Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Review: Perception

Book: Perception
Author: Kim Harringon
Series: Clarity #1
Release Date: March 1, 2012
Publisher: Scholastic Point
Pages: 288
Source: publisher (Thank you so much, Scholastic Canada!!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Website
Stars: 5/5
When you can see things others can't, what do you do when someone's watching you?

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.


(summary taken from Goodreads)
MY THOUGHTS:  

Oh my gosh, I can't even begin to describe how absolutely AMAZING this book was! The kind of amazing that makes you stay up until 2 a.m. to finish it; the kind of amazing that doesn't leave your mind until long after the last page is turned.  

I have to admit that I wasn't the biggest fan of the first book, Clarity, but Perception makes me remember why I love YA as much as I do! It was intense and gripping, twisting and totally unexpected, and I'm not even exaggerating when I say it had a mystery that left me guessing until the very end I didn't expect any of it at all! 

Clare has to be my newest hero. Even as a psychic, she's the kind of realistic, down-to-earth, and easy-to-relate-to girl you see everywhere you go. When she received those anonymous notes and flowers, she reacted exactly as any sane girl would have: flattered at first, but then thoroughly creeped out. She was so well-written that I couldn't tell her thoughts from mine. 

And yes, there's a love triangle, but it's one that I promise you won't mind it because of how real it is! There's no "I'll die if I don't have Boy 1, but I don't want to leave Boy 2 either!" Instead, the author crafts an insta-love free romance where the girl knows the risk of choosing her attraction for either and that whatever she chooses may not work out anyways.  

Part heart-stopping mystery, part intriguing supernatural, and 100% altogether amazing book, Perception is undoubtedly one of the best YA mysteries out there! I'll recommend it to you whether you liked Clarity or not definitely a book you don't want to miss! :) 

BUY or BORROW?: If you have any money left in your wallet, you should go out and buy this book instead. It's guaranteed to keep you up until you finish! ;)  

-Mimi

28 comments:

  1. OH MIMI!!! No one empties my wallet like you do -- I mean it! <333 I wasn't planning on reading Perception because I wasn't the biggest fan of Clarity either, but now I just added this to my next book order list! Unpredictable mystery? Check! Fantastic heroine? Check! Two awesome boys who make up a lovable-love-triangle that's realistic and virtually perfect for romantics like me? DOUBLE CHECK! (:

    Fantastic review, Mimi-Doll!! <3333333 (: I may have had money when I started this review, but I sure as hell won't soon!! (; Only a few more days until I can read this book!

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  2. Clarity wasn't the best book I read before, but your review persuade me to check out this book, Mimi! Awesome review, you definitely got me on the line, 'I'll die if I don't have Boy 1, but I don't want to leave Boy 2 either!'. Love that line LOL, definitely a way to sum up most love triangles in YA! I really enjoy reading this review! :)

    You're such a quick reader, Mimi, I'm so amazed how quick you read! Please keep providing us with your beautiful reviews! <3

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  3. This sounds so good! I only noticed this book a few weeks ago too. I don't mind love triangles anyways so I have nothing to worry about >.< Plus, a great love triangle!? Count me in! :D Great review Mimi!

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  4. I agree with exactly what Kaylee said - you have a terribly persuasive way of emptying my wallet!! You have completely sold me on these books and even though you said you weren't the biggest fan of Clarity, I'm willing to go through it (hopefully I'll like it more!) just to get to Perception. Because it sounds amazing! Insta-love free romance? YAY! And a mystery that actually suceeds in being a mystery? Where you don't guess 50 pages in? I LOVE!

    Damn you and your amazing reviews *adds to tbr*

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  5. I haven't seen many reviews for this one yet. I'll be adding it to my wish list.

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  6. I was already excited about Perception because I thought Clarity showed promise; I'm really intrigued to see how the love triangle continues to play out (I like Justin and thought he was unfairly maligned in the first book). But I'm open to be persuaded in the other direction ;)

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  7. "There's no "I'll die if I don't have Boy 1, but I don't want to leave Boy 2 either!"

    YES!!! Loved that about this book. I don't mind a love triangle when it's well executed and actually feels like it could be real (though I've yet to have two boys fight over me - what's up with that?). I'm thrilled you enjoyed this one as much as I did Mimi, I can't wait to see what trouble finds Clare next!

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  8. An acceptable love triangle? You have me intrigued! :) I'm not the biggest fan of triangles in general but they are everywhere in YA and I'm glad you think this one isn't a terrible one. I also love the fact there is no insta-love! Definite bonus. :D Awesome review Mimi!

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  9. Clarity was one of my absolute favorite books of last year so I definitely need to get my hands on a copy of Perception very soon. I've been hearing a ton of good things about it and I'm very excited to see how everything plays out. Great review :)

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  10. You've completely made me want to read this now! :D

    I've been meaning to pick up Clarity for ages now, I really must start reading this author I really have heard so many great things.

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  11. You are on a roll this week Mimi...all the great books you have loved. This one sounds great, Are you trying to make sure thar everyone doesn't have any money left in their wallets after visiting your blog?

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  12. Aaaah, Mimi! I spot yet another challenge! Why do you enjoy torturing me? Okay, so, another love triangle I'm gonna like? I'm a bit skeptical, but if anyone can make me a believer, it's you.

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  13. I love mysteries and I haven't read a good young adult mystery in a long while. You've been on a good run with your book choices lately. I fear my TBR will be overrun soon. You have me interested in how this author develops the main character and plays out the mystery and the love triangle. Glad you enjoyed!

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  14. Mimi! This was such a fantastic review, I just recently posted mine today as well. So, totally good taste in books! *g* I absolutely love young adult mysteries with a tinge of the paranormal. Plus, it's even better when they're written realistically with super amazing character's and well fleshed out plots that have exciting twists and turns! :)

    Suz @ A Soul Unsung
    susanhaugland@att.net

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  15. Well, I REALLY REALLY LIKED Clarity, so if you're telling me book two is EVEN BETTER, hell, I'm sorely tempted to start reading it right now despite my reading pile! The characters are so much fun, I totally agree. Clare in particular. Please, tell me I'm not the ONLY TEAM JUSTIN FAN? You like him too, don't you, Mimi????

    Fabulous review. I'm appropriately psyched for this sequel even more now.

    Asher

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  16. I had a love/hate relationship with Clarity. I ended up enjoying it overall, but there were a few aspects that I took issue with. I'm excited to read Perception, though I'm a little hesitant about the love triangle, despite the fact that you describe it as well done. Still, I'm planning on reading this one, and I'm glad to hear the insta-love problem is avoided! :)

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  17. Oh I can't wait to get my hands on this one! I loved Clarity! The book and the character! And I can't wait to see where things go in this one!

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  18. I can't read your review (which I doubt it will be any less than amazing <3) because I haven't read the first book of the series. Sadly, I can't fangirl with you about this series (yet! lol ). But I've heard great things about Clarity, and it's one of the higher-ranking books on my wishlist.

    And the cover is so pretty, with all those light colors, and bright glowing light and the wind and... You know how I get with pretty covers :)

    I hope I can read Clarity soon! Have a great day, Mimi!
    Your comment (which I read this morning) absolutely made my day. You're one of the most adorable bloggers I've known ♥♥

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  19. Ohh, I need to read this series! I haven't even read Clarity yet. *hangs head in shame* But I'm SUPER curious about this series and your excitment for this one just brought up mine for the first one! Now I just need money to spend. o: Lol. Awesome review, Mimi!

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  20. me.want.this. but first I have to start reading the first book first!!! lol*lots of first there I think*

    Great review Mimi !!<3

    Ƹ̴Ӂ̴ƷFICBOOKREVIEWSƸ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ

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  21. I'm really really excited for this one! I have Clarity on my Nook and I want to get to it soon, because I am on an ARC tour for Perception. Clare sounds like an awesome heroine and I cannot wait to meet her. I just love it when you love a book Mimi, because I definitely can tell!

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  22. I wasn't a big fan of Clarity either but I was planning on reading this one to see if the series would get better. You've just made me more excited about Perception, Mimi! I'm looking forward to a new mystery and seeing who Clare hooks up with. It's hard to choose between the two boys.

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  23. I love this kind of amazing! I'm looking forward to getting my hands on it! I did love the first book though. I love well written love triangles! Great review, you have me all excited for it!

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  24. lol who would let two boys? impossible! it sounds really great, I didn't know this one, but I'm glad you loved it. Always very interesting to find some new books. great review

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  25. glad u loved it mimi
    not really interested
    tnx 4 reviewing
    you rock girl

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  26. I literally juuuust finished Clarity and I wasn't too keen on it. Your review has me excited for the next book though since you weren't the biggest fan either. I'm curious about the love triangle because I even e-mailed my friend saying I thought it was a lose/lose! Awesome review, Mimi! They always make me smile. :D

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  27. Now I need to move up Clarity on TBR so I can get to this one.

    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  28. EEEEEEEEEEE!!! MIMI!!! THIS SOUNDS A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! Gosh, WHY HAVEN'T I READ CLARITY YET?!? I'm certain this is EXACTLY my kind of book - a fantastic protagonist (who's a PSYCHIC, you say? EVEN BETTER!) and a love triangle that actually works! OMG. I HAVE TO READ THIS IMMEDIATELY!<3 I'm so glad that the second book was so much better than the first - doesn't it feel WONDERFUL when you didn't quite enjoy a book/it was alright but nothing outstanding, and then the second book just totally surpassed your expectations! Gosh, I'm DYING to read this now <3 Thank you for your fabulous review, Mimi! You've convinced me to read it :DD

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Thanks so much for leaving your thoughts! I love hearing what you have to say, and I always try to comment on one of your blog posts in return! :)

It's really nice to meet you!