SHIFT, Book Two of the SILO series, A No-Spoiler Review

SHIFT is book two in a trilogy, so beware of spoilers as you read this in regard to book one or in regard to the first season of the tv series. I may mention details that will spoil book one/season 1, so stop reading now and click on WOOL to read my review of book one of the SILO series. This novel, like the first is rated PG/PG-13.

SILO is currently showing on Apple tv+. You can view the first and second season now. I recommend the first season for sure, but am still wading through the second…it’s excellent so far, but I’ve only watched the first couple of episodes. 

I’m guessing this series would make a great audiobook. It’s not so complex as a story, follows few characters and takes place primarily in the silo, a setting that becomes very familiar by the middle of book 1. 

The Short Review: 4 Reasons I Recommend SHIFT

1. If you liked WOOL and are curious about how the world fell apart and the silos were conceived of and created, you’ll want to read this novel. It contains a lot of backstory.
2. While some questions are answered, there are many unknowns and therefore more page-turning tension
3. This story follows two characters, two different narrative voices who so far have not met/do not interact. One of the characters was a peripheral character in WOOL and one is new (almost) to the reader.
4. All the characters are flawed in different ways, but relatable and trying against many odds to do good…or at least to make things right

Note: If you loved Juliette as a character, know you’ll see very little of her in this novel, but based on how this book ends, I have the feeling she will take center stage again in book 3. It’s a guess, but an educated one. 

The Longer Review:

The SILO series so far has been a fast read, despite the number of words. Don’t let size fool you. If you’re like me, you’ll be turning pages quickly and staying awake too late at night so you can figure out what is happening. Also, I skimmed less of the text in this novel, but still read it quickly. 

Regarding the order in which you do this…reading first or viewing first, one thought: I watched the first season of SILO without knowing about the books. Once I posted my review, I did receive notes from some of you encouraging me to read the books. Just know, that the series follows the books very closely, so some of the tension and mystery (either when you read or when you watch) may be diminished because you will know in advance what takes place. It changes the experience a little, though I am determined to do both and realizing the tension will come one way or the other, either on the page or on the screen. I do like the combo though. I like seeing what the screenwriter chooses to put into the script, what to leave out, or what to change. So far the series SILO, has few deviations from the novels, but there is one BIG ONE. At the end of season 1 of the SILO series, Juliette has been sent out to clean and the audience does not know what will happen as she refuses to clean, then walks over a hill and disappears from sight.

It’s a perfect season-ending cliffhanger that the screenwriter exploits, so I don’t blame him for constructing the story in this way. However, in the novel, Juliette’s next hours and days are right there in the last chapters of WOOL. So…it could be strategic to watch season 1 and 2 on Apple+ before even reading the first book, WOOL. The mystery might be more satisfying that way. 

Whatever, the case, the series is fun and I’m enjoying reading it. The writing is not perfect, but it’s perfect enough to engage me  (and I’m really picky) and fan the flames of my imagination. I can’t comment on the overall themes and human story yet because I’m still figuring out what Hugh Howey is saying about humanity. Maybe the third novel will give me a window into his worldview.