So PERCEPTION came out a few months ago, and of course, I called Kim's independent bookstore where she was signing to get a signed copy. Then I proceeded to devour it. Before I tell you all the Things, let's learn a bit more about it.
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. Clare needs to see her way to the truth -- before it's much too late.
Now, I'll be the first to say that sometimes second books are stale retellings of the first book. You know you've read some that made you go, "That was exactly like the first book."
But PERCEPTION is not one of those books. Yes, it's still set in this amazing beach town, but now all the tourists are gone. Yes, there's still a mystery to solve, but this one has higher stakes, and hits much closer to home for main character Clare. Yes, the characterization and pacing are still brilliant.
But the plot is entirely new, and there are things we learn about Clare that we didn't know before. She's deeper in a way the second book should make a character deeper. She takes what she learned from her detective-ing (it's a word) in CLARITY and uses it in PERCEPTION.
And there are some creeptastic moments when Clare thinks she's being watched, and when she starts getting gifts from her secret admirer? I went from "It's her!" to "Oh, man, maybe it's him!" to "It's definitely this other girl."
Like I said, brilliant. (And there's kissing. You know I like that.)
Have you read any great mysteries lately? Do tell.
Be sure to check out today's SURRENDER blog tour stops:
- Angela Brown -- timeline of writing Surrender
And be sure to check out the other Bookanista reviews today:
- Carolina Valdez Miller celebrates SKYLARK with an ARC Giveaway
- Tracy Banghart praises 12 LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPES
Okay, I've been re-reading Save the Cat and did a blog post Tuesday about irony in a one-sentence pitch.
ReplyDelete"When you can see things others can't, what happens when someone is watching you?"
Now, that's what I call a homerun pitch! This story sounds exactly like my kind of novel. Definitely off to get this one.
Wow, that really does sound like quite the nice sophomore book. I'll have to update my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteOh man! I need an e-reader. I'm missing out on great books like this one. There are no bookstores selling books in English where I live here in Mexico, so e-books is all I can do.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've seen so many books about psychics lately, but this is the first that really grabbed my attention. It sounds great! I'll have to put both #1 and #2 on my list, so thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you on this. Kim sucks you right into the story with chapter 1 in an amazing way and her chapter ending make you have to turn the page. I really loved the story and her writing style.
ReplyDeleteLOVED Clarity and can't wait to read Perception. So many books and so little time - story of my life.
ReplyDeleteI still need to get my hands on CLARITY, so this review only makes that seem more urgent. :) And promises of kissing? Bring it! Please. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you SO MUCH!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou know you've read some that made you go, "That was exactly like the first book."www.effectivefa.com
ReplyDelete