***Review*** Shift by Em Bailey

Shift by Em Bailey

Released:  May 7th 2012
Publisher: Electric Monkey (Imprint of Egmont)
Series: No
Format: Paperback
Source: From publisher for review purposes
Find at: Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

Goodreads Synopsis:

"There were two things everyone knew about Miranda Vaile before she'd even started at our school. The first was that she had no parents - they were dead. And the second was that they were dead because Miranda had killed them."

Olive used to be the school queen-bee. But that was before her breakdown. Now she's the class loner, and can only watch as new girl Miranda latches on to Olive's ex-best friend Katie. Soon Miranda is talking like Katie, dressing like Katie - even going out with Katie's boyfriend.

And then Katie dies. Everyone seems to believe it was a tragic accident, but Olive isn't so sure. What if the wild rumours are true? What if Miranda really is a killer...?

 My Review:

Oooh this one certainly got the mind into overdrive. It’s quite complex in places and there are a few twists here and there. I have to say it was a little bit predictable in places though. I did guess some of the twists, some were just no brainers. It did go a little flat in places for me; I really wanted edge of the seat drama. This is why I am not giving it a five star rating; it just didn’t get my pulse rating.

The main narrator is Olive, not all is what it seems with her. She’s quirky, feisty and a little bit of a problem teen. She’s had mental issues in the past. She used to be the school queen-bee but fell from grace when she distanced herself for her popular best friend. It’s not until you get further into the story that you start to get a very different picture. I did like Olive and you can quite clearly hear her voice and opinions throughout the story. There is something that has happened to Olive in her past and it is referred to as ‘incident’ you never learn about this until near the end of the book, well not the full picture. But it does keep you guessing and certainly puts the mind into overdrive. Olive would have to be my favourite character, yes she had flaws but they certainly made her more endearing. Who wants a flawless character.......I certainly don’t.

Miranda was a strange girl; she was a bit sinister and certainly gave me the he bee geebies. I’m really pleased I don’t know her in real life as I think I would run a mile. You can certainly see some disturbing behaviour and also the effect she has over some people. There is certainly mystery surrounding Miranda.

Mmmm boy candy was in the shape of Lachlan, he was certainly a dish. I would have to say that I was certainly rooting for him in the Olive department.

The very first page had me intrigued, and I have to say that I did enjoy the ending too.

Overall:

This was a good story and I did enjoy it. Maybe a tad predictable, but this didn’t really worry me that much. 

My Thoughts on the Cover: 

I can see where they got the idea for the cover, it certainly relates to the book. It is very clever how they have done it, however, I personally don’t like it that much and I wouldn’t really go for this in the bookstore. Not to say it’s bad but not for me.

  *** Many thanks to the publisher for supplying me a copy of this book for review.***