Book Review - Clarity Castle by Marie-Hélène Lebeault

Clarity Castle by Marie-Hélène Lebeault
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.

What a fantastic book this was ... or, is?

"Clarity Castle," by fellow Canadian Marie-Hélène Lebeault, is a journey into the metaphysical realm, as stressed-out sixteen-year-old high school student Clare Knox, an English-speaking Quebecois, comes across a castle in the gravel pit where none had previously existed. There, she is introduced to many different versions of herself - a multiverse of Clare, as it were - and learns that each Clare has different realities that have made them the way they are, and has formed different interests and personality traits in turn. In some realities she has a sister. In some her father is around, in some he isn't. Her mother's personality differs slightly in each. In Clarity Castle, Clare learns not only how to get in touch with herself, but realizes that everybody has many layers to them.

I found this to be an absolutely delightful read. It was quite interesting learning about the different versions of Clare's life; I found myself becoming quite engrossed at times. I enjoyed the fact that the book doesn't turn out to be an "it was all a dream" type story, but rather a type of learning curve and growing experience for Clare. Unlike some books of this ilk, the ending didn't feel hollow; it felt earned.

I also appreciated the fact that Lebeault didn't try to overwhelm us with quantum psychology, and kept things approachable for the average reader. While at first the reader might find themselves a little overwhelmed, like Clare, it quickly becomes fascinating and I for one couldn't wait to see what happened next.

Eight and a half mind trips out of ten.

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Book Review - Primed For Vengeance by Gill D. Anderson

Primed For Vengeance by Gill D. Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.

"Primed For Vengeance" by Gill D. Anderson is a solid crime thriller set in Australia that was a fantastic, almost too short, read.

It delves into issues of what makes a person the way they are, whether it's inherent or shaped by circumstances, and gives equal weight to the story and perspective of Butch, a maladjusted, perhaps psychotic young man, as it does to Sarah, a former worker at the group home in which he lived.

The book is well written and flows quite well, despite bouncing between multiple perspectives (aside from the two protagonists, we are also witness to the inner thoughts of a couple of the police officers involved, a former neighbour of Butch, and a former co-worker of Sarah.

My one gripe is that it seemed to end abruptly, but as I've never been involved in anything like the climactic situation, it could be entirely realistic for all I know. Still, it left me wanting more ... which I guess for an author is a good thing!

Eight orange cardigans out of ten.

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