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Book Review
The Gridiron will test a Kaji’s strength in battle. It will strip them down and take away what innocence is left. But it is also a chance for Atae to become a citizen of the Kaji Empire and achieve her goals as a warrior. In order to compete, Atae must make it through the Sula Academy Tournament. But the purebred Kaji see her as weak because she is a hybrid and cannot hold a battle beast form. Atae is determined to prove herself. She will fight alongside her pack in the Sula Academy Tournament and go down swinging if she must.
I will admit this book started off a bit slow. There was a lot of upfront world-building and explanation of politics. But don’t let that stop you! Once you read past the foundation of the world, sit tight, and get ready for intense action and nail-biting scenes. In the Kaji world, strength and skill in battle is everything. Their entire culture is built on their abilities to take down foes. Atae is a headstrong and prideful girl, who is determined to show everyone that being a hybrid does not slow her down.
Atae’s character development throughout this book was brilliantly written. She is a solid character and a strong warrior, but no warrior is perfect. There are doubts seeded deep within that surface when the unexpected happens. Atae is no exception. As the obstacles begin to rise up around her, she must learn that strength isn’t just physical, but mental as well. And amidst the mental struggles she faces, Atae will also learn how to work with her pack to achieve their mutual goals.
Kelly A Nix isn’t afraid to put her characters through tough situations. Each battle is a brutal struggle and forces the characters to face their weaknesses. As Atae battles each new challenge, you will be on the edge of your seat, eager to race to the finish of each chapter to see what happens next. And the descriptions are so detailed that you can’t help but feel like you are alongside the other Kaji watching the tournament unfold.
By picking up a copy of Kaji Warriors: Shifting Strength, readers will enter a world of shifting beasts and intense battles. Atae is determined to prove herself a true Kaji warrior, and she will let nothing get in her way. I highly recommend this for fans of sci-fi. I cannot wait to see what happens in book two!
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About the Author
Award-winning author Kelly A Nix is a native-born Texan from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. In high school, she competed in rodeo, earned a brown belt in Taekwondo, and strived to be an actress. After graduating with her M.B.A., Kelly enjoys her career in the veterinary industry, and she spends most of her free time with her family, traveling, and writing. An animal lover, she shares her home with two cats, Louise and Rachel, and a Great Dane mix named Dingo.