What do you think?
Rate this book
Dark Visions #1
Die dunkle Gabe
They said she had evil eyes...Eyes that saw what was not meant to be seen. Kaitlyn Fairchild was frightened by her uncanny talent, by the prophetic drawings that isolated her at school. Until she was invited to California, to attend the Zetes institute with four other psychically gifted students, in return for a college scholarship. It was a chance to begin again, to belong; a great adventure, with the promise of romance...with Rob, irresistible, yet strangely innocent...with dark, enigmatic Gabriel. Until they learn the truth about an experiment that threatens their sanity, and their lives. All they have is each other, and a perilous psychic link that can save - or destroy - them all...
304 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1994
36 people are currently reading
5310 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 290 reviews
February 28, 2020
I've lost count of how many times I've read this book so far, and it's still a great read. I can't wait for the romance storyline to kick in though, even if it is a love triangle!
8 out of 10
2020 -
Dear me this is cheesy in places!
8 out of 10
2020 -
Dear me this is cheesy in places!
November 3, 2011
Tak docela nechápu, proč je tolik protěžovaná série Upíří deníky, protože právě díky upírům nemá L.J.zrovna dobré jméno. Přitom právě série jako je Temné vize nebo Tajný kruh ukazují, že Smith psát umí a že její hrdinky nejsou jenom hloupoučké panenky zmítané krutostí osudu.
Kaitlyn se narodila s určitým darem. Má zvláštní oči a častokrát nakreslí to, co se později vyplní. Nutno podotknout, že jde spíše o špatné situace. Kait totiž předvídá smrt lidí. A právě díky této vlastnosti se stala vyvrhelem, od něhož se každý radši drží dál.
Jednou si ji ale zavolají do ředitelny, aby jí jedna žena učinila nabídku, která se neodmítá. A tak se Kait i po počátečním odmítnutí nakonec rozhodne zkusit zjistit, co vlastně umí a jak své schopnosti ovládat. Dostane se do Institutu, kde se setká s vrstevníky, kteří jsou na tom podpobně jako ona.
Musím říct, že se mi Kait docela líbila. Ze začátku knihy jsem nevěděla, co si o ni mám myslet, ale zamlouvalo se mi, jak se postupem času její osobnost vyvíjela. Jediné mínus je její první zamilovanost. Která se ovšem dá pochopit, protože nikdy neměla nikoho, kdo by ji měl rád pro to, jaká je (pokud pomineme otce).
Pak se mi samozřejmě líbil klasický bad boy - Gabriel. Ano, mám slabost pro věčně naštvané, nespolečenské, přesto naprosto tvrďácké, chytré a pohledné kluky. A i když to zatím nevypadá, že by mělo mezi ním a Kait něco vzniknout, jednoznačně kopu za jeho tým. Rob ať se jde bodnout.
Na Robovi mi vadilo to, jak strašně úžasný je. Nemám ráda dokonalost, i když může být jenom zdánlivá. Lewis a Anna byli zajímaví, ale příliš jsem se toho o nich nedozvěděla. No a záporáci byli pěkně tajemní.
Příběh mě příjemně překvapil svou propracovaností. Zápletka byla rozhodně zajímavá a takový vývoj událostí jsem nečekala. Jsem zvědavá, co se z toho vyklube dál. Snad bude pokračování brzo. Prozatím knize dávám 4 hvězdičky.
Kaitlyn se narodila s určitým darem. Má zvláštní oči a častokrát nakreslí to, co se později vyplní. Nutno podotknout, že jde spíše o špatné situace. Kait totiž předvídá smrt lidí. A právě díky této vlastnosti se stala vyvrhelem, od něhož se každý radši drží dál.
Jednou si ji ale zavolají do ředitelny, aby jí jedna žena učinila nabídku, která se neodmítá. A tak se Kait i po počátečním odmítnutí nakonec rozhodne zkusit zjistit, co vlastně umí a jak své schopnosti ovládat. Dostane se do Institutu, kde se setká s vrstevníky, kteří jsou na tom podpobně jako ona.
Musím říct, že se mi Kait docela líbila. Ze začátku knihy jsem nevěděla, co si o ni mám myslet, ale zamlouvalo se mi, jak se postupem času její osobnost vyvíjela. Jediné mínus je její první zamilovanost. Která se ovšem dá pochopit, protože nikdy neměla nikoho, kdo by ji měl rád pro to, jaká je (pokud pomineme otce).
Pak se mi samozřejmě líbil klasický bad boy - Gabriel. Ano, mám slabost pro věčně naštvané, nespolečenské, přesto naprosto tvrďácké, chytré a pohledné kluky. A i když to zatím nevypadá, že by mělo mezi ním a Kait něco vzniknout, jednoznačně kopu za jeho tým. Rob ať se jde bodnout.
Na Robovi mi vadilo to, jak strašně úžasný je. Nemám ráda dokonalost, i když může být jenom zdánlivá. Lewis a Anna byli zajímaví, ale příliš jsem se toho o nich nedozvěděla. No a záporáci byli pěkně tajemní.
Příběh mě příjemně překvapil svou propracovaností. Zápletka byla rozhodně zajímavá a takový vývoj událostí jsem nečekala. Jsem zvědavá, co se z toho vyklube dál. Snad bude pokračování brzo. Prozatím knize dávám 4 hvězdičky.
February 14, 2017
Hum. Not entirely convinced I liked this book.
This story is about a bunch of teenagers that have psychic powers and have always been bullied and isolated because of it. By miracle, a rich and old man takes interest in them and select them to be part of an experiment supposed to help them better understand their powers, he also generously offers them a scholarship to a really nice school and set funds aside for them to go to College. They have to move away from home and settle in California where they'll all be living in the same house.
I liked the friendship arc and the fact that they were extraordinary teenagers discovering and trying to control their powers. I also liked Gabriel's antagonism as well which brought a bit of action in the house.
The plot WAS enjoyable, but I didn't really understand the romance part of it. There was no character development at all in that regards and at the beginning of the book, the main heroine realises that she's "desperately" in love. Hum. Why does she love this guy? Okay, he is described as kind and handsome... but that's it. Two lines. And we're supposed to believe that they are made for each other ? That it was love at first sight for her ? Everything just happens to fast and it makes the story really awkward.
I would have liked the book better if L.J. Smith had just drop the romance altogether and focused ONLY on the actual plot. Because the underlying story IS compelling.
This story is about a bunch of teenagers that have psychic powers and have always been bullied and isolated because of it. By miracle, a rich and old man takes interest in them and select them to be part of an experiment supposed to help them better understand their powers, he also generously offers them a scholarship to a really nice school and set funds aside for them to go to College. They have to move away from home and settle in California where they'll all be living in the same house.
