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First Flight
Jesse Swanson’s life is pretty normal: He has a job he doesn’t mind, his parents are pretty decent, and he’s got a boyfriend. So what if he still lives at home? So what if he thinks he argues a little too often with his guy?
Everything changes when he stops to pick up a bird and ends up picking up a new guy instead. Chris, formerly known as Sings-like-water, is fascinated by Jesse’s music and by Jesse himself, but figuring out how to be human isn’t easy—especially when Jesse’s now ex-boyfriend decides he’ll do anything to get Jesse back. Can Jesse and Chris overcome the odds, or will their fledgling romance falter before it can fly?
Everything changes when he stops to pick up a bird and ends up picking up a new guy instead. Chris, formerly known as Sings-like-water, is fascinated by Jesse’s music and by Jesse himself, but figuring out how to be human isn’t easy—especially when Jesse’s now ex-boyfriend decides he’ll do anything to get Jesse back. Can Jesse and Chris overcome the odds, or will their fledgling romance falter before it can fly?
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2011
1 person is currently reading
172 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 21, 2011
4.5 stars
This is a sweet story that deals with serious issue: stalking and harassment. It's also about a Raven shifter, but not like the usual shifter stories.
I enjoyed reading this book.
This is a sweet story that deals with serious issue: stalking and harassment. It's also about a Raven shifter, but not like the usual shifter stories.
I enjoyed reading this book.
December 2, 2011
This is a fascinating, touching and very interesting book that takes a look at us humans from a bird shifter’s view. The sometimes naïve questions Chris has made not only Jesse, the human man he has picked as his partner, think, but me as well. There is a lot of wisdom in these pages, as well as fun and a romance that goes beyond the physical.
Chris is a bird shifter, or a bird who becomes human, who has fallen in love with a human man and manages to overcome the obstacle of having been born in a bird’s body by changing into a human. That has, as expected, a lot of consequences. I loved reading about the surprises Chris encounters as he tries to get used to his new life. His naïve way of looking at things, his innocence where human relationships are concerned and his curiosity about everything that is new to him were totally credible and amazingly well described.
Jesse is a very loving, open-minded and wonderful young man. His life may not be perfect, but he manages to be happy and is happy to have Chris as a friend – and the more. His developing feelings are easier to understand, but that only makes Chris’s somewhat more hesitant feelings even more convincing. Jesse know better what it might feel like to fall in love – knows what to expect - but Chris has an equally deep capacity to love, he is just less able to express it in words. How he feels nevertheless jumped off the page for me.
First Flight contains some amazing world building, but not in the physical sense of showing us alien planets. What Connor Wright has achieved here is even more amazing: he has built a complete inner world, a different perspective and a non-human psychology that is close enough for us to understand, yet foreign enough to be utterly fascinating. If you like stories that amaze you, stretch your imagination and make you feel deeply, you will love this book as much as I did.
NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online
Chris is a bird shifter, or a bird who becomes human, who has fallen in love with a human man and manages to overcome the obstacle of having been born in a bird’s body by changing into a human. That has, as expected, a lot of consequences. I loved reading about the surprises Chris encounters as he tries to get used to his new life. His naïve way of looking at things, his innocence where human relationships are concerned and his curiosity about everything that is new to him were totally credible and amazingly well described.
Jesse is a very loving, open-minded and wonderful young man. His life may not be perfect, but he manages to be happy and is happy to have Chris as a friend – and the more. His developing feelings are easier to understand, but that only makes Chris’s somewhat more hesitant feelings even more convincing. Jesse know better what it might feel like to fall in love – knows what to expect - but Chris has an equally deep capacity to love, he is just less able to express it in words. How he feels nevertheless jumped off the page for me.
First Flight contains some amazing world building, but not in the physical sense of showing us alien planets. What Connor Wright has achieved here is even more amazing: he has built a complete inner world, a different perspective and a non-human psychology that is close enough for us to understand, yet foreign enough to be utterly fascinating. If you like stories that amaze you, stretch your imagination and make you feel deeply, you will love this book as much as I did.
NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online
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July 29, 2016@dreamspinners: And just in time for dessert, we have tonight's #tweetaway. "First Flight" by Connor Wright is free for the next hr!
http://t.co/MgIqypxQZd/s/jMEU
Ends 9pm EST 11/17/14
http://t.co/MgIqypxQZd/s/jMEU
Ends 9pm EST 11/17/14
dnf
November 20, 2011DNF at 68%
First Flight is a book that, with some tighter editing, could have been great.
One thing that was obvious to me as I was reading this book was that Connor Wright has alot of potential. This story has a fresh concept and a different take on shifters. Chris is a raven who suddenly finds himself human. Jesse is the man who finds Chris and helps him adjust to life as a human being.
There were some aspects of this story that were done very well. Chris' bird-like mannerisms were a great touch. The way he courts Jesse was amusing, sweet and touching. Also, little things like Chris' love of eggs really endeared him to me.
