No one believes that there is a panther in Argyll, despite the sightings. But for Danni, the impossible is true. She has an animal spirit and can change into a panther at will. What should she do with this extraordinary power Is it the greatest of adventures, or a terrible curse
Lisa Tuttle taught a science fiction course at the City Lit College, part of London University, and has tutored on the Arvon courses. She was residential tutor at the Clarion West SF writing workshop in Seattle, USA. She has published six novels and two short story collections. Many of her books have been translated into French and German editions.
This book was short but amazing. It is one of the few books I have read over and over again. It is about shape shifters who have 'the animal spirit' or something like that. I haven't read it in a while so my memory is sketchy on it. You can see it in a person's eyes when you are in your animal form. A grumpy old man who can become a panther (in Argyll, in case that wasn't obvious) turns the female lead. The grumpy old man's step son (a fellow shape shifter) helps the girl learn to control her shifts. Queue rivalry between male panthers over the territory now that a female has moved in and an aunt who would rather see the panthers dead after one ripped apart her dog and a few other animals and we're all set for a truely brilliant adventure. I love it!
Read this as a teenager and my memory is normally terrible but I still remember this book and title!
That shows how much I thought of this story, its gripping and the characters are likable. It deserves more attention and at least a cover picture on here.
I'd recommend it to adults and teens alike who like the idea of werewolves and beasties!
I read this years ago, and when I came across a new Kindle edition I just had to buy it. Lisa Tuttle's a bit of an unsung genius in my eyes: I just adored THE SILVER BOUGH and THE MYSTERIES and she's a brilliant short story writer too. This is a short YA novel about a girl who discovers she has the ability to change into animals - and it's really exciting. I'm so glad I rediscovered it.