Olive Corbett is definitely NOT crazy.
Not anymore. These days she takes her meds like a good girl, hangs out with her best friend Ami, and stay...
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reviews
Oct 01, 2011
Aik Chien
rated it: 
Wow. This book practically threw me off balance. The story itself is amazing with a lot of twists and turns. If you've read my IMM 25, you would probably know that this book is soaked wet, and I spent hours drying it. And that was when I couldn't help but took a peek... and instantly, I was hooked.
Our main character Olive is a beautiful, witty, sarcastic but problematic teenage girl. Ever since her father left, she has not been the same as her old self. She is convinced that she is t More...
Our main character Olive is a beautiful, witty, sarcastic but problematic teenage girl. Ever since her father left, she has not been the same as her old self. She is convinced that she is t More...
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Jan 24, 2012
Paula
rated it:
When I picked up Shift , I had no idea what it was about - just the cover seemed to attract me and I thought Hmmmm , that looks like it could be good and OMG it definitely was as I found myself hooked from the very first page , I could not put it down - once I got started , I wanted to read to find out what happened next. In Shift, we meet Olive Corbett , she used to be one of the popular chicks , the one who had it all until tragedy struck and she found herself in an institution. Returning back
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Jan 08, 2012
Jamilla
rated it:
My friend gave this book to me to read and I'll admit that I really didn't want to. I'm not usually into the whole vampire/werewolf/fallen angel/shapeshifter thing, but Em Bailey has somehow drawn me in with a rich, exciting, suspenseful plot that explores social and phsycological issues. It's absolutely amazing.
I really liked that this book isn't completely romantic. There's space allowed for romance while the plot continues to thrill the reader.
The ideas in this book More...
I really liked that this book isn't completely romantic. There's space allowed for romance while the plot continues to thrill the reader.
The ideas in this book More...
Dec 14, 2011
Zuleeza
rated it: 
Mother of God...Okay, I did give 2 stars because usually I gave one star for books which I couldn't even finish.
*Sigh* It's so confusing, I mean, I finished this book within hours (which is very quick to my standard) but there was hardly any plot at all! Gosh, I should have ditch the book but there was something that drawn me into.
Answers...
...which I didn't get even long after I finish this book. <spoiler>What happened to the teacher?(can't remember he More...
*Sigh* It's so confusing, I mean, I finished this book within hours (which is very quick to my standard) but there was hardly any plot at all! Gosh, I should have ditch the book but there was something that drawn me into.
Answers...
...which I didn't get even long after I finish this book. <spoiler>What happened to the teacher?(can't remember he More...
Dec 01, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Oh... My... God. There are almost no words to describe my state of mind after reading 'Shift'. Em Bailey should be applauded, and I am definitely grateful for her impeccable writing skills that never once failed to leave me questioning my own sanity.
This genre wasn't one I'd usually take to, but this book just begging me to read it, and so I did. I was pleasantly surprised.
All the characters were written so well- Miranda always left me wondering. Was she just a psychotic More...
This genre wasn't one I'd usually take to, but this book just begging me to read it, and so I did. I was pleasantly surprised.
All the characters were written so well- Miranda always left me wondering. Was she just a psychotic More...
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Nov 19, 2011
Kita
rated it: 
Okay, so I decided I'd give this book to someone else before I reviewed it. Just because, well, I wasn't sure whether I wasn't getting it because I am stupid, or whether I wasn't getting it because I wasn't SUPPOSED to get it. Turns out, either we're both stupid, or it's just one of those books.
You know the ones I'm talking about... the ones with the fantastic writing, brilliant prose, life-like characters... those books that leave you SO... UTTERLY... CONFUSED!
So basically, More...
You know the ones I'm talking about... the ones with the fantastic writing, brilliant prose, life-like characters... those books that leave you SO... UTTERLY... CONFUSED!
So basically, More...
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Oct 30, 2011
Tony
rated it: 
Miranda Vaile is the strong point of this young adult novel. It is well worth reading for her alone. Miranda is offered to us, on the one hand, as a supernatural demon and on the other as a rolled-gold bitch who is disturbed and rageful, but also charming to the nth degree. For good measure, she can also be seen as the symbol of a destructive inner voice, enticing one unlucky girl into anorexia. Whatever she is exactly, Miranda has the psychopaths’s ability to pinpoint and play to our longings,
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Jan 18, 2012
Kirsti
rated it:
Alright, so I picked up on the 'major twist' so early on it wasn't funny, but it didn't totally spoil the book for me. If you read a lot of this type of fiction, I guess eventually it jumps out at you. What I did like was the idea behind the story, that of 'shape shifters'. Also, Miranda had a kind of substance of her own before she started sucking it from every one, enough backbone to know who she wanted, what she wanted, and pick targets.
