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Shape Shifter Chronicles #1
Sere from the Green
Isis is a normal woman living a normal life in a normal world. She is a photojournalist in a small city where practically nothing happens. One night, she photographs the scene of a gruesome murder. A woman is found dead in an abandoned factory. On the wall there is a strange symbol painted in blood. Isis photographs the scene. The next day, all evidence of the crime has vanished from her pictures and no one seems to have heard of any murder taking place. Isis proceeds to investigate and is soon drawn into the world of shape shifters and guardians. Secrets and mysteries are common place in this strange world. As Isis finds answers about her own mysterious past, she also finds more questions. What is happening to the people that vanish without a trace? Who is watching her from the shadows? And what exactly is the key that everyone seems willing to kill for?
212 pages, Paperback
First published March 17, 2013
29 people are currently reading
394 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Jankowski
7 books68 followersLauren Jankowski, an openly aromantic asexual feminist activist and author from Illinois, has been an avid reader and a genre feminist for most of her life. She holds a degree in Women and Genders Studies from Beloit College. In 2015, she founded “Asexual Artists,” a Tumblr and WordPress site dedicated to highlighting the contributions of asexual identifying individuals to the arts.
She has been writing fiction since high school, when she noticed a lack of strong women in the popular genre books. When she’s not writing or researching, she enjoys reading (particularly anything relating to ancient myths) or playing with her pets. She participates in activism for asexual visibility and feminist causes. She hopes to bring more strong heroines to literature, including badass asexual women.
Her ongoing fantasy series is The Shape Shifter Chronicles, which is published through Snowy Wings Publishing.
She has been writing fiction since high school, when she noticed a lack of strong women in the popular genre books. When she’s not writing or researching, she enjoys reading (particularly anything relating to ancient myths) or playing with her pets. She participates in activism for asexual visibility and feminist causes. She hopes to bring more strong heroines to literature, including badass asexual women.
Her ongoing fantasy series is The Shape Shifter Chronicles, which is published through Snowy Wings Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 31, 2016
Do you ever finish reading a book and just find yourself staring blankly into space thinking "what the eff did I just read?"?? If you have, you'll very much understand my experience of reading this book.
I picked this one up because it was on a list of ace spectrum Own Voices books, and HELL YES. Also, the blurb sounds pretty stinking great. But honestly? I think the best word to describe this book is "disjointed".
Like, yes, it starts out being a story about an ordinary girl taking photos of a murder that subsequently vanishes without a trace, and her being all "Um. WHUT". But it rapidly turns into "Guess what? You've got paranormal abilities! And you have a twin sister! And you need to learn to use your powers immediately because of reasons! And also your father was a pretty bad dude! Who may or may not be dead! And also now there are more vanishing murders! But we can't really do anything about those, so go break into this museum and steal a CD instead! Also, there's this mysterious guy following you but don't worry about him! Instead, worry about the assassin who's after you!"
Like. There was a LOT going on. And it didn't seem to happen in any particularly logical order? Especially because there were SO MANY CHARACTERS and it jumped between them constantly.
And perhaps disappointingly, while there are very VERY strong hints that Isis is aro/ace (just like the author!!), it was never explicitly stated. She just did a lot of "nope, not interested" and "I don't really like people"-ing.
So...I liked the premise. I liked a bunch of the characters. But there were too many perspectives and it jumped around FAR too much. End result? Confusion. Sigh.
I picked this one up because it was on a list of ace spectrum Own Voices books, and HELL YES. Also, the blurb sounds pretty stinking great. But honestly? I think the best word to describe this book is "disjointed".
Like, yes, it starts out being a story about an ordinary girl taking photos of a murder that subsequently vanishes without a trace, and her being all "Um. WHUT". But it rapidly turns into "Guess what? You've got paranormal abilities! And you have a twin sister! And you need to learn to use your powers immediately because of reasons! And also your father was a pretty bad dude! Who may or may not be dead! And also now there are more vanishing murders! But we can't really do anything about those, so go break into this museum and steal a CD instead! Also, there's this mysterious guy following you but don't worry about him! Instead, worry about the assassin who's after you!"
Like. There was a LOT going on. And it didn't seem to happen in any particularly logical order? Especially because there were SO MANY CHARACTERS and it jumped between them constantly.
