Stray (Shifters, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Apr 18, 2010 AH rated it liked it

Shelves: first-in-series, own, were, zzread-nov-2010, book-challenge, shifters

Before I began reading paranormal and urban fantasy books, I didn’t really know about the variety of “were” worlds out there. I’m glad to have discovered them.

Stray is the story of a Pride of werecats. The werecats are led by Faythe’s father, in a kind of mafia-like arrangement of leadership and enforcers. There are very few female werecats of breeding age; most of the werecats are male. In Stray, someone is kidnapping the tabbies (female werecats) and our heroine Faythe Sanders becomes a victi Before I began reading paranormal and urban fantasy books, I didn’t really know about the variety of “were” worlds out there. I’m glad to have discovered them.

Stray is the story of a Pride of werecats. The werecats are led by Faythe’s father, in a kind of mafia-like arrangement of leadership and enforcers. There are very few female werecats of breeding age; most of the werecats are male. In Stray, someone is kidnapping the tabbies (female werecats) and our heroine Faythe Sanders becomes a victim.

Faythe is forced to go home after she is attacked on campus and her cousin Sara vanishes. Her family and her father’s enforcers are at her home, set to protect her. This is where I had problems with her character. Faythe is in danger, yet she decides that this is the right time to negotiate with her father for her independence and freedom. As for the boyfriend department – Jace is all over her, Marc is very possessive of her, and well, there’s also a boyfriend back at college. A love square.

I have a love/hate relationship with Faythe. For the most part, she is likable except when she is being annoying. Confused? That is a perfect description of Faythe. Faythe is independent (at times), impulsive, petulant, and a little bit spoiled. When we are first introduced to Faythe, she is away at college working on her post graduate degree. She is living like a human girl – she has a human boyfriend, she has a human roommate, and she is a typical 23 year old. Except that she does have a little security detail hiding in the shadows.

The story is told in the first person, from Faythe’s point of view. Usually I find that this style makes the story difficult to follow, but I liked it this way. I felt that just enough information was revealed and that I had my a-ha moments about the same time as Faythe did.

I loved the descriptions of the werecats, their changes, and their mannerisms. There is a point in the novel where Faythe is describing the reactions of humans to her group as they walk by. I could just imagine the humans changing directions and allowing the werecat people through.

I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Update - May 2011 - I finished reading Alpha (book 6) at the end of April. I wanted to add that those of you out there that may be annoyed by Faythe - keep reading - the last 3 books in the series were quite an emotional and action packed ride.
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Apr 09, 2010 Francesca the Fierce (Under the Covers Book Blog) rated it liked it

Shelves: werewolves-shifters, read-audio-books, books-read-2010, genre-urban-fantasy

Not the greatest book for me. It took me forever to finish it, the female character seemed so dumb at times, I would get frustrated and stop reading for a while.

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Feb 10, 2010 GinBee rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2010-read, all-pnr-uf, 1st-in-series, series-read, x-reviewed-old, urban-fantasy, read-fiction, owned-physical

Faythe is one of only eight Tabbies in the country and now they have started to go missing. After she is attacked on campus she returns to the Pride but in characteristic fashion refuses to just do as she is told. Once returned she is also confronted with dealing with her ex-boyfriend Marc, more unfinished business.

Faythe can be a challenging character to like at times, she is strong, determined and can seem a little immature at times but comes to take on her responsibilities and matures nicely ...more

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Feb 08, 2010 Wenj rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2010

After reading many reviews, it seems like this book it either one you will hate or one you will love with few people falling into that between category. And honstely, after reading the novel I can sort of understand why.

Let me start by saying that I really did enjoy the book. The characters were endearing, with a wide range of personalities making it a joy to get to know the 'pride'. They had some truly fun moments that were very, well for lack of a better word, real. The story itself was intere ...more

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May 22, 2010 Lili rated it really liked it

It's a nice story, I got to like Faythe and, even though sometimes I wanted to smack Marc for being an jerk, most of the time I did like him.
Just two little things that put me off:
1. I could have used a lot less whining from Faythe.. really, it was annoying.
2. I'm sick and tired of authors writing in different languages and don't even bothering on checking if what they wrote is right... it's like reading something Yoda would have said.. but worse!! ...more

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Apr 22, 2010 Amber rated it really liked it

Shelves: series, shifters, urban-fantasy, first-in-series, romance

I thought it had a slow beginning but, liked it so far and think the series looks to be very promising. I can't wait to read the rest of them..... ...more

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