Forget About TV, Grab A Book: The Shapeshifter's Secret by Heather Ostler [Review + Interview]

Publication Date: June 12th, 2012

Publisher: Cedar Fort

ISBN-13: 9781462110339

Synopsis

Julia had a normal life, she got to go to school, hang out with her friends and tried to stay out of the radar from the teacher that hated her with a passion of a hundred suns. All changed rapidly when Caleb, the boy that every girl had the googly eyes for starts talking to her, soon she learns she is not from this world and not normal, after an anger outburst in one of her classes something changes in her, something she can't seem to control.
After that incident a new world opens up to Julia, one she must now escape too if she wishes to stay alive. Setting out for a new adventure while re-evaluating everything she thought she knew about her father, her uncle and herself.

Review
Even thought you can see some elements that may betray Heather Ostler as this being her first book, they are only here and there and do not kill in anyway the story, I see them as the little trips she needs to make so that she can become an even better writer, and even thought I loved this book that doesn't mean she doesn't have some obstacles to overcome, like:

* The Harry Potter similarities in which I'm really rooting for Ostler to take the magical elements in the story and make them her own.

* There are parts of the book where it feels she is giving too much away, specially during Julia's dreams I wished they where more enigmatic and not so easy to read.

A part of this book that really catched my attention is how Ostler is working with the romance, it's great the way that she puts a twist to the love triangle between Terrence, Julia and Caleb and I wish to know the boys better even though I'm a 100% rooting for Caleb and there is something from the very beginning I didn't like about Terrence, it's not a liking of a hating that blinds you out and doesn't let you appreciate about all the romance that happens or that is to come.

Another thing I found myself loving was that you could immersed yourself in this book and suddenly find your self laughing, giggling and maybe once or twice yelling at the characters and what was happening around them, needless to say this is one of the books that is banned by my roomates, yes it's banned because of all the laughing, giggling and screaming so for me this is not a book to read at night.

Rating:

The lovely Heather Ostler agreed to do an interview, let's take a look shall we ;)

Where did the idea for the shapeshifter's secret come from?

The Shapeshifter’s Secret was an idea that definitely took years to evolve into what it is now. I started writing about Julia when I was about 13, but originally she shapeshifted into a fairy. Over time the story changed a lot, and eventually I realized that it was a change for the better when Julia became a werecat shapeshifter.

Which of the characters do you think has more of your personality?
Though Julia shares traits with me, I think Sierra has more of my personality.

What inspired you to pick werecats instead of werewolves?
I chose werecats for a couple of different reasons, one of them being I absolutely love big cats. They’re fierce, aggressive, and dangerous, yet they also have this beautiful, playful, and gentle side to them. I think they’re more versatile than werewolves in that sense. I also thought it strange that the idea of werecats hasn’t really been explored in young adult literature.

What character is the easiest for you to write?
Julia is the easiest to write because I get into her head so often. I always try to figure out how she would feel and react in every situation she’s presented with.

What where some of the books that had the greatest impact on you becoming an author?
The Series of Unfortunate Events, and Harry Potter.

Could you tell us of some of your writing quirks?
I have to be warm when I’m writing. If it’s winter I have to have a heater blowing on me, if it’s summer I’ll write outside in the sun. I also like to have snacks around me—a bowl of mini M&M’s is preferable :-)

Is there anything you can tell us about the next book?
Readers will learn a lot about the siren world, and they will also discover what Caleb was so desperate to tell Julia.

What would you like to say to the readers who feel tempted on reading your books?
I think you’ll find The Shapeshifter’s Secret to be a quick, paranormal fantasy with a lot of excitement, adventure, and unexpected turns. It’s great for a summer read!
Thank you so much!

Well guys there you have it, I hope you got to know Heather Ostler a little better and if you decide to read her book you have as much fun as I did reading this book and doing the interview. And if you are curious to know more about Heather Ostler then maybe you would like to click on one of this little cuties: