Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore.
After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.
Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.
After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.
Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.
(From GoodReads)
My Review
Sometimes, I get in book ruts. I feel like I've read the same thing time and again. So when I read the synopsis for Brightest Kind of Darkness, I was thrilled to have something new and intriguing to dig into.
This book has a few valuable assets in it's favor. Starting with the main characters, Nara and Ethan. Separately, they are solid characters. Nara is amiable, resilient and athletic (definitely something I don't see in a lot of YA female characters). The story is told entirely through her point-of-view, so there is instant affinity towards her.
Nara's new friend/classmate/potential boyfriend, Ethan, is an asset to the book as well. He's steadfast, reliable and had the prerequisite handsome and mysterious characteristics. From the start, it is clear Ethan has a troubled past, and a shaky, at best, present. To be with Nara as she peels the layers from his exterior was alternately cool and sad.
The story becomes much more intriguing when Ethan and Nara begin to work together to uncover the truths behind their strange abilities, and how they tie together. I loved their partnership. The lead role alternated consistently between the two, lending a feeling of trust and mutual admiration. Nara never became domineering or unreasonable. Ethan never forced Nara to sit back and let him handle or control the situation.
My one glitch in the story would be the slow revelations. I sort of felt like I was out of the loop in regards to what the big secret was for too long. A lot of the answers to the questions I was asking myself did come. But I found myself growing impatient in the meantime.
All in all, I found Brightest Kind of Darkness to be a genuinely appealing book. Once again, I have to say that I loved the premise. Loved the fact that the story was different from a lot of the books out there. I found reading this book to be time well spent.
Favorite Quote:
"Ethan had this knack for leaving me breathless and teetering. Like a chair tilted on two legs, I was
never sure if I was going to topple over or land on solid ground."
Published June 27th 2011 by Patrice Michelle
Find Brightest Kind of Darkness at:
* I received a copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. *
Oh I'm happy to hear a good review on this. I just got a copy and am very intrigued by it :)
ReplyDeleteGiselle
Xpresso Reads
It's another amazing cover too. I'm paying a lot of attention to covers these days. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the premise - seeing the future and what happens when you try to change it. Sounds great!
Giselle,
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the book. It was a nice change.
Thanks for stopping by!
Kendall,
ReplyDeleteI know it sounds shallow, but a lot of the time I totally judge a book by it's cover.
The premise is great. I love that there was a domino effect and consequences angle.
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My biggest concern with this book is it sounds sort of final destination ish. lol. but the cover is so pretty, and if you liked it, I'll def. have to give it a try. :)
ReplyDeleteI judge books by the cover sometimes too. I know I shouldn't. lol
I'm glad you liked this book! I really enjoyed this one! You chose a GREAT quote too. ;)
ReplyDeleteApril,
ReplyDeleteI've never seen Final Destination, so I don't guess I know what you're talking about. Hasn't there been a lot of those movies? I do love the cover.
Angeline,
ReplyDeleteI kept seeing your tweets about this book. That's what got me excited to read it. I liked that quote so much.
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this was a great book. yes its like Final Destination...in a way. but so much better. I truly loved reading it and looking forward to more.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like an interesting book, I may just have to try it. I do agree that it does sound like the Final Destination movies. I liked the first one, so I would probably love this book. Great Review Andrea!
ReplyDeleteYeah, there are a bunch of movies.. this is the only description I could find of the first one.
ReplyDelete"After a young man's premonition of a deadly race-car crash helps saves the lives of his peers, Death sets out to collect those who evaded their end."
Twinmom,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked the book, too! I'll have to check out your review.
Thanks for stopping by The Bookish Babes!
Thanks so much! Hope you like it as much as I did.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Oooo....love the quote you picked! I agree, Ethan and Nara are fantastic characters on their own, and Nara did feel unique compared to the typical YA heroine. I loved their relationship. I know what you mean about the slow revelations, but I liked it. I thought Michelle did a great job keeping the mystery building at a slow burn, revealing just enough, and doing a lot with relationship development between Ethan & Nara. Great review Andrea!!! :)
ReplyDeleteExcitement, suspense, and mystery encircle this book. The storyline is unique and interesting. A truly creative plot that keeps the reader engaged and fascinated. Michelle's writing method flows like liquid. She avoids confusing time frame skips which helped this remarkable story's pace to not speed up, and more importantly, does not slow down. The mystery that envelops the story is gripping. It offered something new and exciting on each page which draws the reader in more and more.
ReplyDeleteThe character development is high-class. Nara is very interesting, pleasing, and very likable. Michelle has crafted such a great character that readers will defend her throughout the book. The perilous and defiant Ethan is every bit the bad-boy type but he was not a cliché. The book is all around refreshing and appealing that will have readers attentively waiting for the sequel.