TEEN: Shade - Jeri Smith-Ready

BOOK BLURB:

Like everyone born after The Shift, sixteen year-old Aura can see and talk to ghosts. Persistent, and often angry, some even on the verge of becoming Shades, these violet-hued spirits are constantly talking to her, following her, and demanding her help to make amends for their untimely deaths. Aura has always found this mysterious ability annoying and wished she could find a way to reverse it. She'd much rather the ghosts left her alone so she could spend time with her boyfriend, Logan. But when Logan dies suddenly and unexpectedly, Aura is forced to reconsider her connections with the dead...and, the living. Surely a violet-hued spirit Logan is better than no Logan at all, isn't it? And things are complicated further when new exchange student, Zachary, is paired with Aura for a class project researching the 'Shift phenomenon'. Zach is so understanding - and so very alive. His support and friendship means more to Aura than she cares to admit. And, as Aura's relationships with both the dead, and the living, become more complicated, so do her feelings for both Logon and Zach. Each holds a piece of her heart...and clues to the secret of the shift.


REVIEW:

OK, I picked up this offering not expecting much, almost set to hate this offering purely for the fact that the title had an established author quote backed up by a huge thank you from the author of this offering to the other established one. Whilst this may come across as a bit predujice I did feel that it led to the feeling that this offering was more a case of who you know rather than talent, so I was greatly surprised when I started this tale and really loved it from the first few lines.

It’s beautifully written, the principle character outstanding and she felt like she really was alive for the reader. Add to the mix a believable option on the world of the paranormal backed up with a kick ass story and you have something that presented a very cool outlook. Add to the mix emotional conflict and the character coming to terms with who she is and what she can do and it really was a delight to read. I really am pleased that I tried this title rather than leaving it on my TBR list for a later date.