Shine

By: Lauren Myracle

Narrated by: Elizabeth Evans

When her best guy friend falls victim to a vicious hate crime, 16-year-old Cat sets out to discover who in her small town did it. Richly atmospheric, this daring mystery mines the secrets of a tightly knit Southern community and examines the strength of will it takes to go against everyone you know in the name of justice.

Against a backdrop of poverty, clannishness, drugs, and intolerance, Myracle has crafted a harrowing coming-of-age tale couched in a deeply intelligent mystery. Smart, fearless, and compassionate, this is an unforgettable work from a beloved author.

©2011 Lauren Myracle (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Cat eventually uncovers the truth in a cliffhanging climax in which she confronts fear, discovers that love is stronger than hate and truly 'shines.' Raw, realistic and compelling." (Kirkus Reviews)
"The page-turning mystery and Cat's inspiring trajectory of self-realization will draw readers in and give them plenty to ponder." (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books)
"Dramatic in both content and presentation." (Los Angeles Times)
"Myracle captures well the regret that many feel for things in their past about which they are ashamed. Cat's reflections on these moments are spot-on." (School Library Journal)

Riveting and poignant

I loved Elizabeth Evans narration as always. This is more than just a tale of a who done it, but a lesson in forgiveness, acceptance and redemption.

Award-worthy!

This is some of the best, most artful writing I have read in a long time. The author is incredibly talented in the way in which she crafts the world of this story, the characters, and even individual scenes. She really builds and conveys the atmosphere and environment surrounding the characters, so that you feel you are there. She conveys the southern culture and vibe without getting bogged down in sticky-sweet cliche. I have rarely experienced quite the same nuance and suspense as the way Ms. Myracle can build up a scene without it being over the top. This story and the characters completely drew me in. It is not a "light" tale and does certainly address some difficult and even dark subject matter, but this is a story that you don't want to miss. The hard subject matter is balanced out by character growth, and some aspects of the plot where good "wins out" in the end. The narration is also good, I felt the voice totally drew me in to the main character's POV and the other characters were done pretty well for the most part. I did feel some of the male voices could have been done just a little bit better and more distinguished from each other, but that is a minor complaint. It really did not take away from my listening experience at all. I highly recommend this!

Wonderful story and narration

Would you listen to Shine again? Why?

Yes. The narrator was so compelling and created the atmosphere of a small Southern town.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kat. She has spunk and intelligence.

What does Elizabeth Evans bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She made me feel like I really knew Kat, her friends and her way of life. I loved the accents and how she made all the characters distinct and fun.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Kat talked about the assault when she was 13 - it was tough to hear it but an important part of the story.

I Highly Recommend This

Would you consider the audio edition of Shine to be better than the print version?

Didn't read the print version. But the audio was brilliant!

What did you like best about this story?

The world was so complete that I got totally absorbed. I felt like I knew everyone.

Which scene was your favorite?

The library scene made my adrenaline rush. I've sooo been there.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both

Any additional comments?

It's rare that I get so wrapped up in an audio book. But I truly felt transported.

Wow!

Myracle tackles tough subject matter in a way that makes the reader want to delve deeper. The character development is excellent and I often found myself relating to characters, even when they were very different from me. There are moral ties interwoven throughout this story as the main character grapples with some hard truths, both about herself and others. Her conclusions are on point and tie the story up nicely.