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The Made Ones Saga #2
Changed
What if you could be young again? Would it be a dream come true or truly a nightmare?
That’s the startling reality retired circus trapeze artist Breena Balážová awakens to on the world of Eleutia in her own re-engineered younger body. For a woman whose death on Earth was inches away, it seems like a second chance at life. But in this parallel world, where horses fly and animals and humans are symbionts, Bree is intended as breeding stock to balance the plummeting female birthrate.
As she searches for her missing sisters, who were pulled to Eleutia with her, Bree also must survive assassination attempts, the growing threat of war, and her unexpected attraction to the arrogant animal Clan Alpha, Gato, a man with terrible burdens and secrets.
The animal Clans join forces to combat a dark conspiracy that will shake the foundations of their world, even as Bree’s search for her sisters grows more desperate and dangerous.
If Bree has any hope of finding her sisters and fulfilling her own destiny, she and Gato must carry out a perilous deception, their success or failure deciding not only their own fate, but that of all Eleutia.
That’s the startling reality retired circus trapeze artist Breena Balážová awakens to on the world of Eleutia in her own re-engineered younger body. For a woman whose death on Earth was inches away, it seems like a second chance at life. But in this parallel world, where horses fly and animals and humans are symbionts, Bree is intended as breeding stock to balance the plummeting female birthrate.
As she searches for her missing sisters, who were pulled to Eleutia with her, Bree also must survive assassination attempts, the growing threat of war, and her unexpected attraction to the arrogant animal Clan Alpha, Gato, a man with terrible burdens and secrets.
The animal Clans join forces to combat a dark conspiracy that will shake the foundations of their world, even as Bree’s search for her sisters grows more desperate and dangerous.
If Bree has any hope of finding her sisters and fulfilling her own destiny, she and Gato must carry out a perilous deception, their success or failure deciding not only their own fate, but that of all Eleutia.
- GenresRomanceParanormalFantasy
Unknown Binding
Published July 1, 2020
1 person is currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Stiefel
16 books802 followersAuthor also writes under Sanna Brand
Award-winning author Vicki Stiefel now also writes as Sanna Brand, including Regency Romances, THE BOND (Book 1, The Secret Tales), THE DECEPTION, and now, THE SEER. Vicki’s s fantasy romance series, The Made Ones Saga, launched with ALTERED, continued with CHANGED, and climaxed with ASCENDANT.
Vicki continues work on her Afterworld Chronicles and her award-winning mystery/thrillers feature homicide counselor Tally Whyte.
Vicki tapped into her love of knitting to produce Chest of Bone The Knit Collection and co-write 10 Secrets of the LaidBack Knitters.
After running The Writers Studio with her late husband, William G. Tapply, Vicki taught fiction and modern media writing for six years at Clark University.
She grew up in professional theater and planned to become an actress. Instead, she slung hamburgers, managed a scuba shop, and became a college professor. She is a mom to two wonderful humans and a furry pack. Her passions for scuba diving, fly fishing, knitting, and horses pop up in her novels, as do chocolate, bourbon, and lobster. Currently, she's playing with her menagerie while working on THE UNSEEN (as SANNA BRAND) , the fourth book in The Secret Tales.
Award-winning author Vicki Stiefel now also writes as Sanna Brand, including Regency Romances, THE BOND (Book 1, The Secret Tales), THE DECEPTION, and now, THE SEER. Vicki’s s fantasy romance series, The Made Ones Saga, launched with ALTERED, continued with CHANGED, and climaxed with ASCENDANT.
Vicki continues work on her Afterworld Chronicles and her award-winning mystery/thrillers feature homicide counselor Tally Whyte.
Vicki tapped into her love of knitting to produce Chest of Bone The Knit Collection and co-write 10 Secrets of the LaidBack Knitters.
After running The Writers Studio with her late husband, William G. Tapply, Vicki taught fiction and modern media writing for six years at Clark University.
She grew up in professional theater and planned to become an actress. Instead, she slung hamburgers, managed a scuba shop, and became a college professor. She is a mom to two wonderful humans and a furry pack. Her passions for scuba diving, fly fishing, knitting, and horses pop up in her novels, as do chocolate, bourbon, and lobster. Currently, she's playing with her menagerie while working on THE UNSEEN (as SANNA BRAND) , the fourth book in The Secret Tales.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 28, 2020
A great fantasy series featuring older heroines.
August 14, 2020
A brief synopsis of the series is in order: The Eleutians are dying out because very few females are born. To save their species, the powerful Alchemic clan pulls women from parallel worlds (Earth), altering them into young healthy, younger versions of themselves and placing them within the Eleutian population, calling them Made Ones.
In Changed, Bree is one of three sisters snatched from near death to Eleutia. The Cat clan home becomes her home and Alpha Gato becomes her guardian/jailer. Gato’s life as an alpha is burdensome but he is still a very good leader. It is impossible for Bree not to fall for the man. But there are forces (see Alchemics below) that are trying to keep them apart. The relationship between Bree and Gato is at once light and fun and also intense. Part of what makes Bree and Gato so fun is their relationship with the CatGuard panthers. The animals bond with humans and so Bree ends up bonding with two cubs. Gato’s cat, Bartholomew, is a force to be reckoned with and a hero in his on right.
There is some interaction with the protagonists of the first book in the series, Altered. Kitlyn, Bree’s sister, and Rafe, the wolf Alpha, are great characters and I am glad they continue to have a role in the ongoing story.
The Alchemists are being revealed as the troublemakers on Eleutia. They have plans to that do not coincide with a happy, prosperous Eleutia. Many of the animal clan members have begun to figure this out and watching them learn more and strategize a solution is at the heart of the story (after the romance).
As with Altered, I had a hard time classifying Changed. You could call it fantasy. Or scifi. And you can call it romance. Take your pick.
The world of Eleutia has some interesting overlaps with Earth. Some of the foods are the same. Much of the food is also new to the Made Ones. Strangely enough, TV, cell phones and circus acts also exist on Eleutia. At first I though, trapeze acrobats on Eleutia? But after some consideration I realized that integrating Made Ones into the society, as well as interfering Alchemics, probably have something to do with the overlap.
In Changed, we meet the CastOuts. These are the “imperfect” humans created when Alchemics messed with their DNA. They have their own clan and, I think, they will prove to be the most interesting clan of all.
Kitlyn and Bree continue to look for their sister Sybil. She is present in the story as an unrevived Made One. I’m looking forward to the next book where Sybil will get her story.
Changed is complex, captivating, dangerous and heartwarming. So if you are looking for fantasy, scifi, and/or romance you might want to check this one out.
Many thanks to the author provided a copy of her book in exchange for my honest review.
In Changed, Bree is one of three sisters snatched from near death to Eleutia. The Cat clan home becomes her home and Alpha Gato becomes her guardian/jailer. Gato’s life as an alpha is burdensome but he is still a very good leader. It is impossible for Bree not to fall for the man. But there are forces (see Alchemics below) that are trying to keep them apart. The relationship between Bree and Gato is at once light and fun and also intense. Part of what makes Bree and Gato so fun is their relationship with the CatGuard panthers. The animals bond with humans and so Bree ends up bonding with two cubs. Gato’s cat, Bartholomew, is a force to be reckoned with and a hero in his on right.
There is some interaction with the protagonists of the first book in the series, Altered. Kitlyn, Bree’s sister, and Rafe, the wolf Alpha, are great characters and I am glad they continue to have a role in the ongoing story.
The Alchemists are being revealed as the troublemakers on Eleutia. They have plans to that do not coincide with a happy, prosperous Eleutia. Many of the animal clan members have begun to figure this out and watching them learn more and strategize a solution is at the heart of the story (after the romance).
As with Altered, I had a hard time classifying Changed. You could call it fantasy. Or scifi. And you can call it romance. Take your pick.
The world of Eleutia has some interesting overlaps with Earth. Some of the foods are the same. Much of the food is also new to the Made Ones. Strangely enough, TV, cell phones and circus acts also exist on Eleutia. At first I though, trapeze acrobats on Eleutia? But after some consideration I realized that integrating Made Ones into the society, as well as interfering Alchemics, probably have something to do with the overlap.
In Changed, we meet the CastOuts. These are the “imperfect” humans created when Alchemics messed with their DNA. They have their own clan and, I think, they will prove to be the most interesting clan of all.
Kitlyn and Bree continue to look for their sister Sybil. She is present in the story as an unrevived Made One. I’m looking forward to the next book where Sybil will get her story.
Changed is complex, captivating, dangerous and heartwarming. So if you are looking for fantasy, scifi, and/or romance you might want to check this one out.
Many thanks to the author provided a copy of her book in exchange for my honest review.
