Twelve by Jasper Kent

The Blurb On The Back:

Autumn, 1812. Napoleon’s triumphant Grande Armée continues its relentless march into Russia. City after city has fallen and now only a miracle can keep the French from taking Moscow itself.

In a last, desperate act of defiance, a group of Russian officers enlist the help of twelve mercenaries who claim they can turn the tide of the war. It seems an impossible boast but it soon becomes clear that these strangers from the outer reaches of Christian Europe are indeed quite capable of fulfilling their promise ... and more.

But the fact that so few seem able to accomplish so much unsettles one of the Russians, Captain Aleksei Ivanovich Danilov. As winter closes in, he begins to comprehend the true, horrific nature of the twelve and the nightmare he has unwittingly helped to unleash ...

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Despite the slow pace of the action and the hero’s failure to catch on as quickly as the reader, there’s a lot to admire and enjoy within this book, which blends history and horror to chilling effect.

Changeling: Blood Wolf by Steve Feasey

The Blurb On The Back:

Trey thought he was the only one. It was a lie.

The last hereditary werewolf has found his pack – they’re vicious, bloodthirsty and truly wild.

Trey has had enough of vampires, demons and sorcerers. He needs to get in touch with his own kind – the ones with fur, fangs and killer instincts.

But the wolf pack howling at the moon in Canada is now what he expected. And without the protection of defanged vampire and demon-hunter Lucien Charron, the family secret is more dangerous than he ever knew. Trey’s out of control. Can the werewolf be tamed?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Another fast moving instalment in this fantasy series leaves room for more character development of Trey and goes into his family history. The secondary storyline is similarly fast moving and exciting, leaving the way open for a return of the battle angel in the next book.