Different by Scarlett Haven – A Book Review

Posted February 19, 2019 by Booksandblurbs in PNR, Reviews, YA/NA / 0 Comments

Different *The Shifter Academy - Book 1* by Scarlett Haven - A Book Review #BookReview #YA/NA #RH #WhyChoose #Paranormal #Shifters #Academy

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Different (The Shifter Academy Series – Book 1)

by Scarlett Haven
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Slow Burn, NA, Paranormal, RH

Available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited

Down and Dirty

It was alright.

What is it about? (Blurb pulled from Goodreads)

“My whole life, I’ve known there’s something different about me. I didn’t realize how different until four guys show up all claiming that they are destined to be my mates.
They’re not human, and they say I’m not either.
But if I’m not human then what am I?
Now I’m forced to go to a school where I don’t belong and am reminded of it everyday.
Creatures I never imagined were real that used to give me nightmares are everywhere I turn.
The world that once existed is gone.
Will anything ever be like it was again?”

Thoughts

I’m on the fence. I liked it, but didn’t love it. I couldn’t fall into this story, yet the narrative spoke in a way that kept me reading, despite the disconnect. The author has a unique way of writing, that is both friendly and familiar, yet calming. I felt like I was listening to a story told to a best friend, instead of reading an engrossing novel. Also, there was an underlying aura of acceptance to the tale, both in the narrative and the actions of the MC, almost like the author was saying “This is how things are” without any explanation or background. It was interesting, though not wholly effective.

Speaking of the MC’s actions or reactions…. well, I could NOT relate to her, at ALL. I wanted to. I wanted to love her, or at least like her… but she annoyed me with her whining, her too calm attitude to many things and her refusal to accept other things that seemed like a given. She jarred me – though I DID like the wolves that surrounded her. The guys, at least. The other wolves in the Academy? Not so much.

Perspective

First Person, Multiple POV

Ending Type

Cliffhanger

Pros:

World is unique.
Style of writing was appealing at times.
The mystery over who she is, or rather what, might get me to read book 2.

Cons:

Characters are 18, though the situation (minus the school) would seem more appropriate to older. Young 20’s.
Hard to sink in to.
Far too short.
Secondary character reactions…
Some scenes were confusing, I mean… why? Why did that happen? What were the motivations? And what really happened anyway? Not a cliffhanger moment, just confusing.

Verdict

3.5 out of 5 Stars

Moderate story with interesting points. It’s Free on KU, so worth looking in to.

Published January 25th, 2019

147 Pages

Please note, this is a Reverse Harem Series that will eventually feature sexual themes more suited to an older audience, though content is currently (and may remain?) YA/NA.