As someone whose favorite children’s series of all time is Crookhaven, I admit I went into this new series with some hesitation: Was it going to live up to expectations, would it have intriguing characters and the unmistakable cheekiness and wit of J. J. Arcanjo’s first series?
Well, I am happy to report, I had nothing to worry about. Arcanjo managed to create another world and a cast of characters that feel just as fascinating as his first series.
Let’s get into it.
In Beast Mode: The Animal Awakens, we follow four characters who are gifted with the power to transform into different animals—they just don’t know how they got them. Without their memories, this thrown-together group of street-smart teens is forced into a deadly fight for survival as dark secrets, betrayals, and a dangerous conspiracy threaten them at every turn, all while trying to piece together what they’ve lost.
There are so many plot strings in Beast Mode that manage to come together beautifully without overwhelming the reader.
The mystery surrounding this group of friends and their ability to shift into different animals was the perfect set-up for a magical page-turner of a book. You have friends scrambling for survival, enemies hunting them down, a big mystery surrounding their memory loss and their abilities plus unlikely allies that—might not seem like allies in the beginning.
I also really liked that not everyone was happy about their magical abilities, cool as they may be. While Blue unequivocally loves being able to shift, Ember is desperately seeking for a cure to their dilemma. It made for some delicious tension between the friends as some are trying to find the truth just to make the puzzle pieces fit together while others don’t want to understand so much as revert their magical abilities—and go to different lengths to get what they want.
The stakes couldn’t be higher as the group tries to figure out who they were before their memory loss as they are hunted down by people who definitely do not want to help them.
Stories where you are figuring out what happened together with the characters can sometimes be frustrating if not done right, but Arcanjo absolutely nailed it here when it comes to pacing and unraveling the mystery. While Beast Mode had me in its grips from the first chapter, the story really picks up nano-speed in the second half which makes you feel like one reveal is catalyzed by the next, no moment of rest or boredom to be found. It makes for that perfect “okay, just one more chapter” feeling and makes you feel even more connected to Caine, Blue and Ember as you yourself learn the truth about shifters and how they came to be alongside them.
The shifter aspect brought that extra level of intrigue to the story. I love how Ember, Blue and Caine were already thick as thieves but then slowly opened up to Sal when they were flung together as she unraveled her own shifter animal. Their friendship might have been based on being thrown together by invisible forces but the way they support and care for each other made me smile even when the going got tough. There’s also another animal that may just be my favorite of the whole story, but I won’t spoil that part. Let’s just say Arcanjo sure knows how to keep readers on their toes.
And speaking of, Arcanjo, as always, knows to pull at the heartstrings. Without spoiling too much, as the group of friends recover some of their memories and face betrayal in more than one instance, you can’t help but feel for them. Caine’s story, especially, makes you wonder if some memories are best left buried whereas others like Ember’s truly show how often we underestimate our own power and skills. Despite the bleak moments in Beast Mode, there’s always that thread of friendship and empowerment that reminds you how important it is to surround yourself with people who care about you.
Really, the only small nitpick I have is that there were quite a few moments in Beast Mode that were just dumping info on the reader, especially when it came to the origins of the shifters instead of gradually introducing it. The holders of knowledge, and in most cases, the villains often fall into monologues about their motivations and the history of it all that goes on for pages and younger readers might struggle a tad to stay invested.
Nevertheless, Beast Mode: The Animal Awakens has me in its talons and I am eagerly awaiting the opportunity to reunite with Ember, Blue, Caine and Sal in the sequel!
Beast Mode: The Animal Awakens is the perfect read for anyone looking for a fast-paced, high-stakes adventure with unexpected twists, a quirky cast of unlikely friends and a mystery that keeps you on your toes!
Beast Mode: The Animal Awakens is available from Bookshop.org, Waterstones, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of July 30th 2026.
Will you be picking up Beast Mode: The Animal Awakens? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis
A brand-new, action-packed series from the author of Crookhaven, following a group of street-smart kids who have the extraordinary ability to shapeshift into powerful animals. For fans of X-Men and A. F. Steadman.
A group of young, street-smart kids with a dark secret – the ability to transform into powerful animals – must navigate a dangerous world where their extraordinary abilities are both a blessing and a curse.
As they unravel the mysteries of their past and how they came to be shapeshifters, they’ll face life-threatening challenges, betrayals, and an organisation that seeks to harness their power for evil.
It’s time to unleash your inner animal…
