Friday, May 13, 2011

Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer

Through Her Eyes

Author: Jennifer Archer
 
Publisher: HarperTeen

4½ out of 5 stars

They say it’s worth a thousand words. A photograph, capturing a moment in time that says everything, yet at the same time reveals nothing. What would it be like to immerse yourself into the time and place during which the picture was taken? To live in the moment, and be aware of what was going on and what was going through the people’s minds. To experience their thoughts and emotions, as if you were really there yourself. Impossible and ridiculous, most would say. But I guess Tansy Piper isn’t like “most” people, because she can do just that. She can go into the photos.

Tansy has lived her entire life moving from place to place with her mother and her grandfather, Papa Dan. Her mom- a horror novelist -says they keep moving because she needs to be wherever her next book is set, so she can really “get a feel for it.” All Tansy thinks her mother is trying to accomplish is to forget the past and run away from what has happened for fear that it might catch up with her. So this should be like any other move, but to Tansy this is the worst of them all.

This time, Tansy, her mom, and Papa Dan are moving to Cedar Canyon, Texas, a quaint little town in the middle-of-nowhere. Not only is this the first time that Tansy hasn’t been in the city, but they’re moving to a deserted old house that has rumors of being haunted. Great, just what Tansy needs. Tansy isn’t willing to give this move a try, and she can’t wait for her mom to finish this novel.

That is, until Tansy stumbles across three old relics, a journal, a pocket watch, and a crystal, that must have some mysterious significance. With these objects Tansy is able to travel into the photographs and experience the life of Henry. Henry, who is long dead, but used to live in the very house that Tansy lives in now. As Tansy is sucked deeper into Henry’s world, she loses touch with her own. What does Henry want, and why is Tansy drawn into his past through her photographs? Will Tansy be able to hold onto reality, before it’s too late? All is revealed, in Jennifer Archer’s supernatural tale of two fates unexpectedly intertwined in, Through Her Eyes!

I was pleasantly surprised by Through Her Eyes, and it is surely a paranormal adventure that you don’t want to miss out on! This book constantly went in new directions that I couldn’t have possibly seen coming. Through Her Eyes included common themes with ghosts and the bizarre, but also introduced new prospects that added greatly to the story. Through Her Eyes was given to me by HarperTeen as an uncorrected proof for review.* Thank you so much HarperTeen! This book is an out of the ordinary read, suitable for teens thirteen and up and adults as well.

I must admit, that at first glance, I had assumed that this would be a typical story of a girl and a ghost, with some romance thrown in. However, I was undeniably mistaken. Through Her Eyes, is certainly not “typical” or “run-of-the-mill.” Jennifer Archer brought a whole new perspective to the table that made this book what it is. Adding the aspect of Tansy’s ability to transport into the photographs and see a whole new reality through her camera lens took the storyline in a whole new direction. It was a fresh idea that I was glad to see in the usually predictable paranormal, romance genre.

It was interesting to see Through Her Eyes in the paranormal/supernatural genre, because I believe that it could have been taken in some different directions. This book is amazing as it is in, but it would be interesting to see it as a sci-fi, mystery, or horror novel. I think that if the storyline was focused on different aspects of the book, that it could have been considered as any of these. Maybe it was made to focus on the paranormal/supernatural side of the story because that’s what’s popular right now, but either way, it was still a fantastic read.

I also enjoyed the ending of Through Her Eyes, as it wasn’t what I had expected. Overall, this book played out differently than I had originally thought it would, but I’m still thrilled with how it all came together. To tell you the truth, I thought that this book would be about Tansy falling in love with the ghost, Henry, but it wasn’t like that at all. If you’re looking for romance, there’s definitely some in here, but not you’re typical kind.

It would have been interesting to see more of the story told through Henry’s eyes. Only once, was a snippet told from Henry’s point of view, and that was the prologue, in the very beginning. However, this added more mystery and kept both me and Tansy guessing, as we weren’t quite sure just what Henry’s true intentions were.

All in all, Through Her Eyes is a suspenseful story that will stay in your mind for days after. Join Tansy, as she struggles between two separate realities, while trying to discern what is genuine and what is the past in, Through Her Eyes!

-This is T.B. with Another Book Back on the Shelf…
Until Next Time, Keep Reading!


*I received this novel from HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins.  I received Through Her Eyes as an uncorrected proof in exchange for my honest review.  Thank you so much HarperTeen!

Check out Jennifer Archer's website at http://www.jenniferarcher.net/.
Through Her Eyes is available from Amazon here.

15 comments:

  1. Huh. I actually had the same thoughts as you about this book so maybe I'll give it a try :) I'm not normally a fan of ghost stories but... I think that's more a mindset than anything else. Thanks for the review! :)

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  2. Hi T.B.! Great Review! I like how in depth you got with the book and what was going on. I also liked your alternate ways the plot could have been written.

    I also admire the fact that someone my son's age is blogging about books! And about so many books! You're an avid reader obviously. Keep it up and I'm going to add you to my blog roll so I can check back often.

    Heather

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  3. The Story Queen- Thanks! Before this book, I was really skeptical about the whole paranormal genre where the girl suddenly falls in love with the boy/supernatural being. It just seemed too far-fetched for me. I thought Through Her Eyes would be the same, but I was as wrong as can be. I really hope you give this one a try, as it will definitely surprise you!

    Buried In Books- Thanks! That was something that really interested me, because I really thought that it was possible for this one to have been taken in a different direction. I think that the paranormal route was great though, and that's not the only thing that it focused on.

    Awww, thanks so much! I never thought I'd start a blog, but I did! I love to read and I really try to read all different genres. It can be hard at times blogging so young, but at the same time, the blogging community is so supportive! It's amazing!

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  4. Hm, I've been on the fence about this book but your review is swaying me. I like that you say isn't not the same old romance. I also love it when an author goes in a different direction with the story than I had anticipated. Thank you for your review. :)

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  5. I loved your review, and I'll definitely be picking this one up!

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  6. I so want to read this! I've been meaning to, but now I really want to!
    Thanks for your comments! Candor looks brilliant, doesn't it? Predators of Darkness was amazing as well, I really reccomend it! :)
    Brilliant, brilliant review an happy reading!

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  7. Small Review- The romance was something that I thought was done very well, and you could see how conflicted Tansy felt. The story definitely surprised me, but I was very happy with the ending. I hope you enjoy it if you decide to try it out!

    Sarah- I'm so glad you liked it, and I can't wait to hear what you think of it!

    TheBookAddictedGirl- Thanks so much! I think that you'd really enjoy this, and I hope you like it! Candor and Predators of Darkness both look great!

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  8. Hi T.B!
    I just found you through another blog! I'm so impressed by your blog and your reviews, I'll have to tell my niece (who is about your age) and has been thinking of starting her own review blog.
    PS: This book sounds right up my alley, thanks for your review.
    S.B. Niccum
    Author Website
    Blog

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  9. Hi! *waves*

    Aww, thanks so much! Oh, I definitely think your niece should go for it and start a review blog! It can be tough at times, blogging so young, but it's such an amazing experience. Plus, the blogging community is so supportive as well!

    I loved this book, and I'm glad it sounds interesting! It had such a fresh, paranormal concept.

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  10. T.B.
    I would love to send you a copy of my new release if you'd like to review it. Just go to my website and under "contact me" leave me your address.

    Thanks for stopping by!!
    S.B. Niccum
    Author Website
    Blog

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  11. Oh wow, thanks so much! I'm heading over to your site right now :) Thanks so much for the wonderful opportunity!

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  12. I actually am reading this one right and I'm enjoying it is very different I'm not use to ghost stories. I was actually able to meet her at a signing a week or so ago which was definitely cool. She seems really sweet. I enjoyed the review you have a way with writing especially for your age. Keep up the awesome job!

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  13. I agree, this one is very different, and it's definitely not your typical ghost story. That's so cool that you got to meet her! Haha, I'm so jealous :) Oh, did you get to meet her and the Chills and Thrills book tour going on right now? So many amazing authors are part of it! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  14. Yeah, that's where I met her. They were all amazing no doubt. :) it's not a problem I'll definitely have to drop by more.

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  15. Wow, that must have been so cool to see them all! I'm sure you've got a lot great books to read now, and signed I bet!

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Hi, and welcome to From The Bookshelf of T.B.!

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