Review: Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready

Shine
Author: Jeri Smith-Ready
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publish Date: 05/01/12
Pages: 416 pages of awesome!
Source: I was one of the lucky few to win one of the few ARCs given away by Jeri Smith-Ready.
Series: Shine is the third book in this series. It is immediately preceded by Shift. Shift is preceded by the first book in the series, Shade.

No other love has burned so bright.

Life can change in an instant, and no one understand 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 that 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.

As a complete, giggling fan-girl of the Shade series (and everything Jeri writes), I may be a bit biased, but I don't think that is actually the only case here.  Shine is the last step in the Shade journey and (possibly...maybe) the best step. Shine brings all the characters to a new level. There is so much less of the old drama and tension that kept them in so much turmoil before. While there is a new level of drama and tension, it is one that brings the characters more together. It is uniting tension.

 Aura really becomes SO MUCH stronger in Shine than she has been before...not that she was anything to doubt in Shade or Shift. She is very take charge and in control of situations. She has learned a lot and it shows. Zachary continues being as amazing as he always has been (except for that one transgression in Shift...which we can all forgive him for since Aura has). In Shine he really shows how far he is willing to go for Aura...even in ways that you wouldn't necessarily expect! Logan fans shouldn't be disappointed either. Although we saw him pass on at the end of Shade, that wasn't the last mention of him there is! What is a Shade trilogy novel without Logan, really?

When I read the last word of Shine, complete sadness overtook me. I know we still have Shattered to look forward to this summer, but this is the last novel with my favorite characters. I think I may be able to handle the end of the series just because of Shine's complete perfection.

Probably deep down in my heart I know that even if Jeri had written nothing of importance in this book, I would have loved it. I love these characters so deeply that anything having to do with them would mean the world to me. As it is, I don't think I could have enjoyed Shine anymore than I did. From beginning to end I loved every. single. moment.

Would I read it again? Absolutely! Although, I have made a promise to myself that I won't read the ARC again. I am going to wait and rebuild some of that anticipation for the May 1st release date. I know it will be worth it!

Rating: 5+ Boxes!

If you want to pre-order a signed copy of Shine, go here: Constellation Books
You can also pre-order shine at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or The Book Depository (free worldwide shipping!).
You can find Jeri here: Jeri's website
 If you are a fan of the Shade series, check out the fan site: Kilt and Keeley

Follow them all on twitter too!
Jeri on Twitter 
Aura on Twitter 
Zachary on Twitter 
Logan on Twitter 
Kilt and Keeley on Twitter