I really like the Shapeshifter books. My friend Grace introduced them to me, and now they are my tied first favorite books, which is saying something, because I have been obsessed with my other favorite series since I was ten (now I’m 13). So, anyway, if was in Cola Club, I would probably be a Shapeshifter, as I really love animals, and your books helped me see foxes in a whole new light. I think my three forms would probably be a tiger/wild cat/fox (not sure which!), a dolphin/seal, and a bat/falcon (because I like falcons). I'm a bit like Lisa, I sometimes snap and get really annoyed, but normally I do the cold volcano thing, because I'm not allowed to yell at home, or raise my voice, and I don't like hurting people's feelings. 

Keep writing!

from Aly (or Alex) Ludlam

P.S If they make a movie, I want to play Mia or (if I dye my hair) Lisa. Or maybe Catherine…        

We are brother and sister and we are 13 and 14. We love your Shapeshifter books! We have read them all and Stirring the Storm was our favourite. It's all we ever talk about! We have a couple of questions about the end of the story:
1) Do the teachers know where the Colas come from?
2) What happens to Mr. Eades and the other soldiers?
Wish the series could carry on,
From Angela and Matthew.
P.S. You rock! :-)

1. No – not until they find out in STS
2. Everyone gets what they deserve!         

I read your books and I can’t stop reading them again and again!
It’s SO annoying that the series is ending, it’s like saying goodbye to an old friend...Sniff.
I don’t think Catherine is really Gideon’s sister, because she’s so EVIL!
I wish there really were COLAs, if I was one I would probably be a healer.
Do you know where to buy survival type books,
because Amazon and Borders are so expensive?
Best Wishes,
Lily Hughes

I don’t know about cheap new books, but you could always try second hand bookshops or charity shops like Oxfam. I would recommend Ray Mears’ books – they are all excellent! Steer clear of the macho SAS type survival books – some of them are a bit odd!        

Heya I’m Becca - one of your 18-year-old fans. It’s not that easy to admit when all of the books were located in the children’s section of my local bookshop - I can’t see why (*ponders*).
I adored the Shapeshifter books. The characters were so well written - thankyou for devoting your time to the books and keeping true to the release dates.
Yours truly/faithfully AKA lots of love and adoration and huggles
From Becca Cole

You are not alone, Becca! Shapeshifter has quite a number of adult fans, I'm delighted to say. It's not meant to be only for children, so I'm really pleased you found it and got reading...        

Hiya Ali,
Just to say, I've just finished reading your new book, Going to Ground, and I can't tell you just how much I loved it! But at the end I always end up feeling sorry for Owen. Dax must have bitten him half a dozen times by now and I get the feeling it will carry on throughout the rest of the books! I have a small confession, I'm sixteen years old. But I came across the first two books in my local library and after I had read them, I ran out to buy them! I believe that a good book is a book that can be read by all ages. That definitely applies to your Shapeshifter books!
I'm looking forward to the next book!

Yours Faithfully,
Emma,
(From Scarborough, North Yorkshire)

You are not alone, Becca and Emma! Dax fans come in all ages. I never did write the stories with a particular age group in mind…        

I've just finished Running The Risk for the fourth time, it never gets old. I'm about to re-read Going To Ground for the fifth time. Your books are the BEST!!! I soo wish you'd write more Dax books though... I think maybe you should have called Running the Risk Going To Ground because Dax does go to ground in the fox den. But Running the Risk suits it too. Going To Ground is my second favourite after Stirring the storm especially the bit where Dax and Gideon are escaping from the shopping centre! What's your favourite book in the Dax series?

Thanks again,
Emily

Couldn’t choose between them, really! Except that Stirring The Storm was very satisfying to write – being able to finally explain all those mysteries…        

Could you make Monster Makers into a movie? I would beg my mum to let me go. And also can you make more Monsters because I love Electrotaur and Slashermite but I have not got Stinkermite - what is it like?
Thank you for your books !

Your best fan, Samuel baker age 9

Stinkermite is fairly disgusting – involving dribble and bad smells. Don’t read it while you’re eating your tea. Bashertaur, which comes out into the shops in August, is far too scary for the 7+ section, with killer fingerknitting and mind-controlling friendship bracelets. Two more Monster Makers books come out in 2009 – both of which will no doubt be equally dreadful…        

Please make Shapeshifters into a film I love it, better than Alex Rider or Harry Pottter. I am Jordan, aged 13 - I fit the description of Spook (lol).
ur ace
p.s make more books! yay bye

OK – who else secretly quite likes Spook? You can tell me… I won’t give you away…         

I have read Finding The Fox and Running The Risk and absolutely loved them. I was thinking that these books could make pretty good movies in fact I think they could be so good I was hoping for the best movie of 2008 or 2009 or 2010. At the back of Finding the Fox I saw the picture of you holding that adorable fox and read the About the Author bit. If you do decide to make a movie for Finding the Fox I think Nicole Kidman will be pretty good as Caroline Fisher. I would love it if you could come to New Zealand one time

Yours Sincerely
Luke Walker

I would love it too! And yes, Nicole K would be a pretty cool Caroline Fisher…        

I have LOVED the Shapeshifter series – I saw on your website you said you MIGHT write more about the COLAs. Change it to MUST! I think the series would make really good films… I always enjoy books more though – you can imagine it for yourself then. I have just ordered Stirring The Storm and I can’t WAIT for it to arrive… I have loved all of the books, but I reckon so far, my favourite has to be Going To Ground. I loved the whole camping out thing, and surviving in the wilderness. It was fast paced and exciting, and I loved that. Please please PLEASE write more about Dax and the others!

CJ

ITS NOT FAIR!
Are you sure you left the Shapeshifter series in the right place, because I think you left the ending too open.
There are a million things that I would like to know about that you missed out in the last book. Besides, I loved the Shapeshifter books and I would have been really sad about the last book even if it hadn't ended so suddenly. I hope you can write a little bit more so we are kept up to date with the Colas, even if you can only publish it on your website.
Otherwise thankyou for a thoroughly enjoyable series,
From Matthew

I absolutely love your Shapeshifter books. I can’t wait until Stirring The Storm comes into South Africa.
You have to write more Pleazzzzzzzzzzze

From Simone age 14

I’ve had lots of letters and emails like the last three (can’t fit them all in!) – and all I can say is that I haven’t ruled out writing more about the Colas… just haven’t got any firm plans right now. Will definitely let you know on this website the second a decision is made to do more… promise!        

The 5th book was superb, all the questions I had were answered and the pieces all dovetailed perfectly! This series is a total masterpiece and I really do hope there a more to come.
The shape shifting is such a beautiful idea, giving us an insight to another animal's life, instincts and abilities. How often I have wished I could spend time as a cat, horse or buzzard.............. Very best wishes, keep up the writing, especially for big kids like me who desperately need the escapism

Patricia Fray

Dear Ali
Many thanks for your books, but I (and my two boys out of three - not bad) are very sad that the series is ended. They have really enjoyed reading them, so much that it actually got my younger son (now 10) properly reading, so thank you very much.
The stories gripped them from cover to cover and they loved the characters. I wish you could see your way to extending the series, it would make me (and them) very happy.
Is there any chance of the books coming out on CD? I have one son who chooses not to read and so am always trying to find new ways of introducing books to him.
Anyway, congratulations on a fabulous set of books, do you have any plans to write other books for a similar age group?
Regards
Rosanna

Yes! The unabridged CD of Finding The Fox is out in libraries now – read by the rather fabulous Glen McCready (see News section). You may have to badger at your library though, as it only came out in March and they might not have it in yet. Hopefully the rest of the series will follow.