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Change #1
Change of Chaos
Siray is young, beautiful and idealistic.
She is prepared to take on the responsibilities - and amazing abilities - of an adult Kaslonian.
Once she goes through the Change ceremony, she'll have everything she wants...won't she?
Siray is about to experience the most important moment of her life, the Change ceremony, where she will transform into her chosen animal form and take her place in society. It is all she has ever wanted - to live a normal life amongst her people. But when she is forced into an emerging war, she finds that sometimes, destiny is its own master.
She is prepared to take on the responsibilities - and amazing abilities - of an adult Kaslonian.
Once she goes through the Change ceremony, she'll have everything she wants...won't she?
Siray is about to experience the most important moment of her life, the Change ceremony, where she will transform into her chosen animal form and take her place in society. It is all she has ever wanted - to live a normal life amongst her people. But when she is forced into an emerging war, she finds that sometimes, destiny is its own master.
401 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2018
12 people are currently reading
990 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 15, 2019
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
A great book. This is a great start to a series. I really enjoyed this book. It was a lot bigger then I was expecting. The story is great, the characters are realistic and relatable.
The book takes a slowish pace, but this is perfect for the story. One thing I was very impressed about in this book was the author stuck to terminology she had created like cycles for years, spans for hour all the way through the book. That is a great achievement in a first book. The only thing I was not sure about is the main character Siray seems to be 10 years old by my reckoning. That is a little young for a main heroin or hero. However there is nothing to say a cycle is exactly the same length of our standard years.
The pace of the book is perfect. It really allowed me to get to know, like that characters. Especially Siray, and watching her journey built my respect for her. Excellent character development and empire building.
The book end on a vow, that I can't wait to see what happens next. I an really looking forward to the next book of the series.
A great book. This is a great start to a series. I really enjoyed this book. It was a lot bigger then I was expecting. The story is great, the characters are realistic and relatable.
The book takes a slowish pace, but this is perfect for the story. One thing I was very impressed about in this book was the author stuck to terminology she had created like cycles for years, spans for hour all the way through the book. That is a great achievement in a first book. The only thing I was not sure about is the main character Siray seems to be 10 years old by my reckoning. That is a little young for a main heroin or hero. However there is nothing to say a cycle is exactly the same length of our standard years.
The pace of the book is perfect. It really allowed me to get to know, like that characters. Especially Siray, and watching her journey built my respect for her. Excellent character development and empire building.
The book end on a vow, that I can't wait to see what happens next. I an really looking forward to the next book of the series.
September 4, 2019
I received this book as an ARO from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of the book—a place where people change into an animal for a period of their lives before rejoining the human society—had me from the moment I read it, and to a certain extent, the book does deliver. Siray, the MC, quite likeable. She is determined, curious and seeing the world through her eyes is indeed an adventure.
Siray’s ordeal with Baindan during the first act, and her experience and development as a trainee are some of my favourite parts. Jacinta does an excellent job keeping the reader glued to the pages through every new discovery Siray and her fellow trainees make.
On the down side, however, I found myself flipping back a few pages every time an animal name was mentioned to reread its description. The other slow point was the cultural aspects of the place. Remembering the dynamics of the ruling couple or how they are selected, despite being interesting, only came after a long exposition, which, in my opinion, weighed heavily on the pacing.
In conclusion, if you don’t mind reading through some occasional heavy exposition, and are a fan of stories like Avatar or even a dash of Star Wars, you will be greatly rewarded.
Nice job, Jacinta. I will procure the other books later.
The premise of the book—a place where people change into an animal for a period of their lives before rejoining the human society—had me from the moment I read it, and to a certain extent, the book does deliver. Siray, the MC, quite likeable. She is determined, curious and seeing the world through her eyes is indeed an adventure.
Siray’s ordeal with Baindan during the first act, and her experience and development as a trainee are some of my favourite parts. Jacinta does an excellent job keeping the reader glued to the pages through every new discovery Siray and her fellow trainees make.
On the down side, however, I found myself flipping back a few pages every time an animal name was mentioned to reread its description. The other slow point was the cultural aspects of the place. Remembering the dynamics of the ruling couple or how they are selected, despite being interesting, only came after a long exposition, which, in my opinion, weighed heavily on the pacing.
In conclusion, if you don’t mind reading through some occasional heavy exposition, and are a fan of stories like Avatar or even a dash of Star Wars, you will be greatly rewarded.
Nice job, Jacinta. I will procure the other books later.
April 2, 2018
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
Style: 3/5
The prologue and first few chapters were clunky because the author has to introduce a whole new world to us – queue the info-dump. There was a lot of new information to take in. I was apprehensive at first, but as the book continued the style settled to be enjoyable and easy to read. Some action sequences struck me because they were well written.
There are some aspects of language that take getting used to – people are referred to as ‘the male’ or ‘the female’ a lot, and at first it feels very gimmicky, although it does feel more natural and fitting into the world as you get deeper into the book. The names are pure fantasy, but no one has long or complex names which kept it from feeling ridiculous or taking me out of the story.
Plot: 3/5
Pacing –
This book is clearly the beginning of a series. The first third of the book has a fast pace, but after that it slows down. Some of the scenes in the last two thirds of the book felt like padding because although it was important for the character to go through these things, it could have been summarised to move onto something more interesting e.g. there are only so many fight-training scenes I care about. I did care enough to continue reading and enjoyed it, so this isn’t a make-or-break gripe, but worth considering depending on your taste on pacing. I feel the next books in the series will be faster though as enough has been set up by the end of the first book.
Story –
The main character has abilities that are rare in her world, making her a ‘special one’. If you like this trope, today’s your day. I was glad this didn’t mean she was instantly good at anything – the main character does get put through her paces. The plot is pretty solid.
Characters: 3/5
Protagonist(s) –
I enjoyed the main character. She was a decisive, determined girl who is pretty smart, and all of that without being vain or arrogant. She stands up for herself, but without causing unnecessary fights or being ‘feisty’ – she didn’t annoy me at all. Sometimes she felt a bit too perfect, and I wanted her to make more mistakes or have to work harder to be noticed – because she’s a ‘special one’ there’s a danger of Mary Sue-ness. I thought it was strange that she barely gave a thought to her old life after plunging into a world of excitement and danger – there is an emphasis on being part of the same class of kids growing up, but she hardly ever thinks of them or her parents, or anything about her city. She doesn’t compare what she grew up with to what she’s facing now very often, and I think more of that would have told us so much more about the world.
Love interest(s) –
The love interest is mostly in the first third of the book, before the character begins all her training. He wasn’t in it enough to know if I thought he was great or not, but as the book progresses other potential suitors turn up, so the love interest situation feels very flexible for the rest of the series. The amount of potential suitors was the main reason I thought the protagonist had a danger of being ‘Mary-Sue’-ish – sure, she’s a rare young woman in this place, but they all have more important things on their plates.
Side character(s) –
There were a lot of them, and I feel we’ll get to know them all better in the rest of the series. A lot of the characters are hinted to have more complex stories than we can be privy to yet. I would have liked fewer and more memorable side characters – some of the padding fight scenes could have gone towards character development. I did get attached to some of the characters, and I thought the way the protagonist initially clashed with and then got to know them through their training felt very realistic, but again, I wish there had been more emphasis on a core cast.
World building: 4/5
Magic system –
It’s an alien planet full of shape shifters, so their ‘second form’ is an alien animal. The problem is that I didn’t really get a good impression of what these alien creatures look like. The names were brilliant, but I ended up just using earth creatures that kind of matched the rough description I was given. I would really have liked more detailed descriptions of the creatures, or, why not just set it on earth, with earth creatures? The cripwof seems to be a wolf, and there were other strong parallels, that from a first read didn’t seem different enough to justify all these Pokemon names (as much as I liked them). They use words like ‘steed’ and ‘feline’ as descriptors at times, so I couldn’t help but think, alright, that’s a horse thing and a cat thing.
Overall, the book has good internal logic and I really enjoyed the concept of everyone having magic, and how that shaped the whole society, because there was enough detail and the author obviously put a lot of work into it.
General world –
We don’t see a whole lot of it, but there’s obviously a lot to explore in what we see, from world-specific gestures, schooling systems, government systems, etc. This is what weighs down the first chapters. I bet there’s a lot in store in the next couple of books.
Summary:
The first couple of chapters threw me a bit because there’s so much information rushing at you through a clunky style with a protagonist seemingly going through motions just so we know what they are. However, the third of the book after this is great fun. After that it slows down considerably. However, because this book has set up so much of the world, I feel the next book could be a fun romp. The action sequences are well-written, the protagonist is cool, and the world definitely has more to reveal in the sequels.
Recommendation:
If you’re looking to get into a fantasy series with a strong female character and a fun magic system with fantastical creatures, this could be great for you. I prefer books with a more consistent pace and stronger side characters. I think this is a great catalyst for a series as opposed to a stand-alone novel. It has great action sequences, and a lovable heroine.
Style: 3/5
The prologue and first few chapters were clunky because the author has to introduce a whole new world to us – queue the info-dump. There was a lot of new information to take in. I was apprehensive at first, but as the book continued the style settled to be enjoyable and easy to read. Some action sequences struck me because they were well written.
There are some aspects of language that take getting used to – people are referred to as ‘the male’ or ‘the female’ a lot, and at first it feels very gimmicky, although it does feel more natural and fitting into the world as you get deeper into the book. The names are pure fantasy, but no one has long or complex names which kept it from feeling ridiculous or taking me out of the story.
Plot: 3/5
Pacing –
This book is clearly the beginning of a series. The first third of the book has a fast pace, but after that it slows down. Some of the scenes in the last two thirds of the book felt like padding because although it was important for the character to go through these things, it could have been summarised to move onto something more interesting e.g. there are only so many fight-training scenes I care about. I did care enough to continue reading and enjoyed it, so this isn’t a make-or-break gripe, but worth considering depending on your taste on pacing. I feel the next books in the series will be faster though as enough has been set up by the end of the first book.
Story –
The main character has abilities that are rare in her world, making her a ‘special one’. If you like this trope, today’s your day. I was glad this didn’t mean she was instantly good at anything – the main character does get put through her paces. The plot is pretty solid.
Characters: 3/5
Protagonist(s) –
I enjoyed the main character. She was a decisive, determined girl who is pretty smart, and all of that without being vain or arrogant. She stands up for herself, but without causing unnecessary fights or being ‘feisty’ – she didn’t annoy me at all. Sometimes she felt a bit too perfect, and I wanted her to make more mistakes or have to work harder to be noticed – because she’s a ‘special one’ there’s a danger of Mary Sue-ness. I thought it was strange that she barely gave a thought to her old life after plunging into a world of excitement and danger – there is an emphasis on being part of the same class of kids growing up, but she hardly ever thinks of them or her parents, or anything about her city. She doesn’t compare what she grew up with to what she’s facing now very often, and I think more of that would have told us so much more about the world.
Love interest(s) –
The love interest is mostly in the first third of the book, before the character begins all her training. He wasn’t in it enough to know if I thought he was great or not, but as the book progresses other potential suitors turn up, so the love interest situation feels very flexible for the rest of the series. The amount of potential suitors was the main reason I thought the protagonist had a danger of being ‘Mary-Sue’-ish – sure, she’s a rare young woman in this place, but they all have more important things on their plates.
Side character(s) –
There were a lot of them, and I feel we’ll get to know them all better in the rest of the series. A lot of the characters are hinted to have more complex stories than we can be privy to yet. I would have liked fewer and more memorable side characters – some of the padding fight scenes could have gone towards character development. I did get attached to some of the characters, and I thought the way the protagonist initially clashed with and then got to know them through their training felt very realistic, but again, I wish there had been more emphasis on a core cast.
World building: 4/5
Magic system –
It’s an alien planet full of shape shifters, so their ‘second form’ is an alien animal. The problem is that I didn’t really get a good impression of what these alien creatures look like. The names were brilliant, but I ended up just using earth creatures that kind of matched the rough description I was given. I would really have liked more detailed descriptions of the creatures, or, why not just set it on earth, with earth creatures? The cripwof seems to be a wolf, and there were other strong parallels, that from a first read didn’t seem different enough to justify all these Pokemon names (as much as I liked them). They use words like ‘steed’ and ‘feline’ as descriptors at times, so I couldn’t help but think, alright, that’s a horse thing and a cat thing.
Overall, the book has good internal logic and I really enjoyed the concept of everyone having magic, and how that shaped the whole society, because there was enough detail and the author obviously put a lot of work into it.
General world –
We don’t see a whole lot of it, but there’s obviously a lot to explore in what we see, from world-specific gestures, schooling systems, government systems, etc. This is what weighs down the first chapters. I bet there’s a lot in store in the next couple of books.
Summary:
The first couple of chapters threw me a bit because there’s so much information rushing at you through a clunky style with a protagonist seemingly going through motions just so we know what they are. However, the third of the book after this is great fun. After that it slows down considerably. However, because this book has set up so much of the world, I feel the next book could be a fun romp. The action sequences are well-written, the protagonist is cool, and the world definitely has more to reveal in the sequels.
Recommendation:
If you’re looking to get into a fantasy series with a strong female character and a fun magic system with fantastical creatures, this could be great for you. I prefer books with a more consistent pace and stronger side characters. I think this is a great catalyst for a series as opposed to a stand-alone novel. It has great action sequences, and a lovable heroine.
March 30, 2018
I received a copy of Change of Chaos in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Change of Chaos is Jacinta Jade’s debut novel, and I have to say that I am impressed. Jade took the concept of shifters and made it her own story, in a way I’ve rarely seen done (well) lately. Change of Chaos is a fantasy and young adult series (as she is absolutely going to continue this series, I hope) and it’s a pretty quick read overall. The world itself is immersive and extensive, making it the perfect escape for fantasy fans.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Change of Chaos is Jacinta Jade’s debut novel, and I have to say that I am impressed. Jade took the concept of shifters and made it her own story, in a way I’ve rarely seen done (well) lately. Change of Chaos is a fantasy and young adult series (as she is absolutely going to continue this series, I hope) and it’s a pretty quick read overall. The world itself is immersive and extensive, making it the perfect escape for fantasy fans.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
March 19, 2018
This book is a long, yet surprisingly easy to read first instalment, to what looks like a very promising YA saga. I have to admit, I gulped when I saw the word count – almost 150,000! – yet, those words flew by pretty quickly. Jacinta has a very appealing writing style, which draws you in and does not tax the brain a great deal; her characters seem likeable enough, and there are some promising elements. However, it is ultimately a tad disappointing, a fact probably compounded by its length.
This book’s only real intention seems to be to set up the scene for its sequel – it does demand a big time investment, on the part of the reader, which, in turn, ensures a frustrating experience. The concept is great, and the promise of more to come from the Faction, the Lost Ones and the purpose of the characters’ intensive Resistance training is engaging, but it would have been nice to see these elements come together in this instalment, in a stand-alone story, and it is frustrating that this doesn’t happen. I do think it is too long for a book which does not reward the reader with stand-alone pay-offs – perhaps if you are to write an epic of this scale, it is worth simply biting the bullet and publishing that 1500-page odyssey in a single volume. Or, alternatively, I wonder if this book might have simply lost a good 30-40,000 words, and been the more palatable for it.
What is not told, in this book, is perhaps more conspicuous than what is. It is very wordy, and features a great amount of detail; unfortunately, not enough of this detail is invested in vivid description, and you need a lot of imagination to envisage the scenes and characters. I don’t think anywhere near enough is explained about the mysterious Faction, and why it is so imperative to defeat them – the villain’s entity is not developed at all, and the relevance of the primary antagonist is only implied, and not told in any way. This means the primary storyline is not clear, and you find yourself in a situation similar to having missed the start of a movie, and then trying to invest in its importance.
Still, Jacinta is a worthy writer, who knows how to craft and time a book – her ability and perseverance to create such an epic is admirable, and she deserves a huge amount of respect for having done so; one would assume an equal amount of hard graft and effort will be afforded on its sequels. She is articulate, with choice phrasing at times, and presents some exciting, alluring set-pieces; I do feel, perhaps, she could do with a more comprehensive vocabulary, as some of her language may seem a touch simplistic for an older audience. But, given enough time and words, I suspect Jacinta will show herself to be telling a creative and accomplished story, and full marks to her for her ability to engage over a long piece of writing.
The book is well presented and formatted; however, I do take huge issue with its proofreading. The version I was sent was full of grammatical errors, and its punctuation was often so sparse as to render much of the text confusing – I did have to reread sentences throughout the book’s entirety, imagining commas in order to understand them. The lack of polish given to this book’s language is only aggravated by its large price tag – almost £15 on Amazon, at the time of writing this.
Still, other than this technical aspect, I do feel that Jacinta has produced a high quality project, and deserves respect for clearly putting her heart and soul into it. You do hope that such hard work is rewarded, and that she consistently maintains this quality into her – I am sure, very promising – future.
This book’s only real intention seems to be to set up the scene for its sequel – it does demand a big time investment, on the part of the reader, which, in turn, ensures a frustrating experience. The concept is great, and the promise of more to come from the Faction, the Lost Ones and the purpose of the characters’ intensive Resistance training is engaging, but it would have been nice to see these elements come together in this instalment, in a stand-alone story, and it is frustrating that this doesn’t happen. I do think it is too long for a book which does not reward the reader with stand-alone pay-offs – perhaps if you are to write an epic of this scale, it is worth simply biting the bullet and publishing that 1500-page odyssey in a single volume. Or, alternatively, I wonder if this book might have simply lost a good 30-40,000 words, and been the more palatable for it.
What is not told, in this book, is perhaps more conspicuous than what is. It is very wordy, and features a great amount of detail; unfortunately, not enough of this detail is invested in vivid description, and you need a lot of imagination to envisage the scenes and characters. I don’t think anywhere near enough is explained about the mysterious Faction, and why it is so imperative to defeat them – the villain’s entity is not developed at all, and the relevance of the primary antagonist is only implied, and not told in any way. This means the primary storyline is not clear, and you find yourself in a situation similar to having missed the start of a movie, and then trying to invest in its importance.
Still, Jacinta is a worthy writer, who knows how to craft and time a book – her ability and perseverance to create such an epic is admirable, and she deserves a huge amount of respect for having done so; one would assume an equal amount of hard graft and effort will be afforded on its sequels. She is articulate, with choice phrasing at times, and presents some exciting, alluring set-pieces; I do feel, perhaps, she could do with a more comprehensive vocabulary, as some of her language may seem a touch simplistic for an older audience. But, given enough time and words, I suspect Jacinta will show herself to be telling a creative and accomplished story, and full marks to her for her ability to engage over a long piece of writing.
The book is well presented and formatted; however, I do take huge issue with its proofreading. The version I was sent was full of grammatical errors, and its punctuation was often so sparse as to render much of the text confusing – I did have to reread sentences throughout the book’s entirety, imagining commas in order to understand them. The lack of polish given to this book’s language is only aggravated by its large price tag – almost £15 on Amazon, at the time of writing this.
Still, other than this technical aspect, I do feel that Jacinta has produced a high quality project, and deserves respect for clearly putting her heart and soul into it. You do hope that such hard work is rewarded, and that she consistently maintains this quality into her – I am sure, very promising – future.
July 1, 2019
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Change of Chaos
Author: Jacinta Jade
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 18
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 18 readers:
17 would read another book by this author.
18 thought the cover was good or excellent.
18 felt it was easy to follow.
17 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
17 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘A very stimulating read. The story is well-crafted with a good balance of character development and world building.’ Male reader, aged 18
‘The whole animal morphing thing was interesting and clever.’ Male reader, aged 15
‘This is the best dystopian novel I have read for a long time. I loved Siray. She’s a perfect hero character for this story. Also, I loved the world she lived in and how the author kept me guessing as to what was going to happen. I will be reading the rest of the books.’ Male reader, aged 29
‘This was fast-paced and fun to read. I liked that I wasn’t able to guess what was going to happen next. The best part was the world the hero is in. It’s cool, although not always good. The girl in the story is very forward; she’s not lethargic a bit like Katniss in The Hunger Games.’ Female reader, aged 15
‘This is an amazing book. I liked Siray a lot. She was tough and sort of knew what she wanted. The fantasy world was also well-described and interesting. Amazing cover.’ Male reader, aged 16
To Sum It Up:
‘A gripping YA novel, superbly written with a ton of twists and turns. A FINALIST and highly recommended’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Change of Chaos
Author: Jacinta Jade
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 18
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 18 readers:
17 would read another book by this author.
18 thought the cover was good or excellent.
18 felt it was easy to follow.
17 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
17 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘A very stimulating read. The story is well-crafted with a good balance of character development and world building.’ Male reader, aged 18
‘The whole animal morphing thing was interesting and clever.’ Male reader, aged 15
‘This is the best dystopian novel I have read for a long time. I loved Siray. She’s a perfect hero character for this story. Also, I loved the world she lived in and how the author kept me guessing as to what was going to happen. I will be reading the rest of the books.’ Male reader, aged 29
‘This was fast-paced and fun to read. I liked that I wasn’t able to guess what was going to happen next. The best part was the world the hero is in. It’s cool, although not always good. The girl in the story is very forward; she’s not lethargic a bit like Katniss in The Hunger Games.’ Female reader, aged 15
‘This is an amazing book. I liked Siray a lot. She was tough and sort of knew what she wanted. The fantasy world was also well-described and interesting. Amazing cover.’ Male reader, aged 16
To Sum It Up:
‘A gripping YA novel, superbly written with a ton of twists and turns. A FINALIST and highly recommended’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
June 4, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed Jacinta Jade's "Change of Chas."
The beginning of the book felt a little slow to me however I wasn't deterred. Being book one in a series means there is some leniency to the "info dump," especially for a unique fantasy. Jade creates an intriguing world that draws us in and makes us care for what main character Siray is going through.
Siray is "Special" with abilities that are rare in her world. While this is a common trope I thoroughly enjoyed Siray's development throughout the book and I look forward to seeing how she grows in the next few books. Often we see these special characters being hugely powerful and instantly good at everything they attempt. This is not the case for Siray. As she progresses through the trials that plague her she is certainly put through her paces, suffering injuries and coming across tasks that she is not equipped to face.
While I am not usually a fan of a love triangle the romance elements of this story are not overdone. The emotions that develop are naturally and do not overpower the action and other plot lines which I love. I already know who I want Siray to be with however there are multiple options that would work for her and I can't wait to read book 2 to see who Jade pairs her with.
The nature of the creatures the characters shift into is something I would like more information on. There are descriptors of what the animals looks like however I found myself just reading them as normal animals. e.g wolf, horse, panther etc rather than cripwolf and sevonix. I didn't get enough details into how they were different (apart from the name) to really appreciate the creativity behind their design. Jade has created such a rich world of animals, characters and magic that I simply want to see more of it.
The start of the book sets up a world that I really like however once Siray is forced into her new and dangerous life there is little/no mention of where she came from. Her parents and friends suddenly seem almost irrelevant as they don't come back up. There was a lot of ground to cover in book one and a lot for Siray to learn so it makes sense she is too busy to think of them often. However, surely she would remember back to them occasionally? I'm hoping some of her past life comes back into the story in book 2.
I love the way Jade has tackled the age old issue of shapeshifting. What happens to the clothes? I won't give anything away but the answer has obviously been considered and is explained in an extremely satisfying way.
There are several spelling errors throughout the book which is disappointing however I'm sure issues like that will be resolved for book 2.
If you want an action packed book where the heroine is smart, brave and determined, then you must read 'Change of Choas.' Apart from the few issues I mentioned I loved this book and already have book 2 purchased (the post is so slow, hurry up!). It is an excellent addition to my shelf.
The beginning of the book felt a little slow to me however I wasn't deterred. Being book one in a series means there is some leniency to the "info dump," especially for a unique fantasy. Jade creates an intriguing world that draws us in and makes us care for what main character Siray is going through.
Siray is "Special" with abilities that are rare in her world. While this is a common trope I thoroughly enjoyed Siray's development throughout the book and I look forward to seeing how she grows in the next few books. Often we see these special characters being hugely powerful and instantly good at everything they attempt. This is not the case for Siray. As she progresses through the trials that plague her she is certainly put through her paces, suffering injuries and coming across tasks that she is not equipped to face.
