Primal Instincts

Title: Primal Instincts

Author: Gabrielle Evans

Publisher: Siren Bookstrand  

Publishers URL: http://www.sirenbookstrand.com

ISBN/BIN: 9781622426959

Genre: {M/M}, Paranormal, Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymph Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Layke, an elf elder with The Council, is one of the oldest beings around.  Unfortunately, that sets him apart from others as they all feel he should have the answer for any problem that pops up.  It also makes finding friends and lovers hard since he is never sure if they like him for himself or for who he is.  When he meets Aspen, all doubts fall to the wayside and he can’t wait to learn more about the demon.  But Aspen is not who he seems and both men wonder what is in store for them.

This was a fun, fast paced story that will hold your attention to the end.  Primal Instincts, the newest book in The Moonlight Breed series, centers around two characters the readers are already acquainted with.  I love Aspen’s bouncy attitude and the fact that he has no real filter between his brain and his mouth means he says just about anything that pops into his head.  I love that Layke does not try to change that and in fact, tries to encourage the younger man.  There is a mystery surrounding Aspen that soon becomes the focus of the story.  I like that the author uses this to change the series plot a little so that not everyone who shows up in these books has had the same experience. 

Layke is an easy character to like.  As one of the oldest paranormal beings around, it would be easy for him to feel entitled, yet that is not how he is and the isolation that he seems to feel because of who he is, is wearing him down.  Watching Layke with Aspen was fun and you can’t help but root for them.  It is not surprising that the bond between them forms so fast or that they can’t stand to be parted from each other.  One of the things I liked about this story is the fact that Layke goes into more detail about mates, explaining things that the others no longer remember.

There is some disturbing news regarding The Hive’s activities and what they have done to Aspen.  While in some ways this is shocking, it is something the characters, as well as the readers, should have seen coming.  The author hints at some upcoming changes and I am interested in seeing what she has planned.

Primal Instincts is a great addition to this series, and while some of the books can be read as stand alones, I would recommend reading them in order so that you can receive the whole impact of the world in which the series exists.