Review: Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Title: Shade
Author: Jeri Smith-Ready
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: 05/04/10
Summary:

Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.

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.

Plot: 5 Stars
The whole idea of the Shift and how everyone born afterwards can see ghosts (violet ghosts no less) was such an original idea, and the novel definitely followed through. Everything Aura went through felt real, and I felt for her. Dealing with loss is hard, and dealing with someone coming back as a ghosts is even harder. I also loved how the author integrated music into the story. I was into the same-ish music scene in high school, so I really connected with that aspect.

Pace: 5 Stars
What started out as a diversion from a different book I wasn't enjoying (I'll often take a break from a book that's moving too slow and pick up another), turned into me not being able to put this novel down. There was no slow start, no lull of inaction in the middle, and the ending wasn't rushed. Basically, the pacing of this novel was spot on. It sucked me in from the first page and didn't let go until the last. And I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

Characters: 5 Stars
Aura was a very down to earth and very likeable main character. She keeps herself together even though she goes through some very tough situations throughout the novel. I liked all of Logan's siblings. And it was very interesting to see how they all interacted after Logan's death, considering his younger brother could see him, but his older brother and sister could not. Zachary was another likeable character, but it took me a little bit to warm up to him. All in all, the author created a very inviting and interesting cast of characters.

Cover: 4.5 Stars
At first, I wondered my this cover was chosen. But after reading the book and learning that the ghosts themselves are violet and the color red repells them, the color choices make a lot more sense and I can appreciate them. It's a very lovely cover. I just wish we could've gotten a better look at Aura since I loved her so much.

Overall: 5 Stars

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.