Friday, December 16, 2011

Review: The Clairvoyance Clock by KM Parr

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The Clairvoyance Clock
(Alex in Wunderstrande, #1)
K.M. Parr
Release date: November 22nd, 2011

Goodreads / Purchase

For seventeen-year-old Alexander Rosengrant, the recent war in Wunderstrande was anything but victorious. Angry that he was forced to stay home while his friends risked their lives as soldiers, Alex harbors resentment toward his Uncle Brody, Lancaster’s star general. In the midst of this controversy, the mention of a mad scientist’s strange heirloom soon propels Alex on a risky journey, leading him to question all that Lancaster had been fighting for. Along the way, Alex discovers that not only is his life a tangled mess of lies, but the situation surrounding the war was nothing he could have ever imagined.

*A copy was provided by KM Parr for review purposes*
I really thought I wasn’t going to be into it much when I first started reading this book. It was a bit slow and felt a little disjointed, but once the half way mark hit it really started to move along and turned it into a real page turner. I was completely taken by surprise at how much I ended up enjoying this story afterall.

When starting The Clairvoyance Clock we’re immediately thrown into the life of Alex who is living with his uncle in Lancaster and has been rebelling to get a little more freedom. At first I was a bit confused about the setting of the story. It’s never made clear if it’s based in its own world and what exactly it entails. Does this world have magic? Does it include a whole universe? And most importantly- What exactly is Wunderstande: a country, a planet, a city? These were all questions that circled my mind during the first part of the book; In turn, making me feel a bit distanced from the story. However, during the second half, I suddenly ended up being able to visualize this glamorous world which is, in fact, wonderfully detailed. I didn’t even realize it – one moment, it was just there in my mind, clear as day. Instead of being explained from page one, the world building is left to our own disclosure. While I usually like books clearly illustrated so I can situate myself in it, I found myself really enjoying the way KM Parr created a journey for us, as much as for her characters. And all throughout my confusion at the start, I realize I never felt like the world building was inadequate.

The slow beginning is not without substance. We get to know our wonderful and misguided protagonist, Alex, who shows considerable character growth throughout the story. He starts off as this seemingly unruly child who eventually matures into a strong and brave young man. It’s impressive how well his character is developed. It is of no wonder, though, seeing how much affliction this journey encompasses. I’m going to warn you that this book does have some violence. KM makes some pretty bold moves during this story that will likely make some eyebrows rise. Though most, like me, will see how much power, even beauty, it gives to the storyline; It’s austere, but genuine and shows us we’re in for quite a ride.

The Clairvoyance Clock is an admirable start to its series that has more than enough entertaining twists and turns to make up for its slow start. These incredible twists – that I never saw coming might I add – will undoubtedly send us on an exciting adventure in the upcoming installments that I’m now highly anticipating. 

4 Hot Espressos
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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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23 Responses to “Review: The Clairvoyance Clock by KM Parr”

  2. Jenny

    I love when a book starts out a little slow and I’m not sure if it’s really going to be one I fall in love with (Delirium was this way for me) and then right at that halfway mark I get sucked in can’t put the book down:) Glad to know Alex shows a lot of growth throughout the story, that’s always nice to read about. Thanks for the review Giselle!

  5. Natalia Belikov @ Dazzling Reads

    I havent heard about this book at all but it seems to be a good read!
    It happens a lot to me too that I start reading some books and it takes me a while to get into it or just feel that I will like the book. Sometimes it takes a while and most books ended up being great!

    great review my dear ^___^ Glad to get to know about a book I have never seen around ^.^ muah!

    ★Dazzling Reads★

  6. Jen

    Great review! I love when you think you’re going to dislike a book and then it takes you totally by surprise like that ^_^. I hadn’t heard of this one until now, I may have to add it to my TBR

  7. Amy

    Great review. This sounds like a good read. Glad that you were able to get into this book. That has happened to me a few times recently, when the book starts off slow and seems uneventful, only to really surprise me and end up amazing.

  10. Giselle

    Thanks for the lovely comments guys! *muah*

    Michelle: Google+ is sort of like a Facebook page you can add people in your circles and divide them by friends/following etc. GFC isin’t leaving for those of us who have blogger blogs so I’ll be keeping it.

  12. A Canadian Girl

    I keep finding about all these different books from you! I stay away from books or movies with violence so I’ll probably skip this one but it’s nice that you ended up liking this one even though it started off slowly. I like the sound of Alex’s character development too.

  13. Lauren M

    It’s always nice to see a male protagonist once in a while! 🙂 Glad The Clairvoyance Clock was enjoyable. I’m curious to see how far the author does go–I like to do some eyebrow-raising once in a while. 🙂

  14. Candace

    I tend to have a hard time with books when I’m wondering what type of world/planet/ect it’s set in. I just need to know! I’m glad that the story picked up though and you ended up really enjoying it!

  15. Giselle

    Thanks ladies!

    @Lauren: I’ve been seeing it more lately (male protag) and i’m really digging it!!

    @Candace: I’m usually like that too but after the first half of the book you get situated really well.

  16. Christy (Love of Books)

    This cover kind of creeps me out, but in a good way. I enjoy twists I don’t see coming, so I’ll have to give this one a try. Great review.

    Oh, and no, I didn’t change my header. I changed the background color, and it makes the header look different.

  21. Book Sake

    I’m glad you stuck with the book to get to loving it. Character development is so important to me, if a book lacks on the substance there it can turn me off, but if it’s great then it can make the whole book!
    – Jessica @ Book Sake