Status
Available
Call number
Call number
F NOE
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Scholastic (2011)
Description
After crossing the bridge into the afterlife, a place called Here where the time is always Now, Riley's existence continues in much the same way as when she was alive until she is given the job of Soul Catcher and, together with her teacher Bodhi, returns to earth for her first assignment, a ghost called the Radiant Boy who has been haunting an English castle for centuries and resisted all previous attempts to get him across the bridge.
Original publication date
2010-08-31
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User reviews
LibraryThing member dk_phoenix
I’ll start off by saying that I’ve never read anything by Alyson Noel before, but I adore Middle Grade fiction. The cover of Radiance is also gorgeous… so props to the department that put it together. Very eye-catching.
But for me, the cover was one of the best aspects of the book. Gasp,
The sentences in the story are brief, choppy (in a good way!), and Riley definitely comes across as a snarky 12-year-old who thinks she knows everything. I get that – I was twelve once, and while I definitely didn’t have the confidence that Riley has, it’s clear that Noel has spent time with young girls and knows how they speak and think. This is great!
However… 12-year-old girls are also very squeal-y, are deeply affected by their emotions (it’s the hormones that start to come out around this time), and struggle to balance themselves between still being a young girl and becoming an adult. Now, since I haven’t read Evermore, I don’t know whether we see this in Riley elsewhere (Radiance is a spin-off MG novel from a YA series). But here, I found it strange that Riley accepted her death so easily, and took to being dead without much fuss.
Riley also had odd moments of rather extensive vocabulary that pulled away from her voice… that was a bit distracting. However, I loved the fact that she had her dog with her during the whole story, and the anecdotes about the dog getting used to the afterlife were adorable.
Finally, I found that the main plot took too long to get going… by the time Riley and Bodhi got going with their assignments, we were halfway through the book. Then we whipped through the main plot (Riley’s assignment and then Radiant Boy) faster than you could say ‘Boo!’ and the issue was resolved literally without hindrance. I kept thinking ‘it couldn’t have been that easy… it’s all going to go wrong on the next page and she’ll have to really work for it’ but… that didn’t happen.
For me, the lack of development in Riley and then the rushed resolution spoiled the story for me. At the end, I got the sense that this is intended to be a series, so maybe Noel plans to further explore Riley’s character in future books. As I said, I’ve not read Noel’s previous YA series where Riley is also featured, so I didn’t come into this one with any background knowledge. Maybe that would have helped.
Ultimately, I’m disappointed that I didn’t enjoy this one more… but I’ve seen many other good reviews for it, so I think it may be a matter of personal preference for the author. If you’ve enjoyed her other series, pick this one up and give it a shot. Otherwise, maybe you’ll like it if the description piques your interest, but it just wasn’t for me.
But for me, the cover was one of the best aspects of the book. Gasp,
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horror, I know, how could I say such a thing? Well… I didn’t really like the main character, and I found the voice a little inconsistent. I wanted more development in Riley, more emotion. I think there was more emotion from her dog. But it’s not all bad! It’s a sweet book, with some notable flaws.The sentences in the story are brief, choppy (in a good way!), and Riley definitely comes across as a snarky 12-year-old who thinks she knows everything. I get that – I was twelve once, and while I definitely didn’t have the confidence that Riley has, it’s clear that Noel has spent time with young girls and knows how they speak and think. This is great!
However… 12-year-old girls are also very squeal-y, are deeply affected by their emotions (it’s the hormones that start to come out around this time), and struggle to balance themselves between still being a young girl and becoming an adult. Now, since I haven’t read Evermore, I don’t know whether we see this in Riley elsewhere (Radiance is a spin-off MG novel from a YA series). But here, I found it strange that Riley accepted her death so easily, and took to being dead without much fuss.
Riley also had odd moments of rather extensive vocabulary that pulled away from her voice… that was a bit distracting. However, I loved the fact that she had her dog with her during the whole story, and the anecdotes about the dog getting used to the afterlife were adorable.
Finally, I found that the main plot took too long to get going… by the time Riley and Bodhi got going with their assignments, we were halfway through the book. Then we whipped through the main plot (Riley’s assignment and then Radiant Boy) faster than you could say ‘Boo!’ and the issue was resolved literally without hindrance. I kept thinking ‘it couldn’t have been that easy… it’s all going to go wrong on the next page and she’ll have to really work for it’ but… that didn’t happen.
For me, the lack of development in Riley and then the rushed resolution spoiled the story for me. At the end, I got the sense that this is intended to be a series, so maybe Noel plans to further explore Riley’s character in future books. As I said, I’ve not read Noel’s previous YA series where Riley is also featured, so I didn’t come into this one with any background knowledge. Maybe that would have helped.
Ultimately, I’m disappointed that I didn’t enjoy this one more… but I’ve seen many other good reviews for it, so I think it may be a matter of personal preference for the author. If you’ve enjoyed her other series, pick this one up and give it a shot. Otherwise, maybe you’ll like it if the description piques your interest, but it just wasn’t for me.
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LibraryThing member krau0098
I have been curious about Alyson Noel's The Immortals series, but because of mediocre reviews haven't wanted to commit to such a long series. When I saw that Noel had released a short novel that was a spin-off of the series I thought it would be a great way to get a feel for her writing and see if
Riley is dead and is living in the Hear and Now. Her parents are there and her house is there. Everything is kind of the same as it was when she was alive. Then on her first day of school things go wrong, she can't find her place...her job... in the Here and Now. When she is called before the Council they decide she should be a Soul Catcher and assign super-geek Bodhi to be her guide. Now Riley has to try and travel back to the land of the living to complete her assignment.
As far as ghost stories go, this one didn't really add anything to the genre that hadn't been done before. Riley is basically somewhere in between the land of the living and Heaven and is having trouble accepting that. I think this book is written at a lower age level than The Immortals because it is being told from Riley's perspective (she is thirteen years old).
The writing style for this book is okay, if a bit juvenile. It is readable and engaging. My biggest problem with this book are the characters. None of them are all that likable and they are also stereotypical. Riley is shallow, obnoxious, and whiny. Right away she starts giving Bodhi a hard time because he looks geeky; then later when he has his geeky glasses off she is all like "Oh, swoon he is so hot." I mean really how shallow can you be? Bodhi as a character isn't much better, although the fact that he even tolerates Riley says he's got more going on than she does. I think Riley is supposed to come off as snarky; but in reality she is irritating and obnoxious...even she realizes this at points...but she makes no effort to change.
Overall not a book I enjoyed much. The biggest thing this book had going for it is that the dialogue was natural sounding and readable (if obnoxious) and it was a really short book. Personally I wouldn't waste my time on this book unless you are a serious die-hard fan of the Immortals series. There wasn't much story here, not much creativity, and the characters were obnoxious. This book convinced me to give credence to the mediocre reviews I have been seeing for The Immortals; I don't think this author is for me. It does look like Noel is planning to write additional novels with Riley and Bodhi; so if you do enjoy this book you should have more of the same to look forward to in the future.
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I wanted to read more by her. This book was okay, but the character's were a bit flat and immature for me.Riley is dead and is living in the Hear and Now. Her parents are there and her house is there. Everything is kind of the same as it was when she was alive. Then on her first day of school things go wrong, she can't find her place...her job... in the Here and Now. When she is called before the Council they decide she should be a Soul Catcher and assign super-geek Bodhi to be her guide. Now Riley has to try and travel back to the land of the living to complete her assignment.
As far as ghost stories go, this one didn't really add anything to the genre that hadn't been done before. Riley is basically somewhere in between the land of the living and Heaven and is having trouble accepting that. I think this book is written at a lower age level than The Immortals because it is being told from Riley's perspective (she is thirteen years old).
The writing style for this book is okay, if a bit juvenile. It is readable and engaging. My biggest problem with this book are the characters. None of them are all that likable and they are also stereotypical. Riley is shallow, obnoxious, and whiny. Right away she starts giving Bodhi a hard time because he looks geeky; then later when he has his geeky glasses off she is all like "Oh, swoon he is so hot." I mean really how shallow can you be? Bodhi as a character isn't much better, although the fact that he even tolerates Riley says he's got more going on than she does. I think Riley is supposed to come off as snarky; but in reality she is irritating and obnoxious...even she realizes this at points...but she makes no effort to change.
Overall not a book I enjoyed much. The biggest thing this book had going for it is that the dialogue was natural sounding and readable (if obnoxious) and it was a really short book. Personally I wouldn't waste my time on this book unless you are a serious die-hard fan of the Immortals series. There wasn't much story here, not much creativity, and the characters were obnoxious. This book convinced me to give credence to the mediocre reviews I have been seeing for The Immortals; I don't think this author is for me. It does look like Noel is planning to write additional novels with Riley and Bodhi; so if you do enjoy this book you should have more of the same to look forward to in the future.
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LibraryThing member shellyquade
"Radiance" was my first Noel novel, and it was okay. I think it would mean more to the teens who have read "Evermore" and are avid fans of that series, as "Radiance" follows the adventures of Ever's younger sister Riley after the car crash that left Ever pretty much all alone in the world.
Riley is
Riley is learning how to be dead, which is remarkably like being alive, except that you can materialize sh*t and have whatever kind of awesome wardrobe you want. Really, I found this book somewhat depressing.
"Don't worry about your life getting cut short. You still get to go to SCHOOL in heaven! & you get assigned a JOB! It's pretty much all of the soul-sucking sh*t people hate on Earth, but it's NEVER-ENDING because you're dead now!"
Yay?
Anyway, Riley was probably a realistic tween, which means that she got on my nerves. She was impulsive, disrespectful, and somehow, amazingly good at everything, anyway.
I don't really recommend "Radiance" unless you're a big fan of the "Evermore" Immortals series and want to round out your collection.
Riley is
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understandably upset that her life has been cut short because she wasted the time spent on Earth hounding her sister, and now she will never have boobs. That's kind of this book in a nutshell.Riley is learning how to be dead, which is remarkably like being alive, except that you can materialize sh*t and have whatever kind of awesome wardrobe you want. Really, I found this book somewhat depressing.
"Don't worry about your life getting cut short. You still get to go to SCHOOL in heaven! & you get assigned a JOB! It's pretty much all of the soul-sucking sh*t people hate on Earth, but it's NEVER-ENDING because you're dead now!"
Yay?
Anyway, Riley was probably a realistic tween, which means that she got on my nerves. She was impulsive, disrespectful, and somehow, amazingly good at everything, anyway.
I don't really recommend "Radiance" unless you're a big fan of the "Evermore" Immortals series and want to round out your collection.
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LibraryThing member SheilaCornelisse
As an adult, I found this book to be lacking; however, it would be fine for a younger reader (Grade 3 to 6). The cover of this novel and the synopsis provided on the back drew me in. I was looking forward to reading a good paranormal story. The premise was good, but the actual encounter with the
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Radiant Boy was short-lived and lame. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and found the story to be very superficial. Overall, a disappointing read. Maybe the future books in the series will improve on this "introduction" to Riley Bloom. Would make a great Saturday morning Disney series. Show Less
LibraryThing member khager
This is the first book in a new series, which is sort of a companion series to her Immortals series. (But more appropriate for younger readers. So if you have a teenager who's reading about Ever, this would be completely appropriate for her younger sister.)
As readers of the Immortal series know, it
In this book, we learn what happens to Riley after she stops visiting Ever.
At first, Riley's afterlife is pretty sweet. She lives with her parents and dog in a house and neighborhood that's identical to where they lived when they were alive. She can manifest whatever she wants and do whatever she likes.
Unfortunately, she soon has to get a job because the afterlife isn't just hanging around, doing nothing.
She's assigned the job of "Soul Catcher," which means she gets to return to Earth and help ghosts cross over. Her first assignment is a boy who's been haunting a castle for hundreds of years.
I really enjoyed this book--not sure what that says about me, since it's so clearly written for elementary and middle school kids. ;) But it's very fun and while there are scary ghosts, I don't think it would be too scary for little kids. (And there's also a little lesson in there about facing your fears, so that would probably help, too.)
I also think Riley is very relatable for kids. She's smart and sarcastic, but she's also scared and overwhelmed a not-small amount of time in the book. But, since she always overcomes it, she would probably also be a good role model.
As readers of the Immortal series know, it
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pretty much opens with a car crash. Ever, her parents and younger sister Riley and their dog, Buttercup, die in a car accident. For much of the first book, Riley "haunts" Ever but then crosses on.In this book, we learn what happens to Riley after she stops visiting Ever.
At first, Riley's afterlife is pretty sweet. She lives with her parents and dog in a house and neighborhood that's identical to where they lived when they were alive. She can manifest whatever she wants and do whatever she likes.
Unfortunately, she soon has to get a job because the afterlife isn't just hanging around, doing nothing.
She's assigned the job of "Soul Catcher," which means she gets to return to Earth and help ghosts cross over. Her first assignment is a boy who's been haunting a castle for hundreds of years.
I really enjoyed this book--not sure what that says about me, since it's so clearly written for elementary and middle school kids. ;) But it's very fun and while there are scary ghosts, I don't think it would be too scary for little kids. (And there's also a little lesson in there about facing your fears, so that would probably help, too.)
I also think Riley is very relatable for kids. She's smart and sarcastic, but she's also scared and overwhelmed a not-small amount of time in the book. But, since she always overcomes it, she would probably also be a good role model.
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LibraryThing member sheriefx
At first this book sounded like it would be a cute story. However I had not previously read Evermore and didn't realize at the time that this book is a continuation of sorts. It took me almost the whole book to "figure out" the back story. You definately want to read Evermore first. Now, taking all
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of that into account, overall I enjoyed the book but it just isn't the type of book I would normally read. It started out very light and interesting as we see Riley getting use to the Here and Now and finding out what her role (or job) will be. Once she is assigned as soul catcher, I thought we would see her go through some training or a little more in depth about where she was and what "life" will be like for her. Instead however we find her on her first assignment and that's where the book takes a dark turn. If you are into that kind of thing then this would be a great book for you. Riley is a very spunky girl and I loved her view on things. I did like the ending (I won't give it away) and this series will be a great teen read. Show Less
LibraryThing member ABookwormsHaven
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
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.
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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.
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LibraryThing member vampiregirl76
Radiance is the first book in a new series. It is a spin off of Ms Noel's The Immortals. If you've read that series you'll be familiar with Riley, she is Ever's younger sister.
I have yet to read the Immortals series, but I do have Evermore on my shelf. One of the things I learned and loved about
This was my first time reading a book by Alyson Noel and I wasn't sure I'd like this one. But I was captivated by this cover and really wanted find out the girl's (Riley) story. It ended up being a very enjoyable read. Radiance is fun and engrossing. A vibrant read. An interesting take on the afterlife. Riley is a normal 12 year old girl, except she's dead. While she does have her bratty moments, she is charming character. One that you can't help but like.
I have yet to read the Immortals series, but I do have Evermore on my shelf. One of the things I learned and loved about
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this new book is that you don't need to read The Immortals books to enjoy it.This was my first time reading a book by Alyson Noel and I wasn't sure I'd like this one. But I was captivated by this cover and really wanted find out the girl's (Riley) story. It ended up being a very enjoyable read. Radiance is fun and engrossing. A vibrant read. An interesting take on the afterlife. Riley is a normal 12 year old girl, except she's dead. While she does have her bratty moments, she is charming character. One that you can't help but like.
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LibraryThing member dukesangel002
This review is going to be short and sweet, kinda like this book. Radiance, was a super quick read. I was able to fly through it in no time at all. The plot started out slow and took a little over half the book to get to the good stuff, but since the book was so short that really didn't matter
I liked Riley's character most of the time, although she was pretty whiny. I really liked the idea of the Here and Now. Where are we? "here", what time is it? "now". You can be anywhere you want, dressed anyway you want, with just a thought. The ending of the book was a sweet conclusion. Overall this book was just so-so for me. It may have just been a little too much for the younger age group than I prefer, but it was still enjoyable.
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much. Radiance had a sweet storyline about young Riley and her life after she moves on to the Here and Now, and how's she's trying to accept that and deal with her early death.I liked Riley's character most of the time, although she was pretty whiny. I really liked the idea of the Here and Now. Where are we? "here", what time is it? "now". You can be anywhere you want, dressed anyway you want, with just a thought. The ending of the book was a sweet conclusion. Overall this book was just so-so for me. It may have just been a little too much for the younger age group than I prefer, but it was still enjoyable.
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LibraryThing member Rlizz
I read this book because I am fascinated with people's beliefs about the afterlife, AND because my daughter wanted to read it, so I picked it up in the evening and did not let go of it til I was done!!! The only thing I didn't like, but couldn't really do much about, was the fact that I had to wait
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for Shimmer to be released :) Show Less
LibraryThing member angelgirl122193
Radiance is the first book in a spin-off of the immortals series. Although I enjoy the immortals series, I have to admit that I was a little skeptical starting out with this book, as I thought Riley's voice would be too young for me. Boy, was I sure proved wrong by little miss Riley!
