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Big Bad Basilisks #1
Apex Basilisk
For most of his life, Gunnar the basilisk has spent his time as a gigantic, fearsome monster, defending the wild Texas landscape from invaders and rival shifters. Now that he and the other basilisks have awakened into the modern world, they’re on a new mission: to find mates, and help bring peace to a world growing more chaotic by the day. But when a simple assignment in a small town brings the stoic, silent Gunnar face to face with an easily-frightened woman in dire need of his protection, the beast inside him roars to stay by her side, whether she likes it or not.
April Nelson’s life in the quiet town of Clawson’s Creek is anything but normal. For starters, shifters aren’t a secret to the humans there. And to make things worse, the bear and wolf shifters living in town have been fighting for years. When the feud leads to a deadly attack that nearly kills her, she finds an unexpected ally in a tall, gorgeous man with one red eye and one blue eye. Gunnar, the basilisk, a man of strength and secrets, whose handsomeness is matched only by his obsession with protecting her. Even against her own wishes.
When it’s clear Gunnar isn’t going to leave her alone with a town full of angry shifters fast on her heels, all April can do is let him into her life. But Gunnar has found his mate, and between saving her life multiple times, and heated nights beneath the autumn sky, the attraction and the drama between the two of them is reaching a fever pitch. And though April may have found her new reason to carry on with her difficult life, the forces clashing in Clawson’s Creek look like they won’t permit her a happy ending until her basilisk protector has dealt with all of them.
April Nelson’s life in the quiet town of Clawson’s Creek is anything but normal. For starters, shifters aren’t a secret to the humans there. And to make things worse, the bear and wolf shifters living in town have been fighting for years. When the feud leads to a deadly attack that nearly kills her, she finds an unexpected ally in a tall, gorgeous man with one red eye and one blue eye. Gunnar, the basilisk, a man of strength and secrets, whose handsomeness is matched only by his obsession with protecting her. Even against her own wishes.
When it’s clear Gunnar isn’t going to leave her alone with a town full of angry shifters fast on her heels, all April can do is let him into her life. But Gunnar has found his mate, and between saving her life multiple times, and heated nights beneath the autumn sky, the attraction and the drama between the two of them is reaching a fever pitch. And though April may have found her new reason to carry on with her difficult life, the forces clashing in Clawson’s Creek look like they won’t permit her a happy ending until her basilisk protector has dealt with all of them.
217 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2021
409 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Terry Bolryder
141 books1,246 followersTerry is the author of over forty bestselling shifter romances. She spends her spare time dreaming of dragons, playing with her pets, and watching sunsets from her home in the mountains alongside her husband (who she suspects would make a great bear shifter). She loves the wild outdoors, her fans, all readers, and getting lost in a great book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
November 23, 2021
My Rating: 3 and a half stars
Great book! Passed the time well! The characters were great and the story was action-packed enough to keep me interested. I'll probably give the next book in the series a chance. Overall, it was a quick and cute paranormal romance. It was what I was looking for at the time and it was exactly what I got.
Great book! Passed the time well! The characters were great and the story was action-packed enough to keep me interested. I'll probably give the next book in the series a chance. Overall, it was a quick and cute paranormal romance. It was what I was looking for at the time and it was exactly what I got.
January 17, 2022
It had a promising start which familiarised the readers with the three Basilisks who had apparently been (I don't know for sure) awoken I think, to ensure that peace prevails in Texas by overseeing that the two rival shifters groups consisting of Bears & Wolves solve their disagreements without endangering the humans in the process.
While the trio are still reeling from confusion as to why the heck three Basilisks had been summoned for such a trivial matter when there were far more pressing problems in the world that required their attention, they dismissed it, choosing to first focus on the issue at hand.
Mentally, I was humming in approval and was more than ready to know more about Gunnar, Diesel & Ajax, the three grumpy, hot Basilisks but out of nowhere, there are a whole bunch of characters randomly thrown in only to mess up the flow of the story.
It left me feeling like I'd missed out on a couple of books, leaving me clueless when some wolf shifter here swooped in to save the day and everybody was acting like -
‘Ooh, that guy? Man, he's awesome & he helped me out back then, didn't you know?’
Me : *clueless Um, No?
Gunnar's character made me think that he was rather equivalent to a humungous teddy bear rather than the big, bad, Basilisk that we were told of.
April on the other hand seemed to have a brave front when it came to others but was a push-over whenever her uncle stomped all over her own life.
The romance between the duo was uncomplicated & not really exciting per see. They did have quite a few cozy moments but it came off as un-feeling for a shifter x human romance.
While the trio are still reeling from confusion as to why the heck three Basilisks had been summoned for such a trivial matter when there were far more pressing problems in the world that required their attention, they dismissed it, choosing to first focus on the issue at hand.
Mentally, I was humming in approval and was more than ready to know more about Gunnar, Diesel & Ajax, the three grumpy, hot Basilisks but out of nowhere, there are a whole bunch of characters randomly thrown in only to mess up the flow of the story.
It left me feeling like I'd missed out on a couple of books, leaving me clueless when some wolf shifter here swooped in to save the day and everybody was acting like -
‘Ooh, that guy? Man, he's awesome & he helped me out back then, didn't you know?’
Me : *clueless Um, No?
Gunnar's character made me think that he was rather equivalent to a humungous teddy bear rather than the big, bad, Basilisk that we were told of.
April on the other hand seemed to have a brave front when it came to others but was a push-over whenever her uncle stomped all over her own life.
The romance between the duo was uncomplicated & not really exciting per see. They did have quite a few cozy moments but it came off as un-feeling for a shifter x human romance.
September 28, 2021
Apex Basilisk by Terry Bolryder
I love watching Gunnar and April evolve. Him from being a terrifying monster without feelings to a terrifying monster over protective mate. Violet is a courageous,loyal friend but due to the real monsters in her life she’s a timid quiet girl. This love story is off the charts. Definitely worth the read. Can’t wait to read the next book in series.
I love watching Gunnar and April evolve. Him from being a terrifying monster without feelings to a terrifying monster over protective mate. Violet is a courageous,loyal friend but due to the real monsters in her life she’s a timid quiet girl. This love story is off the charts. Definitely worth the read. Can’t wait to read the next book in series.
October 11, 2021
good
I love that we are getting stories for the basilisks. April got run over alot by the town and I wanted more validation for her self worth but Gunner was great to her. Can’t wait for the next guy.
I love that we are getting stories for the basilisks. April got run over alot by the town and I wanted more validation for her self worth but Gunner was great to her. Can’t wait for the next guy.
October 31, 2021
This was an amazing book! I loved it! Gunnar is a basilisk shifter and to be honest, this is the first time I have read a book about this type of shifter and I've read hundreds of shifter books. I really, really liked the way Ms. Bolryder wrote them. There is Gunnar, Diesel and Ajax. There are protectors and they are awesome! In this story local town resident, April, finds Gunnar protecting her and Gunnar realizes she is his mate. The story only gets better and I truly enjoyed it. I cannot wait for Diesel's story next! Great read! 5 stars🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
September 27, 2021
OK this book was awesome. Basilisk ahifters .. who knew? But so glad to know now! Good story, awesome romance, lots of feel goods.
