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Phased
According to the Department of Domestication and Assimilation, Val and Lyla Blackwood are the most dangerous kind of werewolves. Although they were raised in the wild, their Trueblood heritage has made them little more than experiments for years. Now, their freedom depends on their ability to become as human as possible, thrown into an assimilation school with humans and werewolves who have never known what it means to be wild. Trapped in a world where they don't belong and fighting to stay one step ahead of the horrific past that chases them, any wrong move could send them back to those stark white cells, losing their last chance of freedom.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2020
3 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 27, 2024
Sofia and I teamed up for a buddy read and a non-spoiler discussion of Phased, the young adult fantasy by Victoria Tecken.
Characters:
[John] Val and Lyla are two Trueblood sisters, powerful werewolves who struggle to control their primal instincts.
[Sofia] At least that’s what is implied by the DAO, a shady organization that aims to suppress the werewolves’ phasing between humanlike and lupine states. Without the DAO, Val and Lyla wouldn’t be forced to battle their wolf sides, which would otherwise be an integrated part of who they are.
[John] Lyla seems to have more control over her emotions and, as a result, a greater control over her phasing behavior. Val, on the other hand, is more powerful but volatile. The relationship between the two sisters is at the core of the novel. Tecken creates a realistic portrait of two sisters who love each other but have frustrations in their relationship.
[Sofia] I love the depiction of the anger that sometimes flares between the two. They’re so different and they aren’t always able to understand why the other acts the way she does. Tecken writes both sisters very well and candidly portrays the struggles in their relationship as well as the joys.
[John] Ultimately they are looking out for each other and will do what’s best for one another. But they may have different interpretations about what is best.
[Sofia] The two sisters aren’t the only great characters in Phased. There’s a compelling cast of side characters as well, although many of them fall into the usual archetypes.
[John] My favorite supporting cast member is Christopher. He is such a cinnamon roll: intelligent, thoughtful, kind, caring, and in need of protection from a werewolf friend.
[Sofia] I think what he needs is a hug.
[John] I’ll give you a hug, Christopher.
[Sofia] I like how the members of the friend group each see werewolves from their own points of view. That’s explored in interesting ways throughout the book. There’s Christopher, an inquisitive human sympathetic to the Truebloods. There’s Lex, a “Domesticated” werewolf who gets his first taste of his natural instincts. And then there’s Jules, a sweet Were who doesn’t know firsthand what it’s actually like to be a werewolf and humanizes terms like “the pack” because she doesn’t understand the full meaning of the word in the context of werewolf culture.
[John] Even though some of the characters fall into archetypes, I found them all to be very relatable.
[Sofia] I agree. There’s a reason why those archetypes formed over time. I think Tecken did an excellent job with the characters.
Worldbuilding:
[John] Phased has a modern, present-day setting. There are phones, emails, and text messages, but fortunately no pop culture references that would make the book seem outdated a decade from now.
[Sofia] I think a lot of fantasy books—and novels in general—with a contemporary setting unfortunately fall into the trap of saturating the narrative with modern colloquialisms and references that fade quickly over time.
[John] Agreed. Victoria Tecken has done an excellent job balancing the modern setting with a more timeless feel to the story and narration. For me, the present-day setting helped to make the characters and story feel more relatable.
[Sofia] As with most school settings in fantasy books, tropes of social cliques, bullies, and bookworms are used. This makes certain aspects of the book, especially the inter-character relationships, feel predictable. But again, these are cliches for a reason: they reflect the universal high school experience. Personally, I’m very fond of schools in fantasy and thoroughly enjoyed the drama.
[John] The scope of the worldbuilding broadens in the latter part of the book, including the history of the werewolves and their relationship with humanity. This works effectively because we’ve already built a strong connection with Val, Lyla, and many of the side characters at this point. There’s also more to the DAO than is initially apparent.
[Sofia] Overall, the worldbuilding was immersive, interesting, and effective.
Plot and Pacing:
[John] Victoria Tecken maintains a consistent pacing throughout the novel: not too fast, not too slow, building up to some intense action at the end.
[Sofia] Phased is so enjoyable. The plot doesn’t demand a lot of reading between the lines, but it’s still emotionally subtle when it needs to be.
[John] That’s an excellent point about Tecken’s subtlety, a refreshing change from many other young adult werewolf fantasies…
[Sofia] Everything falls together in a satisfying yet realistic way. There were several surprising and well-paced plot twists. It’s definitely a carefully planned book.
Themes:
[John] Victoria Tecken is especially strong when it comes to depicting mental health issues in her characters, focusing on the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced by the sisters as a result of childhood trauma. These struggles are handled with nuance and honesty, which set this book apart from many others.
[Sofia] I agree. That was the most impactful aspect of the book for me.
[John] I was particularly struck by the numbness that the sisters experienced at certain points in the novel. Their human and lupine identities are both critical to who they are as characters. By suppressing a part of themselves, they risk becoming numb to their entire being.
[Sofia] The DAO wants to eliminate the aspect of the werewolves that they see as primitive and feral. By forcing them to masquerade as human, something that is a fraction of who they are, the DAO condemns them to live what is basically only half a life. That’s one of the things the sisters struggle with throughout the book. But we know they can find friendship and happiness with humans while also living as they were meant to live. That’s what the DAO refuses to understand.
[John] There is also a strong focus on themes of sisterhood, friendship, and found family. There’s even some light romance. Do you think this worked effectively?
[Sofia] I don’t think much about the story would have changed had these characters been “just friends.”
[John] Agreed. The romance was unnecessary but ultimately innocuous. I’m also curious to hear your thoughts about friendship versus blood bonds, which kind of forced a different type of relationship between characters.
[Sofia] I didn’t see it that way. I think the characters involved were concerned that a blood bond would cause them to misconstrue their own feelings for each other, but I don’t think the formation of the blood bond forced any development to occur.
[John] Perhaps it only accelerated the inevitable.
[Sofia] The author also did a great job presenting misunderstanding between people who come from different backgrounds and the danger of dehumanizing those you don’t understand.
[John] I appreciated the surprising sympathy that came from some unexpected sources.
Writing:
[John] Victoria Tecken’s writing is well-polished and straightforward, written in a young adult style that serves as an effective vehicle for delivering her story. The flashbacks to Val and Lyla’s childhood days in the forest are well done and pack an emotional punch.
[Sofia] For me, the bigger emotional punch came from the sisters’ reactions to situations in the present day that reminded them of their past and the life that they lost.
Overall Thoughts:
[John] What are your overall thoughts on the novel?
[Sofia] I really liked Phased. It’s a book that I can appreciate from a thematic and emotional perspective and also enjoy as an entertaining story. My rating is 4.5/5.
[John] I fully agree with your assessment and also rate this book 4.5/5. Although it’s a young adult novel, I highly recommend this for adults as well.
Characters:
[John] Val and Lyla are two Trueblood sisters, powerful werewolves who struggle to control their primal instincts.
[Sofia] At least that’s what is implied by the DAO, a shady organization that aims to suppress the werewolves’ phasing between humanlike and lupine states. Without the DAO, Val and Lyla wouldn’t be forced to battle their wolf sides, which would otherwise be an integrated part of who they are.
[John] Lyla seems to have more control over her emotions and, as a result, a greater control over her phasing behavior. Val, on the other hand, is more powerful but volatile. The relationship between the two sisters is at the core of the novel. Tecken creates a realistic portrait of two sisters who love each other but have frustrations in their relationship.
[Sofia] I love the depiction of the anger that sometimes flares between the two. They’re so different and they aren’t always able to understand why the other acts the way she does. Tecken writes both sisters very well and candidly portrays the struggles in their relationship as well as the joys.
[John] Ultimately they are looking out for each other and will do what’s best for one another. But they may have different interpretations about what is best.
[Sofia] The two sisters aren’t the only great characters in Phased. There’s a compelling cast of side characters as well, although many of them fall into the usual archetypes.
[John] My favorite supporting cast member is Christopher. He is such a cinnamon roll: intelligent, thoughtful, kind, caring, and in need of protection from a werewolf friend.
[Sofia] I think what he needs is a hug.
[John] I’ll give you a hug, Christopher.
[Sofia] I like how the members of the friend group each see werewolves from their own points of view. That’s explored in interesting ways throughout the book. There’s Christopher, an inquisitive human sympathetic to the Truebloods. There’s Lex, a “Domesticated” werewolf who gets his first taste of his natural instincts. And then there’s Jules, a sweet Were who doesn’t know firsthand what it’s actually like to be a werewolf and humanizes terms like “the pack” because she doesn’t understand the full meaning of the word in the context of werewolf culture.
[John] Even though some of the characters fall into archetypes, I found them all to be very relatable.
[Sofia] I agree. There’s a reason why those archetypes formed over time. I think Tecken did an excellent job with the characters.
Worldbuilding:
[John] Phased has a modern, present-day setting. There are phones, emails, and text messages, but fortunately no pop culture references that would make the book seem outdated a decade from now.
[Sofia] I think a lot of fantasy books—and novels in general—with a contemporary setting unfortunately fall into the trap of saturating the narrative with modern colloquialisms and references that fade quickly over time.
[John] Agreed. Victoria Tecken has done an excellent job balancing the modern setting with a more timeless feel to the story and narration. For me, the present-day setting helped to make the characters and story feel more relatable.
[Sofia] As with most school settings in fantasy books, tropes of social cliques, bullies, and bookworms are used. This makes certain aspects of the book, especially the inter-character relationships, feel predictable. But again, these are cliches for a reason: they reflect the universal high school experience. Personally, I’m very fond of schools in fantasy and thoroughly enjoyed the drama.
[John] The scope of the worldbuilding broadens in the latter part of the book, including the history of the werewolves and their relationship with humanity. This works effectively because we’ve already built a strong connection with Val, Lyla, and many of the side characters at this point. There’s also more to the DAO than is initially apparent.
[Sofia] Overall, the worldbuilding was immersive, interesting, and effective.
Plot and Pacing:
[John] Victoria Tecken maintains a consistent pacing throughout the novel: not too fast, not too slow, building up to some intense action at the end.
[Sofia] Phased is so enjoyable. The plot doesn’t demand a lot of reading between the lines, but it’s still emotionally subtle when it needs to be.
[John] That’s an excellent point about Tecken’s subtlety, a refreshing change from many other young adult werewolf fantasies…
[Sofia] Everything falls together in a satisfying yet realistic way. There were several surprising and well-paced plot twists. It’s definitely a carefully planned book.
Themes:
[John] Victoria Tecken is especially strong when it comes to depicting mental health issues in her characters, focusing on the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced by the sisters as a result of childhood trauma. These struggles are handled with nuance and honesty, which set this book apart from many others.
[Sofia] I agree. That was the most impactful aspect of the book for me.
[John] I was particularly struck by the numbness that the sisters experienced at certain points in the novel. Their human and lupine identities are both critical to who they are as characters. By suppressing a part of themselves, they risk becoming numb to their entire being.
[Sofia] The DAO wants to eliminate the aspect of the werewolves that they see as primitive and feral. By forcing them to masquerade as human, something that is a fraction of who they are, the DAO condemns them to live what is basically only half a life. That’s one of the things the sisters struggle with throughout the book. But we know they can find friendship and happiness with humans while also living as they were meant to live. That’s what the DAO refuses to understand.
[John] There is also a strong focus on themes of sisterhood, friendship, and found family. There’s even some light romance. Do you think this worked effectively?
[Sofia] I don’t think much about the story would have changed had these characters been “just friends.”
[John] Agreed. The romance was unnecessary but ultimately innocuous. I’m also curious to hear your thoughts about friendship versus blood bonds, which kind of forced a different type of relationship between characters.
[Sofia] I didn’t see it that way. I think the characters involved were concerned that a blood bond would cause them to misconstrue their own feelings for each other, but I don’t think the formation of the blood bond forced any development to occur.
[John] Perhaps it only accelerated the inevitable.
[Sofia] The author also did a great job presenting misunderstanding between people who come from different backgrounds and the danger of dehumanizing those you don’t understand.
[John] I appreciated the surprising sympathy that came from some unexpected sources.
Writing:
[John] Victoria Tecken’s writing is well-polished and straightforward, written in a young adult style that serves as an effective vehicle for delivering her story. The flashbacks to Val and Lyla’s childhood days in the forest are well done and pack an emotional punch.
[Sofia] For me, the bigger emotional punch came from the sisters’ reactions to situations in the present day that reminded them of their past and the life that they lost.
Overall Thoughts:
[John] What are your overall thoughts on the novel?
[Sofia] I really liked Phased. It’s a book that I can appreciate from a thematic and emotional perspective and also enjoy as an entertaining story. My rating is 4.5/5.
[John] I fully agree with your assessment and also rate this book 4.5/5. Although it’s a young adult novel, I highly recommend this for adults as well.
March 16, 2023
4.5/5 rounded up to 5
Review to come I’m still processing this one! Super good though feel ALL OF THE EMOTIONS
Review to come I’m still processing this one! Super good though feel ALL OF THE EMOTIONS
December 26, 2022
Haven’t we all asked for novel about the Hogwarts Marauders? Victoria Tecken has inadvertantly done just that. In Phased we are quickly dropped in a highschool of various “levels” of Weres (fans of Netflix’s Wednesday will be at home) and we’re given the lay of the land—always with the looming sense dread that is the DOA, which has long had our main protagonists under intensive training and experimentation, ala Stranger Things’ Hawking National Lab.
While I don’t normally read YA, I’m not Unfamiliar with it. Smallville, The second half of the Harry Potter series, Hunger Fames. What Phased has over all of these is a richer cast of non-melodramatic characters. Teens they may be, but the drama never passed an awkward cringe point—they were relatable, and their core purposes were never lost nor confusing.
I think Phased is just the beginning and I look forward to seeing it joined by more books in the series, providing some great new options for readers.
To summarize, if you’re looking for a book that hits the cross point in a Venn Diagram of Wednesday, Stranger Things, and the Hogwarts Marauders, Phased by Victoria Tecken needs to be your next read.
4.6/5
While I don’t normally read YA, I’m not Unfamiliar with it. Smallville, The second half of the Harry Potter series, Hunger Fames. What Phased has over all of these is a richer cast of non-melodramatic characters. Teens they may be, but the drama never passed an awkward cringe point—they were relatable, and their core purposes were never lost nor confusing.
I think Phased is just the beginning and I look forward to seeing it joined by more books in the series, providing some great new options for readers.
