Monday, March 5, 2012

Perception.

Title/Author: Perception by Kim Harrington. (ARC).

Genre:  YA/Supernatural.

Publisher:  Point.

Source: Gifted by Smash Attacks Reads.

Favorite character:  Gabriel.

Synopsis
When you can see things others can't, what do you do when someone's watching you?

Everybody knows about Clarity "Clare" Fern. She's the psychic girl in school, the one who can place her hands on something and see hidden visions from the past.

Only Clare would rather not be a celebrity. She prefers hanging back, observing. Her gift is not a game to her.

But then someone starts playing with her head . . . and heart. Messages and gifts from a secret admirer crop up everywhere Clare turns. Could they be from Gabriel, the gorgeous boy who gets Clare's pulse racing? Or from Justin, Clare's hopeful ex-boyfriend who'd do anything to win her back?

One thing is certain. Clare needs to solve this mystery, and soon. Because the messages are becoming sinister, and a girl in town has suddenly disappeared. ~Goodreads.com

My Thoughts:
Reading Perception just made me happy.  Harrington uses a voice that is easy to read and connect to as Clare, the teenage psychic turned detective.  I thought Clare a little more pensive in this book, but she has been through a lot the previous months.  She broke up with a boyfriend, solved a murder mystery and almost got killed herself.  That's a lot to deal with.  Before that her pyschic abilities were used for "entertainment" purposes only for tourists and clients.  Now, with a taste of what she can do Clare seems to be seeking a little more.  She wants to help people on a greater level and I enjoyed her growing into these thoughts and into this role. 

I also liked how the story still keeps the events of the summer as a plot point with repercussions and natural progressions, but does not belabor it. Perry is changed, Clare is not only changed but things are a bit different for her at school and she explores a world where she may fit in a little more.  

Some scenes I feel are a bit forced or just read a little off to me.  Mostly with Mallory, a new friend she makes in school.  Her relationships and dialogues with the girls who have newly accepted her is more natural and entertaining to me.  I'm not sure, maybe this is done on purpose, since we only get the story through Clare who doesn't trust people easily.  So maybe this just came through in the writing organically.  I also should point out that I read an ARC, so the final edition may be a bit different.

There were times I thought Clare was too good to be true, but then I love how her mom calls her out for the fact that she has also judged some girls at school the same way she was/is judged.  I like how Mallory gets annoyed with her too for certain actions.  Again I also have to remember that this is from Clare's POV and of course we overlook our own foibles at times.  These actions helped her feel more real to me.

One of the elements I love in these books is her relationship with her brother, Perry.  They bicker and get annoyed at each other and act selfishly.  However, when they confide in each other it is truly sweet and comes off as very honest.  I love how Perry tells Clare that it is really she, not him, who is the strong one of the family.  I love this observation from him because it gives insight into what he is feeling and also, it gives the reader another opinion to Clarity.  I never thought of her as "strong."  Granted, I never thought of her as weak either, but by Perry pointing it out, I see something else in her. 

I loved Gabriel.  Team Gabriel!  He is so much more mature, worldly and let's face it, just a bit cooler than Justin.  Yes, Justin is nice and all that.  Owns up to his mistakes, but I just felt that Clare and Gabriel have more chemistry and fit together better.  She is trying to decide which boy she wants to be with and it is a difficult decision and one she contemplates with care and grace to the point of even getting both boys to help out other people as a favor to her. 

I guessed the mystery more easily than in the first book and some of Clare's actions I felt like I was watching a Horror movie yelling at the character, "No!  No!  Don't do it!"  However, it definitely helped build tension and excitement, and there are a few things that still kept me suspicious until the end.  Also, there are hints of what may be coming in future books.  And there better be future books! 

This is a super fun book that I couldn't put down.  I am hoping there will be at least one more in this saga because I really love knowing Clare and getting involved in her exciting adventures.

Thanks to Ash from Smash Attack Reads for sending me this book!


4 comments:

Kate @Midnight Book Girl said...

I still haven't read Clarity, and honestly part of that was based on the fact that I didn't like the cover, but I'm always looking for fun reads. I might pick up the first book in the series for the readathon in April. Great review!!

Jen | Book Den said...

I started reading your review, but I realized I might get spoiled since I haven't read Clarity yet. :) I'm glad to see you are enjoying this series because Clarity sounded really good.

Midnyte Reader said...

I didn't love the cover either at first until I read the book. Then it kind of grew on me.

I tried not to have any spoilers, but of course even hints can ruin a surprise.

Smash Attack Ash said...

Yay! I am so happy you enjoyed it. I look forward to reading it. One of the reasons I loved Clarity so much was due to the Clare's family dynamics. I adored each of them to pieces.

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