Title: Unelmoija: The Dreamshifter (Weeia)
Author: Elle Boca
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Buy Link: Amazon
Review
Amy is Weeia. As in belonging to a superhuman race with special abilities. Her upbringing by her single mother has been secluded and full of fear of discovery. She might not know exactly what her abilities are, but one thing she’s fully aware of is the need to remain inconspicuous and keep a low profile. But this doesn’t keep her mysterious, fear-inducing father from tracking her down, or Duncan, her supposed polar opposite, who nevertheless doesn’t repel her at all, to pop right in front of her. They both claim to put her safety before all else. But when she has to deal with an attempt against her life, Amy finds herself more alone than ever. It’s high time she explored those dreamshifting abilities and found out why that old psychic called her Unelmoija, seemingly in awe.
What I particularly appreciated in this book was the very fact I found myself having trouble dealing with in the beginning. The writing. At first, I felt the writing was procedural (or expository if you prefer those terms) but soon I realized that the more Amy grew into her own skin and saw more of the world than her own shadow, the language became richer, more layered, more descriptive; it evolved right along with its main character. I found that ingenious. The story is well-paced, the friendship between Amy and Duncan sweet, but my favorite aspect was the reluctant relationship between Amy and her father whose role in the story is still somewhat of a puzzle.
I loved hopping around Miami through the eyes of Elle Boca. What I felt more vividly than the images were the tantalizing smells. In fact this book should come with a warning: do not read if you’re to go on a diet. Boy, do those people eat…
A fumbling teen who taps into uncharted strengths for survival, her broken family tensions, a superb race’s intricate politics, escalating suspense and lots of southeast Florida. All in all, Dreamshifter is an excellent debut urban fantasy, and I will definitely read its sequel, Mindshifter, to see Amy coming to grips with her reality.
About the Author
Elle is the author of the Weeia urban fantasy series set in Miami, Florida in the United States. Growing up the only child of a monkey mother and a rabbit father she learned to keep herself entertained and spend time reading.
Elle makes her home with her king cat husband in South Florida. When not writing and creating fantastical beings she likes photographing nature and wildlife, eating baked goods, watching movies, and dreaming of going on safari.
Find her on
Blog: elleboca.poyeen.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/elleboca
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/26277297-elle-boca
Boca’s writing is great, as is her pacing and characterization. I have read both books in the series, and am looking forward to the third one, as I loved them!
Thanks for your comment, Nicholas! I’m taking The Mindshifter with me on my summer holidays for sure!
Thank you Maria for your kind review. I’m delighted to know you enjoyed my debut Miami urban fantasy! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to eat like Duncan? Can’t wait to find out how you like Unelmoija: The Mindshifter.
And, Nicholas thank you as well for your feedback on both novels, and prior to that for your own 5-star review! Unelmoija: The Spiritshifter is due out any day!
You both rock!
Wow, I am mind-blown! This review definitely whets the appetite. I am so glad this book is on my TBR list. I can’t wait to read the whole series, sounds truly fabulous. Well done Elle! And well done also Maria for writing such an enticing review for the book, with intricate insights but without any spoilers. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Fros! I’m super excited to find out what happens next…
Fros, I agree with you about Maria’s insightful review. I can’t wait to find out how you like Amy and her world of super humans as they explore Miami. I look forward to The Lady of the Pier.
Thank you Elle! I promise to try and get to your book as soon as I can. I am really looking forward to it 🙂