Transformation

by Kim Fielding

Orris Spencer is an abomination. At least that was what his father said in 1886 before banishing him from their Fifth Avenue mansion and sending him across the continent to Oregon. Now Orris must try to find a place for himself on his brother’s farm. His studies did little to prepare him for pioneer living, and when he’s called on to help protect the livestock from a predator, he’s not at all certain he’s up to the task. Then he meets Henry Bonn, a strange and intriguing man who lives in a cabin in the hills. Orris’s attraction to Henry may not be an abomination—but it may prove to be a greater danger than banishment.


First edition published in 'Claw (Gothika 3) Anthology' by Dreamspinner Press, April 2015.

Genres: Historical, Shapeshifters, M M Romance, Paranormal, Romance, LGBT, Fantasy

82 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 13, 2015

About the author

Kim Fielding lives in Oregon and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phone booth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out assistance to her family. Her favorite word to describe herself is "eclectic" and she finally got that seventh tattoo.

Reviews

[Kim]

This novella originally appeared in Claw, one of the Gothika anthologies.

This tale is a result of my love for old-school werewolf stories. It's also--if you squint hard enough--sort of a pre pre prequel to my Bones series. It takes place in 1886 in my hometown, Beaverton, Oregon (now a suburb of Portland). In fact, my working title was "The Werewolf of Beaverton," which deeply amuses me. There are some more serious themes here, however, about the conflict between wilderness and civilization, and about what it means to fit in. I did a fair bit of research for this one, so the details are historically accurate. If you're interested, you can see some period photos of Beaverton here: https://historicbeaverton.org/gallery/ .

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

A novella from a favorite author. She’s written some incredible books this past decade. This one is a short-and-sweet, low key tale set on a farm in Oregon in the late 1800s when a young man from a wealthy NYC family is disgraced and comes to live with his older brother. Not my favorite of her shorter stories but may appeal to other Fielding fans. It ends abruptly just as it works up to a small head of steam. Oh well.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars rounded up

Rounding it up because Fielding's writing is solid. But as a story, especially as a romance, this lacks of it. Feels like Orris spends more time with his brother than his future love interest. I didn't like the rush ending as well 🤷🏻

[the kevin (vaguely alive) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 50%

Yeah it’s only 80 pages but I was bored to death
Weird instant wolf-lust by orris
No I do not care to find out if it’s something fated matey bc it was just annoying

Boooooriinnnnggggg

[Shelba · Rating 3 out of 5]

The supernatural isn't something I reach for too often these days, and werewolves have never really been my thing, but I did enjoy this. I do think the shorter length lent to my enjoyment, especially since I have found some of Kim Fielding's stories longer than need be.

[Kaylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable short read. I really liked Orris' growth throughout this story and earning his keep with his brother and his family. I also really liked Samuel and how he's all about abiding by his morals and not what everyone else (and the Bible) says; how everyone should do so. Out of seven brothers, it's bound to happen - both at least one being gay and at least one supportive. I'm so glad that Orris had that, even though Samuel thought that Orris might be a burden, he wouldn't turn his "baby brother" away. Orris proved himself.

Definitely have to take this as a fated-mate story or you'll be sorely disappointed. There really isn't much to do with the relationship growth between Orris and Henry. It's they meet once, the next time they're kissing and the next time it's sex.

I loved the ending. It was a great POV and was warm and cozy.

My main problem with this is that I really don't understand why Orris had to choose between being with Henry or being with his family. Why couldn't he just visit the farm every now and then? It isn't like Samuel didn't see Henry and Charles every now and then - "once or twice a year." That would sufice! I feel bad for Samuel. Never knowing what happened to his brother, and always seeing that additional room and the changes they made to the house, all the work they did together. I can't imagine if my brother all of a sudden disappeared and I never knew what became of him...

[JoAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say?? I’m a fan girl...

I’ve never read the anthology this was initial published in, but it has been on my waiting list for awhile. I’m a little sad I waited so long.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember thinking this one was so-so when I first read it in one of the Gothika anthologies, but I think this worked better as an audiobook.

[Jenny (Nyxie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tags: wolf shifter, historical (1880s), frontier, starting over, brotherly love

This is a typical Kim Fielding in that a LOT is packed into a small package. While the book is about wolf shifters, you could argue that the primary “love story” is actually between Orris, and his brother who takes him in when his father throws him out, and welcomes him into his home. The writing on it was lovely.

Pretty angsty, over all. Not in a “MC is tearing his hair out in grief” sort of way, more in a “the world in 1886 is hard, harder still for a gay man, harder still for a shifter” situational way. I’m not entirely sure I like the ending because it is it’s own kind of loss, even as MC finds his true place in the world.

Overall recommend if you’re looking for something short, thought provoking and mysterious.

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish it were longer!

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In a quiet voice, Orris admitted his greatest sorrow. “I’ll never be loved. I’ll never belong to someone, or have him belong to me.”

The seventh son of a seventh son, Orris is found in bed with another man and banished three thousand miles away, to his oldest brother, Samuel's, and his family's farm in rural Oregon. It is the late 1800s and Orris's behavior is an abomination and not to be allowed, although he finds an ally in Samuel who doesn't think too highly of their father and high society. Orris had been studying to be a professor so he is very far out of his element on a farm, not knowing carpentry, how to care for animals, or shoot a gun at predators. Life is hard and lonely.

Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️

[Laks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical paranormal romance

Orris was banished to his brother's farm, when his certain 'proclivities ' were discovered. There he tries to adjust to the harsh life , helping his brother in the daily chores. But one night Orris meets a wolf, after which he starts getting strange dreams and restless nights.

It's a short story with the romance bit mostly towards the end. But I loved the initial parts showing the hardships of living in a rural area.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well that was weirdly unsatisfying....

Banished from New York by his disapproving father, Orris Spencer arrives in Oregon to live with his brother’s family on their little homestead. Orris isn’t used to farm work, but slowly settles in to his new life, even when that means having to stay up all night guarding the livestock from wolves. When Orris meets Henry, a distant neighbor, he’s drawn to the handsome loner, even though they both realize that there’s nothing ahead for them...is there?

I’ve read and enjoyed this author’s work before, but this story just never leaves the starting gate.

There are just too many unanswered questions and unresolved problems. Orris seems strangely disconnected: he’s not unhappy with his life or with his brother, so what drives his decision to abandon his family for Henry? We never know...

So...sadly...just two stars.

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent writing in this short story. The relationship between Orris and his brother was the major plot line, more than the one between Orris and Henry, and that was okay. I think Samuel suspected there was something different about Orris, maybe from the housemaid’s prediction when they were little. Samuel was kind to Orris and that made the ending much more poignant.

[Meggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hm, I wished the Transformation was longer and better developed. The storyline was pulling enough, but had an unsatisfying ending, at least for me. Sure Orris has chosen his own path at the end, which was right for him and Henry Bonn, but still, the ending was to abrupt.

[morten · Rating 3 out of 5]

19世紀初頭、父から追い出される形でニューヨークから田舎で農業を営む兄のもとへやってきたOrris。理解のある兄と彼の妻子のお荷物にならないよう気を使う生活のなか、ある夜、牧場の羊をねらう生き物と遭遇する──。70ページの短編ながら、主人公の孤独や兄の優しさ・兄嫁のよそよそしさ、居心地の悪さがしっかり描かれてて、むしろそちらがメインのように思えて��だからこそ短期間で惹かれ合う二人に説得力があった。人狼が登場するもっと長いのが読みたいぞー！

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it, good writing, but on the forgettable side.

[Arlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

So so book, probably not worth reading.

[Macky · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3.5⭐️

[... · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5☆ ... too abrupt for true satisfaction, but since I knew that going in - based on the length - I still enjoyed it for what it was.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

An OK shifter story. I liked the historical setting.

[Amy.Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super short, which made some of the plot devices seem abrupt.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim Fielding is extraordinarily good at writing from the point of view of people who have no clue what's going on, and keeping it interesting. I know how much work a farm is - a real one, where you're dependent on your plants and animals to provide a significant part of your food - and Orris's slow transformation from city boy to farm worker is realistic. Plus, you & I know from the cover what the predators are. But all Orris knows is, he's strangely drawn to them. This is short, and yet a good slow-burn, with well-done characters.

[Evalyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed it but I didn't like that Orris had to choose between becoming a wolf and his family. I don't see why he couldn't have just moved into the forest and continued visiting and helping his brother , sister-in-law, and nieces/nephews. If it wasn't for that odd fact, I would have given it a higher rating.

[Scott McQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seventh son of a seventh son

Short, but so deeply fulfilling. What a wonderful story. Transformations on numerous levels. Just wish he had said goodbye is all.

[Marsilisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time author for me. Not bad, nothing special but not bad. Thank you

[Kobie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, a lot, but the epilogue was unsatisfying.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim Fielding's work always packs a punch...even the short stories
Never disappoints!
I get lost in her stories! Not a bad place to be.