The second book in the Switchers trilogy, this book begins a few months after the first one ended. Tess is glad Kevin survived by turning himself into a phoenix, but she's having second thoughts about his new form when he's captured by the zoo and sold to a private collector. With only a week before he's shipped to America, she has to think of a way to save him, fast. But Martin, a new Switcher she's discovered, is complicating her life. Martin wants her to become a vampire like him, or he'll make her his minion. The light of the phoenix battles with the allure of the vampire in Kate's mind, and the choice she makes will change all three.More than anything, this book felt rushed and jumbled. Although the plot lines were fairly clear, events played out oddly. Tess finds out about vampire minions when Martin is taunting her about becoming one, not before. It was very hard to know what was true about vampires, as the author appears to have taken the shortcut of "every regular myth counts; don't ask me why."It also irritated me that Tess continues to be so braindead about her choices as a Switcher. She can become anything, and she can't think of a way to escape a vampire except becoming one? How about a werewolf? How about an angel? How about something she makes up with anti-vampire properties?And the choice at the end of the book had me spluttering with disbelief. Tess basically decides evil isn't her thing, but neither is good because it's too holy or somesuch. Because apparently it's better to be stuck in the middle. Though I will grant her that good as it was presented in this book was even less attractive than evil, as our poor phoenix Kevin seemed perfectly daft and happy that way. And the result of her choice annoyed me even more. The rule is, no switching after you turn 15... unless the author thinks it's a good idea. And having started the next book, I do realize what Martin ultimately chose, but it really, really should've been in here instead.This is one of those cases where the first book was okay, but the sequels are making me regret my desire to complete any series I own. Read it if you want, but you'll likely be screaming at the pages in frustration. Not Recommended.
This is the second book in the series, and I have to admit I did not like it as much as the first one. But it was good all the same.It follows the story of Tess as she tries to decide which animal she will choose forever, because at 15 you lose the ability to shift into any animal, you have to choose just one. Kevin chooses a phoenix, which Tess considers, but then she meets Martin, whose forever shape is a vampire. And she has a hard time deciding what she will choose when her time comes.This whole series is shaping as a “growing up and finding oneself” theme, which I absolutely adore. I love Tess, and I cannot wait to read the next book.This is absolutely a 4 star book. And just look at that striking cover! Who would think that mustard yellow and Christmas red could go together?!
Do You like book Midnight's Choice (1999)?
This book is the sequal to "Switchers". Tess meets another switcher named Martin. He talks Tess into becoming something that is specifically designed for evil. In this book, Tess has to choose between the light and the dark. It's harder than she would've thought. Find out if she picks good or evil!!!
—Madi Schoenecker
I really hate that this book equates good with disinterested. I couldn't get past that, and then, to hammer in the blurb on the back's "young people are going to enjoy every bit as much as The Golden Compass," on page 138, "There was a certain arrogance about the bird's demeanor as he hung there above them all, passing his benevolent eyes from one to another, as distant as a priest handing out communion."There are too many places to begin attacking that analogy. My husband is a priest, and he takes the time to prepare himself, body and spirit, to celebrate (not officiate at) the Liturgy, and to pray for each person whom he names as they partake of the Divine Gifts. He does not "hand out communion." I know, there may be some priests of whatever background, but this felt like a slap across the face. Another factor was that I recently asked him whether he ever thought about the baby we lost through miscarriage, and he said he prays for the child each time he celebrates the Liturgy.I remember my father talking about how it wasn't enough to be pro-life, that you couldn't value human life for the sake of human life. You can value human life because it is a gift from God. This book distorts the truth beyond anything I'd care to read, and I can't maintain the suspension of disbelief for this kind of writing.I hurt for Ms. Thompson, too. What kind of awful view of Christianity must this writing come from?
—Magda
