Title: SCINTILLATE
Author: Tracy Clark
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 304
Pub. Date: February 4, 2014
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble
(Goodreads Blurb)
A mighty flame follows a tiny spark.
Cora Sandoval’s mother disappeared when she was five and they were living in Ireland. Since then, her dad has been more than overprotective, and Cora is beginning to chafe under his confines. But even more troubling is the colorful light she suddenly sees around people. Everyone, that is, except herself—instead, she glows a brilliant, sparkling silver.
As she realizes the danger associated with these strange auras, Cora is inexplicably drawn to Finn, a gorgeous Irish exchange student who makes her feel safe. Their attraction is instant, magnetic, and primal—but her father disapproves, and Finn’s mother orders him home to Ireland upon hearing he’s fallen in love. After a fight with her father, Cora flees to Ireland, both to follow Finn and to look for her missing mother.
There she meets another silver-haloed person and discovers the meaning of her newfound powers and their role in a conspiracy spanning centuries—one that could change mankind forever…and end her life.
Scintillate is the first book in this lush and exciting new trilogy, full of romance, adventure and metaphysical mystery.
Advanced praise for Scintillate:
"A lush and atmospheric debut with a scorching romance and a metaphysical mystery. It had me hooked from the start." -Suzanne Young, author of THE PROGRAM.
"Beautifully written. Keep your eye on author, Tracy Clark. She's going places!" -Ellen Hopkins, New York Times Bestselling Author of the CRANK trilogy.
The Story...
Scintillate begins with Cora Sandoval suffering from an extreme fever and unexplained illness. During her hospital stay, she hears some suspicious behavior from her father, receives a visit from the super-cute and popular Finn, and sees a figure that terrifies her. However, Cora is unsure of what is real and what is fever-induced illusions.
As Cora returns to school, she begins to notice a variety of colors emanating from everyone she passes. After some research, Cora realizes that she is actually seeing people's auras. They give her clues about how people are feeling and about whether or not they have hidden agendas.
Cora and Finn grow close as Cora hides her secret from everyone around her. She begins to notice new "symptoms" which include visions that seem to tell her about things in the past. She continues to investigate, even after her father forbids her to look into it further. It turns out that her father has reason to be over-protective and Cora soon realizes that she is being followed by a particularly threatening person.
Finn is suddenly called back to Ireland by his parents. Cora and Finn say good-bye, both thinking that they would never see the other again, but an opportunity presents itself and Cora soon hops a plane to Ireland. She plans to continue looking into her condition in the land where she lost her mother.
What Worked...
This story was very fast-paced. There wasn't a lot of time to sit around waiting for something to happen. There was an air of danger throughout and the tingle of young romance ran strong.
I loved Finn and the attention he showed Cora, but I kept begging for her to confide in him throughout the book. He was made extra swoony with the Irish accent and he plays the guitar and sings. *fans self*
What Didn't...
I was disappointed in Cora's father that he didn't tell her what he knew. He was aware that things were changing for Cora, but kept brushing her off.
Also, we were introduced to a very large cast, not all of whom did I feel were expressly necessary.
HOWEVER...I loved this story and am eagerly awaiting the next in the series.
Spoiler-ish Warning...
If you are not a fan of love triangles you may want to sit this one out.
5 out of 5 stars
Tracy Clark is a young-adult writer because she believes teens deserve to know how much they matter and that regardless of what they’re going through, they aren’t alone. In other words, she writes books for her teen self.
She grew up a “Valley Girl” in Southern California but now lives in her home state of Nevada, in a small town at the base of the Sierra Foothills. Her two children teach her the art of distraction and are a continuous source of great dialogue. She’s an unapologetic dog person who is currently owned by a cat.
Tracy was the recipient of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Work in Progress Grant. A two-time participant in the prestigious Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program where she was lucky enough to be mentored by bestselling author, Ellen Hopkins, who taught her so much about the art of writing and cured her of her ellipsis addiction.
Her debut novel was inspired by her enchantment with metaphysics as a teen, seeing it as the real magic in life. Tracy is a part-time college student, a private pilot, and an irredeemable dreamer.
Tainted Love by Soft Cell
Once I ran to you,Now I run from you.
What a lovely trailer! Pulled me in for sure!
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