I always wondered about the size variations that shape shifters in films and TV shows are capable of. The way True Blood's Sam Merlott could turn into a fly and buzz right out of the county jail, or become a truly massive Brahma bull to gore that scary ancient-goddess lady with his horn. And semi-gelatinous Odo from Deep Space 9 shrank down to become a space-station rat (vole?) a few times so he could go unnoticed by the bad guys. And I always wondered where all that extra mass went to. They say matter can't just cease to exist unless it turns into energy, and wouldn't that cause a nuclear explosion, or at very least a burst of gamma rays from out of her ears?? Or do these shifters weigh the same at a fraction of their former size, allowing them to pack a hell of a punch? I wonder about dumb things like this.

So I liked that Kieshala at least mentioned there were limitations to how small Naiya might go, and hope she'll explain some of the mechanics behind this wonderful ability---which those TV shows never addressed---in subsequent chapters. Any explanation wouldn't have to be too sciency; it is described as a magical ability after all. But I think even magic would have some logic to what it does and how, even if it's- "Oh, your ability goes back to the beginning of time and rewrites the universe" or something. But in any case it's a great talent that could come in really useful. Getting her spines free to dispatch some Naethari abusing goon, or in transit becoming a little girl long enough to call out the window, "HELP! I'M BEING ABDUCTED BY PERVERTS!"

I almost hope she's slow in learning to turn herself into anything else than a kid. If they ever get out of danger Naiya might get a taste of the female childhood she missed out on the first time around when she's visiting her big sister on land; not to mention the comical opportunities for Maddie to boss her around + embarrass her by treating her like her apparent age. I have a bit of age dysphoria along with my gender and species stuff; so this is something else for me to be jealous of Naiya for, besides her tail and gills and lady parts.

Let's hope whatever Pierce's minions are about to subject the Naethari to won't be too fiendish, and that the girls can continue to keep their supernatural abilities hidden until an opportune moment.
~squeeing girlishly, Veronica