Book Review of Radiance by Alyson Noel

Title: Radiance

Author: Alyson Noel

Release Date: August 31, 2010

Riley Bloom left her sister, Ever, in the world of the living and crossed the bridge into the afterlife—a place called Here, where time is always Now. Riley and her dog, Buttercup, have been reunited with her parents and are just settling into a nice, relaxing death when she’s summoned before The Council. They let her in on a secret—the afterlife isn’t just an eternity of leisure; Riley has to work. She’s been assigned a job, Soul Catcher, and a teacher, Bodhi, a curious boy she can’t quite figure out.

Riley, Bodhi, and Buttercup return to earth for her 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 he’s never met Riley…

Summary from Goodreads.com

My Review: Many of you have probably read Alyson’s Immortals series with Ever and Damon, this book is a spin off in that world.  Riley has crossed the bridge and is trying to get used to life after death.  Which is easier said then done because she is still clinging to life and misses her sister Ever desperately.  Riley is trying to keep up appearances in the afterlife and put on a brave face, but she is just looking for a chance to escape.  Unfortunately her plans are spoiled when she is quickly assigned to the job of Soul Catcher, which I think is perfect for her.  Riley, to me, has always been a very perceptive person and is able to read people very well.   That is why this job suits her, you see a Soul Catchers job is to convince the souls lingering on Earth to cross over to the afterlife.  To be able to do this, you have to figure out why they are lingering and help them see the benefits of crossing over.  Riley turns out to rock at this.

She is not  alone though, her faithful dog Buttercup is at her side and her mentor Bodhi, who seems to be determined to give Riley a hard time is also with her.  It is actually good that he is there though, Riley needs someone to help her stay grounded and teach her a thing or two about Soul Catching and Bodhi has been doing this for a while so they are a good fit.

I have always liked Riley when she would pop up in the Immortals books, so it is nice to get a spin off book that just focuses on what she has been up too.  She is still quick to speak her mind and does not always have a filter, which I love.  Plus, she is funny and talks just like a 12 year old would today which makes her totally relate-able because this book is geared toward middle grade children.  An example of her fun language…

“Looking pretty much like any other gang of ten-year-old boys as they stood there before me.  Well, except for the truly dreadful, completely unbelievable, wish-you-could’ve-seen-it-for-yourself, awful matching white short suits with the matching white kneesocks and shiny, black shoes.”

I really enjoyed this book.  It makes you think about death a little differently.  It is not necessarily the end, there could be more out there for you to do.  Riley takes you with her to explore those possibilities to see what life is like after death.  If you have read the Immortals and enjoy them, give Radiance a try.  But don’t worry, if you have not read those before you do not have to in order to read Radiance.  This book is Riley’s adventure so you can just pick up the book and follow along with her.

FTC:  I received this ARC from the publisher.