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Clancy Evans PI Mysteries #5
Shifters Alliance
One moment, Kerri's best friends are there beside her. The next, they've been kidnapped and taken through a Gateway to an unknown land. To be used as pawns in a raging conflict for a Crystal so precious, civilizations have fallen trying to control it.
Passing through the Gateway portal in search of them, she finds the world she knew no longer exists. In a land of danger, she must face shape shifting Bears, Mountain Lions, even natures raging winter storms, in an epic adventure to rescue her friends.
And while Kerri desperately struggles to cross the snow bound alpine passes, deep within the primordial forest an ancient evil is watching the continuing conflict. The corrupted apes wait impatiently for the spark that will unleash all out war. To posses the Crystal, they will inflict their revenge and destruction on everyone in their way.
Who holds the Crystal will hold the future of the known world in their hands. Can Kerri form an Alliance to save her abandoned friends? If the apes cross the border, will there be a land for her to return to? The fate of their very souls are at stake.
Passing through the Gateway portal in search of them, she finds the world she knew no longer exists. In a land of danger, she must face shape shifting Bears, Mountain Lions, even natures raging winter storms, in an epic adventure to rescue her friends.
And while Kerri desperately struggles to cross the snow bound alpine passes, deep within the primordial forest an ancient evil is watching the continuing conflict. The corrupted apes wait impatiently for the spark that will unleash all out war. To posses the Crystal, they will inflict their revenge and destruction on everyone in their way.
Who holds the Crystal will hold the future of the known world in their hands. Can Kerri form an Alliance to save her abandoned friends? If the apes cross the border, will there be a land for her to return to? The fate of their very souls are at stake.
Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 22, 2017
Top teen girl adventure in a fantasy world
Great adventure story carefully constructed by the author and suitable for teenage readers and adults interested in a good fantasy yarn. Our intrepid heroine, Kerri, tries to rescue her friends from a parallel world full of danger in a shape-shifting clan society. She must show courage and resourcefulness to succeed - but will she? Both I and my teen daughter enjoyed this book...recommended
Great adventure story carefully constructed by the author and suitable for teenage readers and adults interested in a good fantasy yarn. Our intrepid heroine, Kerri, tries to rescue her friends from a parallel world full of danger in a shape-shifting clan society. She must show courage and resourcefulness to succeed - but will she? Both I and my teen daughter enjoyed this book...recommended
December 31, 2015
Shaun Griffiths has written an excellent, exciting, and captivating fantasy novel. Changing Times: Cat & Dogs takes place in a strange and beautiful world where the people possess the ability to shape shift; an ability unknown to some. When children from a village are kidnapped, the people of the village make a startling discovery when they find they can transport to other parts of their world. While searching for the kidnapped children, they find themselves involved in a conflict between shape-shifting clans.
After meeting one of the warring shape-shifters, they find that their children were kidnapped for their ability to change so that they could help the one group in their conflict with other shape-shifters, over an item that was stolen which possesses dangerous power over anyone who touches it.
A story filled with magic and adventure; lies and deceit; conflict and friendship; mystery and danger, Changing Times will get you in its grip and not let you go until you have finished. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great story, whether a fan of fantasy or not. This is a book that will be enjoyed by readers of any age and readers of any genre. You will become involved in the lives and conflicts of these people, wondering what will happen next and who or what is watching them. Get this book today and enjoy this fast reading, exciting story. I loved it and you will too.
After meeting one of the warring shape-shifters, they find that their children were kidnapped for their ability to change so that they could help the one group in their conflict with other shape-shifters, over an item that was stolen which possesses dangerous power over anyone who touches it.
A story filled with magic and adventure; lies and deceit; conflict and friendship; mystery and danger, Changing Times will get you in its grip and not let you go until you have finished. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great story, whether a fan of fantasy or not. This is a book that will be enjoyed by readers of any age and readers of any genre. You will become involved in the lives and conflicts of these people, wondering what will happen next and who or what is watching them. Get this book today and enjoy this fast reading, exciting story. I loved it and you will too.
December 9, 2015
The author has created a fantasy world that will appeal to older children, teens, and to adults who are young at heart. It is easy to root for the main characters as they face changing times. In this fantasy they change between human and animal forms. They also have to navigate their changing feelings as the story unfolds. Family loyalties, friendships, and group loyalties are all tested under extreme circumstances.
I especially liked how the author also used the many environments of this fantasy world to drive the story. High altitude blizzards, drought, fire, and rain all have major impacts on the characters and on the story.
A solid Part 1 of what is sure to be a compelling series.
I especially liked how the author also used the many environments of this fantasy world to drive the story. High altitude blizzards, drought, fire, and rain all have major impacts on the characters and on the story.
A solid Part 1 of what is sure to be a compelling series.
April 4, 2016
Changing Times: Cats & Dogs has opened a new genre for me. The author has taken me through an enchanting world using compelling characters (some actually morph into animals) who face similar life-issues that young adults do today: death of parents, a young man desperately trying to obtain his father’s approval, a young boy trying to get a girl’s attention, family loyalty, group loyalty, good over evil, negotiating instead of fighting.
These characters live within clans located in different areas of their world and are filled with fear of each other, of the unknown. Dumas, the chief of one clan holds the secret ancient artifact that can change the way they accept each other.
This is an inspiring book filled with positive messages for young adults and adults as well.
These characters live within clans located in different areas of their world and are filled with fear of each other, of the unknown. Dumas, the chief of one clan holds the secret ancient artifact that can change the way they accept each other.
This is an inspiring book filled with positive messages for young adults and adults as well.
November 23, 2015
An Astounding Work of Imagination! Surrealistic
I have been much impressed by the author's selection of plot to unravel real-life situations since times immemorial and turn the same into a spell-binding story.
Addressing conflicts and overcoming fears, bringing cohesiveness among diverse situations and narrating the same to suit the needs of 'Young-Adult' genre is a specialized skill that finds new definition in this book.
I would highly recommend it to one and all so as to understand and address life's turmoils and help others relate to the same in a fun-way rather than in conflict.
Well Done Shaun! Looking forward to the Next!!
I have been much impressed by the author's selection of plot to unravel real-life situations since times immemorial and turn the same into a spell-binding story.
Addressing conflicts and overcoming fears, bringing cohesiveness among diverse situations and narrating the same to suit the needs of 'Young-Adult' genre is a specialized skill that finds new definition in this book.
I would highly recommend it to one and all so as to understand and address life's turmoils and help others relate to the same in a fun-way rather than in conflict.
Well Done Shaun! Looking forward to the Next!!
October 12, 2017
Great book to immerse yourself into if you just want to get away from everything very engaging characters fast paced with vivid descriptions that you can literally picture in your mind I would highly recommend Changing Times.
February 2, 2018
It may contain a small portion of spoilers.
Shifters Alliance is a fantasy book. The story is set in world where there are four clans who are shifters. A clan of Mountain Lions, Bears, Hounds and Apes.
There are two things that made me love this book:
1) The first is the language. In most contemporary and YA books the language is poor, to simplistic and even vulgar. In this book the language and the style of writing is rich. I love a book that challenges and broadens my knowledge of English.
2) The second thins is a positive message that is hidden in the story. The leader of Mountain Lions, called Duma, steals a mysterious box from the Bears. And then kidnaps the children from the village of Hounds. While Sam (king of Hounds), Kirra and Sonny (son of Duma) go searching for kidnapped children, they find themselves in a conflict between shifting clans. Sam and Kirra soon find out that their children were kidnapped because they also have an ability to change, so that they can protect the stolen box which contains a dangerous power.
Soon enough everybody realises that Duma lied to all and put in danger everybody, even his own clan. The clan of Bears and Hounds work together to save the innocent people of Mountain Lions from the danger. They set aside all of their differences and work together as one. Because of one individual we must not blame all. It's a trait the majority of people in our world doesn't have.
The only flaw that I found in this book is the ending, which is in my opinion rushed. It feels like the story has been cut off. I think that the author could have taken more time to write the ending. This is why this book lost half a star.
