Review: Clarity by Kim Harrington

Title: Clarity
Series: Clarity #1
Author: Kim Harrington
Available: Now
Genre: Paranormal
Reading Level: YA
Source: Vine












Description via Goodreads:


When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth? 

This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats. 

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift. 
And a curse. 

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case - but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother - who has supernatural gifts of his own - becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?


My thoughts:


Clarity "Clare" Fern's abilities have earned her more than her fair share of bullying and teasing. She has a little thing called retrocognitive psychometry. She can pick up on memories just by touching things. Teamed up with her telepathic mother and an older brother who can talk to ghosts, they earn a living giving readings to the tourist community of Eastport. When the usually boring town discovers a tourist was shot at a local hotel, Clare finds herself enlisted to help the police solve the crime. This has her working closely with the dangerously handsome son of the new detective, and also the ex she can't forgive for doing her wrong. She is also attempting to prove the innocence of her brother, Perry, who was the last person to see the murdered girl alive, and finding it difficult to keep his secrets when working so closely with the police.



I devoured this book in practically one sitting. I loved both the main and secondary characters, and was very impressed with how well developed they were considering the book's length (242 pages). Clare is a sassy chick who refuses to let the her peers teasing get her down. When faced with their taunts, her quick witted nature always provides her with a snarky reply. I'm a girl who loves a book with a healthy serving of snark so this was greatly appreciated ;) I also absolutely adored Clare's eccentric mom, and the interactions between mother and daughter. I can just imagine the edge telepathy would provide when it comes to parenting, but I thought Clare's mom did a pretty great job of not overstepping boundaries while being a strong and consistent presence in her children's lives.


Now lets talk about the boys! This book is filled to the brim with cute boys! Perry is Clare's older brother and a bit of a womanizer. Gabriel is the new hottie in town, and he has the bad boy image down to an art. Clare's ex Justin is trying to win her back after an alcohol induced mistake (FYI Don't cheat on a psychic and expect to not get caught!). He actually seems like a great guy, but who can blame Clare for not being able to forgive his indiscretions. Nate is Perry's best friend, and an all around sweetheart. He works at the local paper as an intern, and while his role wasn't screaming love interest, I think he is a great match for Clare. So like I said lots and lots of boys with serious "book boyfriend" potential ;)


Clarity features such a great mix of paranormal elements, and a mystery that had me guessing until the very end. The author has a writing style I thoroughly enjoyed, and she did such an excellent job of executing the plot of this book. I felt like every possible hole had been filled. Towards the end of the book, we find Clare asking a very unlikely ally questions, and receiving some seriously cryptic answers in response. Now I'm fiending for book #2 in a bad, bad way. There are so many secrets left to unravel in the coastal town of Eastport. I have a feeling this just might be the beginning of a series I am going to love! Also keep in mind when recommending this to younger teens that Clare's wit isn't always PG, and where there is murder there will be violence. I'd be hesitant to recommend this to anyone under the age of 15.


Cover Thoughts: I love it! Totally how I pictured Clare while reading. The background really emphasizes that it takes place in a coastal town.

My Rating: