Saturday, July 1, 2017

The Girl Who Could See by Kara Swanson


The Girl Who Could See tour Banner copy
Click here to purchase.

About the Book

The girl who could see
Book title: The Girl Who could See
Author: Kara Swanson
Release date: June 1, 2017
Genre: Science Fiction/Urban Fantasy/Young Adult
All her life Fern has been told she is blind to reality—but, what if she is the only one who can truly see?
Fern Johnson is crazy. At least, that’s what the doctors have claimed since her childhood. Now nineteen, and one step away from a psych ward, Fern struggles to survive in bustling Los Angeles. Desperate to appear normal, she represses the young man flickering at the edge of her awareness—a blond warrior only she can see.
Tristan was Fern’s childhood imaginary hero, saving her from monsters under her bed and outside her walls. As she grew up and his secret world continued to bleed into hers, however, it only caused catastrophe. But, when the city is rocked by the unexplainable, Fern is forced to consider the possibility that this young man is not a hallucination after all—and that the creature who decimated his world may be coming for hers.
My Review:
Oh, I have enjoyed this book! Fern has an imaginary friend since she was eight years old, one that talks to her and drives her bonkers. She has seen doctors and shrinks but nothing works. Fern struggles to survive her life, because only people with mental issues have to ignore imaginary friends like Tristian, right? 
Fern is seeing buildings collapse and so much more. After all this, now Fern has to make the FBI understand that Tristan is real, not just the product of an unstable mind. The book starts off with that, and then works forward through a ten day time frame to where it opens.
Believing in the unseen, and strong friendships are some of the themes of this book with no lack of action or adventure. I really enjoyed this sci-fi/fantasy read. The characters and interactions are natural and engaging. Fern's task is daunting, Earth shattering you might say. This was my first book by this author. I hope there are more books in this series! 

About the Author 

karaAs the daughter of missionaries, KARA SWANSON spent sixteen years of her young life in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Able to relate with characters dropped suddenly into a unique new world, she quickly fell in love with the speculative genre and was soon penning stories herself. At seventeen, she independently published her debut fantasy novel, Pearl of Merlydia. Her short story is included in Kathy Ide’s 21 Days of Joy: Stories that Celebrate Mom. She has published many articles, including one in the Encounter magazine, and she received the Mount Hermon Most Promising Teen Writer award in 2015.

Guest Post from Kara Swanson

Did you have an imaginary friend growing up? I did. And I think most of us probably understood what it was like to use our childhood imaginations to create friends and take us places.
The Girl Who Could See follows Fern Johnson, a young woman who’s imaginary friend, Tristan, first appeared in her life when she was eight years old—and has never left. Now nineteen, Fern still sees Tristan, only he is no longer her friend. Now he is her curse. The source of her insanity. The reason Fern cannot keep a job and has been passed from one psychologist to another. The reason she is one step away from a psych ward. However, Tristan disagrees. He says that he’s not a figment of Fern’s imagination and is determined to prove it. But, if his existence is real, it has dangerous implications not only for Fern, but for her world. Because the creature that decimated Tristan’s planet is coming for Earth—and only the girl everyone says is crazy can stop it.
I wrote the novella as a way to explore the idea of what would happen if someone had an imaginary friend who never left. What would the psychological and daily implications be? And what if that imaginary friend wasn’t imaginary? The story that grew from those sparks of ideas became an adventure that I hope you’ll enjoy as much as I did. 🙂

Blog Stops

June 29: Genesis 5020
July 1: remembrancy
July 4: Book by Book
July 6: Baker Kella
July 7: Pause for Tales
July 8: Pursuing Stacie
July 9: A path of joy
July 10: Henry Happens

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Kara is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/b7f6

9 comments:

kim hansen said...

Sounds good. Love the cover.

Caryl Kane said...

Great review, Carol! Sounds intriguing.

Ally Swanson said...

I really enjoyed reading the guest post and learning more about this book! This book sounds like such an interesting and intriguing read! Looking forward to checking it out!

Alison Boss said...

Thanks for your review! I am not a big Sci-Fi fan. I wasn't sure what to think about this book, but after reading your review, I am definitely intrigued!

KaraSiawiGirl said...

Thank you so much for your lovely review, Carol! <3 It thrills my heart that you enjoyed the novella :)

Carol E. Keen said...

Hi Kim,

It's very good! :) I really liked it.

Blessings, Carol :)

Carol E. Keen said...

Hi KaraSiawiGirl,

You're most welcome. Thank you for stopping by my blog.
I really have enjoyed this one.

Blessings, Carol :)

Carol E. Keen said...

Hi Agboss,

Try it, you might really like it. ;) Sometimes you just need to try something different and see if you like it, and if your horizons expand. It would be a shame to miss out. To me that would be like never knowing what your favorite food was because you didn't try it.

Blessings, Carol :)

Carol E. Keen said...

Hi Ally,

Oh, feel free to come share your thoughts after you have had a change to read it.

Blessings, Carol :)