Year One

Shifter Falls Academy #1

by L.C. Mortimer

When the first shifters were created, they were strong. Wild. Powerful. Impossibly fast. They were everything.

And then they weren't.

Now shifters are hunted. They're hated. They're despised by everyone in the entire world, and that poses a pretty big problem for me because, well, I'm one of them.

On the eve of my 18th birthday, I discover that I have the shifter gene. Usually, shifters learn to change into their animal forms long before their birthday, but I guess growing up in foster care and struggling to survive caused my body just a little bit of stress.

Now I'm changing into a cat without any notice and struggling to change back, and as it turns out, I only have one option: Shifter Falls Academy.

It's a school for people like me, and it's hidden away deep in the Wolf Mountains.

I don't want to go to this school.

I don't want to go hiding away until I learn to use my powers.

I don't want any of these things, but the truth is that monsters are real, and they're coming after me with everything they've got.

Fans of Harry Potter, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Supernatural – get ready to explore a world where magic is real and anything can happen.

Genres: Fantasy, Shapeshifters

172 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 16, 2020

About the author

L.C. Mortimer was raised on a small farm in Kansas, which sparked her interest in going off the grid. Learning how to can, garden, and become self-reliant were all important parts of her upbringing. After pursuing her degree in English Literature, Mortimer traveled the country with her husband, living in Hawaii, Maryland, and everywhere in between. When she's not busy dreaming up her next story, Mortimer can be found stocking up on canned goods for the zombie apocalypse.

Reviews

[Reena · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely amazing book! The first in a new series, I found the storyline engrossing and captivating. Well developed characters, plenty of magic and a sassy, stronge FMC. What's not to like? Anxiously waiting for the next book in the series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Raveen Vann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome read and I was completely hooked from the beginning. She didn't know that she was a shifter until her 18th and now shes headed to a school to learn all there is. I just really enjoyed this story and can't wait for more.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good academy read and I love a good shifter read and this one is a great combination of both! With an intriguing storyline with twists and turns and some surprises along the way this kept me Hooked till the very end!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/1/2022)! 🎁

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

This is a great story. If you like Harry Potter you're sure to like Charlie. She's
a spunky girl who will do anything for her friends.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie is getting ready to turn 18 and her co-worker, Caleb, bought a package of cupcakes and 2 milk cartons to give her a “real” birthday party. She had left her foster home a month ago and paid for a room with older artist, Fiona. It was 9 p.m. and time to head home from the convenience store where she worked.

As she walked, something felt wrong tonight. Rounding the corner, she walked into a man she was certain had been hunting her! As he stood before her, menacing, his body changed into a wolf! She turned and ran, trapping herself in an alley that ended in a tall fence. But right before the wolf grabbed her, her body shifted into a small animal – a cat? -- and she wiggled through the fence.

Not knowing where to run, she turned back to the convenience store but she heard Caleb, who had been so kind to her, yelling at someone on the phone for not capturing her after he set her up! Suddenly he sniffed the air and looked through the glass door right at her with an evil smile! She turned and ran as he shifted into a wolf and ran after her. She managed to get to the park and climb high up in a tree where she spent the night. In the morning, she made it back to Fiona’s house and remembered the doggie door she had left open, even after her “dog” died. Somehow, even though she was a cat, Fiona knew who she was. Fiona tells Charlie Growl Valley is no longer safe for her, so she took her to the Shifter Falls Academy. Eventually, Charlie and her friends will have to return to Growl Valley to rescue Fiona from the wolves who have taken her. Will they find and free her? Will they be harmed or captured as well?

I really enjoyed this story. It wasn’t the typical shifter story I was used to reading, and added some additional details that made it more interesting, such as the power of the blood in a shifter who has their first shift later in life. The story line was good, the tension throughout kept the reader’s interest, and the characters were presented well. Grab your copy and enjoy this new look at the shifter world.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one of the Shifter Falls Academy series and the main character is Charlie (Charlotte) Storm, who has lived in various foster homes ever since she can remember and has finally moved out after graduation and is living with her landlady Fiona, working in a corner store, just as she is about to turn eighteen. She soon finds out that she isn’t quite human after being hunted down by some unusual residents of Growl Valley. It seems she has the shifter gene and is now being hunted as she is a special kind of shifter, a late bloomer, whose blood is very valuable to other shifters. Her landlady suspected she might be a shifter and helps take her away to Shifter Falls Academy. Somewhere she will be safe, away from the town which is being overrun by crazy werewolves.

She doesn’t want to go to this school, but she has no option if she is going to stay alive. She entered the school via a hidden path below Shifter Falls itself, but most enter from warded and guarded entrances. Fiona had to get her there in a hurry and hopefully without being noticed. She will have to catch up with all the other students, as she is starting late in the first semester and will have a lot to learn. She gets paired up with an owl shifter called Jade as her dorm buddy who soon becomes her best friend. A kangaroo shifter called Kenneth helps her to find her way around the school and also becomes part of her group of friends. She gets to learn about shifting, the history of shifters and the many different kinds there are, magic, potions and so much more.

This is just year one of Charlie’s journey at Shifter Falls and her introduction to this sudden change in her life, will take her a while to get used to, but it is something she needs to learn is part of her. She needs to learn all she can at the school, to be able to survive in the outside world, once she graduates. Most shifters are cocky and confident people and Charlie has a lot to get used to. Her norm has changed all in the space of one night. A great start to the series and a main character who never knew her parents, so never knew anything about the shifter world or even magic, now getting a chance to become part of the shifter world and a new family. I had already read year two of this series, so it was nice to see the beginning of Charlie’s journey and I can’t wait to read year three. I received an ARC copy of this book and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review. As I’ve said before, I always give honest reviews whether people appreciate them or not.

This story begins with our heroine Charlie working her shift at the local convenience store in Growl Valley. She was going to be turning eighteen the next day so as with all teens, she was excited to be an adult. Her co-worker Caleb came in for his shift and they celebrated her birthday before she left. As she was walking home she was attacked by a man that turned into a wolf and was trying to kidnap her. She screamed and ran for her life, eventually finding herself shifted into a cat. She wasn’t a ‘Big Cat’ but a regular house cat. She got away from her attacker and went back to work thinking Caleb would help her. Nope. It turns out Caleb and his buddy were trying to take her because of something having to do with ‘late shifters’ and their blood. Sounds like fun for her doesn’t it? Not. She gets away from him and eventually gets home safely. Home is a room she rents from Fiona and she hopes Fiona can help her.

Fiona helps her immediately but teaching her how to shift back into a human. She then packs Charlie up in her one backpack and drives her a few hours away to the Shifter Falls Academy. It’s a school for shifters and other magical beings. Headmaster Wild welcomes her to school and makes her feel comfortable. She gets lost finding her way to her dorm and literally runs into Kenneth who helps her find her way. She gets to her room and meets her roommate Jade who manages to guide her in this new world.

I honestly couldn’t put my Kindle down when I started reading this story! Charlie gets to know Jade and Kenneth throughout and they prove to be good friends to her. What an interesting world! It’s a fun school, and I loved that Pixies made their meals and that the school was hidden to protect it from humans and others that would try to harm the kids. I haven’t read anything from Ms. Mortimer before, but, she has other series like the Hybrid Academy, Enchanted Academy and her Just Another Day in the Zombie Apocalypse Series. I’m sure the other two Academy series are as interesting and fun as this one. Shifter Falls Academy: Year Two will be released on March 18, 2020 and Shifter Falls Academy: Year Three will be released on May 18, 2020. I can’t wait!

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the first shifters were created, they were strong. Wild. Powerful. Impossibly fast. They were everything.
And then they weren't.
Now shifters are hunted. They're hated. They're despised by everyone in the entire world, and that poses a pretty big problem for me because, well, I'm one of them.
On the eve of my 18th birthday, I discover that I have the shifter gene. Usually, shifters learn to change into their animal forms long before their birthday, but I guess growing up in foster care and struggling to survive caused my body just a little bit of stress.
Now I'm changing into a cat without any notice and struggling to change back, and as it turns out, I only have one option: Shifter Falls Academy.
It's a school for people like me, and it's hidden away deep in the Wolf Mountains.
I don't want to go to this school.
I don't want to go hiding away until I learn to use my powers.
I don't want any of these things, but the truth is that monsters are real, and they're coming after me with everything they've got.
Fans of Harry Potter, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Supernatural – get ready to explore a world where magic is real and anything can happen.

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DianaRaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shifter Falls Academy: Year One is my first introduction to the author L.C. Mortimer and the first book in a new paranormal series. The story is well written and easy to read. I really enjoyed some of the changes in the typical elements and twists of the usual shifter formula. I ended up enjoying this story very much.

Charlie just wants a nice quiet evening alone celebrating her 18th birthday. Well, that's what she's imagining when she's attacked by a man that shifts into a wolf.  Oh ya, she knows about shifters, she reads fantasy books, but the ...  who thought they were really real? While trying to escape, she shifts into a cat. Holy H*!!, she's a shifter too?  She manages to escape, but then she can't shift back to human form. By morning she makes it home, where she finds out her landlord is a shifter too. Realizing the danger Charlie is in Fionna helps her shift back and convinces her of the danger she's in.  She also needs a place of safety and training to survive as a shifter. Soon Charlie is in a school she never imagined existed.

I thought this was a four-star fun and enjoyable read with no steamy scenes - suitable for Young Adults and this Septuagenarian. I look forward to reading more in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aimee Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie is a finally on her own after going from foster family to foster family. She is looking forward to celebrating her 18th birthday. One her way home, she runs into a man that turns into a wolf. She does something she didn't expect, she herself shifts into a cat. She runs towards her work, where her co-worker is. But he isn't how he claims to be. She runs and hides from them.
She finally makes to the Fiona's house, where she is renting a room. Fiona helps her shift back and Charlie tells Fiona what happened. Fiona tells Charlie Growl Valley is no longer safe for her, she has one place that is. Fiona decides to take Charlie to Shifter Falls Academy.
Charlie is going to have to work hard to get caught up, work towards getting her wand. She feels like she knows the Headmaster. She makes two friends quickly. But Charlie is worried about Fiona. Charlie will do whatever it will take to make sure Fiona is safe

This was a really entertaining read, once you start you will keep reading. I am looking forward to the next book to see what is going to happen next with Charlie. How are her parents? What is the deal with the Headmaster and so much more

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE EXPLOSIVE ADVENTURE!!!
Smackdown! Mortimer unleashes one block busting, mind-blowing bombshell, blasting this baby into the eye of the storm, breaking it down, blowing it into a tailspin with astonishing results. Non-stop, action packed, hard hitting, pulse racing, heart pounding, adrenaline pumping, nailbiting, spine tingling, nerve racking, thrill ride. Mortimer drops the bomb, lowering the boom, thrusting this baby into a tizzy, blasting it to life spectacularly. A swirling throng of surprising events and unexpected contingencies catapults those spinning emotions bursting into play. Combating the drama, intrigue, tension, danger and soaring suspense, wielding this baby together seamlessly. Add distress and turmoil along with perplexing situations and a boatload of trouble, you have one prize winning, jaw dropping, explosive experience. The characters are authentic and genuine with depth and qualities that blend into outstanding personalities. The characters and scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions creating a colorful backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Remarkable job Mortimer, thanks for sharing this little treasure with us.

[Katheyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

„Shifter Falls Academy. Year 1“ is the first book in the same-named Series. A YA Academy series featuring Charlotte, please call her Charlie!, is about to turn 18, having left her foster family and getting a job in a grocery store only a month ago, the beginning of her new life is in her grasp. Her landlady (Fiona) seems nice enough, her co-worker (Caleb) is really nice, he even throws her a birthday party with two cupcakes and a glass of milk. The “idyll” bubble burst when she is attacked leaving the store and turns into a…. kitty cat 😊 The truth is that Fiona and Caleb are wolf-shifters, Caleb being the actual target of the attack. Fiona, ostensibly to protect Charlie enrolls her into the Shifter Falls academy, before disappearing. With everyone gone and depending on a Headmaster that seems oddly familiar, Charlie tries to learn how to control her new powers and help free Fiona.

A new addiction to the YA paranormal academy genre, focusing almost entirely on shifters. Expect shifters, action, some secrets, a little bit of romance and the ongoing story-arc of an academy series expected to reach into several “years” as school.

[Evelyn Dotson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie is getting ready to turn 18 in a few hours. She grew up in foster care and landed in a house with an older lady named Fiona. When she left work, she came across a huge man who turned into a wolf and chased her. She ended up shifting into a cat and escaped. When she ran back to work, she overheard her coo-worker talking about losing her and setting her up for capture. He also changed into a wolf and chased her~ When she returned as a cat, Fiona knew it was her. Come to find out, the older a shifter is when they change, the more powerful their blood is for things. Fiona took her to a hidden school known as Shifter Falls Academy. There, Charlie studies hard and earns a wand. When she approaches the headmaster about a missing Fiona, they decide to take matters into their hands. Charlie and her friends have to battle back in Growl Valley to rescue Fiona from the wolves. What will occur? Will anyone make it out alive? Find out in the first installment of this series. I received this via Booksprout and am leaving a voluntary review.

[sherri jones-teachout · Rating 5 out of 5]

A year of growing, learning, making friends, and secrets. Charlotte never knew her parents and she grew up in foster care. When she was old enough she got a job and a place to stay with Fiona, an artist. But walking home from work on the cusp of her eighteenth birthday, she is attacked and unexpectantly turns into a kitty cat. She finds out that Caleb, her co-worker and friend, betrayed her, is a wolf shifter, and was behind the attack because her blood is valuable. Her landlady Fiona is secretly a wolf shifter and secrets Charlies away to Shifter Falls academy where she can learn to be a shifter and learn to protect herself. But will she ever feel safe knowing the wolves have her scent and want her blood? And Fiona has disappeared. Did the wolf pack in her home town take Fiona? And why does the Headmaster of the academy seem so familiar to Charlies. To her knowledge they had never met until she came to the academy. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our heroine needs to learn to use her new shifter abilities quickly before the bad guys can get her. Guess it is time for more schooling!

This is the first book in a new paranormal academy series. The story is well written and easy to read following the basic "I just learned I am an X and need to learn how to control it fast" trope. That being said, I did not feel like I was reading the same old story once again. There were some new elements and twists on the formula that really worked for me and I ended up enjoying this one immensely. It helped that I really liked our heroine. In any case, I thought this was a fun read and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Highly recommended

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a fun entertaining fantastic start to a new series and I can’t wait to read book 2. Charlie is turning 18 tomorrow and she’s excited she celebrates with her friend from work Caleb but he knows what Charlie is. When Charlie leaves work she’s attacked by a man who turns into a wolf she manages to get away and Charlie runs to the store to get help from Caleb but she overhears him talking to someone about letting her get away because Charlie has turned into a cat not a tiger or a lion just an ordinary house cat ahh but is Charlie just a plain old cat?. Fantastic story I loved it and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[Rachel Benham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great. Charlie was a late shifter so her blood was in high demand. Fiona knew the best place for her would be Shifter Falls Academy. There Charlie learns about her new world, makes friends and finds her place. When she senses that Fiona is in trouble, she and her friends mount a rescue. This was so good I could not put it down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shifter Falls Academy: Year One by L.C. Mortimer is a wonderful story that I have read. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a new series it is nothing like the others I have read about shifters and I can barely wait to read book number two in this series. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about shifters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christina Luberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rally liked this YA book. We have Charlie that has been juggled from home to home. When she gets to Growl Valley she is staying with a friend and working a store. Then one night leaving the store she is being chased and shifts. What is going on? Her friend brings her to Shifter Falls Academy. Can she make it? Will they accept her? What will she learn? Will her friend be ok for helping her?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were fascinating. Caleb seemed like a good friend than the author decided to flip the switch on the reader and made the story vastly more enjoyable. I liked the intrigue, the intensity of the relationships as they built and author’s ability to make the story seem fresh and new. Great new series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kety · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story that you will love... Wonderful characters and plots....
A young girl that learn to be a shifter... a hidden school... villains... the rescue of her only "family"...
The story will kept readin until the end...
I'm looking forward to the next book in this paranormal academy series...

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenae (Jeni) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly what I was expecting

This book is a little different than I was expecting it to be but not bad. There's shifters and magic, but it moves so fast there's no real interactions. The author skips weeks and sometimes months at a time. I like feeling drawn into my books, so this isn't for me.

[flightyinagoodway · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet and enchanting take on shifters and magic. An endearing tale of friendship and finding your feet in an unfamiliar situation. Wonderful characters and storyline, with a touch of romance. I recommend for teens and up.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheryl Sedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start to a new series. We meet Charlie (Charlotte) working in a shop. When she leaves to go home she is followed by a wolf and unknowingly to her she turns into a cat. From here we see her return home and taken for her safety to shifter falls academy. Where she meets Jade and Kenneth who help her get through the year and also to help her at the end of the book.
Totally recommend reading

[Christinaraven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the beginning of the story of Charlie and what happens when she discovers that she is a shifter and heads to Shifter Falls. It was a quick and light read that did a good job of introducing all the main characters in the series. Had a bit of a light mystery to it too. Not a deep book or heavy on action. But a good academy read that was pretty clean.

[Heather Bane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great start to a new series. The story is well written with likable characters. The storyline is interesting and keeps your attention. I would recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[tburbr · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story line and character work were good. The book had a fairly smooth flow to it. This was an a quick, fun read and a good start to a new series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of potential

Good start to a new series. It was a quick easy read. Drew you in from page one. So far I think year one is suitable for YA. Look forward to seeing this group develope.

[Cali Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An edge of your seat emotionally thrilling journey and so hard to put down. An edge of your seat action packed adventure filled with witty and engaging charters, exciting magical twists and heart racing turns. Highly entertaining reading!