Seventeen-year-old high schooler Katherine Wolff wants nothing to do with her powerful shifter family’s heritage. Every Wolff shifts – into other people, mammals, or natural objects. It’s tough enough to fit in when you’re normal, but when you’ve begun your transformation as a shifter, then it’s just weird.
Her family’s ancient enemies, the equally powerful and brutal Barotkoffs, haven’t been heard from since their last encounter and her parents were killed when she was five. Surrounded by a loving family and a peaceful childhood, Kat has had it easy.
That’s about to change.
The Barotkoffs have reappeared and are ready to re-engage. When Kat meets Christopher Barotkoff, she’s stunned. He’s the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. He warns her family of looming danger. The Barotkoffs are monsters. Why would Christopher be any different? Their forbidden attraction is nothing short of dangerous.
Will Kat’s abilities be the key to her family’s salvation, or the path to its ultimate destruction?
Transformations is the first book in The Shifter Series by Cari Schaeffer. It is a paranormal shifter story with a bit of a twist. It has quite an original premise and is definitely not the usual shifter fare. I was intrigued by what the story would reveal, and curious to see where everything would lead. This is a tale of a feud between two powerful shifter families that has spanned many generations and hundreds of years. No one really knows exactly what happened to cause the war between them, but the battle lines are still drawn and tensions continue to this day! All of this is woven around a interesting coming of age story. The story is told from several points of view which really help to build the bigger picture. There was a lot of information and characters, and at times I did question whether ALL of the information and scenes were necessary, as some of the details seemed unwarranted and superfluous to the story. We meet Katherine Wolff (Kat) and her quirky, close-knit family. At seventeen, she’s one of the younger members of her clan. Her abilities have yet to emerged and she is both expectantly wondering what her ‘powers’ will be, and wishing that she could just be ‘normal’. It’s been many years since the Wolff’s have encountered their enemy, the Barotkoff family- but it’s expected that they will eventually strike again. When a handsome and mysterious stranger pops up with a warning that the Wolff’s are in peril, it doesn’t take long before things take on a dangerous turn. It turns out that the mysterious stranger is in fact part of their rival family. Christopher Barotkoff swears he is nothing like his family and only wants to help the Wolff’s. But can they really trust him? Is there something more to his sudden appearance? And when things start to heat up between Kat and him, can she trust him with her heart? The story had some great banter, funny quips and antics which added another element of entertainment to the overall storyline. This book has very long chapters and the story was a little slow to get going. I felt there was too much time spent on character introductions and exploring the Wolff’s family dynamics, and life. I didn’t feel like the ‘story’ actually started till about the 9th chapter. The book ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger and I will definitely be reading the next book, “Transgressions”, to see how everything turns out.
Transformations: The Shifter Series: Volume One (The Shifters Book 1) By: Cari Schaeffer 5 out of 5 stars
The story Transformations: The Shifter Series: Volume One (The Shifters Book 1) by Cari Schaeffer is a wonderful book that I loved reading. It is a story that draws you in from the very beginning and I found myself not wanting to put it down until I had read the final page. I loved reading about Katherine and her family. Katherine is part of a family where the members shift and go through a transformation. She is a teenager and doesn’t want to feel different than anyone else. She is at times upset knowing that her transformation is coming. I had empathy for Katherine as she wants to be just like any other teenager, going to school, going on dates. She does love and cares for her family. She is a character that you grow to care about with each chapter that you read. I also enjoyed reading about Katherine’s family. their different personalities and family dynamics. The family does have times when there are disagreements or differences of opinion, however, when it counts they will protect each other. I also enjoyed reading about Christopher. He is part of a family that is an ancient enemy of Katherine’s family. When Katherine meets Christopher, she is attracted to him. She feels drawn to him. There, however, are many questions to be answered. He warns of impending danger. Can Katherine and her family trust Christopher or is he just like the rest of his family? How will Katherine deal with the pull that she feels towards him? Will Katherine and her family be able to find out what their ancient enemy is planning? Read this book to find out. I could feel the danger that this family must face and it had me wondering what was going to happen next. This is a book with a wonderful storyline/plot and amazing characters. It is one that I would recommend reading. This is the first story in a series and I look forward to reading the next one.
