Member Reviews

As someone who dives in eagerly to any form of werewolf media I was very excited for this one!
It was definitely a unique and fun take on the idea of werewolves/shifters and I loved the characters and overall plot. The art is nice with a unique style and I found our MC to be interesting and engaging!

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Full Shift by Jennifer Dugan and Kit Seaton

Tessa feels out of place both at school, where she struggles to confess her feelings for her friend Maddie, and at home, where she can’t fully shift into her werewolf form like her family. When werewolf hunters with a supposed cure for lycanthropy threaten her pack, Tessa initially sees it as a solution to her problems but soon realizes she must embrace her inner wolf to protect those she loves.

Okay, sure, you’ve read this story before. “Teenage girl feels out of place, decides to try to change to fit in better, comes to appreciate the way she is,” etc etc. And the part of me that has read this plot line a hundred times rolls my eyes. But the part of me that distinctly remembers feeling like an outsider both in school and in my family will always find characters like Tessa all too relatable to really be too critical of this plot.

That being said, there’s some really interesting worldbuilding, and some things that I wish had been explained a bit better. I liked the *cough* initial misunderstanding, though I question Tessa’s response somewhat. And I did like Tessa’s arc of coming to understand her family is there for her, and how to be there for them. I enjoyed Maddie’s character, though I wish we saw more of Maddie’s best friend.

In short, cute, sweet graphic novel that’s been done before, but still an enjoyable few hours.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Publishing for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!!


Ok firstly, I liked this one so much more than Coven. They feel like they’re set in the same universe but the other one felt like it dragged on while this one felt more fluid and engaging.

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Thank you Penguin and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I have always been a fan of werewolves (they’re my supernatural favorite)! I think we need more of them! Luckily Jennifer Dugan delivered with this werewolf Graphic Novel! Tessa has felt like an outsider ever since her dad died. She hasn’t completed her full werewolf shift so she doesn’t fit in amongst her pack but she also doesn’t fit in with the humans either. And when she finds out the girl she likes is like her she thinks she may finally have someone, only Maddie’s version of like her isn’t what Tessa thinks. So when she finds out that there are hunters in the area who have a cure for werewolfism she seeks them out. But can she trust these hunters? Is she bringing danger to her pack and to Maddie? Will she find what she has been looking for? I love the meaning in the book of not feeling like you belong within your community (pack) and not feeling like you belong outside it either, until you start to find it within! I think many of us can relate! Plus Tessa and Maddie are just cute! And of course I’m there for anything werewolf! A sweet story about self-love and self-confidence! Definitely one to check out!

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Jennifer Dugan's Full Shift is a beautifully crafted graphic novel that captures the tumultuous journey of self-acceptance and bravery. At its heart is Tessa, a young werewolf struggling to find her place in both her school and her own family. Her struggles with her identity, compounded by her inability to fully shift into her wolf form, make her feel like an outsider in every aspect of her life.

Tessa's emotional turmoil is palpable, especially in her interactions with her friend Maddie, whom she secretly has feelings for. The tension of unspoken love adds a layer of depth to her character, making her relatable to anyone who has ever felt the sting of unrequited affection. The portrayal of Tessa's internal conflict and her desire to fit in is both touching and heart-wrenching.

The plot takes a gripping turn when Tessa learns about a group of werewolf hunters who have infiltrated her pack's territory with a supposed cure to turn werewolves human. This discovery initially seems like a solution to all her problems. However, as Tessa delves deeper, she uncovers sinister aspects of the hunters' plans. Her journey from seeking an escape from her werewolf identity to embracing it in order to protect her loved ones is compelling and inspiring.

Dugan's narrative is complemented by stunning artwork that vividly brings Tessa's world to life. The visual storytelling is powerful, conveying emotions and action in a way that words alone could not achieve. The artist's use of color and detail enhances the mood and tone of the story, drawing readers into Tessa's world.

One of the most poignant moments in Full Shift is Tessa's realization and acceptance of her true self. Her journey is one of courage and self-discovery, culminating in a climax that left me in tears. The emotional resonance of her story, coupled with the high stakes and intense action, makes this graphic novel a memorable read.

In conclusion, Full Shift is a moving and visually stunning graphic novel that explores themes of identity, belonging, and bravery. Jennifer Dugan has created a story that is both heartfelt and thrilling, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. While there were moments where the pacing felt a bit rushed, the overall impact of Tessa's journey makes it a four-star experience well worth your time.

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in full shift we meet tessa who’s a werewolf having trouble shifting and this doesn’t help with the feeling that she doesn’t belong anywhere - as a werewolf or human. her pack wants the best for her which is being able to shift but it just stresses her out.

other than that, she has to attend school where no one knows about her family but all starts going well when her crush maddie sends a letter saying that they’re more alike than she thinks but tessa never saw the plot twist coming.

the conflict in the book is the hunters. at first the pack think they have a cure for all werewolves but in reality they want to exterminate them so tessa acts out with help to stop everything.

this was a fun graphic novel !! i got interested into reading because i heard this will be translated into my language so can’t wait to see it !! unfortunately the images were really blury but i was able to understand everything because the text bubbles were in high quality.

thank you netgalley, penguin group team, jennifer dugan and kristen seaton for sending me an arc <3

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Thank you Netgalley, Jennifer Dugan, Kit Seaton, & Penguin Young Readers for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. 🥰🫶
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First off, for some reason, the entire eARC was blurry except for the text boxes, which was super disappointing as I couldn't truly appreciate the gorgeous art, but I made it work. 😔 Because of that, I want to reread it when it comes out so I can get a better grasp at the artwork. This is the second of queer monster teen graphic novels from the duo, Jennifer Dugan and Kit Seaton; the first being Coven. I LOVE this universe (which you can read as standalones as they aren't directly connected). I really hope they continue this series with more monsters! So far we've gotten witches and werewolves! I hope vampires are next! (They've also mentioned elementals and banshees in this universe, so that would definitely be interesting too!) We need more sapphic monster stories! I will read them all! 😁
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Ok to the actual book, I really loved it! Our main character Tessa is a werewolf but hates it and tries to deny that part of herself. But when she learns werewolf hunters are in town, she goes on an adventure and learns to love herself and her wolf and finds love along the way. I really enjoyed the romance and story between Tessa and Maddie. Besides the romance and adventure, there was also some shifting family dynamics as Tessa embraces the wolf and in turn her pack. Overall, I really loved this one and will definitely be rereading (if not just to see the pictures clearly). Again I really hope there's more in this “series” of graphic novels! 💕

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This one is not what i expected from Jennifer but it might have been because its a new media for her? This is a graphic novel and was definitely fun to read at least!

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i loved the art in this, kit seaton is ridiculously talented and deserves more recognition. jennifer dugan is one of the best sapphic writers ever

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The latest from activist and author Jennifer Dugan is a compelling and emotional graphic novel that finds Tessa struggling to belong, accept herself and navigate teenage life. Unlike her friends Tessa is a werewolf and since the death of her father has felt like an outcast everywhere. At school she is grappling with unspoken feelings for her friend Maddie, and at home among her werewolf family trying to find her place. Werewolf hunters enter the scene with a ‘cure’ that allegedly turns werewolves human. This seems like the perfect escape. Tessa can only partially shift unlike the rest of her pack. But is this cure too good to be true, do the hunters have ‘good’ intentions or are the wolves in jeopardy? This is a story of Tessa's journey as she embraces her identity, it blends supernatural tension, a thrilling adventure and personal growth. The Shift is perfect for new and young adults.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Jennifer Dugan and Penguin Group - Penguin Young Readers Group for a digital copy of #FullShift in exchange for my honest opinion.

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This book follows Tessa, a teenage werewolf, who's struggling with her identity while her pack faces threats from werewolf hunters claiming to have a cure for lycanthropy. The romance subplot with her friend Maddie adds a nice layer of depth to the story, showing Tessa's emotional journey and what she's willing to fight for. The artwork throughout is mostly solid, though some panels in my copy were a bit blurry. Overall, if you're into supernatural YA stories with compelling characters and a touch of romance, this one is worth checking out.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC!

