Memoirs of a Shape-Shifter
By Thomas Kaplan-Maxfield
Kepler Press (2005)
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (3/06)

I thoroughly enjoyed Memoirs of a Shape-shifter. Most gothic type stories tend to be to short for me, just as I am getting into the story, it is over. Not so with Memoirs. The story takes you from modern times, through early America, then back into ancient Ireland. The journey follows a modern woman, Nikki, on her journey of self-discovery as a woman and as a Druidic priestess, down the path of her ancestor Anne Cleves.

At 40 years of age, Nikki starts exploring her past and how experiences in her childhood, especially with her abusive father have affected her emotionally. These experiences have especially affected her ability to love. As Nikki explores her past she learns about the women in her familys involvement with witchcraft and druidism. She begins to follow this path and is able to heal herself.

This story is very suspenseful and the characters are well developed. I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy suspenseful novels that have a touch of magic in them. The way that the author is able to intertwine the past with the present really allows for some rich reading. His descriptive text makes the reader feel more like they are enjoying a movie instead of reading printed material.