Chameleon: The Awakening

The Forest People, Book 1

By: Maggie Lynch

Narrated by: Rachel Jacobs

Camryn Painter is a 16-year-old freak of nature. Or possibly the savior of a civilization that isn't supposed to exist. She's a human chameleon...one who transforms into the image of whoever she sees.

Escaping from a medical research facility, Camryn discovers a magical forest world. Not that she's welcome. Her new home is filled with faeries and beasts set on destroying her.

Striking a tribal alliance between what she once believed were mythical beings is her only chance of survival...if she can just control her power and figure out who to trust.

©2013 Maggie Lynch (P)2018 Maggie Lynch

Great YA fantasy series, but some drawbacks..

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

It had a little more teen angst then I was expecting and also the switching of good boy, bad boy going around started getting old near the end.

Which scene was your favorite?

Spoilers
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When she saves her dad.
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Any additional comments?

Great idea for the series. I definitely want to know more about the plains of existence and specifics of forest magic. Backstory could be deepend to have a more solid background to the events unfolding. Waiting to checkout future installments.

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

An enjoyable read & listen

My first read from author Maggie Faire was wonderfully written with a somewhat unique main character & storyline. Since I read/listened to the audiobook I have to give kudos to the narrator who did a fine job & added to the enjoyment of the book. I look forward to the follow-up book.

Can't wait for the next in the series on Audible!

What made the experience of listening to Chameleon: The Awakening the most enjoyable?

This book was so different from other fantasies and I loved that. You have unusual magic, nature, adventure, romance and best yet dragons! It is a fantastic start to the series and left me wanting more. I saw that there is a second book it's just not out yet on Audible, but hopefully soon it will be. I would love to see more in this series, it was like a mix of Fablehaven and maybe X-Men. It was well written and the narrator did an amazing job pulling you into the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love Cameryn's spunk, she is an entertaining main character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I finished it in one day... had to stay up late but it was well worth it.

Any additional comments?

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Wonderful YA Fantasy

Any additional comments?

Camryn Painter is different, she can change her looks just by looking at another person. At 16 she finds herself an orphan, having recently lost her adoptive family and in an institution. She finally gets the courage to run away from the institute and finds that she isn’t actually alone. There are others that have been looking for her and expecting her to return to her place as one of the Forest People. Her return was prophesied, but will she choose to accept her place among these strangers as their Chameleon?

This is a wonderfully told YA Fantasy story about the coming of age and finding one’s true self. I really enjoyed the story. I really felt for Camryn as she struggled to control her involuntary changes and her desire for her own identity. I was happy when she found others to help her but completely understood why she might not fully trust them. The setting was beautifully described; these descriptions help explain some of what Camryn has been missing in her life and the journey she still needs to take.

I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrator has a lovely tone of voice which added to the experience of this book. She was able to portray the different emotions that Camryn and the other characters were experiencing, such as pain, fear, compassion.

I would recommend this book to not only young adults but anyone one who enjoys a clean unique coming of age story or anyone that enjoys YA fantasy. I was provided with a copy of this book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way influenced by anyone.

Great First In Series

I thought this was a great first in series, it laid the groundwork, gave background and introduced the characters in a decent paced captivating manner. I love the different species in this story and learning about their cultures. The lichen and all of the dimensions is a fresh and new idea that i really enjoyed. The narrator did a wonderful job bringing the characters and story to life. I am looking forward to book 2

Interesting story

I really liked the concept of the forest people. It was vivid and fun. The only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars was that I found some inconsistencies with the characters and plot holes.

The narrator did a great job, but I found she was really slow. I had to increase the talk speed in order to keep interest.

Great world, would read more from this author!

Awesome fantasy series

I really enjoyed this story....so much so that I finished it in one sitting! It’s a beautiful, wild and fresh coming of age story. I can’t wait to listen to the next in the series. Rachel Jacobs did a great job with the narration, too.

YA in a new world

An unique world created for this coming to age story. I'm always looking for new settings in the fantasy genre and this one was new to me. It focuses around a teenage girl learning about who she is and where she comes from. It's a mixture of urban fantasy and fantasy. The characters are likable and distinct if a little disjointed (just like real teenagers). The author or the editing rushes through sections that could have been more developed.

"This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."

amazing fantasy

the book is captivating and beautiful and very very well written I loved the world that was created and every single minute of the book
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Who would you trust?

Raised in a world that considers you a freak, and loosing the parents who were your only safety net, then forced to live a drugged existence in a psycho facility, all before you turn 16. Truly, it is a wonder that Camryn hadn't gone insane. Then when she does escape, she has people wanting to help, but for their own nefarious reasons. Who would you trust, see if you agreed with Camryn's decision.
I loved the narrator's rendition of the various characters, it really enhances the enjoyment of the story.