MY RATING: 3 1/2 stars

If you're finished with Harry Potter (or, like me, never read it at all) and are looking for your next book featuring a fantasy boarding school, look no further! A young puma shapeshifter, Carag, enrolls at Clearwater High, not quite knowing what to expect other than it's a school for animal shapeshifters like him...

In a nutshell: Animorphs, except Harry Potter, except no witchcraft

⭐ WHAT I LIKED:

👉🏼 The entire premise of the novel (magical kids at a magical school) may be familiar, but doing it with animal shapeshifters is a wonderfully new and niche idea. I'd always loved the idea of animal-human shapeshifters when I was younger, so this was a treat for my inner child.

👉🏼 The characters are fun to read, and it's fun to see how their animal forms influence their personalities.

👉🏼 I stayed up till four in the morning so I could read this in one sitting. I think it's safe to say I was hooked.

⭐ WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

👉🏼 The beginning of the novel had some unsavory timeskips and very amateurish writing. It was only the concept of the novel that kept me reading (and the fact it was a NetGalley book, so I should review it lol), but the author finally found her voice when Carag arrives at his new school. However, everything before that sounds like a teenager's first draft of a book. If the book had had a stronger beginning, I would have rated it a full four stars.

👉🏼 Some of the elements felt a little cliche in how they were written (bullies, pretty girl love interest), but the characters were given enough personality and interest (partly due to their animal forms) that it worked.

NETGALLEY ONLY------
-The ebook was formatted well, and the cover showed up beautifully on my Kindle. No technical difficulties!

REVIEW LINKS:

Fable: https://fable.co/godgirl13-394326333285?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeDgTYC3TqV8B3DgDO7kTEGC7BUKxykN3mLO4BpeiH0uGc2gIHHHtWcGtcS_A_aem_IfAYBWDePtVXbichKbGd1A

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7720842622

I will also publish a review on my Bookstagram, though it will probably be a few weeks :). I will update this review with the link when I do.

Katja Brandis delves deeply into the realm of fantasy as she writes the eloquently and poignantly tale of Carag's Transformation. With deeply developed characters, unique and creative plot twists, and robust and delightful lines of dialogue, this is a tale that will keep young readers yearning to find out what transpires onto the next pages. True literature fans will yearn to delve deeply into the narrative of this unique novel. Alas, there are a few (very few) minor grammatical errors that should have been easily cleared up with a professional proofreader with a keenly developed eye for detail. Brandis' characters are composed of Woodwalkers-- a blend of animal and human who can shift into either form at will. It does seem that for a Mid-grade novel where the audience is 8-12 years of age or so, there are a few themes which may be considered too adult and therefore have the ability to taint impressionable young minds. Of course, perhaps the author's stance is simply to inform and make young readers aware of social taboos that they may encounter and therefore educate and equip them to avoid in general. Since the author makes no claim in this instance, it only seems fair to grant her the benefit of the doubt.

Young Carag decides to leave his family of Puma Woodwalkers behind at an early age and set out to a solitary existence in the human realm. Initially, he is taken in by a wonderful foster family. Eventually, he finds the people who will guide him toward his special high school where he befriends fellow Woodwalkers and advances under the guidance and tutelage of faculty Woodwalkers. Adventure is sure to ensue as young Carag makes friends and adversaries among the student body. Still, Carag remains determined to make the most of his situation and becomes an astute role model for young readers who may find themselves navigating their own paths through adolescence.

Brandis writes with amazing detail and weaves a story filled with cliffhangers, emotion, and loyalty. Her prose is sophisticated and eloquent. Carag's Transformation is a novel that will truly lead more young readers to search out more meaningful sources of literary fiction.

Carag's Transformation by Katja Brandis is such a good story. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.

This story about Carag figuring out his life between the wild and human worlds is full of adventure, friendship and fantasy. My tween really liked it and is excited to read the next book.