November 22, 2021
Apex Basilisk is the first book in the new Big Bad Basilisk series by Terry Bolryder released in September 2021. We know the characters from her Texas Dragon series and this can be read alone however I recommend you read that series first for a fuller experience. It’s a fantasy romance book about shifters with erotic scenes and mature themes. No trigger warning needed for this one and this book has a body positive heroine. We see the characters from Thunderwolf Ranch returning; Reno, Dani, Gunnar, Diesel and Ajax. Complete HEA for the main couple, with no cliffhanger. My rating: 5/5.
"His stubbornness made her want to tear her hair out. Or jump his bones. Potato, potahto."
Synopsis and Review
Bolryder opens the story with the Gunnar, Diesel and Ajax working a mission for Reno and by extension the Double Dragons (shifter authority for the area) in a local bar. Recap: Basilisks are big dinosaur lizard-like ancient animals that usually stay in monster form protecting their land, after their experience with the characters in the Texas Dragon series they have decided to protect people and find mates. The mission is to settle an old feud between a bear clan and wolf pack that has affected the town they fight over for decades. This town is one of the only in the nation to know about shifters so the humans understand what is going on for the most part.
Having spent the summer learning human ways the basilisks want to protect humans and find mates at the same time. Gunnar is the current leader of their little trio, tall, stoic with chestnut hair and covered in intricate tattoos. He’s rather funny with his basilisk providing an inner monologue of violent “punch him” commands. He spots human waitress April from across the room and is almost immediately smitten. April is full-bodied like almost all of Bolryder’s heroines, somewhat plain with frizzy brown hair. She is clearly shy and almost repressed and run ragged by her family who treats her as a servant.
With all the heated shifter’s pushed into signing a treaty to save the town from their fighting, tempers flare before an anonymous person throw’s fire bombs into the bar, setting it ablaze. The basilisks, using their preference for violence, clear everyone from the fire before April runs in to save a friend. She is then rescued by Gunnar who devotes his time now to defending her as the shifters turn on the sole human at the center of the fire despite lack of evidence.
Gunnar is an unmovable force in his need to protect April despite her unwillingness and like all good book boyfriends, pursues her persistently but respectfully. April clearly has self-esteem issues and works like a servant for her ungrateful and mentally abusive family. Gunnar spends most of the book taking care of her and her home while giving her emotional whiplash. Classic “I want you but you should stay away because I’m a monster”.
The steam factor is about a 7/10, mostly because April is rather bland. Gunnar has many good alpha “my way or the highway” lines but April just sort of flounders like a fish out of water. I was very excited for this series as I love the basilisks in the prior series and this book was worth the read, the heroine was just a little plain and lacking any fire. The plot moves well enough and has a slightly surprising ending, overall a great little read if your looking for humor, light action and cute romance. The interactions between the basilisks is very funny and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Hopefully with a better leading lady!
Want the end and all it's spoilers? Read on!
"That I want to protect you more than I value my own life. That I want you to be mine, forever, and I never want to let go. I'm too possessive to allow anything else." -Gunnar
The alpha's from both packs decide on a match to the death, winner taking over the town and kicking out the humans. After showing April his true form and confessing their love, Gunnar challenges them for control over the town. They accept a 2 on 1 fight with Gunnar unable to turn into his huge form. Turns out he can shift into a basilisk-like human form and defeats the alpha’s pretty easily. April gives a speech about putting things aside and not fighting anymore and they shake hands and become friends. Totally unrealistic and silly for a decades long feud but apparently it works.
April decides then to stand up to her abusive family by herself and upon eavesdropping on a secret meeting she finds out her uncle set the fire to stir the pot for more tourism as he owns most of the human businesses in town. The mayor and April's closest friend/neighbor are also in on it. They catch her listening and try to attack her but Gunnar literally burrows up from under the ground, pops out and protects her. The bad guys go to jail, Gunnar and April mate, and the trio along with Reno and Dani move on to the next town and mission.
The next book in this series just released and I've also reviewed it. You can check out my blog below!
https://www.leavenopageunturned.godad...
"His stubbornness made her want to tear her hair out. Or jump his bones. Potato, potahto."
Synopsis and Review
Bolryder opens the story with the Gunnar, Diesel and Ajax working a mission for Reno and by extension the Double Dragons (shifter authority for the area) in a local bar. Recap: Basilisks are big dinosaur lizard-like ancient animals that usually stay in monster form protecting their land, after their experience with the characters in the Texas Dragon series they have decided to protect people and find mates. The mission is to settle an old feud between a bear clan and wolf pack that has affected the town they fight over for decades. This town is one of the only in the nation to know about shifters so the humans understand what is going on for the most part.
Having spent the summer learning human ways the basilisks want to protect humans and find mates at the same time. Gunnar is the current leader of their little trio, tall, stoic with chestnut hair and covered in intricate tattoos. He’s rather funny with his basilisk providing an inner monologue of violent “punch him” commands. He spots human waitress April from across the room and is almost immediately smitten. April is full-bodied like almost all of Bolryder’s heroines, somewhat plain with frizzy brown hair. She is clearly shy and almost repressed and run ragged by her family who treats her as a servant.
With all the heated shifter’s pushed into signing a treaty to save the town from their fighting, tempers flare before an anonymous person throw’s fire bombs into the bar, setting it ablaze. The basilisks, using their preference for violence, clear everyone from the fire before April runs in to save a friend. She is then rescued by Gunnar who devotes his time now to defending her as the shifters turn on the sole human at the center of the fire despite lack of evidence.
Gunnar is an unmovable force in his need to protect April despite her unwillingness and like all good book boyfriends, pursues her persistently but respectfully. April clearly has self-esteem issues and works like a servant for her ungrateful and mentally abusive family. Gunnar spends most of the book taking care of her and her home while giving her emotional whiplash. Classic “I want you but you should stay away because I’m a monster”.
The steam factor is about a 7/10, mostly because April is rather bland. Gunnar has many good alpha “my way or the highway” lines but April just sort of flounders like a fish out of water. I was very excited for this series as I love the basilisks in the prior series and this book was worth the read, the heroine was just a little plain and lacking any fire. The plot moves well enough and has a slightly surprising ending, overall a great little read if your looking for humor, light action and cute romance. The interactions between the basilisks is very funny and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Hopefully with a better leading lady!
Want the end and all it's spoilers? Read on!
"That I want to protect you more than I value my own life. That I want you to be mine, forever, and I never want to let go. I'm too possessive to allow anything else." -Gunnar
The alpha's from both packs decide on a match to the death, winner taking over the town and kicking out the humans. After showing April his true form and confessing their love, Gunnar challenges them for control over the town. They accept a 2 on 1 fight with Gunnar unable to turn into his huge form. Turns out he can shift into a basilisk-like human form and defeats the alpha’s pretty easily. April gives a speech about putting things aside and not fighting anymore and they shake hands and become friends. Totally unrealistic and silly for a decades long feud but apparently it works.
