Scan barcode
heather4994's review
5.0
This may be the most emotional book/novella of all in the Shade series. I have found myself crying, gulping lumps in my throat and generally an emotional wreck at the torture Zachary has been through. I love the friendship between him and Martin. There are some truly touching scenes in there that will break your heart.
I've been a little skeptical about how Zachary's confinement could make him so "Shattered", but I am no longer a doubter. Jeri Smith-Ready is a master at conveying the utter loneliness he felt. I think this may be the best book of the entire series.
A must read! And a free download! Thank you Jeri!! Ten stars if I could!!
I've been a little skeptical about how Zachary's confinement could make him so "Shattered", but I am no longer a doubter. Jeri Smith-Ready is a master at conveying the utter loneliness he felt. I think this may be the best book of the entire series.
A must read! And a free download! Thank you Jeri!! Ten stars if I could!!
kameo9's review
5.0
Heartbreaking look at Zachary after he was released from 3A. Seeing him Shine, knowing there was damage, this shows just how much, and Zach's struggle to come back to life. Jeri Smith -Ready has written the perfect companion novella to the Shade trilogy.
shanna_silver's review
5.0
This review might contain spoilers for those who haven't read Shine.
If you haven't read Shine. Go read it, then come back.
Now, on to the review.
Heartbreaking. Amazing. Heartbreaking. Wonderful. Heartbreaking. Soulful. Heartbreaking. Heartbreaking. Heartbreaking!
This is Zachary's story. The part he hides from the world and from Aura for the most part. The things he hides behind his charm and his smiles.
The story begins with Zachary back in the UK and details his struggle to stay sane, to get better...to be finished, whole.
Is what Zachary says.
The author approaches Zachary's pain, trauma and desperation in a very realistic and respectful way. And even through the worst parts, there will be a mention of something that will make you go "This is such a Zach thing to do!" What I mean is that even though he's quite thoroughly shattered, you can still see the geekiness, wit and every other bit that makes Zach...well, Zach.
We don't see much of Aura. She is there, through their texts, and video-chats. But this is about Zach. His journey, his pain, his healing.
I also liked the way Logan is incorporated into the story. A lot. It is unexpected and puts him in a role we have never seen him assume.
The absolute gift (yes gift) in this story is Martin.
We didn't see much of him in Shine and what we did see was a short chat through a computer screen, and a few bits at the end of the book. But Martin... Martin is amazing. Funny, caring, supportive, fierce, protective, an awful dancer, giving, willing to go above and beyond for those he cares about, loving, and so much more. As I said Martin is AMAZING.
The relationship between him and Zachary is one of the most heartwarming and tender ones I've ever read about (or seen for that matter). He's determined to keep Zachary above the water and that's what he does. No matter what happens to him, he recognizes Zachary's need for friendship and support and that is exactly what he gives him without ever asking for anything in return. Not once.
We need more Martins in this world. It would be a far kinder and better place to live in.
This isn't just a sad story. This is a story that will make you suffer alongside its characters. It will make you sad, angry, horror-struck. And yes, it will leave you feeling shattered.
All in all an amazing companion to the Shade trilogy. If you liked the rest of it I highly recommend you check this one out. It is definitely worth the read.
5/5 from me.
(Is it okay to thank an author for breaking your heart?) I'm not sure, but I will. :)
If you haven't read Shine. Go read it, then come back.
Now, on to the review.
Heartbreaking. Amazing. Heartbreaking. Wonderful. Heartbreaking. Soulful. Heartbreaking. Heartbreaking. Heartbreaking!
This is Zachary's story. The part he hides from the world and from Aura for the most part. The things he hides behind his charm and his smiles.
The story begins with Zachary back in the UK and details his struggle to stay sane, to get better...to be finished, whole.
Spoiler
"I want to give you a gift too. Me, finished."The author approaches Zachary's pain, trauma and desperation in a very realistic and respectful way. And even through the worst parts, there will be a mention of something that will make you go "This is such a Zach thing to do!" What I mean is that even though he's quite thoroughly shattered, you can still see the geekiness, wit and every other bit that makes Zach...well, Zach.
Spoiler
He made a graph for goodness sake!We don't see much of Aura. She is there, through their texts, and video-chats. But this is about Zach. His journey, his pain, his healing.
I also liked the way Logan is incorporated into the story. A lot. It is unexpected and puts him in a role we have never seen him assume.
The absolute gift (yes gift) in this story is Martin.
We didn't see much of him in Shine and what we did see was a short chat through a computer screen, and a few bits at the end of the book. But Martin... Martin is amazing. Funny, caring, supportive, fierce, protective, an awful dancer, giving, willing to go above and beyond for those he cares about, loving, and so much more. As I said Martin is AMAZING.
The relationship between him and Zachary is one of the most heartwarming and tender ones I've ever read about (or seen for that matter). He's determined to keep Zachary above the water and that's what he does. No matter what happens to him, he recognizes Zachary's need for friendship and support and that is exactly what he gives him without ever asking for anything in return. Not once.
We need more Martins in this world. It would be a far kinder and better place to live in.
This isn't just a sad story. This is a story that will make you suffer alongside its characters. It will make you sad, angry, horror-struck. And yes, it will leave you feeling shattered.
Spoiler
(Though it may or may not make it a bit better at the end.)All in all an amazing companion to the Shade trilogy. If you liked the rest of it I highly recommend you check this one out. It is definitely worth the read.
5/5 from me.
(Is it okay to thank an author for breaking your heart?) I'm not sure, but I will. :)
literarymusingsbypatty's review
5.0
This was a perfect compliment to Jeri Smith-Ready's already awesome Shade series.
I had been putting off reading Shattered because quite honestly I wasn't ready to let go of the Shade series. I didn't want to say good-bye to Aura and Zachary and Logan and so many of the other wonderful characters that I've come to love and cherish. I knew that reading Shattered was going to be bittersweet and even a bit gut-wrenching. And boy was I right.
Shattered is a story unlike anything I've read recently. It's a story that is raw and brutal. It's a story that will have your heart aching. But it is also a story full of hope and full of love, and not necessarily the romantic kind of love. In this story I found a new favorite character in the Shade series: Martin.
Martin is one of those characters that you want to come alive. He's a character that one hopes really is out there somewhere. He demonstrates what it means to be a true friend. What it means to have someone who really cares for another person. To me Martin is the perfect friend.
Jeri has written a novella that is more than just a side dish to a great series. It's a novella full of depth in both the characters and their struggles. It makes you think and look at PTSD, as something that is both debilitating and something that can be overcome.
If you have yet to check out the Shade series, what are you waiting for? Go now! :)
Note: I'd like to thank Jeri for providing this as a free novella to her readers.
I had been putting off reading Shattered because quite honestly I wasn't ready to let go of the Shade series. I didn't want to say good-bye to Aura and Zachary and Logan and so many of the other wonderful characters that I've come to love and cherish. I knew that reading Shattered was going to be bittersweet and even a bit gut-wrenching. And boy was I right.
Shattered is a story unlike anything I've read recently. It's a story that is raw and brutal. It's a story that will have your heart aching. But it is also a story full of hope and full of love, and not necessarily the romantic kind of love. In this story I found a new favorite character in the Shade series: Martin.
Martin is one of those characters that you want to come alive. He's a character that one hopes really is out there somewhere. He demonstrates what it means to be a true friend. What it means to have someone who really cares for another person. To me Martin is the perfect friend.
Jeri has written a novella that is more than just a side dish to a great series. It's a novella full of depth in both the characters and their struggles. It makes you think and look at PTSD, as something that is both debilitating and something that can be overcome.
If you have yet to check out the Shade series, what are you waiting for? Go now! :)
Note: I'd like to thank Jeri for providing this as a free novella to her readers.
More...