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Shifting Fate #2

Mark of Stars

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All Rowan wanted was a normal senior year. To fade into the background of her classmates. Instead, her entire world has been turned upside down. Words she never thought she would utter are now a part of her everyday life. Shifters. Powers. Bonds.

Comfort comes from the five fated mates who would do anything to protect her. Their connections are deepening, yet Rowan isn’t convinced all of them want her. Holden has secrets. Vaughn comes to her rescue in one breath and cuts her to the core with the next. But Anson, Lucas, and Keene will do anything to make their bond work and to convince Rowan that she’s all they’ve ever wanted.

They’re all trying, but each new development leaves Rowan reeling. As they realize just what kind of gift Rowan has, they discover it’s impossible to know who to trust.

Because there are those who lurk in the shadows, forces that want the power Rowan has humming beneath her skin. And they will stop at nothing to get it…

**Book two in a continuing three-book series. A reverse harem, why choose romance. Think fated mates, a heroine who has no idea just how special she is, broody, swoony, crazy protective heroes, and a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.*

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 5, 2022

3378 people are currently reading
2627 people want to read

About the author

Tessa Hale

22 books3,077 followers
Author of love stories with magic, usually with more than one love interest. Constant daydreamer.

What a FREE novella from me? You can download one via BookFunnel: https://BookHip.com/NWRWMZA

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5 stars
5,072 (39%)
4 stars
4,359 (34%)
3 stars
2,659 (20%)
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94 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 557 reviews
Profile Image for Sweet and Salty Reviews by DD.
612 reviews239 followers
February 17, 2022
This did not take the route I had hoped for.

Rowan is this super powerful shifter but continues to get her ass kicked and kidnapped and every time something goes wrong she needs one of her mates to siphon it from her. It is a big pet peeve of mine to have an FMC that is referred to over and over as the most powerful in existence but has a panic attack when she is bullied at school 🤨

Probably will not finish this series.

Happy reading,
DD 🥂
Profile Image for Mikky.
972 reviews275 followers
dnf
October 26, 2022
DNF At 69%

To put it plainly? I'm just bored. This whole book reads like a filler. Nothing is leading this story anywhere. Just when something interesting starts to happen? It either gets resolved or shut down and we're right back to where we started. I also dislike how all-powerful the heroine is supposed to be but she faints or goes down at the sight of conflict. I'm tired and bored of everything about this book. I won't be continuing on in this series.
Profile Image for Jessica .
2,637 reviews16k followers
February 28, 2023
This book felt more of a bridge book between the action of the first book and the last book. I would have loved a bit more plot-wise and with the stakes of their romance. Instead, it's a lot of the heroine uncovering more about the world she's been thrown into, but it definitely had a cliffhanger that had me downloading the next book asap!
Profile Image for Siobhan.
5,026 reviews599 followers
January 3, 2022
Spark of Fate, the first book in Tessa Hale’s Shifting Fate series, left me conflicted. It had the potential to grip me hard, yet it never did anything to leave me feeling amazed. In many ways, the book played things too safe, meaning I was left rather disappointed. I had hoped that the second book would pick things up, offer more, yet I enjoyed this one less.

While there were some interesting elements added in this one, there was very little actually happen to move the overall story forward. I feel this was a filler book more than anything and could have done with a lot more substance. I’m sure many will love this one because we see the development of the bond, but I still don’t feel any connection between the characters. Things continue to be too simple and easy, without the feeling I’d hoped for. Thus, while there were some three-star moments, this was lacking in too many places for me.

The ending – another cliff-hanger – has me curious about what comes next, but I’m not as eager as I had hoped to be about seeing how this series comes together.
Profile Image for Christi (christireadsalot).
2,794 reviews1,438 followers
March 13, 2025
I loved the first book so much and had to immediately continue on to this 2nd book after the cliffhanger! This is a why choose, wolf shifters trilogy following the same characters so definitely read in order.

This book we really learn more about Rowan’s past and things about who she is and her possible powers/abilities. The heroes are all great as well (some broody, some all-in already, some stand-off-ish still, but all very protective), we get some more one-on-one time with them and Rowan and I was living for those moments. Wolf shifters are my fav to read so I had so much with this set of characters and the world. Loving this series, the audios are fantastic (I’m grabbing them from hoopla). Another cliffhanger, so off to the final book in the series!
Profile Image for Christy Bailey.
662 reviews25 followers
February 11, 2022
Amazing!

