Like any sixteen-year-old, Julia's used to dealing with problems. From her overprotective father to her absent mother to a teacher who definitely has it in for her. But everything changes when Julia's reactions become oddly vicious and angry---more animal than human. This action-packed adventure has it all: humor, romance, and a plot that will keep you guessing to the very last page.
The Shapeshifter's Secret
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By M. Rodriguez
Format:Hardcover
Arc provided by Cedar Fort via NetGalley
This might be a bit spoilerish. Please read with caution.
Julia is a 16 year old, living in New York with her overprotective strict father. All is great in Julia's world until she begins to experience some changes. Turns out Julia is a Shapeshifter. To be more specific, a werecat.
I was instantly drawn to this read because of the beautiful cover. This is a beautiful cover! It spoke to me of youth, maturity, vulnerability, strength, magic, ancient yet very new. Yes, all of that. Well it stopped speaking to me along the way. Ok, maybe not completely but it wasn't what I expected.
This story had a lot of promise, so much potential! It just fell short.
The world the author was trying to create was definitely interesting. I liked the different types of werepeople and the fact that there are other magical creatures like the water folk. I liked Julia's best friend Sierra and Gabe who became her best friend along the way. I enjoyed getting to learn about how a shapeshifter shifts and what can happen if not done correctly. I had a few problems with this read. Ok, I had a lot of problems with this read.
1. Julia is kept in the dark about her shapeshifting abilities and her heritage for 16 years. This is fine. Dad finally tells her she's a shapeshifter and few other details but why stop there? Why not tell her everything else that goes along with it? This is a major pet peeve of mine. I hate when only a few secrets are revealed. The person is kept in the dark and won't make a stink about knowing it all at once only to be told later on when something bad has happened and it's too late.
2. Julia had the potential of being a strong heroine. There were times where her presence in the books eluded to being a great warrior or leader... something of that nature. That never stuck. Instead she was often given an immature voice.
3. Terrence is Julia's love interest. In fact after only meeting him twice they become a couple. The relationship didn't feel organic not even for instalove standards and I felt suspicious.
4. Speaking of suspicious. I felt suspicious of absolutely EVERYONE. I didn't feel comfortable at all with any of the characters. Not her best friend, her father's closest friends and confidants... NO ONE. I kept thinking that at any moment one of these people would turn on Julia. I think the author could have done a better job at making some of these people more trustworthy.
5. Julia is given a truth ring by Caleb for Christmas. It is a huge diamond which is supposed to glow a different color to warn Julia if someone is telling a lie. Julia, one, doesn't ever wear it and two, we never read about the ring again.
6. Speaking of Caleb... Caleb is someone. Caleb is possibly important to the story. Possibly. We never get to find out. His part in the book is so cryptic and the way he reacts to certain events always left me frustrated. He had hissy fits. For no apparent reason! Palmface... I did this a lot.
7. We are to believe that Julia doesn't think things through and just plunges ahead no matter the consequences. This is possibly true but the reader is not given substantial evidence of such a thing. For example sneaking out of your room/house because of her overprotective dad prior to her knowledge of being a target didn't scream compulsive behavior. The Ballroom incident didn't scream it either. It was an incident. They just seemed isolated.
8. There were instances where the characters acted as if they didn't have prior knowledge of certain information. Example: Terrance knew Julia didn't know anything about their world for 16 years at the beginning of the book. Why does he act like the fact she didn't know their traditional dances was brand new information towards the end of the book?
9. The big villain/traitor was not so obvious. However, moments before we get the big reveal the author chooses to have Julia ramble some stuff that gives the villain away when in reality she hadn't pieced things together to know that the villain was the villain making the villain reveal anti-climactic. (Wordy, I know.)
10. By the end of the book there are too many incomplete threads. Much of the storytelling felt rushed as if the author wanted to include everything creating interesting moments or facts but never explained thoroughly so that it could all come together seamlessly.
11. Finally the biggest problem I had with the book is that it screamed Harry Potter. A lot!
There are so many similarities it was hard to ignore.
In spite of all that bothered me about the book, I still enjoyed its possibility and still want to read the next book. This can be a real gem if the author executes the next one a bit better. The possibilities are there to create a very unique story.
This might be a bit spoilerish. Please read with caution.
Julia is a 16 year old, living in New York with her overprotective strict father. All is great in Julia's world until she begins to experience some changes. Turns out Julia is a Shapeshifter. To be more specific, a werecat.
I was instantly drawn to this read because of the beautiful cover. This is a beautiful cover! It spoke to me of youth, maturity, vulnerability, strength, magic, ancient yet very new. Yes, all of that. Well it stopped speaking to me along the way. Ok, maybe not completely but it wasn't what I expected.
This story had a lot of promise, so much potential! It just fell short.
The world the author was trying to create was definitely interesting. I liked the different types of werepeople and the fact that there are other magical creatures like the water folk. I liked Julia's best friend Sierra and Gabe who became her best friend along the way. I enjoyed getting to learn about how a shapeshifter shifts and what can happen if not done correctly. I had a few problems with this read. Ok, I had a lot of problems with this read.
1. Julia is kept in the dark about her shapeshifting abilities and her heritage for 16 years. This is fine. Dad finally tells her she's a shapeshifter and few other details but why stop there? Why not tell her everything else that goes along with it? This is a major pet peeve of mine. I hate when only a few secrets are revealed. The person is kept in the dark and won't make a stink about knowing it all at once only to be told later on when something bad has happened and it's too late.
2. Julia had the potential of being a strong heroine. There were times where her presence in the books eluded to being a great warrior or leader... something of that nature. That never stuck. Instead she was often given an immature voice.
3. Terrence is Julia's love interest. In fact after only meeting him twice they become a couple. The relationship didn't feel organic not even for instalove standards and I felt suspicious.
4. Speaking of suspicious. I felt suspicious of absolutely EVERYONE. I didn't feel comfortable at all with any of the characters. Not her best friend, her father's closest friends and confidants... NO ONE. I kept thinking that at any moment one of these people would turn on Julia. I think the author could have done a better job at making some of these people more trustworthy.
5. Julia is given a truth ring by Caleb for Christmas. It is a huge diamond which is supposed to glow a different color to warn Julia if someone is telling a lie. Julia, one, doesn't ever wear it and two, we never read about the ring again.
6. Speaking of Caleb... Caleb is someone. Caleb is possibly important to the story. Possibly. We never get to find out. His part in the book is so cryptic and the way he reacts to certain events always left me frustrated. He had hissy fits. For no apparent reason! Palmface... I did this a lot.
7. We are to believe that Julia doesn't think things through and just plunges ahead no matter the consequences. This is possibly true but the reader is not given substantial evidence of such a thing. For example sneaking out of your room/house because of her overprotective dad prior to her knowledge of being a target didn't scream compulsive behavior. The Ballroom incident didn't scream it either. It was an incident. They just seemed isolated.
8. There were instances where the characters acted as if they didn't have prior knowledge of certain information. Example: Terrance knew Julia didn't know anything about their world for 16 years at the beginning of the book. Why does he act like the fact she didn't know their traditional dances was brand new information towards the end of the book?
9. The big villain/traitor was not so obvious. However, moments before we get the big reveal the author chooses to have Julia ramble some stuff that gives the villain away when in reality she hadn't pieced things together to know that the villain was the villain making the villain reveal anti-climactic. (Wordy, I know.)
10. By the end of the book there are too many incomplete threads. Much of the storytelling felt rushed as if the author wanted to include everything creating interesting moments or facts but never explained thoroughly so that it could all come together seamlessly.
11. Finally the biggest problem I had with the book is that it screamed Harry Potter. A lot!
There are so many similarities it was hard to ignore.
In spite of all that bothered me about the book, I still enjoyed its possibility and still want to read the next book. This can be a real gem if the author executes the next one a bit better. The possibilities are there to create a very unique story.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By KCurtiss
Format:Hardcover
Shapeshifter's Secret was a great beach read. I wanted to keep reading until I finished and was hard to put down when I had to sleep. I enjoyed the characters, the mystery and some interesting twists and surprises along the way to the end. Definitely a fun read to put on your reading list and one I would recommend.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
The Shapeshifter's Secret promised me a world unlike anything I have ever read about and it delivered. The concept is very original and the story has a way of sucking you into it. I manage to finish it in a single sitting! Julia is a very likable character, her overprotective father and his rules have limited Julia from involving herself in normal teenage activities.
The book begins with Julia thinking about the complex personality of Caleb, the new student. But her anger issues are more disturbing for her. Julia seems to be losing her temper whenever she isn't satisfied with the answers she wants. She almost feels herself turning into an unknown creature when her father, Lancer, refuses to tell her much about her mother.
Then Sierra has been acting strange lately and her father decided to put bars on her windows. Seriously? The only good thing about her life seems to be the arrival of Liam, her uncle. But then she overhears a strange conversation between her father and Lance.
Things start to get more strange for Julia when she loses her temper in class and almost attacks a student. She even shapeshifts once but Caleb saves her from trouble. Her father then finally decides to reveal what Julia really is and her lineage.
Fast-forward into Ossai which is really Julia's home and the subsequent enrollment in Lockham. Julia is also disappointed in Caleb but finds a love interest in Terence, one of the captains of the Soldier Union. There Julia also discovers the truth about her mother and the people who depend on her to make things right in Ossai. Is Julia ready to tackle with their sworn enemy, the Guild?
The Shapeshifter's Secret is a fast-paced and action-packed book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is a spectacular new series from Heather Ostler. One I am sure the readers of paranormal genre wouldn't want to miss out on. A debut author to look out for!
The book begins with Julia thinking about the complex personality of Caleb, the new student. But her anger issues are more disturbing for her. Julia seems to be losing her temper whenever she isn't satisfied with the answers she wants. She almost feels herself turning into an unknown creature when her father, Lancer, refuses to tell her much about her mother.
Then Sierra has been acting strange lately and her father decided to put bars on her windows. Seriously? The only good thing about her life seems to be the arrival of Liam, her uncle. But then she overhears a strange conversation between her father and Lance.
Things start to get more strange for Julia when she loses her temper in class and almost attacks a student. She even shapeshifts once but Caleb saves her from trouble. Her father then finally decides to reveal what Julia really is and her lineage.
Fast-forward into Ossai which is really Julia's home and the subsequent enrollment in Lockham. Julia is also disappointed in Caleb but finds a love interest in Terence, one of the captains of the Soldier Union. There Julia also discovers the truth about her mother and the people who depend on her to make things right in Ossai. Is Julia ready to tackle with their sworn enemy, the Guild?
The Shapeshifter's Secret is a fast-paced and action-packed book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is a spectacular new series from Heather Ostler. One I am sure the readers of paranormal genre wouldn't want to miss out on. A debut author to look out for!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Engaging Story
When I picked up the book The Shapeshifter's Secret, I was expecting another paranormal romance. I expected a simple chick flick in book form (which I enjoy reading), but Heather... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Valerie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sharpshooter'a Secret
I liked it but felt like there could be another book, sequel.
This book was recommended by my granddaughter.
T hank you.
This book was recommended by my granddaughter.
T hank you.
Published 3 months ago by Linda Stringham
4.0 out of 5 stars
Really enjoyable read
I'm not big on werewolf books. But when I read the description for The Shapeshifter's Secret, it peeked my interest. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Kelly Hashway
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not the Book for Me
I think it would be putting it lightly if I said that this was not my favorite book in the world. There is just something about this novel that really irked me. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Abbey Ann
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pulls you right into the story!
Wow! When I started reading this book, I was literally hooked right from the first chapter! It was really a refreshing surprise when I started reading this book and it really just... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Paperbook princess
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ok but nothing special
This is another story about a teen with an absent parent and powers she knew nothing of until something strange starts happening. In this case, start turning into a werecat. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Tahlia Newland
4.0 out of 5 stars
a innovative world complete with magical weapons, incredible races,...
Strange things have been happening lately. Julia's anger has become nearly uncontrollable and she doesn't know why, he mysterious new boy at school acts deeply concerned for her... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Amarilys
4.0 out of 5 stars
Stick with it it is worth it!
The Shapeshifters Secret from first glance and beginning reading is one of a popular genre of books, of coming to know your life in the height of finding out who you really are. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Reading_Team
3.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Cover
I have very conflicting feelings about this book. In the beginning it was a little rough getting into but got better as the book went along. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Lori Clark
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Shapeshifter's Secret
There was plenty of mystery within The Shapeshifter's Secret that fueled my intrigue and kept me interested, but I was just not wholeheartedly invested in the characters. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Reading By The Beach