The romance factor was so-so, another reason More...
The romance factor was so-so, another reason More...
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Nov 19, 2011
Danielle
rated it:
This is more like 3.5 stars. It was on the verge of 4 but crazy Miranda's incessant dramatics took their toll on me by the end of the story!
'Shift' has such a great premise. It reminded me a little of 'Beautiful Malice' in that you've got crazy new girl who befriends MC and drags poor boys into a triangle whom she has to be the centre of. The shapeshifting idea was fantastic and girls, I must say, do it best. I thought for a while there the story might go paranormal but it didn't have More...
'Shift' has such a great premise. It reminded me a little of 'Beautiful Malice' in that you've got crazy new girl who befriends MC and drags poor boys into a triangle whom she has to be the centre of. The shapeshifting idea was fantastic and girls, I must say, do it best. I thought for a while there the story might go paranormal but it didn't have More...
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Oct 11, 2011
Jess
rated it:
Shift is a tightly plotted psychological thriller for young adults that deals with mental illness and toxic female friendships with a suggestion of the paranormal. The shapeshifter is a surprisingly apt metaphor for insidious friendships, and is made use of in a subtle and effective way here. Olive is grieving for her absent father and recovering from a recent suicide attempt. The new girl at school, Miranda, takes on a sinister tone when she begins to ingratiate herself to Olive's ex-best frien
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Sep 07, 2011
Elayne
rated it:
This book caught my eye instantly on the shelf and the plot pretty much convinced me to buy it.
I have to say it was money well spent and worth the day and a half read. It captured me from beginning to end and it was hard to put down as it just felt like I was watching a movie that I quickly wanted to figure out. I loved the twists (which made me gasp a little) and I loved how the story was intricately told without too much complexity, how it felt as if I was a part of it with Olive and ho More...
I have to say it was money well spent and worth the day and a half read. It captured me from beginning to end and it was hard to put down as it just felt like I was watching a movie that I quickly wanted to figure out. I loved the twists (which made me gasp a little) and I loved how the story was intricately told without too much complexity, how it felt as if I was a part of it with Olive and ho More...
Jul 30, 2011
ALPHAreader
rated it:
Miranda Vaile was infamous long before she set foot in the small suburb of Jubilee Park. Stories about Miranda were swirling in the weeks prior to her arrival – stories about her life in Europe, the crazy aunt she was coming to live with . . . and the fact that she had killed her parents.
The attention and attraction of Miranda is a reprise for Jubilee Park’s resident psychotic – Olive Corbett. Olive, whose family life has disintegrated in the wake of her ‘mistakes’ and recovery from More...
The attention and attraction of Miranda is a reprise for Jubilee Park’s resident psychotic – Olive Corbett. Olive, whose family life has disintegrated in the wake of her ‘mistakes’ and recovery from More...
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Jan 26, 2012
Marita
rated it:
First person narrative voice is a strong teen girl who has been through hard times including a personal and family disaster or scandal which is not really explained for some time. Olive is back at school but keeps herself apart from former friends, confiding in and supported by one new friend, and tormented by a former bestie. In comes Miranda, a new girl who has many rumours around her. She is frail in every way but begins to change as she befriends Olive's former friend, who simultaneously dec
More...
Aug 21, 2011
Lisa (Badass Bookie)
rated it:
The Short Story? - A mind-blowing debut! Seriously, my own level of enjoyment took me by surprise but this is seriously one heck of a good book! A psychological thriller that will haunt you long after the last page! For lovers of all things mystery and suspense! Excellent plot, fantastic characters and well-written. Edgy and original, Shift by Em Bailey is one of my favourite debuts of the year!
The Long Story? - This took me completely by surprise. It's one of those hidden treasures More...
The Long Story? - This took me completely by surprise. It's one of those hidden treasures More...
Jan 15, 2012
Nicola
rated it:
It has been a long time since I sat down and read a book cover to cover in one sitting, but that's exactly what I did with Shift last night.
Once I started I couldn't put it down.
Didn't see the major twist coming AT ALL and I always see the twist!
Riveting and creepy and goosebump-inducing, this stayed with me long after I went to bed in the wee small hours.
Quick summary: Olive is a teenager with mental health issues following the break up of her par More...
Once I started I couldn't put it down.
Didn't see the major twist coming AT ALL and I always see the twist!
Riveting and creepy and goosebump-inducing, this stayed with me long after I went to bed in the wee small hours.
Quick summary: Olive is a teenager with mental health issues following the break up of her par More...
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Feb 20, 2012
Tina
rated it:
Shift is about friendship, especially the unhealthy ones. Olive has a lot of problems, in school, with her parents and her own health. She stays in the background at school, but has to join in when Miranda show up. Miranda is the "new girl" at school. First she is barely noticed, but later on she starts to manipulate the popular pupils. Her focus is on Katie, Olive's former best friend. But Katie seems to struggle with this friendship, it seems like Miranda takes everything away from h
More...
Oct 03, 2011
Bella
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
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Jan 28, 2012
Hannah
rated it:
Woah. That is all I can say. This book is absolutely phenomenal in every aspect. While I was on holidays I went to a book shop looking for something to entertain me on my upcoming 6 hour drive. This book was reccomended to me by a woman there. Now I usually don't go for the supernatural stuff but I gave it a go. This book was an exception. Absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!!
You feel so drawn to the characters and as soon as you have read the first two pages you will be filled with anticipation and yo More...
You feel so drawn to the characters and as soon as you have read the first two pages you will be filled with anticipation and yo More...
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Nov 11, 2011
Sam
rated it:
Amazing! Capturing! Breathtaking! Shocking! And CLEVER. Don't forget clever.
Outstanding characters, details, story lines, twists, turns, and even the blurb and cover were amazing.
Every time I picked up the book I looked at the cover for a few minutes alone!
This book took me less than a day to read. And by that I mean, I bought it late night shopping, took it home, went to work today, and now its 10pm and I'm done!
Couldn't put it down, didn't want More...
Outstanding characters, details, story lines, twists, turns, and even the blurb and cover were amazing.
Every time I picked up the book I looked at the cover for a few minutes alone!
This book took me less than a day to read. And by that I mean, I bought it late night shopping, took it home, went to work today, and now its 10pm and I'm done!
Couldn't put it down, didn't want More...
Feb 04, 2012
Hikari
rated it:
Du denkst, du weißt, wer ich bin ist ein spannendes und teilweise mysteriöses Buch. Protagonistin ist Olive, die sich selbst an ihrer Schule von einem beliebten Mädchen wegen einem "Vorfall" zur Außenseiterin gemacht hat. Dann taucht ein neues, merkwürdiges Mädchen auf: Miranda. Mit der stimmt etwas ganz und gar nicht. Damit nehmen die ereignisse ihren Lauf. Und das auf sehr spannende, reizvolle und interessante Art und Weise. Man hat schon zu anfang gewisse Vermutungen und Theorien, d
More...
Oct 28, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
WOW!!!! I read this book as often as I could until it was done (You know....the type of book that makes you feel annoyed when it's time to put it down and cook your family some food!!). I can not speak highly enough of this book. It was obvious that it was a YA story from the beginning, but if that's the case then 'I WANNA BE A YOUNG ADULT'. The story grabbed me firmly from the first sentence and held me fast 'til the very last page. I was blown away by the twist concerning Ami (which I yearn fo
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Sep 11, 2011
Bec
rated it:
This book is absolutely amazing. It's the kind of book that is at first just a good, engrossing read. And then a week or so will pass and you'll still be thinking about little moments in it, making the hairs on your neck raise ever so slightly. Or perhaps you'll think back to some of your friendships and realise how apt Bailey's descriptions of toxic friendships and parasitic relationships are. Either way this is a creepy and insightful novel that sets itself apart from any one genre.
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Sep 11, 2011
A Thousand Words
rated it:
This book is absolutely amazing. It's the kind of book that is at first just a good, engrossing read. And then a week or so will pass and you'll still be thinking about little moments in it, making the hairs on your neck raise ever so slightly. Or perhaps you'll think back to some of your friendships and realise how apt Bailey's descriptions of toxic friendships and parasitic relationships are. Either way this is a creepy and insightful novel that sets itself apart from any one genre.