Wow what a series this has turned out to be. I need more!!! That ending just about killed me and cost me a new phone after I almost threw mine. I even had suspicions as to what was coming but I was still shocked.

I absolutely love all the guys and how much they care for Rowen. It was great to get to know each of them a little more. I can't wait to see what happens when the bonds are 100% completed. I need book 3 like yesterday!! If you haven't read this and are a fan of swoony wolf hero's then you are missing out!
Profile Image for Aplis.
582 reviews51 followers
February 3, 2022
Okay that ending was not it. How stupid can the heroine be to trust someone who's hated her since book one?!
Profile Image for Belle .
607 reviews47 followers
December 30, 2021
I really enjoyed this book!

It was a quick read with lots of development between Rowan and her guys. I liked that more bonding happens and while it’s not all physical, there are some steamy moments.

I love her guys, even the ones who mess up or are broody for a bit (looking at you Vaughn!)

There’s a lot of new developments with the Council and her parents, and i found it all very intriguing. There’s questions answered but then new ones that pop up too.

There are some parts where I felt like more could’ve happened or been expanded upon before ending kind of abruptly, but nonetheless it was a good read.

After that ending I can’t wait for book 3!
Profile Image for Kat.
929 reviews97 followers
January 23, 2023
2.5 stars. Not as good or engaging as the first book. I’m still intrigued by the plot but I’m getting a little fed up with some elements of the romance.
Profile Image for JL Roberts.
872 reviews93 followers
May 1, 2022
***Copy was given in exchange for an honest review***

They all already know they are mates but in book two they are working on their bonds. Sealing their bonds and healing the broken parts. Though they are on a time crunch seeing as the Shifter Council are now coming to "evaluate" Rowan after hearing of her and her extraordinary powers that are emerging and the fact that she has five mates.
Anson, Lucas, Holden, Keene, and Vaughn her five mates have all vowed to keep her safe at any cost. Her new shifter family, aside from a couple, is willing to protect her. Only there are other unknowns that are after her.
This book ends on one heck of a cliffhanger so I will be impatiently waiting for book 3 to come out to see how our H and her five loves will weather the storm. Loving this series. I Love Rowan and all her guys....well Vaughn was a jerk but I think he may be coming around. Can't wait for more!
Profile Image for SakuraReader.
622 reviews4 followers
January 6, 2022
Mmmmmm thumbs down on this one...
All that waiting for just 200 pages were of course barely anything happens because that's not possible with just 200 pages...!!

Spoilers ahead...

I think the story is lacking that spark with which it started.
I don't see a real problem in the story, but just everyone obssesing over rowan, because somehow everybody knows about her and her powers.

I was always confused when the mother and father were mentioned... I was like adoptive or real?? You just had to make a good guess

I dont know why I find it hard to give her credit for her suffering? It was constantly mentioned how hard her past months had been for her but I've read much worse tragic heroines backgrounds so I felt her sort of whiney? And becomming spoiled with her mates attention (cant blame her jajaj) but you know what I mean? She was much more independent and strong at the beginning and now... not so much?

Besides the bond, I havent seen much reason as to why she is loved... there hasnt been much time in the book to show her strong or independent or smart or kind... it's just for default

Vaughn is literally forced into this and spends the entire book outside the relationship. And out of the blue poof he changes his mind? He didnt even let himself get to know her...

Im sorry but that last part was so naïve and stupid from her and too forced... like I already knew it was going to happen at the end of the book. I didnt know how, but I knew she was going to be kidnapped *cue roll of my eyes* but did it have to make rowan so incredibly dumb?? Sure lets accept the drink that the girl that HATES you in your faceee gives you... honestly???!!!

I dont even care for the 3 book. If I even remember about it we'll see

This should have been a stand alone of 600 pages. That could have gotten this story interesting. And actually this doesnt feel like a book. It feels like a piece of a book that doesn't work without the rest...

Also with this RH easy reads I tend to read a hell of a ton. Finish one and onwards with the next so it was actually hard for me to remember the characters names at the beginning and their powers... we'll see if I remember anything in march
123 reviews
January 10, 2022
spoilerish review ahead

The relationships are surface and superficial. The book is really repetitive. The author just has someone do or say something horrible to the MC, one or more the guys comes to her aid, she wallows in her emotional woe is me rinse and repeat again and again. I get she is hurt because of her sister/parents, bad things have happened and also because she’s hurt about Vaughn, but we were hit over and over with it to the point I promise I heard Barry from BBT in my head say somebody call the wambulance after one more hurt passage. Show us some individual emotional and mental strength now.

I also hate the book relies on them doing things that are inherently TSTL or someone withholding information that would be helpful to the MC to know. For instance, what sense does it make for her mother to withhold the identity of her father if that is the greatest danger to her? Or to withhold from her why (her particular gift is) It’s illogical. It makes no sense that Mason would widely share her rare gift with the entire pack or include his beta in a sensitive conversation with information that would make the MC a target. It makes no sense they weren’t suspicious enough to follow the police after all they know and the previous attempts to kidnap/attack her. It makes no sense that she would just trust Jaz after the life she’s lived and her previous interactions with her. It makes no sense no security has been set up when she has repeatedly been attacked or kidnapped. With all the background about how people are going to be after her, wouldn’t you think more book real estate would be invested into her exploring and training with her powers and in self defense? The author has a great idea, but the execution is shrug. I wish she would just go back and rework some things and this would probably be awesome. You decide though.
Profile Image for Danielle (Danniegurl).
1,960 reviews110 followers
May 1, 2022
DNF at 32%

I wasn’t too thrilled with book 1 but wanted to give this a shot. It’s a struggle to get through. The writing isn’t bad but the stuff is just mundane every day life stuff with nothing really driving the plot forward. Having the guy’s POV could have helped this. Lended the reader more information and insight to the characters. There is zero character depth at most they are 2D instead of 3D.

So far by book 2 I know Rowan how heroine is supposed to be crazy powerful but yet she continually needs help is doted on by her mates and ultimately doesn’t really learn anything about being a shifter that I can glean by being the reader so if she did it didn’t come through clearly.

She has a connection with the guys and the relationships are ok but the ones that hav the most depth are Anson and Vaughn but the rest are just sweet but there’s really nothing there.

They talk of her kindness and her resilience etc but we have not actually seen enough of these things to feel the same. The reader was left at a disadvantage because the story isn’t fleshed out enough the plot is slow going and the only females outside of Cassidy are just complete bitches. Not one is nice to Rowan and yet the only reason they seem to dislike her is because of the guy’s showing her interested. In this case Anson showed interested in Rowan and Holden showed interest in Holden and Sadie and Jasmine two other females immediately hated her bc of that. When you would think if Jasmine was such a good friend to Holden she would be supportive of him.

The whole story barely moves forward and we just had I Love Yours put forth. I’m also told that several months have passed and yet it only feels like they have known each other for a week. That’s how much depth to their backgrounds we have had.

I just found myself wishing for more.
Profile Image for Ototo8.
192 reviews1 follower
December 17, 2021
Never a dull moment!!
Recived and ARC copy of this book. Guys I have to tell you, this book is a rollercoaster, I didn't want to finish it so quickly because I know I'm going to suffer waiting for the third book. But I couldn't put it down!
The world building is great but I have to say that what's perfect for me are the characters. They are the gem of this book. Rowan is such a good FMC she's not perfect nor she is super kickass but that's what make her perfect to me, she's relatable and sweet but so strong when she needs to be. In this book the relationship between Rowan and the guys go to another level and I loved their development. We saw more of Keene which I loved, and Vaughn is finally pulling his head from his ass. I don't want to spoil much, go read this book! It comes out on January 5th. Tessa Hale is a wonderful storyteller you won't want to miss it.
I'm super excited for the third book!!
Profile Image for Sarah Anne.
1,880 reviews190 followers
July 25, 2024
No strong representation of diverse characters or minority identities.

Overall: 3.5-stars

Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions

Possible Triggers: Yes

Ending:
Profile Image for Christy.
900 reviews38 followers
May 22, 2025
I don't know how exactly I wanted Holden to suffer... But I do know that I wanted more of it. And not I don't count the house as an apology because even their friends help make it. Get it together and ask for him to crawl across glass or something idk
Profile Image for ❀ Crystal ✿ -  PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS .
2,532 reviews308 followers
December 22, 2022
While I can still sit here and complain about the heroine's out of whack hormones I was still invested and still am invested in this story. I just wish the characters were a little older and mature because it's hard accepting them as young adults when at least Rowan is a dumbass. She quite literally runs from her problems which then only leads to more, it's exhausting. I feel like the gang wasn't on their game here as well as they should have been. Even just them wanting answers to things but putting it off for another time when no one knows if there'll even be another time. More than once they are duped by things I saw as obvious and I was annoyed (but again, still invested). There's another cliffy ending but at least with one book left answers will follow. The biggest secret is her parentage and who the hell her father can be. I have a bad feeling about who it is which is making me think I'm right and I'm not happy about that. Just hoping her guys can save the day since she's not usually one to solve her own problems lol. And come on, I'm still venting that she trusted Jasmine. Bitches like that don't have a change of heart overnight smh. Sometimes I think Rowan likes being put in dangerous situations.
Profile Image for Ines.
1,325 reviews47 followers
December 19, 2021
In this second book in the "shifting fate" series the blows keep on coming for Rowan. Luckily she is building a new family around her, because she needs them to deal with everything that is coming for her...