April decides then to stand up to her abusive family by herself and upon eavesdropping on a secret meeting she finds out her uncle set the fire to stir the pot for more tourism as he owns most of the human businesses in town. The mayor and April's closest friend/neighbor are also in on it. They catch her listening and try to attack her but Gunnar literally burrows up from under the ground, pops out and protects her. The bad guys go to jail, Gunnar and April mate, and the trio along with Reno and Dani move on to the next town and mission.
The next book in this series just released and I've also reviewed it. You can check out my blog below!
https://www.leavenopageunturned.godad...
December 2, 2021
A Unique but Wandering Take on the PNR...
I had never read anything by author Terry Bolryder before. However this book, “Apex Basilisk” kept popping up in my BookBub recommendations so I decided to give it a go, and while the story and characters overall are enjoyable, it lacked energy and was not as captivating as other, similar paranormal romances I’ve read over the years.
Now, with that said, don’t get me wrong, there is plenty within this first book of Bolryder’s, “Big Bad Basilisks” series to enjoy. To start, there is a new and extremely interesting shifter, Gunnar, who is the alpha of the Basilisks, a creature I was surprised to find actually exists in mythology and whose description will send a shiver or two down your spine. These ancient reptilian beasts are powerful monster killers, beings charged as the protectors of all others against evil not seen on earth for over a century. Powerful, almost unbeatable beings, the likes of which I have not encountered before in other books. Beings, who after a long hibernation, awaken in the modern world and lumbar to a nearby ranch in Texas where they encounter a set of dragons and a super wolf that put them back on the path of fulfilling their protector’s destiny.
This new and interesting shifter set coupled with the strong willed, yet timid leading lady April, a young woman long abused and neglected by careless relatives after her addict parents are unable to care for her as a child. Hers is a life of almost indentured servitude at the hands of her selfish, money hungry uncle. If that weren’t bad enough, April is also surrounded by feuding shifter clans fighting for power, territory, and dominance over the humans caught in the middle, including her. And when circumstances attached to said feud almost kill April in her Uncle’s bar, she encounters Gunnar and is thrust onto a violent and unpredictable stage of fate, greed, and mystical powers so profound neither her or Gunnar will ever be the same.
It is a shifter mate story framework that had the potential to be great. The chemistry between Gunnar and April is genuine and electrifying. You will root for this couple endlessly even with the chaos that is this book overall. However, despite their spark and tenacity, the slow, at times wandering pace will try your patience. The storyline often catapults itself from one point to another in ways that leave you feeling as though you are missing much needed information for it all to make sense. This coupled with the confusing characters that you will instantly feel have had to have been introduced somewhere else (yet no mention of it is made anywhere in the description), made this book difficult to follow at times. And sadly, by the time I realized (and only because I read another review that mentioned it) that almost a half dozen of the characters here were indeed introduced in Bolryder’s earlier, “Texas Dragon’s” series I was already sixteen chapters in and committed to reading the remaining few.
Unfortunately, for me, the damage was done, and far too much essential information is left unsaid here for a book that is not listed as a follow-up or spin-off series from a previous one. So, take it from someone who found out far too late, read her “Texas Dragon’s” series first before this book, it will make this one actually fully readable, and far more enjoyable.
I had never read anything by author Terry Bolryder before. However this book, “Apex Basilisk” kept popping up in my BookBub recommendations so I decided to give it a go, and while the story and characters overall are enjoyable, it lacked energy and was not as captivating as other, similar paranormal romances I’ve read over the years.
Now, with that said, don’t get me wrong, there is plenty within this first book of Bolryder’s, “Big Bad Basilisks” series to enjoy. To start, there is a new and extremely interesting shifter, Gunnar, who is the alpha of the Basilisks, a creature I was surprised to find actually exists in mythology and whose description will send a shiver or two down your spine. These ancient reptilian beasts are powerful monster killers, beings charged as the protectors of all others against evil not seen on earth for over a century. Powerful, almost unbeatable beings, the likes of which I have not encountered before in other books. Beings, who after a long hibernation, awaken in the modern world and lumbar to a nearby ranch in Texas where they encounter a set of dragons and a super wolf that put them back on the path of fulfilling their protector’s destiny.
This new and interesting shifter set coupled with the strong willed, yet timid leading lady April, a young woman long abused and neglected by careless relatives after her addict parents are unable to care for her as a child. Hers is a life of almost indentured servitude at the hands of her selfish, money hungry uncle. If that weren’t bad enough, April is also surrounded by feuding shifter clans fighting for power, territory, and dominance over the humans caught in the middle, including her. And when circumstances attached to said feud almost kill April in her Uncle’s bar, she encounters Gunnar and is thrust onto a violent and unpredictable stage of fate, greed, and mystical powers so profound neither her or Gunnar will ever be the same.
It is a shifter mate story framework that had the potential to be great. The chemistry between Gunnar and April is genuine and electrifying. You will root for this couple endlessly even with the chaos that is this book overall. However, despite their spark and tenacity, the slow, at times wandering pace will try your patience. The storyline often catapults itself from one point to another in ways that leave you feeling as though you are missing much needed information for it all to make sense. This coupled with the confusing characters that you will instantly feel have had to have been introduced somewhere else (yet no mention of it is made anywhere in the description), made this book difficult to follow at times. And sadly, by the time I realized (and only because I read another review that mentioned it) that almost a half dozen of the characters here were indeed introduced in Bolryder’s earlier, “Texas Dragon’s” series I was already sixteen chapters in and committed to reading the remaining few.
Unfortunately, for me, the damage was done, and far too much essential information is left unsaid here for a book that is not listed as a follow-up or spin-off series from a previous one. So, take it from someone who found out far too late, read her “Texas Dragon’s” series first before this book, it will make this one actually fully readable, and far more enjoyable.
February 4, 2022
This is an interesting start to the Big Bad Basilisk series, but I did have a few issues with it. It gets 3.5 stars from me, rounded down to 3 stars.
The books in this series can be read standalone, but I wouldn't recommend it. They will be much easier to understand, and much more enjoyable, if you've read the Texas Dragons series first, followed by reading this series in order.
First, the story really needed more character development. I wanted more backstory on both Gunnar and April. I also wanted a better understanding of what the basilisks had been doing underground for so many years (hibernating?), and what kinds of monsters they had fought years before (dinosaurs, maybe?).
By the end of the Texas Dragons series, the basilisks had just emerged from underground, and were learning about living as a human in today's world. They had much to learn, and were often very confused about human behavior and relationships -- especially fated mates for shifters. But somehow, by the time this book began, all three of them had learned enough to handle meeting/romancing their fated mates. I found that a little hard to believe, considering the short time they had been living in the human world.
I realize this series is pure fiction and fantasy, but I thought it was odd that the author kind of made up a new description of basilisks. Basilisks in mythology were evil, and were very different from the ones in this series. These basilisks look and behave differently -- and they are actually protectors, not evil creatures.
This book is about Gunnar and April. I liked both of them, and thought they were good together. I did think that April was mostly in lust with Gunnar at first, but that soon became love. I liked that Gunnar was willing to do anything to protect April from the town and her family, but soon realized that he had to let her handle some of her own problems.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
The books in this series can be read standalone, but I wouldn't recommend it. They will be much easier to understand, and much more enjoyable, if you've read the Texas Dragons series first, followed by reading this series in order.
First, the story really needed more character development. I wanted more backstory on both Gunnar and April. I also wanted a better understanding of what the basilisks had been doing underground for so many years (hibernating?), and what kinds of monsters they had fought years before (dinosaurs, maybe?).
By the end of the Texas Dragons series, the basilisks had just emerged from underground, and were learning about living as a human in today's world. They had much to learn, and were often very confused about human behavior and relationships -- especially fated mates for shifters. But somehow, by the time this book began, all three of them had learned enough to handle meeting/romancing their fated mates. I found that a little hard to believe, considering the short time they had been living in the human world.
I realize this series is pure fiction and fantasy, but I thought it was odd that the author kind of made up a new description of basilisks. Basilisks in mythology were evil, and were very different from the ones in this series. These basilisks look and behave differently -- and they are actually protectors, not evil creatures.
This book is about Gunnar and April. I liked both of them, and thought they were good together. I did think that April was mostly in lust with Gunnar at first, but that soon became love. I liked that Gunnar was willing to do anything to protect April from the town and her family, but soon realized that he had to let her handle some of her own problems.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
September 26, 2021
Wow! Big Bad Basilisks is right.
April lives in a town tone apart by feuding wolf and bear shifters. As one of the humans in town, she is caught in the middle. The Double Dragons brought Gunnar, the other basilisks and Reno here to help broker a peace, but things do not go as planned! The bar where the treaty is to be signed is set in fire while they are all inside. Then things really start moving as both wolf and bear shifters blame the fire on April. Gunner is there to protect her. Boy, can those basilisks fight! There is so much to learn about them. It was really fun to get some more details about a whole new kind of shifter.
The pace is fast and the tone is hopeful with a character and action oriented storyline that has some steamy scenes. The characters are vivid and kickass. I love how Gunnar treated April and how well he understood her. You can read this story on its own, but you won't get as much as you will if you at least read the Double Dragons box set and the Tiger Protectors box set before this. I see those 2 as the very basic introduction to this world, but a little different with a focus on 2 dragons sharing 1 mate. The rest are one on one and in this order: Awakened Dragons box set (the gem dragons), Rent-a-Dragon box set, Date-a-Dragon box set, Awakened Sea Dragons box set, Dragon Guards of Drakkaris box set, Nightmare Dragons series, Frozen Dragons series, Club Crimson series, Bad Dragons (may still be available in a box set), Forgotten Dragons series, Wings, Wands and Soul Bonds series, Reclaimed Dragons series, Rogue Dream Fae series and finally Texas Dragons series which is where the basilisks are introduced! So if you haven't already read Terry Bolryder, then you have a lot of catching up to do! Enjoy! If you want to try a separate series, try the Built Fur Love box set. It will let you know if you will enjoy her work or not. I bet you will!
April lives in a town tone apart by feuding wolf and bear shifters. As one of the humans in town, she is caught in the middle. The Double Dragons brought Gunnar, the other basilisks and Reno here to help broker a peace, but things do not go as planned! The bar where the treaty is to be signed is set in fire while they are all inside. Then things really start moving as both wolf and bear shifters blame the fire on April. Gunner is there to protect her. Boy, can those basilisks fight! There is so much to learn about them. It was really fun to get some more details about a whole new kind of shifter.
The pace is fast and the tone is hopeful with a character and action oriented storyline that has some steamy scenes. The characters are vivid and kickass. I love how Gunnar treated April and how well he understood her. You can read this story on its own, but you won't get as much as you will if you at least read the Double Dragons box set and the Tiger Protectors box set before this. I see those 2 as the very basic introduction to this world, but a little different with a focus on 2 dragons sharing 1 mate. The rest are one on one and in this order: Awakened Dragons box set (the gem dragons), Rent-a-Dragon box set, Date-a-Dragon box set, Awakened Sea Dragons box set, Dragon Guards of Drakkaris box set, Nightmare Dragons series, Frozen Dragons series, Club Crimson series, Bad Dragons (may still be available in a box set), Forgotten Dragons series, Wings, Wands and Soul Bonds series, Reclaimed Dragons series, Rogue Dream Fae series and finally Texas Dragons series which is where the basilisks are introduced! So if you haven't already read Terry Bolryder, then you have a lot of catching up to do! Enjoy! If you want to try a separate series, try the Built Fur Love box set. It will let you know if you will enjoy her work or not. I bet you will!
September 29, 2021
This was a decent insta-love, fated mates story. I could really relate to April’s situation, which made me like the book a lot. But, there are a few reasons I’m not giving this story 5 stars.
The first reason is that the plot is basically non-existent. April’s workplace mysteriously burns down and the other shifters blame her for it. The next chapters mostly focus on April and Gunnar falling in love. Then we get a little further in and the shifters make another appearance. It makes me wonder if the main plot was just the two of them slowly falling in love and the rest was just a side-plot. Mostly because the feud, other shifters, and the entire ordeal didn’t seem to be mentioned unless they were physically there.
The second reason is the way the a few of the side characters suddenly changed. (Spoiler) Immediately after a fight between two of the bear and wolf shifters, April suddenly has a burst of courage and tells them that they need to get along for the sake of the community. The two shifters instantly shook hands and agreed to get along. Then, despite Gunnar wanting to stick to April’s side the entire time during the story, he lets her leave to meet her crazy family without putting up much of a fight.
The third reason is because I felt like the ending to this story was rushed. This goes back to the shifters immediately making friends, Gunnar letting April go off by herself, and the personality changes. It made me not feel as connected to the story.
Despite all of these things, I would still recommend reading this story if you just want to read a short romance book. It’s still a good read that I do like a whole lot.
If you like books like “Ice Planet Barbarians”, then this is for you.
The first reason is that the plot is basically non-existent. April’s workplace mysteriously burns down and the other shifters blame her for it. The next chapters mostly focus on April and Gunnar falling in love. Then we get a little further in and the shifters make another appearance. It makes me wonder if the main plot was just the two of them slowly falling in love and the rest was just a side-plot. Mostly because the feud, other shifters, and the entire ordeal didn’t seem to be mentioned unless they were physically there.
The second reason is the way the a few of the side characters suddenly changed. (Spoiler) Immediately after a fight between two of the bear and wolf shifters, April suddenly has a burst of courage and tells them that they need to get along for the sake of the community. The two shifters instantly shook hands and agreed to get along. Then, despite Gunnar wanting to stick to April’s side the entire time during the story, he lets her leave to meet her crazy family without putting up much of a fight.
The third reason is because I felt like the ending to this story was rushed. This goes back to the shifters immediately making friends, Gunnar letting April go off by herself, and the personality changes. It made me not feel as connected to the story.
Despite all of these things, I would still recommend reading this story if you just want to read a short romance book. It’s still a good read that I do like a whole lot.
