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Vision #1
Vision
Vision was published independently and is now out of print. The author has rewritten the book and awaiting publication.
228 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2011
3 people are currently reading
1136 people want to read
About the author
Beth Elisa Harris
4 books85 followersI read books. I write things. I don't join groups. Ever. As a rule. It's not personal.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 28, 2011
It has been a while since I read a Young Adult novel for the simple reason, I got tired of seeing a whiny female worried about how wrong her life is and how she can't do anything that she wants.
Well... I finally found one that was NOT like that. Layla is a strong, intelligent girl who gets the opportunity to go to school abroad. It was fun watching her acclimate to her new place, and to the new friends. Of course seeing the huge crush she had on Stuart was fun too!
The plot of this story was smooth and kept you wondering what was going to happen. I enjoyed the interaction between Layla and the other characters, especially her mother.
The writing was excellent. While being written for the YA audience, the wording was intellectual enough to keep an adult interested. My understanding is this book is the first in a series, and I look forward to seeing what comes next for Layla and Stuart.
Sweet read, great for YA audience, and adults that was a story without major adult drama.
Well... I finally found one that was NOT like that. Layla is a strong, intelligent girl who gets the opportunity to go to school abroad. It was fun watching her acclimate to her new place, and to the new friends. Of course seeing the huge crush she had on Stuart was fun too!
The plot of this story was smooth and kept you wondering what was going to happen. I enjoyed the interaction between Layla and the other characters, especially her mother.
The writing was excellent. While being written for the YA audience, the wording was intellectual enough to keep an adult interested. My understanding is this book is the first in a series, and I look forward to seeing what comes next for Layla and Stuart.
Sweet read, great for YA audience, and adults that was a story without major adult drama.
June 9, 2011
It is so hard to describe this wonderful story! I could call it a beautiful romance, a mystery, and at some parts I could even call Vision a paranormal novel, regardless of my issues to place this novel, there is one important thing you should know and that would be that this story is great! With a cast of wonderful, intersting characters, a sense of mystery and paranormalcy throughout, and one hot, beautiful romance, how could you not love this story?
The story starts off with the main character, Layla, leaving the United States to stay abroad in England for the following year. We know from the start that she is not normal. Aside from being mature beyond her years and extremely level-headed, or the fact that she has big issues with her mom, Layla also holds a deep, dark secret. The secret is she can read peoples thoughts around her. This has caused her to be a closed off person. It is hard to get too close to someone when you could read every thought passing through their head.
Layla decides things will change for her in England, and for the first time in a long time she finds herself opening up to people. The family she is staying with consists of Henry and Patrice along with their daughter Sienna. They all welcome Layla with open arms and before she knows it, Layla has a great friendship forming with Sienna. Sienna introduces Layla to her good friend, Stuart. It was nearly love at first site for these two. With a new friendship and a budding romance, things seem to be going good for Layla. And things are good until they go bad. With a fellow classmate’s obsession with her growing, odd gifts showing up, and a newfound knowledge of what she really is and how she has come to be, life gets a bit more complicated for Layla.
I love the characters of this story! While some were minor and I would have liked to have seen more of them (Layla’s host family for example), I still commend Beth for writing a fantastic cast. Layla, in many ways is a lot like me. She is mature, level-headed, and very responsible. When I was first introduced to Layla in Vision, I thought she acted much like an adult even though she was 15-years-old. I could understand where she was coming from though. She had no other siblings, her parents supported her but gave her a ton of independence, plus there is the whole “reading minds” thing. As the story goes on and Layla opens up to friends, you see a different side of her, a side that shows she is in fact human. She loves, makes mistakes, gets scared, and angry especially as her knowledge of what she truly is grows. It was when we were introduced to this side of her, that I really started to enjoy her character. As for smaller characters such as Sienna, well I totally adored her. There is something about that crazy, out-going, totally lovable best friend in novels that draws me in.
As I stated earlier there is a romance and oh boy…there are no words for it! While at first I was a bit irritated by the insta-love connection, I found myself really liking Stuart and Layla as a couple. Not all insta-love connections are bad things, especially if they are done right like in this case with Vision. Stuart is such a kind, sweet, caring, understanding guy. He is there for Layla when she needs him most and I really liked that about him. Not to mention the chemistry between these two was unbelievable. Beth Elisa Harris can write one darn good, or, if I am being completely honest, a few darn good kissing scenes!
I love that this story has such a wide range of genres to entertain all. The well written characters along with some paranromalcy (Layla’s ability to read minds and where that comes from), mystery (Layla’s search to find the truth behind her ability), suspense (the danger that comes with searching for the truth), and love (two words to describe this: Stuart + kissing) all mixed in, really creates a wonderful story. I recommend Vision, a wonderful read to all!
