Phoebe Kitanidis

I started out Whisper a little bit unsure. The premise of Whisper gave me a chill while reading the blurb. Not the paranormal part, but the Joy and Jessica part. Something about those few lines detailing their relationship gave me chills.

Strictly speaking my only major complaint was with the unevenness to the narrative. More of the book was spent on watching Joy's perfect world crumble then it was on Joy and Jessica's relationship. Though the effect of Jessica's seemingly unending malice clearly effected Joy's life, and I could easily feel Joy's feelings on this matter, there was only snatches of their former close bond. Memories that flitted around to express just how polar opposite their relationship had become, but weren't fleshed out.

The rest of the book worked really well for me. Having my own polar opposite sister I identified with Joy's unease and awkwardness regarding her relationship with Jessica. Its hard to let go of those years when you felt so close and wanted to share similar ideas and hobbies. Not truly understanding how you went from being everything to each other and then suddenly being strangers seemingly over night. What did I say wrong? What did I do wrong? All those feelings of hurt and unhappiness that both girls felt, I've struggled with them myself. This had the unfortunate effect of making me tear up more often then not, but it made the book seem so much more real.

Despite the slow start, it felt like much of the central plot--helping Jessica--came in excited, rapid bursts between all of Joy's other worries. Hearing her friends' true thoughts, catching on that she was missing something (but not sure what exactly), frustration over the lack of real communication in her household--these things all swirled around as Joy attempted to puzzle out the strange thoughts and images she was getting from Jessica.

Jamie, who has his own family problems, was a good foil to Joy. His and his older brother Ben's relationship was similar to Joy and Jessica's--except whereas Ben (the older brother) could fit in easily, it was Joy (the younger sister) who fitted in well. The bond between the brothers was also kind of different, which I have a feeling has to do a lot with their own family issues, and I wish we could have seen more about them. Fleshed out that whole dynamic some. I also felt that together Joy and Jamie made a good team--quite frankly they were almost perfect for each other.

Joy's family was...I'm not sure dysfunctional really covers it properly. A lot comes out and will need to be talked about, discussed and put right. Not just regarding Jessica, but also regarding the complete oblivious cloud the family seemed to operate under. I think I felt the worse for Joy's father, who used willful ignorance to make it through most days. I don't think either parent was a 'bad' parent per say, or abusive, or neglectful, but Joy's mother tried to impose her views, her choices and expectations on everyone in the house. To varying degrees of failure and success.

This book both terrified and enthralled me. Some of the problems between Joy and Jessica so eerily mirrored issues I have with my sister that my gut clenched in anxiety. But then, that makes a wonderful book. Style can be polished as a writer publishes more novels, emotional connection however--you can't teach that I don't think. Its something you write into your stories without conscious thought and its something Kitanidis does extremely well.… (plus d'informations)

Looking for an out of the box read? I'll happily start this review by saying that this book will satisfy that need. Phoebe Kitanidis has done it yet again, writing a book that will keep you reading well into the wee hours of the morning. My attention was caught instantly by the fact that these two teens wake up in such an odd situation. I kept wondering how they could have completely forgotten everything. As I read on I realized that things were just a little too perfect in the town of Summer Falls. Ghosts, mystery...heatnaps? Oh yes. That's what you'll find inside Glimmer and so much more!

This story is told in alternating points of view, which actually works really well in the overall flow of things. Both Elyse and Marshall are vivid characters with just enough difference in their voices to make them easier to discern. Which is important, because a lot of times they will have the same thoughts. It's eerie, and slightly sweet. Still, what I loved was watching their struggle. As Elyse and Marshall discover who they once were, they realize how much they dislike those people. The reader gets to follow along as they figure out how to fight back and become better.

In case you're worried that Glimmer is all ghosts and no romance, let me assure you that there is a romance here. It just so happens to be a beautifully broken one. Here we have two people fighting to figure out where they came from, while working together to figure out where to go next. Elyse and Marshall have a lot of tough moments in the story (and some creepy ones as well), but Kitanidis balances it out with a bit of sweetness too. These two have their fair share of adorable moments together, and it makes everything even more worthwhile.

I'd love to say more, but I don't want to give anything away! The ghosts in this book are especially fantastic and different, but if I say more you won't have that part to uncover. So instead I'll just say that this is a read that is well worth your time! If you are looking for something outside the box. If you need a paranormal that strays away from the usual zombies, vampires and werewolves, pick up a copy of Glimmer. Just be prepared to read all night.… (plus d'informations)

Joy, her older sister Jessica and their mother are of a long line of femaile relatives who can Hear other people's Whispers. In other words, they can hear people's thoughts. Joy uses her power for good, pleasing her friends and classmates by delivering what they want. Cynical Icka (Jessica's nickname) uses her power to deliver hard, cruel truths. The two sisters couldn't be more different except for the power they share. What Joy doesn't realize is that Icka's power has become a burden she no longer wants, and soon Joy finds her power shifting in the same frightening way. When Joy senses that Icka is in trouble, it becomes an opportunity to corral her changing power and reconnect with her sister. This book started out slow and and wordy but becomes suspenseful and compelling once you get past it. It's more than a novel about girls with cool superpowers, though. There's a theme of with-power-comes-responsibility; both girls must learn how to cope with the changes in their abilities and the growth involved comes with pain and emotional angst. Teens who are fans of the paranormal will enjoy this getaway book.… (plus d'informations)