Review: Shapeshifter by Holly Bennett

I received this book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers Group.

Shapeshifter by Holly Bennett is an incredible story.  It tells of loyalty, determination, love, fear, control, and desire.  It is the story of a girl, a shapeshifter girl, but of so very much more than that.  I am not sure what I was expecting when I opened the cover of this book, but what I got was amazing.  I fell in love with the characters.  The names, not so much - but I think there is meaning in them too.  The main character, Sive, is stronger than she could ever imagine.  It is this strength that in so many ways is both her downfall and her saving grace.  Sive is a powerful singer with a magical voice and once the Dark Man hears her, her life changes forever.  The Dark Man - obviously the villain, is everything you expect the bad guy to be, in spades.  He is treacherous and cold, cunning and evil and will stop at nothing to have the power of Sive's voice.  Sive's father is one of my favorite characters, he makes me think of my own father, those incredible men who would stop at nothing to save their children.  I would have liked to learn more about Sive and Finn's son, Oisin.   I truly enjoyed the story, although it is sad in so many ways.  I was, as I always am, hoping for the happy ending - and I wasn't disappointed.