Phased, by Victoria Tecken

Phased is a novel about werewolves, one that enters the category of paranormal YA, but at the same time it is kinda different from the rest of the books that share the genre with it, a take on Urban Fantasy, and giving a big spotlight to the mental health subtheme, which is explored from the eyes of the two Blackwood sisters, Val and Lyla, our main characters, two werewolves that are under the supervision of the DOA, which had experimented with them, and that now is allowing the sisters to join a normal school.

Val and Lyla Blackwood will be the main focus of the story, and how they adapt to this new life after having been part of cruel experiments. Obviously, as they are also powerful werewolves, it's not going to be easy, as they are meant to maintain control over their instincts, while being the focus of every single person. The family dynamic between Val and Lyla is really interesting, as both are counterparts that keep the other in a good emotional situation. While Val is anger and strength, endurance, Lyla is control over everything. The rest of the character cast is also interesting, being my favourite Christopher, as despite being a sole human, he's the only one that is a real and unconditional friend to the sisters, and Jules improves so much after the first half. Personally, I was only annoyed by the figure of Jackson, as I don't really like bullies. 

Tecken also uses this novel as a way to explore different mental diseases, putting the focus on the PTSD that the two sisters suffer after the traumatic situation they experienced in the past. Depicting this kind of problem is not easy, but I think the way it is narrated hits the head of the nail in that aspect, using flashbacks and internal thoughts as the main driver to carry this message.

The concept of werewolf also gets twisted in this novel, being different from the classic shapeshifter affected by the Moon phases, and instead being closer to humans, while also keeping some aspects of the wolves. They are also classified as alphas, betas, and so, with a hierarchy, with packs as the main group unit. 

Phased is a great Urban Fantasy novel, one about found family and the importance of bonds among people. While there are aspects I would like to have seen more explored, I think it's such an entertaining book, and I want to see what more Victoria Tecken is capable of.