If you like books like “Ice Planet Barbarians”, then this is for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2021
Apex Basilisk is the first book in Terry Bolryder’s great new paranormal romance series called the Big Bad Basilisks. This is a spin-off from her previous series the Texas Dragons and we see several of those characters make an appearance in this story. This book contains a great storyline filled with with action, adventure, interesting characters, and a happily ever after.
Shifter Gunnar Basilisk has spent centuries protecting Texas as a gigantic monster, but now as Alpha, he and the other basilisks are on a mission to find their mates and bring peace to conflicting areas around the state. While in Clawson's Creek to help supervise a treaty between local feuding bear and wolf shifters, Gunnar comes face to face with April Nelson, his mate.
April has struggled her whole life in a town where shifters aren't a secret to the humans. If it’s not feuding shifters, then it’s her extended family making her life difficult. But all that changes when Gunnar saves her life. Suddenly, there’s a bright light at the end of a dark tunnel, she just has to survive the shifters who blame her for the fire that nearly killed both local alphas. As Gunnar guards April, their connection grows and passion ignites, now they just have to survive the upcoming battle order to get their happily ever after.
A great start to a fantastic new series, once started I couldn’t put the book down until I was finished. I can’t wait to read what adventures the Big Bad Basilisks will experience next and who will find their mate.
This is a voluntary review of a reader’s advance copy from the author.
Shifter Gunnar Basilisk has spent centuries protecting Texas as a gigantic monster, but now as Alpha, he and the other basilisks are on a mission to find their mates and bring peace to conflicting areas around the state. While in Clawson's Creek to help supervise a treaty between local feuding bear and wolf shifters, Gunnar comes face to face with April Nelson, his mate.
April has struggled her whole life in a town where shifters aren't a secret to the humans. If it’s not feuding shifters, then it’s her extended family making her life difficult. But all that changes when Gunnar saves her life. Suddenly, there’s a bright light at the end of a dark tunnel, she just has to survive the shifters who blame her for the fire that nearly killed both local alphas. As Gunnar guards April, their connection grows and passion ignites, now they just have to survive the upcoming battle order to get their happily ever after.
A great start to a fantastic new series, once started I couldn’t put the book down until I was finished. I can’t wait to read what adventures the Big Bad Basilisks will experience next and who will find their mate.
This is a voluntary review of a reader’s advance copy from the author.
September 24, 2021
I love Terry Bolryder's books - they are always entertaining.
Gunnar, Ajax, and Diesel are the 3 basilisks that we met in the Texas Dragons series. This book explains why they fought the Dragonclaw Ranch residents and gives a bit of their background.
The author gave these hulking shifters a job that fits perfectly with their mission in life. Gunnar the leader (you'll love the way they decide who is leader), is the first to meet his mate on a job for the Double Dragons, Troy and Jack (fingers crossed Terry is going to write their story as it has been a while since we had a DD story). And Reno from the Dragonclaw has been helping to socialize them and bring them up to speed on the modern world.
I liked April and loved the way she treated the Big Bad Basilisk and how she was never really afraid of him. But Gunnar is the star of the story. He is an alpha protector and takes his job very seriously which leads to plenty of action.
There is enough heat for those who require it in their reading material but the story stands on its own and doesn't require the titilation to keep a reader intrigued and turning pages. I gobble Terry's stories up and just wish she could write faster but after her last book under her Domino Savage pen name, I am willing to wait for her books.
Grab any Terry Bolryder or Domino Savage and find a comfortable place because you are not going to want to leave until you have finished the story.
Gunnar, Ajax, and Diesel are the 3 basilisks that we met in the Texas Dragons series. This book explains why they fought the Dragonclaw Ranch residents and gives a bit of their background.
The author gave these hulking shifters a job that fits perfectly with their mission in life. Gunnar the leader (you'll love the way they decide who is leader), is the first to meet his mate on a job for the Double Dragons, Troy and Jack (fingers crossed Terry is going to write their story as it has been a while since we had a DD story). And Reno from the Dragonclaw has been helping to socialize them and bring them up to speed on the modern world.
I liked April and loved the way she treated the Big Bad Basilisk and how she was never really afraid of him. But Gunnar is the star of the story. He is an alpha protector and takes his job very seriously which leads to plenty of action.
There is enough heat for those who require it in their reading material but the story stands on its own and doesn't require the titilation to keep a reader intrigued and turning pages. I gobble Terry's stories up and just wish she could write faster but after her last book under her Domino Savage pen name, I am willing to wait for her books.
Grab any Terry Bolryder or Domino Savage and find a comfortable place because you are not going to want to leave until you have finished the story.
November 26, 2021
Apex Basilisk by Terry Bolryder is book one in the Big Bad Basilisks series and boy is it a different take on shifters. The story centres around April and Gunner. April has a hard life in her hometown of Clawson’s Creek which is ran by two different types of shifters, the Bears and the Wolves. To make things worse, she has the worst family ever who underpays her, treats her abhorrently and continues to make her work in their crappy bar. On the night of an important meeting in the bar the feud between shifters turns deadly and she comes across the silent and stoic Gunner, a part basilisk, part man who is protective of April from the start, especially when she gets blamed for what happens that night. From here on out, he isn’t going to leave her alone to face her challenges, but instead is going to help her face them head on.
This was a great story to read as were introduced to what it is like to be a basilisk and what that means for both Gunner and April when they cement their relationship. Yes, Gunner is a bit overprotective of April, but it comes form a good place, especially when you see how everyone treats her throughout the story…especially her own family! The chemistry between the two of them is also hot!
I enjoyed getting to know the other men in this book as well as finding out how everything played out and can’t wait to see what the rest of the series has in store!
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: http://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
This was a great story to read as were introduced to what it is like to be a basilisk and what that means for both Gunner and April when they cement their relationship. Yes, Gunner is a bit overprotective of April, but it comes form a good place, especially when you see how everyone treats her throughout the story…especially her own family! The chemistry between the two of them is also hot!
I enjoyed getting to know the other men in this book as well as finding out how everything played out and can’t wait to see what the rest of the series has in store!
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: http://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
January 18, 2022
okay 2.5-2.75 stars
I like shifter romance in general and I picked this up because it featured a basilisk, a creature not in the common way of shifter characters. This was an okay romance- a little bland and meh but inoffensive.
The premise is that April, is a human waitress at bar in a town with bear and wolf-shifter conflict when she meets taciturn basilisk shifter, Gunnar. Gunnar rescues her from a burning building and knows she’s his mate, but April is in trouble with the town who think (for some reason) she’s the fire-starter. Gunnar appoints himself April’s bodyguard and together they have to find a way to figure out how to save the town.
I think for me what was missing from this was proper interactions between the MCs and anyone else. In the beginning April is introduced as having a plucky BFF- we only meet said BFF once. Then Gunnar is the alpha (admittedly of only 2 other) basilisk but he barely engaged with them and certainly not on the issue of having a mate which is odd because that was stated as the main motivation for coming out of basilikan hibernation. I think it could have been better and a lot less meh. There were very few motivations and limited world building so I barely care enough to check out the rest of the series. It’s not that this was bad, it’s fine in its way, I just think it could have been better and I’ve read better books by this author.