August 12, 2020
Second in the Made Ones Saga series, this book tells Breena’s story; she is one of three sisters stollen from Earth to help bring up the birthrate, especially for females in a parallel world called Eleutia. Breena was gravely ill and expecting to have a very shortened lifespan. Now, in a new strong and amazing body, Breena has several goals in mind including finding her two sisters whom she was with when everything changed. Breena discovers one of them has mated with the Wolf Clan Alpha; but, the other is still missing. She is also quite drawn to Gato; he leads the Cat clan and has several responsibilities and reasons to resist their growing mutual attraction.
Not everyone is happy with the presence of the Made Ones; there are factions who wish them dead so several attempts are made on Bree’s life while she struggles to learn about her new world and her place in it. Gato is trying not only to protect Bree and his people, but rescue a beloved brother who is being held hostage by the Alchemics to keep him in check. This arrogant and brutal group holds sway; they essentially rule Eleutia and are responsible for the creation of the Made Ones, stealing women away from their Earth without their permission.
With Bree’s dealing with a huge paradigm shift and Gato’s determination to win against more than one enemy, they have quite the task and much to overcome. Bree has some demons of her own to fight from her former life and now with the opportunity to be physically young and strong again, she has a unique second chance to do better and be more than she ever imagined. Gato is challenged by this feisty woman at every turn; however, this is one battle he quite enjoys.
More types of denizens of this world where people, animals, and nature have immutable links are introduced in this story while the nefarious plans of Alchemic Clan come to light which are much more involved than just creating the Made Ones. This series has some interesting and unique ideas of world building and will interest fans of Sci-Fi as well as paranormal romance.
Not everyone is happy with the presence of the Made Ones; there are factions who wish them dead so several attempts are made on Bree’s life while she struggles to learn about her new world and her place in it. Gato is trying not only to protect Bree and his people, but rescue a beloved brother who is being held hostage by the Alchemics to keep him in check. This arrogant and brutal group holds sway; they essentially rule Eleutia and are responsible for the creation of the Made Ones, stealing women away from their Earth without their permission.
With Bree’s dealing with a huge paradigm shift and Gato’s determination to win against more than one enemy, they have quite the task and much to overcome. Bree has some demons of her own to fight from her former life and now with the opportunity to be physically young and strong again, she has a unique second chance to do better and be more than she ever imagined. Gato is challenged by this feisty woman at every turn; however, this is one battle he quite enjoys.
More types of denizens of this world where people, animals, and nature have immutable links are introduced in this story while the nefarious plans of Alchemic Clan come to light which are much more involved than just creating the Made Ones. This series has some interesting and unique ideas of world building and will interest fans of Sci-Fi as well as paranormal romance.
August 15, 2020
In CHANGED, an enchanting world is laid out for the reader to explore. It has elements of magic, alchemy and dangerous quests. One of the most fascinating aspects is the interdependent relationship between the humans and their animals. The Cat clan is a beautifully portrayed example of people living in harmony and balance with non-human friends. Anyone who relates to animals will find their world to be both heartening and deeply satisfying. As creature and human face the many difficulties involved in a society ruled by cruelty, you’ll be quickly caught up in a tale that keeps you turning pages and enjoying a fascinating, fantasy adventure.
But let’s not leave out romance. CHANGED has a powerful love story to tell. It centers around the commanding Cat clan leader, Gato, and the heroine, Breena Balážová. Before being snatched from Earth, Breena sees herself as a hard, no-nonsense woman who’s not afraid to tell people what she thinks. However, when she finds herself on an alternate world, her altered body has none of the things she needs to express her toughness and keep her protected. She’s always dyed her hair black, painted her nails dark red and even had her breasts enlarged. To find herself young again in a strange environment, with the red hair she’s always hated, short plain nails and small breasts, she’s left feeling exposed and defenseless. However, Gato only sees how beautiful Breena is. As their relationship deepens, she begins to discover her inner strengths and talents. Most importantly, she begins to learn that she has a tremendous ability to love again.
It you’re looking for a new and unique fantasy that is beautifully told, CHANGED is the perfect story for you!
But let’s not leave out romance. CHANGED has a powerful love story to tell. It centers around the commanding Cat clan leader, Gato, and the heroine, Breena Balážová. Before being snatched from Earth, Breena sees herself as a hard, no-nonsense woman who’s not afraid to tell people what she thinks. However, when she finds herself on an alternate world, her altered body has none of the things she needs to express her toughness and keep her protected. She’s always dyed her hair black, painted her nails dark red and even had her breasts enlarged. To find herself young again in a strange environment, with the red hair she’s always hated, short plain nails and small breasts, she’s left feeling exposed and defenseless. However, Gato only sees how beautiful Breena is. As their relationship deepens, she begins to discover her inner strengths and talents. Most importantly, she begins to learn that she has a tremendous ability to love again.
It you’re looking for a new and unique fantasy that is beautifully told, CHANGED is the perfect story for you!
August 27, 2020
I was fascinated by the way these characters, were made to accept their friend that was different from them. But this was an insight into the Alchemic City of Geto, arina,Brenna, who have to find their loves ones,by betrayal, challenges and fight to be with one another. The cover is very beautiful
August 16, 2023
Changed is the second book in The Made Ones Saga and this time we meet with Bree and her Catman, Gato. We caught a glimpse of her in Kit's book but this time the focus is all on her!
Initially, Bree is slightly annoyed 😉 that all her armour has disappeared. Instead, she is stuck with her natural hair colour, no tattoos, no piercings. Luckily for her, she is around people who help her to realise her armour was actually camouflage. And as for Gato, well, he loves her red hair.
This was a fantastic second book. The world is now more familiar which helped but, for me, the best part was Bree's attitude. She is attacked how many times, by people she thought were friends, and she still manages to come out of it with a smile on her face. Audi and Fortis are just sublime and I really hope to see more of them in the last book. I wasn't too sure about Arina to begin with but she is also someone I am hoping will get their HEA.
The interweaving between Kit's book and Bree's is wonderfully done. Once again, as with Kit and Rafe, Bree and Gato are supported by an amazing cast. I loved seeing Kit and Rafe again in this one.
A fantastic addition to the series and now I will (im)patiently wait for Awakened. Absolutely recommended by me!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 23, 2020
Initially, Bree is slightly annoyed 😉 that all her armour has disappeared. Instead, she is stuck with her natural hair colour, no tattoos, no piercings. Luckily for her, she is around people who help her to realise her armour was actually camouflage. And as for Gato, well, he loves her red hair.
This was a fantastic second book. The world is now more familiar which helped but, for me, the best part was Bree's attitude. She is attacked how many times, by people she thought were friends, and she still manages to come out of it with a smile on her face. Audi and Fortis are just sublime and I really hope to see more of them in the last book. I wasn't too sure about Arina to begin with but she is also someone I am hoping will get their HEA.
The interweaving between Kit's book and Bree's is wonderfully done. Once again, as with Kit and Rafe, Bree and Gato are supported by an amazing cast. I loved seeing Kit and Rafe again in this one.
A fantastic addition to the series and now I will (im)patiently wait for Awakened. Absolutely recommended by me!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 23, 2020
June 4, 2022
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in The Made Ones Saga, and you really should read book one, Altered, before this one. It does overlap/intertwine some with this one, and you need to hear from Kit at points along the way where it does.
Bree is Kit's sister. She has awakened on Eleutia, and finds herself at Catamount. Gato is Alpha Cat. These two butt heads a lot here, especially in the beginning but Gato soon becomes wise to Bree and her antics.
We catch up with Kit and Rafe, and what their scientists have discovered, and some more information about why Eleutia is dying, and more importantly, HOW comes to light. Still can't quite see where THAT's all going though!
Gato and Bree are perfect for each other, they really are, especially as Bree bonds with the cubs, which is unheard of for a non-cat. I loved that it took time for them to come together, to fully form their friendship, before they jump into bed with each other.
Gato does something here, which wasn't ideal, but all parties were in agreement and I'm intrigued as to how Kes manages to get free, hoping we find in the next book!
We discover what has happened to the third sister, Sybi, and how she comes to be in the land of the CastOuts. And her story begins right at the end of this one.
It's been a while since I read the first book (Aug 2019) so it took me a little bit of time to catch up with who all the major players were, and what was going on, but not long, and I thoroughly enjoyed Bree and Gato's story.
Wonderful series so far, I can't wait for Sybi's book!
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in The Made Ones Saga, and you really should read book one, Altered, before this one. It does overlap/intertwine some with this one, and you need to hear from Kit at points along the way where it does.
Bree is Kit's sister. She has awakened on Eleutia, and finds herself at Catamount. Gato is Alpha Cat. These two butt heads a lot here, especially in the beginning but Gato soon becomes wise to Bree and her antics.
We catch up with Kit and Rafe, and what their scientists have discovered, and some more information about why Eleutia is dying, and more importantly, HOW comes to light. Still can't quite see where THAT's all going though!
Gato and Bree are perfect for each other, they really are, especially as Bree bonds with the cubs, which is unheard of for a non-cat. I loved that it took time for them to come together, to fully form their friendship, before they jump into bed with each other.
Gato does something here, which wasn't ideal, but all parties were in agreement and I'm intrigued as to how Kes manages to get free, hoping we find in the next book!
We discover what has happened to the third sister, Sybi, and how she comes to be in the land of the CastOuts. And her story begins right at the end of this one.
It's been a while since I read the first book (Aug 2019) so it took me a little bit of time to catch up with who all the major players were, and what was going on, but not long, and I thoroughly enjoyed Bree and Gato's story.
Wonderful series so far, I can't wait for Sybi's book!
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
August 30, 2020
I fell in love with Altered, the first of The Made Ones saga, and that attraction hasn't lessened with Changed, the second in the saga. Attraction, animal attraction, could well define this complex novel, as Bree and her two sisters , 'changed' by The Alchemists of the parallel world of Eleutia, fall in love with leaders of the Wolf and Cat clans. Gato, the commander of the Cat clan, has his own inner demons to fight but there is no way he can fight off his growing love for Bree, whom he is determined to protect. Vicki Stiefel's powerful imagination has woven a romance, sci-fi, and fantasy into one mesmerizing story you won't want to miss. Bravo, Ms. Stiefel!
September 13, 2020
What a wonderful trip back to the world of the Made Ones. I have been curious about Gato since book 1 and his and Bree’s story did not disappoint. The original concept in this series regarding the supernaturals sucks me right in every time. The big background story has been heating up and I am DYING to see how these sisters kick the Alchemists butts in the next book, and also to see Sybi’s story conclude. It’s all been leading up to this! I am going to be waiting, not so patiently, for the conclusion to this series!
January 31, 2021
What a world!! Found myself getting excited every day so I could sink into this novel again. And then devastated to realize the third book isn't out yet. A rare thing for the second book to be even better than the first, Vicki has created a delectable, robust world with excellent chemistry between characters
April 29, 2021
Amazing!!
I loved this book. The whole series is amazing. Bree and Gato are a match made in heaven. Can’t wait for the final installment.
I loved this book. The whole series is amazing. Bree and Gato are a match made in heaven. Can’t wait for the final installment.
October 6, 2020
Breena or Bree has been pulled from her world, Earth to a parallel world, Eleutia where she was changed. Bree was on the brink of death from a disease on Earth. She was pulled without her knowledge from Earth and dumped on Eleutia. Once Bree awakened on Eleutia she finds that she has been changed with a new body and looks.
Bree soon learns that she is nothing more than a prisoner on Eleutia with a jailer, Gato. Bree also learns that she was pulled from her home to be a breeder for the Eleutians. Their race is dying out with no one able to have babies. Bree learns that her sisters were pulled with her to Eleutia. Bree has no idea where they are but is very determined to find them.
Bree is attracked to Gato a Clan Alpha with the Cats. Gato tries to keep his feelings for Bree at bay because he is supposed to be her protector but the heart doesn’t know that he has a job to do. Bree learns that her sister Kitlyn is with the Wolf Clan Alpha Rafe.
Bree learns that there are some people on Eleutia that don’t like her because she is a made one and try to kill her. Bree helps a couple of cubs on Eleutia after she helps them she bonds with them. No one likes that she has bonded with the cubs either which could be another reason they want her dead, just saying.
If you like fantasy, other worldly novels then you are going to love Changed. I would recommend Changed book two in the Made Ones Saga but I do suggest that you read Altered book one first so that you can get the whole picture.
Bree soon learns that she is nothing more than a prisoner on Eleutia with a jailer, Gato. Bree also learns that she was pulled from her home to be a breeder for the Eleutians. Their race is dying out with no one able to have babies. Bree learns that her sisters were pulled with her to Eleutia. Bree has no idea where they are but is very determined to find them.
Bree is attracked to Gato a Clan Alpha with the Cats. Gato tries to keep his feelings for Bree at bay because he is supposed to be her protector but the heart doesn’t know that he has a job to do. Bree learns that her sister Kitlyn is with the Wolf Clan Alpha Rafe.
Bree learns that there are some people on Eleutia that don’t like her because she is a made one and try to kill her. Bree helps a couple of cubs on Eleutia after she helps them she bonds with them. No one likes that she has bonded with the cubs either which could be another reason they want her dead, just saying.
If you like fantasy, other worldly novels then you are going to love Changed. I would recommend Changed book two in the Made Ones Saga but I do suggest that you read Altered book one first so that you can get the whole picture.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews