You know how sometimes you wait for something you really want and when you finally get it you've built it up so much you're disappointed? Well, that did NOT happen here. I'd previously read the first four books in this series and LOVED them (my review here) and Shift did not disappoint either.
Shift takes up immediately where Pride ended: The South Central werecat pack is divided and a battle is coming. There's also retribution to be made for a death, and although she's trying to put it off, Faythe is going to have to come clean about some of her actions in book 4.
The action in this book starts right at the beginning; in the first chapter, as the pack is discussing plans for battle, Faythe takes Kaci out for a walk and in moments Kaci is snatched up by a huge bird - a Thunderbird. They soon realize their pack is under attack by the Thunderbirds in response to the death of one of their flock members. Faythe and her father know they've been framed but don't have any proof; the Thunderbirds are not giving up and two more werecats are dead. Faythe ends up in the Thunderbird's aviary and must find a way to prove who the real killer is or Kaci will die and the rest of the pack will be killed by the Thunderbirds.
I could not put this book down. At every turn I wondered what would happen next. The timeline for this book was only a few days, but so much happened - I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading. The book doesn't leave you with a cliffhanger, but there are a lot of unresolved issues still dancing around the werecat world - plenty of stuff to resolve in Book 5, Alpha, which comes out in October 2010. As I understand it, Alpha is the last book in this series.
I will say this - although this could be read as a stand-alone, you really won't get the full impact of everything that goes on without reading the whole series. Trust me, this won't be a hardship - this is one of my favorite series out there right now and IMO doesn't get the props it deserves.
I give Shift 5 out of 5 stars.
Shift goes on sale March 1, 2010.
Disclaimer: This book was provided to me by NetGalley free of charge for an honest review.
Oh don't scare me like that Patti! ;)
ReplyDeleteI thought you were gonna say it sucked, well glad to hear it didn't.
Okay now am amped up again about Shift and PO"d because have to wait to read it when releases in March. Thanks Patti for the review and glad you liked this one, Alpha may be the last of this series but bet you Rachel comes out with something else just as good or better next time around!!
ReplyDeletejackie b central texas
Good to hear it didn't disappoint you after the high expectations :) I have this one waiting for me on my ereader but haven't read the first four books yet. So, I'll see how it is as a stand alone read...
ReplyDeleteThanks Blodeuedd - I'm glad too!
ReplyDeleteJacabur1 - I'm hoping she comes out with a spinoff of this series - that would be great!
Janna - I think you'll like it, but really, there is so much stuff going on in the previous books, especially 2 big things that happen in book 4 that make the difference when reading this one.
I'm actually a bit nervous about reading a book without reading the earlier books in a series, I'm kinda compulsive like that! :) But I don't have the time to read all the others first... or maybe I just go get book 4 then... let me think about it ;)
ReplyDeleteOH Ive never read this author b4 but this sounds REALLY Good! Ill put it on my list! ;o)
ReplyDeleteBtw...omg youre reading See Jane Score! *sigh LOVE LOVE LOVE that book. PLEASE let me know how you like it! ;o)
It's a rare thing to have a highly anticpated book turn out awesome. Happy to hear that SHIFT was one of them.
ReplyDeleteThis author has been on my radar for a while but I've yet to pick up her books. However, I think you've sold me, Patti.
Thanks for the great review!
:) VFG
Patti is this a multi-character series or one character series? I want to read Shift but if it is about one primary character I wouldn't want to miss book 1.
ReplyDeleteJanna - I hate to jump into the middle of a series too. I think it makes a difference (for me anyway).
ReplyDeleteMonroe - I <3 Rachel Vincent! Also, just finished See Jane Score - I was worried b/c I don't know anything about hockey but I loved it!
VFG - I was SO not disappointed! Definitely give her a try!
KC - This series follows the same character...one of the things I love is watching her grow emotionally through the series, and the side characters as well.
SJS made me an even BIGGER hockey fan! lol I love Rachel Gibson! Omg the licking of the tattoo! *sigh
ReplyDeleteIm really glad enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI haven't even read the first book in the Shifter series! I'm glad to see that it's still going strong at book five. I hope read book one soon.
ReplyDeleteI have heard the BEST things about this book!!! I'm starting it very soon. But I haven't read the others..maybe I should......
ReplyDeleteMonroe - now I want to see if she wrote more hockey books - and that tattoo - yum!
ReplyDeleteBecky - I was pleasantly surprised!
Donna - I hope you enjoy it!
Mandi - Again, while I think this book is good as a stand-alone, you REALLY should read the whole series to appreciate the events in this book.
I have to say I love all of RG's books so try them all out but Simply Irresistible is a hockey book and YUMMY!!! So is True Love and Other Disasters...not as good as SJS or SI but its a hockey book. Oh and Daisys Back In Town isnt hockey but SOOO GOOD! Let me know what you think!
ReplyDeletePatti - I agree with you, this book was awesome! I had such high expectations and it met all of them. I loved it!
ReplyDeleteMonroe - I have True Love in my TBR and have added Daisy to my list; thanks!
ReplyDeleteKindleVixen - Loved this book, even though I have it on my Kindle I'll buy it in paperback too 'cause I liked it that much. Plus, my husband is waiting to read it!
This positive review had me revisiting Vincent's 'Werecats' series and I finally read 'Prey'.
ReplyDeleteThanks to you and Tiffany for prompting me to go back and give this series a second chance.
Great review! Thanks!
P.S. - Ethan breaks my heart! *sob*