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Firstborn Trilogy #2
Shift
Having the ability to shapeshift, Sophia is familiar with change. But even she feels the rising tension in her homeland.
A shadowy male and deadly beast reside in their midst. The births of the newest Kynzesti loom. Hostile Mercesti continue to hunt for the Elder Scroll, and a traumatized female is too afraid to use her abilities to stop them.
Topping off Sophia’s stress is Quincy, the male she’s convinced can’t stand her. She rues the loss of their friendship, but can’t figure out how to move past it. She’ll soon learn, however, that mending that rift bears more significance than she ever imagined.
The search for the Elder Scroll takes on unexpected urgency, and Sophia finds herself in a race across the mainland. To stop the Mercesti led by Eirik, she and her companions must get past their differences and unite against them. If they don’t, Eirik will acquire the immense power he seeks, and two of the beings Sophia loves most will die.
A shadowy male and deadly beast reside in their midst. The births of the newest Kynzesti loom. Hostile Mercesti continue to hunt for the Elder Scroll, and a traumatized female is too afraid to use her abilities to stop them.
Topping off Sophia’s stress is Quincy, the male she’s convinced can’t stand her. She rues the loss of their friendship, but can’t figure out how to move past it. She’ll soon learn, however, that mending that rift bears more significance than she ever imagined.
The search for the Elder Scroll takes on unexpected urgency, and Sophia finds herself in a race across the mainland. To stop the Mercesti led by Eirik, she and her companions must get past their differences and unite against them. If they don’t, Eirik will acquire the immense power he seeks, and two of the beings Sophia loves most will die.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2012
18 people are currently reading
535 people want to read
About the author
Raine Thomas
35 books983 followersRaine Thomas is the award-winning author of more than 20 bestselling romances spanning contemporary romance, Sci-Fi romance, and YA fantasy romance. She's a hopeless romantic with a background in the fields of mental health and wedding planning...two areas that intersect far more than one would think. She's also a book fiend, grammar nerd, and editing Red Queen, depending on who you ask.
Be sure to follow Raine on BookBub (https://www.bookbub.com/profile/raine...) to be among the first to learn of any sales, and hop over to her website for your first free read!
Be sure to follow Raine on BookBub (https://www.bookbub.com/profile/raine...) to be among the first to learn of any sales, and hop over to her website for your first free read!
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December 18, 2024It’s always hard to write a review for a series, because less is more to keep from spoiling the story for you. Shift by Raine Thomas picks up where Defy left off and, even though it has been a little while since I read Defy, I was never lost. It surprises me, because I read a ton of books and that is kudos to Raine Thomas for writing such great stories that I remembered so much and my feelings picked up where they had left off.
There are ten different character classes, so if you need help deciphering who’s who, there is a glossary at the end of the book. I won’t go in depth trying to explain them, but I will tell you there are definite communication problems, though love finds a way.
The characters, especially Sophia and Tate are sure to grab your heart and break it all at the same time. Danger surrounds them at every turn, as they have something the villain wants..and he is one wicked devil, who will stop at nothing to get it.
I laughed and I cried along with the characters. They will draw you into their magical world and hold tight. I couldn’t stop reading. Raine Thomas has created a world that amazed me. I often wonder how an author comes up with such a wonderfully written fantasy.
That ending…
I’m glad that Raine Thomas made sure I had the next book handy.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
There are ten different character classes, so if you need help deciphering who’s who, there is a glossary at the end of the book. I won’t go in depth trying to explain them, but I will tell you there are definite communication problems, though love finds a way.
The characters, especially Sophia and Tate are sure to grab your heart and break it all at the same time. Danger surrounds them at every turn, as they have something the villain wants..and he is one wicked devil, who will stop at nothing to get it.
I laughed and I cried along with the characters. They will draw you into their magical world and hold tight. I couldn’t stop reading. Raine Thomas has created a world that amazed me. I often wonder how an author comes up with such a wonderfully written fantasy.
That ending…
I’m glad that Raine Thomas made sure I had the next book handy.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
September 1, 2012
My Review:
Shift which is the sequel to Defy - book 1 in the Firstborn trilogy - definitely surpasses it's predecessor as a novel. And that is a lot to say because Defy was a rather perfect book for me. I read it in one day. That's right, one day. And anybody who knows me, knows that I like to take my time with the novels that I read because I like to analyze and dissect, everything. But I have to say, there is something quite magical about reading a Raine Thomas book for me. Her writing style is just so easy to slip into, she really has an amazing talent at creating worlds you can get yourself lost into and at really just painting a picture in your head. You literally feel a bit transported and forget about where you are at for a while, which to me is the testament to great storytelling.
Shift for me definitely was the epitome of what a book should be like when it comes to character development and growth. There is just such an abundance of it and it was really great to get lost in the lives of these tremendously compelling and complex characters that Raine has created for us. This book not only had romance, but it had a really psychological touch to it. Every character had a challenge to overcome, a way of thinking that they needed to Shift in order to grow as people.
And now to the romance in this book. My goodness does Raine Thomas know how to write her romances. They are just Young Adult perfection. No insta-love. No love triangles. It is just so refreshing and the way she writes her male leads should be illegal. They are just so full of soul, depth without ever coming off as cheesy or sappy or overbearing. I can't get enough. And now to the main romance in this book, which is the story of Sophia and Quincy.
What can I say about Sophia and Quincy except that they have to be one of the most endearing couples I have ever read about it. What is so adorable about them is their cluelessness when it comes to knowing whether they like each other or not, they just have a certain naiveté that is so charming because since both characters are extremely intelligent, the reader can tell that their main problem is getting out of their head and following their hearts. For them in this story, it was about finding a balance between logic and trusting their emotions. And it was really great to read about. They were beyond lovely.
The secondary characters in this novel are also quite amazing. They are all really well developed characters that are fleshed out and have really unique character traits and personal dilemmas to overcome. With Raine Thomas books, I have noticed, you always are gonna be presented with a cast of characters that will not be used as just a literary device to move the story along, but who are just as important as the main characters and also really need to face whatever is challenging them emotionally or psychologically. For fans of the new characters presented in Defy, do not worry, you get a lot of Tate and Zachariah in this book too, who are always so much fun to read about and you also get to learn much more about the personality and quality traits of other characters who were not focused on as much in book 1, but who get to shine much more in Shift.
Something that really shined for me in this book besides the amazing character development, were the villains in this book. They were really delusional and power thirsty and cruel and we all know that in order for a hero/heroine to step his or her game up, you need that ruthless villain in the story to propel him or her from being a passive character to a very proactive one and that definitely happens in Shift. Furthermore, what I thought was really great about the way in which Raine Thomas wrote the villains in this book was that they really were cautionary tales of how not to be in life. Because some of these guys were just so power hungry and delusional that they would eventually forget logic and throw themselves so much into their evil plans that they would lose sight of everything and devolve into utter cruelty and madness, which we all know, for a while might make them feel powerful, but in the long run, always comes back to bite them in their tails.
My Rating: 5/5
Shift which is the sequel to Defy - book 1 in the Firstborn trilogy - definitely surpasses it's predecessor as a novel. And that is a lot to say because Defy was a rather perfect book for me. I read it in one day. That's right, one day. And anybody who knows me, knows that I like to take my time with the novels that I read because I like to analyze and dissect, everything. But I have to say, there is something quite magical about reading a Raine Thomas book for me. Her writing style is just so easy to slip into, she really has an amazing talent at creating worlds you can get yourself lost into and at really just painting a picture in your head. You literally feel a bit transported and forget about where you are at for a while, which to me is the testament to great storytelling.
Shift for me definitely was the epitome of what a book should be like when it comes to character development and growth. There is just such an abundance of it and it was really great to get lost in the lives of these tremendously compelling and complex characters that Raine has created for us. This book not only had romance, but it had a really psychological touch to it. Every character had a challenge to overcome, a way of thinking that they needed to Shift in order to grow as people.
And now to the romance in this book. My goodness does Raine Thomas know how to write her romances. They are just Young Adult perfection. No insta-love. No love triangles. It is just so refreshing and the way she writes her male leads should be illegal. They are just so full of soul, depth without ever coming off as cheesy or sappy or overbearing. I can't get enough. And now to the main romance in this book, which is the story of Sophia and Quincy.
What can I say about Sophia and Quincy except that they have to be one of the most endearing couples I have ever read about it. What is so adorable about them is their cluelessness when it comes to knowing whether they like each other or not, they just have a certain naiveté that is so charming because since both characters are extremely intelligent, the reader can tell that their main problem is getting out of their head and following their hearts. For them in this story, it was about finding a balance between logic and trusting their emotions. And it was really great to read about. They were beyond lovely.
The secondary characters in this novel are also quite amazing. They are all really well developed characters that are fleshed out and have really unique character traits and personal dilemmas to overcome. With Raine Thomas books, I have noticed, you always are gonna be presented with a cast of characters that will not be used as just a literary device to move the story along, but who are just as important as the main characters and also really need to face whatever is challenging them emotionally or psychologically. For fans of the new characters presented in Defy, do not worry, you get a lot of Tate and Zachariah in this book too, who are always so much fun to read about and you also get to learn much more about the personality and quality traits of other characters who were not focused on as much in book 1, but who get to shine much more in Shift.
Something that really shined for me in this book besides the amazing character development, were the villains in this book. They were really delusional and power thirsty and cruel and we all know that in order for a hero/heroine to step his or her game up, you need that ruthless villain in the story to propel him or her from being a passive character to a very proactive one and that definitely happens in Shift. Furthermore, what I thought was really great about the way in which Raine Thomas wrote the villains in this book was that they really were cautionary tales of how not to be in life. Because some of these guys were just so power hungry and delusional that they would eventually forget logic and throw themselves so much into their evil plans that they would lose sight of everything and devolve into utter cruelty and madness, which we all know, for a while might make them feel powerful, but in the long run, always comes back to bite them in their tails.
My Rating: 5/5
September 7, 2015
Shift follows the events that occurred in Defy as the back story but it focuses on Sophia and Quincy as the protagonists. I looked forward to reading Sophia's story because she is different in appearance and abilities from the rest of her class due to her different DNA. Thus, it is curious to see how she sees herself and how she copes with the fact that she is different. Where Tate is defiant, free-spirited and stubborn, Sophia's personality shines through her intellect and her ability to reason. However, this also makes her prone to come to wrong conclusions when it comes to the matters of heart and Quincy.
Quincy has been staying with the family to oversee the pregnancies of the Saraquel daughters as he is an obstetrician. However, Saraquel was his best friend and he is considered like family to them. His feelings for Sophia extend far beyond the love one has for family and it seems everyone is aware of it except Sophia herself. This is also true for Sophie. It is interesting to see two people apparently so in love with each other trying to hide behind the shadow of masked emotions. Both of them are convinced that the other cannot stand the site of them.
But when Quincy has to recount the events that led to Saraquel's death, Sophia sees that he has no one to comfort him. This leads to an intervention where Sophia ends up blurting out her thoughts out loud. Quincy immediately sees the error of his way but the plans of Eirik and Metis stands in the way. Sophia also has to fully embrace her ability to shift and it is very interesting to see her change in that way.
The relationship of Tate and Zachariah also feature in Shift and it is good to read about their relationship and read more about the background of Zachariah. A big event occurs in Shift which changes their relationship forever and I didn't see it coming at all.
Shift gives a deeper insight into the evil plan introduced in Defy. For the Mercesti to become an Elder, the help of abilities Ariana and Tate have are required. Hence, it becomes a race against time as the Elders seek to get to the scroll before Eirik can and this ensues much of the action in the book.
Even though the book deals with a lot of characters, each of them have something different to offer to the reader. Raine Thomas has written everything with such preciseness that it wasn't hard to keep up with all that was happening in Shift. It would be interesting to see how things end for everyone in Elder as the big revelation at the end of Shift had me reeling for the last book. Shift is a great book with humor, awkwardness, romance, betrayal and action all packed in together making it a page-turner of a book.
Quincy has been staying with the family to oversee the pregnancies of the Saraquel daughters as he is an obstetrician. However, Saraquel was his best friend and he is considered like family to them. His feelings for Sophia extend far beyond the love one has for family and it seems everyone is aware of it except Sophia herself. This is also true for Sophie. It is interesting to see two people apparently so in love with each other trying to hide behind the shadow of masked emotions. Both of them are convinced that the other cannot stand the site of them.
But when Quincy has to recount the events that led to Saraquel's death, Sophia sees that he has no one to comfort him. This leads to an intervention where Sophia ends up blurting out her thoughts out loud. Quincy immediately sees the error of his way but the plans of Eirik and Metis stands in the way. Sophia also has to fully embrace her ability to shift and it is very interesting to see her change in that way.
The relationship of Tate and Zachariah also feature in Shift and it is good to read about their relationship and read more about the background of Zachariah. A big event occurs in Shift which changes their relationship forever and I didn't see it coming at all.
Shift gives a deeper insight into the evil plan introduced in Defy. For the Mercesti to become an Elder, the help of abilities Ariana and Tate have are required. Hence, it becomes a race against time as the Elders seek to get to the scroll before Eirik can and this ensues much of the action in the book.
Even though the book deals with a lot of characters, each of them have something different to offer to the reader. Raine Thomas has written everything with such preciseness that it wasn't hard to keep up with all that was happening in Shift. It would be interesting to see how things end for everyone in Elder as the big revelation at the end of Shift had me reeling for the last book. Shift is a great book with humor, awkwardness, romance, betrayal and action all packed in together making it a page-turner of a book.
August 31, 2012
Okay so I haven't been writing reviews for the last couple of books I have read because I was always taught if you don't have nothing nice to say don't say it at all but this book is nothing like that...it was AWESOME!!!!
Reading a Raine Thomas book only has one downfall, you might get fired because you really don't want to stop reading even to go to work or you do what I did and stop working and sneak off to read "just one more chapter".
The book is very well written, the way she can paint a picture with words is a gift and come on the way she describes the males the of story I just wish one would pop off the pages for me.
The journey that the Kynzesti take in this book is nothing short of spectacular. So Oliva out of all the Kynzesti is the scientific/fact minded one and that is not allowing to see what is right in front of her and the things she has to go through to realize what she has always known keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Now the biggest surprise and the thing I loved most about this book is actually the Tate and Zachariah journey that is playing out in the background. Tate has always been the one to go against the grain of everything she knows, as seen in Defy, so it is only fitting that her relationship with Zachariah is sealed in an unconventional way. Literally I was grinning from ear to ear when I realized what happened when they woke up.
I cannot wait until the next book, I have a lot of questions that have to be answered and I think the wait for it is going to drive me crazy enough. I couldn't even bring myself to read the exercept that came with the book because I think it would have made the wait that much worst.
Reading a Raine Thomas book only has one downfall, you might get fired because you really don't want to stop reading even to go to work or you do what I did and stop working and sneak off to read "just one more chapter".
The book is very well written, the way she can paint a picture with words is a gift and come on the way she describes the males the of story I just wish one would pop off the pages for me.
The journey that the Kynzesti take in this book is nothing short of spectacular. So Oliva out of all the Kynzesti is the scientific/fact minded one and that is not allowing to see what is right in front of her and the things she has to go through to realize what she has always known keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Now the biggest surprise and the thing I loved most about this book is actually the Tate and Zachariah journey that is playing out in the background. Tate has always been the one to go against the grain of everything she knows, as seen in Defy, so it is only fitting that her relationship with Zachariah is sealed in an unconventional way. Literally I was grinning from ear to ear when I realized what happened when they woke up.
I cannot wait until the next book, I have a lot of questions that have to be answered and I think the wait for it is going to drive me crazy enough. I couldn't even bring myself to read the exercept that came with the book because I think it would have made the wait that much worst.
August 30, 2012
Raine Thomas has done it again! Shift is amazing-goodness-I-love-it-so-much. In this book we follow Sophia. She has a sweet innocence about her, and her intelligence is incredible. Where everyone else sees how great she is, especially a certain someone, all she sees is how different she is from other Estilorians. For being so smart, the girl can’t see what’s right in front of her. Luckily for her, that’s all about to change.
Sophia and her family are preparing and training to do what’s necessary to find the Elder Scroll. Things get extremely intense because they aren’t the only ones searching for it. Eirik will stop at nothing to find the Elder Scroll. No one is safe from his devious plan.
Quincy is adorable when it comes to Sophia. I loved reading about his feelings for her. He is genuine, compassionate, and admirable in his thoughts and actions. If only Sophia would open her eyes…
I enjoyed meeting new characters, especially Melanthe and Derian! I’m so ready to read Elder! The ending left me breathless and squealing for more. I’m really looking forward to Clara Kate’s story. I love the Estilorians. Thank you, Raine, for sharing this world with me. I’m in awe of your talent.
Sophia and her family are preparing and training to do what’s necessary to find the Elder Scroll. Things get extremely intense because they aren’t the only ones searching for it. Eirik will stop at nothing to find the Elder Scroll. No one is safe from his devious plan.
Quincy is adorable when it comes to Sophia. I loved reading about his feelings for her. He is genuine, compassionate, and admirable in his thoughts and actions. If only Sophia would open her eyes…
I enjoyed meeting new characters, especially Melanthe and Derian! I’m so ready to read Elder! The ending left me breathless and squealing for more. I’m really looking forward to Clara Kate’s story. I love the Estilorians. Thank you, Raine, for sharing this world with me. I’m in awe of your talent.
August 30, 2012
As seen on Ed and Em's Reviews!
So, I was really hoping that there would be a blog tour for Shift, the second book in the Firstborn series by Raine Thomas. After reading the first book, Defy back in May for a previous blog tour, I was almost desperate to read the next book! Lucky me, right? As soon as I got an email from YA Bound Tours, I signed up! This series has completely captured my interest and I've found it to be unforgettable!
Shift is all about Sophia and Quincy - romance wise. Honestly, the romance is not the only part of this novel that really keeps your interest. (It's shocking that I've actually said this, I know. I'm quite surprised, too!) The conflict, minor characters, a prose will hook you from the very beginning. You'll have no choice but to follow Quincy and Sophia's story in utter fascination. The best part of that is that you won't have a problem, either! It's addicting!
I adore these characters! Especially the cameo of the couple that Defy revolved around, Tate and Zachariah. Tate is hilarious and awesome! Just reading her first appearance in this novel made me remember why I loved book one so much! She's witty and light-hearted with a flare for being rebellious. And Zachariah has that sexy alpha male thing going on. He and Tate are great for each other. My favorite character in this novel though, is definitely Quincy. He's such a sweetheart and has the best intentions at heart. Plus, he love for Sophia makes me sigh happily. Sophia got on my nerves some times. She has a tendency to overreact and not fully thinking things through. So basically, she's your everyday teenage girl. What I loved most about these characters is that none of them seemed forced or fake, each one had a role in the story and they carried it out perfectly. Plus, they all mesh together very well!
The plot line is as intriguing in this book as it was in the book before it. I couldn't help but be sucked in until the very end. There is so much to grasp that you really have to read carefully to make sure you caught all the information! I seriously enjoyed it and found myself, for the most part, unable to put it down because the conflicts and adventure had me on the edge of my seat. It should be noted that I did have to stop a few times to do some laundry and cook dinner, it was not of my own free will.
I would honestly recommend reading the prequel series before starting Defy and Shift. The world that Ms. Thomas beings to life can hard to keep up with if you don't learn everything about it with the original characters. It's a great series, so definitely get a copies of the previous books. I can't wait to see what the author gives us in the next book! I'm sure it will be a phenomenal addition to a great series!
I received a free e-copy of this novel for a blog tour in exchange for my honest review.
So, I was really hoping that there would be a blog tour for Shift, the second book in the Firstborn series by Raine Thomas. After reading the first book, Defy back in May for a previous blog tour, I was almost desperate to read the next book! Lucky me, right? As soon as I got an email from YA Bound Tours, I signed up! This series has completely captured my interest and I've found it to be unforgettable!
Shift is all about Sophia and Quincy - romance wise. Honestly, the romance is not the only part of this novel that really keeps your interest. (It's shocking that I've actually said this, I know. I'm quite surprised, too!) The conflict, minor characters, a prose will hook you from the very beginning. You'll have no choice but to follow Quincy and Sophia's story in utter fascination. The best part of that is that you won't have a problem, either! It's addicting!
I adore these characters! Especially the cameo of the couple that Defy revolved around, Tate and Zachariah. Tate is hilarious and awesome! Just reading her first appearance in this novel made me remember why I loved book one so much! She's witty and light-hearted with a flare for being rebellious. And Zachariah has that sexy alpha male thing going on. He and Tate are great for each other. My favorite character in this novel though, is definitely Quincy. He's such a sweetheart and has the best intentions at heart. Plus, he love for Sophia makes me sigh happily. Sophia got on my nerves some times. She has a tendency to overreact and not fully thinking things through. So basically, she's your everyday teenage girl. What I loved most about these characters is that none of them seemed forced or fake, each one had a role in the story and they carried it out perfectly. Plus, they all mesh together very well!
The plot line is as intriguing in this book as it was in the book before it. I couldn't help but be sucked in until the very end. There is so much to grasp that you really have to read carefully to make sure you caught all the information! I seriously enjoyed it and found myself, for the most part, unable to put it down because the conflicts and adventure had me on the edge of my seat. It should be noted that I did have to stop a few times to do some laundry and cook dinner, it was not of my own free will.
I would honestly recommend reading the prequel series before starting Defy and Shift. The world that Ms. Thomas beings to life can hard to keep up with if you don't learn everything about it with the original characters. It's a great series, so definitely get a copies of the previous books. I can't wait to see what the author gives us in the next book! I'm sure it will be a phenomenal addition to a great series!
I received a free e-copy of this novel for a blog tour in exchange for my honest review.
August 30, 2012
As soon as I finished Defy, I knew that I wanted to start Shift right away! Thankfully, I was able to. This series gets you right from the beginning and you cannot put it down, and you will want to read each book right after each other. I do not know what I am going to do until Elder comes out! AHHHH!
Shift starts off right where Defy left off. It is a few weeks after the events in Defy, but the story picks up right from the ending, so you don't really feel like you are reading 2 different books, with the exception that each book is more focused on certain characters. Defy was about Tate's story and Shift is about Sophia's. I used to not be a fan of series or trilogies that each book was about a different character, but I am a total fan now. I do still love series/trilogies that are about the same character and different trials and what not they go through, but the way that this series is written, even though it is focused more on Sophia and her life, you still get a lot of info about what is still going on with Tate and Zachariah and the rest of the bunch, so it doesn't feel too greatly departed and separate.
I love Sophia and Quincy's odd relationship in Defy, and we get more into the awkward relationship in Shift. I love stories where two people love each other but think that the opposite person just hates them. I don't know why, but it makes me happy in the end when they realize that the opposite person never hated them to begin with. One this that I loved about this story, is that it wasn't dragged out. Sophia and Quincy find out fairly quickly how the other one feels, how they handle it of course, it how it is able to become a longer story. Raine wrote these characters so well. She made their emotions real, and their struggles realistic and plausible. She really created an amazing world with The Estilorian and I lovedc every minute of it.
Throughout this story, I cried and gasped and got goosebumps. Raine really knows how to pull the emotions out of the reader, and I literally cannot stop thinking about this book. By the time I got down to the last 5-7 chapters, I was a mess of happiness and anger and tears. But everything worked out and I have absolutely no complaints about this book what so ever!! Amazing book Raine, I cannot wait for Elder, it is going to be AMAZING!!!!
Shift starts off right where Defy left off. It is a few weeks after the events in Defy, but the story picks up right from the ending, so you don't really feel like you are reading 2 different books, with the exception that each book is more focused on certain characters. Defy was about Tate's story and Shift is about Sophia's. I used to not be a fan of series or trilogies that each book was about a different character, but I am a total fan now. I do still love series/trilogies that are about the same character and different trials and what not they go through, but the way that this series is written, even though it is focused more on Sophia and her life, you still get a lot of info about what is still going on with Tate and Zachariah and the rest of the bunch, so it doesn't feel too greatly departed and separate.
I love Sophia and Quincy's odd relationship in Defy, and we get more into the awkward relationship in Shift. I love stories where two people love each other but think that the opposite person just hates them. I don't know why, but it makes me happy in the end when they realize that the opposite person never hated them to begin with. One this that I loved about this story, is that it wasn't dragged out. Sophia and Quincy find out fairly quickly how the other one feels, how they handle it of course, it how it is able to become a longer story. Raine wrote these characters so well. She made their emotions real, and their struggles realistic and plausible. She really created an amazing world with The Estilorian and I lovedc every minute of it.
Throughout this story, I cried and gasped and got goosebumps. Raine really knows how to pull the emotions out of the reader, and I literally cannot stop thinking about this book. By the time I got down to the last 5-7 chapters, I was a mess of happiness and anger and tears. But everything worked out and I have absolutely no complaints about this book what so ever!! Amazing book Raine, I cannot wait for Elder, it is going to be AMAZING!!!!
August 28, 2012
I have followed Ms. Raine’s works from the first book Becoming; this is where I fell in love the new world and characters that she created. So it is a joy to have read Shift which proved to be just as great as it’s predecessors… Shift follows the tale of one of the children of the original cast from the Daughters Of Saraquel trilogy, Sophia. Sophia has always felt “different” from the others in her family, smaller, she felt more fragile, and she also hated how she was fairer than the others, in fact Sopia felt herself a freak! But she grew up with her families closeness and acceptance, and her best friend Quincy, a friend of the family, who also was her closest counter part while growing.
But Sophia noticed a change in their relationship when she finally obtained her final form, Quincy became more stand offish, and this solidified her feelings that she indeed was somehow “less” than the others. But soon things change and Sophia comes into her own, when she learns to control her shifts(she is a shapeshifter) and Sophia is one of those who has to go on the journey for the scroll piece; which fast becomes a race to save members of her direct family, but possibly her people….In this journey, she finds out the truth regarding what is happeningwith Quincy, why he is so standoffish…and Sophia also learns the truth in why she is different than the others, and must learn to accept who she is, and embrace where her life is leading, and not how it begun.
Shift (FirstBorn Trilogy,Book2) is a perfect addition to add to your Estilorians collection; a perfect escape into the world that Raine Thomas has created,and what a world! This world is full of adventure, passion, devotion and never can forget love! Shift has something for everyone, and the intricate plotline keeps the reader intrigue, wondering what will happen next, what WILL the author throw next to these captivating characters! This is a must read if you have been following Ms. Thomas’s books and if you are new, then please go back and check out Author Raine Thomas’s other titles and you will become hooked too:)
Check it out guys:)
August 27, 2012
I loved this book! It had even more adventure that the one before, more character growth, more bad guys, more twists and turns, and more romance! Can’t really ask for more than that!
The story revolves around Sophia, daughter of my two favorite characters in the Daughters of Saraqael series, James and Olivia, and how her desire to do the right thing for her family helps her realize her own strength. She learns so much about herself in this story, both about her past and her abilities, and it shapes how she handles the challenges put before her.
As I think back to Central, I see some of Olivia’s characteristics in Sophia. Neither of them is the strongest of the bunch and both question their abilities at first. But, they also share their tenacity and, ultimately, their unwavering desire to do the right thing and protect those they love. Speaking of love, Quincy is such a great character. He’s experienced so much in his life and is so strong as the resident “doctor” in the Estilorian plane, yet he has a naivety about him that’s completely endearing! Now, in truth, I wanted to talk some sense into both Quincy and Sophia early on but, as it turns out, they figured it out themselves…and that made me happy.
Even though Sophia and Quincy are meant to be the main characters in this book, this is truly an ensemble piece. Several story lines and characters play prominent roles in the adventure to find the Elder Scroll before the cunning Mercesti Eirik and Metis. Zachariah and Tate (whose romance heats up even as the danger they find themselves in increases), Tiege and Ariana, the elders and someone who surprised me with his appearance all enhance the story and pull the reader into the story from the very beginning. The creativity that’s gone into making the Estilorian plane crystal clear and characters vivid and endearing makes this series a wonderful read! I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment in this series!
The story revolves around Sophia, daughter of my two favorite characters in the Daughters of Saraqael series, James and Olivia, and how her desire to do the right thing for her family helps her realize her own strength. She learns so much about herself in this story, both about her past and her abilities, and it shapes how she handles the challenges put before her.
As I think back to Central, I see some of Olivia’s characteristics in Sophia. Neither of them is the strongest of the bunch and both question their abilities at first. But, they also share their tenacity and, ultimately, their unwavering desire to do the right thing and protect those they love. Speaking of love, Quincy is such a great character. He’s experienced so much in his life and is so strong as the resident “doctor” in the Estilorian plane, yet he has a naivety about him that’s completely endearing! Now, in truth, I wanted to talk some sense into both Quincy and Sophia early on but, as it turns out, they figured it out themselves…and that made me happy.
Even though Sophia and Quincy are meant to be the main characters in this book, this is truly an ensemble piece. Several story lines and characters play prominent roles in the adventure to find the Elder Scroll before the cunning Mercesti Eirik and Metis. Zachariah and Tate (whose romance heats up even as the danger they find themselves in increases), Tiege and Ariana, the elders and someone who surprised me with his appearance all enhance the story and pull the reader into the story from the very beginning. The creativity that’s gone into making the Estilorian plane crystal clear and characters vivid and endearing makes this series a wonderful read! I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment in this series!
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February 7, 2016
The second installment was someways better than the first, mainly because I was already familiar with the vocab, the characters and their relationships towards each other. It just read smoother. But it also felt like alot more plot, less focused on individuals (in this case, Tate and Zachariah), but that might be my imagination just as well, since Sophia and Quincy were frequented. I liked them a lot, but not quite as much as Tate and Zachariah. I liked what Thomas let shimmer through about their relationship. Made me grin quite often, just like they did in Defy. However, overall it was less interesting on the romance level. I mean, it was clear there are pairs practically destined for each other, and it will happen, but... it still felt a little low on this front.
Anyways, there was soo much to discover! New characters, new really bad guys, and I'm still half clueless how it's all supposed to sort itself out. This new Mercesti clan Sophia found should prove interesting, seems like Zachariah wasn't the only one forced into this kind of wrong existence. I'm curious what kind of stories they will tell. Then there's Eirik and his search for the Elder Scroll. I'm pretty sure there'll be a showdown when they all find the last piece simultaniously, I hope it's gonna be epic! And, of course, there's torture to endure and people to rescue... I'm looking forward to Elder very much, and then I'm gonna read the preceding trilogy Daughters of Saraquel as well.
Area Scan: Style: 4/5 -- Plot: 5/5 -- Characters: 3.5/5 -- Romance: 3.5/5 -- Action: 5/5 -- Drama: 4/5 -- Humor: 4/5 -- Fantasy: 4/5
Overall: 4.5
Anyways, there was soo much to discover! New characters, new really bad guys, and I'm still half clueless how it's all supposed to sort itself out. This new Mercesti clan Sophia found should prove interesting, seems like Zachariah wasn't the only one forced into this kind of wrong existence. I'm curious what kind of stories they will tell. Then there's Eirik and his search for the Elder Scroll. I'm pretty sure there'll be a showdown when they all find the last piece simultaniously, I hope it's gonna be epic! And, of course, there's torture to endure and people to rescue... I'm looking forward to Elder very much, and then I'm gonna read the preceding trilogy Daughters of Saraquel as well.
Area Scan: Style: 4/5 -- Plot: 5/5 -- Characters: 3.5/5 -- Romance: 3.5/5 -- Action: 5/5 -- Drama: 4/5 -- Humor: 4/5 -- Fantasy: 4/5
Overall: 4.5
August 24, 2012
So far each and everyone of Raine's books as made it to my read over and over again list and SHIFT is no exception.
I love the individuality of the characters, I love the relationships between the characters, I love the Estilorian world that Raine as created. I just love it.
In SHIFT the focus is on Sophia, the first born child of Oliver and James as she sets off with her cousins in the search for the Elder scroll. Determined to get to it before Eririk. She unexpectedly finds herself separated and on a different path to her companions.
At times I wanted to shake both Sophia and Quincy, the way they felt about each other is clear to everyone except to themselves. Quincy is terrified how her parents will react if he tells them he is in love with there daughter and Sophia as convinced her self that Quincy is appalled by how she look as she looks so different to the other Kynzesti class. Finding out why she is different to her siblings and cousins comes as shocking news and she feels hurt and betrayed by the people she loved and trusted even if she understands why know one told her
Sophia really grows in this book and proves to everyone just how strong, stubborn and determined she is despite her size. When it comes the people she loves there is nothing she wont do to help, protect and rescue them.
The cliff hanger at the end has my wanting to read the next instalment now. Unfortunately I will have to wait
I really enjoyed SHIFT a great read that had me hooked and unable to put down until I had devoured the book again and again.
I love the individuality of the characters, I love the relationships between the characters, I love the Estilorian world that Raine as created. I just love it.
In SHIFT the focus is on Sophia, the first born child of Oliver and James as she sets off with her cousins in the search for the Elder scroll. Determined to get to it before Eririk. She unexpectedly finds herself separated and on a different path to her companions.
At times I wanted to shake both Sophia and Quincy, the way they felt about each other is clear to everyone except to themselves. Quincy is terrified how her parents will react if he tells them he is in love with there daughter and Sophia as convinced her self that Quincy is appalled by how she look as she looks so different to the other Kynzesti class. Finding out why she is different to her siblings and cousins comes as shocking news and she feels hurt and betrayed by the people she loved and trusted even if she understands why know one told her
Sophia really grows in this book and proves to everyone just how strong, stubborn and determined she is despite her size. When it comes the people she loves there is nothing she wont do to help, protect and rescue them.
The cliff hanger at the end has my wanting to read the next instalment now. Unfortunately I will have to wait
I really enjoyed SHIFT a great read that had me hooked and unable to put down until I had devoured the book again and again.
August 30, 2012
This book had me pretty much the very beginning. I fell in love with the characters in Defy, and even more so with this book. You are literally at the end of your seat from almost the very beginning!
I love the Estilorian series, and had to read this one as soon as I knew Raine was writing it! I read the excerpts on her site, and knew it wouldn't be enough. I had to read the books from start to finish!
I loved Sophia in Defy, and I loved her interaction with Quincy. She was so wrong in what she thought his feelings were for her, and he didn't help matters in the way he acted around her...
I read this book in literally two days. Read myself into exhaustion for two days!! I had to know what happened! I was saddened with Zacharaiah, and appalled at Knorbis's actions, horrified at what happens Malukali. There was a difference of feelings I had while reading this book!
Great job Raine!!! Can't wait for the next one!!!
I love the Estilorian series, and had to read this one as soon as I knew Raine was writing it! I read the excerpts on her site, and knew it wouldn't be enough. I had to read the books from start to finish!
I loved Sophia in Defy, and I loved her interaction with Quincy. She was so wrong in what she thought his feelings were for her, and he didn't help matters in the way he acted around her...
I read this book in literally two days. Read myself into exhaustion for two days!! I had to know what happened! I was saddened with Zacharaiah, and appalled at Knorbis's actions, horrified at what happens Malukali. There was a difference of feelings I had while reading this book!
Great job Raine!!! Can't wait for the next one!!!
September 3, 2014
Sophia's story seems to be a much more romantic tale than her cousin's. She is more studious and shy, something I couldn't really relate to as well as I would like, but that is entirely me, NOT the author!! This book is a sweet and much calmer continuation of the Firstborn Trilogy. These cousins make me envy their closeness in a world where we are rarely close to this extent. Their devotion and sheer love for each other is heartfelt and loving, and the romance is just heart warming... I think the best thing I could say, is that this book is endearing. Raine's professional style of writing, combined with her clear understanding of ALL kinds of personalities shines through in this book. It is yet another winner in my book!
September 4, 2012
As soon as I finished Defy, I knew that I wanted to start Shift right away! Thankfully, I was able to. This series gets you right from the beginning and you cannot put it down, and you will want to read each book right after each other. I do not know what I am going to do until Elder comes out! AHHHH!
Read full review at Step Into Fiction
Review completed by: Ashley
Read full review at Step Into Fiction
Review completed by: Ashley
November 4, 2014
I wish I knew how Ms. Thomas did it, every book just gets better and better! Every character she creates is awesome and you can't help but fall in love with them. There is enough nail biting tension for this book to grab you until the end and enough romance and mushy stuff to keep the romantic in everyone satisfied! If you haven't become a die hard fan yet you obviously haven't read any of her other books! Get this book now
March 8, 2013
Raine never fails to engulf us in her mind-blowing scenarios. Addressing psychological issues as the quest for the complete Elder scroll continues,"Shift" struck me as quite risque'and very intriguing.
I can't wait to see what happens next!
I can't wait to see what happens next!
May 19, 2013
I jumped straight onto this series after reading daughters of saraqeal ( which i loved!!!) This series blew me away. The author created such a vivid world with strong and unique characters. This is one of my favorite series
February 15, 2015
Holy light
Raine Thomas does it again! This book had me laughing crying grinding my teeth with anxiety. I'm obsessed with these books and I'm only taking a break from hurriedly reading Elder to write this review and study. I pray she never stops writing about this magical land.
Raine Thomas does it again! This book had me laughing crying grinding my teeth with anxiety. I'm obsessed with these books and I'm only taking a break from hurriedly reading Elder to write this review and study. I pray she never stops writing about this magical land.
Read
August 12, 2025This was a reread for me. This and the next book in the Firstborn trilogy are my least favourite in the Estilorians series, mostly because we don't get to see the romantic partners together as much and that the things that happen make me sad. That being said, that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
November 7, 2012
fter reading Defy, the first book in the Firstborn Trilogy, and thoroughly enjoying Zachariah and Tate’s characters, I was pretty excited to be able to continue the story with these characters along with the new ones that been introduced in the first book. I was looking forward to seeing what kind of mischief Zachariah may end up starting and what would happen between Sophia and Quincy’s characters since Defy explored the dynamic of their relationship a little.
Sophia is driven more by logic and reasoning than emotions. She would rather hide out all day in the laboratory exploring new experiments or plant life or shifting to hang out with the panthers than talk about how she feels with anyone. I could relate to Sophia on a certain level since she’s a nerd and I would prefer reading than anything else *wink* I enjoyed Sophia’s intelligence and kindness. But Sophia did spend a great deal of the novel very angst driven which contradicted the way the author wanted to showcase the character’s personality. I didn’t hate her but I did want to slap her a few times to get it together.
Quincy I really liked from Defy and was happy to get to know more of him in Shift. He is patient and undeniably kind. He never raises his voice and carries himself with a quiet confidence and wisdom. But Quincy spends so much of the book whinnying about his feelings for Sophia but how he couldn’t bring himself to tell her. His thoughts and feelings became redundant after a short time and I just wanted him to finally pull himself up by the bootstraps and confront his fears! He took so long to do it.
Zachariah, Tate, and Tiege also play their roles and I was really happy to see them again. Zachariah as usual is gruff, painfully honest, and couldn’t crack a smile if his life depended on it but that’s what makes his character so hilarious and entertaining. Tate is as care free and bubbly as her mother, Skye, and drives Zachariah crazy which is fun *hehe* I think Zachariah and Tate’s relationship is the best out of the Firstborn Trilogy! Tiege is so cute and sweet and strong. He has such a good heart and is unyielding loyal.
The world building as always is strong and detailed. A reader is swept away into the Estrolian world in lush and vivid landscapes. The action gradually builds up along with the suspense and tension. The romance, which specifically focuses more on Quincy and Sophie but there are some scenes with Zachariah and Tate as well as Tiege developing a budding romance, were pretty good. More the scenes with Zachariah and Tate as well as Teige’s new found relationship.
Even though there were many aspects of the books I did like, not everything worked. I realized as I got halfway done with the book that the plot for Shift (and essentially for Defy) sounded familiar. I didn’t pinpoint it until a major kidnapping scene took place then I realized the plot never changes. The plot for the entire Firstborn Trilogy (thus far) is the same exact plot from the Daughters of Saraqael Trilogy, the only major differences are the characters participating within that plot and the type of scenes placed to execute that plot. Two characters are the center of the book and are in love with each other but are too scared to admit to their feelings. Someone gets kidnapped and needs to be rescued by the entire family. The mothers are still having babies (seriously, how many more kids are these characters going to have?! It’s already bordering on unbelief). Two characters avow themselves to each other. The villain uses someone from the inside to get to the family and betray them. There are background romances going on that will most likely be resolved in the following book. The problem with the Firstborn Trilogy is that there isn’t enough distinction between it and the trilogy it span off, the Daughters of Saraqael Trilogy. The plot is repeated over and over again which makes everything pretty predictable.
I still had some good laugh out loud moments with the characters. I still enjoyed reading my favorite characters, Zachariah, Tate, and Teige. I liked Quincy’s character and being able to know him more in depth. I also really like Clara-Kate’s character and hope there will be more of her in the final book to the trilogy.
Defy was saved by Zachariah and Tate’s relationship because it was such a crazy opposites attract relationship, it worked. Shift survives because Quincy is a pretty great character and Tiege comes out to play more of a role. Perhaps if Sophia would have been portrayed as much as a strong character as Tate the book wouldn’t have been so lack luster.
I will, of course, read the final novel. I am curious to know how the entire trilogy ends and how the various relationships get resolved. I just hope the final book adds a bit more spark to the plot and more depth.
http://www.nerdalien.com/2012/08/blog...
Sophia is driven more by logic and reasoning than emotions. She would rather hide out all day in the laboratory exploring new experiments or plant life or shifting to hang out with the panthers than talk about how she feels with anyone. I could relate to Sophia on a certain level since she’s a nerd and I would prefer reading than anything else *wink* I enjoyed Sophia’s intelligence and kindness. But Sophia did spend a great deal of the novel very angst driven which contradicted the way the author wanted to showcase the character’s personality. I didn’t hate her but I did want to slap her a few times to get it together.
Quincy I really liked from Defy and was happy to get to know more of him in Shift. He is patient and undeniably kind. He never raises his voice and carries himself with a quiet confidence and wisdom. But Quincy spends so much of the book whinnying about his feelings for Sophia but how he couldn’t bring himself to tell her. His thoughts and feelings became redundant after a short time and I just wanted him to finally pull himself up by the bootstraps and confront his fears! He took so long to do it.
Zachariah, Tate, and Tiege also play their roles and I was really happy to see them again. Zachariah as usual is gruff, painfully honest, and couldn’t crack a smile if his life depended on it but that’s what makes his character so hilarious and entertaining. Tate is as care free and bubbly as her mother, Skye, and drives Zachariah crazy which is fun *hehe* I think Zachariah and Tate’s relationship is the best out of the Firstborn Trilogy! Tiege is so cute and sweet and strong. He has such a good heart and is unyielding loyal.
The world building as always is strong and detailed. A reader is swept away into the Estrolian world in lush and vivid landscapes. The action gradually builds up along with the suspense and tension. The romance, which specifically focuses more on Quincy and Sophie but there are some scenes with Zachariah and Tate as well as Tiege developing a budding romance, were pretty good. More the scenes with Zachariah and Tate as well as Teige’s new found relationship.
Even though there were many aspects of the books I did like, not everything worked. I realized as I got halfway done with the book that the plot for Shift (and essentially for Defy) sounded familiar. I didn’t pinpoint it until a major kidnapping scene took place then I realized the plot never changes. The plot for the entire Firstborn Trilogy (thus far) is the same exact plot from the Daughters of Saraqael Trilogy, the only major differences are the characters participating within that plot and the type of scenes placed to execute that plot. Two characters are the center of the book and are in love with each other but are too scared to admit to their feelings. Someone gets kidnapped and needs to be rescued by the entire family. The mothers are still having babies (seriously, how many more kids are these characters going to have?! It’s already bordering on unbelief). Two characters avow themselves to each other. The villain uses someone from the inside to get to the family and betray them. There are background romances going on that will most likely be resolved in the following book. The problem with the Firstborn Trilogy is that there isn’t enough distinction between it and the trilogy it span off, the Daughters of Saraqael Trilogy. The plot is repeated over and over again which makes everything pretty predictable.
I still had some good laugh out loud moments with the characters. I still enjoyed reading my favorite characters, Zachariah, Tate, and Teige. I liked Quincy’s character and being able to know him more in depth. I also really like Clara-Kate’s character and hope there will be more of her in the final book to the trilogy.
Defy was saved by Zachariah and Tate’s relationship because it was such a crazy opposites attract relationship, it worked. Shift survives because Quincy is a pretty great character and Tiege comes out to play more of a role. Perhaps if Sophia would have been portrayed as much as a strong character as Tate the book wouldn’t have been so lack luster.
I will, of course, read the final novel. I am curious to know how the entire trilogy ends and how the various relationships get resolved. I just hope the final book adds a bit more spark to the plot and more depth.
http://www.nerdalien.com/2012/08/blog...
August 31, 2012
This is the second book in the Firstborn trilogy. Picking up from where it was left off in Defy, the children of the daughters of Saraqael must now act quickly to join forces with others and thwart the evil plan of the cruel merciless beings on the Estilorian plane.
Although Tate from Defy still plays a major role in this book, Shift gives us a better glimpse into the lives of the other children of the daughters of Saraqael. Here, we have Tiege, who is the twin brother of Tate; Clara Kate, who is the oldest of all the firstborns; and Sophia, who is the unique cousin with shape-shifting abilities.
What I really like about the main characters is that each of them has a youthful temperament that reflects some facets of the personalities of the daughters of Saraqael. For example, Tate has Skye’s vivaciousness, Clara Kate has Amber’s sense of groundedness and Sophia has Olivia’s talents with wit. Because they are young, emotional and inexperienced, they sometimes make choices that are a little unpredictable. It’s really interesting to watch them eagerly head into the unknowns while learning to survive, grow up and be smart.
As the story proceeds, I start understanding why the evil ones are so keen on getting what they want and why the majority of the Estilorians are so desperate in wanting to stop the evil ones from succeeding. It’s also quite intriguing to learn how the earlier battles (as depicted in the Daughters of Saraqael series) have impacted the lives of those who now reside on the mainland of the Estilorian plane.
While the presence of the children of the daughters of Saraqael seem to be affecting the outcome of the evil plot, it appears that the evil ones are more prepared to outsmart the Estilorian elders in this book. With the elders not united to guide, Tate, Tiege, Clara Kate and Sophia must learn to trust their own abilities to make the right decisions to keep moving forward.
I particularly like Sophia in this book. The only one born to have the ability to shape-shift, Sophia is a bit puzzled by how different she is among her siblings as well as her cousins. She is even more puzzled when Quincy, the family doctor, begins to avoid spending time with her alone. With sharp intelligence, Sophia likes to spend time in her lab conducting experiments. She is also eager to discover new findings to help to enhance the wellness of the firstborns. What I really find remarkable is that even when she is exhausted and lost in an utterly wild and foreign environment, she still manages to calm herself enough to use her wits and come up with a plan to help her fight against all odds to be reunited with her comrades. I like how much she cares about her family. I like how ready she is to always look out for her friends. I like how unbending she can become when she sees what’s right and keeps working on what’s necessary until she uncovers the best solution for all parties involved.
Shift is a page-turner. Characters from earlier books, such as Quincy and Ini-herit, now assume roles that are much bigger than what was previously implied. I personally find it brilliant to see how all major characters come together to build a climactic moment that is plausible, breathtaking and believable.
Entertaining and beautifully crafted, Shift is unpredictably good IMHO. If you’re fascinated by the world of the Estilorians, you’ll surely want to pick this one up and devour it.
--
This post was originally published on my blog.
A copy of the book was provided by the author for review purposes.
Although Tate from Defy still plays a major role in this book, Shift gives us a better glimpse into the lives of the other children of the daughters of Saraqael. Here, we have Tiege, who is the twin brother of Tate; Clara Kate, who is the oldest of all the firstborns; and Sophia, who is the unique cousin with shape-shifting abilities.
What I really like about the main characters is that each of them has a youthful temperament that reflects some facets of the personalities of the daughters of Saraqael. For example, Tate has Skye’s vivaciousness, Clara Kate has Amber’s sense of groundedness and Sophia has Olivia’s talents with wit. Because they are young, emotional and inexperienced, they sometimes make choices that are a little unpredictable. It’s really interesting to watch them eagerly head into the unknowns while learning to survive, grow up and be smart.
As the story proceeds, I start understanding why the evil ones are so keen on getting what they want and why the majority of the Estilorians are so desperate in wanting to stop the evil ones from succeeding. It’s also quite intriguing to learn how the earlier battles (as depicted in the Daughters of Saraqael series) have impacted the lives of those who now reside on the mainland of the Estilorian plane.
While the presence of the children of the daughters of Saraqael seem to be affecting the outcome of the evil plot, it appears that the evil ones are more prepared to outsmart the Estilorian elders in this book. With the elders not united to guide, Tate, Tiege, Clara Kate and Sophia must learn to trust their own abilities to make the right decisions to keep moving forward.
I particularly like Sophia in this book. The only one born to have the ability to shape-shift, Sophia is a bit puzzled by how different she is among her siblings as well as her cousins. She is even more puzzled when Quincy, the family doctor, begins to avoid spending time with her alone. With sharp intelligence, Sophia likes to spend time in her lab conducting experiments. She is also eager to discover new findings to help to enhance the wellness of the firstborns. What I really find remarkable is that even when she is exhausted and lost in an utterly wild and foreign environment, she still manages to calm herself enough to use her wits and come up with a plan to help her fight against all odds to be reunited with her comrades. I like how much she cares about her family. I like how ready she is to always look out for her friends. I like how unbending she can become when she sees what’s right and keeps working on what’s necessary until she uncovers the best solution for all parties involved.
Shift is a page-turner. Characters from earlier books, such as Quincy and Ini-herit, now assume roles that are much bigger than what was previously implied. I personally find it brilliant to see how all major characters come together to build a climactic moment that is plausible, breathtaking and believable.
Entertaining and beautifully crafted, Shift is unpredictably good IMHO. If you’re fascinated by the world of the Estilorians, you’ll surely want to pick this one up and devour it.
--
This post was originally published on my blog.
A copy of the book was provided by the author for review purposes.
August 29, 2012
The endings of book 1 and book 2 kill me! They both get me so pumped full of adrenaline. Fans of Defy will really enjoy Shift. It is about all the same characters but this time, it's Sophia's story. I really liked Sophia from book one but my all time favorite are still Tate and Zachariah. Luckily there is still plenty about them in this story. I caught myself savoring their parts. But Sophia is a great character as well and I really enjoyed seeing her story unfold. She is just a little insecure but so beautiful, inside and out. Plus I love that she can shift into different animals. I loved seeing her get more comfortable with her ability and really more comfortable with herself in general. It can't be easy to be so different physically from everyone else in the community. especially when everyone else stays young,(which still kind of freaks me out) she will always look different. she looks more human and she is considered beautiful by almost all standards.
To me, the real star of the story was the mystery. It's not like the typical who dun it, but someone is taking females and the whole thing just seems like the tip of a much bigger iceberg. One thaT I cannot wait to learn more about! once I hit the half way point of this book I could not put the book down at all. Raine thomas has created such an incredible world. One that has spanned two different series of books. I really need to read the daughters series, because I would really like to see even more of this interesting world that Raine created.
If you like fantasy and adventure books this is the perfect series for you. It will keep you on the edge of you seat. I can't wait to see who you guys like more? Sophia or Tate? And holy cow of crazy endings! it was so intense! If you are not a fan of cliffhangers, be forewarned. There is a big one here. I will def be tuning in for book 3. I need to know what happens next!
To me, the real star of the story was the mystery. It's not like the typical who dun it, but someone is taking females and the whole thing just seems like the tip of a much bigger iceberg. One thaT I cannot wait to learn more about! once I hit the half way point of this book I could not put the book down at all. Raine thomas has created such an incredible world. One that has spanned two different series of books. I really need to read the daughters series, because I would really like to see even more of this interesting world that Raine created.
If you like fantasy and adventure books this is the perfect series for you. It will keep you on the edge of you seat. I can't wait to see who you guys like more? Sophia or Tate? And holy cow of crazy endings! it was so intense! If you are not a fan of cliffhangers, be forewarned. There is a big one here. I will def be tuning in for book 3. I need to know what happens next!
September 23, 2012
This chapter of the Firstborn Trilogy is driven by Sophia. She is different from the rest of her family. She has the capability of shape-shifting, which she does not know how to deal with. While she learns how to accept herself as a special being, she has to deal with her feelings towards Quincy. From Defy, we know there is tension between them and possibly emotional attachment. Now we see how they have fallen in love but are clearly in denial. Sophia flourishes in this second book. As the story progresses she becomes the heroine of the story.
Tate appears too, but now accompanied by Zachariah. Tate needs to be rescued again. The first book left the scrolls quest open and now Tate has been taken for her ability to see the truth and being of high importance to find them. Something that took me for a surprise was that I thought Tate would be more relevant in this book. She interacts with Sophia regularly but, Sophia is the MC and is who promotes the action.
I expect to see more of Sophia as the main in a next book. She is the kind of character from which a new independent story line can be created. She began with a world of uncertainties but ends this chapter showing her assertiveness and her willingness to love and be loved in return.
The Book:
The first thing I want to emphasizes about Shift is its cover. It is a simple yet beautiful image. The contrast between blue and black works really well. The second is the level of creativity this author shows. The story is innovative, the characters are multidimensional and this world provides an infinite set of possibilities for this author to create from.
Thanks to YABound for providing me this copy for review purposes on this blog tour. This book was reviewed according to its merits.
Tate appears too, but now accompanied by Zachariah. Tate needs to be rescued again. The first book left the scrolls quest open and now Tate has been taken for her ability to see the truth and being of high importance to find them. Something that took me for a surprise was that I thought Tate would be more relevant in this book. She interacts with Sophia regularly but, Sophia is the MC and is who promotes the action.
I expect to see more of Sophia as the main in a next book. She is the kind of character from which a new independent story line can be created. She began with a world of uncertainties but ends this chapter showing her assertiveness and her willingness to love and be loved in return.
The Book:
The first thing I want to emphasizes about Shift is its cover. It is a simple yet beautiful image. The contrast between blue and black works really well. The second is the level of creativity this author shows. The story is innovative, the characters are multidimensional and this world provides an infinite set of possibilities for this author to create from.
Thanks to YABound for providing me this copy for review purposes on this blog tour. This book was reviewed according to its merits.
September 11, 2017
Didn't enjoy this as much. I found Sophia and Ariana quite irritating.
August 27, 2012
Did I enjoy this book: I did enjoy this book. I read it every free chance I had. In fact, I had been anxiously awaiting this book after finishing Defy.
Shift picks up about two months after the end of Defy. This book is mainly about Sophia and Quincy. I loved the interaction between those two and knowing what each of them are thinking when they themselves do not. It was great! I also loved seeing Tate and Zachariah together. Their relationship is fantastic.
Shift has a lot of action and adventure. It was wonderful to see the different sides of the characters emerge and develop. Not everyone is as they seem. It was satisfying to see Sophia tap into her powers, finally. Some of the Mercesti are also shown in a different light...they aren't all evil. Poor Knorbis and Ariana. They both are trying to do the right thing which sometimes conflicts with doing what their heart is pulling them towards.
All-in-all, a great read that kept me interested from beginning to end. Speaking of the end, what a cliffhanger!! I cannot wait for the third book to be released!
Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book, especially if you read Defy. If you haven't read Defy, you really should read this series.
Will I read it again: It depends on when the third book is released. I may at some point down the road.
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Shift picks up about two months after the end of Defy. This book is mainly about Sophia and Quincy. I loved the interaction between those two and knowing what each of them are thinking when they themselves do not. It was great! I also loved seeing Tate and Zachariah together. Their relationship is fantastic.
Shift has a lot of action and adventure. It was wonderful to see the different sides of the characters emerge and develop. Not everyone is as they seem. It was satisfying to see Sophia tap into her powers, finally. Some of the Mercesti are also shown in a different light...they aren't all evil. Poor Knorbis and Ariana. They both are trying to do the right thing which sometimes conflicts with doing what their heart is pulling them towards.
All-in-all, a great read that kept me interested from beginning to end. Speaking of the end, what a cliffhanger!! I cannot wait for the third book to be released!
Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book, especially if you read Defy. If you haven't read Defy, you really should read this series.
Will I read it again: It depends on when the third book is released. I may at some point down the road.
http://everyfreechancebookreviews.blo...
August 29, 2012
The second book in the Firstborn trilogy, 'Shift' follows Sophia as she tries to deal with the growing unrest in her homeland, as well as guy troubles and other normal teenage problems. She must find the Elder Scroll before the Mercesti can get their hands on it and kill those that Sophia holds most dear.
This book is full of action, adventure, and plenty of romance. The characters were all interesting and had their own personalities and quirks, which made them instantly likeable. The storyline is really unique with the varying beings and the different ranks among those species. The entire story and history of the trilogy really fascinated me, and I think that the author did a tremendous job of writing it. The plot is fast paced and written well, which makes it a quick and exciting read. I think that the combination of the refreshing storyline and characters, along with the complex world makes this trilogy stand out the in young adult genre. I will definitely be waiting for the final book of the trilogy to see how everything will end. Highly recommended for fans of young adult fantasy!
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is full of action, adventure, and plenty of romance. The characters were all interesting and had their own personalities and quirks, which made them instantly likeable. The storyline is really unique with the varying beings and the different ranks among those species. The entire story and history of the trilogy really fascinated me, and I think that the author did a tremendous job of writing it. The plot is fast paced and written well, which makes it a quick and exciting read. I think that the combination of the refreshing storyline and characters, along with the complex world makes this trilogy stand out the in young adult genre. I will definitely be waiting for the final book of the trilogy to see how everything will end. Highly recommended for fans of young adult fantasy!
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2012
Where to begin? I. LOVE. THESE. BOOKS. Raine's books are compelling and interesting, and keep you hooked from page one. The characters are wonderful. She's able to capture and evoke emotions properly, without being "Cheesy" or cliche. You feel a connection to the story and have many heroes to root for. I loved learning about Quincy and Sophia in this story, and I hope that in the next book, we learn more about Clara-Kate and Ini-herit. Regardless, this was definitely a "must read". 4.5 Stars!! :)
February 5, 2013
I appreciated the book for what it was, a connecting piece within a series of three. Sophia's character was a little for lack of a better word...boring!
Quincy was a character who in my mind just seemed old! It was hard to picture him as this young guy who delivered Sophia as a baby and is now in love with her. The other characters overpowered their story even though the book was suppose to be about them. Now the rest of the story was great and the finale leaves you wondering about what's going to happen next.
Quincy was a character who in my mind just seemed old! It was hard to picture him as this young guy who delivered Sophia as a baby and is now in love with her. The other characters overpowered their story even though the book was suppose to be about them. Now the rest of the story was great and the finale leaves you wondering about what's going to happen next.
October 11, 2016
Just like the first trilogy in this series, these books have proved to be enjoyable and addictive reads. The characters are interesting and the stories are fast-paced and pull you in from the first page. Love the creative world created by the author and the engaging characters in it.
Highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys ya fantasy.
Highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys ya fantasy.
October 15, 2012
The beginning was 5 stars but it did not maintain. I dislike it when the bad guys win and there was a lot of that. The story was great and I will absolutely read the next book but I had to knock off a star for the gigantic cliffhanger.
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