E-book: The Shapeshifter's Secret by Heather Ostler
Pages: 330
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Source: NetGalley
Short Synopsis: Living alone with her father, Julia has always had a normal life. It isn't until she meets a new boy at school, named Caleb, that her whole life starts to change.
My Thoughts: An interesting take on the shapeshifting genre, with characters that grow and stay with you till the end.
Julia Lavesque has always lived a normal life. She has a best friend named Sierra and a father named Lancer. It isn't until Julia meets a new boy in class named Caleb, where things start getting weird, but Julia starts to find some answers.
In class one day, due to anger brought on by a teacher, Julia attacks a student. Horrified, she runs out and is met by Caleb, and is shocked by her actions. In one second, she's standing there as a normal human being, and in the next second, she feels herself transform into a beautiful white tiger.
As soon as Julia changes back, Caleb explains that Julia and her father are royalty in a different world called Ossai, and that they can shapeshift into tigers. He explains that Julia is no longer safe and must attend a school in Ossai, in order to control her ability, and to be safe from a group called the Guild who wants her dead.
As Julia starts a new life in Ossai, her father explains that her mother is part of the Guild and will do anything to gain more power. As Julia learns to control herself at school, strange things start happening, and Julia must get to the bottom of things before it's too late. Can Julia solve the mystery at school, and keep the students safe from the Guild?
A very entertaining story. I was immediately attracted to this adventure from the first page. Great characters, who aren't always perfect, but are determined. I loved reading about the relationship between Julia and Terrance, and wanted to read more of a connection with them. And though I liked their relationship, and everyone seemed to trust Terrance, I also felt like he couldn't really be trusted, and kept waiting for Terrance to turn on Julia. And maybe it's just me, but I felt that the relationship between Julia and Caleb kind of fizzled after she gets to Ossai, and her feelings for him weren't really returned.
There was also a section in the novel, where Julia gets in trouble for writing the graffiti on the painting. It really wasn't addressed, and kept the reader thinking what the connection was. I kept wanting to know who the actual culprit was, and what the message actually intended to be.
Ostler created a world with colorful creatures, mystery and intrigue. With an entire group called the Guild and and an evil mother, what more could a reader want? Overall, a great read that kept me wanting to find out more, and hopefully there will be a sequel in the story.
Would I recommend this book: Yes
Rating: I give this book a 4/5.
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