To summarize, if you’re looking for a book that hits the cross point in a Venn Diagram of Wednesday, Stranger Things, and the Hogwarts Marauders, Phased by Victoria Tecken needs to be your next read.
4.6/5
May 6, 2023
4.5 ⭐️ What a great example of how good paranormal teen YA can be!! I had a blast reading this book. I grew so attached to the characters, and the stakes kept being raised in a way that really kept the tension and excitement high, but always felt earned and believable. Great book, and I’m already recommending it to several friends who love reading in this genre! Can’t wait to read more from Victoria Tecken.
April 23, 2023
I could not put this book down. I was drawn in by the characters and their relationships with one another, I was fascinated with the twist on how the author illustrated the hierarchy of the werewolf packs and I cried all the way through the last 25 pages. I immediately messaged the author inquiring if this would be a series and as of the time I'm writing this, I HAVEN'T HEARD BACK AND IT IS LITERALLY KILLING ME. Friends, this is a YA urban fantasy book and I was absolutely addicted to it.
EDIT The author finally responded AND WE'RE GETTING A SEQUEL, BABY!
Plot: 8
Characters: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Logic: 8
Intrigue: 10
Writing: 9
Enjoyment: 9
Plot
This is a little different take on the werewolf lore and pack hierarchy. Several interesting twists in how the pack operates which I won't go into here so as to leave the discovery to you the reader to enjoy. Sisters Lyla and Valentine Blackwood, after 7 years of testing, experimenting and "treatment" are assimilated into a special school to see if they are able to acclimate. The Department of Domestication and Assimilation have done their very best to eradicate the wolf in these girls who were raised in the wild and are considered to be the most dangerous kind of werewolf - a Trueblood.
I couldn't get enough! I've read so many stories about werewolves and I'll read hundreds more, but this one is memorable due to its unique characteristics added and what the werewolves as a whole experienced and went through.
Characters
The characters are so good. Yes, they're teenagers - but I think what sets this one apart from some of its YA counterparts is what these kids have been through. Some of them are orphans, others went through "treatment" and they all are forced to suppress who they truly are through drugs to keep them from phasing into wolves. While forced to grow up faster than a normal teenager, they did act with more maturity but also they just wanted the freedom to be...free. Free to run, free to just be kids. My heart was stolen by the Blackwood sisters very quickly. The two didn't make new friends easily, but as their hearts were won over by a few others, mine was also.
Atmosphere
I loved the school setting. As I mentioned earlier, the majority of the story takes place at the Westbrook assimilation school. There are human students mixed in with the werewolf students. Some of the werewolf students have never even phased, they've been on suppression drugs since they were born. Even so, it was an interesting dynamic watching the different wolves pair off in groups based on their rank, most did it without realizing it.
Logic
Sure, we're deep off into the supernatural side of things here with werewolves, but we can still take a look at the logic of the story. Did the author make it make sense? In this case, absolutely. I never felt lost or caught myself squinting sideways at something I had just read.
Intrigue
I could not put this book down. Didn't want to. I was addicted almost instantly. I wanted to know more about the Blackwood sisters' family, how the werewolves phasing worked, these drugs that were suppressing the ability to phase, the sisters trying to learn to fit into this world they don't feel they belong in - I couldn't read fast enough! Why were werewolves targeted for assimilation anyway? Were there other supernatural types going to show up too? My greed to know more knew no bounds.
Writing
The fact I couldn't read fast this one fast enough is flattery not only as far as intrigue, but also to the writing style of the author. If it's purple prose or dense, I read very slowly. Tecken's style is easy to understand and flows so smoothly that I was able to read like a little lunatic and comprehend what I was reading. (I know that makes no sense, but my fellow slow readers get it. Sometimes you just find that golden goose author who turns you into a speed reading demon!)
Enjoyment
I am so sad it's over. The book hangover is real. I had zero self control to slow down and make it last longer, I *had* to know what was going to happen next. This is a book I think could be enjoyed by the whole family. It's YA, but written in a way that appeals to both young adults and adults (I'm 46 and loved it) - it's wholesome, exciting and entertaining.
EDIT The author finally responded AND WE'RE GETTING A SEQUEL, BABY!
Plot: 8
Characters: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Logic: 8
Intrigue: 10
Writing: 9
Enjoyment: 9
Plot
This is a little different take on the werewolf lore and pack hierarchy. Several interesting twists in how the pack operates which I won't go into here so as to leave the discovery to you the reader to enjoy. Sisters Lyla and Valentine Blackwood, after 7 years of testing, experimenting and "treatment" are assimilated into a special school to see if they are able to acclimate. The Department of Domestication and Assimilation have done their very best to eradicate the wolf in these girls who were raised in the wild and are considered to be the most dangerous kind of werewolf - a Trueblood.
I couldn't get enough! I've read so many stories about werewolves and I'll read hundreds more, but this one is memorable due to its unique characteristics added and what the werewolves as a whole experienced and went through.
Characters
The characters are so good. Yes, they're teenagers - but I think what sets this one apart from some of its YA counterparts is what these kids have been through. Some of them are orphans, others went through "treatment" and they all are forced to suppress who they truly are through drugs to keep them from phasing into wolves. While forced to grow up faster than a normal teenager, they did act with more maturity but also they just wanted the freedom to be...free. Free to run, free to just be kids. My heart was stolen by the Blackwood sisters very quickly. The two didn't make new friends easily, but as their hearts were won over by a few others, mine was also.
Atmosphere
I loved the school setting. As I mentioned earlier, the majority of the story takes place at the Westbrook assimilation school. There are human students mixed in with the werewolf students. Some of the werewolf students have never even phased, they've been on suppression drugs since they were born. Even so, it was an interesting dynamic watching the different wolves pair off in groups based on their rank, most did it without realizing it.
Logic
Sure, we're deep off into the supernatural side of things here with werewolves, but we can still take a look at the logic of the story. Did the author make it make sense? In this case, absolutely. I never felt lost or caught myself squinting sideways at something I had just read.
Intrigue
I could not put this book down. Didn't want to. I was addicted almost instantly. I wanted to know more about the Blackwood sisters' family, how the werewolves phasing worked, these drugs that were suppressing the ability to phase, the sisters trying to learn to fit into this world they don't feel they belong in - I couldn't read fast enough! Why were werewolves targeted for assimilation anyway? Were there other supernatural types going to show up too? My greed to know more knew no bounds.
Writing
The fact I couldn't read fast this one fast enough is flattery not only as far as intrigue, but also to the writing style of the author. If it's purple prose or dense, I read very slowly. Tecken's style is easy to understand and flows so smoothly that I was able to read like a little lunatic and comprehend what I was reading. (I know that makes no sense, but my fellow slow readers get it. Sometimes you just find that golden goose author who turns you into a speed reading demon!)
Enjoyment
I am so sad it's over. The book hangover is real. I had zero self control to slow down and make it last longer, I *had* to know what was going to happen next. This is a book I think could be enjoyed by the whole family. It's YA, but written in a way that appeals to both young adults and adults (I'm 46 and loved it) - it's wholesome, exciting and entertaining.
January 9, 2023
3.5 stars (rounded up)
Look, I will be the first to admit that YA urban/paranormal fantasy isn’t my usual genre, but Phased turned out to be the type of werewolf story I didn’t know I needed
It manages to feel both familiar and completely fresh at the same time, which made for one of the most enjoyable and engaging reading experiences I have had in a while!
This story focuses on the Blackwood sisters, Val and Lyla, whose trueblood heritage has marked them as two of the most dangerous werewolves alive. For years, they have been separated and treated as little more than experiments by the DOA, but now they are thrown into an assimilation school where they have to prove that they can assimilate and integrate into human society. Haunted by their traumatic pasts, they must learn to control their primal instinct or else risk losing each other and their final chance at freedom.
Val and Lyla are great protagonists and their sisterly bond was definitely one of the highlights of the book for me. They might still be young, but they are very emotionally mature because of all the horrific things they have already had to endure. I loved the nuanced and delicate exploration of mental health and trauma in this story and I think the characters’ inner struggles were portrayed in a really raw and authentic way. It was also super refreshing to see that the author doesn’t shy away from the uglier moments of dealing with mental health struggles. I mean, yes, these girls are extremely strong and resilient, but we also get to see them break down and be vulnerable, which I really appreciated.
My only nitpick with the characterization is that I sometimes had a bit of a hard time distinguishing between the two sisters’ POVs, because they read very similar in my mind. Maybe it was just me being a bit of a distracted reader though, because these sisters actually have very distinct personalities, so I don’t know exactly where that disconnect came from.
Now, who doesn’t love a good school setting in their fantasy stories? To be fair, this school setting feels more like a regular high school such as in Teenwolf rather than something whimsical like Hogwarts in Harry Potter, but I still really enjoyed it. These types of contained school settings tend to result in a more character-driven narrative and always feature some great friendships and rivalries, which was definitely the case here. I loved seeing Val and Lyla slowly start to let people in and build up deep relationships after having been cut off from society for so long. I do have to admit that I think the side characters were a bit underdeveloped, especially compared to our extremely complex and three-dimensional protagonists, but I still ended up really enjoying them for how they interacted with Val and Lyla. The friendships and hints of romance that bloom here are absolutely to die for and they just filled my heart with joy.
I also really enjoyed the werewolf lore and was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns this story ended up taking. For the majority of the book, the plot doesn’t feel too inventive or surprising, but then there are some interesting reveals that really shake things up. You will just have to give this book a shot to find out what I am talking about for yourself ;)
Overall, I just had a really good time with this story and I think it could be a huge hit for many readers, even if this may not be their usual genre/age range. It’s a very approachable, enjoyable and engaging story, but it also has a bit of a darker edge and really packs a punch.
If you are looking for a fast-paced, character-driven story full of dynamic characters and strong relationships, great mental health exploration and some intriguing werewolf lore, then I highly recommend Phased. I had a blast!
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free review copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Look, I will be the first to admit that YA urban/paranormal fantasy isn’t my usual genre, but Phased turned out to be the type of werewolf story I didn’t know I needed
It manages to feel both familiar and completely fresh at the same time, which made for one of the most enjoyable and engaging reading experiences I have had in a while!
This story focuses on the Blackwood sisters, Val and Lyla, whose trueblood heritage has marked them as two of the most dangerous werewolves alive. For years, they have been separated and treated as little more than experiments by the DOA, but now they are thrown into an assimilation school where they have to prove that they can assimilate and integrate into human society. Haunted by their traumatic pasts, they must learn to control their primal instinct or else risk losing each other and their final chance at freedom.
Val and Lyla are great protagonists and their sisterly bond was definitely one of the highlights of the book for me. They might still be young, but they are very emotionally mature because of all the horrific things they have already had to endure. I loved the nuanced and delicate exploration of mental health and trauma in this story and I think the characters’ inner struggles were portrayed in a really raw and authentic way. It was also super refreshing to see that the author doesn’t shy away from the uglier moments of dealing with mental health struggles. I mean, yes, these girls are extremely strong and resilient, but we also get to see them break down and be vulnerable, which I really appreciated.
My only nitpick with the characterization is that I sometimes had a bit of a hard time distinguishing between the two sisters’ POVs, because they read very similar in my mind. Maybe it was just me being a bit of a distracted reader though, because these sisters actually have very distinct personalities, so I don’t know exactly where that disconnect came from.
Now, who doesn’t love a good school setting in their fantasy stories? To be fair, this school setting feels more like a regular high school such as in Teenwolf rather than something whimsical like Hogwarts in Harry Potter, but I still really enjoyed it. These types of contained school settings tend to result in a more character-driven narrative and always feature some great friendships and rivalries, which was definitely the case here. I loved seeing Val and Lyla slowly start to let people in and build up deep relationships after having been cut off from society for so long. I do have to admit that I think the side characters were a bit underdeveloped, especially compared to our extremely complex and three-dimensional protagonists, but I still ended up really enjoying them for how they interacted with Val and Lyla. The friendships and hints of romance that bloom here are absolutely to die for and they just filled my heart with joy.
I also really enjoyed the werewolf lore and was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns this story ended up taking. For the majority of the book, the plot doesn’t feel too inventive or surprising, but then there are some interesting reveals that really shake things up. You will just have to give this book a shot to find out what I am talking about for yourself ;)
Overall, I just had a really good time with this story and I think it could be a huge hit for many readers, even if this may not be their usual genre/age range. It’s a very approachable, enjoyable and engaging story, but it also has a bit of a darker edge and really packs a punch.
If you are looking for a fast-paced, character-driven story full of dynamic characters and strong relationships, great mental health exploration and some intriguing werewolf lore, then I highly recommend Phased. I had a blast!
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free review copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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October 5, 2023A delightful tale of two closely bonded sisters, under threatening pressure to fit in and assimilate into human culture and manage the ups and downs of a boarding school setting. The institutional threat hanging over their heads, and the difficulty of their werewolf nature sets an edge on their effort to make friends and the regimen placed on them by human society.
Stand the trope of Buffy on its head, throw in some bullying and sinister plotting, and you have a story of sibling love and loyalty, deep friendships in difficult straits, and a modern setting with young protagonists who wrestle with flaws and emotions born of a nightmare past trauma, and the uncertainties of growing up and the real fears of becoming institutionalized, and you have a story with tension aplenty brought to a suspenseful conclusion as some of the adults in control of the sisters' fates are not at all what they claim to be.
Stand the trope of Buffy on its head, throw in some bullying and sinister plotting, and you have a story of sibling love and loyalty, deep friendships in difficult straits, and a modern setting with young protagonists who wrestle with flaws and emotions born of a nightmare past trauma, and the uncertainties of growing up and the real fears of becoming institutionalized, and you have a story with tension aplenty brought to a suspenseful conclusion as some of the adults in control of the sisters' fates are not at all what they claim to be.
January 4, 2023
Full text review: https://jamreads.com/reviews/phased-b...
Phased is a novel about werewolves, one that enters the category of paranormal YA, but at the same time it is kinda different from the rest of the books that share the genre with it, a take on Urban Fantasy, and giving a big spotlight to the mental health subtheme, which is explored from the eyes of the two Blackwood sisters, Val and Lyla, our main characters, two werewolves that are under the supervision of the DOA, which had experimented with them, and that now is allowing the sisters to join a normal school.
Val and Lyla Blackwood will be the main focus of the story, and how they adapt to this new life after having been part of cruel experiments. Obviously, as they are also powerful werewolves, it's not going to be easy, as they are meant to maintain control over their instincts, while being the focus of every single person. The family dynamic between Val and Lyla is really interesting, as both are counterparts that keep the other in a good emotional situation. While Val is anger and strength, endurance, Lyla is control over everything.
