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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
This was really good. The writing style is pretty juvenile and it took me a minute to get past that. I thought I had it all figured out in the beginning, but the book did keep me guessing and surprised me in the end. A very satisfying ending.
This book had so much buzz surrounding its release that it certainly caught my attention. The cover, however, I am not a fan of. It seems somewhat creepy and Clarity looks really young. Yes, I am a cover snob, and that kept me from reading this for awhile. But after rereading the summary one day, I finally gave in and decided to check it out. It was a surprisingly good read.
Clarity was a fun character. She was fun and engaging, although I think her voice sounded younger than her age implied. I enjoyed both her love interests, but I was almost more of a fan of Justin (her ex) than of Gabriel. I really wanted to love Gabriel, if only because I adore that name, but I was not completely drawn to him. Clarity’s family, her mother and brother, were nice, but did not always feel believable. Her mother went from being this strict, business-oriented woman to sounding like a foolish teen girl at times. There was not a firm balance with her voice. Perry also had the issue of sounding young at times, but overall I was pleased with him as a character.
The story is the most interesting part of the book. The mystery kept me guessing and pulled into the book. I had trouble putting it down because I really wanted to figure out who was behind the murders. It was easily my favorite part of the book. I also loved the way the family were psychics, but did not believe that anyone could seriously see the future. It is an interesting twist that set the story apart from other books of the genre. Although there was an issue towards the end, that I will not mention so as not to spoil anyone.
As a whole I found the book to be an enjoying, quick read. After all of the hype I will admit I was expecting a bit more out of it than what I got, but I would still classify it as being worth the read. I do believe that this is part of a series, and I am not sure if I will continue to follow it. For younger teens I think this would be highly enjoyable, but for me it was not quite my cup of tea.
Clarity was a fun character. She was fun and engaging, although I think her voice sounded younger than her age implied. I enjoyed both her love interests, but I was almost more of a fan of Justin (her ex) than of Gabriel. I really wanted to love Gabriel, if only because I adore that name, but I was not completely drawn to him. Clarity’s family, her mother and brother, were nice, but did not always feel believable. Her mother went from being this strict, business-oriented woman to sounding like a foolish teen girl at times. There was not a firm balance with her voice. Perry also had the issue of sounding young at times, but overall I was pleased with him as a character.
The story is the most interesting part of the book. The mystery kept me guessing and pulled into the book. I had trouble putting it down because I really wanted to figure out who was behind the murders. It was easily my favorite part of the book. I also loved the way the family were psychics, but did not believe that anyone could seriously see the future. It is an interesting twist that set the story apart from other books of the genre. Although there was an issue towards the end, that I will not mention so as not to spoil anyone.
As a whole I found the book to be an enjoying, quick read. After all of the hype I will admit I was expecting a bit more out of it than what I got, but I would still classify it as being worth the read. I do believe that this is part of a series, and I am not sure if I will continue to follow it. For younger teens I think this would be highly enjoyable, but for me it was not quite my cup of tea.
OMG. That was so good, I can't stop grinning. :D review soon.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic friendship
This book was not one I'd normally read, it being about the paranormal world of psychics. I am happy to say I could not put the book down. Usually I watch crime shows, but never read about them because they're boring with all the details and possible suspects. But this book created a character that was involved and had a personal life going on at the same time.
Review originally posted on Heise Reads & Recommends
I had heard so many positive reviews of this book that I was eagerly anticipating reading it, and it didn't let me down. Once I looked at the first page to see how it sounded - I was gone for the next two days reading it every chance I got. "You don't want to kill me," I said. "Of course I don't, Clare. But I have to." And a paragraph later, "...On my right was the crumpled body of a guy I hadn't fully realized the depths of my feelings for until I saw a bullet rip into him." OK - I was hooked - there was no chance I was putting this book down.
Clarity (Clare) Fern is a psychic from a family of psychics, and not the kind you normally think of as the scammers, but the real kind. She, her mother, and her older brother all have different psychic abilities, and they use them to entertain the tourists in their Cape Cod town. I loved Clare - she is full of snark and sass and wit in a Veronica Mars type way - and I totally want to be her friend. She doesn't take any crap from anyone, and is fiercely loyal to her family. She's been hurt, but she still has hope for finding a good guy (and there are a few to go around apparently!) Plus, she's just really likeable the way she's written. This book, and her character, reminded me of other favorite mystery books THE LIAR SOCIETY and DEATH BY BIKINI, all with kick butt, tell-it-like-it-is girls who are smart, but vulnerable and whose mysteries are sometimes usurped by their teen relationships with family and boys.
The secondary cast of characters in this book was fun, as many small town novels tend to be, and I enjoyed seeing Clarity struggle with the boys she was surrounded with. Although it was a little predicatble in the end (as I did guess earlier on who might be the culprit), it still kept me guessing throughout and I was never quite sure if my guess would turn out to be right or not. The mystery kept me on my toes, and Clare's realtionships kept me turning pages to find out what would happen next.
CLARITY was a fun, light read, even though there were some serious elements with the mystery, the murder, and the people trying to figure everything out, and I would definitely recommend it to students who are looking for a mystery, and even to students who maybe need to be exposed to a mystery book. It's got a great main character, an interesting mystery, and lots of snark and sass and laugh out loud comebacks, with a touch of vulnerability. I also appreciated the underlying story of not judging people before you know them and know the truth, and Clare's battles to stand up for herself and be confident even when others are doubting her.
I'll be eagerly waiting on the sequel, PERCEPTION, coming March 1st, to find out what Clare decides to do and what happens to her next.
I had heard so many positive reviews of this book that I was eagerly anticipating reading it, and it didn't let me down. Once I looked at the first page to see how it sounded - I was gone for the next two days reading it every chance I got. "You don't want to kill me," I said. "Of course I don't, Clare. But I have to." And a paragraph later, "...On my right was the crumpled body of a guy I hadn't fully realized the depths of my feelings for until I saw a bullet rip into him." OK - I was hooked - there was no chance I was putting this book down.
Clarity (Clare) Fern is a psychic from a family of psychics, and not the kind you normally think of as the scammers, but the real kind. She, her mother, and her older brother all have different psychic abilities, and they use them to entertain the tourists in their Cape Cod town. I loved Clare - she is full of snark and sass and wit in a Veronica Mars type way - and I totally want to be her friend. She doesn't take any crap from anyone, and is fiercely loyal to her family. She's been hurt, but she still has hope for finding a good guy (and there are a few to go around apparently!) Plus, she's just really likeable the way she's written. This book, and her character, reminded me of other favorite mystery books THE LIAR SOCIETY and DEATH BY BIKINI, all with kick butt, tell-it-like-it-is girls who are smart, but vulnerable and whose mysteries are sometimes usurped by their teen relationships with family and boys.
The secondary cast of characters in this book was fun, as many small town novels tend to be, and I enjoyed seeing Clarity struggle with the boys she was surrounded with. Although it was a little predicatble in the end (as I did guess earlier on who might be the culprit), it still kept me guessing throughout and I was never quite sure if my guess would turn out to be right or not. The mystery kept me on my toes, and Clare's realtionships kept me turning pages to find out what would happen next.
CLARITY was a fun, light read, even though there were some serious elements with the mystery, the murder, and the people trying to figure everything out, and I would definitely recommend it to students who are looking for a mystery, and even to students who maybe need to be exposed to a mystery book. It's got a great main character, an interesting mystery, and lots of snark and sass and laugh out loud comebacks, with a touch of vulnerability. I also appreciated the underlying story of not judging people before you know them and know the truth, and Clare's battles to stand up for herself and be confident even when others are doubting her.
I'll be eagerly waiting on the sequel, PERCEPTION, coming March 1st, to find out what Clare decides to do and what happens to her next.
Last night, I was suffering from a bout of insomnia. So I got up to read. Three hours later, I was finished with the book.
Needless to say, I enjoyed the book, and I think the series can only get stronger from here.
Needless to say, I enjoyed the book, and I think the series can only get stronger from here.
Great plot and story line. Not your typical mystery murder novel. Romance, suspicion, endless dead ends and smart ass remarks are all tied into one to make a great plot!
definitely a great read, i absolutely loved it! the whole 'psychic' abilities within Clare's family are so interesting, and all the characters are well-developed, hilarious, adorable, and all around fun! this is definitely one to classify as a funk-breaker; it's quick, easy, entertaining, and let me just say, this 'love triangle' we've got going on is the most believable thing on the face of the planet. finally, i cant decide who i want her to be with...wait, yes i do, but i'm definitely in love with both guys. take it from me, who is so anti-love triangle i could write a whole book on it, it does not in any way detract from the story. gotta love this whole damn thing, i cant wait for the sequel! ;)