Rating: 
Summary: Hmm...
Review: I thought this book was really good. Although it irritated me that humans were a little to looked down upon and degraded in it. At times I think Tessa, the human that came become a really good friend to Alexander, ..... It did prove a point of the werewolves being arrogant, but humans are not weak, which was portrayed in the book, maybe to werewolves they are, but there a lot stronger than they were in this book. The werewolves were extremely harsh and rude and I think they deserved a good beating from the human race. It was however well written. .... I'm not saying it was bad, I'm just saying that I'm not sure I like it. The writing skills are amazing, hence the four stars. I took a star off for my not liking it too much. The four stars are for the great writing skills. Aya
Rating:
Summary: Anne Riceish version of werewolves
Review: The Devencroix and Antonovs have ruled the werewolves as far back as any of them can remember. This is the story of Alexander and his brother Denis. Alexander loved mankind patronizingly, and his brother Denis hated them. Denis' ambition leads him down a very dangerous path with Alexander's pet human Tess.I did enjoy this novel although not as much as Bitten. The werewolves were just a little bit too patronizing at times, but overall it was very enjoyable.
Rating: 
Summary: A+A+A+A+A+A+ What a Fascinating Tale
Review: I picked up this book after reading a review from one of my fellow reviewers. I'm not much of a Supernatural/Paranormal reader I tend to stick to the Romance/Contemporary Suspense genre (just take a look at my other reviews and listmania lists)but I thoroughly was engrossed into this story.... and that's what this is a wonderful, fascinating, sweeping tale, of a friendship between a human and a werewolf/man. This book takes a incredible look at what we humans have as a downfall (according to the werewolves) our emotions. Jealousy and deception leads this family into peril and harsh consquences that has a rippling effect into the future. The first part of the book is in present day New York City the Devoncroix family is the Royal family to the Werewolf nation. Nicholas (the son) and Alexander (the father) discover a massacre has taken place at one of their Labs. Because of the nature of the killings they try to figure out if the killer/s were/are Human or of their kind.... At first sight it appears to be humans but at closer look it is more than that. So begins the tale of Alexander telling his son a secret into the history of their family. In the 1800's humans are immensely disliked by the Pack and Alexander is viewed as "eccentric" because he is known to socialize quite frequently with humans, he takes Tessa (a human) under his wing. Tessa is annoyingly human, through the eyes of the werewolves, it's understandable to envision why they dislike us so much, she ask to many questions, disobeys orders and can not/will not grasp the fact that she would never understand the world in which Alexander lives in. Tessa is a young woman who falls in love with Alexander, who is described as being a beautiful and sensual Man (what woman would not?) Alexander views Tessa as a pet of some sorts, Elise is the new Queen of the "Pack" she too befriends Tessa and makes a stand to the Werewolf nation that as she comes into the seat as the Queen she wants it known that she is of like mind that Werewolves and Humans need to coexist for the future of their pack. Denis is the brother of Alexander who is of the original Werewolf pack "Antonov" he lives in Siberia and does not embrace the notion of living in "harmony" with humans and heads up a outlaw group of Werewolves called the "Brotherhood" they are Human-haters. His part in this book is woven in so well that long after you put this book down you won't know quite how to feel about Denis.... or at least I don't. Through Denis actions comes betrayal and a forbidden line being crossed. The author takes you back in time to the 1800's from the beauty of France, to the magical description of Siberia, to the cold hard wilderness life of Alaska. The visual imagination in this tale was so real to me that I could literally feel the ice under my feet as the author described what is was like for Alexander and Denis to be in wolf form. "The Passion" is in reference to the actual transition from a Human Form into that of the Wolf form. This is not a Heavy romance book I would say that 90% of this book is Historical and parts of it are written from Alexander's point of view and a few from Tessa and Denis. This also does not have a "happy ending" that you find in Romance novels it leads into her next book "The Promise" which I would like to pick up as soon as I can find it. Overall a very good read. Respectfully Reviewed
Rating:
Summary: Weird, disturbing, a one-time read with messages...
