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.

Loved it in print

I loved this story in print. It was the first series that made me fall in love with this genre. I’m not a huge fan of this narrator at all. I love the main character so I’m going to keep trying.

absolutely wonderful

Stray is the first story in the series Shifters. It is a wonderful listen and the narrator does a great job with her voice and character changes. Mostly, the series is for the teenage genre, yet still a great listen, for the older generation, nevertheless. Faythe Sanders always seems to find trouble. She's a werecat tabby shapeshifter. She does what she wants and has for a long time. Faythe is made to return back home from college after an attack from a stray on her. The real reason is for her safety. Tabbies wich are female werecats began disappearing. In her society males come plentiful where female tabby cats are few. The society is extremely protective over the tabby cats. Faythe isn't like other tabby's. She hates being told what to do and all she wants to do is return back to college and the life she has made for herself. Faythe soon discovers trouble. She might not be afraid to fight but its hard to fight when your unconscious. She wakes to realize she had been kidnapped and in a cage. I loved the first installment of Shifters. Its a must read but an even better listen. I loved the story from beginning to end.

As good as any in the genre...

It is not as strong as Armstrong's wolf series, but... it is a decent story, for a were book published by a romance line.

What I didn't like about it is the misogynistic bent of 3/4 of the story. I assume this is to appeal to the "romance" readers who have been conditioned to think of women as weak, and ready and willing to be saved by the knight in shining armour. Perhaps Vincent was trying to make a point with this: such as how silly it is to treat women this way, but... there was so much time spent covering the same material on how the men in her life controlled Faythe that it became obnoxious to read.

For example, every time a male character came into a scene, he tried (sometimes successfully, sometimes not so much) to control her. It was like not a single male could think of her as a real person, and not a possession.

The sad thing is that she WAS written as a strong character, and was fully capable and competent. She just wasn't allowed to be so. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if there was less focus on "look how controlling men are" and more focus on how Faythe solved the problems all by her little self.

But, other than that, I quite liked the storyline, and the main character. I will read more in the series. The narration was good and it is not gory or particularly graphic.

I love this book!

I do rely on the reviews of fellow listeners. So when I saw a review that the MC was whiny I passed on it for a while. Then the 3 books for 2 credits deal came along, so I decided I was going to get it. I am so very glad I did...I love this book!
Faythe is a 23 yr old, who wants nothing more than Independence from her pride. But the responsibilities that waits for her at home are massive. She needed to grieve for her "human" life that she had so wanted to live, she needed to be angry, and maybe even whine a little, wouldn't you? But she is not just anyone. She is brave, and stubborn and can kick butt like any guy. She is a female WereCat, and that makes her rare. there are only 8 female WereCats of child bearing age not already married in the entire USA. That means the tomcats of the pride with go to any length to protect her. But a tabby (female cat) has gone missing, one that Faythe knows and loves.
But now what will she do when her family really needs her? Run to freedom and leave the problem to the pride, or stay and fight with the rest of her family?

Puerile and Irritating Heroine

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The writing is good and Jennifer Van Dyck is a tolerable reader therefore I tried my best to continue listening. Unfortunately the heroine is really annoying. I figured she would get better as the book unfolded but I just couldn't listen to one more scene where one of the male characters treated her like a incapable, childish, "female," stupid, and unable to make a rational decision. Then, what was worse is she would act like they were treating her. Really agonizing! I gave it 3 stars and not 1 because Vincent is a good writer, but this story is lacking.

What was most disappointing about Rachel Vincent’s story?

The heroines complete lack of having a spine is slightly confusing because she starts out as being this independent graduate student then is decreased into a rebellious imp. Furthermore, most of the story has very little depth almost entirely about the heroines authority issues and rebellious tendencies. It seems like the murders are completely side issues compared to the central theme being about the heroines infantile perspective on life and her subsequent treatment from her fellow werecats, who, by the way, are all male. She clearly can defend herself but her strengths are quickly overshadowed by her subservient behavior and teenage "rebel without a cause" attitude. All of the female characters are either to small to have any weight or they end up dead. All of the male characters are overbearing and condescending. Also, most of the story is limited to a ranch house, limiting the action to almost nothing.

Which scene was your favorite?

The only scene that was entertaining was when the heroine defended herself at the very beginning of the book.

Did Stray inspire you to do anything?

No!

Any additional comments?

Great writing but poor storyline and the characters were simply not my "cup of tea."

Great read.

As most new series I have to really get into it. There has to be a lot of back story. But by the end I couldn’t wait or MORE!!!!!!

A different shifter story!

After listening to many shifter type novels, this one takes that world into a new direction. At first I was hesitant but once I let go of the preconceived ideas for shifter type I absolutely enjoyed it.
As it's told from a strong female angle with all of the thoughts and emotions that are traditionally female in a patriarchal society that coddles them, it's interesting that our heroine is as stubborn as she is.
Give this book a chance. You will want to laugh, cry, cheer, and even mentally plan with Faith.
I can't wait to see what's next.

Misogyny At It's Best...

Quite upset with myself for wasting the money on this audiobook. Not because of the narrator (who was great fyi) but because the plot line is predictable, and if that isn't enough to run you off, how about this: the overbearing testosterone and male egos in this book is suffocating. The fact that Faythe has no freedom and every one expects her to settle down, be a good little werecat wife, pop out a handful of werecat babies, and that's it. Which she does not do, but oooh boy do I have a problem with everyone in this book, including Faythe.
This isn't even a review, just a rant and this doesn't even begin to show the rage I am feeling.
Faythe could have been so much more, but as I watched her progression, it became harder to deny that she was just like a lot of other urban fantasy heroines: physically, mentally, and spiritually strong, but than along comes the "alpha" man, and suddenly she's bending her own rules when it comes to supposed "love", just to keep him from raging cause he got slightly jealous and 'couldn't control himself anymore.' 😑

Rough start but well worth it

I just finished the whole series and let me tell you, these books are awesome!!! I will be listening to this series again. there is excitement, love, drama and kick ass fighting!
I won't lie in the first book I hated faythe and her attitude, but then I realized it all makes her who she is. If you find yourself being annoyed with her just pull through it gets so amazing and you WILL love her. trust me.

amazing once again

listening to it is basically what I imagined when I read it it was completely spot on and I didn't forget a word it just makes me want to read it again even though you just listen to it. I personally have already read this book about ten times so I think the listening to it was like an amazing connection it made it even better now I can't wait to see this made either as a movie or a TV series