Review: Insight by Jolene Perry

Insight (Shadows #1)
by Jolene Perry

Release Date: September 3, 2012
Publisher: Next Door Publishing
Pages: 367
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: Author
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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Micah hates her ability to “see” things when she touches people. She’s terrified of relationships, holds on to guilt over the death of her classmate, Lacey, and has no idea what to do with a vision from Landon, a boy from her school. She feels him falling for her, but Micah doesn’t do friends, much less relationships. Enter a spooky history project about a tragedy from three hundred years ago, and voodoo dolls that Micah somehow feels has to do with her gift. Suddenly she’s sure the shadows in the woods are following her every move—without Landon’s relaxed attitude about what’s happening in her life, Micah would be sure she’s going crazy. With no ideas on timing or specifics, the visions of both herself and the people she cares about are turning dark—and it appears the shadows around her house do move on their own. But as Micah and Landon try to prevent Micah’s visions of the future, the shadows close in, and they’re now afraid they’ve become the cause… Micah's story is the first of three girls, with unique talents, who are part of a 300 year old tragedy that follows them in the shadows.

ADD TO GOODREADS

Micah gets flashes when she touches people. They can be past, present, or future.  A very short yet usually intense glimpse into a major event that she both sees and feels. This has caused her to shy away from people and hate to make any contact. She has never told anyone about it. When she touches Landon, she sees herself, and feels his like and happiness. Her mom and dad are both moving on and have new love interests. Can Micah over overcome her fear and get close to someone?

I was so sad for Micah because she was missing out on so many opportunities for friendship and love. I also felt bad for the people she would avoid and push away just because she doesn't want to feel what their feeling. I guess I can understand as someone who doesn't even want to read depressing books! LOL But when she first meets Steven, a really sweet guy whose dad is abusing him she doesn't even comfort him because she doesn't want to feel his fear. I loved Steven but was happy the love triangle building was nipped in the bud pretty quick. As soon as she touches Landon and feels that he likes her, Micah's attention is solely focused on him. Her gift gave her the power to trust him. She sees that they will be together so she opens herself up to him. I loved seeing her little flashes. It allowed me to see how things might not be what they seem but also how they might be helpful or upsetting.

Landon was a nice guy but he has a reputation of a player. I was a bit skeptical of how quick he changed and it took me awhile to feel for him. He just had a bit of a too perfect and kind of plain personality. It was great that he accepted Micah's ability so easily...well after a little bit a proof. I could understand his frustration in Micah knowing what their future held when he didn't. That would really bug me. I know I would be demanding that she tell me everything she saw about me. Also at times when Micah saw things that she would blame him for he was really persistent and strong in his feelings to let her know he hasn't done anything and maybe she should look again. He helped her become comfortable with her gift which she always saw as a curse.

Micah hid her abilities for so long and it became a problem when she started getting flashes that may lead to disaster. The whole aspect of seeing the future and whether you really have the power to change it. Sometimes she wouldn't be sure if what she saw was past or future or if her trying to change the events was the cause in the first place. If you see someone getting in a car accident and try to call them to warn them, will that stop it? Or will them answering their phone while driving end up causing what you saw all along? I always find those plots fascinating. There was another side plot that I wished was developed more but I guess it will be in the next book. Micah and Landon were studying mythology, a specific story about shadows going after people with abilities. Micah saw shadows in the trees where she lives and Landon's dad always popped up really randomly and suspiciously but it was never explored any further in this book. Looking forward to seeing where that goes next!



"Knowing what he feels, knowing he wants this as much as I do, give me the need to have him closer. It feels like I'll never be tired of his lips on mine. Why did I ever fight against this?"

"And for the first time ever, I'm grateful for my gift. For the first time I see it as a gift. I would have never attempted talking to him if I hadn't seen what I aw the first day we touched."

He climbs over the back of his couch and grabs me into a hug.
Us dancing. His hands slide across the blue silk. Love. Contentment.
Wow. Prom. It sort of got lost in the shuffle.
"Gonna tell me? Or are you still on the no-telling policy." He raises a brow.
"Never going to be on the no-telling policy again. You're taking me to Prom" I smile.
"Well, I guess that's the easy way to ask." He laughs.

"I can't believe you're choosing to be a part of this." This horrible thing I do.
"I'm choosing to be a part of you."

Rating: 4/5

Come back tomorrow for my blog tour stop with a review and giveaway of the next book in the series, Manipulation!