Book Review- Open Heart (Farsighted #2)

Hardcover, 352 pages

Published May 25th 2012 by Blue Crown Press

ISBN

0983930848 (ISBN13: 9780983930846)

edition language

English

url

http://www.emlynchand.com/books/

series

Farsighted #2

Simmi Shergill's life is a mess. Her powers of psychic feeling are on the fritz, and Grandon Township's sudden population boom has brought quite a few unsavory characters to town. She also looks like an over-blown balloon in her size 14 pants, but not even starving herself seems to be working as a diet plan. Well, at least her boyfriend, Alex, loves her so much he'd do anything for her. Last summer he even risked his life to protect her from the mysterious boy everyone was convinced wanted to kill her. The problem is, she's not so sure she feels the same way. Is Alex really the man of her dreams? And why can't she stop fixating on her would-be killer, Dax? Whenever he's around, part of her wants to run screaming in the other direction while the other part longs to run into his embrace, no matter who she'd hurt or what she'd risk. Simmi's loyalty is on the line. Who will she choose-the blind seer who loves her, or the charming telekinetic with "bad idea" written all over him? Emotions run high as the tension mounts in book two of the Farsighted series.

***

  In book 2, Simmi talks her heart out to us, the readers.The same Simmi, who is portrayed as the epitome of sublime beauty by Alex in Book 1 is not at all confident about herself. She is overweight and feels that it hampers her chances of who she wants to be, someone that everyone envies i.e. Her insecurities surface as you go on reading. Her revelations shock you. As it turns out, she being with Alex is nothing more than an act triggered by jealousy. Being singled out seems to be her major concern. She constantly reminds her readers that she is confused.Her powers are meant to do well to others but somehow she feels, she, too like Dax might become the cause of some sort of disaster. Simmi is confused. Simmi is talented. Simmi is someone who makes mistakes like all of us do.
Emlyn Chand, stands out as a writer. Her knowledge of Indian culture is commendable. The fact that each of the protagonist takes turns hopping on to the driver's seat is great. That way every character gets to have their say. Each one of them gets to talk of their insecurities which doesn't happen when there's just a single charecter who takes you through all of it. The book makes a gripping read. I've been getting hold of last benches during lectures so that I got to read, to know what happens next. Thankfully, I didn't get caught. 
There were minor spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Trust me, that turns out to be a major turn off when a book is that good. In the next book,Pitch, it's Shapri's turn to take up the role of a narrator. That is particularly exciting for me because her psychic power appeals to me the most. Anyways, thank you Emlyn, you made me have a great time. Another 5 on 5 for this one again! :)

~Sudeshna. =)

Book Review- Farsighted (Farsighted, #1)

ISBN13

9780983930822

edition language

English

url

http://www.emlynchand.com/books/

series

Farsighted #1

characters

Alex Kosmitoras, Simmi Kaur Shergill, Shapri Teak, Dax Lafache, Brady Evans

literary awards

WritersType First Chapter Competition for September (2011), The Alternative Booker (2011), Dragonfly eBook Award for Best Young Adult Fiction (2011), Overall Winner of the Dragonfly eBook Awards (2011)

Alex Kosmitoras's life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead broke and insanely overprotective, and to complicate matters even more, he's blind. Just when he thinks he'll never have a shot at a normal life, an enticing new girl comes to their small Midwest town all the way from India. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Sophomore year might not be so bad after all.

Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival—an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to "see" the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they suggest Simmi is in mortal danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex embarks on his journey to change the future.

*** 

Alex is a simple guy who starts out on a new school year with hopes of making friends this year. So, he does. On the very first day of school, he manages to meet someone and almost becomes friends with them. Simran Kaur Shergill's (or Simmi, as she insists Alex to call him) arrival fills Alex with somewhat of a zeal. On the other hand, he stumbles upon his new neighbor, Miss Teak, just for a hello after a bad day at school just to know that he has been bestowed upon with certain 'gifts'. He gets visions of his beloved Simmi being murdered, dying a death she doesn't deserve according to him. Puzzled, he can't figure out anything when his Dad and Miss Teak decide to help him out.

After you've suffered so much with reading books that don't live up to the expectations, this book lets me give out a sigh of relief. It's as if you open your eyes after a long, deep slumber. The story unfolds at a gradual pace with it's own highs and not-so-very-low lows. The language is very simple, yet gripping. The author's knowledge about Indian, or to be specific, Sikh culture impresses me. The way she Simmi gifts Alex a 'kara' for her birthday, the way she describes about Lohri, it only points out that the author knows her characters and their backgrounds particularly well. This only adds to the detail factor, making it a delightful read. Another minor thing that one can notice is the sudden induction of faith and energy in Alex when his Dad comes to his support. Makes it clear
that how much a teenager may crib at his parents, they'll always be the people he can trust. 
The book is 260 pages of real entertainment. There is a love story cooking in the background but it doesn't really overpower other emotions. You'll see parents getting worried about children; you'll see friendship and you'll see a guy crushing on a beautiful girl. All of it seems real. The protagonists act like they are sixteen. None of it is too hard to digest. Slip in on the couch on a Sunday afternoon with this book and you won't regret it. 
The end of the book is really not the end. I'm so happy that I won both the books in the giveaway and not just one. 
A 5 on 5 star book for me.