fictionalkate's review against another edition
2.0
This book starts with a bang.
Dez gets asked out on her first date, finds out she can shift into a tiger, gets kidnapped, shifts for the second time and manages to escape her abductors with the boy from the cage alongside in tow. All in the first couple of pages.
And the fast paced story just continues along at breakneck speed.
The action and suspense create a very exciting story where at times it seems as if you blink and you would miss a lot of important stuff that happens. For me it was a bit too much action and not enough explanation. I would have loved to have a bit more detail into a lot of the events and perhaps a but more forethought into the consequences. It’s fantastic that the characters are so spontaneous but there were times when I couldn’t quite work out why they were doing the things they were doing – and I’m not entirely sure that the characters understood it either.
I didn’t like how the romance unfolded in this novel. As with everything else, it just happened too quickly with no explanation why or any growth. It was only as I reached the end of the novel that I really started to feel that either Dez or Caleb even really knew who the other person was and it just wasn’t happening for the sake of having a romance sub-plot.
This book was an interesting and enjoyable read but I just felt that I would have enjoyed it more had the pace been slowed down a little and instead of all the action scenes there was a bit more discussion. About the characters, the concept of the Shadows, and about the relationships between the characters – not just that of Dez and Caleb but also those between Dez and the minor characters, and between the minor characters themselves.
Dez gets asked out on her first date, finds out she can shift into a tiger, gets kidnapped, shifts for the second time and manages to escape her abductors with the boy from the cage alongside in tow. All in the first couple of pages.
And the fast paced story just continues along at breakneck speed.
The action and suspense create a very exciting story where at times it seems as if you blink and you would miss a lot of important stuff that happens. For me it was a bit too much action and not enough explanation. I would have loved to have a bit more detail into a lot of the events and perhaps a but more forethought into the consequences. It’s fantastic that the characters are so spontaneous but there were times when I couldn’t quite work out why they were doing the things they were doing – and I’m not entirely sure that the characters understood it either.
I didn’t like how the romance unfolded in this novel. As with everything else, it just happened too quickly with no explanation why or any growth. It was only as I reached the end of the novel that I really started to feel that either Dez or Caleb even really knew who the other person was and it just wasn’t happening for the sake of having a romance sub-plot.
This book was an interesting and enjoyable read but I just felt that I would have enjoyed it more had the pace been slowed down a little and instead of all the action scenes there was a bit more discussion. About the characters, the concept of the Shadows, and about the relationships between the characters – not just that of Dez and Caleb but also those between Dez and the minor characters, and between the minor characters themselves.
jj7twin's review against another edition
3.0
The writing was good although it took time for more action to actually happen than most book. Humdrums is still not my favorite word none magical/shifter people. Totally guessed after the second mention of the old man at the orphanage who it was. Kinda feels like there's too much going on with Dez and her shifting as well as personal life or it's so obvious it's annoying not sure. Liked the characters but have no investment in them. Don't feel like reading the next book but I didn't hate the book. As I said before it's just not for me although it was a decent read if you want to start a new teen series.
catladylover94's review against another edition
good first book, cant wait to read the 2nd one
ladyofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This is a wonderful story about a girl who looses her cool and transforms into a tiger. If that doesn’t catch your attention, then maybe this will: she goes to a school similar to that of the xmen only these teenagers just shift into animals, they don’t have other abilities. Each comes from families of shifters of that animal, and each has their own unique power-as well as their own unique names. We’ve got November, Saki, Morfael, and normal names like Caleb. The ultimate badguy is a man named Ximon. Simon, but with an X at the front instead of an S. Weird, but it stands out as a name.
The plot moves at a brisk pace, I loved all the characters, and everyone had interesting back stories. I really liked how the book read, though I hated the obvious cliffhanger at the end. Obvious, because while the main character manages to make it through everything okay, it still leaves things wide open for a second book.
I’m not sure I’ll continue the series. While I enjoyed this book as a means of something different, I also felt like it could’ve been so much more than it was. I can’t explain why I felt that way, only that it read similarly to other books I’ve read regarding shifters before. I do like the writing style, and the atmosphere that this book gives when reading, and it was a perfect Halloween read as well. Not spooky, but full of supernatural beings that felt realistic.
Overall, I’ll give this a three and a half out of five star rating. Good enough to check out from the library, nice enough to own a physical copy at some point, but not something that I’ll be actively searching for.
The plot moves at a brisk pace, I loved all the characters, and everyone had interesting back stories. I really liked how the book read, though I hated the obvious cliffhanger at the end. Obvious, because while the main character manages to make it through everything okay, it still leaves things wide open for a second book.
I’m not sure I’ll continue the series. While I enjoyed this book as a means of something different, I also felt like it could’ve been so much more than it was. I can’t explain why I felt that way, only that it read similarly to other books I’ve read regarding shifters before. I do like the writing style, and the atmosphere that this book gives when reading, and it was a perfect Halloween read as well. Not spooky, but full of supernatural beings that felt realistic.
Overall, I’ll give this a three and a half out of five star rating. Good enough to check out from the library, nice enough to own a physical copy at some point, but not something that I’ll be actively searching for.
aprilk's review against another edition
5.0
Desdemona a.k.a Dez lives a normal teenage life. Until one night in a fit of rage over the back brace she has had to wear for the past two years, she transforms and realizes she is anything but normal. But before she even realizes what is happening to her, she is kidnapped and wakes up in a cage next to a mysterious and sexy guy named Caleb. Through him she discovers things not only about herself but also about this world and worlds beyond that she never thought possible.
This book was amazing! Nina Berry creates a world unlike any other,with a thin veil between this world and another and the amazing people here closer to it than anyone else,that enables them to have these amazing abilities. I loved that there wasn't just shapeshifters in this book but also callers and objurers as well. It made for a thrilling adventure of suspense and action. But I think my favorite things about this story were the amazing connection between Caleb and Dez and also Dez learning to truly find and except herself. Otherkin is enthralling from beginning to end making for a quick pace with lots of variety from adventure, love, action, and suspense to feed any reading appetite.
** Original review posted on my blog at bookhoardermom.blogspot.com **
This book was amazing! Nina Berry creates a world unlike any other,with a thin veil between this world and another and the amazing people here closer to it than anyone else,that enables them to have these amazing abilities. I loved that there wasn't just shapeshifters in this book but also callers and objurers as well. It made for a thrilling adventure of suspense and action. But I think my favorite things about this story were the amazing connection between Caleb and Dez and also Dez learning to truly find and except herself. Otherkin is enthralling from beginning to end making for a quick pace with lots of variety from adventure, love, action, and suspense to feed any reading appetite.
** Original review posted on my blog at bookhoardermom.blogspot.com **
artsymusings's review against another edition
4.0
When secrets lie just beyond a veil of shadow magic and shifters exist alongside the callers of shadows, it is guaranteed that I will be hooked. And I was. There is never a dull moment in this fascinatingly fresh and a whirlwind of a book called Otherkin.
Dez's life is defined by her back brace so she adjusts to it despite the frustration it brings. But it's been two years and Dez is bound to snap and boy, snap she did! Before Dez knew what was happening, she was looking at a tiger in her bedroom mirror who winced when she did. It unfortunately gave a green signal for her to get drugged, shot and then caged.
There she meets Caleb in the neighbouring cage and they both end up escaping the wrath of the Tribunal. But it's really just the beginning because the Tribunal's sole purpose is to eliminate the remaining otherkin: bears, cats, birds of prey, rats and wolves. Hell be damned if these five shifters tribes ever unite to fight the Tribunal!
But Dez knows that the life as she has known is over when the Tribunal attacks again. Her last option is to go to a shifter school in a secret location with Caleb. With a family on the run, Dez has no choice but to at least learn how to shift into her animal form and back at will.
