The Skinny: In Aura’s world, when you die it doesn’t necessarily mean you are gone. An unexplained phenomena called the “Shift” happened and everyone born after that point becomes like Ghost Whisperers or walking Ouji boards — they can see and talk to ghosts. Sounds cool, right? Your loved ones wouldn’t necessarily be gone. But what about when all the ghosts are constantly bombarding you with their stories and wanting you to help and they won’t go away? When Aura’s boyfriend Logan dies, on the night they decided to take that next step in their relationship, Aura tries to grapple with the fact that she can still see Logan but their relationship just can’t be the same and meeting a new guy named Zachary, who seems to share her passion for figuring out why the Shift happened and how it can be stopped, just further complicates things.
I have never seen such passion for a book before in my LIFE until I saw how much Jen from Makeshift Bookmark LOVES this series. While she certainly isn’t a one woman parade in these proclamations of LOVE for this series, she’s the voice that has resonated the loudest for me in telling me that I need to read this book. So, I had to read it to find out what the hoopla was. But I have to be honest. I was nervous because, as I’ve mentioned before, I’m not an “I love everything paranormal” gal. I like SOME paranormal but not in the way a lot of my blogger friends love it. So, I was a little apprehensive to be honest.
But fortunately for my reading pleasure, and the status of my friendship with Jen, Jeri Smith-Ready wrote a paranormal story that I devoured — a promising premise that delivered, romantical tension to boot, heartwrenching passages that made my heart feel like it was in a vise and characters who I genuinely could believe in and care for.
Man, can Jeri Smith Ready write a convincing love triangle that doesn’t make me want to vom my Kashi bars all over the place! Jeri, can I just call you Queen of the Love Triangles? Seriously, this love triangle had me feeling like my heart was in the midst of a rowdy game of Tug O’ War on the playground. My heart ACHED for Aura. I mean, yes, it would be amazing to still see the people you love in theory but it could never be the same and it would be a painful thing to try and move on knowing that you are hurting that person. I’m personally Team Zachary for now but Logan is one passionate – albeit a bit stupid sometimes- dude.
I loved how unique the story was. It wasn’t a typical ghost story. It felt very much integrated into the real world but then you’d be very much reminded that there were some very supernatural things happening…as I’m sure it would feel to be Aura and going through your day, let’s saying walking your dog and listening to your music, and then a ghost comes out of nowhere. There is SO much we don’t know about the world and I loved finding out bits and pieces (and sometimes HUGE revelations) out with Aura. I wish some of the things would have been developed more in this book because it really took off in the second half in the book but I will be patient. I will.
My Final Thought: This book never disappointed for a moment. There was never a moment when I wasn’t feeling something — heartbreak, anger, surprise, suspense, tension, confusion. The story builds and builds at a pace I felt to be just right and all hell breaks loose at the right moments. I CANNOT WAIT TO READ SHIFT and, I should be scolded, because I do in fact own it but just had to “prioritize” with some review books. But don’t be mistaken, I WILL BE STARTING SHIFT SOON. Shade was just freaking awesome!
* Also, thanks to Jen for so graciously sending Shade and Shift to me just so I would FINALLY READ THEM!
Allison says
You about did that post-it note in. I like it.
Frankie Diane Mallis says
Woot! Glad you loved it! I am obsessed with this series!
Cindi Madsen says
I tell everyone I know to read this series. It's like an emotional rollercoaster that you want to be on all the time. So glad you liked it too!
Ashley @ Book Labyrinth says
I totally agree with you! I've been reading more paranormals lately but they're still not my go to genre, yet 'Shade' and 'Shift' are easily some of my favourites. I'm so glad I decided to read them. Oh and I also agree about the love triangle. I'm not the biggest Logan fan, but I still think the triangle was done SO WELL. The way it's written, it makes so much sense, which isn't the case for most love triangles.
Alexa says
Seriously, now I'm just going to have to read this series, haha. Great review!
Anna says
Team Zachary = GOOD MOVE, Jamie!
Jenny says
I'm glad you liked it. I love this series. It's always a bit nerve wrecking to have books that people LOVE shoved on you. If you hate them will you be ostracized? So scary. So, yeah, I'm glad you liked it. 😉
Amber (Books of Amber) says
I really enjoyed this book too! I love the take on the ghosts in this book. I'm definitely a Zach girl, but in book two I started to like Logan a little more than I did in Shade. And I totally agree with Ashley, the triangle was done much better in this book than usual!
Cynthia says
Loved this one too! I so agree with you about its originality. Don't feel bad I read this one last year and I still haven't read Shift. =/
Two Chicks On Books says
<333 this review!!!
-Jaime
thatcovergirl.com says
Oh this review, Jamie! You better not be kidding about that love triangle business because you best belief I HATE LOVE TRIANGLES. I bought this book weeks ago because of Jen's incessant fangirling, and it's further inched up the TBR pile now!
April says
Ha! It seems like everyone is just reading this and posting reviews. I just read it myself, I wanted to see what the whole kilt love was about.
This love triangle didn't make me vomit, but I really for some reason dislike Logan, so for me it's no contest. Zachary all the way. There was just something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. But I agree, it was a realistic love triangle.
I fell in love with the originality of this series. I see you did too, because you mentioned how unique it is. 🙂 I have to buy Shift soon.. maybe after the Holidays. I'm trying so hard not to break my book buying ban.
Great Review! Maybe I'll get to read your review for Shift before I get to it. 🙂
Michelle (my books. my life.) says
YES!!!! Read Shift now please. #teamzachary #justwait
Ashley says
Lindsi @ Books, Sweats and Treats is actually my Shade/Shift pusher. 🙂 I'm pretty sure that sometimes she starts conversations with me so that she can eventually lead it around to HAVE YOU READ THEM YET?!?!?!?!
I own both of them and promised Lindsi I'd read them when the third came out 🙂 (Next month, I believe) Glad to see that you loved them! I don't think I've seen anyone yet (whose blog I read and whose recommendations I believe) that hasn't liked these books.
Jayme says
I've heard great things about these books and they are on my TBR pile. I love your post-it note review, by the way 🙂
LisaILJ says
I loved this one too. I must confess that I have had Shift on my bookshelf for a while now and haven't read it yet. I think it is because I loved Shade so much that I don't want to be disappointed by Shift.
buy book online says
This story sounds very impressive and i cant wait to read it. The cover page and the the title of this story book matches exactly the same. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story review.
Michelle says
I have heard much hype in the twitterverse on this book/series. I recently read this one as well and enjoyed it. Not as much as others seem to but I did like the characters and the plot was interesting. I'm hopeful to get to the second at some point soon.
Alyssa Susanna says
Oooo, love the post-it note thing! Cute! As well as the format of your review. It’s the first review of yours that I’ve seen, so forgive me if I’m pleasantly surprised!
I loved this book! Not just because it’s purlpe (although that is a factor…) but because it was and is very different from some YA books out there. And the entire series as a whole was excellent. Thanks for the review!!!!