What do you think?
Rate this book
Dark Visions #3
The Passion
Betrayed!
Kaitlyn Fairchild and her four psychic friends nearly escape from the evil Mr. Zetes—until Gabriel defects to the Institute. Desperate to break the intimacy of their telepathic link, he becomes the enemy and hunter of Kaitlyn's group. Rob is determined to destroy Gabriel if he has to ... but Kait can't let that happen. On her own, she leaves her friends and returns to the Institute, pretending to join Mr. Zetes. But when her reckless gamble goes wrong, will Gabriel save her—or betray her again? And when the final battle comes, will Kaitlyn choose Rob or Gabriel—light or darkness?
Kaitlyn Fairchild and her four psychic friends nearly escape from the evil Mr. Zetes—until Gabriel defects to the Institute. Desperate to break the intimacy of their telepathic link, he becomes the enemy and hunter of Kaitlyn's group. Rob is determined to destroy Gabriel if he has to ... but Kait can't let that happen. On her own, she leaves her friends and returns to the Institute, pretending to join Mr. Zetes. But when her reckless gamble goes wrong, will Gabriel save her—or betray her again? And when the final battle comes, will Kaitlyn choose Rob or Gabriel—light or darkness?
211 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1995
21 people are currently reading
1367 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Smith
337 books112k followersSmith was born in Villa Park, Orange County, California. In interviews, she has said she realized she wanted to be a writer sometime between kindergarten and first grade, “when a teacher praised a horrible poem I’d written”, and began writing in earnest in elementary school. Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1987, followed by teaching credentials in Elementary education and Special education from San Francisco State University.
She taught kindergarten and special education for several years before becoming a full-time writer. Her first book, The Night of the Solstice, was published by MacMillan in 1987, followed by, Heart of Valor in 1990, and the 4-volume Vampire Diaries series in 1991-2. Three trilogies followed: The Secret Circle (1992), The Forbidden Game (1994), and Dark Visions (1995). The first installment of her popular Night World series was published in 1996, followed by eight more over the next two years. In 1998, Smith began a decade-long hiatus from writing, returning in 2008 with a new Web site and a series of new short stories. The Vampire Diaries series was reissued in 2007, followed by re-printings of The Secret Circle trilogy and Night World series in 2008/2009. The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor was also reissued in 2008. Three new Vampire Diaries installments were published in 2009 and 2010.
Smith lived in the San Francisco Bay area “with one dog, three cats, and about ten thousand books.”
She passed away on March 8th, 2025, after a lengthy illness.
She taught kindergarten and special education for several years before becoming a full-time writer. Her first book, The Night of the Solstice, was published by MacMillan in 1987, followed by, Heart of Valor in 1990, and the 4-volume Vampire Diaries series in 1991-2. Three trilogies followed: The Secret Circle (1992), The Forbidden Game (1994), and Dark Visions (1995). The first installment of her popular Night World series was published in 1996, followed by eight more over the next two years. In 1998, Smith began a decade-long hiatus from writing, returning in 2008 with a new Web site and a series of new short stories. The Vampire Diaries series was reissued in 2007, followed by re-printings of The Secret Circle trilogy and Night World series in 2008/2009. The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor was also reissued in 2008. Three new Vampire Diaries installments were published in 2009 and 2010.
Smith lived in the San Francisco Bay area “with one dog, three cats, and about ten thousand books.”
She passed away on March 8th, 2025, after a lengthy illness.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
March 7, 2020
I think this was my favourite of the three books
8 out of 10
8 out of 10
January 17, 2016
Just like the two previous books, this wasn't quite so good as I remembered it being, but it was still a decent read.
It was nice to revisit an old favorite.
It was nice to revisit an old favorite.
August 10, 2019
Old review:
A girl that cheats on her boyfriend. A girl that 2 boys love really only because shes beautiful. Ive finally realised how shit these books are.
The only reason why i didnt give it 0 stars is because the powers are interesting and they are very quick reads.
A girl that cheats on her boyfriend. A girl that 2 boys love really only because shes beautiful. Ive finally realised how shit these books are.
The only reason why i didnt give it 0 stars is because the powers are interesting and they are very quick reads.
February 17, 2015
Teď, když už mám poslední díl Temných vizí za sebou, si říkám, že to zase tak špatné nebylo. Jo, kdybych neměla mezi tímto a předchozími díly takovou propast, tak by se mi to asi líbilo mnohem víc. Navíc mám pocit, že se většina nepodstatných scén dala klidně vypustit. Plus mi tentokrát Kaitlyn docela dost brnkala na nervy. Byla vždycky takhle nesnesitelná?
January 29, 2015
Finally finished the trilogy
So beautiful
The review will be written under The Dark Vision the whole book.
So beautiful
The review will be written under The Dark Vision the whole book.
August 28, 2022
Take one obsessive old man, determined to use whatever he needs to in order to achieve his goal, a mysterious crystal, some crazy powers and a group of teens linked by telepathy and you have the ingredients for this series.
From the beginning it was clear this was a good starting point for paranormal fiction. Zetes as a character des ended into pantomime villain mode, blinded by his desire to gain power that he’d lost all semblance of humane decision-making.
In book three, Gabriel has turned to the dark side. The only way they think things can improve is to destroy the Crystal. Obviously, this will not be without danger.
Throughout, this book ramped up the action. Everything felt just a little more exaggerated, as you gained the sense of things drawing to an end.
I still found the romance element boring. The love triangle had never felt that believable, but it added a little more tension to proceedings.
Like Scooby Doo, the bad guy gets his come-uppance and the gang are together at the end. Quite silly, but entertaining in a rather odd fashion.
From the beginning it was clear this was a good starting point for paranormal fiction. Zetes as a character des ended into pantomime villain mode, blinded by his desire to gain power that he’d lost all semblance of humane decision-making.
In book three, Gabriel has turned to the dark side. The only way they think things can improve is to destroy the Crystal. Obviously, this will not be without danger.
Throughout, this book ramped up the action. Everything felt just a little more exaggerated, as you gained the sense of things drawing to an end.
I still found the romance element boring. The love triangle had never felt that believable, but it added a little more tension to proceedings.
Like Scooby Doo, the bad guy gets his come-uppance and the gang are together at the end. Quite silly, but entertaining in a rather odd fashion.
June 25, 2012
The Passion is such a fitting name for this last novel in L.J. Smith's Dark Visions Trilogy. In this installment, Kaitlyn is forced to travel to the Institute, take advantage of Gabriel's feelings for her, and destroy Mr. Z's evil plans. Having convinced Gabriel, Joyce, and most of the warped up members of the Institute of her loyalty, Kaitlyn must somehow plan to destroy the crystal and keep the shard of the Fellowship's pure crystal from falling into Mr. Z's power. However, little does Kaitlyn realize that it isn't just Gabriel's feelings she's playing with, it could be her own as well...
I absolutely loved this stunning conclusion to this brilliant trilogy. Although I definitely enjoyed The Forbidden Game more than this trilogy and appreciate the horror, despair, and creepiness of that series, I also found myself enjoying the wit, snarkiness, and complex relationships within this trilogy. Dark Visions is a lighter mix of paranormal, with more emphasis given on the blooming romances between Gabriel and Kaitlyn (I can hardly call what Kaitlyn and Rob had a romance) and the budding friendships between these five unlikely psychics. The Passion really puts this all to the test, strengthening the bonds between these friends and making them realize what they have.
Yet, what I loved the most about this installment was the romance. I have been a loyal Team Gabriel shipper since the first novel and although I hated that Kaitlyn was taking advantage of his feelings, I was thrilled seeing her changes in character as well. Furthermore, I think the relationship Kaitlyn formed with the other members of the Institute this time around were not only important, but they were also imperative to her growth and their development as characters as well. In addition, although we didn't see Rob, Anna, and Lewis as much in this installment, I think the changes that Rob and Anna went through were also remarkable and I was glad to see so much character development in this one. As with the previous two novels however, Gabriel steals the show in terms of personality growth. I loved his complex personality and only wished we could see even more of him.
Nevertheless, although I enjoyed this conclusion, I have to admit that I was expecting a little more of an earth-shattering finale. I felt as if the manner in which this situation was solved was a little too easy and I only wish it could have been dragged on a little longer to add an element of suspense to it. Yet, as far as last-books-of-a-trilogy go, this was a pretty darn good one. Thus, I would heartily recommend this series to fans of L.J. Smith, but I'd recommend starting with The Forbidden Game first. It may increase your expectations of this series to unnatural highs, but it'll definitely force you to keep reading to find the excellent writing quality that Smith's novels possess.
You can see this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings.
I absolutely loved this stunning conclusion to this brilliant trilogy. Although I definitely enjoyed The Forbidden Game more than this trilogy and appreciate the horror, despair, and creepiness of that series, I also found myself enjoying the wit, snarkiness, and complex relationships within this trilogy. Dark Visions is a lighter mix of paranormal, with more emphasis given on the blooming romances between Gabriel and Kaitlyn (I can hardly call what Kaitlyn and Rob had a romance) and the budding friendships between these five unlikely psychics. The Passion really puts this all to the test, strengthening the bonds between these friends and making them realize what they have.
Yet, what I loved the most about this installment was the romance. I have been a loyal Team Gabriel shipper since the first novel and although I hated that Kaitlyn was taking advantage of his feelings, I was thrilled seeing her changes in character as well. Furthermore, I think the relationship Kaitlyn formed with the other members of the Institute this time around were not only important, but they were also imperative to her growth and their development as characters as well. In addition, although we didn't see Rob, Anna, and Lewis as much in this installment, I think the changes that Rob and Anna went through were also remarkable and I was glad to see so much character development in this one. As with the previous two novels however, Gabriel steals the show in terms of personality growth. I loved his complex personality and only wished we could see even more of him.
Nevertheless, although I enjoyed this conclusion, I have to admit that I was expecting a little more of an earth-shattering finale. I felt as if the manner in which this situation was solved was a little too easy and I only wish it could have been dragged on a little longer to add an element of suspense to it. Yet, as far as last-books-of-a-trilogy go, this was a pretty darn good one. Thus, I would heartily recommend this series to fans of L.J. Smith, but I'd recommend starting with The Forbidden Game first. It may increase your expectations of this series to unnatural highs, but it'll definitely force you to keep reading to find the excellent writing quality that Smith's novels possess.
You can see this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings.
February 5, 2016
Source: I own a bind up of this trilogy.
Cost: Free gift
Title: The Passion
Series: Dark Visions #3
Author: LJ Smith
Overall Rating: 4 stars
Basically, what I've concluded is that, although I've enjoyed reading this trilogy, it's not my favourite LJ Smith work.
I really liked how much we got to see Gabriel in this book, he is by far my favourite character in this book, and I think the third book was definitely worth waiting for. I felt more connected to the characters in this one, I was so intrigued about how it was going to end. I think this series could've been better, but it's still a good and easy read.
Cost: Free gift
Title: The Passion
Series: Dark Visions #3
Author: LJ Smith
Overall Rating: 4 stars
Basically, what I've concluded is that, although I've enjoyed reading this trilogy, it's not my favourite LJ Smith work.
I really liked how much we got to see Gabriel in this book, he is by far my favourite character in this book, and I think the third book was definitely worth waiting for. I felt more connected to the characters in this one, I was so intrigued about how it was going to end. I think this series could've been better, but it's still a good and easy read.
August 28, 2023
For a more detailed review, check out my review below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
October 31, 2024
Je pense que ce troisième tome est un coup de cœur, je l’ai quasiment lu en 1 journée, impossible de décroché.
Tous comme les autres tomes, il nous apporte rebondissement sur rebondissement, on ne voit rien venir et l’histoire nous emporte complètement.
J’ai vraiment adoré cette trilogie, avec des tomes qui s’améliorent au fur et à mesure.
C’est totalement ce que j’aime, du fantastique jeunesse, mêlée à des romances en second plan, de quoi me faire plonger dans l’univers jusqu’à la fin.
Tous comme les autres tomes, il nous apporte rebondissement sur rebondissement, on ne voit rien venir et l’histoire nous emporte complètement.
J’ai vraiment adoré cette trilogie, avec des tomes qui s’améliorent au fur et à mesure.
C’est totalement ce que j’aime, du fantastique jeunesse, mêlée à des romances en second plan, de quoi me faire plonger dans l’univers jusqu’à la fin.
Read
December 1, 2023I loved these books when I was young. Looking at the published date…I would have been 11 when I read them. I’m SO GLAD we have young adult books now with characters who have more than 1 personality trait and are only described by how they look. Definitely a product of the time it was written. Good for us for having standards now! But it was still an interesting romp into something I loved when I was a kid.
May 14, 2020
2.5 stars. I’m going to have to say Dark Visions was my least favorite out of the Night World books and The Passion was probably the worst. The others were bad in a good way and this wasn’t. It just wasn’t enjoyable :(
January 12, 2013
Lisa Jane Smith žije v Kalifornii, kde stále svítí sluníčko... kromě dnů, kdy prší. Má kočku a hromadu knih. Většinu svých nápadů získává ve spánku. Netuší, jestli jde o nějakou zvláštní magii, ale prostě ráda píše. Do paměti čtenářů se zapsala díky své úspěšné a téměř nekonečné sérii Upíří deníky. Nutno podotknout, že díly, které se v současné době vydávají, už nepíše ona, pouze na obálkách najdeme její jméno. Sama autorka k tomuto prodlužování sérií a psaní pod jejím jménem řekla, když jako mladší podepisovala s nakladatelstvím smlouvu, ani by ji nenapadlo, že ji od jejích vlastních knih jednou "vykopnou" a budou si je psát sami. Tehdy některým klauzulím smluv prostě tolik nerozuměla.
Upíří deníky také zpopularizoval stejnojmenný seriál americké televizní stanice The CW. Ta se nechala slyšet, že dokonce plánuje spin-off sérii zaměřenou na Původní upíry. Minulý rok jí bohužel nevyšel podobný krok a zkouška seriálu The Secret Circle. Ten stál na další oblíbené knižní sérii autorky. Neměl ovšem tak vysokou sledovanost, jak by si stanice přála, proto ji po první řadě zrušili. Kromě Upířích deníků, Tajného kruhu a Říše temnot také napsala Temné vize. Ty se prozatím drží na trilogii a nevypadá to, že by se měla prodlužovat. Ovšem nikdy neříkejme nikdy.
Hlavní pětka našla Bratrstvo, dostali od nich poslední úlomek čistého krystalu a za cíl mají zničení toho v insitutu. Jenže po nedávných událostech jim Gabriel ukázal záda a vrátil se k lačnému a mírně šílenému panu Zetesovi. Kromě toho nevynechá jedinou příležitost, aby pro něj úlomek získal. A Kaitlyn ví, že jediný způsob, jak velký krystal nadobro zničit, je naoko se přidat k nim.
Proto opouští své přátele a vydává se do institutu sehrát největší roli svého života. Musí všechny přesvědčit, že sice pana Zetese nemá ráda, ale s jeho cíli na ovládnutí světa souhlasí. Že chce prostě víc. A vypadá to, že nejdřív bude muset o svém prozření přesvědčit Gabriela. Rozhodne se využít toho, co k ní cítí... nakonec ovšem všechno dopadne jinak, než by si představovala.
Na jazyk téhle jsem si natolik zvykla, že jsem se už víceméně ani po žádných chybkách nepídila. Chtěla jsem hlavně vědět, jak to celé skončí, jak si se svými postavami autorka pohraje, kdo vůbec přežije a nezblázní se.
Na poslední díl série jsem byla opravdu zvědavá. Ačkoliv nejsem fanynkou autorčiných Upířích deníků, Temné vize si mě dokázaly získat. S největší pravděpodobností to bude díky těm zvláštním schopnostem. Nezastírám, že bych nějaké sama chtěla. Ale raději bez všech těch peripetií, jakými si museli projít hrdinové série. Hlavně by se mi ty zvláštní schopnosti hodily například při takovém úklidu. To by to jen svištělo a všechno by bylo hotovo v cuku letu.
Ze všech postav jsem si nejvíc oblíbila Gabriela. Mám slabost pro postavy, které nejsou v jádru zlé, jen se staly oběťmi špatných okolností. V třetím díle si mě získala i Kaitlyn, i když pravda, při některých jejích činech a myšlenkách jsem si říkala, jestli to autorka opravdu myslí vážně. Výborně si ovšem poradila s dosti děsivým vykreslením toho, co se stalo “studentům” před naší hlavní pětkou a jakými pokusy vlastně prošli. Realističnost popisů mi naháněla husí kůži.
Je zvláštní číst v dnešní době knihu, která spadá do young adult žánru a vyšla v roce 1995. Přece jenom se od dnešního pojetí knih pro dospívající liší. Především v nich těžko najdete třpytící se upíry. Někdy mám pocit, že čtenáři zapomínají, že tyhle knihy tu byly dávno předtím, než přišlo všechno to, co náš knižní trh zaplavuje dnes. Je tedy jenom logické, že se i svým stylem vyprávění liší – hlavně tedy u Smith. V některých věcech je až příliš naivní, na druhou stranu umí popisy častokrát vyděsit mnohem líp než soudobé autorky.
Kdybych se ke knihám dostala ve svých telecích letech, nejspíš bych se stala autorčinou fanynkou. Stejně jako celá řada zahraničních čtenářek, které se s Temnými vizemi seznámily v devadesátých letech. Je hezké vědět, že ne všechny autorčiny knihy jsou špatné. Tato série je naopak velice vydařená. Možná má sem tam hluchá místa, či mírně podivná rozuzlení, ale čte se hezky rychle a příjemně. Perfektní odreagovačka. Proto knize dávám 4 hvězdičky.
Upíří deníky také zpopularizoval stejnojmenný seriál americké televizní stanice The CW. Ta se nechala slyšet, že dokonce plánuje spin-off sérii zaměřenou na Původní upíry. Minulý rok jí bohužel nevyšel podobný krok a zkouška seriálu The Secret Circle. Ten stál na další oblíbené knižní sérii autorky. Neměl ovšem tak vysokou sledovanost, jak by si stanice přála, proto ji po první řadě zrušili. Kromě Upířích deníků, Tajného kruhu a Říše temnot také napsala Temné vize. Ty se prozatím drží na trilogii a nevypadá to, že by se měla prodlužovat. Ovšem nikdy neříkejme nikdy.
Hlavní pětka našla Bratrstvo, dostali od nich poslední úlomek čistého krystalu a za cíl mají zničení toho v insitutu. Jenže po nedávných událostech jim Gabriel ukázal záda a vrátil se k lačnému a mírně šílenému panu Zetesovi. Kromě toho nevynechá jedinou příležitost, aby pro něj úlomek získal. A Kaitlyn ví, že jediný způsob, jak velký krystal nadobro zničit, je naoko se přidat k nim.
Proto opouští své přátele a vydává se do institutu sehrát největší roli svého života. Musí všechny přesvědčit, že sice pana Zetese nemá ráda, ale s jeho cíli na ovládnutí světa souhlasí. Že chce prostě víc. A vypadá to, že nejdřív bude muset o svém prozření přesvědčit Gabriela. Rozhodne se využít toho, co k ní cítí... nakonec ovšem všechno dopadne jinak, než by si představovala.
Na jazyk téhle jsem si natolik zvykla, že jsem se už víceméně ani po žádných chybkách nepídila. Chtěla jsem hlavně vědět, jak to celé skončí, jak si se svými postavami autorka pohraje, kdo vůbec přežije a nezblázní se.
Na poslední díl série jsem byla opravdu zvědavá. Ačkoliv nejsem fanynkou autorčiných Upířích deníků, Temné vize si mě dokázaly získat. S největší pravděpodobností to bude díky těm zvláštním schopnostem. Nezastírám, že bych nějaké sama chtěla. Ale raději bez všech těch peripetií, jakými si museli projít hrdinové série. Hlavně by se mi ty zvláštní schopnosti hodily například při takovém úklidu. To by to jen svištělo a všechno by bylo hotovo v cuku letu.
Ze všech postav jsem si nejvíc oblíbila Gabriela. Mám slabost pro postavy, které nejsou v jádru zlé, jen se staly oběťmi špatných okolností. V třetím díle si mě získala i Kaitlyn, i když pravda, při některých jejích činech a myšlenkách jsem si říkala, jestli to autorka opravdu myslí vážně. Výborně si ovšem poradila s dosti děsivým vykreslením toho, co se stalo “studentům” před naší hlavní pětkou a jakými pokusy vlastně prošli. Realističnost popisů mi naháněla husí kůži.
Je zvláštní číst v dnešní době knihu, která spadá do young adult žánru a vyšla v roce 1995. Přece jenom se od dnešního pojetí knih pro dospívající liší. Především v nich těžko najdete třpytící se upíry. Někdy mám pocit, že čtenáři zapomínají, že tyhle knihy tu byly dávno předtím, než přišlo všechno to, co náš knižní trh zaplavuje dnes. Je tedy jenom logické, že se i svým stylem vyprávění liší – hlavně tedy u Smith. V některých věcech je až příliš naivní, na druhou stranu umí popisy častokrát vyděsit mnohem líp než soudobé autorky.
Kdybych se ke knihám dostala ve svých telecích letech, nejspíš bych se stala autorčinou fanynkou. Stejně jako celá řada zahraničních čtenářek, které se s Temnými vizemi seznámily v devadesátých letech. Je hezké vědět, že ne všechny autorčiny knihy jsou špatné. Tato série je naopak velice vydařená. Možná má sem tam hluchá místa, či mírně podivná rozuzlení, ale čte se hezky rychle a příjemně. Perfektní odreagovačka. Proto knize dávám 4 hvězdičky.
February 17, 2025
I'm happy I'm done with this trilogy because this was..... kinda nightmare to read.
I liked the idea of these books and the mind powers of these students and all the plot and the love triangle, but I just couldn't stand the characters. The only two I liked were Anna and Gabriel, and this last one acted like an ass during this last book, and with an "act of love" at the very end, he redeemed himself. LMAO. After all that shit he did and this girl forgave him that easy.
This girl was in less than a month (because these books only happened in all the events in less than a month) in love with two guys and OMG reading her thoughts was completely frustrating. She had no idea of what to do, but she felt like Superman. And she was falling for the boys as she changed her panties. This was kinda frustrating.
Definitely my least favorite of this author.
I liked the idea of these books and the mind powers of these students and all the plot and the love triangle, but I just couldn't stand the characters. The only two I liked were Anna and Gabriel, and this last one acted like an ass during this last book, and with an "act of love" at the very end, he redeemed himself. LMAO. After all that shit he did and this girl forgave him that easy.
This girl was in less than a month (because these books only happened in all the events in less than a month) in love with two guys and OMG reading her thoughts was completely frustrating. She had no idea of what to do, but she felt like Superman. And she was falling for the boys as she changed her panties. This was kinda frustrating.
Definitely my least favorite of this author.
November 2, 2013
Poslední díl, který jsem musela přečíst už jenom tak nějak proto, že mám ty další. Musím litovat, ale zároveň jsem ráda, že už to mám dodělané a mohu se věnovat nějaké příjemnější četbě. Poslední díl měl asi šokovat, ostatně ze začátku jsem byla nadměrně spokojená, ale pak opět začalo to, co provází celou sérii docela permanentně - klišé.
Katie se tentokrát trochu projevila, konečně udělala něco pro Gabriela a vrhla se po hlavě do nejtěžšího úkolu, který ji za tu dobu asi čeká. Přestala se spoléhat na ostatní a vložila veškerou důvěru v sebe, za což autorce patří veliký palec nahoru, měla jsem prostě najednou pocit, že to je charakter, že není jen jedna z mnoha, jako jsou ostatní. O to méně se mi začala líbit Anna, nevýrazná, nepotřebná, nedůležitá, Lewis na druhou stranu byl o něco příjemnější asi kvůli Lydii, kterou jsem si stihla oblíbit. A pak Joyce, ta se konečně vrátila a ukázala, že ne všechno je takové, jaké se zdá (ale na druhou stranu je smutné, že opravdu nebyla to, co se očekávalo, ale někdo jiný - kdyby zůstala v té škatulce, kam spadla v prvním díle, tak bych byla o něco spokojenější). Roba jsem milovala vždycky, tentokrát jsem byla i ráda, že je s tou malou čarodějkou, jsou dobré protipóly.
Jenže co nahnal začátek, tak srazil konec. Vadilo mi rozuzlení, které i když se dalo očekávat, tak trochu zklamalo a nakonec vyřešení milostných vztahů... Proboha, to je tragédie! Autorka si z jednoho chlapce udělala toho druhého, charaktery najednou hrozně splynuly a jedna holka se stala druhou, minutu po ztrátě už máte někoho jiného a vztahy se budují během neuvěřitelných okamžiků! Sakra, ne, ten konec mi to pokazil obecně. Nehraje v tom roli má nenávist vůči jednomu z těch chlapců, ale obecně to provedení. Bylo tak průhledné, že i přes sklo vidím hůře. Ne, znovu jsem si potvrdila, že bych neměla pokoušet nervy tohle číst. Bohužel, nedala jsem si říci.
Závěrem k celé sérii... Není to špatné, ostatně vůbec ne, ale znám i lepší, tohle je šíleně přímočaré, nereálné... Pochopil bych seriál, opravdu, ale kniha? Ne, to jí neodpustím.
Katie se tentokrát trochu projevila, konečně udělala něco pro Gabriela a vrhla se po hlavě do nejtěžšího úkolu, který ji za tu dobu asi čeká. Přestala se spoléhat na ostatní a vložila veškerou důvěru v sebe, za což autorce patří veliký palec nahoru, měla jsem prostě najednou pocit, že to je charakter, že není jen jedna z mnoha, jako jsou ostatní. O to méně se mi začala líbit Anna, nevýrazná, nepotřebná, nedůležitá, Lewis na druhou stranu byl o něco příjemnější asi kvůli Lydii, kterou jsem si stihla oblíbit. A pak Joyce, ta se konečně vrátila a ukázala, že ne všechno je takové, jaké se zdá (ale na druhou stranu je smutné, že opravdu nebyla to, co se očekávalo, ale někdo jiný - kdyby zůstala v té škatulce, kam spadla v prvním díle, tak bych byla o něco spokojenější). Roba jsem milovala vždycky, tentokrát jsem byla i ráda, že je s tou malou čarodějkou, jsou dobré protipóly.
Jenže co nahnal začátek, tak srazil konec. Vadilo mi rozuzlení, které i když se dalo očekávat, tak trochu zklamalo a nakonec vyřešení milostných vztahů... Proboha, to je tragédie! Autorka si z jednoho chlapce udělala toho druhého, charaktery najednou hrozně splynuly a jedna holka se stala druhou, minutu po ztrátě už máte někoho jiného a vztahy se budují během neuvěřitelných okamžiků! Sakra, ne, ten konec mi to pokazil obecně. Nehraje v tom roli má nenávist vůči jednomu z těch chlapců, ale obecně to provedení. Bylo tak průhledné, že i přes sklo vidím hůře. Ne, znovu jsem si potvrdila, že bych neměla pokoušet nervy tohle číst. Bohužel, nedala jsem si říci.
Závěrem k celé sérii... Není to špatné, ostatně vůbec ne, ale znám i lepší, tohle je šíleně přímočaré, nereálné... Pochopil bych seriál, opravdu, ale kniha? Ne, to jí neodpustím.
July 11, 2016
Review for full series
Dark Visions is my second experience with LJ Smith. I started with The Vampire Diaries series, which was a somewhat of a letdown for me as a big fan of the show. I was iffy on starting another LJS book, but I'm glad I did. Dark Visions turned out to be just pure fun!
This is by no means a perfect series. Compared to nowadays YA books, I have to say that Dark Visions could come off as somewhat unoriginal. I mean, you've heard it before- loner girl with dead parent and magical powers teams up with other magical teens and finds herself torn between the super nice guy and the bad boy with a good heart.
Although it did seem slightly formulaic and predictable at times, it was just a good time. It's an easy read that will have you flying through the pages, eager to find out what will happen next. I loved when we would get glimpses into other characters besides Kaitlyn's POV- especially Gabriel's, his made me smile.
I did at times feel like some of the characters were underdeveloped and didn't change much throughout the story, or at least the first book. Gabriel seemed to be the only one character that underwent any time of change, but him doing so was part of the reason I enjoyed this series.
The last book did drag for me a bit. Gabriel is an extremely entertaining character, but by the third book there were a few times that he came off as whiny, but the end climax wrapped up the story very nicely.
A great read if you're not going to look into it too much. It's just pure entertainment and I do think that I will be picking more of LJ's books up at some point because of this.
Random thought: Was anyone else kind of creeped out by Rob? That whole 'he doesn't understand girls' thing made no sense to me whatsoever and just took his character to a creepy level.
Dark Visions is my second experience with LJ Smith. I started with The Vampire Diaries series, which was a somewhat of a letdown for me as a big fan of the show. I was iffy on starting another LJS book, but I'm glad I did. Dark Visions turned out to be just pure fun!
This is by no means a perfect series. Compared to nowadays YA books, I have to say that Dark Visions could come off as somewhat unoriginal. I mean, you've heard it before- loner girl with dead parent and magical powers teams up with other magical teens and finds herself torn between the super nice guy and the bad boy with a good heart.
Although it did seem slightly formulaic and predictable at times, it was just a good time. It's an easy read that will have you flying through the pages, eager to find out what will happen next. I loved when we would get glimpses into other characters besides Kaitlyn's POV- especially Gabriel's, his made me smile.
I did at times feel like some of the characters were underdeveloped and didn't change much throughout the story, or at least the first book. Gabriel seemed to be the only one character that underwent any time of change, but him doing so was part of the reason I enjoyed this series.
The last book did drag for me a bit. Gabriel is an extremely entertaining character, but by the third book there were a few times that he came off as whiny, but the end climax wrapped up the story very nicely.
A great read if you're not going to look into it too much. It's just pure entertainment and I do think that I will be picking more of LJ's books up at some point because of this.
Random thought: Was anyone else kind of creeped out by Rob? That whole 'he doesn't understand girls' thing made no sense to me whatsoever and just took his character to a creepy level.
October 13, 2009
Gabriel has been found. Found as the Enemy. Now that Kaitlyn and the others have the shard of the pure crystal, he wants it, but only to give it to Mr. Zetes. He convinced himself that he was evil and not half and half, he was pure evil, he would even hurt Kait if he had to. He did just that but was unsuccessful to retrieve the shard because Tony had shown up (Marisol’s brother). He goes back to the institute to tell Mr. Z that he was wasn't able to retrieve the shard but can’t make himself do it. When he hears Kaitlyn's mental screaming. Without thinking he ran to the direction of the screams and found her being attack by a man. Of course he took him out easily and helped Kaitlyn up. Kaitlyn in the other hand was finally realizing her feelings for Gabriel were. But she was there only to find the location of crystal that Mr. Zetes had. But first she had to prove herself. Will she be able to make her plan work?
This book reminds me of Vampire dairies when Stephan and Damon were kind of opposite entities Stephan light and Damon dark. Like Rob and Gabriel.
I give this book 5 stars because I loved all the suspense and the suspicion of Kaitlyn. I also liked the ending when Gabriel comes in to save everyone again, and how he is given a second chance by the others.
This book reminds me of Vampire dairies when Stephan and Damon were kind of opposite entities Stephan light and Damon dark. Like Rob and Gabriel.
I give this book 5 stars because I loved all the suspense and the suspicion of Kaitlyn. I also liked the ending when Gabriel comes in to save everyone again, and how he is given a second chance by the others.
October 26, 2015
Rating: 5/5
Cover: 3/5 - Not a huge fan of the photography or artwork
The Passion is the last book in the Dark Visions trilogy by L.J Smith. The book starts off with Gabriel now being a part of Mr. Zete's side, wanting power and control. Over the course of the novel, the reader gets to experience newfound feelings characters have for each other.
I thought this book went by fast meaning something new and interesting was happening every time I turned the page. The plot was amazing and the overall character development from the first book, The Strange Power was stellar. The ending of the book was absolutely my favorite and most definitely a happy ending I needed to read.
Overall, I absolutely recommend this book and anything by L.J Smith.
May 23, 2018
Gabriel, because he can't have the girl and thinks he's bad, switches teams and is now back at the Evil Institue acting like a dick.
Kaitlyn, unwillingly to admit she wants to save Gabriel, decides to take on the Evil Institue herself by ditching her friends, and pretending to be "for the bad team" all the while trying to figure out a way to destroy the creepy crystal that's fueling the twisted minds of Mr. Zetes' pupils.
Gabriel acts like an ass in book 1, he acts like an ass in book 2, and he acts like an ass in book 3. Finally, when Kaitlyn gets herself into some real trouble, the reader sees that Gabriel gives a damn. Whoop-de-doo.
The rest of the gang comes to the rescue for one final showdown and everything is eye-rollingly and stupidly wrapped up in a cringe-worthy bow.
Kaitlyn, unwillingly to admit she wants to save Gabriel, decides to take on the Evil Institue herself by ditching her friends, and pretending to be "for the bad team" all the while trying to figure out a way to destroy the creepy crystal that's fueling the twisted minds of Mr. Zetes' pupils.
Gabriel acts like an ass in book 1, he acts like an ass in book 2, and he acts like an ass in book 3. Finally, when Kaitlyn gets herself into some real trouble, the reader sees that Gabriel gives a damn. Whoop-de-doo.
The rest of the gang comes to the rescue for one final showdown and everything is eye-rollingly and stupidly wrapped up in a cringe-worthy bow.
March 8, 2018
Mi aspettavo di più
Ultimo libro di questa serie: sempre molto scorrevole,ma forse un po' troppo veloce.
Kait scappa dal gruppo per andare a salvare e fermare Gabriel,datosi nel frattempo al suo lato oscuro;si ritroverà nuovamente nell'Istituto degli esperimenti del primo volume,farà la spia,ma avrà nuovi compagni con nuovi poteri,ma un po' psicotici. Farà la sua scelta definitiva d'amore e,quando verrà rintracciata dal vecchio gruppo,si manterrà in contatto nella rete.
Verso la fine,il libro si tinge un po' di horror,che non guasta affatto,ma c'è poco tempo per capire i piani criminali del signor Zetes,praticamente una sola avventura di prova per Kait, anche i poteri del cristallo potevano essere meglio rappresentati.
Comunque,nel complesso,la trilogia vale la pena di essere letta.
Ultimo libro di questa serie: sempre molto scorrevole,ma forse un po' troppo veloce.
Kait scappa dal gruppo per andare a salvare e fermare Gabriel,datosi nel frattempo al suo lato oscuro;si ritroverà nuovamente nell'Istituto degli esperimenti del primo volume,farà la spia,ma avrà nuovi compagni con nuovi poteri,ma un po' psicotici. Farà la sua scelta definitiva d'amore e,quando verrà rintracciata dal vecchio gruppo,si manterrà in contatto nella rete.
Verso la fine,il libro si tinge un po' di horror,che non guasta affatto,ma c'è poco tempo per capire i piani criminali del signor Zetes,praticamente una sola avventura di prova per Kait, anche i poteri del cristallo potevano essere meglio rappresentati.
Comunque,nel complesso,la trilogia vale la pena di essere letta.
June 8, 2015
I'm having a really hard time rating this book, and it's whole series. I wanted to love this series but I just couldn't!
I didn't dislike it as you can see -> 3 full stars!
And I pretty much enjoyed the ride, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten to the end of this series. BUT STILL... Something was missing, I didn't fall for the characters. Mostly the main one. Kate.
Need to get back on this review, I'll have more time to straighten my thoughts and put them down in words.
Full review to come.
I didn't dislike it as you can see -> 3 full stars!
And I pretty much enjoyed the ride, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten to the end of this series. BUT STILL... Something was missing, I didn't fall for the characters. Mostly the main one. Kate.
Need to get back on this review, I'll have more time to straighten my thoughts and put them down in words.
Full review to come.
November 21, 2009
I really loved this book. The ending is perfect. Some of it you expect but some of it you don't. At first I though tit would be another vampire novel but it isn't. This is great for any teen to read who really likes fantasy. The book shows some evil, but it just briefly touches it. The book has some tense moments in it. I couldn't put this book down. I found this to be very exciting. LJ Smith has gotten me to read everything she has written. I didn't find a moment of dullness.
November 13, 2010
just love the ending when they say "i love you"
December 22, 2012
3,5 hvězdičky
Nebýt toho konce bych dala i víc, docela dobře se to četlo :)
Nebýt toho konce bych dala i víc, docela dobře se to četlo :)
May 20, 2016
Krásne finále série :)
September 5, 2016
It was ok I guess.
August 15, 2018
This was by far the worst book in the series. It character's relationships and decisions didn't make any sense. They simply didn't feel like people. I'm mad.
August 10, 2020
This is the cringiest book I've ever read.
May 1, 2024
After reading most of L.J. Smith's work...this is probably my third favorite series after The Vampire Diaries and Night World.
There was just something about these three books I enjoyed far more than I did with the Forbidden Game trilogy that I really can't put my finger on since there are the same familiar elements in all of Smith's books.
Forbidden romance and love triangles and paranormal elements...why does it trump the other one?
So of course, spoilers if you have not read the books because a few can not be avoided.
Kaitlyn Fairchild and her fellow mind-mates found the place they were looking for to help Gabriel get rid of the influence Mr. Zetes' crystal had on his abilities of draining energy constantly from others.
The ancient psychics calling to them had their own crystal, pure and untainted, to sustain life and psychic abilities but because Gabriel took human life...they couldn't help.
Not only that but only by using the good crystal to destroy the evil crystal would it take away the aspect of being a psychic vampire. They embrace the creed of not using violence and wouldn't help the teens fight against Zetes and the psychics on his side, minds warped to evil by the crystal's corruptive power.
The pilot study group before Kaitlyn, Rob, Anna, Lewis or Gabriel even arrived...
Across the miles, they were found and attacked by psychic force. The Fellowship's leader lost his life when the attack broke the crystal and the others decided to run away and abandon the island to find a new safe sanctuary, asking Kaitlyn and the others to join them.
They turned it down if Gabriel could not stay but...Gabriel was already gone.
No way to take away the evil inside, Gabriel has embraced it and left to go back and join Zetes.
Helping him to leave was a young woman they encountered on the way up North...Zetes' own daughter, Lydia! A spy claiming to be reformed to escape her father's tyranny but, ultimately, going back to the side clearly set up to win as well.
Kaitlyn was giving Gabriel her own life energy to keep him from doing harm to other people and in doing so, it brought them a closeness even more intimate then the web linking their minds to the others.
Kaitlyn discovered that Gabriel was in love with her despite Kaitlyn being with Rob.
All of them feel betrayed to learn that Gabriel has gone back to Zetes but they plan to try and save him...by using a shard of the broken ancient crystal. If it comes into contact with the corrupted crystal, both of them will be destroyed.
In order to get close enough, Kaitlyn makes a decision to leave Anna, Lewis and Rob to try and get close enough to Gabriel and the crystal.
Even if that means pretending to defect the evil side and using Gabriel's affections for Kaitlyn to seduce him. It isn't just Zetes or Joyce or Gabriel or Lydia that Kaitlyn will have to fool but the other psychics, driven insane with their boosted powers.
Telekinetics, astral projectors, those gifted with dowsing and those with the powers to learn the truth in a single touch...and driven mad with malicious intent.
We get into more horrific elements because we are dealing with psychological torture and altering brain chemistry. If you have claustrophobia, fear of water or fear of the dark...it will push your buttons in places.
Not to mention that it seems that having psychic abilities is treated like any kind of substance abuse and/or addiction to alcohol or drugs. Good kids gone bad and that is scary enough to think about on its own but being a teenager once before and a parent now...
All of the main characters go through arcs and even if most of the focus is on Kaitlyn and Gabriel, you get to see the changes. Other characters also get some development but not everyone gets a happy ending or at least not a straight leap into happiness...
The triangle between Kaitlyn, Gabriel and Rob have a few wrenches thrown into the situation but it is resolved and I will keep that under my hat.
The Dark Visions trilogy is a good one to check out if you haven't gotten around to it and enjoy the other series written by L.J. Smith. It is pretty much up to the reader to decide if they like something so all I can do is recommend giving this trilogy a chance.
There was just something about these three books I enjoyed far more than I did with the Forbidden Game trilogy that I really can't put my finger on since there are the same familiar elements in all of Smith's books.
Forbidden romance and love triangles and paranormal elements...why does it trump the other one?
So of course, spoilers if you have not read the books because a few can not be avoided.
Kaitlyn Fairchild and her fellow mind-mates found the place they were looking for to help Gabriel get rid of the influence Mr. Zetes' crystal had on his abilities of draining energy constantly from others.
The ancient psychics calling to them had their own crystal, pure and untainted, to sustain life and psychic abilities but because Gabriel took human life...they couldn't help.
Not only that but only by using the good crystal to destroy the evil crystal would it take away the aspect of being a psychic vampire. They embrace the creed of not using violence and wouldn't help the teens fight against Zetes and the psychics on his side, minds warped to evil by the crystal's corruptive power.
The pilot study group before Kaitlyn, Rob, Anna, Lewis or Gabriel even arrived...
Across the miles, they were found and attacked by psychic force. The Fellowship's leader lost his life when the attack broke the crystal and the others decided to run away and abandon the island to find a new safe sanctuary, asking Kaitlyn and the others to join them.
They turned it down if Gabriel could not stay but...Gabriel was already gone.
No way to take away the evil inside, Gabriel has embraced it and left to go back and join Zetes.
Helping him to leave was a young woman they encountered on the way up North...Zetes' own daughter, Lydia! A spy claiming to be reformed to escape her father's tyranny but, ultimately, going back to the side clearly set up to win as well.
Kaitlyn was giving Gabriel her own life energy to keep him from doing harm to other people and in doing so, it brought them a closeness even more intimate then the web linking their minds to the others.
Kaitlyn discovered that Gabriel was in love with her despite Kaitlyn being with Rob.
All of them feel betrayed to learn that Gabriel has gone back to Zetes but they plan to try and save him...by using a shard of the broken ancient crystal. If it comes into contact with the corrupted crystal, both of them will be destroyed.
In order to get close enough, Kaitlyn makes a decision to leave Anna, Lewis and Rob to try and get close enough to Gabriel and the crystal.
Even if that means pretending to defect the evil side and using Gabriel's affections for Kaitlyn to seduce him. It isn't just Zetes or Joyce or Gabriel or Lydia that Kaitlyn will have to fool but the other psychics, driven insane with their boosted powers.
Telekinetics, astral projectors, those gifted with dowsing and those with the powers to learn the truth in a single touch...and driven mad with malicious intent.
We get into more horrific elements because we are dealing with psychological torture and altering brain chemistry. If you have claustrophobia, fear of water or fear of the dark...it will push your buttons in places.
Not to mention that it seems that having psychic abilities is treated like any kind of substance abuse and/or addiction to alcohol or drugs. Good kids gone bad and that is scary enough to think about on its own but being a teenager once before and a parent now...
All of the main characters go through arcs and even if most of the focus is on Kaitlyn and Gabriel, you get to see the changes. Other characters also get some development but not everyone gets a happy ending or at least not a straight leap into happiness...
The triangle between Kaitlyn, Gabriel and Rob have a few wrenches thrown into the situation but it is resolved and I will keep that under my hat.
The Dark Visions trilogy is a good one to check out if you haven't gotten around to it and enjoy the other series written by L.J. Smith. It is pretty much up to the reader to decide if they like something so all I can do is recommend giving this trilogy a chance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews