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Guardians of the Portal #1
The Portal and the Panther
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The only thing seventeen year-old Jon Parker wants is to escape his sleepy Arkansas hometown. But everything changes when Jon stumbles into the boys’ bathroom and transforms into a black panther.
Without choice, Jon is thrust into a world where parallel universes are real, shapeshifters exist, and dangerous “intruders” control the elements with a mere thought. Like it or not, Jon's new mission is to protect our world from intruders from other worlds.
But is it a mission Jon will accept? Haunted by his past and facing an uncertain future, Jon struggles to know who he can trust. Ultimately, his decision will impact the people he loves -- and our whole world.
The only thing seventeen year-old Jon Parker wants is to escape his sleepy Arkansas hometown. But everything changes when Jon stumbles into the boys’ bathroom and transforms into a black panther.
Without choice, Jon is thrust into a world where parallel universes are real, shapeshifters exist, and dangerous “intruders” control the elements with a mere thought. Like it or not, Jon's new mission is to protect our world from intruders from other worlds.
But is it a mission Jon will accept? Haunted by his past and facing an uncertain future, Jon struggles to know who he can trust. Ultimately, his decision will impact the people he loves -- and our whole world.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2014
65 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
R.A. Marshall
9 books27 followersRA Marshall is a small-town southerner living in the big city of Washington, DC. She writes a mixture of fantasy and science fiction, all starring young adults. Learn more and read books for free at Ninja-Writer.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 20, 2015
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
In The Portal & The Panther, Jon Parker is seventeen years old, and has lived a pretty normal life so far. That is, until one day he starts feeling ill at school, escapes to the boys’ bathroom, and transforms into a panther. His entire world is turned upside down when he realizes humanity isn’t the only group populating earth. Shapeshifters exist, and he’s far from the only person who can change into a panther or another animal. Apart from shapeshifters, there are also “intruders” who can control the elements with just a thought.
Layla, a fellow shapeshifter, helps him adjust to his new world, and his new powers. Along with her help, Jon must protect the world from aliens invading it from other worlds. Then a girl from his class, Kristin, who he’s always had a crush on, gets involved, and suddenly his mission turns a lot more dangerous and he risks hurting the girl he loves.
There’s a bit of a love triangle going on between Layla, Jon and Kristin, but I didn’t mind that much. Each character is likeable in their own way, particularly Jon. He’s flawed, suffers from a less-than-perfect childhood, and he’s easy to relate to. Layla is tough, but at the same time she had a vulnerable side too. And Kristin seems like your typical girl next door, but she has more courage than you’d give her credit for at first.
The story is engaging and well-written, and the characters shine on the pages. The world-building is impressive, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
In The Portal & The Panther, Jon Parker is seventeen years old, and has lived a pretty normal life so far. That is, until one day he starts feeling ill at school, escapes to the boys’ bathroom, and transforms into a panther. His entire world is turned upside down when he realizes humanity isn’t the only group populating earth. Shapeshifters exist, and he’s far from the only person who can change into a panther or another animal. Apart from shapeshifters, there are also “intruders” who can control the elements with just a thought.
Layla, a fellow shapeshifter, helps him adjust to his new world, and his new powers. Along with her help, Jon must protect the world from aliens invading it from other worlds. Then a girl from his class, Kristin, who he’s always had a crush on, gets involved, and suddenly his mission turns a lot more dangerous and he risks hurting the girl he loves.
There’s a bit of a love triangle going on between Layla, Jon and Kristin, but I didn’t mind that much. Each character is likeable in their own way, particularly Jon. He’s flawed, suffers from a less-than-perfect childhood, and he’s easy to relate to. Layla is tough, but at the same time she had a vulnerable side too. And Kristin seems like your typical girl next door, but she has more courage than you’d give her credit for at first.
The story is engaging and well-written, and the characters shine on the pages. The world-building is impressive, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
February 16, 2015
Great fantasy story with engaging characters! I've always loved fantasy books with real life problems in them, and the way R.A. writes about it and creates the suspense between the characters made it hard to put the book down. Some people tend to avoid books with high-school themes, but I actually like it, this feeling of returning to your teen years (I only wish there were shapeshifters in my school too ha ha). When you finish reading a book and feel like you have a couple more friends, characters that you want to know more about, that are believable and funny and well-defined, this is the best thing you can get from a book. After all, you will only care for the story if you care for the characters. R.A. did a great job exploring their personalities and giving a deep insight into their relationships. And, of course, I got a great portion of awesome fight scenes in this book! I absolutely loved those, especially, together with shapeshifting (and yes, panther has always been my favorite cat^^) If you're a fan of urban fantasy, you should definitely check out this book!
February 21, 2015
The Portal and the Panther introduces us to Jon, a high school kid in a small town who discovers that he's a shifter (someone who can turn into animals)
As he tries to process this new information about himself, he finds himself in the middle of a war between shifters and invaders from another dimension.
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and gripping. The main character is well written and likeable. He and his emotions feel real. There are a variety of twists and turns and a budding love triangle. The opening scene is especially strong, as is the description of his first 'change'. The supporting characters weren't placeholders either. They had dimension and I actually got a feel for their personalities.
It's well written and despite wishing that the character paid more attention, it felt more real that he zoned out. Also much kudos for writing a gay character without stereotyping or feeling the need to constantly mention it.
Highly recommend
As he tries to process this new information about himself, he finds himself in the middle of a war between shifters and invaders from another dimension.
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and gripping. The main character is well written and likeable. He and his emotions feel real. There are a variety of twists and turns and a budding love triangle. The opening scene is especially strong, as is the description of his first 'change'. The supporting characters weren't placeholders either. They had dimension and I actually got a feel for their personalities.
It's well written and despite wishing that the character paid more attention, it felt more real that he zoned out. Also much kudos for writing a gay character without stereotyping or feeling the need to constantly mention it.
Highly recommend
June 16, 2017
The portal and the panther by Marshall. For the first quarter of this book, I thought I had read before, though not in my reviews. So I soldiered on and it was all new. Jon shifting into a panther hooked me again and I held my breath to see if he would not be seen. A little convenient for another shifter to be nearby to help him out and have a change of clothes. Thus began Jon's life as a shifter with some interesting revelations towards the end. Even his football mates come around and he forgives them - was this too easy? His relation with the Wolf sees hatred on two levels but he is the boss. I've started 'Girl between worlds' and am having trouble with another protagonist telling her story.
February 28, 2017
A unique shifter story. It was ok but not a series I personally would get into.
March 11, 2024
Very fun to read, dialogue was maybe a bit cringe at times but who cares
March 31, 2015
Exciting coming of age/shifter story. I enjoyed the confusion and anger of the main character, because it’s exactly how I would have reacted if this had happened to me. I find some books have the people way to accepting of stuff that it’s unrealistic. I think the author did a good job of keeping things realistic.
The only thing I didn’t like was the ending. I hate cliffhanger endings, especially when the ending doesn’t leave my imagination enough to work with to make things end up ok. I admit it, I’m a sucker for happy endings.
Except for the ending, the book was very interesting and had a good mythological background.
I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.
The only thing I didn’t like was the ending. I hate cliffhanger endings, especially when the ending doesn’t leave my imagination enough to work with to make things end up ok. I admit it, I’m a sucker for happy endings.
Except for the ending, the book was very interesting and had a good mythological background.
I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.
June 2, 2015
Great believable YA fantasy
Jon is a junior in high school, his best friend is telling everyone his is gay, which he is not and this gets him kicked off the football team, he is having anger issues, his best girlfriend publicly turns him down when his asks her to Homecoming dance, and to make matters worse he turns into a panther during homeroom. Jon's life and attitude is about to make a complete change as he finds out what is going on in his hometown. Very believable premise. Be sure to read this entertaining YA book. Well-written and great characterization. Enjoy
Jon is a junior in high school, his best friend is telling everyone his is gay, which he is not and this gets him kicked off the football team, he is having anger issues, his best girlfriend publicly turns him down when his asks her to Homecoming dance, and to make matters worse he turns into a panther during homeroom. Jon's life and attitude is about to make a complete change as he finds out what is going on in his hometown. Very believable premise. Be sure to read this entertaining YA book. Well-written and great characterization. Enjoy
September 27, 2015
A superb book. Jon has been ostracized by his peers at high school because of a malicious lie. And, if that wasn't enough, he discovers that he can change into a panther. He is part of a group of shapeshifters who guard "The Portal", a gate into alternate universes. It has been dormant for 10 years but that is about to change.
January 21, 2016
Panther pride
Jon is a guy one day and a . . . The next
He learns the truth about . . . And then there is the . . . And the girl who . . .
Will he be able to do what is right or will he go rogue???
Enjoy!!
Jon is a guy one day and a . . . The next
He learns the truth about . . . And then there is the . . . And the girl who . . .
Will he be able to do what is right or will he go rogue???
Enjoy!!
September 22, 2015
a nice introduction to a new world in fantasy fiction. captivating characters and a good plot like. a nice start to this series and a must read if you like YA books.
Read
August 17, 2016Wonderful book I was disappointed after I finished the first book there are only three in the series
November 19, 2017
3.5 stars. I read this book as part of Stranger Worlds Box set
I really enjoyed this book. I found it really well written and it drew me in immediately. I liked the story behind shifters and the characters were well developed. Having a male lead character was a nice change. The issues that Jon went through were different and it was handled well by the author. I may even check out the next book in this series.
I really enjoyed this book. I found it really well written and it drew me in immediately. I liked the story behind shifters and the characters were well developed. Having a male lead character was a nice change. The issues that Jon went through were different and it was handled well by the author. I may even check out the next book in this series.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews