REVIEW: Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready

Pub. Date: May 1st 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 367
Readership: Young adult
Genres: paranormal, ghosts
Rating: ★★★★★ 

In this dramatic conclusion to the Shade trilogy, Aura and Zachary’s relationship sizzles as the secrets of the Shift are revealed.   

Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend tragically died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past.   

As the first in a generation that can see ghosts, Aura is convinced she has a connection to the Shift. She’s trusted Zachary, ever patient and ever by her side, with all that she knows. But when the government threatens his life in an attempt to learn Aura’s secrets, she will stop at nothing to protect herself and the one she loves...even if that means betraying her own heart.

Wow. That one word describes how I feel about Shine, the conclusion to the Shade trilogy. I devoured all three books in about a week and a half and I can honestly say I already want to go back and re-read it all. Shine absolutely blew me away. I was expecting to have a few loose ends not tied up because that's what happens generally; the author likes to leave the reader hanging because they can but not Jeri. Every little loose end, everything, had closure.

I was wondering how Shine was going to be like without Logan because he is such an integral part of the story but I wondered for nothing. Logan was in it, not in the way some might think but he had a big part in Shine and Aura's journey in it. It brought tears to my eyes to see how far Logan came from where he started as a diva-esque, energetic near-rockstar to the grown, mature guy he became at the end. My sweet, precious Logan.

Sometimes I wanted to scream and throw the book across the room, not because it was bad but because of all that poor Zach went through and how powerless Aura felt, no matter how hard she tried to help and all that she did, to help him. Even still, when they were together, I always had a smile on my face because they are just so adorable together. They play off one another so well, they work together so well. They are truly meant to be together.

The way Jeri wrapped up the Shift had me pleasantly surprised. I was expecting one route but when I saw how she wrapped it up, the way she ended it, I can't see anything else happening. It was perfect.

I could gush and gush about this book but to do so I would have to bombard you with spoilers so I will leave it at this: Shine had me on the edge of my seat until the very end. It was heart pounding and nail biting, heart warming and heart breaking. It was the perfect way to end a trilogy. It was everything you would want in a series finale. The Shade series has a permanent spot on my favorite shelf.