Cooper Blake thought he lived in a normal world - up until he was involved in a huge car accident, resulting in a coma. When he wakes, not only can he see a girl named Samantha that seems to be invisible to everyone else, but he can also see creeping shadows, always surrounding him, always looking for a way in. On his own, Cooper doesn't know what to do. But when he meets Brent at the library, things change. Brent is a telepath, and he can see, by reading Cooper's thoughts, what Cooper is seeing - and he knows that Cooper isn't crazy. Brent introduces Cooper to Ryan le Coire, and through him, access to a world of sorcery beyond anything Cooper had ever imagined. However, Ryan says ghosts do not exist - but then who, or what, is Samantha? Is she truly Cooper's friend? Or is she, along with the shadows, out for his blood?
This book made me remember why I love YA fiction. I've been reading primarily adult books for the past while, and was reluctant to return to YA for fear of no longer finding the characters relatable. This novel proved my doubts wrong. I always tell myself how smart children and teens are, because I remember being that age, and how frustrated I would get when adults underestimated my abilities. Maybe that message needs to be louder in my head, though. In YA - well-written YA, at least - the characters are always relatable. If not by situation, then by choices and thoughts. I found all of the characters in this novel relatable or otherwise understandable; the author provided a peek behind their curtains in some way or another. My point: this book is a great example of good YA.
If you're looking to be scared, this book probably isn't for you. It is paranormal, and although the concepts are scary, there were no in-the-moment attacks that had to be faced. The most dramatic part of the book was the description of the car crash; however, this was recalled as a memory. That's not to say that this book was not enjoyable; in fact, I think that the lack of horror made me enjoy it more. It meant that I could read it at any time, in any mood, and enjoy it. With what's going on in the world right now, I wasn't up for anything too dark. I love paranormal books, and this one delivered, with ghosts-that-weren't-really-ghosts, telepathy, and sorcery. But, ultimately, it was a light book. Again, that's not a bad thing - in my case, it was a really good one.
I did not realize when I started reading this book that it was part of a series, let alone the sixth book. I even thought that it may be the first book in a series. The world was extremely well-built, and the characters effortlessly interconnected, but there wasn't much history mentioned. I assumed it was a standalone, even after I finished it, because it left off in a pretty good place, with most things tied up. So, if you happen upon this book and are debating whether or not to read it because of its place in a series - do. It doesn't need to be read alongside the others in order to be enjoyed.
If you're looking for a creative new YA paranormal read, this is it. I would definitely read the other books in this series, although thanks to the ending of this story, I don't feel I have to. I would rate this novel four stars. Amelia Atwood-Rhodes is clearly talented - apparently she wrote her first book at age 13! - and I would definitely be open to reading her other works in the future. I would recommend this novel to readers looking for an nontraditional paranormal story, multiple main characters, or a quick read.
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