Shadow of the Shapeshifter

by David Lee Stone

A dark enemy is about to make its presence felt in Dullitch ... something even more chaotic and twisted than the citizens themselves.

For famed investigator, Enoch Dwellings, it's a rare opportunity to shine.
Unfortunately, he’s about to discover that he’s way out of his league in the
sort of case you don't walk away from...

Book one of the Vanquish Trilogy

Contains an exclusive new short story by David Lee Stone

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 5, 2006

Reviews

[Jacque · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m new to David Lee Stone, but a long-time fan of the genre so when I saw the very interesting cover for Shadow of the Shapeshifter I felt this would be right up my alley. Even the blurb was appealing. It suggested more of a mystery than fantasy. Still it sounded good so of course I just have to read it.

The book is listed as a Sci Fi & Fantasy, however, it felt more fantasy and less Sci Fi. The characters were likeable, and their dialog held a humorous note. Didn’t feel the story was very suspenseful so while there is a mystery to solve, it wasn’t one I felt needed puzzling out. There was a good build-up as they work through all the clues to find the missing viscount. It wasn’t an overly complicated story and I really do feel book would work more for a younger audience versus adults. Overall, it was at the very least, entertaining and a fun way to pass the time.


Stars: 3
I received this book from Netgalley. I was not compensated for the book other than the entertainment it provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Steph (starrysteph) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s so wonderful to embrace the FUN in reading - and Shadow of the Shapeshifter was exactly that. This was a delightful (& short) tale for young audiences (middle grade?) featuring magical creatures and bumbling sidekicks and just the right amount of puns. I laughed aloud and shook my head and simply enjoyed the ride. This book is actually quite light on the fantasy elements (making it very easy to comprehend) and filled with charm. Stone’s heart and joy and playfulness were apparent on every page. It felt like an adventurous bedtime story that became more absurd & ridiculous the further we went on.

CW: death, animal death & animal cruelty, violence, blood, kidnapping

(Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven’t read anything by this author before and was at first a bit confused at who the target audience was: the cover looked like an adult fantasy novel, the synopsis read like a fantasy crime noir, but the story itself was a middle-grade fantasy comedy.

Once I got that figured out and shifted my expectations, I did enjoy this book and the characters involved. It put me in mind of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series and I would recommend this book to younger teen readers as a gateway to his work.

My only major critique would be that the plot was too simple and linear, and could have been done with a few more plot twists and red herrings to lean more into the mystery/crime angle of the story.

Overall 3 stars.

[This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in
exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.]

[Isabel Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars
A huge thank you to the publisher, Kingsbrook Publishing, for sending me an ARC!
This book was brilliantly witty and introduced many enjoyable characters. Fans of Douglas Adams will love this fantasy with delightfully imaginative magical elements. I haven't read many fantasy books with this strong of a mystery plot to it, which made it even more exciting. Occasionally, I had a hard time remembering who was who, but the novel was fast-paced enough that I still was able to piece everything together. And there was a very helpful guide at the front of the book as well.
While the story was excellent, my favorite part of this book was the British wit and banter. I am a sucker for British comedy and this is full of it. I found myself laughing out loud at times.
I would recommend this to middle/YA readers who love fantasy with an element of comedy.

[TheDigressiveApproach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
---
I went into Shadow of the Shapeshifter expecting adult fantasy/high fantasy but was pleasantly surprised by the story's greater resemblance to middle grade fantasy in terms of writing style.

Although somewhat jarring, it was nevertheless an enjoyable read with great characterization.

The plot was a little too simple and could definitely use some plot twists and mysteries that were more difficult to figure out.

Overall, this was a fun read and I'm sure a lot of teenagers would enjoy it a lot!

Rating: 3,5/5 stars

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edit: this has gone up to 5⭐️ because it SAVED me from my horrifically long and tragic reading slump. Thanks David 🤗

I was very kindly sent an ARC by the publisher Kingsbrook Publishing and I have to say this book came into my life at the perfect moment, I was in a huge slump and struggling to motivate myself to read.

Shadow of the Shapeshifter is funny, fast paced, the story is brilliant and easy to follow and just a complete all rounder, it has a little bit of everything.

I thoroughly enjoyed each character and getting to know their individual stories and humour and this was so much fun to read.

I am so fortunate to have been sent this and I genuinely can’t wait to read the 2nd and 3rd in the trilogy when they release!

Thank you again Kingsbrook Publishing :)

[Jess Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankyou so much for providing me with an ARC for this book. It did not disappoint I think you have converted me to like mystery, crime solving books. This book was incredible I loved the story line. It flowed so smoothly and the chapters where so easy to keep up with as they were not too long and not too short it was spot on. I loved the fantasy twist to it with the shapeshifters and vampires ect. I only started it yesterday and took me a day to finish I couldn't put it down. It ended on such a high too I can not wait to see what the next book on the series holds 😁😁😁. Definitely worth my 5 star rating.

[Tennessee Coldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly engrossed by it. It's excellently written meaning that it's not bogged down with unnecessary chatter, which allows the book to flow quickly, instantly taking you on a journey into drama, fantasy and humour, and it's entwined so wonderfully. The characters are charming and it's easy to get attached. It's entertaining and could be read by kids and adults. It's layered, descriptive and full of fun, which translates throughout the whole piece. It's everything you need at the moment to take you away from everything.

[Karen Kovacic · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I have read anything by this author, the cover is very eye catching, and I love the genre. Although its targeted at young adult, I thoroughly enjoyed it (I'm certainly not a young adult) the characters are very likable, its got a good pace to the story, it it flows very well.
Will be keeping my eye out for the rest of the series when they come out! Thoroughly recommend. I received my copy in exchange for a review.

[Rania Mkadem · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I received this book from Kingsbrook publishing in exchange for an honest review and I have to be honest, I didn’t think this book was for me. I have never been interested in YA or in Fantasy but I was completely hooked from the first page! I took longer then I should to finish it because I read many books at the same time. But this book is fast paced, easy to follow and funny!! It is definitely a great introduction to the YA Fantasy genre.

[Kirsty Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting

When I read the blurb for this book I was expecting a fantasy based adventure story akin to LOTR’s but Stone definitely could be the next Pratchett with this series! A hilarious read with the right amount of mystery and suspense. Very enjoyable with some unique and intriguing characters and the perfect theme of good vs evil. Can’t wait to read the next instalment!

[Hillary Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first novel by David Lee Stone. I went into it thinking it would be heavy on the fantasy but found it to be a little light which is not a bad thing. All in all it was light hearted read, I would have liked a little more suspense since it is a kidnapping.

I am excited to see how the story continues.

[library.mouse89 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very kindly sent an ARC of this book and it was fantastic! A YA genre perfect for an audience looking to get into fantasy books without it being overwhelming. With murder, intrigue and mystery throughout with humour sprinkled between, it is fast paced and keeps you turning over to the next page! Can’t wait for the next instalment!

[Sheila Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shadow of the Shape shifted is amusing and fun to read. I particularly enjoyed some of the creative cursing. Original characters and names enhanced the experience.

[Monika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story. Good for teens and young adult I think.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received arc from Kingsbrook Publishing and Netgalley for honest read and review,this review is my own.
The blurb of this book made me try for arc and ,as previously stated,is set for a bit younger audience than myself. But that said it was a fun, witty and fast paced book that a lot of you will like, so it is definitely worth a read.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one .

[Chewsy_Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version that was narrated by the author, David Lee Stone. He does a wonderful job portraying the various characters.

I was a little disappointed that this wasn’t a new book. This is a re-print of his fourth book “The Dwelling Debacle”. I don’t understand the new re-brand.

[Tehya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review 5/5 — Shadow of the Shapeshifter

I am SO happy that I discovered this book—the first installment in a series—via BookTok. If you like witty banter and humor in the style of Terry Pratchett, you are in for a fun read. This story had an intriguing mystery that draws you in from the prologue. Written in third-person (with fast-paced chapters), this YA fantasy book can be described as two rival detectives—akin to Sherlock Holmes—who must learn to work together in order to save the leader of their town.

This is a fantasy with diverse types of creatures (vampires, troglodytes, shapeshifters) who were unique and hilarious. I couldn’t stop reading because I wanted to know how it all came together. The mystery element was the main focus, and I thought the conclusion—or final “battle”—was satisfying because it neatly tied up the mystery. I was hoping to learn the motive behind why the Viscount was kidnapped, but this ended on a cliffhanger. Luckily, the second book, The Venom of Vanquish, comes out in June!

Oh, and there was a fun short story at the end of Shadow of the Shapeshifter. David Lee Stone has created an immersive world that has the ability to expand with more stories about the initial characters… and new characters

[Markie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so happy that I got to return to Illmoor. It's been almost 20 years since I read the first and it's brilliant to have a new series.

Stone is very often compared to Terry Pratchett, and with good reason. His stories are funny (you will snort with laughter) and full of detail, but you also feel for the characters. Don't get me wrong, a man who was cursed to live his life as a matchstick is completely bonkers but in Illmoor it makes sense.

This book is as interesting and well written as any of The Illmoor Chronicles (if not more so), and I am very much looking forward to the next installment.

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun book! It was a fabulous introduction to fantasy for younger readers. It had all of the fun magical aspects that I love about fantasy, along with some mystery, whilst still being incredibly funny! This is a book that is meant to be read aloud. Would thoroughly recommend to any younger readers or teachers out there!

[Gina Stamper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow of the Shapeshifter was a great read. I was very intrigued by the story, characters, and how everything came together.
I love the fact that the writing seems focused and on point throughout. It made for a very direct and easy to follow story.
It was a wild ride and I was fully entertained.

[R.K. Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book.

The storyline was very entertaining and inventive.

Very clever use of imagery throughout and all of it topped off with a very satisfactory ending.

Overall, it was just very fun and I must say the cover art is awesome.

[Ergative Absolutive · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pacey, quippy, reaches for farce, but only achieves 'well, at least it was over quick.' The book feels a little like it's attempting to appeal to the Pratchett readers--all the characters are urban ne'er-do-wells of one sort or another--but fails utterly in making anything humourous, sympathetic to the characters it's poking fun at, or adding any actual emotional depth or societal commentary to the plot. There were a couple of fake-out character deaths towards the end, but I didn't ccare in the slightest whether anyone lived or died. It is an undemanding read, at least.

NB: I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. Inasmuch as I can be sure of such things, I believe that this has not affected the content of my review

[Chiara Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, it was a really enjoyable read which had me laughing out loud in places.
I would say it was cosy fantasy with a lot of humour.

[Andra Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

So....Shadow of the Shapeshifter has an interesting storyline, and it just took a minute for me to find it. I like the characters and the drama that it presents as it is unexpected. I love the twists in the storyline and the edge of suspense. However, I need a bit more from the stories to hold my interest. I found myself skipping pages to get to the next bit of action. There could be more to these stories, but this particular one fell a bit short of the promise. I need the mystery, suspense, and intrigue to keep me reading. I got this in bits and pieces in this story.

I am a little torn. I liked the story after getting into a few chapters. However, I need more action, suspense, and connection to the characters in future books.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Thus Kvothe The Raven · Rating 3 out of 5]

The good: the plot has elements of mystery and adventure that work well together. Some of the characters are interesting and there are some humorous points.

The bad: the humor does become tiresome. A few characters are a bit two dimensional.

The results: three stars. This is not bad for a tale with a younger (non-adult) audience. I do enjoy comedic elements interspersed within a good story, but this reads almost like a Keystone Caper. I also prefer characters to have more depth. While this book isn’t bad, neither is it good. Average overall.

My thanks to Kingsbrook Publishing via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

#KingsbrookPublishing #Netgalley #Illmoor #IfCatsCouldRead #Rescuedismyfavoritebreed #kindlesallthewaydown #fantasyfiction

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Kingsbrook Publishing & David Lee Stone for sending me an ARC copy of this book!
This was an amusing and lighthearted fantasy novel which I enjoyed! I definitely feel like it was aimed at a younger audience but is still a good, fast paced & fun read!!