Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Shifter: Legends of Pern Coen

Rate this book
Bran has spent his life being hunted for what he is. Born with the gift of shape shifting, his very existence is in danger from the ruler of the Clan of Blaidd, Ri Cadfael. Bran has sworn his loyalty to a man who has vowed to see Cadfael brought to ruin, until a chance encounter with the Ri's daughter leaves Bran questioning his future. Seren saved him years ago and the memories of her, and of his old life, aren't so easily forgotten.

In the end, Bran must make a choice: kill Seren or spare her. And if he does spare her life, he will be forced to risk his very own. Can Bran turn away from his questionable past and help Seren save the clan from the Dark Spirit bent on destroying it? And will Seren lose her heart to a dangerous shifter in the process?

ebook

First published June 28, 2022

95 people are currently reading
492 people want to read

About the author

Hannah E. Carey

22 books43 followers
Hannah E. Carey began telling stories as soon as she was old enough to talk and she hasn’t stopped since. As a Dysautonomia warrior, writing and her love of stories allow her to explore new places & worlds, no matter what her body throws at her. She loves all things romance and writes epic romantic fantasy with fierce heroines that is inspired by her love of mythology, along with women’s fiction that stars loveable four-legged companions and is inspired by her years of being a horse & dog mom, her background in equine rescue, and her years of working as a certified Centered Riding Instructor. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading romance novels and spending time with her husband, horses, and dog on her small hobby farm.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
23 (27%)
4 stars
22 (26%)
3 stars
22 (26%)
2 stars
13 (15%)
1 star
4 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Hope Chase.
5 reviews
June 29, 2022
Love a bad guy turned good? Love a girl who knows her own heart? And then there's a good guy who's turned bad. Fated mates are well played out in book one of this series. Can't wait for book two to see how they can make it work. The island is suffering from evil...can it be fixed? If you love Hannah's other stories about the island of Pern Coen, you'll love this one too. I did.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews362 followers
June 29, 2022
Bran and Seren . . .

Bran and Seren meet again and share a past somewhat. Will Bran be forced to kill her? Or are they perhaps fated mates and meant to be together? Grab your exciting copy and begin their story.
12 reviews14 followers
September 12, 2022
I really enjoy this author's storyline and world building. I'm always excited when a new one comes out and looking forward to the next one of this series. Definitely like the characters and how you really get invested with them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
117 reviews
June 28, 2022
I was given the eARC to read for free for an honest opinion of the book. This is definitely a five star read for
Me!!! I absolutely love the world of Pern Coen and Bran and Seren are some of my favorite characters. Bran sacrifices so much and Seren is just this incredibly strong and compassionate character. I feel like there is some hidden history there with the healer, Aengus!!! And I wonder if there will be redemption for Alannah? I can’t wait to see what the next book holds. This series is a definite buy for my library!!
91 reviews
June 29, 2022
Another fantastic story set in the intriguing world of Pern Cohn. I love this series with the depth and richness of this world. Shifters, Spirits, good and evil this is fast paced and action packed. With strong characters Bran and Seren are both trying to stop the Ri Cadfael from hurting shifters and trying to stop the dark spirits from taking over. With compassion, strength, romance and understanding this is a must read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Yael.
219 reviews7 followers
April 6, 2023
This is the first novel I read by Hannah E. Carey, and I enjoyed it very much.
The world is rich and the characters are strong and capable (both the good and evil!). Once you start reading you are pulled into the world and are invested in the story. The novel does end with a cliffhanger, where you get a glimpse into the political stirring and the hardship/evil to come.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
431 reviews16 followers
June 10, 2023
I previously haven't enjoyed shifter stories particularly, but I thought it was well done in this one and really enjoyed the story and the MC's and worldbuilding. I liked Seren; she's a strong, conscientious, yet feminine heroine and I loved Bran and his ark.
The romance was lovely; just the right amount of tension for me and starting with a good friendship.

I didn't enjoy Dohmnall's pov or character. I've had similar feelings for villainous characters in the author's stories before, and although Dohmnall isn't really an antagonist in this book, his petty character with little redeemable qualities makes it clear he'll become an antagonist in the sequel. At least that's my expectation. It made him feel somewhat two dimensional, and I would have liked some more depth to him.
Seren and Bran's pov's, that make up most of the story anyway, more than made up for his bits though.
I'm excited to read the sequel.

Coarse language: none
Violence & gore: mild-moderate violence, no gore
Sexual content: no sex, but definitely some spice in the form of sexual tension rising between some characters, passionate kissing and the attention to each others physique.
Profile Image for Marcella.
504 reviews21 followers
June 9, 2022
She was a light in the darkness, guiding me to hope. She has always been.

It was heartwrenching and romantic read. I enjoyed the writing style, which felt like a mesh of fairytale and historical fantasy. Both Seren and Bran has gone through so much pain. What happened was not their fault, and despite the bigger problem, I really want to hit some people for treating these two poor babies poorly. I also adore Cian and Emer, and uh... intrigued by Domnhall in a way haha. And that one new character introduced toward the end!

I'm glad these Seren and Bran found each other (again!) and so excited (also a little dreading) to see what will happen in the next book!

Profile Image for Erin Dydek.
336 reviews22 followers
April 8, 2023
The Shifter was my first time reading one of Hannah Carey's novels, and I'm happy to say that I enjoyed it immensely! One thing that I loved was her ability to create distinct voices for her characters. Often when I read first-person narratives, I keep checking the chapter heading to remind myself whose perspective I'm following because the characters speak and think very similarly. Fortunately, this was not the case in The Shifter! Readers get to follow Sheren and Bran with occasional input from Domhnall, and I loved all three perspectives!

Carey does an excellent job of developing the tension between Sheren and Bran as their feelings from the past reignite. These characters must travel through a world wrought with warring spirits, both good and evil, with many obstacles preventing their future together. Sheren is a young woman trying to stand against her unrelenting father so she can bring about change and prevent the enemy's destruction of the land. She knows she should not allow herself to hope for a future with Bran, but she knows he is a good man despite the lies her father has spread about shifters. Bran continues to feel unworthy of Sheren's affection because of the poor choices he has made in desperate situations in his past. Together, they could make a difference, if they weren't so powerless in their positions.

I loved the slow-burn romance between Sheren and Bran. It was the perfect blend of sweet moments of vulnerability and attraction. I appreciated how both had opportunities to protect each other and work together--saving each other and showing how strong a couple can be when they work as one. Occasionally, one or the other repeated their lament about how they couldn't make their relationship work, which was slightly annoying. However, as the story progressed, it became clear that this was simply their efforts to protect their hearts from the inevitable desire that was bringing them together in a world trying to drive them apart. Their story is ongoing, and I look forward to beginning the next leg of the journey in the upcoming release, The Scout.

Carey set up the next installment with intriguing actions between the supporting characters, who all have agendas of their own. These subtle movements will create more obstacles for the young couple to overcome in the next novel while furthering the building tension between the forces of good and evil. I'm excited to see how Sheren uses her gift as a seer and how she fulfills the vow she made. I also look forward to seeing how Bran's role plays out in his precarious position while enemies like Lorcan and Alannah make their moves. Of course, there's Domhnall, the ever-ticking time bomb, just waiting to go off and add another exciting layer to this unfolding story!

I would recommend it to readers who enjoy epic fantasy and shifter romance. The sensual content remains tame, and a few mild profanities exist throughout the novel. I didn't notice any typos in this well-paced novel, and I'm eager to continue this series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,760 reviews45 followers
June 30, 2022
"As with all works from this author, this was entertaining, creative and just everything we want and love in a paranormal romance read:
Strong, protective men? ✔
People who desperately need a hero? ✔
Chemistry between these characters that is off the charts?"✔.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Barbara.
19.2k reviews8 followers
July 4, 2022
The book in well written and held my interest but it does end on a cliff-hanger. I want to read the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Honey.
60 reviews
February 28, 2024
I found it long and with so many characters, I found it confusing. There was no one I really found myself liking, I’m also confused at what’s actually wrong with the mum.. entire time it seemed like she was checked out mentally, but then she has a moment where she almost “wakes up” and is actually coherent? But just as quick as it comes, it goes?
Why does Aengus remind both her and her cousin of her brother? It doesn’t touch on it which left me confused.
Her dad is a real soab, no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
Cad is your typical self proclaimed “nice guy” who’s actually an ass hat.

It’s not a bad book, it’s just not for me.
Profile Image for Yael.
219 reviews7 followers
Read
April 6, 2023
This is the first novel I read by Hannah E. Carey, and I enjoyed it very much.
The world is rich and the characters are strong and capable (both the good and evil!). Once you start reading you are pulled into the world and are invested in the story. The novel does end with a cliffhanger, where you get a glimpse into the political stirring and the hardship/evil to come.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Christina Luberts.
2,775 reviews7 followers
September 4, 2023
This is Brean and Seren's story. Follow the fantasy of good and evil. Sheren standing against her father. Bran has made bad choices can he make better? Will he ever feel worthy of Seren? Can they come together for change?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Nospicereads.
91 reviews17 followers
November 9, 2024
This book was not what I was expecting and I love that. It is a Celtic inspired story, with lots of political intrigue! The plot was interesting and I can't wait to see where it goes. The descriptive words felt a little repetitive for me, and the inner dialogue was also very repetitive. I look forward to reading the next book.
834 reviews1 follower
September 16, 2022
I enjoyed reading this wonderful book! This book has wonderful characters and a wonderful plot! I had a hard time putting this wonderful book down! I will be reading the next book in this wonderful series!
879 reviews5 followers
August 31, 2023
The Shifter: legends of Pern Coen is a great fantasy read. This world is full. I was glad the author had references for things because it helped. If you love fantasy, thus is a must read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Alice Bloomfield.
1,823 reviews10 followers
February 22, 2025
3.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

This is an enjoyable paranormal romance with a former bad guy and a girl with opinions she isn’t afraid to share. It’s a good read but not realising this was a spin off series I think I missed some background information.
Profile Image for Brandy.
60 reviews
August 10, 2025
unexpected

I was not sure how this would go when started as was a slow start and more old world than I thought. It grew on me and good so while not quite a favorite it is an interesting read and may continue with more
Profile Image for TaniaRina.
1,589 reviews118 followers
December 6, 2023
Choose your enemies wisely
Ensure that you are driving out the correct darkness and not only that which you perceive. Take a step back and heed your trusted advisors. There are times that doing the right thing may not feel right in the moment – the big picture and the future are more important.


Next in series are ‘The Scout’ and ‘The Seer’ (already released).
Profile Image for Christy.
123 reviews
July 22, 2025
More like 2.5 stars it was ok but probably the only book by this author I will read.
Profile Image for Merissa (Archaeolibrarian).
4,193 reviews119 followers
March 11, 2024
THE SHIFTER is the first book in the Legends of Pern Coen: Fated series and we meet with Bran and Seren. Bran is a shapeshifter, as such, he is sentenced to death by the Ri, who is Seren's father. There is a lack of loving feelings towards his daughter though. Seren helps Bran escape, along with many others, making her a traitor in her father's eyes. When she is kidnapped and ransomed, her father refuses to pay it, leaving Bran - who had found himself with that gang - to make a decision with long-ranging effects.

Oh, what a story this is! There is so much going on and so much against Bran and Seren, I honestly can't wait for their story to continue. Domhnall is a fly in the ointment and needs to get over being the fourth son! As for Aengus, I can guess his relationship, but I want to know more about how it all came to be.

This is a fantastic foray into Pern Coen, giving me just as much to enjoy as Rhiannon and Connor's story. The world-building is first class and the story is character-led. It doesn't finish on a cliffhanger, per se, but it will fill you with the need for the next book so you can continue with the story.

Absolutely fantastic and HIGHLY recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Apr 14, 2023
Profile Image for Virginia.
9,263 reviews22 followers
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.