Tecken also uses this novel as a way to explore different mental diseases, putting the focus on the PTSD that the two sisters suffer after the traumatic situation they experienced in the past. Depicting this kind of problem is not easy, but I think the way it is narrated hits the head of the nail in that aspect, using flashbacks and internal thoughts as the main driver to carry this message.
The concept of werewolf also gets twisted in this novel, being different from the classic shapeshifter affected by the Moon phases, and instead being closer to humans, while also keeping some aspects of the wolves. They are also classified as alphas, betas, and so, with a hierarchy, with packs as the main group unit.
Phased is a great Urban Fantasy novel, one about found family and the importance of bonds among people. While there are aspects I would like to have seen more explored, I think it's such an entertaining book, and I want to see what more Victoria Tecken is capable of.
Phased is a novel about werewolves, one that enters the category of paranormal YA, but at the same time it is kinda different from the rest of the books that share the genre with it, a take on Urban Fantasy, and giving a big spotlight to the mental health subtheme, which is explored from the eyes of the two Blackwood sisters, Val and Lyla, our main characters, two werewolves that are under the supervision of the DOA, which had experimented with them, and that now is allowing the sisters to join a normal school.
Val and Lyla Blackwood will be the main focus of the story, and how they adapt to this new life after having been part of cruel experiments. Obviously, as they are also powerful werewolves, it's not going to be easy, as they are meant to maintain control over their instincts, while being the focus of every single person. The family dynamic between Val and Lyla is really interesting, as both are counterparts that keep the other in a good emotional situation. While Val is anger and strength, endurance, Lyla is control over everything.
Tecken also uses this novel as a way to explore different mental diseases, putting the focus on the PTSD that the two sisters suffer after the traumatic situation they experienced in the past. Depicting this kind of problem is not easy, but I think the way it is narrated hits the head of the nail in that aspect, using flashbacks and internal thoughts as the main driver to carry this message.
The concept of werewolf also gets twisted in this novel, being different from the classic shapeshifter affected by the Moon phases, and instead being closer to humans, while also keeping some aspects of the wolves. They are also classified as alphas, betas, and so, with a hierarchy, with packs as the main group unit.
Phased is a great Urban Fantasy novel, one about found family and the importance of bonds among people. While there are aspects I would like to have seen more explored, I think it's such an entertaining book, and I want to see what more Victoria Tecken is capable of.
June 14, 2023
I was really in the mood for a good monster story (werewolves, vampires, aliens, etc) when I came across this book and… I enjoyed it so much I had a difficult time putting it down! Phased shows readers what life could look like with an abundance of werewolves living among humans, where werewolves are being forced to erase their wolf side, or else... Two teen sister werewolves with a rare and super strong bond are the main focus, and I loved reading about these characters and their friends!
This is easily one of my favorite books I’ve read this year!
This is easily one of my favorite books I’ve read this year!
April 30, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyable book!
This is marketed as YA, and honestly, I'm not intimately familiar with YA. However, be aware that while the MC's (twin sister werewolves in an alternate present day setting where werewolves are oppressed in some very X-Men-y ways) are teenagers, some of the themes are quite dark. I wouldn't hand this to my 10 year old (if I had a 10 year old) but your results may vary. The MC's have been through some severe trauma (due to the oppression I mentioned). It's well written and not gratuitous, but still pretty dark.
There's some action, but it's not really an action story. The MC's are only mildly proactive (it makes sense, given the setting) in the traditional sense - this is more a story about surviving and enduring trauma, and working to make the best of things within that context, than about the heroes finding the magic macguffin and beating the big bad. Obviously, that's not going to work for EVERY reader, but nothing does.
Prose was very smooth. Lots of werewolf lore and magic on hand, all nicely done.
This is marketed as YA, and honestly, I'm not intimately familiar with YA. However, be aware that while the MC's (twin sister werewolves in an alternate present day setting where werewolves are oppressed in some very X-Men-y ways) are teenagers, some of the themes are quite dark. I wouldn't hand this to my 10 year old (if I had a 10 year old) but your results may vary. The MC's have been through some severe trauma (due to the oppression I mentioned). It's well written and not gratuitous, but still pretty dark.
There's some action, but it's not really an action story. The MC's are only mildly proactive (it makes sense, given the setting) in the traditional sense - this is more a story about surviving and enduring trauma, and working to make the best of things within that context, than about the heroes finding the magic macguffin and beating the big bad. Obviously, that's not going to work for EVERY reader, but nothing does.
Prose was very smooth. Lots of werewolf lore and magic on hand, all nicely done.
February 11, 2021
If you like a good paranormal YA featuring strong family bonds, and in a sense, found family bonds? This is the story for you. In a society where werewolves are trying to be integrated back into human society through a government run program, Val and Lyla Blackwood are considered two of the most dangerous in the program. Can they assimilate and remain together? Or is there more to the program than meets the eye?
The character relationships in this novel are wonderful and the pacing keeps the story moving. You will definitely adore not just the sisters, but also the friends they make along the way.
The character relationships in this novel are wonderful and the pacing keeps the story moving. You will definitely adore not just the sisters, but also the friends they make along the way.
July 7, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book! I'm not someone who reads paranormal fiction. If there's a werewolf or vampire in it, I usually walk the other way. But I'm glad I didn't walk away from this book. It had such a unique take on werewolves, and was fascinating in its implications. I also really enjoyed the beautiful sisterhood that Val and Lyla share, as well as its frank examination of issues like trauma and anxiety. I'd recommend it for anyone interested in a fresh take on werewolves, and for young readers who need something that tackles tough issues without being too heavy.
March 22, 2023
4.5 rounded up.
This is what good writing can do! This is a YA werewolf story with two female protagonists that are sisters, I am not the target audience for this by any means but because of the well written prose, and fantastic world building, I found myself sucked in and really rooting for these characters.
YA at times can often feel very predictable, this had twists and turns that I didn't see coming, along with a gut wrenching finale. Fingers crossed for a sequel
This is what good writing can do! This is a YA werewolf story with two female protagonists that are sisters, I am not the target audience for this by any means but because of the well written prose, and fantastic world building, I found myself sucked in and really rooting for these characters.
YA at times can often feel very predictable, this had twists and turns that I didn't see coming, along with a gut wrenching finale. Fingers crossed for a sequel
November 29, 2023
I don't know why did I get the sudden craving for vampires and werewolves, but this one came under my hand just about the right time. So far, so good!
...and till the end - good became too far to reach.
Now that I have read it, and that review's are a thing of strictly subjective nature, Phased did not sit all too well with me. Ms Tecken does a solid writing job and I do not have any issues regarding the writing. It's just my personal feeling of the story and the execution of that same story. In my defence, this is not my primary genre, and I don't read to many of similar books, so it's probably "it's me, not you" matter of things. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 to complement the author on her job well done. I'll probably get back to another work of Ms Tecken in the future, just to make a wrong righ, or vice versa for the same measure. All authors deserve praise for their hard work and every finished book.
Cool use of lycanthrophy, by the way. Liked that.
...and till the end - good became too far to reach.
