The Shape – Shifter’s Guide to Time Travel, by Mark Budman (Black Rose Writing, 2020), takes a reader on a fantasy adventure narrated by two teenagers in an Earth – like world. Chapters alternate between each character’s telling as the story unfolds. Their relationship is of the Romeo / Juliet genre (their respective anthropoid societies have little fondness for one another). Watching their relationship develop is an enjoyable part of the book which walks a line between a young adult and an adult audience (very well suited for the former). Their innate special abilities make for interesting situations and adventures. Budman mixes modern America (think leaf blowers), fictional Eastern Europe and fantasy worlds to great effect. Lose a star, however, for not being a stand-alone book even as it is a beginning to a series. ( )

This story is told from two points of view, Gavrilo's and Rose's. I'd say this book is more magical realism with bits of fantasy/sci-fi thrown in. The plot takes place mostly in Temnota, a fictional place set in the real world. I quite enjoyed Gavrilo's point of view, it felt the most developed whereas Rose's felt a bit one-dimensional and lacking.

Once the story picked up after introducing the world and characters, I appreciated the time-travelling adventures. The pacing is a bit fast, but for a book that's just under 200 pages, it flowed appropriately.

If you're looking for a quick, semi-romantic, shape-shifting, time-traveling read...this is the book for you!

Thank you LibraryThing and Black Rose Writing for giving me an e-copy to read and review. ( )