The Beasts of Barakhai

The Books of Barakhai #1

by Mickey Zucker Reichert

Here is the exciting first novel in Mickey Zucker Reichert's acclaimed shapeshifter saga—published simultaneously with the hardcover release of the second and final book. Graduate student Benton Collins enters a gateway to a world where people transform into animals daily—whether they want to or not.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Mickey Zucker Reichert (pseudonym for Miriam Susan Zucker Reichert) is an American fantasy fiction author of several best selling novels. Perhaps her most famous work is the epic Renshai series, which offers an intriguing perspective on traditional Norse mythology. She is also a parent and paediatrician with a soft spot for critters great and small. She has been known care for a veritable zoo of creatures, at times including mice, horses, snakes, llamas, parrots, squirrels, possums, and foxes.

Alongside her twenty-two novels, Reichert has also published one illustrated novella and fifty-plus short stories.

Reviews

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a protagonist having a really bad time, you will love this book. Our luckless, lonely protag stumbles through a portal into fantasy land, and winds up arrested for cannibalism for eating a woman shapeshifted into a rabbit . There are, of course, lovingly written scenes of him being pinned down and tied up by guards, guiltily weeping, falling down the stairs, getting beaten into unconsciousness, being forced to strip in front of other people. All Mickey Zucker Reichert classics. Beyond that, there are surprisingly complex politics and lies and double dealings for a portal fantasy novel, which I enjoyed.

[Ronan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has a bit of a rushed ending, likely because of the exposition required for the concept. Ben Collins was a character that I couldn't decide whether to like or not. I think, if there were a sequel (is there?) where the burden of exposition wasn't so necessary, then I could see this series improving greatly...

... If this world wasn't so thoroughly explored here. I feel I have pretty much no reason to return, interesting as it is. A thorough meh.

[Matt Littrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to put my feelings about this book into words. It wasn't good, at least not technically, and I had issues with most of the characters, but I found I loved the world. I kept wanting to know more about it. And by the end, I found myself smiling and feeling satisfied. What more could you want from an escape?

[Cameron Perrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading the description I was worried this would be very dark, but it mellows out quickly and I really enjoyed it! I loved the intelligence of the main character, especially that there aren’t really any “oh he didn’t see this coming and ran right into the trap!” moments.

[Timothy Pitkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was okay which is a shame since in my opinion the only thing holding the book back was the main character as he just seemed average but the setting and some of the lore for the book was pretty fantastic and I hope the sequel does either make Benton a better character as he just seemed to easy to sway and had no real opinion about anything and just went along with what everyone else told him. However the setting was original as unlike many worlds in multi world stories are not always that explored but I felt this one was explored a bit more and the history and lore of the world were also pretty cool

[Bri Valentine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful Story

I loved how vivid the world of Barakhai was in the description by the author. The characters were great and the only reason I gave four instead of five stars is because I think the story ended too abruptly.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was overly simple and the characters nothing special but it got the job done and the world and magic were extremely interesting.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting plot, quick read, fun characters.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, if you can get through the first couple of chapters, this book is actually quite a good read. But the whole beginning premise is a little silly, even for a fantasy book.