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The Shapeshifter #2
Running the Risk
Dax is starting to get used to his life as a shapeshifter. At last he feels safe and secure, surrounded by people he trusts, and with real friends who understand what he is going through. But then everything changes, and Dax finds himself in danger beyond his wildest dreams. And just when he
needs his best friend Gideon to be there for him, Gideon's life changes too. Dramatically. And forever.
Now Dax feels more alone than ever. Because he can feel that something is very wrong-but no one will take him seriously. No one else can see the danger that threatens to destroy them all . . .
needs his best friend Gideon to be there for him, Gideon's life changes too. Dramatically. And forever.
Now Dax feels more alone than ever. Because he can feel that something is very wrong-but no one will take him seriously. No one else can see the danger that threatens to destroy them all . . .
363 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2007
36 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Ali Sparkes
121 books146 followersAli Sparkes (born 1966) is a British children's author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 21, 2021
How DARE this book end the way it did?! Like yeah, yeah, the baddie has been taken care of, but I need justice for this very specific character! :(
December 22, 2023
Well, I can certainly say that this entry did not disappoint!
(Dax is starting to get used to his life as a shapeshifter. At last he feels safe and secure, surrounded by people he trusts, and with real friends who understand what he is going through. But then everything changes, and Dax finds himself in danger beyond his wildest dreams. And just when he
needs his best friend Gideon to be there for him, Gideon's life changes too. Dramatically. And forever.
Now Dax feels more alone than ever. Because he can feel that something is very wrong-but no one will take him seriously. No one else can see the danger that threatens to destroy them all . . .) ~ Blurb from Goodreads
The way that the story played out was certainly intriguing. So Dax almost dies in fox form after being pursued in a fox hunt and it's implied that this may or may not have been planned by Spook Williams (the kinda sorta bully from the last entry) and it's also revealed that Gideon has a long lost brother named Luke. Moments like this kept me guessing as to where the story was gonna go or what it was gonna do with certain characters and in turn, kept my interest and made me want to keep reading. Considering that the last entry was a lot more formulaic and predictable, this is insanely impressive.
I liked how Dax's dad was developed here. So in the first entry, he was more or less the nice father that can't be with his so too often due to his occupation as an oil rig worker. But in this entry, he's not so cut and dry. For example, I think this is a great way to make the character a little more nuanced and realistic, but still kind of sympathetic as well.
I liked how the novel dove a little more into how the shapeshifting system works. For example, in chapter twelve, Dax explains to Luke that
Speaking of the shapeshifting system, I found the way this entry explores more of Dax's fox side to be interesting. So basically, not only do we learn that Dax
There's a really smart moment in chapter fifteen. So at this point in the story, Not only is this a great nod to the continuity, but it also shows Dax is willing to take advantage of the resources he has. Also, should he decide to he can
I loved the villain. So the villain this time around is and although I figured out that the novel still kept me guessing as to who the villain was gonna be. Not only that, but is an interesting villain. So Like, damn! Certainly a step up from the villain in the last entry.
There's one part that made no sense. So in chapter six, it revealed that he used his powers of glamour to create the vixen Dax saw in chapter one and rile up a fox hunting party. But in this entry and the last entry, it was firmly established that Tax couldn't see actual illusions. So if that's the case, how the heck did Dax see the vixen? The rule about Dax (and other shapeshifter for that matter) being immune to glamour is either being deliberately ignored for some reason or it's leading to something. But here's the thing. This break in the rule was completely unnecessary. Let me explain. This same scenario could've been accomplished while maintaining consistency by having Spook's parent or stepparent be the owner of a fox farm or something. Spook could be alerted to Dax's presence, steal a fox, set it out into an area near Dax, riling up the fox hunting party. Then, when Spook gets bored of torturing Dax, he can just recall the same fox from earlier and release it near the fox hunting party.
There's also a moment near the tail end that made me scratch my head. So when Dad gets tricked into being held prisoner in his fox form in a cave by Catherine, the ghost of the wolf boy from the last entry comes up to him, says, "Take it to the wing" and Dax basically transforms into a falcon without doing anything. This makes absolutely no sense. For one thing, at earlier points in the story, the wolf boy ghost said this exact phrase and nothing happened. So if that's the case, why did him saying anything do something now? It genuinely feels like a Deus Ex Machina. Like it's just there just to get the main character out of trouble and that's it. You know what's strange? I feel like Dax evolving his shapeshifting powers to allow himself to turn into a falcon as well could actually work. Here's how I'd do it: Dax rams himself against the bars of his cave prison, frustrated that he can't escape and wishes he could transform into something else. He then mutters, "I wish I could take to the ground and crawl as an ant or take to the wing and fly like a bird." He pauses. He runs the words, "Take it to the wing" through his mind again. He realizes what he must try. To picture himself as a falcon because of a fond childhood memory he has of one and fly out of his cave prison. He does just that and the plan is a rousing success. Is it perfect? No. But it does serve the same purpose as the original scene in a more believable way.
Overall, Running the Risk was a novel that definitely took a lot more risks than its predecessor and by God do they pay off, but it was also a novel with more stupid moments too.
Overall Grade: A-
(Dax is starting to get used to his life as a shapeshifter. At last he feels safe and secure, surrounded by people he trusts, and with real friends who understand what he is going through. But then everything changes, and Dax finds himself in danger beyond his wildest dreams. And just when he
needs his best friend Gideon to be there for him, Gideon's life changes too. Dramatically. And forever.
Now Dax feels more alone than ever. Because he can feel that something is very wrong-but no one will take him seriously. No one else can see the danger that threatens to destroy them all . . .) ~ Blurb from Goodreads
The way that the story played out was certainly intriguing. So Dax almost dies in fox form after being pursued in a fox hunt and it's implied that this may or may not have been planned by Spook Williams (the kinda sorta bully from the last entry) and it's also revealed that Gideon has a long lost brother named Luke. Moments like this kept me guessing as to where the story was gonna go or what it was gonna do with certain characters and in turn, kept my interest and made me want to keep reading. Considering that the last entry was a lot more formulaic and predictable, this is insanely impressive.
I liked how Dax's dad was developed here. So in the first entry, he was more or less the nice father that can't be with his so too often due to his occupation as an oil rig worker. But in this entry, he's not so cut and dry. For example, I think this is a great way to make the character a little more nuanced and realistic, but still kind of sympathetic as well.
I liked how the novel dove a little more into how the shapeshifting system works. For example, in chapter twelve, Dax explains to Luke that
Speaking of the shapeshifting system, I found the way this entry explores more of Dax's fox side to be interesting. So basically, not only do we learn that Dax
There's a really smart moment in chapter fifteen. So at this point in the story, Not only is this a great nod to the continuity, but it also shows Dax is willing to take advantage of the resources he has. Also, should he decide to he can
I loved the villain. So the villain this time around is and although I figured out that the novel still kept me guessing as to who the villain was gonna be. Not only that, but is an interesting villain. So Like, damn! Certainly a step up from the villain in the last entry.
There's one part that made no sense. So in chapter six, it revealed that he used his powers of glamour to create the vixen Dax saw in chapter one and rile up a fox hunting party. But in this entry and the last entry, it was firmly established that Tax couldn't see actual illusions. So if that's the case, how the heck did Dax see the vixen? The rule about Dax (and other shapeshifter for that matter) being immune to glamour is either being deliberately ignored for some reason or it's leading to something. But here's the thing. This break in the rule was completely unnecessary. Let me explain. This same scenario could've been accomplished while maintaining consistency by having Spook's parent or stepparent be the owner of a fox farm or something. Spook could be alerted to Dax's presence, steal a fox, set it out into an area near Dax, riling up the fox hunting party. Then, when Spook gets bored of torturing Dax, he can just recall the same fox from earlier and release it near the fox hunting party.
There's also a moment near the tail end that made me scratch my head. So when Dad gets tricked into being held prisoner in his fox form in a cave by Catherine, the ghost of the wolf boy from the last entry comes up to him, says, "Take it to the wing" and Dax basically transforms into a falcon without doing anything. This makes absolutely no sense. For one thing, at earlier points in the story, the wolf boy ghost said this exact phrase and nothing happened. So if that's the case, why did him saying anything do something now? It genuinely feels like a Deus Ex Machina. Like it's just there just to get the main character out of trouble and that's it. You know what's strange? I feel like Dax evolving his shapeshifting powers to allow himself to turn into a falcon as well could actually work. Here's how I'd do it: Dax rams himself against the bars of his cave prison, frustrated that he can't escape and wishes he could transform into something else. He then mutters, "I wish I could take to the ground and crawl as an ant or take to the wing and fly like a bird." He pauses. He runs the words, "Take it to the wing" through his mind again. He realizes what he must try. To picture himself as a falcon because of a fond childhood memory he has of one and fly out of his cave prison. He does just that and the plan is a rousing success. Is it perfect? No. But it does serve the same purpose as the original scene in a more believable way.
Overall, Running the Risk was a novel that definitely took a lot more risks than its predecessor and by God do they pay off, but it was also a novel with more stupid moments too.
Overall Grade: A-
January 31, 2021
I first read this series when I was about 8 years old and I remember this particular book being one of my favourites. 11 years later and its still as wonderful as when I was a kid.
I never saw the ‘twist’ coming when I first read it but it was fun this time around to notice the clues and the foreshadowing. The villain was well set up and the new characters were fun to explore. Once again, I loved Gideon and Mia a lot. I preferred Dax’s and Lisa’s characters more than in the 1st book and it was fun to see some depth to Spook.
In reality, this book is probably 4/4.5 stars but I had to give it 5 just for the pure happiness and nostalgia it brought me. It really is a wonderful children’s book but it could be enjoyed by any age.
I never saw the ‘twist’ coming when I first read it but it was fun this time around to notice the clues and the foreshadowing. The villain was well set up and the new characters were fun to explore. Once again, I loved Gideon and Mia a lot. I preferred Dax’s and Lisa’s characters more than in the 1st book and it was fun to see some depth to Spook.
In reality, this book is probably 4/4.5 stars but I had to give it 5 just for the pure happiness and nostalgia it brought me. It really is a wonderful children’s book but it could be enjoyed by any age.
April 11, 2020
'Je zei toch dat je niets had gegeten of gedronken? Maar waarom verga je dan niet van de honger?'
Bij het eerste deel had ik het al gezegd: het is zo'n reeks waarvan je niet ziet aankomen waar het naartoe gaat. Je denkt dat dit zo'n lekker ontspannend verhaal wordt, wel met wat spanning, maar meer ook niet.
En dan krijg je dit op je bord. Oeps. Even slikken.
Het begint al meteen veel serieuzer. De personages zijn bekend, de wereld is uitgelegd, dus dan wordt het zonder aarzelen meteen recht het verhaal in.
En het is een goed verhaal, mensen, wauw. Ik was vergeten hoe goed. Ik wist nog hoe het eindigde. Laat me je vertellen: je ziet het totaal niet aankomen. Doorheen het hele boek wordt alles lichtjes opgebouwd, komen er meer dingen naar de oppervlakte die je helpen met het te ontraadselen, maar je gaat echt niet (veel) sneller dan Dax en Lisa uitgevogeld hebben. Pas bij het herlezen wordt duidelijk hoeveel hints er eigenlijk gegeven worden, hoe mooi alles in elkaar valt. Het is ongelofelijk ingenieus gedaan.
Uiteindelijk word je dus wel ferm op het verkeerde been gezet. Dit is veel meer dan zomaar een avonturenverhaaltje over een paar kinderen die wat probleempjes hebben op hun school-voor-begaafden. Je zit gewoon de godganse tijd op het puntje van je stoel tijdens het lezen, temeer omdat er de hele tijd ook in dit boek weer een dreiging verscholen zit. Je weet dat er iets mis is, maar je begrijpt niet goed wat, maar je weet wél dat het héél ernstig wordt.
Ik ben nog steeds een Dax+Lisa-fan, en die hebben hier een paar goeie scènes samen. Lisa's personage wordt hier goed uitgediept; uiteindelijk komen zij en de andere hoofdpersonages in het eerste deel relatief laat aan bod, dus er kon nog aan gewerkt worden, en dat wordt hier zeker gedaan. Haar manier van doen is geweldig. Dit is ook zo'n badass van voor de periode dat dat woord gebruikt werd. Tof dat zij, naarmate het einde nadert, ook een belangrijkere rol krijgt.
En dat einde... zie je dus niet komen. Op heel veel vlakken. Die laatste vijftig bladzijdes, daar val je van de ene verbazing in de andere. Onthullingen, gebeurtenissen, wendingen... Alles zit er in. Het zit boordevol. En je blijft heel benieuwd achter naar Boek 3 - maar dan moet je wel overschakelen op het Engels, want meer dan Boek 1 en 2 is er niet vertaald. Jammer maar helaas!
8,4/10
Bij het eerste deel had ik het al gezegd: het is zo'n reeks waarvan je niet ziet aankomen waar het naartoe gaat. Je denkt dat dit zo'n lekker ontspannend verhaal wordt, wel met wat spanning, maar meer ook niet.
En dan krijg je dit op je bord. Oeps. Even slikken.
Het begint al meteen veel serieuzer. De personages zijn bekend, de wereld is uitgelegd, dus dan wordt het zonder aarzelen meteen recht het verhaal in.
En het is een goed verhaal, mensen, wauw. Ik was vergeten hoe goed. Ik wist nog hoe het eindigde. Laat me je vertellen: je ziet het totaal niet aankomen. Doorheen het hele boek wordt alles lichtjes opgebouwd, komen er meer dingen naar de oppervlakte die je helpen met het te ontraadselen, maar je gaat echt niet (veel) sneller dan Dax en Lisa uitgevogeld hebben. Pas bij het herlezen wordt duidelijk hoeveel hints er eigenlijk gegeven worden, hoe mooi alles in elkaar valt. Het is ongelofelijk ingenieus gedaan.
Uiteindelijk word je dus wel ferm op het verkeerde been gezet. Dit is veel meer dan zomaar een avonturenverhaaltje over een paar kinderen die wat probleempjes hebben op hun school-voor-begaafden. Je zit gewoon de godganse tijd op het puntje van je stoel tijdens het lezen, temeer omdat er de hele tijd ook in dit boek weer een dreiging verscholen zit. Je weet dat er iets mis is, maar je begrijpt niet goed wat, maar je weet wél dat het héél ernstig wordt.
Ik ben nog steeds een Dax+Lisa-fan, en die hebben hier een paar goeie scènes samen. Lisa's personage wordt hier goed uitgediept; uiteindelijk komen zij en de andere hoofdpersonages in het eerste deel relatief laat aan bod, dus er kon nog aan gewerkt worden, en dat wordt hier zeker gedaan. Haar manier van doen is geweldig. Dit is ook zo'n badass van voor de periode dat dat woord gebruikt werd. Tof dat zij, naarmate het einde nadert, ook een belangrijkere rol krijgt.
En dat einde... zie je dus niet komen. Op heel veel vlakken. Die laatste vijftig bladzijdes, daar val je van de ene verbazing in de andere. Onthullingen, gebeurtenissen, wendingen... Alles zit er in. Het zit boordevol. En je blijft heel benieuwd achter naar Boek 3 - maar dan moet je wel overschakelen op het Engels, want meer dan Boek 1 en 2 is er niet vertaald. Jammer maar helaas!
8,4/10
January 13, 2023
4.5/5 stars. Wow. Truly an instance where the second book outshines the first. Whilst Finding the Fox was very enjoyable, Running the Risk was a prime example of a well-thought-out and well-executed book. Being slightly older than the target audience, I spotted the foreshadowing quite easily and guessed who the villain was, but there was still illusiveness and mystery that, try as I might, I couldn’t decipher before it was revealed, and, honestly, it took a Iot to put this down. I ended up reading until 1 am, one night - this installment was fantastically original, moving strictly away from the Harry Potter-esque elements the first book portrayed. There was so much added depth to the characters, and the intense, fast-paced scenes actually had me breathing quickly at times (oddly, I’m not kidding) The vivid descriptions and wonderful insight into Dax’s thoughts and rocky friendships were perfectly natural, spoken in the words of a true twelve year old. Ali Sparkes built upon the world she has created cleverly, forging a spotless segway for the next book, which I already have in my hands. I give 4.5 stars only because the likeness to Harry Potter was still present, though the next book definitely seems to move away almost completely from any parallels.
So excited!
So excited!
December 19, 2017
Another good book. Nothing to do with horses though ( there is one on the front cover of the book).
July 31, 2018
Excellent storytelling and a truly awesome ending. I had guessed some of what was happening but not all, and in any case the final act was thrilling and suspenseful! Highly recommended
February 13, 2021
A great continuation of the series, with more insight into the characters that really fleshes them out. One of my all time favourite series!
January 10, 2022
Brilliant read, totally loving this series.
March 18, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book even though at the beginning it was pretty boring but the end did make me cry... I'm excited to read another book from this series
May 18, 2023
Certainly in interesting sequel to the first book. There were some great plot twists here and they certainly kept to me hooked. 5 Stars from me :)
April 30, 2024
Jeetje, wat een cliffhanger. Helaas zijn de andere delen van de serie nooit vertaald, maar wellicht ga ik ze binnenkort in het Engels lezen. Ben benieuwd hoe het afloopt!
June 11, 2024
*4,5
I distinctly remember this as being a little less good than the first book I read in Dutch at 9. See my book one review for the rest of my thoughts that aren't even thoughts lol.
I distinctly remember this as being a little less good than the first book I read in Dutch at 9. See my book one review for the rest of my thoughts that aren't even thoughts lol.
July 30, 2025
too young
August 9, 2024
I love this little series <3
I thought it was predictable for most of the book, but it became more unhinged as the chapters went on, and that TWIST about Dax at the end? Loved it !
I thought it was predictable for most of the book, but it became more unhinged as the chapters went on, and that TWIST about Dax at the end? Loved it !
June 4, 2021
Once again, I absolutely loved this book and I was happy to be surprised by a plot twist near the end. I definitely think these books are great, not just for children, and am loving the development of the characters.
December 15, 2015
It took me a while to get into this, partly because I read it in Dutch, but eventually it was great. The story was much more engaging than the first book and the ending was awesome. The tension kept rising for most of the book until that point were things are 'resolved' and everything seems to go back to normal. Except you can just feel that something is wrong everything is about to go to shit. And then it all does, and it's beautiful.
I now definitely understand my cousin's disappointment at the fact that the rest of the series was never translated to Dutch. I'm very curious were this is all going myself and it would suck not to be able to read on. I'm going to do my best to write her a decent translation, and I'm actually very curious to see what it's like to read a book while trying to translate it. It'll probably take a ridiculously long time, but I'm okay with that.
I now definitely understand my cousin's disappointment at the fact that the rest of the series was never translated to Dutch. I'm very curious were this is all going myself and it would suck not to be able to read on. I'm going to do my best to write her a decent translation, and I'm actually very curious to see what it's like to read a book while trying to translate it. It'll probably take a ridiculously long time, but I'm okay with that.
September 10, 2014
I hadn't read any of Ali Sparkes, so in my role I really thought I should. I wasn't expecting much but I was pleasantly surprised. I think this is the second in the series and I could definitely warm to the characters. Plenty of action, but not too horrific or graphic. Fairly predictable but you want to keep going. I would say it is for younger readers than Divergent, Hunger Games etc, more an Enid Blyton adventure in a dystopian world. Not really much too it, but good for its market. Won't be dashing to read the rest of the series, but feel I can legitimately recommend to the kids in the library. Question - do all authors get together and decide similar traits for mediums, vampires, shape shifters etc - or do the publishers make the rules that they are similar - or is it just chance - or is this indeed the truth of how these misfits that it would seem exist in our society really behave?
July 23, 2025
boring asf till u get to the end but wow. ending goes crazyyyyy i wish i was 10 and reading for the first time imagine having to do maths homework after that!!! wild events occuring!!! daxfalcon eating rabbits the hound hunt evil triplet drowning the college and trying to kill all the COLA’s!!! no fucking way!! forgot about luke though….distraught and devastated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2011
Possibly my favourite book of the series from my point of view. The plot continues faultlessly from the first to this edition to create a spellbinding piece.
Definitely going to read this many more times to come.
Definitely going to read this many more times to come.
November 8, 2015
Well written pre-teen to teen read - though at one point towards the end it veered dangerously towards the Goosebumps style of writing - I really felt the claustrophobia of the trapped boy. One I would happily recommend to young people of my acquaintance.
December 11, 2010
Nice development in the Shapeshifter series. All of the books were well written with good plot development and great characterisation.
September 11, 2011
I sometimes think children's fiction is too good for children (like some of their toys!). I'm a middle aged adult thoroughly enjoying this series of books.
July 9, 2012
Interesting, if not predictable but I really like Ali Sparkes writing style and herd books are really fun and a good, easy, quick read.
November 12, 2014
This was an audiobook and I enjoyed quite a lot.
It was thrilling with a marginally predictable ending.
It was thrilling with a marginally predictable ending.
January 20, 2017
I can still remember reading this for the first time when I was twelve - the last few chapters are Traumatic. "Go on now, Dax" always gives me chills.
January 6, 2011
Best book ever and very exciting
Read
June 22, 2014its great just like the first book. thrilling and more or less satisfying
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews