Clarity by Kim Harrington
9:00 AM
Author: Kim Harrington
Release Date: March 1, 2011 (hardcover)
Publisher: Scholastic Point
Pages: 246
Source: Copy received from publisher
Overall: 5 Stars
Summary:
Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch an object and the visions come to her. It's a gift.
And a curse.
When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case — but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother — who has supernatural gifts of his own — becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?
My Thoughts:
Ever since I first heard about Clarity, I've been dying to read the novel, drawn into a plot-line that sounded so intriguing and absolutely loving its gorgeous cover! With such high hopes for the novel, I had certain expectations... and I was so glad to see that Clarity met them. Kim Harrington's debut novel delivers in the best of ways, offering a story that's both fresh and fun while also daring you to solve a murder mystery where anyone could be a suspect.
Clare's family is not so typical- her mother can read minds, her brother's a medium... and as for Clare herself, she can see visions of the past from objects she touches. Living in Eastport, a town on Cape Cod, townies regard her family as freaks while tourists love them, visiting their family business where they give psychic readings. But when a teenage girl is found murdered in a hotel, the mayor's son- and Clare's ex-boyfriend- Justin asks for Clare's help in solving the case. Working with the new-in-town detective's son Gabriel, Clare's determined to use her abilities to help catch the murderer... especially when the top suspect becomes her very own brother Perry.
Clare is like any teenage girl except with the added bonus of having a cool gift. Her abilities have made it almost impossible for her to make friends with others her age, so she's closest to her brother and his own best friend Nate. Armed with a snarky attitude, she's quick to defend herself and loved ones against those who frown about her family's special abilities. She takes no nonsense from anyone and she's not afraid of showing it! Her brother Perry may be a player but he's not an outright jerk or anything. You can see the close brother-sister bond between Perry and Clare, and how they look out for one another, so you're just torn for Clare when she hears that Perry is suspected of murder.
And oh my, the boys! Clare is surrounded by them! You'll be seriously torn between two in particular though... Justin and Gabriel. Neither of the boys are perfect and that just made me love them all the more. I was expecting to hate Justin on the spot since he's the ex and all but he took me by surprise. He made a mistake in the past that Clare can't forgive him for, but we see how he would do anything to fix it. And then there's Gabriel, who's skeptic of Clare's gift and her credibility to her dismay, yet these two also have an undeniable attraction as well!
With a touch of the paranormal and some very hot boys to find yourself falling for, Clarity is a great YA murder mystery that you'll find yourself immensely enjoying! Dark and suspenseful at times, and light and humourous at others... I'm sure you'll love the novel! If it's any comfort to you, there isn't a major cliff-hanger at the end of the novel, but the events do leave off on a note which suggests nothing is final and that there's definitely more in store for Clare in the future. I'm definitely eagerly anticipating the second novel, Perception, next March 2012 to see what's in store for Clare next!
Thanks so much to Scholastic Canada for sending me this copy!
5 comments
Great review! I absolutely loved Clarity. The wait for Perception is going to drive me bonkers!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome review, I didn't know what this book was about at first but the more I hear of it the more I want to read it too.
ReplyDeleteAh! Awesome. I've heard so many fantastic things about this book already and I'm very excited to read it.
ReplyDeleteOh, hey! Another teen blogger from Ontario :) Nice to meet you.
I really do wish everything wasn't a series now a days... it feels like a commitment just to read 1 book. Nevertheless, your review has convinced me this is one to look out for. I'm not the hugest paranormal fan, but this sounds pretty interesting, and I love the murder mystery aspect. Also, I'm deeply obsessed with things set in Cape Cod, so that is another awesome thing. I just put it on hold at the library, so I will definitely be picking it up once it comes in.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't hate Justin either. With the way Clare was treating him I thought he would be a sleeze but he's a good guy.
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