Blood Challenge [Mass Market Paperback]

*do not read unless you've read through book #6: spoilers for past books*
Blood Challenge, book seven in the World of Lupi series, picks up shortly after Blood Magic (A Novel of the Lupi, Book 6) left off. FBI agent and magic sensitive Lily Yu and her Lupi (werewolf) mate Rule Turner are recently engaged. Lily has become the target of anti-Lupi bigots, and receives hate mail and death threats. Meanwhile, she is investigating murders allegedly done by a Leidolf Lupi--hard to believe since he lived in peace with humans for years. Then a series of events makes them believe an old enemy may be at play, leading up to a roller coaster ride of edge-of-your-seat suspense and action.

This book was a great mix of mystery, suspense, romance, adventure and drama. I couldn't put it down! The character development and world building are top notch. I enjoyed seeing a lot of my favorite characters from earlier books as well as meeting new characters like Arjenie. While I missed the presence of Lily's grandmother and Sam, I liked the greater focus on the Lupi, especially Benedict and Isen. The behind-the-scenes look at Lupi life, including their politics, culture and day-to-day life, was interesting. I especially enjoyed the surprising plotline involving Benedict, which took up a large part of the story. I can't say more because it's too big of a spoiler, but it was one of my favorite parts of the book. Great job, Eileen Wilks!

World of Lupi reading order:
1: TEMPTING DANGER
2: MORTAL DANGER
3: BLOOD LINES
4: NIGHT SEASON
5: MORTAL SINS
6: BLOOD MAGIC
7: BLOOD CHALLENGE
8: DEATH MAGIC - coming November 2011

If you haven't tried this series, I think it would appeal to urban fantasy and paranormal romance fans. Since the lead character Lily is a cop turned FBI agent who becomes mated to a werewolf, the books tend to be a mix of mystery/suspense and paranormal romance. Other books similiar in style to this series that I enjoyed:
Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs
Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews
Guild Hunters series by Nalini Singh
Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost
Fever books by Karen Moning
Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill
Cassandra Palmer series and Dorina Basarab Dhampir series by Karen Chance

Blood Challenge by Eileen Wilks
Paranormal Romance - Jan 4th, 2010
4  stars

Blood Challenge is the 7th in Eileen Wilk's phenomenal Lupi/shifter series. This series is involving and complex. It does for werewolves what J R Ward's series does for vampires. Because of this, I feel that reading all of the books in order would be highly advisable but not strictly necessary.

FBI agent Lily Yu and her fiancée, the werewolf leader Rule Turner, will soon be married. However, not all humans are ready to acknowledge or accept shifters and Lily is threatened by hate crimes. Lily's job in the FBI calls her to a case involving a rash of murders by an out of control werewolf. She and Rule must travel to investigate. But Lily soon finds that these murders are not all that they seem and soon her investigation uncovers fairies, witches and a powerful madman. Can she stop a man bend on revenge?

Benedict is the dour older brother to Rule. He is happy that his brother has found his Chosen/mate but his disastrous past with his Chosen keeps him free from entanglements. But fate has other ideas when the Lady chooses another woman named Arjenie for Benedict, the one he tries to resist. But Arjenie has secrets that may be the key to the survival of the Lupi and their attraction for each other will not be denied.

Readers who love this series will not be disappointed. This is a thick book with many subplots. I think it is my favorite since the very first book, Tempting Danger, came out! I really like Lily and am glad the author has returned to her and Rule being the main characters. They have a real chemistry and the Lupi politics and Lily's crime solving make their storylines absorbing.

But I was even more surprised by how much I enjoyed Benedict's storyline. He has always seemed stoic and mysterious, and I am thrilled to find out about his past and his failed (and tragic) relationship with his previous Chosen. In this book, he is given a 2nd chance when the Lady picks another Chosen for him - a mysterious woman named Arjenie, who knows more than she lets on. However, Benedict's miserable history prevents him from seeking her out as most Lupi would do. He feels like a failure and doesn't want another woman in his life. His relationship with Arjenie is fascinating and well worth the price of the book alone! I am so happy he finally gets someone worthy of him. (About time!) This book definitely made Benedict more human and sympathetic. His scenes and his interactions with Arjenie are gripping. He is an even better a character than I expected, and I might like him a little better than Rule now!

As usual, the author does not stint on a complex plot and some very 3 dimensional characters. As I mentioned earlier, the best part of this story is how Benedict is really revealed. I loved learning more about him and how the author makes him a lot more human and approachable. This book is thick and feels like 2 books in 1 but the different storylines never felt choppy and eventually meld.

Multilayered and thrilling, this is a paranormal romance that will knock your socks off! If you love shifters, urban fantasies, or dark paranormals with some serious bite, get this book.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Book Club

The series arc in Eileen Wilks' fabulous new World of the Lupi book is heating up: Lupi wolfshifter Rule's plan to break a Lupi taboo (if you read the last book you'll know what I'm trying to avoid spoiling for those who haven't) brings some nasty attention to Lily from hatemongers and the Lupis' public relations campaign is going take a hit when a Lupi goes inexplicably berserk and kills several humans. I can't really do justice to the book with a simple synopsis, because the story setup is just the tip of the iceberg for a scheme which threatens Lily, Rule and the entire Lupi race.

In between books I always forget how much I love the leads, Lily and Rule, and the secondary leads, Cullen and Cynna too. Wilks' characters are well developed and they (and their relationships) continue to grow as the series progresses. This time Wilks also offers a more in depth view into the minds of continuing characters Isen (Rule's wily and charismatic father) and Benedict (Rule's taciturn and dangerous brother) who both have important parts to play in the story - I am love with both of these guys too now. And I was charmed by a new but significant member of the cast: part fae and info-freak Arjenie - and since she's a newbie to the Lupi world, there's a bit of a recap of series high points and Lupi lore that will help fans-to-be come up to speed too.

The story and the world building in Blood Challenge are terrific as always - I loved how the influence of the Lady (the Lupis' deity) is manifesting and how well chosen her "Chosen" really are as the Lady and her enemy begin putting their 'pieces' in play. And the finishing touch? I loved how Wilks' continues to add to the richness of the Lupi culture, as we learn even more about the other Lupi clans, the clan 'mantles' - power held by the clan leader which connects its members - and as we get to witness a ceremony honoring fallen Lupi warriors.

There were so many other great things in this book that I can't mention without being spoilerish - both major additions to the story/series arc and nuances that add depth or open up new questions. I loved Blood Challenge, so much that I read it twice in a row and it is definitely going on my very small keeper shelf next. End of gushing fan girlness:) Can't wait for the next book - Death Magic.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 38 reviews  4.7 out of 5 stars