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Shift
Appearances can be deceiving.
A war has raged for so long the lines have blurred. Property of the Institute, genetically-altered Noah knows nothing of his inherent abilities. Barren walls, endless drills, and brutal missions are no way of life, and he longs for meaning outside the confines of the Institute.
As seventeen-year-old Alyson Gale prepares for college to follow her dream of becoming an animator, her greatest concern is leaving her best friend, Fletcher, behind. On the cusp of something good, her life changes in the worst way possible.
Trust is buried beneath layers of deceit and mimicry and Aly is exposed to the secrets of the Faceless, a truth that will change everything she knows. And, perhaps, destroy her too.
A war has raged for so long the lines have blurred. Property of the Institute, genetically-altered Noah knows nothing of his inherent abilities. Barren walls, endless drills, and brutal missions are no way of life, and he longs for meaning outside the confines of the Institute.
As seventeen-year-old Alyson Gale prepares for college to follow her dream of becoming an animator, her greatest concern is leaving her best friend, Fletcher, behind. On the cusp of something good, her life changes in the worst way possible.
Trust is buried beneath layers of deceit and mimicry and Aly is exposed to the secrets of the Faceless, a truth that will change everything she knows. And, perhaps, destroy her too.
- GenresScience FictionFantasy
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2017
3 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Rikkaine Thompson
4 books17 followersRikkaine Thompson lives in the Northern Territory of Australia with her wonderful husband, one boisterous child, and two grumpy teenagers, and a puppers named Toby.
Eldest of three, she was born and raised in Darwin to teacher parents who fostered a love of reading. Her early years were filled with love, light and the written word, a love that has followed her all through life.
Her family moved to Katherine, where she met her now-husband and they fell in love. At band camp. Before the movie was popular.
After graduating high school, she and her husband moved back Darwin. Having children put a dampener on writing for a time, but as they started school, she found herself with a lot more free time to pursue the things she loved which don't run away on stubby little legs giggling like crazy when she caught them.
Her parents taught her how to read, then how to turn the written word into pictures in her head, and she taught herself how to put them on paper. Or a post-it note. Or on the inside of her wrist in permanent marker at two in the morning.
Eldest of three, she was born and raised in Darwin to teacher parents who fostered a love of reading. Her early years were filled with love, light and the written word, a love that has followed her all through life.
Her family moved to Katherine, where she met her now-husband and they fell in love. At band camp. Before the movie was popular.
After graduating high school, she and her husband moved back Darwin. Having children put a dampener on writing for a time, but as they started school, she found herself with a lot more free time to pursue the things she loved which don't run away on stubby little legs giggling like crazy when she caught them.
Her parents taught her how to read, then how to turn the written word into pictures in her head, and she taught herself how to put them on paper. Or a post-it note. Or on the inside of her wrist in permanent marker at two in the morning.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 12, 2018
I will admit that I've known this author for years now so my review on this book may be a bit biased, but I do absolutely adore Shift and I'm so mad I haven't gotten a hold of the second book yet. I hope I'll get to read it soon because I'm so excited for it!
Nevertheless, let me say that the writing is splendid. I've seen Rikkaine's writing grow for years now, and it just gets better and better. Shift has two plots going on with two different characters in separate places, yet it's so easy to get into the book, fall into this world, and fall in love with these characters. They're so easy to like and cheer for. I absolutely adored Aly, and the friendships that came along with her. I think, for me, that's part of the reason why the book is so good. It has great relationships that you can so easily see the bonds of.
I'd like to also mention that one of the main characters is asexual, which isn't something you see a lot, so it was very delightful and refreshing to have that.
Anyways, I really loved this book. It has a good plot and a promising future. The characters are complex and intriguing, and so are the relationships built around them. The writing is good and the book offers you lots of things to love.
Nevertheless, let me say that the writing is splendid. I've seen Rikkaine's writing grow for years now, and it just gets better and better. Shift has two plots going on with two different characters in separate places, yet it's so easy to get into the book, fall into this world, and fall in love with these characters. They're so easy to like and cheer for. I absolutely adored Aly, and the friendships that came along with her. I think, for me, that's part of the reason why the book is so good. It has great relationships that you can so easily see the bonds of.
I'd like to also mention that one of the main characters is asexual, which isn't something you see a lot, so it was very delightful and refreshing to have that.
Anyways, I really loved this book. It has a good plot and a promising future. The characters are complex and intriguing, and so are the relationships built around them. The writing is good and the book offers you lots of things to love.
June 8, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. Well-written and good editing. The story has two plot lines - a modern day teen high school setting with Aly, concerned about going to college and normal teen stuff. And an experimental facility with the Faceless who carry out missions on the enemy whilst being unaware of their purpose in the world.
The Faceless sections reminded me a bit of Maze Runner, where the characters are trying to work out what's going on. The intrigue was great, and love the uniqueness of their powers.
The two timelines eventually merged and things became clearer. Love the reveal when you suddenly realise how everything connects. The lead characters have a fun relationship which deepens as circumstances become more serious.
What's also nice is the different approach to romance. It didn't have any of the usual tropes but focused on friendship and mild LGBT/asexuality. I found this refreshing.
