Book #19 - Stray by Rachel Vincent

ISBN: 0778324214

Format: Mass Market Paperback, 618pp

Pub. Date: June 1, 2007

Genre: Paranormal Fantasy

Series: #1 in the Werecat series

Bought at Borders for $6.99

From the Publisher

Vincent's debut, an urban werecat fantasy, is a good story that suffers from about 200 pages of bloat. Faythe Sanders is a Texas grad student with a secret: she's a shape-shifting werecat. After she's attacked by a Stray—a werecat without ties to any pride—Faythe's father, the Pride Alpha, orders her to return to the family compound. As it turns out, two other werecat tabbies have gone missing, indicating an organized effort by the formerly go-it-alone Strays. The author's world building is intriguing but overly narrow, reducing the range of jungle feline behavior to a keen territorial instinct. Secondary characters abound, including Faythe's intended, formerly human werecat Marc; five years earlier, she escaped the pride on what was supposed to be the eve of their wedding. Unfortunately, they both have frustrating character tics that are only exacerbated by the novel's length: Faythe is more often too-stubborn-to-live than kick-ass, and all the tears Marc wells up over Faythe don't forgive his insufferable jealousy. A polished tale may hide within this one, but Vincent needs to rein herself in a bit if she wants to build a readership.

My Opinion of the Book

What a fabulous first book from a new author. This book was fresh and different from other paranormal books I've read. The story was action-packed from start to finish with enough laughs mixed in to keep the story light. I loved every minute of it. The only disappointments I had were 1) Faythe didn't end up with the guy of my choice at the end of this book (but hey... that means I can maybe have him, right? *grin*) and 2) that I have to wait until April '08 in order to get the next book in the series, Rogue.

Definitely pick up this book if you are into the paranormal and want something new and fresh!