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Sunday, January 3, 2010

Clarity by Kim Harrington

Clarity by Kim Harrington
Rating: 4.5/5
Source: Publisher

Synopsis: When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?

This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

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?

Review: To say Clarity is a fistful of surprises, brilliance, and angst is such an understatement. Clarity has killer suspense, depth, and crazy awesome characters. The plot of the book is so realistically portrayed; it is so real that I believe it could have happened in real life. (And that is amazing because I've never really believed psychics could exist!) This book makes me realize that it is supposed to be this way. And because not every book I've read has done this, I can honestly say Kim Harrington is genius.

Clare...*happy sigh*...where can I get such a snarky best friend like that? Clarity had that luminous quality to it. I believe that shining light was Clare. And her mother? Best YA mother evahhh.~

(If review gets too long for your taste, SORRY, BUT SCROLL DOWN TO THE END!)

While it was amazing, there were some things I thought could be delved into more (like the two boys for instance; the romantic aspect of the story is still growing on me). I just feel like if they were, the story would click together even more. However, that isn't to say the romance of the story was a turnoff--it is so much different from all the other paranormal love triangles. Both of the boys are so similar, but they're also strikingly different! I really do not know who is the better choice, but I have a feeling the sequel will let the readers know more about them. I am really looking forward to the sequel, particularly after what a certain Madam said in the end.

Whenever I read murder mystery books, I always end up guessing the wrong person! (And yeah...it happens here too...I don't think I'm ever going to have such luck) Just when I gathered up my proof that this certain character is responsible for the death of the girl, Harrington pulls a fast one on me. And what happens then? Well, I am left in the dust. I can't even go back to square one because square one doesn't even make sense anymore! (And the real murder was -gasp- someone I did not expect! I guess Clare's personal feelings weren't the only ones blinding her from the real murder...) Gah, this process was almost perpetual. Before I knew it, I became addicted. Usually when a character's personal life is thrown in a murder novel, you will wonder what the heck the author was thinking. But with this gem, Harrington weaves Clare's "normal" life so naturally that it became a necessity.

My stomach dropped loads of time reading this book. No, dropped is such a weak word. IT LURCHED. Yes, lots of stomach lurching. (Gross-sounding, but it gets the point across :P) Mini heart attacks were called for. Maybe a little screaming...

THIS BOOK WAS NOT PUT-DOWNABLE. The only thing I had left to say at the end was: BUT WHY? WHY IS IT SO SHORT!! And I absolutely love the ending! It's tied up nicely enough and yet it leaves so many questions to be answered! O_O

This book gives a whole new meaning to the word Clarity.

In my head:

clarity: noun. astounding debut with impeccable pacing

~A Reviewer's Journey GIF Style~

The Beginning: Oh yeah~ Got the book. WOOHOO! The beginning is WHOA. AND it's amazing! *happy dance*

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The Middle: OHMYGOD, I THINK I KNOW WHO THE MURDERER IS NOW!!! O_O
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Wait. It WASN'T him? What? GAH. *sob* It's okay, let's try this again.
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WAHAHAHHAHA. IT IS YOU, AIN'T IT, LITTLE "SELFLESS" CHARACTER? I AM NOT STUPID AFTER ALL. WAHAHAHA. OH YEAAA.
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Wait. What?!!!!!! GAHLFKJSDLFJSDFJ.
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YES. GET WITH GABE. GABE IS YOUR LOVER!!!! *ten minutes later* WAIT, FORGIVE JUSTIN. HE DIDN'T MEAN TO HURT YOU. *twenty minutes later* You know what, Clare? Haz the BOTH of them. Yes. And ohmygosh, Stephen is kind of sweet. LESS THAN THREE. ♥

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The End: Oh no, I can't believe I still don't have a CLUE who the murder is!! GAHH. *rips hair out* Okay, I think it's her. *defends my position inside my head* Yeah, I realize talking to myself means only one thing. THIS BOOK IS DRIVING ME INSANE O_O

WHAT THE HECKY? THAT PERSONAL IS THE MURDERER? It all makes sense now. *mind blown* O__O
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And because I want all of you to be doing this happy dance right here, Photobucket
I am giving away my ARC of Clarity!!

The contest will be open until next Tuesday, January 11. Open to US only. Just fill out this form here and answer the question. Winners will be randomly selected on the 12th.

Still do not know if you should enter? Or read? Watch the trailer.

9 comments:

Mavie said...

LOVE your review!!! And it's not too long, you cover all the parts! I've been dying to read CLARITY and the cover is so freaking stunning. So freaking pretty. And the trailer is just fantastic. Thank you so much for the giveaway and review!! :P :)

Kara said...

I've seen this around but never really payed attention to it, but now it sounds really good!

Briana said...

Hahaha! I love all of your GIF's... if that's what you call them. Great review, I hope I win this book so I can feel the same way you felt while reading it!

Tales of Whimsy said...

OMG
I MUST read this.
FANTASTIC review.
I am smiling ear to ear from those Veronica Mars clips.
I've been recently watching it on Netflix and LOVE it!

Cialina at Muggle-Born.net said...

Glad to hear that it wasn't predictable for you. Predictable books are a big NO NO for me so Clarity wins points in my book. Thanks for hosting a giveaway! I don't think I'll ever get to this unless I win a copy.

Lauren M said...

LOL the gifs...
I'm so glad you enjoyed Clarity! I'm really looking forward to its release! :)
(And thanks for the giveaway! Omigosh!)

Bookshelf Lust said...

You review GIF's are adorable! And I'm getting really excited to read this!

~The Book Pixie said...

OMG! Must. Get. NOW! This sounds like the perfect read for me and thanks for the awesome review and giveaway! :D

~Briana

Sandy said...

I love you,

your review GIFS (which are awesome and hilarious and make me want to watch Veronica Mars...),

and this review. :D

Don't enter me for this giveaway because I'm supposed to be reading this soon (I haven't gotten my package yet: I suspect the mail woman has been keeping it out of laziness...all because I haven't shoveled my driveway. :S) but I have to say, you are extremely generous for hosting such a wonderful giveaway :)