Review: Clarity

Clarity
by Kim Harrington
Published March 2011
242 pages


Decription from Goodreads:



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:Clarity is more of a murder mystery plot with a supernatural twist.  I am a fan of stories with psychic gifts and Clare’s gift of psychometry- she can she memories of the past when she touches objects- is really cool. Of course her and her family’s gifts have not made Clare’s life easy.  Throughout the book we see what being psychic has cost them. I really liked Clare’s character she’s strong and spirited but she also has a vulnerability to her.  


Now let’s talk about romance.  There are a lot of possibilities in this book. Clare has two (possibly 3?) yummy guys to choose from. I was frustrated with Clare’s relationship with Gabriel, I thought their connection happened too fast and at times it fell kind of flat for me. Then there is Justin, the ex. I am still unsure how to feel about this character and his relationship with Clare.  I do think he is a nice guy who made a really stupid mistake. With that being said I’m not sure if I am a fan of them being together and I think anyone who had a similar breakup will probably not be a fan of that relationship. It might just be me, but it seemed like every guy in the story was secretly lusting after Clare.  She is supposed to be this social outcast but with all these guys attracted to her I didn’t think her loneliness was that believable.  I mean I for one wouldn’t mind being an outcast if it meant having all kinds of guys being in lust with me :P


I enjoyed the mystery plot with Clare being an amateur detective. I definately felt a Veronica Mars vibe going on which worked for me, still hoping for the movie!  The psychic powers added a cool twist to the story. Being able to use her pyshic powers to solve a crime helped Clare with realizing that being different is rarely a bad thing. The ending wasn’t really a cliffhanger so no frustration only mild annoyance.


 So what’s the bottom line?


Clarity is a cute quick read, the story never drags.  I did have some problems with the book mainly the relationships, but I hope that these relationships and the character interactions will grow stronger in the next book. I may not have loved it but I enjoyed it and will most likely read the next book when it comes out.


♥ ♥ .5