Review: SHINE by Jeri Smith-Ready

It's Shine, you guys!! SHINE! I was so excited when this book finally arrived at my door. I started reading it ASAP, and it totally met my sky-high expectations!!


{Usual disclaimer: SHINE is the third book in a series. THE SYNOPSIS AND MY REVIEW WILL HAVE SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST TWO BOOKS (But no SHINE spoilers, promise ;D)!!!


Also, my review is certain to have lots of CAPTIAL LETTERS, exclaimation points!!!!! and other forms of fangirl squealing. You've been warned.}

 

SHINE by Jeri Smith-Ready


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.


------

Right after I finished Shine, I posted by immediate thoughts on Goodreads, and I'd like to start out my review by sharing those:

I really did intend to pace myself while reading this book to make it last as long as possible, but obviously that did not happen. But really, this book was INCREDIBLE/AMAZING/PERFECTION. It's one of those books that makes you think, "Goodreads really needs a magical and secret sixth star, because this book so deserves it."


A real, entire, full review will be coming sometime with in the next couple days, at whatever point I can turn my raw emotions from "!!!!!!!!! Asdkjahsdjfha holy cow omg asdfafsaehj <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 ZOGAN sdofixhj <3 <3 <3" into actual coherent thoughts that can be understood and hopefully get across the awesomeness that is SHINE.

All of that--still feeling it. This book was absolutely, totally, and entirely AWESOME. Full of action, romance, and definitely some laugh-out-loud moments, SHINE has it all, just like the first two books in the series. 


That isn't to say, however, that it wasn't sad as well. Logan may have passed on, but that doesn't mean everyone's going to forget him instantly, or be over his death. People are still suffering from his tragedy, his family especially.


Yet at the same time, he's given people hope--because he's proved shades can come back, that shades can come back and PASS ON. This changes everything the world knew about shades.


But really, this last installment in the SHADE trilogy isn't about Logan, not as much: It's about Aura and Zachary. (Oh, ZACHARY!! <3) Can they escape the demands of the DMP? Can they figure out the secrets of the Shift and the Shine and what really happened the day they were born? And most importantly (at least, to the romantics like me,) can they finally be together and stay together without any more DANG complications?? 


These are the questions; SHINE has the answers. And you KNOW you want to know what they are!!


Another awesome thing about SHINE is the "supporting" characters. I use quotes around the word supporting because they're all so alive and have such depth they almost feel like main characters themselves. From the Keeleys (Dylan, Mickey and Siobhan) to Megan to Gina to Zachary's parents...even to people like Becca, I love reading about them all. Jeri Smith-Ready has created a world and a set of awesome characters that it's simply impossible not to fall in love with.


So go--go now. Get a copy of SHADE, or SHIFT, or SHINE, whichever one you haven't read, and READ LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT! You will NOT be sorry!! <3


Do I even have to clarify this? SHINE absolutely gets <*><*><*><*><*>


(:D)
~Mag