When twenty-six-year-old graphic designer Lily Moore shapeshifts for the first time, Atlanta police detectives consult wildlife experts to sort through the bizarre forensic evidence she leaves in her wake. Her traumatic transformation coincides with murder and Lily finds herself the center of a mad vortex of area crimes.
On the run, Lily turns to her younger brother to help unravel the secrets surrounding her boyfriend’s death as well as unlock the mysteries of their Chinese heritage. When a loved one goes missing, Lily finds herself scrambling to find purchase in this new world where there hasn’t been balance for a century.
As she learns to master her new preternatural abilities, she must cut through the lies of those around her. With the police and a killer hot on her trail, can she solve the mystery of being First Born or will family secrets prove deadly?
4 out of 5 stars
I've read many 'shifter' books as I have a bit of a thing for the paranormal genre so I started reading First Born with a few preconceptions. Well, they were blown out of the water fairly quickly! First Born is not your typical paranormal approach to the shape shifter story, which is kind of obvious given it’s described as Urban Fantasy, but it was something quite different for me and I really enjoyed it.
For Lily Moore, every woman's worst nightmare is about to come true. Out on a date she finds herself in a secluded location and starting to feel the effects of some sort of drug. Her date is closing in with fairly clear intent and there is no escape ... unless of course you can shape shift into some scary ass creature and fight your way free! That is exactly what Lily does and there begins her quest to uncover her shape shifting form, her heritage and the truth behind her boyfriend's death. Oh and perhaps a bit more about Detective Hottie while she’s at it!
Lily's shape shifting is a complete shock to her. Not only does she experience it for the first time without any indication it was possible, but she has no idea what she has changed into, how (or if) she can change back or precisely what state her date was in when she fled after fighting him. What she does know is that her senses are heightened, her appetite is voracious and a mysterious man seems to be watching her!
Forced into hiding as the police try and uncover exactly what happened to her date (and her) Lily has to try and discover details of her shape shifting, who the mysterious 'watcher' is and who is responsible for the increasing number of deaths of people connected to her. Detective Caldwell Simms (aka Detective Hottie) is assigned the case. Having met Lily previously following the death of her boyfriend some months earlier there is definitely a spark between these two. He struggles with his attraction to Lily and piecing together the evidence before him that is becoming stranger and stranger and seemingly pointing to Lily's involvement.
Lily calls on her brother Seth for help in her quest to stay safe and sane while they work out exactly what is going on. Seth has some secrets of his own which adds even more to the mystery in First Born.
I don't want to say too much more about the story because I definitely don't want any spoilers in this review. What I will say is First Born is well written, with tons of intrigue and suspense. Throw in the shape shifting element, complete with some Chinese mythology and you've got an absolute page turner. While the end of the book sets up book two in the series, there is completion to this story - and I didn't even come close to picking it! I certainly got all the answers I was looking for, as well as a solid investment in the characters so I'll be watching for book two from Zoeller.
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BONUS Giveaway- Into the Night Reviews
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There will be an additional giveaway via a public event on Facebook (hosted by) Literary Mania Reviews for the duration of the tour. Enter for your chance to win a Lily Locket Necklace.
Access the event here: First Born Facebook Event
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