Review Detail

First of all, I have a small confession. You know that saying "Don't judge a book by its cover"? That totally doesn't adhere to me - at least, with real books. (Don't worry, guys, I don't stick stereotypes on new people I meet or any of that nonsense.) As a rule, I'm not fond of models on covers - they just look so...fake and unlike real teens that it's hard to attach myself to the storyline or the character inside, because that image is already stuck in my mind.

Clarity's cover is digitally created, which is just as bad because it's...just bad. At least to me. I currently have the book next to me, face down, because I can't stand the girl on the cover staring at me. Paranoid much? I don't think so.

The book covers...they always watch you. *cue creepy music*

Alright. Clarity is one of those reads I wish I had more good things to say about, because I was really looking forward to it. The first chapter starts out well enough. We meet Clarity "Clare" Fern. She, her brother and her mom are psychics by trade. Unlike most night crawlers with neon signs and crystal balls, however, they really do have special abilities. Mommy Fern can read minds; Perry can conjure up spirits; and the heroine herself can read the memories left behind on objects.

Convenient, right? Especially when a killer strikes, leaving a young tourist dead in a motel room with a lack of evidence and too many questions. To me, this was the part when the novel started to make its descent into "Kaye does not approve" territory. Perry is a total womanizer. His own sister makes it clear from the moment that he enters the novel. Unfortunately for him - and the reader - it isn't the last we hear of it. The woman who died was his last fling, and he's the number one suspect. The author tries to drum up sympathy for him throughout the plot, but really...I cannot tolerate a guy with a lack of morals. Call me old-fashioned, but isn't there still a guy out there who believes in monogamy and fidelity and all that good stuff?

Of course, there is also the (rather weak, in my opinion) love triangle tossed in as well - Clare's ex-boyfriend Justin who cheated on her and realized he can't live without her, so he wants her to take him back (gag) and the new detective's "smoldering" son who apparently attracts her with his constant mysterious "I like you, but I can't because you're a phony and...my past...I just...I can't" (chokes up manfully).

As you can see, I don't go easy on male characters in novels. YOU CAN LIVE WITHOUT HIM, GIRLS. WAIT FOR THE ONE WHO HOLDS OPEN YOUR DOOR AND DOESN'T EYE THE WAITRESS OVER THE ENTREES. FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT!