Feral Pride

Reviewed by: Brooke Faulkner - McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 24, 2015

Review

This final installment in the FERAL NIGHTS trilogy wraps up its tale of shape shifters, demons and angels. Set in the same Austin, Texas alternate universe introduced in Leitich Smith's TANTALIZE series, werecats Kayla and Yoshi and werepossum/lion hybrid Clyde are some of the various paranormal beings that exist alongside humans, viewed by many people as being an underclass that should be shunned or cured. Beginning where the events of FERAL CURSE left off, the three plus Clyde's girlfriend Aimee are all on the run following a video being made public of Kayla in the process of shifting. Additionally, a creature claiming to be a weresnake has abducted the state's governor, creating an even more hostile environment for the shifters. This is an engaging and quickly-paced adventure, blending nuanced themes about prejudice with a biting, often sarcastic humor that will appeal to teen readers. Though the plotting feels over complicated at times and the alternation of the narrative voice contributes to this dizzying effect, those who've enjoyed the earlier novels in this series will be a natural audience for its conclusion and they won't be disappointed. Overall, an intelligent, steamy, witty finale that will appeal to those who like authors such as Kristin Cashore and Libba Bray.

Overall Book Score: very good