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Monday, March 7, 2011

Review: Clarity by Kim Harrington



Title: Clarity
Author: Kim Harrington
Publisher: Scholastic/Point
Pub. Date: 3.1.2011
Genre: Paranormal YA
Keywords: Psychic Powers, Murder, Mystery, Family, Romance
Pages: 242
Description (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?

CLARITY starts with a bang - literally. Kim Harrington doesn't waste any time with introductions, instead she starts at the end, with Clare in a sticky situation involving a gun and someone who's definitely not afraid to use it. From there, Harrington takes the reader back to the beginning, slowing things down and introducing a colorful cast of characters, but by the that point the reader is hooked and they uncover how Clare finds herself in this rather unfortunate situation.


I really liked the pacing of CLARITY. It clipped along at a fairly rapid pace, but I never felt like I was missing anything or like I was being pushed towards a conclusion. At less than 250 pages, Harrington successfully packs in romance, mystery, and action, which doesn't leave a lot of down time for Clare... or the reader. The only negative is that I didn't particularly want to devour this novel as quickly as I did... it makes the wait for book two seem even longer.


I thought the mystery element was well executed. It was fairly obvious that the main suspect wasn't the actual killer, but I took me quite some time to figure out who actually did the deed. I definitely knew who I didn't want the killer to be... 


Apparently boys aren't dissuaded by Clare's unique abilities because they're all over her. Each of them have something different to offer Clare in terms of personality, but they all seem to have one common trait: good looks. I know who I think Clare should choose - I love "smoldering detectives" - and I'm really hoping she'll see things my way in the next installment, PERCEPTION.


CLARITY is a action packed debut and has landed Harrington's upcoming novels, including the sequel, PERCEPTION, on my list of must reads. Don't miss this action packed first installment to what could easily shape up to be a new paranormal series favorite for many YA readers.

31 comments:

  1. Adored this book to pieces! I had a fit trying to find out who the murder was. Can't wait for PERCEPTION :D

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  2. This book looks really good. Can't wait to read this one.

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  3. I have this one on the way - really looking forward to it! Thanks for the review matey.

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  4. This sounds so different from all the cliche paranormals out there, and I've heard nothing but great things about it. Thanks for the review!

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  5. I've heard/read nothing but good things about this book, and I'm glad to learn that you enjoyed it as well. I'm glad that despite the action, the story isn't too rushed. I'm extremely anxious to read this now.

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  6. I loved this book--Clare was such a great character!

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  7. I keep hearing such goo things about this book, and from your review, it seems apparent that you really enjoyed it! I *have* to get my hands on this one soon! :)

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  8. I cannot wait to get my hands on this book! I have read only good things about it. It looks so good!

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  9. Heard a lot of great things about Clarity. I remember when you posted it as the Cover of the Week. Glad to see that you liked it :D

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  10. I'm glad you liked Clarity! I've been wanting to read it so badly! It sounds super good and I've heard that Clare is a great character!

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  11. I have been wanting to read this book for such a long time, cannot wait to read this. Great Review, glad you liked it!!!!!

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  12. Yay another positive review, I'm absolutely sure now that i will love it, and i don't mind fast paced novels sounds like a definite read :)

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  13. I almost bought this book, but then got a different book instead. I'm regretting my decision.

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  14. I've heard a lot of good things about this one, plus I just love the cover. I'm so glad you liked it! Now, I really can't wait!

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  15. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  16. I've been wanting to read this novel for a while now. There aren't too many good YA mysteries out there right now. It sounds like a refreshing read.

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  17. I've had this on my list for months :) I can't wait to pick it up. Plus the cover is gorgeous too. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on it, I've heard nothing but good things about this book.

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  18. i remember u posfing this as Cover of the Week. so happy u like it. the cover looks fantastic and u make it sound intriguing.

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  19. I'm glad to hear that the killer isn't easy to figure out and that it was well written.
    Thanks for the review, it sounds like a book I'd like to read.

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  20. Great review-- I'm really excited to read this now1 New follower here!

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  21. I'm a mystery/suspense reader of old (Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys) so I'm looking forward to a good mystery where I'm kept guessing.

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  22. Wow - this is a really great review!

    I'm even more excited to read this! I didn't hear much about it until this week, but everything I've read has been mostly positive. The book sounds intriguing and... fresh. ;D

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  23. I love the combination of paranormal and whodunit. Sounds awesome!

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  24. I have been hearing a lot about this book. Can't wait to read it, or possibly win it!!

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  25. I have yet to read a negative review for Clarity. With each positive review i read, I just want to read this more and more.

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  26. What I really liked about this review is how you packed a lot of information into a short review! I think you did an excellent job hitting all the important aspects of the book without giving anything way.

    Really helped persuade me to read Clarity as I was on the fence befoe.

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  27. I really enjoy murder mysteries. I'd love to read this one!

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  28. I like that its action packed and mysterious its a must read for me

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  29. I've really wanted to read this book for ages. So glad that you wrote a review! It makes me crave the book even more. :)

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  30. Great review. I love a good murder mystery, and this sounds like a good one. I would really enjoy reading it.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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  31. I love hearing that this is a fast paced novel--some seem to take a while to get going. And it's nice sometimes to read a fast paced book :)

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