While I am not usually a fan of a love triangle the romance elements of this story are not overdone. The emotions that develop are naturally and do not overpower the action and other plot lines which I love. I already know who I want Siray to be with however there are multiple options that would work for her and I can't wait to read book 2 to see who Jade pairs her with.
The nature of the creatures the characters shift into is something I would like more information on. There are descriptors of what the animals looks like however I found myself just reading them as normal animals. e.g wolf, horse, panther etc rather than cripwolf and sevonix. I didn't get enough details into how they were different (apart from the name) to really appreciate the creativity behind their design. Jade has created such a rich world of animals, characters and magic that I simply want to see more of it.
The start of the book sets up a world that I really like however once Siray is forced into her new and dangerous life there is little/no mention of where she came from. Her parents and friends suddenly seem almost irrelevant as they don't come back up. There was a lot of ground to cover in book one and a lot for Siray to learn so it makes sense she is too busy to think of them often. However, surely she would remember back to them occasionally? I'm hoping some of her past life comes back into the story in book 2.
I love the way Jade has tackled the age old issue of shapeshifting. What happens to the clothes? I won't give anything away but the answer has obviously been considered and is explained in an extremely satisfying way.
There are several spelling errors throughout the book which is disappointing however I'm sure issues like that will be resolved for book 2.
If you want an action packed book where the heroine is smart, brave and determined, then you must read 'Change of Choas.' Apart from the few issues I mentioned I loved this book and already have book 2 purchased (the post is so slow, hurry up!). It is an excellent addition to my shelf.
March 28, 2018
This is the first book in a fantasy series that follows a girl in a world where adolescents go through a "change" and are able to take on another animal form. Her change does not go as planned, and leads her to be kidnapped by a political group that want to study her. She is able to escape with the help of some new friends that also teach her how to fight and finally be able to change into her other form.
I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to get lost in the fantasy world that the author described in detail. The book as vivid, action-packed, and entertaining. There were a few typos, grammatical errors, and editing mistakes throughout the book, but these did not terribly hinder reading the story. The characters were well-developed and genuine, and the relationships between them were complex enough to be believable.
I think that many fantasy fans will enjoy this book. It is appropriate for young readers as well as adults. The book is exciting and keeps your attention until the very end. I can't wait to read book 2!
I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to get lost in the fantasy world that the author described in detail. The book as vivid, action-packed, and entertaining. There were a few typos, grammatical errors, and editing mistakes throughout the book, but these did not terribly hinder reading the story. The characters were well-developed and genuine, and the relationships between them were complex enough to be believable.
I think that many fantasy fans will enjoy this book. It is appropriate for young readers as well as adults. The book is exciting and keeps your attention until the very end. I can't wait to read book 2!
April 26, 2018
I really enjoyed this novel. While I felt that the initial chapters were a bit clumsy in the world-building, the world that was ultimately revealed was really intriguing. I found the characters to be real - they had flaws and came across as being very human.
The author's use of description is vivid but not intrusive and the story is very well paced. I really wasn't ready for it to end!
I will definitely be looking for subsequent novels in this series! I think it's a fantastic opener, with enough questions answered for the plot to have moved along, but not so many that I'm ready to abandon the characters to their fates.
This is a really well-crafted novel overall and I found it to be engaging all the way through.
I received a free copy of this novel from Voracious Readers Only.
The author's use of description is vivid but not intrusive and the story is very well paced. I really wasn't ready for it to end!
I will definitely be looking for subsequent novels in this series! I think it's a fantastic opener, with enough questions answered for the plot to have moved along, but not so many that I'm ready to abandon the characters to their fates.
This is a really well-crafted novel overall and I found it to be engaging all the way through.
I received a free copy of this novel from Voracious Readers Only.
March 31, 2018
This book amazes me. I started it without knowing anything about it, and it’s been impossible for me to put down. I absolutely the storyline and the characters, and can’t wait to read the second book!
April 8, 2018
I received a free copy in return for an honest review but that is easy to do for this book. It’s a young adult fantasy story, with a strong female lead and an interesting spin on the idea of shape shifters. I would have liked to move a little more quickly through the training section, in order to get a feel for what the direction of the next book will be. Otherwise enjoyed this book and would recommend.
March 8, 2018
Young adult fantasy series with a strong female character who can kick ass...in multiple forms!
Yes, there is a love triangle, but this female quickly shows everyone who is in charge. Fast paced, authentic action, and a female you can root for, this is the first book in a series launching this year that is not to be missed!
Author is currently giving away free epub copies - contact them now to receive your free copy and join the adventure!
Here is what current reviewers have said:
"Jade’s storytelling and pacing are without a doubt par excellence. Never does a scene or plot point feel rushed or too drawn out. Jade is not afraid to linger over gritty details and often intersperses the narrative with little spots of beauty. Kaslon is an idyllic, gorgeous world and the fact that Jade never lets the wonder of nature’s darkness and light fade does her credit. So much of Siray’s character is woven into Kaslon’s wilderness that to let it fall entirely by the wayside would be doing her a great disservice. I truly admired the way Jade let Siray be herself. Intelligent, naïve, good, stubborn, willful… it deepened Change of Chaos’ resonance for me to take the journey with a protagonist whose traits and worldview were both alike and entirely unlike my own. I will definitely be picking up the second book, and I recommend Change of Chaos for any who favor strong characters, well thought out action, and a world that truly feels alive." (Five Stars - Readers' Favourite)
"Gorgeous, fresh writing and a feisty heroine exploring a darkly magical world where nothing is as it first seems. Change of Chaos is perfect for YA fans who want to trek through a beautifully described world alongside a cast of compelling, fiercely likable characters. Jacinta Jade is a master of writing fast-paced, authentic action scenes."
(Michelle Hope, Professional editor to top-tier authors, including George R. R. Martin, Blake Crouch, and romance great Connie Brockway.)
“Incredibly engaging and well paced book…physical action is extremely engaging and authentic…completely caught up in the characters and waiting excitedly to see how they deal with their next challenge.” (A fan review from the pre-release preview)
“Storyline is great and is full of twists and turns…I couldn’t put this down – it grips you and draws you in.” (A fan review from the pre-release preview)
“Loved it! Action paces continues to pick up and keeps going right until the end…I want to know what happens next!” (A fan review from the pre-release preview)
Yes, there is a love triangle, but this female quickly shows everyone who is in charge. Fast paced, authentic action, and a female you can root for, this is the first book in a series launching this year that is not to be missed!
Author is currently giving away free epub copies - contact them now to receive your free copy and join the adventure!
Here is what current reviewers have said:
"Jade’s storytelling and pacing are without a doubt par excellence. Never does a scene or plot point feel rushed or too drawn out. Jade is not afraid to linger over gritty details and often intersperses the narrative with little spots of beauty. Kaslon is an idyllic, gorgeous world and the fact that Jade never lets the wonder of nature’s darkness and light fade does her credit. So much of Siray’s character is woven into Kaslon’s wilderness that to let it fall entirely by the wayside would be doing her a great disservice. I truly admired the way Jade let Siray be herself. Intelligent, naïve, good, stubborn, willful… it deepened Change of Chaos’ resonance for me to take the journey with a protagonist whose traits and worldview were both alike and entirely unlike my own. I will definitely be picking up the second book, and I recommend Change of Chaos for any who favor strong characters, well thought out action, and a world that truly feels alive." (Five Stars - Readers' Favourite)
"Gorgeous, fresh writing and a feisty heroine exploring a darkly magical world where nothing is as it first seems. Change of Chaos is perfect for YA fans who want to trek through a beautifully described world alongside a cast of compelling, fiercely likable characters. Jacinta Jade is a master of writing fast-paced, authentic action scenes."
(Michelle Hope, Professional editor to top-tier authors, including George R. R. Martin, Blake Crouch, and romance great Connie Brockway.)
“Incredibly engaging and well paced book…physical action is extremely engaging and authentic…completely caught up in the characters and waiting excitedly to see how they deal with their next challenge.” (A fan review from the pre-release preview)
“Storyline is great and is full of twists and turns…I couldn’t put this down – it grips you and draws you in.” (A fan review from the pre-release preview)
“Loved it! Action paces continues to pick up and keeps going right until the end…I want to know what happens next!” (A fan review from the pre-release preview)
Read
April 21, 2018A well written book. Characters well rounded and very descriptive scenes.
April 8, 2018
An interesting debut that shows lots of promise.
The story takes place in a world where people acquire the ability to shape shift as they reach adulthood. Change of Chaos explores what happens when Siray, a young female fails to change.
From a slow paced introduction, the reader is whisked into a series of incredibly fast paced action sequences, as Siray is first imprisoned and tortured by an unknown group of assailants, then is lead to escape by Baindan, a male capable of assuming multiple forms. On reaching safety, the pace slows down again as Siray joins a training camp, aimed at giving her the skills to become a resistance fighter.
Pros:
* Although it's made clear that Siray is different from the other trainees, the trainers don't automatically fawn over her, and by the end of the book, only one male has declared an interest in her.
* Shape shifting is completely natural in this world; there's not a supernatural element to be found. It's a nice point of difference.
* There's a good cliffhanger ending
Cons:
* The escape sequence is almost too fast; it takes a lot of concentration
* None of the characters ever question exactly what it is that they're resisting. They may well have joined the "dark side" from what the reader can see
* This is a very long book for the genre. If the second and third instalments are similar, it's a big commitment
All in all, I'm just intrigued enough to continue with the series.
The story takes place in a world where people acquire the ability to shape shift as they reach adulthood. Change of Chaos explores what happens when Siray, a young female fails to change.
From a slow paced introduction, the reader is whisked into a series of incredibly fast paced action sequences, as Siray is first imprisoned and tortured by an unknown group of assailants, then is lead to escape by Baindan, a male capable of assuming multiple forms. On reaching safety, the pace slows down again as Siray joins a training camp, aimed at giving her the skills to become a resistance fighter.