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Oct 22, 2011
Nikki
rated it:
What a diamond in the rough shift turned out to be! It was an absolute amazing read. I loved it from start to finish. I honestly didn't have all that much hope for this book I mean the synopsis sounded awesome but I didn't expect the awesomness that shift actually turned out to be.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. I felt Miranda had the perfect amount of mystery and she was really creepy to me it was brilliant. I really felt for Olive I could relate to some aspects of her More...
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. I felt Miranda had the perfect amount of mystery and she was really creepy to me it was brilliant. I really felt for Olive I could relate to some aspects of her More...
Oct 10, 2011
Skye
rated it:
This review is also posted on my blog, In The Good Books.
Shift was a surprisingly intense psychological thriller from a new voice in Aussie YA.
Olive starts out feeling just like your average teenager. She's not exactly popular, she's not exactly beautiful; but it's revealed slowly that she's not exactly normal either. She had a mental breakdown that resulted in her hospitalisation, but she seems well enough on her meds, until a bombshell is dropped mid-way. Despite her od More...
Shift was a surprisingly intense psychological thriller from a new voice in Aussie YA.
Olive starts out feeling just like your average teenager. She's not exactly popular, she's not exactly beautiful; but it's revealed slowly that she's not exactly normal either. She had a mental breakdown that resulted in her hospitalisation, but she seems well enough on her meds, until a bombshell is dropped mid-way. Despite her od More...
Nov 01, 2011
Kai (Amaterasu Reads)
rated it:
Review posted at Amaterasu Reads
Em Bailey's chilling psychological YA thriller debut is sure to make readers think twice about letting people get close too much. The bonds of friendship is stretched tight up to the breaking point in this shuddery tale of one girl's identity and her struggle to find out who she really is deep inside.
Olivia Corbett's life is a wreck. She used to be best friends with Katie, the most popular girl in school. She used to be pretty, outgoing, wi More...
Em Bailey's chilling psychological YA thriller debut is sure to make readers think twice about letting people get close too much. The bonds of friendship is stretched tight up to the breaking point in this shuddery tale of one girl's identity and her struggle to find out who she really is deep inside.
Olivia Corbett's life is a wreck. She used to be best friends with Katie, the most popular girl in school. She used to be pretty, outgoing, wi More...
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Oct 27, 2011
Sharkcrow
rated it:
Wow. I've just put the book down and am struggling to gather my thoughts.
1. I love Australian stories that aren't stereotypical. The setting in this novel was great.
2. The psychological twists and suspense were amazing. I could not put the book down.
3. A sensitive topic is really well dealt with. It isnt made fun of, the author isn't preachy and the tone isn't condescending.
4. What a perfect villain we have in Miranda!!
5. Unreliable narrators can be hit and miss - in this case, a definite hit.
6 More...
1. I love Australian stories that aren't stereotypical. The setting in this novel was great.
2. The psychological twists and suspense were amazing. I could not put the book down.
3. A sensitive topic is really well dealt with. It isnt made fun of, the author isn't preachy and the tone isn't condescending.
4. What a perfect villain we have in Miranda!!
5. Unreliable narrators can be hit and miss - in this case, a definite hit.
6 More...
Sep 20, 2011
Gemma
rated it:
It was not what I was expecting at all! What I got from the blurb was that it was a book about a girl who killed her parents.. It completely surprised me when the rumour about Miranda killing her parents was dismissed rather quickly. It was an interesting book that kept me guessing the whole way through. A very intriguing plot that could be developed further. Over all though a great read that is hard to put down.
Aug 10, 2011
Chrissie
rated it:
Em Bailey can write! Shift is a psychological thriller in a very real sense. It shifts between two possible worlds, and the twists and turns will keep you reading way into the night.There are no throwaway lines, no throwaway references. And when everything comes together,when you've finished reading, it's a challenge to get it out of your mind. Highly recommended
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Sep 25, 2011
Tess
rated it:
'Shift' was AMAZING! The twists though were quite predictable in the middle of the book there is one that is quite surprising. The topic is quite interesting and I just found it REALLY enjoyable!
I give this book 5/5 stars because it was amazing and very entertaining. I read it in one sitting so I guess that's saying something.
I give this book 5/5 stars because it was amazing and very entertaining. I read it in one sitting so I guess that's saying something.
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