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Shift
225 pages, Paperback
Published December 2, 2024
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6 people want to read
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January 7, 2025
I know this year is still young but I'm already ready to hand out my biggest surprise award. "Shift" is an Indie collection of local to me authors, as the title implies it's about shape shifting and these 6 stories deliver on that premise in extremely creative ways, some Horror, some more speculative, some a bit of both. You want to read something different? This is your book, and you'd support some upcoming writers. Also, that cover? Since when do self published Indie Books have awesome covers???
Full disclaimer: I know 2 of the featured authors, that's actually how the book ended in my lap. Which at first is so exciting and then very quickly awkward. Maybe that's just me but since I usually review only for myself and maybe potential readers in mind it's always a bit weird when I suddenly have a connection to the author/s. I am very worried about not liking what I read with that pressure in the back of my mind, yet I do want to share my true thoughts. Additionally the idea of 6 people "just" from my area putting out a book lowered my expectations, likely weird, you might go into a read like this with more positive thoughts, but I was skeptic. (Trying to be honest here.) And maybe that was a good thing because I was floored by the result. I had been ready to only write a short, a few lines review if this wouldn't work for me but luckily I can treat you to the full experience. I didn't love all the stories, and we'll get to that, but the writing in all of these was so shockingly good. I have read a good amount of Indie publications in my day and writing can be all over the place, I was prepared for some choppy waters. Instead, it was very smooth sailing.
Since it's only 6, let's go through all of them.
1) "As You Say, So They Are": a sort of post-apocalyptic, sort of war scenario that is a fascinating to see unfold, mostly because of the disconnected structure. Little puzzle pieces forming a complete picture, a choice I know not every reader will love since you don't have that main character to follow but instead jump a lot. I am a fan of stories like this. Weirdly enough I think this would be great to expand for a movie, it was very visual for me, at the same time rather concept driven. This was one of the 2 stories here written by someone I know personally and I loved seeing how dark it was. 3.5*
2) "Sam and the Night Shift": a story that appears be about sex work and then takes a very wholesome if sad turn. For me, this was way too short. It read like the first chapter of something bigger, an introduction if you will. I often enjoy Flash Fiction but this was underdeveloped, maybe if expanded upon, there is something interesting here but right now it pales in comparison with the rest. 2*
3) "Aggressive Mimicry": YOU NEED TO READ THIS ONE. I don't care what you think about me promoting a book by friends of mine, this story is spectacular and needs a wider reach. If it helps, I do not know this particular writer but now I pray that Daniluk publishes more. Absolutely unique, so creative. I don't even want to tell you what it's about but to give you a bite: you follow a creature that shifts shapes and after being various animals in the past they are now for the first time a human. But they also feed off humans. Fantastic and what an ending. 5*
4) "Happiness is For Pretty People": The second story written by a friend, also the most contemporary of these, I think you could say this falls into the new sub-genre of "Influencer Horror", and I quite enjoyed this take on that. Then again it deals with themes I think we all can relate to to a degree, especially as young person the wish for you and your life to be more than it currently is can be overpowering. Maybe a bit predictable but the writing was so engaging I didn't really care. And kudos for making the protagonist a bit unlikeable, a bold move I often applaud. 3.5*
5) "Your Blood Will Fuel Our Machines": My least favorite and the longest story. It was just not my taste, it reads like a movie I would absolutely hate. Lots of snarky one liners from the hero (which I could see being played by Bruce Willis á la "5th Element"). A SciFi tale, with spy and heist vibes, lots of fights with lots of weapons, then warnings about climate change, a dark ending that didn't connect with the overall fun tone this was going for so far. I admired the use of futuristic language but didn't enjoy it personally, that being said I honestly think a different type of reader would have a great time with this. 1*
6) "Ursula, the Powerful": Another banger for me. A very ominous coming-of-age story, bullying and loneliness are not new themes within that but this take was fresh and dare I say deliciously sinister. I think whether you want to call this dark Magical Realism or straight up Horror is likely a question of where you personally draw the line. Mostly I just loved reading this one. 4*
All in all, 2 stories I absolutely adored, 2 that were simply really good, and 2 that missed my mark but maybe would hit someone else's. Again, if you like to try innovative short fiction, this is your book.
PS. It's available through amazon. Just saying.
Full disclaimer: I know 2 of the featured authors, that's actually how the book ended in my lap. Which at first is so exciting and then very quickly awkward. Maybe that's just me but since I usually review only for myself and maybe potential readers in mind it's always a bit weird when I suddenly have a connection to the author/s. I am very worried about not liking what I read with that pressure in the back of my mind, yet I do want to share my true thoughts. Additionally the idea of 6 people "just" from my area putting out a book lowered my expectations, likely weird, you might go into a read like this with more positive thoughts, but I was skeptic. (Trying to be honest here.) And maybe that was a good thing because I was floored by the result. I had been ready to only write a short, a few lines review if this wouldn't work for me but luckily I can treat you to the full experience. I didn't love all the stories, and we'll get to that, but the writing in all of these was so shockingly good. I have read a good amount of Indie publications in my day and writing can be all over the place, I was prepared for some choppy waters. Instead, it was very smooth sailing.
Since it's only 6, let's go through all of them.
1) "As You Say, So They Are": a sort of post-apocalyptic, sort of war scenario that is a fascinating to see unfold, mostly because of the disconnected structure. Little puzzle pieces forming a complete picture, a choice I know not every reader will love since you don't have that main character to follow but instead jump a lot. I am a fan of stories like this. Weirdly enough I think this would be great to expand for a movie, it was very visual for me, at the same time rather concept driven. This was one of the 2 stories here written by someone I know personally and I loved seeing how dark it was. 3.5*
2) "Sam and the Night Shift": a story that appears be about sex work and then takes a very wholesome if sad turn. For me, this was way too short. It read like the first chapter of something bigger, an introduction if you will. I often enjoy Flash Fiction but this was underdeveloped, maybe if expanded upon, there is something interesting here but right now it pales in comparison with the rest. 2*
3) "Aggressive Mimicry": YOU NEED TO READ THIS ONE. I don't care what you think about me promoting a book by friends of mine, this story is spectacular and needs a wider reach. If it helps, I do not know this particular writer but now I pray that Daniluk publishes more. Absolutely unique, so creative. I don't even want to tell you what it's about but to give you a bite: you follow a creature that shifts shapes and after being various animals in the past they are now for the first time a human. But they also feed off humans. Fantastic and what an ending. 5*
4) "Happiness is For Pretty People": The second story written by a friend, also the most contemporary of these, I think you could say this falls into the new sub-genre of "Influencer Horror", and I quite enjoyed this take on that. Then again it deals with themes I think we all can relate to to a degree, especially as young person the wish for you and your life to be more than it currently is can be overpowering. Maybe a bit predictable but the writing was so engaging I didn't really care. And kudos for making the protagonist a bit unlikeable, a bold move I often applaud. 3.5*
5) "Your Blood Will Fuel Our Machines": My least favorite and the longest story. It was just not my taste, it reads like a movie I would absolutely hate. Lots of snarky one liners from the hero (which I could see being played by Bruce Willis á la "5th Element"). A SciFi tale, with spy and heist vibes, lots of fights with lots of weapons, then warnings about climate change, a dark ending that didn't connect with the overall fun tone this was going for so far. I admired the use of futuristic language but didn't enjoy it personally, that being said I honestly think a different type of reader would have a great time with this. 1*
6) "Ursula, the Powerful": Another banger for me. A very ominous coming-of-age story, bullying and loneliness are not new themes within that but this take was fresh and dare I say deliciously sinister. I think whether you want to call this dark Magical Realism or straight up Horror is likely a question of where you personally draw the line. Mostly I just loved reading this one. 4*
All in all, 2 stories I absolutely adored, 2 that were simply really good, and 2 that missed my mark but maybe would hit someone else's. Again, if you like to try innovative short fiction, this is your book.
PS. It's available through amazon. Just saying.
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