Control (Shifter Series) (Volume 2) by Kim Curran

Shift #2

by Kim Curran

Scott Tyler is not like other teenagers. With a single thought he can alter reality around him. And he can stop anyone else from doing the same.

That's why he's so important to ARES, the secret government agency that regulates other kids like him: Shifters.

They've sent him on a mission. To track down the enigmatic Frank Anderson. An ex-Shifter who runs a project for unusual kids - as if the ability to change your every decision wasn't unusual enough. But Anderson and the kids have a dark secret. One that Scott is determined to discover.

As his obsession with discovering the truth takes him further away from anyone he cares about, his grip on reality starts to weaken. Scott realises if he can't control his choices, they'll control him.

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Time Travel, Paranormal, Ebooks, Fantasy, Adventure

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Kim was born in Dublin and moved to London when she was seven. She got her first typewriter when she was eight, had a poem she wrote about a snail published in a magazine when she was nine, and that was it – Kim was hooked on writing.

Because she never thought she’d actually be able to make a living as a writer, she decided she needed a trade to fall back on. So, naturally, she went to Sussex University to study philosophy.

While Kim’s plan of being paid big bucks to think deep thoughts never quite worked out, she did land a job as a junior copywriter with an ad agency a week after graduating. She’s worked in advertising ever since, specialising in writing for videogames.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC

Now I was totally lost when I first started reading this, because I unwittingly grabbed the second book in the series.
Hmmm. The blurb sounds kinda confusing. And I've missed an entire book's worth of information. Lovely.
*bangs head on desk*
I'm sure that's never happened to any of you....
Whatever. Liars!
At any rate, my initial thought was that I should probably go get the first book and read it. Then I remembered that my to-read list is longer than....
I don't know, let's just say there's a lot of freakin' books I need to read!

Anyway, in my infinite wisdom, I decided to plow ahead and make the best of it. And like I said, I was totally lost throughout the first chapter. But by the second chapter, I had caught on to the gist of the story, and by the third chapter I was bumping along nicely. Anytime you can plop yourself down into the middle of a series and enjoy it? Well, kids, that's how you can tell the difference between a decent author and an exceptional author.

It wasn't like there were mass info dumps or an entire rehash of the first Shifters story, but there were gradual reminders of what had happened previously. It's helpful not only to people who haven't read the other book, but also great for people (like me) who read several books a week and tend to forget the exact plot details of a book they read over a year ago.
Ok. Fine. I forget the characters' names after about two days.

As for the story itself? Forget the blurb, 'cause it doesn't do it any justice.
Dear Blurb Writer,
In the event that you are big and scary, I just want you to know that I am in no way insulting your blurbing abilities. You are an excellent blurber.
Sincerely,
Cat...or Jamie
(NOT Anne)

The plot revolves around these kids who have the ability to reverse any decision that they make. Imagine if you could think back to that time when you bought sushi from a roadside vendor and take back the horrible round of food poisoning that you suffered with for the rest of the weekend?
You've never..? Huh. Just me then. Ok.

So these kids have this power, and of course the government (or a shadow agency inside the government) has put them to work. Scott is one of the more powerful shifters, because not only can he reverse his decisions, but he can also remember all of the alternate versions of his life that would have happened. Even better, he can (if he concentrates) remember when other people make shifts that result in massive changes. It's a blessing and a curse. As an added bonus, he can act as a power damper to other shifters if he's close enough to them.

In the last book, he discovered his powers, fell in love, and stopped an evil scientist who was trying to give adults they're shifting powers back by removing parts of shifter kids' brains and implanting them in the adults.
Whew! That's a mouthful!

And now Scott and his girlfriend, Aubrey, are hunting down the remaining people involved in the project. It's all going pretty well until Scott stumbles onto something bigger than he can understand. Someone shifts, and things change dramatically. The Prime Minister is different, ARES is different, and politicians who should have dead children suddenly have their kids back alive.

Obviously, not all of the changes are bad, but Scott is the only one who can remember what things were like before, and he has a feeling that something is very wrong with what's happening. It seems the power to shift may not be the only power out there, but by the time he starts to figure out what's happening and who's behind it, there may be no one left that trusts him...

And the ending! Ahhhhhhh! You're kidding, right?! I'm almost upset that I read an ARC, because now I have to wait that much longer for the next book to come out. Hmmm. At least it will give me some time to go back and read Shift, 'cause now I'm really interested in seeing exactly what I missed out on!

P.S.
There's an 'almost sex' scene in the book, but Aubrey and Scott decide to wait. I'd be fine with my boys (10 and 13) reading it, but every parent is different. I'd say this is geared toward the 14 plus crowd, but I don't think it has anything in it that a mature younger reader couldn't handle.

[Natalie Monroe · Rating 2 out of 5]

There will be zero spoilers for the first book. Because I didn't read it myself.

Once upon a time, I would've given this 4 stars.

It was an enjoyable read. We have first-person-past-tense (always worth brownie points), an awkward teenage guy POV, cute middle-grade humor and an awesome premise: a secret government facility for kids that have the power to Shift, meaning they can change their previous decisions at will. Your heel snapped when you're rushing to work? Shift! You're now wearing the purple pumps you considered in the morning before ultimately choosing the Louboutins. Losing in a fight? Shift! You now have the upper hand because you aimed for his ribs this time instead of his legs. The Prime Minister's dying? Shift! Now he's all smiling and healthy because his car took another highway.



But it's not all fun and games. Shifters normally forget the previous reality once they Shift, but the MC, Scott, can still remember them. It's a bitch to have multiple realities warring in your mind, but in this case, it might come in handy. Strange events are afoot. Realities are changing faster than Scott can memorize them and they almost always involve a dead body. At the heart of this mess this charming old lady who runs an orphanage for Shifter kids and may prove more deadly than she seems.



The plot is fantastic, but execution leaves a little something to be desired. It's not the pace. That's done quite well, though it takes Scott way longer than the reader to figure out there's something up with that sweet old lady. It's the writing, which struck me as a little juvenile. I felt like I was reading middle-grade instead of YA. Though it did make for some fart joke moments:

I made a note to tell Carl, our IT director, to change his password. CARLSEXGOD was a bit too obvious.

The male POV isn't very convincing though I believe that's more on Scott. He's like a more awkward version of Percy Jackson with a hint of estrogen. There were times when I wanted to tell him to man the hell up and be more like his girlfriend, Aubrey, who is as tough as nails and doesn't take crap from nobody.



He's very devoted to Aubrey, which is great and all, but his affection strays into Sugarland zone at times.

"Tell her I meant everything I said that night. That I'd rather die than hurt her. Tell her it wasn't me; that I'm going to stop the person who did this and I'll put everything right. And tell her that I love her. And that I'll never stop loving her, even if she never speaks to me again.

Also, the leader of China isn't called the president, he's called the Premier. I wouldn't call the Prime Minister president because it's just wrong. A simple Google search would've fixed this and it just says that no one bothered to do research.



On whole, it's not a bad book, but not an exceptionally good one either. Tentative recommendation.

ARC provided by Netgalley. Quotes were taken from an uncorrected galley proof and are subject to change in the final edition.

