Book Review: Shift by M.R. Merrick

Title: Shift
Author: M.R. MerrickTitle: Shift
Series: The Protector #2
Publication Date: February 1, 2012
Length: 350 Pages
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Devastated by a terrible loss, Chase is trying to balance the life he’s been left with, a family he’s still getting to know, and power he never thought he’d have. He doesn’t understand why the Goddess has named him the Protector and granted him two gifts: the Mark, a tattoo that now covers his back, and the ring. But between getting interrogated by the Circle and psychic attacks from Riley, the Mark is the least of his concern. There’s a demon inside Rayna that’s fighting to be released, and it’s not her inner witch. It’s something else—a monster threatening to tear her apart.
As Chase struggles to control his magic, his enemies are closing in. Everyone has staked a claim on his ring, and destroying it may be his only chance to stop Riley. But Chase must decide if stopping him is worth risking the lives of everyone he cares about, or if protecting the ring will be enough to save his world.

MY REVIEW

Some say that Lighting does not strike twice, but that does not apply to author, M.R. Merrick. He has captured lighting in a bottle or more accurately in a book, yet again. After Exiled, I had high hopes for Shift, but my hopes and expectations were blown out of the water and into orbit. If you are looking for one of the best young adult urban fantasy series out there, The Protector series is it. 

This time there is more danger lurking around every corner. Chase is trying to adjust to his new life, with his new powers and without the one person that mattered to him most. The Circle who exiled Chase is finally realizing something may actually be wrong. Rayne’s demon has resurfaced, and it is trying to rip its way out of her, literally. Chase is determined to protect everyone he loves, because he cannot lose anyone else. In his heighten emotional state, and the stress, Chase continues to make decisions without thinking them through. 

In some series, the middle book or books do not live up to the excitement or quality of first or last books. In the Protector series, each book is pertinent to the story, and the story is not drug out to help fill a word count. This causes Shift to be completely full of astounding, action-packed storyline that keeps readers enthralled to the very end. 

The Protector Series and Shift will continue to be the series that I push on my friends and family members when they ask me for book recommendations. In fact, my husband has rewarded from my eager pushing of the series, and it is his favorite series of all time. This is coming from someone who is not an avid reader, and had not read a book for fun until he met me. While I maybe a lover of books, my husband is a hard case to win over. The fact that this made both of our favorite lists is a testament to excellence of The Protector series. 

**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review**

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