Shifters of 2040 is book three of the Shifters Evolution series.  This is a creative and inventive story that has a very different view of shape shifters.

To me, this novel is more sci-fi than paranormal.  The shifters are an alien race that invades earth in the year 2020.  The SCM is a branch of the military that was established to eradicate the shifters.  The SCM also performs hideous experiments on the shifters and hybrids. This is more than a fictional story, underneath the tale lies the moral lesson about the wrongs of prejudice.

There are so many characters and character types that sometimes I got a little confused with who was who, but the glossary at the beginning of the book is quite helpful.  I found that although the book can stand alone I would have gotten more out of the story had I not started in the middle.  I would definitely recommend starting this series from the beginning.

All in all, I found this to be a captivating story with elements of turmoil and romance.  When I thought I knew where the story was heading, the author added a little twist.  Blackwelder is an author I would read again.

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From amazon.com

Set in Alaska in 2040, Melissa Marn and Bruce Wilder must work under the iron fist of the SCM, while still try- ing to maintain humanity. Discovering a world of shifters and hybrids, the scientists must struggle with human prejudice and betrayal. With the original ancestors, dubbed shifters, still living on earth, humans are in the midst of a fifteen year old war. As the eldest hybrids, Unseen and Diamond, learn about humans the hard way, with the loss of loved ones and sacrifices, love on planet earth proves challenging.

The Guardians of the Gate: Book One The Gate of Lake Forest is the first installment in Blackwelder’s YA Elf Romance series. What drew me in first about this book was that it was a romance told from a male’s perspective. Michael is such a likeable and REAL character that you almost seem to know him; as if he’s a neighbor, or a boy you grew up with. Evelyn’s emotions are so poignant and strong that you can’t help but to be drawn in by her. Evelyn is the new girl at school, different and so, a hot commodity. Michael finally gets up the gumption to ask her out and she agrees, after avoiding everyone. Blackwelder uses poetry to help the two young lovers express their feelings for each other, which reminded me of In Dreams Begin where poetry played a central role to the book.

By the time Michael is in love so are you, with Ami Blackwelder’s tale of two lovers that may, or may not be able to be together.  Their struggles and turmoils, happiness, and tears make this book nearly impossible to put down. I immediately bought the second installment. The lore and world that Blackwelder has woven is fetching and catching. You too will be caught in the web of her words.

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From Amazon.com

When a human and an elfin fall in love, what happens in forbidden romance?
Within the small town of Green Mountain Falls, Colorado, there exists a quiet forest where a world undiscovered awaits. When soccer player, Michael Cole, of high school Green Mountain Falls sees the new girl Evelyn, coy yet intoxicating, walk into his senior English class he is forever changed.

His passion for her takes him deep into her heart and deep into her mystical world. Will their forbidden love be able to sustain them as their separate worlds collide, taking Evelyn and Michael on a magical journey into adventurous and perilous realms where dangerous creatures are determined to defeat them?
High school will never be the same…

The Mers: A Mermaid Dystopian is the first book in Blackwelder’s Mer Chronicles. This book was captivating from page one. Mira doesn’t seem to fit in with the Mers, she doesn’t have gills, eyes, fins or webbing like they do. She’s just learned in school at age seventeen that humans warred with the Mers and Pirates capture them. One hundred years prior the Earth was covered in water and what little land was left was highly prized, adaptation began quickly and soon another branch of humans began–the Mers. Whether from jealousy or fear, the humans ostracized and fought them. Finally, coming to a shaky peace where the two had separate boundaries.

Mira longs to know who she really is despite the love of her adopted parents Zale and Marina, and the pull and affection of her close friend Niren, who becomes more than that. Mira’s distinctions draw him to her, and you too will fall for the loyal, loving Mer. The book is fast paced, hard to put down, and a great YA read. The main characters Mira and Nerin are well fleshed out and have you rooting for them, and feeling with them in the end. Other characters join the band and have you guessing, are they to be trusted, or not? With surprises and twists, The Mers is certainly a great read. I for one will be waiting with bated breath for the next installment.

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From Amazon.com

A Mermaid Dystopian –The Mers:
What lies beneath the surface?
One hundred years from now, the world has
changed and brought with it, new forms of life.
Who are the Mers? Who is Mira?

Mira always knew she was different. Growing up with Mers, she never quite fit in. When Mira breaks the rules and takes Niren with heracross the border dividing Ellis Island and New Jersey, the border dividing two vastly different worlds, she thought the journey to find out who she really is would be an easy one.

But, as the world in Jersey proves to be a convoluted mix of aristocrats who hate the Mers, pirates who want to sell them, and magi who want to use them…finding her true identity will be a challenge, especially when her best friend Niren is a Mer willing to fight to the death.