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

Jul 01, 2025 Swaye rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: books, sapphicus-dramaticus, 2025, 2025-sapphic-bingo, sapphic-fantasy, abby-craden

I was torn between slapping this review on Goodreads or keeping it in the Hall of Private Regret because I love Jae's work, but this book was a serious test of how far one sapphist will go to complete a bingo square.

A liger shapeshifter.

Somehow, a mythological creature would’ve made more sense to me than a genetically engineered zoo cat who emotionally imprints on her car. 😅

Sorry, Jae! ...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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