And perhaps disappointingly, while there are very VERY strong hints that Isis is aro/ace (just like the author!!), it was never explicitly stated. She just did a lot of "nope, not interested" and "I don't really like people"-ing.
So...I liked the premise. I liked a bunch of the characters. But there were too many perspectives and it jumped around FAR too much. End result? Confusion. Sigh.
May 18, 2018
I’ve read to 68% of this book and I’ve decided to not finish it. The book is readable and well edited... but there’s no connection to the characters. None. There were three months skipped over completely while Isis adjusted to her new life, a vague mention of a prophecy and that Isis MIGHT be important somehow, and that her best friend is actually her Protector, which I figured out as soon as she was brought into this new world. I’ve read from authors that in order for the book to be a great read that they need to keep their secrets which is true. There also needs to be a bonding element to the characters that makes you want and need to continue their story. For me, that’s just not there.
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December 8, 2020
May 27, 2022
I am interested in where this tale goes. I can tell you there is a young woman, a bit of a curmudgeon who has a way of annoying people but I don’t understand why. A cousin who is supposed to be the pretty face but she hasn’t really added much color to the tale nor has the protector wife. I think these may be sleeper creepers. There is the creepy guy who shows up everywhere with nothing much to say but requests tons of blind trust. I wished to have learned more about this fella. There is the mom who flits about being low key high drama if that make sense and the sister who is similar but does not piss people off.
Now on a queer note. We learn that asexuality is a spectrum but you may have to do some of your own research if you care to understand this spectrum and the terms used. There is a lesbian who acts a little too overly confident like “you may be asexual but you just haven’t found the right partner *eyebrow wiggle, wink, leer*.” At some point in the story that weirdness stops. And then at the end I think I caught a whiff of gay sexual tension.
Now on a queer note. We learn that asexuality is a spectrum but you may have to do some of your own research if you care to understand this spectrum and the terms used. There is a lesbian who acts a little too overly confident like “you may be asexual but you just haven’t found the right partner *eyebrow wiggle, wink, leer*.” At some point in the story that weirdness stops. And then at the end I think I caught a whiff of gay sexual tension.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2020
I had a lot of fun reading this one. Usually I have a hard time getting into novels of this genre despite finding it appealing, but this book really clicked with me and I could not put it down and even now that it's done I'm craving more.
I pretty much bonded with the main character immediately, and finished this book still adoring her. Maybe I'm biased because of her name, but goodness, she was just so much fun and exactly the type of character I like.
And I found the world itself pretty neat. Once again, supremely my jam.
So yeah, I really enjoyed this book and plan to read the next one soon.
I pretty much bonded with the main character immediately, and finished this book still adoring her. Maybe I'm biased because of her name, but goodness, she was just so much fun and exactly the type of character I like.
And I found the world itself pretty neat. Once again, supremely my jam.
So yeah, I really enjoyed this book and plan to read the next one soon.
May 22, 2016
Sere from the Green.
Wasn't a bad book, but wasn't entirely the best book either.
Pros:
Great action
Lovable characters
Cons:
Not sure what's the ultimate goal of the plot.
Certain questions aren't answered.
Not sure if this was meant to be omniscient third person or limited.
Nevertheless, I understand writing a book is a feat by itself.
Here's to a job well done :)
Wasn't a bad book, but wasn't entirely the best book either.
Pros:
Great action
Lovable characters
Cons:
Not sure what's the ultimate goal of the plot.
Certain questions aren't answered.
Not sure if this was meant to be omniscient third person or limited.
Nevertheless, I understand writing a book is a feat by itself.
Here's to a job well done :)
May 14, 2018
Worth the read
It's always nice to find a new author. Lauren Jankowski writes a quick moving, action packed story.She has developed the 'Meadow' with careful attention.I enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to the next in the series.
It's always nice to find a new author. Lauren Jankowski writes a quick moving, action packed story.She has developed the 'Meadow' with careful attention.I enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to the next in the series.
May 3, 2022
This book is a bit of a study on how to say very little with a lot of words.
April 15, 2023
I'm so glad I grabbed this book while I was at WonderCon in 2022. Sere from the Green feels less like a plotted-out story with world & character building and more like a cathartic experience for the author who wrote about her life. It feels more like the author was describing what she went through but is using the world/ characters she came up with as a mechanism to do so.
Having said that, this was fun!!! I like the main character Isis. She's so spunky.
There are definitely some interesting mysteries with these beings (shapeshifters etc.) and book one was very much a setup book with some adventure but mostly to get to know the characters, world, and stakes. I also enjoyed the various inspirations, either by using certain names or describing the surroundings in a specific way.
I would have loved to read more about the shapeshifters themselves. So far, it doesn’t seem that it makes a difference; not that I mind, the story was fun even without it.
It seems like the series is going to have a sort of epic-ness to it that you rarely find in paranormal fantasy. Where paranormal tends to be associated with smut, this book surprised me with a depth that I really enjoyed. On the contrary, the author is an advocate for aro/ace and focuses in the book more on genuine connections. Very refreshing.
Having said that, this was fun!!! I like the main character Isis. She's so spunky.
There are definitely some interesting mysteries with these beings (shapeshifters etc.) and book one was very much a setup book with some adventure but mostly to get to know the characters, world, and stakes. I also enjoyed the various inspirations, either by using certain names or describing the surroundings in a specific way.
I would have loved to read more about the shapeshifters themselves. So far, it doesn’t seem that it makes a difference; not that I mind, the story was fun even without it.
It seems like the series is going to have a sort of epic-ness to it that you rarely find in paranormal fantasy. Where paranormal tends to be associated with smut, this book surprised me with a depth that I really enjoyed. On the contrary, the author is an advocate for aro/ace and focuses in the book more on genuine connections. Very refreshing.
June 2, 2018
Wimpy, whining, cranky and cluless wonder-women, without the wonder
I'm a fairly average, middle-age, heterosexual, male. I shouldn't have started reading this book in the first place. I only made it through 70% of the book. The plot is more than a little derivative of many different sources. There is no big goal or objective for the story. There are many political factions vying for power, but their membership and objectives are hidden, complicated and altogether distracting.
The characters are all two dimensional. The main female characters, despite many months of "extensive training", seem completely clueless as to what to do or how to protect themselves. The main protagonist is so whiny, obstinate and cantankerous, it is particularly difficult to like her. Despite her training, she is unable to defend herself when attacked, and is only saved by one man or another intervening on her behalf. No doubt her skills and competency would have improved by the end of the book, but i just didn't care enough to continue.
Also of note, this book provides an introduction to the Asexual community, or Ace Spectrum. I hadn't known that was a thing.
I'm a fairly average, middle-age, heterosexual, male. I shouldn't have started reading this book in the first place. I only made it through 70% of the book. The plot is more than a little derivative of many different sources. There is no big goal or objective for the story. There are many political factions vying for power, but their membership and objectives are hidden, complicated and altogether distracting.
The characters are all two dimensional. The main female characters, despite many months of "extensive training", seem completely clueless as to what to do or how to protect themselves. The main protagonist is so whiny, obstinate and cantankerous, it is particularly difficult to like her. Despite her training, she is unable to defend herself when attacked, and is only saved by one man or another intervening on her behalf. No doubt her skills and competency would have improved by the end of the book, but i just didn't care enough to continue.
Also of note, this book provides an introduction to the Asexual community, or Ace Spectrum. I hadn't known that was a thing.
December 6, 2022
This was so difficult to plow through that even though I purchased the full first 5 books, I will NOT be reading them. The story could have been riveting, but the writing fails to engage, and the many logical flaws distract from plot, character development and world-building. Here's one glaring example among many.
After the heroine miraculously survives a massive gun battle with bouts of hand-to-hand combat, unscathed and walks away, the next scene opens on her waking up in the healing center. She is described as waking up in clean clothing, and feels sore but healed from her wounds. Just a couple of paragraphs later she is described as having fallen asleep in the same street clothes she'd been wearing in the battle.
It's like the author can only recall the bones of the story-line but is incapable of keeping track of the small details which both add color but also keep things moving logically.
I won't be reading more of this author's work.
After the heroine miraculously survives a massive gun battle with bouts of hand-to-hand combat, unscathed and walks away, the next scene opens on her waking up in the healing center. She is described as waking up in clean clothing, and feels sore but healed from her wounds. Just a couple of paragraphs later she is described as having fallen asleep in the same street clothes she'd been wearing in the battle.
It's like the author can only recall the bones of the story-line but is incapable of keeping track of the small details which both add color but also keep things moving logically.
I won't be reading more of this author's work.
January 15, 2023
I didn't find the writing very compelling in this book. But I found the premise and initial characters interesting. Because it was a cheap buy--at second hand store with #2 (which I liked more)--and I'm broke, I picked them up. I'm glad I did because I can watch the writer developing, and the story developing. As a beginner when it comes to writing long forms, I enjoyed seeing Jankowski write because I could imagine myself learning to finish a first book in my series. I could imagine it might not be the best writing, but it would be storytelling that draws the reader in, and in the next book and the next, the writing can grow.
November 25, 2025
What I Did Like:
+The opening chapter introduces Isis in a way that works and puts us in her side right away, which is great.
+Coop is an interesting character. He’s obviously hiding something that will probably become important in future books. That’s fun!
+This story barely scratched on the intriguing things about this world. That means we can have a lot of fun exploring it further in the next books. I always love that!
Who Should Read This One:
-Fans of urban fantasy who like strong big casts and slow release secrets.
My Rating: 3 Stars
For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2025/11/...
+The opening chapter introduces Isis in a way that works and puts us in her side right away, which is great.
+Coop is an interesting character. He’s obviously hiding something that will probably become important in future books. That’s fun!
+This story barely scratched on the intriguing things about this world. That means we can have a lot of fun exploring it further in the next books. I always love that!
Who Should Read This One:
-Fans of urban fantasy who like strong big casts and slow release secrets.
My Rating: 3 Stars
For Full Review: https://alltherightreads.com/2025/11/...
April 8, 2023
I enjoyed the premise and the story. Some of the characters felt a little too cliche, and almost like they didn't really fit the story, like the cousin. The writing style did fill out and improve, as did the way the characters mesh with each other. I do feel like there was too many loose threads and that the story wasn't as tight as it could be, but the story has a lot of layers and as it's the start of a series, I would read the rest of the series. It's a solid fantasy story, and an engaging premise
December 19, 2017
3.5 Stars
Sere from the Green had an interesting take on shape shifters on Earth.
Isis is a photojournalist whom one day takes a photo of a dead body that vanishes from her pictures the next day. Eager to find out what happened, Isis is suddenly thrust into a world of shape shifters and guardians that she didn't know could even exist.
I liked the characters and the synopsis of the story, but there was a lot happening at once and a few things that were left unexplained.
Sere from the Green had an interesting take on shape shifters on Earth.
Isis is a photojournalist whom one day takes a photo of a dead body that vanishes from her pictures the next day. Eager to find out what happened, Isis is suddenly thrust into a world of shape shifters and guardians that she didn't know could even exist.
I liked the characters and the synopsis of the story, but there was a lot happening at once and a few things that were left unexplained.
April 3, 2024
2.5 stars. I wasn’t expecting great literature when I picked this up, so I’m honestly not disappointed or surprised that it wasn’t good. The characterization is weak, the dialogue is stilted, there are time jumps that make no sense whatsoever, and the “plot” is a meandering mess that does not actually come to any kind of conclusion and the world building never defines any of its terms.
That being said, I was entertained and it wasn’t so poorly written that I won’t read the next one.
That being said, I was entertained and it wasn’t so poorly written that I won’t read the next one.
November 15, 2015
I wanted to like this novel but I couldn't. Let's start with the bad: editing. There were a lot of echo words in this story, the same word used in clusters throughout the piece. They didn't throw me but it was a constant irritation that didn't relent until the end. There were other editing issues: incorrect words and copy editing.
The characters had some potentials, but when you read a number of paranormal stories, these characters feel like rehashing the same archetypes. The characters were two-dimensional with their personalities and roles pretty much defined by their names (in the case of the guardians).
The power discovery, usually the primary reason for reading the first of a series, was glossed over. It ended up being a moot point since the main character didn't really experience any struggle while coming into her powers. The main character quickly gained her powers, she was awesome, she was perfect. It ended up feeling like a Mary Sue of a character. In short, there was nothing she really couldn't do except for getting knocked out once.
This was obviously a part one of a series though. The ending wasn't satisfying. Actually, it didn't resolve anything other than getting "the four" together and introduce the Bigger Bad. The conflict in the first chapter wasn't answered, actually
I honestly couldn't recommend this story. Maybe if I read the next one, but... not sure if I would.
The characters had some potentials, but when you read a number of paranormal stories, these characters feel like rehashing the same archetypes. The characters were two-dimensional with their personalities and roles pretty much defined by their names (in the case of the guardians).