Now Jesse, on the other hand, was a very flat character. It was almost as if the author worked so hard on making Chris appealing that he forgot to make Jesse someone that the reader would care about.
What was most disappointing about this book was that it felt unpolished. I felt like I was reading a first draft instead of a finished product. It was annoying because with a good editor this book could have been so much better.
I'll probably try something by this author in the future but in the end I stopped reading because while I could see what the author was going for, First Flight just was not living up to its potential.
First Flight is a book that, with some tighter editing, could have been great.
One thing that was obvious to me as I was reading this book was that Connor Wright has alot of potential. This story has a fresh concept and a different take on shifters. Chris is a raven who suddenly finds himself human. Jesse is the man who finds Chris and helps him adjust to life as a human being.
There were some aspects of this story that were done very well. Chris' bird-like mannerisms were a great touch. The way he courts Jesse was amusing, sweet and touching. Also, little things like Chris' love of eggs really endeared him to me.
Now Jesse, on the other hand, was a very flat character. It was almost as if the author worked so hard on making Chris appealing that he forgot to make Jesse someone that the reader would care about.
What was most disappointing about this book was that it felt unpolished. I felt like I was reading a first draft instead of a finished product. It was annoying because with a good editor this book could have been so much better.
I'll probably try something by this author in the future but in the end I stopped reading because while I could see what the author was going for, First Flight just was not living up to its potential.
November 7, 2012
I thought there was so much to love here.
The whole concept, of a raven who became human to find something he couldn't find in the air, was just brilliant.
I love the crow family, so a book written around ravens was always going to appeal to me. Connor Wright made it feel authentic, if you can believe that!
I certainly could. The whole experience of reading was lyrical, making me feel both in and out of this world. In, because the setting is so obviously the here and now, and out, because this is fantasy, something of a fairy tale.
To be able to create this feeling, without losing my belief along the way, is what I love in fantasy or fairy tale books.
One of my favourite things was the birds' names: Sings Like Water; Sees Caches and Bright-tail (who was a magpie). Gorgeous.
I've not read anything by Connor Wright before, but will be looking for more after this.
I have to add my admiration for the cover too, which I have voted for throughout the Rainbow awards. Paul Richmond again, somewhat to my amazement. It seems I either love or hate his covers.
The whole concept, of a raven who became human to find something he couldn't find in the air, was just brilliant.
I love the crow family, so a book written around ravens was always going to appeal to me. Connor Wright made it feel authentic, if you can believe that!
I certainly could. The whole experience of reading was lyrical, making me feel both in and out of this world. In, because the setting is so obviously the here and now, and out, because this is fantasy, something of a fairy tale.
To be able to create this feeling, without losing my belief along the way, is what I love in fantasy or fairy tale books.
One of my favourite things was the birds' names: Sings Like Water; Sees Caches and Bright-tail (who was a magpie). Gorgeous.
I've not read anything by Connor Wright before, but will be looking for more after this.
I have to add my admiration for the cover too, which I have voted for throughout the Rainbow awards. Paul Richmond again, somewhat to my amazement. It seems I either love or hate his covers.
November 28, 2011
I really, really enjoyed this. I thought it was very sweet and a touch different from your typical shifter story.
I adored Chris...I loved how he was trying to woo Jesse in the way that birds would. He was just so sweet and a great character to read about. Part of me wishes that his shifting was explained more, but the way it was written gave me a sort of magical, fairy tale feeling to the story.
Definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.
I adored Chris...I loved how he was trying to woo Jesse in the way that birds would. He was just so sweet and a great character to read about. Part of me wishes that his shifting was explained more, but the way it was written gave me a sort of magical, fairy tale feeling to the story.
Definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.
May 13, 2017
Very entertaining! I loved the idea of a bird becoming human and what that looked like. Chris is sweet and quirky. Jesse is so patient and understanding. I loved them together!
January 6, 2019
This was a different type of shifter story, where a raven is turned into a human. Sweet with serious undertones.
March 1, 2012
Ok, this book is a challange for me to rate.
I liked some things about it, it wasn't your typical shifter book, it's not really a shifter story at all, the "mystical" and unclear explanation as to how Chris came to be was fine, I am glad it wasn't "over explained". I liked Chris and seeing how he still saw the world as he did in his previous form, that was a very cool aspect of the story.
I would defenilty read more by this author.
But, even if I go with the flow, that the parents have no problem with a total stranger moving in, and his awkward behavior , and Kevin being a sicko, it would have been a MUCH better book if at least 50 pages had been culled.
It was just too much of the same or unimportant things being said/done that it pulled me out and bored me.
I liked some things about it, it wasn't your typical shifter book, it's not really a shifter story at all, the "mystical" and unclear explanation as to how Chris came to be was fine, I am glad it wasn't "over explained". I liked Chris and seeing how he still saw the world as he did in his previous form, that was a very cool aspect of the story.
I would defenilty read more by this author.
But, even if I go with the flow, that the parents have no problem with a total stranger moving in, and his awkward behavior , and Kevin being a sicko, it would have been a MUCH better book if at least 50 pages had been culled.
It was just too much of the same or unimportant things being said/done that it pulled me out and bored me.
May 1, 2012
I was annyoed how accepting all were of Chris, they didn't know anything about him, he just turned up but hey no problem, whose parents would just let you bring in a complete stranger and let him stay?
The stalkerish ex-boyfriend was the next bit that got on my nerves but other than this it's a cute love story. I loved how Chris tried to win his loveinterest for himself, it was very sweet and amusing. If there weren't so many issues(I thought the stalker boyfriend was a bit too much) I would have liked the book more.
The stalkerish ex-boyfriend was the next bit that got on my nerves but other than this it's a cute love story. I loved how Chris tried to win his loveinterest for himself, it was very sweet and amusing. If there weren't so many issues(I thought the stalker boyfriend was a bit too much) I would have liked the book more.
November 23, 2014
2.5 stars
it was interesting. I actually really liked the story and the writing, but I also felt like there was something missing. i feel like the lore could have been tighten up a bit instead of one random dream sequence. Some secondary character interactions were just meh. Chris was an AMAZING character. The things be did, the questions he asked. It made him a believable character. I wished more time was spent on his transitioning from bird to man, especially with simple task.
it was interesting. I actually really liked the story and the writing, but I also felt like there was something missing. i feel like the lore could have been tighten up a bit instead of one random dream sequence. Some secondary character interactions were just meh. Chris was an AMAZING character. The things be did, the questions he asked. It made him a believable character. I wished more time was spent on his transitioning from bird to man, especially with simple task.
April 11, 2012
Decent is all i could say for this book. The charecters were nice enough but lacked any real depth. The metamporphoses part of the book was poorly explained leaving much to be desiered.The fights with the Ex were unconvincing and verging on childish.The book had much more potential than waht was written.
March 23, 2015
I liked this story. The idea of a bird becoming a human was not something I'd seen before and not in any way the typical shifter story.
Chris has an innocence about him that is so sweet and I loved how he courted Jesse with his little gifts.
There was a darker theme running through this book due to the stalking and harassment of Jesse by his ex.
Chris has an innocence about him that is so sweet and I loved how he courted Jesse with his little gifts.
There was a darker theme running through this book due to the stalking and harassment of Jesse by his ex.
July 21, 2015
Cute premise, but really choppy and inconsistent execution make it hard to get into. Very plot driven, characters are puppet like. Chris could have been charming, but the jumping around on the timeline and frequent point of view switches make him hard to relate to as a character. Jesse just seems kind of indecisive and lacking insight.
November 26, 2011
Was interesting story or rather to say raven changing into a man was something new. What I did not like was the plot. All is circling round ex boyfriend who is crazy for Jesse. And that is all what there is.
March 11, 2012
This is a fun story to read. I hope to see more like this from Connor Wright. I purchased Tobias's Own Adventure hoping it would have a similar tone.
Another story about Chris & Jesse would not go amiss; actually, I look forward to it.
Well done Connor.
Another story about Chris & Jesse would not go amiss; actually, I look forward to it.
Well done Connor.
April 8, 2012
Although this wasn't a bad book it was very simple. One of the MC was really naive but for me it was the best part of the book. It made the story some what funny. That pretty much all I can say that I liked about the story.
April 17, 2015
Maybe it's just me but I didn't like this at all. The character's maturity level was that of young children, the actions that of early teens, the story convoluted... I hate that I can't find anything good to say.
March 15, 2020
Well this was an unusual changer read. I'm not into form changing as a rule but this one had many 'sweet' elements between the two teen MCs and sucked me right in. The obsessive 'baddie' however was written a little 2-dimensionally though.
December 1, 2011
3.5 stars
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December 5, 2011weird story that needed tight editing
February 13, 2013
2.5 stars
November 23, 2014
a very smart shapeshifter story. i love corvid & i loved these characters.
Connor did something that I don't come across often, he gave Chris all the little quirks & ticks of his animal.
Connor did something that I don't come across often, he gave Chris all the little quirks & ticks of his animal.
December 6, 2014
Read previously but never rated?
May 6, 2015
A very good story about a raven-turn-to-human and his love interest. I love everything about this story, including Chris' fascination with eggs and liver. Gosh, he's cute!
September 26, 2017
I really enjoyed Chris! I thought he was funny & quirky. I liked the unusualness of the story - how Chris chose to be a human to be with Jesse.
Jesse was kind of boring & it was weird how his parents accepted him bringing a total stranger home to live. Also having Kevin stalk him/them for so long without doing anything about it annoyed me because at the very least the store would have mentioned something sooner to Jesse about the calls sooner than they did. Also I found it too unbelievable that Jesse wouldn't know what Kevin was doing was stalking.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews