Friday 8 February 2013

INSIGHT - SHADOWS BK#1 BY JOLENE PERRY

ISBN: 9781479253074
Publisher: Next Door Publishing
Pages: 367
Formats Available: Paperback, Kindle

BLURB from Goodreads
Micah hates her ability to “see” things when she touches people. She’s terrified of relationships, holds on to guilt over the death of her classmate, Lacey, and has no idea what to do with a vision from Landon, a boy from her school. She feels him falling for her, but Micah doesn’t do friends, much less relationships.

Enter a spooky history project about a tragedy from three hundred years ago, and voodoo dolls that Micah somehow feels has to do with her gift. Suddenly she’s sure the shadows in the woods are following her every move—without Landon’s relaxed attitude about what’s happening in her life, Micah would be sure she’s going crazy.

With no ideas on timing or specifics, the visions of both herself and the people she cares about are turning dark—and it appears the shadows around her house do move on their own. But as Micah and Landon try to prevent Micah’s visions of the future, the shadows close in, and they’re now afraid they’ve become the cause…

Micah's story is the first of three girls, with unique talents, who are part of a 300 year old tragedy that follows them in the shadows.


MY REVIEW
I was given this book, free of charge by the Author via YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for my honest review and being part of the Blog Tour. I have to say I was a tad apprehensive as I have read Knee Deep by Jolene Perry and loved it so on one hand I was really looking forward to it, but on the other hand I was worried, would I like this series/book as much as I did Knee Deep?
I like the cover, obviously like the majority of covers it makes more even sense when you have read the book. The female on the cover is the teenage main character, Micah. Micah is blessed, or as she sometimes thinks cursed with a special ability. The smokiness coming from Micah's eye is to represent that she "sees" things.  The image and colours on the cover makes me think of words like, ethereal, mystery, and magical. I think the font of the book title and how it goes down the right hand side of the book is attractive and a little different from the norm, and the authors name neatly placed at the top. The thing that attracts you on the cover is the image, which for me is what should attract you really. The beautiful pale ice blue of the eye attracts your own eye to the cover. The only thing I could fault about the cover is that it doesn't say The shadows Bk #1, but I don't think that is an essential thing that needs changing and I mean where would you put it? Maybe where the authors name is and then put the authors name at the bottom left? I still really like the cover as it is. Would I pick this book from a shelf? Yes, as I really like the image on the cover, and obviously as a fan of Jolene Perry, I would always take a look at a book by her.
So more on to the plot of the book now. What are, and how do Micah's visions work?
The kind of a vision she gets when she touches someone, is like a snapshot, a little more than a glimpse that doesn't last very long, she usually needs to see the visions more than once to make any sense of them. As you can imagine this can get pretty tiresome and scary at times. At times in the book Micah varies between wishing she would never have another vision, to wanting them again, to wishing she could turn the ability on and off and control them in some way. Initially Micah tell's no-one about her gift, she keeps it to herself and tries her best to avoid people as much as she can. Then Micah and her mum move to a new area, where Micah is the "new girl" at school. Everyone wants to say hi and shale her hand or touch her arm, how will she cope? Will she ever find any friends? Will she ever confide in anyone about her "gift"? There are many things that Micah is yet to learn about her ability, for example if the "vision" see's someone getting hurt, can she stop it? Can Micah change the future? Micah also see's shadows in the trees. Shadows that follow her and watch her from the trees. Who or what are the Shadows and can any one else see them? Micah even wonders if she is going slowly crazy when she is given a project at school to do on an old voodoo curse. The curse begins to sound so similar to what is happening to her, but it's just a story! isn't it?
The book is written in the great easy flowing style that I have come to expect from Jolene Perry. This is the second book by her that I have read. This book has both a contemporary YA feel as well as the Paranormal element of the "gift/talent" Jolene Perry reels you slowly in until you are really attached to those main characters. I love the relationship that develops between Micah and the "posh boy" and Senator's son, Landon. Though Landon is "the posh boy with money" and gives off a carefree "don't care" attitude he turns out to be a lovely guy. Will the visions Micah keeps getting from touching or bumping into him come true? Could Micah trust him with her secret? And why does Micah feel like Senator Michael's (Landon's dad) knows something about the Shadows in the trees? 
So did I enjoy the book? Yes, really liked it a lot. Would I recommend the book? Yes it's great for those new to or a bit unsure as to whether they would like paranormal too. It would ease "Paranormal Newbies" in easily. Would I read more in The Shadows Series? Yes! I have already started Bk #2 Manipulation Would I ready more by Jolene Perry? I have!, I read Knee Deep, and now I am reading Manipulation!

Available from Amazon.co.uk

Link to Jolene Perry's Goodreads Page with her other titles.

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