Review and Giveaway: Amarok by Angela J.Townsend

Amarok by Angela J. Townsend
Publisher-Spencer Hill Press
Released- Nov 20th 2012
Purchase-Amazon / B & N

Life has been hell for seventeen-year-old Emma since she moved from sunny California to a remote Alaskan town. Rejected by her father and living with the guilt of causing her mother's death, she makes a desperate dash for freedom from her abusive stepfather. But when her car skids off the icy road, her escape only leads to further captivity in a world beyond her imagining. Dragged across the tundra by a crazed mountain man and his enormous black wolf, she finds that her gentle touch and kind heart earn her the wolf's friendship, and she names him Amarok, not knowing he was once a young man. When a vicious madman--trapped in bear form by an ancient Shaman--attacks the travelers and injures Amarok, Emma must find the strength to confront her fears and free the wolf she's come to love. But there's a catch--she must face down the evil shaman, a powerful Siberian mammoth hunter from the ice age, and he has no intention of giving up his power to her.

My Thoughts:

Emma wants nothing more to escape the bitterness of Alaska and her abusive step-father and go back to California where she use to belong before her mothers death. But on her desperate attempt, her car skids off the icy road and her rescuer is no other then a crazed kidnapper who captures Emma and takes her deep into the Alaska wilds with a savage wolf she affectionately calls Amarok-her only comfort.
Amarok use to have a human name, he was once called Tok, a seventeen year old boy who was on the brink of death before a monstrous Shamen cursed him, transforming him from man to wolf. Enslaved and tortured by his cold-blooded masters he has no choice but to do their biding. But just when his frozen soul thought that it can no longer be saved and death was the only answer, this young and courageous girl, Emma gives him the strength and motive to go on. If only to breath to protect her from this nightmare he's all to familiar with.

Wow, what an incredibly beautiful and cruel story! 

This is the kind of story that breaks your heart into little pieces and lifts it up at the same time. It's the kind of story that will ignite strong and raw emotions for these characters and commands you to hear their tale and feel their pain and hope with ever fiber of your being that goodness will conquer and happily ever after can be achieved.

Angela J.Townsend's writing is simply breathtaking. The plot is unique and intriguing. It's surrounded by a native legend, cursed lands and sinister magic. Blended with the harsh endless winter background and the gradual pace the story was measured in, it truly compliments what these characters had to endure emotionally and physically. A slow ache, a needless suffer and blazing hope. It was also romantic in a different way then most stories. It wasn't filled with heated passion or desirable needs. It was formed with kindness and affection and what one tender touch can mean to a broken and shattered heart.

Your heart will undoubtedly go out Amarok and Emma. These are two people who were brought together by madness and monsters and who find comfort in simply knowing they aren't alone in this nightmare.

Emma isn't like your average protagonist. She's no stranger when it comes to abuse or being treated with such hatred. Her guilt welcomes it, but apart of her still wants to live. One would normally expect her to be weak, scared and powerless given her situation, but she proves to be a fearless and unflinching character who's a fighter and a survivor. I adored her bravery and courage and her fierce determination and loving heart. 

Amarok is such a gentle and kind soul. I had a hard time reading some of the more painful scenes, wanting nothing more then to reach into the pages and protect him from such horrific cruelty. I loved his loyalty and the way he would protect Emma with his very life. Such a gorgeously written being.

Weasel Tale (such a fitting name) was pure evil and probably one of the easiest characters to loath in all my reading existence. I wanted nothing but a slow unkind death for him and believe me, when you meet him you will to. I never did understand why he chose to kidnap Emma. For a deeper purpose or just cause he could, it wasn't ever really brought up.  I also liked what Ben and Jock brought into the story as well, even though they had a small role it still made all the difference.

All in all, I really enjoyed this story. It's vicious and gripping but also lovely and touching. I'm not sure if a sequel is in the works, but it's perfect as a stand alone. It ends on a hopeful note and that's good enough for me.

My only advise is to wait to read this for when your in a quiet and sentimental mood for the story to really soak in just right. It's not meant to be rushed but savored.

Beautifully done!

                                                                     

                                                                    4 Snowflakes

a Rafflecopter giveaway