Donavi=on was British but spent a lot of his life in Sumatra, Indonesia, Donovan was a veterinarian. He is involved in in conservation of tigers habitat and tiger rescue. He runs a research and conservation center. And fights to save the rainforest. Donovan’s speciality is tiger conservation. He also fights for land that is supposed to be federally protected land where rare and endangered species of flora and fauna are. But also unknown to humans including Donovan a tiger shifter clan or were tigers live. Donovan had been rescuing a tiger who had been injured by poachers and was bitten. The timing was not good as a company was looking to but some jungle land for agriculture. Donovan isn’t feeling very good since he was bitten. Kersen is from the tiger shifter clan and had lived his whole life in the jungle and didn’t know anything different. But he must get his sister back from the tiger rescue then he finds Donovan was bitten by her and is starting to change into a were tiger and he will need help getting through that. The sooner Kersen gets Donovan away from humans the better. Kersen has to find a way to tell Donovan what is happening to him and help him survive the change. Kersen also realizes Donovan will help the fight against deforestation. Donovan and Kersen are attracted to each other. But Donovan may not be accepted by the people of Kersen’s village. Donovan is still an outsider with a very different background, education, and status then Kersen. Kersen’s people have hid themselves from humans for several centuries
I did really enjoy this book. I did love how the author portrays the problems of the rainforest and things about its people. I liked the story a lot for the most part but I didn’t realize Kersen was amale as I don’t read M/M or F/F romances. Although this story did pull me in and I just skimmed over or ignored the romantic/sexual parts. I did feel this was insta/lust/love but also know from reading that can be the way with shifters. I loved Donovan’s commitment to conservation and preservation of the rainforest as well as tigers. But things moved a little too fast for me for the most part. I really liked how the author showed how human greed destroys animal habitats as well as the animals themselves especially endangered species. I recommend this book as long as it is realize it is M/M love interests.

While I enjoyed the idea behind the book and the characters, I had a really hard time actually getting into the beginning of the book, once I was able to get about 25% of the way through the book the action started to pick up.

I also enjoyed the fact that the author seemed to do quite a bit of research into the area and the trails and tribulations that have been faced in that region of the world. It made for a more genuine read, a great book with a good story, a bit slow is some places.

I enjoy paranormal romance and this was a pretty classic setup for the genre. A guy gets bit and infected by a werecat, enters a new world, and then falls in love with another werecat, while also trying to save the day. It’s sweet, short, and simple, while not being overly dramatic or suspenseful or vulgar. Which, I have to admit, made it a bit boring of a read for me, but if you enjoy an easy romance, I would full-heartedly recommend this book to you.

My favorite parts of the book were the beginning, after Donovan, our protagonist, gets bit by the werecat. I love origin stories, and this seemed sort of like his superhero (super weretiger) origin story, where he truly comes alive and discovers his life’s purpose. I also liked how we were able to experience the symptoms of his infection. Too many authors neglect those and, to me, those are some of the best parts of this type of fiction, like what happens to Peter Parker right after he gets bit by the spider. Call it a medical fetish, or call it what you will, but I loved how Donovan at first rejects his symptoms as anything abnormal, and then slowly comes to the realization he may be in a lot of trouble, right before he turns into a weretiger and jumps out a window. Fantastic!

There was a bit of insta-love going on, and quite a few of the characters relied on shallow descriptions. I got a really good sense of who Donovan was, but I’m still, even after reading, a bit unclear on who Kersen is, and who is sister is, and I’m murky on the inner workings of one of Donovan’s close friends. Considering this story is told in third person and from two points of view, I probably should have had a better idea of all of that. Perhaps one of the troubles with insta-love is that missing connection piece, that force that pulls two people together. I dunno. I was missing something.

As far as I can recall, the sexy times were plentiful and fun, another enjoyable aspect of this story. All in all, this was a lovely romance, but it may have been a bit too lovely for me, if that makes any sense. I’d recommend this for paranormal romance lovers and those who like big sexy redheads who can also turn into big sexy cats. Meow!

Forest of Thorn and Claws by J.T. Hall has the story of Donovan and Kersen.
Donovan part of the group that protects and conserves the rainforest. He wants to protect the forest and all the endangered species in it. He gets a scratch from helping a tiger. Then the strange dreams start, and his life changes forever.
Kersen sees the men take his injured sister away when she is in her tiger form. He wants to protect his people. But he does have a duty to Donovan too. I liked his strength and courage. He is a brave person with a good heart.
Over all for me this would have been a great start to a series. I loved the world introduced. I loved the over all story arc too. The pace of this book is very good as well. I love MM shifter stories and to be introduced to the tigers was interesting and fun. I would look for more from this author in the future, I love to fall in love and this book gave me that and more.


Five Shooting Stars

3.5 stars - This was a pretty enjoyable read about the invisible tiger clan, or sumatran tiger shifters. Dr. Donovan is a Brit who lives and works in Indonesia trying to save the rainforest and chase out poachers intent on devastating the already devastated tiger population. Kersen is a young Indonesian shifter who falls for the older doctor. But, Kersen needs to keep his secret or be banished, or worse, killed by his clan. Until Donovan saves Kersen’s sister from a poacher’s trap and gets bitten in the process. Now the fun begins.

The virus that changes a man from human to beast happens quickly, and so the storyline progresses at a very fast past. I mean really fast, as in each chapter is denoted by day, not months or years. In a very short time frame we have the bite, the transformation, the romance, the acceptance into the clan, and the happy ever after within a week. I know in the human world that would not work for most, but considering the paranormal aspect, I just went with it.

We also get a huge history lesson on the Sumatran tigers and Indonesia. It was interesting, but I did skim a little bit. I also found myself googling Indonesian words. I was interested, don’t get me wrong, but anytime I am pulled out of a story, it’s hard to get back in. So this story was kind of an enigma for me. I liked it a lot, but I needed a bit more (romance and characterization)…and a bit less (history lesson), too.

<b>"It felt good to run. It felt good to be one with the jungle."</b>

Forest of Thorns and Claws is a fun little story about romance, shifters, and saving a forest from its impending doom. You know, everyday stuff that people worry about when diving headfirst into a new relationship!

I understand that this novel is part of a series, but reading it as a standalone is perfectly fine as well. It's not confusing, considering shifters aren't exactly a difficult bunch to understand, and it's not like you're hit with a million and one characters you should already know.

The novel is about a conservationist, Donovan, who is also a veterinarian because why not show everyone up in one go! He has travelled to Sumatra and becomes hurt by one of the tigers caught in a snare. I felt attached to this scene because I find poachers to be one of the most disgusting groups of people in the world. Snares and traps make me so angry because it's such a painful way of capturing such magnificent animals.

Kersen, a member of the were-tiger group, is the all-important love interest. He tries to help Donovan come to terms with his newly found power.

<b>"It was a positive sign that the tiger was making so much noise. A noisy tiger was a live one."</b>

The fact that this novel incorporates real-world problems is such a huge bonus for me! Sumatran Tigers have always been in the forefront of my mind, not only because I find them so beautiful and strong but because I learned Indonesian for many years at school and these tigers were something we focused on a lot. So this topic was one that was very close to my heart and made me very happy that the author had deemed it important enough to write an entire book around. I am hoping, the more people read this book, that they will find the topic to compelling and that they might want to see what change they can bring.

People typically forget these important animals because cute animals like the Orangutans get such major focus in Indonesia. Animals shouldn't be cared about only if they're cute and fluffy. Sumatran Tigers are beautiful and proud animals and should be treated as wonderfully by conservationist groups.

<b>"He had a doctoral degree in veterinary science. He saved tigers, he didn't become them."</b>

The only thing that let this book down a tiny bit was the plot and how it functioned. Trying to get Kersen's sister back was such a great plot point, and could have been focused on more, but it was usually pushed to the background while Kersen and Donovan cemented their new love. On top of that, Donovan's rejection of his powers could have made for some absolutely hilarious moments, but were neglected when he was suddenly in control of his tiger and everything was fine with the world.

<b>"You want to play! Happiness replaced fear. Kersen straightened up and stepped forward, ears perking."</b>

Overall, I enjoyed this novel. It was an easy book to read, so if you're looking for some light reading, don't look any further than this book here. Cute kitties (meow!) and some hard hitting topics wrapped up in one great novel.

Donovan's life's work is trying to save the jungles of Sumatra. In particular, he is trying to keep the tigers unique to that region of the world alive. What Donovan never expected was for the tigers to be fighting for the same thing, or that the handsome man he meets after rescuing a tiger from a hunter's snare is much more than he appears.

My favorite part of this story is the amount of research that had to have gone into a story this complex. The jungles of Sumatra are described perfectly, as are the cultures of the various peoples who live there, their style of houses, and even their religious practices. All of that detail gave this book a sense of realism that served to augment and ground the supernatural parts. It was a really well written story.

The only complaint I had with the book was the ending, which stretched the realism to its limits. I won't go into it now so I don't spoil it for you, but after all the great things in the rest of the book, the ending was disappointing.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. The story revolves around Kersen and Donovan and their becoming mates as weretigers. Donovan has blood contact with an injured weretiger which causes him to be able to shift. Also, the preservation of the forest lands in Sumatra is a big part of the story. This is a well written and highly enjoyable book. It is a MM romance but there is a lot more to the story than just sex. I highly recommend this book.

Having read the first two books in 'The Oddities' series by this author I decided that I'd like to try something different by the same author so when I saw 'Forest of Thorns and Claws' on NetGalley, it was like opportunity was knocking.

I liked the story well enough. It's got a solid plot about conservationist fighting to protect what is suppose to be federally protected land inhabited by rare and endangered species of both flora and fauna and unknown to the world of man it's also the home of a clan of tiger shifters.

Donovan McGinnis is a veterinarian and Conservationist who along with his friend and business partner, Roark run a conservation center in Sumatra. Donovan becomes injured by a tigress when his patrol group rescues her from a poacher's snare. Donovan's life becomes even more complicated as he fights with the bureaucracy of local government to keep even more of 'Gunung Leuser National Forest' from disappearing into the pockets of big business, all while trying to understand his rapidly growing attraction to Kersen a member of the local were-tiger clan and adjust to the reality that he himself is now a were-tiger.

While I really enjoyed the part of the story that dealt with the battle to save the forest I think that if there had been a bit more focus given to the growth and development of the relationship between Kersen and Donovan it would have changed how much I enjoyed the story. I felt like the bond between these two men was meant to be really strong and intense and I just didn't get a sense of this from the story, so from this aspect things just didn't quite come together for me.

Although the book was only an ok read for me at the end of it all. What I really, really want to rave about for a minute here, if you'll just bare with me, is the fact that much of this story is based on real world events and the author has outlined it in the pages immediately following the story, something that I have to admit I read with a lot of interest. I love tigers and other wildcats. Whether it's a lion or a tiger, a cheetah or a jaguar these creatures have a beauty and grace that is incomparable. Needless to say the next thing I knew I was lost in the world of google. Learning things that quite honestly broke my heart...

Things like the fact that there are 5000 tigers in captivity in the United States but there are only an estimated 3,890 tigers living in the wild world wide. There are 9 different sub-species of tigers and 3 of those are extinct. Of the less than 4000 tigers, only an estimated 400 are Sumatran tigers. The Sumatran tiger is not the only tiger sub-species at risk, however, it is currently the most critically endangered.

What I also discovered was that while this seems so hopeless for these beautiful big cats, in 2007 the world population for the Amur Leopard numbered 30...just 30...3-0, that's all that were known to exist and they were in Russia's 'Land of the Leopard National Park'. in 2014 that number was up to 57 plus another 8-12 were found to be living in adjacent areas of China. While this is still such a small and precarious number it gives hope that if we all take responsibility for guardianship of this world this can change for the Sumatran Tiger, the Amur Leopard and so many of the other animals of this world that man's thoughtlessness has endangered.

This is just a small sample of the information that I discovered in my google research that probably never would have happened if I hadn't read this book and any book that motivates me to learn more about the world I live in is a book that I'm glad I read.

So in spite of the fact that this book was only a 3 star read for me. I give this author 5 stars for what motivated them to write this story and for sharing this information with the reader. It's a wonderful reminder that we all need to be conservationist in this world if we want to protect it for future generations.

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A copy of "Forest of Thorns and Claws" was graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This wasnt horrible.. some parts im just ehh about.. like instalove.. but with mates thats normal also so im kinda used to it.. i enjoyed a lot about this story.. some spots were a bit confusing.. but overall it was an interesting and different read.. and im glad i got to review it

Forest of Thorns and Claws by J.T. Hall didn't do it for me. I appreciated the characters who fought to save the forest against expanding industries, but the rest of the story fell flat for me. Overall this book was okay, but nothing I would shout about.

All I had to read was “tiger shifters” and I was on board for checking this story out. But once I started, I was transported to a different place, immersed in a world of hostile rainforest threatened by poachers and different way of life. The author did a really great job about bringing the world to life, and I could clearly see the surroundings the characters described. It really added to the story overall, and gave a great sense of place.

DNFed at 62% but felt I read enough to form a definite opinion on the parts I liked and the parts I didn't up to that point.

There were many parts I enjoyed. The research and conservation efforts of the Sumatran wildlife and forests were great. But there were some parts that I simply couldn't get past.

Being from that region and sharing certain parts of the Indonesian culture, language and history, I had problems imagining Kersen, a poor youth from a very remote village in the middle of the Sumatran jungle, who had minimal contact with the outside world, would not only have such a firm grasp of the English language, but would also speak it so fluently and in such a manner. I kept waiting for some sort of explanation - perhaps it's his parents or his ancient clan's policy to make sure all their people could communicate fluently in English (although that made absolutely no sense when they pretty much hid from not just the locals but the foreigners) - but no explanation was forthcoming.

By 62%, the White Savior Syndrome as portrayed by both Donovan and his colleague Roark got to be too much for me, from their behavior at the political hearing to the standoff in the village. I stopped reading as soon as Donovan supposed that the villagers would want his money next. The question of money was never, ever raised by anybody at any point; the villagers were simply trying to keep their clan and their whereabouts a secret. I literally could not read past that point.

So for me personally, while the story was interesting and the environmental and wildlife aspects seemed well research, the HUMAN aspect was sorely lacking.

I have read a fair amount of shifter books and series over the past few years, and I found Forest of Thorns and Claws to be quite good in that realm. The world building was done well and featured interesting characters and a really intriguing plotline. Of course there’s always a bit of a suspend-your-disbelief involved in paranormals, but when the background and environment make sense and are clearly well researched, it makes for great reading. This was the first time I’ve read a book by Miss Hall, and I found her writing style solid, steady but brisk in its pace and with enough details that it was easy to understand and envision, without it dragging down the plot.

It was the cover of this book that caught my eye, but the blurb hooked me. I cannot remember ever reading a shifter book with this spin, and it kept my interest cover to cover. Forest of Thorns and Claws involves tiger shifters hidden among the Sumatran forests. I really liked how Miss Hall built this world to involve the current environment as we know it, even going so far as to set dates to correlate with actual events. Donovan is a conservationist and veterinarian working to protect the threatened forest and animals in the region, specifically the endangered Sumatran tigers. Inevitably he crosses paths with Kersen, a tiger shifter. I really liked the natural pace and meeting of the heroes. How they came together made sense and their natural fit made it easier to dismiss the insta-love that is fairly pervasive within the shifter genre. I also enjoyed getting some background on the culture of that area as well as seeing the current social and political pressures that are threatening endangered animals and ecosystems. I would have liked to see the heroes living and working together a bit more after the main conflicts are somewhat resolved, but overall I really enjoyed Forest of Thorns and Claws in its entirety.

I tend to enjoy the escapism element of a good shifter novel, but Miss Hall working in historical events, facts, and the current situation in the Sumatran rain forests made this story that much better and very memorable. I think fans of shifter novels will truly enjoy having a bit of a different approach to the genre and I will certainly look for more from this author in the future.

I love books that convey an important message without being 'preachy' about it. You know what I mean, right? Forest of Thorns and Claws was one of those books. The message was about conservation and the affects that both legal and illegal actions can have. The story was centered around two very special characters. One who fought for the wildlife and its habitat even before he knew its magical secrets and the other who lived in that magical world with his family. That would have been enough to draw me in, but there were tigers, one of my favorite big cats, so I probably would have picked this one up regardless.

Kersen belonged to a clan of tiger shifters who had kept themselves hidden from humans for centuries. It was important to keep their secret, but it was even more important to rescue his sister. Once he found out that Donovan had been infected, he had more than one issue to handle. The doctor could be an ally, but what if he wasn't. He had to get him away from the other humans before things got worse. Once he started spending time with Donovan, the attraction between them added another element.

Having Donovan turn into a shifter was kind of poetic in a way. His devotion and respect for the tigers was apparent in everything he did. It didn't take him long to feel a part of the clan, which took his protection instincts to a whole new level. Thrown into the mix were untrusting villagers, a political and bureaucratic nightmare and a meddlesome friend. Needless to say, there wasn't much down time in Forest of Thorns and Claws.

The romance was heated and intense, the suspense was gripping and the message was clear. If you read Forest of Thorns and Claws, don't skip the author's notes at the end. Her personal message to readers is worth the read. Enjoy!

3.5 stars

Evocative!

If I were to summarise this story that is the word I would use. The story takes us to the heart of the Sumatran rain forest where Donovan McGinnis runs a research and conservation centre. He battles against greedy corporations and government vested interests in order to save the rainforest from the corporations, and to save the animals and tigers of the rainforest from poachers.

While rescuing an injured tiger Donovan is bitten and he thinks his bite is infected but he doesn't realise that he is becoming a were tiger.

Kersen is from a tribe of were tigers. He has lived in the forest all his life and it is all he knows. When his younger sister is injured and captured in her were tiger form he knows he has to try and rescue her from the research centre. He is horrified and worried when he realises that his sister has bitten Dr Donovan and now he has to find a way of telling Donovan what has happened to him and enable Donovan to survive the change.

And as the two men come together to support Donovan through the changes of becoming a were tiger, they both struggle and fight for the rainforest and for Kersen's people. And some where along the way the two men become closer, both of them seeking to take a risk on their deepening feelings for one another.

It is an interesting story, incredibly well researched and imaginative. The writing is really beautiful and evocative, and I felt as if I was there in Sumatra living at the edge of the rainforest with the heat on my skin and the sounds of the forest in my ears.

It is also a good story with a low sense of tension running through the story. I knew the story would have a happy ending but this didn't stop the tension rising as Donovan began to wonder what was happening to him and as Kersen tries to find a way to tell him, and then there are all the conservation issues which I thought were beautifully integrated within the story without becoming an information dump.

There were parts of the story which were a bit slow for me especially in the middle but the pace of the story soon picked up. All in all I thought it was an interesting and imaginative story and a new take on shifters because these ones were activists and politically engaged.
An interesting story, well researched with great characters.

Copy provided by Riptide Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

This was an exceptional book!

First, I learned a lot about the culture and habits and habitat of Indonesia and yet it never felt didactic. I thought it was very well done, the way the author wove in details about the people and the plight of the rainforest. I was saddened – as I always am- by the difficulties faced by the conservationists, but hopeful, too.

Second, the shifter elements were just a bit unique – sort of like you expect a “werewolf” story to be – uncontrollable instincts and aggression – tempered with the typical abilities to later control the shift and manage the instincts. I thought the “mate” part was satisfying even though it didn’t completely fall into the delicious “mine, mine, mine” category.

Third, the romance was sweet. I wish our MCs had gotten to know one another better – beyond sexually – but there was enough romance to satisfy me.

Fourth, the secondary characters and secondary plot was well done, fully developed and supported without eclipsing the main love story – though it was close. The conservation efforts and shifter politics did come very close to overshadowing the love story – but in the end I think the romance prevailed.

I was not familiar with this author before, but I’d definitely look for more from them in the future.

Highly recommended! 4.5 of 5 stars

The premise for Forest of Thorns and Claws immediately drew me in; I loved the idea of getting to read about these weretigers who lived in this rich culture so different from my own. And I was not disappointed! A quick, addicting read, I finished the story over the course of one afternoon. The plot was interesting, the characters and the romance was sweet. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but what really pushed the story to being four stars for me was the incredibly important message woven throughout the romance. It is clear how much research J.T. Hall put into this story as she handled these relevant topics about the horrors of poaching, the dwindling number of Sumatran tigers, and the conservation efforts for the world’s rainforests. I believe her portrayal of the Indonesian natives was respectful (even if the narrative did suffer from a little white savior syndrome). All in all, it definitely hit the spot for that shifter book I had been craving and I would gladly recommend it to fellow lovers of the genre.