Review: Shift (The Protector #2)

Author: M.R. Merrick

Format: eARC

Print Length: 350 pages 

Publisher: self-published

Published: Feb. 1, 2012 

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. 

My Thoughts

Shift starts off almost immediately after Exiled ends. Chase is dealing with the revelations that occurred at the end of Exiled. He feels responsible for the death of the individual who died (sorry did not want to give any spoilers). He also is feels unworthy of the mark on his back. The mark is that of the Protector- a person the goddess names as her champion on earth. Not only that but Rayna is being attacked from within. Her inner demon is fighting to be let out. 

Chase’s elemental powers have manifested- only unlike most demon hunters his has come fast and furious. He has to gain control of them. Just as Rayna has to gain control of her inner demon, otherwise it will literally tear her into two. They have to trust each other and people previously thought of as enemies in order to come out of this alive. Especially since daddy dearest is chasing after Chase at lightening speed due to the fact that he has a relic that daddy wants. 

Chase is diferent in this novel than the first. He is less condescending and more, well to be honest, real. His suffering is natural and felt natural when reading about it. His anger over the death of a loved one and his guilt about the death makes him a more tortured soul. His confusion over his feelings for Rayna are understandable- although I felt that with his prejudice against demons his trust of her came too fast. 

Rayna for her part is going through, well-hell. Her body is ripping itself apart. Her inner demon is stronger than she knows and wants her to shift. What does that mean, and how is it possible? For crying out loud- her daddy was a demon hunter and her mother a witch. 

Chase’s devotion to Rayna and her’s to him surprised me a little. I did not feel as if they were that attached to each other in the previous book. I do like that their relationship develops more in this addition to the series. They are warmer towards each other which does cause your tummy to flutter a few times in this book. Their devotion to each other becomes a motivating factor in this book. It is what will drive Chase to make the decisions that he did. 

My Rating 4 stars out of 5 stars (annoyed when reading and there was an interruption). 

Favorite Quote “Does this look like an army? This is my house, not your backyard, so don’t try marking your territory here.”

Other Characters

Willy- Chase’s best friend, stuttering demon/ werewolf, Omega in his pack 

Vincent- vampire royalty 

Marcus- ex-demon hunter who raised Rayna 

Tiki- demon from another dimension, who helps Chase. 

Chief- he will help Rayna when the time comes for her to shift 

Riley- daddy dearest- run children everywhere run 

Jax- second-in-command of Willy’s pack