Transformations by Cari Schaeffer is the first book in The Shifter series. An intriguing book that is sure to keep you reading. Kat wishes she could get away from her family and their legacy. She doesn’t want anything to do with shifting. All she wants is to fit in, something that is hard enough to do at the best of times. And when Christopher, her supposed sworn enemy, turns up being normal get even harder. He says he is there to warn Kat and her family of danger. He says he is there to help. But can Kat really Trish what he is saying? Or is it safer to assume he is just like the rest of his family? Kat has to make a decision, and quick. Her family’s safety could depend on it.
Overall I thought this was a good story. It was interesting and had enough to it to keep me reading. I felt myself wanting to keep reading to find out what would happen - whether Christopher was sincere, whether there really was any danger, whether or not Kat would believe him. I wasn’t really keen on the fact that it reminded me a bit if a Romeo and Juliet style story - 2 families at war with each other, neither trusting the other. For me that is a story that is a little overdone. However that being said the author still made the story interesting and definitely kept my attention. This is the first book I have read by Cari and I can certainly say it won’t be last. I am looking forward to more in this series.
Transformations by Cari Schaeffer is book one in the Shifter Series. I am not huge on paranormal books but this one did not really have that “fake” vibe that some have. I actually really liked this book and will definitely be reading the rest of the series. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. I liked that Kat really just wanted a sense of normality. She did not want to be like the rest of her family. But once she found out she was super special and got a hold of her abilities she had a slight change of heart. It was great to see the type of family that the Wolff’s were. Even though it was out of necessity. There were a lot of characters, a lot of family members and just random people who I cannot say that I remember. Some did not seem important but some helped the story. The story was a fast read and kept my attention the whole time. It was never boring. I just can’t wait to see what happens next!!!
Transformations: The Shifters Series by Cari Schaeffer
Four Stars
A new twist on shifters. This is the first book I have read by this author. Transformations was a interesting read because it took shifting a different route. Like your shifting multiple things not just one animal. At the age of 17 your emotions are already crazy but then you add in Kate’s transition and it’s even worse. Kate is like any 17 year old. She wants to have fun and be normal. But one fateful night many years ago chose something different for her and her family. The many gifts the families hold are so unique. Though Anastasia’s gift is the best. The story is very well written. The moments of heighten emotions are some what tangible. The family bond is felt through every member. The mystery of the spy is shocking. Overall I truly enjoyed this short read. It had a touch of humor and a whole lot of romance.
Transformations, by Cari Schaeffer, is the first volume in the Shifter series. This is a paranormal/fantasy that is engrossing and easily addictive within the elements combined within it's pages. Growth is a steady part of this novel both in character development and as the story gains steam and builds upon itself. The author does a commendable job in her creativity, depth, originality and talent that is evident with the suspense, drama, intrigue that flows from the pages. Being the first book in the series, Cari Schaeffer set the bar on how the series will flow and it's one that will have the reader impatiently waiting to read the next book as it pulls you within the dynamic of the story being shared.
Transformations: The Shifter Series by Cari Schaeffer
Stars:4
I definitely loved learning about the Wolff family. They are a loving, caring, and funny family. I did find that the beginning of the story a little slow, but that is due to getting a lot of background information on the various characters. I did feel that the story picked up. Kat’s and Christopher’s story is really just beginning. I feel that story did a great job at getting the reader invested into their story. Their story continues in book 2 (Transgressions). Overall, I definitely enjoyed this story, and I’m excited to read what happens next!
This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed it from beginning to end. This is a paranormal shifter book about growing up, learning about oneself and forbidden love. I enjoyed how this author's writing skills made me feel as if I was right there with Kat and her family. I enjoyed the other characters as well in this story. Granny, she made me laugh more then once. Kat has abilities that she has not yet discovered but they could be the key to everything. I highly recommend this book.
Oooohhh!! I loved this first installment to The Shifter Series! I thought this was an excellent variance to shifters. There is great world building and I truly connected with all the characters. This story just flew by and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next!
I was gifted an ARC in return of an honest review.
This is the first book in a new series. Totally different type of shifter story. It’s about two powerful families. Loved Kat and Christopher. Keeps you immersed until the end. Ready for the next one.
This author is a great storyteller and this is a great beginning to a new series! The story is full of wonderful transitions, and characters! It is a quick and very satisfying read!