Second Nature (Shape-Shifter, #1) in Mostly Sapphic

Jun 11, 2020 Netgyrl (Laura) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2_own, format_audiobook-audible, 3_series, 1_sapphic-romance, genre_paranormal-romance, trope_slow-burn, genre_urban-fantasy, genre_paranormal-ro-shapeshifters

3.5 stars - interesting take on shifters and how their society might work

It was a good read in that I wanted to know how the story line got wrapped up. There was some really good action and I cared what happened to everyone in the story.

I was not really feeling the romance. It was super duper slow burn which I am normally into, but it just never jelled for me.

I also had a hard time picturing a 400 lb woman in my head. I looked up 6 ft+ female bodybuilders to try and get something going in my br ...more

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Sep 30, 2013 Sandra rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Jorie Price is a writer of fantasy books, working on her newest project - a book about shape shifters.

Griffin Westmore is a real life shape shifter, assigned to stop Jorie from publishing her novel since it comes very close to the reality of their world and might endanger her species. When she realises that there is more to her assignment than trying to stop Jorie from finishing her book, she starts an investigation into her own ministry - a decision that puts her, as well as Jorie's life into m Jorie Price is a writer of fantasy books, working on her newest project - a book about shape shifters.

Griffin Westmore is a real life shape shifter, assigned to stop Jorie from publishing her novel since it comes very close to the reality of their world and might endanger her species. When she realises that there is more to her assignment than trying to stop Jorie from finishing her book, she starts an investigation into her own ministry - a decision that puts her, as well as Jorie's life into mortal danger. But there is only one way to save them and that involves trusting a human with her greatest secret and at the same time trusting her own estranged family to support her decision.

Second Nature is not your typical lesbian romance novel. Having read several of Jae's previous books, I was curious if she'd be able to draw me into her fantasy world as well with her writing skills. She did. Developing not only interesting and three-dimensional protagonists and secondary characters, she also created a very complex and thought-out setting - a world where shape shifters exist in a parallel world to "regular" humans. She manages to make their worries to be found out believable and their struggles with their identity very convincing. After all, those are circumstances, a lot of minorities that have to hide in an unfriendly society have to face. So I wouldn't consider that a fantasy aspect.

But even though this part was not fantasy for me, the rest of the book most certainly is. The characters are not humans with an additional skill - like an additional sense or special powers like Spiderman or Harry Potter, who are first and foremost humans, no, they aren't human - at all! They are as much animal, if not more so, as they are human. So if you are not into the fantasy genre, this book is not for you. One of the protagonist's for example is a cat shifter. Which means, even in her human form she walks like a cat and only tries to disguise it and she sees colours like a cat does and not like a human.

If you are new to this genre - like I was - and you are willing to open your mind to this world then you'll find a novel full of suspense and action, of romance and fleshed-out cast of characters and a storyline that had me reading until late at night. And if you are already a fantasy fan then you'll love this book. ...more

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Sep 21, 2017 W. Tinkanesh rated it really liked it

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Writers, be wary: your beta reader could be a shape-shifter in disguise. And when one beta reader discovers that her favourite human author’s new book is about shape-shifters described in great details), she has no choice, but attract the Council’s attention to fantasy writer J.W. Price.

Enters Griffin Westmore, elite soldier and hybrid shape-shifter. As a hybrid, she is an outcast with her own people. From a social point of view, she takes after her tiger-shifter mother, and thus hasn’t seen her Writers, be wary: your beta reader could be a shape-shifter in disguise. And when one beta reader discovers that her favourite human author’s new book is about shape-shifters described in great details), she has no choice, but attract the Council’s attention to fantasy writer J.W. Price.

Enters Griffin Westmore, elite soldier and hybrid shape-shifter. As a hybrid, she is an outcast with her own people. From a social point of view, she takes after her tiger-shifter mother, and thus hasn’t seen her lion-shifter father’s pride since her teen years.

Griffin is assigned the mission of discovering J.W. Price’s informant’s identity. If a shape-shifter has revealed the secret existence of the Wrasa, they have broken the First Law (to keep the existence of the Wrasa secret from the humans) and risk execution. Jorie Price lives in Michigan. Nearby Griffin’s lion relatives.

The author of ‘Second Nature’ has taken the time to build Wrasa history, culture, language, hierarchy and politics, giving this novel background and depth. The main characters, Griffin and Jorie, are well developed and relatable with each their own strength. The secondary/supporting characters get their subplots, too, adding extra dimension to the story line.

Is there more to the reclusive writer than appearances? Will the grumpy Griffin follow or defy the Council’s orders? Will Jorie survive the relentless hatred of Griffin’s superior? Will Griffin resolve her differences with the lion-shifter pride? Will there be a happy ending after all the angst, the running, the chasing, the betrayals and the rescues?

Yes, it is a book of suspense and also symbolism. Shape-shifters are outsiders and many of us had the opportunity to feel that way. Hence the kinship I felt with Griffin. ‘Second Nature’ is a worthy read to keep awake at night, unable to let go of the pages, because, damn it, too many chapters end in cliff-hangers!

Wait……. Am I endangering my life by reviewing this novel? This could be considered a breach of the First Law, a potential reason for the Wrasa Council to send an Elite Soldier to eliminate me. I better hurry and review ‘True Nature’.

...more

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Mar 24, 2020 Katia M. Davis rated it really liked it

I loved the world building in this one and attention to detail. It was pretty clear from about a third of the way in who and what Jorie was going to be, but the ride getting there was exciting and emotional. If you want to immerse yourself in shifter cats, intrigue and conflict with a slow burn romance, this is the one for you.

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