I liked the friendship arc and the fact that they were extraordinary teenagers discovering and trying to control their powers. I also liked Gabriel's antagonism as well which brought a bit of action in the house.
The plot WAS enjoyable, but I didn't really understand the romance part of it. There was no character development at all in that regards and at the beginning of the book, the main heroine realises that she's "desperately" in love. Hum. Why does she love this guy? Okay, he is described as kind and handsome... but that's it. Two lines. And we're supposed to believe that they are made for each other ? That it was love at first sight for her ? Everything just happens to fast and it makes the story really awkward.
I would have liked the book better if L.J. Smith had just drop the romance altogether and focused ONLY on the actual plot. Because the underlying story IS compelling.
June 22, 2012
Rating: 2.5 Stars
My introduction to L.J. Smith started with her Forbidden Game Series – a trilogy which immediately hooked me in and forced me to fall in love with it – so color me surprised to find another one of her trilogies, Dark Visions, to be strangely lacking in comparison. Perhaps it’s not fair for me to notice these egregiously obvious differences not only in the writing style, but in the character development as well, but I was disappointed.
Kaitlyn Fairchild has always been different from other girls around her, but it is her haunting eyes and prophetic drawings which cause her to become an outcast in society. When she is given the opportunity to learn more about her mysterious powers and finish out high school in California, she cannot resist. Kaitlyn and four other teens – Anna, Gabriel, Rob, and Lewis – all possess some type of psychic power and are submitted to daily tests to see the limitations and growth of their powers. However, not all is as it seems at the Institute and Kaitlyn and her new friends may unknowingly find themselves in grave peril.
For some reason, Dark Visions constantly reminded me of Kelly Armstrong’s The Darkest Powers Trilogy. In both, the first novel serves as a set up for the upcoming series as the protagonist meets other people who possess similar powers as her. However, where The Darkest Powers cast a strong heroine, interesting romance, and complicated friendships, Dark Visions failed to do that.
Kaitlyn is a likeable protagonist, but she lacks human flaws. Furthermore, her friendship with Anna, Lewis, and Rob seemed a little too easily made and failed to have any type of depth to it. Her romance with Rob originally comes across as being unrequited and silly for she thinks she is in love with him when she actually only has a crush on him, and the development of it was weak. In addition, I was disappointed to find that the horror I had come to associate with L.J. Smith from her Forbidden Game Trilogy was completely missing from this series! In basic terms, I was sorely disappointed.
Yet, this novel had one redeeming quality: Gabriel. In Gabriel I was able to find not only the ever-so-common tortured male protagonist, but I was also able to find depth. Gabriel’s past makes him a complicated character and his interactions with the other characters were interesting and different. In fact, throughout the novel, Gabriel was the only character who seemed to undergo any type of change. I had always loved how Smith made it a point to show how the experiences of her characters changed them, but I found that to be lacking in everyone except Gabriel in this book. I am definitely looking forward to learning more about him and uncovering his inner secrets.
Dark Visions was, by no means, a bad book. It was interesting; it had witty dialogue, and was a lot more humorous than The Forbidden Game. Furthermore, it contained an interesting plot-line that was extremely unique and which I find myself to be rather curious about. Yet, in a novel with a primarily character-driven plot, the cast of Dark Visions was sadly lacking. Nevertheless, I am eager to see how this unfolds in the sequels and can only hope that this series continues to improve. If nothing else, Dark Visions has taught me that L.J. Smith truly is human and even the best of writers can have disappointing stories.
You can find this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings
My introduction to L.J. Smith started with her Forbidden Game Series – a trilogy which immediately hooked me in and forced me to fall in love with it – so color me surprised to find another one of her trilogies, Dark Visions, to be strangely lacking in comparison. Perhaps it’s not fair for me to notice these egregiously obvious differences not only in the writing style, but in the character development as well, but I was disappointed.
Kaitlyn Fairchild has always been different from other girls around her, but it is her haunting eyes and prophetic drawings which cause her to become an outcast in society. When she is given the opportunity to learn more about her mysterious powers and finish out high school in California, she cannot resist. Kaitlyn and four other teens – Anna, Gabriel, Rob, and Lewis – all possess some type of psychic power and are submitted to daily tests to see the limitations and growth of their powers. However, not all is as it seems at the Institute and Kaitlyn and her new friends may unknowingly find themselves in grave peril.
For some reason, Dark Visions constantly reminded me of Kelly Armstrong’s The Darkest Powers Trilogy. In both, the first novel serves as a set up for the upcoming series as the protagonist meets other people who possess similar powers as her. However, where The Darkest Powers cast a strong heroine, interesting romance, and complicated friendships, Dark Visions failed to do that.
Kaitlyn is a likeable protagonist, but she lacks human flaws. Furthermore, her friendship with Anna, Lewis, and Rob seemed a little too easily made and failed to have any type of depth to it. Her romance with Rob originally comes across as being unrequited and silly for she thinks she is in love with him when she actually only has a crush on him, and the development of it was weak. In addition, I was disappointed to find that the horror I had come to associate with L.J. Smith from her Forbidden Game Trilogy was completely missing from this series! In basic terms, I was sorely disappointed.
Yet, this novel had one redeeming quality: Gabriel. In Gabriel I was able to find not only the ever-so-common tortured male protagonist, but I was also able to find depth. Gabriel’s past makes him a complicated character and his interactions with the other characters were interesting and different. In fact, throughout the novel, Gabriel was the only character who seemed to undergo any type of change. I had always loved how Smith made it a point to show how the experiences of her characters changed them, but I found that to be lacking in everyone except Gabriel in this book. I am definitely looking forward to learning more about him and uncovering his inner secrets.
Dark Visions was, by no means, a bad book. It was interesting; it had witty dialogue, and was a lot more humorous than The Forbidden Game. Furthermore, it contained an interesting plot-line that was extremely unique and which I find myself to be rather curious about. Yet, in a novel with a primarily character-driven plot, the cast of Dark Visions was sadly lacking. Nevertheless, I am eager to see how this unfolds in the sequels and can only hope that this series continues to improve. If nothing else, Dark Visions has taught me that L.J. Smith truly is human and even the best of writers can have disappointing stories.
You can find this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings
July 18, 2019
I.... kind of loved this book? Weirdly prescient as to Silicon Valley and bullshit corporations, spooky, weird, FBI-psyops stuff, and a character who is basically Goth Mr Burns. I ENJOYED IT I TELL YOU.
I read this for our podcast Teenage Scream, which dissects the best (and worst) of 90s Teen Horror.
https://soundcloud.com/teenagescream
I read this for our podcast Teenage Scream, which dissects the best (and worst) of 90s Teen Horror.
https://soundcloud.com/teenagescream
August 4, 2019
Just re-read this for Teenage Scream podcast (lovingly dissecting the best and worst of 90s teen horror):
https://soundcloud.com/teenagescream
https://soundcloud.com/teenagescream
February 1, 2016
Source: I own a bind up this book.
Cost: Free gift
Title: The Strange Power
Series: The Dark Visions #1
Author: L.J. Smith
Overall Rating: 4 stars
This might be the only bind up of LJ Smith's that I haven't read yet, and this beginning book was so good that I'm wondering why it's taken me so long to get round to them!
Part of me expected a witch related book, and at first that's what I thought I was getting. The opening line of this book is literally, "You don't invite the local witch to parties." But this story turned out to be based upon psychic powers which is interesting. I've never really read anything about psychics before so this was really good. As always, Smith's character building and world building was phonomenal and left me wanting more, as I have the day off uni, I'll definitely be visiting this series again tomorrow.
Cost: Free gift
Title: The Strange Power
Series: The Dark Visions #1
Author: L.J. Smith
Overall Rating: 4 stars
This might be the only bind up of LJ Smith's that I haven't read yet, and this beginning book was so good that I'm wondering why it's taken me so long to get round to them!
Part of me expected a witch related book, and at first that's what I thought I was getting. The opening line of this book is literally, "You don't invite the local witch to parties." But this story turned out to be based upon psychic powers which is interesting. I've never really read anything about psychics before so this was really good. As always, Smith's character building and world building was phonomenal and left me wanting more, as I have the day off uni, I'll definitely be visiting this series again tomorrow.
maybe-tbr
June 27, 2017You know a book is bad when you go into it with very low expectations and you can't even finish the mere 250 pages it contains.....yeah. That's how bad this book was
June 4, 2015
I'm going to give a full review once I finish the whole series. I'm actually going to review the full box set, since I can't stand this book cover. Isn't Kate supposed to be Red!?!! The girl on the cover is blond. And is that Rob on the cover... he get's a cover???
Gabriel!!!
Gabriel!!!
November 17, 2011
No né. :) Opravdové překvapení! :)
Říkají to všichni, řeknu to i já.. nesuďte L.J. Smith podle Upířích deníků!!
Říkají to všichni, řeknu to i já.. nesuďte L.J. Smith podle Upířích deníků!!
November 4, 2024
4,5*
~ milostný trojuholník (štýl bratov Salvatoreovcov)
~ 5 tínedžerov s paranormálnymi schopnosťami
~ tajomstvá
~ nebezpečenstvo
Presne som vedela, do čoho idem, a presne to som aj dostala. Nemôžem byť spokojnejšia. Priznávam sa, trošku som sa obávala sklamania, keďže som už veľmi dlhý čas nič od autorky nečítala, ale nakoniec sa mi knižka veľmi páčila.
Zo začiatku mi trošku pripomínala knižnú sériu The Naturals od Jennifer Lynn Barnes (ktorá mimochodom patrí k mojim obľúbeným), a preto som s nadšením otáčala stránky. Päť tínedžerov s paranormálnymi schopnosťami zhromaždení do jedného inštitútu, aby sa naučili svoje talenty ovládať... No neznie to skvelo?
Čo sa týka deja, nebolo v ňom veľa akcie a táto prvá knižka sa skôr sústredila na zoznámenie sa s postavami. Ale aj tak sa tam občas vtrhli nejaké náznaky toho, že nie všetko je tak, ako sa zdá, a nechávalo ma to neustále v pozore počas čítania.
Zo skúsenosti viem, že autorka obľubuje milostný trojuholník, v ktorom jeden chalan je ten milučký, kým druhý je ten takzvaný bad boy (tajomný a nebezpečný). A ten tróp nechýbal ani v tejto knihe a ja som si ho naplno užila.
Postavy boli tiež skvelé, aj keď osobne by som uvítala viac scénok s Anne a Lewisom, lebo tí dvaja sa mi zdali takí nedopracovaní a dúfam, že dostanú viac svetla v ďalšej knihe.
Knižka sa mi naozaj páčila a som iba rada, že som sa k nej konečne dostala. Autorkine knižky mi dodávajú príijemný pocit nostalgie, lebo na jej sérii Upírske denníky som vyrástla a určite sa aj k nim niekedy vrátim.
Teším sa na ďalšie časti a ak sa vám páči knižná séria The Naturals od Jennifer Lynn Barnes alebo seriály Wednesday a Gotham Knights, rozhodne sa na túto knižku pozrite! Samozrejme, nečakajte nič obrovské, čo vám odpáli mozog, ale ako oddychové čítanie to je dokonalé.
~ milostný trojuholník (štýl bratov Salvatoreovcov)
~ 5 tínedžerov s paranormálnymi schopnosťami
~ tajomstvá
~ nebezpečenstvo
Presne som vedela, do čoho idem, a presne to som aj dostala. Nemôžem byť spokojnejšia. Priznávam sa, trošku som sa obávala sklamania, keďže som už veľmi dlhý čas nič od autorky nečítala, ale nakoniec sa mi knižka veľmi páčila.
Zo začiatku mi trošku pripomínala knižnú sériu The Naturals od Jennifer Lynn Barnes (ktorá mimochodom patrí k mojim obľúbeným), a preto som s nadšením otáčala stránky. Päť tínedžerov s paranormálnymi schopnosťami zhromaždení do jedného inštitútu, aby sa naučili svoje talenty ovládať... No neznie to skvelo?
Čo sa týka deja, nebolo v ňom veľa akcie a táto prvá knižka sa skôr sústredila na zoznámenie sa s postavami. Ale aj tak sa tam občas vtrhli nejaké náznaky toho, že nie všetko je tak, ako sa zdá, a nechávalo ma to neustále v pozore počas čítania.
Zo skúsenosti viem, že autorka obľubuje milostný trojuholník, v ktorom jeden chalan je ten milučký, kým druhý je ten takzvaný bad boy (tajomný a nebezpečný). A ten tróp nechýbal ani v tejto knihe a ja som si ho naplno užila.
Postavy boli tiež skvelé, aj keď osobne by som uvítala viac scénok s Anne a Lewisom, lebo tí dvaja sa mi zdali takí nedopracovaní a dúfam, že dostanú viac svetla v ďalšej knihe.
Knižka sa mi naozaj páčila a som iba rada, že som sa k nej konečne dostala. Autorkine knižky mi dodávajú príijemný pocit nostalgie, lebo na jej sérii Upírske denníky som vyrástla a určite sa aj k nim niekedy vrátim.
Teším sa na ďalšie časti a ak sa vám páči knižná séria The Naturals od Jennifer Lynn Barnes alebo seriály Wednesday a Gotham Knights, rozhodne sa na túto knižku pozrite! Samozrejme, nečakajte nič obrovské, čo vám odpáli mozog, ale ako oddychové čítanie to je dokonalé.
March 24, 2020
*3.5 stars*
December 3, 2011
3,5
Když vám teď řeknu, že L. J. Smith napsala opravdu dobrou knihu, která dokonce dává smysl a jejíž hlavní hrdinka není psychicky labilní, nevolejte mi hned záchranku, prosím.
Bylo, nebylo, za sedmero horami a sedmero řekami, žila, byla Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn není jako ostatní děvčata jejího věku. Je totiž zvláštní - umí moc krásně kreslit. Jednou za čas se ale stane, že nenakreslí to, co nechtěla ona, ale nějaký její šestý smysl jí vedl ruku. A co ty kresby znamenají? Na to vždy přijde, až když se to něco stane.
Potom se ale objeví záhadný pan Zetes, který jí, a dalším zvláštním lidem, nabízí možnost přestěhovat se do institutu, kde budou pracovat na svých schopnostech a zjišťovat, čeho všeho jsou schopní.
Kdo by to byl řekl, že Smithová napsala knihu, a dokonce celou sérii, která je takhle dobrá. Po velké katastrofě s Upířími deníky by se dalo říct, že se jejím knihám budu vyhýbat, všichni ale říkali, že Odhalení je o tolik lepší a lepší, takže jsem to musela alespoň zkusit.
Lidé se zvláštními schopnostmi, kteří jdou do výzkumného zařízení, aby se tam o nich dozvěděli co nejvíce? No, ještě mi řekněte, že to nezní alespoň trochu zajímavě!
Smithové se opravdu povedlo vytvořit něco, co dává hlavu a patu a je to napínavé a na úrovni!
Příběh se z větší části zaobírá všemi z institutu a odhaluje nám jejich schopnosti a okolnosti jejich příchodu do institutu. Tímto se autorka zabývá zhruba šedesát pěti procenty z knihy. A dělá tak opravdu dobře, protože tahle část je dobře vymyšlená a propracovaná.
Jenže aby to zase nebyla stará „dobrá“ Smithová a nepředvedla nám něco ze své romantiky, pokud tomu tedy chcete tak říkat. Na scénu nám totiž přichází dva kluci a mezi nimi je jedna dívka. Jeden je ochotný pro ni udělat cokoliv, a ten druhý se o ní naopak „jakoby“ nezajímá, ale ve skutečnosti k ní určitě bude chovat jisté city. A dívka se nemůže rozhodnout, komu dá přednost, protože, jak to tak vypadá, má slabost pro oba dva. Tyto dva afekty knihu dohromady narušují, ten jeden totiž nedává šanci tomu druhému, aby měl taky nějaký svůj osobní prostor. Takže děj přelétá od jednoho k druhému, nejdříve se seznamujeme se záhadnou stránkou této knihy, která má opravdu potenciál, aby se z ní vyklubalo ještě něco zajímavějšího. Potom ale do toho vstoupí romantická linie, která se snaží roztáhnout své pole působnosti, ale zase se děj vrací k první části, a takhle se to opakuje několikrát.
Kaitlynina zamilovanost je vlastně trochu roztomilá. Díky svým zvláštním očím a nadání nikdy neměla přátele a s nikým nikdy nechodila. Její pobláznění se dá přirovnat k láskám ve školce, kdy jste jeden den zasnoubeni s jedním „partnerem“ a druhý den si berete někoho jiného. Kaitlyn přelétá od jednoho chlapce k druhému a zvažuje své možnosti. Potom uhnízdí se svojí volbou a snaží se svoji „lásku“ získat, co nejdříve to jde a velice dětským způsobem, nad kterým se pousměje každý. Na jednu stranu jí to ale tak nějak přejete, protože je vážně ošklivé, když člověk nemá žádné kamarády.
Dalo by se říci, že díky své minulosti, není Kait žádná plachá a naivní holka, není odkázaná na záchranné mise ostatních, protože se vždycky musela spolehnout sama na sebe. A to z ní dělá příjemnou hlavní hrdinku.
Každý chceme být nejperfektnější, co to jde, ale čeho je moc, toho je příliš. A v tomto případě to platí obzvláště. Rob je ztělesněním perfektnosti. Milý, hodný, ochotný a odvážný kluk, až moc. Jakoby to ani nebyl normální člověk…
Za to Gabriel je ukázkový „bad boy“. Na ty má Smithová opravdové štěstí. Stvořila ho ale tak tajemného, že jsme se o něm opravdu nic moc nedozvěděli.
Když se chcete ponořit do tajů této knihy, nesmíte očekávat nic zas tak velkého, musíte se nechat překvapit, protože právě v tom je síla této knihy. A i když nepatří mezi žádné nováčky ve svém oboru, rozhodně dokáže zaujmout svou originalitou. Je to pohodové, oddychové čtení.
Když vám teď řeknu, že L. J. Smith napsala opravdu dobrou knihu, která dokonce dává smysl a jejíž hlavní hrdinka není psychicky labilní, nevolejte mi hned záchranku, prosím.
Bylo, nebylo, za sedmero horami a sedmero řekami, žila, byla Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn není jako ostatní děvčata jejího věku. Je totiž zvláštní - umí moc krásně kreslit. Jednou za čas se ale stane, že nenakreslí to, co nechtěla ona, ale nějaký její šestý smysl jí vedl ruku. A co ty kresby znamenají? Na to vždy přijde, až když se to něco stane.
Potom se ale objeví záhadný pan Zetes, který jí, a dalším zvláštním lidem, nabízí možnost přestěhovat se do institutu, kde budou pracovat na svých schopnostech a zjišťovat, čeho všeho jsou schopní.
Kdo by to byl řekl, že Smithová napsala knihu, a dokonce celou sérii, která je takhle dobrá. Po velké katastrofě s Upířími deníky by se dalo říct, že se jejím knihám budu vyhýbat, všichni ale říkali, že Odhalení je o tolik lepší a lepší, takže jsem to musela alespoň zkusit.
Lidé se zvláštními schopnostmi, kteří jdou do výzkumného zařízení, aby se tam o nich dozvěděli co nejvíce? No, ještě mi řekněte, že to nezní alespoň trochu zajímavě!
Smithové se opravdu povedlo vytvořit něco, co dává hlavu a patu a je to napínavé a na úrovni!
Příběh se z větší části zaobírá všemi z institutu a odhaluje nám jejich schopnosti a okolnosti jejich příchodu do institutu. Tímto se autorka zabývá zhruba šedesát pěti procenty z knihy. A dělá tak opravdu dobře, protože tahle část je dobře vymyšlená a propracovaná.
Jenže aby to zase nebyla stará „dobrá“ Smithová a nepředvedla nám něco ze své romantiky, pokud tomu tedy chcete tak říkat. Na scénu nám totiž přichází dva kluci a mezi nimi je jedna dívka. Jeden je ochotný pro ni udělat cokoliv, a ten druhý se o ní naopak „jakoby“ nezajímá, ale ve skutečnosti k ní určitě bude chovat jisté city. A dívka se nemůže rozhodnout, komu dá přednost, protože, jak to tak vypadá, má slabost pro oba dva. Tyto dva afekty knihu dohromady narušují, ten jeden totiž nedává šanci tomu druhému, aby měl taky nějaký svůj osobní prostor. Takže děj přelétá od jednoho k druhému, nejdříve se seznamujeme se záhadnou stránkou této knihy, která má opravdu potenciál, aby se z ní vyklubalo ještě něco zajímavějšího. Potom ale do toho vstoupí romantická linie, která se snaží roztáhnout své pole působnosti, ale zase se děj vrací k první části, a takhle se to opakuje několikrát.
Kaitlynina zamilovanost je vlastně trochu roztomilá. Díky svým zvláštním očím a nadání nikdy neměla přátele a s nikým nikdy nechodila. Její pobláznění se dá přirovnat k láskám ve školce, kdy jste jeden den zasnoubeni s jedním „partnerem“ a druhý den si berete někoho jiného. Kaitlyn přelétá od jednoho chlapce k druhému a zvažuje své možnosti. Potom uhnízdí se svojí volbou a snaží se svoji „lásku“ získat, co nejdříve to jde a velice dětským způsobem, nad kterým se pousměje každý. Na jednu stranu jí to ale tak nějak přejete, protože je vážně ošklivé, když člověk nemá žádné kamarády.
Dalo by se říci, že díky své minulosti, není Kait žádná plachá a naivní holka, není odkázaná na záchranné mise ostatních, protože se vždycky musela spolehnout sama na sebe. A to z ní dělá příjemnou hlavní hrdinku.
Každý chceme být nejperfektnější, co to jde, ale čeho je moc, toho je příliš. A v tomto případě to platí obzvláště. Rob je ztělesněním perfektnosti. Milý, hodný, ochotný a odvážný kluk, až moc. Jakoby to ani nebyl normální člověk…
Za to Gabriel je ukázkový „bad boy“. Na ty má Smithová opravdové štěstí. Stvořila ho ale tak tajemného, že jsme se o něm opravdu nic moc nedozvěděli.
Když se chcete ponořit do tajů této knihy, nesmíte očekávat nic zas tak velkého, musíte se nechat překvapit, protože právě v tom je síla této knihy. A i když nepatří mezi žádné nováčky ve svém oboru, rozhodně dokáže zaujmout svou originalitou. Je to pohodové, oddychové čtení.
December 10, 2011
Prvé dojmy: som zvedavá ako to bude pokračovať...
Celkové dojmy
Po tom, čo som prečítala štyri diely Upírskych denníkov od L.J. Smith, povedala som, že už od nej nechcem nič čítať. (Recenziu na všetky štyri diely naraz si môžete prečítať tu). No potom ako som čítala mnohé pochvalné recenzie na túto knihu, tak som sa rozhodla svoje slovo porušiť a dať autorke ešte jednu šancu. A neľutovala som. Síce to nie je majstrovské dielo, ktoré by sa malo nejako zapísať do dejín, ale je to čitateľné, napínavé a lepšie ako Denníky.
Preklad a štýl písania
Som prekladom som nemala problém a aj štýl písania autorky nebol zlý. Dokonca som prišla na to, kde spravila chybu pri denníkoch. V ľúbostnom trojuholníku a celkovo popise lásky. To jej naozaj nejde. Akcia, popisy postáv to áno, ale láska nie. Vzhľadom na to, že denníky boli takmer výhradne len o tom, tak boli zlé. Tu sa prvý diel sústredil na Kaitlyn, jej moc a jej nových priateľov v Zetesovom inštitúte. A to čo ich tam čaká. Áno autorka zabŕdne aj do lásky a s ňou priamo spadne do ľúbostného trojuholníka (príde mi, že inú milostnú zápletku asi ani nepozná) a tie časti knihy nie sú dobré. Nepáči sa mi ako to opisuje a čo s tými postavami robí.
Postavy
Hlavnou postavou je Kaitlyn. Je to zaujímavá osoba. Cíti sa byť prekliata, lebo má dar. Dar, ktorého sa všetci desia a ona ho nevie ovládať. A preto, keď jej ponúknu miesto v Zetesovom inštitúte, ktoré jej chce s darom pomôcť a ešte za to aj dostane štedré štipendium, neváha a miesto prijíma. Kaitlyn sa mi celkom páčila ako postava. Bola to taká typická tínedžerka s netypickým darom. Hlavne jej dar sa mi páčil. Bolo fajn, že ho nevedela presne ovládať, že hneď nevedela, čo to znamená. Nechalo to pekne miesto na vývoj príbehu. A dynamiku.
Rob. Ten dobrák. Ten, do ktorého sa dievča zamiluje, lebo je pekný a ani o tom nevie. Nevie čo jeho prítomnosť robí s dievčatami. O Robovi neviem čo si mám myslieť. Podľa mňa to nie je príliš dobre vymyslená postava. Jeho povaha a nevinnosť je neprirodzená. Divná. Nepáči sa mi.
Gabriel. Ten zloduch, ktorý nie je taký, akým sa zdá. Plný tajomstiev, ktoré odmieta odhaliť. Dievčatá mu podľahnú ani nevedia ako. Toto je lepšia postava. Síce je trochu klišé, ale pravdepodobnejšie ako Rob. A ja by som si vybrala jeho. Asi aj napriek jeho minulosti. (A lebo viem, že je to kniha, kde sa všetko zlé na dobré obráti)
Zvyšný dvaja priatelia neboli až takí zaujímaví. V niečom veľmi nevynikali, ak nerátame ich schopnosti.
A nakoniec...
Ak vás Upírske denníky odstrašili, Temných vízii sa zatiaľ nemusíte báť. Prvý diel je naozaj vydarený. Ja by som ho prečítala za štyri hodiny, keby som mala toľko času v jednom kuse. Nie je to veľké a ľahko napísané. Napínavé a sú tam zvraty, ktoré som nečakala. Dajte tomu šancu, neoľutujete.
