Super

I felt like this might be a first effort by this author but I’m not sure if that’s true. The premise is fun and the world-building is decent. The main character makes a lot of pithy comments that make it difficult to get a read on her as a person. Lots of things are hinted at for all three members of “Arca” but character development doesn’t go very deep. Supposedly all the main characters know each other from school when they were younger but they don’t go into that too deeply, while fairly regularly bringing it up. Sometimes it’s unclear if they don’t use their powers because they forgot they could, being new to it, or because they don’t want to be identified as having them. But, you know, if you’re drowning and you can turn into any animal, you should probably do something about that.

While most authors in this genre have their characters spend a lot of time in the shower, Zita spends more time worrying about her clothes. There is a LOT of discussion on outfits at various times in the book, which I found a bit tedious considering in the very next chapter she was likely to be losing or destroying said clothing. Like who cares if your dark pants are purple instead of black or that your black pants have a design in sequins that is quite large and therefore probably unsuitable for B&E. It would be easier if she just kept her clothes when she shifted and drop that as an issue entirely. Although it’s possible this is supposed to be funny and self-deprecating and I didn’t pick up on it.

All that said I think it was a decent first effort and I’m willing to give the second book a try. Plus I’m learning some sweat words in Spanish and capoeira being featured is fun too. Also I’m kind of hoping she hooks up with “Freelance” but who knows if he’ll even show up again.

Wow! This book sucked me in and wouldn't let me go. Can't wait for the next one!

Great start to a hopefully long series. Enjoyed tremendously.