Skinshifter

by Alycia Christine

The full moon revealed her humanity. Now the hunters know her secret. Skinshifters are a curse. The Asheken deadwalkers proved that fact when they used skinshifters to spy against the Sylvan races during the Second War of Ages. Now, after three centuries of peace, the deadwalkers have found a secret way back onto the Sylvan Continent and this time they seek not just to conquer their enemies, but to enslave them body and soul. When the Feliconas Clan suffers the deadwalkers’ first raid, one werecat—a skinshifter who has concealed her abilities—survives the massacre. Even as Katja struggles with her grief and guilt over her murdered kin, she must unite with other Sylvan refugees to defeat the deadwalkers before they can butcher and defile the other races. But can this skinshifter trust her newfound allies or will their secrets prove even more treacherous than her own?

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal

418 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2015

About the author

Alycia Christine grew up near the dusty cotton fields of Lubbock, Texas. She fell in love with fantasy and science fiction stories when her father first read Gordon R. Dickson’s THE DRAGON AND THE GEORGE and Robert A. Heinlein’s HAVE SPACESUIT—WILL TRAVEL to her at age ten. Her love-affair with fiction deepened when Alycia took a creative writing course while attending Texas A&M University. After that class, she was hooked as a writer for life. Her subsequent B.S. degree in agricultural journalism not only helped to hone Alycia’s skills with a pen, but also with a camera. Today she uses her skills as a photographer to capture the beauty of the world around her and add additional perspective to her fiction and nonfiction writing. Find her at AlyciaChristine.com.

Reviews

[Joanna]

I've tried to read this a couple of times already and I haven't been able to get it to hold my interest long enough for me to finish it. I think I may try again in the future.

[Kezzy Sparks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief highlights.
A sphynx, who is the age-old protector of the pass between the Northern and Sylvan continents, is tricked and then killed by a half-breed mage.
This allows hordes of fierce and ruthless deadwalkers and zombies and ghouls to cross the pass from the Northern to the Sylvan side. When the killer hordes reach the Sylvan, they slaughter a whole clan, including the heroin Katja Kevrosa Escari’s siblings. Katja, who apparently is a shape shifting werecat, is the only survivor and as she fights and escapes she launches into a journey of magic and discovery.
Characterization
Sixteen years old Katja comes across as a likeable, dependable heroin who faces a lot of uphill battles to conquer adversity and get to where she wants to be.
Lauraisha, a runaway princess, daughter of the king and queen of Tyglesea, is totally human, but neither frail nor too soft as her privileged upbringing might suggest. Her father has sent his army after her but she is determined not to go back, and will stick it out with Katja no matter how bad things get.
Plot middle
Katja and Lauraisha accidentally meet in the ring-spell protected Crown Canyon, and forge a friendship that will be severely tested as they fight forces stronger than themselves.

Skinshifter is a classic work of high fantasy, and its cast of minor characters is so diverse, readers have to regularly flip to the glossary page to reacquaint themselves with the character types and descriptions. There are demons, zombies, mages, fireforgers, elves, werecats, skinshifters as well as humans, plus even vampires and trolls, among others. The geographical landscape is equally varied and the author provides a map to show the names of locations where parts of the story take place, and where the characters originate from. The language used is advanced and shows Alycia Christine has to a great extent been influenced by the famous British fantasy writers of the modern period.

I found Skinshifter to be a little intimidating at first, but then settled along easily as I read further on. The events particularly at the beginning can truly be confusing, but things become clearer later on.
My assessment of it is that it’s not a novel for quitters (Young adults for whom it is meant will certainly find it a little hard to digest) but Skinshifter does have its rewards for those who stick around for a while longer. I give it a rating of 3.75, which I rounded to four stars out of five.

[Mochalove · Rating 5 out of 5]

As involved as it is vividly eloquent, Alycia Christine’s Skinshifter (Sylvan Cycle Book One), will satisfy any reader of young adult high fantasy. This multifaceted coming-of-age, YA fantasy read is fueled by engagingly twisted fantasy elements, vivid imagery, appealing characters, rousing adventure and terse storytelling. Skinshifter is the first book in this promising Sylvan Cycle series.

The story’s young protagonist Katja Escari is a truly engaging character; she is tough, brave, stalwart and a female werecat. But there is something deeply different about her that she struggles to keep hidden. It is a secret that not only endangers her, but those around her as well. When the other members of her Feliconas Clan are ruthlessly murdered by the greatly feared Asheken deadwalkers, Carrying the weight of survivorship guilt, Katja flees–determined to survive and seek vengeance.

While en route, Katja meets human, high-born Princess Lauraisha another young and resolute character who is also on the run for her life from the evil machinations of her wicked king father. The two females, although quite different in some ways, soon learn just how similar they are and what eventually develops is a friendship so deep, it is like they are sisters. After agreeing to help each other achieve their respective goals against the predominant evils in their lives, their direction is unexpectedly altered by a plea for help from a surprising source that sends them running into the adventure of a lifetime to save the Sylvans from the coming Asheken hordes. With danger at every turn, they join forces with other Sylvans in a race against time, profound magic and pure evil. Their journey is extraordinary as they encounter the denizens of the magical world they are risking life and limb to save.

I enjoyed Skinshifter. Author Alycia Christine developed an entertaining story that was well suited to the genre. Chock full of fantasy elements, moments of tense action, and populated with intriguing characters this book presents a great introduction to the series that not only deals with the coming-of-age theme well, but also approaches tolerance of cultural and physiological differences. Skinshifter was a worthwhile read and I look forward to the next in the series. This book is definitely recommended reading for Fantasy buffs.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In ‘Skinshifter’ we meet Katje, a werecat who survived a massacre which killed her whole family. Now Katja is on the run for the Deadwalkers, an ancient species who escaped their prison and found a way into the Sylvan Continent.
While grieving, Katja meets Louraisha, another refugee who’s also on the run. Together Katja and Louraisha must find a way to defeat the Deadwalkers.

When I started reading ‘Skinshifter’ I didn’t really know what I could expect. The book description, is interesting but doesn’t really explain a lot.
‘Skinshifter’ really is a book that needs your complete attention. Especially in the beginning there is a lot to get used to and to get to know. At times I even needed to re-read some parts just to really get it. But I was glad I did that because this book really was worth the read.

‘Skinshifter’ is a unique fantasy story with a lot of different species. Maybe even to many to be honest. Why, do you ask? Well, this book was fascinating enough with the Deadwalkers, Skinshifters and Humans. But in this book there are many more creatures and it made it a little complicated at times because I just didn’t get their role in the story. And this was unnecessary if you ask me.
The whole Skinshifter species was really interesting as a main character. I just really have a thing for creatures who can change into humans etc.
The author also put some humor into this book. Since the main character is a werecat there were sentences as.. On the other paw… and… The issue at paw is… LOL!! Loved that.

The main character Katja was really fun to read about. She was tough, interesting and really brave. I especially loved the way she was able to put her grieve aside to help others. Katja was definitely feisty at times and it made me like her even more. This character never got predictable for sure. I also really felt for her when she needed to team up with other refugees. After her whole family got killed it was hard for her to trust people but especially in the fight with the Deadwalkers she really needed to trust others. I could totally get her troubles with trust after what she went through.

Overall I did enjoy this book. It was fun and really unique. A nice read but maybe a little too much fantasy for me. Sometimes a book just didn’t ‘Wow’ you, despite the fact you can tell this book is written in a good way. This book is that for me.

[Terri M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skinshifter by Alycia Christine fits comfortably in the epic fantasy world. In this first book of the Sylvan Cycle series, Ms. Christine paints a beautiful world inhabited by humans, elves and other mythical creatures like griffins and sphinxes. This world is also haunted by several paranormal undead creatures like vampires and ghouls. It’s a fully fleshed out world with its own religions, cultural norms and prejudices.

There is a lot happening in Skinshifter, but I was most impressed the diversity of the characters and their distinct personalities. The strong females, Katja (werecat), Lauraisha (human) and Zahra (dryad), who are all excellent fighters and philosophers. The respectful males, Felan (werewolf) and Dayalan (not telling!), are not afraid to acknowledge that the women in their party are sometimes stronger fighters and just as wise. Faced with seemingly impossible odds, the pack encounters numerous paranormal creatures like vampires and ghouls that are invading their lands and threatening their lives.

I was a bit overwhelmed by the different terminology and background of the World at the start. I felt a bit like Lauraisha and through her, the reader learns the history and the beliefs of the different species that live on the Sylvan continent. I longed for easier access to the Pronunciation Guide and Glossary and a map of the area.

There is always a new level of learning that takes place when one dives into epic fantasy and sometimes it is overwhelming and frustrating. In the end, beyond the strange cultures and words, the characters pull you through. Their triumphs become your triumphs and their losses, your losses. I certainly felt Katja’s pain and frustration and eventual understanding of the changing world around her. Like all of us, sometimes it just takes a bit of time to understand that our personal differences, that others may despise and fear, are what the world needs, and Skinshifter is certainly a book that can help the reader on that journey of self discovery.


This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews

[Kimberly Vanderbloom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found out about this book through a Facebook takeover. I was instantly intrigued because I do love a good fantasy. It sounded like something I would really enjoyed so myself and a few friends decided to give it a go. Within the first few pages, I was hooked. It is refreshing to transplant yourself in a new world. In the beginning you find a world map which I referred to often while reading. I liked to track the characters progress and see exactly where they were. You don't see that much and it was nice. I found that it made the experience even better. I also thoroughly enjoyed the glossary at the back. I got to flip back and forth between the map and the glossary. It made it fun.

My favorite character of the book was Lauraisha. She was a perfect amount of bravery, snark, and innocence. She always popped in at the correct spot and helped bring a light in some dark times. She made me laugh and I feel like she evolved quite a bit as a character. In my opinion she grew the most because of where she started. She seemed to be pretty ignorant about the rest of Sylvan which required Katja to explain it to her. It went along with the story really well because it kept me informed without treating the readers as they are incompetent. I'm excited to read the next book of the series when it is released.

My favorite scene was in the cave during Chapter Five. It really brings Lauraisha and Katja together and it seemed to bond their friendship. It began their friendship and their journey. It was neat to meet a dead king. I'm not going to say too much but it is the event that begins their entire tale and the companions they meet along the way. My second favorite character is the settings. They are an unspoken character that transform the story to a fantastic read. It needs to be mentioned because without it the story isn't the same.

Overall, I was impressed with the writing and thought it flowed nicely. It was well written but this book demands your attention. It grabs you and makes you put all other books aside. It screams at you and makes you finish it. I would recommend this book and series to all of my fantasy loving friends.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skinshifter is Book One of the Sylvan Cycle series, and explores a magical metamorphosis centered around the re-emergence of previously-defeated Asheken deadwalkers who return to power with vengeance in mind seeking to not just vanquish the enemy who once conquered them, but to enslave them.

Thus werecat Katja faces the sudden destruction of her clan and an effort that represents a struggle against everything she knows in her world - including her well-kept secret of being a 'skinshifter'. Katja has lived with her siblings since their parents died, so she's known no other life and no other home. All this changes as she's thrust into the world with no family support systems, forced to personally refute the notion that skinshifters in her world are a curse. Ironically, her abilities are one thing that may save the world.

Fantasy readers will need to cultivate several things to appreciate this book's focus and direction: an affinity for third-person, limited point-of-view storytelling and an ability to accept an intelligent animal's world, replete with werewolves, humans, mages, elves, and more. The fantasy is well drawn and those familiar with genre reads will have no trouble readily accepting and absorbing a scenario in which dream premonitions and friendships between trolls and intelligent animals (among other encounters) are not just possible, but common.

Action is well done, tension is wonderfully detailed and maintained throughout, and fantasy readers will find in Katja an appealing, believable character whose quest and concerns drive a story line that is vivid, accessible, and involving; making it a special recommendation for readers of animal-based fantasy worlds where anything is possible.

[Esther Dot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know I had a thing for trolls, but you learn a lot about yourself when reading epic fantasies by Alycia Christine.

You learn that some part of you would really like to be a werecat with telepathic powers, and that you need a firesprite for a companion. You also begin to seriously think about living in the woods somewhere so that you can live like the dryads, and try your hand at sproutsinging. And I learned that you can never have too many evil, headless centaurs or heroines who enjoy a good fight.

Obviously, I sorta enjoyed reading this book. It takes a few chapters to really get going, but after meeting the troll, Durhlag, I was flying through the pages. The book is light, full of humor and adventure, and on top of werecats, trolls, and dryads we get werewolves, vampires, and even a dragon. I was mystified by several things near the end, but there was enough that I liked to keep me going. Oh yes, there were moonlight lessons on transforming from werecat into human. I want to take that class!

******trigger warning*******
Near the end of the novel, we learn that one character was a victim of rape. This was not graphic or dwelled on, and while presented very seriously and sympathetically, I felt the ramifications were not completely worked through. Being that it was presented near the end of the book, I am hopeful that this issue is addressed in the follow up.
****************************

*Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author because I was born under a lucky star. And because I will be beta reading the sequel, Dreamdrifter.*

[Aadivah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the author, through the David Estes Fans and YA Booklovers Unite! Goodreads group, in exchange for an honest review.

Deadwalkers have found a way to walk on the Sylvan continent once again and their first order of business, to raid the Feliconas Clan. A werecat named Katja is the only survivor but she's also a skinshifter, a curse. Katja must now find a way to defeat the deadwalkers with her newly found allies while living with grief from the deaths of her clan.

What originally drew me to this book was the interesting synopsis. Skinshifters, Deadwalkers, Werecats. I was so excited to read this book and get to know the world because it just sounds so interesting. As it is, this book just isn't for me. I had trouble picturing the world and the characters and it just felt so long and i just couldn't finish it. Maybe if I tried it at a different point in time it would have worked but it just didn't at this point in time.

[Rhiannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing series!!!!!!! Intriguing and thrilling full of magic and strength!!!!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Read

I give this book a 5 star rating because the author kept me interested and intrigued. ..I needed to know what would happen next.

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in this promising Sylvan Cycle series. (It does have a novella as an introduction to the series). It’s a great read, and it has all the elements a YA needs to keep them interested. It is an amazing adventure, well written and very descriptive. The world once I stepped into it, kept me hooked.

Katja Escari, our heroine, is an great character; she is tough, brave, a hardy female, and a werecat. But she has a secret that not only endangers her, but those around her as well. When the other members of her Feliconas Clan are ruthlessly murdered by the greatly feared Asheken deadwalkers, Katja flees determined to survive and seek vengeance for her clan. (Asheken deadwalkers are vampires, they can create zombies, no redeeming qualities. They want to rule the entire world.).

Princess Lauraisha is also a character on the run for her life from the evil deeds of her wicked father. The two females, although quite different in some ways, soon learn just how similar they are and they eventually develop a friendship so deep, it is like they are sisters.

After agreeing to help each other achieve their goals against the predominant evils in their lives, their direction is unexpectedly altered by a plea for help from a surprising source that sends them running into the adventure of a lifetime to save the Sylvans from the coming Asheken hordes. With danger at every turn, they join forces with other Sylvans in a race against time.

I enjoyed Skinshifter. Author Alycia Christine developed an entertaining story, full of fantasy, moments of tense action, and has lots of intriguing characters. This book is a great introduction to the series. Skinshifter was a worthwhile read and I look forward to the next in the series.

[Andie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I'm beginning to write my own short stories, I now have a deeper appreciation for the novels I read and the amount of work that's put into them. It's obvious just by reading this book that every inch of it was hammered out to perfection.

First I want to point out to those who love the fantasy genre, to an extent, this may or may not be the book for you. And although this book delved into the genre a little too far for me, the story was very well written and I enjoyed much of the book. It way different than any other fantasy out there. How? Well it is not your typical generic story about shifters. This is set in a whole different atmosphere where your enemies are not your typical enemies. There's a perfect mix of heartbreak, love, friendship, and danger.

So thank you Alycia Christine for the opportunity to read your book! It was honestly a wonderful read and I'm glad I read it. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy. Even if you have similar reading tastes and don't like to jump into this genre too much, try it out!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katja is a werecat. When her Clan is destroyed by deadwalkers, she begins her journey to find out who is responsible and to restore honor to her clan. Along the way she encounters vampires, dragons,a princess, centaurs, dwarves, satyrs, and too many others to name. Can Katja learn to trust again after she has lost everything? Will she discover who is responsible for the destruction of her clan?

This is an amazingly detailed epic fantasy book. The world building Author Alycia Christine did is fantastic. scenes like when the werecat shifts for the first time blew me away. Because the book is so detailed, it has to be read slower to appreciate and absorb all the descriptions. That is not to say there isn't action. The book , especially towards the end, has many action and adventure aspects to it. However I think the heart of the book is in the friendships and bonds that Katja makes. Katja is a well developed character that I bonded with immediately. I felt for her as this journey was a very emotional one. I am excited to read the next installment of this series.

[Ms. Just One More Book (Kris Miller) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katja Escari is a werecat with a secret. One that not only puts herself in danger, but all of those whom she holds dear. When her Clan is massacred by the deadly Ashekan deadwalkers (vampires who can turn others into zombies and other ruthless beings), Katja flees into the wilderness intent not only on her own survival, but vengeance.

Along the way she meets Lauraisha, the youngest Tygleasian princess who is also on the run, and has secrets of her own. Together they team up, along with others, to embark in a race against time to stop the Ashekan deadwalkers from destroying the Sylvan race.

I rarely read fantasy anymore, but every once in a while I'm reminded why I still enjoy the occasional foray into this genre. Skinshifters was a wonderful reminder. Alycia Christine paints a vividly fantastical world full of strong, believable characters, and an intriguing plot chock full of twists and turns, that leaves you breathless for more. I very much look forward to the second book in this series and reading more of the world's that this author has created.

[Tommi Crow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The new high fantasy series that's captured my attention.

After skinshifter, Katja's werecat clan is eradicated by the Deadwalkers, who aren't even supposed to be in the Sylvan kingdom. How did they get past the Sphinx who guards the pass? Katja then meets a pack of friends who must help her convince others, to put forth men and arms for an army to fight in the coming war.

Come along on with Katja and her pack, on this perilous journey full of love, tears, danger, loss, fear, growth, exploration, and commitment. This is a great read.

[Alycia Christine]

In full disclosure, I can't rate or review this book in because I'm the author. I think the book is incredible, but I'm a bit biased. The important question is what do you as a reader think of it?