Otherwise the story is really great and will keep you interested until the end. Definitely a read I would highly recommend.
Rating: 4,5 / 5
Shifters Alliance is a fantasy book. The story is set in world where there are four clans who are shifters. A clan of Mountain Lions, Bears, Hounds and Apes.
There are two things that made me love this book:
1) The first is the language. In most contemporary and YA books the language is poor, to simplistic and even vulgar. In this book the language and the style of writing is rich. I love a book that challenges and broadens my knowledge of English.
2) The second thins is a positive message that is hidden in the story. The leader of Mountain Lions, called Duma, steals a mysterious box from the Bears. And then kidnaps the children from the village of Hounds. While Sam (king of Hounds), Kirra and Sonny (son of Duma) go searching for kidnapped children, they find themselves in a conflict between shifting clans. Sam and Kirra soon find out that their children were kidnapped because they also have an ability to change, so that they can protect the stolen box which contains a dangerous power.
Soon enough everybody realises that Duma lied to all and put in danger everybody, even his own clan. The clan of Bears and Hounds work together to save the innocent people of Mountain Lions from the danger. They set aside all of their differences and work together as one. Because of one individual we must not blame all. It's a trait the majority of people in our world doesn't have.
The only flaw that I found in this book is the ending, which is in my opinion rushed. It feels like the story has been cut off. I think that the author could have taken more time to write the ending. This is why this book lost half a star.
Otherwise the story is really great and will keep you interested until the end. Definitely a read I would highly recommend.
Rating: 4,5 / 5
March 8, 2018
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I was going to.
When I first read the synopsis, I was thinking it was going to be a juvenile cats vs dogs book that wouldn't grab my attention. I was wrong.
While this had kind of the same themes as many other books (several different worlds/universes), it had it's own twist to it. There were not several worlds, but just different parts of one land that needed to be opened.
I loved how the characters in each of the different lands had unique perspectives and personalities so it was easy to remember who came from which land and keep track of the people. My favorite group of characters were the bears. They were so easy going but also so protective and willing to help. I loved the dialogue between the bears too. It was so goofy and sometimes made me laugh out loud.
One of my favorite parts of the book was once you thought you figured out who the enemy was, everything was flipped upside down to reveal a new enemy and old enemies became new friends. The real enemy was terrifying. It was described so perfectly.
One thing I thought might have done well with a bit more explanation was how the people change into animals. Once Sonny tried to teach Kerri to change, it basically takes her 5 seconds to figure it out without much explanation. I just thought that since the cats were taught from when they were children, it would take Kerri (who was 17) a little bit longer to figure it out.
The ending was also a little abrupt. While I actually really like how it turned out, it just kind of felt like tons of things were happening, and then one thing happened and it was over.
There were plenty of unanswered questions that lead into the sequel. I can't wait to see what happens next.
When I first read the synopsis, I was thinking it was going to be a juvenile cats vs dogs book that wouldn't grab my attention. I was wrong.
While this had kind of the same themes as many other books (several different worlds/universes), it had it's own twist to it. There were not several worlds, but just different parts of one land that needed to be opened.
I loved how the characters in each of the different lands had unique perspectives and personalities so it was easy to remember who came from which land and keep track of the people. My favorite group of characters were the bears. They were so easy going but also so protective and willing to help. I loved the dialogue between the bears too. It was so goofy and sometimes made me laugh out loud.
One of my favorite parts of the book was once you thought you figured out who the enemy was, everything was flipped upside down to reveal a new enemy and old enemies became new friends. The real enemy was terrifying. It was described so perfectly.
One thing I thought might have done well with a bit more explanation was how the people change into animals. Once Sonny tried to teach Kerri to change, it basically takes her 5 seconds to figure it out without much explanation. I just thought that since the cats were taught from when they were children, it would take Kerri (who was 17) a little bit longer to figure it out.
The ending was also a little abrupt. While I actually really like how it turned out, it just kind of felt like tons of things were happening, and then one thing happened and it was over.
There were plenty of unanswered questions that lead into the sequel. I can't wait to see what happens next.
December 12, 2017
This isn't the title of the book that I read, but the story did pertain to cats and dogs! The book I read was Shifters Alliance: Changing Times (book 1). Perhaps the title changed since I got it. But I did give the one I read three stars because about 30% of the way through there was a cuss word. Lulu was sitting at the table in Demas' house and she cussed. Grrrr. I don't read books with cussing in them, so this was a real disappointment. I usually go to the end of the story to see how it turns out when this happens, but it was very confusing as a bunch of new characters met me there and some of the old characters had really changed. That may have been the only bad word, but I made a promise to me and the Lord that I wouldn't read stories with bad words in them, so I didn't read it to find out.
February 5, 2018
3.5/5
I received arc from city lights press to be newly released march 8th 2018
This was action packed ya fantasy with lots of different charactors, shape shifting and fight scenes!
The pov switches fequently between all the charactors which was a bit confusing until you got the hang of it. I was also sad there wasn't really any romance, but the book made up for it with an edge of your seat ending. At one point I even got a little spooked while reading at night, haha.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and I'm interested to see what's next for Kerri, Sonny, Carter and the bears!
I received arc from city lights press to be newly released march 8th 2018
This was action packed ya fantasy with lots of different charactors, shape shifting and fight scenes!
The pov switches fequently between all the charactors which was a bit confusing until you got the hang of it. I was also sad there wasn't really any romance, but the book made up for it with an edge of your seat ending. At one point I even got a little spooked while reading at night, haha.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and I'm interested to see what's next for Kerri, Sonny, Carter and the bears!
September 7, 2018
Worth giving it time
This was a book that seemed to jump every which way and must admit, at the beginning really doubted my decision to read it. But once it started to bring in the different views, you started to question who was good and bad. Stealing children, stealing valuables, insanity, betrayal, and such a mix of characters...hounds, polar bears, apes, lions. Recon if you like The Golden Compass then you will enjoy this one....or even just liking fantastical adventure then give it a go!
This was a book that seemed to jump every which way and must admit, at the beginning really doubted my decision to read it. But once it started to bring in the different views, you started to question who was good and bad. Stealing children, stealing valuables, insanity, betrayal, and such a mix of characters...hounds, polar bears, apes, lions. Recon if you like The Golden Compass then you will enjoy this one....or even just liking fantastical adventure then give it a go!
January 7, 2018
Good Read
Enjoyed this story about different lands separated from each other by a strange border that can only be crossed using strange black stones which create a tunnel. Each of the lands people can shape shift into a snow bear , mountain lion or a hound. There's also evil rampaging apes so there's plenty of action and tension. Would definitely recommend
Enjoyed this story about different lands separated from each other by a strange border that can only be crossed using strange black stones which create a tunnel. Each of the lands people can shape shift into a snow bear , mountain lion or a hound. There's also evil rampaging apes so there's plenty of action and tension. Would definitely recommend
January 17, 2022
DNF. I wasn’t into the opening voice.
April 1, 2018
With no preamble whatsoever, the story jumps right into the action. Something scary? Tense? Is about to happen..everyone is on full alert, poised and ready to repell invaders. We are thrown into the story instantly, but it's confusing.
Who are these people? What is happening? Why is Sam counting?
Anyway, once the initial confusion is sorted out, the story starts to make sense. And from then on, I really enjoy reading. The characters are great. Vin and Naz are particularly entertaining comic relief and the "bad guys" are intimidating and quite simply, terrifying.
Excellent storyline with clever twists and good world building, incorporating several carefully thought out plot devices. The fight and chase scenes are very exciting, with good tension.
I would have loved this five stars worth if we had got to know the villagers in Sam's world a bit better. Their lifestyle, dynamics of the group, all are fairly sketchily drawn and more detail there and earlier, would have been good. Even the fact that Sam is heir apparent- we don't find out until a fair way in and we know next to nothing about the reigning king or why Sam (grandson) is the next in line. I must have missed the explanation of what had happened to his father.
The Cats (that claim to be Lions) were a little disappointing. They had plenty of pride but were not really very good at anything except saying that they were Lions.
Overall good story. I would like to read more!
Four stars.
Who are these people? What is happening? Why is Sam counting?
Anyway, once the initial confusion is sorted out, the story starts to make sense. And from then on, I really enjoy reading. The characters are great. Vin and Naz are particularly entertaining comic relief and the "bad guys" are intimidating and quite simply, terrifying.
Excellent storyline with clever twists and good world building, incorporating several carefully thought out plot devices. The fight and chase scenes are very exciting, with good tension.
I would have loved this five stars worth if we had got to know the villagers in Sam's world a bit better. Their lifestyle, dynamics of the group, all are fairly sketchily drawn and more detail there and earlier, would have been good. Even the fact that Sam is heir apparent- we don't find out until a fair way in and we know next to nothing about the reigning king or why Sam (grandson) is the next in line. I must have missed the explanation of what had happened to his father.
The Cats (that claim to be Lions) were a little disappointing. They had plenty of pride but were not really very good at anything except saying that they were Lions.
Overall good story. I would like to read more!
Four stars.
November 24, 2015
I am new to the fantasy genre and wasn't sure if this was going to be my cup of tea, but - wow! - what color,imagination, vivid descriptions, character development, and intriguing plot development!
In addition to the aforementioned, I especially liked how Shaun employed flashbacks that helped to in-twine the past and present stories to a cohesive whole that lead to the conclusion. Descriptions are so vivid that I can already see the story coming to its rightful life on the big screen!
Clearly, these fascinating characters will have their paths cross again, and I can't wait for the next installment! A good read for youthful and adult readers.
In addition to the aforementioned, I especially liked how Shaun employed flashbacks that helped to in-twine the past and present stories to a cohesive whole that lead to the conclusion. Descriptions are so vivid that I can already see the story coming to its rightful life on the big screen!
Clearly, these fascinating characters will have their paths cross again, and I can't wait for the next installment! A good read for youthful and adult readers.
December 14, 2015
Changing Times: Cats & Dogs is an imaginative tale of greed, conflict, alliance, and possibilities. Griffiths weaves a tale unlike any I've ever read before, where men (and children) travel to and from other places using special stones and unleash power to transform into something beyond their human forms. And if action and witty banter is your thing, there's no shortage of either.
Although I struggled at times to keep up with the different characters and their missions, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a solid effort and potentially the foundation for many more adventures between the cats, dogs, bears, apes, etc. Looking forward to the next installment in this series!
Although I struggled at times to keep up with the different characters and their missions, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a solid effort and potentially the foundation for many more adventures between the cats, dogs, bears, apes, etc. Looking forward to the next installment in this series!
May 28, 2020
Wow what a story
Clancy is asked hired to find out why a young college girl committed suicide . Lots of theology and historical ancient history . Quite interesting . Nasty business involving a minister who follows Cronus, a fire god.
Typos or would be a 5 star review .
Clancy is asked hired to find out why a young college girl committed suicide . Lots of theology and historical ancient history . Quite interesting . Nasty business involving a minister who follows Cronus, a fire god.
Typos or would be a 5 star review .
January 25, 2016
I did really like the story, but I gave it only 3 stars because it was a bit darker than I prefer. Not too dark for most, but I tend to like more upbeat stories. Otherwise the writing is great and story is enjoyable.
November 27, 2015
Rating
GOOD BOOK! The next one to follow hopefully will be just as good if not better. 2016 can't come fast enough in regards to the sequel to this book. Thank you
GOOD BOOK! The next one to follow hopefully will be just as good if not better. 2016 can't come fast enough in regards to the sequel to this book. Thank you
April 13, 2018
Can’t stop reading it
I just love Clancy’s character! She is a beast! The story line is amazing and can’t wait for another book.
I just love Clancy’s character! She is a beast! The story line is amazing and can’t wait for another book.
February 18, 2016
Is a great book to read
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews