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Shape-Shifter #2
True Nature
True Nature is a gripping lesbian paranormal romance about family bonds and being true to yourself. This second novel in Jae’s award-winning Shape-Shifter series can be read as a standalone.
When wolf-shifter Kelsey Yates discovers that Danny, a fourteen-year-old shape-shifter, is living with an adoptive human mother, she is sent to protect the pup and get him away from the woman.
Successful CEO Rue Harding has no idea of her son’s true nature or that Kelsey, the beautiful, mysterious private tutor she hires for him, isn’t really there to teach him algebra.
But when the deaf teen runs away, Kelsey and Rue frantically work together to find him before his first transformation sets in and reveals the shape-shifters’ secret existence to the world.
It’s a race through New York City, with emotions running high. But amidst the backdrop of their desperate search, could the two women discover something else, something unexpected, in each other?
When wolf-shifter Kelsey Yates discovers that Danny, a fourteen-year-old shape-shifter, is living with an adoptive human mother, she is sent to protect the pup and get him away from the woman.
Successful CEO Rue Harding has no idea of her son’s true nature or that Kelsey, the beautiful, mysterious private tutor she hires for him, isn’t really there to teach him algebra.
But when the deaf teen runs away, Kelsey and Rue frantically work together to find him before his first transformation sets in and reveals the shape-shifters’ secret existence to the world.
It’s a race through New York City, with emotions running high. But amidst the backdrop of their desperate search, could the two women discover something else, something unexpected, in each other?
412 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
56 people are currently reading
1091 people want to read
About the author
Jae
126 books3,803 followersJae is the author of twenty-six award-winning romances between women. She lives in the sunniest city of Germany, near the French and Swiss borders. The writing bug bit her at the age of eleven.
She used to work as a psychologist but gave up her day job in 2013 to become a full-time writer and a part-time editor. As far as she’s concerned, it’s the best job in the world.
When she’s not writing, she is an avid reader of sapphic books, indulges her ice cream and office supply addictions, and watches way too many crime shows.
She used to work as a psychologist but gave up her day job in 2013 to become a full-time writer and a part-time editor. As far as she’s concerned, it’s the best job in the world.
When she’s not writing, she is an avid reader of sapphic books, indulges her ice cream and office supply addictions, and watches way too many crime shows.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
October 26, 2017
Great series! fantastic 2nd installment,interesting and a well design storyline with a few of the same likable cast mixed with some bad ones only made this series so much juicier for readers..recommend to everyone
June 12, 2017
Fantastic follow-up! good storyline and great mix of characters..encourage everyone to read this awesome series..well written!
August 17, 2019
This is the third time I read this book and I loved it as much as the first time. Jae is a wonderful and versatile writer. I enjoy all of her books but the shapeshifter books and stories belong to my favourites. Of course I didn’t just read True Nature but also the first book in this series of books and stories Second Nature which also deserves 5 stars. manhattan Moon is short, more like a novella, 4.5 stars.
April 29, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ I listened to the audio of this one on Hoopla. Great narration by Abby Craden. I enjoyed the storyline on this book. Lots of action in the hunt for young Danny.
Looking forward to Jae’s new books coming out soon in the continuing series.
Looking forward to Jae’s new books coming out soon in the continuing series.
January 19, 2017
Loved, loved, loved this one. The first in series was great but this one is even better. If you've read some of my reviews, you probably know I like longer novels that take time to develop relationships. This one definitely does. I'm hoping the third book is not too far in the future.
October 22, 2021
Excellent! Loved it from the get-go and just can't stop.
April 15, 2021
I love Jae’s take on shape-shifters. This is one of my favorite shape-shifter series and I would love another book.
After a dream Jorie has about a young deaf shifter being hurt by a woman, Kelsey sets out to save him. But Jorie’s dream has been misinterpreted and the woman is the boys adoptive mother only trying to help. I loved the twist of a human woman being alpha to Kelsey and Danny in the end. It was not what I was expecting. The pain both Rue and Kelsey hold is heartbreaking. I loved that they are able to let each other in and to help heal each other. They work so well together and are able to find and save Danny. Their idea to save themselves by exposing the existence of the shape-shifters was brilliant. I would love to see how the exposure also affected Nyla and Shelby’s relationship as well as Jorie and Griffins.
After a dream Jorie has about a young deaf shifter being hurt by a woman, Kelsey sets out to save him. But Jorie’s dream has been misinterpreted and the woman is the boys adoptive mother only trying to help. I loved the twist of a human woman being alpha to Kelsey and Danny in the end. It was not what I was expecting. The pain both Rue and Kelsey hold is heartbreaking. I loved that they are able to let each other in and to help heal each other. They work so well together and are able to find and save Danny. Their idea to save themselves by exposing the existence of the shape-shifters was brilliant. I would love to see how the exposure also affected Nyla and Shelby’s relationship as well as Jorie and Griffins.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2014
A fun book. Jae is becoming a very good writer and one I look forward to. I liked Kelsey a lot as a heroine and was very invested in her by the end when things were getting extremely tense. The romance was sweet and very sexy. If I had a complaint, it's that there are too many points of view. You have whole chapters from the point of view of characters who aren't the two leads and those can drag the book down a bit. They aren't bad, don't get me wrong, just not as interesting as the main character's perspectives and I got impatient waiting to get back to the people I cared about the most.
Still fun and engaging. If you love lesbian Wereshifter romances, then check this out.
Still fun and engaging. If you love lesbian Wereshifter romances, then check this out.
October 15, 2020
Though I don't generally seek out paranormal shape-shifter books, because Jae wrote some and I love her writing, I wanted to give them a go! What I always appreciate about her novels is they're fully fleshed out - she doesn't cut corners. Which means they're often long. In this case, the audiobook was 14 hours in length - so you definitely get your money's worth. This sequel to Second Nature took quite a bit of time to build, but Jae's all about the slow burn. The thrilling sequence where Danny begins to go through his first shift made the entire listen worth it for me all by itself - masterful writing there! There's a lot in this book - family and parenting dynamics, societal expectations (for both humans and non-humans), navigating through loss and major life changes, coming into your own and a hard fought-for romance. As with the first book, Abby Craden narrates this sequel and does a great job with it. There was a surprise bonus short story included with the audiobook as well - a real treat! It was fun to venture outside of my usual reading experience. I enjoyed it! 4.25 stars.
May 7, 2024
Took a tiny bit longer to get into it then bam! Couldn’t wait for the next listen! Loved the rarely seen dynamic of the wolf being an omega and the human being the alpha! Made it very interesting to see their relationship unfold. Would love to see more, how their ‘pack’ has evolved and how Rue is taking up the challenge of being a pack leader/alpha and her relationship with her pack and her ‘omega’ Kelsey.
May 21, 2023
How does Jae write every genre so well? Shapeshifters who are aware, unaware, human alpha, mixed species couples. Everything is here and compelling. The need to read more because I care about a teen's return home, first shift, wolf shifter falling for human and families that come together. Jae whatever you need to write, I'm there for it. Infact maybe Ikea can hire you to write furniture assembly instructions.
November 26, 2020
3.5 stars. I really struggle with liking submissiveness. I don't mind submissive wolves or omega but they're wolves ffs, I cannot understand submissiveness to that extreme point of deference to everyone. It's so irksome. Eventually she gets a backbone but boy that grated on my nerve. A trained warrior who is submissive to this degree was a turn off. The human though, hot!!
February 28, 2025
This one was not for me. I had a hard time believing the two leads would fall for one another so quickly and with such hostile interactions.
The pacing was also off for me. The tension was not balanced either. I didn't feel like they were getting closer to converging paths with Danny until the last little bit. While they followed his trail, the urgency was just not quite there.
I liked the idea of the human and Wrasa relationship playing out the way it did, but in practice, it was missing just a little something to tie it together and make it feel a bit more impactful.
Quite a few misses for me with this one. It is a very highly rated book, so if you are into paranormal fiction, I would recommend giving it a try.
The pacing was also off for me. The tension was not balanced either. I didn't feel like they were getting closer to converging paths with Danny until the last little bit. While they followed his trail, the urgency was just not quite there.
I liked the idea of the human and Wrasa relationship playing out the way it did, but in practice, it was missing just a little something to tie it together and make it feel a bit more impactful.
Quite a few misses for me with this one. It is a very highly rated book, so if you are into paranormal fiction, I would recommend giving it a try.
April 13, 2017
Loved it!
I really loved this book! It had a well developed plot. The characters were also well developed. Really liked the story and was riveted by it for the first paragraph. Well done
I really loved this book! It had a well developed plot. The characters were also well developed. Really liked the story and was riveted by it for the first paragraph. Well done
February 6, 2022
3.5/5 stars
This was great, but I mean of course it was. This was super fast paced and went more into depth about the world and politics of the paranormal setting Jae created in the first book. It was super interesting, especially since I haven’t read a paranormal series for a while. It is also a complete feat of story writing from Jae that this large book (almost 500 pages) was so addictive and so easy to binge read. I didn’t want to move a muscle while reading this, I was hooked on the story right from the beginning. The relationship, the action and the broader wild all tied together to form a super enjoyable and addictive story.
While I really enjoyed this book, I think I’m in the minority in having enjoyed the first book more, but I think that is completely due to personal taste. I did enjoy the relationship more in the first book and the slow burn, but if you are looking for more action, a faster paced romance and more of the paranormal experience then this was great. I especially found the relationship dynamics really interesting and unique for a paranormal story. It flips the expected power dynamic on its head, while still being filled with chemistry and passion. I do think I wanted a little bit more depth from the relationship, but it was still a very enjoyable romance story.
I think fans of Jae already know she is a great writer of romances, and this is just another book in her huge backlist of greats.
This was great, but I mean of course it was. This was super fast paced and went more into depth about the world and politics of the paranormal setting Jae created in the first book. It was super interesting, especially since I haven’t read a paranormal series for a while. It is also a complete feat of story writing from Jae that this large book (almost 500 pages) was so addictive and so easy to binge read. I didn’t want to move a muscle while reading this, I was hooked on the story right from the beginning. The relationship, the action and the broader wild all tied together to form a super enjoyable and addictive story.
While I really enjoyed this book, I think I’m in the minority in having enjoyed the first book more, but I think that is completely due to personal taste. I did enjoy the relationship more in the first book and the slow burn, but if you are looking for more action, a faster paced romance and more of the paranormal experience then this was great. I especially found the relationship dynamics really interesting and unique for a paranormal story. It flips the expected power dynamic on its head, while still being filled with chemistry and passion. I do think I wanted a little bit more depth from the relationship, but it was still a very enjoyable romance story.
I think fans of Jae already know she is a great writer of romances, and this is just another book in her huge backlist of greats.
July 20, 2025
This book is a great addition to the shape-shifters series. Kelsey is a wolf shape-shifter, an Omega, so she has trouble finding her place in the Wraza society after her brother’s death. Reading about a submissive animal was refreshing when most of them show teeth at the first threat. The search in New York kept me hooked. With multiple POVs, I was truly immersed as I could feel Ruth's angst, Kelsey being overwhelmed, and Danny feeling lost. I wasn’t bored for a single minute; it was like I was taken in the whirlwind of New York, with the pressure of Danny shifting at the wrong place and time. The story being mainly Ruth and Kelsey searching for Danny, their relationship is not the main focus, so I did not really feel real chemistry, but I really liked the dynamic between them. Jae really wrote Danny’s character well, because I was so annoyed by him most of the book. For all these reasons, I deeply enjoyed this book, but liked the first one better.
February 20, 2019
Another great story from Jae’s books that I enjoyed quite alot, hardly put it down. I have to forced myself to stop reading at 3am because I have to work in the morning. I like how there were some part that involved main characters, Jorie and Griffin and got a bit of their POV as well.
I like how the story goes. And I really like Kelsey! Kelsey and Rue worked together to find Danny that ran away from home, their adventure, how they got to know each other and things that happened just made me hype most of the time. And Danny, while he ran away, he had learned and experienced The life of homeless people. It also made him to reconsidered the action that he poorly treat his mom and such.
All in all, I like and enjoyed book alots.
I like how the story goes. And I really like Kelsey! Kelsey and Rue worked together to find Danny that ran away from home, their adventure, how they got to know each other and things that happened just made me hype most of the time. And Danny, while he ran away, he had learned and experienced The life of homeless people. It also made him to reconsidered the action that he poorly treat his mom and such.
All in all, I like and enjoyed book alots.
July 1, 2020
This is a tough book for me to review. Jae is one of my all time favorite authors and I can always count on one of her books to get me out of a reading slump. While this was an enjoyable read, it wasn't one of my favorites. This book follows Kelsey, an omega wolf who was part of the group who tried to kill Jorie in the first book (Spoiler Alert!). She is tasked with rescuing a shifter-wolf teen who hasn't gone thru their first shift yet from their adoptive mother.
I really like Kelsey. Shifter books are always hit or miss for me because I really don't like the alpha male dominate bullshit trope that is very common in this genre. With Griffin being a Liger, there wasn't all that much of it in the first one, which I appreciated. With the focus on this book being Kelsey, an omega, it was really great seeing how being submissive doesn't mean your weak or can't stand up for what you believe in. I really liked her story. I also really liked Rue, and how once again, Jae used a human to up-end ideologies in the shifter community, but in a different way.
