P.A.W.S.

Intriguing ... that's the right word for this story. First, would you look at that cover. It is very cool.

Miri is a young girl who was raised by her grandmother until the age of ten. She'd thought it was as normal a childhood as a girl abandoned by her parents could have. She didn't know that she was being brought up amidst secrets. It wasn't until years later, after her grandmother was gone, that she learned the truth. Miri was descended from a long line of shapeshifters whose power was tied to an amulet that certain people would kill to get their hands on.

Soon after discovering her gift, Miri meets the werewolf Josh who introduces her to P.A.W.S. - an organization that can help her and teach her everything she needs to know to deal with what is coming - and come it shall. This is a story of living up to one’s family heritage and handling things when the people you are supposed to be able to love can't be trusted. It's a story of different people (or animals) coming together for a common purpose.

I liked this book. Every single good character is easy to love and the bad ones are fun to hate. Miri is strong, but in a way that only a teenage girl could be. It's very believable. She’s my favorite character by far. Even Alistair, an evil evil man, is great to read about. He’s written very well.

I’m a sucker for a good love story and the one in P.A.W.S happened very quickly. Not quite insta-love, but close enough that it didn’t feel completely genuine. I wanted more from that. I wanted to feel it, not just read it. Miri is likable enough to root for on her own merit, but it would have been nice to see her get everything she wanted and feel that it was right.

I liked the writing style. It doesn't get bogged down in unnecessary detail and is pleasant to read. The scenes are snappy and action oriented, creating a feeling of expediency that sets your heart pumping as you near the big moments.

This story is more than your typical shifter saga. It’s complex, with a unique world built around it. They say that people make the story. Well, if that’s true, then this book hits on all cylinders.