Same Book, Second Look - Starling by Lesley Livingston

Summary:
Mason Starling is a champion fencer on the Gosforth Academy team, but she's never had to fight for her life. Not until the night a ferocious, otherworldly storm rips through Manhattan, trapping Mason and her teammates inside the school. Mason is besieged by nightmarish creatures more terrifying than the thunder and lightning as the raging tempest also brings a dangerous stranger into her life: a young man who remembers nothing but his name--the Fennrys Wolf. His arrival tears Mason's world apart, even as she feels an undeniable connection to him. Together, they seek to unravel the secrets of Fenn's identity as strange and supernatural forces gather around them. When they discover Mason's family--with its dark allegiance to ancient Norse gods--is at the heart of the mystery, Fennrys and Mason are suddenly faced with a terrifying future.

Set against the gritty, shadowed back-drop of New York City, this first novel in award-winning author Lesley Livingston's epic Starling Saga is an intoxicating blend of sweeping romance and pulse-pounding action.

Review:
Have you ever read a book, loved it and then gone back to write a review but were blank for an explanation?  That is what I'm experiencing today.  I'm blank for an explanation because I loved enjoyed this story so much!  I love Lesley Livingston.  Not only is she a brilliant Canadian writer but she seems to write across varied topics.  I first had an opportunity to preview Starling via NetGalley.  Unfortunately I only had access to the first few chapters (that was mean!).  Right off the bat Livingston begins with a pulse-pounding action scene which leaves you feeling, quite frankly, out of breath.  Mason Starling leads a very mysterious life and as the story develops, things are not quite as they seem.  Supernatural beings are beginning to pop up at the most unusual times and Mason must figure out why with the help of Fennrys Wolf, a man who literally fell out of the sky! 

Lesley links her English background with an interest in folklore and mythology in this fantastic first series novel.  One of the things I love best about Ms. Livingston's work is her writing style.  She writes beautifully and I was able to envision myself in Mason's world.  The theme of Starling also has a different twist than the titles I have been reading this year.  She expertly combines the supernatural with folkfore, romance and adventure, appealing to all of my book senses.  Well done Lesley! I look forward to reading Book #2! 

By the way, for those of you who have read Once Every Never, the second book in the series was announced at the beginning of October - Every Never After with a release date of March 2013.

If you happen to be in the Ontario area, you might want to check out Chapters Brampton (November 17th)  and Chapters Barrie (November 24th) for appearances by Lesley Livingston, Leah Bobhet, Megan Crewe, Maureen McGowan and Cheryl Rainfield!  See the link for details.