As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Skin Deep (A SkinWalker Series – Book 1)

by T.G. Ayer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Urban Fantasy

Available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited

Down and Dirty?

Intriguing, but confusing.

What is it about? (Blurb from GoodReads)

“Panther Shape-shifter Kailin Odel just wants to be normal. Leaving her clan, and her Alpha responsibilities, to live with her grandmother in Chicago had been the best thing for her. Only then did she discover her ability to track and kill the soul sucking undead creatures called Wraiths. Now she protected the humans, and had something to be proud of.

But, when she discovers the body of a murdered shape shifter, Kailin has to come to terms with the reality that her own kind are just as vulnerable as the humans.

The closer Kailin gets to the killer the more she has to face the intricacies of her people. When the time comes can she accept who and what her real purpose is?”

Thoughts

This was a hard book to fall in to, though the plot tried incredibly hard to grab me. The writing style was more reminiscent of an old school mystery novel than the fledgling UF it’s trying to be, wrapping around scenes with a curt tone, though there were quite a few creative and lyrical twists in the phrasing.

There were quite a few redeeming aspects of this universe, the least of which is the rich outer world that seeps through almost every page. Though I was lost far too often reading this, I admittedly have not read any other books in the DarkWorld Universe which could explain the disconnect. This is a best selling author with a strong fan base – that indicates there is something here. I might go back and try other installments in this universe.

Perspective

First and third person, Multiple POV

Ending Type

Cliffhanger

Pros:

• Inventive use of descriptive language, turning phrases and painting pictures in a single sentence.
• Very unique world.
• Complex plot.
• Good length, there is meat here.
• Gorgeous Cover!

 

Cons:

• Very confusing, half the time what is going on makes little sense.
• Did I miss a novella or a book somewhere?
• Teenage Characters when 20 something’s would make more sense, and still fulfill the roles well.
• Too much to the narrative, felt scattered.
• Choppy in places.
• Romance was questionable because, like other things… it made little sense.

Verdict

I didn’t love it, but I know there will be people who will.

Published November 13th, 2013

370 Pages

If you enjoyed this review, please be sure to check out a few of my other articles:

• Scarlet Toys by S.M. Shade – A Book Review
• Invisible by Sariah Skye – A Book Review
• Awakened and Betrayed by Ivy Asher – A Book Review

Your Turn

What are you reading today? Have you read this series? What did you think? Should I give it another chance? Leave me a comment, shoot me a message – I would love to talk!