Shifter and Shadow by Sharon Shinn

The Twelve Houses series by Sharon Shinn is one of my favourite fantasy series, which I reread every year, especially when I want wonderful characters, romance, shapeshifters and magic. When I saw that Shifter and Shadow was a novella that came immediately after The Thirteenth House, I hoped that some of the niggling questions that stayed with me when I finished that book would be answered. Kirra Danalustrous, a shapeshifter and daughter of a rich marlord has fled to a small fishing village after an affair went wrong, with her loyal protector Donal following her. The village houses children dying from the fatal red-horse fever and Kirra has found a radical cure for it. She turns the children into dogs who can take the medicine that will save them. When they recover, she turns them back into children. But many people fear the magic. Will Kirra convince the parents to let her save the children? Will she mend her broken heart?

Shifter and shadow is a short novella that highlights Donal, the shapeshifter who is usually sitting quietly in the shadows, while the beautiful Kirra bewitches those around her. It has been painful for him to see her grieving the loss of another man and he keeps to his animal form rather than talking to her. As well as healing the children, it is a time of healing for Kirra as she gradually moves on from her grief and begins to appreciate the stoic young man who loves her.

This is not a stand-alone novella, but a wonderful addition to the series, which fills in the gap about Kirra and Donal's relationship in a very satisfying way. The series is best initially read in order: Mystic and rider, The Thirteenth House, Dark Moon Defender, Reader and Raelynx, and Fortune and Fate, although readers like me might dip back into favourite books for a second or third rewarding re-read.

Themes: Fantasy, Magic, Romance.

Pat Pledger