Over the last 2 years that I have been nose deep in romances, I have come to discver that I don't like POV's that aren't the main couple. Even if it is well written and serves a purpose, I always feel like it detracts from the main couple, and I am impatient to get back to them. This book has a decent amount of time to Danny's POV. There were interesting parts but they never really grabbed me. They almost make the book feel like there is too much happening.
Last little critque on why this wasn't my favorite. I like Griffin and Jorie but I felt like their involvement in this story never had a conclusion. They are there in the beginning to get everything started, appear in the middle and then pretty much aren't involved at all in the end. I wish they were either less involved in general, or had an ending. I especially wish that Griffin and Kelsey had some kind of closure. Griffin spends most of the book being an asshole, and I dislike that I kind of really hated her by the end of the book, given that I liked her a lot in the first book. Maybe their stories aren't done yet, given the ending of this book!
Highly recommend reading the first book in the series but this is a worthy read afterwards.
I really like Kelsey. Shifter books are always hit or miss for me because I really don't like the alpha male dominate bullshit trope that is very common in this genre. With Griffin being a Liger, there wasn't all that much of it in the first one, which I appreciated. With the focus on this book being Kelsey, an omega, it was really great seeing how being submissive doesn't mean your weak or can't stand up for what you believe in. I really liked her story. I also really liked Rue, and how once again, Jae used a human to up-end ideologies in the shifter community, but in a different way.
Over the last 2 years that I have been nose deep in romances, I have come to discver that I don't like POV's that aren't the main couple. Even if it is well written and serves a purpose, I always feel like it detracts from the main couple, and I am impatient to get back to them. This book has a decent amount of time to Danny's POV. There were interesting parts but they never really grabbed me. They almost make the book feel like there is too much happening.
Last little critque on why this wasn't my favorite. I like Griffin and Jorie but I felt like their involvement in this story never had a conclusion. They are there in the beginning to get everything started, appear in the middle and then pretty much aren't involved at all in the end. I wish they were either less involved in general, or had an ending. I especially wish that Griffin and Kelsey had some kind of closure. Griffin spends most of the book being an asshole, and I dislike that I kind of really hated her by the end of the book, given that I liked her a lot in the first book. Maybe their stories aren't done yet, given the ending of this book!
Highly recommend reading the first book in the series but this is a worthy read afterwards.
November 5, 2013
Better than the first book, Second Nature (yep, the title is a bit confusing. :)) Fans who like the first book should definitely grab this. It's a great return to the world of shape shifters that the author Jae has created but is different enough that it feels like a totally new book. One little thing I didn't like about the first book, Second Nature, was the idea of frail, smallish (5'6") Jorie being with a 300-lb woman/liger. :) No such problem here. The lady shape-shifter here is a sexy, shapely wolf. :) The 480 pages flew by so quick I never noticed it was almost twice as long a the usual lesfic book. Possibly Jae's best book yet, although my sentimental favorite is still Hidden Truths.
I have a side comment about the blurb which seems to be a bit too 'spoilery'. For the first 2/3 (or more) of the book, the biggest mystery is whether the kid's mom is abusing the kid or wants to do him harm. But the blurb seems to imply otherwise. I think the suspense would have worked better if the reader doesn't get the impression (from reading the blurb) that the mom isn't the bad guy.
I have a side comment about the blurb which seems to be a bit too 'spoilery'. For the first 2/3 (or more) of the book, the biggest mystery is whether the kid's mom is abusing the kid or wants to do him harm. But the blurb seems to imply otherwise. I think the suspense would have worked better if the reader doesn't get the impression (from reading the blurb) that the mom isn't the bad guy.
May 10, 2016
My favorite in the series. Loved the idea of having Rue the human being the dominate and Kelsey as the wolf being the submissive wolf. Really well done!!
April 13, 2025
There is so much to unpack in this book. First of all, I loved it!
I have to say, there are many little plot twists that make the story so amazing. I kind of suspected some of them, but was still surprised when they were revealed.
The fact, that Danny who is a literal teenager, was lost in a big city being homeless, was so nerve-racking to read. I know how Jae writes and was still scared for Danny. And that he is deaf didn't really make it any better, it actually made it worse. This is the second book I read, with a deaf MC. I don't know anybody that is deaf and books (or social media) are the places I get my information from. So from my limited knowledge pov, it's written well.
The story revolves a lot around Danny and not as much on the romance as usual, but I have to say I loved the relationship between Rue and Kelsey. Usually when I think of a Wolf x Human story, it is accompanied by a power imbalance. The Alpha wolf and the weak human. (And also mostly heterosexual, so I haven't actually read anything like that, but that's how I imagine it.) And it was so nice to see something else. A submissive wolf that found her Alpha in a human. It fits the story so well and adds depth, where usually it would have come down to stereotypical Alpha Wolf behavior.
I have to say, there are many little plot twists that make the story so amazing. I kind of suspected some of them, but was still surprised when they were revealed.
The fact, that Danny who is a literal teenager, was lost in a big city being homeless, was so nerve-racking to read. I know how Jae writes and was still scared for Danny. And that he is deaf didn't really make it any better, it actually made it worse. This is the second book I read, with a deaf MC. I don't know anybody that is deaf and books (or social media) are the places I get my information from. So from my limited knowledge pov, it's written well.
The story revolves a lot around Danny and not as much on the romance as usual, but I have to say I loved the relationship between Rue and Kelsey. Usually when I think of a Wolf x Human story, it is accompanied by a power imbalance. The Alpha wolf and the weak human. (And also mostly heterosexual, so I haven't actually read anything like that, but that's how I imagine it.) And it was so nice to see something else. A submissive wolf that found her Alpha in a human. It fits the story so well and adds depth, where usually it would have come down to stereotypical Alpha Wolf behavior.
August 9, 2020
I always enjoy Jae's books. They are well written and she is a go to for solid reads. I liked book 2 better than the first. Rue and Kelsey were more likeable for me than Griffin and Jorie. Kelsey is easily my favorite character out of all the books and short stories within this series. All (both mains, and the shorts) are well worth the read though.
November 5, 2017
Another great story by Jae written around an immensely enjoyable character study. Kelsey is so complex; I loved watching her grow and it was great to read about a wolf shifter who isn't what I'm used to (dominant/possessive).
Again, a deep and well written secondary cast.
Again, a deep and well written secondary cast.
December 1, 2020
I did love the book
The twists were definitely interesting. I have read a few shape-shifter romance and all seem to be different in their own way which I guess is what makes them enjoyable.
True Nature was an awesome read, though some part of either expected or wanted more. I dunno which is it. The part when they were searching for the kid, that was a little bit frustrating because it became the major plot of the book which also brings me to say, this was definitely those slow-burn that are not romantic. And by romance, I don't mean sex. Like seriously, if my brain remembers right, Rue and Kelsey didn't even have a date, or dinner or a sleep-in like how Jae usually writes her books. Jorie and Griffin had some. They never even went back to Rue's office (I was having thoughts about that, panty suits and all).
A wolf submitting to a human: Now that was new. They're usually alpha but still needy as fuck. But submissive, no. Though even the submissive part was rather unsubtle. I like it when I am the one who interprets scenes for myself. When the scene are so leading, it makes the book less adventurous in all sorts of way.
The twists were definitely interesting. I have read a few shape-shifter romance and all seem to be different in their own way which I guess is what makes them enjoyable.
True Nature was an awesome read, though some part of either expected or wanted more. I dunno which is it. The part when they were searching for the kid, that was a little bit frustrating because it became the major plot of the book which also brings me to say, this was definitely those slow-burn that are not romantic. And by romance, I don't mean sex. Like seriously, if my brain remembers right, Rue and Kelsey didn't even have a date, or dinner or a sleep-in like how Jae usually writes her books. Jorie and Griffin had some. They never even went back to Rue's office (I was having thoughts about that, panty suits and all).
A wolf submitting to a human: Now that was new. They're usually alpha but still needy as fuck. But submissive, no. Though even the submissive part was rather unsubtle. I like it when I am the one who interprets scenes for myself. When the scene are so leading, it makes the book less adventurous in all sorts of way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2021
A submissive wolf-shifter and a more dominant human? This book is driving me crazy!!
The whole books are mostly about "finding Danny," which I don't mind. However, I think Danny's POV in this book is unnecessary(and Jae sure knows how to write a pain in the ass teenage boy); it will add more thrill and mystery if the reader has no idea what happens to Danny, we will feel more engaged with Kelsey and Rue. I love Kelsey, and I love how Jae wrote her in a submissive shape-shifter. While most of the book about wolf-shifter are either dominant or masculine, Kelsey is soft and sweet, and she instantly submits to Rue every time in her wolf form is just *chef's kisses*.
I don't think anyone would read this book and won't love Kelsey.
The whole books are mostly about "finding Danny," which I don't mind. However, I think Danny's POV in this book is unnecessary(and Jae sure knows how to write a pain in the ass teenage boy); it will add more thrill and mystery if the reader has no idea what happens to Danny, we will feel more engaged with Kelsey and Rue. I love Kelsey, and I love how Jae wrote her in a submissive shape-shifter. While most of the book about wolf-shifter are either dominant or masculine, Kelsey is soft and sweet, and she instantly submits to Rue every time in her wolf form is just *chef's kisses*.
I don't think anyone would read this book and won't love Kelsey.
June 2, 2021
3.5 star ratings
While this can be read conveniently on its own, some of the characters have their backgrounds storied up in the previous novel and novellas before this, so one might feel better informed by reading them beforehand.
This was an enjoyable read, especially with a deaf character and a human alpha in play. On the downside, i felt some scenes prolonged and unnecessarily too worded.
While this can be read conveniently on its own, some of the characters have their backgrounds storied up in the previous novel and novellas before this, so one might feel better informed by reading them beforehand.
This was an enjoyable read, especially with a deaf character and a human alpha in play. On the downside, i felt some scenes prolonged and unnecessarily too worded.
March 23, 2022
Tbh I continue to be shocked by how good these books are 🙌🏾
June 3, 2023
I enjoyed reading this one, it's not better than the first one but still good.
June 14, 2020
4.5 rounded up. Felt more connected to Kelsey and Rue compared to Jorie and Griffin, and Danny was my favourite. I do wish we had more than a glimpse into Rue repairing her relationship with Danny, and the romance felt a little rushed at times (but that’s also me being a hoe for slow burn.)
December 27, 2024
I liked this novel a lot. It was nice and long, and used that length to truly flesh out a solid story. The relationships between all of the protagonists developed realistically and organically over a lot of scenes, even if the timeline of the novel wasn’t particularly long (for most of the events). I liked how the protagonists grew together during the “climactic” parts of the novel but then also took their time to process these events afterwards and establish a real connection. This novel had a lot of elements on the go and wove them all together satisfyingly. There were a few twists I did not see coming at all, which is always a satisfying experience.
My Rating: "A"
GoodReads: 5-stars
The worldbuilding was solid and had the advantage of having a few previous novels and short stories to springboard from. I also appreciated that this novel was written such that you didn’t require prior reading to be able to understand it. The cameos and characters from previous stories were a nice and welcome element, while also being able to be appreciated and understood if I hadn’t read the other novels. The shapeshifter premise is simple enough, but the author does a lot with the concept and certainly has some fun with it.
I liked the deaf representation and felt like it was well done and reasonably accurate. Jae normally does a good amount of background research, and it shows. This is a kind of representation that you don’t normally see in more action/adventure-oriented stories, so I appreciated it. Add in the representation for sexualities (and I suppose supernatural phenomenon) and this novel checked a good number of boxes.
The shapeshifter novels are not my favorites by Jae (because that’s a high bar) but they are quite enjoyable. She is working on another one as I write this (it might actually end up being a 2-part) and I am excited to read it, especially considering how this novel ended. Sometimes being late to the party is nice because this one will be fresh in my mind for when the next comes out!
My Rating: "A"
GoodReads: 5-stars
The worldbuilding was solid and had the advantage of having a few previous novels and short stories to springboard from. I also appreciated that this novel was written such that you didn’t require prior reading to be able to understand it. The cameos and characters from previous stories were a nice and welcome element, while also being able to be appreciated and understood if I hadn’t read the other novels. The shapeshifter premise is simple enough, but the author does a lot with the concept and certainly has some fun with it.
I liked the deaf representation and felt like it was well done and reasonably accurate. Jae normally does a good amount of background research, and it shows. This is a kind of representation that you don’t normally see in more action/adventure-oriented stories, so I appreciated it. Add in the representation for sexualities (and I suppose supernatural phenomenon) and this novel checked a good number of boxes.
The shapeshifter novels are not my favorites by Jae (because that’s a high bar) but they are quite enjoyable. She is working on another one as I write this (it might actually end up being a 2-part) and I am excited to read it, especially considering how this novel ended. Sometimes being late to the party is nice because this one will be fresh in my mind for when the next comes out!
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