Title: Other
Author: Karen Kincy
Pages: 336
Publisher: Flux Publishing
Publication Date: July 1st, 2010

via Goodreads:

Gwen Williams has been hiding a strange and fantastic secret: she's a shapeshifter. Although society may tolerate vampires, centaurs, and "Others" like Gwen, there are plenty of folks in her small Washington town who don't care for her kind.

When a new werewolf pack moves into the area, tensions rise—and Others start showing up dead, including someone close to Gwen. Despite the methodical murders, the police are ignoring evidence that suggests a serial killer. In the midst of terrible loss and danger, Gwen—along with a mysterious and sexy guy who happens to be a Japanese fox spirit—risks her life to find the murderer. But Gwen is already the killer's next target . . .

Review: HOLY FRIJOLES! This book was amazing! It was, however, another I-started-reading-it-late-at-night-and-it-kept-me-up-until-really-early-in-the-morning book... and I just had to start it on a school night, didn't I? So, as I sat dozing off in class today, I could not get this book off of my mind. Up until now, one of my top favorite shifter books was Annette Curtis Klause's Blood and Chocolate, but now, it's Other.

This book follows the story of Gwen, a half shifter/human hybrid. In her small rural town, this could very well be a death sentence. Gwen has to constantly repress her shifter side, her pooka half, to prevent herself from shifting. However, not shifting causes her immense physical pain and she often gives into the urges with short night flights or runs. Through her blog, Perpetual Snarkiness, Gwen tries to spread the word that Others are not as bad as everyone thinks. Her blog buddy, Takehito, often comes to her defense when anonymous jerks make stupid comments.

Into the story swaggers the perfect boyfriend; Zach. He's a good little Christian boy (not that I'm against religion at all, but too much of anything can be a bad thing), and he also, in my opinion, was very close minded. He dumped Gwen when she finally decided to confide her true identity in him after over a year together and after they had just taken the next step in their relationship. To make matters worse, he tells his family and Zach's pastor brother sends Gwen pamphlets about finding a cure for Other-ness through religion.

On a trip into town with her friend, Chloe, a dryad (tree nymph), Gwen meets Tavian, the identity behind her blog friend, Takehito. She also finds out he has a secret just like hers; he's a kitsune, a Japanese fox spirit. But as their relationship blooms, local murders have been escalating, all the victims are Others, and Gwen and Tavian are next.

This book was not only a great read, it was also funny, witty, and had some great characters! Though I really didn't like Zach (I had a boyfriend like that once...), I have to admit that his character was well portrayed. Tavian was so greatly characterized. I want him to be real, and delivered to my doorstep, priority mail, pretty please! (I don't mind that he's only about five foot four... I'm only five foot two!) I really loved Kincy's descriptions. For example, when Gwen and Tavian first hold hands, the author describes it as "a warm glow spread through [Gwen's] chest". I know that feeling, and I can say the description is dead on.

Others is a great read for anyone who enjoys paranormalcy, shapeshifters, magick, good writing, and killer plots. Kincy's sequel, Bloodborn, comes out in September of this year. I hope it keeps up with Others!


What are your favorite shifter books?