Review: Clarity by Kim Harrington

Hardcover, 242 pages

Released: March 1, 2011

Publisher: Scholastic Point

ISBN13: 9780545230506

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 a certain 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 Rating:4.5

My thoughts:
Well, I'm not really sure how to classify this book: crime/mystery/paranormal/romance, it really had a little bit of everything...and I loved it! What I think also makes it stand out is the crime solving element, maybe it's just me but I haven't read many YA books that deal with this. As I was reading, I kept thinking Kim has really got something here! Here's why:

The setting makes me want to pick up and move to the East Coast. Clare lives in a tourist town of Eastport, think walking around the boardwalk eating ice cream watching the waves roll in...I think I could handle that!

The characters were all great but Clare, darn I loved her & her snarkiness. Considered a 'freak' by her peers for her paranormal ability, she is rock solid and takes no bull! She knows what is important, is very family oriented, loveable, intelligent..I could go on & on.

The plot keep you guessing. Kim offers up twists & turns, leads you astray but it all wraps up nicely in the end.

This is a book to devour in one setting, I am so eager to follow Clare again next year when book two, Perception, comes out! As much as I enjoy Temperance Brennan in Kathy Reichs series, I could totally see myself following Clare for years to come, it has that potential to be a series to love..an awesome Debut by Kim!

Supernatural Book Signing & Winners!

Last week I had an opportunity to meet three amazing authors, all in one night, as part of the Supernatural Tour! I had a blast & thanks to Lesley learned that authors really are a crazy bunch ;) I thought it would be fun to share with you the authors answers to my favorite question from an audience member: how to develop characters.


(clockwise: Jackie, me, Kim Harrison, Aprilynne Pike & Lesley Livingston)

Kim Harrison read from her newest book, Early to Death, Early to Rise (Madison Avery, #2), a series I hadn't yet read but sounded so interesting (and yes has been added to my Mt. TBR pile)! Kim had the most unique answer: write down what you'd find in their closet, make a list of things about them & use the Myers-Briggs personality test to get an idea of how they would react in different situations. I would love to pick Kim's brain one day!



Aprilynne Pike is as cute as a button in real life & funny too! She suggested that you write characters who you find interesting. If you find the character boring, either add more to them OR scrap them altogether. I was so embarrassed that I had been butchering the name of a main character from her Wings series...Tamani is pronounced Tam-Annie NOT Ta-Moni, ooops! I'm kinda scared for Tamani in the next book, Team Tamani all the way..but I can so she her throwing us a curve ball in book 3 (there will be 4 books in the series).




I must say that Lesley Livingston is such a hoot :) She talked about hearing the characters voices & putting characters together in different scenarios to learn about them through their interaction. I've had both books in her Wonderous Strange series for a bit now & can kick myself for not reading them sooner - I can't wait to meet Bob!

...and what you've all been waiting for, the winners are...

Emily - Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison

Sara - Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Lea - Wonderous Strange by Lesley Livingston

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