I like shifter romance in general and I picked this up because it featured a basilisk, a creature not in the common way of shifter characters. This was an okay romance- a little bland and meh but inoffensive.
The premise is that April, is a human waitress at bar in a town with bear and wolf-shifter conflict when she meets taciturn basilisk shifter, Gunnar. Gunnar rescues her from a burning building and knows she’s his mate, but April is in trouble with the town who think (for some reason) she’s the fire-starter. Gunnar appoints himself April’s bodyguard and together they have to find a way to figure out how to save the town.
I think for me what was missing from this was proper interactions between the MCs and anyone else. In the beginning April is introduced as having a plucky BFF- we only meet said BFF once. Then Gunnar is the alpha (admittedly of only 2 other) basilisk but he barely engaged with them and certainly not on the issue of having a mate which is odd because that was stated as the main motivation for coming out of basilikan hibernation. I think it could have been better and a lot less meh. There were very few motivations and limited world building so I barely care enough to check out the rest of the series. It’s not that this was bad, it’s fine in its way, I just think it could have been better and I’ve read better books by this author.
Read
March 10, 2022I’m in a weird book limbo rn, I’m not sure anything could satisfy me rn. In this case, I read the sample and after that… came to the conclusion I didn’t want more. The main FL brings no energy. Shows nothing I can get behind or support. She is literally the Plain Jane waitress with “extra” curves minding her own business and blushing as she tucks her hair behind her ear and peeks beneath her lashes and the Apex predator dude goes “Mmm. That one.”
Like I get that they as basilisks have a h@rd on for being protective and stuff but wouldn’t have been more FUN to see a wholly independent woman who don’t need no man whip her Alpha into shape? Like, the FL would just continue to be her bad arse self and tell the ML in no uncertain terms that yeah she was attracted to him but she’s a big girl and she’s not about to let him upend everything she is to satisfy HIMSELF and so the ML quickly learns to compromise by growling at any mofo’s who stare at the FL to long only to flash a boy wonder smile at her when she turns back around? Like he’s cute and nice and charming and playful but only for her and everyone else can f*ck off or get f*cked bc h€ll duckin yeah he’ll wear the apron with frills with the perfect smiley faced pancake and STILL know where to hide a body or plot someone’s murder while folding laundry. Pls. Help. It sounds so cute.
Like I get that they as basilisks have a h@rd on for being protective and stuff but wouldn’t have been more FUN to see a wholly independent woman who don’t need no man whip her Alpha into shape? Like, the FL would just continue to be her bad arse self and tell the ML in no uncertain terms that yeah she was attracted to him but she’s a big girl and she’s not about to let him upend everything she is to satisfy HIMSELF and so the ML quickly learns to compromise by growling at any mofo’s who stare at the FL to long only to flash a boy wonder smile at her when she turns back around? Like he’s cute and nice and charming and playful but only for her and everyone else can f*ck off or get f*cked bc h€ll duckin yeah he’ll wear the apron with frills with the perfect smiley faced pancake and STILL know where to hide a body or plot someone’s murder while folding laundry. Pls. Help. It sounds so cute.
October 27, 2021
A great start to a new series
I loved the Texas Dragons series and the basilisks who were introduced in them so I was so excited that they were getting their own books. This was another stellar paranormal shifter romance by this author. I especially love damaged big hearted heros and the strong women who love them. Gunnar is one of the three basilisks sent to mediate and keep peace when there are shifter issues. He’s only recently shifted into his human form after untold years underground. April has a hard life in her small town working two jobs for slave wages at the whim of her family. Gunnar comes to the small town to help a wolf and a bear shifter clan settle a long standing conflict. From the moment they meet, Gunnar and April feel the pull toward each other. On the way to their HEA, Gunnar and April experience sweet moments, strong families, sexy times, dangerous situations, and loving shifter families. Expect to feel all the feels. There is growth for both the main characters, though much more for Gunnar than April, as he lets his past and his belief about his inherent nature go in order to embrace having a mate and their future together. I am excited to read about the next basilisk.
I loved the Texas Dragons series and the basilisks who were introduced in them so I was so excited that they were getting their own books. This was another stellar paranormal shifter romance by this author. I especially love damaged big hearted heros and the strong women who love them. Gunnar is one of the three basilisks sent to mediate and keep peace when there are shifter issues. He’s only recently shifted into his human form after untold years underground. April has a hard life in her small town working two jobs for slave wages at the whim of her family. Gunnar comes to the small town to help a wolf and a bear shifter clan settle a long standing conflict. From the moment they meet, Gunnar and April feel the pull toward each other. On the way to their HEA, Gunnar and April experience sweet moments, strong families, sexy times, dangerous situations, and loving shifter families. Expect to feel all the feels. There is growth for both the main characters, though much more for Gunnar than April, as he lets his past and his belief about his inherent nature go in order to embrace having a mate and their future together. I am excited to read about the next basilisk.
September 24, 2021
Big Bad Basilisks
Who knew basilisks could be more civil than bears and wolves? Gunnar finds a way to make this happen. He may be over protective and may not totally understand the human world he is living in but he knows how to protect his mate. April has been used her whole life. No one has really ever liked her for who she is instead of what she can do for them. Gunnar helps April while protecting her. He shows her what it's like to have someone help you because they can. I wasn't sure how the basilisks would work in the world. The scene where they play who will be apex is so funny because who else would pile up junk to use for a challenge game where they figure out who is top basikisk. I found myself rooting for April and Gunnar because together they fit. The fact that everyone was blaming April for the fire when she was in the bar when the bottle came from the outside and she almost died in the fire made no sense to me. But the fighting of the bears and wolves did not make sense to begin with. It was fun rooting for Gunnar and April. Looking forward to the next adventure.
Who knew basilisks could be more civil than bears and wolves? Gunnar finds a way to make this happen. He may be over protective and may not totally understand the human world he is living in but he knows how to protect his mate. April has been used her whole life. No one has really ever liked her for who she is instead of what she can do for them. Gunnar helps April while protecting her. He shows her what it's like to have someone help you because they can. I wasn't sure how the basilisks would work in the world. The scene where they play who will be apex is so funny because who else would pile up junk to use for a challenge game where they figure out who is top basikisk. I found myself rooting for April and Gunnar because together they fit. The fact that everyone was blaming April for the fire when she was in the bar when the bottle came from the outside and she almost died in the fire made no sense to me. But the fighting of the bears and wolves did not make sense to begin with. It was fun rooting for Gunnar and April. Looking forward to the next adventure.
October 31, 2021
I really wish there was a character list and what book they were in at the end of each story. I get everyone mixed up and end up googling names to try and refamiliarize with names dropped. It is time consuming and annoying.
At first, April was not my favorite character. She was a sweetie and protective when it came to Tiffany. However, when it came to herself she was a major pushover. She let her family walk all over her. She kind of let guys at the bar grope and talk down to her. Gunnar was good for her. He went above and beyond with not putting up with crap and protecting her. Gunnar did confuse me though. He and his fellow basalisks admittedly were seeking mates yet when he met April and felt she was his mate, he pushed her away.
I thought it was hokey how the leaders of the bear and wolf clans just quickly made up and became friends after April's lecture. They never respected humans and then all of a sudden they respect her opinion? They had been enemies and fighting for years. Not really believable..
Overall it was a good story and I did like the mcs for the most part. I look forward to Diesel's book.
At first, April was not my favorite character. She was a sweetie and protective when it came to Tiffany. However, when it came to herself she was a major pushover. She let her family walk all over her. She kind of let guys at the bar grope and talk down to her. Gunnar was good for her. He went above and beyond with not putting up with crap and protecting her. Gunnar did confuse me though. He and his fellow basalisks admittedly were seeking mates yet when he met April and felt she was his mate, he pushed her away.
I thought it was hokey how the leaders of the bear and wolf clans just quickly made up and became friends after April's lecture. They never respected humans and then all of a sudden they respect her opinion? They had been enemies and fighting for years. Not really believable..
Overall it was a good story and I did like the mcs for the most part. I look forward to Diesel's book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2021
He’s an Apex Predator🤩
Terry brings us a wonderful spin off from Dragonclaw Ranch featuring our three basilisks, with the focus on Gunner for this one😁 Gunner is the Alpha or Apex predator and then we have Diesel and Ajax. All three have been tasked with finding a mate but also on their travels to protect others❣️
They find themselves in a small town where they’ve been tasked to help out with an agreement between a bear clan and a wolf pack to co-exist in the town….but there are others out there that disagree and puts everyone in danger from the word go😢 The minute Gunner sees April at the meeting serving drinks and food, his basilisk starts to go into protective mode for her and he soon realises even though he didn’t think he could have a mate….he’s just found her😍
A fast paced story filled with action and some sweet romance for this couple…I’m looking forward to Diesel’s story next and to find out what these basilisks get up to. I received an advanced copy and voluntarily leave my honest review❤️
Terry brings us a wonderful spin off from Dragonclaw Ranch featuring our three basilisks, with the focus on Gunner for this one😁 Gunner is the Alpha or Apex predator and then we have Diesel and Ajax. All three have been tasked with finding a mate but also on their travels to protect others❣️
They find themselves in a small town where they’ve been tasked to help out with an agreement between a bear clan and a wolf pack to co-exist in the town….but there are others out there that disagree and puts everyone in danger from the word go😢 The minute Gunner sees April at the meeting serving drinks and food, his basilisk starts to go into protective mode for her and he soon realises even though he didn’t think he could have a mate….he’s just found her😍
A fast paced story filled with action and some sweet romance for this couple…I’m looking forward to Diesel’s story next and to find out what these basilisks get up to. I received an advanced copy and voluntarily leave my honest review❤️
September 23, 2021
If you loved Terry's Texas Dragons then you are going to love her Big Bad Basilisk series and if you haven't read that series I would recommend that you read it first as you will find out the history of the basilisk in that series Here we get the stories of Gunnar, Diesel and Ajax and the first cab of the rank is Gunnar
He believes he is a monster that no one can love but at least he can be useful working with Reno the alpha wolf and the double dragons bringing peace and protection to the shifter world Who had any idea that his very first mission would throw him into the path of April Nelson and that is basilisk would instantly start to chant mate every chance it got First of all though he will have to save April then find out what is behind all the upheaval in the town she calls home Can they find a future together You will have to read to see. This is another fast fun read that will keep you engaged until you turn the last page
He believes he is a monster that no one can love but at least he can be useful working with Reno the alpha wolf and the double dragons bringing peace and protection to the shifter world Who had any idea that his very first mission would throw him into the path of April Nelson and that is basilisk would instantly start to chant mate every chance it got First of all though he will have to save April then find out what is behind all the upheaval in the town she calls home Can they find a future together You will have to read to see. This is another fast fun read that will keep you engaged until you turn the last page
October 25, 2021
Good start to this new series
This is a cool story about a group of Basilisk alphas who help mediate conflict in their own way. This first book is about the alpha Gunner. He and his team Diesel and Ajax are working to broker piece between bears, wolves, and humans in a small town. Each group wants to take over but no group is trying for peace. The meeting is about to start when a fire breaks out. Gunner immediately wants to save April who works in the pub. April’s uncle owns the pub. Somehow there is a rumor started accusing April of setting the fire. However, Gunner and his team know the truth because April was inside the pub, so it wouldn’t be possible that she is the villain. After some towns people try to attack April, Gunner goes into alpha protection mode with April. Also, Gunner and team are still trying to find out the villains. Who is working against the peace agreement? Read On!
This is a cool story about a group of Basilisk alphas who help mediate conflict in their own way. This first book is about the alpha Gunner. He and his team Diesel and Ajax are working to broker piece between bears, wolves, and humans in a small town. Each group wants to take over but no group is trying for peace. The meeting is about to start when a fire breaks out. Gunner immediately wants to save April who works in the pub. April’s uncle owns the pub. Somehow there is a rumor started accusing April of setting the fire. However, Gunner and his team know the truth because April was inside the pub, so it wouldn’t be possible that she is the villain. After some towns people try to attack April, Gunner goes into alpha protection mode with April. Also, Gunner and team are still trying to find out the villains. Who is working against the peace agreement? Read On!
January 20, 2022
I dunno'.
I really, really want to like this. But I had such a hard time getting into it. It literally took me four days of coming back again and again to read. The creatures and abilities are cool. The characters are interesting. The plot is typical, but well organized. I can't fault this book for anything, really.
But it feels like the magic of the story is missing. The emotion is removed from the text, the thoughts and actions seem like they're just inherited by the movers and shakers to keep the story moving along. It's a great idea, but it's very, once again, surface-level existences.
I dunno'.
I want to love it, and I want to want to know how the other two basilisks fare...but I also would rather read the cliff-notes, and I'm not sure that marks successful storytelling or not.
So. Stars for creativity and effort, but I just couldn't give this the 'enjoyment level' of starring.
I really, really want to like this. But I had such a hard time getting into it. It literally took me four days of coming back again and again to read. The creatures and abilities are cool. The characters are interesting. The plot is typical, but well organized. I can't fault this book for anything, really.
But it feels like the magic of the story is missing. The emotion is removed from the text, the thoughts and actions seem like they're just inherited by the movers and shakers to keep the story moving along. It's a great idea, but it's very, once again, surface-level existences.
I dunno'.
I want to love it, and I want to want to know how the other two basilisks fare...but I also would rather read the cliff-notes, and I'm not sure that marks successful storytelling or not.
So. Stars for creativity and effort, but I just couldn't give this the 'enjoyment level' of starring.
August 9, 2023
The idea of this book was interesting, but the way it was written was over the top, dramatic, and there wasn’t any development.
I liked the idea of this book as it was a unique kind of shifter, but you don’t really see much of it - just that basilisks are the most powerful and seem to be indestructible.
The story was that April sees Gunnar at her uncle’s bar, where she works, and then there’s a fire, which no one knows who started. The book then focuses on April and Gunnar’s insta-relationship. Near the end the feud between two shifter packs is resolved, where suddenly April gets her own voice and makes this oh so wonderful speech about it being a great town and their feud ruining things, and the alphas of the packs decides that they are friends now. Ridiculous.
I didn’t like the plot, and how nothing was developed so everything that happened made me roll my eyes.
There were some side characters mentioned, but none were developed enough for me to care about. It did seem like this series is a spin-off of another series, but I definitely don’t care enough to read that series.
I didn’t like this book, and I’m not too interested in trying anything else by this author.
I liked the idea of this book as it was a unique kind of shifter, but you don’t really see much of it - just that basilisks are the most powerful and seem to be indestructible.
The story was that April sees Gunnar at her uncle’s bar, where she works, and then there’s a fire, which no one knows who started. The book then focuses on April and Gunnar’s insta-relationship. Near the end the feud between two shifter packs is resolved, where suddenly April gets her own voice and makes this oh so wonderful speech about it being a great town and their feud ruining things, and the alphas of the packs decides that they are friends now. Ridiculous.
I didn’t like the plot, and how nothing was developed so everything that happened made me roll my eyes.
There were some side characters mentioned, but none were developed enough for me to care about. It did seem like this series is a spin-off of another series, but I definitely don’t care enough to read that series.
I didn’t like this book, and I’m not too interested in trying anything else by this author.
September 23, 2021
Gunnar, Diesel and Ajax, the Basilisks, are learning to find their place in the world as they search for their mates. They are all I'm their hearts protectors, the double dragons have decided to use this to assist in sticky situations. That the Basilisks are basically indestructible, they are the perfect security for sticky shifter situations. Trying to keep the peace between rival shifter groups in a small town seems to be an easy task for 3 basilisks. When April, the sweet bar girl, gets caught in the middle of the rivalry Gunnar's protective instincts go into overdrive. Could this lovely human be his mate? And could she accept him and his basilisk?
Another great story, with wonderful characters, that makes it hard to put the book down.
I received an advanced reader's copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another great story, with wonderful characters, that makes it hard to put the book down.
I received an advanced reader's copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 6, 2021
First Basilisk's Mission
3.5 Stars - It was good to finally read the Basilisk's first story. We knew about these three from before, as the author slowly began introducing them in her previous story of the Dragon Claw Ranch Series. Gunnar hoped that his kind would also be able to find mates, like the other shifters. There has been uncertainty but he and his two basilisk friends were hopeful. On their first mission a woman starts to instill a protective steak in him and his monster...how odd. April is stunned when the very large shifter comes to her defense and pounds the man who tries to grope her. No one had ever tried to protect her. This was such a new feeling for her.
This was an okay start for this new series. Hope the next one is better though.
3.5 Stars - It was good to finally read the Basilisk's first story. We knew about these three from before, as the author slowly began introducing them in her previous story of the Dragon Claw Ranch Series. Gunnar hoped that his kind would also be able to find mates, like the other shifters. There has been uncertainty but he and his two basilisk friends were hopeful. On their first mission a woman starts to instill a protective steak in him and his monster...how odd. April is stunned when the very large shifter comes to her defense and pounds the man who tries to grope her. No one had ever tried to protect her. This was such a new feeling for her.
This was an okay start for this new series. Hope the next one is better though.
December 18, 2021
2 & 1/2 stars rounded up.
I felt like I missed a book or something where the world building started. I think this might be an off-shoot from another series by this author, that I didn't read. I think this could be read as stand-alone, but just barely, as there was a bunch of stuff that just didn't make sense. This is almost too easy when it comes to the plot & the romance, the whole book is predictable, the main characters are sort of bland & boring. I wanted more from them, I wanted to see more than the "mate" thing take hold, but I didn't get it with this. I definitely did not "feel" with these main characters, and the title is very misleading, the guys can be big bad basilisks, but I didn't "see" (read) it.
I felt like I missed a book or something where the world building started. I think this might be an off-shoot from another series by this author, that I didn't read. I think this could be read as stand-alone, but just barely, as there was a bunch of stuff that just didn't make sense. This is almost too easy when it comes to the plot & the romance, the whole book is predictable, the main characters are sort of bland & boring. I wanted more from them, I wanted to see more than the "mate" thing take hold, but I didn't get it with this. I definitely did not "feel" with these main characters, and the title is very misleading, the guys can be big bad basilisks, but I didn't "see" (read) it.
January 15, 2022
I was so excited to read this book since I am huge paranormal romance reader, however this book was just ok. Yes it is an HEA, told from alternating POV’s and not a cliffhanger but other than that not much going on.
I liked the idea of Gunner being a Basilisk which was pretty creative by the author but the author did not explain what they were like. Details are missing about what the creatures do, act like, how they evolved or for that matter why they are alone.
They are fated mates but the author could not make me believe it. Their relationship felt off, kind of rushed. The book literally takes place over a week. What?
I wished the author had taken her time and explored the mating, history and overall plot development. The angst was their but of you blinked you would miss it.
I liked the idea of Gunner being a Basilisk which was pretty creative by the author but the author did not explain what they were like. Details are missing about what the creatures do, act like, how they evolved or for that matter why they are alone.
They are fated mates but the author could not make me believe it. Their relationship felt off, kind of rushed. The book literally takes place over a week. What?
I wished the author had taken her time and explored the mating, history and overall plot development. The angst was their but of you blinked you would miss it.
September 28, 2021
I knew I'd like the story, I've enjoyed the previous books in the series, and always enjoy the author's books. Gunner is a great guy. He's a protector, a leader, in search of a mate. (Can his kind even have mates) Meeting April answers his question. It's about time she has someone on her side. Her family has taken advantage of her since her parents had left her. Gunner plans to change things for the better despite the feud between Bear and Wolve shifters. (Not to mention the smarmy humans)
Their relationship is touching, steamy, and strengthens them both. I loved the story and as always am ready for more.
Their relationship is touching, steamy, and strengthens them both. I loved the story and as always am ready for more.
October 1, 2021
OMG!!!
Wow...loved it, man what a trip. Gunner finally got his mate and is the happiest Basilisk alive. Can you believe someone would stoop so low to cause a another human being so Much pain. Well they all got what they deserve and that Uncle is rotten to the core, and that so call friend Carl is something else. But April is an angel in disguise, humble and loyal to who she calls her friends.. This was a good read Terry and I can't wait to see what else these Basilisks as in store, and can't wait to read Diesel story..big fan as always Winzie19🤗💞.
Wow...loved it, man what a trip. Gunner finally got his mate and is the happiest Basilisk alive. Can you believe someone would stoop so low to cause a another human being so Much pain. Well they all got what they deserve and that Uncle is rotten to the core, and that so call friend Carl is something else. But April is an angel in disguise, humble and loyal to who she calls her friends.. This was a good read Terry and I can't wait to see what else these Basilisks as in store, and can't wait to read Diesel story..big fan as always Winzie19🤗💞.
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