Waer

December 15, 2016
A new world of shape-shifters and a time-honored battle between good and evil come alive in Caddy's debut fantasy for teens. Lowell Sencha leads the simple life of a farmer, looking after his little brother and helping him as he learns to Shift. Shifting transforms the peaceful Gwydhan Valley waer, Lowell's people, from human to wolf. When Lowell rescues Lycaea--a mysterious young woman who has been tortured and turned into a waer--the valley's serenity is shattered as the tyrant Daeman Leldh's soldiers pursue Lycaea and murder everyone in their path, including Lowell's family. To add to the shock, Lowell learns the truth behind a childhood legend: the Watchers (a Healer, Assassin, Dealer triad) are actually real, ancient power brokers responsible for maintaining balance between good and evil. With his world turned upside down, Lowell has no choice but to follow Lycaea in her quest for vengeance, but as Lycaea struggles with accepting her waer identity and reveals more about her painful past, Lowell must decide if he can trust Lycaea's schemes with the Watchers...or Lycaea herself. Despite thorough worldbuilding with echoes of Australian Aboriginal shape-shifting lore, the narrative's nonetheless predominantly white cast and occasional sacrifice of developed character motivations in favor of visceral action scenes feel like missed opportunities. A familiar paranormal fantasy energized by head wounds and plot twists. (Fantasy. 12-17)

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March 1, 2017

Gr 9 Up-This believable fantasy/adventure has a great setting with a strong female character readers will love. Lowell has taken his little brother Kemp out to frolic in the family's sheep pastures, helping him get comfortable changing into waer. The first few times transforming into a werewolf are more difficult and painful, and someone needs to be sure the new little wolf can control himself and not eat the family's sheep or the village's flocks. Kemp and Lowell smell blood, waer blood, and lots of it. They find a wounded foreigner and bring her home to heal. Lycaea awakens in a strange place, remembering the dive into the river far below that brought her here, damaged and bloody. Thus begins an epic quest with Lowell and Lycaea trying to reach a city where friends and help can be found. The story is told from different characters' points of view, and readers will appreciate that the chapter headings make it clear which character is narrating. Teens will enjoy the adept prose and dialogue, and the plot twists and turns will keep them absorbed. The blurred lines between good and evil will draw young people in as the book weaves its way to a stunning conclusion. VERDICT An excellent fantasy with engaging quests, vicious enemies, questionable friends, and a new spin on werewolf mythology that will be at home in most YA collections.-Cathleen Ash, Manor High School Library, TX

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