Tag Archives: genre: thriller

Blog Tour Book Review: Eternal Revelations by Candis Vargo

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Today I am the stop on the blog tour for ETERNAL REVELATIONS by Candis Vargo. The tour is hosted by Reading Addiction Blog Tours and you can check out the rest of the stops here. Check below for a guest post from the author.

eternal revelationsInfo:
Title: Eternal Revelations
Author: Candis Vargo
Release Date: August 12, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published
Source: Author for blog tour
Series? Eternal Series #1
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Thriller
Page Count: 282

Summary:

As Hell reins terror on the earth, can one child bring back humanity and defeat the Devil himself? After millions of people vanish and the dead rise to spread plague over the Earth, 23 year-old Evelyn and her brother join with a small group as they fight for survival. As the plague spreads and the number of the Reanimated rise in humans and animals alike, there isn’t anything man made that is strong enough to hold them off. When Evelyn and her group find one of the only children left on Earth—an Autistic child—the Devil begins lurking in the darkness, following their every move. The remaining children are the only chance the human race has at defying the plans the Anti-Christ holds. Of all the horrors the Earth now holds, none are comparable to how treacherous the living become once their humanity is thrown out the window. Evelyn realizes survival isn’t just fighting for your life but fighting for your humanity in a world of terror. Join the journey fight for survival against the undead and beasts released straight from the pits of Hell. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
ETERNAL REVELATIONS is a cross between a zombie novel and a post-apocalyptic novel. In a twist on the Rapture, those left behind on Earth have to deal with Reanimated — also known as zombies. ETERNAL REVELATIONS follows Ev and Jase, sister and brother, on a journey to safety. Along the way, they pick up others, including a team from the government.

The book is very fast paced, zipping along from event to event. It’s also very dark, fitting in with the subject matter. Ev is a kick-ass heroine, the best part of the book. I like how prepared she was, even before the apocalypse, and how she told the guys to shut up and what to do.

I do think the book needed stronger editing. The story is super creative, and reminded me of a video game, but some grammar/writing issues kept me from fully enjoying it.

Guest Post:
Why book covers are so important by Candis Vargo
Why are book covers so important?

Book covers are the first thing that tell you about that book. They’re the whole reason you picked up the book in the first place, right? Lets say you see a book on a shelf that pops out at you, the image on the cover is so vibrant that it draws you right in screaming, “Hey! Look at me!” Now, you pick up that book and admire that image for a whole five seconds before you flip the book over to read what it’s about. You’d expect it to have something…anything to do with what you saw on the cover. But it’s about the lovely kinds of toothpaste.

Bummer.

There aren’t any teeth on the cover. No toothpaste. Not so much as a sink. Unless the next book you were looking for was one on toothpaste, you’d get upset.

Look at it the other way. Say there’s an amazing book out there that’s the one story you’ve been waiting to read. The one story with that story line you’ve been looking for, that’s been keeping you buying several books at a time hoping each one was that ‘perfect’ story for you. But that amazing book has a cover just like every other out there. It’s the same thing you’ve seen several times. It’s the book with the kind of covers you used to pick up because you hoped it would deliver that breath taking story to you but never did. Would you pick that book up?

If you’re like me, probably not.

The book cover should give you some type of perspective into what the book is about, and it should deliver. I sure as heck wouldn’t put a picture of a fluffy kitten on one of my Apocalypse novels. It’s the first thing readers see and it’s something that has to grab them. I don’t know how many books I skip over in a book store just to walk to that one that popped out at me the moment I walked into the store. If the cover is one that doesn’t tell you anything about what’s in the pages beneath it, it should at least be that book that stands out and lures you in like you’re under its spell. Even with e-books. I, for one, am guilty of just scrolling and scrolling until I see one that looks like something I would be interested in. And in the day and age of the Internet and e-books, a cover that appeals to the audience you’re trying to reach is a must.

I know they say don’t judge a book by the cover but that saying was created when book covers were all the same…a black cover with some writing on it. This day and age, a good book cover can make or break you.

Socialize with the author:
Candis Vargo:
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– leeanna

Blog Tour Book Review: Strangelets by Michelle Gagnon (and giveaway!)

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Today I am one of the stops on the blog tour for STRANGELETS by Michelle Gagnon. The tour is hosted by Shane @ Itching for Books and you can check out the rest of the stops here.

strangeletsInfo:
Title: Strangelets
Author: Michelle Gagnon
Release Date: April 9, 2013
Publisher: Soho Teen
Source: Publisher for review/blog tour
Series? No
Genre: YA, Thriller, Mystery, Supernatural
Page Count: 272
Rating: [3/5 stars]

Summary:

17-year-old Sophie lies on her deathbed in California, awaiting the inevitable loss of her battle with cancer…
17-year-old Declan stares down two armed thugs in a back alley in Galway, Ireland…
17-year-old Anat attempts to traverse a booby-trapped tunnel between Israel and Egypt…

All three strangers should have died at the exact same moment, thousands of miles apart. Instead, they awaken together in an abandoned hospital—only to discover that they’re not alone. Three other teens from different places on the globe are trapped with them. Somebody or something seems to be pulling the strings. With their individual clocks ticking, they must band together if they’re to have any hope of surviving.

Soon they discover that they’ve been trapped in a future that isn’t of their making: a deadly, desolate world at once entirely familiar and utterly strange. Each teen harbors a secret, but only one holds the key that could get them home. As the truth comes to light through the eyes of Sophie, Declan, and Anat, the reader is taken on a dark and unforgettable journey into the hearts of teens who must decide what to do with a second chance at life. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
STRANGELETS is one of those books that’s incredibly hard to describe or summarize. If I say too much about the story, it will spoil the whole thing for you, and this is one I don’t want to spoil. I think it’s best if you go in without any knowledge of what will happen.

Sophie, Declan, and Anat, three teens on the edge of death, get sucked into mysterious vortexes. They wake up trapped in a hospital-like building, with three other teens, Nico, Zain, and Yosh. All of the teens have different cultural backgrounds: Irish, Japanese, American, etc. Sophie describes them: “They were a random group of kids, that was for sure. Kind of like a post- apocalyptic model UN (p. 67, ARC).” It’s an eclectic bunch, with Declan probably being my favorite. I liked his sarcasm and wise-cracking in the face of danger.

STRANGELETS is told from the viewpoints of Sophie, Declan, and Anat. I would have liked to read it from the viewpoints of all six, but it became clear later why Nico, Zain, and Yosh didn’t get to share in the narrating spotlight.

As I said, the plot of STRANGELETS is hard to describe without spoiling, so I’m not going to try. What I will say is that it’s a crazy ride, and I read most of the book in one sitting so I could find out how everything would come together. I did have a couple of “Really, guys?” moments when the characters ignored obvious clues staring them in the face, but for the most part, I was swept up in the story.

Aside from the action and suspense, there’s a romance in this book. Usually I don’t like insta-love, but I actually didn’t mind it in this case. I liked that Sophie, who thought she would never have a relationship with a guy, or even kiss one, because she was dying of lymphoma, took a chance and went for it with Declan.

What let me down with STRANGELETS was the ending. After putting her characters through some truly horrible experiences and lots of twists and turns, the author rushed from the climax to the ending in a couple of pages. I thought the ending was too happy, too upbeat, and it took the book down a notch for me. I would have liked to see the climax have more of an impact on the characters’ lives.

Overall, I did enjoy STRANGELETS, and reading the book made me curious about Michelle Gagnon’s other YA novel, DON’T TURN AROUND. I’d recommend it if you like thrillers and suspense.

Favorite Quote:

“Honestly, I haven’t a clue,” Declan said. “But when we leave tomorrow, I’d like to be holding something more lethal than a can of beans (p. 81, ARC).”

Gviveaway:
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*This giveaway is not hosted by me.

Socialize with the author:
Michelle Gagnon:
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– leeanna

Blog Tour Book Review: Rogue Oracle (Delphic Oracle #2) by Alayna Williams

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Today I have two posts for you as part of the blog tour for the Delphic Oracle Series. by Alayna Williams. This is the second, a review of ROGUE ORACLE and a guest post by the author. The first post, a review of DARK ORACLE, is here. This tour is hosted by Bewitching Book Tours. You can check out the rest of the stops here.

rogue oracleInfo:
Title: Rogue Oracle
Author: Alayna Williams
Release Date: February 22, 2011
Publisher: Pocket Books
Source: Blog Tour
Series? Delphic Oracle #2
Series Reviews:
Delphic Oracle #1: Dark Oracle
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Thriller, Mystery
Page Count: 360
Rating: [3/5 stars]

Summary:

THE MORE YOU KNOW ABOUT THE FUTURE, THE MORE THERE MAY BE TO FEAR.

Tara Sheridan is the best criminal profiler around—and the most unconventional. Trained as a forensic psychologist, Tara also specializes in Tarot card reading. But she doesn’t need her divination skills to realize that the new assignment from her friend and sometime lover, Agent Harry Li, is a dangerous proposition in every way.

Former Cold War operatives, all linked to a top-secret operation tracking the disposal of nuclear weapons in Russia, are disappearing. There are no bodies, and no clues to their whereabouts. Harry suspects a conspiracy to sell arms to the highest bidder. The cards—and Tara’s increasingly ominous dreams—suggest something darker. Even as Tara sorts through her feelings for Harry and her fractured relationship with the mysterious order known as Delphi’s Daughters, a killer is growing more ruthless by the day. And a nightmare that began decades ago in Chernobyl will reach a terrifying endgame that not even Tara could have foreseen. . . (summary from goodreads)

My Review:

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR BOOK ONE, DARK ORACLE.

ROGUE ORACLE is the second book in the Delphic Oracle Series by Alayna Williams. It picks up a couple of months after the conclusion of DARK ORACLE. Mostly healed from the emotional wounds she suffered before the first book, Tara has returned to work as a profiler. She and Harry haven’t made much progress on their burgeoning relationship, and Tara’s main priority these days is protecting Cassie from the Pythia.

Tara is plunged right back into working for the government when Harry asks for help with a case. Tara’s not thrilled about being part of “The Little Shop of Horrors” again, but she is happy that she can try to do something for Harry. The case itself is intriguing — several ex Cold War intelligence operatives have gone missing. Their knowledge of uranium stockpiles is being sold, and there’s enough to lead to another Chernobyl.

There’s an interesting fusion of science and urban fantasy in ROGUE ORACLE. After reading it, I feel like I learned a lot about Chernobyl, and I liked that the author didn’t rely just on magic to flesh out her story. The bad guy in ROGUE ORACLE is a result of that blend of science and urban fantasy, and elements from both are used to catch him.

ROGUE ORACLE smooths out some of the rough spots I had with DARK ORACLE. The writing has matured. There’s not as many extraneous descriptions, and there’s less of a focus on the tarot card readings. As Tara relies on tarot cards to interpret events, they are a vital part. However, in the first book of the series, I felt like there was a lot of space devoted to describing each card and its significance. There isn’t as much of that in ROGUE ORACLE, yet the tarot cards remain just as important.

There are some scenes from Cassie’s viewpoint, which I really enjoyed. The scenes with Cassie and the Pythia expose more of the secret world of Delphi’s Daughters, and it’s a world I’d like to see even more of. There’s a moment near the end where I went, “Ohhh. That would be a big burden to handle.” Having characters that can see the future lets the reader consider if that future is set in stone, or if it can be changed. And if it can, should it be changed.

Yet again, there are some great characters in ROGUE ORACLE. My favorites this book were the Steves, a pair of federal marshals. They are quite the colorful duo, nicknamed the Kahuna and the Cowboy by Tara. They provide some comic relief, but they also shine in serious moments, and they help Cassie recover from a traumatic experience.

The main story of ROGUE ORACLE is tied up neatly at the end of the book. Currently, there isn’t a third book in the series, but I would like to read another.

Guest Post:
Writing Destiny and Free Will
By Alayna Williams

There’s something odd about writing about free will and destiny. When I’m building a story, I’m conscious that my characters really shouldn’t have much free will. After all, I’m the gal behind the curtain, directing a story and pulling the strings of my characters. They do what I want them to do…most of the time.

Sometimes, they surprise me. I think I know where I want to take them, and they rebel. They deliberately ignore the destiny I’ve scribbled down for them in my outline and decide to go on a road trip without me. Sometimes those scenes work, and sometimes they don’t. Trying to keep my characters harnessed to complete their mission is somewhat like herding cats. If I can get them from point A in chapter one to point Z in the final chapter, I feel like I’ve got things under control.

Weird things happen when I’m writing about characters who are grappling with destiny and free will in the plot line. It’s as if my internal processes become part of the external product. I have the sense that my characters are critters on an ant farm who have just become aware of a human tapping on the glass, and they’re not happy about being trapped and manipulated.

