Phoebe Kitanidis

I started out Whisper a little bit unsure. The premise of Whisper gave me a chill while reading the blurb. Not the paranormal part, but the Joy and Jessica part. Something about those few lines detailing their relationship gave me chills.

Strictly speaking my only major complaint was with the unevenness to the narrative. More of the book was spent on watching Joy's perfect world crumble then it was on Joy and Jessica's relationship. Though the effect of Jessica's seemingly unending malice show more clearly effected Joy's life, and I could easily feel Joy's feelings on this matter, there was only snatches of their former close bond. Memories that flitted around to express just how polar opposite their relationship had become, but weren't fleshed out.

The rest of the book worked really well for me. Having my own polar opposite sister I identified with Joy's unease and awkwardness regarding her relationship with Jessica. Its hard to let go of those years when you felt so close and wanted to share similar ideas and hobbies. Not truly understanding how you went from being everything to each other and then suddenly being strangers seemingly over night. What did I say wrong? What did I do wrong? All those feelings of hurt and unhappiness that both girls felt, I've struggled with them myself. This had the unfortunate effect of making me tear up more often then not, but it made the book seem so much more real.

Despite the slow start, it felt like much of the central plot--helping Jessica--came in excited, rapid bursts between all of Joy's other worries. Hearing her friends' true thoughts, catching on that she was missing something (but not sure what exactly), frustration over the lack of real communication in her household--these things all swirled around as Joy attempted to puzzle out the strange thoughts and images she was getting from Jessica.

Jamie, who has his own family problems, was a good foil to Joy. His and his older brother Ben's relationship was similar to Joy and Jessica's--except whereas Ben (the older brother) could fit in easily, it was Joy (the younger sister) who fitted in well. The bond between the brothers was also kind of different, which I have a feeling has to do a lot with their own family issues, and I wish we could have seen more about them. Fleshed out that whole dynamic some. I also felt that together Joy and Jamie made a good team--quite frankly they were almost perfect for each other.

Joy's family was...I'm not sure dysfunctional really covers it properly. A lot comes out and will need to be talked about, discussed and put right. Not just regarding Jessica, but also regarding the complete oblivious cloud the family seemed to operate under. I think I felt the worse for Joy's father, who used willful ignorance to make it through most days. I don't think either parent was a 'bad' parent per say, or abusive, or neglectful, but Joy's mother tried to impose her views, her choices and expectations on everyone in the house. To varying degrees of failure and success.

This book both terrified and enthralled me. Some of the problems between Joy and Jessica so eerily mirrored issues I have with my sister that my gut clenched in anxiety. But then, that makes a wonderful book. Style can be polished as a writer publishes more novels, emotional connection however--you can't teach that I don't think. Its something you write into your stories without conscious thought and its something Kitanidis does extremely well. show less

Looking for an out of the box read? I'll happily start this review by saying that this book will satisfy that need. Phoebe Kitanidis has done it yet again, writing a book that will keep you reading well into the wee hours of the morning. My attention was caught instantly by the fact that these two teens wake up in such an odd situation. I kept wondering how they could have completely forgotten everything. As I read on I realized that things were just a little too perfect in the town of show more Summer Falls. Ghosts, mystery...heatnaps? Oh yes. That's what you'll find inside Glimmer and so much more!

This story is told in alternating points of view, which actually works really well in the overall flow of things. Both Elyse and Marshall are vivid characters with just enough difference in their voices to make them easier to discern. Which is important, because a lot of times they will have the same thoughts. It's eerie, and slightly sweet. Still, what I loved was watching their struggle. As Elyse and Marshall discover who they once were, they realize how much they dislike those people. The reader gets to follow along as they figure out how to fight back and become better.

In case you're worried that Glimmer is all ghosts and no romance, let me assure you that there is a romance here. It just so happens to be a beautifully broken one. Here we have two people fighting to figure out where they came from, while working together to figure out where to go next. Elyse and Marshall have a lot of tough moments in the story (and some creepy ones as well), but Kitanidis balances it out with a bit of sweetness too. These two have their fair share of adorable moments together, and it makes everything even more worthwhile.

I'd love to say more, but I don't want to give anything away! The ghosts in this book are especially fantastic and different, but if I say more you won't have that part to uncover. So instead I'll just say that this is a read that is well worth your time! If you are looking for something outside the box. If you need a paranormal that strays away from the usual zombies, vampires and werewolves, pick up a copy of Glimmer. Just be prepared to read all night. show less

Imagine if you will, waking up with no memories… I’m talking NONE. Zero, zilch, nada. You cant even remember your own NAME! Much less the guy’s name who happens to be laying next to you… NAKED.What would your first thought be? I know what MINE would be… HOLY %&*#!!! To say the very least.

“This is the place where I’m going to die too. I know this, but I am not afraid.”

Marshall and Elyse have NO IDEA how they ended up NAKED and in bed together… They don’t remember ANYTHING show more at all. Not even their own names! HIM AND HER… this is how the first few chapters of Glimmer are titled. Alternating POV’s between Marshall (HIM or Dark-eyed boy) and Elyse (HER).

After an ‘escape’ from the house they woke up in, a strange encounter with a “crazy” lady, an invisible woman and a weird blue light… they finally make it into town. The hospital personnel (I’d have slapped her!) calls the POLICE and reports them for truancy! Oh NEVERMIND the fact that they CAN’T remember anything lady!!!!

Upon escorting Elyse home, I’m certain the police officer is freaking CRAZY! As is her MOTHER… they all want to act like the fact that Elyse NOT remember anything is “fine” and insist that shes having an “episode”. What type of episode? Uuuum hello? Which is pretty much what Elyse says to her and the reason I stayed up until 3:30 am to finish this book after starting it at 10pm.

“I look like a pissed off Disney Princess. Adorable… and harmless.”

What’s more is everyone seems to have these “memory lapses” and it’s all just a part of the town’s charm!!! They even use it as an added selling point for bringing the tourists in! These bouts of amnesia are referred to as “heat naps” and you’ll never believe how Glimmer pans out!

Glimmer was nothing like I EXPECTED… which is pretty freaking perfect considering I LOVED IT! Full of twists and turns, this Brunette recommends you order Pheobe Kitandis’ debut ASAP! From beginning to end, Glimmer was completely mesmerizing! I stayed up all night to watch this mystery unfold! show less

I saw this book on Goodreads giveaways (and didn't win, sadly), and kept it on my to read list because the plot looked so fascinating.

Glimmer by Phoebe Kitanidis starts dramatically with two teenagers waking up together naked in bed. The twist is, they have no memory of each other or of their own lives. From there, in alternating first person narratives, we learn little by little about each of the characters, the odd town that they are inhabiting, and their lives prior to their loss of show more memory.

I am very torn when writing this review, because I thought that this book would definitely get five stars from me. The first 75% of the book is perfectly paced with very even viewpoints from each of the characters-- and this decision is necessary for this book. We have to learn about each of the characters history and take each of their individual journeys to understand what is going on. I was fascinated, drawn in, and I couldn't put it down. It has been a while since I didn't start editing a book in my head with changes that I thought might help.

Something happens in the last few chapters, and the thing is, I can't quite pinpoint the problem that I had with it. It may just be a personal preference, but some of the twists start to become a little more heavy-handed and the pacing seems off especially in comparison to the terrific beginning.

That said, this book is definitely worth reading, has wonderful characters and a really wonderful premise. I'm excited to see what else Kitanidis has up her sleeve! show less