Mireya, Book II: The Shapeshifter by Kristina Kamaeva is a well-written fantasy about Mireya, the queen of Sundar, a kingdom in Kror. Mireya is on a mission to stop Yaron, a shapeshifter who can transform into a falcon, snake, or leopard. Mireya wonders why Yaron hates her so much. Yaron swears to destroy her, accusing her of killing his mother. Yaron seeks revenge against Mireya using his special abilities, while Gorudun, his associate, goes after the powerful Books of Damath, which may be a threat to Kror's stability. Mireya, whose power and authority are on the line, joins forces with Portabella and two shampins, Shommy and Boogie. Together, they travel to the Coastal Mountains and Gorudun’s Island on a mission to secure the books and defeat Yaron.

This book went beyond my expectations. It is full of adventure, emotions, lively characters, and magic. I really love Mireya's personality; she is a strong and smart hero, but what makes her more special and human is her inner doubts and struggles. Kamaeva did a great job of making this book stand out; her writing is detailed and brings the mystical world to life, and the plot is fast-paced and full of twists and turns. The character development was exceptional; I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that I didn't get lost while reading despite the numerous characters, places, and mystical beings included. The glossary at the end helped me a lot for reference purposes. I enjoyed the actions and magical scenes; they were really interesting to follow. Mireya, Book II: The Shapeshifter by Kristina Kamaeva covers themes of betrayal, revenge, courage, and leadership. I recommend it to readers who love fantasy books with action and magical battles.

Mireya: The Shapeshifter is the second book in the Mireya fantasy series by Kristina Kamaeva. For years, Mireya has trained under the tutelage of Chaildin the mage, hoping to become powerful enough to beat Zarad -- a warlord who killed her royal father -- and get back her kingdom of Sundar from his clutches. While training with one of the Crons, a forest tribe, Mireya suddenly finds herself in a fierce battle with the mysterious Shadow, Yaron. Despite his resemblance to Mireya's long-lost husband, Yunier, Yaron proclaims Mireya as his mortal enemy and makes her his captive on Torn Island. Mireya soon discovers the reason why Yaron was groomed as the next ruler of the throne of Oriena. Now, Mireya has to stop him from destroying everything in his path.

Packed with lore, mystery, and thrilling action sequences, Mireya: The Shapeshifter is an enthralling adventure tale for fantasy lovers. Author Kristina Kamaeva immerses the reader in a magical world full of dragons, mages, and aspiring tyrants, all brought to life through the journey of a relatable protagonist who is easy to root for. Kamaeva moves the plot swiftly, pulling the rug from under your feet now and then with a well-placed twist or an unexpected reveal. The vividly described battle scenes are so entertaining. You do not want to put the book down during those sequences. Among the characters, Mireya and Olvik were two of my favorites. I also found Yaron to be a worthy adversary for Mireya to prepare for her ultimate battle with Zarad. Although this is the second book in the series, it also reads well as a standalone. As a whole, it's a great series for fantasy readers.