Tara Sheridan is the heroine of my ORACLE books. She’s a criminal profiler who uses Tarot cards to solve crimes, and also a former member of a secret society of mystics, Delphi’s Daughters. Delphi’s Daughters work behind the scenes to nudge world events, for good or ill, and Tara wants out of the game. When she’s teamed with her skeptical partner, federal agent Harry Li, Tara is forced to figure out where destiny ends in her world and free will begins.

It was an exciting concept to play with. Do Tara’s cards tell of possibilities, or a fixed destiny that can’t be changed? Is free will an illusion, and Tara and Harry are simply pawns in a larger pattern? Can they break free and restore order to their world?

These are questions my characters ask each other. Some of the answers are not what they want to hear. But they are questions the characters have muttered to me as I’m shoving them along their adventures with pen and paper…and it was a lot of fun to show the readers that process.

Socialize with the author:
Alayna Williams:
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– leeanna

Blog Tour Book Review: Dark Oracle (Delphic Oracle #1) by Alayna Williams

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Today I have two posts for you as part of the blog tour for the Delphic Oracle Series. by Alayna Williams. This, the first, is a review of DARK ORACLE. The second will be a review of ROGUE ORACLE and a guest post by the author. This tour is hosted by Bewitching Book Tours. You can check out the rest of the stops here.

dark oracleInfo:
Title: Dark Oracle
Author: Alayna Williams
Release Date: May 25, 2010
Publisher: Pocket Books
Source: Blog tour
Series? Delphic Oracle #1
Series Reviews:
Delphic Oracle #2: Rogue Oracle
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Thriller, Mystery
Page Count: 336
Rating: [3/5 stars]

Summary:

TARA SHERIDAN HAS A GIFT . . . AND IT ALMOST KILLED HER.

As a criminal profiler, Tara used science and her intuitive skill at Tarot card divination to track down the dangerous and depraved, including the serial killer who left her scarred from head to toe. Since that savage attack, Tara has been a recluse. But now an ancient secret society known as Delphi’s Daughters has asked for her help in locating missing scientist Lowell Magnusson. And Tara, armed with her Tarot deck, her .38, and a stack of misgivings, agrees to try.

Tara immediately senses there is far more at stake than one man’s life. At his government lab in the New Mexico desert, Magnusson had developed groundbreaking technology with terrifying potential. Working alongside the brusque but charismatic agent Harry Li, Tara discovers that Magnusson’s daughter, Cassie, has knowledge that makes her a target too. The more Tara sees into the future, the more there is to fear. She knows she has to protect Cassie. But there may be no way to protect herself—from the enemies circling around her, or from the long-buried powers stirring to life within. . . . (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
DARK ORACLE is the start to an intriguing urban fantasy series. Instead of the usual vampires, werewolves, or fae, author Alayna Williams brings in a new inspiration: the oracles of Delphi. In modern day, they are known as Delphi’s Daughters and led by the Pythia. They’re a secret society of women who can read the future, but they’re not all powerful. They’re soccer moms and bikers.

Tara is the only woman to leave Delphi’s Daughters. Skilled in the art of cartomancy (using tarot cards to read the future), she used to work for the government as a profiler. After she got chewed up and spit out by a bad case, she left the Feds and the Daughters behind, wanting solitude and to live her own life. But when a scientist working on a deadly project disappears, Tara gets dragged back into the worlds she left.

Clues to Tara’s past are sprinkled throughout the book, and build her character. She’s not the usual up-in-your-face, brash, kick-butt type of urban fantasy heroine. Tara is cautious. Well, more cautious than most, but she does charge headfirst into some situations. I liked Tara’s cautiousness and hesitance to get involved. The clues of her past hint at something dark and horrible, so I found it believable that it took her time to get over that. She goes from almost having a claustrophobia-induced panic attack at a crime scene to charging into danger to save her man.

DARK ORACLE doesn’t read like your typical urban fantasy. It has more of a mystery or detective story feel. The everyday crime story combined with some hints of magic. I liked that the paranormal world in this series isn’t always upfront. You know it’s there, and that the oracles have some influence over the events of the world, but there’s still the possibility that choice and free will can change the forecasted future. There’s also quite a bit of focus on science, which isn’t usually something you find in urban fantasy.

The writing in DARK ORACLE does get bogged down at times by the extensive descriptions of tarot reading. I both liked and disliked the use of tarot cards. I thought it was a neat way to foreshadow, but I could have done without the extended descriptions of each card and its significance. I’ll admit, I ended up skimming some of those passages. But if tarot reading is something you have an interest in, you’ll probably find those parts more interesting than I did.

Aside from Tara, the rest of the characters are pretty well done. The author makes an effort to give even the animals personality. Maggie the dog and Oscar the cat were actually some of my favorite characters, along with Cassie, the daughter of the missing scientist. The one rub for me was Harry, Tara’s love interest. I would have liked to see more development of their relationship.

The main story of this novel concludes at the end of DARK ORACLE, which is nice. No frustrating cliffhanger, but there is room for more, and I’ll be reading the sequel, ROGUE ORACLE, to see what happens to Tara, Harry, and Cassie. And the animals!

Socialize with the author:
Alayna Williams:
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– leeanna

Blog Tour Book Review: The Murmurings by Carly Anne West

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Today I am one of the stops for Carly Anne West’s new book, THE MURMURINGS, hosted by Shane @ Itching for Books. Check out the other stops here. Also, check below my review for a dream cast and giveaway!

the murmuringsInfo:
Title: The Murmurings
Author: Carly Anne West
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: Publisher for blog tour
Series? No
Genre: YA, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Page Count: 384
Rating:

Summary:

Everyone thinks Sophie’s sister, Nell, went crazy. After all, she heard strange voices that drove her to commit suicide. But Sophie doesn’t believe that Nell would take her own life, and she’s convinced that Nell’s doctor knows more than he’s letting on.

As Sophie starts to piece together Nell’s last days, every lead ends in a web of lies. And the deeper Sophie digs, the more danger she’s in—because now she’s hearing the same haunting whispers. Sophie’s starting to think she’s going crazy too. Or worse, that maybe she’s not…. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
I don’t usually read horror — I don’t like being scared! — but the summary for THE MURMURINGS caught my attention. Immediately I wanted to know why Nell committed suicide, what the voices said, and why Sophie was hearing them too. I also think the cover’s intense, with the girl staring right into my eyes.

The book starts out creepy, with Sophie seeing something in the mirror. I think everyone’s seen things, then really looked and nothing’s there, so it’s an easy way for the reader to relate to what’s happening to Sophie. THE MURMURINGS is also sad, a look into a family broken by grief. I really felt for Sophie, trying to cope with Nell’s death without the help of her mother.

Nell’s death has also made Sophie an outcast at school, and I liked that she wasn’t the popular girl. I did have a bit of trouble believing the relationship that sprang up between Sophie and Evan, but Evan is one of the few male characters I’ve liked lately. He’s awkward, and unsure of himself in an endearing sort of way. Refreshingly, he’s not one of the bad boys that are so trendy in YA. Ethan reads like a real guy.

The basic story of THE MURMURINGS, without giving too much away, is that Sophie is trying to find out why Nell died, and why she heard voices. The scariness for me wasn’t actually in the voices or the things in mirrors, but in the mental institution. Now, Oakside put the eep in creepy. Dr. Keller and the rest of the staff made my skin crawl.

Spread throughout the book are passages from Nell’s diary and blog posts from Adam, an orderly at the institution. Adam’s blog posts were some of my favorite parts. They were of the “crazy dude in a tinfoil hat” variety, and I didn’t know if I could trust him or not, which added to the twists in the book. But in the end, THE MURMURINGS wasn’t as full of horror as the summary implied. It’s hard to explain why without spoiling too much, but I felt like there was a lot of focus on a supernatural element that wasn’t very scary.

I’d recommend THE MURMURINGS to other readers like me, who may not like horror stories. It would be a good way to get into the genre.

Socialize with the author:
Carly Anne West:
Website
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Dream Cast!

Sophie played by Sophie Turner. I wasn’t sure who to pick for Sophie, but when I went looking for faces, I stumbled over this picture. The hair is a bit light, but I like the combination of vulnerability and “leave me alone” on her face. Plus, the actress’s name is Sophie, so it’s like it was meant to be.


Evan played by Michael Trevino. Again, I wasn’t sure who to pick, but I found this picture and I knew it was Evan. He’s got a perfect geeky, sort of awkward expression.


Dr. Keller by Cillian Murphy. I knew immediately who I wanted to pick for Dr. Keller. Cillian Murphy does a good “I’m creepy, but you can trust me” expression.