[Maja (The Nocturnal Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Kim Curran’s original and highly entertaining debut, Shift, my expectations for the sequel were pretty high. I read both books back to back, but a significant improvement was easily noticeable. She has matured as a writer from one book to the next, and although Control had its problems, it’s a read I’d never hesitate to recommend.

In Shift, Scott discovered that he has the power to change any decision he’s ever made. In other words, he’s a shifter. But the power is far more dangerous than it seems because even the smallest change can have catastrophic consequences. What’s more, his power won’t last forever – the ability to shift is limited to teens. Once Scott reaches a certain age, entropy will set in and he’ll be just a regular person once more. Through it all, he has the help of a shifter girl, Aubrey. She was the one who helped him adjust to his new life as an agent of the ARES, and – to Scott’s never-ending astonishment – she seems to like him just as much as he likes her.

At only 15, Aubrey is intelligent, talkative and energetic, true force of nature. Both books are told from Scott’s point of view, but although we only see her though his eyes, Aubrey is no less of a protagonist. For Scott, she is the only constant in his otherwise turbulent life, something to hold on to in the ever-changing realities.

Male voices are so difficult to get right in YA (a teen boy’s mind is a mysterious thing indeed), but Scott’s struck me as very authentic. Both Scott and Aubrey were extremely mature for their age, but it never really seemed odd considering the amount of power they wielded and the type of job they did. Each of them was burdened with so much responsibility that it’s no wonder they talked and acted like 30-year-olds.

The plot in both books is downright excellent and Curran leaves her readers no time to breathe or relax. Scott and Aubrey face true horrors on every turn. The only letdown was their final encounter with the villain in Control. This person had been terrorizing and manipulating shifters for decades, and yet Scott handled the situation so easily, it was almost ridiculous. Aside from that, Shift and Control are amazing and compulsively readable.

Another thing I feel the need to mention: I. Do. Not. Appreciate. Cliffhangers! Ending your book with a cliffhanger is a sure way to ruin the whole thing for me. While Shift has a nice, clean-cut ending, Control ends with a huge pile of mess at Scott’s door. It’s a good thing a third book was recently announced, or I’d be tempted to pull my hair out. Or well, someone’s hair at the very least.

Cliffhanger or not, these books are a much needed breath of fresh air in YA. If originality is what you’re after, pick up a Strange Chemistry title and give it a try. It’s quickly becoming my favorite and most reliable imprint. These days, it’s enough to see their logo to know that I’ll thoroughly enjoy a book. Kim Curran’s series is no exception.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a book hoarder and having an ever growing TBR pile makes it so much easier for me to finish books without the huge wait for each new installment. I picked up Shift and Control together, with the intention of reading them before attending YALC. That plan failed spectacularly, but it also meant I could tackle this duo together, and have the next one waiting in my hands.

Going into a second book in a series is always risky. You never know if it will live up to your expectations or completely let you down. With Control there was not a single speck of doubt in my mind, the minute you start you are thrown back into Scott's world with a bang. It's high action, fast paced, and doesn't let you stop till the very last page.

Control picks up short time after shift. After the events that happened in Shift, ARES now has a new person in charge, and Scott and Aubrey have the job of hunting down the subjects of Project Ganymede and taking them into custody, this job also earns Scott the nickname 'Pylon' which I thought was hilarious, The shifting world has gone crazy, and with Scott's ability to remember the shifts and events that have been changed, you are able to experience the craziness of the shifts, feel the loss of friends and loved ones along with him.

The more I read these books the more I find myself falling into the world and I find it hard to come back out again. I love how the characters still seem real, and are likeable, even with this ability that they have. I think Kim has done a great job of making the average teenager super, without making them unapproachable. I love how Scott still makes mistakes, that he isn't perfect, but that he tries to do the right thing.

I love the twists that Kim has put into place with Control, the new characters, the added twist to make it harder for ARES, especially Scott. The ending, what an ending it was. I couldn't believe what I was reading, I wanted to throw the book across the room with what I had read!!!!!

Final Verdict
Control is just as amazing as Shift was, and I am also so happy to be able to read the next book now without the huge wait I would have had to endure.

[AH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't like that last decision? Just shift back and try again. Keep in mind that your shift may cause some unforeseen consequences. Exciting, action packed, something for everyone – and suitable for middle grades and up.

Shift was one of the coolest books I read last year. Imagine being able to take back a decision and change an outcome of an event. Imagine playing a game while shifting or even fighting an opponent, changing your position to avoid that hit. What a cool power.

Control is the highly anticipated sequel to Shift. In this book our heroes Scott Tyler and Aubrey Jones are both working for the secret government agency ARES – The Agency for the Regulation and Evaluation of Shifters. Their current assignment is to round up the adult subjects of Project Ganymede, an experiment that gave adults shifting powers. Their latest assignment is to find the reclusive Frank Anderson.

The story is told through Scott’s point of view. It’s really hard not to fall in love with Scott – he is a real sweetheart. Scott also has a Fixing talent, that is, he can stop people from shifting. He is also able to influence others’ decisions, which leads into some ethical discussions. What puts Scott apart from the rest is that he remembers the alternate realities after he’s shifted. So when a skyscraper building in London is replace for a pyramid shaped building in a different reality, Scott remembers the original.

“Even if we can make the bad choices we’ve made go away aren’t they still there? Somewhere? Some stain on our cosmic balancing sheet?”

I loved this book. It’s kind of like reading a book with alternative endings. As the scenes shift, you’re never really quite sure what is real is what isn’t. I liked that the shifts also had some sort of consequence. Sure, you could change an outcome, but what happens when you do? It’s enough to give you a headache if you think about it too hard. This is a book that will stay with you for a while after reading it as you ponder the possibilities. Oh, and what an ending! Now I can’t wait to read the next book, Delete. Bring it on!

Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for a review copy of this book.

Review posted on Badass Book Reviews.

[Alex Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

To shift reality, one must alter every individual event that had lead up to the desired change in reality. The main character of Kim Curran’s Control, Scott Tyler, was born with the ability to do so with only his thoughts.This concept is deeply expanded on as there are hundreds of people within the hidden society of reality-shifters all with different aspects to their powers. It gets really difficult to follow this concept and can quickly get confusing in a way that distracts from the main plot. I don’t like at all how relevant this concept is because I almost needed to take notes and keep track of all the different characters in order to understand the plot. Despite this, I like the style of Curran’s writing as she is great at detailing the scenes and introducing cool references into real life media. Control does a pretty good job at portraying the theme of using power responsibly. Scott was often put in situations where using his powers had pros and cons and his morale contemplation was very interesting and used in a good way to promote personal contemplation into the reader. I was fooled with the first impression of the book. The beginning starts out compelling and interesting with the introduction of the characters and the concepts. The quality of the introduction is very misleading as the quality does not hold up throughout the rest of the story. I would not recommend this story to the mass of readers. Maybe those who enjoy complex stories with multiple layers of content but not those who read at a casual pace for simple enjoyment.

[Nemo (The ☾Moonlight☾ Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

See this review and more on The Moonlight Library!

Scott Tyler has a cushy job, a superpower, and a hot girlfriend. His life is set for the next few years, until entropy sets in and he loses his power to Shift. Unfortunately, someone is going around Shifting major events – changing Prime Ministers, killing the children of people in power, and then undoing their Shifts. Scott is the only one who can remember these other realities caused by others Shifting, and he needs to figure out how to stop it before it’s too late. Someone is screwing with reality for their own ends, and to stop it is exactly what Scott’s job is.

It’s not easy waking up every morning to find little Shifts have changed many things – that guy you used to work with changed his decision to go for a promotion several months ago and now you’ve never met him. Buildings change because someone altered their past decision and influenced the architect. But Scott can remember the old realities and is at risk of succumbing to ‘reality sickness’. Scott is also a powerful Shifter who can stop others from Shifting and force others to his will – a Fixer, they’re called. But when his power is lost, he needs to fix this screw up reality without his superpower.

Control was a great book. I didn’t have much time to dedicate to reading it so it took me some time to finish. I really enjoyed last year’s Shift, Kim Curran’s debut, and my very first ARC review on the Moonlight Library, and this sequel lifted the game and brought the higher stakes you’d want to read in a sequel. Scott starts out with a great job, an awesome superpower, and a lovely desirable girlfriend and ends up losing all three as his investigation into the mysterious Frank Anderson comes to a head. He has to make sacrifices and learn to trust old enemies. He comes to learn to trust himself as a young man and as a leader.

What I liked most about this book is that Curran isn’t afraid to knock Scott off his feet, beat him, and leave him for dead. Scott may be a physically impressive specimen with superpowers but he’s no Gary Stu – he’s a very normal teenager who needs to overcome his own insecurities before he can beat the bad guy. Although it was obvious to me as the reader exactly what was happening, and how Scott was being manipulated, it took him a little longer to figure it out. And that’s OK, because his head was such a mess that it took him time to get it together. Scott knows his strengths and weaknesses and knows his power gives him the upper hand – he doesn’t win every fight, and sometimes he needs help. I liked that about his character. The climax was super satisfying and totally awesome, and I although I saw it coming from a mile off it was still enjoyable.

While there was some awkward phrasing and stilted and forced dialogue, overall the writing was enjoyable, including several Britishisms that made it just at home. And that ending. That totally unexpected and wonderful cliffhanger… all I can say is the final book in this trilogy is going to be explosive and amazing and just wow. I can’t wait.

Thanks to Strange Chemistry and Netgalley for providing this advanced reader copy for an honest review.

[Alex McGilvery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Control
Kim Curran
Angry Robot Ltd.

Control is the second novel telling the story of Scott Tyler. The story picks up shortly after the last one left off. Scot and Aubrey are hunting down the last of the adults to be part of Project Ganymede. A.R.E.S. isn't as much fun as it was now that Sir Richard is running the agency in place of his son. Security is tight and Scott isn't sure whether it is to keep A.R.E.S. secret or to keep it under control.

Scott soon doesn't have time to worry about how much fun he's having as he and Aubrey find the last person from Gannymede, only to have everything start to fall apart.

This is a good follow up to the first book in the series, but it doesn't have the same edge. It keeps introducing new aspects of shifting to keep Scott off balance but it just serves to muddy the waters. The dialogue is just as sharp, the characters are well drawn and the plot is solid, but it just doesn't grab me as strongly as the first book.

Control is not a bad book, but it isn't the really good book that Shift was.

[Shanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT EVEN WAS THAT ENDING. WHAT.

Excellent sequel. I enjoyed this even more than the first. And so many plot twists and shifts (eyyy) that the story remained gripping to the last page. I need the next one now...

[Arra · Rating 5 out of 5]

As you can see, I just finished the book and so giddy to say what I have to say about Control but there is a need to appreciate its cover first. Like Shift, I knew that the cover would be part of the events that would be found in the book, perhaps at the start, in the middle or towards the end. Again, I love how it looks so high definition that it can pass as a movie poster.

Moving on to the story, it was such a compelling read that was even more strengthened by its complexity. Usually plots that involve time warps and alternate realities in constant flux would usually be so confusing that even the writer herself would be out of touch which will result to so many loopholes that will eventually be pinpointed by the readers. This will make the whole thing a flop. However, Kim Curran was able to manipulate and wield her creation to her own will with precision and clarity, enough for the readers to enjoy its intricate details. I really appreciate how you can easily feel and live in a Shifter's world by just reading the book. It was so well-defined that you will not be lost or missed out on anything. But then again, you can Shift back if you do (see what I did there *wink wink*). Well seriously, I think that’s also why it was so effective. I feel like I felt what the Shifter has been through, particularly Scott, because of how vivid it was described and of course, how mind-boggling it was to be in a position or a world that is constantly changing. Oh I tell you, it was so riveting that I felt every emotion the characters showed. Like in Shift, I was smiling, blushing, angry or frustrated then crying the next. It was so intense and it was a good thrill that every reader needs. Perhaps, others would say it was violent, but that’s what makes it more intriguing. The happily ever after perception is so cliché that the author used it BUT made sure we will be on the edge of our seats. I just have to acknowledge the few funny antics the author inserted unexpectedly. I admit that it made me look crazy—because of the shift in reactions—laughing and smiling at myself while reading. I resisted sharing them while I was live tweeting because I want the others to savor it, too. It made me relax and have a break from such a heavy mental state I had. Control kept my mind so active that I, again, never want to put it down. It took me days to finish it because of some errands but there was this feeling that I look forward to read it as soon as possible. It was action packed and full of never ending twists that will definitely satisfy a reader.

I've already shared my favorite characters on my review about Shift before (see here ) and I would like to tell you their developments. Scott, Scott, Scott. Where do I begin with you? He started as this boy who feels useless and lack of self-confidence was just an understatement. In Shift, he showed that he was more powerful than he will ever imagine. But still he didn't believe on his capabilities, on himself. As a reader, I wanted to push him to his limits and at the same time, I saw myself in him. There were times that I feel so small and I fear to commit so many mistakes. I will always second-guess my abilities even if I knew I could be more than that. Scott was also the same. Like I said, there was so much room for improvement and I believed it was filled in this book. I am so proud to say that he will find himself as you read the book and I think that’s one of the lessons the author is telling us. Sometimes we feel that our goals are so far and out of reach but achieving it will always depend on us. Our decisions make or break us. And, I think Scott was able to realize that. Now with Aubrey, there was a time I nearly got frustrated with her because I felt she was stubborn but I gave myself a slap and told myself that she was a teenager. It happens! As if I didn't went through that phase. What struck me about her was that she was able to show her vulnerable side and it was refreshing. I knew that it will be shown sooner or later, and Aubrey did not disappoint me. Since the story has heavy points, I finally appreciated the bittersweet moments between her and Scott. It was an emotional roller coaster but it was a sweet treat for the readers. With CP and Jake, I love that they stepped up their “game” in this sequel but I want to see more of them. They both are spitfires and just waiting to show more of their capabilities, and I am excited to witness that in the third installment of this series. In addition, these two deserved to be noticed for their strong impact on the whole tale. Benjo was defined so well that I always cringe whenever he was there in a specific scene. His dark aura was too strong that I feel his evil intentions and barbaric ways. It was not an enticing visualization whenever he is mentioned but I guess it added spice (did I just say that?) to the whole dish. Of course, Frankie was so influential and despite being described as charismatic and angelic, her vibes was, no doubt, way off. Both are convincing and powerful villains that gave the protagonist a challenge.

With this said, Control has no dull moment that will both enamor a reader’s heart and mind. It was under the science fiction genre but it found its way to be relatable and realistic through its characters and on how they emulated how it is to be human—how life can be at times difficult and that we should just face it, and conquer our fears. It just tells its readers that running from your choices (through Shifting) will not change anything. It will always be there but with different and maybe worse consequences. We just have to accept life’s ups and downs and go through it, and be in Control.

[Lotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Control is the sequel to Kim Curran’s fantastic debut novel Shift and I have to say, she’s only gone and made this book even better. I know some people have read this as a standalone, and although Curran does give snippets of information about the events in Shift, in my opinion it needs to be read in order to fully appreciate and enjoy this book.

Firstly, I love the way Curran has developed and continued the storyline from Shift into Control. The story begins with Scott and Aubrey working together to clear up the loose ends of the uncovered Ganymede project, hunting down the adults involved. This definitely felt like unfinished business for the reader (as well as the characters themselves), so I was pleased Curran had thought to cover it. This is where Curran provides a catch-up for the important details from Shift, but far from being an info-dump, she subtly weaves it into the progressing timeline. Curran manages to do this perfectly, seamlessly picking up Control as if we’d only just left Shift.

From there Curran took the theme of shifting and explored it to its full capacity making Control slightly more complex, but only naturally so. This suited my perhaps over-analytical brain as I’d reached the point of thinking ‘yeah but what if…’. Curran delved into the ability of shifting, expanding its roles, exploring its extensive effects and consequences, allowing for multiple realities and layers in this detailed plot. In Control we watch Scott piece together clues from some unlikely sources whilst ending up in a couple of tough-to-explain situations, adding an additional emotional element and expanding the storyline beyond the main plot. Curran fully fleshes out her world, thinking of all the possibilities without getting too carried away, making Control both interesting and entertaining. She also subtly covers some pretty big topics within her prose: broken families, learning to face and stand by your decisions, and the importance of believing in yourself, making it touchingly relatable to her teen audience.

It was great to see the return of our protagonist Scott whose point of view we follow throughout. It’s refreshing to read of a modest, slightly naïve protagonist who doesn’t fit the usually stereotype of ‘manly and strong’. We got to see some real character development with Scott too, although at times I will confess to wanting to shake him into believing in himself! Essentially though, this is what I also enjoyed watching him work through. His journey to self-belief was relatable and transferable to an average teenage world. His additional abilities were cleverly utilised, not only as an integral part of the story but also as a memory aid, serving as a reminder of all the shifts that had taken place.

Aubrey was another interesting character, being the fiery teen with the difficult background. She’s the complete opposite of Scott and for that reason it would have been interesting, as well as insightful, to see from her point of view at times as well as Scott’s. Aubrey seems an unlikely candidate to be Scott’s girlfriend but I think that’s why it actually works. Despite what you might initially think, their two characters seem to complement each other without being clichéd or overly-sweet. Even the almost-sex scene was handled well, with tact and dignity, and completely fitting for their ages.

Oh and how could I not mention the villains of this tale! Curran brings back a well known bad guy as well as introducing a new evil-doing character. It’s the sign of a good, creepy villain when the mere mention of his name brings back a cold, sickly feeling in the pit of your stomach that you just can’t shake off, except this time he’s not quite as I remember him. It seems Curran has added new layers to all of her characters. Without revealing any spoilers, Curran’s main villain is new and intriguing, seemingly kind and endearing at first glance which provides the perfect cover up for some pretty devious crimes. Once again Curran delivers a brilliantly fresh perspective with this far from the norm personality.

The only issue I had was the way in which one of the supporting characters was allowed to use his shifting power for his own gain, in a success, fame and monetary way. It was only a small part of the story but it bugged me enough to warrant mentioning it. If it were allowed why wouldn’t more of the ARES shifters be doing that, resulting in an errant bunch of teenagers shifting their actions in a way to benefit themselves only? It didn’t feel like something ARES would allow but perhaps that’s just me. Also, in the original premise, shifting had its consequences, so why didn’t that apply to this character?

Curran’s writing is delivered at just the right level - it’s detailed enough to fully explain what’s happening, given that it’s aimed at a YA audience, yet not too in-depth as to lose the reader (she does mention the double slit experiment after all!). I raced through the book because I just couldn’t put it down - the words seem to flow making them easy to read, facilitating a vivid image in my mind, making me enjoy this read just that little bit more.

Oh and hats off to Curran for the ending! For me, it was simply fantastic, with Curran taking us on an emotional rollercoaster, complete with many unexpected twists and turns. Just when you think we’re in for a happy-but-slightly-unsatisfying ending, Curran throws us a massive curveball that leaves us on a wicked cliff-hanger. I totally didn’t see that coming! Curran left me open-mouthed in shock, grinning inanely, eagerly awaiting her third novel, Delete.

[Saima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting installment in the trilogy of people able to shift their decisions so that they never happened. This one was a thriller from start to finish and didn't end in a fizzled rush like the first book. Onto the final book next!

[Misoko Fukumoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person with many Déjà-vu moments this scares and thrills me.

[Nasaphira · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just WTF happened??

I thought I was gonna like the second book more than the first book, but nope. I was wrong!

I got so angry at the last part, dude whaaa, whyyy

And the ending??? Noooo

[Jobin.Ty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

[Mieneke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last year, Shift was the first title I ever reviewed for Strange Chemistry Books and I mentioned in said review that as it was a launch title for the imprint it had some major expectations to live up to, which it did with verve. I concluded my review by saying that if this is what we could look forward to as a standard for Strange Chemistry books, then we were in for a great ride. A year on, we can conclude that Angry Robot's YA imprint has more than redeemed that promise, but how would Curran's second book bear out her promise as a novelist? Rest assured, Curran definitely brings the writing chops, because Control was just as awesome as her debut was!

As this is the second book in the series, there are inevitable spoilers for the first book while discussing this one. If you'd like to remain unspoiled, click away or skip to the final paragraph.

Control picks up six months after the events in Shift. Things have changed at ARES headquarters and not necessarily for the better. ARES has become more militaristic in nature and the kids are disciplined far harsher than they might deserve due to political pressure from the Prime Minister's office. Scott and Aubrey are still partners on and off the job, but while they are doing well at both, Scott is struggling to understand what happened at the climax of the first book and what this means for his powers. Their main assignment is to trace all the adults that were part of the Ganymede project and they've found all but one of them. When they finally get a lead on the last name on their list, things start to go awry and everything goes to pieces.

Scott is still a great character; having gone from self-proclaimed loser to a somewhat self-confident Shifter in Shift, in Control our competent shifter starts doubting his powers and abilities. It's interesting to see how Scott's powers develop and how much the fact that he's been told 'This is what shifters can do and nothing else," damages his ability to cope with the extraordinary things he can do, such as remembering previous realities or imposing his will on others. Not only does this cause him to doubt himself, it also makes him hide these new abilities from his friends, which places a huge strain on him. During the book Scott, and the reader, finds out that there are other manifestations of the Shifting power and it made me wonder what other applications Curran will dream up.

Aubrey and Scott's relationship remains a large driving force in the book. While they've been together in a steady relationship for over six months, I liked that it moved slowly in the sense that they are boyfriend and girlfriend, but even after six months they haven't moved beyond making out. They have to be grown-up in so many other facets of their lives, I like that in this aspect they took things slowly. Aubrey has also moved from being someone to show Scott the ropes to being a more equal partner, which made them shine as a team even more. In fact, it's not just Scott who's maturing, it's Aubrey as well, along with several of the other characters from the previous book, such as the rather obnoxious Commandant Morgan, who redeems himself and the ever mysterious and unpredictable Zac.

The plot is as compelling as the last time, with our heroes having to make a deal with the devil and hunt a ruthless opponent, who is changing the fabric of reality through nefarious and sadistic means. The incorporation of Scott's ability to remember previous realities was intriguingly done and Curran employs some of the restrictions she's imposed on the Shifting ability quite cunningly to paint her characters into temporal corners they find it hard – if not impossible – to get out of again. All of this explodes into a finale that changes everything beyond perhaps even Scott and his friends' abilities to put right again.

Control is a great continuation of the story begun in Shift, but suffers from second book syndrome insofar as it clearly is a middle book, it doesn't really stand on its own; even if the main plot is resolved, Curran leaves us with a setup for the next book that left me reeling and promises that the final book in the series, Delete, will be explosive. And I for one can't wait to see the fall-out from that blast.

This book was provided for review by the publisher.

[Ole Imsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last time we saw Scott Tyler come to grips with his new-found power, this time we go a bit deeper into that power and what it can do. I wouldn't consider this a "true sequel" in the sense that you have to read Shift, the first book, before you read this, but you will be missing out on quite a lot if you don't.
The setting hasn't changed, although it may have Shifted, Scott still has the same job and works together with Aubrey Jones. Some time has passed since we last saw them, so there has been things happening both on a personal and professional level for our protagonists.

It doesn't take long to realise that the stakes are higher in Control than they were in Shift. This novel is definitely "bigger" in that sense. What I liked about how the stakes are getting higher is how Curran has made this natural. Sometimes you can spot the same sort of sequel trick Hollywood uses, just turn the dial up a notch - make the explosions bigger, I never felt that this was the case here. When things "go bigger" here they do it because that is just how things happen to turn out, it's just natural.
There's a very good connection to what happened last time here. ARES is the hub of events, and that means we'll see the characters connected to that organization again. We also get a return of others. I'll refrain from going near any details on who, I will say it's done very nicely and that it doesn't fell like it's cheating.

The pacing of the novel is very good, it moves along quickly but doesn't feel rushed at all. Curran is very good at combining development that gives depth with events that gives movement in the story. And it really does move.
As a reader you just have time to settle in when things really start happening. Once it does it doesn't really let up. Pages turn fast as you get into what is going on, and Curran's excellent storytelling ability means you really get invested in finding out what happens next. Something that creates quite a lot of suspense.

Perhaps the greatest strength of the book is that even when you have a mystery that would not exist without the supernatural ability that Shifting is, it doesn't feel like it is constructed to highlight that ability. Curran makes the mystery and the Shifting work together to create high levels of suspense. That a Shift can turn the world "upside down" means that it is hard to see where things are going beforehand. And that creates an extra layer of tension that makes it very tempting to just keep reading, because you are going to want to find out what is going on. Curran creates a really exciting ride that keeps you gripped in for the whole novel.

I've really become invested in this world. I do care about what happens to Scott Tyler and Aubrey Jones. They are interesting people to follow.They are also surrounded by other characters that hold their own. I find that the whole of Curran's cast heightens the whole of the novel. There really isn't anyone here that suffer from being too stereotyped. And, thankfully, the teenagers in the cast manages to come off as realistic while remaining unannoying.

All in all this is a really good Science Fiction novel. It keeps the Action Thriller vibe of Shift while adding to the Alternate History aspect created by the Shifts. It's perhaps bordering a bit on Parallel Universe Science Fiction, but that is a feature, not a bug. Straddling so many aspects of Science Fiction should certainly give it wide appeal.
And this deserves a wide appeal. It's a really entertaining novel that has a lot of depth under the surface. The story is fast-paced and entertaining with satisfyingly high levels of suspense.
Combined with great writing by Curran that makes for a novel I have no hesitation in recommending. And the Young Adult label should be no means frighten anyone away.

NOTE: I got an e-ARC of this book from the publisher/NetGalley.

Review originally published on my blog: http://weirdmage.blogspot.com

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.25/5

In this second installment of the Shift series, Shifter Scott Tyler takes on a more active role within the group ARES (Agency for the Regulation and Evaluation of Shifters).  Picking up where the first book left off, Scott and Aubrey are working together on an assignment to pick up and bring in all the adults who were a part of Project Ganymede (where adults were implanted with a portion of a healthy brain in order to extend the ability to shift).  The last person on their list is a Frank Anderson, whom they are having trouble tracking down.

Once Frank is found (I don't want to give away too much), things are not what the appear to be.  There will be a battle of wills as part of the climax of the book, and a shift will happen, which will be the only thing to save some people from certain death and then ...  nothing.  End of book.  Buy the next one.

Yeah...you know how I feel about ending books like this.  It's a cheap shot on the part of publishers to try to force people to buy the next book.  Cheap.  Shot.  If a book is well written and interesting and the characters are well crafted, you don't need to resort to cheap shots.  If they are not well done, even a cheap shot isn't going to get people to buy the next book.  So why do it!?

Lack of ending aside, this book didn't quite manage to have the same appeal and excitement as the first book, Shift.   It tries.  It tries very hard.  But it tries in rather the wrong way.

The book starts out with Scott and Aubrey looking for one of the adults who had been part of Project Ganymede.  Their search brings them to an underground fight club.  To gain access, scrawny, teen-aged Scott has to enlist as a challenger to fight the undefeated champ.  Thanks to his ability to shift, and the fact that he's a "fixer" (someone who can prevent others from shifting), Scott manages to win the fight.  It's a well-written sequence, very exciting and thrilling.  But even as I was reading it I kept thinking to myslef...wow...this Scott has really changed since the last book.  He's much more confident and aggressive than the Scott we left in the last book.  The difference didn't bother me...it was just noted.  But then, later in the book, he reverted back to the more shy, timid Scott and I was annoyed at either the lack of consistency in the character, or change in his personality.  Either way, it didn't feel right.

The relationship with Aubrey is much more prominent here, and it works quite well.  We really buy in to what they feel toward one another and the depth of their relationship, both working and personal.  It is this relationship building that provides the spark in the book and kept me reading.  The storyline seemed quite secondary.

Scott is still burdened with the ability to remember different, changed realities after shifting, but the ability he showed at the end of Shift, something that was so unusual that there were only rumors of its possibility.  I was expecting much more with this ability, but felt cheated.  It could have been (seemed destined to be) the focus of the story based on book one, but that wasn't the case.

All in all, this feels like a classic book two... a bit of a let down that doesn't follow up on where book one left off, but instead focusses on being a teaser to book three.

Even so, this is still a really remarkable part of the series and anyone who's read book one and anticipates wanting to read book three, will want to make sure this is on the reading list as well.

Looking for a good book?  Book two in the "Shift" series, Control, stumbles a bit as it prepares the reader for book three, though the relationship building is very successful.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year I read Shift, Kim Curran’s first novel, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s an intelligent, action packed young-adult debut that had a wonderfully executed premise. I loved the idea that there was a group of special teens who could unmake decisions. We’ve all wished that at one time or another haven’t we? I ask you, who wouldn’t want that ability? The story rather cleverly explores the consequences of living in a potentially consequence-free environment. Is it just as simple as going back making the right choice or are there bigger implications involved in every decision that we make?

Control picks up some months after the events at the end of Shift. Scott has grown into his powers, he is now far more comfortable with the idea of being able to reshape reality. There is part of him, however, that is still haunted by the aftermath of the events in book one. He has become a lot more introspective. Scott is one of the few Shifters who can remember events in other realities while others immediately forget them. This ability is starting to seriously mess with his head. He is beginning to try and second guess every decision that he makes. It’s fascinating to watch him slowly come apart at the seams. The one thing that keeps him going is that his partner, and now girlfriend, Aubrey Jones is still on hand to back him up.

Much as I enjoy Scott’s character, and I really do, it’s Aubrey who is my favourite. With her tough as nails exterior, and her often sardonic attitude, what’s not to love? At times she is brash, confident and outspoken, but this book starts to peel that all away. I was pleased to discover that part of the plot provides some welcome additional insight into Aubrey’s history. She may have been a Shifter longer than Scott but that doesn’t mean she is really any more clued about it than he is. There is a vulnerable side to Jones, hidden deep down, that Curran slowly brings to the fore.

Entropy, the term used to describe when Shifters begin to lose their powers due to the end of adolescence, hangs over Scott and his friends like a constant threat. Working as a nice metaphor for becoming an adult the fear of what they will each become is always there in the background.

In addition to all this character insight, Curran also shows real flair when it comes to writing action scenes. There is a very cool Shifter enhanced mixed martial arts bout near the novel’s beginning that is a perfect example of this. The biggest surprise however is the novel’s eventual outcome. Control ends on an absolutely wonderful Planet of the Apes style moment of revelation (the original 1968 version not the remake). Curran totally blindsided me with this. I was so unprepared, it left me a little speechless (anyone who knows me well will realise just how much of a compliment that is).

Kim Curran has expanded on the promise shown in Shift and created an exciting science fiction action adventure series that is great fun to read. Here in book two she has successfully upped the ante and delivered a sequel that is good, if not better than her debut. More please!

I’ll finish by making a prediction of my own – Based on Shift, and now Control, there ain’t any reality out there where Delete (book three) is going to be anything other than AWESOME!

Control is published by Strange Chemistry and is available now. Well worth checking out.

[Christopher Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

CONTROL, Shift to Overdrive

I was provided an advanced reader copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Alternate realities based on the ability of children to redo their decisions. Government conspiracies to rival the likes of Cussler and Brown. No holds barred action and just the right amount of comic book style gore to make a reader squirm and cross their legs. Kim Curran’s CONTROL is YA high octane at its fiercest, on point with Westerfeld’s UGLIES series and definitely just as rewarding, if not more so.

The plot itself—and the concept of living in a world where a person’s undoing of a decision keeps reality in constant flux—was the first intriguing aspect of this book for me. Often when dealing in time-slip/ simultaneous realities material, writers tend to either lose me with the complexity of their squiggly time line, compounded by insisting on plugging in the quantum physics for justification--or they botch the mess bad enough that their plot holes contain their own freaking event horizons. So then, a salute to Ms Curran for one superbly orchestrated plot complete with head spinning twists on par with Heinlein’s “All You Zombies,” but delivered with such direct simplicity as to make the story flow with an ease that feeds the action.

The characters are realistic and likeable enough. Scott Tyler has all the workings of a hero, to include attractive naiveté. One of my favorite parts of the relationship between Scott and his girlfriend Aubrey is when she informs him, “…oh and Scott… no girl would be embarrassed to be seen with you…” (Curran) Just one of the signs of life for Scott Tyler that makes him such a perfect protagonist.

Scott’s girlfriend, Aubrey Jones, is a direct and assertive operator, but still has more than her share of teen moments to make her one lightning storm of a bombshell. Ms Curran weaves the emotional conflict and up-down emo-coaster realisms of a teenage girl through Aubrey with such deliberate effectiveness that it layers on the tension and pushes the pace of the story to that point on the speedometer where the needles reads the “r” of “Kilometers per Hour.” I found myself stammering excuses along with Scott towards the end of the book.

Thematically, CONTROL deals with the obvious issues of making one’s decisions count and then standing by them. But more importantly, there is a much appreciated aspect in the horrible home life of Scott and his sister as they deal with non-stop embattled parents. I think that so many YA readers deal with the very same—that battle of broken homes most kids don’t talk about—and CONTROL brings with it a very unique message of hope to these children: “You’re not alone.” And this is why I decided on the five-stars. Of all that Scott Tyler’s world offers, this was so real for me that it sucked me into the story heart and soul.

Overall, I cannot recommend this book enough. I came on board late for this one and am definitely buying SHIFT now, but even as a standalone, CONTROL was one of the better books I have read this year. A must read for the YA thrill seeker!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

Many thanks to Angry Robot/Strange Chemistry for the galley copy (via NetGalley).

Six months after the events from Shift, the first book in the series, Scott is in a good place in his life. Now more confident in his abilities, he is ranked as a third class Fixer and to top it off, he's dating Aubrey Jones. Scott and Aubrey are working together to track down the remaining adult Shifters who had taken part in Project Ganymede, but they are having difficulty locating the elusive Frank Anderson, the last person on their list. Meanwhile, Shifts are occurring; Shifts that, while seemingly harmless, alter everyone's reality in a way that disconcerts no one but Scott. As he struggles to determine which version of the truth is true--or are they all true, in their own way?--Scott must figure out which is more important: restoring a past that only he can remember, or dealing with an immediate present that is dangerously slipping out of his control.

It is easy to say that this story is more of the same when comparing it to Shift, but it would be a correct yet unfair assessment. It is similar in that it retains the same tone and pace as the first book, but the stakes are much higher in this one, with consequences that even Shifting may not set right (the ending in particular left me gawking at the last few paragraphs in disbelief before re-reading the climax). The supporting characters introduced in the previous offering have new roles to play here. Even Scott has changed but in a positive way, having gained confidence and a (slightly) more mature attitude. Thankfully, he is still the same endearing dork that I grew to like so much. He is clearly head over heels for Aubrey, but his narrative is far from sappy. Though romance is not the focus here, this story has its share of moments. Without gushing over them (or trying not to, anyway), I have to admit that I absolutely adore Scott and Aubrey. Their dynamic is yet another bit of continuity that I appreciated--he is oblivious to his appeal and in awe of her, while she remains his steady pillar and source of comfort in an ever changing world. The friendly vibe between them isn't overpowered by nauseating, cloying sentimentality, which frankly would be out of character for either of them.

I appreciated how Ms. Curran refrained from rehashing every key moment from the previous book, which made an exciting story fly by even faster. Most sequels are prone to such repetition, which can be helpful if employed correctly and sparingly, but I feel that authors should simply trust their readers to retain information. I also enjoyed the way new characters got their time in the spotlight without overshadowing the key players.

With a formidable enemy, new allies, character growth, and an ending that will have fans clamoring for the continuation, Control takes everything to the next level.

[Shaheen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Control is an amazing adventure and a great followup to Curran's début, Shift. I loved continuing Scott and Aubery's journey and finding out more about their powers.

My favourite aspect of the book is the intricate plot.  I never knew what was going to happen and l loved it. There's something very satisfying about reading a story as involved and complex as this. The challenge in keeping track of all the realities and consequences explored in Control is a welcome addition to the series - the added complexity makes the story more enjoyable, and Curran does a great job in keeping things straight.

The premise is awesome: someone has Shifted into a completely new reality, which involved changing London's sky line and England's Prime Minister. No one remembers the of reality or realises the size of the Shift involved - no one, that is, except Scott. So while Scott and Aubery are working to round-up the victims and volunteers from Project Ganymede, Scott is struggling to understand what happened and why. The longer he holds on to the old reality, the looser his grip on the current one.

We should talk about Scott. Poor, naïve, self doubting Scott. He's not my favourite character ever, but he's certainly growing on me. His matured in the time I've known him, and I've come to admire his tenacity and unconventional style. Whereas the earlier book focussed on Scott finding out about Shifting, and learning how to do everything, this book explores Scott's ability to retain details of earlier realities and the consequences of the power. Control also progresses ARES from some back-alley program to a government backed agency, which changes how things are done. Scott's challenge in this book has more to do with ethics and the consequences of his decisions, which makes for a deeper, more nuanced story.

I still love Aubery: I think have a crush! She's so brave and smart - I really admire her. We also find out more about her, her past and they way she thinks. In particular, I think her dependance on her Shifting ability to undo any bad decisions is really telling: she's really quite insecure! The other characters in the book didn't really make an impression on me, but the villain was refreshing! I think the end of the book, in particular, puts emphasis on how some decisions can seem really wrong but we never know if the alternatives are a lot worse.

Control ended on this massive cliff-hanger, and I'm not sure what to do with myself now! Delete, the next book in the series, comes out next year, and it's going to be an agonising wait!! This series is one of my favourites, and I highly recommend it to readers interested in science fiction.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.
You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic .

[Tsana Dolichva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Control by Kim Curran is the sequel to Shift which I reviewed last year. I also recently posted an interview with the author to celebrate the launch of this book. You can read it here. Incidentally, if you haven't read the first book, I suggest you do before reading Control, as it's really the kind of series that requires linearity.

Control opens with Scott and Aubrey cleaning up the mess they uncovered at the end of the first book, tracking down the people who had been involved in a dodgy operation they uncovered. In the course of events, they (well mostly Scott, since Aubrey can't remember past timelines) uncover bigger problems with the state of the world. And being super-powered teenagers, of course they try to fix them. And by-golly does this one have an excellent ending. (Consequences: they are things that exist.)

One of my major qualms with Shift was that it was not complex enough in terms of taking advantage of the crazy stuff that could be done with changing timelines. Control does a much better job of this. There is much more weird and slightly confusing (in a good way) stuff going on. In the first book a lot of the focus was on Scott's shifting abilities but in Control, because he can remember past timelines, other people's shifts come into play with much more significance. I appreciated the added complexity. (A possible trade-off is there were two small continuity errors which bugged me a little but which weren't important enough to ruin the story for me.)

The new villain was much better than the first book's villain, partly because being fat wasn't part of their evil ick factor and partly because there were (eventually) shades of grey to their choices. And I do like me some shades of grey. Also the nature of the villain allowed the author to introduce some interesting minor characters with unique shifting abilities or quirks, which helped to flesh out that aspect of the world-building.

One of these minor characters was trans and while their situation was definitely interesting, it was also problematic and might annoy some readers. I don't feel qualified to comment further, but you have been warned.

Overall, Control was a fun, action-packed read. I enjoyed it more than the first book and I would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoyed Shift. I am eagerly awaiting the final book in the series, which should be out next year.

4 / 5 stars

You can read more of my reviews on my blog.

[Kirke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Control starts off a couple of months after Shift. Scott is now a full agent at ARES. Together with his partner and girlfriend Aubrey he has to find new Shifters. Still the last events from the previous book have left a mark on Scott, making him doubt every decision he has ever made. With the ability to remember every choice, that is quite a lot.

His task for the past six months has been tracking down the other adults with the shifting ability. Which has all been going pretty well, except those few times he's been stabbed. Now there is only one person left, Frank Anderson.

Meanwhile there are some other strange things going on. Someone is shifting major decisions, suddenly there is a new Prime Minister, children of important people are getting murdered, then they are alive again... Scott is going nuts with all these changing realities. He is having a hard time figuring out what has changed, what is still the same and why someone would do those things.

Since he is actually the only one who knows something has changed, it is up to him to figure out who is doing this. While trying to figure out what is going on, he starts alienating the one closest to him. Not on purpose, but his quest for the truth becomes so consuming, he starts pushing the limits of their trust in him.

Overall Scott is a very dutiful guy, does what he is supposed to do and tries to go by the rules. Unfortunately that does not always work out the way he wants to. Still his intentions are good.

I also like that dual part of Scott. On the one hand he's a regular teenage boy, trying to get through puberty without making to much of a fool of himself. On the other hand he has this power and with that comes certain responsibilities. So when he gets mad or hurt, he can become very scary. He changes. He's no longer himself and his powers give him the chance to undo all if he wants. It's up to him then to make the right choice.

I liked Control a bit more than Shift, because there is more action and Scott is now growing into his responsibilities and natural leadership qualities. Also there are some major plot twists that I did not see coming. The overall tone of the book becomes a bit more darker and the complexity of shifting becomes more clear. The effect of changing your choices might be greater than you thought.

Ooh and that cliffhanger!!! It's going to be a long wait for the third book to come out!

*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really, really enjoyed this book! The first book in the Shift series was incredibly captivating and Control just furthered this for me. It was full of action, tension, emotions and I was immediately sucked into the story. It's frustrating to have to wait for the third book, Delete. It ended on such a cliff hanger! Kim Curran has introduced me (and got me addicted) to reading from a male point of view. As I think I mentioned in my review of Shift, it is so refreshing to have a change in the narrators gender. It gives an entirely new perspective to events and allows me to explore things from a masculine point of view.

Curran creates an entirely eerie world. Having the ability to shift sounds wonderful, but this novel displays the dangers of it and how easy it is to become reliant upon a gift that is soon to run out. Control follows the path of Scott and Aubrey as they attempt to find the final member of Project Ganymede. Their journey is adventurous, at times incredibly unnerving and so cleverly plotted that I couldn't put the book down. I was ready to feel disappointed with the ending of one of the villains of the book until the very final bit. Did NOT see that coming!

Something that is incredibly refreshing about this series is that, despite some grotesque characters and actions, it does make for a fun read. The humour continues in this book and I loved seeing the relationships roll out between the characters. They all feel like characters that we all know and can place in our own lives. Despite the ability to Shift, the characters are still normal children/ teenagers and it is great to see that Curran doesn't change this. There is still the jealousy, love and tension amongst characters and so much loyalty to each other. Scott and Aubrey's relationship is put to the test and there are so many things which just keep us guessing throughout the novel!

I loved the vulnerability of Scott. I love that he isn't an all macho man, despite his best efforts at times. I love that he tries to do right, but I love that he has flaws. His relationship with his little sister is amazing and I am hoping that we get to see more of this in the next book. If you have yet to read Shift, what are you waiting for? These books aren't my usual cup of tea but I am so glad to have picked them up!

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I found this ARC I didn’t know what to expect. I certainly didn’t know it was a sequel. It had an interesting description that made me want to read it. After I finished Control (Shift 2), it left me with one word: WOW!

In the beginning of the novel, it felt slow with a lot of useless information filling the pages. It’s not! Kim Curran is setting her pieces before she hits the reader with her checkmate. The first half of the book is preamble to the second half. The exposition of the first half gives way to the second half’s action that’s exciting and nonstop, until an actual surprise ending.

You never see this ending coming. I already want a third book for this series. You don’t have to have read the first book, Shift, to get this book. But I’m definitely going to go back and read it. Especially for a certain character, I want to read about the previous version of him.

Having not read the first book, the concept of shifting was a heady idea to wrap around but it works. I came to understand the science of this fiction. Now it’s at war with my love of the Jumper series by Steven Gould. Because they are both such interesting concepts: opening self-contained wormhole through space and time and having the ability to change your decision.

The fact that Scott Tyler can remember these collapsing realities makes me an even more interesting character than David Rice. Anyone that loves Jumper will love the Shift Series: Shift and Control.

[Bethzua · Rating 4 out of 5]

¡Qué lectura tan entretenida! Cómo la disfruté.
Control es una muy buena mini película de Ciencia Ficción, un viaje muy emocionante, lleno de acción, misterio e intriga que culmina con un cliffhanger impresionante que deja al lector con la boca abierta y ansioso por continuar con la tercera entrega.

A pesar de que la primera parte de este libro es más una continuación cuyo propósito es el cierre de algunos puntos del primer libro y que el nuevo conflicto es un poco más complejo, la trama fluye adecuadamente. Nuevamente Scott, el protagonista, es el narrador de la historia y agradezco que la autora no lo haya encasillado como el típico 'héroe' invencible; al contrario, toma el personaje y lo hace cometer errores, sufrir, desesperar, le presenta nuevos y más dificiles retos que conllevan desiciones difíciles. Me emocionó mucho cómo se da el regreso de Benjo Green y me sorprendio gratamente saber que hay una manera diferente de que un villano aporte tanto a la historia sin recurrir a la maldad.

Lo que más amo de estos libros es que la lectura es algo muy loco pues con cada cambio hay resultados alternativos, las situaciones son totalmente diferentes de un párrafo a otro y nunca estás muy seguro de lo que es real y lo que no. Me encanta además que estos cambios siempre tienen algun consecuencia, lo que te hace ponerte en el lugar de Scott y preguntarte también cuáles serán las posiblilidades de que todo el conflicto pueda terminar de la mejor manera posible.

Recomiendo mucho leer tanto Shift como Control.

[Nina (Death, Books, and Tea) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: After the events of Shift, ARES has to run around cleaning up the remnants of Project Ganymede. Scott and Aubrey are going round, when they witness a shift that changes things in a large large way. This leads to an investigation into Frankie Anderson and the project involving the children. In the meantime, Scott discovers there’s more to shifting abilities.
I was generally looking forwards to reading this one. It starts off slowly, being mainly setup, with events getting set up. Benjo’s back! He provides important information for the rest of the investigation. It’s instantly put on a larger scale, with global politics playing a part.
It picks up majorly a little way in, where you start getting everything going really well. The action doesn't stop after a certain point, and it's hard to put down.
Scott and Aubrey’s relationship is very real-it isn’t all perfect, which I liked. The characters themselves also get development-Scott especially. He's flawed, doesn't always do the right thing even with the use of shifting, but he learns things.
I like the fact that in among all the action and investigation, there's also a bit about Scott's family, his parents' fighting, and how it affects him and sister Katie.
With shifting, anything can happen. Many things do happen. Plot twists are very good indeed.
The ending. Woah. Big big thing. Can’t wait for the next one-it promises to be even more epic than these two.

Overall: Strength 4 tea to another great book in this series. Looking forwards to the next one.

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take a shift from your regularly scheduled reading for the dystopian future and we find ourselves with Shifter, Scott Tyler on the ride of his life in Control (Shift, #2) by Kim Curran. Control also plays with the "time travel" idea but on a very different level. Our main protagonist is a shifter which means that by the power of thought he can change the surrounding reality. This concept is really something very intriguing and something that Curran does an excellent job explaining. Also, as a side note, and more and more seemingly rare to the YA genre, this novel is told from the male POV which I really enjoyed.

Just by looking at the cover art for Control you can instantly tell this will be a high-def read! What a dynamic cover that really pulled me in from the get-go!

Control is another second in a series that can also act as a standalone but let me be honest when I say, that after you finish this book you will want both the first (Shift) and the third! This is a fast-paced, action-packed, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of book and boy, what a ride! Curran plays with similar ideas to the Butterfly Effect...eventually you need to stand by your decisions. What is the truth when you keep changing the past and the present alters? The outcome might not be all you wished for...You will not be disappointed as you join Scott and girlfriend, Aubrey on their grand adventure that will uncover a world filled with amazing as well as truly frightening and suspenseful moments!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay. So let me just say this again. This book reminds me a lot of the movie JUMPER . I can’t say if I love this book just because I love the movie, but fairly enough I loved SHIFT because it has an interesting story and twist. The second book ( CONTROL ) made a very good impression too. I was actually starting to be bothered with the whole war thing when I realized it was over. Argh! Can you believe that. Just when the story started to get more interesting it just… ENDED. JUST. LIKE. THAT. A DAMN. CLIFFHANGER. So I checked the Goodreads for the possible next published date of the sequel and I got. NADA. NOTHING. AS in NOTHING AT ALL. Can you even believe that?! *ANNOYED*

Anyway, the book was really good. I love how the author made a tiny flicks of romance despite the action pack scenes. It was all well balanced, the romance, the action, the twist in the story and the damn cliffhanger at the end. It all went well and I just love how the book is. Actually I felt a little off at first because I was really having a hard time remembering the plot for the last book. But I was able to remember some tiny fragments from the first one, so I think that will do. I just hope after this the third sequel will be out fast enough that the second book’s story is still fresh in my mind. Cross-fingers. Anyway! This is a good read. Highly recommended for YA readers.