Review: Clarity by Kim Harrington

CLARITY by Kim Harrington

Pub. Date: March 2011

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

Format: Hardcover , 256pp

Age Range: Young Adult
Source: Publisher (ARC) 

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?

Harrington packs mystery, spunk, and supernatural talents into an impressive debut. The opening scene sets the stage and from there on, readers are thrown into a past where Clare, the resident freak has to solve a murder case. I wanted to know immediately what dark secrets she would uncover in the process and what suspects would be revealed. I was in no way disappointed that was for sure!

Meet Clare - the townies consider her a freak while the tourists consider her entertainment. I saw a girl who just wanted to be normal and loved. Clare has sass and she's not afraid to dish it when her back is against the wall. And so what if she uses her ability to spill some juicy dirt to get back at her bullies. Her snarky comments had me laughing and I grew to like her even more when she stood up to nonbelievers. I did enjoy the unique Fern family dynamics. Having a mom and brother with special abilities not so much unlike Clare's, ramped up my interest even more when they were introduced. Harrington did a great job keeping me guessing. With a host of characters and plenty of secrets and suspense to keep the pages turning, I couldn’t have asked for more.

Overall, this novel is a great start to this series. Harrington can go in so many directions with the characters' abilities. I'm looking forward to getting to know these characters even more and to find out what deeds whether good or bad, will be uncovered next.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

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Sensational 7 Q & A with Kim Harrington (Author of Clarity)!

Have you ever wanted to know what it would be like to hang out with your favorite author(s)? In an attempt to get a better understanding of authors, my Sensational Seven Q & A takes a closer or more personal look at these authors to give you a glimpse of the personalities behind the writing of your favorite books.

“Talent alone cannot make a writer. There must be a man behind the book; a personality which, by birth and quality, is pledged to the doctrines there set forth, and which exists to see and state things so, and not otherwise.” By Ralph Waldo Emerson

Kim Harrington lives in Massachusetts with her husband and son. When not writing, she's most likely reading, watching one of her favorite TV shows, or fantasizing about her next vacation. She has no psychic powers and is cool with that.

Her debut young adult novel, CLARITY, hits shelves today from Scholastic/Point. Visit her on the web at http://www.kimharringtonbooks.com/.

If you were given a chance to travel back in time, what year or place would you go / Why?

If I could also lower my age at the same time, I’d love to travel to Dublin, Ireland in the 60s and party with my mom, both of us as teenagers.

Describe your novel in seven words or less?

Paranormal mystery, psychics, tourist town, hot boys.

Please share with us about your favorite book and fictional crush to date?

My favorite book changes all the time, but of the past few years it’s The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – for its edge of your seat pacing, characterization, everything.

My fictional crush would have to be Boston boy Patrick Kenzie from Dennis Lehane’s Kenzie/Gennaro series.

If you could be any character in fiction, whom would you be / Why?

Oh man, my favorite characters have tough lives. Conflict drives fiction! So, I think I’ll pass. ;)

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play thelead role as you/ Why?

Maybe Jennifer Garner. I respect her work and I also think she’s a great mom. And from what I’ve seen in US Weekly we have the same wardrobe (baggy sweaters, jeans, running shoes).

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be – please explain?

NERD GIRL. I was a socially awkward dork growing up who sometimes thought of my geekiness as a road block to happiness. Now I’m all grown up, I’ve found happiness, come to terms with my nerdiness and become proud of who I am. There’s a character arc for you! :)

How would you describe yourself/life in seven words?

Girl with nose in books writes some.

Bonus:

**Is there any additional info you would like to share with your readers about what’s next for you and your books?**
First off, I want to thank everyone who buys CLARITY, from the bottom of my heart, for taking a chance on a debut author. I truly appreciate it! Up next is the sequel to CLARITY coming March 2012. I also have a standalone supernatural mystery—a ghost story—coming from Scholastic in Fall 2012. You can find more information on my website (http://www.kimharringtonbooks.com/) or my Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/kimharringtonauthor).

Thanks for stopping by Kim!

For more information about Kim Harrington and her books, please visit her website here.

Monday Madness (70): Clarity by Kim Harrington

What is Monday Madness?

It’s the phenomenon affecting all book lovers as we count down the hours in hopes of getting our hands on highly anticipated books on release day. So, come join me throughout the week where I will be featuring Author Interviews, Reviews and Contests for great books.

CLARITY by Kim Harrington

Pub. Date: March 2011

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

Format: Hardcover , 256pp

Age Range: Young Adult

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?

Want More?

Read the 1st two chapters of CLARITY here!

Order CLARITY @ Amazon, Barnes and Noble, BooksAMillion, Borders & IndieBound

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