Visions by Kimberly Readnour is the story of Heather Reiner, a teenager, gifted with clairvoyance, at least that is some people’s opinion. Living in Claytonville, Ohio had become difficult due to visions Heather revealed about a murder. Her mother, Vivian Reiner, moved her and Heather four hundred miles away in hopes of a fresh start. She meets the boy next door, Barry, and he introduces her to his friends. Unexpected events occur, some good causing Heather to feel better; others, causing Heather to have more visions, even discovering abilities she had not in the past. When Heather gets acquainted with Barry, she finds out about a little boy named Johnny that used to live in the house where she and her mother now live. He went missing ten years ago. This answers why she is having visions but she wants to learn more. Other primary characters in the story are Nicole, a new friend introduced by Barry and Detective Tanner, Nicole’s uncle. Mr. Barton was a great antagonist. I did not like him and I especially liked (hated) this character in Chapter 14. I expected he would do what he did, but it was gratifying to read the scene. Loved it! I was able to visualize Heather’s world and how it felt being a clairvoyant and having people ridicule, isolate and treat her like the scourge of her school. For me the story started in Chapter 2 and I was hooked in Chapter 3. I am a fan of paranormal stories and this one had enough mystery to keep me reading. Having Heather as a teenage clairvoyant worked well and it was a refreshing change from vampires, zombies, faeries and related fantasy characters. These passages are examples of the author’s talent and voice: “My pulse spiked as if fear itself had grabbed my heart and clutched it tightly,” – Chapter 2. “Tattoos sleeved his arms while studs and spikes lined her lips and eyelids,” – Chapter 12. ( )

2.5-3.0
I really liked how this book started out. It grabbed me from the get-go. I was definitely intrigued and wanted to know more about Heather and her abilities.

The writing flowed very nicely and it took me with it.


Soon I found a familiar scenario: Yet another story with a socially-awkward teenage girl and a gorgeous guy. I guessed that this gorgeous guy, who was likely the most gorgeous guy in the school, if not the universe, was going to give all the gorgeous, cute, attractive, and "normal" girls in his school a pass and go for our troubled, friendless, socially-inept, (but endearing as the story progressed) heroine with special powers – and I guessed right! Yeah!

The action scenes flowed seamlessly, though, and I got caught up in the excitement throughout. At times the action was so intense that the chapters just flew by.

I liked the ending -- of course I want to find out more...

It was really nice to experience how Heather learned to trust again, make friends again, and participate in life again. It was a feel-good experience for me.

The plot, however, lacked originality. Heather sees a ghost, tries to figure out what he is trying to tell her, figures out what he is trying to tell her, helps him move into the light... Sound familiar? It could have been an episode of Ghost Whisperer.

And, of course, the strange neighbor who acted weird from the moment they first saw him was the villain. A little too simplistic for my tastes. The crimes all wrapped up neatly (too neatly) and the unexpected twist ending I kept hoping for never came.

Maybe for a young reader, it might be nice to have clear lines between good and evil -- and some may be happy to find out that Barry is a good guy (or is he? We still don't know what he's hiding in regards to his mother and he does say "I love you" a bit too prematurely... Oh, I may just be looking for intrigue when there is none there... sigh).

A few aspects of the storyline just didn’t work for me. The pure stupidity of Heather and Barry's not contacting the police the minute they learn that Ryan is in danger baffles and angers me beyond belief. Why don't they contact their detective friend that night? Why don't Heather and Barry tell the police when they are already there?! Because they are afraid of being caught? Huh? I thought they are beyond that, or above that...

This delay in contacting the detective is an unrealistic drawing out of the story -- more like a tool to prolong suspense than a natural flow of the storyline. Much more realistic would be that Mr. Barton, after finding out that his secret is out, tries skip town that night (and Heather has to thwart him) -- it makes no sense for him to kidnap Ryan now. Or another possibility could be that Mr. Barton attempts to shut Heather up... that night.

I'm mixed in my reaction to this book because despite its negative points, this story certainly had some great pros -- most obviously Heather's positive personal development and the fast-paced action scenes.


( )