Adam played by Colin O’Donoghue. This is inspiration from my recent infatuation with Once Upon a Time.

Giveaway!
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Giveaway is not hosted by me. I am not responsible for prizes.

– leeanna

Book Review: Mind Games by Kiersten White

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mind gamesInfo:
Title: Mind Games
Author: Kiersten White
Release Date: February 19, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Amazon Vine
Series? Mind Games #1
Genre: YA, Thriller, Fantasy, Mystery
Page Count: 256
Rating:

Summary:

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways… or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
I wish I did gif reviews, because I’m having a hard time describing the experience of reading Mind Games, and how I feel about it. I think it’s a book most people are either going to love or hate. Me, I loved it.

Here was my reaction the minute I finished reading (copied from my Twitter): I just finished MIND GAMES. I have to say … WOW. In the best, craziest way possible. I’m feeling all the things!

Mind Games is exactly that — one gigantic mind game. I’d also call it a mind frack, or perhaps a mind puzzle. The characters play mental gymnastics with each other, and the reader gets to figure out how everything fits together, or doesn’t.

It’s told from the alternating viewpoints of two sisters, Fia and Annie. The sisters have distinctive voices, so it’s easy to tell them apart, as well see the story unfolding from both sides. Fia’s narration got a little annoying at times, but I understand what the author was trying to do. Because many of the women at the school Fia and Annie attend can read minds, one of the tricks Fia uses to keep them out is repeating the same words over and over again. For the most part, the author was successful with using repetition, but it still got on my nerves every so often.

The story isn’t told in chronological order either, but it’s easy to keep track of what’s going on, and when it’s happening. I rarely had to flip back to the beginning of a chapter to see if I was in the present or the past.

Mind Games is fast, short, and action-packed. There’s not a word (even repeated words) wasted. Lately I’ve been complaining about books that are stretched out and need editing, but that’s not the case here. Quite the opposite. I wanted to find out more about Fia and Annie, about the school for “gifted” students (I’m a sucker for a boarding school setting), and more about the mysterious Keane and what his motives were.

The reason I’m giving Mind Games 4 stars instead of 5 is because the ending let me down. All the action and build-up had me expecting more … oomph. However, the ending wasn’t enough to take away from my overall enjoyment of Mind Games, and I can’t wait for book two.

Socialize with the author:
Kiersten White:
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– leeanna

Review: Shift by Em Bailey

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shiftInfo:
Title: Shift
Author: Em Bailey
Release Date: May 22, 2012
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Source: Library
Series? No
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary
Page Count: 320

Summary:

She obediently takes her meds and stays under the radar at school. After “the incident,” Olive just wants to avoid any more trouble, so she knows the smartest thing is to stay clear of the new girl who is rumored to have quite the creepy past.

But there’s no avoiding Miranda Vaile. As mousy Miranda edges her way into the popular group, right up to the side of queen bee Katie – and pushes the others right out – only Olive seems to notice that something strange is going on. Something almost . . . parasitic. Either Olive is losing her grip on reality, or Miranda Vaile is stealing Katie’s life.

But who would ever believe crazy Olive, the girl who has a habit of letting her imagination run away with her? And what if Olive is the next target?

A chilling psychological thriller that tears through themes of identity, loss, and toxic friendship, Shift will leave readers guessing until the final pages. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
At first, I thought Shift was going to be scary. I mean, the inside flap describes it as a “psychological thriller.” And I did have a moment or two where I went, “Okay, that is creepy,” but before long, my thoughts changed to, “That’s it?”

“That’s it?” sums up how I feel about this book. I really don’t like when something obvious is kept secret when I’m reading — Olive’s “Incident” — yet the author reminds me over it over and over and over again. I knew what she had tried to do the first time it was mentioned. I suppose her unreliable mental state is part of the book — I never knew if I could believe her or not, and I got tired of that pretty quickly.

I also had a hard time believing that Olive’s mother didn’t notice what was happening to her. After becoming friends with Miranda, Olive physically wastes away. I highly doubt her mum wouldn’t have seen that happening, and wouldn’t have been watching over her, especially after Olive had a problem with her medication.

I was disappointed with the ending, too. After the same thing happened twice, the ending was a fizzle. I didn’t feel any urgency or fear for Olive, just a general blahness. Hence my “That’s it?” thought for the book as a whole.

Rating: 2 owls