Sunday, March 14, 2010

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Title: Shade (Book 1)
Author: Jeri Smith-Ready
Pages: 320
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: May 4, 2010

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan’s violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura’s new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart…and clues to the secret of the Shift.


There are two kinds of people; the Post-Shift, and the Pre-Shift. Aura is a post-shift and she's been dealing with ghosts ever since she was born...she and 500 million other kids. But she's special. Why? Because she was the very first person born after The Shift. She was the only one born in that single minute. On the other side of the world, there's Zach. He was born Pre-Shift but he's special too. Why? Because he was the last person born before The Shift. He was the only one born in that single minute. When these two meet, their worlds--and hearts--collide. Aura already has a--dead--boyfriend, whom she still loves. And people are spying on her. What do these people want from her? But more importantly, who will win her heart?

Shade is a gripping and intense paranormal romance with a passionate love triangle, an action-packed plot, and teenagers brimming with drama. Readers will be pulled in with Smith-Ready's fast-paced, magnetic prose and will be acquainted with the new, intriguing concept of Shade. Shade is not at all the common, look-me-over book, but rather, its addictive paranormal allure pulls the reader in and they are pushed and introduced to the fantasy-ridden world of Shade and throes of heated romance, gory instances, and difficult decisions.

The electrifying love triangle in Shade is one that is formed over time and is combined with carefully-chosen scenes that makes it hard for the reader to completely vie for one of the two guys; Zach and Logan. This makes Shade more objective which makes it less generic. When this love triangle is bonded with the action-filled plot and the enigma of The Shift, it creates a whole new world filled with themes of jealousy, morality, grief, and love. And although Shade is set in a world that revolves around the mystery of The Shift; where nothing is completely impossible, it still has a distinguished parallelism with our own world.

Aura is a compelling character with maturity beyond her years. But her personality is not so that she is considered 'fake', but instead, she uses this maturity to deal with her never-ending list of problems. Every step of the way, she has to make decisions on her own that could affect her reputation and everyone around her. Some of the choices she makes in this book are contrasted with both unselfish and selfish reasons. Readers will be enamored with her strong personality and narration and the other characters in Shade are also very interesting. As the novel progresses, readers will get to know how and what their ethics and morals are, as well as develop their own opinion of each character and their authentic psyches. Smith-Ready provides intriguing psychoanalyses of the characters and at the same time makes them utterly believable.

Shade is a fast-paced book with a heart-stopping plot line that will have readers craving for the sequel. Jeri Smith-Ready is an author that offers all the right elements in this heated paranormal romance. A+ =)

The Bottom Line: Love Triangle + Action-packed Mystery = Shade =)

---Report Card---
Originality: 10/10
Ending: 8/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 9/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 10/10
Total Score: 97/100 (A+)


my signature

19 comments:

Maria March 14, 2010 at 8:16 PM  

You just convinced me to by this book when it comes out! Thanks for the great recommendation :)

j March 14, 2010 at 10:00 PM  

Aaaah! This one I cannot wait for! I'm so glad to hear it is good! Gotta love those love triangles! :)

Sherry March 14, 2010 at 10:14 PM  

This is one I can't wait to get my hands on! Thanks for the great review!!

Chioma March 15, 2010 at 12:39 AM  

This review settles it, I am buying this bookt he minute I get my some money. It sounds so intense. Usually I stay away from love triangle books, but it sounds sooooo good!!! Thanks for the review!!!
Chioma

Jess (The Cozy Reader) March 15, 2010 at 1:02 AM  

Couldn't agree more!

My review will be posted closer to the release.

YA Book Queen March 15, 2010 at 1:24 AM  

Wow! After reading both your review and your sisters I really want to read Shade now! Fantastic review :)

ck.twilighter (Chasity) March 15, 2010 at 2:45 AM  

WhOooO lala!! Adding to my TBR list!!!

Trollololol March 28, 2010 at 5:13 PM  

I'd had my eye on this one, but now you have convinced me that I have to buy it. Awesome review! :)

Brodie March 28, 2010 at 6:57 PM  

Wow. Excellent review! Yes, I've been wanting to read Shade but now you have me LUSTING for this brilliant novel! I almost wish I had waited to read this post because May seems so far away *sigh*

throuthehaze March 28, 2010 at 9:41 PM  

This sounds like something I would enjoy. I can't wait for it to come out :) Great review!

Karen Mahoney March 28, 2010 at 9:49 PM  

I am reading an ARC of SHADE right now and, although I'm not too far into it yet, I'm already loving it. Definitely agree with you re. Aura's voice; it's beautifully done.

Cheers,
Kaz

Mariana S March 29, 2010 at 1:18 AM  

Looks Awesome, and the cover is very pretty. Great Review! =)

lanna-lovely March 29, 2010 at 2:00 AM  

I can't wait to read this one, I think I'm signed up for the book tour for it. =P

Nikola April 4, 2010 at 4:11 PM  

Although this is something I would usually just pass on if I saw it in a store, your review makes it one of those I-have-to-have-it books :D

Fi-chan April 5, 2010 at 5:36 PM  

I think this just went to my to-buy list, after reading your review lol.

whitewolfreads April 19, 2010 at 10:49 AM  

I love Jeri Smith-Ready's other books so I absolutely can't wait to read this one! I'm so exited and I can't wait to delve in Aura's world if it's as invigorating as you make it sound!

Cherry June 18, 2010 at 2:44 AM  

I liked the story but I did not like the cliffhanger ending. My review.

X July 13, 2010 at 12:36 AM  

I thought this sounded interesting, though I keep walking by it in the book store. No more! I'm definitely gonna take a look and read!!

Great review!

Shelbie, Amanda and Jenni July 15, 2010 at 2:44 PM  

oooooh I'm going to have to read this book :)

- amanda

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