Review: The quick summary - a human heroine (Tessa) tries to infiltrate and then assassinate a powerful handsome werewolf (Alexander) whom she blames for her father's death. She is not punished for her failed attempt, but forms a close friendship and eventually falls in love (distinctly one-sided) with this man. He however ends up marrying another woman (Elise), the queen of the werewolves - after fighting off a plot (or several plots) conjured by his brother, a human-hating werewolf (Denis). The Alexander-Elise courtship and a serious assassination attempt (by Denis) shatter Tessa's beliefs about her special relationship with Alexander, her position vis-a-vis the werewolves, and the consequences will eventually destroy her life. This was not a read that flowed smoothly for me. At every crucial moment, I had to stop and ask myself whether the author was asking us to take the werewolves at their face worth (what they believed about themselves) or whether she was actually suggesting something which undermined werewolf beliefs about themselves. I came to the conclusion that this was the latter. Yes, for people not used to blatant statements of superiority by a non-human race, this book is pretty disturbing. [The sequel, THE PROMISE, is even more disturbing]. This is not your standard werewolf or vampire horror/romance; it is not even a romance in the conventional sense (in many senses, starting with the lack of a Happily Ever After ending). I was fascinated and yet repelled by the "villain" Denis who may in fact be the hero of this book. [No spoilers, but his actions, especially for the second half, have considerable significance down the road]. What I liked about this book were the parts set in Russia and Alaska. The part where we had werewolves living in Paris (and the rest of France) among humans was interesting but less compelling. Denis is in his element in Russia and Alaska, but out-of-place AND surrounded by enemies in France. Tessa is out of her element both in France and in Alaska, but she does not know this when she is living with Alexander. While this was an interesting read, this was not quite the compelling read I had expected. There were some lyrical passages (often connected with the physical setting), but for an equally thought-provoking (and shorter) read about werewolves, I would recommend the author's earlier books - WOLF IN WAITING (as Rebecca Flanders) and its sequel SHADOW OF THE WOLF.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This is the story of Tessa, a human girl, her love for the werewolf Alexander, and her experiences as she learns about the mysterious and alien world of werewolves. I liked this book a great deal; it kept me on the edge of my seat! But be warned, the author uses several plot devices you might not like. First, the author tells each chapter from different characters perspectives. This can be annoying, especially when you get to the good parts. Second, this book, while romantic, is not specifically a romance. It's more horror novel with romantic elements, and a 'coming of age story' for heroine Tessa. Third, the author narrates the story from 'present' day as a tale told by an elderly Alexander. This was a bit tiresome, because there are definite plot elements foreshadowed in Alexander's narration that gave away later parts of the story. Fourth, werewolves are portrayed as an overly superior race, to the point of me wishing to see a few ... Redneck werewolves, just to 'balance out' the werewolf 'master race.' (Whose society reminded me a bit of Anne Rice's vampire society). That being said, this novel is still the best book I've read in several months. Boyd's strength is in writing characters that live and breath... characters you love and want to shout at when they make stupid mistakes. Halfway through this novel, I found myself rooting for Denis, and despising the aristocratic and clueless Alexander. For those familiar with fairy tales, "The Passion" Reminds me a great deal of Hans Christian Anderson's classic: "The Little Mermaid." Many elements, including the love of the mermaid for the handsome human price are reflected here. If you like werewolf novels, this one is sure to please, but don't expect any crude, hairy primitive werewolves in this one. Boyd's werewolves all fly first class, drive limos, eat caviar, and wouldn't be caught dead at [local store].... =-)
Rating: 
Summary: Mixed Feelings
