Review: The Girl Who Could See by Kara Swanson
This is actually my second book review done on this blog, and unlike my review of The Hate U Give, it’s not controversial! Yay!!
Note: All photos in this post are mine, please ask before using them. <3 
(from goodreads): 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 isn’t a hallucination after all—and that the creature who decimated his world may be coming for hers.
When I bought this book I couldn’t wait for it to come in the mail, I mean, with a cover thatbeautiful there’s no way this book would let me down, right?
Usually this is the part where I say “WRONG” and precede to be a salty book dragon but today I am going to type “RIGHT”, because
OHFern 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 isn’t a hallucination after all—and that the creature who decimated his world may be coming for hers.
When I bought this book I couldn’t wait for it to come in the mail, I mean, with a cover thatbeautiful there’s no way this book would let me down, right?
Usually this is the part where I say “WRONG” and precede to be a salty book dragon but today I am going to type “RIGHT”, because
MY
WORD
THE EPIC COVER DIDN’T LIE.
Today I am not the girl who's parents didn't love her. Or the women who's crazy. Or the aunt who can't keep a job.
I am the girl who can see what no one else can.
I matter, At least this once.
“Why would you give up your life from a world that doesn't even believe you exist?"
A cough wracks his body, but his grip on me remains strong.
"Because I believe everyone should have the chance to live.”
A cough wracks his body, but his grip on me remains strong.
"Because I believe everyone should have the chance to live.”
(Excuse me while I also post way too many pictures because the cover art is amazing).
The characters. Fern, Tristan, Elinor are so precious. *hugs them*
The concept. The whole idea of this book is just SUPER COOL. Before the story starts, Kara Swanson left a note that says that she was inspired by these two sentences to write this story: They say every child had an imaginary friend. Mine never left.
Like, how epic is that whole idea?? AMAZINGLY EPIC, MY FRIENDS.
The themes of friendship and family. Fern’s motherlike/old sister type of relationship with Elinore was amazing, I wish this was portrayed more often in books! I also loved Fern’s and Tristan’s relationship (it was so well written!!).
The aesthetics. I AM A VERY PETTY BOOK DRAGON, so seeing Playlist Script as the font for the beginning of chapters, a beautiful cover, and well-formatted pages, especially from an indie book makes me SO HAPPY.
It felt a bit rushed in some places. I do wish we had more time to get to know the characters a bit more, especially Fern and Elinore. While their relationship was sweet, it was more tell than show in the book, since we didn't get to see them interact a whole bunch.
The date hoping. I HAVE A GOLDFISH BRAIN AND THE MEMORY SPAN OF DORY. That being said, it really confused me at times because this book would switch from present to past tense every other chapter, so I had to go back once or twice because I forgot what day it was and what was happening.
It felt a little bit unbelievable at times. The FBI scenes and the experimental scenes/flashbacks were great at times, other times though they felt a bit cheesy and stretched.
-Fern's parents were druggies, and she experienced a lot of neglect in her childhood, which is touched on.
-Fern was also kidnapped as a young child, and her therapist thinks she was trafficked, although something else is revealed later... *spoilers*
-One kissing scene, but not very detailed.
The aesthetics. I AM A VERY PETTY BOOK DRAGON, so seeing Playlist Script as the font for the beginning of chapters, a beautiful cover, and well-formatted pages, especially from an indie book makes me SO HAPPY.
It felt a bit rushed in some places. I do wish we had more time to get to know the characters a bit more, especially Fern and Elinore. While their relationship was sweet, it was more tell than show in the book, since we didn't get to see them interact a whole bunch.
The date hoping. I HAVE A GOLDFISH BRAIN AND THE MEMORY SPAN OF DORY. That being said, it really confused me at times because this book would switch from present to past tense every other chapter, so I had to go back once or twice because I forgot what day it was and what was happening.
It felt a little bit unbelievable at times. The FBI scenes and the experimental scenes/flashbacks were great at times, other times though they felt a bit cheesy and stretched.
-Fern's parents were druggies, and she experienced a lot of neglect in her childhood, which is touched on.
-Fern was also kidnapped as a young child, and her therapist thinks she was trafficked, although something else is revealed later... *spoilers*
-One kissing scene, but not very detailed.
Over all, I am in love with this book! And if you have nine dollars to spare go here and do yourself a favor by ordering this amazing book if you haven't already!
Have you read this book? What did you think?
If not, do you plan on it?
Happy Writing,
Also small note: I plan on being at the Texas homeschool conference in Houston in May, so if any of my Texas homeschool readers are planning on being there, let me know! Maybe we could meet up or something. ^_^
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