Turnskin [Paperback]

Nicole Kimberling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2008

Raised in a remote farming community, Tom Fletcher knows little of his Shifter heritage and less about the dangerous lives that other Shifters lead in the city of Riverside. For Tom the big city is a daydream of opening nights and bright theatre lights. But when Tom meets Cloud Coldmoon-the infamous and handsome heir to a criminal syndicate-everything changes. Suddenly suspected of murder, Tom must flee to the only city where his kind are common. Filled with shapeshifters, con men and mobsters and ruled by the vengeful Coldmoon Family, Riverside is as perilous as it is alluring. Tom seeks refuge in the Turnskin Theatre, where his shape-changing skills can be put to good use on, and off, the stage. Here he has a chance to fulfill his dreams of stardom and romance, but only if he can stay one step ahead of the police and criminals alike- otherwise the next shape he takes could be his last.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Turnskin deftly explores same sex relationships and questions of identity and gender and tells an interesting story of social relations and the politics of art. Spectrum Awards Committee

The unique aspect of the shifter transformation as well as the solid world building deliver a great story that is appealing and fun to read. Three Dollar Bill Reviews

The story is inventive with plenty of twists and turns, the characters are colorful and complex, and the mythology is well developed and intricate. Matthew, Rainbow Reviews

About the Author

Nicole Kimberling lives in Bellingham, Washington with her partner, Dawn Kimberling, 2 bad cats and approximately 100,000 bees.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 259 pages
• Publisher: Blind Eye Books; 1st edition (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978986121
• ISBN-13: 978-0978986124
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,234,731 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Subtle, sexy, and funny -- but they're NOT werewolves, January 4, 2008

By 

Inky "the squid" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turnskin (Paperback)

I was expecting something gothy, (werewolves or vampires),but what I got was a really well written urban fantasy. The story follows Tom as he leaves behind his small town roots--as well as a murder and a dangerous, sexy boyfriend-- to try and make it in the big city. Of course, neither the murder nor the boyfriend stay behind him for long.

The setting is exotic and realistic, the fantasy elements blending easily with the mundane -- rickshaw drivers compete with cars for the roads, tourists gawk at shape-shifting prostitutes and gossip about which film stars are Shifters. It feels like a real place, and the characters that inhabit it are subtle, diverse and fun. (I loved Tom's cousins and their run down theater with velvet seats and falling plaster).

Of course Cloud, the sexy, dangerous boyfriend steals the show, still it was Tom, with his blend of vulnerability and determination, who made me feel for him so much that by the end I was quietly cheering as he faced down crooked cops and theater critics alike. Go Tom!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Original and refreshing. A delightul and unique M/M romance fantasy., February 2, 2008

By 

R.Parklane (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Turnskin (Paperback)

I have a wonderful time reading this. The setting is magical and enchanting, the writer's descriptions vivid. If this her debut, I am in awe of her talents.
The writer has created a fascinating world occupied by Shifters (shapeshifters who are not animals but they do have different coloured fur or hair and some with muzzles) and Skins (humans since they are practically hairless by comparison). The Skins are the higher order specie, most treating the Shifters with comtempt. But that does not prevent the Skins from hiring the Shifters as impersonators, a very original concept in the story indeed.

Both main and side characters are lively, refreshing and well flushed out, each one distinct and fun. Tom is a very likable hero, as this small town half breed (born of a shifter mother and a human father) conquers obstacles and fights for his dream and lover in the big city. You just want this vulnerable, decent but brave character to succeed. Cloud Coldmoon, a Shifter from a "Mafia" Shifter family, is the dangerous but sexy boyfriend, providing twists and turns throughout the story.

Then there are all those charming side characters. Tom's three delightful cousins who take the naive Tom under their wings, Tom's protective female friend, Angela, in the early chapters, Cloud's tough brother, Seven, and the Skins from the threatre world, just to name a few.

The plot is very original, well paced, with exciting and romantic moments as we follow young Tom's adventures. The writer's prose is most engrossing and charming. And you just have to be captivated by all the impersonations and shiftings.

This is the second release from the same publisher of "Wicked Gentlemen". Turnskin is unique and a real charmer. Excellent!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What lies beneath, May 8, 2008

By 

J. Coombs "Simone_42" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Turnskin (Paperback)

Wonderful! The main characters are well developed and engaging, the dialogue is entertaining. There is a little bit of everything in here: racism, ghettoization, classism, elitism, lookism all portrayed in a seemingly alternative universe but the issues are all present day, real world. A great read, I didn't want to get to the end.