Shapechangers by Jennifer Roberson
Book information
Shapechangers by Jennifer Roberson
Book one in Chronicles of the Cheysuli series
Published first on 7th of February 1984
Published first by DAW
3 stars out of 5
Imagine a world where magic powers are associated with the ability to shapeshifter into animals; imagine the same world mostly prejudiced against this race and their ability (a feud that was caused by personal strife and then lead to the killing of vast majority of the Cheysuli).
“The Mujhar’s purge had begun twenty-five years before. She had grown up knowing the Cheysuli must die, for all she believed the Mujhar’s actions unfair in the wake of what her father had said.” p. 25
BEWARE: All of the above are the positives (and what push me to continue with the series); and then there are a few different things that brought the book down, so be prepared for sexual assault and incest talk that will make you uncomfortable.
A few highlights
Magic systems
Cheysuli and their abilities to connect with animals (if you read The Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb, or even the Farseer Trilogy, you know the Wit; this connection is something similar yet different) and to then shape change (hence the title of the book!) into the same animal they bonded with
and yet there are some different abilities that emerge in the story
While not fully explored yet, and the impact that this has on the story, there are people with the ability to wield magic and they have their own plans (specifically Tynstar)
Tropes/themes that work for me
Cai and Storr were some of wisest characters in the entire story and it feels good to have this wisdom external to humanity
Prophecy is an essential part of this story and it shapes many decisions in the story
Women are not weak and depend on men; especially when it comes to Alix.
she goes through an interesting arc, realizing that she can be more than “just a pretty thing” (or a light woman, as it is described in this story).
“I have taken myself a warrior instead of a woman.” p. 202
Romance in this story is a tad awkward (Jennifer Roberson does a much better job with Tiger and Del) yet the main couple in this story contains the positives of a relationship (in my opinion), by elevating both; I am curious to see how this relationship will develop in the next books!
