Member Reviews
Thank you Netgalley and Kengsington Books for the chance to read Shelly Laurenston's latest novel in the Honey Badger Chronicles, Breaking Badger. Being in a book funk I broke my own ARC rule and read this almost as soon as I received it. And it made me laugh, and forget where I was for awhile! Shelly is back with more snarky, steamy, and outrageous honey badgers -- and you have to love them...you certainly can't kill them! This time the series shifts to Mads, Max's friend and teammate. When the team finds themselves in trouble they are rescued by none other than Finn Malone and his brothers. However, after the team try to say thanks the badgers are rudely ejected from Finn's home, the Malones find out Honey Badgers are the only ones who can help him solve a family tragedy. The Malones are just not sure how they can even get back into the badgers’ good graces. Since badgers lack graces of any kind . . .This story has lots of action, and some over the top violence. There are quite a few plots and tons of former characters from previous books I think you really need to read the Honey Badger Chronicles in order, but to totally enjoy the overall world I would encourage reading the entire Pride series first. This was a very fun read for me as Max "Kill it again" MacKilligan is in a good portion of the book and is one of my favourite characters.
Another page turner from the Badger series by Laurenston. All the regulars are here with a new focus on Mads, a hybrid honey badger and the Malone tigers. Still plenty of bears waiting for baked goods. The plot moves right along with each shifter variation displaying their cultural norms. The writing is so good that I recommend this book and series to just about everyone. Lots of high energy action in this book with comic book violence. It leaves me wanting a lot more.
I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book given to me via NetGalley. Breaking Badger is the 4th book in the Badger series by Shelly Laurenston. There was humor and a sense of family! I devoured it in less then 2 days. I love how she is mixing the shifter species up. Don't hesitate get this book!
I love these badgers. they are so much fin-definitely not playful. at least not all of them. and who can resist a big cat. Shelly's quick humor and ability to spin a great book had me up all night reading this book.
Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of BREAKING BADGER (Book 4 of the Honey Badger Chronicles) by Shelly Laurenston in exchange for an honest review. The Honey Badger Chronicles follow the events taking place in the two related prior series: Magnus Pack (first) and Pride (second) series. If you’re looking for hilariously funny and slightly ridiculous stories about shapeshifters, these three series are the books for you. This is the fourth installation of the Honey Badger Chronicles wherein the honey badger members of Max MacKilligan’s basketball team begin to meet their matches.
No good deed goes unpunished. Finn Malone and his brothers are tiger shifters, which are universally acknowledged to be one of those rude, snotty cat breeds. They made the mistake of helping out a squad of female commandos who were overwhelming outnumbered by the enemy. The Malone brothers gave the women boat ride out of “dodge city.” The next thing the Malone brothers know, their house is overrun by vermin, i.e. honey badger shifters, offering them “thank you” pastries. The Malones finally offend the women enough to get them to leave the house only to realize they need the honey badgers’ assistance in their hunt for their father’s murderer.
Mads, a honey badger-hyena hybrid, is actually one of Max’s saner friends, so she steps in to act as a buffer between the two groups. As long as it doesn’t interfere with their basketball schedule, Mads is happily encourages her teammates to pursue the Malones’ quest. As long as Mads can focus on the Malones and basketball, she can put off dealing with those hyenas she calls family.
#BreakingBadger #NetGalley
I received this book for free but as a fan of Shelly Laurenston - I would have bought it anyway. I do not want to give away any spoilers. If you are a fan of Shelly Laurenston then you will love this. If your new to this author; this is a stand-alone book but I would highly recommend either start her many series or 1st in this group of Honey Badger Chronicles (Hot and Badgered book 1). This book is typical of Shelly Laurenston - very exciting, laugh-out-loud funny. It has many layers with different groups of shifters. Several times after reading the book, I flipped back to re-reread sections because they were so funny. I could not put it down. I gave this book a 5 star because I enjoyed it very much. Although, I did feel that some questions were left opened ended - maybe for the next book which I will not hesitate to buy. This book is a great read and not to be passed up.
This is the fourth book in the Honey Badger Chronicles. It features the always amazing dialogue and humor that is so much a part of Shelly Laurenston’ books. We are now given a really in depth look at Max’s basketball/Special Ops teammates. This book features Mads who is a basketball obsessed Honey Badger-Jackal-Viking hybrid. Mads’ team meets up with the Black Malones when they are sent on an assignment and are ambushed.
The Malones insult Mads and her crew only to later find out that they need their help to figure out who murdered their father. Finn Malone and Mads have immediate chemistry and a very entertaining relationship. Between tracking down who killed Finn’s father and dealing with Mads extended family there is plenty of excitement and hilarity in the book to keep the reader very entertained.
I absolutely love this series and laugh out loud throughout. The only thing that makes me sad is when I reach the end. I am now anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
I was so excited to see another book in the Honey Badger series. There are so many great characters.. I already know who I'd like to see Nat matched with and I hope it continues long enough to see Mad's, "teammates," and Finn's brother's find mates too. The cameo appearances of some of my all time favorite characters make the story even more rich. I want to go back and reread their stories too.
The dialogue is sharp and clever, as usual, but this a complex plot. You need to read the other books in the series first or you will be lost and not enjoy the full Honey Badger experience. I loved this book and the entire saga!
Let me start off by saying that I am a big fan of Ms. Laurenston's work, and I have been enjoying her recent Honey Badger series. I was THRILLED to see that I was approved for this ARC.
In this book, the focus is away from the core group of the three MacKilligan sisters and we get to take a peek into Max's group of crazy friends. We start off by learning how the five of them became "friends" in the first place and then there is an alternating time frame that goes back and forth between the past and the present. Let me just say that these girls definitely bring about a very clear definition of the word "crazy". I did have a little bit of a problem acclimating to the writing style of this book and it took me a little while to get into the swing of things with the timeline. Even though the MC of this book is Mads, there is a whole lot of story around the entire group of the five girls. There is never really a dull moment surrounding these 5 women - both now and in the past - and it is very clear that the bonds between them are extremely tight.
We also get to meet the Malone brothers. The three elder brothers are tigers - actually they are known as "the Black Malones". I'm not sure if they were introduced before, but I think they must have been since their baby sister happens to also be a half sister to the MacKilligans. I just don't know how in the world I missed that. Honestly though, there is enough there that they could easily support their own spinoff series.
This is a typical Honey Badger book with non stop craziness. I really liked Finn and he seems to be a good match for Mads. There was a lot going on on many different fronts with story arcs surrounding the Malones, Mads and her family and of course those over the top MacKilligans. One of the things that make this series so unique is the fact that the Honey Badgers are bats**t crazy and are constantly doing things that just blow peoples minds. Not only is it hilarious, but also at times seriously cringe worthy.
I enjoyed getting to see the dynamics of the "crew" and it set the stage for many more books in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review and the review above is mine and mine alone.
Another fun entry to the Honey Badger series. If you've loved her books in this past, this one will be no different. It did take me a little while to get attached to Mads and Finn because I was already so attached to the sisters and the bears. Mads has a lot to overcome in this book and I was so proud of her by the end. The three sisters have some hilarious moments and I'm loving getting to know the newest sister! The Malone brothers couldn't easily be there own series and I really hope we get more books with them. I can't wait to read more about the rest of the Honey Badger basketball team and the Black Malones.
Thank you, netgalley, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The honey badgers are back! Mads and her teammates meet the Black Malone tiger family and chaos ensue. ARC from NetGalley.
Laugh out loud entertainment, great story, fascinating characters and out of this world plot, funniest paragraph in the book, “ Shen looked Max right in the eyes and replied, “I’m just a male. I want lots of babies. I just want my seed pouring out of me like I’m a Gatling gun.” Then, to get his point across, Shen made machine-gun sounds with his mouth.“
I don’t like to give spoilers on the books that I read. I believe the blurb on the back is enough for you to decide if you will read the book or not. If you choose to read, enjoy!
This was a great story and the badgers are hilarious. It can be read as a standalone, however to gain insight on the characters it's best to read the entire series. I laughed out loud and cant wait for the next installment.
The latest story in the Honey Badger Chronicles does not disappoint. You have the MacKilligan family still causing mayhem with plenty of lol moments to throughly entertain. Mads is one of Max MacKilligan’s team (family) who found each other as children and bring their own unique talents to any situation. When the team help out the Black Malone tigers there is plenty of misunderstanding until Finn and Mads see a new side to their relationship. There is plenty of over the top family feuds combined with with unstoppable Honey Badgers with weird genes from their father. A non stop story you will want to reread to pick up all the moments you might have missed first time round. I would recommend reading the other stories to get your further fix of the Honey Badgers.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Two and a half stars.
Finn and his two brothers are known as the Black Malones, Siberian tiger shifters, they are bigger and badder even than their ne'er do well relatives the Malones who are into everything slightly dodgy. Finn can't help but rescue a group of honey badgers led into a trap on an island off New York, but a total misunderstanding makes them mortal enemies, which is a shame because the honey badgers might be the only people who can help him solve the mystery of his father's murder.
Mads is half hyena and half honey badger and 100% viking. Obsessed with basketball she is estranged from her hyena family.
Mads and Finn might be the only sane ones in their respective families, but can they hold the warring factions apart long enough to find out the truth about Finn's father?
I've been honest that I haven't enjoyed the Honey Badger Chronicles very much but I liked this the least of the four. Honestly for about a quarter of the book I had no idea who the 'happy couple' were going to be because this was such an ensemble piece it could have been any of the honey badgers and any of the Malone brothers.
This just felt like Shelly Laurenston has got to a point where she has such a long list of 'features' that she needs to put in each book (eg Max being crazy, Stevie being a genius, Charlie baking for the bears etc, etc, etc) and well-loved characters like Dee-Ann Smith, that the plot got totally overwhelmed. In fact, I finished the book two minutes ago and I would struggle to give you a coherent summary of the plot, not even sure there was one TBH.
Overall, I've said it before but I think I really mean it this time, no more honey badgers for me. I don't like them and it just makes me irritable reading them.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, this book never slowed down and I couldn't stop reading it. The honey badgers are just over the top crazy, which makes these books fun to read. The Malone bothers are moody and vicious cats and don't want anything to do with the honey badgers, until they need their help with a family mystery.
There was always something going on in this book! There were so many fights (because you know,...honey badgers) that there was never a dull moment. The fight scenes are funny because the other shifters are always flabbergasted at how the honey badgers just don't die.
Of course we got to see Max and the rest of the basketball team in this story, but we also got to see the other MacKilligan sisters when they had to get Nat, their newly discovered half sister, out of some situations.
If you are looking for a funny book, this one is for you! I laughed several times in this book. This one didn't focus as much on the romance. It seemed to be a little more focused on settling the main characters' family issues. I would have preferred to see a little more relationship developing between the two characters, which is the only reason I am giving it 4 stars. I still loved the book, as sometimes it is just nice to read something that makes you laugh.
Mads is a descendant of the Vikings and isn’t afraid of much as a honey badger. Finn is a grumpy tiger and descended from ancient Mongolian warriors. When the two get together sparks fly along with bullets, bombs and knives. Add in Mads’ shifter teammates, the Makilligan sisters and Finn’s brothers and it’s a miracle the city survived. I devoured this book and am sorry I can’t read for the first time again.
5 stars - I loved it!
What another great honey badger book. I adore Laurenston and her characters. They are hilarious and crazy. I think it should be noted though that if you go into this series expecting a lot of sex and focus on the characters, you might be disappointed in this series. Yes, there is still sex and romance but this series focuses a little more on what is going on it the world, which I still really enjoy because the honey badgers are crazy.
“Life is scary. That’s why I’m going to make brownies.” - Charlie
Mads and Finn’s relationship was another hilarious and action packed one. Like the previous couple Max and Ze, Mads and Finn met during battle and they helped each other out. Finn Malone was the laid back Malone brother. He was fun, protective of his sister, and slightly crazy, which I liked. He was perfect for Mads because they both have a laid back personality until they snap.
Mads is a basketball obsessive honey badger, who is surprisingly the least honey badger of them all. She doesn’t steal or really do any criminal activities outside of what trouble the team gets into together. Mads had a heartbreaking backstory but she didn’t let it prevent her from her goals, nor would her teammates. I really adored Mads and thought her and Finn were a cute couple.