Through it all, Dez remains a strong and independent character who seems to be always battling with her body; first with the back brace then as a shifter. It really emphasizes her human and the animal form and gives her the courage she needs. I admire her will. Caleb is a pretty mysterious character but he is also charming and have the etiquettes of a gentleman. Their chemistry is hot!
The secondary characters from Ximon, the Tribunal head to Morfael, the mysterious teacher to the other shifters: November, London, Arnaldo, and Siku blends well in the world of shifters. The shifter school turns out to be an adventure for Dez and with Caleb becoming distant, Dez really has no way to gain confidence than to embrace what she is. What is Caleb hiding and why is Morfael becoming more secretive every day?
The concept of otherkin is so thrilling, it's like a whole new world. Just like the tagline says, "On the edge of our world lies the shadow of another..." Some of the description in the book took me by surprise with such vivid detail especially that of Morfael's cabin that I was awestruck. Nina Berry has written a fantastic debut that I ended up wanting more; it's that good!
Dez's life is defined by her back brace so she adjusts to it despite the frustration it brings. But it's been two years and Dez is bound to snap and boy, snap she did! Before Dez knew what was happening, she was looking at a tiger in her bedroom mirror who winced when she did. It unfortunately gave a green signal for her to get drugged, shot and then caged.
There she meets Caleb in the neighbouring cage and they both end up escaping the wrath of the Tribunal. But it's really just the beginning because the Tribunal's sole purpose is to eliminate the remaining otherkin: bears, cats, birds of prey, rats and wolves. Hell be damned if these five shifters tribes ever unite to fight the Tribunal!
But Dez knows that the life as she has known is over when the Tribunal attacks again. Her last option is to go to a shifter school in a secret location with Caleb. With a family on the run, Dez has no choice but to at least learn how to shift into her animal form and back at will.
Through it all, Dez remains a strong and independent character who seems to be always battling with her body; first with the back brace then as a shifter. It really emphasizes her human and the animal form and gives her the courage she needs. I admire her will. Caleb is a pretty mysterious character but he is also charming and have the etiquettes of a gentleman. Their chemistry is hot!
The secondary characters from Ximon, the Tribunal head to Morfael, the mysterious teacher to the other shifters: November, London, Arnaldo, and Siku blends well in the world of shifters. The shifter school turns out to be an adventure for Dez and with Caleb becoming distant, Dez really has no way to gain confidence than to embrace what she is. What is Caleb hiding and why is Morfael becoming more secretive every day?
The concept of otherkin is so thrilling, it's like a whole new world. Just like the tagline says, "On the edge of our world lies the shadow of another..." Some of the description in the book took me by surprise with such vivid detail especially that of Morfael's cabin that I was awestruck. Nina Berry has written a fantastic debut that I ended up wanting more; it's that good!
markma's review against another edition
5.0
Otherkin is a very good book. It is about a girl named Dez and a guy named Caleb. Dez gets kidnapped for reasons she does not understand and she meets caleb in the cage next to her where she is being held. Caleb tells her why she was kidnapped and she helps him escape.
I really liked how there was action. There was also lots of plot twists that made you wonder and be confused in a good way. I would recommend Otherkin to anyone who like stories with shapeshifting, and plot twists.
I really liked how there was action. There was also lots of plot twists that made you wonder and be confused in a good way. I would recommend Otherkin to anyone who like stories with shapeshifting, and plot twists.
sangloup's review against another edition
5.0
Extreme Book Nerd Challenge 2021 - category #27
Challege Topic: A one-word title
This was a great start to a new series for me to get into. Love this one.
Dex has no idea what is happening to her or what she is when she suddenly shifts into a massive Tiger and then is captured and put in a cage made of silver. Thus begins a battle with the Tribunal.
I loved the character creation and how the Author kept the sotry moving. Very well done.
Challege Topic: A one-word title
This was a great start to a new series for me to get into. Love this one.
Dex has no idea what is happening to her or what she is when she suddenly shifts into a massive Tiger and then is captured and put in a cage made of silver. Thus begins a battle with the Tribunal.
I loved the character creation and how the Author kept the sotry moving. Very well done.