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Black Queen: Stray: Fated Mates Paranormal Shifter Romance

(Shifters Among Us #1)

Lidiya Foxglove

4.29 · Rating details · 7 ratings · 5 reviews

Pets. Servants. Threats. That's all shifters have been to humans since they discovered our existence. A prophecy claims that three powerful shifter queens will bring peace and justice. It sounded pie in the sky to me…until I accidentally unleashed a crazy power and killed a group of Hunters with a mere thought when I was fourteen.

I’m a declawed cat shifter, nothing badass ...more

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Expected publication: February 28th 2021

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Start your review of Black Queen: Stray: Fated Mates Paranormal Shifter Romance (Shifters Among Us Book 1)

Feb 21, 2021 Lola rated it really liked it

I received a free copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.

I've been excited to read this series since I first heard about. I love the concept for this series with 3 shifter queens and how each get their point of view told over 9 books. I can't wait for the rest of the series! This was an excellent start to the series and I really enjoyed it.

Dark Queen Stray mostly is told from the point of view of Frankie, but there are chapters from the point of views of some of the guys as well as Mi I received a free copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.

I've been excited to read this series since I first heard about. I love the concept for this series with 3 shifter queens and how each get their point of view told over 9 books. I can't wait for the rest of the series! This was an excellent start to the series and I really enjoyed it.

Dark Queen Stray mostly is told from the point of view of Frankie, but there are chapters from the point of views of some of the guys as well as Mina too. I liked getting to know Frankie. I felt she acted realistically with how she didn't want the spotlight that comes with being a queen. She's used to being in the shadows and while her life isn't that good, she knows it can go worse. It feels like she gets a certain comfort from knowing what to expect from her life, even though as outsider it's easy to see how her life really isn't that good. I liked how she stands up for what she believes in, but is also smart enough to know when hiding and sneaking around works best. She seemed capable and like she knows what she wants.

The world in this book is dark and gritty, but the overall tone doesn't quite feel that dark most times, although there are definitely darker parts. This book is set in a sort of alternate history type of world, where lots of things are the same as they are now, except shifters exist and are treated as less than humans. In this book we get to see a wide range of bad things that can happen to shifters and how they are treated and it's appalling. Which is exactly why this prophecy of three shifter queens brings such hope to shifters. I liked the story and where it goes so far, it kept me guessing what would happen and if certain character where as they appear or not. And I am exciting to see where the story goes next.

In a sense this book feels very much as an introduction to the world and some of the characters, but I do mean that in a good way. I liked getting to know the characters and guessing which guys would end up with Frankie. We get a good feel for the world and I feel that the first few pieces for the larger storyline are in place. I am really excited to see where this goes next and I can't wait for the next book.

The romance is very much a slower burn here. There are guys who show interest in Frankie and I have some guesses who will end up with her and one guy I am fairly certain will end up with Frankie. It's still very much hints and setting the beginnings of her relationships with them. We also meet Mina, another girl who is probably a queen and I am guessing who might end up with her as well. I am looking forward to see how the relationships develop in future books and excited to learn more about the prophecy and what the queens can do.

I liked learning about the different types of shifters, there are cat, bird and wold shifters so far. As well as humans a half breeds. And there are some scenes where we see them shift as well, which was fun. It is sad to see how they are treated and I was glad to see how Frankie wouldn't stand for it, even though she isn't ready to claim her status as queen yet. I am curious to see how this will develop.

To summarize: This was an awesome start to this new series. I liked getting to know the characters and the world. Shifters are treated badly in this world and a prophecy of three shifter queens who will change their fate brings hope. I liked getting to know Frankie and I thought it made sense how she didn't want to let anyone know she was a queen, she doesn't have a good life, but that's what she knows and she realizes how much worse things could be. I liked getting to know some of the side characters and potential love interests. There are hints of who Frankie might end up with, but it's mostly the starts of possible relationships. I enjoyed the story and it kept me guessing and I am eager to read more books in this series and see how things continue. ...more

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Feb 24, 2021 Rachel rated it really liked it

It's all about the shifters. Lidiya Foxglove is another one of those authors who I know about but haven't yet read, that is until now. Black Queen: Stray is the first book in her Shifters Among Us series. This series is really shifter focus, they have their own history, society, problems, and magic. This reverse harem is a slow burn and told from multiple perspectives with interesting characters. It was a fun and entertaining read.