I absolutely
I really enjoyed reading about the Here and Now from Riley's perspective. The descriptions were vivid and I could imagine exactly what the Here and Now would look like. It sounds like the afterlife would be a great time, even better than real life!
I loved reading about Riley discovering who she is and finding her way through the afterlife as a Soul Catcher. Riley still has a lot of growing up to be but she was off to a great start in this book. She finds that she doesn't have to be a replica of her sister, but to just be herself. I think this teaches a good lesson to younger siblings out there who struggle to mold themselves into their older siblings. I know that I struggled with the same problem and wanted to be exactly like my older sister. It only took me until I was 13 to realize that it was better to just be myself and that I would be accepted for whoever I was. Thank you, Ms. Noël for putting a lesson like this in the story.
Overall, this was a light, fun read and I would recommend it to any tweens and young teens that love paranormal books! I am eagerly anticipating the next Riley book and I hope it will be just as good as Radiance.
I absolutely
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loved her voice and her inner monologue. She regrets the fact that she died so young but slowly realizes that there is even more to experience after death. Bodhi, her 14 year old guide, is pretty swoon worthy! He's not the nerd that he dresses like, far from it actually! There is a lot of chemistry between Riley and Bodhi that makes the book that much more enjoyable! I loved their bickering with each other! It was great when Riley finally earned Bodhi's respect.I really enjoyed reading about the Here and Now from Riley's perspective. The descriptions were vivid and I could imagine exactly what the Here and Now would look like. It sounds like the afterlife would be a great time, even better than real life!
I loved reading about Riley discovering who she is and finding her way through the afterlife as a Soul Catcher. Riley still has a lot of growing up to be but she was off to a great start in this book. She finds that she doesn't have to be a replica of her sister, but to just be herself. I think this teaches a good lesson to younger siblings out there who struggle to mold themselves into their older siblings. I know that I struggled with the same problem and wanted to be exactly like my older sister. It only took me until I was 13 to realize that it was better to just be myself and that I would be accepted for whoever I was. Thank you, Ms. Noël for putting a lesson like this in the story.
Overall, this was a light, fun read and I would recommend it to any tweens and young teens that love paranormal books! I am eagerly anticipating the next Riley book and I hope it will be just as good as Radiance.
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LibraryThing member highvoltagegrrl
This is a book about a dead girl who has to recover the lost soul of the Radiant Boy. However that actual event only takes up what seems 5% of the book. It was a little disappointing. However the event after that is pretty touching and exciting. But that was also short. The majority of the book
This book is the first in a series and was meant for 8-12 years olds. I think for that age group this book could work. The main character I think can come across as cute, humorous and witty. However I found her to be a little annoying at times. My main fault with the book is that I don’t have a clear view on what the narrative will be.
Reviewed by Wally for Book Sake.
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deals with her discovering the afterlife. The description isn’t overly creative.This book is the first in a series and was meant for 8-12 years olds. I think for that age group this book could work. The main character I think can come across as cute, humorous and witty. However I found her to be a little annoying at times. My main fault with the book is that I don’t have a clear view on what the narrative will be.
Reviewed by Wally for Book Sake.
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LibraryThing member xtastethesky
Title: Radiance
Author: Alyson Noel
Publisher: Macmillan :: Squarefish
Format: Paperback
Length: 192pgs
Rating: 4/5
As a long time reader of Alyson Noel’s novels (especially the Immortals series), when I found out she was doing a companion series based off of Ever’s younger sister, Riley, I was
As much as I like the Immortal series, Radiance, was refreshing. Radiance follows Riley, Ever’s younger sister. In the first novel of the Immortal series we met her as a ghost, or spirit, having passed away, but yet to have left the earth plane. When we meet her again in Radiance, she has finally crossed over and is trying to be at home in the Here and Now (the afterlife). Everyone in the Here and Now has a place, has a thing they must do, and it is time Riley found out what her’s is.
Overall I really enjoyed reading Radiance, in some aspects I liked it more than the Immortal series thus far. I think what I liked is that it diverged from what you see in a lot of currently popular paranormal fiction – which is the vampire/werewolf/faeries/angels. There isn’t a lot of ghost/spirit fiction out there (at least to my knowledge, if you know of any let me know). The afterlife fiction I have read all have different takes on what it’s like after you cross over (or don’t in some cases), which I believe is the other draw to this novel. Life after death is fascinating, and something many people think about.
If I had anything negative about the novel was probably how annoying Riley could be. Now, remember, I really liked this novel. The annoyance I had with Riley was more of a double-edged sword situation. While I got annoyed with some of her inner monologues (and outer, really), I had to remember that she is only 12 years old; she hasn’t had that much time to mature. While Riley gets annoying, her voice is very real at the same time, which I enjoyed. So while Riley grated on my nerves, she couldn’t be any more than that, the annoying little sister, which I think to many is very relatable (in being one and having to live with one – I say that with a smile, love you Sky!).
If anyone is interested in a quick read, I recommend this novel – as of right now you can read it even if you haven’t read the Immortals series (I'm not sure if this will change in the future with later books). It briefly mentions some background information about her sister, Ever, and her family at the beginning, but it can easily be read without the other series. Any fans of Alyson Noel’s novels should definitely take the time to read this, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised.
Author: Alyson Noel
Publisher: Macmillan :: Squarefish
Format: Paperback
Length: 192pgs
Rating: 4/5
As a long time reader of Alyson Noel’s novels (especially the Immortals series), when I found out she was doing a companion series based off of Ever’s younger sister, Riley, I was
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excited.As much as I like the Immortal series, Radiance, was refreshing. Radiance follows Riley, Ever’s younger sister. In the first novel of the Immortal series we met her as a ghost, or spirit, having passed away, but yet to have left the earth plane. When we meet her again in Radiance, she has finally crossed over and is trying to be at home in the Here and Now (the afterlife). Everyone in the Here and Now has a place, has a thing they must do, and it is time Riley found out what her’s is.
Overall I really enjoyed reading Radiance, in some aspects I liked it more than the Immortal series thus far. I think what I liked is that it diverged from what you see in a lot of currently popular paranormal fiction – which is the vampire/werewolf/faeries/angels. There isn’t a lot of ghost/spirit fiction out there (at least to my knowledge, if you know of any let me know). The afterlife fiction I have read all have different takes on what it’s like after you cross over (or don’t in some cases), which I believe is the other draw to this novel. Life after death is fascinating, and something many people think about.
If I had anything negative about the novel was probably how annoying Riley could be. Now, remember, I really liked this novel. The annoyance I had with Riley was more of a double-edged sword situation. While I got annoyed with some of her inner monologues (and outer, really), I had to remember that she is only 12 years old; she hasn’t had that much time to mature. While Riley gets annoying, her voice is very real at the same time, which I enjoyed. So while Riley grated on my nerves, she couldn’t be any more than that, the annoying little sister, which I think to many is very relatable (in being one and having to live with one – I say that with a smile, love you Sky!).
If anyone is interested in a quick read, I recommend this novel – as of right now you can read it even if you haven’t read the Immortals series (I'm not sure if this will change in the future with later books). It briefly mentions some background information about her sister, Ever, and her family at the beginning, but it can easily be read without the other series. Any fans of Alyson Noel’s novels should definitely take the time to read this, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised.
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LibraryThing member ilikethesebooks
Radiance is book one in the Riley Bloom series by Alyson Noel. As most of you know, this is a spin off from her Immortals series. I did enjoy this book, but I will say this right now: it is nothing like the Immortals (accept for Riley and Buttercup of course). I didn't have a problem with this, but
Radiance follows the life, or should I say, afterlife of Riley Bloom; a spunky, twelve year-old girl who died way before her time. After lingering in the human plane for much longer than normal, she makes her way over the bridge and into Here where everything happens now. Riley has alot to change before she can fully accept life in Here. For starters, she has to learn to control her thoughts, because this everyone-can-here-everyone-else's-thoughts thing is not working out for her.
I thought the plot of this story was enjoyable, but that didn't even compare to how much I loved Riley. She was just so real. She is a twelve year-old girl, and she acts like one. She is stubborn, self-assured, funny and observant. Her life was cut off just months before her thirteenth birthday, so yes, she is angry as well because she has to spend the rest of eternity as a tween and not a teen. Everything she felt was backed up with reason, and for me at least, everything she felt was relatable.
I would give this story a "Liked It" (four stars) on Riley alone, but I am giving it a "Okay" (three stars) because the plot was more set up for later books than it was its own story. With that said though, I did enjoy this story and I will most definitely be looking out for future installments (Shimmer comes out March 15, 2011). I would recommend this book to people who are okay with the more childish tone, especially pre-teens themselves. Riley's story may seem a bit silly, but it touches on feelings of all children during their "awkward" phases and that emotional leap from child to young adult.
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I know some people are hesitant because of the differences between he series. The Immortals series is much darker and mysterious. While this new series has it's own sort of mystery, it is much lighter and childish (after all, she is only twelve years old). If you are okay with the differences, you will enjoy this novel.Radiance follows the life, or should I say, afterlife of Riley Bloom; a spunky, twelve year-old girl who died way before her time. After lingering in the human plane for much longer than normal, she makes her way over the bridge and into Here where everything happens now. Riley has alot to change before she can fully accept life in Here. For starters, she has to learn to control her thoughts, because this everyone-can-here-everyone-else's-thoughts thing is not working out for her.
I thought the plot of this story was enjoyable, but that didn't even compare to how much I loved Riley. She was just so real. She is a twelve year-old girl, and she acts like one. She is stubborn, self-assured, funny and observant. Her life was cut off just months before her thirteenth birthday, so yes, she is angry as well because she has to spend the rest of eternity as a tween and not a teen. Everything she felt was backed up with reason, and for me at least, everything she felt was relatable.
I would give this story a "Liked It" (four stars) on Riley alone, but I am giving it a "Okay" (three stars) because the plot was more set up for later books than it was its own story. With that said though, I did enjoy this story and I will most definitely be looking out for future installments (Shimmer comes out March 15, 2011). I would recommend this book to people who are okay with the more childish tone, especially pre-teens themselves. Riley's story may seem a bit silly, but it touches on feelings of all children during their "awkward" phases and that emotional leap from child to young adult.
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LibraryThing member mrsderaps
Radiance is a middle grade story that deals with a topic that is hard to broach with this age group: death. It can be difficult to talk about death with children, particularly in cases where the person who dies is very close to a child or where the person who dies is very young.
The main character
She's paired with Bodhie, a teen whom she describes as "dorky," but who seems to have been cool at one time. Bodhie takes everything a little too seriously for Riley's taste, and she spares no time in telling him just how lame he is. Their conflict feels more like a sibling rivalry than a thinly disguised flirtation, which is nice in a middle grade story.
On their first mission together as "Soul Catchers,"where they try to convince souls who have remained on the Earth Plane to cross over to the other side. Riley's first assignment is one no other Soul Catcher has been able to crack, despite hundreds of attempts. Lucky for her, it involves spirits of the annoying ten year-old boy variety, a demographic she's dealt with extensively on the Earth Plane. I won't tell you what happens, but it is one of my favorite scenes!
I don't always love to read middle grade novels, but this audio book appealed to me because of the subject matter and its relevance to my life right now. My mother-in-law just passed away on Wednesday after a long battle with a variety of cancers. I listened to this book thinking that it might be of some comfort to the pre-teen nieces in my family. I think that, once they've had time to deal with their grandmother's passing, they will find solace in a vision of heaven where the elderly get to pursue all of their interests and dreams.
The reader for this novel is Kathleen McInerney and she does a wonderful job. It must be hard to find a reader who can capture the spirit and energy of a twelve year-old, but McInerney does it well. Also, this book is a quick listen at less than four hours. I can see this book being a staple of middle school libraries. I bet middle grade readers will identify with Riley and maybe even relate to some of what she goes through in the book.
The main character
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of this story, Riley (only twelve years old), has just died along with her parents and dog. She references her life on the "Earth Plane" briefly, but does not appear to dwell on his previous life too much. Instead, her days are filled with Here and Now. She has the ability to manifest whatever she desires--clothes, money, food, excitement and entertainment. But, the novelty of this ability does not last long. Quickly, she looks for something to do. And it's not long before the The Council comes looking for her to give her a job.She's paired with Bodhie, a teen whom she describes as "dorky," but who seems to have been cool at one time. Bodhie takes everything a little too seriously for Riley's taste, and she spares no time in telling him just how lame he is. Their conflict feels more like a sibling rivalry than a thinly disguised flirtation, which is nice in a middle grade story.
On their first mission together as "Soul Catchers,"where they try to convince souls who have remained on the Earth Plane to cross over to the other side. Riley's first assignment is one no other Soul Catcher has been able to crack, despite hundreds of attempts. Lucky for her, it involves spirits of the annoying ten year-old boy variety, a demographic she's dealt with extensively on the Earth Plane. I won't tell you what happens, but it is one of my favorite scenes!
I don't always love to read middle grade novels, but this audio book appealed to me because of the subject matter and its relevance to my life right now. My mother-in-law just passed away on Wednesday after a long battle with a variety of cancers. I listened to this book thinking that it might be of some comfort to the pre-teen nieces in my family. I think that, once they've had time to deal with their grandmother's passing, they will find solace in a vision of heaven where the elderly get to pursue all of their interests and dreams.
The reader for this novel is Kathleen McInerney and she does a wonderful job. It must be hard to find a reader who can capture the spirit and energy of a twelve year-old, but McInerney does it well. Also, this book is a quick listen at less than four hours. I can see this book being a staple of middle school libraries. I bet middle grade readers will identify with Riley and maybe even relate to some of what she goes through in the book.
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LibraryThing member JRlibrary
This is a companion novel to the Immortals series. It explains what happens to Riley after her death. It could easily turn into a series on it's own, but I don't think Immortal followers will embrace it quite as heartily since it is missing the romance factor.
LibraryThing member elnice
My thoughts...This new series by Alyson Noel is a spinoff of the Evermore series geared toward middle grade readers. The heroine is Ever's deceased sister, Riley. Ever finds herself in a place called Here & Now and has to find her way and herself.
Riley is mature for her age. While she is only 12
Another interesting character is Bodhi, her guide. He looks like your typical geek: big glasses, slicked-back hair, but is he? I instantly liked this character and I hope to learn more about his past as the series progresses.
Radiance is geared toward ages 9-12, however, I think it will appeal to older readers and fans of the Immortals Series. The writing is very vivid. Noel did a great job of capturing the emotion and beauty of the surroundings. There were not a large number of major events, but it is a solid start to the series. The ending did not leave you hanging, but left you wondering what other sort of adventures Riley is in for. I look forward to book two in the series, coming in Spring 2011.
Riley is mature for her age. While she is only 12
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years old, her character is very smart, brave, and full of intuition. She thinks fast on her feet and is not afraid to prove herself. That being said, Noel keeps the character very believable with several childish behaviors and flaws. For example, she is quick to form opinions of others, she is a bit vain, and self-centered, but she is likable. Her character evolves nicely as the story progresses.Another interesting character is Bodhi, her guide. He looks like your typical geek: big glasses, slicked-back hair, but is he? I instantly liked this character and I hope to learn more about his past as the series progresses.
Radiance is geared toward ages 9-12, however, I think it will appeal to older readers and fans of the Immortals Series. The writing is very vivid. Noel did a great job of capturing the emotion and beauty of the surroundings. There were not a large number of major events, but it is a solid start to the series. The ending did not leave you hanging, but left you wondering what other sort of adventures Riley is in for. I look forward to book two in the series, coming in Spring 2011.
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LibraryThing member ealaindraoi
This is a spin off book from The Immortals series intended for the middle grades. I’ve read most of The Immortals books, I think I gave up after the second book because it just got too new-age-y for me. I like a lot less message with my stories, thanks.
I loved Riley’s voice in this book and
I loved Riley’s voice in this book and
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it’s not as new-age as the Immortals series – I see that as a big plus! On the other hand, it felt a little bit like a short story that was padded a bit to make it into a book. It’s an intriguing story however, and I’d hand it to a 5,6,7th grader who has a big sister that’s reading the YA paranormal romances that are everywhere these days. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookwormygirl
Riley Bloom has left her sister Ever (Evermore) in the world of the living and has finally crossed the bridge into a place that she calls the Here and Now. She doesn't really know where she is, thus she calls it Here and if she is to ask the date, time, etc., she is told it is Now. The Here and Now
With Bodhi and her dog Buttercup, she is given her assignment the Radiant Boy - who has been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many have tried before her but have failed... will Riley have the courage to help the Radiant Boy or will she also fail?
I loved this book! For those of you who have not read any of Ms. Noel's The Immortals series, Riley is Ever's (the main character from The Immoratals) sister. She died in the accident that killed Ever's parents. This is the spin-off series. Geared more towards 9-12 year old tweens. But oh so fun for adults like me. You also don't need to read any of The Immortals books to truly grasp this new series - although you should because that series is oh so good too. :)
Riley was so much fun in Evermore and I can honestly say that she continues being funny, witty, clever and a very endearing heroine. I love the push and pull between her and Bodhi. She sees him as an ever-nagging, nerdy, fashion senseless boy. Their chemistry was great. He wants to teach her a lesson in respect and thus The Radiant Boy comes into play... no one has ever succeeded in crossing him over, so he gives her the toughest job he can.
Ms. Noel's writing is fluid and flawless. She truly captures the thoughts of a 12 year old girl - I loved her inner monologues - they brought a smile to my face more than once.
This series is going to be a treat not only for the new fans I'm sure Ms. Noel will acquire in young tweens, but I can guarantee it will be an instant hit with her YA and adult fan base. Loved it.
This book was provided for review by Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.
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is everything she wants it to be. Her parents, grandparents and even her dog Buttercup are there. She lives in the same house, the same neighborhood (minus the neighbors, they're still living), even sleeps in her same bed. She is just beginning to settle into a nice, relaxed death when she is called before The Council. After seeing most of her life flash before her, she is told that she, along with everyone else in the afterlife, has a purpose and hers is to become a Soul Catcher. They pair her up with a guide/leader Bodhi and is told that she must return to the land of the living where she can help restless spirits cross over that bridge - better said then done. With Bodhi and her dog Buttercup, she is given her assignment the Radiant Boy - who has been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many have tried before her but have failed... will Riley have the courage to help the Radiant Boy or will she also fail?
I loved this book! For those of you who have not read any of Ms. Noel's The Immortals series, Riley is Ever's (the main character from The Immoratals) sister. She died in the accident that killed Ever's parents. This is the spin-off series. Geared more towards 9-12 year old tweens. But oh so fun for adults like me. You also don't need to read any of The Immortals books to truly grasp this new series - although you should because that series is oh so good too. :)
Riley was so much fun in Evermore and I can honestly say that she continues being funny, witty, clever and a very endearing heroine. I love the push and pull between her and Bodhi. She sees him as an ever-nagging, nerdy, fashion senseless boy. Their chemistry was great. He wants to teach her a lesson in respect and thus The Radiant Boy comes into play... no one has ever succeeded in crossing him over, so he gives her the toughest job he can.
Ms. Noel's writing is fluid and flawless. She truly captures the thoughts of a 12 year old girl - I loved her inner monologues - they brought a smile to my face more than once.
This series is going to be a treat not only for the new fans I'm sure Ms. Noel will acquire in young tweens, but I can guarantee it will be an instant hit with her YA and adult fan base. Loved it.
This book was provided for review by Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.
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LibraryThing member thebookwormsorg
I have to admit I was disappointed in this quick novel. I was excited to pick it up being that it sounded like an adventure! It turned out boring at times and I found it hard to push through. It was a very easy read though, as it is targeting ‘tweens’.
Riley is 12 years old and didn’t quite
Riley was kind of funny and definitely a bit too judgmental. She also has her dog, Buttercup, hanging out with her and she’s guided by a greasy haired nerd named Bodhi. Riley and Bodhi don’t seem to get along at all and it started to get a bit annoying. I found myself hoping Riley would give up the judgmental act and get over it.
It was an interesting concept and I really loved that it was a witty ghost adventure, but it just didn’t live up to what was expected and maybe hype is to blame. I really wish I would’ve enjoyed Radiance more!
If you don’t like books that target a younger teen audience, I don’t suggest this book to you. If you are a parent looking for a paranormal adventure for your child, I think it would be a good one to pick up.
Riley is 12 years old and didn’t quite
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make it to 13. She feels alive—actually quite alive at that—but there’s just one problem. She’s dead as dead can be. She now resides in the Here & Now. Riley was called into the council and stuck with the job of Soul Catching, which is to bring ‘ghosts’ over the bridge from the Earth Plane to the Here & Now.Riley was kind of funny and definitely a bit too judgmental. She also has her dog, Buttercup, hanging out with her and she’s guided by a greasy haired nerd named Bodhi. Riley and Bodhi don’t seem to get along at all and it started to get a bit annoying. I found myself hoping Riley would give up the judgmental act and get over it.
It was an interesting concept and I really loved that it was a witty ghost adventure, but it just didn’t live up to what was expected and maybe hype is to blame. I really wish I would’ve enjoyed Radiance more!
If you don’t like books that target a younger teen audience, I don’t suggest this book to you. If you are a parent looking for a paranormal adventure for your child, I think it would be a good one to pick up.
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LibraryThing member msjessicamae
This is the first book I have read by Alyson Noel and I think I would have appreciated it more if that hadn't been the case. Although I am curious enough to want to read The Immortals Series (of which this book is a spin-off), it just didn't seem like anything really happened. Riley dies and goes
The assignment was interesting but I kept feeling that there could have been more. I think my problem connecting with Riley was that she was written for such a young audience (9-12) but even with that being the case I feel there could have been more going on. Riley kept presuming things about her situation that were completely wrong (for example: the intentions of people around her) and some of this I thought was just too obvious.
The thing that Radiance did well was to build a strong foundation for the next book to stand on (again I think I would have enjoyed it more if it wasn't the first book I read by Noel because I would have had that background connection) and since the ARE included an excerpt from Book 2 I was able to see that it looks like it is going to be a much more exciting story. I think there is a good chance it will make everything Radiance laid out worth the read.
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to Here, where she learns a bit about what she is going to do Now. Well, she doesn't so much find out what she is going to do as she wanders aimlessly and confused with no one to help her until, at last, she is given an assignment.The assignment was interesting but I kept feeling that there could have been more. I think my problem connecting with Riley was that she was written for such a young audience (9-12) but even with that being the case I feel there could have been more going on. Riley kept presuming things about her situation that were completely wrong (for example: the intentions of people around her) and some of this I thought was just too obvious.
The thing that Radiance did well was to build a strong foundation for the next book to stand on (again I think I would have enjoyed it more if it wasn't the first book I read by Noel because I would have had that background connection) and since the ARE included an excerpt from Book 2 I was able to see that it looks like it is going to be a much more exciting story. I think there is a good chance it will make everything Radiance laid out worth the read.
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LibraryThing member Annesanse
I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this spin-off of Alyson Noel's Immortals series, but I really liked Riley's character in Evermore and decided to give it a shot. First of all, let me just say that this was definitely geared to a much younger target audience. (I think maybe 8-12 year olds.)
In Radiance, Riley finally goes to her new school in the "Here & Now" and discovers that she has no idea what's going on or what she's supposed to do. Then, after watching a run-through of her life on earth on the big screen, she discovers that she's best suited for soul-catching - or convincing ghosts on the earth-plane to cross the bridge. She receives a guide/teacher and sets out on her first assignment.
For me, these big difficult problems she faced were extremely simple, and the solutions were weird and even more simple. Everything wrapped up extremely quickly and neatly. Overall, I think this might have basically been an intro into the rest of the series. It almost seemed like this must have just been the quickest way to explain Riley's situation. It only took about an hour and a half to read, so I don't feel that I wasted too much time, but I doubt I'll pick up the rest of the books in the Riley Bloom series. (unless they happen to have them at my public library.)
Recommended for 3-6th graders.
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However, it did answer the question of, "What's on the other side of the bridge?". (although through the eyes of a rather spoiled 12 year old) In Radiance, Riley finally goes to her new school in the "Here & Now" and discovers that she has no idea what's going on or what she's supposed to do. Then, after watching a run-through of her life on earth on the big screen, she discovers that she's best suited for soul-catching - or convincing ghosts on the earth-plane to cross the bridge. She receives a guide/teacher and sets out on her first assignment.
For me, these big difficult problems she faced were extremely simple, and the solutions were weird and even more simple. Everything wrapped up extremely quickly and neatly. Overall, I think this might have basically been an intro into the rest of the series. It almost seemed like this must have just been the quickest way to explain Riley's situation. It only took about an hour and a half to read, so I don't feel that I wasted too much time, but I doubt I'll pick up the rest of the books in the Riley Bloom series. (unless they happen to have them at my public library.)
Recommended for 3-6th graders.
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LibraryThing member katielder
I was anxious to read this book because Alyson Noël, along with Jessica Brody, Mary E. Pearson, and Gabrielle Zevin, visited our school in October and conducted a book talk with over 300 of our students. This event was a huge boost to circulation, and our readership is only growing!
Radiance is the
The lessons here are pretty clear: your parents usually know what's best for you, others deserve to be judged on more than just their appearance, and often the best way to find out more about yourself is to turn your attention to the needs of others.
Although the story is simple, I understand why this series is as popular as it is among middle schoolers. Riley is smart and honest and often not as humble as she should be, but she is fair in her ability to admit her own faults and to feel compassion for others. Her voice as the narrator is very strong and spot on, and her shortcomings actually make her likable, rather than obnoxious.
Suggested audience: 9-12 year olds. Some older teens might appreciate the breeziness of this read, but as students get older, they tend to look for more to sink their teeth into than this story offers.
Radiance is the
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first book in the Riley Bloom series, which is a spin-off of Noël's Ever series (Ever is Riley's older sister). At the beginning of the story, Riley has been killed in a car accident at only 12 years old, and although she is able to join both of her parents in the afterlife, she misses her old life, her old school, and her sister, who although also dead, has a different calling and is still a part of the "earth plane." After having to account for the events of her life on Earth, during which she realizes that she was the annoying little sister Ever often accused her of being, Riley desires to accomplish more with her new opportunity as a "soul catcher," an inhabitant of "Here" who accompanies her guide back to Earth so that she can persuade other souls to let go of their attachment to the earth plane and cross the bridge into the afterlife.The lessons here are pretty clear: your parents usually know what's best for you, others deserve to be judged on more than just their appearance, and often the best way to find out more about yourself is to turn your attention to the needs of others.
Although the story is simple, I understand why this series is as popular as it is among middle schoolers. Riley is smart and honest and often not as humble as she should be, but she is fair in her ability to admit her own faults and to feel compassion for others. Her voice as the narrator is very strong and spot on, and her shortcomings actually make her likable, rather than obnoxious.
Suggested audience: 9-12 year olds. Some older teens might appreciate the breeziness of this read, but as students get older, they tend to look for more to sink their teeth into than this story offers.
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LibraryThing member BStreeper
It was a great Young Adult's book, a quick read, and captivating.
Riley, a 12 year old year old girl, is struggling to get used to the afterlife. She continually misses the earth plane and wishes she was back, feeling she got a bad deal by dying so young. Then she finds out that even in the
Riley, a 12 year old year old girl, is struggling to get used to the afterlife. She continually misses the earth plane and wishes she was back, feeling she got a bad deal by dying so young. Then she finds out that even in the
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afterlife you have work and jobs. She is very excited to find out she is a Soul Catcher, and is sent back to earth to try and convince souls to move on to the afterlife. It is a great journey with Riley, Buttercup (her dog), and Bodhi (her guide). Show Less
LibraryThing member TLHelen
~radiance~
Riley Bloom died before her 13th summer. Soon she enters afterlife, where she meets Bodhi, a soul catcher guide. She soon becomes a soul catcher, were she is allowed to go back to Earth. This is the first book of the Riley bloom series, and i recommend them all. This book is supernatural,
5/5 stars, a good read for everyone~
Riley Bloom died before her 13th summer. Soon she enters afterlife, where she meets Bodhi, a soul catcher guide. She soon becomes a soul catcher, were she is allowed to go back to Earth. This is the first book of the Riley bloom series, and i recommend them all. This book is supernatural,
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romancy and a really great thrill to read. 5/5 stars, a good read for everyone~
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Pages
178