Shifting by Bethany Wiggins

Shifting by Bethany Wiggins

Release Date: September 27, 2011

Publisher: Walker Childrens

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 368

Summary: After bouncing from foster home to foster home, Magdalene Mae is transferred to what should be her last foster home in the tiny town of Silver City, New Mexico. Now that she's eighteen and has only a year left in high school, she's determined to stay out of trouble and just be normal. Agreeing to go to the prom with Bridger O'Connell is a good first step. Fitting in has never been her strong suit, but it's not for the reasons most people would expect-it all has to do with the deep secret that she is a shape shifter. But even in her new home danger lurks, waiting in the shadows to pounce. They are the Skinwalkers of Navajo legend, who have traded their souls to become the animal whose skin they wear-and Maggie is their next target.

Full of romance, mysticism, and intrigue, this dark take on Navajo legend will haunt readers to the final page.

My Thoughts: When I first heard of this book, I thought it sounded good. But would it be good enough to hold my interest? It seems like there are a bunch of books that sound like other books and just don't really interest me as much as they used too.

I dove into Shifting with an open mind. I told myself if I didn't like it within the first 100 pages, I would just stop it. I had read bad and good reviews for it so I would stop if it didn't appeal to me.

Once I started, I couldn't stop. Before I knew it, I was 150 pages in. It sucked me right in.

We are introduced to Maggie who has jumped around from foster homes. She never stays in one for very long. Her parents died when she was young and so did her other family. She's been bounced around more times than I can count on both hands. She's almost 18, and she can't wait so she can be out of the system.  She has a record a mile long, most of the counts being indecent exposure.

Things don't come easy for her there either. She instantly makes an enemy and is labeled the new poor girl. She doesn't wear designer labels like everyone else. She's lucky she can shop at Wal-mart.
Her newest foster home is in Silver City, New Mexico with Mrs. Carpenter.

She does make one friend from the start who suggests she get a job at the restaurant she currently works at, so Maggie figures at least she can get a job and earn a little spending money and have something to do after school. She gets the job and becomes very close to all the staff. She enjoys working there.

She also meets a boy on the first day of school, Bridger. He's rich, and doesn't date local girls. No way could he ever be interested in her anyway, she figures. But of course they become friends.

Bridger and Maggie's relationship was very sweet. They connected with each other but I always knew deep down there must have been more to their story and they had to be more alike than we are lead to believe.

People come after Maggie, wanting to hurt her, Maggie hides a lot of secrets, she's always had too with nobody to really turn too.  Want to know what Maggie's secrets are? Want to know what becomes of Bridger? Read the book to find out.

Overall: Surprisingly, I really enjoyed reading this one. I did get sucked in, and wanted to finish the story. Yes, there is a paranormal element to it like a lot of books these days, but it was interesting, and I really liked Maggie's personality. I liked learning about her. I liked being along for the ride with her.

Cover: The cover is okay. Not my favorite ever but still okay. The snake aspect is interesting.

What I'd Give It: