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Blur Trilogy #1
Blur
The isolated town of Beldon, Wisconsin, is shocked when a high school freshman’s body is found in Lake Algonquin. Just like everyone in the community, sixteen-year-old Daniel Byers believes that Emily Jackson’s death was accidental. But at her funeral, when he has a terrifying vision of her, his world begins to rip apart at the seams.
Convinced that Emily’s appearance was more than just a mere hallucination, Daniel begins to look carefully into her death, even as he increasingly loses the ability to distinguish fantasy from reality.
What’s real? What’s not? Where does reality end and madness begin?
As Daniel struggles to find the truth, his world begins to crumble around him as he slips further and further into his own private blurred reality.
Full of mind-bending twists and turns, Blur launches a new trilogy of young adult thrillers from Steven James, a master of suspense.
Convinced that Emily’s appearance was more than just a mere hallucination, Daniel begins to look carefully into her death, even as he increasingly loses the ability to distinguish fantasy from reality.
What’s real? What’s not? Where does reality end and madness begin?
As Daniel struggles to find the truth, his world begins to crumble around him as he slips further and further into his own private blurred reality.
Full of mind-bending twists and turns, Blur launches a new trilogy of young adult thrillers from Steven James, a master of suspense.
368 pages, Paperback
First published May 27, 2014
235 people are currently reading
2,499 people want to read
About the author
Steven James
126Ìýbooks1,713ÌýfollowersSteven James is the award-winning, critically acclaimed author of twenty novels and numerous books on the craft of novel writing, including the new release, DELVE, PIVOT, PROPEL, which explores revolutionary new approaches to fiction writing. With a master's degree in storytelling, James teaches writing worldwide and has appeared on five continents telling stories and teaching storytelling at over 2000 appearances.
His latest Young Adult horror novel, RIFT, is the first in a new trilogy that takes place in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. James lives in Eastern Tennessee and loves watching sci-fi movies, playing basketball, and eating chicken fajitas—although not all at the same time.
James has been penning smart, taut thrillers that actually thrill, since 2007, when his acclaimed psychological suspense novel, THE PAWN, released.
If you love stories and storytelling, check out his podcast, The Story Blender, on which he has interviewed nearly 200 of the world's top writers and storytellers.
His latest Young Adult horror novel, RIFT, is the first in a new trilogy that takes place in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. James lives in Eastern Tennessee and loves watching sci-fi movies, playing basketball, and eating chicken fajitas—although not all at the same time.
James has been penning smart, taut thrillers that actually thrill, since 2007, when his acclaimed psychological suspense novel, THE PAWN, released.
If you love stories and storytelling, check out his podcast, The Story Blender, on which he has interviewed nearly 200 of the world's top writers and storytellers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
May 9, 2015
This book! Wow!
Right from the start, Blur caught my attention. The first chapter was so suspenseful and that suspense continued though out the whole book. This book reminded me Undercurrent by Paul Blackwell in a way. There's really nothing about these two books that are alike but Blur and Undercurrent both had the same kind of vibe.
Blur is so well written. I was really surprised by the writing of this book. Everything was written like how people actually talk and that made the book feel a lot of relatable in a way.
I really liked the main character, Daniel. He was such a refreshing character. Though out the entire book, he was so honest and open about the things he was seeing and what was happening to him. He told his dad everything that was going on. So many characters in books, tv, and movies hide all the crap that's happening to them when it would be easier and better to just tell the truth. And Daniel did! He knew something was wrong and he went for help. He might be a fictional character but he's setting a good example.
If more YA characters were like Daniel, the genre would be better for it. All authors should look at the character that Steven James created and learn. Because that's how it's done.
The plot of this book killed me. So many times I thought I knew what was going to happen. Three times I was so sure I knew. But it turns out I had no clue. I was on the edge of my seat during the last half of this book. I read this whole book in a day because I couldn't put it down.
Overall, Blur is one of the best books I've read in 2015. I loved it so much and I can't wait to see what happens in book two. I highly recommend this book.
August 3, 2023
I think this trilogy was more for young readers, but I was pleasantly surprised how it kept me guessing as Daniel worked on solving the death of one of his high school classmates. He had help from out of this world's reality as the dead girl appeared before him several times and gave him hints to assist in solving her death. The barrier between reality and fantasy was non-existent for him.
There was a good lesson that Daniel thought of - "Live each moment, each precious moment that you have. Live each one as if it were your last". I think I needed that as I face several health issues.
I just ordered the 2nd book in the Trilogy - Fury.
There was a good lesson that Daniel thought of - "Live each moment, each precious moment that you have. Live each one as if it were your last". I think I needed that as I face several health issues.
I just ordered the 2nd book in the Trilogy - Fury.
July 11, 2015
Quick review:
Cover: Pretty
Rating: PG-13
Thumbs Up: 4.5
Overall: I found another author to follow
Characters: Well Written
Plot: Lines blur between reality and something else
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Daniel
SUMMARY (60 words or less)
I bought this as an audible Daily Deal and don’t regret a second of it. I actual read the blurb as I do for all new authors, and found I had to pick this one up. This author has a way of weaving a story and drawing you in. I wasn’t quite sure of who done it until the end.
For a full review and yummy pic, see my blog post at:
Audio Review
Nick Podehl did a fabulous job on narration. He easily slipped between male and female believably and kept all the main characters including some minor separate and distinct.
Cover: Pretty
Rating: PG-13
Thumbs Up: 4.5
Overall: I found another author to follow
Characters: Well Written
Plot: Lines blur between reality and something else
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Daniel
SUMMARY (60 words or less)
I bought this as an audible Daily Deal and don’t regret a second of it. I actual read the blurb as I do for all new authors, and found I had to pick this one up. This author has a way of weaving a story and drawing you in. I wasn’t quite sure of who done it until the end.
For a full review and yummy pic, see my blog post at:
Audio Review
Nick Podehl did a fabulous job on narration. He easily slipped between male and female believably and kept all the main characters including some minor separate and distinct.
July 17, 2014
Provided by the publisher via NetGalley
Written in third person, this book was told from Daniel's point of view. As a high school quarterback, he lives a pretty normal life until he attends a funeral of a 14-year-old girl.
It was a great blend of fantasy, horror and suspense. There were scenes where things got real spooky that freaked me out quite a bit and I loved it. I also liked that this book wasn't too big on romance and the suspense was absolutely spot on. It was impossible to guess who the killer was.
This book had amazing wording. It made the whole murder thing feel so much more interesting with the great word choice and the nice flow of the writing. It was a little slow in the middle, but things moved faster later on. The ending was unpredictable and wrapped up really well.
Besides wonderful wording and plots, the character development was equally astonishing. I liked every character and felt connected with the main character, Daniel.
In short, this book was a delightful read with some frightening scenes. It is suitable for those who enjoy a good murder mystery book.
Blog:
July 5, 2023
Very compelling
I'm not usually a mystery/suspense reader, and when I do, I seldom find one I truly enjoy. Usually, I'm able to figure out the mystery very early in the book or I get too annoyed by stupid mistakes the characters make. This had neither of those issues.
James had me hooked from the very first page, and I can definitely see why he's such a celebrated speaker within the writing community. He has a knack for hooking you into the story, so much so that I didn't want to put it down.
I have to admit, I tried one of his other thrillers, and it was a bit *ahem* too thrilling for me, but this one is YA, so it had just the right amount of tension and suspense.
Recommended to those who enjoy clean suspense stories (with some Christian faith references) and those who appreciate just darn good writing.
I'm not usually a mystery/suspense reader, and when I do, I seldom find one I truly enjoy. Usually, I'm able to figure out the mystery very early in the book or I get too annoyed by stupid mistakes the characters make. This had neither of those issues.
James had me hooked from the very first page, and I can definitely see why he's such a celebrated speaker within the writing community. He has a knack for hooking you into the story, so much so that I didn't want to put it down.
I have to admit, I tried one of his other thrillers, and it was a bit *ahem* too thrilling for me, but this one is YA, so it had just the right amount of tension and suspense.
Recommended to those who enjoy clean suspense stories (with some Christian faith references) and those who appreciate just darn good writing.
February 15, 2017
"Alright," he said. "Imagine that everything on your side of the blanket is reality. Those are the things you can see, taste, feel, whatever. The things that are really there. Everything on my side of the blanket is..."
"Just imaginary." She finished his thought for him. "All in your head."
4.5 stars. I rarely love contemporary novels, and this does come off rather contemporary, but it's also highly suspenseful. I actually enjoyed it a lot! The story is really good, and I found the style very easy to adjust to. Daniel is a very likable character, he is kind, honest, stands up against bullying, great at math, popular, a successful quarterback, captain of the football team, son of the town sheriff, recently abandoned but his mother. Apparently he might also be clairvoyant, or something else entirely.
I really wanted to know what it was all about. Like really, really wanted to. It isn't like every page is suspenseful, but there's something slightly eerie about the story, and although there's something familiar about it also, you can't be sure about its direction. So, really it's quite captivating. Especially when you get about a third into the story, say about maybe 120-or-so pages in, at least I think that's when I knew, I would want to read the rest of the series.
The only nuisance I can think of is that it's slightly repetitive at time, but I'm quite certain that's mostly because I had the time, and motivation, to read this in less than a day. Had I been stretching it for several days, or simply been less engaged, the small reminders, would probably have felt entirely helpful.
But, really, this book is awesome!
"Just imaginary." She finished his thought for him. "All in your head."
4.5 stars. I rarely love contemporary novels, and this does come off rather contemporary, but it's also highly suspenseful. I actually enjoyed it a lot! The story is really good, and I found the style very easy to adjust to. Daniel is a very likable character, he is kind, honest, stands up against bullying, great at math, popular, a successful quarterback, captain of the football team, son of the town sheriff, recently abandoned but his mother. Apparently he might also be clairvoyant, or something else entirely.
I really wanted to know what it was all about. Like really, really wanted to. It isn't like every page is suspenseful, but there's something slightly eerie about the story, and although there's something familiar about it also, you can't be sure about its direction. So, really it's quite captivating. Especially when you get about a third into the story, say about maybe 120-or-so pages in, at least I think that's when I knew, I would want to read the rest of the series.
The only nuisance I can think of is that it's slightly repetitive at time, but I'm quite certain that's mostly because I had the time, and motivation, to read this in less than a day. Had I been stretching it for several days, or simply been less engaged, the small reminders, would probably have felt entirely helpful.
But, really, this book is awesome!
November 28, 2015
A small Wisconsin town is shocked when a high school freshman girl's body is found in the lake. Like everyone else, Daniel, a fellow student, thought her death was accidental, but at her funeral he sees a horrifying vision of her that leads him to believe that it wasn't. He's convinced her appearance wasn't just a hallucination and he quietly begins to look into her death, even though he's having an increasingly difficult time knowing what's real and what isn't in his new blurred reality.
One of my coworkers recommended this novel by Steven James. She had never read the author and was pleasantly surprised when she stumbled upon Blur. She said it was a mystery that would be right up my alley. And, she was right! I really enjoyed this first novel of a trilogy. This clever mystery novel is so filled with suspense that it kept me turning these pages non-stop. The best part is that the characters are so well-developed. Daniel and most of the supporting cast, like his best friend Kyle, seem so life-like and multifaceted. I liked getting an inside look at Daniel's thought process and observing his struggles as he's dealing with his new reality. Overall, if you like twisty-turny psychological thrillers with an engaging mystery and a great cast, Blur is for you.
One of my coworkers recommended this novel by Steven James. She had never read the author and was pleasantly surprised when she stumbled upon Blur. She said it was a mystery that would be right up my alley. And, she was right! I really enjoyed this first novel of a trilogy. This clever mystery novel is so filled with suspense that it kept me turning these pages non-stop. The best part is that the characters are so well-developed. Daniel and most of the supporting cast, like his best friend Kyle, seem so life-like and multifaceted. I liked getting an inside look at Daniel's thought process and observing his struggles as he's dealing with his new reality. Overall, if you like twisty-turny psychological thrillers with an engaging mystery and a great cast, Blur is for you.
February 14, 2017
"Das tote Mädchen" ist mir bereits viele Monate vor dem Erscheinungstag aufgefallen, da ich das Cover als sehr ansprechend empfand, von daher stand für mich schon lange fest, dass ich das Buch unbedingt lesen möchte. Nun, wo es endlich erschienen ist, waren meine Erwartungen enorm hoch, doch leider muss ich sagen, dass ich am Ende doch ein bisschen enttäuscht bin.
Dies liegt hauptsächlich daran, weil ich oftmals das Gefühl hatte, als hätte der Autor mittendrin immer wieder den Faden verloren und wüsste selbst nicht, wo er mit der Geschichte hin wollte. Die Geschichte liest sich zwar durchaus phasenweise recht spannend und auch die Figuren wurden vom Autor gut ausgearbeitet, allerdings hat mir hier dann doch das gewisse Etwas gefehlt, um mich vollends in den Bann zu ziehen, sodass ich leider nicht so mitfiebern konnte, wie ich es mir im Vorfeld gewünscht habe.
Hierbei geht es um Daniel, der den Mord an der verstorbenen Emily aufdecken möchte. Obwohl viele davon ausgehen, dass Emily bei einem Autounfall gestorben ist, erhält Daniel immer wieder Visionen, in denen sie ihn bittet, ihren Tod aufzuklären. Für Daniel ist dies alles zu viel, da er am Ende kaum noch die Realität von den Visionen unterscheiden kann und er die Befürchtung hat, dass ein möglicher Mörder noch einmal zuschlagen könnte. Besonders interessant ist hierbei, dass man als Leser immer auf dem selben Stand ist wie Daniel, sodass man durchaus mit ihm mitfiebern kann, wenn man über kleinere Schwächen hinwegsehen kann.
Ich fand Daniel zwar insgesamt sehr sympathisch und ich konnte mich zumindest halbwegs in ihn hineinversetzen, allerdings fand ich ihn ein wenig überzeichnet, da er direkt der beliebte, sportliche und vor alle intelligente Sunnyboy ist, der von nahezu allen Menschen geliebt wird. Hier hätte ich mir lieber einen "Normalo" gewünscht, da dieser sicherlich mehr Menschen angesprochen hätte.
Dennoch muss man sagen, dass die Geschichte an sich nicht schlecht ist, ich habe wohl nur einfach zu viel, bzw. etwas anderes erwartet, als die Geschichte letztendlich für mich parat hielt. Ich mag zwar eine gute Mischung aus Thriller und Mystery und lese sehr viele Bücher aus den Genres, allerdings hätte ich mir hier gewünscht, dass sich die Geschichte vielmehr auf die Thriller-Elemente konzentriert hätte, da es mir zwischendurch immer wieder an Spannung gefehlt hat.
Die Covergestaltung ist für mich ein absoluter Hingucker, sodass ich mir das Cover immer wieder gerne anschaue und dabei stets neue kleine Details entdecke, von daher hat es bei mir einen Ehrenplatz im Regal verdient. Auch die Kurzbeschreibung hat mich direkt angesprochen und dafür gesorgt, dass ich dem Buch lange entgegengefiebert habe.
Kurz gesagt: Obwohl "Das tote Mädchen" an sich eine oftmals spannende Geschichte ist, bin ich ein wenig enttäuscht, da man aus der Geschichte viel mehr hätte machen können. Zwar ist die Geschichte rund um Daniels Visionen vollkommen in Ordnung, allerdings hat mir letztendlich das gewisse Etwas gefehlt, um tatsächlich begeistert zu sein. Dennoch: Wer Thriller mit Mystery-Elementen mag, sollte auch unbedingt zu dieser Geschichte greifen.
Dies liegt hauptsächlich daran, weil ich oftmals das Gefühl hatte, als hätte der Autor mittendrin immer wieder den Faden verloren und wüsste selbst nicht, wo er mit der Geschichte hin wollte. Die Geschichte liest sich zwar durchaus phasenweise recht spannend und auch die Figuren wurden vom Autor gut ausgearbeitet, allerdings hat mir hier dann doch das gewisse Etwas gefehlt, um mich vollends in den Bann zu ziehen, sodass ich leider nicht so mitfiebern konnte, wie ich es mir im Vorfeld gewünscht habe.
Hierbei geht es um Daniel, der den Mord an der verstorbenen Emily aufdecken möchte. Obwohl viele davon ausgehen, dass Emily bei einem Autounfall gestorben ist, erhält Daniel immer wieder Visionen, in denen sie ihn bittet, ihren Tod aufzuklären. Für Daniel ist dies alles zu viel, da er am Ende kaum noch die Realität von den Visionen unterscheiden kann und er die Befürchtung hat, dass ein möglicher Mörder noch einmal zuschlagen könnte. Besonders interessant ist hierbei, dass man als Leser immer auf dem selben Stand ist wie Daniel, sodass man durchaus mit ihm mitfiebern kann, wenn man über kleinere Schwächen hinwegsehen kann.
Ich fand Daniel zwar insgesamt sehr sympathisch und ich konnte mich zumindest halbwegs in ihn hineinversetzen, allerdings fand ich ihn ein wenig überzeichnet, da er direkt der beliebte, sportliche und vor alle intelligente Sunnyboy ist, der von nahezu allen Menschen geliebt wird. Hier hätte ich mir lieber einen "Normalo" gewünscht, da dieser sicherlich mehr Menschen angesprochen hätte.
Dennoch muss man sagen, dass die Geschichte an sich nicht schlecht ist, ich habe wohl nur einfach zu viel, bzw. etwas anderes erwartet, als die Geschichte letztendlich für mich parat hielt. Ich mag zwar eine gute Mischung aus Thriller und Mystery und lese sehr viele Bücher aus den Genres, allerdings hätte ich mir hier gewünscht, dass sich die Geschichte vielmehr auf die Thriller-Elemente konzentriert hätte, da es mir zwischendurch immer wieder an Spannung gefehlt hat.
Die Covergestaltung ist für mich ein absoluter Hingucker, sodass ich mir das Cover immer wieder gerne anschaue und dabei stets neue kleine Details entdecke, von daher hat es bei mir einen Ehrenplatz im Regal verdient. Auch die Kurzbeschreibung hat mich direkt angesprochen und dafür gesorgt, dass ich dem Buch lange entgegengefiebert habe.
Kurz gesagt: Obwohl "Das tote Mädchen" an sich eine oftmals spannende Geschichte ist, bin ich ein wenig enttäuscht, da man aus der Geschichte viel mehr hätte machen können. Zwar ist die Geschichte rund um Daniels Visionen vollkommen in Ordnung, allerdings hat mir letztendlich das gewisse Etwas gefehlt, um tatsächlich begeistert zu sein. Dennoch: Wer Thriller mit Mystery-Elementen mag, sollte auch unbedingt zu dieser Geschichte greifen.
November 1, 2015
Update - Nov 1, 2015
Even though the only thing I remembered about this book was that it had a ghost in it, I picked up book two so I had to re-read this one. I stand by my three star rating. It was a decent read but easy to put down. This time through I couldn't help but think "If a ghost came to you and were able to ask you to discover who killed them, why wouldn't they just say 'Mr. Smith killed me, this is what happened...'"? Now that the re-read is done, I'm almost reluctant to start book two.
_________________
Original review - Oct 14, 2014
Usually I write reviews right after I finish reading. It's mostly so I can put down my thoughts before I move on to something new. I finished this yesterday thinking it was pretty good, but I got busy and didn't write my review. Here it is only a day later and I've already started to forget many details. I guess it didn't have the impact it should have.
The protagonist (I swear I can't remember his name) had his first vision at the funeral. A girl from his school had been found dead having drowned at the lake. She asked him for help to find out what happened. He started having more visions and was starting to doubt reality. What started as a ghost story became a mystery as "he" began investigating the details of the girls death.
It was good, and I enjoyed reading it, but as I said, it just didn't stick with me.
Even though the only thing I remembered about this book was that it had a ghost in it, I picked up book two so I had to re-read this one. I stand by my three star rating. It was a decent read but easy to put down. This time through I couldn't help but think "If a ghost came to you and were able to ask you to discover who killed them, why wouldn't they just say 'Mr. Smith killed me, this is what happened...'"? Now that the re-read is done, I'm almost reluctant to start book two.
_________________
Original review - Oct 14, 2014
Usually I write reviews right after I finish reading. It's mostly so I can put down my thoughts before I move on to something new. I finished this yesterday thinking it was pretty good, but I got busy and didn't write my review. Here it is only a day later and I've already started to forget many details. I guess it didn't have the impact it should have.
The protagonist (I swear I can't remember his name) had his first vision at the funeral. A girl from his school had been found dead having drowned at the lake. She asked him for help to find out what happened. He started having more visions and was starting to doubt reality. What started as a ghost story became a mystery as "he" began investigating the details of the girls death.
It was good, and I enjoyed reading it, but as I said, it just didn't stick with me.
April 4, 2015
This was an awesome foray into the YA genre from Steven James!
I have read and loved every single one of this author's suspense books, and this one was no exception! I really liked the main character, Daniel. He was a really neat character and in a way it was almost like seeing Patrick Bowers when he was in high school. I loved all the twist and turns in this book, there was a period of time where I had no clue what was going on! I was surprised at who the villain ended up being. I loved how every chapter ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, that really made the pages fly!
I love it when this author puts references in his books that link them to his other books, so I was particularly giddy and ended up grinning like a total idiot when I read one particular moment when a character in Blur made a comment that referenced the signature phrase of one of the characters in the Bowers Files!!!
I don't want to risk spoiling anything so I will just say that I really, really liked this book (As evidenced by the fact that I read it in under twenty four hours!) and I can't wait to read the second book in the series, Fury!
I have read and loved every single one of this author's suspense books, and this one was no exception! I really liked the main character, Daniel. He was a really neat character and in a way it was almost like seeing Patrick Bowers when he was in high school. I loved all the twist and turns in this book, there was a period of time where I had no clue what was going on! I was surprised at who the villain ended up being. I loved how every chapter ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, that really made the pages fly!
I love it when this author puts references in his books that link them to his other books, so I was particularly giddy and ended up grinning like a total idiot when I read one particular moment when a character in Blur made a comment that referenced the signature phrase of one of the characters in the Bowers Files!!!
I don't want to risk spoiling anything so I will just say that I really, really liked this book (As evidenced by the fact that I read it in under twenty four hours!) and I can't wait to read the second book in the series, Fury!
March 30, 2021
Reminiscent of some of Ted Dekker's works, especially Thr3e, this is a strange story...but it works very well. I didn't know it was the first in a trilogy until I saw the ad for the next book in the back; I hope I can get my hands on the other volumes soon.
November 17, 2015
4.5 stars
So, I've been a fan of Steven James for years. I adore his Patrick Bowers series, and think it is awesome that he's got this YA series that keeps the whole serial killer investigation vibe. Clean, tight writing, interesting characters, clues doled out bit by bit to keep you turning pages. Lots of suspense. And in this series, a supernatural element. The only thing I found didn't quite compare with his PB series is the voice. In the PB series, the voice is, for me, what puts that series up to a solid five stars, and this one isn't quite there. Good, of course--really good, in fact--but not PB. Maybe I'm just biased ;). But I totally plowed through this book and can't wait for the next one!
My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
So, I've been a fan of Steven James for years. I adore his Patrick Bowers series, and think it is awesome that he's got this YA series that keeps the whole serial killer investigation vibe. Clean, tight writing, interesting characters, clues doled out bit by bit to keep you turning pages. Lots of suspense. And in this series, a supernatural element. The only thing I found didn't quite compare with his PB series is the voice. In the PB series, the voice is, for me, what puts that series up to a solid five stars, and this one isn't quite there. Good, of course--really good, in fact--but not PB. Maybe I'm just biased ;). But I totally plowed through this book and can't wait for the next one!
My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
February 15, 2016
I recently learned that Steven James has gone and dipped his toe into the pool of YA fiction, so naturally, I had to check out Blur. I'm happy to report that he does this age group justice as he crafts another high-suspense mystery thriller, this time with a slight paranormal twist. I say "slight" only because it's very easy to forget that the book is paranormal to begin with. Usually, that's not a good thing (I say this as a hopeful future-bestselling writer of a Mundane Fantastic YA mystery that makes no effort to hide its paranormal side), but here, I think it is, because it just makes the book feel more grounded and real - not that it wasn't any of those things already. I'd say it compares pretty well to Andrew Klavan's Homelanders series or Mike Mullin's Ashfall in this respect, not so much in terms of genre, but more because of James' use of a protagonist with an excellent balance of intelligence and athleticism.
It's a shame that, like with so many of James' books, I wound up having to special-order this one from San Jose. The suburban library where I live needs to pick up more of his books ASAP.
It's a shame that, like with so many of James' books, I wound up having to special-order this one from San Jose. The suburban library where I live needs to pick up more of his books ASAP.
September 13, 2024
4.75 stars
A really great YA thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters are great and I loved the creepy factor of Daniel seeing "ghosts".
Also loved that the author slipped in a subtle reference to his Bowers series. Will definitely continue the series.
A really great YA thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters are great and I loved the creepy factor of Daniel seeing "ghosts".
Also loved that the author slipped in a subtle reference to his Bowers series. Will definitely continue the series.
October 13, 2017
1. war die Erzählperspektive nicht so meins
2. war kaum Spannung vorhanden
3. war das Ende ziemlich weit hergeholt
aber das Cover lieb� ich trz!!
2. war kaum Spannung vorhanden
3. war das Ende ziemlich weit hergeholt
aber das Cover lieb� ich trz!!
April 28, 2014
I would like to thank NetGalley and Skyscape for granting me the opportunity to read eARC in exchange for an honest review. Though I received this e-book for free that in no way impacts my review.
Steven James did it again, creating a wild ride from beginning to end, chock full of suspense, emotionally charged moments, confrontations, and the undeniable sensation of slipping out of synch with the world around you. He's set himself up with a tough act to follow, this being the first in a trilogy; if this book is any indication the rest of the trilogy will be as good or better, if that's even possible.
Daniel is an eminently believable character, his thoughts and actions ring true to a sixteen-year-old boy undergoing a psychological 'event' of some kind. His confidence on the field combined with his utter lack of confidence around girls he's romantically interested in, the smart and stupid choices he makes that are equally interspersed throughout the book, all add up to a great lead character. Plus, his ability to question everything unflinchingly, including wondering if he might be the killer he suspects took Emily's life, make him a great detective even as he's questioning his own sanity.
And it's not just Daniel that is a rich, well-crafted character. They all are, each adding different, yet necessary, elements to the overall story. None of the predominant characters are remotely close to being one-dimensional creations; with richly layered textures and nuanced shading, each personality Mr. James introduces into this tale is very clearly multi-dimensional. While it appears that the development of each character is transparent, in reality they are shrouded in mystery. The complexity of the characters rivals that of the storyline, each adding untold depths just waiting to be plumbed.
With the help of his best friend Kyle he digs deeper into the circumstances surrounding Emily's death. Struggling to discern what is real and what is false takes its toll on Daniel, even as it leads him closer to the answer of what really happened to Emily. Yet he forges ahead, risking baring his soul and sharing his fears with Kyle, and some with his father, the town sheriff. The clues are confusing and misleading, but between his subconscious and Kyle's creative thought process, he just may reach the answer in time.
The convoluted clues make for one thrilling chase for the reader, and terrifying for the characters. Daniel fears he is losing his ever more tentative grip on reality as his mind continues to blur the lines between real and imaginary. Or is everything he's seeing real, that maybe there are different levels of reality accessible to different people? I'm thrilled that this is just the first book in a new trilogy, as there are still questions to be answered, and the ride this book takes you on is tremendously entertaining in the way only psychological thrillers can be!
The isolated town of Beldon, Wisconsin, is shocked when a high school freshman’s body is found in Lake Algonquin. Just like everyone in the community, sixteen-year-old Daniel Byers believes that Emily Jackson’s death was accidental. But at her funeral, when he has a terrifying vision of her, his world begins to rip apart at the seams.
Convinced that Emily’s appearance was more than just a mere hallucination, Daniel begins to look carefully into her death, even as he increasingly loses the ability to distinguish fantasy from reality.
What’s real? What’s not? Where does reality end and madness begin?
As Daniel struggles to find the truth, his world begins to crumble around him as he slips further and further into his own private blurred reality.
Full of mind-bending twists and turns, Blur launches a new trilogy of young adult thrillers from Steven James, a master of suspense.
Steven James did it again, creating a wild ride from beginning to end, chock full of suspense, emotionally charged moments, confrontations, and the undeniable sensation of slipping out of synch with the world around you. He's set himself up with a tough act to follow, this being the first in a trilogy; if this book is any indication the rest of the trilogy will be as good or better, if that's even possible.
Daniel is an eminently believable character, his thoughts and actions ring true to a sixteen-year-old boy undergoing a psychological 'event' of some kind. His confidence on the field combined with his utter lack of confidence around girls he's romantically interested in, the smart and stupid choices he makes that are equally interspersed throughout the book, all add up to a great lead character. Plus, his ability to question everything unflinchingly, including wondering if he might be the killer he suspects took Emily's life, make him a great detective even as he's questioning his own sanity.
And it's not just Daniel that is a rich, well-crafted character. They all are, each adding different, yet necessary, elements to the overall story. None of the predominant characters are remotely close to being one-dimensional creations; with richly layered textures and nuanced shading, each personality Mr. James introduces into this tale is very clearly multi-dimensional. While it appears that the development of each character is transparent, in reality they are shrouded in mystery. The complexity of the characters rivals that of the storyline, each adding untold depths just waiting to be plumbed.
With the help of his best friend Kyle he digs deeper into the circumstances surrounding Emily's death. Struggling to discern what is real and what is false takes its toll on Daniel, even as it leads him closer to the answer of what really happened to Emily. Yet he forges ahead, risking baring his soul and sharing his fears with Kyle, and some with his father, the town sheriff. The clues are confusing and misleading, but between his subconscious and Kyle's creative thought process, he just may reach the answer in time.
The convoluted clues make for one thrilling chase for the reader, and terrifying for the characters. Daniel fears he is losing his ever more tentative grip on reality as his mind continues to blur the lines between real and imaginary. Or is everything he's seeing real, that maybe there are different levels of reality accessible to different people? I'm thrilled that this is just the first book in a new trilogy, as there are still questions to be answered, and the ride this book takes you on is tremendously entertaining in the way only psychological thrillers can be!
March 17, 2014
2-3 out of 5 stars
To be released May 27, 2014 by Skyscape
Received a NetGalley copy to read.
