Ever since the incident, and since her father left, Olive has looked at the world differently and has not liked what she saw, especially about herself. Cutting herself off from her former friends, from Alison, and throwing out everything about her old self, her old life, she has replaced it all. From new friends to a new wardrobe and a bedroom makeover, she has finally found a new version of herself that she is happy with. Unfortunately so has someone else.

When she first discovered the shapeshifter she feared no one would believe her until it was too late. But when her life was shattered and her perceptions changed she realised that believing in shapshifters was something only a crazy girl would do, and she was not crazy, at least not anymore. So when the so called 'shapeshifter' befriends her she no longer holds the crazy fear of losing her identity or her life. However she may be crazy not to fear.

Shift mingles together all aspects of friendship from loyalty, acceptance and encouragement to misunderstandings, manipulation and malaise. Not all friendships are healthy, and while some are only fleeting and created out of need, others can be down right dangerous. However it is a true friend who will stand by you when you need them most. A genuinely engaging story that surprises and leaves you wondering. ( )

I enjoyed this. ( )

Since her father's leaving and her suicide attempt, Olive keeps to herself at school, estranged from her former best friend Katie. Olive's closest version of a friend is Ami, and without giving any spoilers, Ami isn't what readers will expect her to be. When new girl Miranda shows up at school, Olive's outsider status gives her a unique perspective on Miranda's strange bearing that no one else seems to notice. A suspenseful book about high school social dynamics writ large that teens will devour for recreational summer reading. ( )

This is a creepy, psychological thriller dealing with dangerous friendships. Olive used to be the most popular girl at school until her parents' separation and her own suicide attempt. Now she is considered a freak. Flawed and still struggling with her mental state, Olive is an unreliable narrator and she leaves the reader wondering if she is revealing everything about her past. Despite this, she is trying hard to stay stable but at the same time seems lost, confused and uncertain, and I was immediately drawn to her as a protagonist. Her friendship with Ami is lovely and the budding romance between her and Lachlan sweet.

This book reminds me a little of "Liar" by Justine Larbalestier although I think it is a more believable read. An enthralling debut by the author. ( )

So the title Shift can give you a clue here as to what paranormal element this creepy YA thriller is going to have going for it. But you will be surprised by how that is used. I haven't seen it done like this before, so kudos for that. While I was impressed with the ideas behind it the overall message of Shift didn't click with me probably because of what they were. I really didn't even get a clue about these things from the description. Coupled with was some of Olive's behavior that just did not jive with me at all, I was left with an overall "meh" feeling by the end. Shift is a book I think my newly adult younger sister would enjoy but I don't know if I'd recommend it to adult readers who like young adult fiction. ( )