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Jay Astarte
I preferred Shift to the other two in the trilogy, and I would say reading them all will help form the fullest picture of what's going on. Could be a bit confusing otherwise.
Shift certainly wasn't as action-packed as the other two (but then I don't enjoy action, much) but it gave a lot of background and insight into characters, which I felt was missing a bit in the other two.
Shift certainly wasn't as action-packed as the other two (but then I don't enjoy action, much) but it gave a lot of background and insight into characters, which I felt was missing a bit in the other two.
David
Don't do it! I didn't fully appreciate Shift until I read Dust. You'll really regret it.
David
Old question, but I'll add my opinion anyway. ;) Read them all! I was so ready for "what's next!?!?!" after Wool and was a bit disappointed to find out Shift was a prequel. If it had been the story sequel I would have bought it that day, but knowing it was a prequel, I waited a bit. However, Shift turned out to be JUST as interesting to me, very engrossing. It actually syncs up with Wool for about the last 1/4 of the book. My copy of Dust just arrive and I'm excited to read it right away. I can't imagine the details of Shift not having a profound effect on the culmination of this story.
Pascal
I do think that Dust is better appreciated after reading Shift. Anyway, I really don't think you'll like Dust if you don't like Shift. The books are quite similar in tonality and writing.
Jennifer
Each book is important in their own right. I would read all of them and read them in order.
SuuZ (Nyreeh)
I really enjoyed Wool and Shift. Sure, the read in Shift is a bit slower, especially at the start, but it is definitely needed to continue in Dust. I am really in love with these books.
Beth
I wouldn't recommend it. Shift gives a lot of backstory and depth which definitely adds to the Dust story. I found Shift to be only slightly less interesting than Wool and Dust, but that was mostly due, I think, to the fact that my favorite characters from Wool weren't there. But there are new characters to enjoy in Shift, and I would definitely recommend reading it.
Reading Cat
The only really tedious part of Shift is Third Shift, when he was incessantly retreading Jimmy/Solo's backstory. I agree it was very different in tone with the time shifts, but the Silo One stuff is just Howey at his best.
Bernard
I read Wool and was hooked.
I didn't expect much from Shift, but Hugh Howey continued to impress by new material, new directions, yet keeping his suspenseful style of gripping the reader with his material.
It is different because it needs to be, yet if one keeps reading, it is as good as Wool. We just know a lot already because of Wool, yet we are still in the dark.
I didn't expect much from Shift, but Hugh Howey continued to impress by new material, new directions, yet keeping his suspenseful style of gripping the reader with his material.
It is different because it needs to be, yet if one keeps reading, it is as good as Wool. We just know a lot already because of Wool, yet we are still in the dark.
Ryan
I actually ended up doing this on accident. I'd read the first Wool omnibus thinking it was standalone, then saw Dust on the store shelf and picked it up in excitement that there was a sequel. Since it directly follows the events of Wool, I figured it was book two (didn't even know Shift existed).
I still ended up enjoying it quite a bit. The characters and plot points from Shift were pretty vague, but I figured this was because there'd be a slow reveal on what was going on. And there is, to some extent - I didn't feel too lost in those stories, but I could tell there was definitely some detail missing. I'm currently debating whether or not to jump right into Shift even though I've already spoiled everything for myself :)
I still ended up enjoying it quite a bit. The characters and plot points from Shift were pretty vague, but I figured this was because there'd be a slow reveal on what was going on. And there is, to some extent - I didn't feel too lost in those stories, but I could tell there was definitely some detail missing. I'm currently debating whether or not to jump right into Shift even though I've already spoiled everything for myself :)
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