being

by Mechelle Morrison

Seventeen-year-old Shepherd doesn’t believe in stuff he can’t explain, like ghosts or life after death. So when he awakens in a strange city, seventy-five years ahead of where he was at breakfast, he’s understandably confused. But not alone. His sister’s there. So is the family cat.

Five minutes into their new future, Shepherd witnesses a murder. He finds a strange marble with a sun-colored shadow. It begins to rain, his sister wants to go home, the cat runs away. Stranger still, the people on the sidewalk don't seem to see him. No one can hear him. Until he meets Tienne. It’s not love, but it could be. She’s got fabulous blue eyes. At least that’s what Shepherd thought right before she fainted.

What he doesn’t know is that Tienne knows everything about him—even the dark secret he created in a previous life. His secret would explain his situation and a whole lot more, if he could remember it. Which he can’t. Tienne wants to help, but she once swore she’d keep his secret—even from him. And she’s not the kind of girl to break her word.

Deep down, Shepherd knows he’s forgotten something major. But he doesn’t want to remember; in fact, he does everything in his power not to.

Until someone tries to kill Tienne.

BEING is a different kind of ghost story about the power of memory, the nature of the universe and just how far one boy will go to ensure the love of his life lasts . . . forever.

291 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

I'm made of star-stuff ... just like everyone else.

instagram: @the.electic.m

Reviews

[Kathy Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle Morrison’s book is well crafted. It has layers of plot twists and revelations. Each layer is peeled away reveling a startling fact that completely changes the end goal of the characters. They come slowly at first as the characters learn more about what they are doing in each new setting they find themselves in. There are times it takes effort to keep up, but well worth the trip.
The main character, Shepard, is a leader, who has lost his way. We want to follow him, but his lack of memory makes this impossible. His sister Ellie tries to push him in the right direction, as does his love interest Tienne. They seem to know what is going on, but are unwilling to just tell him. Luq has all the answers, only to mock Shepard.
The names are an interesting choice. Luq and Ellie have simple names. They have simple tasks to complete in the plot. Their love is also simple, calm and comfortable. While Shepard’s task is hard and he is desperate to be with his love Tienne. She loves him just as much, but he can’t seem to just relax and let it happen. He is jealous of Luq and Ellie’s love, which only makes matters more confused. The names help show this. Tienne wants to call Ellie by her full name, trying to draw her in on the confusion and strife. Ellie keeps demanding the simpler name and the simpler task.
The people they meet along the way are family, but some are helpful and some are antagonist. It is hard to tell why until more layers are peeled away reveling the true plot.

[Ria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this book. It was very intriguing, not the typical type of book I would read, but it pulled me in from page one! I was right away hooked on the story and needing to know more. However I didn't consider it a love story, because the characters didn't have much time to interact with eachother it was so fast paced. I also thought it was very confusing sometimes which made it hard to read, still it was exciting throughout!

[Brooke Olsen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not at all what I expected when I first started reading it. It's a unique take on time-travel and fantasy, along with an element of romance. At times I found the dialogue to be a bit stiff and inaccessible, but the characters and plot are nicely developed over the course of the book. There's also a very satisfying twist ending that really brought the whole thing together for me. Would definitely recommend if you're in the mood for a complex and fascinating science fiction read.

[Stephanie Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when you start most books for the first time and you are lost until maybe the third or fourth chapter? Well I was lost until the end. That's when everything made sense to me. That may not happen to everyone, but it did to me. I really couldn't wait to get to the part where everything made sense. This is an amazing story. Was totally blown away by the ending. I didn't see it coming.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It looks so lovely and new. I almost am afraid to touch it and get my fingerprints all over it, what with it's lovely black cover.

I've decided I'm going to read this on Kindle instead, because I don't think you understand how beautiful the cover is. I want to keep it that way for as long as possible.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not finish this book. I just could not get interested even though I thought the premise at the time would be one I like. I doubt this is the fault of the author but rather my shortcoming as a reader. The plat just did not intrigue me like I thought it would. I won this one on Goodreads and was thrilled to get it. I would think it would appeal to many who like the time travel scenario.

[Kyla B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book about a week ago. It makes you think about things. The book was different from what I expected, but I loved it.