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Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Review: Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready


Title: Shade
Author: Jeri Smith-Ready
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pub. Date: May 4, 2010
Genre: YA Romance and Supernatural
Main Themes: Ghosts/Spirits, Love, Friendship, Death, Grief
Pages: 320
Description (from Amazon):
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.


Way too often, I overestimate the greatness of Young Adult supernatural reads, but I'm sorry to admit that I underestimated SHADE. I saw it around GoodReads and blogs, but despite its amazing purple cover, I didn't give it much thought. Don't overlook Jeri Smith-Ready's debut YA offering, you'll sincerely regret it!


Often, ghost stories are pretty similar. I feel like many authors don't stretch the concepts of ghosts and spirits, they just focus on making the other elements of the novel unique. Smith-Ready has successfully redefined "ghost"... and I was thoroughly impressed. I hope that in SHIFT, the next installment, there will be a greater exploration of the phenomenon of ghosts and shades, as well as the black box technology that is mentioned throughout the novel.


Not only does SHADE have great supernatural elements, it also offers lessons on grief and loss. I never tire of novels where the main character loses someone they love, or even if they are they themselves are the deceased. After reading books of this nature, I find it easier to process and move past grief and loss when confronted in real life. Aura's grief over the loss of Logan is extremely believable, even with the unbelievable presence of his ghost.


I think that Zachary, the new boy in school who is Scottish and very good looking, deserves his own paragraph of this review. He is most definitely swoon-worthy, not only based on his description, but his actions as well. I really liked that he didn't force himself on Aura. He was willing to just be her friend and wait until she was ready to move on. That was so refreshing! In addition to the romantic element he brought to the novel, he is also integral to the supernatural plot line... which made me happy because he could be in more scenes throughout the novel.


Grade: A+


Cover Comments:
I definitely approve of the current trend toward purple covers, as it is my favorite color. I think the moment I really fell in love with the cover was after seeing the book trailer, which brought the cover to life. You can watch the trailer below.


51 comments:

  1. OHH I CANT WAIT to read this one, your review has me wanting it even more - EAK!!! Awesome...

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  2. Great review!! I absolutely loved this one! It's definitely my fav paranormal of the year so far.

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  3. Oh wow! Now I really can't wait to read this book. I must get my hands on a copy! Nice review :)

    Reading Addict

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  4. I really want to read this one. Good review!

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  5. Ahh I'm reading this now and I love it so much!!!

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  6. I loved this book! I think it had some refreshing elements for a YA paranormal

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  7. I'm reading this book right now. I love it, it's very different to the usual.

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  8. I can't remember the last time I read a good ghost story and this one sounds like it'll be a unique take on ghosts. I too want authors to push the boundaries of what could happen. Great review!

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  9. Thank you so much for this review! I've always wanted to read Shade. But up to now, I still havent had the chance to do so. Your review rekindled my interest. Great review!

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  10. This review made me want to read the book. I guess I didn't really know what it was about. It sounds unique and original.

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  11. This book has been on my wish list for quite long, I don't know why I haven't got around to buy it. But I fell in love with the synopsis the first time I read it, and cover is nice!

    But ghosts! D: I hope the book isn't scary (for me)!

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  12. Oooh!! This books looks so good, and I'm not just talking about the fantastic cover!!

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  13. I've heard great things about this book and this makes me want to read it more badly! I love the cover, especially the background.

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  14. Great review and thanks for including the book trailer.
    I like your comments on Zachary - makes me want to read it even more.

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  15. I have been wanting to read this book for a while! Too bad I haven't seen it in many bookshops where I live but it has such a beautiful cover!

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  16. An A+? Wow! The cover is gorgeous too, it's like a mix of Eclipse, The Dark Divine, and Bleeding Violet!

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  17. Sounds good!
    I don't really like ghost stories mcuh, the only one I really loved was the Hollow by Jessica Verday, but this one actually sounds good too.

