Series: Shifters, #1
Publisher: Mira Books
Publish Date: June 1st, 2007
Source: Purchased
Goodreads

Rating: 4/5 – A great start to one of my favorite series!

Synopsis: I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds. Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked.

This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back . . . for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I’m no meek kitty. I’ll take on whatever — and whoever — I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays — ’cause I got claws, and I’m not afraid to use them . . . -Goodreads

Thoughts: I love!!! this series! I’ve read the whole thing a couple of times over, and am in the middle of doing the same again. I can’t get enough of Faythe and her band of sexy werecat men. Stray by Rachel Vincent seemed like a great way to kick off Were(cat) Wednesday, where for the next few months I will be reviewing some of my favorite shapeshifter books.

I scoff whenever I walk by the fiction section at work and see these books since the book sorting people obviously haven’t read these or they’d know there are shapeshifters involved and that these books clearly belong in fantasy! And when asked to think of a book that made me cry this series always jumps into my head… *sad sigh*. I won’t mention what did it as if you haven’t read these books yet you should, but it was a doozy. Anyways, I love this series and while this book is in no way the strongest of the bunch, it’s a good start.

I’m a big fan of shapeshifters so I loved that Rachel Vincent brought something to the table besides werewolves. Faythe and her family can turn into beautiful, sleek panthers at will. Their instincts are completely different than wolves and so all of their interactions with each other are interesting to follow and I love the complex society that American werecats have developed for themselves. At first I did think there were a few too many similarities between prides and wolf packs but the more immersed you get into this world the more you see the different nuances. It’s fun!

Faythe starts out as someone I can’t really relate too and I know some people who flat out don’t like her based on this book. Personally though, I love a series where the MC has a little room to grow. In book one she just wants a little freedom and independence from her family. Okay, she wants a lot. But considering her family, I suppose it’s understandable. I mean, I don’t know if I’d leave a ranch full of well built, sexy werecat men, but hey, to each her own, I guess. So yes, she can be a little whiny, but she was unhappy with her lot in life, so she did something about it and I really respect that about her and therefore I enjoyed following her story in this book and the entire series.

The rest of the characters are really what makes this series shine. It’s full of masculine, over protective guys (who still manage to come off as individuals and not stereotypes), strong leaders and fierce females. Honestly, Faythe’s family and friends is probably what secured this series it’s spot among my favorite books bookshelf. You really get to feel like you know these people, understand what they’re going through and know where it is they want to go with their lives.

Alright, I guess I’ve gushed enough for now. This series rocks and if you haven’t read it yet you should get on that. Be sure to check back next week for Were(wolf) Wednesday and the first book of Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series.

Buy Stray by Rachel Vincent
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Second Opinions:
@ Geeky Bloggers Book Blog
@ Bewitched Bookworms
@ Bookd Out