Customer Reviews

River

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

River isn't your ordinary troubled teenager. She's actually a wolf--the Alpha Female of her pack--who was bitten by a werewolf and transformed into a human. Now forced to live among humans, River has no real interest in blending in with society, but instead longs for her wolf pack and mate. When she learns that there is a chance she might become a wolf again, she is determined not to let anything stand in the way of reuniting with her pack and resuming her former life. Unfortunately, things are far from simple, and the longer River spends away from her pack, the more she becomes entangled--however reluctantly--in the lives of the humans around her.

At last, here is a novel about werewolves where they actually exhibit wolf-like qualities! The author has clearly done her research, and knows something about real-life wolves. These true-life details bring an element of realism to the novel that makes River's journey even more compelling. As for River herself, she is a fascinating character who balances cynicism with dark humor. Her wolf nature and her initial hatred of all things human mean that she seldom bothers to hold back, either with her words or her fists, a situation that at first makes her an outsider but later places her in the position of protector to her friends and foster-brother. But, beyond the frequent action that kept me riveted, RIVER is a story about learning to accept oneself, about forgiveness for past mistakes, and about the love of friends and family--or of a wolf for her pack. This book is a permanent addition to my keeper shelf, and will be revisited many times in the years to come.

River is a female Alpha wolf with a pack, a mate, a life. For reasons unknown to her, she is ripped from her reality and turned into a human. She does not know how to speak in a human language, how to dress, or what the hell happened to her. Because of her youth (in human form she looks about twelve), the authorities put her into foster care. When we meet River, she is now fifteen, and in High school. With only a few years of human experience, her abilities with language and literacy are still limited.

Quite honestly, the thought of trying to cope with High School, Special Ed classes or the age of fifteen is horrifying enough without the added complication of being a wolf in human skin. River has learned enough to mimic borderline human behavior, but the rules of teenagers is beyond that of most humans. Worse, River is an adult as a wolf, with a mate (wolves mate for life), the teenage angst, cruelty and sexual games are additionally horrific to her.

My empathy level shot through the roof when reading this book. Viewing humanity from River's point of view, our species comes across as shallow, stupid, vindictive, incomprehensible. River has the option of adapting to our ways, or being true to her wolf instincts. She can no longer be a wolf, nor can she be a human, because she isn't one. No easy choices, no magic wand to give her back her real life, this is a book about coping with unacceptable truths.

I would love to read a review of this story by a literate teenager, since it is their age group that is specifically under a microscope, but I would not classify River as a YA novel, it's too profound to be ignored by the rest of us.

HIGHLY recommended.

What happens when a human werewolf bites a wolf?

River Wolfe is trapped in a human body and forced to endure the indignities of high school, just like any other teenaged girl. However, just three years ago, River was the alpha female of her wolf pack until a mysterious male transformed her with one bite into a two legged human. River wants nothing more than to return to her pack and all of her thoughts, dreams, and sketches are of wolves and of her beloved wolf pack.

One day in her physical education class, River spots him- the hated male who bit her and forced this human existence on her. His name is Daryl Marsden and Daryl is determined to draw River out of her shell. Daryl offers River bits and pieces of information about what has happened to her and gives her hope that maybe she can return to her life as a wolf. River will have to make some tough choices regarding her future in this stunning new novel by Skyla Dawn Cameron.

No one would ever guess that RIVER is a debut novel unless you told them! Skyla Dawn Cameron has perfectly captured the angst of the teenage years in a format that will appeal to adults as well as teens. River's struggle to understand basic human interactions, such as the need for excessive words or attending a dance, is both poignant and insightful. One will clearly see just how awful humanity can be at times while reading RIVER.

RIVER is not a completely dark story, however. Secondary characters such as River's foster brother, Charlie, and her newly acquired friend, Jen, also bring glimpses into what is right about humanity. Both Charlie and Jen are underdogs who look up to River as she struggles to assert herself when challenged by other humans.

Skyla Dawn Cameron has clearly demonstrated a remarkable gift at capturing the true essence of humanity, both the good and the bad. RIVER is not your typical werewolf story by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, the wolf theme serves almost more as a symbol. Fans looking for a unique twist on the werewolf theme need look no further than RIVER as Skyla Dawn Cameron is definitely an author to keep an eye on!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

I highly recommend this book. Skyla Dawn Cameron has thought of a unique twist to the werewolf novel and developed it into a refreshing read which I think will appeal to a range of ages. A first novel this book puts to shame many offerings by established authors.

The lead teenage character River is a werewolf; a wolf that has been bitten by a human that is! The premise alone made me curious to read more and I wasn't disappointed. River is a strong female lead; brusque and yet endearing she has a way of looking at things that will make you re-evaluate your surrounds. Secondary characters are equally well drawn and individual. As well as watching how River develops you get to see how her presence effects and changes the people around her.

Rather than being added as a gimmick the wolf angle is well written. You get a sense of the wolves and feel the author has spent time researching them.

I look forward to further books by this interesting new author.

I've read River twice since I bought it and I'll probably read it tons more. I spent half the book laughing as River tries to deal with her life and what she is, and the other part crying at the many touching moments. Skyla Dawn Cameron writes great, realistic characters with a lot of humor, and I can't wait until her next book is released!

With her impressive debut novel, author Skyla Dawn Cameron accomplishes what few others have by bringing much needed and refreshing innovation to the werewolf story. RIVER is not only a fascinating twist on the wolf-bites-man plot, but a novel in which the werewolf is a bright, witty and humorous young female. This is an entertaining read for anyone who likes fiction, but for fans of the fantasy/paranormal genre--RIVER is a must-have for your book shelf!

This is absolutely one of the best books I've EVER had the pleasure of reading, regardless whether or not the subject matter is about a werewolf. But, since it is, I must also say, that this is also one of the best werewolf books I have ever read as well. Even if you are not an uber fan of the supernatural, you will find something to relate to in this book.

The heroine of the novel was the alpha female of her wolf pack until bitten by a human and turned. She has no social skills, at first is incapable of speech, and so is forced to learn how to walk, talk, and act like a human. Her struggle to fit into our society is incredibly identifying- not only has she been turned into a human, she's been turned into one who (gasp!) must go through high school. However, never through the book did I feel I was too mature, or the depth of the novel trivial.

I found the book to be very emotional, with many different internal conflicts within the main character, especially her lost love, the alpha of her pack. The only two negative things I will say is I felt there was a lot of repetitive fighting, and the outside artwork/print leaves something to be desired. (i'm sorry- it's cheesey looking) Don't judge the book by it's cover- you will miss out on an awesome book.

"River" is an excellent young adult novel, a compelling portrait of a girl torn from her world. The greatest point of this book is the sense that River genuinely isn't human, doesn't look at the world as a human, and doesn't want to. Cameron manages to write so this comes across clearly, and while the book isn't as sophisticated as it could be, it doesn't try to be either. The end result is that "River" is a quick read, pulling the reader through the pages, and leaving the reader glad of the experience. I recommend it for everybody looking to immerse themselves in a world subtly not our own. Enjoy!

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (10/06)

River can never be called an ordinary teenager. River draws, she has two subjects that are the focus of her art, a man and a wolf. She doesn't know the man's name but she knows well who he is, he's the human that bit her. The wolf, her mate, they say wolves mate for life, they are right. Three years ago a human bit River, the next morning she knew she was different. Now she must learn to survive in the human world.

When River sees Daryl she senses that he is the cause of her problems. He is the hated human whose bite brought about her imprisonment in a human body. Daryl knows who River is. He's toying with her but what kind of game is he playing. To come to understand what has happened to her, River must play Daryl's game but she knows that she will win. River knows she must return to her pack but how? Could there be a purpose for her plight.

River's adventures in learning to cope with living as a human are both humorous and sad. I found myself laughing and yet touched by her predicaments. While a lot of this book is dark, there are some delightful characters; Charlie, River's foster brother is endearing. Cindy and Frank are loving and kind. They are trying so hard to understand River, thinking she is a typical teenager going through the angst of high school. This book is well written and has a unique and interesting plot. Most werewolf books focus on the human becoming a wolf. This author took a totally different approach in "River." The cover is beautifully done and adds to the mystique of the plot. The print is a nice size and easy to read. I recommend this book to those who enjoy fantasy and science fiction.

Book received free of charge.