May 1, 2012
I absolutely fell in love with this book. I wasn't sure what to expect after reading the blurb, but Vision was absolutely enchanting. Layla is a teenager who goes to Cambridge as part of an exchange program to attend school there. She is very mature, far beyond her years, and very independent. She adores her dad, but her mom, Liz, has always been rather distant and a workaholic. To top it off, Layla also has a big secret, she can read people's minds. Upon arriving in Cambridge, Layla and Sienna (the daughter of her host family) become great friends. Sienna ends up introducing her to Stuart Fairchild, who is absolutely to die for. Layla is automatically drawn to Stuart, and she doesn't understand why. Stuart has loved Layla for a very long time. She also meets Andre, who is charming, and he has his sites set on Layla to. Unfortunately, everything is not as it seems. Layla finds herself swept up in a battle between good and evil, Clears and Bane, which has been going on for centuries. This age-old battle is also one that Layla finds herself at the very center of. Nothing is as it seems. The nightmares she has been having are more real than she ever imagined. She also finds out she has a lot more in common with her mother than ever dreamed. Nothing in Layla's life has been coincidence or happenstance, and Layla has to come to terms with her past, as well as her future.
I can't say again how much I enjoyed this book. I absolutely fell in love with Stuart, whose swoon factor was off the charts. He is the fairy tale guy every girl dreams of, and he absolutely adores Layla. The romance in this story is incredible, as is the plot, the mystery, the conspiracy, and the drama. There is never a dull moment. This story tugged on my heart strings and I experienced an array of emotions including joy, love, pain, heartache, fear, sorrow, anger. The characters are all so enjoyable and the author has written with great talent and the ability to make you feel like you are right in the midst of all that is transpiring. I am unable to even touch upon in this review all that occurs in this book, and I just want to say that it is so worth making the time to read this one. I highly recommend Vision.
I can't say again how much I enjoyed this book. I absolutely fell in love with Stuart, whose swoon factor was off the charts. He is the fairy tale guy every girl dreams of, and he absolutely adores Layla. The romance in this story is incredible, as is the plot, the mystery, the conspiracy, and the drama. There is never a dull moment. This story tugged on my heart strings and I experienced an array of emotions including joy, love, pain, heartache, fear, sorrow, anger. The characters are all so enjoyable and the author has written with great talent and the ability to make you feel like you are right in the midst of all that is transpiring. I am unable to even touch upon in this review all that occurs in this book, and I just want to say that it is so worth making the time to read this one. I highly recommend Vision.
November 2, 2011
A good reads first reads by an author who seems to have a great talent to make the mind work, Beth Elisa Harris.....
Okay I honestly was not going to read the book at first as I had not read the summary { a mistake I do often for the reason I like to get the story fresh from my mind not the others who have read it}. The reason I was not going to read it is I thought it was going to be religious, I could not have been more wrong.
The Book Vision is an incredible page turner from the first page....
As you read it you start out with what appears to be a diary entry. but find out fast that you are reading it through the eyes of two different people but not. {okay I know I am being cryptic but as you read you will find out why.
Now to introduce a few of the main people in the story first there is Sarah from the year 1731. then there is Layla Stone a teenager from this time period. who is having some real bad dreams of Sarah and her death. Layla lives in Portland. and is on her way to England as an exchange student for her last years of school. Layla gets a letter from a stranger Abby Grace from the Isle of Colonsay in Scotland. This Letter is the beginning of an adventure that will have some very interesting changes for Layla. then there is the Host family Henry and Patrice Brown their daughter Sienna....
Then there is Stuart this young man is not so young but you will need to read to find out more.
Okay Layla is know as a clear even though she does not know this at this time all she knows is she can "read" peoples mind and has this nightmare every night of Sarah and her death.
Like I said you need to read this book because it is very much a page turner with dealing with the Clear, Bane, and a number of other mysterious people...and every page is adventurer.
The book is very well written and I can not wait for the second sequel to the Vision series Sight.
Beth Elisa Harris has a lot of great talent please keep up the wonderful work
Okay I honestly was not going to read the book at first as I had not read the summary { a mistake I do often for the reason I like to get the story fresh from my mind not the others who have read it}. The reason I was not going to read it is I thought it was going to be religious, I could not have been more wrong.
The Book Vision is an incredible page turner from the first page....
As you read it you start out with what appears to be a diary entry. but find out fast that you are reading it through the eyes of two different people but not. {okay I know I am being cryptic but as you read you will find out why.
Now to introduce a few of the main people in the story first there is Sarah from the year 1731. then there is Layla Stone a teenager from this time period. who is having some real bad dreams of Sarah and her death. Layla lives in Portland. and is on her way to England as an exchange student for her last years of school. Layla gets a letter from a stranger Abby Grace from the Isle of Colonsay in Scotland. This Letter is the beginning of an adventure that will have some very interesting changes for Layla. then there is the Host family Henry and Patrice Brown their daughter Sienna....
Then there is Stuart this young man is not so young but you will need to read to find out more.
Okay Layla is know as a clear even though she does not know this at this time all she knows is she can "read" peoples mind and has this nightmare every night of Sarah and her death.
Like I said you need to read this book because it is very much a page turner with dealing with the Clear, Bane, and a number of other mysterious people...and every page is adventurer.
The book is very well written and I can not wait for the second sequel to the Vision series Sight.
Beth Elisa Harris has a lot of great talent please keep up the wonderful work
September 8, 2011
"Vision" - Young Adult - gets five of five starts because it reminded me of what a teenage crush feels like. It's been many years since I was a teenager. But Harris' writing took me back.
I'm a male and Layla Stone, the protagonist is a sixteen year old girl. Still it seems there is some similarity between the genders. Maybe Harris has captured a small,lovely human truth.
Here's Layla upon meeting the "gorgeous" and somewhat mysterious seventeen year old, Stuart. (I was)
"dizzy with discomfort, embarrassed for feeling so giddy, my stomach was doing synchronized double back flips...My throat closed up and the room felt hot...Pull it together."
Layered over this hormonally based issue is another: Layla Stone can 'hear' other people's thoughts. At least she could until she moved from her home in Seattle to a school in London. In London her gift of 'hearing' falters.
At first there is no discernible pattern among the people she can and can't 'read.' But boys seem unreadable (psychically and in the more earthy way, 'does he like me?'). But as the story moves, it's clear certain boys can block her psychic intrusions and these boys seem - if only by desire for her -
But the book doesn't stay in the cute (to an adult) adolescent traumas. Layla and Stewart run into some very serious international criminals, an ancient malevolent order and past lives.
This is an adventure story, no matter how adorable the protagonists. Kudos to Harris. She maintains the teenage sweetness a Layla is dragged into a world of thugs, spies and geo-political conspiracy.
Can't wait for the sequels.
I'm a male and Layla Stone, the protagonist is a sixteen year old girl. Still it seems there is some similarity between the genders. Maybe Harris has captured a small,lovely human truth.
Here's Layla upon meeting the "gorgeous" and somewhat mysterious seventeen year old, Stuart. (I was)
"dizzy with discomfort, embarrassed for feeling so giddy, my stomach was doing synchronized double back flips...My throat closed up and the room felt hot...Pull it together."
Layered over this hormonally based issue is another: Layla Stone can 'hear' other people's thoughts. At least she could until she moved from her home in Seattle to a school in London. In London her gift of 'hearing' falters.
At first there is no discernible pattern among the people she can and can't 'read.' But boys seem unreadable (psychically and in the more earthy way, 'does he like me?'). But as the story moves, it's clear certain boys can block her psychic intrusions and these boys seem - if only by desire for her -
But the book doesn't stay in the cute (to an adult) adolescent traumas. Layla and Stewart run into some very serious international criminals, an ancient malevolent order and past lives.
This is an adventure story, no matter how adorable the protagonists. Kudos to Harris. She maintains the teenage sweetness a Layla is dragged into a world of thugs, spies and geo-political conspiracy.
Can't wait for the sequels.
June 1, 2011
One thing that grab me about this book is the setting. Now while the setting was now, some went back to the past. I love time travel. And I guess I love it so much because I wish I can do it myself. I loved to be immersed in a book where I can feel the past and the characters.
The plot was also great. Not only did it entertain me all the way through, but it brought so much more to the story. The way the past was intertwined with the future really pulled me into the book. I enjoyed watching both the characters past and future come together. The romance was a major swoon. And I am such a sucker for romance. Give me a guy who says heart stopping things and you have me at hello! This love was intense. It was a type of love the had been longing since the past of the characters. Its was great seeing them come together and love one another.
I love the paranormal twist to the book. It was definitely a refreshment to see something new for once. Don't get me wrong cause I love other paranormal elements, but this one I haven't seen around. I love reading new twist to an classic.
Vision is a great one of kind book. Filled with a love from the past that comes to a future, it is something you can't resist. The book was dynamic in the storyline and it flowed really well. I look forward to reading more about adventures about Layla and her ever enduring love for Stuart.
The plot was also great. Not only did it entertain me all the way through, but it brought so much more to the story. The way the past was intertwined with the future really pulled me into the book. I enjoyed watching both the characters past and future come together. The romance was a major swoon. And I am such a sucker for romance. Give me a guy who says heart stopping things and you have me at hello! This love was intense. It was a type of love the had been longing since the past of the characters. Its was great seeing them come together and love one another.
I love the paranormal twist to the book. It was definitely a refreshment to see something new for once. Don't get me wrong cause I love other paranormal elements, but this one I haven't seen around. I love reading new twist to an classic.
Vision is a great one of kind book. Filled with a love from the past that comes to a future, it is something you can't resist. The book was dynamic in the storyline and it flowed really well. I look forward to reading more about adventures about Layla and her ever enduring love for Stuart.
March 7, 2012
Layla is every bit a 21st century girl, or so she thought. Okay, so she gets these vivid nightmares, and excruciating headaches, and has some ability to read minds. But nothing out of the ordinary, right?
Layla receives a cryptic message and heads to England as an exchange student and immediately becomes the object of contention between two magnetic and handsome men. Her life as an exchange student, worried about labs and tests, quickly turns to the surreal when she visits a remote island off the coast of Scotland. An unseen enemy seeks her. Another entity guards her. Does Layla even know who she is or who she has been?
Beth Harris turns time-travel upside down. Instead of spiriting her feisty smart-mouthed 21st century heroine back in time to experience all the indignities of latrines, candlelight and fleas, she brings the past to the present, interweaving sinister plots with world events. In a book filled with magic, legend, intrigue, and betrayal, a thin thread of hope persists, that a love so rich will finally be fulfilled.
----
I only dream of a love so rich.
Harris, Beth Elisa (2011). Vision (Kindle Location 66). eInteractive Media. Kindle Edition.
Contact author at: visionseries@yahoo.com
Layla receives a cryptic message and heads to England as an exchange student and immediately becomes the object of contention between two magnetic and handsome men. Her life as an exchange student, worried about labs and tests, quickly turns to the surreal when she visits a remote island off the coast of Scotland. An unseen enemy seeks her. Another entity guards her. Does Layla even know who she is or who she has been?
Beth Harris turns time-travel upside down. Instead of spiriting her feisty smart-mouthed 21st century heroine back in time to experience all the indignities of latrines, candlelight and fleas, she brings the past to the present, interweaving sinister plots with world events. In a book filled with magic, legend, intrigue, and betrayal, a thin thread of hope persists, that a love so rich will finally be fulfilled.
----
I only dream of a love so rich.
Harris, Beth Elisa (2011). Vision (Kindle Location 66). eInteractive Media. Kindle Edition.
Contact author at: visionseries@yahoo.com
June 18, 2011
Love... it surpasses all obstacles... even time itself.
This is a beautifully written story of love, blended perfectly with paranormal abilities, legend and history.
When I read the description of this book, I thought "interesting"... it piqued my curiosity. From the first line I was captivated by the vivid imagery and powerful emotion, and by the end of the prologue I was already deeply immersed into the story and found myself picking up the book all day just to see what happened next.
I love when a book is written in such a natural way that when you finish it you feel as though you have known the characters for years. Like they're old friends and you're re-telling stories of their past. Even those characters we only see for short moments in the story are familiar and comforting. Especially Abbey, who I thoroughly enjoyed and hope to learn more of her in later stories.
I enjoyed this story immensely and look forward to the next in the series. 4.5 stars for this one!
This is a beautifully written story of love, blended perfectly with paranormal abilities, legend and history.
When I read the description of this book, I thought "interesting"... it piqued my curiosity. From the first line I was captivated by the vivid imagery and powerful emotion, and by the end of the prologue I was already deeply immersed into the story and found myself picking up the book all day just to see what happened next.
I love when a book is written in such a natural way that when you finish it you feel as though you have known the characters for years. Like they're old friends and you're re-telling stories of their past. Even those characters we only see for short moments in the story are familiar and comforting. Especially Abbey, who I thoroughly enjoyed and hope to learn more of her in later stories.
I enjoyed this story immensely and look forward to the next in the series. 4.5 stars for this one!
December 15, 2011
Vision is an easy book to get lost in! It was a well developed story that I devoured in one day! The author has impeccable skills when it comes to wording, I kept finding myself smiling at the way she chose to describe things. For example: "the mixed signals he had sent ricocheted between my left and right brain like a ping-pong match", "The atmosphere was a schizophrenic mix of stillness and intense vibration", "The aristocratic Shakespearean theatrical inflexions dripped with subtle sarcasm". Just a few. Harris' wording is a perfect example of showing and not just telling. The characters were all great, Stuart being my favorite, but Layla was a close second followed by Sienna. All lovable. A little weary about the 2nd book from the sneak peeks I have seen, but I'm still interested to see what will unfold.
March 1, 2012
Author Beth Elisa Harris spins a fantastic tale with her YA story, Vision. It truly touched my heart to read the story that unfolded around Stuart and Layla and it was easy to see and 'feel' the love and passion the two felt for one another through the crafty writing of the author. An excellent first book of the series, I look forward to more!
March 18, 2012
I really enjoyed this read and am even more happy because I won it from this Author through a contest.. It was worth FREE.... I would have even bought it I would recommend it to anyone. It took me so long to read me because I lost my nook but i found it today and finished it on my way to Natchez.
July 16, 2011
I really enjoyed this book - took a couple of chapters for me to get into it but then I found it really hard to put down! I loved the characters, the plot and now I can't wait for the sequel :)
September 8, 2011
Nice quick read. Interesting storyline and love Stuart and Layla. Wish the first book was longer but looking forward to reading the second book!
October 20, 2012
Wow...and that was not a compliment.
A date is hooking up for sex, at 15? Dear God... Yes, let's encourage teenage sex! Guess what, it leads to babies. I should know.
Uhm, Layla practically whored herself out to get Andre to take her home. Classy! I don't understand why she didn't just get out of the freaking car and take her chances. She had a cell phone.
It was all a bit rushed with no character development and no where near enough explanation to keep you engaged or interested on where this book was going. I was reading just to get to the end...and I didn't make it.
"Nothing about my life resembled normal anymore"-- I was forced to take her at her word there. There was no real way for me to actually know for myself.
I was pissed off with Layla being rewarded for her shitty behaviour. Over and over again. Life does not work that way. You fuck up and you pay for it.
What was with the semi-flashbacks to things that supposedly happened in the story that the reader wasn't privy to? Can we say lazy? That is just annoying and leads to me to believe that there is information that is being withheld from me that could have made the reading experience a little better. As in, things go a little smoothly and fall into place better. It's seamless rather than disjointed.
"He was timeless..." How could she have possibly come up with this "observation" at this point in time in the story? Please.
"Who says 'quite' except for a nobleman?" Now, this really got my attention because she is in a completely different country. She hasn't been there long enough to gauge their language and culture or slang. (I am experienced with culture shock myself, so, I call bullshit.) She wouldn't have picked up on that. But can we say what aglaringly obvious subtle hint!
"I'm too young to peak into the romance department."--Really? You went there? While you're going off about orgasms, teen sex with a really old guy, moaning, lusting after a sexy beast or what ever else you want to throw out there for a chick who was still 15 for a good portion of this book? I wonder how this author would feel about her own 15 year old getting it on. Don't get me started on the fact that this girl doesn't have enough respect to not try to get it on inside a complete strangers house...
What a vague uninteresting letter! What a waste of time reading about all that shit. Complete waste of my time.
The whole Bane shit got quite out of hand...it didn't make any sense, and it was just horribly thought out. This book is all over the place with no real direction and absolutely no structure. Rather than sticking to some sort of plot, Harris just kept adding things to the agenda that were so outlandish and ridiculous, it was amazing that I tried to finish this book.
I like that "rich" was a factor of Layla's attraction to Andre. WTF are we teaching our girls? Despicable.
So I couldn't make it past her turning herself in for the lives of her family and friends. It was just the last straw for me. I swear I have read this exact scenario--only done much better-so many times in the last 360 books I have read. I was really hoping to like this book, and I feel terrible that I could not find one thing to complement this book with...I like to do the criticism sandwich whenever possible...but alas, there was nothing that I liked in this book.
A date is hooking up for sex, at 15? Dear God... Yes, let's encourage teenage sex! Guess what, it leads to babies. I should know.
Uhm, Layla practically whored herself out to get Andre to take her home. Classy! I don't understand why she didn't just get out of the freaking car and take her chances. She had a cell phone.
It was all a bit rushed with no character development and no where near enough explanation to keep you engaged or interested on where this book was going. I was reading just to get to the end...and I didn't make it.
"Nothing about my life resembled normal anymore"-- I was forced to take her at her word there. There was no real way for me to actually know for myself.
I was pissed off with Layla being rewarded for her shitty behaviour. Over and over again. Life does not work that way. You fuck up and you pay for it.
What was with the semi-flashbacks to things that supposedly happened in the story that the reader wasn't privy to? Can we say lazy? That is just annoying and leads to me to believe that there is information that is being withheld from me that could have made the reading experience a little better. As in, things go a little smoothly and fall into place better. It's seamless rather than disjointed.
"He was timeless..." How could she have possibly come up with this "observation" at this point in time in the story? Please.
"Who says 'quite' except for a nobleman?" Now, this really got my attention because she is in a completely different country. She hasn't been there long enough to gauge their language and culture or slang. (I am experienced with culture shock myself, so, I call bullshit.) She wouldn't have picked up on that. But can we say what a
"I'm too young to peak into the romance department."--Really? You went there? While you're going off about orgasms, teen sex with a really old guy, moaning, lusting after a sexy beast or what ever else you want to throw out there for a chick who was still 15 for a good portion of this book? I wonder how this author would feel about her own 15 year old getting it on. Don't get me started on the fact that this girl doesn't have enough respect to not try to get it on inside a complete strangers house...
What a vague uninteresting letter! What a waste of time reading about all that shit. Complete waste of my time.
The whole Bane shit got quite out of hand...it didn't make any sense, and it was just horribly thought out. This book is all over the place with no real direction and absolutely no structure. Rather than sticking to some sort of plot, Harris just kept adding things to the agenda that were so outlandish and ridiculous, it was amazing that I tried to finish this book.
I like that "rich" was a factor of Layla's attraction to Andre. WTF are we teaching our girls? Despicable.
So I couldn't make it past her turning herself in for the lives of her family and friends. It was just the last straw for me. I swear I have read this exact scenario--only done much better-so many times in the last 360 books I have read. I was really hoping to like this book, and I feel terrible that I could not find one thing to complement this book with...I like to do the criticism sandwich whenever possible...but alas, there was nothing that I liked in this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2011
Note: Won this book in one of the Goodreads giveaways.
I may be a little picker here than I would normally be, partly because it's a new book by a new author and I want to help them succeed and partly because I want to give it a more thorough critique due to it being a giveaway and the rules saying it is appreciated.
Firstly, I want to state that I did like the story, but I feel like it could have been better. However, as a first novel, it was good, just some more polish needed for future books. I feel quite connected with the places mentioned in the book as I live near London, have relatives from Scotland and also relatives that live in Portland, Oregon who I went to visit last year. Much as I love reading books about fantasy worlds, I do feel a special connection with books that mention places I'm familiar with, as it seems to make them more believable somehow.
Things I did like:
- The overall plot, it was a really interesting take on the telepath/psychic story.
- The characters, though lacking in depth a little were interesting and I wanted to know more about them. I wanted the good guys to do well and the bad guys were suitably slimy.
Things I didn't like:
- Pacing - parts of it felt rushed and/or as if I'd missed a page. Numerous times I either turned back a page to check or, at section changes, re-read the previous paragraph to see if I'd somehow missed something.
- Spelling - I admit I'm not always the best speller but there was some really glaring errors that just stopped me in my tracks when I came to them, breaking the flow of the story. Examples are sole instead of soul, oozy instead of Uzi and peak instead of peek.
- Layla calling Stuart "Fairchild". It just seemed really weird, fake and distant. She starts off calling him Stuart in all conversations and suddenly switches to Fairchild for no apparent reason, and we weren't even introduced to his surname beforehand so it was a little confusing.
- Speech styles of the British characters. They got better as they went on but to start with they sounded like something out of the '30s.
Overall though an enjoyable story with a lot of promise. I look forward to seeing how it continues.
I may be a little picker here than I would normally be, partly because it's a new book by a new author and I want to help them succeed and partly because I want to give it a more thorough critique due to it being a giveaway and the rules saying it is appreciated.
Firstly, I want to state that I did like the story, but I feel like it could have been better. However, as a first novel, it was good, just some more polish needed for future books. I feel quite connected with the places mentioned in the book as I live near London, have relatives from Scotland and also relatives that live in Portland, Oregon who I went to visit last year. Much as I love reading books about fantasy worlds, I do feel a special connection with books that mention places I'm familiar with, as it seems to make them more believable somehow.
Things I did like:
- The overall plot, it was a really interesting take on the telepath/psychic story.
- The characters, though lacking in depth a little were interesting and I wanted to know more about them. I wanted the good guys to do well and the bad guys were suitably slimy.
Things I didn't like:
- Pacing - parts of it felt rushed and/or as if I'd missed a page. Numerous times I either turned back a page to check or, at section changes, re-read the previous paragraph to see if I'd somehow missed something.
- Spelling - I admit I'm not always the best speller but there was some really glaring errors that just stopped me in my tracks when I came to them, breaking the flow of the story. Examples are sole instead of soul, oozy instead of Uzi and peak instead of peek.
- Layla calling Stuart "Fairchild". It just seemed really weird, fake and distant. She starts off calling him Stuart in all conversations and suddenly switches to Fairchild for no apparent reason, and we weren't even introduced to his surname beforehand so it was a little confusing.
- Speech styles of the British characters. They got better as they went on but to start with they sounded like something out of the '30s.
Overall though an enjoyable story with a lot of promise. I look forward to seeing how it continues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2012
Layla can hear what people are thinking. As if that’s not enough, she’s also having intense dreams about a woman dying. Little does she know that the woman in her dreams is a part of her. As she begins to discover who and what she is, she realizes the people around her know more than they are letting on. Layla is a Clear.
Enter Stuart and Andre. She’s attracted to Stuart right away, but accepts a date from Andre. Too bad Andre’s father, Jasper, is the head of the Bane. Jasper wants a Clear, and threatens the lives of everyone Layla loves in order to sway her to his side.
Just as Layla thinks things are settling down, her mother gives it to her straight, “Oh dear, girl. Now it begins.” And this is how the first book ends.
The premise, the characters, the mixture of past and present… so many things were right about this book. All it needed to go from good to great was better editing. I can look past a few errors, but there were some very distracting grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes in this piece. (One that particularly stood out to me was the author’s reference to Judy Bloom. The inner teenager in me, the one obsessed with Judy Blume, was a bit crushed.)
Thanks to the intriguing story and interesting characters, I’d recommend this book to readers looking for a series with great potential.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Note: I received a complimentary copy to review from World Literary Café. A positive review was not guaranteed or requested; the views expressed are my own.
Enter Stuart and Andre. She’s attracted to Stuart right away, but accepts a date from Andre. Too bad Andre’s father, Jasper, is the head of the Bane. Jasper wants a Clear, and threatens the lives of everyone Layla loves in order to sway her to his side.
Just as Layla thinks things are settling down, her mother gives it to her straight, “Oh dear, girl. Now it begins.” And this is how the first book ends.
The premise, the characters, the mixture of past and present… so many things were right about this book. All it needed to go from good to great was better editing. I can look past a few errors, but there were some very distracting grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes in this piece. (One that particularly stood out to me was the author’s reference to Judy Bloom. The inner teenager in me, the one obsessed with Judy Blume, was a bit crushed.)
Thanks to the intriguing story and interesting characters, I’d recommend this book to readers looking for a series with great potential.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Note: I received a complimentary copy to review from World Literary Café. A positive review was not guaranteed or requested; the views expressed are my own.
Currently reading
January 23, 2012So far I am about half way through the book and it is just annoying me!! This would probably be because I live very close to Cambridge. She seems to think that London is just down the road when it actually is about a 2 hour drive. And when she first mentioned her going to Scotland she said for a day trip?! Yeah. I don't think so. Would take the majority of the day to get there!!! Another part that I don't quite understand is how in the letter it mentions how her first child will never be born, but then says she is her great grandchild x six. (or something along those lines) erm... How is that even possible?! But I am going to keep reading and hopefully I'll change my mind about this book.
Another thing I just realised.. Would really like to know how old Stuart is!! She's 15 going on 16 so I assumed he is but he would need to be at least 17 to be driving. I feel like this book should go into more detail and also that the author should have done their research!! Was impressed by the mentioning of hills road though... That's a real sixth form college!!
Oh just read he's supposed to be 17. That's okay then :)
Another thing I just realised.. Would really like to know how old Stuart is!! She's 15 going on 16 so I assumed he is but he would need to be at least 17 to be driving. I feel like this book should go into more detail and also that the author should have done their research!! Was impressed by the mentioning of hills road though... That's a real sixth form college!!
Oh just read he's supposed to be 17. That's okay then :)
September 4, 2012
Vision is the first book in the Vision Trilogy, and I really enjoyed reading it. The characters are likeable and the story has a nice new twist to anything I have read before. I won this book to read but didn't receive it, instead received the second book, so I borrowed a copy of this book. Must note I am not sure if it was the first edition or second.
I am very glad to have been lucky enough to be sent this, well worth the read :) Thankyou
It was very interesting, the clear's and Bane's, then with the added guardian and love story all unfolding and revealing lots of secrets. But leaves lots to keep you interested for book two.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was the way the family comes together and revels things, the host family 'magically appears' still leaves me questioning. I felt chapter nineteen where all this happens just doesn't work, the meshing with the rest of the book is just off to me, but others may not agree.
I am looking forward to the next book and loved the little peek at the end of this one. Just makes you want to see what's next. :)
I am very glad to have been lucky enough to be sent this, well worth the read :) Thankyou
It was very interesting, the clear's and Bane's, then with the added guardian and love story all unfolding and revealing lots of secrets. But leaves lots to keep you interested for book two.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was the way the family comes together and revels things, the host family 'magically appears' still leaves me questioning. I felt chapter nineteen where all this happens just doesn't work, the meshing with the rest of the book is just off to me, but others may not agree.
I am looking forward to the next book and loved the little peek at the end of this one. Just makes you want to see what's next. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2012
Surely you've heard the saying. A singer is so good she could sing the phone book and you'd want to listen? Well for me Beth Elisa Harris is this kind of writer. I am 47 years old (yes, I admitted it)--the "YA" category is not one from which I normally buy the books I read. After reading the sample to this book, however, I was intrigued. Harris writes with a quiet authority that makes me want to keep reading her--one of those authors whose very prose is what makes you love them. Combine this with the fact that she writes wonderful characters and has a plot that grabbed me from the beginning and you've got a blockbuster!
I don't give away spoilers in my reviews, but I will say that Vision is clearly the beginning of this tale, and I enjoyed the first one so much I will be waiting in line for number two! Harris has clearly made her mark with this book. Five stars all the way!
I don't give away spoilers in my reviews, but I will say that Vision is clearly the beginning of this tale, and I enjoyed the first one so much I will be waiting in line for number two! Harris has clearly made her mark with this book. Five stars all the way!
April 12, 2012
I read this book for World Literary Cafe.
There are many books out there in the paranormal genre. This one is very unique. I loved it. The story flowed beautifully and you really wanted to know what happens next. I felt invested in the story emotionally.
This was the first book in the trilogy. The next book is due out in May titled Soul Herder. I personally can't wait to read it.
If you are a romantically inclined person you would see that soul mates really exsist and true love never really dies.
Layla's world totally changes when she goes away to school in UK. Everything she thought she thought about herself and her life is not as it seems. Secrets were kept...Huge secrets.
She handed the truth a lot better than I would thats for sure.
I highly recommend this book.
There are many books out there in the paranormal genre. This one is very unique. I loved it. The story flowed beautifully and you really wanted to know what happens next. I felt invested in the story emotionally.
This was the first book in the trilogy. The next book is due out in May titled Soul Herder. I personally can't wait to read it.
If you are a romantically inclined person you would see that soul mates really exsist and true love never really dies.
Layla's world totally changes when she goes away to school in UK. Everything she thought she thought about herself and her life is not as it seems. Secrets were kept...Huge secrets.
She handed the truth a lot better than I would thats for sure.
I highly recommend this book.
March 1, 2012
Author Beth Elisa Harris draws us into a world you will not want to escape with her first book, Vision, in the Vision Trilogy. You'll immediately be drawn in by the main character and her difference. She can hear others' thoughts. Ms. Harris takes this idea and adds in details you don't see in other stories. It's fresh and new. It's a story you can have fun reading and will be sad when you set it down. And you will eagerly await the release of the second book to see how this plays out when you finish it!
July 24, 2011
In compliance with FTC guidelines, I disclose that I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Novels aimed at young adults have not recently been captivating me as much as they used to. However, this book seems to be an exception. I really enjoyed it, and found myself immersed in finding out more about Layla, as the story continued. I would definitely give more books in this series a read.
Novels aimed at young adults have not recently been captivating me as much as they used to. However, this book seems to be an exception. I really enjoyed it, and found myself immersed in finding out more about Layla, as the story continued. I would definitely give more books in this series a read.
October 30, 2011
I really enjoyed Vision by Beth Elisa Harris. The concept was original, and I felt like I could really connect with the main characters. I did think the ending happened quickly though. It felt like there should have been more to it. I realize the book was set up as a series, but I don't know it seemed rushed at the end. I did like the book though, and I will read what's next.
Want to read
July 6, 2012Not quite sure what happened here. The Email from Goodreads said I had won a copy of this book. The book I received was "Soul Herder" (ISBN 978-1475075021) which is book 2 in the series. I have read that book and will post a review for it.
October 18, 2015
I won this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program.
Very refreshing read!
I was really pleased with how well this was written and with how engaging and unique the story is. Great book. Would recommend to anyone!!
Very refreshing read!
I was really pleased with how well this was written and with how engaging and unique the story is. Great book. Would recommend to anyone!!
December 31, 2011
I liked this book. The ending was shall we say a huge cliff hanger. I will be looking for the next one
June 19, 2012
I couldn't put this book down!!! It was really captivating!!!!!
March 15, 2018
Layla is every bit a 21st century girl, or so she thought. Okay, so she gets these vivid nightmares, and excruciating headaches, and has some ability to read minds. But nothing out of the ordinary, right?
Layla receives a cryptic message and heads to England as an exchange student and immediately becomes the object of contention between two magnetic and handsome men. Her life as an exchange student, worried about labs and tests, quickly turns to the surreal when she visits a remote island off the coast of Scotland. An unseen enemy seeks her. Another entity guards her. Does Layla even know who she is or who she has been?
Beth Harris turns time-travel upside down. Instead of spiriting her feisty smart-mouthed 21st century heroine back in time to experience all the indignities of latrines, candlelight and fleas, she brings the past to the present, interweaving sinister plots with world events. In a book filled with magic, legend, intrigue, and betrayal, a thin thread of hope persists, that a love so rich will finally be fulfilled.
----
I only dream of a love so rich.
Harris, Beth Elisa (2011). Vision (Kindle Location 66). eInteractive Media. Kindle Edition.
Contact author at: visionseries@yahoo.com
Layla receives a cryptic message and heads to England as an exchange student and immediately becomes the object of contention between two magnetic and handsome men. Her life as an exchange student, worried about labs and tests, quickly turns to the surreal when she visits a remote island off the coast of Scotland. An unseen enemy seeks her. Another entity guards her. Does Layla even know who she is or who she has been?
Beth Harris turns time-travel upside down. Instead of spiriting her feisty smart-mouthed 21st century heroine back in time to experience all the indignities of latrines, candlelight and fleas, she brings the past to the present, interweaving sinister plots with world events. In a book filled with magic, legend, intrigue, and betrayal, a thin thread of hope persists, that a love so rich will finally be fulfilled.
----
I only dream of a love so rich.
Harris, Beth Elisa (2011). Vision (Kindle Location 66). eInteractive Media. Kindle Edition.
Contact author at: visionseries@yahoo.com
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