Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Shimmer (Riley Bloom #2)

by Alyson Noel (Goodreads Author)

3.79 of 5 stars 3.79 · rating details · 3,515 ratings · 310 reviews

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 d...more

Paperback, 196 pages

Published March 15th 2011 by Square Fish (first published January 1st 2011)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

YA Novels of 2011

144th out of 1,176 books — 6,249 voters

Can't Wait Books For 2011

173rd out of 1,215 books — 6,936 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Nov 02, 2011 Rachel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Shimmer is about a girl named Riley who died when she was twelve.After she died she crossed the "bridge" to "heaven".The heaven council gave her the job of trying to get other ghosts who haven't crossed the bridge to cross.Now, while she's on vacation a hell hound attacked her and against her guardians wishes, she chases after it and meets a girl named Rebecca.Rebecca, who lives on anger and fear, traps people in a bubble of their worst moments.She traps Rileys' guardian in her bubble and now it...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 19, 2012 Avavanilla1 rated it 5 of 5 stars

After solving the matter of the radiant boy (in Radiance), Riley, her dog, Buttercup and her guide Bodhi are enjoying a well deserved vacation on a beach, but not the kind of beach with the sun on your face; a beach that is foggy, cold and a little big spooky. Riley was playing with Buttercup but then the dog ran off. Riley followed after him when a ginormous black dog came crashing into her. Riley wanted to know why the black dog came crashing into her so she followed the dog to a graveyard wh...more

like · see review

Nov 23, 2012 Samantha Arnold rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Oh gosh! I loved Shimmer! It was so cool! I had no idea, how the problem would've been solved! I never would have though of that! That girl is insane! I mean, can't she be a bit more open minded?! Well I get that she's mad but really?! Did she have to be so mean to all of those people?! It's insane! They were trapped and had to live their greatest nightmares over and over for who knows how many years?! It just really angers me.
Riley is super cool. And she overcame the situation again. However, s...more

like · see review

Sep 23, 2012 Tessa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dans ce deuxième tome du spin off de la série Eternels, on retrouve Riley, toujours fidèle à elle même: jeune fille de 12 ans qui ne sait pas très bien où se placer dans sa nouvelle vie de passeuse d’âme.
Après le premier tome, on s’attendait à ce qu’elle soit plus sage, qu’elle écoute plus son guide Bodhi mais en fait pas du tout. Elle est toujours impulsive et a toujours le don de foncer vers les ennuis.
C’est ainsi qu’elle fait connaissance avec Rebecca. Une nouvelle mission qui se révèle compl...more

like · see review

Jul 20, 2012 Nina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

*Inhalt *
Seelensammlerin Riley hat nach ihrem gelungenen ersten Auftrag erstmal Urlaub verdient und verweilt sich mit ihrem Hund Buttercup und ihrem Mentor Bodhi am Strand, an dem ihre Eltern die Flitterwochen verbrachten. Doch wie es häufig so ist, weilt das Glück nicht lange: Plötzlich erscheint ein riesiger Höllenhund und jagt der 12 jährigen einen gewaltigen Schrecken ein. Doch Riley wäre nicht sie selbst, wenn sie nicht versuchen würde der Sache auf den Grund zu gehen, so macht sie sich als...more *Inhalt *
Seelensammlerin Riley hat nach ihrem gelungenen ersten Auftrag erstmal Urlaub verdient und verweilt sich mit ihrem Hund Buttercup und ihrem Mentor Bodhi am Strand, an dem ihre Eltern die Flitterwochen verbrachten. Doch wie es häufig so ist, weilt das Glück nicht lange: Plötzlich erscheint ein riesiger Höllenhund und jagt der 12 jährigen einen gewaltigen Schrecken ein. Doch Riley wäre nicht sie selbst, wenn sie nicht versuchen würde der Sache auf den Grund zu gehen, so macht sie sich also trotz Warnung ihres Mentors, auf die Suche nach dem Höllenhund. So landet sie schließlich beim Geistermädchen Rebecca, die nichts schöner findet als jedem einzelnen sein persönlich schlimmstes Leid noch einmal vor Augen zu führen. Und plötzlich bemerkt Riley, dass es garnicht so einfach ist Rebeccas abtrünnige Seele über die Brücke zu führen - ohne dabei selbst in der Dunkelheit zu versinken...
Zitate
"Es war der gleiche Ausdruck, den mein Gesicht manchmal trug, wenn ich mich in den Aussichtsraum schlich, mich in eine der Kabinen stahl, mich darin auf einem harten Metallhocker niederließ, meinen gewünschten Ort eingab und das Alltagsleben meiner Schwester und meiner Freunde auf der Erdebene verfolgte. Der Ausdruck einer unüberwindbaren Sehnsucht. Der Ausdruck, den Dein Gesicht annimmt, wenn Du begreifst, dass das, was Du am meisten auf der Welt geliebt hast, niemals Dir gehören wird."
">Mit Widerstand wirst Du niemals siegen, Riley. In diesem Fall erzeugt Widerstand nur weiteren Widerstand, wie meistens. Oder, in anderen Worten, das, wogegen Du Widerstand leistest, wird Bestand haben. Akzeptanz ist der einzige Weg.<"
">Der freie Wille ist eine machtvolle Sache, Riley. Manchmal ist es der einzige Weg, Deine wahre Bestimmung zu erkennen. Allerdings erfordert es eine gewissen Portion an Vertrauen - in Dich selbst, in das Universum. Aber ich bin sicher, das weißt Du bereits.<"
Fazit
"Im Schein der Finsternis" ist der zweite Band der Tetralogie "Riley" von Alyson Noel. Ich muss gestehen, nachdem ich von Band 1 (Rezension gibt's hier) nur mäßig begeistert war, ging ich mit ziemlich gemischten Gefühlen an dieses Buch heran. Allerdings muss ich im nachhinein wirklich sagen: Ich war positiv überrascht! Nachdem Band 1 immer nur mäßig vor sich hinplätscherte und keine wirkliche Story aufwies, hatte Band 2 durchaus einen roten Faden aufzuweisen, die Geschichte war zwar recht kurz, dafür aber umso spannender, interessanter und mit einer gewissen "Moral" durchzogen. Dieser Roman wies also eine deutliche Steigerung auf und begeisterte wieder mit einer tollen Geschichte, wie man sie als Evermore Leser eigentlich schon von der Autorin kennt.
Riley scheint seit dem letzten Band erwachsener geworden zu sein, sie zickt nicht mehr soviel herum, ist weniger launisch und scheint viel eher zu wissen was ihr Weg ist und wohin sie will. Die 12 jährige hat jetzt mehr Struktur, mehr Persönlichkeit und weiß was ihre Aufgabe ist. Zwar besitzt sie immernoch ihren Sturkopf, allerdings wäre Riley auch nicht mehr sie selbst wenn man ihr den auch noch nehmen würde - und vorallem das macht sie irgendwie sympathisch. Sie setzt ihren Willen durch und tut was sie für richtig hält, ohne Rücksicht auf Verluste und auch wenn ihr daraus ein Nachteil entstehen könnte. Auf ihren Mentor Bodhi hört sie nach wie vor nicht, auch wenn ihr die guten Ratschläge so manches Mal von Nutzen sein könnten - aber das ist eben Riley.
Über Mentor Bodhi erfährt man in diesem Roman wesentlich mehr, auch sein Charakter wird tiefgründiger und bekommt eine eigene Persönlichkeit. Durch den Einblick in seine Gefühlswelt, die dem Leser im Laufe des Romanes gewährt wird, entwickelt sich der Charakter sehr zum positiven hin und man will ihn irgendwann garnicht mehr missen. Ich bin sehr gespannt wie es mit ihm im dritten Band weitergeht!
Prinz Kanta, ein Charakter der im Verlauf des Buches irgendwann auftritt, fand ich sehr interessant. Er ist dafür "verantwortlich", dass dieses Buch nicht nur eine bloße Geschichte beeinhaltet, sondern den Leser durchaus auch zum nachdenken anregt - vorallem was das Thema Vergebung angeht. Diese Sequenzen fand ich überaus toll und auch nach dem beenden des Buches musste ich stellenweise etwas darüber nachdenken. Das Geistermädchen Rebecca spielt ihre ganz eigene Rolle in diesem Roman, sie hat schlimmes durchgemacht und versucht nun mit dem Konsequenzen zu leben - nicht gerade zum Vorteil der "Menschen" um sie herum. Auch ihre Vergangenheit wird näher durchleuchtet und der Charakter wird dem Leser emotional gesehen, ein ganzes Stück näher gebracht als man es am Anfang vermuten würde. Trotz ihrer "bösen" Rolle in dieser Geschichte kann man sie nicht hassen oder verurteilen, irgendwie tut sie einem einfach nur noch leid.
Insgesamt konnte mich dieses Buch vollends überzeugen, es sprühte vor Charme, Spannung und Emotionen und ist durchaus auch für den älteren Leser geeignet - sofern dieser dazu neigt Bücher über 12 jährige zu lesen. ;-) Die Charaktere haben sich deutlich entwickelt und haben wesentlich mehr Tiefgang als man es nach dem "flachen" ersten Band erwartet hätte, die emotionale Seite, die dieses Buch zumindest bei mir gerührt hat, macht es noch einmal lesenswerter. Riley beschreibt in "Ich-Form", das Buch wurde in der Vergangenheitsform geschrieben, die Schrift ist ausreichend groß und deutlich lesbar. Die Formulierungen sind klar und verständlich, es werden keine Fremdwörter benutzt und die Kapitel sind ausreichend lang.(less)

like · see review

Jul 19, 2012 Kayla Eklund rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews-completed, ghost

Shimmer was an okay sequel to Radiance. I think I liked Radiance better though. Shimmer started off kind of slow and boring. It took about fifty pages before I really got into it(for page counters that's a third of the book). Riley has matured a bit more than the first book. We get more of a glimpse into her life when she was still alive. I was also excited to be able to learn Bahdi's story. The book finally gave a lot of information about him. There were a few plot holes and spelling errors. Wh...more

like · see review

Mar 29, 2012 Star (The Bibliophilic Book Blog) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

On a well-deserved 'vacation', Riley runs into a vicious black dog and she is convinced that she should help the dog cross over. However, she herself crosses over - into a place controlled by the whims of another ghost. Rebecca seems sweet, but she lives off of fear, hatred, and other strong 'negative' emotions. Now Riley's got to figure out how to bring Rebecca to the soul bridge without losing herself, Bodhi, and Buttercup - as well as the many ghosts already trapped by Rebecca - along the way...more

like · see review

Sep 15, 2011 She Known As Jess BlogSpot rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: owns, favorites

Despite the infinite manifesting possibilities of the Here & Now, something about it just wasn’t the same. Sure, you could replicate similar sensations, the way the tiny, pebbly grains wedged between your toes, the way the cool ocean spray felt upon your face, but still, it didn’t quite cut it. Page: 3

I have to say that I love the Riley series even more than the immortal series; actually that isn’t entirely true, I don't mind the first two but after that it went downhill in my opinion and be...more

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 08, 2011 Arjun Thakrar (Excellent Reads) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I remember the first in this series very well, and I enjoyed the first in the series a lot. Now, first books, in most cases, are generally the best, and the following are not as good, but I can tell you for a fact, this Book is even better than Radiance, and that's saying something.

The books picks up with Bodhi and Riley on Vacation, like they said they would be at the end of Radiance. The beginning is actually exactly how a book should be started, fast and instantly grips you. I enjoyed this al...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 07, 2011 Becky added it · review of another edition

Riley is 12 (eternally) she died in a car crash with her parents and after hanging around the earth plane for a while with Ever, she moved on. Now in the 'here and now' she has a job. She is a 'Soul-catcher'. Her job is to persuade other ghosts and spirits to move on.
In book 1 she tackled a group of ghosts that no one else could handle. Now she is basking in her glow (literally - ghosts glow when they complete a goal - do something good). Sent for a short vacation with her spirit guide Bodhi the...more

like · see review

Jul 02, 2011 OpenBookSociety.com rated it 5 of 5 stars

Brought to you by OBS staff member Annabell Cadiz

Shimmer
Author: Alyson Noel

Synopsis: 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, sh...more Brought to you by OBS staff member Annabell Cadiz

Shimmer
Author: Alyson Noel

Synopsis: 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?

Review: For such a small novel, author Alyson Noel managed to pack a punch! A suspenseful story wrapped in history and empathy, Alyson Noel proves a good story isn’t about length but quality.

Riley is just as sarcastic as ever! She is rash, stubborn, and hardheaded. She tends to act against better judgment and tends to make a lot of mistakes before she gets something right. She is just like any normal twelve year old . . . er . . . except for the fact that she is dead. Riley grows a lot in this novel. She learns to be more empathetic, a trait most twelve year olds (and adults I may add) don’t fully understand. She learns to understand the power of forgiveness and compassion.

Bodhi doesn’t play as much of a role as I would have liked but considering the story is from Riley’s point of view and what she goes through, I can understand. I just love Bodhi! He is SUCH a nerd. He dresses more laid back in Shimmer than he had when he met Riley in Radiance. He is still head butting against Riley, still as wise and smart as ever (much to Riley’s annoyance).

I also love that Riley’s dog, Buttercap, is a part of the story. His personality makes for a great character even though he can’t actually speak. His facial expressions and attempts to get into Riley’s good graces and even the pain he has to overcome in the story are all believable. He reminded me of my dog Melody and I just wanted to hug my dog after reading about his story.

The only thing that really bothered me in Shimmer was the constant repetition of Riley’s thoughts. She is dramatic in the way she expresses her thoughts and has a need to go on about them for far longer than I cared to read.

Shimmer does deal with dark themes. Slavery, murder, rage. I would advise parents and readers of YA novels (who are under legal adult age) to be catious with this book only because there are descriptions about what Rebecca’s father did to the slaves he owned. Also, as to what happened with Rebecca and her father. Nothing overly graphic or enough to become completely traumatized by reading but the author does venture into helping to built an image so readers have a better appreciation for the history of suffering that took place during those years.

Shimmer surprised me with how deep the storyline went. There is a great deal of tragedy for the lost souls Riley must help free but also a beautiful journey of triumph and the power of love.

Check out more about the author and Riley’s adventures in the afterlife at: http://www.alysonnoel.com/(less)

like · see review

Jul 02, 2011 Annabell rated it 5 of 5 stars

For such a small novel, author Alyson Noel managed to pack a punch! A suspenseful story wrapped in history and empathy, Alyson Noel proves a good story isn’t about length but quality.

Riley is just as sarcastic as ever! She is rash, stubborn, and hardheaded. She tends to act against better judgment and tends to make a lot of mistakes before she gets something right. She is just like any normal twelve year old . . . er . . . except for the fact that she is dead. Riley grows a lot in this novel. Sh...more For such a small novel, author Alyson Noel managed to pack a punch! A suspenseful story wrapped in history and empathy, Alyson Noel proves a good story isn’t about length but quality.

Riley is just as sarcastic as ever! She is rash, stubborn, and hardheaded. She tends to act against better judgment and tends to make a lot of mistakes before she gets something right. She is just like any normal twelve year old . . . er . . . except for the fact that she is dead. Riley grows a lot in this novel. She learns to be more empathetic, a trait most twelve year olds (and adults I may add) don’t fully understand. She learns to understand the power of forgiveness and compassion.

Bodhi doesn’t play as much of a role as I would have liked but considering the story is from Riley’s point of view and what she goes through, I can understand. I just love Bodhi! He is SUCH a nerd. He dresses more laid back in Shimmer than he had when he met Riley in Radiance. He is still head butting against Riley, still as wise and smart as ever (much to Riley’s annoyance).

I also love that Riley’s dog, Buttercap, is a part of the story. His personality makes for a great character even though he can’t actually speak. His facial expressions and attempts to get into Riley’s good graces and even the pain he has to overcome in the story are all believable. He reminded me of my dog Melody and I just wanted to hug my dog after reading about his story.

The only thing that really bothered me in Shimmer was the constant repetition of Riley’s thoughts. She is dramatic in the way she expresses her thoughts and has a need to go on about them for far longer than I cared to read.

Shimmer does deal with dark themes. Slavery, murder, rage. I would advise parents and readers of YA novels (who are under legal adult age) to be catious with this book only because there are descriptions about what Rebecca’s father did to the slaves he owned. Also, as to what happened with Rebecca and her father. Nothing overly graphic or enough to become completely traumatized by reading but the author does venture into helping to built an image so readers have a better appreciation for the history of suffering that took place during those years.

Shimmer surprised me with how deep the storyline went. There is a great deal of tragedy for the lost souls Riley must help free but also a beautiful journey of triumph and the power of love.

Check out more about the author and Riley’s adventures in the afterlife at: http://www.alysonnoel.com/(less)

1 like · like · see review

Apr 09, 2011 Amy Jacobs added it

Shelves: books-i-own

After reading and enjoying the first book in this series titled Radiance, I couldn't wait to see what the author would come up next for Riley! I think these books are perfect for the younger teens, but as an adult, I enjoyed the series so far as well.

This time around, Riley finds herself trying to help an angry ghost named Rebecca. Rebecca is angry about being murdered and is taking it out on other ghosts. Riley needs to convince her that she needs to forgive and let go.

While this was a cute and...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 08, 2011 Mary (BookHounds) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, from-publisher-author, young-adult

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 sou...more

like · see review

Apr 02, 2011 Jennifer Lavoie rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book ended on the worst cliffhanger and I cannot wait to get the sequel in the Fall. Wish it wasn't such a long wait!

This book I thought was better than the first, because Riley and Bodhi are even more established. We get to see more of who Bodhi was when he was alive, though not much. I wonder if he will ever face Nicole and speak with her. Also, seeing what horrible moment Buttercup lived through was so sad. I never really gave thought to how animals feel when they are taken away from th...more

like · see review

Mar 19, 2011 Katieb (MundieMoms) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-100-book-challenge, arcs-i-own, mundie-kids-book-reviews

It's hard not to fall in love with Riley and think of her as kid sister. She's defiant, strong willed and is on a mission to help those who are in need of assistance in crossing over. With Bodhi and Buttercup by her side, Riley finds herself in her toughest mission yet, though it's not really mission since she's on vacation when she stumbles upon Rebecca.

Despite Bodhi's warning, Riley soon finds herself face to face with Rebecca, an evil spirit who takes delight in trapping the spirits of those...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 22, 2012 Giota Papadimakopoulou rated it 2 of 5 stars

Δεν πάει πολύς καιρός που διάβασα το πρώτο βιβλίο της νέας σειράς της Alyson Noel, "Ράιλι Μπλουμ", μιας συγγραφέως η οποία έγινε διάσημη στη χώρα μας μέσα από μια άλλη της σειρά, εκείνη των "Αθανάτων". Και η αλήθεια είναι πως, όσο κι αν ήθελα να μου αρέσει και αυτή της η σειρά όσο οι "Αθάνατοι" και λαμβάνοντας υπ' όψιν μου ότι μέσω αυτής, είχα έρθει ήδη σε μια πρώτη επαφή με την τωρινή της πρωταγωνίστρια, έστω κι αν τότε εκτελούσε τα στοιχειώδη καθήκοντα του κομπάρσου, δεν κατάφερε, δυστυχώς, να...more Δεν πάει πολύς καιρός που διάβασα το πρώτο βιβλίο της νέας σειράς της Alyson Noel, "Ράιλι Μπλουμ", μιας συγγραφέως η οποία έγινε διάσημη στη χώρα μας μέσα από μια άλλη της σειρά, εκείνη των "Αθανάτων". Και η αλήθεια είναι πως, όσο κι αν ήθελα να μου αρέσει και αυτή της η σειρά όσο οι "Αθάνατοι" και λαμβάνοντας υπ' όψιν μου ότι μέσω αυτής, είχα έρθει ήδη σε μια πρώτη επαφή με την τωρινή της πρωταγωνίστρια, έστω κι αν τότε εκτελούσε τα στοιχειώδη καθήκοντα του κομπάρσου, δεν κατάφερε, δυστυχώς, να με ενθουσιάσει. Δεν υπονοώ ότι η σειρά είναι κακογραμμένη ή αδιάφορη απλά θεωρώ πως η Noel, την προσέγγισε με πολύ πιο παιδικό τρόπο απ' όσο χρειαζόταν, προκειμένου να προσελκύσει και ένα σαφώς, πιο ενήλικο κοινό.

Στο προηγούμενο βιβλίο της σειράς η Ράιλι, είχε μόλις φέρει εις πέρας την πρώτη της αποστολή ως Κυνηγός Ψυχών, έχοντας καταφέρει να αποκτήσει τη Λάμψη της. Αυτό που έχει να κάνει από δω και πέρα είναι να ολοκληρώνει με επιτυχία όσες περισσότερες αποστολές μπορεί, έτσι ώστε η Λάμψη αυτή όχι μόνο να μην θολώνει αλλά, να αποκτά όλο και πιο έντονο χρώμα, επιτρέποντάς της με τον καιρό να περάσει σε ένα διαφορετικό επίπεδο. Δεν πρέπει ωστόσο να ξεχνάει ότι υπάρχουν κανόνες που πρέπει να ακολουθούνται και πως να τους παρακούσει, μπορεί να οδηγήσει σε αποτελέσματα που δεν θα ήθελε. Όμως επειδή η Ράιλι είναι ξεροκέφαλη, αποφασίζει να εξασκήσει την ελεύθερη βούλησή της, όταν στο δρόμο της εμφανίζεται η Ρεμπέκα, μια νεαρή κοπέλα της οποίας η ψυχή παγιδεύτηκε στη γη απ' όταν δολοφονήθηκε με αποτέλεσμα, ο θυμός της, να έχει κρατήσει στο γήινο επίπεδο δεκάδες επί δεκάδων ψυχών που δεν μπορούν να απελευθερωθούν, πείθοντάς την να την ακολουθήσει στο Εδώ και Τώρα

Στο προηγούμενο βιβλίο της σειράς, είχα παρατηρήσει ότι το μεγαλύτερο πρόβλημα, είχε να κάνει με το μέγεθος του βιβλίου. Κακά τα ψέματα, βιβλία μικρότερα των 300 σελίδων, δεν είναι ιδιαίτερα εμπορικά, δεν προσελκύουν το μεγαλύτερο ηλικιακά κοινό και αν τελικά το κάνουν, δεν το ικανοποιούν καθώς, ο χρόνος εξέλιξης της ιστορίας είναι πολύ περιορισμένος και μέχρι να χαθούμε στα βάθη της, πρέπει να αναδυθούμε και πάλι στην επιφάνεια. Στην προκειμένη περίπτωση, διακρίνουμε αισθητή βελτίωση αφού πλέον η Ράιλι γνωρίζει τα λάθη που στιγμάτισαν το ανθρώπινο παρελθόν της, την αποστολή που καλείται να εκτελέσει σε ένα νέο επίπεδο και έτσι, δεν αναλωνόμαστε σε αφελείς και άνευ ουσίας συστάσεις αλλά αντίθετα, περνάμε κατευθείαν στη δράση με την μικρή πρωταγωνίστρια να κάνει ό,τι καλύτερο μπορεί, έτσι ώστε να ολοκληρώσει ένα έργο που αν και κανείς δεν της ανέθεσε, αισθάνεται την ηθική υποχρέωση να το φέρει εις πέρας.

Η κεντρική ιδέα της ιστορίας από την άλλη, σαφέστατα πιο ενδιαφέρουσα από εκείνην της "Λάμψης", με την ανθρώπινη μνήμη και τις αναμνήσεις που συντροφεύουν αυτήν, να παίζουν καθοριστικό ρόλο στην εξέλιξη των γεγονότων. Ουσιαστικά, μέσω της δράσης, η Noel στοχεύει τα βαθύτερα εσωτερικά σημεία του κάθε ατόμου που σημαδεύτηκαν από πολύ συγκεκριμένες στιγμές που αν και πέρασαν, ίσως να μην κατάφεραν ποτέ να ξεπεραστούν με αποτέλεσμα, να επανέρχονται στην επιφάνεια τις πιο ακατάλληλες στιγμές, έτοιμες να μας κατασπαράξουν και να καταστρέψουν, όποια τυχόν προσπάθεια μπορεί να έχουμε κάνει για να αφήσουμε το παρελθόν πίσω μας. Άσχετα όμως από τις προσπάθειές μας, μερικές φορές, δεν δίνουμε αρκετά, όχι όσα χρειάζεται προκειμένου να ξεφύγουμε γιατί για να προχωρήσουμε, πρέπει να συγχωρήσουμε, πρώτα τον εαυτό μας και μετά τους άλλους.

Κακά τα ψέματα, η συγκεκριμένη σειρά, απευθύνεται αποκλειστικά στο νεανικό κοινό, ένα κοινό μάλιστα που ίσως να μην έχει περάσει στο δεύτερο στάδιο της εφηβείας. Ως ενήλικας, πιθανότατα να μην μπορώ να εκτιμήσω σωστά την αξία του όμως μπορώ να πω μετά βεβαιότητας πως, αν δεν ανήκετε στην παραπάνω ηλικιακή κλίμακα, μάλλον δεν θα συγκινηθείτε οπότε, στρέψτε την προσοχή σας αλλού. Αλλά επειδή έρχονται άγιες μέρες, επειδή η Noel, την οποία γνώρισα και προσωπικά, είναι μια γλύκα και επειδή, σίγουρα θα έχετε να κάνετε δώρα σε πιτσιρίκια, παιδιά φίλων, ανίψια ή δεν ξέρω κι εγώ τι, νομίζω πως η συγκεκριμένη σειρά θα σας έβγαζε εύκολα και γρήγορα από την δυσκολία αναζήτησης του σωστού δώρου προσφέροντάς τους μια συγκαλυμμένα ψαγμένη ιστορία, με αθωότητα, απλότητα και αναγνωστική ευκολία.(less)

like · see review

Aug 29, 2012 Ally Bolin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shimmer is the second book in the Riley Bloom series. She goes on vacation but ends up trying to help a soul cross over to Here and Now.
The theme is evil. "I was trapped. Held hostage in a classroom full of giggling, mocking, sneering students..." (Noel, 34) Rebecca had tourtured Riley by making her relive her worst nightmare, where she didn't fit in. One of the ideas is trusting others. "You're the only one left and now it's time to come out." (Noel, 153) Rebecca's dad tells her to wait in th...more

like · see review

Sep 12, 2011 Melisande rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Après avoir lu le tome 1, je me suis lancée dans le 2e parce que j’avais bien apprécié et que je l’avais également sous la main. Et vu la taille du livre (200 pages comme pour le 1er) je savais qu’il ne ferait pas long feu (moins d’une matinée pour le lire), donc ce sont d’excellentes raisons pour le lire de suite.
J’ai donc retrouvé avec un certain plaisir Riley, qui se retrouve « en vacances » pour le moment suite à sa mission avec le Rayonnant. Mais alors qu’elle est avec Caramel, un gros chie...more Après avoir lu le tome 1, je me suis lancée dans le 2e parce que j’avais bien apprécié et que je l’avais également sous la main. Et vu la taille du livre (200 pages comme pour le 1er) je savais qu’il ne ferait pas long feu (moins d’une matinée pour le lire), donc ce sont d’excellentes raisons pour le lire de suite.
J’ai donc retrouvé avec un certain plaisir Riley, qui se retrouve « en vacances » pour le moment suite à sa mission avec le Rayonnant. Mais alors qu’elle est avec Caramel, un gros chien noir la surprend avant de disparaître. Bodhi lui conseille de ne pas se mêler de ce chien, de mauvais augures. Mais Riley, avec son tempérament et sa tête de mule, ne l’écoute pas et va à la rencontre de ce chien et ensuite de Rebecca, la propriétaire du chien. Riley va se retrouver confronter à un fantôme encore plus coriace et plein de colère, mais elle devra user de toutes ses ressources pour l’aider à franchir le pont, même si pour ça elle va devoir revivre des moments difficiles et se retrouver confronter à la vie dans les plantations au XVIIIe siècle. Mais alors que ses amis sont en danger, Riley va trouver une aide précieuse pour tenter de les libérer, mais également d’apaiser la soif de vengeance de Rebecca.
Je trouve que la quatrième de couverture en dit un peu trop sur l’histoire, car on ne sait pas tout de suite qui elle est et ce qui se passe, donc je trouve ça dommage de dévoiler autant de choses. Néanmoins, ça ne m’a pas empêché de savourer pleinement ce livre et de l’apprécier. Il faut dire que je ne l’avais pas lu avant de le commencer, donc ça ne m’a pas dérangé, mais après lecture je me rends compte que ça en dévoile un peu trop. Ce qui est un peu dommage. Comme dans le premier tome, l’intrigue est assez simple mais efficace. C’est une petite histoire mignonne, qui suit tranquillement son chemin, nous faisant découvrir de nouveaux personnages attachants (notamment Kanta), qui vont permettre encore une fois à Riley de mûrir et de prendre conscience de la mission que le Conseil lui a confiée. J’aime bien cette série, c’est très agréable à lire, et l’écriture d’Alyson Noël y est pour quelque chose.
On s’attache bien à Riley la plupart du temps et en tant que narratrice, on est vraiment proche d’elle et on comprend donc ce qu’elle ressent et aussi qu’elle prend son rôle très au sérieux, surtout depuis le changement qui s’est opéré en elle. Mais la curiosité est un vilain défaut et elle va l’apprendre à ses dépends puisqu’elle va se mêler de choses qu’il n’aurait pas fallu et se retrouver dans une situation compliquée.
Il faut bien admettre que parfois Riley peut être énervante à ne pas faire ce qu’on lui dit…, mais après tout elle n’est qu’une jeune ado (et encore) de 12 ans dont la vie a été écourtée bien trop vite. Elle n’a donc pas beaucoup vécu et la seule chose dont elle rêvait lui est désormais hors de portée. Cela la frustre donc et elle ne sait pas forcément comment gérer ça. Par ailleurs, si elle n’était pas comme ça, il n’y aurait pas d’histoire et ça ne serait pas Riley non plus. C’est une jeune fille assez vive et entière donc elle s’emporte facilement et n’écoute pas toujours ce qu’on lui dit (ce que son guide lui dit, entre autre), la mettant ainsi dans des situations compliquées. Elle devra donc tenter de s’en sortir et de faire preuve de compassion et aussi d’ingéniosité pour raisonner Rebecca (entre autre) pour lui faire comprendre qu’il existe un endroit bien meilleur et que la colère ne sert à rien (même si Riley elle-même n’est pas toujours capable de voir au-delà et d’appliquer ses propres conseils). Dans ce tome, on découvre un peu plus Bodhi qui est vraiment un personnage intéressant, même si aux yeux de Riley, il n’est qu’un guide parfois trop encombrant. Seulement, dans ce tome, avec ce qu’on apprend, je pense que son point de vue va un peu changer et leur relation semble être un peu meilleure qu’au début de leur rencontre.
En bref, ce 2e tome est à la hauteur du premier. J’ai vraiment apprécié cette histoire, c’est simple, court mais efficace. Ce n’est pas le chef d’œuvre du siècle, mais cette série se laisse lire, c’est agréable et même s’il y a un lien entre chaque tome grâce aux personnages mais aussi à leur évolution etc. on a tout de même une histoire indépendante qui commence et se termine dans le tome (cela équivaut à une mission). Ainsi, avec ce principe, on n’a pas de grosses attentes pour les volumes suivants puisque techniquement l’histoire se termine là. Après, c’est toujours agréable de savoir ce qui va arriver à Riley et Bodhi, comment ils vont évoluer et ce qui va leur arriver. L’auteur lâche tout de même quelques informations qui nous permettent de nous poser des questions sur leur devenir. J’ai passé un bon moment en lisant ce livre, si vous avez aimé Eternels, vous pouvez tenter cette série, dans le cas contraire comme moi, il se peut que cette série vous charme.
(less)

like · see review

Jan 23, 2012 Sarah Lu rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, own, young-adult

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Aug 23, 2011 Wai rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shimmer is the second in the Riley Bloom series and continues the adventures of dead girl and teenager wannabe, Riley Bloom.

The story is set shortly after the events of Radiance and whilst it's not really necessary to have read that, it'd help in purely in terms of backgrounds for the characters involved here.

Having earned themselves a 'vacay' as Riley puts it, she and her not-so-faithful dog Buttercup and Bodhi are on an idyllic island where her parents went on their honeymoon. However, it soon...more

like · see review

Jan 05, 2012 Amandaisdabestest rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shimmer
Author Alyson Noel
Reviewed by Amanda Williams

When Riley can’t keep out of trouble on a well-earned va-cay and stumbles upon a lost soul, she feels the urge to make that soul cross the bridge to the afterlife. Her spunkiness and headstrong nature cause her to get into a sticky situation. When her guide, Bodhi and her dog, Buttercup come to help but instead get trapped she has to go on a daring adventure to learn the true meaning of forgiveness and save her friends.

In my opinion the book S...more

like · see review

Oct 23, 2011 Liza Wiemer added it

This is the second book in the Riley Bloom series and boy oh boy does Riley know how to get herself into trouble. But this spunky twelve-year-old soul doesn't mind breaking the rules in order to bring a miserable angry ghost who is holding numerous souls in a hell she created to the Here and Now. Rebecca tortures souls, forcing them to replay over and over again the worst moments of their lives - as slaves on a plantation in St. James back in 1722 when they revolted and killed her and her father...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 10, 2013 Something_personal rated it 3 of 5 stars

Cover, 9 dari 10
Sinopsis 7,2 dari 10
Ide cerita 7 dari 10
Cerita 6,9 dari 10

Oke,2,5 bintang

Akhirnya!pyuuh~
Seri ini ada kemajuan. Setidaknya ga datar banget. Dr tengah buku smpe tamat, ak ga bs berhenti baca. Penasaran sm tegang ttg cewe misterius cantik yg ada d Cover XP

Malah,si Riley ada kemajuan. Dari cewe yang suka ngeluh dia ga bisa ngerasain punya..ehem,dada besar dan udah keburu mati, jd cewe penolong,pengertian dan berani. Pokonya kemajuannya nyaris 40% deh.

Endingnya keren. Aksinya bagus. D...more

like · see review

Sep 03, 2012 Elphaba J rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

É reconfortante saber que quando tudo termina não é o fim aquilo nos espera mas sim um novo começo, o começo de algo superior, onde a aprendizagem continua e a morte, para quem a experiência na primeira pessoa, nada mais é do que um início que se prevê melhor.
Ou pelo menos assim espera a pequena e doce Riley que, por enquanto, goza apenas de de um breve descanso na sua aborrecida nova vida como Apanhadora de Almas perdidas para um caminho de luz.

Com personagens inocentes mas repletas de conhecim...more É reconfortante saber que quando tudo termina não é o fim aquilo nos espera mas sim um novo começo, o começo de algo superior, onde a aprendizagem continua e a morte, para quem a experiência na primeira pessoa, nada mais é do que um início que se prevê melhor.
Ou pelo menos assim espera a pequena e doce Riley que, por enquanto, goza apenas de de um breve descanso na sua aborrecida nova vida como Apanhadora de Almas perdidas para um caminho de luz.

Com personagens inocentes mas repletas de conhecimento, Luz Breve trás de volta o encantado lugar Aqui & Agora que conhecemos em Claridade.
A sua protagonista, um espírito audaz e inteligente, longe de se conformar com o fim abrupto do seu crescimento, regressa melhor do que nunca e disposta a marcar de uma vez por todas a sua posição e valor junto de Bodhi e na companhia de Botão de Ouro que, pelo menos, é mais fácil de satisfazer do que o seu estranho acompanhante e o Conselho que a forçou a esta nova vida.
Agora que Riley conhece o seu destino pós-morte, e que a teoria de saltitar de nuvem em nuvem foi pelo céu abaixo, nada parece tão simples como se faria antever. Afinal, nem todos os espíritos são bons e mostrar a ponte para o Aqui & Agora aos que resolveram dar a sua existência, ou algo parecido, à dor e escuridão aparenta ser uma tarefa digna dos deuses mas claro, isto não será nada que Riley e a sua imortal teimosia não consigam contornar.

Este é o típico livro infanto-juvenil que consegue chegar a todos os leitores pelas mensagens que transporta carregadas de inocência e perspicácia para educar os mais novos e relembrar a graúdos que as boas acções e pequenos gestos não se devem perder com o conhecimento.
As suas personagens são enternecedoras, a começar pela protagonista cheia de vida e extremamente bem caracterizada com os defeitos e qualidades que qualquer meninice acarreta. Dos vilões aos verdadeiros anjos, como Botão de Ouro, todos têm algo a aprender e fica latente o desejo da autora em passar a palavra de que o bem prevalece desde que estejamos predispostos a escutar o próximo.

Uma história simples, ligeiramente meditativa pelos significados retidos nas entrelinhas, mas que tocará os corações de leitores em idade diversas de forma divertida e com uma perspectiva muito agradável da morte.

Opinião completa: http://historiasdeelphaba.blogspot.pt...(less)

like · see review

Jun 30, 2012 Kay Mcgriff rated it 3 of 5 stars

Alyson Noël continues Riley's story (begun in Radiance) with Shimmer (Scholastic 2011). Riley may accept that she is dead and must let go of her life on earth to complete the tasks set before her by the Council, but she is still headstrong and impulsive. This time while vacationing on one of the Virgin Islands with her dog Buttercup and guide Bodhi, she impetuously decides to help a ghost cross over without waiting for an official assignment. Rebecca, though, may be more ghost than Riley can han...more

like · see review

Aug 21, 2011 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Review from my blog Much Loved Books-Review of Shimmer

I really like Alyson Noels writing but when I read Radiance, the previous book to Shimmer I didn't really like it. I don't know if it was because I was expecting it to be more like The Immortals Series or not.

Surprisingly I really liked Shimmer. I think that since a lot of the back story has already been covered in Radiance, it left it open for Shimmer to be more of a book in itself.

I love Riley, and although I was never like that to my older...more

like · see review

May 04, 2011 Nina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: middle-school-readers, a-book-in-a-series, fiction-ghosts, older-elementary-readers, young-adult, childrens-books-i-love

This second book in the Riley Bloom series was almost better than the first one...almost. While on vaca Bodie, Riley, and Buttercup run into a angry ghost named Rebecca who was killed by the slaves on her fathers plantation at the age of 13. In her overwhelming rage she creates a world of torture for all of those she deems unworthy to move on. In this world they feed off their own feelings of negativity and they re-live all their horrible memories.
When Riley stumbles on to her and her hell beas...more

like · see review

Feb 15, 2012 Elizabeth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Book Blurb: "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 i...more Book Blurb: "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?"

I suppose this book is all right for younger teens, which is probably good since that's the audience for this book. But I found Riley Bloom extremely annoying. This girl definitely leads with her mouth and is slow in the reasoning department. This is one of the protagonists who are so dumb you want to hit their head against a brick wall. Despite being with a character who has been around longer than she, knows the situation better, and is obviously wiser, Riley continues to mouth off and generally mess everything up. Even AFTER this character proves himself repeatedly correct, she still insists on treating his advice as if he were "obviously crazy" (variations of this phrase are used several times in reference to him). The fact that Riley has obviously never even been taught history is evident when she asks why an African prince would go from a life of luxury to being whipped and tortured. Hello?The writing gets a little monotonous, with a lot of "Even though (reason pointing against what Riley thinks), even though (another reason), even though (another reason)...Despite all that, (Riley goes ahead and thinks what she wants anyway)." It's also bogged down with a lot of description. The climax nearly pulls the book out of its slump, which is why I give it 3 stars, but it doesn't quite pull it off all the way.

I would have liked to like this book, but due to the annoying nature of its heroine I simply couldn't enjoy it. A side note: the audiobook version of this has a wonderful voice actress, and I enjoyed listening to her even though the book was making me grit my teeth with annoyance.(less)

like · see review

Apr 08, 2011 Mary (BookHounds) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, young-adult, from-publisher-author

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...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (18)

More editions...

Videos About This Book

Shimmer (A Riley Bloom Book) by Alyson Noël

Add a comment

Add a comment

Genres

Fantasy

74 users

Young Adult

72 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

43 users

Paranormal > Ghosts

34 users

Fantasy > Magic

14 users

Paranormal > Angels

14 users

Young Adult > Teen

10 users

Romance

9 users

Fantasy > Supernatural

8 users

Childrens > Middle Grade

6 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Alyson Noel

*Note to readers: I'm slowly trying to add to the long list of books I have read, books I am reading, books I want to read, and books I loved reading. I only add books I loved, hence all my ratings are 5 stars!

Alyson Noël is the #1 New York Times best selling, award-winning, author of FAKING 19, ART GEEKS AND PROM QUEENS, LAGUNA COVE, FLY ME TO THE MOON, KISS & BLOG, SAVING ZOË, CRUEL SUMMER,...more

More about Alyson Noel...

Books by Alyson Noel

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Shimmer

3 trivia questions

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Shimmer

“Despite the fact that he no longer dressed like the big dork he did then, despite the fact that he’d swapped the nerd wear for some
much cooler clothes, despite the fact that he’d let his hair go all shaggy and loose to the point where it curved down into his face in that
cool guy, slightly windswept, effortless way, despite the fact that every time I looked into his brilliant blue eyes I was totally reminded of
the Zac Efron poster that used to hang on my old bedroom wall, it still didn’t make it okay for him to laugh at me the way he did.” — 16 people liked it

“Prince Kanta was crazy!” — 6 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Shimmer
avg rating	preview: Shimmer Goodreads rating: 3.79 (3515 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9277335-shimmer?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356379770l/9277335.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9277335-shimmer?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Shimmer by Alyson Noel[/url]

Shimmer (Riley Bloom #2)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website