective and not Ox's, I was (admittedly) a little disappointed. I didn't realize each of the four books in this series have a different POV, so I was expecting more Ox. And it's not that I disliked Gordo, but I found myself somewhat frustrated by him in book 1. That being said, getting his perspective in Ravensong was enlightening. He's still stubborn and you just want to shake him at times, but man, oh man, do I understand him better.

Gordo didn't have it easy. We get hints of it in the first book, but no where near the full story, and it -hurts-. The angst is high is this one. The entire first third of the book is split between recapping the present from Gordo's perspective (including up to where the first book ended) and also Gordo's childhood. I'm not always a fan of heavily-flashbacked scenes, but in this, it worked phenomenally. And I think a big part of that is because of how TJ Klune wrote it. Especially as we near "current time", everything comes to a head, back and forth and back and forth between times, quicker and quicker. It's brilliant. And it made me -feel-, god did it make me feel for Gordo.

Once the recapping reaches that bridge point, we continue on with our heroes journey. New adversaries arise, some old ones resurface, and the whole gang is along for the ride. Mark, of course, is heavily featured. I liked his character, but I will say, I didn't get as firm of a grasp of him as I did for Joe (Ox's counterpart in book 1). I don't think that detracted from the book, as it wasn't even something I thought about until writing this review, but Gordo was definitely the defining character here. The whole lovable gang from book 1 returns, there are some great funny moments yet again, and we do get even greater character development because of Gordo's flashbacks. We also get glimpses into what's going to happen for the older two Bennett brothers in the future, which I'm excited for.

I don't quite know what else to say about this one. The action was great. The development of plot was great. And, in fact, I may have even enjoyed the plot more than the first. There are some interesting going-ons with the omegas, and even a twist. Who doesn't love a twist?

But Ravensong, to me, was all about emotion. About Gordo's hurt, which wasn't always easy to read. Brutal at times, even. It was about grief and learning to let go. It's about saying enough. Nevermore. And it made me appreciate Gordo more, and that fact that book 2 was his.

I told myself I'd spread out these books to make them last, but I don't see that happening anymore. I'm too invested in Green Creek, in this unique story of werewolves and magic and packpackpack, and I need to see where Klune takes us.

Ravensong - T J Klune Green Creek Series Book 2

My Review: My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice: 🌶🌶 Pages 512 Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy Tropes: Fated Mates, Enemies to Lovers, M/M

Once again I’m in awe of this authors writing style. It lures you in and holds you captive. You totally fall in love with each of the characters in the pack and will find yourself battling right along beside them. There are sections of this book where I longed to be able to fight by their side and others where I wanted to slap one of them up besides his head and tell him to get with the program and that his parents were WRONG.

This book is Gordo and Mark’s story. We see part of Wolfsong through their point of view that makes the reader understand the situations clearer and how it affected them personally.

They are two 40 something men who are fated mates and who have known each other since they were very young. One whose love fights for their bond and the other who constantly holds on to a hurt that the other had no control over. He constantly hears his parents voices telling him untruths and instead of listening to his heart he causes them to waste years of their lives in turmoil instead of happiness.

Then when one of them is on the brink of being lost to an unknown virus the other one wakes up and wants their future BUT there is no cure. You’ll have to read this book and series to find out what happens.

I very highly recommend this book and series!

I can’t wait to start Heartsong but I have to read a book club book first. After that Heartsong is definitely next!!

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❓Do you belong to a book club and read their book of the month?

I cannot get enough of this series. This is book 2 and I couldn’t put it down. This story is told from the P.O.V. of Gordo,it fills in a lot of gaps from the first book. I was intrigued by his story and am glad to get a better understanding of how he became grumpy but totally lovable. The Bennett pack is a pack to reckon with. The bonds are strong with the best banter I have ever read. I laughed so much and had to read parts to my family. That doesn’t happen often. I can’t wait to start book 3.

TJ Klune has knocked it out of the park again! I had originally purchased Wolfsong (#1) based on a review, and when I finished reading it I IMMEDIATELY purchased the rest of the set. I then waited impatiently for the books to arrive, and I IMMEDIATELY picked up Ravensong as soon as it arrived yesterday.

Much like #1, once I cracked this one open, I could not put it down (until it was 3am and I was actively falling asleep, but it awaited me faithfully when I woke up this morning). As I write this review, I had the book for only about 24 hours and read it cover-to-cover! In the 35 years I've walked this earth, only a small handful of books have managed to hold my attention this way.

Klune has an amazing understanding of character. The book is clearly written by the same author (duh), but from the perspective of a different character - and it FEELS like it. Klune keeps his voice, even as the POV of the books shift.

Much like in Wolfsong, I was on the edge of my proverbial seat waiting to see what would happen next. No matter how many times I tried to responsibly say "just one more chapter...", I'd get to the end of the chapter and need MORE. There's not one unnecessary character, and not one unnecessary scene.

There are steamy bits, but they are few (too few IMO, because Klune writes them well and I wanted more). They are a bit ... explicit, which is probably why the series is in the Adult Fiction category (and not the YA category).

As I prepare to wind down for bed because I'm a grown up with a job, I can't help but feel the whisper of /packpackpack/ pulling me to start Heartsong!

Wow, what a stunning sequel!

This time around we follow Gordo, the Bennett pack's designated witch. Centered in his tumultuous past and present, he's come a long way. But his resilience and perseverance will be tested when a new enemy threatens all that he holds dear. Can Gordo lead the pack to victory and bridge the gap between him and his mate Mark?

Like the first novel, I loved the setting. Green Creek is a strange small town. There's a peculiar magic lying underneath that is still something of a mystery, but we also get some change of scenery throughout the novel as well.

Gordo was a fun character, though I did have some minor issues along the way. He's stubborn and powerful, yet uniquely flawed in his personal relationships. There's been some major heartache in his past, and by exploring that in this book gave him a lot of depth. However, if you think you know stubborn, think again! Gordo just cannot let things go, and it takes some very desperate situations to get him to consider budging.

This caused something of a disconnect with me. On one hand, I understand why he felt the way he did, but individuals were offering him olive branches or other opportunities that he just wouldn't take. It kind of got on my nerves after a while. Maybe this is why I don't get along with fellow Tauruses sometimes. Too many bulls in one china shop.

That being said, I loved the romance in this one. You just want to root for Mark and Gordo against the odds, and they are indeed very big odds to deal with. There's also a lot of great werewolf and magic fight scenes for the action junkie. I thought it was pretty well balanced together, though I would have liked shorter chapters overall. Some of them were nearly an hour long, and I felt they could've been cut up more effectively for the average reader on their lunch break.

All things said, this was a great continuation of the series and I can't wait to sink my teeth into the next one!