About the Book:
Skinshifters are a curse. The Asheken deadwalkers proved that fact when they used skinshifters to spy against the Sylvan races during the Second War of Ages. Now, after three centuries of peace, the deadwalkers have found a secret way back onto the Sylvan Continent and this time they seek not just to conquer their enemies, but to enslave them body and soul. When the Feliconas Clan suffers the deadwalkers’ first raid, one werecat—a skinshifter who has concealed her abilities—survives the massacre. Even as Katja struggles with her grief and guilt over her murdered kin, she must unite with other Sylvan refugees to defeat the deadwalkers before they can butcher and defile the other races. But can this skinshifter trust her newfound allies or will their secrets prove even more treacherous than her own?
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“As involved as it is vividly eloquent, Alycia Christine’s Skinshifter…is fueled by engagingly twisted fantasy elements, vivid imagery, appealing characters, rousing adventure and terse storytelling.” –Bestsellers World
“Action is well done, tension is wonderfully detailed and maintained throughout, and fantasy readers will find in Katja an appealing, believable character whose quest and concerns drive a story line that is vivid, accessible, and involving.” –D. Donovan, Senior eBook Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
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My Musings :
It was a treat to read this book because it has different kind of protagonists derived from known sources.
The start was intriguing with the introduction of Katja. I was confused for a while at the beginning about Katja's race and gradually realised that she is a werecat who is neither fully human nor fully were. She does learn to shift or rather skinshift as the story progresses. I love learning her culture and her lore. This book didn't start making sense till Lauraisha is introduced because it's when the different races' lores and history is explained in segments whenever it is necessary. Till then, it is a blind ride, trying to keep names in mind in the Who-is-who list. The story has a rich background with the various races and the fantastical beings which grace the pages of this book. There are quite a few new magics in this tale which I found fascinating.
Slowly, each protagonist kept joining the first two and finally there is Zahra, Felan, and Dayalan totally to 5 important characters. Each character brings a different skill to the tale. The romance element is also enticing. The pairings are kind of obvious but they do go through the stubborn period before surrendering to the emotion.
The story was told at a steady pace. I wasn't lost in any situation. I was able to follow the journey from the start to the end. The only regret I had was that the head on fighting with the antagonists, Luther's servants were not too many to savour the heroic efforts of the characters. Otherwise, it was all running away action and it was also kind of good keeping up with the mysterious prophecy.
The plot seems to be complicated and only a thread of it has been revealed. I am hoping that more will be revealed in the upcoming books.
So overall, I was satisfied with the new fantasy book but I require more action scenarios.
My one line review : A new fantasy with new magics and skills involving a prophecy
My rating : 3.5/5
My reread factor : 3/5
The start was intriguing with the introduction of Katja. I was confused for a while at the beginning about Katja's race and gradually realised that she is a werecat who is neither fully human nor fully were. She does learn to shift or rather skinshift as the story progresses. I love learning her culture and her lore. This book didn't start making sense till Lauraisha is introduced because it's when the different races' lores and history is explained in segments whenever it is necessary. Till then, it is a blind ride, trying to keep names in mind in the Who-is-who list. The story has a rich background with the various races and the fantastical beings which grace the pages of this book. There are quite a few new magics in this tale which I found fascinating.
Slowly, each protagonist kept joining the first two and finally there is Zahra, Felan, and Dayalan totally to 5 important characters. Each character brings a different skill to the tale. The romance element is also enticing. The pairings are kind of obvious but they do go through the stubborn period before surrendering to the emotion.
The story was told at a steady pace. I wasn't lost in any situation. I was able to follow the journey from the start to the end. The only regret I had was that the head on fighting with the antagonists, Luther's servants were not too many to savour the heroic efforts of the characters. Otherwise, it was all running away action and it was also kind of good keeping up with the mysterious prophecy.
The plot seems to be complicated and only a thread of it has been revealed. I am hoping that more will be revealed in the upcoming books.
So overall, I was satisfied with the new fantasy book but I require more action scenarios.
My one line review : A new fantasy with new magics and skills involving a prophecy
My rating : 3.5/5
My reread factor : 3/5
About the Author:
Alycia Christine grew up near the dusty cotton fields of Lubbock, Texas. She fell in love with fantasy and science fiction stories when her father first read Gordon R. Dickson’s THE DRAGON AND THE GEORGE and Robert A. Heinlein’s HAVE SPACESUIT—WILL TRAVEL to her at age ten. Her love-affair with fiction deepened when Alycia took a creative writing course while attending Texas A&M University. After that class, she was hooked as a writer for life. Her subsequent B.S. degree in agricultural journalism not only helped to hone Alycia’s skills with a pen, but also with a camera. Today she uses her skills as a photographer to capture the beauty of the world around her and add additional perspective to her fiction and nonfiction writing. Find her at http://www.alyciachristine.
Website | Twitter @AlyciaCZS | Facebook
And don't forget the sales!
Skinshifter is on sale for a limited time for only .99 cents for kindle(regularly $3.99).
The Dryad's Sacrifice, a Sylvan Prelude is also only .99 cents for kindle(regularly $2.99).
And Thorn and Thistle (Tempest Maiden Book 1) is also on sale for a limited time for only .99 cents for kindle (regularly $2.99).
Four (4) special Book Bundles that contain a $25 gift card, an eBook copy of Skinshifter, and an eBook copy of The Dryad's Sacrifice (prelude novella) (INT)
Ends Oct. 14
Prizing is provided by the author, hosts are not responsible.
I'm happy to hear you enjoyed this for the most part. Thank you so much for hosting a tour stop and sharing your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review, book sounds amazing!
ReplyDelete