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Shifting Borders
When a resurrection goes awry in a cold Seattle cemetery, mother-of-three Patricia Ramos-Waites finds herself possessed by the ghost of her sister’s dead lover. God forbid her only problem be sharing her body with Dead Marco. Yesterday Patricia’s only worries were her teenage son’s new deadbeat friends, and putting her kids through college; today she’s become the target of a Central American drug-smuggling gang who desperately want to get their hands on the ghost she’s hosting.
On top of all this, Patricia is beginning to suspect that either Marco is an exceptionally powerful spirit, or she has ghost-handling abilities that haven’t been seen in centuries. Will Patricia be able to stay out of the crosshairs long enough to fix this botched resurrection?
Shifting Borders is currently shortlisted for the Chanticleer International Book Awards Paranormal category.
On top of all this, Patricia is beginning to suspect that either Marco is an exceptionally powerful spirit, or she has ghost-handling abilities that haven’t been seen in centuries. Will Patricia be able to stay out of the crosshairs long enough to fix this botched resurrection?
Shifting Borders is currently shortlisted for the Chanticleer International Book Awards Paranormal category.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2015
2 people are currently reading
529 people want to read
About the author
Jessie Kwak
55 books131 followersJessie Kwak has always lived in imaginary lands, from Arrakis and Ankh-Morpork to Earthsea, Tatooine, and now Portland, Oregon. As a writer, she sends readers on their own journeys to immersive worlds filled with fascinating characters, gunfights, explosions, and dinner parties. When she’s not raving about her latest favorite sci-fi series to her friends, she can be found sewing, mountain biking, or out exploring new worlds both at home and abroad.
She is the author of supernatural thriller From Earth and Bone, the Bulari Saga series of gangster sci-fi novels, and productivity guide From Chaos to Creativity. You can learn more about her at www.jessiekwak.com, or follow her on Twitter (@jkwak).
She is the author of supernatural thriller From Earth and Bone, the Bulari Saga series of gangster sci-fi novels, and productivity guide From Chaos to Creativity. You can learn more about her at www.jessiekwak.com, or follow her on Twitter (@jkwak).
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 11, 2015
Shifting Borders was excellent! While Paranormal Horror isn't a genre I read often, Ms. Kwak's lush writing style and suspenseful plot kept me engaged throughout as she unspooled clue after clue to the many mysteries she sets up in the first few chapters of the book. The prose is crisp and the pace is steady. It's set in the real world, but not quite as you know it: Here ghosts, magic, and possessions are both real and routine enough to be used in courtroom settings and subject to byzantine import/export laws (while still something dangerous enough to be revered).
She draws you into her modern-day alternate-world Seattle setting with a skillful plethora of sensations that many residents of the Pacific Northwest will find comfortably familiar, while also infusing elements of Central American culture and occult in a way I found both refreshing and interesting. The characters are well-developed and believable, with sympathetic and realistic problems. Pati's frustrations and challenges as a widowed mother of three while dealing with a distant and troubled sister serve as a powerful emotional backdrop to the more supernatural main storyline which has her grappling with an unwanted presence in her body and evading dangerous criminals while dealing with questions of murder, revenge, and life-threatening magic.
This is ultimately a well-written book about family, love, and the powerful things we'll do to keep the people we care about in our lives. I'd recommend it to both fans of the genre and anyone else who might enjoy a good occult yarn with elements of mystery.
She draws you into her modern-day alternate-world Seattle setting with a skillful plethora of sensations that many residents of the Pacific Northwest will find comfortably familiar, while also infusing elements of Central American culture and occult in a way I found both refreshing and interesting. The characters are well-developed and believable, with sympathetic and realistic problems. Pati's frustrations and challenges as a widowed mother of three while dealing with a distant and troubled sister serve as a powerful emotional backdrop to the more supernatural main storyline which has her grappling with an unwanted presence in her body and evading dangerous criminals while dealing with questions of murder, revenge, and life-threatening magic.
This is ultimately a well-written book about family, love, and the powerful things we'll do to keep the people we care about in our lives. I'd recommend it to both fans of the genre and anyone else who might enjoy a good occult yarn with elements of mystery.
December 7, 2015
A ghost-possession story where the possessing entity is the victim? What's not to love?
Shifting Borders takes you into a reality tweaked just slightly out of tun with ours - it's set in a Seattle with just as much drizzle, traffic, diversity and tribulation as the real deal, but with demonstrably real ghosts. The story starts with grief - not shattering, melodramatic grief, but the later, numb, hollow feeling as new loss becomes part of the new normal. Moved by sympathy (and the road to hell is paved in what, my friends?) to give her younger sister Val a chance to say goodbye to her departed boyfriend, Patricia agrees to help Val raise Marco's ghost. The intervention of drug-running thugs throws a wrench in the works, and Patricia ends up with Marco's ghost stuck inside of her.
As a Latina single mother in an expensive American city, Patricia's life keeping her family on the straight and narrow had been a struggle before. Now, with her sister's boyfriend's ghost shacking up inside her manifesting all sorts of poltergeisty urges, and her pincushion hot mess of a sister bringing violent drug smugglers and black magic into her life, Patricia loses her grip on what normalcy and security she had managed to hold onto.
The hits in this supernatural murder-mystery keep piling up on Patricia as the consequences of her sister's illicit dealings spill over into her life, drawing her and her family into ever-increasing peril, and it is her strength as a mother and protector that - shakily at first, but with growing confidence as the situation becomes more desperate - pulls her through a multi-layered confrontation with evil.
Expository world-building is one of my touchstones, and mad props go to Jessie Kwak for keeping this story rooted in direct, realistic experience, and allowing the fantastic elements to unfold naturally, without dragging the pace down with exposition. The story comes to us fresh, unencumbered, and immediately realistic. Indeed, despite the fantastic elements, this is in no way a fairy tale. It even side-steps many of the common temptations of fantasy - magic is alive and powerful in this story, but it provides no release from grief or pain. The dead can speak, but coping with loss and fighting back to a life of joy and healing still happens only with time and the gentle application - and willing acceptance - of the more simple human magic we all know.
Shifting Borders takes you into a reality tweaked just slightly out of tun with ours - it's set in a Seattle with just as much drizzle, traffic, diversity and tribulation as the real deal, but with demonstrably real ghosts. The story starts with grief - not shattering, melodramatic grief, but the later, numb, hollow feeling as new loss becomes part of the new normal. Moved by sympathy (and the road to hell is paved in what, my friends?) to give her younger sister Val a chance to say goodbye to her departed boyfriend, Patricia agrees to help Val raise Marco's ghost. The intervention of drug-running thugs throws a wrench in the works, and Patricia ends up with Marco's ghost stuck inside of her.
As a Latina single mother in an expensive American city, Patricia's life keeping her family on the straight and narrow had been a struggle before. Now, with her sister's boyfriend's ghost shacking up inside her manifesting all sorts of poltergeisty urges, and her pincushion hot mess of a sister bringing violent drug smugglers and black magic into her life, Patricia loses her grip on what normalcy and security she had managed to hold onto.
The hits in this supernatural murder-mystery keep piling up on Patricia as the consequences of her sister's illicit dealings spill over into her life, drawing her and her family into ever-increasing peril, and it is her strength as a mother and protector that - shakily at first, but with growing confidence as the situation becomes more desperate - pulls her through a multi-layered confrontation with evil.
Expository world-building is one of my touchstones, and mad props go to Jessie Kwak for keeping this story rooted in direct, realistic experience, and allowing the fantastic elements to unfold naturally, without dragging the pace down with exposition. The story comes to us fresh, unencumbered, and immediately realistic. Indeed, despite the fantastic elements, this is in no way a fairy tale. It even side-steps many of the common temptations of fantasy - magic is alive and powerful in this story, but it provides no release from grief or pain. The dead can speak, but coping with loss and fighting back to a life of joy and healing still happens only with time and the gentle application - and willing acceptance - of the more simple human magic we all know.
November 18, 2015
It is not the type of book I would normally read, but this was well-written & had me hooked from the start. Full of suspense, I found it hard to put the book down.
The plot was string throughout. Only downside was that it may have helped influence some not so pleasant dreams
The plot was string throughout. Only downside was that it may have helped influence some not so pleasant dreams
March 23, 2022
I loved this story of sisters and the supernatural; extra points for being set in Seattle! This short, fast-paced adventure explored themes of loss, grief, and family. I found the characters authentic and connective. My only qualm with this book is that the cover is apparently of a white woman, when the family centered in the story are described as Latinx.
February 21, 2016
Don’t let the cover fool you. This is about the most normal paranormal story I have read. It takes place in a prosaic world where raising ghosts is a business matter, ordered by a judge for legal reasons. But then of course there’s the people who can’t, won’t or shouldn’t get the permits.
Patricia – responsible mother of three – is drawn into this semi-legal demimonde by her sister, Valeria. There’s one of these in many families. The sibling who never grew up, who acts like a teenager in a sulk most of the time. Showing up only when she needs you, disappearing without explanation when she doesn’t.
So this is not a story of ghosties and ghoulies and the stealing of souls. It’s the story of family loyalty and love and the impossible task of showing love without enabling self-destructive behaviour. It’s a book about trying to maintain a normal home for your family while the world around you – and the spirit world as well – are falling apart.
The best of paranormal novels maintain a balance between the unreal battles of the spirit world and the realistic interactions of human characters. The tendency is to lean on the weirdy stuff for the conflict, and only use the human side to develop empathy. This novel shifts the balance towards the human dimension and is a richer story because of it. Tense otherworldly battles aside (and there are several good ones) tension flickers between the human characters as well. Even supporting characters are humanly facetted, not just good or evil as the plot requires.
A great plotline with tense action, empathetic characters and gritty, realistic settings.
Highly recommended for fans of the paranormal and anyone looking for an absorbing read.
Patricia – responsible mother of three – is drawn into this semi-legal demimonde by her sister, Valeria. There’s one of these in many families. The sibling who never grew up, who acts like a teenager in a sulk most of the time. Showing up only when she needs you, disappearing without explanation when she doesn’t.
So this is not a story of ghosties and ghoulies and the stealing of souls. It’s the story of family loyalty and love and the impossible task of showing love without enabling self-destructive behaviour. It’s a book about trying to maintain a normal home for your family while the world around you – and the spirit world as well – are falling apart.
The best of paranormal novels maintain a balance between the unreal battles of the spirit world and the realistic interactions of human characters. The tendency is to lean on the weirdy stuff for the conflict, and only use the human side to develop empathy. This novel shifts the balance towards the human dimension and is a richer story because of it. Tense otherworldly battles aside (and there are several good ones) tension flickers between the human characters as well. Even supporting characters are humanly facetted, not just good or evil as the plot requires.
A great plotline with tense action, empathetic characters and gritty, realistic settings.
Highly recommended for fans of the paranormal and anyone looking for an absorbing read.
June 21, 2016
Beautifully written but hard to read. Kwak makes her main character totally sympathetic but I read her predicament as an extended rape metaphor that made me more and more uncomfortable the longer I read.
Patricia's out-of-control younger sister demands that Patricia accompany her to the graveyard at midnight (on a school night!) to raise the ghost of the younger sister's boyfriend. I'm not clear on what they expected to happen, but when Patricia ends up knocked-up with the boyfriend's ghost, no one seems surprised. No one is in any hurry to terminate the possession, either.
And it's a full-on spiritual pregnancy, complete with vomiting, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, etc. Patricia doesn't allow herself to be angry at the violation, because that would drive her sister away -- but I didn't understand why that was a bad thing. The sister puts Patricia and her living children in terrible danger.
It read to me as a young woman forced to endure a rape that everyone recognizes but no one acknowledges, followed by an unwanted pregnancy that no one ever questions that she will endure. Patricia is so deeply victimized that she doesn't question if there is another path for her. I liked her so much that I wanted to shake her and wake her up.
Patricia's out-of-control younger sister demands that Patricia accompany her to the graveyard at midnight (on a school night!) to raise the ghost of the younger sister's boyfriend. I'm not clear on what they expected to happen, but when Patricia ends up knocked-up with the boyfriend's ghost, no one seems surprised. No one is in any hurry to terminate the possession, either.
And it's a full-on spiritual pregnancy, complete with vomiting, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, etc. Patricia doesn't allow herself to be angry at the violation, because that would drive her sister away -- but I didn't understand why that was a bad thing. The sister puts Patricia and her living children in terrible danger.
It read to me as a young woman forced to endure a rape that everyone recognizes but no one acknowledges, followed by an unwanted pregnancy that no one ever questions that she will endure. Patricia is so deeply victimized that she doesn't question if there is another path for her. I liked her so much that I wanted to shake her and wake her up.
February 8, 2017
I can't remember if I've ever reviewed a book on here or not. This might be my second. And I've read tons of books. I really loved this. I could be biased because the author married my cousin, but honestly, this was fantastic. I've never read a book specifically about ghosts and such, so this was a treat for me. I think that the storyline could continue though. I'm a big fan of sequels, and books that turn into series. I believe that this would be a good story for multiple books. This one could be more of a prequel, so we know what's going on, and then the others after that would be their own set of books in a series. My head is teeming with ideas ;)
February 9, 2016
It is a beautiful love story between two sisters challenged by the rough path one struggles to navigate while the other balances tough-love and compassion for her in the midst of a suspenseful, accidental possession from a ghost who could be friend or foe.
Jessie's caring prose illustrating the family dynamics, with just enough history, and descriptions of an imaginative sub-culture are so well executed I am excited to read her next work.
Jessie's caring prose illustrating the family dynamics, with just enough history, and descriptions of an imaginative sub-culture are so well executed I am excited to read her next work.
March 25, 2019
I really enjoyed this book! The characters became familiar and very real to me, kind of like friends. I also enjoyed the modern day setting of Seattle and reading about places I have been. You never know where a ghost might be hiding.
April 7, 2017
Shifting Borders was excellent! While Paranormal Horror isn't a genre I read often, Ms. Kwak's lush writing style and suspenseful plot kept me engaged throughout as she unspooled clue after clue to the many mysteries she sets up in the first few chapters of the book. The prose is crisp and the pace is steady. It's set in the real world, but not quite as you know it: Here ghosts, magic, and possessions are both real and routine enough to be used in courtroom settings and subject to byzantine import/export laws (while still something dangerous enough to be revered).
She draws you into her modern-day alternate-world Seattle setting with a skillful plethora of sensations that many residents of the Pacific Northwest will find comfortably familiar, while also infusing elements of Central American culture and occult in a way I found both refreshing and interesting. The characters are well-developed and believable, with sympathetic and realistic problems. Pati's frustrations and challenges as a widowed mother of three while dealing with a distant and troubled sister serve as a powerful emotional backdrop to the more supernatural main storyline which has her grappling with an unwanted presence in her body and evading dangerous criminals while dealing with questions of murder, revenge, and life-threatening magic.
This is ultimately a well-written book about family, love, and the powerful things we'll do to keep the people we care about in our lives. I'd recommend it to both fans of the genre and anyone else who might enjoy a good occult yarn with elements of mystery.
She draws you into her modern-day alternate-world Seattle setting with a skillful plethora of sensations that many residents of the Pacific Northwest will find comfortably familiar, while also infusing elements of Central American culture and occult in a way I found both refreshing and interesting. The characters are well-developed and believable, with sympathetic and realistic problems. Pati's frustrations and challenges as a widowed mother of three while dealing with a distant and troubled sister serve as a powerful emotional backdrop to the more supernatural main storyline which has her grappling with an unwanted presence in her body and evading dangerous criminals while dealing with questions of murder, revenge, and life-threatening magic.
This is ultimately a well-written book about family, love, and the powerful things we'll do to keep the people we care about in our lives. I'd recommend it to both fans of the genre and anyone else who might enjoy a good occult yarn with elements of mystery.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews