Shift (Shade #2) by Jeri Smith-Ready

Published: May 3, 2011 by Simon Pulse
Received: bought from Barnes & Noble

Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.

As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart. {taken from goodreads.com}

Move over vampires & werewolves because there is a new paranormal phenomenon taking over: GHOSTS!  Shift is the follow up to Jeri Smith-Ready's first novel, Shade.  And oh my what a follow up it is!  I got sucked in to this story not too long ago (thank you Jen! I owe you my LIFE).  The world that has been created is one that I can't seem to forget.  Have you ever been reading a book and you just simply couldn't put it down?  That is how I felt while reading Shift.  From the very beginning it pulls you in (and if you've read this then you know EXACTLY what I am talking about).  From the very first chapter you're like - woah! did that just really happen?!  So with that being said, this book needs to be read RIGHT NOW people.

In the first book, we learn that Logan is now a ghost (and no that is not a spoiler! it's in the book synopsis people). As that story concludes, we're left with quite a cliffhanger moment - don't worry I won't spoil THAT for you.  But let me just say that Shift picks up immediately where Shade left off, so the intensity that was building just keeps growing and growing.  I loved reading about the relationships in Shift.  The love triangle between Aura's past (Logan) and her present (Zachary) was intense as hell!  I still don't know which team to root for.  I love Logan for his totally messed up, broken, care-free attitude.  Yet I also love Zachary for his grounded, thought provoking, stable presence.  Each boy brought something to Aura that she needed.  I can't imagine having to face the choices she does.  There's no way.  Just no way.

The other relationships I really enjoyed in this book were through Aura and her friendship with Megan, as well as Logan's family members.  One word: Dylan!  Did not see that one coming one bit, but my oh my what a sweet distraction that was.  The mystery behind the concept of the Shift and what roles Aura's mother and Zachary's father played in it was interesting to uncover as well.  There was never a dull moment in this book.  Taking one turn to the next, I was completely strapped in on the biggest thrill ride!  This might be why I had a difficult time putting the book down! 

Another scene in this book I'd like to comment on: The River.  When you read this book, you will know what I am talking about.  To avoid any potential damaging spoilage I will not discuss the details of what goes down at The River.  I will say that Jeri Smith-Ready is genius when it comes to writing such scenes.  I love that she's not afraid to push the boundaries and write with such intensity.  Though some may say this is border-line inappropriate for teens to be reading about, I felt that she wrote the scene very well.  She was careful with her words and left A LOT up to your imagination!  Very well done, Ms. Jeri.  Very well.

I am on pins & needles waiting to read the 3rd and final book in this series (a whole freaking year?! WHAT??).  I'm not sure if I am ready to say goodbye to these characters either.  Now I know why Aura is so caught between holding on to Logan's ghost and moving forward with Zachary's heart.  It's a tough call to make.  If you're a music junkie like me, or just enjoy reading books with an edgy tone to it - then I suggest picking up this series.  It's real, it's emotional, it's beautiful, and it's tantalizing.  If Shade didn't already paralyze me with total love, then Shift definitely has.  Go read this book. NOW.