    I'll give it a try!:)

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  18. I don't beleive in ghosts, and I'm not a huge fan of supernatural stories but I'm intrigued by this book... I think I may have ignored it as well because I'm not a fan of the purple cover, but your positive review made me look for a few more reviews and on to my wishlist it goes :) The main thing is that the book is gripping, as this one seems to be...

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  19. Your review makes me want to read this book so bad! An A+ is surely hard to achieve!

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  20. I love Jeri Smith-Ready's other books! I'm sure this book will be a keeper too! Thanks for this lovely review! :)

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  21. Great Review! I am dying to read this book.

    Misha
    mishamary@gmail.com

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  22. I love the cover on this book, it really grabs your attention. I really liked your review and it looks like now I am going to have to add it to my tbr pile - which seems to be growing bigger and bigger

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  23. I've heard good things about this author, and while I was initially hesitant about another YA love triangle, this review peaks my interest. Will give it a go!

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  24. This book sounds amazing! I can't wait to read it.

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  25. Your review makes me very anxious to read the book!

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  26. I think that has to be one of my favorite book trailers! And I do believe it makes me love the cover even more. (And I totally agree with you about the purple cover trend being awesome!)

    I can't wait to read this one, Zachary sounds very swoon-worthy!

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  27. I have also seen this cover art a lot without reading many reviews. It sounds like something I should add to my TBR list.

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  28. I'm really excited to read this. Great review! Made me even more excited for it!

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  29. This book is going to be awesome. I aslo heard this book is turning into a movie. So cool!

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  30. Great review! ^^ The premise sounds very promising and exciting. I can't wait to find out what happens between the three main characters!

    vesipisaroita [at] gmail [dot] com

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  31. Thank you for mentioning the versatility of the plot. Paranomral elements with real life struggles. I think this will make a fascinating read!=)

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  32. I loved this book. I felt aura's pain, confusion, and attraction. Great review

    Aeriell
    Afanara1228@hotmail.com

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  33. On my wishlist this one is.

    Great review and I really loved your rating system. Recently found your blog.

    I"m a new follower :)

    Black Disaster Fairy

    literarydaydreams.blogspot.com
    wickedsexybooks.blgospot.com
    ikissbooks.blogspot.com

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  34. Great review I heard so many great things about this book has been on my list of books to read for a while.

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  35. nice book trailer.

    :D

    regards,

    maidenhealer@hotmail.com

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  36. I read only good things about this book so I cannot wait to give it a try myself!

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  37. great review.oooooooooooooooooh what a trailer!!!!

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  38. One book that has been on my radar since months ago ! i love the trailer :)

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  39. I can't wait to read this book! I want it for months now! The UK cover is awesome by the way!

    Vicky Vakouftsi

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  40. *shivers* Ghost stories creep me out more than anything... but I'm glad to hear this one is good!!

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  41. Can't wait to read this ...Aswome love triangle :))

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  42. Great review..sounds good..with the love triangle and all that .

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  43. I never really read about ghosts stories but it's interresting when you say that Jeri Smith-Ready has successfully redefined "ghost". Now, I can't wait to read this book. Great review!

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  44. Thank you for writing this review. I'm a big fan of ghost stories and I'm very interested in the way this author "redefined" the ghost story.

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  45. I really want to read this book so bad

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  46. Awesome review! It sounds good! Definitely on my TBR list!

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  47. I kept seeing the cover of this book, and just like you I found it pretty, then seeing how everyone praised Shade I got curious. I'm glad to see you loved it. Can't remember when was the last time I read about ghosts. Somehow ghosts aren't such popular paranormal species as shifters and vampires, it's a pity, there are so many possibilities with them!

    Thanks for the great review, I added Shade to my TBR list :-)

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  48. I was unsure of this book, but your review has me thinking I should give this book a look. Thanks for the great review.

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  49. i can't wait to read this book. I love getting my hands on books before my son does :)

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  50. love and ghost~
    both are my kind of things~
    how can i miss this~

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