Skin of the Wolf

Everybody wants the mysterious Native American ceremonial mask known as Ohtahyohnee… but at what cost?

Sotheby’s has obtained the Ohtahyohnee and is going to auction it but Dr. Livia Pietro suspects that it’s a fake. Unfortunately, someone else wants the mask and is willing to kill for it. Livia and her friends, Father Thomas Kelly and scholar Spencer George, will have to once again work together to understand what is so important about the Ohtahyohnee. Livia and Spencer have a secret weapon in their arsenal- they are both Noantri (vampires)- but will they discover another power equal to their own? From vampires to shape shifters to the Catholic Church, THE SKIN WOLF weaves a mystical tale of a search for power.

Livia, Spencer, and Thomas first appeared in Sam Cabot’s BLOOD OF THE LAMB. While references are made to the events of the prior book, SKIN OF THE WOLF easily reads as a standalone. In fact, I look forward to reading the prior book if only to enjoy yet another adventure with these marvelous characters!

Sam Cabot carefully crafts the cultures of the Noantri and the Others (the shape shifting Native Americans), presenting readers with the perfect backdrop for characters who walk a fine line between good and evil. Michael and Edward are almost like opposite sides of the same coin and I love the way Sam Cabot portrays them. Livia is perhaps my favorite character, as her intelligence combined with her unique Noantri abilities makes her a formidable opponent. I love the way the story weaves back and forth between the various characters as we gain more insight into the story and the mythologies of the vampires and Others.

Sam Cabot is the pseudonym for Carlos Drews and S.J. Rozan and what a dynamic duo these two make! SKIN OF THE WOLF is a dark, sometimes disturbing thriller that delves right into the heart of the paranormal and mysticism. We have vampires, werewolves, Native American lore, and a Catholic conspiracy all tied up in one fascinating page-turner. SKIN OF THE WOLF is easily recommended!

After reading the first book in this series, "Blood of the Lamb," I had high expectations for this one. The intensity of Sam Cabot's novels is one of the things that made me so interested in the first novel and I had hoped that would continue in this book. It not only continued, but intensified. 

This book is full of suspense, danger, history, mythology and most of all the purely brilliant writing that has become synonymous with the author's name. This author has a way of creating storylines that are unbelievable--but then makes you believe in them. 

I loved the Native American lore that was the background for this novel. The civilisations of those who are not quite human but not quite monster were well described with intriguing detail and kept me eagerly turning pages. 

The pace of this book never stops and it is one event after another, all leading to a fantastic climax. I liked that there were new characters to be discovered, but that the characters from the previous book also had new things going for them. 

I didn't want this book to end. :( 

If you have read the first book, get your hands on this one as soon as you can. If you haven't, then please go get a copy today. 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.