Shift by Raine Thomas (Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway!)

Today, I’m so excited to be participating in the Shift blog tour, hosted by YA Bound. You can see the other blogs participating, by clicking here. And to read my review of the first book in the Firstborn trilogy by Raine Thomas, click here.

I am so happy to have decided to be a part of this blog tour! It’s my first time participating in a tour, and I really lucked out to have chosen such a fantast series to read. I don’t know how I am going to be able to wait for the last book in the trilogy!

This one centers more around the character, Sophia, and less on Tate. At first, I was so disappointed because I love Tate so much, and Sophia’s personality is so different. Where Tate is so brave and instinctual, Sophia is way more logical and filled with so much more self-doubt. But, Thomas continues to talk about various characters throughout the book again, and Tate definitely still plays a significant role in everything that comes to pass. Plus, now I have a deeper love for Sophia, who was never my favorite character before.

Any way, Tate, Sophia, and Ariana are all back at home recovering from their adventures and torments in book 1. Though it is clear that the other pieces of the scroll are still on everyone’s minds. And because Thomas is so awesome at getting into the minds of other characters, it is known from the beginning that the torturing, evil Mercesti from book 1 are also still doing all that is possible to get their hands on the scroll too. And to do that, they will need the help of Ariana, who can find anything and the help of Tate, who can tell when anyone is lying (and can help others see past detections hiding things like valuable scrolls).

After being amongst friends for some time, Tate’s family is capable of convincing Ariana to help them find the missing scroll pieces before someone else does. Unfortunately, the freshly bonded group of friends aren’t out long before everything goes wrong. One of the elders seems to have betrayed them. Tate and Ariana are kidnapped, and Sophia is missing. Sophia tries to go after Ariana and Tate, but doesn’t make it. Thankfully, she is rescued by a group of Mercesti (that seem a lot like Zachariah) and saved from further harm from the Mercesti who want Tate and Ariana.

Sophia makes some amazing allies. Tate and Ariana are captured by the wrong Estilorians. And the rest of their friends decide to split among themselves. Some go to rescue the girls and some head toward where they think part of the scroll is. This book, like the first one, is loaded with action, kidnapping, violence, flying, sizzling romance, and incredible power!

It was easier to read this one because I’m so much more used to the language, terms, and customs of the Estilorians. I still recommend reading the first book in the series, and maybe even the books in the series before first, otherwise it will be hard to understand a lot. Also like the first one, I found the beginning a little slow. Like I said, it took me a while to get used to Sophia’s personality over Tate’s. However, once the action picks up (and boy, does it pick up), it was impossible to put this book down! Plus, there was just enough sizzle between Tate and Zachariah still to keep me pleased!

Sophia and Quincy’s romance was a lot more tame, but still so much fun to read! And I found myself wanting the two of them together so badly! I loved watching Sophia become so much stronger in this book! Instead of running away from her problems, she embraced them headfirst, with crazy awesome sounding armor to match! 

I loved the new characters. And again, I found myself lost (in a good way) in this amazing world Thomas has created. The details about everything from babies to magic powers, to marriage markings, to training were just so fascinating! I loved the politics too, and getting to meet more characters who refused to fit along the black and white terms pre-set for them. There’s a lot of grey areas in this book, and divides between what is right for you personally versus what is right for everyone. There was also a twist I was not expecting! And this twist made everything even more interesting!

It is a little intense at times because some wonderful characters are tortured, and all of the best characters get tested to beyond their limits. But of course all the magical fun of shifting into animals, reading loved ones’ minds, following paths to magical scrolls, and flying add to the overall un-put-downable-ness of the book. I give this one a 9/10. I have no idea how I’m going to wait for book 3. There is an insane cliffhanger at the end.

Raine Thomas:

From Good Reads:

"Raine Thomas is the author of the exciting and original series of YA fantasy/romance novels about the Estilorian plane. Her passion for writing prompted her to earn her bachelor’s degree in English with a focus in Creative Writing from Georgia State University, then her master’s degree in Humanities from Central Michigan University. She is also a proud member of Romance Writers of America.

Residing in Orlando, Florida, Raine is a hopeless romantic with a background in the fields of mental health and wedding planning…two areas that intersect far more than one would think. Her years working with children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral challenges inspired her to create young protagonists who overcome their own conflicts. When she isn’t writing or glued to e-mail or social networking sites, Raine can usually be found vacationing with her husband and daughter on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives."

Connect with the author, Raine Thomas:

Good Reads
Facebook
Twitter
Website
Pinterest
Amazon for Shift
Barnes and Noble for Shift

Raine Thomas is also hosting a giveaway! Up for grabs is one signed copy of Defy, one signed copy of Shift, and a necklace (inspired by the main character of Shift). Enter here or on any of the blogs participating in the tour (link at the top of the post).

a Rafflecopter giveaway