Paperback, 369 pages
Published April 23rd 2000
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing
Source: Bought
Jarrod Thornton is mesmerizing, but Kate Warren doesn’t know why.
The moment the new guy walks into the room, Kate senses something strange and intense about him. Something supernatural. Her instincts are proven correct a few minutes later when, bullied by his classmates, Jarrod unknowingly conjures up a freak thunderstorm inside their classroom.
Jarrod doesn’t believe in the paranormal. When Kate tries to convince him that he has extraordinary powers that need to be harnessed, he only puts up with her “hocus pocus” notions because he finds her captivating. However, the dangerous, uncontrolled strengthening of his gift finally convinces Jarrod that he must take Kate’s theories seriously. Together, they embark on a remarkable journey — one which will unravel the mystery that has haunted Jarrod’s family for generations and pit the teens against immense forces in a battle to undo the past and reshape the future.
*MY THOUGHTS*
I just want to say, this book was NOTHING like what I thought it would be. It was ok, but the writing was a little too advanced for the kids to be in high school in my opinion. It seemed like they were way older than they were described. I also did not like the characters. Ok, I lied. I liked TWO of them. One being Jillian and the other Kate. Through out the entire story Kate is amazing. She is strong as an outcast and even in their trip back in time. She also stood up to Jarrod who never believed anything she had to say. As for Jillian, she was so sweet. She was a strong woman who looked after Kate even after her mother left her. It was a little sad to see how Jillian’s daughter did Kate. And also, her magic is AMAZING. Now Jarrod, he got on my nerves. He was a spineless wimp who I HATED strongly disliked the entire story. In the very end he did grow up, but by then my mind had already been tainted by how he was written in the rest of the story. Don’t get me wrong, I liked it, but not until it got to Part Two of the story. Part Two is where the climax of the story takes place. Without giving too much away, its where everything finally falls together. Its the only part in the book that stood out to me. This part was the only part in the book I was able to see with my “mind’s eye” and I really enjoyed it. The first and last part though, not so much. It wasn’t that I didn’t like them, it just wasn’t as good as part two… But I suggest you read it for yourself. (This review probably didn’t do anyone justice, but I’m trying not to give the story away…)
I hate when the characters act older than they should. Although many of them do it. I only notice now that I'm older.
The cover is certainly interesting but I'm dissappointed to know you didn't like the characters. Makes me think twice about it. And I used say that about the kids in Dawson's Creek. Those kids talked like they were 35 year olds…I thought it was so strange. Eventually I got used to it though. But sometimes you just can't make that work in a book. It's not realistic to the story.
I couldn't get into this book. I think it was the characters that I just didn't connect with. Great honest review 🙂