A novel that turns out to be even richer than it appears.

A beautiful cover, a summary that suggests a high heroin colors and a history of wolves. It was enough to tempt me, and I am very happy to have taken the plunge as this book proves to be even richer than it appears.

Anya is a young woman out of the ordinary. Daughter Atara, the vampire queen of the clan of Reus, it is also half wolf. After genetic experiments, she always struggled to be accepted by his peers vampires and rejects herself her wolf side. During an annual ball, Anya can not resist the call of the moon and transforms into a wolf before a whole assembly of vampires. The board meets the young woman is banished clan and forced to join the pack of his father in San Francisco.

At first, I must admit I had a little trouble getting used to the pen of the author. Indeed, this one is very rich (metaphors, turns of phrase, wit), this is felt especially in the passage where we are alone with Anya in the first third of the novel. I can not fault the author of "too much" write well, but it's almost that, and it was a bit destabilized. We must admit that we did not used to this style bed bit / urban fantasy (not that the authors of this style write badly, huh!). However, once the story started well and interactions with other Anya snapped protagonists, it really happiness.

The overall plot of the story, the main and secondary characters, heroin, mythology established by the author ... everything I liked. The relationships between the characters, whether fraternal or friendly carnal contain many emotions. And, improbable, the author managed to make me love love triangles. Recipe? A triangle which is justified by the events, two males at equal potential, and a heroine who does not procrastinating all the time, who knows what she wants.

Aidan, the mysterious and charismatic vampire, hides many secrets, and I loved his way of seeing things. It reminds me of both Jean Claude at the Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton (ridiculous name and the creepy side, less) and also in the Hunter series Bones Night Jeaniene Frost. As for Kyle, I immediately fell in love with this beautiful wolf. His tortured past, his lupine hand, his stubborn :)
If Anya could irritate me a little at first, this is a very interesting character and he is greatly pleasing to see evolve. She has no language in his pocket, demonstrated wit and verbal jousting with other characters have often made me smile.

The creatures themselves (wolves and vampires) are not different from those encountered in the bit reads books / urban fantasy. Personally, I do not mind, I like the classic that side. The author has distinguished itself by presenting an interesting and original mythology. I do not want to say more to not break any plot, but everything is explained :)

In sum, I find that my opinion is a little mess, but I had many things to say. "The watchmen of the shadows" is a very good first volume of urban fantasy. The author will plant a great decor with a gripping story. J.Arden me laugh, moved me and makes me desperately want to read more.