Review: A Love Untamed by Pamela Palmer (Feral Warriors #7)

A Love Untamed (Feral Warriors #7)
Pamela Palmer
Published: Dec. 26, 2012 (Avon)
Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon
Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by: Amy

Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars

Note: while this review will be spoiler free, it will reference the previous books in the series

A Love Untamed is new Feral Warrior Fox’s book. It takes a different turn from the others in the series in that it starts off with a recap of events from Ecstasy Untamed told from Fox’s point of view. Being controlled by the Mage, the newly marked seventeen turned on the original members of the Ferals.

Fox avoids being controlled because his animal’s soul is an original member of the eight. He’s eager to prove himself useful, and when Kara is taken by one of the new Ferals, he just may have his chance.

Never one to have a problem getting women, Fox is attracted to Melisande the moment he sees her. Melisande, known as a cold-hearted bitch with an extreme hatred for all shape-shifters, would rather keep as much distance between herself and Fox as possible. At least that’s what she tries to convince herself, because she too feels there is something between them. When they are paired together in the search for Kara, they both have to reconsider what they thought they wanted for their lives.

A Love Untamed felt more like Melisande’s book than Fox’s. I think it’s the fact that she started as a secondary character with this mysterious hatred surrounding her and now we finally get answers. Her tragic past including betrayal, abuse, and torture changed her physically as well as emotionally. She’s become a fierce warrior and prefers that life to any feelings she may have for Fox. Melisande shows just enough vulnerability to make me see her in a new light, but still retains enough fight that there’s no mistaking, if threatened, she would take out anyone who gave her trouble.

Fox has never thought he was the type who would want a mate. He was never interested in the kind of bond that opens you up to all sorts of vulnerability. After meeting Melisande he’s more open to the possibility than she is, and he’s sure to give her enough patience for her to deal with everything. I think the best way to describe Fox would be that he’s just a genuinely good guy. Being first introduced in Ecstasy Untamed, and now getting his own book, there hasn’t been the subtle build up of characterization that the other Ferals got. Regardless, I like how he’s pretty uncomplicated for the most part.

I was surprised at how light on the sex A Love Untamed was. I think it fit with the characters though. The tragic happenings in Melisande’s past caused her to lose all desire for any man. I think it would have felt very hokey if she was just okay being with a man even though she’s still very strongly affected by her past.

One of the only things I wasn’t sure about in this book was a separate story thread featuring two newly marked Ferals who break away from the main group on their own path to redemption. I’m not sure of the grand plan Pamela Palmer has in store for these characters.

Overall, I liked the choices Palmer made with the characters in A Love Untamed. I think it’s difficult to change an opinion of a character, like Melisande, but she did a great job turning her around. The Mage really stepped things up when they kidnapped Kara, but there is a sense of things winding down. I can’t wait to see what is thrown at us in the final book Wulfe Untamed.

Sexual content: Graphic sex, references to rape