Once Again, Hunter's UniqueTalent Shines

It is difficult for me to be objective about Elizabeth Hunter's books. I am not a huge fan of her primary genre - sci-fi fantasy. But the genre is the last thing I am thinking about when I am buried in the midst of one of her books. I can become so engrossed and wrapped up in them, it is difficult for me to point to the one thing that sets her books apart. Her characters are always well developed and sympathetic (even the bad guys), her plot is logically laid out, but not overly predictable, her prose flows smoothly and her books are always well-edited.

Shifting Dreams was no exception. I read this in ebook format several months ago, before it became available on Audible. I was so impressed with her Elemental World series I wanted to read everything she had ever written. I liked it so much the first time I was eager to listen to it as soon as the audiobook was available. The plot revolves around a quirky little southwestern town with a "magical" spring - drinking from it gives some people and their offspring the ability to shape-shift. Rather than focusing on the mechanics of how that actually works, she focuses on the inter-relationships in a town that is full of eccentric and unique characters, with the least of their eccentricities being the ability to shift into another creature. And by allowing her characters to shift into several different species, many of which don't co-exist well in the wild, she adds another layer of complexity to the inter-relationship difficulties. She doesn't capitalize on this aspect too much in the first book, but seems to be laying a foundation.

The characters at the center of the story are sympathetic, each coming to the relationship slightly damaged with considerable baggage. The kids weren't too cute or too annoying, but seemed pretty realistic - at least as realistic as the plot would allow.

The narrator did a good job. My only criticism is that she wasn't Dina Pearlman. Just like the voice of Molly Harper will always be Amanda Ronconi to my ears, Elizabeth Hunter now speaks to me in Dina Pearlman's voice.

There are a couple of ebook novellas that provide some background to the series that I recommend reading. If they become audiobooks, I will reread them. The sequel to Shifting Dreams is now out in ebook format. I am going to try to wait until it is in audio format to listen to it.

11 people found this helpful

What a disapointment..

This is a girly love story with a touch of the supernatural thrown in.. What a waste of a credit. I was looking for a bit of action, just not there.. It should have been advertised a bit differently..

8 people found this helpful

Started out well

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, started out with a strong story but then heavy doses of teenage angst in 30+ yr olds sunk it.

Would you be willing to try another book from Elizabeth Hunter? Why or why not?

Probably not. I assume the style willnot change.

What does Liisa Ivary bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Pleasant voice well suited to the story. However, change in volume when people whisper not suitable for the environments where I listen to audiobooks.

Do you think Shifting Dreams needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not necessarily although the author leaves an opening for it at the end.

Any additional comments?

Too bad as this started out interesting and engageing.

6 people found this helpful

Too much "romance" for sci-fi fantasy -wrong genre

This could have been a great series, the premise is interesting, the plot is enjoyable, and the characters are distinct and the interplay is enjoyable. The beginning of the story had me smiling or grinning as I listened and went about my chores.

But then the writer went off on a somewhat "hot-sweaty-shirtless-cowboy" romance kick. And, the writing never developed the subtlety and nuance that more sophisticated writing shows. Instead, the writing devolved into a predictable "Young Adult" level book.

I might finish this book, but am about 2/3rds of the way through and am disappointed and have no interest in the juvenile-level male-female romance stuff with shirtless sweaty male cowboy descriptions, kisses, fondling, yadda,yadda,yadda . . . . what the . . . so boring that I fell asleep and will have to go back to find where I left off . . . again (already have had to go back to find where I fell asleep twice) . . . or just give up and move on to a better written book.

Sorry . . . I like sci-fi . . . not this formula "romance" stuff . . . it's awful.

The narrator . . . it took a while to get used to her . . . not the best, but not the worst either. A strange voice with some weird vibration underneath . . . not sure what that's all about.

I also bought the short "prequel" - really, not necessary for the series and wasn't worth it.

Not going to buy any more in the series. This should have been sold in the Romance category and doesn't belong in Sci-Fi without more explanation in the description so buyers can be better informed. I bought this in the $4.95 sale, so no point in returning it, and it was pretty good at the beginning . . . until the author went into the whole hot romance thing.

Put the book in the Romance category where it belongs.

4 people found this helpful

Great world building

This was my first introduction to Elizabeth Hunter, and I am so happy that I found her through a book blogging friend of mine. I listened to the Audible edition, narrated by Liisa Ivary, and this is just another example of how a good narrator can take a good book and make it even better. Her smooth delivery led me through the book, introducing me to the characters and the world in a smooth and well-modulated way.

The story itself introduces us to Cambio Springs, a shifter town – a dying town since the military base closed down. Without something good happening, the town will disappear, and the safety of its inhabitants as well. A bar, a small school, and a tiny café are about it. Seven extended families started the town when one of their number had a vision of a crow flying over hot springs. And one of those springs is very, very special.

Jena Crowe is a single mother, trying to keep her two boys fed and a roof over all their heads. After losing her husband three years ago she is lonely, but so busy she has no time to make any changes to that situation. Here comes Caleb Gilbert, the new Police Chief – a normal, apparently. Well, maybe not.

The story is interesting, the mythology well written, and it kept my attention quite well. There are some congruency issues that should have been caught by the editor, but they weren’t enough to be completely irritating. As another reviewer pointed out the Caleb character was pretty dumb at times – an officer who makes the kind of mistakes he makes is a dead man – clearly illogical for someone with his background. I really enjoyed the world building the most about the book. Interesting world building, to me, is just as important as character development. Ms. Hunter does just that.

I will be trying out her other books when I get a chance. I picked up A Hidden Fire: Elemental Mysteries, Book 1 narrated by Dina Pearlman. Right now it is on sale at Audible for $1.99, what a great deal!

3 people found this helpful

Thought it was something different...

Too much of a romance for me. I thought it was a fantasy/sci-fi story. It's really a shifter romance novel. So just depends what you're into.

2 people found this helpful

a new level for the shifter genra

What did you love best about Shifting Dreams?

well written full characters. I am a fan of the shifter novels but it was very refreshing to read a good book which comes at the story in the differed slant

2 people found this helpful

A different take on Shifter society

I very much liked this shifter world. The. tale of a small community of shifters of all kinds with a very big secret. She kept me engaged, but at times the voices of each charactotr sounded so similar it was hard to tell who was talking until well into the conversation. All in all I enjoyed listening to this story unfold.

1 person found this helpful

ehhhh

ended up zoning out often. The "twist" is pretty obvious. I really enjoy Elizabeth Hunter's writing but this one was a bit anticlimactic.

1 person found this helpful

Small-town Women’s fiction paranormal romantic mystery

A light small-town paranormal romantic (more women’s fictiony) crime mystery in dual POV. A fun cast of characters, building suspicion with constantly high stakes without overdoing it (not a cozy mystery but not grizzly either), and lots of romantic tension and growth. I found the two characters were both well represented in their chapters and added to the story with their POVs. Fun, interesting, and a quick easy read. I listened to the audio and the narrator did a good job separating characters into unique voices and personalities.