Review: Realistic teen voice + Bad-ass werecats = Awesome read!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 16, 2013
I read the novella prequel (New Pride by Laura Diamond) and absolutely loved it! Laura's gift for writing the young adult voice is amazing! So I couldn't wait to start Shifting Pride. This full-length young adult novel was a fun, fast-paced read with a mystery element weaved in. As much as I love plot, for me, I want to connect to the characters on a deep emotional level, and Laura definitely delivers!The heroine, Nickie, is so sassy and kick-ass. Yet, she has this authentic, teen personality. Despite the loss of her dad and discovering that she's a werecat, she's able to grieve, learn and come through everything that's thrown at her as a stronger person.Oh and the hero, Xavian, hot! A total bad-ass werecat with the sweetest sarcastic side ever! He matches Nickie so perfectly. Even if they don't realize it for a while!This is a fantastic coming-of-age paranormal romance with a very real teen voice. Highly recommend!Now, for some of my fave quotes from Shifting Pride:Like a magnet luring iron shavings, the book tempted me with its mysteries.Ending up in an asylum didn't sound any more appealing than shifting species.(This is my all time fave!) He brought it out of me. It being instant rage.Xavian drove like an expert stunt driver high on meth and Red Bull.Another honk from the horn enticed me to open my eyes. It was better to see death coming.The accusation shattered the air, and shards of it sliced into my soul.The audience ate conflict like it was a heaping bowl of Haagen Dazs's Dulce de Leche ice cream.As Xavian said, I'd developed the ability to be my own furnace, and for once I didn't mind the cold.