The power discovery, usually the primary reason for reading the first of a series, was glossed over. It ended up being a moot point since the main character didn't really experience any struggle while coming into her powers. The main character quickly gained her powers, she was awesome, she was perfect. It ended up feeling like a Mary Sue of a character. In short, there was nothing she really couldn't do except for getting knocked out once.
This was obviously a part one of a series though. The ending wasn't satisfying. Actually, it didn't resolve anything other than getting "the four" together and introduce the Bigger Bad. The conflict in the first chapter wasn't answered, actually
I honestly couldn't recommend this story. Maybe if I read the next one, but... not sure if I would.
October 28, 2015
This story delivers a generous helping of "aww yeah, that was badass" moments, yet still takes time to explore the internal worlds of the characters. An overwhelming number of plots are set in motion, conveying the feeling that whatever happens next could take the story in any number of exciting directions.
January 4, 2024
i think this has great potential but... i was so confused while reading this book. tons of characters were thrown at you all at once, i had trouble keeping track of who was who, the plot was difficult to follow, and the choices made for many of the character's names was... interesting. i think i'll try to read it again some day, just to see if i can make more sense of it.
dnf
April 23, 2019DNF @ 42%
I'm pretty bummed out that I wasn't able to get into this. I've been looking forward to reading Sere From the Green for quite a while now, but pretty much nothing about it worked for me.
From the very start the writing was a bit awkward. Not that bad, but the dialogue was unnatural and stilted when you paid attention and characters frequently talked to themselves in that super weird way that is clearly only meant for the readers benefit or to give information.
What bothered me the most though was the way the POVs kept switching. I do not mind when a book has multiple POV characters, but here it was just.... such an unfortunate choice imo. The main character here is Isis, who is pulled into a world of shifters and guardians and magic and a prophecy, she obviously has no idea what is going on and is wary of it all. Yet instead of letting the reader find out about everything through her eyes, the POV switches to other characters who know everything already, who know all the big players and what's happening.
It took away any and all suspense or excitement for me.
Despite this, few things are actually explained. Each chapter new characters get introduced, new aspects of the plot get revealed, yet nobody's role or significance is ever mentioned so that for the most part I had no idea who all these people that appeared in the background were or why they were even there or which of it all was significant.
And even when it's Isis POV again where she learns about what's happening.... people give her a vague half-sentence before continuing on as if now everything was clear.
I want to say I liked that there was ace rep, even with two open and out characters on different ends of the spectrum, but aside from them mentioning their sexualities it's wasn't brough up in the part that I read. And tbh, the way it was intregrated in the conversations wasn't very smooth, though that might just be because of the above mentioned unnatural dialogue.
So... yeah, no, after spending a few days forcing myself to read as far as I got I have to admit I won't be reading on from here on. Great potential, but ultimately not for me.
I'm pretty bummed out that I wasn't able to get into this. I've been looking forward to reading Sere From the Green for quite a while now, but pretty much nothing about it worked for me.
From the very start the writing was a bit awkward. Not that bad, but the dialogue was unnatural and stilted when you paid attention and characters frequently talked to themselves in that super weird way that is clearly only meant for the readers benefit or to give information.
What bothered me the most though was the way the POVs kept switching. I do not mind when a book has multiple POV characters, but here it was just.... such an unfortunate choice imo. The main character here is Isis, who is pulled into a world of shifters and guardians and magic and a prophecy, she obviously has no idea what is going on and is wary of it all. Yet instead of letting the reader find out about everything through her eyes, the POV switches to other characters who know everything already, who know all the big players and what's happening.
It took away any and all suspense or excitement for me.
Despite this, few things are actually explained. Each chapter new characters get introduced, new aspects of the plot get revealed, yet nobody's role or significance is ever mentioned so that for the most part I had no idea who all these people that appeared in the background were or why they were even there or which of it all was significant.
And even when it's Isis POV again where she learns about what's happening.... people give her a vague half-sentence before continuing on as if now everything was clear.
I want to say I liked that there was ace rep, even with two open and out characters on different ends of the spectrum, but aside from them mentioning their sexualities it's wasn't brough up in the part that I read. And tbh, the way it was intregrated in the conversations wasn't very smooth, though that might just be because of the above mentioned unnatural dialogue.
So... yeah, no, after spending a few days forcing myself to read as far as I got I have to admit I won't be reading on from here on. Great potential, but ultimately not for me.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews