How would you feel if you found out that someone had manipulated your DNA? Against your will, without your knowledge? And, to top it off, they erased your memories and made you into some sort of mutant, a shifter? Bailey (also known as Karmin, her original name before she had to change it to hide her identity from those who sought to do her harm) and Rye share the anger and they’ve connected with someone who’s determined to set things right, to change the course of these experiments and destroy the labs that alter humans’ DNA. It’s a dangerous task, one that demands sacrifices.

Cheryl Rush Cowperthwait’s young adult fantasy/science fiction novel, The Renegade Shifters, explores the frightening what if’s of government manipulative scientific experimentation on unsuspecting humans. There are multiple sites around the world, in large military-minded countries like the United States, where mysterious experiments are conducted: mind control and who knows what else. In this scenario, the author explores the possibility of an unthinkable genetic manipulation of humans to make super-human fighting machines. Using young adults as the main characters, the story appeals primarily to that audience, but other age groups will certainly appreciate this story as well. The plot is well developed and energetically driven. The characters are realistic, even in their fantasy-like shifted selves. The dialogue is compelling and helps drive the plot along. Other than a couple of jumps between scenes that leave the reader temporarily lost, this is a real page-turner, one that will make the reader question the frightening possibilities of what if.

The Renegade Shifters is a work of fiction in the romance, thriller and paranormal adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author Cheryl Rush Cowperthwait, also known as C R C. This work is designed for mature reading audiences owing to the use of explicit language, and it features young adult protagonists trying to make their way in the world. One such heroine is Bailey, a Shifter who bands together with her fellows for protection from forces that would do her kind much harm. But after she meets Rhyzel in an LA club, sparks fly and secrets loom that could change everything she knows about herself and the power that lies within her.

Author Cheryl Rush Cowperthwait combines a unique blend of genres to create a fast-paced and stylish read for mature teens and upwards. I really enjoyed the fact that the central characters were not clear cut and justly-minded, but rather realistic survivalists who live on the edge of danger and put you on the edge of your seat with their decision-making and recklessness. Bailey was exceedingly well developed as a central figure and her emotional storyline was one to invest in, especially as the mystery around her escalates and things begin to change in our perception. This results in a highly exciting final section to the novel which ramps up the action. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Renegade Shifters to fantasy and paranormal fans who like exciting quick-read style stories with engaging, rebellious central characters.