Ja už len dodám, že som zvedavá či autorka vytrvala v tom dobrom nábehu, ktorým začala a ešte príbeh vygradovala alebo spadla do klišé, ktoré nám už predviedla v denníkoch. Budem dúfať v prvú možnosť, lebo ak ma ešte raz sklame, tak ma už asi nikto nepresvedčí o tom, že autorka vie písať.
Celkové dojmy
Po tom, čo som prečítala štyri diely Upírskych denníkov od L.J. Smith, povedala som, že už od nej nechcem nič čítať. (Recenziu na všetky štyri diely naraz si môžete prečítať tu). No potom ako som čítala mnohé pochvalné recenzie na túto knihu, tak som sa rozhodla svoje slovo porušiť a dať autorke ešte jednu šancu. A neľutovala som. Síce to nie je majstrovské dielo, ktoré by sa malo nejako zapísať do dejín, ale je to čitateľné, napínavé a lepšie ako Denníky.
Preklad a štýl písania
Som prekladom som nemala problém a aj štýl písania autorky nebol zlý. Dokonca som prišla na to, kde spravila chybu pri denníkoch. V ľúbostnom trojuholníku a celkovo popise lásky. To jej naozaj nejde. Akcia, popisy postáv to áno, ale láska nie. Vzhľadom na to, že denníky boli takmer výhradne len o tom, tak boli zlé. Tu sa prvý diel sústredil na Kaitlyn, jej moc a jej nových priateľov v Zetesovom inštitúte. A to čo ich tam čaká. Áno autorka zabŕdne aj do lásky a s ňou priamo spadne do ľúbostného trojuholníka (príde mi, že inú milostnú zápletku asi ani nepozná) a tie časti knihy nie sú dobré. Nepáči sa mi ako to opisuje a čo s tými postavami robí.
Postavy
Hlavnou postavou je Kaitlyn. Je to zaujímavá osoba. Cíti sa byť prekliata, lebo má dar. Dar, ktorého sa všetci desia a ona ho nevie ovládať. A preto, keď jej ponúknu miesto v Zetesovom inštitúte, ktoré jej chce s darom pomôcť a ešte za to aj dostane štedré štipendium, neváha a miesto prijíma. Kaitlyn sa mi celkom páčila ako postava. Bola to taká typická tínedžerka s netypickým darom. Hlavne jej dar sa mi páčil. Bolo fajn, že ho nevedela presne ovládať, že hneď nevedela, čo to znamená. Nechalo to pekne miesto na vývoj príbehu. A dynamiku.
Rob. Ten dobrák. Ten, do ktorého sa dievča zamiluje, lebo je pekný a ani o tom nevie. Nevie čo jeho prítomnosť robí s dievčatami. O Robovi neviem čo si mám myslieť. Podľa mňa to nie je príliš dobre vymyslená postava. Jeho povaha a nevinnosť je neprirodzená. Divná. Nepáči sa mi.
Gabriel. Ten zloduch, ktorý nie je taký, akým sa zdá. Plný tajomstiev, ktoré odmieta odhaliť. Dievčatá mu podľahnú ani nevedia ako. Toto je lepšia postava. Síce je trochu klišé, ale pravdepodobnejšie ako Rob. A ja by som si vybrala jeho. Asi aj napriek jeho minulosti. (A lebo viem, že je to kniha, kde sa všetko zlé na dobré obráti)
Zvyšný dvaja priatelia neboli až takí zaujímaví. V niečom veľmi nevynikali, ak nerátame ich schopnosti.
A nakoniec...
Ak vás Upírske denníky odstrašili, Temných vízii sa zatiaľ nemusíte báť. Prvý diel je naozaj vydarený. Ja by som ho prečítala za štyri hodiny, keby som mala toľko času v jednom kuse. Nie je to veľké a ľahko napísané. Napínavé a sú tam zvraty, ktoré som nečakala. Dajte tomu šancu, neoľutujete.
Ja už len dodám, že som zvedavá či autorka vytrvala v tom dobrom nábehu, ktorým začala a ešte príbeh vygradovala alebo spadla do klišé, ktoré nám už predviedla v denníkoch. Budem dúfať v prvú možnosť, lebo ak ma ešte raz sklame, tak ma už asi nikto nepresvedčí o tom, že autorka vie písať.
July 1, 2014
A friend from work let me borrow this book. And I immediately seized the opportunity. I mean It's L.J Smith, one of my favourite authors. The original The Vampire Diaries-not the books based on the cw tv network, but original those were some damned good books! The writing style, even though it was from the view point of a teenager sounded kind of old school and I really liked that. So the writing style for The strange power was kind of the same, I felt myself forgetting that it was from the view on a teenager. I expected maybe some parallels to TVD, partly because I wanted them. Lol Anyway, The strange power was really likeable. It was. It was also a fairly quick read I finished it in two days. However from start to finish, It was indistinguishable the amount of days that passed. It seemed, and their was no evidence to prove otherwise, that only a few days had passed. Already after a few days, the main character had fallen irrevocably in love with Rob the healer. After a few days. I get the insta-attraction. But that's lust baby! But she was all sweaty palms, heart flops and all that lovey dovey bullshit. If it would have been over a period of time, I could have gotten into it. But it wasn't it lacked. Now there's a feeling of emptiness like a part of the plot is missing. It went from 0 to sixty, in 0. I still plan on reading book two and three. Because I hate not finishing series, and it wasn't that bad. And I've read some really shit-tastic books lately. So on to the next one.
February 25, 2015
2015 Reading Challenge
- A book by a female author
- A mystery or thriller
- A book at the bottom of your to-read list
- A trilogy (#1 of 3)
- A book with a love triangle
- A book set in high school
- A book with magic
I'm only re-reading this trilogy to finally finish it. I started this series way back in middle school but never got around to reading the last book. It took so long to find the third book that I needed to re-read the first two and just never did. This is very much YA reading. I have found it almost painful at times to read this book as an adult. Having out grown my adolescent hyper-romanticized ideals of a good love story, the "I barely know you but I am now completely and totally in love with you" shtick just irks me. If you have only spoken a handful of sentences to someone you most certainly are not in love with them.
The sci-fi/magic element to the story is interesting. The evil villain is a bit trite, but again, YA fiction.
This was never my favorite of L.J. Smith's series' and I'm quickly remembering why. I just need to make it through two more books so I can finally check this one off my list.
- A book by a female author
- A mystery or thriller
- A book at the bottom of your to-read list
- A trilogy (#1 of 3)
- A book with a love triangle
- A book set in high school
- A book with magic
I'm only re-reading this trilogy to finally finish it. I started this series way back in middle school but never got around to reading the last book. It took so long to find the third book that I needed to re-read the first two and just never did. This is very much YA reading. I have found it almost painful at times to read this book as an adult. Having out grown my adolescent hyper-romanticized ideals of a good love story, the "I barely know you but I am now completely and totally in love with you" shtick just irks me. If you have only spoken a handful of sentences to someone you most certainly are not in love with them.
The sci-fi/magic element to the story is interesting. The evil villain is a bit trite, but again, YA fiction.
This was never my favorite of L.J. Smith's series' and I'm quickly remembering why. I just need to make it through two more books so I can finally check this one off my list.
November 1, 2011
un libro di L.J. Smith lo si riconosce subito: una ragazza incontra un bellissimo ragazzo e se ne innamora perdutamente a prima vista, poi c'è il solito ragazzo misterioso e con un cattivo carattere. lei si innamora di lui segretamente ma si mette con il ragazzo buono. forse cambia la cornice che la Smith fa intorno a questo ma alla fine la storia centrale è sempre la stessa. almeno, questo è ciò che penso io.
August 10, 2019
2.5 stars. I definitely didn't hate this book but it had a very l.j.smith annoying insta love and an annoying immature main character. The rest of the book was great and i will read the rest of the bind-up.
January 20, 2013
Tohle je první kniha od L.J. Smith, co jsem četla, a musím říct, že měla úžasný nápad. Všechno bylo tak dokonale promyšlené a zvraty, které se objevily, nebyly nijak nucené. Zkrátka pohodová kniha!
August 28, 2023
For a more detailed review, check out my review below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
December 12, 2016
The whole thing felt like a rehashing of her previous books , especially the Vampire Diaries .
Although the MC's witchy eyes reminded me of Alexandra Daddario.
November 6, 2024
The Strange Power is an intriguing premise with a promising start. The concept of a group of bullied teenagers discovering their psychic abilities and forming a unique bond is compelling.
However, the execution of the romance subplot feels rushed and underdeveloped. The sudden declaration of love lacks the necessary emotional depth and connection between the characters. Additionally, the character development, particularly for the main character, could have been more nuanced.
Despite these flaws, the book offers an interesting world-building and a solid foundation for future installments. The exploration of the characters' powers and the potential for exciting supernatural encounters is promising.
While The Strange Power is a decent read, it falls short of its full potential.
However, the execution of the romance subplot feels rushed and underdeveloped. The sudden declaration of love lacks the necessary emotional depth and connection between the characters. Additionally, the character development, particularly for the main character, could have been more nuanced.
Despite these flaws, the book offers an interesting world-building and a solid foundation for future installments. The exploration of the characters' powers and the potential for exciting supernatural encounters is promising.
While The Strange Power is a decent read, it falls short of its full potential.
March 19, 2020
I looooooved L.J. Smith books in middle and high school and have been wanting to revisit some of them for a while. I've re-read both the Secret Circle trilogy and the Forbidden Game trilogy within the last decade, but probably haven't read Dark Visions since high school. I found myself balking at some of the character descriptions (repeated references to Lewis's "almond shaped eyes") and I found Katilyn more annoying from my adult perspective than I did as a teenager, but overall still an enjoyable read.
March 29, 2017
The Vampire Diaries will always be one of my favorite book series and because of that Lisa will always have a place in my heart but I think maybe it's very different to read L.J Smith when you have fifteen than To read her when you have twenty four or maybe this one wasn't of her best because I found it very lacking.
The plot was very promising but I found the execution being very poor. Kait pissed the fuck out of me most of the time because she was so dumb and naive and please don't even get me start on Robb. The only character that was decent in there was Gabriel (and I'm not saying this just because he reminds me of Damon) he was the only one who was interesting, besides him I found the other ones being very plain.
I almost DNF in a lot of moments, this just wasn't for me.
The plot was very promising but I found the execution being very poor. Kait pissed the fuck out of me most of the time because she was so dumb and naive and please don't even get me start on Robb. The only character that was decent in there was Gabriel (and I'm not saying this just because he reminds me of Damon) he was the only one who was interesting, besides him I found the other ones being very plain.
I almost DNF in a lot of moments, this just wasn't for me.
April 7, 2020
This is more of a moan on the romance in the book itself then the actual story, mostly because its what you'd expect from the author by now and it's kind of clear what's gonna end up happening. Normally I'm all for L.J Smith's style of romance for the heroine:
Her meeting the significant other, feeling the instant connection, the sparks, the combination of both which is "something she's never felt before" and blah blah blah you get the drift. Somehow this ends up with her falling in love mostly at "First Sight" and the guy typically reciprocating because you know they have this "weird connection"......aka a silver cord (a style of romance pretty unique to Smith, as can be seen in her other novels to have signified soulmate couples) which I've never had cause to complain about seeing as you know it was always with the RIGHT GUY!
.... And here in lies the problem: When we are first introduced to the lovely Kaitlyn we're given the impression of a mature and independent young teenager, who hasn't had it as easy as most of her classmates, but is far more intelligent then they are and possesses a somewhat cool head..... Which promptly ends up flying out the window as soon as she meets Rob, who by the end of this book seems to be her soulmate m
(Like what the f***??!)
She first meets Rob when they bump into each other (literally) and somehow she ends up with a bruise and because he has some kind of healing power and he's a nice guy he ends up healing it..... which is where it all goes wrong. By the end of this encounter she went though some kind of change where "She had never felt so refreshed-so alive." I'm sorry but this is typical for Smith, who normally makes this hint appear at least halfway reasonable enough to fit in with the storyline, through the guy being sort of, you know a bit more "aware" and a bit more intelligent.
Rob is a nice guy, a totally nice sweet guy who wouldn't hurt a fly and is totally oblivious to females of his age, most of whom find him some sort of attractive (Think Ash Ketchum). Except this time Rob has a legit reason for being oblivious to the female gender. He was in some kind of coma which gave him his powers, and to quote a character from the book also had its "defects". An example of this would be seen, as stated by the same characterer "...Like not knowing what girls are for." Which clearly has its ups and downs... but at the death of the rational protagonist, we're introduced to, who can't seem to see beyond a boy who thinks of her as a sister at best and nothing more (Ouch).
That unfortunately is only half the problem. Smith has an exceptional tendency, more so then any other author (in my opinion) to introduce unnecessary love triangles. These seem to fit into two catergories:
1)To make the male protagonist jealous
2) To serve as a whimsey second option that reminds the girl that the other guy is far superior and is the one for her.
Thankfully, a majority of the time these Love Triangles are useless and don't sever the soulmate's bond too badly and they all end up leaving happily and high on love.
..... But in this case I kinda hope the guy does break them apart and end up with the heroine. The guy in question is called Gabriel a brooding, dark and handsome bad boy with a decent heart and with a higher intelligence then Rob, who NOTICES and APPRECIATES Kaitlyn as a GIRL.
Smith shows Rob as Kaitlyn's Soulmate from what I can tell so far in this book which is an obviously idiotic mistake. Maybe it's my preference for the dark hero over the golden one or perhaps a desire for an intelligent and challenging male instead of an oblivious one. My problem is that she gives us Rob and then she gives us Gabriel and we then have to somehow accept Robb as Kaitlyn's soulmate. All because of a minute session where Rob looks her in the eyes and (FINALLY) sees her as a potential romantic partner. For a minute. After which he promptly forgets or ignores it. Until the end of the book where they have a repeat and she "heals" him of being unable to look at a girl romantically or something. Blergh
Whereas with Gabriel, as I've mentioned before, notices Kaitlyn and meets her head on as an equal, challenging her in whatever idiotic thing they've found themselves in and supporting her far more effectively at the few intervals he agrees with her, then Rob does consistently by her side.
Hence the problem, the stupid choice of her soulmate. Clearly her perfect partner is the dark bad boy who sees her as a somewhat equal and as a girl thoughout the book and not the oblivious golden boy who only sees her as a girl for like two whole minutes of it. Their idiotic love triangle is at this point from what I can see a choice between Rob the golden oblivious dolt, who unfortunately is her potential soulmate (which is only a guess, please please God do not let it be so) and Gabriel the preferable dark, brooding and intelligent bad boy. All I can do is at this point pray hard that Rob either ends up as dead (Sorry!) or isn't her soulmate at all... the latter being far preferable.
In conclusion, Rob is an idiot and Gabriel should totally be Kaitlyn's soulmate (although I'm starting to second guess her worthiness at this point)
Thus the ending to my(sickly)rant about the idiocy of Rob and Kaitlyn and the superior choice of Gabriel. Apologies for any grammatical errors and a lack of eloquence. Expect this to be edited. A lot.
Her meeting the significant other, feeling the instant connection, the sparks, the combination of both which is "something she's never felt before" and blah blah blah you get the drift. Somehow this ends up with her falling in love mostly at "First Sight" and the guy typically reciprocating because you know they have this "weird connection"......aka a silver cord (a style of romance pretty unique to Smith, as can be seen in her other novels to have signified soulmate couples) which I've never had cause to complain about seeing as you know it was always with the RIGHT GUY!
.... And here in lies the problem: When we are first introduced to the lovely Kaitlyn we're given the impression of a mature and independent young teenager, who hasn't had it as easy as most of her classmates, but is far more intelligent then they are and possesses a somewhat cool head..... Which promptly ends up flying out the window as soon as she meets Rob, who by the end of this book seems to be her soulmate m
(Like what the f***??!)
She first meets Rob when they bump into each other (literally) and somehow she ends up with a bruise and because he has some kind of healing power and he's a nice guy he ends up healing it..... which is where it all goes wrong. By the end of this encounter she went though some kind of change where "She had never felt so refreshed-so alive." I'm sorry but this is typical for Smith, who normally makes this hint appear at least halfway reasonable enough to fit in with the storyline, through the guy being sort of, you know a bit more "aware" and a bit more intelligent.
Rob is a nice guy, a totally nice sweet guy who wouldn't hurt a fly and is totally oblivious to females of his age, most of whom find him some sort of attractive (Think Ash Ketchum). Except this time Rob has a legit reason for being oblivious to the female gender. He was in some kind of coma which gave him his powers, and to quote a character from the book also had its "defects". An example of this would be seen, as stated by the same characterer "...Like not knowing what girls are for." Which clearly has its ups and downs... but at the death of the rational protagonist, we're introduced to, who can't seem to see beyond a boy who thinks of her as a sister at best and nothing more (Ouch).
That unfortunately is only half the problem. Smith has an exceptional tendency, more so then any other author (in my opinion) to introduce unnecessary love triangles. These seem to fit into two catergories:
1)To make the male protagonist jealous
2) To serve as a whimsey second option that reminds the girl that the other guy is far superior and is the one for her.
Thankfully, a majority of the time these Love Triangles are useless and don't sever the soulmate's bond too badly and they all end up leaving happily and high on love.
..... But in this case I kinda hope the guy does break them apart and end up with the heroine. The guy in question is called Gabriel a brooding, dark and handsome bad boy with a decent heart and with a higher intelligence then Rob, who NOTICES and APPRECIATES Kaitlyn as a GIRL.
Smith shows Rob as Kaitlyn's Soulmate from what I can tell so far in this book which is an obviously idiotic mistake. Maybe it's my preference for the dark hero over the golden one or perhaps a desire for an intelligent and challenging male instead of an oblivious one. My problem is that she gives us Rob and then she gives us Gabriel and we then have to somehow accept Robb as Kaitlyn's soulmate. All because of a minute session where Rob looks her in the eyes and (FINALLY) sees her as a potential romantic partner. For a minute. After which he promptly forgets or ignores it. Until the end of the book where they have a repeat and she "heals" him of being unable to look at a girl romantically or something. Blergh
Whereas with Gabriel, as I've mentioned before, notices Kaitlyn and meets her head on as an equal, challenging her in whatever idiotic thing they've found themselves in and supporting her far more effectively at the few intervals he agrees with her, then Rob does consistently by her side.
Hence the problem, the stupid choice of her soulmate. Clearly her perfect partner is the dark bad boy who sees her as a somewhat equal and as a girl thoughout the book and not the oblivious golden boy who only sees her as a girl for like two whole minutes of it. Their idiotic love triangle is at this point from what I can see a choice between Rob the golden oblivious dolt, who unfortunately is her potential soulmate (which is only a guess, please please God do not let it be so) and Gabriel the preferable dark, brooding and intelligent bad boy. All I can do is at this point pray hard that Rob either ends up as dead (Sorry!) or isn't her soulmate at all... the latter being far preferable.
In conclusion, Rob is an idiot and Gabriel should totally be Kaitlyn's soulmate (although I'm starting to second guess her worthiness at this point)
Thus the ending to my(sickly)rant about the idiocy of Rob and Kaitlyn and the superior choice of Gabriel. Apologies for any grammatical errors and a lack of eloquence. Expect this to be edited. A lot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2019
I did not really enjoy. The plot and conflict was apparent within pages but yet the characters were oblivious. They acted much too childish for their age and many times I wanted to teleport into their world and give them a good slap of sense. Don’t even get me started on the “romance”, it was abhorable and lacked much development.
March 3, 2018
Overall, this was pretty bland, but it was an easy read, and I'm slightly interested in the sequel, so I *might* continue.
May 22, 2019
Fun to reread books from childhood!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews