Shift by Rachel Vincent
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Mira
Available: March 1, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0778327608
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Book received from: Publisher
Being the first female werecat enforcer isn’t easy. Scars accumulate, but I’m stronger in so many ways.
As for my personal life? It’s complicated. Choices worth making always are. Ever since my brother’s death and my father’s impeachment, it’s all I can do to prevent more blood from spilling. Now our Pride is under attack by a flight of vicious thunderbirds. And making peace with our new enemies may be the only way to get the best of our old foe.
With the body count rising and treachery everywhere, my instincts tell me to look before I leap. But sometimes a leap of faith is the only real option…
Shift is the 5th book in Rachel Vincent’s Shifter series. This is actually the first book in the series I’ve read but I had no trouble at all picking up the story and keeping up. However, after speaking with friends who have read the entire series, I’m told that the impact of the story would have been much greater had I read the first four books first. Honestly, I don’t even know what to say to that since I was completely blown away reading Shift.
Werecat Prides are taking sides and making alliances on the brink of civil war. While lives have been lost, and families are grieving over losses, political infighting and tension is thick. Faythe, the daughter of the South Central Pride leader and the only female enforcer is inline as her prides next alpha. As her family seeks to avenge the unjustified death of her brother, a new enemy emerges and threatens the Prides very existence. Faythe must face this dangerous enemy to find a way to save the life of a young Pride tabby, as well as her entire pride. The emergence of this new foe could significantly affect the outcome of the impending civil war by drastically weakening the South Central Pride.
As if she doesn’t have enough to worry about, Faythe’s personal life is a mess. In a moment of weakness after her brother’s death, she sought comfort in the arms of an old friend. The problem is, she has a longtime boyfriend that she loves. Her betrayal could not only emotionally destroy those directly involved—herself included—but because of her position in the pride, it could become a political mess as well. She will at some point be forced to face up to her infidelity and make difficult choices that could affect her entire Pride and the men that love her.
While I’m not always a fan of love triangles I will say that the romantic tension created between Jace, Faythe and Marc left me with a lump in my throat. Rachel Vincent has created such a balanced triangle with characters that tore at my heart. I was left completely undecided on my feelings in their relationship. Having become emotionally invested in all three characters I can’t stand the thought of any of them being ruined by the inevitable outcome of this entanglement, whatever it might be.
This book was was filled with suspense and emotional drama that kept me on the edge of my seat. I was riveted watching this young woman with the weight of her world on her shoulders forced to make difficult decisions that could either save or end lives, possibly change the face of the political foundation of the werecats, as well as decide the the future of the two men she loves.
The moment I began to read Shift, I was was completely immersed in Rachel Vincent’s world of werecats. I felt highly connected to the characters throughout and had a difficult time putting the book down for breaks. I will most definitely go back and read the series from the beginning before Alpha, the 6th and final book in the series comes out.
Purchase a copy of Shift
Other books in the series:
Stray Book 1
Rogue Book 2
Pride Book 3
Prey Book 4
Alpha Book 6-Due out October 2010
Add Shift to your GoodReads shelf
Visit Rachel Vincent at: Website | Blog |Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads
About FV Sophia
Great review! I got a little lump in my throat thinking that she once again isn't going ot get her HEA. *sigh* I just finished the 3rd one and have to say I love this series.
I need to read this series! I've read some reviews that said that Faythe is a horrible main character and it put me off from starting the series but it seems like most people love these books.
Gigi-I am going the read the other books ASAP! It's not often I want to go back and catch up like this but I have to say this series is awesome!
Heather-Really? Faythe is horrible? I didn't get that at all, but then I haven't read the other books. I was so torn up over this book though. I don't know how I want it all to come out, I just know I can't wait for Alpha!
I'm totally NOT reading your review! KV made me order the first two books from Book Depo, just got one today of course it's BOOK TWO! AHHH! LOL
WLP-Oh girl! I totally won't be offended for you not reading my review. This werecat world is AWESOME! Savor your books!
I'm not reading this review until after I read the book! But I will be back!
(probably not, because I will forget)
reading your review makes me all emotional over this book again, *sigh* i love this series. I have always liked this serious but book 4 and now book 5 have pushed it into LOVE!
In regards to Faythe, the girl you are seeing in book 5 is quite a bit different than the girl in book 1. She started off kind of whiny and selfish…. a bit on the annoying side. Her growth over the series has been HUGE.
always liked this series not serious. sheesh.
Mandi-I'll remind you *g*
KV-Ahhh I see. Well, I think I'll love her even more then. I love an imperfect h/h and watching them grow and evolve over a series. Seriously, I'm reading the rest! I am!!
Glad you liked it – it's a great story! This is one of my favorite series; partly because we get to see Faythe grow from book 1 to now.
And Marc and Jace – nom nom nom!!
I absolutely adore this series. One of the things I love is the relationship between Faythe and her parents; the way she 'thought' they saw her.
OMG you NEED to read the rest! I LOVE this series, so amazing! Im still waiting for my copy of Shift though =P =)))
Great review!
dammit! I'm so intimidated to start this series if this is book 5. I need you to cheer me on, get your poms poms girlie.
I've read the first two of these and have book three on the shelf.
When I read good reviews like this one, I wonder why I haven't started reading this series yet. I need a speed reading course!
I skipped some parts of your review since I haven't read this one yet (it's next on my reading pile!), but if you haven't read the first four books, you absolutely must! One of the great things in this series is Faythe's progression as a character. She starts a little annoying and immature, and grows up in such a great heroine, I absolutely love her.
5 FV Stars – I gotta get the 1st book in this series! I've got Stray coming to me via Paperback Swap