Author:Alexandra Sokoloff
Rating: 4 of 5
Format Reviewed: PDF Copy provided by Harlequin Nocturne
288 Pages, 4.21 x 6.62 x 0.76 in
November 1, 2010
Harlequin
November 1, 2010
Harlequin
0373618468
9780373618460
9780373618460
Harlequin | November 1, 2010 | Mass Market Paperbound
Charged with overseeing the shapeshifters of New Orleans, Caitlin MacDonald has her reasons for being wary of their kind. So when charismatic bounty-hunting shifter Ryder Malloy blows into town claiming to be on the trail of a horde of malevolent entities called Walk-Ins, Caitlin has no reason to trust him—with her city or her heart. But as tourists start dropping dead from supernatural possession, Cait must team with Ryder to navigate his shadowy, ephemeral world…Fiercely independent, Ryder usually hunts alone—but this case requires an exception. To prevent a supernatural massacre, he needs the beautiful Keeper on his side—and, if possible, even closer. In his world, appearances can be deceiving and deadly. And the only way they'll survive is if this woman who tempts him like no other trusts in him completely….
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Disclaimer: I try my best not to provide spoilers in my reviews, however, sometimes in order to be effective in my review of the novel, spoilers may happen unintentionally. If you want to avoid any possible spoilers, please refrain from reading.
The Shifters, written by Alexandra Sokoloff marks the second installment in The Keepers Trilogy. The reader is now following the ever stubborn and pessimistic Caitlin MacDonald as her turn as Keeper is up. She must now take control of not only the Shifters, but her heart as well. After finishing The Keepers, I dived right into The Shifters. There was something tugging at me, calling to me –– pulling me inside New Orleans amongst the mysterious and otherworldly.
This installment picks up roughly 3 months after Fiona and Jagger battled their way through the mysterious murders and their ever growing passion for one another. Alexandra Sokoloff picks up this series with Caitlin, the middle of the MacDonald sisters. Just as Graham left her, Caitlin is still having a hard time accepting the idea of Others being romantically involved with those of other supernatural races, but more so the idea of her sister being so heavily involved with a Vampire. As the novel progresses however, the reader is shown the reasoning behind Caitlin's reservations about not only Jagger being a vampire, but the romantic linking between cultures.
This novel also introduces the ever so mysterious Ryder Mallory, who sweeps into town and literally blows our precious pessimistic Keeper of Shifters off her stubborn feet. Ryder has all the outer qualities bestowed upon Jagger, but they differ in attitude. Whereas Jagger is slightly more aware of his emotions, Ryder struggles with understanding his and staying put in one place for too long –– which as you can imagine, doesn't bode well for any type of lasting relationship.
Ryder brings out the best in Cait and we get to see a more complex and truly emotionally driven side of the middle child. The complexity that has been interwoven into Cait's character, in my opinion, makes her more likable than the motherly figure of Fiona –– a picture painted for us not only through Graham's characterization of her, but reinforced in Sokoloff's writing as well.
As Cait not only struggles to make a mends for the wrong she feels she committed in Book #1, she also has to battle both her inner emotional as well as physical attraction to Ryder.
The Shifters was an intricately woven and detailed second installment to the Keepers Trilogy and introduced me to an author I had yet to read but am now eagerly waiting to get my hands on her other works of fiction. Sokoloff builds up the heated passion between Cait and Ryder in a much more slower pace, which I always enjoy. It helps develop their characters in terms of not just romantic involvement but also their professional relationship as well. Ryder is unsure of his emotions and believe me when I say that you are left hanging until the end in regards to his intentions.
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I recommend this novel for an +18 audience since there are sexually explicit scenes, although extremely tasteful and not graphic in any nature.
*A special thank you to Emma at Harlequin for providing me with this book.
For more information about the book you can visit the Harlequin Website, browse The Shifters, follow them on Twitter or visit their Facebook page. Happy reading!
-Ashley
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