This series is high on emotions, both good and bad, and it reminds me a little of the writing style of SM Olivier. Both writers seem to write about fmc's that have to recover again and again because of blows to the heart. Luckily Rowan has some devoted men around her. It was nice to read about their developing bonds and to find some answers to questions that rose in the first book. No worries; there are still plenty of unresolved questions left to look forward to in the third book.

Even though these characters are still young, the love between them is truly beautiful. I'm looking forward to reading more about them in the future.
Profile Image for Jackie.
2,554 reviews
January 6, 2022
The book was a bit of a roller coaster ride, ups & downs. There were definitely some 4 star moments, bur a lot of 2 star moments that left me going with a 3 star review. I felt the character development was still light. I wanted more than emotional outbursts from the 6 main characters. I wanted Rowan to have more empowerment by her strange powers, not fear of hurting everyone. I wanted the guys to really come thru more, so I didn't struggle to figure out who was who in the RH. & good grief, how could she take anything from Jaz to eat or drink. I would have set it aside to throw away later. Ro should have realized Jaz wasn't giving up on Holden. I will read book 3, as it's the finale in the series. But I hope it makes more headway to a conclusion. The abduction theme was a bit overworked in this series.
Profile Image for lovekaressxo.
188 reviews4 followers
January 9, 2022
I love Rowan’s wolves!

I so enjoyed this book! I’m on pins and needles waiting for the next one in March! It picks up right where the last book left off, so I did have to do a re-read of the first book to get myself back in the story. I fell for Lucas all over again! I loved how Rowan’s relationship with her bonds progresses in this book. Rowan continues to grow into her powers, which are pretty awesome btw, and there are some interesting consequences. New and old villains abound, but this story has a lot of heart. 🥰
Profile Image for Lindsey.
916 reviews115 followers
November 2, 2023
These paranormal why-choose series are so fun and action-packed.

I loved this one on audio although I do feel like a full cast narration would have brought it to the next level for me.

Not heavy on the spice, light on the romance. More of a focus on the plot and character development for the FMC.
Profile Image for Jane.
Author 1 book20 followers
March 24, 2024
My worst trait is my inability to finish series. I finished book two, got 25% into book 3 and then was just… bored. Like book 2 was entertaining but I couldn’t get myself to keep going.

Edit: just reread. justice for holden!!! he needs more time w rowan.
Profile Image for Mom Reads Romance.
712 reviews26 followers
January 11, 2025
Sis passes out more than concert goers at Coachella during a 120 degree heatwave.
Profile Image for Marcia.
494 reviews82 followers
January 20, 2022
This was a relatively quick read, but still very good. I enjoyed the tumultuous emotions as Rowan learns more of herself as a shifter, working out her relationship with her mates, and problems with her family. She's a solid character and despite all that she endures, has a strength that comes out to defend her mates and pack. Despite some difficulties with a certain mate, all her guys are very likable and it's sweet to see how supportive they are of Rowan.

Overall, a quick enjoyable part 2 which ends on a cliffhanger. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all concludes.
Profile Image for Rebecca Norvitz Norvitz .
712 reviews23 followers
October 7, 2023
Still loving

I’m still loving this series. I found book 1 yesterday and I’m already done with book 2. Now it’s on to book 3 😃
Profile Image for rosa.
543 reviews12 followers
October 9, 2024
She made drinking Diet Coke a cornerstone of her personality, and someone used it against her— the girlies cannot stand for this.
Profile Image for Karissa Kirk.
442 reviews9 followers
December 30, 2021
I’m absolutely devastated with that cliffhanger! Ok, I’m being a little dramatic but forgive me for LOVING this series. I’m absolutely dying to read the next book. Mark of Stars had me on the edge of my seat with a lot of things Rowan has to face. It was just one thing after another but Tessa was able to give us the perfect balance of drama, plot and relationship progression in my opinion and I just absolutely fell in love with the story and characters even more. I will definitely be buying this series in paperback once the final book releases!
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