3/28/11

REVIEW: Shimmer by Alyson Noel

Description

Having solved the matter of the Radiant Boy, Riley, Buttercup, and Bodhi are enjoying a well-deserved vacation. When Riley comes across a vicious black dog, against Bodhi’s advice, she decides to cross him over. While following the dog, she runs into a young ghost named Rebecca. Despite Rebecca’s sweet appearance, Riley soon learns she’s not at all what she seems. As the daughter of a former plantation owner, she is furious about being murdered during a slave revolt in 1733. Mired in her own anger, Rebecca is lashing out by keeping the ghosts who died along with her trapped in their worst memories. Can Riley help Rebecca forgive and forget without losing herself to her own nightmarish memories?

About the Author

ALYSON NOËL is the author of the Immortals series and seven previous novels for St. Martin’s Press. She lives in Orange County, California, where she is at work on the next book in the Immortals series. Visit her on the web at www.alysonnoel.com.

Details

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Square Fish; First Edition edition (March 15, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0312648251
  • ISBN-13: 978-0312648251
SOURCE:  PUBLISHER
MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
Wow, I am totally blown away by how much Alyson Noel packed into one slim novel!  There is a moral and history lesson in an easy to read story.  Empathy is probably something most kids around 12 are lacking and Riley is short on this trait, like most 12 year olds.  As Riley freely admits she is willful, stubborn and acts rashly.  After earning her glow in Radiance, she is granted a vacation with Bodhi and chooses to go to an island her parents had described often.  There she comes upon Rebecca, a soul who hasn't moved on from 1733 when she was killed during a slave revolt.  She goes through reasons behind Rebecca's pain and helps her move on.

The story is well balanced and most teens and pre teens should enjoy this story.  The younger ones may be a bit disturbed by the description of "beach bowling" where people are buried up to their head in sand and then, bowling balls are flung at them. There are some bits of violence described and again, some of the mentions might upset younger kids, but in this day of video games, it might not.  I loved how Riley truly grows through each encounter and that Bodhi actually guides her instead of using discipline to get her to go in the right direction.  This is a perfect follow up to Radiance and now I can't wait to read Dreamscape in Fall, 2011.


WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK?
Visit BookHounds....FOREVER YOUNG (adult) HERE




    1 comment:

    1. Still have to read Radiance! I am happy to see Riley again.

      ReplyDelete

    Thanks for leaving a note!

    Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.