So first, let’s talk about setting. If you have not ever been to the Appalachian Mountains then it may be difficult for you to picture the beauty and serenity of the beorg. The peacefulness of the forest, the smell of the trees, the crisp cold water flowing in the streams, and the clear mountain air. This is where I was born and raised and I’m drawn to this area like a moth to a flame.
When I first met Sybil and her kin in their small community, I was instantly reminded of District 12 from the Hunger Games. Living in cabins and barely surviving on a minimal existence, they are a simple people who are mostly unaware of the frivolities and amenities of the other lives led outside their boundaries.
Until they are required to leave for an op. And though she misses her mountains and clean air and trees, once out in the main world at large, Sybil, begins to appreciate many of the finer things taken for granted by those living on the outside.
This new young adult fantasy is an interesting new take on magic with mind readers and shape shifters. I haven’t read a large variety of YA fantasy series but to me, Shift is the perfect blend between Hunger Games and Divergent, two of my favorites I have read outside of the Harry Potter series. The ability to shape shift was a new concept to me. I tried to imagine being able to do that and thought about how odd it would feel to be in someone else’s body. It reminded me of drinking polyjuice potion!
I definitely recommend it to both the young adult crowd and adults and can’t wait to see what happens to Sybil and the other Shifts in book two.