Shade (Shade #1)

Author: Jeri Smith-Ready


Series: Shade, #1


Pages: 309


Published: May 4, 2010


My Rating: * * *














Summary
Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a crucial gig and Aura's plans for an intimate 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 talk to ghosts. This mysterious ability had always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she could 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.
Opinions & Thoughts
When I began this book, I will admit that I didn't have high expectations(drugs, alcohol, sex-can you blame me). I was right. Halfway. The first fourth was terrible for me, and I almost put it down. Logan made some very stupid decisions, and Aura(kind of an ironic name) just seemed selfish and bratty. So....I braced myself and kept reading.
Guess what? It turned out better, as I progressed. I would say the arrival of Zachary(and Logan's death), spiced things up. But, afterwards, Aura kept saying that she felt attracted to Zachary, yet she wanted to remain loyal to Logan(even though he was a ghost), and it became annoying again. Could you just choose? Nevertheless, Aura's love for Logan did surprise me, after all she is a seventeen year old(not exactly at a loyal age). But, I did end up liking Zachary more. He was kind and sweet.
Not too light and fluffy of a read, since it deals with issues like death and moving on after a loved ones death. Since Logan(and Aura too) were obsessed with music, there were a lot of songs listed throughout the book. Overall, an OK book, definitely not something I would reread(thus the rating), yet something I would recommend(hint, hint-go out there, get a copy, and read it). I will be reading the next book in the series.
About the Author
Jeri Smith Ready is an award-winning author and lives in Maryland with her husband, two cats, and the world's goofiest greyhound. Her plans to save the Earth were ruined when she realized she was more of a problem maker than a problem solver. To stay out of trouble, she keeps her drama drive strictly fictional. Her friends and family appreciate that
Like many of her characters, Jeri loves music, movies and staying up very,very late.
Click here to visit Jeri Smith Ready's website.