Summary
The small town of Beldon, Wisconsin has been rocked by the death of young teen Emily Jackson, who was found dead by drowning in the local Lake Algonquin. Daniel Byers, the son of the sheriff, goes to pay his respects to Emily at her wake. It is there that he sees her...and realizes she isn't quite dead. Emily seemingly wakes up at her wake and tells Daniel, essentially, that there is more to her death than a simple drowning and that he needs to find out what it is.
He begins to see Emily in other places. He begins to act strange as odd things keep happening to him that he is beginning to think, as is everyone else, that he is going crazy. He thinks he is seeing hallucinations while his friends and family think it is a result of a concussion he gets while being the star quarterback.
He is afraid to tell anyone but he does tell his best friend, Kyle. But soon their investigation is getting too close to the possible killer and Daniel is risking his life...and being looked at as a possible subject. Can he find out the truth about Emily's death before someone else, possibly him, gets hurt?
Review
I was really excited to see that there was another teen mystery to read. At first, I was devouring this book. Steven James dives right into this mystery and it hooks you from the beginning because you want to stay with Daniel as he investigates what happens to Emily.
However, what Steven James fails to do is build the characters outside of the mystery. You are introduced to Daniel. You know he is the star quarterback in Beldon, Wisconsin. You know his mom left 6 months ago and that both his parents say they will tell him why when the time is right. You know that his dad is the sheriff. You know that Kyle is his best friend. You know Nicole is a girl in his school that has a crush on him. You know that there are a group of bullies. Ok....
The downfall of this is that when a character's life is put in danger, I cared only because I am a decent human who would care if someone was in danger, not because I felt any connection to the character. I wanted to have my stomach in knots at the thought of a character possibly being injured but possibly saved...I didn't get that and I believe that is because I never really got to know the characters other than general surface stuff (Daniel and Kyle) and not at all with the other characters. I lost interest when all the characters were introduced but stuck with it because I wanted to see who was behind it...the person who was mentioned about 75% into the book and therefore, was not a complete surprise.
I gave it a three because I think it is an interesting idea for a book. A kid who sees a ghost and decides to investigate. The idea was good and all the elements were there but it needed characters development and the second ghost part just didn't work for me. Also, I understand there is a trilogy but nothing other than who the culprit was, was wrapped up. I still have no idea what happened to most of the characters.
However, I think teens interested in a mystery with some paranormal thrown into it would enjoy it. I am interested to see how the second installment of the trilogy plays out, though at this point I don't have a strong desire to read it.
To be released May 27, 2014 by Skyscape
Received a NetGalley copy to read.
Summary
The small town of Beldon, Wisconsin has been rocked by the death of young teen Emily Jackson, who was found dead by drowning in the local Lake Algonquin. Daniel Byers, the son of the sheriff, goes to pay his respects to Emily at her wake. It is there that he sees her...and realizes she isn't quite dead. Emily seemingly wakes up at her wake and tells Daniel, essentially, that there is more to her death than a simple drowning and that he needs to find out what it is.
He begins to see Emily in other places. He begins to act strange as odd things keep happening to him that he is beginning to think, as is everyone else, that he is going crazy. He thinks he is seeing hallucinations while his friends and family think it is a result of a concussion he gets while being the star quarterback.
He is afraid to tell anyone but he does tell his best friend, Kyle. But soon their investigation is getting too close to the possible killer and Daniel is risking his life...and being looked at as a possible subject. Can he find out the truth about Emily's death before someone else, possibly him, gets hurt?
Review
I was really excited to see that there was another teen mystery to read. At first, I was devouring this book. Steven James dives right into this mystery and it hooks you from the beginning because you want to stay with Daniel as he investigates what happens to Emily.
However, what Steven James fails to do is build the characters outside of the mystery. You are introduced to Daniel. You know he is the star quarterback in Beldon, Wisconsin. You know his mom left 6 months ago and that both his parents say they will tell him why when the time is right. You know that his dad is the sheriff. You know that Kyle is his best friend. You know Nicole is a girl in his school that has a crush on him. You know that there are a group of bullies. Ok....
The downfall of this is that when a character's life is put in danger, I cared only because I am a decent human who would care if someone was in danger, not because I felt any connection to the character. I wanted to have my stomach in knots at the thought of a character possibly being injured but possibly saved...I didn't get that and I believe that is because I never really got to know the characters other than general surface stuff (Daniel and Kyle) and not at all with the other characters. I lost interest when all the characters were introduced but stuck with it because I wanted to see who was behind it...the person who was mentioned about 75% into the book and therefore, was not a complete surprise.
I gave it a three because I think it is an interesting idea for a book. A kid who sees a ghost and decides to investigate. The idea was good and all the elements were there but it needed characters development and the second ghost part just didn't work for me. Also, I understand there is a trilogy but nothing other than who the culprit was, was wrapped up. I still have no idea what happened to most of the characters.
However, I think teens interested in a mystery with some paranormal thrown into it would enjoy it. I am interested to see how the second installment of the trilogy plays out, though at this point I don't have a strong desire to read it.
May 15, 2014
Blur by is a fast-paced, suspenseful, slightly paranormal crime novel for the young adult readers. Blur begins with the main character Daniel Byers going to the funeral of a not-so-well-known freshman from his high school. Emily was missing for two days when her body was found in a lake and it was ruled an accidental drowning. Daniel believes it, that is until at the funeral Emily talks to him. So begins Daniel's downward spiral into insanity as he tries to uncover the truth behind Emily's death.
So I really enjoyed this book. It's fast-paced and kept me guessing right up to the very end. It centers around Emily's death and the what really happened to her. The author does a wonderful job of giving just enough information that as the reader you think you know what happened. Then another piece of evidence comes along and shocks you and sends you in another direction. I can honestly say that I had no clue what happened to Emily or if she was murdered who did it until the very end when it is revealed. Which if you know me is an amazing feet!
I also liked the characters. Daniel is an atypical high school junior. He's captain of the football team and star quarterback, but he is also extremely intelligent. Something his best friend Kyle likes to test on a regular basis is giving Daniel a complicated math problem and Daniel spits out the correct answer every time while Kyle is plugging it into his calculator. He's like Rainman without the social stigma. So when Daniel starts seeing, hearing, and feeling Emily, he freaks out and rightfully so. I mean he's hallucinating, right? At least that's what he thinks. And probably half of the book deals with him struggling to decide what is real and what is not. He even goes as far as to research what could be wrong with him. It's kinda sad.
Besides Daniel, there's his Dad the sheriff, Kyle his best friend, his spunky girlfriend Mia, Nicole, and the new-girl Stacy Clern. The characters are written so believably. I easily found myself identifying with them on some level, either they reminded me of kids I went to school with or of me, which is awesome! Kyle is the polar opposite of Daniel, yet stands by him even when Daniel thinks he is going nuts. Stacy, Daniel's crush, is mysterious and doesn't really reveal herself until the end.
Overall I highly recommend this book. It has a little bit for everyone, suspense, action, crime, and some paranormal elements, even a little romance. It's geared for the young adult audience and surprisingly despite some mild violence it's a clean read (((happy dance))). So if you enjoy crime mysteries with a bit of paranormal thrown in, I highly recommend you get a copy of this book. It is well-worth the read!
I received a copy of this ebook from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
So I really enjoyed this book. It's fast-paced and kept me guessing right up to the very end. It centers around Emily's death and the what really happened to her. The author does a wonderful job of giving just enough information that as the reader you think you know what happened. Then another piece of evidence comes along and shocks you and sends you in another direction. I can honestly say that I had no clue what happened to Emily or if she was murdered who did it until the very end when it is revealed. Which if you know me is an amazing feet!
I also liked the characters. Daniel is an atypical high school junior. He's captain of the football team and star quarterback, but he is also extremely intelligent. Something his best friend Kyle likes to test on a regular basis is giving Daniel a complicated math problem and Daniel spits out the correct answer every time while Kyle is plugging it into his calculator. He's like Rainman without the social stigma. So when Daniel starts seeing, hearing, and feeling Emily, he freaks out and rightfully so. I mean he's hallucinating, right? At least that's what he thinks. And probably half of the book deals with him struggling to decide what is real and what is not. He even goes as far as to research what could be wrong with him. It's kinda sad.
Besides Daniel, there's his Dad the sheriff, Kyle his best friend, his spunky girlfriend Mia, Nicole, and the new-girl Stacy Clern. The characters are written so believably. I easily found myself identifying with them on some level, either they reminded me of kids I went to school with or of me, which is awesome! Kyle is the polar opposite of Daniel, yet stands by him even when Daniel thinks he is going nuts. Stacy, Daniel's crush, is mysterious and doesn't really reveal herself until the end.
Overall I highly recommend this book. It has a little bit for everyone, suspense, action, crime, and some paranormal elements, even a little romance. It's geared for the young adult audience and surprisingly despite some mild violence it's a clean read (((happy dance))). So if you enjoy crime mysteries with a bit of paranormal thrown in, I highly recommend you get a copy of this book. It is well-worth the read!
I received a copy of this ebook from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2014
My copy was provided by Netgalley.
Daniel lives a pretty decent life. He plays football and he has friends. He's not the most popular guy in school, but he's not a loser. He felt as if he was pretty normal, that nothing weird would ever happen to him. Except when Emily died. Emily was the kind of girl that blended into the background. The kind of girl no one notices. Yet when she died, everyone instantly seemed to mourn over her. Daniel didn't really know her and wasn't that interested in her.
Until she rose from her grave.
Seeing her live in visions only Daniel can see, he wonders if he's going insane or if there really was something wrong with Emily's death. He needs to piece together the puzzle if he wants to learn whether he's insane or not or if there's a murderer on the loose.
I really liked this book. The characters were really well developed and I could actually relate to Daniel's feelings. If I were having visions of a dead girl, I would definitely think I was going crazy. Especially if these visions led to blackouts.
The mystery of the book was awesome. I could never figure out what had really happened until the end and when the secrets came out, I was a bit confused. It was mostly because all of the guesses were completely wrong. This book kept me on my toes the whole time. It's amazing when a book keeps you guessing and contradicting yourself. The twists and turns were interesting and I didn't want to put the book down. It was also interesting to see through Daniel's eyes and see how he perceived these visions.
The ending was fantastic. It drew me in and there was so much revealed that I could hardly take it in. I was sucked in and I just had to get the book done.
This was a fast paced book that was also very creepy. The visions Daniel had will haunt you as if the ghost of Emily was haunting you as well.
Like typical mystery novels, the police didn't help at all and it was up to Daniel to solve everything. That's one thing I don't like about mystery novels. The police have jobs for reasons and some police officers are very good with their jobs.
Some things about this book seemed unrealistic like how Daniel told a lot of people about his visions even though he himself wasn't sure if they were real or not. And his investigation seemed too easily set up, like he got the answers to his questions way too easily.
This was an awesome read and I can't wait to read the sequel to know what else happens in Daniel's suspenseful life.
Daniel lives a pretty decent life. He plays football and he has friends. He's not the most popular guy in school, but he's not a loser. He felt as if he was pretty normal, that nothing weird would ever happen to him. Except when Emily died. Emily was the kind of girl that blended into the background. The kind of girl no one notices. Yet when she died, everyone instantly seemed to mourn over her. Daniel didn't really know her and wasn't that interested in her.
Until she rose from her grave.
Seeing her live in visions only Daniel can see, he wonders if he's going insane or if there really was something wrong with Emily's death. He needs to piece together the puzzle if he wants to learn whether he's insane or not or if there's a murderer on the loose.
I really liked this book. The characters were really well developed and I could actually relate to Daniel's feelings. If I were having visions of a dead girl, I would definitely think I was going crazy. Especially if these visions led to blackouts.
The mystery of the book was awesome. I could never figure out what had really happened until the end and when the secrets came out, I was a bit confused. It was mostly because all of the guesses were completely wrong. This book kept me on my toes the whole time. It's amazing when a book keeps you guessing and contradicting yourself. The twists and turns were interesting and I didn't want to put the book down. It was also interesting to see through Daniel's eyes and see how he perceived these visions.
The ending was fantastic. It drew me in and there was so much revealed that I could hardly take it in. I was sucked in and I just had to get the book done.
This was a fast paced book that was also very creepy. The visions Daniel had will haunt you as if the ghost of Emily was haunting you as well.
Like typical mystery novels, the police didn't help at all and it was up to Daniel to solve everything. That's one thing I don't like about mystery novels. The police have jobs for reasons and some police officers are very good with their jobs.
Some things about this book seemed unrealistic like how Daniel told a lot of people about his visions even though he himself wasn't sure if they were real or not. And his investigation seemed too easily set up, like he got the answers to his questions way too easily.
This was an awesome read and I can't wait to read the sequel to know what else happens in Daniel's suspenseful life.
May 7, 2014
*Thank you to Netgalley and Skyscape for providing this ARC in return for an honest review!*
It started with the drowning death of Emily Jackson, a quiet freshman who might as well have been invisible. Like most deaths of a young person, it rocked the entire school. More specifically it rocked the school's quarterback, Daniel. Daniel, for no reason at all, began hallucinating and interacting with Emily's ghost. He didn't know her, had never spoken with her or given her any attention, so naturally he was confused by this {aside from the fact that it was completely crazy}. First, he saw her at the funeral {she sat up in the casket, that sort of thing} and then on the football field {she was walking towards him, all bloated and gross}. Both times she dropped hints. Hints that made him think that her death wasn't an accident. With the help of his friends, Daniel reveals the truth with some pretty interesting surprises along the way.
I have to be honest, at first I wasn't sold. I thought this was going to be your typical ghostly predictable whodunnit. I'm the first to admit that I was SO wrong!! Yes there were parts that dragged on and some parts that felt...hokey?...but in the end, I ended up really liking this story. It was a refreshing that the main character was the popular high school quarterback who had the schizo tendencies. As opposed to the emo kid who is usually pegged with the mental issues. I also found it amazing that there wasn't any insta-love or love triangle. Yes, there was something of a like-triangle but it was more of a "Do I go for the girl I know or the girl I just met?" kind of struggle and it felt real. I liked the characters and I liked the ending. What I don't like is that I have to wait until September of NEXT YEAR for the sequel. *sigh* oh well, #firstworldproblems.
If you're looking for a book with a good whodunnit plot, likable characters, and a story that will make you heart beat a little faster than normal, then this is your book!
It started with the drowning death of Emily Jackson, a quiet freshman who might as well have been invisible. Like most deaths of a young person, it rocked the entire school. More specifically it rocked the school's quarterback, Daniel. Daniel, for no reason at all, began hallucinating and interacting with Emily's ghost. He didn't know her, had never spoken with her or given her any attention, so naturally he was confused by this {aside from the fact that it was completely crazy}. First, he saw her at the funeral {she sat up in the casket, that sort of thing} and then on the football field {she was walking towards him, all bloated and gross}. Both times she dropped hints. Hints that made him think that her death wasn't an accident. With the help of his friends, Daniel reveals the truth with some pretty interesting surprises along the way.
I have to be honest, at first I wasn't sold. I thought this was going to be your typical ghostly predictable whodunnit. I'm the first to admit that I was SO wrong!! Yes there were parts that dragged on and some parts that felt...hokey?...but in the end, I ended up really liking this story. It was a refreshing that the main character was the popular high school quarterback who had the schizo tendencies. As opposed to the emo kid who is usually pegged with the mental issues. I also found it amazing that there wasn't any insta-love or love triangle. Yes, there was something of a like-triangle but it was more of a "Do I go for the girl I know or the girl I just met?" kind of struggle and it felt real. I liked the characters and I liked the ending. What I don't like is that I have to wait until September of NEXT YEAR for the sequel. *sigh* oh well, #firstworldproblems.
If you're looking for a book with a good whodunnit plot, likable characters, and a story that will make you heart beat a little faster than normal, then this is your book!
March 5, 2016
When reality becomes unclear, Daniel Byers starts to question everything. Emily Jackson's body was found at Lake Algonquin and something strange started to happen to Daniel when he attended her funeral. He saw her, or a vision of her, and his world began to blur. Now, he's focused on why he saw her and what it may mean. As Daniel and his friends look into Emily's death, they start to believe that it may be more than an accident.
I enjoyed the beginning to this young adult trilogy created from the mind of talented author Steven James. Mystery surrounds the death of the introverted high school student, Emily Jackson, and things become increasingly more unclear as the book progresses and Daniel starts to see things that aren't there. Or are they?
I like the approach James took to this book and the thought provoking questions he brings up about reality, spirituality, and where they meet. I feel as if James really captured the mind and actions of a teen boy living with his father, going to high school, and hanging out with his friends.
I will say, however, that I expected...more? More action, more suspense, and more of a cohesiveness to the writing. I love other books I've read by Steven James and this seem to not quite make the bar set by his other books. Some portions felt repetitive and at times I felt the writing was almost too simple.
That said, I'd still definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy young adult literature. James brings up some amazing points and deals with them in a practical, not-preachy way. It would be a good book for "actual" young adults to read (versus adults who enjoy young adult literature) and could open up doors for great conversation with teens.
Originally posted on my blog:
_______________________
I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.
I enjoyed the beginning to this young adult trilogy created from the mind of talented author Steven James. Mystery surrounds the death of the introverted high school student, Emily Jackson, and things become increasingly more unclear as the book progresses and Daniel starts to see things that aren't there. Or are they?
I like the approach James took to this book and the thought provoking questions he brings up about reality, spirituality, and where they meet. I feel as if James really captured the mind and actions of a teen boy living with his father, going to high school, and hanging out with his friends.
I will say, however, that I expected...more? More action, more suspense, and more of a cohesiveness to the writing. I love other books I've read by Steven James and this seem to not quite make the bar set by his other books. Some portions felt repetitive and at times I felt the writing was almost too simple.
That said, I'd still definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy young adult literature. James brings up some amazing points and deals with them in a practical, not-preachy way. It would be a good book for "actual" young adults to read (versus adults who enjoy young adult literature) and could open up doors for great conversation with teens.
Originally posted on my blog:
_______________________
I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.
February 22, 2014
I'd give it a 3.5 if that was an option.
When recently deceased Emily starts appearing to Daniel Byers at funerals and football games, Daniel assumes what any teenager would: he’s going insane. But the nightmares (daymares?) don’t stop, and he’s driven to find out what really happened to Emily. How did a girl who was a strong swimmer drown? And why did her ghost tell him to find her glasses? And why is the new girl, Stacy, avoiding him? And why is he, a healthy, athletic high school boy, suddenly getting headaches and passing out?
Steven James crafts a tale that is mystery, thriller, and paranormal all rolled into one. He keeps readers guessing about who-done-it, what’s up with the new girl, and what is happening to Daniel. In my experience, a lot of books that deal with a character suddenly having visions usually choose a kid who is already an outsider or someone who is considered weird. But James chooses the high school quarterback, a high-profile boy if ever there was one, and the son of the local sheriff as his protagonist. I liked that he used a character who would be in the limelight, whose sudden oddness would not go unnoticed.
Though there were a few things I found hard to believe (Daniel told way too many people about his visions, and his investigation into the Emily’s death seemed a bit too easy), I liked the characters and the overall story that James created. I would have liked more resolution or at least dialogue at the end between Daniel and his father. That was a situation that needed some conversation. I won’t unleash a spoiler, but what happened between them at the end deserved some ink, in my opinion. I would’ve liked a deeper exploration of Daniel’s sudden visions, but since this is a series perhaps that will come in the next book.
Overall, a good read. A different read. I will definitely add Daniel’s future adventures and visions to my to-read list.
When recently deceased Emily starts appearing to Daniel Byers at funerals and football games, Daniel assumes what any teenager would: he’s going insane. But the nightmares (daymares?) don’t stop, and he’s driven to find out what really happened to Emily. How did a girl who was a strong swimmer drown? And why did her ghost tell him to find her glasses? And why is the new girl, Stacy, avoiding him? And why is he, a healthy, athletic high school boy, suddenly getting headaches and passing out?
Steven James crafts a tale that is mystery, thriller, and paranormal all rolled into one. He keeps readers guessing about who-done-it, what’s up with the new girl, and what is happening to Daniel. In my experience, a lot of books that deal with a character suddenly having visions usually choose a kid who is already an outsider or someone who is considered weird. But James chooses the high school quarterback, a high-profile boy if ever there was one, and the son of the local sheriff as his protagonist. I liked that he used a character who would be in the limelight, whose sudden oddness would not go unnoticed.
Though there were a few things I found hard to believe (Daniel told way too many people about his visions, and his investigation into the Emily’s death seemed a bit too easy), I liked the characters and the overall story that James created. I would have liked more resolution or at least dialogue at the end between Daniel and his father. That was a situation that needed some conversation. I won’t unleash a spoiler, but what happened between them at the end deserved some ink, in my opinion. I would’ve liked a deeper exploration of Daniel’s sudden visions, but since this is a series perhaps that will come in the next book.
Overall, a good read. A different read. I will definitely add Daniel’s future adventures and visions to my to-read list.
February 7, 2017
Das tote Mädchen hat ein wundervolles Cover. Wenn man näher hinschaut entdeckt man zwar Mädchenbeine im Wasser (welches durchaus das tote Mädchen sein könnte), aber ich finde die Farbgebung sehr schön.
Der Protagonist Daniel war mir von Anfang an sympathisch. Er ist der Quaterback der Footballmannschaft seiner Schule und damit natürlich sehr beliebt. Aber er ist überhaupt nicht abgehoben oder arrogant. Ihm erscheint auf Emily's Beerdigung ihr Geist und dieser fordert ihn auf die Wahrheit über ihren Tod heraus zu finden. Und hier fängt auch schon die Spannung an. Denn Daniel kann natürlich keinem sagen, dass er einen Geist gesehen hat. Er selber versteht teilweise nicht mehr, ob nun eine Situation real ist oder nicht. Es passieren ihm Dinge an die er sich nicht mehr erinnern kann und ich habe tatsächlich von Anfang an mitgerätselt was wohl dahinter steckt. Ob es Mord war? Wenn ja, wer ist der Mörder? Die Verstrickung mehrerer Personen ist hier sehr gut gelungen und ich wusste bis zum Ende nicht, wer der Mörder ist! Das hat mir richtig gut gefallen, denn so etwas findet man doch sehr selten.
Der Autor schafft es den Spannungsbogen stetig weiter aufzubauen und ich konnte das Buch kaum aus der Hand legen. Durch die kurzen Kapitel geht es sogar noch schneller. Denn man kann mal eben sagen: "Nur noch dieses eine Kapitel!" und dann werden es doch 5,6 Kapitel mehr :D
Wie gesagt war ich sehr angetan davon, was der Autor sich alles ausgedacht hat und das man so oft aufs Glatteis geführt wird. Man verdächtig fast jeden und am Ende war ich dann doch total überrascht...
Das tote Mädchen ist der erste Jugendthriller, der mir richtig (!) gut gefallen hat. Die kleinen Mysteryelemente machen es zu einem rundum gelungenen Jugendbuch, welches durchaus auch das ältere Semester ansprechen könnte :D
5 von 5 Punkten!
Der Protagonist Daniel war mir von Anfang an sympathisch. Er ist der Quaterback der Footballmannschaft seiner Schule und damit natürlich sehr beliebt. Aber er ist überhaupt nicht abgehoben oder arrogant. Ihm erscheint auf Emily's Beerdigung ihr Geist und dieser fordert ihn auf die Wahrheit über ihren Tod heraus zu finden. Und hier fängt auch schon die Spannung an. Denn Daniel kann natürlich keinem sagen, dass er einen Geist gesehen hat. Er selber versteht teilweise nicht mehr, ob nun eine Situation real ist oder nicht. Es passieren ihm Dinge an die er sich nicht mehr erinnern kann und ich habe tatsächlich von Anfang an mitgerätselt was wohl dahinter steckt. Ob es Mord war? Wenn ja, wer ist der Mörder? Die Verstrickung mehrerer Personen ist hier sehr gut gelungen und ich wusste bis zum Ende nicht, wer der Mörder ist! Das hat mir richtig gut gefallen, denn so etwas findet man doch sehr selten.
Der Autor schafft es den Spannungsbogen stetig weiter aufzubauen und ich konnte das Buch kaum aus der Hand legen. Durch die kurzen Kapitel geht es sogar noch schneller. Denn man kann mal eben sagen: "Nur noch dieses eine Kapitel!" und dann werden es doch 5,6 Kapitel mehr :D
Wie gesagt war ich sehr angetan davon, was der Autor sich alles ausgedacht hat und das man so oft aufs Glatteis geführt wird. Man verdächtig fast jeden und am Ende war ich dann doch total überrascht...
Das tote Mädchen ist der erste Jugendthriller, der mir richtig (!) gut gefallen hat. Die kleinen Mysteryelemente machen es zu einem rundum gelungenen Jugendbuch, welches durchaus auch das ältere Semester ansprechen könnte :D
5 von 5 Punkten!
May 14, 2016
(Minor disclaimer: It’s been…more than a year since I finished this book. My memory is fuzzy, but I took notes on the book and have my various status updates online to help me remember my exact feelings about this book. I gave it its rating when I first finished it, so that at least is accurate.)
I had high hopes for this when I first began. The prologue captivated me, and I’m a sucker for young adult mysteries—and ever since Thin Space by Jody Casella, I have been captivated by the possibilities of ghost stories and how much they can surprise me. This is what I expected heading into Blur, especially after such a promising beginning. However, my expectations soon began to unravel (much like Daniel’s grip on reality, actually), and I found myself less and less enthusiastic the farther I delved into the story—exactly the opposite of what should happen when reading a mystery.
I do believe James is capable of writing a captivating story, and the basic elements are there; the execution here is what becomes foggy, and the details weigh down the story’s ability to truly succeed. The main character, Daniel, was just too perfect, and there were issues with the plot of the story that never resolved. I did enjoy trying to figure out the mystery, but at the same time, there were several “plot twists� I was able to guess early in the story, which disappointed me at the end.
An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. (And again, I’m so sorry it’s taken so long. You saw the publication date was 2014, right?)
(Read the rest of the review on my blog!)
I had high hopes for this when I first began. The prologue captivated me, and I’m a sucker for young adult mysteries—and ever since Thin Space by Jody Casella, I have been captivated by the possibilities of ghost stories and how much they can surprise me. This is what I expected heading into Blur, especially after such a promising beginning. However, my expectations soon began to unravel (much like Daniel’s grip on reality, actually), and I found myself less and less enthusiastic the farther I delved into the story—exactly the opposite of what should happen when reading a mystery.
I do believe James is capable of writing a captivating story, and the basic elements are there; the execution here is what becomes foggy, and the details weigh down the story’s ability to truly succeed. The main character, Daniel, was just too perfect, and there were issues with the plot of the story that never resolved. I did enjoy trying to figure out the mystery, but at the same time, there were several “plot twists� I was able to guess early in the story, which disappointed me at the end.
An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. (And again, I’m so sorry it’s taken so long. You saw the publication date was 2014, right?)
(Read the rest of the review on my blog!)
February 17, 2017
Ein wirklich toller Thriller mit einem guten Schuss Mystery! Und das Cover Ort einfach unglaublich schön!
December 23, 2019
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This was my first time reading Steven James, who apparently is a master of suspense and this his first YA mystery. Daniel, the MC, starts seeing 'blurs', or basically the ghost of a recently deceased classmate who asks him to investigate her dead. (Why she doesn't just tell him what happened, since she was present at her own dead, is beyond me but would have made for a much shorter book, of course).
What follows is on the one hand a rather standard situation where Daniel together with his best friend and love interest look into the death of said classmate. On the other hand it is also Daniel's story as he is trying to figure out what is real and what isn't and is he going mad or not?
While not the most original mystery and not un-put-downable, it was a nice read and I will continue with the next in the series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This was my first time reading Steven James, who apparently is a master of suspense and this his first YA mystery. Daniel, the MC, starts seeing 'blurs', or basically the ghost of a recently deceased classmate who asks him to investigate her dead. (Why she doesn't just tell him what happened, since she was present at her own dead, is beyond me but would have made for a much shorter book, of course).
What follows is on the one hand a rather standard situation where Daniel together with his best friend and love interest look into the death of said classmate. On the other hand it is also Daniel's story as he is trying to figure out what is real and what isn't and is he going mad or not?
While not the most original mystery and not un-put-downable, it was a nice read and I will continue with the next in the series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
April 12, 2014
(I received a copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.)
I was really looking forward to reading this, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.
I got bored quite early on.
The main reason for that was because the first half of the story focused on Daniel trying to get the courage to ask a girl to homecoming.
I didn't want a book about a guy trying to ask a girl to a dance... i wanted a murder mystery!
The last half thankfully focused more on the mystery, but i still wasn't that impressed.
The pacing was a bit too slow, and i didn't care about any of the characters.
It only really got interesting at around at 80%, which is pretty bad for a mystery book really.
Overall, a big disappointment.
I was really looking forward to reading this, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.
I got bored quite early on.
The main reason for that was because the first half of the story focused on Daniel trying to get the courage to ask a girl to homecoming.
I didn't want a book about a guy trying to ask a girl to a dance... i wanted a murder mystery!
The last half thankfully focused more on the mystery, but i still wasn't that impressed.
The pacing was a bit too slow, and i didn't care about any of the characters.
It only really got interesting at around at 80%, which is pretty bad for a mystery book really.
Overall, a big disappointment.
September 5, 2014
My disappointment in this book was so strong I could taste it. Steven James is one of my all-time favorite authors. His words sing to my soul time and time again. Then I started reading Blur, and I asked aloud, "Who wrote this?" Because it didn't even sound like Steven James (except for maybe that one time he used a piece of prose from A Heart Exposed, but honestly, even that felt like someone else quoting him).
This being his first Young Adult novel, I couldn't help feeling he was dumbing down the brilliance that is his usual writing because the book was meant for teens. The only problem is teens don't want that. No one wants that.
Dear Mr. James, if you're reading this, the world needs less Daniel Byers and more Tessa Ellis.
Sincerely,
A Fan
This being his first Young Adult novel, I couldn't help feeling he was dumbing down the brilliance that is his usual writing because the book was meant for teens. The only problem is teens don't want that. No one wants that.
Dear Mr. James, if you're reading this, the world needs less Daniel Byers and more Tessa Ellis.
Sincerely,
A Fan
June 5, 2016
This book is the actual worst. The ultimate Mary Sue protagonist, absolutely no information about any of the girls in Daniel's life other than names, the flimsiest love triangle in literary history, and plot twists that I had initially guessed on page 30. Daniel just repeats and repeats his own reflections - as if he's trying to, I don't know, fill a thin book - but there's nothing new about them and each internal discovery is completely unearned.
April 12, 2014
I did not expect it to be this awesome. Can't wait for the next book! The only thing that bugged me is who he ends up with and the fact that the guy who did it was WAY too obvious. Other than that it was pretty damn awesome!
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