Radiance [Paperback]

Alyson Noël (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 31, 2010 | Age Range: 9 and up | Lexile Measure: 1120L (What's this?)

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Ever's younger sister, Riley, has crossed the bridge into the afterlife and has been assigned the task of enticing Radiant Boy, an elusive soul who's been haunting a castle in England for centuries, to cross the bridge into the afterlife with her.

--This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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

Amazon Exclusive: Alyson Noël on Radiance

When Jean Feiwel, Publishers of Feiwel & Friends and Square Fish, approached me to write a spin-off series starring Ever’s little ghostly sister, Riley, I jumped at the chance. I’d had so much fun creating her character in Evermore that she ended up getting a much bigger part than I’d originally planned. She just kept showing up—usually dressed in some kind of kooky costume and wig—and by the end of the book I was saddened when it was time for her to move on. Though, I have to admit, as excited as I was to get started, I was also a little nervous about writing a twelve-year-old, as all of my previous protagonists have been fifteen and up. But once I realized I didn’t have to write a twelve-year-old per se (since no two are alike!), that I was only writing Riley, a character I’d already grown to know and love, the story took off from there. Picking up right where we left her in Evermore—on the other side of the bridge, firmly ensconced in a place called the Here & Now, and surprised to learn that it’s not exactly the eternity of harp lessons and cloud lounging she’d envisioned. She’s got a job as a Soul Catcher, a guide named Bodhi who is as nerdy as he is intriguing, and a pretty terrifying first assignment she’s not entirely sure she can handle. . . Writing Radiance was the most fun I’ve ever had writing.


Amazon Exclusive: Jean Feiwel, Publisher of Feiwel & Friends and Square Fish, on Radiance

As a publisher, I read a lot. So I’m always on the lookout for a book that has an author’s special voice, a memorable story, an irresistible character. When I first read Alyson Noël’s Immortals series (which at that time was only Evermore and Blue Moon), I loved Ever and Damen, but I really fell for Ever’s younger sister, Riley. Here was a character who was a real scene-stealer: sassy, true, real (and yes, well, dead). I wanted to know more about Riley. I approached Alyson through her Immortals editor and agent, so as to be respectful of her writing schedule and prior publishing commitments. She was enthusiastic and gracious, and the editing process has been fun (!) and gratifying. Alyson is a rare person: a dedicated and talented writer, and a caring and spiritual person. I’m so lucky to have Radiance on our Square Fish list and to have Alyson Noël in my life.

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-8–Riley Bloom, 12, has crossed the bridge to "Here," the afterlife, leaving behind her teenage sister, Ever, in the Earth plane. In Here, the time is always Now, and Riley can manifest anything she wants by just imagining it. She is forced to take an honest look at her past life, find her new place, and learn her purpose. Bodhi, a "dorky guy," has been assigned as her guide to teach her everything she needs to reach the next level. Her yellow Lab will travel with her. She is assigned the duty of Soul Catcher and is responsible for making Earth-bound souls move on and cross the bridge to Here. Her first subject is Radiant Boy, a 10-year-old who has been haunting an English castle for years. Other Soul Catchers have tried and failed, but now it's time for Bodhi and Riley to help him. This new series is by the author of The Immortals (St Martin's Griffin, 2010), where readers first meet Ever and Riley. Narrating in a contemporary voice with an honest and comfortable cadence, Riley is imperfect, but always likable as she sweeps readers to her faraway land where she makes herself and readers assess their behaviors and, quite possibly, make adjustments. In the midst of this wildly fanciful setting, Noël is able to capture with nail-on-the-head accuracy common worries and concerns of today's tweens.Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Product Details

• Age Range: 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Square Fish; First Edition edition (August 31, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312629176
• ISBN-13: 978-0312629175
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (92 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #237,587 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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, FOREVER SUMMER (a LAGUNA COVE/CRUEL SUMMER 2-in1), KEEPING SECRETS (FAKING 19/SAVING ZOE 2-in-1), THE IMMORTALS series including: EVERMORE, BLUE MOON, SHADOWLAND, DARK FLAME, NIGHT STAR, & EVERLASTING, THE IMMORTALS spin-off, RILEY BLOOM series including RADIANCE, SHIMMER, DREAMLAND & WHISPER), with short stories apearing in the anthologies: FIRST KISS (THEN TELL), KISSES FROM HELL, & DEAR BULLY. She is currently working on a new series for teens, THE SOUL SEEKERS: including FATED & ECHO- in stores now-, MYSTIC (05.07.13), & HORIZON (11.12.13).

With over 8 New York Times bestsellers in 2 years, and over 7 million copies in print, her books have been translated into 37 languages, sold in over 50 countries, and have made the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal, LA Times, NCIBA, Walmart, and numerous international bestsellers lists. And have won numerous awards such as: the National Reader's Choice Award, NYLA Book of Winter Award, NYPL Stuff for the Teenage, TeenReads Best Books of 2007, Reviewer's Choice 2007 Top Ten, appeared on the CBS Early Show's "Give the Gift of Reading" segment, and selected for Seventeen Magazine's "Hot List" and Beach Book Club Pick.

The dramatic rights for all 4 books in THE SOUL SEEKERS series were optioned for film by Cheyenne Enterprises--and her adult novel, FLY ME TO THE MOON, was optioned by Ridley Scott's, Scott Free Productions, with Sharon Maguire (Bridget Jones' Diary) set to write and direct.

Born and raised in Orange County, California, she's lived in both Mykonos and Manhattan and is now settled in Southern California where she's working on her next book.

Photo by Nancy Villere.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#53 in Books > Teens

#53 in Books > Teens

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I can't wait to read more of Riley September 9, 2010

By Nelaine Sanchez VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

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 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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing... December 24, 2010

By Sarah Woodard

Format:Paperback

I enjoyed the Immortal series and I though that I would have liked Radiance, because it was a companion novel. Sadly, I was disappointed. Riley seemed one dimensional and boring. I also though that she was such a major brat. The book was less then 200 pages and didn't have an amazing plot that enchanted me. I was bored for most of the book. It was original, but the characters and plot didn't support that. This book is meant for a younger age and might be enjoyed by them. I think that they will find Riley to be charming and sweet.
You migh

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too September 3, 2010

By TeensReadToo

Format:Audio CD

All I can say is, "It's about time Riley got her own story." I was overjoyed to receive the audio book of RADIANCE in the mail unexpectedly last week. I love to get an audio book prior to its release. And as I had to travel to a meeting for work, that gave me enough time to listen to this in its entirety, in one day.

Macmillan Young Listeners was smart and used a different narrator for the character of Riley than that of her sister, Ever. Riley's character in THE IMMORTALS series has grown into her own unique personality. Kathleen McInerney takes on the job of portraying Riley beautifully. She has a young, inquisitive quality to her voice that truly brings Riley to life.

RADIANCE picks up at the point where Riley finally takes the journey to cross the bridge that her parents and dog crossed after the car accident. Once on the other side, Riley is reunited with the rest of her family. The new world she enters is called Here. She soon learns that life after death isn't all leisure. She has to go to school, and after facing the Council, she learns she will also have to work.

Riley is assigned the job of Soul Catcher. Soul Catchers have the responsibility of coaxing souls that remain behind to cross the bridge. She is assigned a teacher, Bodhi, who decides to give Riley a difficult first case. Radiant Boy has rejected many attempts over the last century to cross over.

Listening to Ms. McInerney tell the tale led to many humorous moments and I found myself giggling out loud. The tension between Bodhi and Riley is palpable as the story is read and unfolds. Listening to Riley's trials and errors is definitely a treat for the ears. The most amazing character portrayed by Ms. McInerney, at least in my opinion, was that of Aura, a Council member. She comes across as serene but all-knowing. As Riley is confused by her future, Aura's presence is soothing and confident.

Overall, RADIANCE is a wonderful story and the audio book uses just the right tone for Riley's voice. The book is appropriate for anyone from middle school up. Riley is a twelve-year-old girl, and Ms. Noel keeps that in mind as the story unfolds.

Reviewed by: Jaglvr