Review: The Shifters of 2040 by Ami Blackwelder

ISBN #: 1453785132

e-ISBN #: 9781453785133

Page Count: 326

Copyright: 2010

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Set in Alaska in 2040, Melissa Marn and Bruce Wilder must work under the iron fist of the SCM, while still trying to maintain humanity. Discovering a world of shifters and hybrids, the scientists must struggle with human prejudice and betrayal. With the original ancestors, dubbed shifters, still living on earth, humans are in the midst of a fifteen year old war. As the eldest hybrids, Unseen and Diamond, learn about humans the hard way, with the loss of loved ones and sacrifices, love on planet earth proves challenging.

My Review:

Cover

The cover lets you know that the "shifters" are, apparently, human-like creatures.  With the face in blue on the cover, it makes you wonder if that's the color of the shifter's skin or is it night at this moment in time ...  ???

One small correction I feel I need to make you aware of.  This is actually book three in this series.  It is not a prequel to anything but the books that come after it.

Plot

It was set in a futuristic Alaska, but it wasn't overdone.  You could actually imagine that this will be what our future will turn into.  Believability, when writing anything futuristic, is an important factor.  Yes, there are fantasy novels that delve into worlds that we know will never exist, but I like the element of futuristic fantasy that seems attainable.

Characters

Melissa is very dedicated to the military and her job as a scientist.  However, she allows that to stop her from living her life for herself.  From what I can tell, this would be one boring chick to try and get to know in real life.  What she does outside of work and home (besides the occasional trip to a bar once in a blue moon) is beyond me.

Bruce seems to have a balance between work and play.  As a matter of fact, he has tried to draw Melissa out of her work shell once or twice, but she wouldn't allow herself to be drawn out.  Bruce seems to be the patient type ... almost to the point of exasperation ... Love can be a many splendor thing, but it's also blind as a fruit bat!  =)

Brendan is Melissa's babies daddy, to put it simply.  The man has an animal magnetism that Melissa felt herself drawn to the one and only time I read about her getting out and going somewhere!  He is a shifter and is very protective over those he's drawn to and loves.  He would do anything, even risk his life, for the people he cares for.

Overall

This was a well written story with a lot of wonder and charm.  The interactions between the characters were realistic and extremely believable.  The entire plot was cohesive from beginning to end and left plenty of room for prequels and sequels.  I would recommend this series to those who enjoy a little sci-fi with a little fantasy thrown in with some military while adding a dash of romanticism.