Review by Booklist Review
Among her family of werewolves, Tessa is the only one who can't totally shift, which leaves her feeling like an outsider. Add to that her secret crush on her friend Maddie--another problem she can't solve that makes her feel like an outcast--and Tessa starts to feel like she'd be better off as just human. A group of werewolf hunters new to the region of her pack are rumored to have a solution to Tessa's problems, however, in the form of a treatment that would reverse her lycanthropy. She soon discovers that the hunter's plans might be more devious than she realizes. This classically illustrated graphic novel touches on some tough subject matter. The main character deals with the loss of her father from cancer; there is a subtle suggestion that Tessa might suffer from depression and an eating disorder. Most of the characters present as white. Detailed panels feature a variety of soft, deep colors. A supernatural story with themes of belonging, loss, and self-acceptance.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Ever since her father's death, teenage Tessa has felt increasingly alienated from her family of werewolves. It doesn't help that she still can't shift into full wolf form ("The number one reason my sister drives me up the wall is... she's also a better werewolf than me"). Upon hearing rumor of a group of hunters with the ability to make werewolves human, she risks her life, and the safety of her family and friends, to learn more. She enlists the help of Madeline, her crush since fourth grade, to whom Tessa recently (and awkwardly) revealed her werewolf identity. But when Tessa inadvertently leads the hunters to believe that Maddie is a werewolf, Tessa must rally her pack for assistance in protecting Maddie. Tessa's werewolf family nurtures and supports her even when she acts against their wishes in this refreshingly subversive graphic novel by collaborators Dugan and Seaton (Coven). Seaton's noir-like illustrations and detailed backdrops blend realistic and stylized elements to evoke an appropriately spine-chilling creature feature atmosphere. Emotive facial expressions similarly elevate Dugan's rapid-fire dialogue and character interactions, which add heft and heart that brings the protagonists to life in this story of loss and transformation. Characters are portrayed with varying skin tones. Ages 12--up. Author's agent: Sara Crowe, Sara Crowe Literary. (Aug.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up--Unlike her popular sister, Tessa doesn't fit in. Always lagging behind, misfit Tessa can't even shift by choice; only when she loses her temper does the wolf within appear. It's not easy to be a werewolf or a queer teenage girl, and if she can't control her feelings and abilities, she'll fall further behind the pack. When Tessa's crush Maddie invites her to hang out in her bedroom, Tessa anticipates the big reveal, thinking that Maddie is also a supernatural being. But as Tessa shifts, Maddie comes out of the closet as queer. This is not the bonding experience either girl anticipated, and worse, Tessa has exposed her family's secret to a human and must drive a wedge between herself and Maddie to protect the pack. Following the lead on a cure to werewolfism, Tessa stumbles onto a plot to destroy werewolves, and her blundering puts everyone in danger, pursued by violent hunters. Dugan and Seaton's graphic novel is hilarious and heartwarming. The pages are illustrated with a subdued, pastel palette, bold lines, and deep shading that sets the tone for this well-rounded story. Readers will root for Tessa as she learns that speaking the truth allows her to accept herself, rebuild familial bonds, and get closer to her crush. VERDICT Part fast-paced adventure, part poignant coming-of-age romance, Full Shift is recommended for all teen collections and pairs well with Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Sterle's Squad.--Rebecca Jung
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A werewolf struggles with her senses of self and belonging. Tessa was born a werewolf, but her abilities lag behind those of others in her extended family; she still can't fully shift, and honestly, she doesn't even want to. Her dad was the only one who made her feel comfortable about her wolf, but he passed away. It's hard enough that white-presenting Tessa has a longstanding secret crush on her friend Maddie (who's cued Indian American), let alone adding her supernatural status into the mix. When rumors swirl about hunters in the area seeking to "cure" werewolves by turning them human, Tessa sees a chance to make her life easier, but she soon discovers that their intentions are far more sinister. A miscommunication leads to Maddie's learning the truth about Tessa's werewolf identity--and, as a result, Maddie unwittingly becomes a target of the hunters. To save her family and her crush, Tessa must embrace her full self. The easy-to-follow panels (even in chaotic action scenes) combined with inviting art make it a breeze to zip through this entertaining, straightforward tale. While Dugan doesn't delve too deeply into the themes, she includes just enough substance to make the work gratifying. The balance between action and humor is held together by Tessa as an appealing lead. The queer teen is prickly, sometimes awkward, and often relatable as she tries to figure out who she is and her place in the world, all while dealing with grief. A satisfying supernatural story.(Graphic paranormal. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
