Chameleon Paperback – January 7, 2014

3.5 stars -- OK, so here's the thing: I'm actually not a fan of love triangles. Now that's not to say I won't love a book that has a love triangle, b/c one of my favourite authors unfortunately LOVES them and has a major one in one of my favourite series of hers. I guess it just has to be done right, or there has to be enough other stuff surrounding the story to push down my inherit dislike of love triangles. And this book failed to do that for me. What's weird is that I knew going in that there was a love triangle (uh duh, it's in the blurb), and quite frankly being a huge fan of Ms. Oram and being a part of her fan club, other readers inevitably even spoiled it for me (because people forget about that when they get excited and start fangirling), and so I even knew which boy probably won out in the end. Although, I guess that kind of ruined my read of this book a bit as well (kind of like More Than Jamie Baker being a bit spoiled for me ruined it a bit). People are so well meaning, but it really is hard to avoid spoilers once you join a fan club. So my advice? Don't join the fan club until you've read it all. Seriously.OK, that was a stupid tangent to get off on. ANYWAYS. Right. Love triangles. So we start this book with Russ and Dani. And even though Russ could be kind of a prick at times, I kind of fell for the two of them together. I mean come on, they were hilarious and the bantering was funny and I really did feel chemistry. And a small part of me that hadn't reread the blurb before diving in hoped I had been wrong about the existence of a love triangle, b/c best friends to lovers stories?? Who doesn't love those? And OMG the paranormal stuff was so fun and exciting and intriguing, and I really was loving most of that!! (though her reactions to the cravings bothered me here and there, but I could deal with it) And then the council comes and takes her away (not a spoiler, this is all implied by the blurb for the book, so I figured I could mention it). And we meet book boy 2. And from that point on I just never really got back my verve for the story except in pieces here and there. You see, not only was I only meh on Gabriel (he was ok, just nothing spectacular IMO), I really didn't feel Gabriel and Dani's connection at all (no matter how many times we're told it's there). And when Russ comes back into the picture, he's an even bigger dick, and quite frankly I couldn't have cared less who Dani ended up with. I wasn't feeling either anymore. I refused to invest in either relationship b/c I honestly didn't know how it was going to pan out, b/c I didn't ever feel that great love that I was expecting that would show who the true love was supposed to be. So for me, this book was an epic romance fail.Now on the supernatural side it was kind of intriguing. I LOVED that moment when I understood the title of this book. Dani's powers were quite cool, and I enjoyed the "fight" type scenes throughout this book. I will say that I went back and forth a GAGILLION times over who the bad guy was going to be. And sometimes I felt like Dani, Russ, and Gabriel were freaking idiots for not being a bit more cautious all around with all the powerful warlocks that they could encounter, but apparently I'm just paranoid that way. I always had it narrowed down to 2 suspects, and a part of me was mildly disappointed that it wasn't who I wanted it to be, but in the end it made the most sense. So fantastic mystery element. And I will say that the climax was quite emotionally impactful for me. I really hope we get to learn a bit more about the Supernaturals as a whole, b/c it felt like a lot of backstory was missing at times. I guess b/c we were really only dealing with a few types in this particular story. I'm actually very excited to see what else we'll learn in the future stories, and how the world will unfold.And I totes agree with other readers, Duncan is da bomb. He disappointed me here and there, but he was one of the better characters in the story, particularly for such a minor one.So I am definitely reading the next book in the series. Especially since it's from a different character's POV and so we'll get a fresh chance at a good romance. I will say that while I LOVE LOVE LOVE the covers for these books (and the interior formatting), I don't yet get the significance of the cool sun thingie. Have you read this book? Did I miss something?

I don't know why I didn't enjoy this book, now don't get me wrong I didn't dislike it either. I can't really say what it is about the book that disturbs me. I enjoyed it and the characters very much, how ever I also found some of the relationships disturbing. I understand were the author is coming from and were she is heading or i think i do. I also understand that she paired the characters in this way for a specific reason.***Spoiler alert***And yet it still disturbs me to an extent. The way Gabe and Dani love each other is disturbing to me, not because i feel they cannot love or that it cannot be as intense. Life in general is intense. But when you look at how she is forced to be with him, to the point were she hurts and gets paranoid and jumpy with out him well i think its just a little to intense. I think its more a she was forced to be with him and love him than an actual she chose to love him or just fell in love with him. As i said i understand destiny and in order to have the ending the author chose she needed Dani to end up with Gabe or so she would have you believe and you also learn in the next 2 books.Russ's love for her seemed pure although i can also say there is a bit of intensity in that relationship as well. So why couldn't his pure love for her be enough? as i said the author is leading us to something bigger and Russ was needed for that. But Russ knows her, grew up with her, knows her wants and likes. When he says he loves her its believable and understandable. With Gabe i'm left asking myself why does he love her? Because the Creator told him he has to? Because she is pretty? WHY? what is it he loves about her he knows nothing about her they hardly speak to one another and the first few conversations are awkward and not very friendly. The main counsel man even tells her she scared him when they first met, but he also tells her he loves her. Does Gabe even tell her he loves her? does he even explain to her why he wants to be with her other than "The Creator showed you to me". As i said i understand destiny but for some reason this one just seemed to pushed and rushed for me. One minute Dani is pushing Gabe away and the next she can't live without him.as i said this is just my opinion. the book it self is interesting i enjoyed the story line all except for the parts were Dani is being tortured. Even just by not touching her he tortures her. i understand she needs it but it gets old for me. she becomes a different person in the book i think that is why i cannot relate to her. She is Dani, Russ's best friend one minute, the next she thinks she might love him, then she's disappointed he doesnt, then she doesnt want to talk to him, and finally goes on a date with another guy. If she loves Russ as much as she claims to she would have tried to understand or speak to him about the issues at hand. i understand being hurt and needing time but she was a bit mean to him. i guess my issue with Dani's character is she changes so fast with so many attitudes that i was left feeling like i didnt even know whom she truly was.So all that being said i will say this, the book is the first in a series from what i know there will be 4 books, you would assume my weird review would cause me to say dont read this book save your money, but that isnt the case. i have read the first 3 books and i am waiting on book number 4. no the 1st Book or this book was not my favorite but i am glad i kept reading it till the end which told me there were 2 more books out there. i loved books 2 and 3 and even though i didnt enjoy book 1 as much and have only read it twice and dont plan on re-reading it often you have to read it to understand everything that happens in books 2 and 3. yes they are all stand alone books but they refer back to each other and the same characters appear with appearances of new characters of course. in order to follow the story line its best to read them in order. Book 2 was great and we met different characters werewolf, angel, vampire, witch etc. Book 3 or Russ's story tells you a little more about Russ and in his book he goes through all the emotions possible. Love, friendship, grief, anger, betrayal, you name it that poor guy goes through it i loved Russ and his story, lets hope book 4 gives him his happy ending.

The story was good, the writing was fast paced and interesting. The romance, however, utterly disappointing.The story starts with a strong, independent, and powerful female lead (coming from an author who I have previously seen as an amazing feminist writer, I was delighted). Then the character is thrown in to a painful situation that nearly destroys her both psychologically and physically -I sat reading hoping to see the heroine fight the establishment that took so much away from her, and return to the far more compatible romantic counterpart (Russ). Only to see her go to the overly entitled, overpowered and metaphorical representation of the establishment that tortured her....so much for feminism.I still hoped that the character would retain her sassy speech and rage-against-the-machine mentality....but no. She becomes meek and submissive to the male protagonist and shows no real thought for herself- she goes.for what everyone expects of her rather than what she wants, or better yet deserves.The author degrades what could have been a genuinely powerful feminist love story, with a glamorous rendition of Stockholm Syndrome- but it's ok because the boy she ends up with is religious so all of his abusive and perverse traits can be over looked. And the organisation that put them together is forgiven for being a torture porn with an arranged marriage at the end.Overall the writer is definitely worth reading - for a similar character who has a far more consistent set of traits I recommend Serial Hottie.But this story is an "avoid at all costs" for me .

This was a weird one for me because I can usually guess which boy the girl will pick but this book kept me guessing, and I gotta admit I'm glad she picked him.I liked that the story progressed really quickly and Oram didn't drag out the love triangle too long I hate when authors do that because it becomes the main focal point and the plot takes a back seat. The characters are engaging especially Dani and Russ who are constantly getting in trouble and calling each other names.Overall good book highly recommend it and I'm gonna read the sequel so happy reading

This book was awesome really got me hooked on the rest of the series Dani is amazing and it was difficult to choose what side to be on for the reader. It was like you where there feeling what there feeling and. It was just awesome.I think what was done to Dani was horrible but I'm glad that there was someone around who generally cared for her well-being and stood by her side.Russ is a character that I sympathized with in all this series so far and can't wait for the fourth one.

I've had this book in my TBR pile for a while now. Now I've finally got around to reading this I'm not sure why I'd put it off for so long.This really is a great book with an interesting story. From discovering how the main character gets her powers (and they are some awesome powers, I wish I had them) to her world changing in a quite a big way this story captivated me. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.

Great story. Didn't expect that ending.Didn't like the fact she chose the wrong guy. Love triangles suck.. it's like when Elena chose Stefan over Daimon... seriously ?I do love a book that blows your mind. And this book blew my mind. And I will probably think of this book often and hate the way it ended.Sad times.