Review: Blood Challenge by Eileen Wilks

Blood Challenge
Author: Eileen Wilks
Publication: Berkley (January 4, 2011)


Description: Ex-cop Lily Yu and werewolf Rule Turner's engagement announcement is stirring up ugly passions in the Humans First camp. There's hate mail, followed by death threats. And when a lupus in Tennessee goes on a killing spree, Lily realizes that it's only the opening skirmish in an all-out war.


My Thoughts: This was another excellent episode in the World of the Lupi series. Tensions are growing because of the strong pro-human group Humans First which is run by Robert Friar. Friar is trying to stir sentiment against all non-humans. He incites a man to take a shot at Lily which injures her and kills one of her bodyguards. This shakes Lily's world view because she realizes that she can't protect everyone.


She and Rule are in Tennessee because one of his Leidolf wolves has gone crazy and killed four people. The Lupi can go into something called The Fury which is an uncontrollable rage but it is unlikely to happen to an adult pack wolf. Someone or something has found a way to force a Lupi into the Fury. Someone is also making and stockpiling Gado. Gado is a drug that the government developed to control the Lupi. It prevents them from changing but also makes them insane. Lily works for the magical crimes division of the FBI. She is currently investigating a new date rape drug called Do Me which is making the rounds in Southern California. It is starting to look like all these threads have something in common.


Then her boss has a heart attack that may have been magically induced. And someone takes a shot at her that barely misses.


It looks like the Lupi's ancient enemy is trying again to seize a foothold on Earth. She can only works through agents and it is looking more and more like Robert Friar is one of her agents.


The romance in this story is between Rule's older brother Benedict and Arjenie Fox. Arjenie is part elf and works for the FBI as a researcher. As soon as Benedict sees her, sneaking around Robert Friar's home, he knows that she is his Chosen. Benedict had a previous chosen who recklessly lost her life trying to escape from their mate bond. Benedict doesn't want another but he can't go against the wishes of his Lady.


This was a complex and exciting entry into the series. We also got a chance to catch up with other favorite characters including Cullen and Cynna. Cynna is just about due to have their baby.


I recommend this one to lovers of great urban fantasy. If you haven't discovered this series, I recommend you search out the first volume and get caught up.


Favorite Quote:

With the first sharp crack! something tugged hard at her arm. She didn't have time to drop. Two hundred and forty pounds of LeBron hit her from behind even as a second and third shot split the air--and he wrapped himself around her, so that she hit the ground helpless but cushioned.

For a list of Eileen Wilks' books, check here.