I couldn't hook up with the story, partly because I couldn't connect with the idea of a werelizard, partly because it's very gritty, and I'm not in the mood.

Also, I was just remembering V (the original series) at every moment. :D

I'll try again later. It deserves a second chance.

This is one of the most imaginative shifter stories I have read in a while. First, you have a multishifter society which is all about the strongest ruling the weaker species, with a minotaur at the top, closely followed by werewolves. Second, like in Roman times, status is largely determined by fights in the arena, and the shifters with the most wins under their slaves’ belts are in charge. Third, just to throw me for a loop, the shifters have a twitter feed to inform their fans. Yes, it may all be a bit crazy, but this world is well-designed and wonderful entertainment if you go for that sort of thing.

But then, once I got into the story, there was this whole other layer of the psychology of the main and secondary characters. Wojtek, the local werewolf alpha, decides to save his best reptilian fighter from certain death. He will only be allowed to do this if he lets him live in his own house. He tells himself he will not become attached to a cold-blooded creature no matter what. Wojtek’s betas, who are a lot more knowledgeable about reptilians than Wojtek, are around to witness his humiliation. They even have a bet going that prolonged exposure to the reptilian’s scent will make Wojtek think of him as a pack member. Wojtek laughs off the idea and goes for the bet. All of his rationalizations may sound good in theory, but the facts tell another story.

And then there is Zoe, the reptilian in question. He is Wojtek’s property and good at fighting, but all he wants is to be free. He used to believe he could do it by winning enough fights (that's what one of the werewolves promised him), but when it doesn’t happen, all he wants is to end his life as a slave. Then his clever plan of losing a fight so Wojtek will have to kill him backfires, and he is stuck living with the cruel master.

What follows is a journey of discovery for Wojtek and Zoe, but just as much for me. I love discovering the rules of a made-up world, and this one is interesting, well thought through, and more than a little different from the “average” shifter story – if there is such a thing.

If you like your stories to be imaginative, if two males learning about each other's worlds and confronting their differences sound interesting, and if you’re looking for a creative read with lots of revelations and a very understated sort-of-romance, then you will probably like this free novella as much as I did. I can only hope for a sequel and would be happy to pay for it!
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