The story focuses on the injustices shifters (so far bird, cat, a It's all about the shifters. Lidiya Foxglove is another one of those authors who I know about but haven't yet read, that is until now. Black Queen: Stray is the first book in her Shifters Among Us series. This series is really shifter focus, they have their own history, society, problems, and magic. This reverse harem is a slow burn and told from multiple perspectives with interesting characters. It was a fun and entertaining read.

The story focuses on the injustices shifters (so far bird, cat, and wolf) in a world that is like our current one but where humans know about shifters. However they treat them less than second-class citizens, they are more like a commodity than humans think that they can own and do whatever they want to. They have their own territory (Istara) sure, but they live mostly in not the best situations, they are kept as pets, They are hindered where they are unable to shift into their animal forms, made to do hard labor, do humiliating jobs, becoming consorts, servants, put in fighting rings, and so many more horrible things. Worst yet it isn't just the humans who treat shifters with this sort of callousness it's other shifters as well, making a profit off of their own kind of pain.

However, there is a ray of hope in their world, a prophecy about three shifter queens who will bring peace to the shifters. Well let me tell you fate has a sense of humor, the two possible queens need a lot of work. Frankie, a cat shifter, is an orphan who had to work as a spy for a crime boss from a very young age. While she is street smart and has a toughness to her she also has a softer side that she didn't let her circumstances harden. Frankie cares about people, cares about the injustices shifters go through but she also knows reality and is terrified of her power of being a queen and becoming a pawn and I don't blame her. I like Frankie she is smart, witty, sassy, and brave. This is a slow-burn reverse harem, some of Frankie's guys have been introduced but nothing has happened and only one relationship is formed and sort of admitting feelings. Ansel is very interesting and there is something very open about him, Waylon is kinda a jerk but he has built himself up out of nothing, and Ian is the childhood crush who is just so kind and adorable. So I can't wait for everyone to come together and for the guys to finally admit their feelings and for Frankie to realize hers as well.

Then there is Mina, who so far seems shallow, she likes being a pet, having everything planned for her, bought for her, having her life decided for her. Then there is the really weird relationship she has with Allister, who "owned" her since he was a child. There is soothing really twisted about their relationship, he says he loves her and wants to give her rights. but they are playing this weird little game with each other and I don't even know what to think about them.

Stray was a pretty quick read, I like the characters, and the history and current situations of the shifters are very interesting. To see the different shifter races, how their personalities differ, how they treat each other, and how humans treat the different species. However, my favorite part is something I haven't encountered so directly, fate. At first, I couldn't see the strings coming together but then after a certain scene all the key players went where they needed to go, and were connected to everything in some kinda way, it was cool. I have a very serious question about Viktor Castella, he is a key player and it seems he knows a little too much and I don't know if he's friend or foe. Everything ended in kind of a mess and I am looking forward to seeing what's coming next.

...more

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Feb 09, 2021 S rated it really liked it

Completely intrigued!

I have to say I am intrigued by this story. It is a great start to the lore of this world. We spent a lot of time meeting new character and learn in the ways of this world. I’m truly excited to see what happens next as we are just scratching the surface. Can’t wait to see where all this is going. Wherever it is it will sure to be dramatic.

Frankie and Mina are interesting main characters. I can’t wait to learn more about them and what kind of epic battle this is all leading ...more

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Feb 18, 2021 Anne rated it it was amazing

Wow! I just kept trying to turn the page but it was over. What a read.

Frankie is a small shifter cat in world that hates and oppresses shifters. Even other shifters. I was sucked into this world and really felt for all of the shifters. Their struggles and world really sucked me in and I am excited for more.

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About Lidiya Foxglove

Lidiya Foxglove

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Lidiya Foxglove grew up on a steady diet of fairy tales, folklore and fantasy and also reads way too much manga. Fantasy romance is her favorite thing in the world, but she likes it steamy. She also loves cats and tea--it's cliche for a reason! ...more