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Shapechanger's Birth
In 1854 Irish farmer's wife and grandmother Mary McCarthy awakens in her grave an almost skeletal young teen with extraordinary powers. She sets off to find who and what she is. Which will include orphan, laundry owner, medical doctor, scientist, inventor - and the most feared crimelord in all the British Empire.
- GenresFantasy
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 8, 2022
I thoroughly enjoy these shapechanger stories by Laer Carroll.
October 13, 2023
Mary McCarthy died in mid-nineteenth-century Ireland ... but she got better. Much better, in fact. It suffices to say that she rose from her grave with perfect health and a variety of super powers. (She also reverted to a physical age of about thirteen, so she has time to grow into her abilities.) By the end of "Shapechanger's Birth" she is rich, influential, and behind-the-scenes powerful. (If you are a woman in nineteenth-century Ireland, and your name isn't Victoria, any power you wield is going to be behind the scenes. Mary would like that to change.)
Despite a fair amount of combat, the book is cozy. There isn't much that can stop Mary, so most of her progress is sedate. Though there is a subplot that starts with her helping an injured prostitute, which leads to her protecting a small group of prostitutes, which eventually leads to her controlling most of the prostitution in the city of Cork.
The book was enjoyable. Its main strength is also its main weakness: Mary has so many special abilities that nothing is much of a challenge. And if something is more of a challenge than she expects, one of her special abilities is that death is optional.
Despite a fair amount of combat, the book is cozy. There isn't much that can stop Mary, so most of her progress is sedate. Though there is a subplot that starts with her helping an injured prostitute, which leads to her protecting a small group of prostitutes, which eventually leads to her controlling most of the prostitution in the city of Cork.
The book was enjoyable. Its main strength is also its main weakness: Mary has so many special abilities that nothing is much of a challenge. And if something is more of a challenge than she expects, one of her special abilities is that death is optional.
May 10, 2019
A wonderful leisure read.
Sometimes you just want to spend some time traveling along with someone's interesting journey without overloads of angst and adrenalin. This is such a story. It's also a wonderful period piece of a time, places, and culture about which I've not known much. The paranormal aspects and incorporation of cultural folk legends add a lot to the interest levels. Avoids the chosen super hero tropes very nicely. The MC's adjustment to her OP "condition" and experiences while hiding in plain sight are actually relatable and realistic. 😊
Sometimes you just want to spend some time traveling along with someone's interesting journey without overloads of angst and adrenalin. This is such a story. It's also a wonderful period piece of a time, places, and culture about which I've not known much. The paranormal aspects and incorporation of cultural folk legends add a lot to the interest levels. Avoids the chosen super hero tropes very nicely. The MC's adjustment to her OP "condition" and experiences while hiding in plain sight are actually relatable and realistic. 😊
September 30, 2018
If you like Missy the Werecat books, you will probably enjoy this one. Shapechanger's Birth is a bit a wordy at times, and the main character has things a little too easy. Still, I enjoyed a powerful heroine who kicks ass with minimum angst, although not without getting hurt at times.
On the whole, quite enjoyable.
On the whole, quite enjoyable.
July 10, 2021
A Good Story
Foe me it's hard to find a good series. There's a lot of books out there but not a lot that holds my attention. This book I'm glad to say Did hold my attention plus there are a few more book in the series. This book had the action and a good story line. I'm now off to read the second book.
Foe me it's hard to find a good series. There's a lot of books out there but not a lot that holds my attention. This book I'm glad to say Did hold my attention plus there are a few more book in the series. This book had the action and a good story line. I'm now off to read the second book.
February 9, 2020
Fantastic
A page turner. Funny, informative, and thought provoking. Can not wait for the next chapter to see what mischief Mary gets into and where she ins up. Thank you for these tales.
A page turner. Funny, informative, and thought provoking. Can not wait for the next chapter to see what mischief Mary gets into and where she ins up. Thank you for these tales.
March 18, 2020
Great plot, fun characters!
I enjoyed this female shape changer book very much. The character development was very interesting, as was the plotline. I’m really looking forward to book 2 in this series!
I enjoyed this female shape changer book very much. The character development was very interesting, as was the plotline. I’m really looking forward to book 2 in this series!
February 15, 2021
Excellent!
Great idea/concept for a story and it seems to be well done. The story flowed from one scene to the next and was done smoothly. Looking forward to the next one.
Great idea/concept for a story and it seems to be well done. The story flowed from one scene to the next and was done smoothly. Looking forward to the next one.
January 15, 2025
Decent story.
September 21, 2025
Fascinating beginning! Sheer brilliance of a storyline. Looking forward to this series.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews