Etched in Honor

Aspen Pack, Book 1

By: Carrie Ann Ryan

Narrated by: Aiden Snow, Kit Swann

Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

I thought I’d lost my fated mate until he shows up years later. Only with no memory of me. Or us.

As Beta of the Aspen Pack, I was forced to watch our former Alpha turn to dark magic and destroy the bonds of our people.

I nearly died trying to save us, but I broke the biggest taboo: I told the others that cat-shifters existed and almost lost everything in return.

We have a new Alpha, a new future, and a dangerous and mysterious enemy threatening our stable balance. And a new Tracker.

The man who looks like my dead mate.

©2022 Carrie Ann Ryan (P)2022 Carrie Ann Ryan

Great start to a new series!

Etched in Honor is the first book in a brand new series (the Aspen Pack) by Carrie Ann Ryan. I had the honor of getting an ARC of the audiobook and there is so much to say about this book.

The Aspen Pack is rebuilding itself after the former Alpha of the pack had killed so many members for dominance. The beta of this "new" pack is the same beta as the former pack Audrey. She is a lion shifter who was tortured by the former alpha for trying everything she could to save her pack but feels unworthy of the position after so many people had died. She had a mate about 30 years ago and he had died as well. Gavin, a wolf shifter and tracker, is joining the Aspens after being a nomad for so long not feeling like he belonged anywhere. He lost his memory and has no recollection of anything from 30 years prior and before. That is all I am going to give on that as to not say any spoilers.

These two must learn to trust in each other, as well as themselves as they do not feel like they are worth the positions given to them by the moon goddess. They have to learn rely on others and not take the load on themselves. This book has great world building, and new enemies. You also get to catch up with some characters from other pack series which is always fun.

I do recommend reading the other packs before starting this series so things make a bit more sense right away. This book is a great action book and the romance between the couples is more of a background of the actual story; not a bad thing, the book is still great! But if you are looking for a swoon worthy read this isn't it.

ARC exchanged for honest review.

Back with the wolves and shifters

This is the 1st book in the Aspen Pack and it starts off with a bang. Two bangs actually. Shocking surprises, that are both of a personal nature (for Audrey) and of a monumental nature (for literally everyone). It sets it up for some intense times to come, and I can’t wait. Love being back with the wolves, especially when one of those wolves is Aiden Snow. I do not tire listening to him. Kit Swann does a great job also

Etched in Honor

As the Aspen pack is rebuilding itself a new threat comes to the forefront. Audrey is one of a few people left who survived what the previous alpha did. Audrey still fights to right the wrongs of the past but in doing so she lost her mate, and she now lives for the pack only. When Gavin arrives to join the pack Audrey’s world changes. With the new threat advancing all the packs must find a way to stop this evil.

I enjoyed getting to meet this new pack and its members. There are many secrets from the past that are revealed, and bonds are tested. I enjoyed how Audrey and Gavin find their way. Not only do we get to see the relationship between the two, but we also get to see many of the personal sides of the members of the pack. Their story is just beginning, and it looks like it will be an interesting adventure for the Aspen pack. Narrators Aiden Snow and Kit Swann do a good job of bringing these characters to life and I quickly got lost in the story.

Great start to the new Aspen Pack series.

Great start to the Aspen Pack series. I was a little lost since I'm not up-to-date on the shifter stories prior, but the backstory helped. Audrey is the Beta of the pack but keeps the torture and trauma she endured from her packmates. Gavin is a new tracker to the pack but he is also Audrey's mate that she lost 30 years ago. He has no memory of them being mated until a bite from a vampire restores his memory. Audrey and Gavin finally get their HEA that they were denied decades ago.

This story kept me engaged as this rebuilt pack finds the strength to fight off a new enemy...vampires.

Loving the Aspens

This is the latest book from the author and it doesn’t disappoint. I have loved all of the authors works. From her shifter books to her Montgomery series. This is the Aspen packs first book Etched in Honor.

This is Audrey the Beta of the Aspen’s story. She’s a lioness in a den of wolves but it’s her home and has been since she was a child. She’s a strong female and one who tries to do most everything on her own and does a good job at protecting her pack.

Gavin is a new tracker that is being brought into the pack. He’s always been a lone wolf but has decided it’s time for a change.

Both are great at what they do for the pack and even better when they work together.

Overall, it’s a page turner and I couldn’t put it down. I loved meeting more of the Aspen pack and really looking forward to the next of the series. The author delivers the HEA we all crave and want.

The narrators were a perfect choice for the story.

A Wonderful Beginning

I hate to admit it but I have never read any of the Redwoods or Talons series but that didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying this start to the Aspen Pack. I had no problem picking up the story and understanding what had gone before.

The story is beautifully written and the author's wonderfully descriptive writing had me hooked on this action-packed, fast-paced shifter romance. It’s an emotional rollercoaster ride that quite frankly I didn't want to get off. It's a sort of second chance story with a twist, Audrey and Gavin's connection is incredible but to tell you why would be one spoiler too many, so you will need to read or listen to this one yourself to find out why they aren't together.

It's a story about fated mates, vampires an evil force lurking in the shadows. It's also a story of loyalty and loves, heartbreak and sadness that brought tears to my eyes - in short, this story has everything. The character some of whom will be familiar to you if you've read the Redwoods or Talons series are so well described, that they feel real.

The chemistry between Audrey and Gavin was palpable but they each fought it, their story was just a part of a much bigger story all woven together beautifully. As for the shocking ending of the story, I'm hooked and need to what is going to happen next. It’s a great beginning to a new series. I cannot wait for the next book, this is a pack like no other and I want to go back and visit again!

The narration of the book by Aiden Snow and Kit Swann was excellent, each brought life to the characters and delivered a faultless performance.

I was given this audiobook as a gift and am voluntarily writing my review.

Good start to this series

This is the first installment of this new series and it was a pretty good start to something new in the shape shifter world.

In this installment we meet Audrey, a beta for the Aspen pack. She is a lion shape shifter who lost her mate 30 years before. She has spent the last 30 years tortured in grief and the secrets that she must keep to only come face to face with the man that she thought she had lost.

Gavin, a tracker who has no memory of the past, only a feeling of as if he should know everyone, has wandered looking for something - if only he knew what or who. He joins the pack and as he does he starts to remember pieces of the past.

This was one action packed read that also had some steamy moments. As the story goes on, secrets are revealed. I enjoyed the interconnection between the Talon and Redwood series as a means to continue the series going. Overall, this was a pretty good read that I enjoyed from start to finish.

Love this story

I absolutely love Aiden Snow’s narration.

Wow. Just wow. My heart ached for Audrey. The Beta who was so strong yet broken. Basil was taken from her just stay he start of their relationship. The pain she endured of losing her mate and everything else she carried. Gavin showing up when he did and finding out who he was and now is was such a poignant moment. Love and mates will
Always find a way. It was incredible to read how this Aspen Pack was building itself back up. It was also great that the other Packs popped in. What an action packed introduction to the newest threat.

New shifters have arrived

This is the first book in the new Aspen Pack series. It's been years since we've had a shifter book from Ms Ryan. It is such a joy to have these characters in my life. I never thought I would enjoy such books, but I find myself so looking forward to them. Not every author can write paranormal/shifter books, but Ms Ryan proves she is a master at it.

I loved seeing a female in the hierarchy and Audrey is a strong female. However, she harbors guilt and demons from her time with the previous Aspen Pack hierarchy. Gavin has no memory of his past until he's bitten by a vampire and all of his memories come flooding back. Will Audrey and Gavin be able to move forward from their pasts? Will they be able to come to terms with their past and have a future with each other?

Goodness, these two will make beautiful babies. I can't wait to see if they have wolf or lion cubs (or both).

God how I love Aiden Snow narrating the shifter books. He has such a perfect voice for it. He's gruff and growly and alpha. Kit Swann continues to be a great female shifter narrator. Not many can pull off a strong female shifter character, but she did justice for Audrey.

Five star read Awesome Paranormal

To start great narration. Love how the status of dominance is differentiated in each character. Even with the submissive characters it all fit perfectly. Keep the same narrators for this series for audible. I will listen to them all instead of reading the books. I like that the paranormal of the story went beyond the reach of just animal shifters and added in witches, vampires even humans as part of one pack and the goddesses watching over them. It made the story so much more interesting. The storyline is great writing in my opinion because I like books with twist and turns with mystery and just the right amount of a love story thrown in to tug on my bleeding heart. I'm a sucker for a good romance. When Gavin came I just knew that he was Basil the Lioness aka Betas mate but I'm still wondering what did the vampires really do to him to make him loose his memory and what actually happened to the Alpha of the pack. It summarized but never detailed. I can't wait to see the rest how the higher hierarchy find their mates and hopefully one will match up with a witch. But overall great story but so many unanswered question and then the cliffhanger has me itching for the next book.