Stray

Shifters, Book 1

By: Rachel Vincent

Narrated by: Jennifer Van Dyck

Length: 13 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

"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.

"I'd been warned about Strays (werecats without a Pride) that are constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female, and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared.

"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."

Listen to more in the Shifters series.

©2007 Rachel Vincent (P)2007 Audible, Inc.
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A. All characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Worth going on to the second title

This first Title, "Stray" started out pretty slow and I kept waiting for something to happen, anything to happen. I almost gave up on it but hate to not finish a book and the second half picked up and ended in a place that has intrigued me to go on to the second book, "Rogue". The main character Faith, annoys me some in her simplistic, stubborn view of the world and I get tired of her tough girl attitude but will continue on to see where this character might end up.

Interesting subject

The book is good for a first in a series. I haven't read any of the others yet but this one was able to get my attention and keep it. The writing is well done and you don't ever feel "lost" about what the rules are or what is happening in this world. Not a book I'd give to my 13 year old to read, but I'd probably let a mature 16 year old read it. It does have some graphic parts to it so good thing to keep in mind for those with teenagers that listen to books.

Watch out for large kitties

I did enjoy this book as far as it being entertaining. I rated it only a 3 out of 5 as I did not feel it left me wanting to hear more. I found the book a bit long at times and wishing the story would move along. I hesitated to put the second book in this series in my library but I did finllay add it.

Pleasantly Surprised

I was pleasantly surprised by this book series. It has an entertaining storyline, with a strong feminine heroine. I love shifter/supernatural books. It seems that sometimes adult series in this genre focus so much on the romance/sex that they lose track of the most important aspect of storytelling. Not true for this series. It has a good blend. And I found myself appreciating and respecting the main character, although I'm not generally a fan of characters with her attributes. That takes talent. :)

Good story. Couldn’t get into the narrator.

Narrator breathed really heavily during most of the book. The story was worth it though.

An interesting new series for me.

I started this series immediately after finishing Rachel Vincent's Unbound series. The two are quite different in nature. As this story progressed and people bled I kept worrying about how they would ever manage to clean up the blood (as all blood was destroyed in the Unbound series), only to remember that wasn't necessary in this new world.

That being said, this series seems to hold many similarities as well as differences from Vincent's Unbound series. While they both have some sort of supernatural aspect, it is very different in the two series. In the Unbound series it is the "skilled" individuals and binding. In this series, it is shifters. Both series seem to lean toward the darker side. It is definitely interesting and well written though. I'll be curious to see where this series leads.

Note: Having read more of the series, I can say with certainty that this one definitely gets dark. If you're looking for happy-go-lucky, HEA reads, this is not the series for you.

Captivating!

So the only part that I would criticize is: I wish there had been a rape warning for the book. Rape is very strongly talked about and implied. Other than that the book was amazingly well put together. The narration was fantastic it was captivating and I cannot wait to listen to the rest of the books in this series. The character development was terrific and a good amount of work was put into creating the world that the books take place in which most authors forget to do. definitely a fantastic book well worth the time it takes to read it if you can stomach the rape conversations.

Just one thing

I enjoyed it, I love stories with strong female leads. But there was just one thing, the narrator sounded too mature be a recent college grad. That's it, everything else was fine.

My new adiction

this is a wonderful new series that I am mad I did not start reading long ago. only plus side is now there are quite a few out that I can read. fun, fast, ass kicking, romantic, supernatural, sexy, action pacied, thrilling and a great plot. what more needs to be said? oh yeah there great with a great narrator. if you love a sassy chick who always comes out on top read this.

Love the story and the reader

Amazing work and great series of books. Love the reading of the book as well. Worth the buy!!!!