[Book Review] Shape of Desire by Sharon Shinn

Summary (from Goodreads): For fifteen years Maria Devane has been desperately, passionately in love with Dante Romano. But despite loving him with all of her heart and soul, Maria knows that Dante can never give all of himself back-at least not all the time.
Every month, Dante shifts shape, becoming a wild animal. During those times, he wanders far and wide, leaving Maria alone. He can't choose when he shifts, the transition is often abrupt and, as he gets older, the time he spends in human form is gradually decreasing. But Maria, who loves him without hesitation, wouldn't trade their unusual relationship for anything.
Since the beginning, she has kept his secret, knowing that their love is worth the danger. But when a string of brutal attacks occur in local parks during the times when Dante is in animal form, Maria is forced to consider whether the lies she's been telling about her life have turned into lies she's telling herself...

I got the book nearly two months ago. Sadly that’s about how long it took me to finish it. I’d read 50 pages in time and then set it down for a couple of days and do it again. A couple of nights ago, I picked it up again and was able to finish it. With that being said, I obviously felt that the book had a slow beginning. I had read the back of the book when I first got it and kept waiting for that specific event to happen. I was left waiting until pretty much page 150.

First 150 pages: slow beginning, but still ok. What really kept me reading it was the romance between Dante and Maria. However twisted and maybe distant it may seem. Maria loved Dante unconditionally and Dante loved Maria so much that he didn’t want her to know a lot about this other monstrous side of himself. I really liked a lot of the characters too. Most of the characters that were introduced had an important role in Maria’s life whether it be work, family, or Dante’s family. I really loved how each relationship meant something to her no matter how small.

Second half of the book: really interesting. I sat down and read it until I finished. Really loved all the twists the writer put in the books. While I did predict some of the results, there were still a lot that surprised me.  

I will spoil this, the book has a very... what’s a good word for it…. Closing? Satifsying? Proper? Yeah I think I’ll go with closing. The book has a very closing ending. So, I’m very curious as to how this story will continue and where the writer will go with it.

3 out of 5 stars for Shape of Desire by Sharon Shinn.