Don't overlook this book! SHADE by Jeri Smith-Ready

When I hear about a new book coming out, I usually can put it into one of two categories:
1. Annnnnnnnnd the TBR pile just got a new addition.
2. Nope, not for me, thanks.

But there are a handful of books I feel neutral about that fall in the in-between. For whatever reason, they don't strike me one way or the other.

Jeri Smith-Ready's SHADE used to be one of those books. And then I fell in love.

I borrowed SHADE from Frankie last week, mainly because she had really enjoyed it, so my curiosity was piqued. I honestly had mostly forgotten what it was about, since it had been about a year since I'd read reviews. Without even checking out the back cover copy, I opened it up and began the first chapter.

Awesome.

It wasn't some mind-blowing, sucks-you-in-til-you-can't-breathe beginning. But I was HOOKED. The quality of the writing, of the story, of the characters, of the world-building, was immediately apparent. And it just felt different from anything I'd read recently.

So then I read the summary:

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.

Yes, the summary was accurate, but it just didn't do the book justice at all.

Jeri, I bow to your awesomeness.

The (very unique) paranormal elements were woven so well into today's world and the life of this average-seeming teenage girl that I nearly believed it was a contemporary novel. And I immediately loved the main character, Aura. It was like I knew her, like her voice and thoughts were some mix of me and every girl friend I had in high school.

And it just got better.

Realistic, be-my-BFF-please MC? Check.
Inventive concept? You betcha.
Character development for one and all? Yup.
Believable love triangle? Most certainly.
Perfect tension? Oh yeah.
High stakes? Mmmm hm.
Intriguing mystery? Yessir.
And did I mention the world-building? Squee!

And MY GOD did it leave me begging for a sequel. I want back in Aura's story like you wouldn't believe. Jeri Smith-Ready can go in sooo many directions with this, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

SOON!!!!!

Thankfully, I don't have to wait long! The one bonus of being so late to the party is that the sequel, SHIFT, comes out May 3rd. MAY 3RD, PEOPLE! I, for one, will be first in line to read it. (Especially because the reviewers who've read it already have been blown away by the awesome!)

Anywho, the whole point of this blog post is to convince you to check out this book! It's a fun, captivating read that's really, really worth it. For real.

And if you'd like more convincing:
- STEPH SU gushed about SHADE way back in May 2010, and her review put into words exactly why I love this book.
- Jami at YA ADDICT just fell in love with SHADE last month! And I quote, "Why didn't I read this one sooner!?!"

PLUS, you can read the first 96 pages online FOR FREE.

Ok, tell me in the comments if I've convinced you. Or if you've read SHADE, tell me what you thought of it, and leave a link to your review, if you have one!

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