Bearskin by Jamie Robyn Wood

When Conrad, Moiria, and Heppson’s evil enchantress mother tries to convince them to follow her dark ways, they must each decide where the line lies between good and evil, magic and mythology. Based on a lesser-known fairy tale, this young adult book features an impossible romance, an intricate plot, and twists you won’t see coming.

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I am not familiar with the fairy tale this book is based on so I was pretty clueless coming in.  I would like to find and read the original fairy tale though and see how it compares.

For me this book was very slow going.  I had a really hard time staying with the book and in the moment.  The first chapters are pretty much all in the characters head with very little dialogue or action going on.  It was really hard to get through.  I realize the author was setting things up for what comes later and much of it was important information but it really was tedious to be in each character's head for so long.

I started enjoying things more when Heart starting interacting with Bear.  I had more dialogue and the story started progressing more quickly (although still slowly compared to most YA fantasy books).  The last couple chapters of the book are by far the best as we reach the climax and the characters reach their potential.

I felt like this book was more technical than emotional.  I was reading the story but I wasn't feeling the story.  I was more like an outsider looking in on a story unfolding.  I really liked the concept though there was just something lacking in the execution.

Content:  Clean.  No swearing or sexual situations.  Mild violence and some dark magic.