Now that I have read it, and that review's are a thing of strictly subjective nature, Phased did not sit all too well with me. Ms Tecken does a solid writing job and I do not have any issues regarding the writing. It's just my personal feeling of the story and the execution of that same story. In my defence, this is not my primary genre, and I don't read to many of similar books, so it's probably "it's me, not you" matter of things. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 to complement the author on her job well done. I'll probably get back to another work of Ms Tecken in the future, just to make a wrong righ, or vice versa for the same measure. All authors deserve praise for their hard work and every finished book.
Cool use of lycanthrophy, by the way. Liked that.
December 11, 2020
I really enjoyed this novel and the development of the characters throughout. The Blackwood sisters are strong characters, each with their own struggles. The author does an excellent job drawing you into the story and getting the reader to really care for the characters. It’s a real page turner. And although it’s a book about werewolves, it is far from the run of the mill werewolf books. I’d love to see a second book!
March 22, 2023
An absolute must-read. The story is solid, and the characters make a place in your heart early on, and each heart wrenching moment makes you wish you could just tell them everything is ok.
Also an absolutely refreshing approach to werewolves. Say goodbye to cliche, overly sexualized, werewolves that are more wolf shapeshifters than actual werewolves.
Also an absolutely refreshing approach to werewolves. Say goodbye to cliche, overly sexualized, werewolves that are more wolf shapeshifters than actual werewolves.
April 19, 2023
Pros: Small cast of characters that all had good
progression, except for the offshoot “villain”
motivation.
Writing is tight and never wordy. The author gets
her point of cross with minimal repetition.
Tecken’s take on werewolves is fresh, the
heirarchy is reworked and never seems stale.
The main focus never leaves the fragile bond
between the two main characters. They’re written
to what I would take as an actual familial bond.
Skips the tropes most associated with YA. I don’t
read many YA at this stage of my life. At no point
did I catch myself cringing and having to remind
myself this is more YA based. In fact I don’t think
it would be categorized as YA of I would have
been told ahead of time.
Cons: The majority of the novel is based in school but
has not enough school elements to it. I would
have liked to see more interactions with staff,
other than leadership. I understand though,
classroom drama adds to the YA trope and this
novel skips most of that.
And most of all, real world issues of trauma and trust are front and center in this novel. Trust is not instantly earned. There are setbacks for some of these characters. It’s messy and confusing at times, just like life. I applaud Victoria Tecken’s writing and wish to see more of her caliber on my TBR soon.
progression, except for the offshoot “villain”
motivation.
Writing is tight and never wordy. The author gets
her point of cross with minimal repetition.
Tecken’s take on werewolves is fresh, the
heirarchy is reworked and never seems stale.
The main focus never leaves the fragile bond
between the two main characters. They’re written
to what I would take as an actual familial bond.
Skips the tropes most associated with YA. I don’t
read many YA at this stage of my life. At no point
did I catch myself cringing and having to remind
myself this is more YA based. In fact I don’t think
it would be categorized as YA of I would have
been told ahead of time.
Cons: The majority of the novel is based in school but
has not enough school elements to it. I would
have liked to see more interactions with staff,
other than leadership. I understand though,
classroom drama adds to the YA trope and this
novel skips most of that.
And most of all, real world issues of trauma and trust are front and center in this novel. Trust is not instantly earned. There are setbacks for some of these characters. It’s messy and confusing at times, just like life. I applaud Victoria Tecken’s writing and wish to see more of her caliber on my TBR soon.
July 29, 2023
4.386 Stars rounded up to 5. I round upwards. Sue me. I've been sued so many times, I scoff at your threats Goodreads review readers!
Full disclosure, I'm online friends with the author but in no way is my short review here biased. If anything, I was looking to be more critical, as in "helpful" if I found glaring issues, which happily I did not.
Phased is just a great book that does what I think the author set out to do. Write a compelling story with likeable characters, that invokes sympathy when deserved, action when appropriate, and lessons learned without ever getting preachy. This book is a page-turner. Short chapters with "need to know what happens next" endings, made this a very quick read for me. Phased is an original story. I've read probably getting close to 1000 fantasy novels and I can't think of one of them that this is modeled after. I love how the cast of characters was limited in size to a relateable amount of friends, while giving each of the supporting cast enough writing that they feel alive and unique. This story is a great blend of fantasy and science fiction in roughly equal parts. Again, something fairly uncommon in the SFF world. It doesn't overstay it's welcome with what I assume is just Part 1 of the story as we are left on the final page with the strong suggestion there is more to come. I hope so. Very glad I purchased this book and highly recommend.
Full disclosure, I'm online friends with the author but in no way is my short review here biased. If anything, I was looking to be more critical, as in "helpful" if I found glaring issues, which happily I did not.
Phased is just a great book that does what I think the author set out to do. Write a compelling story with likeable characters, that invokes sympathy when deserved, action when appropriate, and lessons learned without ever getting preachy. This book is a page-turner. Short chapters with "need to know what happens next" endings, made this a very quick read for me. Phased is an original story. I've read probably getting close to 1000 fantasy novels and I can't think of one of them that this is modeled after. I love how the cast of characters was limited in size to a relateable amount of friends, while giving each of the supporting cast enough writing that they feel alive and unique. This story is a great blend of fantasy and science fiction in roughly equal parts. Again, something fairly uncommon in the SFF world. It doesn't overstay it's welcome with what I assume is just Part 1 of the story as we are left on the final page with the strong suggestion there is more to come. I hope so. Very glad I purchased this book and highly recommend.
May 29, 2023
4.5 stars (rounded up to 5)
If I had to condense this review to two words, I think they'd be: "wonderfully readable." I thoroughly enjoyed the few short days I spent reading this book. The plot of the story was carefully revealed a little bit at a time and in a way that kept me engaged and wanting to find out what happened next. However, wanting to see where the story took me is only part of why I chose "readable" as a descriptor. The other reason was the character development. The feelings and motivations of the characters leapt off the page, especially for the protagonists.
There is also a very tangible intensity to this story. The protagonists suffer in profound ways and I was left with a mist in my eyes on a couple of occasions that I can't attribute to allergies. But even though the suffering was hard to read about, it's also what propelled me to keep reading. I was compelled by a desire for retribution that kept the story moving forward beyond the development of the plot itself. The end of this story is satisfying by itself and can be read as a standalone, but I really hope we see future installments in this world!
If I had to condense this review to two words, I think they'd be: "wonderfully readable." I thoroughly enjoyed the few short days I spent reading this book. The plot of the story was carefully revealed a little bit at a time and in a way that kept me engaged and wanting to find out what happened next. However, wanting to see where the story took me is only part of why I chose "readable" as a descriptor. The other reason was the character development. The feelings and motivations of the characters leapt off the page, especially for the protagonists.
There is also a very tangible intensity to this story. The protagonists suffer in profound ways and I was left with a mist in my eyes on a couple of occasions that I can't attribute to allergies. But even though the suffering was hard to read about, it's also what propelled me to keep reading. I was compelled by a desire for retribution that kept the story moving forward beyond the development of the plot itself. The end of this story is satisfying by itself and can be read as a standalone, but I really hope we see future installments in this world!
April 5, 2023
Teen years are tough. They’re even tougher when you’re an outcast werewolf attending a new school. With Phased, Tori Tecken has crafted a fresh take on a werewolf novel. The story is engaging and accessible for most audiences. The character work truly shines in this. The main characters are relatable, unique from one another, and have depth that is not common in modern werewolf media. Even the secondary characters are interesting. Dialogue is believable, and it is a welcomed change to read a book that deals with the subject matter without relying on shock value or strong language. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a werewolf story, a coming of age story, or just a really good read.
August 7, 2023
I loved everything about this book and would not change a single thing (You hear that Tori! Don't change it!) This book found me at just the right time. I was in the middle of reading a whole bunch of fantasy books that were all to an extent at war with male soldier type characters, and they were all starting to blend into one another. Then Phased came along and pushed them all to the side and said get ready for something completely different - and boy was I ready!
CAWPILE score - 9.0 (which gives it 5 stars status)
Characters - 10: I love them ALL! The characters felt so real and gritty and believable. There were times that I had to remind myself that these are fictional characters and some of them even werewolves. Even the "villains" were believable and terrifying in their own rights.
Atmosphere - 9: The atmosphere and setting were just right for the story. It gave homy vibes when it should, tense feelings in tense situations. It all fit with the story.
Writing Style - 9: I did not want to stop reading this book, which is a huge testament to Tecken's writing. During a time when I'm DNFing more books than normal, this was one that I kind of didn't want to end.
Plot - 8.5: Plot was both slightly predictable in the sense that I had a feeling things were going to happen, however I had no idea how they'd happen and when - so many twists and turns it kept me on the edge of my seat and reading.
Intrigue - 8: There was a ton of intrigue in terms of characters, who can we trust, who can't we trust? And also in terms of what's happening in the story. So many twists and turns, and starting early in the book, that I never knew what was going to happen next.
Logic - 8.5: Everything made sense with the story and the characters.
Enjoyment - 10: Thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for the 2nd part of this (now) duology!
Total - 63/7 = 9.0/5 star.
CAWPILE score - 9.0 (which gives it 5 stars status)
Characters - 10: I love them ALL! The characters felt so real and gritty and believable. There were times that I had to remind myself that these are fictional characters and some of them even werewolves. Even the "villains" were believable and terrifying in their own rights.
Atmosphere - 9: The atmosphere and setting were just right for the story. It gave homy vibes when it should, tense feelings in tense situations. It all fit with the story.
Writing Style - 9: I did not want to stop reading this book, which is a huge testament to Tecken's writing. During a time when I'm DNFing more books than normal, this was one that I kind of didn't want to end.
Plot - 8.5: Plot was both slightly predictable in the sense that I had a feeling things were going to happen, however I had no idea how they'd happen and when - so many twists and turns it kept me on the edge of my seat and reading.
Intrigue - 8: There was a ton of intrigue in terms of characters, who can we trust, who can't we trust? And also in terms of what's happening in the story. So many twists and turns, and starting early in the book, that I never knew what was going to happen next.
Logic - 8.5: Everything made sense with the story and the characters.
Enjoyment - 10: Thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for the 2nd part of this (now) duology!
Total - 63/7 = 9.0/5 star.
May 15, 2025
4.5 - Stars
Opening:
Phased by Victoria Tecken has been on my want to read list for awhile now. I recall hearing some buzz about this one and it looked interesting but I never found time to squeeze it into a month TBR. Until march of this year.
I had already finished my required reading for all ten prompts from the March Mavericks Readathon and someone mentioned in one of the live streams about so many team captains and leaders who had written good books. I took this personally as out of so many of these mentioned, I hadn't read our Captain (Andy Peloquin) or our 2nd Mate Tori Tecken yet. I decided to add a book from each to my March reading as bonus reads.
After weighing my options and getting some advice between the two available from Tori, I went with a visual read of Phased and plan to do the audio for The Blood Stones perhaps in April.
Pacing:
The pacing for Phased seemed very smooth to me. For a debut novel Tori and her team did an excellent job editing this one. I don't recall any of these types of issues standing out throughout my read. I wouldn't categorize this read as fast, though it is on the shorter side as far as novel page count goes. There is a lot of action to be found which definitely can make this feel on the faster side at times. It never felt rushed though. Plenty of scene buildup with great follow through.
World Building:
The world building was very engaging for me. I don't usually phrase this category in this way. The reason I am is a lot of this story takes place at a school of some kind which is usually one of my least favorite locations to read. Mostly because this means I'm dealing with younger characters which I don't always vibe with as a grumpy old many myself now.
However, in this case, it kind of just remains on the edges of my peripheral vision due to feeling so engrossed in this story and it's characters. The magic comes in the form of how the author describes werewolves in this world as well as some possible chemistry or alchemy aspects. There is a lot of mystery in this story which was a huge part of why I liked it so much. Along with the mystery is plenty of cloak and dagger or espionage feelings. I would normally categorize this as political intrigue and it may still fit in this came but it's not really involvement government as much as institutes and corporations.
I accidently stumbled on a little detail as well I thought I'd point out. I had to pause my reading and highlighted the name of a building. My Kindle proceeded to let me know the name of that building was actually related to moon phases. I just assumed it was the name of a person who donated to the institute where the girls were attending. This was a really nice little detail.
Character Development:
Finally my favorite part of this read has to be the characters. The sisters Val and Lyla were great of course. There are so many layers to these young ladies and it was great to see the author slowly peel these away and with meaning each time.
Beyond the sisters, there are some great supporting characters in Phased as well. From staff at the agency or the institute, to other students and other werewolves. But what shines the most to me is how these character all interacted with each other. The author does a really good job getting me both attached to characters, while also making me really dislike others. This was some of my after reading discussion with the author. I need to know more about some of these surviving characters!
Closing:
In closing I want to talk about Indie and the community in general a bit first. Without this community being so open and engaging as it is (author A.R. Witham was the recruiter and host of the March Maverick readathon), Phased would probably still be sitting on my Want to Read pile. Another great time I had with this read was the fact I could drop some messages to the author and ask her some questions after I finished. I know this isn't always possible as authors are people with busy lives as well but having the chance to have those moments definitely helps me enjoy reads so much more.
As for Phased, I am aware this is a duology and I will certainly be keeping any eye out for that part two when it becomes available. There are definitely some characters and questions I need to see more details on.
If you enjoy some magical urban fantasy with a great story about younger werewolves in a modern world, you owe it to yourself to check out Phased.
Scoring:
Pacing 4.5 / 5.0
World Building 4.5 / 5.0
Character Development 5.0 / 5.0
Opening:
Phased by Victoria Tecken has been on my want to read list for awhile now. I recall hearing some buzz about this one and it looked interesting but I never found time to squeeze it into a month TBR. Until march of this year.
I had already finished my required reading for all ten prompts from the March Mavericks Readathon and someone mentioned in one of the live streams about so many team captains and leaders who had written good books. I took this personally as out of so many of these mentioned, I hadn't read our Captain (Andy Peloquin) or our 2nd Mate Tori Tecken yet. I decided to add a book from each to my March reading as bonus reads.
After weighing my options and getting some advice between the two available from Tori, I went with a visual read of Phased and plan to do the audio for The Blood Stones perhaps in April.
Pacing:
The pacing for Phased seemed very smooth to me. For a debut novel Tori and her team did an excellent job editing this one. I don't recall any of these types of issues standing out throughout my read. I wouldn't categorize this read as fast, though it is on the shorter side as far as novel page count goes. There is a lot of action to be found which definitely can make this feel on the faster side at times. It never felt rushed though. Plenty of scene buildup with great follow through.
World Building:
The world building was very engaging for me. I don't usually phrase this category in this way. The reason I am is a lot of this story takes place at a school of some kind which is usually one of my least favorite locations to read. Mostly because this means I'm dealing with younger characters which I don't always vibe with as a grumpy old many myself now.
However, in this case, it kind of just remains on the edges of my peripheral vision due to feeling so engrossed in this story and it's characters. The magic comes in the form of how the author describes werewolves in this world as well as some possible chemistry or alchemy aspects. There is a lot of mystery in this story which was a huge part of why I liked it so much. Along with the mystery is plenty of cloak and dagger or espionage feelings. I would normally categorize this as political intrigue and it may still fit in this came but it's not really involvement government as much as institutes and corporations.
I accidently stumbled on a little detail as well I thought I'd point out. I had to pause my reading and highlighted the name of a building. My Kindle proceeded to let me know the name of that building was actually related to moon phases. I just assumed it was the name of a person who donated to the institute where the girls were attending. This was a really nice little detail.
Character Development:
Finally my favorite part of this read has to be the characters. The sisters Val and Lyla were great of course. There are so many layers to these young ladies and it was great to see the author slowly peel these away and with meaning each time.
Beyond the sisters, there are some great supporting characters in Phased as well. From staff at the agency or the institute, to other students and other werewolves. But what shines the most to me is how these character all interacted with each other. The author does a really good job getting me both attached to characters, while also making me really dislike others. This was some of my after reading discussion with the author. I need to know more about some of these surviving characters!
Closing:
In closing I want to talk about Indie and the community in general a bit first. Without this community being so open and engaging as it is (author A.R. Witham was the recruiter and host of the March Maverick readathon), Phased would probably still be sitting on my Want to Read pile. Another great time I had with this read was the fact I could drop some messages to the author and ask her some questions after I finished. I know this isn't always possible as authors are people with busy lives as well but having the chance to have those moments definitely helps me enjoy reads so much more.
As for Phased, I am aware this is a duology and I will certainly be keeping any eye out for that part two when it becomes available. There are definitely some characters and questions I need to see more details on.
If you enjoy some magical urban fantasy with a great story about younger werewolves in a modern world, you owe it to yourself to check out Phased.
Scoring:
Pacing 4.5 / 5.0
World Building 4.5 / 5.0
Character Development 5.0 / 5.0
January 2, 2023
Please read my review at the following link:
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2023/...
Thanks for taking the time to read my review. Happy reading and Stay Great!!
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2023/...
Thanks for taking the time to read my review. Happy reading and Stay Great!!
October 26, 2020
A good twist from traditional werewolf stories. Character development is well done and the flow of the story is a real page turner.
November 29, 2025
This is a 3.5 stars for me!
This was written really well and in a way that was super digestible and enjoyable. This definitely got me out of my rutt with reading which I appreciated a lot and it felt really refreshing as a YA book but this is also the first werewolf YA book I've ever read so overall new genre for me. Overall I'd highly recommend to anyone who enjoys YA!
The problems I have with it are pretty minor overall but did take away from the enjoyment of the book. There were quite a few typos/printing errors that made the sentence confusing sometimes and I found myself having to stop and figure out what was going on. That may not be on the author but it did take me out of the story and break my flow of reading. The other gripe I have is the ending, it felt very deus ex machina in the sense that Val was going to be convicted of a crime and then all of a sudden she's not? There could be a perfectly good explanation for this, but it was not discussed in the book and it felt like it just magically went away because they defeated the big bad guy. I was also confused by Val and Lyla staying at the cabin for so long just by themselves at the end, like arent they in school? Did they decide to not go to school? I just wish these things would have been discussed or touched on.
This was written really well and in a way that was super digestible and enjoyable. This definitely got me out of my rutt with reading which I appreciated a lot and it felt really refreshing as a YA book but this is also the first werewolf YA book I've ever read so overall new genre for me. Overall I'd highly recommend to anyone who enjoys YA!
The problems I have with it are pretty minor overall but did take away from the enjoyment of the book. There were quite a few typos/printing errors that made the sentence confusing sometimes and I found myself having to stop and figure out what was going on. That may not be on the author but it did take me out of the story and break my flow of reading. The other gripe I have is the ending, it felt very deus ex machina in the sense that Val was going to be convicted of a crime and then all of a sudden she's not? There could be a perfectly good explanation for this, but it was not discussed in the book and it felt like it just magically went away because they defeated the big bad guy. I was also confused by Val and Lyla staying at the cabin for so long just by themselves at the end, like arent they in school? Did they decide to not go to school? I just wish these things would have been discussed or touched on.
December 11, 2022
The fangs come out in this YA book with deep running themes of two sisters, Val and Lyla, who struggle to come to grips with their true identities as wild caught werewolves in a world of humans. The book dives into how they attempt to navigate a hostile world [even among their own oppressed kind] outside of a detention facility where they have been kept for several years after being separated from their pack [family]. I love how the two sister are met with the challenge of overcoming a difficult past filled with loss, abuse, and manipulation—each handle it in a different way, while at the same time, learning to rebuild new relationships, trust each other, and overcome their greatest fears… being themselves.
June 5, 2024
Loved this book! It sucked me in and wouldn't let go.
December 5, 2022
I read this as the author is a friend. I wanted to support her but didn't honestly think I'd like it. It was AMAZING! It was so easy to feel like you were right there. Can't wait for the next book. This is a must read!
March 20, 2025
9/10
A fantastic novel that shows the devastating effects of assimilation on a group of individuals. I was hooked into the story from the beginning to the end, especially when the plot decided to become quite the emotional rollercoaster toward the last quarter. Also this book had quite the emotionally exhausting friend zoning scene that was the cherry on top of a werewolf experimentation sequence. That was difficult to stomach.
My only nitpick is that it felt as though conflicts between the siblings would occur and then resolve as quickly as they popped up. I blame this nitpick on reading Robin Hobb’s Assassin Quest at the same time as this book. AQ has lots of moments where the tension from conflicts simmer for a lonnnnng time.
I’m excited to check out some of Tori’s other work, especially the sequel to this story if she so chooses to get to it someday. I’m really glad I chose to read this book this month!
A fantastic novel that shows the devastating effects of assimilation on a group of individuals. I was hooked into the story from the beginning to the end, especially when the plot decided to become quite the emotional rollercoaster toward the last quarter. Also this book had quite the emotionally exhausting friend zoning scene that was the cherry on top of a werewolf experimentation sequence. That was difficult to stomach.
My only nitpick is that it felt as though conflicts between the siblings would occur and then resolve as quickly as they popped up. I blame this nitpick on reading Robin Hobb’s Assassin Quest at the same time as this book. AQ has lots of moments where the tension from conflicts simmer for a lonnnnng time.
I’m excited to check out some of Tori’s other work, especially the sequel to this story if she so chooses to get to it someday. I’m really glad I chose to read this book this month!
November 29, 2025
I enjoyed this so much. This is what I wish more modern YA was like! The characters were interesting, well written, and complex. The story and plot were engaging. There were some issues with the printing/editing that bothered me a bit, but not enough to be off putting. Some of the plot transitions also felt a little abrupt for me. But, I had a splendid time reading. I have a major soft spot for werewolf related fantasy and this book hit those soft spots dead on. I especially loved that the romantic elements are very slow, deliberate, and earned with time and experience. I found myself smiling ear to ear at the end.
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