Skinshifter by Alycia Christine – a Review

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Description:
Skinshifters are a curse. The Asheken deadwalkers proved that fact when they used skinshifters to spy against the Sylvan races during the Second War of Ages. Now, after three centuries of peace, the deadwalkers have found a secret way back onto the Sylvan Continent and this time they seek not just to conquer their enemies, but to enslave them body and soul.

When the Feliconas Clan suffers the deadwalkers’ first raid, one werecat—a skinshifter who has concealed her abilities—survives the massacre. Even as Katja struggles with her grief and guilt over her murdered kin, she must unite with other Sylvan refugees to defeat the deadwalkers before they can butcher and defile the other races. But can this skinshifter trust her newfound allies or will their secrets prove even more treacherous than her own?

Review:

Skinshifter by Alycia Christine is the first book in this promising Sylvan Cycle series. (It does have a novella as an introduction to the series). It’s a great read, and it has all the elements a YA needs to keep them interested. It is an amazing adventure, well written and very descriptive. The world once I stepped into it, kept me hooked. 

Katja Escari, our heroine, is an great character; she is tough, brave, a hardy female, and a werecat. But she has a secret that not only endangers her, but those around her as well. When the other members of her Feliconas Clan are ruthlessly murdered by the greatly feared Asheken deadwalkers, Katja flees determined to survive and seek vengeance for her clan. (Asheken deadwalkers are vampires, they can create zombies, no redeeming qualities. They want to rule the entire world.).

Princess Lauraisha is also a character on the run for her life from the evil deeds of her wicked father. The two females, although quite different in some ways, soon learn just how similar they are and they eventually develop a friendship so deep, it is like they are sisters.

After agreeing to help each other achieve their goals against the predominant evils in their lives, their direction is unexpectedly altered by a plea for help from a surprising source that sends them running into the adventure of a lifetime to save the Sylvans from the coming Asheken hordes. With danger at every turn, they join forces with other Sylvans in a race against time.  

I enjoyed Skinshifter. Author Alycia Christine developed an entertaining story, full of fantasy, moments of tense action, and has lots of intriguing characters. This book is a great introduction to the series. Skinshifter was a worthwhile read and I look forward to the next in the series.

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy provided by Author