Review: "The Passion" was an intriguing book to read. I had a hard time deciding if I really, really liked it; or if I really, really hated it. Hence, the tepid rating. The story revolves around the relationship between the secret subculture of werewolves and a human, Tessa LeGuerre. It is set primarily in late Victorian-era France. The author depicts werewolves as being the elite of society, possessing superior intellect and strength; and are responsible for most of the advances and superlatives in the world. Tessa LeGuerre is the daughter of the best friend of one of the werewolves, the upper-class Alexander Devoncroix. Believing that Alexander is responsible for her father's death, Tessa infiltrates his household staff and nearly succeeds in murdering him before coming to the realization that she erred in her assumptions about him. Tessa is more or less adopted by Alexander and is allowed entree into the secret world of werewolves which is forbidden to humans. Werewolves are insufferably arrogant and snobbish about their superiority to humans. I found that this theme became tiresome and annoying but then I suspected that this was part of the author's message. Despite their image of superiority, Alexander and the werewolves mess up time after time due to their arrogance. Alexander condemns his own brother and Tessa to exile after an abortive attempt at murder for which Tessa was innocent; even though the truth could have become known to them all if only they had a shred of humility or sense of justice. Even the most likeable werewolf, Elise, proved to be a failure in that she knew of Tessa's innocence but allowed her to be condemned. Tessa, the poor weak human, proves herself to be superior to the werewolves for outsmarting them repeatedly, showing initiative, and for surviving in her harsh exile. The entire story is told by Alexander to his son decades later. The ultimate question in the story is whether or not the werewolves will begin a war on humans in order to prove themselves superior; or if they can put aside some of their arrogance and learn a little humility. At the end of the book, we are uncertain as to to which course will be taken by Nicholas, Alexander's son. The author weaves her tale in an intriguing and masterful fashion which makes the story flow effortlessly. However, it does not have a satisfying resolution which may frustrate the reader.
Rating:
Summary: A few bothersome things
Review: Like the reviewer from New York, I did like 'The Passion'. However, also like that reviewer, I was both shocked and horrified at how Alexander treated Tessa. I know that Alexander considered werewolves superior to humans, but he seemed to judge Tessa's actions by those of a werewolf. Seeing as he was the superior species, then he should have known to what lengths a human could go for love and why she had done it. And Elise wasn't blameless in that either because she didn't tell Alexander flat out about what she and Tessa had talked about in the dungeon. Alexander seemed to me like a little boy who didn't care about one of his toys until he broke it and then he cried over it. But I also thought that Denis became the more sympathetic character to me, although I think one of the only reasons that he stayed with Tessa was because otherwise he would be alone, not out of real affection for her. Overall, however, I did enjoy this book, but those things bothered me.
Rating:
Summary: A DEEP READ
Review: No doubt about it, Donna Boyd has done for werewolves what Rice did for Vampires. The same as Rice, Boyd is a literary writer and goes in depth on charazterization. Fine Character developement with surprises all the way. No stones were left unturned to create this masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Great Concepts
Review: Similar to LKH the author explains the nature and laws of Werewolves and the story is from their perspective. Although Tessa is a central figure in the story, make no mistake, the story is about her from Alexander's viewpoint. Perhaps, too late, he finally sees things from her perspective - the human female's point of view. Extremely entertaining, I am looking forward to reading "The Promise".
Rating:
Summary: I'm not sure I recommend this book...
Review: I'm serious. I gave it 5 stars because the book is great but I hate the way it made me feel.
(don't worry no spoilers ahead)
Boyd is a great writer- the other reviewers pointed that out already so I'll stick to the point.
the first 4/5 are great- sure, I hated the werewolves for being so condescending, I resented the human, Tessa, for being a doormat (I kept hoping she'd buy a dog whistle).
and then the book took a very surprising turn that at first made me pleased- finally the human shows some character! finally, werewolves learn some humility! oh silly me.
I knew the ending is tragic- it says so on the back of the book but I had no idea it was *that* kind of tragic. the kind that haunts you for days after...
it embarrasses me to say this but the ending left me VERY distraught.
I guess I wrote this review as a warning- if you're going to read this book make sure you are alone and make sure you have
enough time to recover...
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