Review Star: Shade

I host this meme inspired by "Spotlight Review" at Bookworming in the 21st Century, where every week (at least i'll try) I'll pick up two of the best reviews I've read for a same book (it doesn't mean automatically 5/5 reviews ), this way we'll have the opportunity to share different opinions on a book we have read.
This week the book reviewed will be: Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Release: May 4th 2010 by Simon Pulse

Summary: Aura can see ghosts. Born after the Shift, a little-understood event that enables younger generations to communicate with the dead, Aura is relentlessly pursued by these violet-hued spirits. They need help to pass out of this world and into the next. And some are so angyr they are on the verge of becoming Shades, dark vortexes of energy. But Aura just wants the ghosts to leave her alone so she can spend time with her boyfriend, Logan.


When Aura is paired with a new foreign-exchange student to research the Shift for a class project, she is determined to ignore her partner’s sexy Scottish accent and discover the cause of the Shift so she can reverse it.

Then Logan dies a most untimely death. Forced to reconsider her relationship with the living and the dead, Aura is caught in a love triangle with her violet-hued boyfriend and her hot research partner…one of whom may hold the key to reversing the Shift.

1st review by Kristi from The Story Siren

Rate: 5/5
Review: Shade is one hauntingly awesome debut that will leave you craving the sequel as soon as the last page is read.

I don't really know what to say... I mean it was fabulous, it was one of those 'wow' reads. Where you don't see the last page coming because you just want it to keep on going... where you read the last sentence and immediately need the next novel... 'wow'
I really think Shade, as a paranormal novel, is going to stand out among the throngs of vampire, werewolf, and angel books. Although this isn't the first novel I've read about ghosts, the story is incredibly unique and well done. Plus it has that whole incredibly hot love triangle going on, which is something that I can't get enough of for some reason. And for once I don't have a definite side that I'm on.

Aura is a really well developed character and as a reader you can't help but get caught up in the emotional battle that she struggles with throughout this novel. Aura's character has a very compelling and relatable voice, and I think readers will automatically like her. I know I did. And the boys in this novel, wow. Hot guitar playing rock-star...er ghost, or a seriously sexy Scotsman....?

The whole mystery surrounding 'the shift' isn't really divulged upon in this novel. No one really knows what caused it, and the people that are trying to find an answer really only have assumptions. But don't think that Smith-Ready leaves you empty handed, there are a few big revelations that will keep you more than satisfied!

That cliffhanger ending totally KILLED me!

Jeri Smith-Ready has made a fan out of me


2nd review by Lori from Pure Imagination

Rate: 5/5
Review: I only read a few paranormal books that I absolutely loved last year. It's my favorite genre but its gotten so popular that it's hard to find the really good books anymore. Shade is the first paranormal I have read this year and absolutely loved!! The world in this book is utterly amazing! The whole concept of the Shift drew me in from the very beginning. Jeri Smith-Ready is a adult author and this is her first YA. Maybe that's why I loved it so much. It reminded me of the adult paranormal novels that made me fall in love with the genre in the first place.

Aura was a amazing character. Not once did she annoy me! I loved all the characters. They all played very important roles in Aura's life and I felt that connection. And can I say Hot Boys! Between a guitar playing punk and a Scotsman?? Seriously? Give me a heart attack! Those are my two favorite kinds! All in one book!! Okay....I'll stop gushing.

The mystery and the entire concept behind this book was awesome. There wasn't a dull moment. I really don't think I can say enough good things about Jeri's story telling. This book is released in May and I will definitely be buying a finished copy and you better be buying you a copy asap!


I've just got the book myself and haven't read it yet but I'm looking forward to meet Aura !! Have you read it? What did you think?

Review Star: Jekel Loves Hyde

I'm having a new meme inspired by "Spotlight Review" at Bookworming in the 21st Century. Every week I'll pick up two of the best reviews I've read for a same book (it doesn't mean automatically 5/5 reviews ), this way we'll have the opportunity to share different opinions on a book we have read.
This week the book reviewed will be: Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

Release: May 3rd 2010 by Harcourt Children's Books

Summary: Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To better her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen’s sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything – even Tristen’s love – just for the thrill of being… bad.

1st review by Stacy from Wicked Walker

Rate: 3,5/5
Review: I have seen a few reviews on this book, going from "I love it" to "embarrassingly bad"..and hey, to each their own. I fell somewhere in the middle on this one. I liked the book, I thought the idea of a story based on the descendants of Jekyll/Hyde was an interesting one and the characters didn't grate on my nerves. The story is told from alternating points of view, Jill and Tristen, so I kind of feel with that...I didn't get as involved in the one character as I wanted to. The mystery of not knowing what the other is thinking is fun for me.

Jill Jekel is a nerdy, timid science nut that has never really had a boyfriend. She connects with Tristen Hyde over a science project where first prize would win a $30,000 scholarship. Tristen is an aloof, good looking outsider (by his choice) that agrees with help Jill on the project for his own reasons...he believes that the "Hyde monster" lives inside him and has made him do terrible things in the past. He believes Jill has the solution to his problem, literally, in the form of a potion created from the notes of Dr. Jekyll.

I found this a quick and interesting read based on a storyline that is unique. I would have wished for maybe more character development to enroll me into their lives more, but that didn't stop me from reading it pretty quickly. If you enjoy dark, quirky, science-nerd type stories, check it out on May 3rd when it is released!


2nd review by Marisa from BAM Book Reviews

Rate: B+
Review: The main character, Jill Jekel, is small, timid and quiet. I loved her. At first, she seems to be very vulnerable and weak but by the end of the book I found her to be courageous and strong. She was very interesting and I felt like I could relate to her, differences aside. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book from her perspective. Speaking of that, I also loved the odd times where the story was being told by Tristen.

That leads me to evil Mr. Hyde himself. Tristen was a very complex and mysterious character. I liked him from the beginning but I never really fully understood who he was. His life is filled with secrets and unanswered questions but as you get deeper enthralled in the mystery of his "curse" things become clearer and secrets are revealed. Him and Jill are like opposite people but yet they're also alike in many ways. Which is why I loved the chemistry (aha) between them.

I really liked Jekel Loves Hyde. From the first page, I was intrigued and wanted to figure out how the story would develop. It had a great plot, full of mystery and I loved how Beth retold a great classic story in a new and exciting way. I love the whole idea.

Although I really enjoyed the book, I feel as though there was something missing. The book felt rushed to me. At the end of the book, everything happened at once in a matter of about five pages. And romance! I feel like there was barely any romance. It was mostly fighting and physical tension. But other than those two minor things, the book was great! Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side is still my preferred book of Beth's but this one did not disappoint either.


I haven' read this book yet but it's on my TBR list. The opinions and the different reviews I've read about  JLH are sometimes totally at the opposite, from "really bad" to "loved it" but still, I'm really curious about this book and I enjoyed Jessica's Guide... so I'll keep Jekel Loves Hyde in my list until I finally have the occasion to read it.
PS: go check for more reviews on these two really great blogs! 8)