Retrieved

The Shapeshifters' Library #2

by Amber Polo

Dog-shifters once again face the book-burning werewolves of Shipsfeather in this charming second installment of The Shapeshifters’ Library series.

Godiva Anglesey, Chocolate Labrador, and the ruggedly handsome English Mastiff Cynerik are forced to team up against power-hungry werewolves when Cynerik discovers an ancient Ohio mound that may hold answers to their shifter history. Knowing the mound’s secrets could benefit the dog-shifters in the ongoing contest for power, ambitious werewolf pack Alpha Sybilla challenges timid Godiva to a battle for the territory. Already faced with a malicious book-worm infestation and a censorship threat to ban all anthropomorphic books in her library, Godiva, who has no interest in battling anyone, must turn from running her small town library to train for a challenge she believes she has no chance of winning. Just when things couldn’t get any worse, Godiva’s mother announces that family tradition dictates that Godiva must be married by Summer Solstice… to a Druid. Godiva doesn’t even know any Druids.

Godiva wants to run her library, retrieve books for library patrons, and keep people happy. She’s no hero. She doesn’t have what it takes to face down werewolves or save the world. Cynerik, however, believes differently. Together they must defeat the werewolves, save the town and its library, protect the most important archeological discovery in dog-shifter history… and, just maybe, find love along the way.

Genres: Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

294 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2012

About the author

Amber Polo loves to take readers on journeys to places she’s lived, visited, and imagined. Escaping her past as librarian and yoga teacher, she strives to mix humor and a little fantasy into every genre (so far fantasy, romance, historical, and woman’s fiction).

Amber is best known for The Shapeshifters’ Library, a light urban fantasy series which asks what if librarian dog-shifters faced book-burning werewolves and The Pharaoh and the Librarian, blending alternative history with a little fantasy.
Look for Laughing Dolphins, a novel of coincidence – a rom-com of lovers living parallel lives for twenty years.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept with shapeshifters working as librarians. There is a lot of cute dog and librarian humor and a little bit of romance.

Cute series. Definitely light reading, but I enjoy the humor. :)

[H.A. Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally Posted @ Bloodthirsty Muses: http://bloodthirstymuses.wordpress.co...

Another wonderful trip into the wild world of Shipsfeather, where the dogs are also people, and the werewolves’ raison d’etre is to burn all the books in the world. After so much of the town’s mess was cleaned up by Liberty and Chronus in RELEASED, you would think the dog-shifters could take a minute to relax and roll in the dirt, celebrating their victory, right?

Um, wrong. The werewolves are absolutely dedicated to their mission of destroying the dog-shifters and taking back control of Shipsfeather, and they’ll do anything to do it now that Sybilla is running the werewolf pack. She’s cleaned house among the werewolves, and brought in vicious outsiders to help her get things done her way. Poor Diva just wants to run her library, finally catch snobby Griswald’s eye, and eat some chocolate. But thanks to Sybilla, it’s just one thing after another piling on her shoulders. Luckily, she has the rest of the librarians and dog-shifters to back her up, especially Cynerik, who I adore.

I raved and raved about this universe after I read the first book — it’s such a creative, wonderous place to be, full of intrigue and danger without being too violent and gritty. There are creatures here both admirable and terrifying. I love the mythology of both the weres and the dog-shifters that Ms. Polo created for them. I want to know more about how the dog-shifters molded and guarded civilization and knowledge!

This was another great read! Full of moments clever, sweet, and full of nail-biting fear, and yet it still remains something that almost any age reader could read. While I missed Liberty and Chronus (they’re off on their honeymoon!) I learned to love Diva and Cynerik just as much. I loved Diva’s family and their story. All of the characters we met in the last book get more depth (and maybe a few other surprises!) in this book.

There’s so much going on here, so much sweetness, action, suspense and fun, I was disappointed when it was over. *sigh*

Many thanks to Ms. Polo for providing a copy of this wonderful book for review! I can’t wait until the next installment!

[Danielle Smiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like book one, Released, Retrieved is a light and fun read that I just could not put down! The creativity, the cute librarian references (Sweet Dewey!), and the must-love-dogs theme makes this the perfect lazy Sunday read. I loved to see Godiva grow as a character and the competition challenges she faced were such a fun and adventurous way to instigate that change.

My only real complaint concerns the building up to bigger moments. Events such as the mound discovery and contest challenges needed more "tah-dah, here it is!!!" to it. That goes for some of the emotional moments, too (though I totally teared up at the happy ending!!!!).

I'm super eager to read on in this series. These books are like chocolate chip cookies to me .... you just can't be satisfied with just one (or even two, wink)!!!!

[Ty Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not the kind of book I would normally read, and to be honest it took me quite awhile to get used to the writing style. Most of what I read is far darker and more serious in tone. But once I got used to it, it was a pleasant read with a level of whimsy I grew to enjoy. Quick disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in a First Reads giveaway, but I don't believe it colors my opinion in either a positive or negative direction.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a continuation shapeshiftet storyline that maintains your interest

[Jaime Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received free via Goodreads giveaway "First Reads"

Admittedly I knew nothing of The Shapeshifters' Library at all having not even read the first book in the series. I have intention to read "Released" as a prequel.

Giggles and heart skipping moments truly are what this book needed to grasp a reader. A great book for all ages, whether read to or ready by.

Characters are loveable and loathe-able, which to me is something that makes a great book.

My only real criticism of the book is that it could have used one more good edit to find the typos and missed spell checker word changes. Otherwise this is a great read and a great book for the series.

[Normalene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the Shapeshifter’ Trilogy, this tells the story of the ongoing struggle between the library-loving dog shifters and the book-burning wolf shifters at the Shipsfeather Library. This story concerns the new-found mound uncovered in a field near the town that may have been built by early dog shifters to contain remnants from the great libraries that were saved and hidden. The humor is still whimsical and the characters are well-developed; the story is light-hearted and fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The resolution should neatly lead you to book three, Recovered, out in 2013 and on my list.

[Alicia R. Pirch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story overall that wont let me put the book down!

A great continuation to the first book with great suspense and detail. I personally love the shifter romance and action that kept the story going. I would definitely read this over and over and do recommend this book to anyone who is interested in shape shifter mystery and romance. Another amazing book by Amber Polo.

[Erik Sapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the first book, the plot is a bit simplistic. The author tries to include tension and drama, but the reader knows what will happen. There are a lot of places where the author could set up a disaster, but it never goes through. Most things are resolved in a few pages, and everything turns out better than perfect for the dogs.

All of that said, it is a good book. Maybe because I love dogs and books, but I just like reading this series. The books aren't thought provoking or deep, but they are fun to read.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picking up where book one left off, we now have two different primary characters as the first couple have married and are now honeymooning. The female is pretty irritating in her continuing efforts to entice the German Shepherd into acknowledging her adoration. I find a hard time believing she couldn't pick up on the handsome mastiff's courting efforts.

Then again, she must be about the densest person in the world if she hadn't figured out that her mother was the leader of the dog shifters. She's in her late twenties; get a clue.

This is not story related but I get irritated when authors switch back and forth between a character's given name and nickname. Just a personal quirk.