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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
Although Dark Visions is a fast-paced and gripping read, there were parts that just didn't convince me. Kaitlin laments her lack of success with boys during the introductory chapters, and then proceeds to throw herself at the first one she meets in her new Californian home. He, of course, jumps on that bandwagon with little persuasion, even though initially he "doesn't know what girls are for." Interesting, huh? Then there's Gabriel, who clearly does know what girls are for, and who is dark and dangerous; a murderer. Kaitlin is torn between the two boys, eventually realising that she loves both. Personally, I found her relationship with Gabriel more convincing - it forms over a longer period of time, so that we actually see their relationship develop, and it involves some change and compromise from both parties.
As with many L.J. Smith relationships, intimacy in Dark Visions seems to take the form of energy-transfer, the nadir of this contact being the euphoric experience of linking minds. I'm not sure whether it's meant to be a metaphor - somehow I don't think so - but I know of very few teens who'd be convinced by this. Yes, it's paranormal romance. But still. Sex is clearly taboo in L.J. Smith's worldview.
Setting the romance sub-plots aside, the fight against Mr Zetes is the true heart of the three books. It's easy to follow the five main characters through their initial suspicion, into active dislike, and ultimately emnity. The characterisation is perhaps a bit overdone - Mr Zetes is being compared to the Devil by the end, and he's a little cartoon villain-ish for my liking - but he's certainly a formidable opponent. His strength lies mostly in external forces - the crystal that's the source of amplified psychic energy, and the previous five test-subject teenagers who have been rendered insane as a result of his experiments - and this ultimately proves to be his downfall. All but two of the teenagers refuse to support him in the end (although the reasoning behind this change of heart remains completely opaque), and destruction of the crystal seems to magically solve most people's problems. It even makes Mr Zetes disappear. It's a little deus ex machina, but reading fiction is about willing suspension of disbelief, and if you can let go of reason and reality and let story drag you in, it's difficult not to enjoy the ride.
So there are things I don't find convincing, but I can accept that because there are also things I love about this book. It's heart warming in its depiction of friendship against the odds, and in the triumph of good over evil, and I found the final paragraph particularly poignant. I suppose it's a coming-of-age series, when you really get down to it. A snapshot of a moment in time. It's a reminder that the power of friendship is like nothing else - and even though you're growing up and moving on, you'll always carry that with you.
Visit my blog for more reviews: http://scheherazadereads.blogspot.co.uk/
As with many L.J. Smith relationships, intimacy in Dark Visions seems to take the form of energy-transfer, the nadir of this contact being the euphoric experience of linking minds. I'm not sure whether it's meant to be a metaphor - somehow I don't think so - but I know of very few teens who'd be convinced by this. Yes, it's paranormal romance. But still. Sex is clearly taboo in L.J. Smith's worldview.
Setting the romance sub-plots aside, the fight against Mr Zetes is the true heart of the three books. It's easy to follow the five main characters through their initial suspicion, into active dislike, and ultimately emnity. The characterisation is perhaps a bit overdone - Mr Zetes is being compared to the Devil by the end, and he's a little cartoon villain-ish for my liking - but he's certainly a formidable opponent. His strength lies mostly in external forces - the crystal that's the source of amplified psychic energy, and the previous five test-subject teenagers who have been rendered insane as a result of his experiments - and this ultimately proves to be his downfall. All but two of the teenagers refuse to support him in the end (although the reasoning behind this change of heart remains completely opaque), and destruction of the crystal seems to magically solve most people's problems. It even makes Mr Zetes disappear. It's a little deus ex machina, but reading fiction is about willing suspension of disbelief, and if you can let go of reason and reality and let story drag you in, it's difficult not to enjoy the ride.
So there are things I don't find convincing, but I can accept that because there are also things I love about this book. It's heart warming in its depiction of friendship against the odds, and in the triumph of good over evil, and I found the final paragraph particularly poignant. I suppose it's a coming-of-age series, when you really get down to it. A snapshot of a moment in time. It's a reminder that the power of friendship is like nothing else - and even though you're growing up and moving on, you'll always carry that with you.
Visit my blog for more reviews: http://scheherazadereads.blogspot.co.uk/
I read all 3 books of this series (if there aren't any more) because they were all bound together in about a day ignoring the homework I had due the day after :( But I completely loved reading this (my love for reading is starting to come back) I read everything in one day!!!!!! And the love triangle <3 Lj Smith seriously writes the best love triangles (and the one I'm rooting for actually stand a chance!!!!!)
One I always forget why I still own this and end up rereading and falling in love again. Maybe not perfect but still very entertaining and I feel hardly any media touches on psychic vampires much
edit 2# 1/06
I read more than half of the book now and checked the ending...
the idea is great but her style is so not my cup of tea.
Kait is stupid. no. she is kind of fluffy in the head. do stuff and than just as she does realize she shouldn't have...
the guys are great but you don't quite understand how they can fall under her spell.
I liked that it is soft on the sex. here you can see that it is not a recent book where they all need to be heavy in the groping and sexing/oversexed...
edit 1#
I'm putting this book on hold for how long I don't know.
I just want to bash the heroine's head against a wall and hurt her very bad. So let's wait for a more agreeable state of mind
I read more than half of the book now and checked the ending...
the idea is great but her style is so not my cup of tea.
Kait is stupid. no. she is kind of fluffy in the head. do stuff and than just as she does realize she shouldn't have...
the guys are great but you don't quite understand how they can fall under her spell.
I liked that it is soft on the sex. here you can see that it is not a recent book where they all need to be heavy in the groping and sexing/oversexed...
edit 1#
I'm putting this book on hold for how long I don't know.
I just want to bash the heroine's head against a wall and hurt her very bad. So let's wait for a more agreeable state of mind
fast-paced
UNDERRATED STOP READING VAMPIRE DIARIES JUST READ THIS
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Love, love, loved it. Great story. Likeable characters. Another great series by [a:L.J. Smith|50873|L.J. Smith|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1266517290p2/50873.jpg]. I'd love to read more books with everyone.
Spoiler
Especially continuing Gabriel and Kait's relationship. Loved him from the beginning, they are perfect for each other:)
When I started it I thought I wouldn’t like it, but it turned out to be really entertaining! The first book especially has a great storyline.