Stray (Shifters, #1)

by Rachel Vincent

[Jo]

The difference between the movies and reality? In real life, I was the monster.

Faythe Sanders looks like an ordinary student, but she's hiding a dark secret: she is a werecat, a powerful, supernatural predator. Yet headstrong, independant Faythe a resents her power, heading to college to escape her family and her overprotective ex, Marc.

That is until a stray - a dangerous werecat without pride or territory - catches her scent. With two werecat girls already missing, Faythe is summoned home for her own protection.

But Faythe will do whatever it takes to find her kidnapped kin. She has claws - and she's not afraid to use them.

I really liked this book! It was such a great read. Lots of really strong characters, that you can't help but like. Faythe is stubborn, and determined to have a life of her own outside what is expected of her as a tabby in the pride - get married and have babies. She strives so hard to get what she wants, and you can't help admire her.

That's one of the subplots of the story; her determination to stand up against her father, the Alpha of the pride, and be independant. There is another subplot too, the relationship between Faythe and her ex, Marc. Marc loves her and wants her back, but Marc symbolises to Faythe everything she was trying to escape, and fights him at every turn. Then Jace, an enforcer for the pride, takes an interest in Faythe, and a love triangle forms with Faythe trying to fight it all from every angle.

Back to the main plot; this story is really quite disturbing and scary as it unfolds and we find out what's happening along with Faythe. Once she was involved properly, I found it very difficult to read, not wanting to know what would happen, because I could guess.

But this is an awesome book, it makes you face things you would rather not. It doesn't wrap you up in cotton wool, but puts you smack dab in the middle of it all, wondering how the hell could things get any worse, and worried for the characters. Seriously, an amazing book. I highly recommend!

From Ink and Paper - Fantasy book blog