jeri smith-ready

Shift [Book Review]

Michelle2 Comments

ShiftTitle: Shift
Author: Jeri Smith-Ready
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 1416994084
Pages: 384
Year: 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: Library
Rating: 5/5

Summary:

Note: I am using the publisher’s summary because every time I tried to write one it was super spoilery.

Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.

As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart.

My Thoughts:

I loved Shade. But I ADORED Shift. There is some HOTNESS in this one, guys. Once again, I am impressed with Smith-Ready’s bold choices in a YA novel not to shy away from topics that other authors tiptoe around (um, the river?).

The story is interesting, the characters are likeable, the love interests have chemistry, and the world-building is informative without being obvious. What else could you ask for?

This is one of those books I literally couldn’t put down. I read it in one day (a rare feat for little old me) and my husband was constantly teasing me for smiling the whole time. This is just such an enjoyable series (do I really have to wait until NEXT summer for the last book – can someone do something about that please?).

BTW, I came out of Shade clearly on Team Zachary but Shift made me love Logan a little more. I still prefer Zachary (people, the CHEMISTRY) but I get the argument now.

I am having a hard time articulating why I love this series so much. This is not just another paranormal YA romance. I want to make you all read it immediately so that you just get it. And have I mentioned the hotness?

Others’ Thoughts: GReads!; Anna Reads; Makeshift Bookmark; Presenting Lenore

Buy It Now: IndieBound; Powell’s; Amazon; Book Depository

 

Shade [Book Review]

Michelle3 Comments

ShadeTitle: Shade
Author: Jeri Smith-Ready
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 1416994076
Pages: 309
Year: 2010
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: Library
Rating: 5/5

Summary:

Aura was born shortly after the Shift and, like everyone born after the Shift, she can see and communicate with ghosts. When her boyfriend Logan unexpectedly dies, he continues to stick around in ghost-form and Aura continues to interact with him. Enter Zachary, the cute new student from Scotland and Aura’s new research partner. While Zachary and Aura attempt to uncover the mystery surrounding the Shift, Logan must pursue his wrongful death case so he can move on and avoid becoming a Shade – a dark, scary ghost that cannot move on.

My Thoughts:

This is going to be one of those I-Loved-This-Book-So-Much-And-You-Must-Go-Read-It-Immediately-But-I-Won’t-Be-Able-To-Articulate-Why reviews. You are welcome.

The premise, as I have written it and as the publisher has written it sounds a little ridiculous. But it isn’t, I promise. Smith-Ready did such an excellent job building the world as it exists in Shade that no ridiculousness can seep in. The vocabulary – post-Shifter, blackboxing, shading – fits neatly into the story without sounding forced. The pacing is perfect – I felt like I was leaning forward the whole time anxious for what came next. And there was a great balance between the mystery of the Shift and the love triangle.

And what a unique love triangle. Aura still loves Logan, but what kind of future can they have? Yet acting on her feelings for Zachary will still hurt Logan. I am 100% Team Zachary but you can’t help but feel for Aura as she makes some tough decisions (plus Logan was the singer in an Irish punk band. Hot).

Oh, did I mention that Zachary is Scottish and speaks in an adorable accent (yes, I read his lines in a Scottish accent). I have found yet another character to crush on.

Finally, one thing that I really liked about Shade has nothing to do with the supernatural aspect of the story. Shade treats drugs, alcohol, and sex as a normal part of teenage life. They play a very important role in the plot but it isn’t tackled with reservation like it is in a lot of YA books. Since drugs, alcohol, and sex ARE a normal part of teenage life, I appreciate the frankness with with Smith-Ready approached it.

This book had adventure, intrigue, love, loss, hope, music, and so much more. Please, do yourself a favor and go read Shade now (I owe Jen from Makeshift Bookmark a HUGE thanks for making me read it). And when you are finished, you can read the sequel, Shift, which comes out tomorrow (it took all the self-restraint I possess not to immediately begin Shift).

Others’ Thoughts: Makeshift Bookmark; GReads!; Fiction Folio; Anna Reads; S. Krishna’s Books; Presenting Lenore

Buy It Now: Powell’s; IndieBound; Amazon; Book Depository