Pros:
* Although it's made clear that Siray is different from the other trainees, the trainers don't automatically fawn over her, and by the end of the book, only one male has declared an interest in her.
* Shape shifting is completely natural in this world; there's not a supernatural element to be found. It's a nice point of difference.
* There's a good cliffhanger ending
Cons:
* The escape sequence is almost too fast; it takes a lot of concentration
* None of the characters ever question exactly what it is that they're resisting. They may well have joined the "dark side" from what the reader can see
* This is a very long book for the genre. If the second and third instalments are similar, it's a big commitment
All in all, I'm just intrigued enough to continue with the series.
April 12, 2018
I found this book to be a fun, easy read with enough action to keep dragging you along with it, whether you wanted to continue or not. The main character (Siray) is a strong young woman who is discovering that the world she grew up in is not what it always appeared. And the people she meets have all learned the same lesson.
I've read many shifter stories that happen in an alternate version of this world so it was refreshing to read one from a different world. And that world is well developed. Some of the story having to deal with explaining this new world may have taken away from the pace of the story, but for me, enhanced the story and made it easier to immerse myself in this world.
I can't wait to see what the next books hold.
I've read many shifter stories that happen in an alternate version of this world so it was refreshing to read one from a different world. And that world is well developed. Some of the story having to deal with explaining this new world may have taken away from the pace of the story, but for me, enhanced the story and made it easier to immerse myself in this world.
I can't wait to see what the next books hold.
April 1, 2018
This was a fun book to read. I enjoyed the journey the characters have taken to become a unit. The main character was tortured and displaced many times in her short life, but she never gave up hope.
The disruption and turmoil in such a short span of time was remarkably explained throughout the book.
The adventure keeps you turning the page. This was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
This book traveled from the land down under to be put in my hands. Thank you for a great journey. Looking forward to the next book.
The disruption and turmoil in such a short span of time was remarkably explained throughout the book.
The adventure keeps you turning the page. This was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
This book traveled from the land down under to be put in my hands. Thank you for a great journey. Looking forward to the next book.
July 30, 2019
I received this book fro Voracious Readers for an honest review. This is book one of a series. It starts off a bit slow after Siray goes through her change ceremony. But then when it picks up it really gets going. I enjoyed the action sequences and I thought it was fairly well paced. I loved the interaction between Siray and Baindan. I have high hopes for those two but Deson throws a bit of a wrench. If you don't like cliffhangers though then you might have issues with this book. But it was interesting for sure. I know I could give a few more details but I don't want to give spoilers! But I did enjoy this book and am really looking forward to the next book!
March 28, 2018
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this, but this first in a trilogy has me intrigued enough to seek out the rest when they're released.
The society which our protagonist is born into might look utopian and peaceful, but after her anomalous nature emerges, her leaders hand her over to a cadre of unethical scientists, which blows the facade right off her world, and you'll find yourself rooting for her and the freedom fighters who take her in, to succeed in their mission.
The world building could use a final spit and polish, but they still intrigue me to no end. Also, while this might be a science fictional world with some fantasy elements, there were still a couple of things that stretched the limits of my suspension of disbelief. A couple of long sections felt like less then necessary padding, but that I could chalk up to the style. Yet, overall, the main character's strength and trueness to herself make me like her a lot, and I wanted to follow her where her journey through her world and her life take her.
Also, one thing that has twigged me about shapeshifter fiction gets resolved very cleverly: a lot of shifter fiction that I've read juggles the question of what happens with a shifter's clothing when they shift (we'll say I've read things that had me either shaking my head or feeling a bit like the author was playing with what we'll call the 'nekked shifter' for something a bit more than fanservice). But this resolves it in one of the most non-embarassing ways I've ever seen, which is a relief and a delight!
The society which our protagonist is born into might look utopian and peaceful, but after her anomalous nature emerges, her leaders hand her over to a cadre of unethical scientists, which blows the facade right off her world, and you'll find yourself rooting for her and the freedom fighters who take her in, to succeed in their mission.
The world building could use a final spit and polish, but they still intrigue me to no end. Also, while this might be a science fictional world with some fantasy elements, there were still a couple of things that stretched the limits of my suspension of disbelief. A couple of long sections felt like less then necessary padding, but that I could chalk up to the style. Yet, overall, the main character's strength and trueness to herself make me like her a lot, and I wanted to follow her where her journey through her world and her life take her.
Also, one thing that has twigged me about shapeshifter fiction gets resolved very cleverly: a lot of shifter fiction that I've read juggles the question of what happens with a shifter's clothing when they shift (we'll say I've read things that had me either shaking my head or feeling a bit like the author was playing with what we'll call the 'nekked shifter' for something a bit more than fanservice). But this resolves it in one of the most non-embarassing ways I've ever seen, which is a relief and a delight!
May 29, 2018
In the vein of The Hunger Games with the added bonus of shape shifting into alien animals
Title pretty much says it all. Entertaining enjoyable read if you like animals and wish you could turn into an animal.
Title pretty much says it all. Entertaining enjoyable read if you like animals and wish you could turn into an animal.
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