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Book Review of Stray (Shifters, Bk 1)

Stray (Shifters, Bk 1)
reviewed on + 242 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


"Stray" is a story of werecats; quite interesting creatures especially since I don't encounter them much in paranormal romances. Faythe is one of only 8 female werecats (tabby) in the United States. Going against tradition and against her familys' objections, Faythe moved away from home and went to college. Her family live on a ranch where they grow grapes and sell wine. Faythe did not want to become trapped into an the expected life of a tabby - housewife, raising kids, etc. - she has an independent spirit and wants to make her life. She has a boyfriend Andrew from college and one she left behind at the ranch, Marc who her father is grooming to one day lead the pack. After 5 years, Faythe is forced to return home when one of the tabbies from another family is missing.

Much happens while Faythe is at home; this book has a really good, believable plot. Marc keeps trying to rekindle their relationship; another werecat who works on the ranch falls for her; two more tabbies are kidnapped; one of the tabbies is found dead in a horrible way; and Faythe herself, through her own rebelliousness by not listening to her father, is kidnapped.

Faythe's kidnappers are the leader, Miguel,a horrible, sadistic werecat and 2 werecat assistants and one human assistant. One of those assistants is a big surprise for Faythe. In a cage across from her, Faythe finds the other werecat who was kidnapped, still alive but very much abused. There's a lot of graphic violence in this part of the book which may be difficult for some women to take. I can see where it may have been needed though considering what came later.

When werecats execute one of their own, it is a terrible, slow and painful death. Do the girls get out? Does Miguel ever get his punishment? What about Miguel's assistants? Read and find out....

I enjoyed this book except for Faythe's character. She acts tough and doesn't give anyone an inch. Her perpetual need to act out her rebelliousness make her seem more like a spoiled adolescent than a 23 year old woman who just finished college. If Faythe hadn't been the main character I would have liked this book more. The only time I liked her was during her captivity as she fights her prisoners and helps the other younger, more sensitive tabby.

Overall, I recommend this book - it was hard to put down.