I originally read and liked the Altered States anthology, which is a set of futuristic stories involving genetic re-engineering to make super soldiers who can turn into cats of various types, as ebooks from Ellora's Cave. When I acquired this book, "Shadow Warrior (Knights of the Magical Realm)", which certainly sounded like a sword and sorcery/magic type fantasy to me, I was surprised to find that it was the Altered States anthology. This book is the original Triskelion edition. The EC site says the Delilah Devlin story 'Unleashing the Tiger' 'has been previously published. The book has been substantially expanded and revised from its original release'. In fact most of the changes are minor EXCEPT the fact that it is one chapter longer. This additional final chapter brings closure to the story arc which the Triskelion text doesn't really have. Let's just say I liked the book but I'm glad I read the final chapter available in the ebook.

There are shifters we haven't met (and one we did), powerful companies and political figures to bring down and new missions to run. Overall a good read with room to grow...

In the print book the titles are Cougar, Jaguarondi, Black Panther and Tiger.

Night Prowler by Layla Chase ebook @ Ellora's Cave
Beast Within by Betty Hanawa ebook @ Ellora's Cave
Naked Prey by Myla Jackson ebook @ Ellora's Cave
Unleashing the Tiger by Delilah Devlin ebook @ Ellora's Cave

Something I've always wondered about the whole shape-shifting thing: most jaguarondis weigh in at under 20 pounds, most tigers at around 500+, and the guys probably start out at around 200 - so whatever happened to conservation of mass? Oh, sorry, that must be the magic part...

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