Ella and the Beast

More Than Human, Book 1

By: S. E. Smith

Narrated by: David Brenin

Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Ella is the last of a dying breed of humans who live hidden deep in the forests of Washington State. All of her life, she has heard horror stories about the Others, the beasts that live beyond the safety of the mountains. In ancient times humans and the Others lived together in peace, but a great battle divided them, and the shape-shifting species won the war.

Ty Bearclaw, a grizzly-shifter, is the curator at the Washington State Animal Sanctuary, Research, and Observation Center (WSASROC). A call from a rancher about an unusual animal causing havoc along the borders of the National Forest brings him to the Olympic Mountain National Park. Ty is furious when he discovers that the rancher has placed a trap to capture the creature on government-protected property. His shock soon turns to horror and confusion when he locates the wounded "animal".

Ty finds more than he expects when a human, thought to be extinct, turns up in the trap. What is even more confusing is his bear's reaction to the female. When word escapes about his discovery, Ty must fight to protect the unusual woman who is more than an oddity - she is his mate!

Can Ty keep Ella alive and safe from a shifter obsessed with adding her to his private collection? Not only that, can he protect her when his own government threatens to take her away from him?

©2016 S. E. Smith (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ella and the Beast

This was the first S.E. Smith book I’ve listened to. The story is a unique twist of Human and Shifters. The characters are strong. The storyline is perfectly set up for expansion of the series, but i read other reviewers state that this author drops series’ without a satisfactory conclusion. Although the book seems to conclude reasonably well, there are a multitude of plot points that are not concluded, but could be if she added to the series. It seemed like she had planned on adding to the series with how this book ends but considering it’s been 5 years since it’s release, I am not sure if she will pick it up. I would like to see additions to the series with Jadyn and Mitchell’s stories. In the future I think I will read more reviews before starting a series by this author, and only listen to the books where the series is complete.

Pure Genius

As always, David Brenin did an excellent job performing this story, and I will forever be thankful to S.E. Smith for introducing me to his talent through her Alliance series.

As for the book itself, I loved it. For someone who reads and listens to many sci fi / fantasy romance books each month, this is such a unique way of approaching the Shifter genre. I read the book on Kindle a while back, and had read it again since then. I don't always buy the Audible for books I've read on Kindle, but as soon as I saw it was available for pre-order, I jumped on it. Imho, the story is that good.

In addition to being a refreshing and extremely enjoyable romance, it truly made the plight of Aboriginal peoples and their disappearing cultures real to me. I think the best books not only entertain, but also function as a telescope and a mirror, teaching us about others with whom we share this world and ourselves. I hope S.E. Smith allows this book to become a series. If so, I'm definitely going to be buying the Kindles and the Audibles from now on.

loved it

Different view point and it turned out amazing. I can't wait to hear more if this is continued. I really hope there will be more books to come.

excellent

Can't wait for book 2. Tracy and Mitchell I'm sure. Hope its coming out soon.

An excellent story

five out of five Stars! Fingers crossed for more. A unique shifter story. Highly recommended. Great characters and world. Good narration.

loved it

this novel was fascinating because it twisted the views on humans and animals. instead of humans being the dominant species, shifters were so basically animals (half humans and half animals) had take over. it was an interesting perspective.

Great concept

Interesting concept where humans are extinct and shifters rule the world. Or r they. Ella a human meets ty a bear shifter and sparks fly. Great narration and awesome character development will keep u intrigued. Hoping for more of their world from Susan.

Great Story

Not the usual abduction our clan war. Loved the main characters and I'm looking forward to the sequel.

Ella and the Beast

Another awesome book by SE Smith! I am so used to her alien romance that this shifter one was a good change! I am sad there isn't a book 2 yet but def worth the listen!
I love when she uses David Brenin as the narrator! Idk what it is about his voice but it goes perfect with her books!

VERY good!

I will be on the lookout for book 2! This is a great book, I highly recommend it. This is also one of my favorite narrators so that doesn't hurt. A+