Shift (The Protector Book 2) [Kindle Edition]

M.R. Merrick (Author)

Book Description

As was the case with Merrick's debut Exiled, the sequel Shift is just as darkly exciting and magical with just a drop of romance.
- Secret Lives Of Fiction Lovers

If you love a more urban fantasy feel with a few trips to the underworld thrown in along the way and some kickass characters with non-stop action, then this book is a MUST READ.
- Stuck In Books

This novel hits the ground running and doesn't let up until the very end.
- A Book Vacation

Book Description

Devastated by a terrible loss, Chase is trying to balance the life he’s been left with, a family he’s still getting to know, and power he never thought he’d have. He doesn’t understand why the Goddess has named him the Protector and granted him two gifts: the Mark, a tattoo that now covers his back, and the ring. But between getting interrogated by the Circle and psychic attacks from Riley, the Mark is the least of his concern. There’s a demon inside Rayna that’s fighting to be released, and it’s not her inner witch. It’s something else–a monster threatening to tear her apart.

As Chase struggles to control his magic, his enemies are closing in. Everyone has staked a claim on his ring, and destroying it may be his only chance to stop Riley. But Chase must decide if stopping him is worth risking the lives of everyone he cares about, or if protecting the ring will be enough to save his world.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer and author of Exiled & Shift, the first two installments in The Protector series. Having never travelled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he's usually found at the computer between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.

Product Details

• File Size: 553 KB
• Print Length: 350 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0987726242
• Publisher: M.R. Merrick (January 29, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0073APDSO
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,688 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #70 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children's eBooks > Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror > Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Ambivalent About This One--3.75 stars March 3, 2012

By Sarah Smith

Format:Kindle Edition

I enjoyed this second book of the Protector series more than the first. There are still issues with word usage and grammar, but overall there are fewer of them.

The characters are well drawn, the plot imaginative, the world-building quite good.

I'd like to see fewer fight scenes. They go on and on. BAM! POW! blood! scraps of skin falling off! talons shred torsos! bodies break walls! couches shredded! blood everywhere! Now this may just be my preference, but after a while, since the fight scenes were pretty much all alike, my eyes glazed over and I skimmed down the page to see who died, and who came out alive, miraculously healed, ready the next day for another fight. I never thought I'd think of fight scenes as boring, but....

The other observation I have is that the author seems to fall in love with certain words ("smirked" is an example) and he uses them over and over. The English language is rich with synonyms, and it would enhance his writing immensely to avail himself of some of them, keeping in mind the contexts the words should have.

And for heaven's sake, when will Chase learn to keep his temper and think before speaking or acting?

Merrick is definitely an writer to watch. In my opinion, he has the potential to become a world-class author, given the quality of his first two novels already.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fast paced, phenomenal read! November 20, 2012

By Bex 'N' Books

Format:Kindle Edition

I was completely blown away by Shift, book two in M.R Merrick's The Protector Series. The action and pace was superbly established and maintained and the characters that we had grown to love from book one, Exiled, were pushed and developed even further than I imagined possible.

Chase's life in Shift doesn't seem to get any easier. He constantly finds himself in the middle of the battles and struggles of those around him. Merrick manages to successfully reestablish Chase's character and allows the reader to fully understand his thoughts and feelings by the first person narrative. This enables us to relate to this fascinating character so that we are actively cheering his successes and mourning his losses along side him.

I am in awe at Merrick's ability to produce such a believable, yet complex character to life in the world of make believe that he creates. The strength of Merrick's writing, alongside the ease of the read, is impressive. And whilst this series targets the young adult reader, it offers enough challenge for the most seasoned reader.

Likewise, we are privileged with the insight into several more of Merrick's characters. We follow Rayna's amazing journey and self-discovery, in addition to discovering more about the highly likeable yet mysterious Marcus. By the end of Shift, I was left feeling satisfied, especially with the promise of reading book three Release very soon. A phenomenal 5 fairies!

This book was received for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars multi-dimensional madness September 4, 2012

By cageybee

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

These two books (Protector) have all the elements one could want in a fantasy. It seems they have every type of creature ever invented, from wizards to warlocks, and from witches to werewolves, and a few demon types I suppose the author invented himself. Nicely done! It also has different worlds in different dimensions and Gods who rule over them all.....sort of. This story reminds me of Shier's "Zero Sight" (vampires) but without the hysterical verbal jousts. It reminds me of Kay's "Tapestry" (dimensions) but without the elegance and craftsmanship of that multi-dimensionality. It reminds me of Hobbs stories as I found myself becoming really attached to certain characters. But oops, it seems to borrow a bit from Harry Potter (Soul pieces). Having said all that, this is a great story with many creative concepts put together in many unique ways. I was never bored for a second while reading either of these two books. What is really cool is the author has artfully built a platform on which an awesome if not epic conclusion should be forthcoming...we just know it. I only rated the book four stars because I felt the "bad guys" motivations were entirely too cliche. They're bad because they're supposed to be, or bad because they want to rule the universe. At least the author shows that the line between good and bad can be a bit fuzzy. Good stuff!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars HURRY UP - I'M HOOKED & I NEED BOOK 3!!! July 2, 2012

By Paginista

Format:Paperback

First of all, WOW! I have to say I've been incredibly impressed with The Protector series (Exiled & Shift) so far! There are a lot of YA authors out there so it's so nice to see when certain authors like M. R. Merrick show such great potential!

I'd read Exiled last year sometime (stumbled across it through a blog I was reading or something) - loved it, and instantly wanted more!
However the second book in the series, Shift, wasn't out until earlier this year. I'd checked out the author's blog a few times so was awaiting the release! I needed to find out more about the well-written characters and where the plot would go!

I've read a number of books from new writers and I can honestly say it astounded me how hard it was to put Exiled & Shift down! Without adding spoilers here, I loved how the elements of magic and mysticism are drawn together, how the relationships between characters evolve, and how at the end of Shift I'm still left wanting more... HURRY UP AND FINISH BOOK 3 ALREADY!!!

More About the Author

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer and author of The Protector series, a young adult mash-up between urban and epic fantasy. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he's usually found at the computer between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.