Trista Bane’s fresh writing style infuses new life into the werewolf tale!  Elizabeth Byron is the last carrier for the Lycaon clan; she also physically resembles Elaine Lycaon, who was killed 50 years ago for daring to love someone outside the clan.  Elaine’s lover, Julius Garnier, was transformed into a werewolf as Elaine died.  Julius still lives and he watches over Elizabeth as he is worried she will suffer the same fate as Elaine.

Elizabeth is oblivious to the undercurrents in the town of Pyrrhathia.  She was orphaned and only just now coming to live in the town.  She is thus unaware of the history of her ancestor, the aptly named Lord Pyrrhus Lycaon, and the werewolf carrier gene bequeathed to her.  Her loneliness allows the werewolf William Meleager to court her despite her dreams of Julius.  Elizabeth will learn the secrets of the Lycaon clan while being torn between the deceptions of William, Andrea, and Luc, and her growing love for Julius.

BLOOD OF LYCAON: DREAM LOVER is a richly developed tale.  The mystique surrounding the Lycaon clan is gradually revealed as Elizabeth learns about her heritage.  The author neatly ties together all of the loose ends in a very believable manner.  The overall atmosphere created by Trista Bane has a haunting quality that stays with the reader long after the last word has been read.

The dream sequences are particularly well done as the author seamlessly merges together the dream world with reality.  The love that grows between Julius and Elizabeth is powerful and makes their willingness to fight the entire Lycaon clan believable.  The scenes between Julius and Elaine where Elaine lends her approval to his new relationship with Elizabeth are poignant and only enhance the overall mystical quality of the book. 

BLOOD OF LYCAON: DREAM LOVER is the first book in Trista Bane’s new werewolf series.  It is difficult to believe that this is also one of her first published efforts as she has done such an excellent job at weaving together so many elements to create such a powerful werewolf tale.  Readers will be enthralled by the tale and will want to see more from this fabulous new author! 

Reviewed by Anne