Anyway, if you like urban fantasy with a dash of dystopian, you should definitely read this. I'll be keeping my eye out for book two.
The Faceless sections reminded me a bit of Maze Runner, where the characters are trying to work out what's going on. The intrigue was great, and love the uniqueness of their powers.
The two timelines eventually merged and things became clearer. Love the reveal when you suddenly realise how everything connects. The lead characters have a fun relationship which deepens as circumstances become more serious.
What's also nice is the different approach to romance. It didn't have any of the usual tropes but focused on friendship and mild LGBT/asexuality. I found this refreshing.
Anyway, if you like urban fantasy with a dash of dystopian, you should definitely read this. I'll be keeping my eye out for book two.
June 16, 2017
It's been a long time since I gave a book five stars. I don't even remember the last book I gave five stars to that wasn't a reread.
This book is about friendship with a dash of paranormal. There is friendship goals in this story. I really loved the relationships in this novel and how they support each other.
This a a very obvious first book to a series with just enough set up that it gets to be a novel in itself. You are left with many questions at the end with just the right amount of satisfaction to keeping you hanging to the next novel.
Alys and Fletcher is my favorite and I can't wait to see where their friendship takes them.
This book is about friendship with a dash of paranormal. There is friendship goals in this story. I really loved the relationships in this novel and how they support each other.
This a a very obvious first book to a series with just enough set up that it gets to be a novel in itself. You are left with many questions at the end with just the right amount of satisfaction to keeping you hanging to the next novel.
Alys and Fletcher is my favorite and I can't wait to see where their friendship takes them.
July 20, 2017
I really, truly loved this book. The characters are complex and you start caring about them immediately, the plot is riveting, and the entire book is riddled with humour and fun. Don;t misunderstand: It's not a "comedy" book. It's dramatic and intense and riveting, and the author seemingly effortlessly twists in humour in even the most devastating moments, in a way that doesn't detract from the emotion of the scene, only adds to it. This book is really exceptional aand I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
July 19, 2017
I'll begin my review with a disclaimer: I've known the author's work for a while. Years, in fact. Now that my bias is out there, I'll move on to the review, which you should totally read despite my bias. Or, perhaps you should read my review because of it.
When I picked up Shift to read over a weekend I wasn't certain what to expect. I knew the plot synopsis, as Ms. Thompson shared it online while it was being queried for traditional publishing, but I missed being part of the original beta reader group. In hindsight, I'm glad I got to read the final product first, as I was unhindered by bias and early drafts.
Shift will appeal to fans of YA books such as Hunger Games and Twilight (sans the romance).With nods to particular fandoms sure to give certain readers grins, the story follows aspiring animator Alyson Gale, who is swept into a conspiracy involving shapeshifters. Although Shift is short compared to other modern YA books, Ms. Thompson serves the reader a dense narrative. The heavy, emotional scenes are laden with genuine sorrow, which balance the rush of adrenaline as the heroes dash through the narrative. In pursuit or being hunted is for you to discover on your own.
Shift contains minor LGBTQ themes, which enhances the narrative and the world the characters inhabit. It's tightly edited, with alternating chapters from two POV characters whose storylines eventually intertwine. In short: great story, interesting worldbuilding, and action scenes that will carry you through time and leave you wondering where your afternoon went.
It's been such a pleasure watching Rikkaine Thompson's work grow over the years, and the culmination of all her hard work was such a joy to read.
When I picked up Shift to read over a weekend I wasn't certain what to expect. I knew the plot synopsis, as Ms. Thompson shared it online while it was being queried for traditional publishing, but I missed being part of the original beta reader group. In hindsight, I'm glad I got to read the final product first, as I was unhindered by bias and early drafts.
Shift will appeal to fans of YA books such as Hunger Games and Twilight (sans the romance).With nods to particular fandoms sure to give certain readers grins, the story follows aspiring animator Alyson Gale, who is swept into a conspiracy involving shapeshifters. Although Shift is short compared to other modern YA books, Ms. Thompson serves the reader a dense narrative. The heavy, emotional scenes are laden with genuine sorrow, which balance the rush of adrenaline as the heroes dash through the narrative. In pursuit or being hunted is for you to discover on your own.
Shift contains minor LGBTQ themes, which enhances the narrative and the world the characters inhabit. It's tightly edited, with alternating chapters from two POV characters whose storylines eventually intertwine. In short: great story, interesting worldbuilding, and action scenes that will carry you through time and leave you wondering where your afternoon went.
It's been such a pleasure watching Rikkaine Thompson's work grow over the years, and the culmination of all her hard work was such a joy to read.
August 26, 2017
Two tales twisted together make up our story.
If you enjoy superhero origins, and also military genetics, congratulations, you've found your story! Well writen and perfectly edited, this could be your last summer read of 2017.
If you enjoy superhero origins, and also military genetics, congratulations, you've found your story! Well writen and perfectly edited, this could be your last summer read of 2017.
July 25, 2017
Great book
I loved it. I loved the characters and the story. Very interesting the way it would flip between the different stories. Cannot wait for the next book!
I loved it. I loved the characters and the story. Very interesting the way it would flip between the different stories. Cannot wait for the next book!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews