Chapter by Chapter

Can I just squee for a moment? *squee!* I was so excited to be thrust back into M.R. Merricks world of Underworlders and Demon Hunters. Of the short amount of time between me reading the first book, Exile, to the time I started reading book two, Shift, it felt like I was away from this unforgettable group of characters for years! When in reality, it was maybe a couple of weeks. That’s just how AWESOME this story is. Unforgettable characters, an addictive storyline, and a certain je ne sais quoi! All I know is that I need more! Bring on book three!So Shift picks up in and around the time where Exile ends. Chase is trying to come to terms with the loss of his mother and trying to find a place to belong. He now lives with Rayna and Marcus in their condo, but will it ever really feel like home to him, when home was wherever his mother was? And not only that, but the opening events that happen in the beginning pretty much grabs your attention and then you’re hooked. I know I was! We witness Rayna trying to shift into her animal form.Can I just say that the descriptions provided by author, M.R. Merrick, during these events was so real that I was pretty much able to see the images of the yuckyness of the attempted shift? The blood, the fluids (ick), the ripping/tearing sounds, the screams…omg I was so right there! It was like an accident you can’t look away from. In reality, you know…if shifts and underworlders and demon hunters existed…I would not be able to be in the same radius of this event, but the imagery popped out at me with every word. And don’t think this is the only time you’ll be lucky enough to read about what happens to one’s body when they shift. Oh no no no, my dear readers. This happens quite a bit in the book, and each time was described just as well as the first.Not only does Chase have to now worry about Rayna and her inability to shift, but he and his band of misfits go to meet the Circle (yes, the same circle that ousted him and his mother all those years ago) to discuss the events that transpired in Exile. Much arrogance and displays of magic ensues and they are not any more ahead in trying to figure out how the ring works, what his markings mean, and how to stop his crazyass father, Riley, from bringing on the Apocalypse. And to top that all off, everyone wants a piece of the ring! The Circle, Riley, other Underworlders, and even Vincent…yes Vincent who I was starting to crush on in book 1. Although, now in Shift, Vincent is less of a crush to me and more of a force to be reckoned with.We are reunited again with those very characters we grew to love in Exile. Tiki is still adorably loyal, a new Willy emerges that you can’t help but love even more, Marcus unveils some surprising news to Chase (although not so surprising to me because I thought it was pretty obvi), Rayna struggles with her shifting and seeks help from a pack of werecats, Victor is…well…Victor, and Chase is still trying to figure it all out.Different allegiances formed, new sworn enemies introduced and re-visited, Shift was an amazing follow up to Exile. With unbelievable world building, strong character development, and a storyline that still reminds of The Mortal Instruments series with a dash of Harry Potter, this is one story that you simply won’t be able to put down.With so many different surprises and twists that come up in Shift, this series has easily become one of my top must reads of all time. I can’t wait to see what more M.R. Merrick can pull out of hat with these characters and this storyline. If you haven’t started these yet, what are ya waiting for? You won’t be sorry… Bring on book 3!