Shift

Oh. My. God. This is just a heart-stopper. I can't tell you how many times I stopped breathing. The tension alone is enough to leave you gasping. There is no mistaking that [b:Alpha|6449378|Alpha (Shifters, #6)|Rachel Vincent|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg|6639480] will be a heart-breaker. Faythe is left with so many decisions to make, I do not envy her at all.

I don't want to say too much but I will disclose the following:

1) Faythe is referred to as Kaci's mother and I have no problem with that because Faythe truly acts like it. She selflessly puts her life in danger on multiple occasions to protect Kaci. Faythe sees a lot of herself in the young tabby and doesn't want her to make the same mistakes she has. Both have show more suffered so much pain and horror, they share a similar strength and have grown a great deal over the course of the books.

2) Faythe makes some Alpha-ish decisions. Big ones. Ones that test her sense of honour and morality. Understandably she finds them tough and hesitates to go further in one case where her father criticises her choice. I don't blame her, she values life as she should but she needs to find a balance and look at the future welfare of both herself and her pride when making these life and death decisions. Mercy is not always the answer.

3) The Thunderbirds. At first I thought they came across as heartless and unreasonable, and their warped sense of honour bugged me until near the end when we see how they deliver justice and how they interact with their children, part of the reason why they can't really socialise with humans. Young Thunderbirds shift easily and uncontrollably, the smallest change in their emotions and part of their bodies shifts in the blink of an eye. That's another thing, Thunderbirds shift lightening fast and have powerful upper bodies and weak spindly legs because they prefer flight. They make formidable opponents. The werecats may be good at facing earth-bound enemies but ones that drop out of the sky without warning with 10ft wingspans, a strong sharp beak, huge talons on their feet and claws at the end of their wings - not so much. The Thunderbirds are democratic (there has never been an Alpha), they are practical almost to the point of being unemotional and the punishment for the murder of one of their own kind can only be looked upon as painfully gruesome. *shivers*

4) Calvin Malone. Ugh. What a despicable man: he's a manipulative, self-serving SOB and his greed and lust for power may very well be his downfall. He does something which may have triggered the beginning of his demise and I'm hoping it has because that would be incredibly satisfying. He's responsible for so many deaths. The way he treats his enforcers, his own children, his blatant disregard for life in pursuit of power - I'd like to kill him myself!

5) The action. Oh man. There's impressive adrenaline pumping action as always, casualties on all sides (the Saunders pride, the Malone pride and the Thunderbirds) plus murder, kidnapping, conspiracy, testicular disfigurement (totally deserved), facial disfigurement (twice - once in retribution, again totally deserved) and more. The fast pace never let up, never gave you time to relax because every time you started to something shocks you, jumps out or makes you burst out laughing or cheering (the ball-busting was one of those occasions!).

6) Jace vs Marc - What everyone wants to know: Faythe's indiscretion with Jace IS revealed but I won't say how, I don't want to ruin it for you, sorry, though there are several moments when you think "Oh God, here it comes" ratcheting up that tension even more because we know it's coming, we just don't know how and when. Each of these moments gives a subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) hint to Marc about what is going on, it's frightening the number of times everything comes so close to exploding. And when the dirty laundry is finally aired you feel just as embarrassed, hurt, confused, scared and lonely as Faythe does.

I honestly don't know what will happen. Most of the book revolves around Jace and Marc with an emphasis on Jace, giving him a chance to show what he has to offer Faythe. Even though Jace has lost some of his happy fun-loving attitude since Ethan's death, with Faythe he regains some of the sparkle in his eye. There are times when Marc seems perfect for her and times where he drops the ball and Jace effortlessly picks it up. Marc is superior in a lot of ways but Jace, where Marc will dispute and challenge Faythe, Jace will trust her most of the time to do the right thing without any explanation or argument, a refreshing change. Now this can be both a good thing and a bad thing but Faythe likes to have room to make her own mistakes and Jace has always given her that, though as we all know Marc has been claustrophobic in his over-protectiveness in the past.

She obviously loves them both and I don't know how she's going to choose because I'm torn too. Normally I can't stand love triangles but this one is so realistic that I don't mind. I can't help but wonder if the choice will be taken away from Faythe. Will one of them die? Will one of them become Alpha of another pride? Overall, this is all just messy and I'm truly scared about the events in [b:Alpha|6449378|Alpha (Shifters, #6)|Rachel Vincent|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg|6639480] - this book will be EVERYTHING. I'm certain it will be book that will require a box of tissues in order to get through it. September cannot come soon enough and I'm grateful I don't have to wait until next February. Two books in one year, we're so lucky!

I bow down in respect to [a:Rachel Vincent|415967|Rachel Vincent|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1262900481p2/415967.jpg]'s astonishing writing ability, to make readers feel her characters' emotions and have them laugh and cry right along with them. It's beautiful. After reading some really crappy and so-so books lately, this was an utter joy to read. 5 stars! show less

Another dark installment in this series. Although the central characters remain, more or less, intact, Vincent is unafraid of killing off her characters, often in quite gruesome circumstances. The love triangle is in full swing and although Faythe knows she will have to make a choice, the outcome of that choice is no longer certain nor, with the inevitable Pride War, is it certain that there will be a choice to make. This is a compelling and interesting series, with a fascinatingly flawed heroine at its heart.

This series couldn't get any better (unless Faythe ends up with Jace, that is!) The first few books in the Werecats series were good but shaky. The last three or so have been UNSTOPPABLE. The world of these werecats is an amazing, evolved, detailed and emotional place. As "Shift" opens, the family is gathered together and reeling from the death of Fayth's brother. Calvin Malone is set to fight Faythe's pack for the the powerful leader of the council position. As he has proved before, he is not afraid to kill for this power and will stop at nothing to get it. Few people outside of Faythe's father's pride actually believe Calvin has killed and plotted to take control but they need to convince the others to choose their side and fight with show more them because this war is immenent. Even more deaths come to pass when Thunderbirds, (rare, shape-shifting birds) stalk the Pride's home and occupants, including some members of thier allies Prides. The Thunderbirds quickly establish that they are after vengence because someone from the Pride killed on of theirs. This ends up being due to some more conniving from Calvin Malone and when one of their tabbies is kidnapped it is up to Faythe, Marc and Jace to get her back, along with the evidence to call off the Thunderbirds. The love triangle here is truly wrenching, and while I don't mind Marc, I have always adored Jace. I think he would be a better match for Faythe and with only one book left to close the series, it won't take too long to find out whom Faythe chooses. The story never wavers from being thrilling and I have to give the author kudos for this. The pacing, the intensity, the emotional is all on target. The Thunderbirds are intriguing in their own right and I loved all the interaction with them, especially in their own aviary. (I wouldn't mind seeing this world further explored!) Faythe has grown from an annoying, whiny child to a strong, caring, woman who can do the right things for the right reasons. While I absolutely can't wait until "Alpha", I do dread losing a series that is this amazing. show less

Rachel Vincent will always leave you craving more but never lacking, so definetly do not miss out on your chance to experience this AWESOME series. I have spent months anticipating what this book would be, and I let me tell you it was everything I wanted and more. The appearance of the thunderbirds in this new book was very interesting; it allowed for a whole different angle and characters. I am impressed by culture of the Thunderbirds, and look forward to the options that should be expanding in the sixth and final book.

Faythe is an awesome kick ass character that I never tire of. I was expecting this book to be more action than romance, and thinking that the relationships scenario would seperate now that Mark was back and Faythe is show more HAPPY. Although, it did not entirely work out that way, and to be totally honest I am excited about the turmoil that Faythe finds herself in. (If you haven't figured it out I love Mark, but I am also in love with Jace as well.) It also seems as though the level of tension in this book could have been cut with a knife, and I love it. I am disgruntled when I say that I am completely distraught at being left in this state of limbo about Faythe, Mark, and Jace. I felt like it was built up excellently, and now I am sitting here speachless because I have to wait for another book to find out anything. I know this is a sign of a wonderful author; that will keep you coming back for more, but this can not be healthy. Ha!

I can't believe after only a couple days I have finished this book already, and now I am waiting yet again. If you have not experienced the Shifters series rush out to start it today. This is one series that you really should not miss. show less

TROUBLE IS IN THE AIR...

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… From RachelVincent.com

Shift is absolutely amazing! There is no nice introduction to this review as I show more can’t form one from being completely wowed by just how superb this book is! It’s unique, it’s a little creepy, it’s packed full of action, adrenaline, and emotion, and you know what I loved most? Just like all of Rachel Vincent’s Shifters novels, it’s clever. Those intricate little plot threads that were a big deal, but not so huge in the great scheme of things, all tie in later, and it’s just brilliant!

Just when you think you’ve seen it all when it comes to the Shifters world, Rachel Vincent does it again and brings you something new – thunderbirds! I cannot tell you how creepy I found them! Sure, the werecats themselves could be seen as a little scary, but we know the characters now, we know their culture and their politics. We know there have are other weres in this world, as we came across a werebear in Pride, but their culture is at least known to the werecats. The thunderbirds are not only new to us, but they’re also fairly new to the werecats too – in that no-one has seen or heard of them in over 60 years. They’re huge, they’re vicious, and they have completely different rules to that of the werecats. And because of a misunderstanding, they’re after blood – the South Central Pride’s blood. And half-human, half-bird creatures look pretty freaky – at least in my head – when the thunderbirds are in partial shift. But they are brilliant!

With the arrival of the thunderbirds, and the impending war with Calvin Malone and his allies, there is no time for the characters we love to properly grieve over Ethan’s death, and everyone is moving. Shift sees Faythe taking a bit more of a lead role in what happens than she’s used to – sometimes with the permission of her father, and sometimes without. Decisions need to be made, and Faythe has to make them, and they’re not always easy – especially as there are consequences to any path taken that could be detrimental to the Pride. Faythe shows incredible bravery, intelligence, and determination, and like in the other novels before, it’s hard not to be in awe of her.

But as well as Pride problems on her shoulders, Faythe also has personal problems – and they’re much bigger than she realised. After she and Faythe gave in to their attraction through grief over Ethan’s death, she’s come to realise it wasn’t just grief induced lust, that she actually has a connection with Jace. The truth has to come out, and she has choices to make, and things will not be pretty for anyone involved.

The action is incredible! The way these thunderbirds fight is just seriously gruesome; beaks and claws can do quite a lot of damage, and being fuelled by rage and the need for revenge leaves no room for restraint, and the thunderbirds really go for it. Bloody is an understatement, but exciting, and a little scary it is! The race against time to save the life of a loved one is immense, where every second is felt by all involved, with Faythe so tense, spontaneous self-combustion seems probable. It’s fantastic!

I have literally just finished reading this book, and as much as I loved it, I’m a little sad that I read it so quick. There will only be one more book in series, Alpha, and it’s a testament to Rachel Vincent’s imagination, writing, and superb genius, that although I’m looking forward to reading it, I’m not looking forward to finishing it. Rachel will obviously be writing other books, for her Soul Screamers series and another adult series she’ll be starting, but it will be the end of Faythe and the South Central Pride, and I’m really not looking forward to saying goodbye. Alpha will be released some time in September, and as excited as I am to read about the fallout of Faythe’s personal problems, and what will happen to the Pride in the civil war, I’m glad I have to wait.

This book, this whole series is absolutely incredible. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; if there’s one series you have to read in your lifetime, the Shifters series is it.

From Ink and Paper - Fantasy Book Review Blog show less

I find reviewing books that are a part of a series difficult because I if you haven’t read the previous book(s) I don’t want to spoil anything for you. I have seen many bloggers add “spoiler warnings” before their review however as a curious reader I always ignore that message so I am left with the same dilemma. So bare with my hopefully spoiler free review and forgive me if it is not as in depth as others but this series is a gem of the urban fantasy genre so what I leave out you will hopefully gain when you read the series yourself!

I began reading this series when the first book, Stray was released in June of 2007. I had read quite a few novels featuring shifters but never a novel focused on were cats. I was and still am show more enamored with Rachel Vincent’s magical and descriptive writing style, characters full of depth and genuineness, and ability to leave me screaming, “WHAT!” at the end of every novel. The fifth and second last book in the Shifter series titled, Shift is the best novel in the series so far; which is saying a lot since the entire series is by far one of the best in the urban fantasy genre. Now is where this review gets difficult as one of the best parts of this book is the romantic relationship(s). Without giving anything away this book had me with my face pressed against the pages, drinking tea out of a straw so I didn’t spill on myself (I don’t have good hand eye coordination when my eyes are focus on the pages), closeted in my room for three hours with a do-not-disturb sign on my front door, and my phone on silent. The relationship dynamics between Faythe, Marc, and ******* (see no spoiler) had me freaking out in books four and five and I am not yet over having to wait to find out more until Alpha, the final installment in this series is out.

There are some truly fan-frickin-tastic authors out there in the Urban Fantasy genre; Laurell K Hamilton, Kelley Armstrong, and Kim Harrison to name a few, but with Shift, Rachel Vincent established herself as one of the top writers in her genre. show less

I'm left with little to say that won't be a spoiler other than, "Dangit, why can't more authors work in some polyamory instead of using the same old jealousy-based plots?" Because I do NOT find that entertaining or interesting at ALL! The Thunderbirds are very interesting, and I'd like to know a lot more about their culture than what we get here.I'm having a lot of trouble believing some of the political machinations in the plot, but I suppose I'm extremely naive about what people will believe when they want to ignore the truth.