Review of Shift by Raine Thomas!!!

Having the ability to shapeshift, Sophia is familiar with change. But even she feels the rising tension in her homeland.

A shadowy male and deadly beast reside in their midst. The births of the newest Kynzesti loom. Hostile Mercesti continue to hunt for the Elder Scroll, and a traumatized female is too afraid to use her abilities to stop them.

Topping off Sophia’s stress is Quincy, the male she’s convinced can’t stand her. She rues the loss of their friendship, but can’t figure out how to move past it. She’ll soon learn, however, that mending that rift bears more significance than she ever imagined.

The search for the Elder Scroll takes on unexpected urgency, and Sophia finds herself in a race across the mainland. To stop the Mercesti led by Eirik, she and her companions must get past their differences and unite against them. If they don’t, Eirik will acquire the immense power he seeks, and two of the beings Sophia loves most will die.

SPOILER ALERT!!! 

Holy crap!!  That's all I have to say.... 

This book had me from the first word!!  When I read a book literally into exhaustion, because I have to read what happens next, I know it's going to be a great book.  No, not great... amazing!!

This is Sophia's story, who we met in the first Firstborn book.  We knew from the first book that Quincy was in love with her, but because of the way Quincy acted around her, Sophia was under the belief that he hated her.  That was so far from the truth.  He didn't know how to act around her, and was afraid of various things that proved to be totally wrong in the end.  

They are on the hunt for the second piece of the Elder Scroll, and are hoping to get it before Eirik.  Unfortunately, he has different plans and allies with someone who is more dangerous then she lets on.  She has her own plans for the scroll, and keeps those plans hidden from Eirik.  You don't know the full impact of her cruelty, until you realize why Knorbis, who was dedicated to the Firstborn children, and an elder, seems to betray them.  

It is decided that Sophia and her cousins will make the long journey to the scroll.  Quincy, who had been to the place it is hidden, is forced to stay behind with Amber, Olivia and Skye to assist in the delivery of their babies.  He is torn, because he wants to go with Sophia and make sure she doesn't get hurt.  It is a journey they know is going to be dangerous.  They just don't realize how dangerous it ends up being.  

After a disagreement with Tate, Sophia runs off, shapeshifting into a panther.  While up in a tree, she witnesses a tender moment between Tate and Zacahriah, and realizes there is more to their relationship then what they want people to think.  This is when things start really happening in the book.  We know that Eirik needs Tate and Ariana to obtain the scroll for the same reasons as the first book.  Their abilities allow them to get to the scroll without much difficulty.  I was beginning to think that maybe they would both be unscathed... man.. how wrong I was!  

Knorbis makes a fateful decision, that he grows to regret and tries to undue.  He attempts too late to save the girls, but is intercepted by Eirik and his new ally.  Tate, makes a decision, that she hopes will save her life, and it almost does.  Unfortunately in an attempt to save Ariana, she herself is almost killed.  It was hard to read that, as I love Tate!  She's so carefree, and I hope what happens to her doesn't change her.  Zachariah, who seems pretty hard on her, loves her dearly, and is devastated by what has happened to her.  

Also, it's two loves stories in one.  Teige, Tate's brother, is terrified that Ariana is taken again.  He's in constant worry about her mental stability, and if she's hurt.  He knew she was tortured by Eirik the last time, and is hoping against hope it doesn't happen again.   There is a creature named Deimos from the last book, who is out for Ariana's blood, and he's praying she's not hurt again!  Well, Ariana proves she is not a victim when it comes to that creature, and comes out swinging at the end of it!  

Sophia, who attempted to follow her cousin and friend with Knorbis, is saved by a group of Mercesti, very much like Zachariah.   They had been forced, by mind control, to do something that would turn them into a Mercesti.  It was nice to see that not all Mercesti were evil, and ready to do bad things.  These group of people had had contact with Saraqael's Daughters at some point, were showing emotion to Sophia, and proved they could be invaluable in the fight against Eirik.  They assist her in finding Hoygul, who in The Prophecy, and who I love!!  I still love his character in this book!

There is a funny moment between Teige and Zachariah before they enter the sacred library that had me laughing!  Just because Zachariah is such a guy, and they have to be in very close proximity with each other. The ending of the book made me sad, just because I held out hope up until the very end that everything was going to be ok.  Trust me when I say, you will be on the edge of your seat from start to finish!!  

Brief bio: Raine Thomas is the author of a popular series of YA fantasy romance novels about the Estilorian plane, including the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and the Firstborn trilogy. She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer's Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing or glued to social networking sites, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.

Ways readers can connect with Raine:

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Website (http://rainethomas.com)
Blog (http://RaineThomas.com/blog/)

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