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This was such a fun take on a wolf shifter story. I loved the drawings for this graphic novel. I literally read this in less than an hour I enjoyed it that much. Cute lesbian werewolf story but loved that the main character learned to really embrace her wolf. Definitely want to read more from this author

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Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the arc!
This story is all about accepting and understanding yourself and community. In this case, it happens to be a werewolf community. Tessa feelings of isolation from her family and community after the death of her father leads her to struggle with her identity as a wolf and feel as though she is drowning in her grief. The discussion of loss and grief in the story is one that is surprisingly impactful and emotional. Tessa’s feelings of isolation and grief lead her to lash out at her community as well as her wolf.
The romance is pretty sweet with Maddie being an amazing character. She is smart, powerful, and brave. I really like getting to see her dynamic with Tessa and how Maddie stands by her throughout the story.
I do wish that we got to see more connection between Tessa and her sister. The initial introduction to her sister where Tessa insults random things about her sister felt unnecessary. I think there could’ve been better ways to establish the friction between them.

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Thank you to NetGalley, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and Penguin Young Readers Group for this advanced copy! You can pick up Full Shift on August 27, 2024.

I really enjoyed this one! Tessa's struggles felt very teen-relatable, and her growth throughout the story was truly inspirational. So many teens struggle to accept differences about themselves, but I feel Dugan approached that experience in a way that's empathetic and thrilling. While the art was gorgeous, I do wish it hadn't been quite so blurry. I'm sure the finished copy will be stunning, though!

This is definitely a must-read for those who enjoy shifter stories with a healthy dose of queer teen romance and family drama!

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this is a sapphic werewolf graphic novel! I thought the twilight references in this were so funny. I love when Jennifer Dugan is involved in the stories of graphic novels and the art is also cool to look at, especially the wolf forms! This is also a book about family and finding where you belong

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A really cute series with a good story and fun art. The designs are also really cool and better than the typical werewolf tale.

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📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Some time during the last few months, I became a fan of graphic novels. What started as a way to read what my kids were reading became an appreciation…which became something I truly enjoy! I am so glad I am at this point so that I could enjoy The Shift! The illustrations will draw the reader in immediately and what follows is a captivating story about finding oneself in those infamously tough teenage years. Adventure, horror, and finding acceptance fill the beautiful pages in this amazing young adult novel!

Review will be posted on Goodreads when it is there and the final review will be posted on Instagram ahead of the publication date!

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This was one that took me a while to get through and that was only because of time and my irrational fear of werewolves. Honestly my irrational fear is the main reason that you should pick up this book. The art style of this book makes those wolves look so realistic and scary but at the same time beautiful. I like how this art style works with our setting, characters, and plot of the story. It felt like I was immersed in this story and was just in as much danger as our characters.

I also really enjoyed that this is a coming-of-age story that tackles grief. I like that our main character is struggling with being a werewolf and what that means now that her dad isn't around to guide her through this change. I think it was great to see the amount of trouble this leads her to and have her grapple with this while at the same time struggle with teenage things like being attracted to someone. I liked the way that this story plays out and how all the characters engage with each other.

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While not my favorite book, it was still a good read. I loved the comparisons of werewolves and queer people as well as the interesting world. Unfortunately the artwork for me was blurry (not the fault of the author but rather my device) so I wasn't fully able to be immersed. I do feel as though the plot was rushed and I wish we got more time with the characters and the world. A solid read, hopefully I will be able to see the artwork less blurry when it is published. (3.5 stars rounded up)

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This was a generally interesting sapphic werewolf graphic novel, although I realised I might not be the target audience while I was reading. It’s definitely YA and definitely has some classic sapphic and werewolf angst which were definitely all fun, and I’m a huge fan of Kit Seaton’s artwork. It’s a pretty straightforward story with a slight romance subplot (friends to lovers!!) and pretty typical werewolf lore. The characters are a little bit messy but there’s a good heart to the overall story, and definitely some funny moments as well instead of just being all supernatural doom and gloom. If you’re interested in sapphic teenagers, reluctant werewolves, and/or YA graphic novels, this might be worth checking out!

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