Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready Series: Shade #1
Published by Simon & Schuster on May 4, 2010
Genres: Paranormal
Pages: 309
Format: Hardcover
Source: Won
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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.
I’m kicking myself right now for waiting so long to read Shade. I should really just learn to listen to other bloggers when they tell me I should read a book. Shade is one of the best, most unique paranormals I have read!
The characters in Shade are spectacularly well-developed. There wasn’t a single character that I felt I couldn’t understand. I also ended up liking almost all of the characters, even the love triangle boys. Yes, there is a love triangle. No, it doesn’t make you want to bang your head into a wall. Both Logan and Zachary are great guys. It is very easy to understand why Aura has feelings for both of them. I also think the love triangle is very interesting because one of the guys is a ghost. (I’m all for Zachary though! That accent! Swoon!)
The story is really what makes this book so fantastic. Everyone who was born after the Shift can see and talk to ghosts. Aura wants to know why and how the Shift happened so that she can learn about her mom and dad. The Shift has something to do with megaliths like Stonehenge and Newgrange. Seriously one of the most interesting paranormal stories I have read. I am eager to see how everything ties together.
Jeri Smith-Ready’s writing is another plus for this book. Her writing style is so easy to get used to and it makes the book very hard to put down. Jeri Smith-Ready is one amazing writer.
Overall, if you have waited this long to read Shade there is something wrong with you (only kidding, kind of.) Definitely get your hands on a copy of this one as soon as possible!
Yay! So glad you liked it! 😀
Oh, there’s something wrong with me! I have Shade on my shelf and I haven’t read it yet–but I so want to, like, now. Characters are the most important things to me in a book, and I’m so glad to hear that the characters in Shade are well-developed. I hope to pick this one up soon! Fabulous review, Katie! 🙂
OMG! I’ve been wanting to read Shade forever! I love your high heal ratings, funny but I JUST added a coffee been rating system :). I still liked your grading (A, B+, etc.) system though. Oh, and I love WP by the way… you should come to the dark side, or really, the good side! LOL.
~ Jen @ A Book and a Latte
This is one of my favorite series so I’m glad to see you enjoyed this one. I totally agree about Zachary, he’s my favorite as well, although Logan is nice too. The story really sucked me in as well, it is so fascinating and entertaining. I can’t wait to see what you think of the rest of the series. Great review 🙂
I didn’t mind this book. I’m definitely Team Zachary . . . even though he has his faults. Anyway great review.
Glad you loved this one! Just wait until you read Shift and learn all sorts of new surprising info 😉
(I’m a Zachary fan too!)
i enjoyed this book 🙂
Oh this story IS SO FANTASTIC. I’m just the dumb-ass who hasn’t read the sequel. Which is terrible. Horrible. But, I REFUSE to wait too long.
— Asher
on my tbr file, and i still have to read lots of books before it. but i will surely read it soon!
Glad you liked it! I’ve had this book for a few months but I haven’t gotten around to reading it. I’m definitely going to have to move it up on my TBR. And, I mean, a love triangle that’s avtually good? I WILL TAKE IT! Great review 🙂
Did you start Shift yet??? This series is great!!!! And Shift is just as good. I can’t wait for Shine.
I still haven’t read this! I know I’m horrible, but the Master TBR can be such a pain sometimes:P Since basically everyone in the blogging world seems to love this, I’ll definitely make sure to get my hands on it soon.
I’m horrible too! Soooo many people are telling me to dust off my copy on my bookself and read it! I really need to just DO IT! I’ll probably be kicking myself too. LoL
Magical Urban Fantasy Reads
♥bookluvrmindy
I’m a huge fan of Jeri Smith-Ready’s and like you I didn’t read Shade right away.
I LOVED this series. I loved this world where ghosts are out in the open and legislated and used for justice. I think it’s hugely original. I loved Aura and I loved both Zach and Logan and I get why she’s stuck in the middle. It’s heartbreaking.
Loved the mystery and mythology used!
Lovely review 🙂
The series only gets better from this book! Hope you read them all 🙂