One of the great things with this book is all the returning characters from previous books. Charlie is still the protective older sister but now she has a new sister to keep an eye on. I really can’t wait for Nat’s book because it will be fascinating. We also get a few glimpses of Dez, Lou, Cella, and Dee Ann, which I loved. Overall, this was another action packed adventure that I couldn’t put down and I already am dying to read the next one, which sadly won’t be out for a while.
I love this series and I’m so glad we’re getting more badgers! Mads is one of Max MacKilligan’s friends/teammates, and she’s a honey badger with Viking heritage and hyena mother. Her family is abusive, except for her great-grandmother who loved her and took care of her. When she learns of Solvieg’s death and that her family has already cremated her, Mads is angry and devastated because she knows that isn’t what Solvieg would want.
Finn Malone is one of the Black Malones, a group of tiger shifters who shift into black tigers with white stripes, and are known to be some of the most vicious. He and his brothers are trying to figure out who murdered their father, and haven’t been having luck finding any information or leads. They’re directed to the MacKilligans, especially as they already have a tie with Nat, their baby sister who is also a MacKilligan, and MacKilligans are known to only really help family.
This is a wild, violent ride that absolutely makes me cackle. I really don’t know how to explain why this book was so fun, but it 100% was a delight! I have a guess on who the next Honey Badgers Chronicles will focus on but regardless I’m excited for even more in this world!
If you like violent, bonkers paranormal romance, this may absolutely be up you’re alley. The chosen family especially is always one of my favorite elements in Laurenston’s book, and this book plays it up wonderfully with Mads, especially against the glimpses of her blood family compared to the bond she has with Max, Tock, Nelle, and Streep. The romance is kind of quiet compared to other threads of the story, but I enjoyed the sweet moments between Finn and Mads, and how they develop a relationship.
Shelly Laurenston’s Honey Badger Chronicles have joined Martha Wells’ the Murderbot Diaries and Becky Chamber’s Wayfarers series as the books I shove in everyone’s faces given the slightest opening. Are they even romances anymore? I don’t know. Who cares? They have transcended genre and reason and exist on their own plane.
There are always 30 something characters and 56 plots going on in a Honey Badger book and it feels a bit like the Motown Wall of Sound. Either you can’t take the confusion or you become immersed and a wonderful story about found family emerges from the chaos. Laurenston’s world is clannish, chaotic and violent. But amongst the violence (there are gun battles, stabbings, eviscerations, defenestrations, and frequent beat downs – often between siblings), the core characters are building a safer world for themselves. Laurenston shows how the power of one person’s decision to be kind and generous has reverberated through the years and impacted the lives of people she never met. Charlie’s mother chose to take in her ex’s children by other women, Charlie’s half-sisters, setting in motion the series, but also giving the sisters a moral center that shapes their lives. As perpetual outsiders, Charlie, Max and Stevie have are protective of each other, and over the series, extend that protection to the people who are becoming part of their family.
Breaking Badger expands the Honey Badger Chronicles beyond the McKilligan sisters and into Max’s basketball and gun toting back-up squad. Mads is kind of a quiet loner. Neglected and abused by her mother and grandmother, she thinks of the other four honey badgers as her teammates, not friends. But as Finn, her love interest points out, they have moved beyond friends, they are her family.
One of my favorite things Laurenston does in her world is give her characters the gift of being their own weird selves, acknowledging that they are weird and then moving along to more important stuff. Finn and Mads do not look at each other and think about dating, they drift into each other. Neither thinks they are courting, but their friends and family know and repeatedly point it out. Along the way they realize they like each other, and maybe they don’t hate spending time together. And really, who has time to think about dating when there are playoffs to be won, enemies to be defeated, and toxic family to be handled?
The Honey Badger Chronicles also has some great mental health representation. In one of the many side plots, Stevie talks about going off her meds in preparation for a possible future pregnancy (to torment Max, of course). The issue is handled sensibly and compassionately, and also with the trademark yelling in any McKilligan sister conversation.
If you haven’t read Hot and Badgered yet, you need to get on that. Charlie McKilligan is a great character among great characters, and I alternately want to be her, and want to have her as a sister.
I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.