Shift (Shade 2)
- Jeri Smith-Ready
Publisher: UK – Simon Pulse
Aura's life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can't deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she's not sure that she wants to. Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift. As Aura's search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart.
Last year I read Shade and really enjoyed it (review here) so I couldn’t wait to see what Aura, Logan and Zach would get up to next. After Shading at the end of Shade, Aura manages to bring Logan back to his ghostly self and once more finds herself caught between former long-term boyfriend and new ghost Logan and sexy, living Scot Zach. I have to admit I am totally on Zach’s team – Logan is a little too selfish for my liking. J
As well as the usually YA love triangle, Aura and Zach are trying to discover their connection to the Shift – the time when everyone born after could see ghosts and what it means to their positions as the Last person born pre-shift (Logan) and the First born after (Aura). As such, Shift does suffer a little from the middle book syndrome with the main arc moving forward but very slowly with most of the revelations in the final quarter of the book. This made the first half of the book quite slow – especially as I was annoyed with Aura & Zach’s will they/won’t they two step. They seemed to just invent obstructions to them being together for the tension. However, both of them retained some charm and vulnerability so while I was a little frustrated, I still wanted them to get together! The final quarter though was a fast moving adventure with plenty happening and some exciting chase scenes.
Overall, though the writing was like a fluffy pillow – you just fall into it and struggle to leave it behind. I adored the world that Jeri Smith-Ready built with the split between pre and post-Shifters and how the ability for all the young to see ghosts impacts society. The mystery behind what caused the Shift is fascinating and I really can’t wait to see how this is solved in the final book of the trilogy, Shine. The only trouble is – it’s not out until next year!
Recommended for fans of Rachel Vincent and Kristin Cashore. 8 out of 10
Go Team Ghost!
Not liking this cover.
ReplyDeleteBut liking the sound of the book, aye I would read it.
Wait... cliffie? Oh this is a series I want to read, but maybe I'll get them when they are all out. Oh and sometimes frustration is so good because you know eventually they WILL get together. :)
ReplyDeletePS.. YAY! Team Ghostie! :)