(ARC Review) Radiance by Alyson Noel

RADIANCE
Author: Alyson Noel
Source Around the World Tours

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Square Fish (August 31, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312629176
• ISBN-13: 978-0312629175

SYNOPSIS:

Riley has crossed the bridge into the afterlife—a place called Here, where time is always Now. She has picked up life where she left off when she was alive, living with her parents and dog in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. When she’s summoned before The Council, she learns that the afterlife isn’t just an eternity of leisure. She’s been assigned a job, Soul Catcher, and a teacher, Bodhi, a possibly cute, seemingly nerdy boy who’s definitely hiding something. They return to earth together for Riley’s first assignment, a Radiant Boy who’s been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many Soul Catchers have tried to get him to cross the bridge and failed. But all of that was before he met Riley . . .

MY THOUGHTS:

If you are a fan of the Immortal Series by Alyson Noel, then you are familiar with character of Riley already.  If you haven’t read the series, you can still read this spin-off book without any problems. 

The Immortal Series is geared toward the older young adult crows, but with Radiance, the story is geared more towards middle grade.  Riley passed on to the Here & Now at age 12, and must now find her way around the world of the afterlife.  She is hired as a Soul Catcher by The Council. She has to travel back to the Earthly world to show ghosts or spirits how to move on to the next level of the afterlife.  Buttercup, her lab dog, is with her on her journey as her companion.  With her guide Bodhi, she sets off on her first assignment to get the Radiant Boy to move on.

This was such a cute book.  I had to keep reminding myself that this book is geared towards middle grade readers because I kept wanting to roll my eyes at some of the tantrums and such.  Once you put yourself in that frame of mind, the story is great! It flows effortlessly and smoothly.  The author has a way of making the world she has created come off the pages and into your mind!  A book that will keep you captivated from page one until Riley’s flight of Radiance at the end!

MY RATING: