Dark Visions: The Strange Power; The Possessed; The Passion
by L.J. Smith
I will start by admitting that I was very nervous about reading this book. Since I have loved L.J. Smith’s Secret Circle trilogy since the dawn of time (or at least it seems that way) and I love her Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valour books, I really, truly did not like the first three Night World books which I bought when they were re-released in one volume. In fact, I never finished the last story in that book because it was making me angry.
** Note, I got that first paragraph written and then left this review for a week, so now it’s been almost 2 weeks since I finished it! Not enough time in the day and a lot of chronic fatigue due to health issues. Sorry! **
Dark Visions tells three stories about a group of teens with paranormal powers. Kaitlyn, the main character, can tell the future in her drawings, though not always in time to stop whatever tragedy she’s discovered. She’s chosen to join a select group of kids her own age with similar powers and offered a chance to learn to control her own powers. She jumps at this chance, tired of being called a witch and having the kids at school keep away from her in fear. Mr. Zetes is the wealthy older man who is funding the Institute – a large purple house used both as labs and the home for Kait’s new paranormal family – Rob, the drop-dead gorgeous healer, Anna, the Native American girl who can influence animals, Lee the energetic guy who can move objects with his mind and the dark and dangerous Gabriel.
L.J. Smith’s books all have an element of romance, thriller and supernatural-ness in them. One of the main aspects of The Secret Circle trilogy I loved was the idea of the Silver Cord which binds the hearts of soul mates together. However, this was repeated so often in the first three Night World books that I was annoyed by it. I was nervous that this soul mate concept was going to feature just as prominently in these books – but happily it did not. Smith managed to write the romance in a very normal, confused teen way as far as I am concerned. I can understand Kaitlyn’s confusion over which boy to really give her heart too.
Once it is discovered that the Zetes Institute is not quite what they were promised, the teens end up on the run and even make their way all the way to Canada (Yay! Canada!) for part of the second novel. I had a little trouble with the people of the crystal and the fact that this car of teens managed to cross the border with no problems. But then again, this book was written in 1995 and back then, it wasn’t as difficult as it is now to cross the border. So I probably wouldn’t have thought twice about that scene if I had read the books when they first came out.
Over-all, I really enjoyed this book. Once I started it I could not put it down and I am so happy that I was able to gush love all over L.J. Smith once more. I am only sorry I didn’t know about these books back when they first were published because I would have picked them up had I seen them. The only L.J. Smith books I stayed away from on purpose were the Vampire Diaries because I have never liked vampires all that much. (And on that note – I did watchj the pilot episode of VD on Thursday night, though I don’t think I will be devoting much of my time to it this season. I don’t know yet. I’ll give it one more try, though it’s up against Bones and I am David Yummypants’ loyal fan, whether he’s a vampire with a soul OR a sort of goofy FBI agent!)
I gotta check this one out.
Cat Reply:
September 13th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Yes!!
I can see why the soulmate thing got a bit annoying in the first three Nightworld books. I haven’t read the other ones yet. But I am assuming that has some bigger meaning for the whole series. Maybe there will be Nightworld soulmates involved at some point, not just human and Nightworld soulmates. On another note, looks like I will have to add Dark Visions to my TBR pile. Too many books, too little time.
Cat Reply:
September 13th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
It was more the fact that each story started and ended the same way, I didn’t want to read the same thing with different names over and over! But Joana is trying her hardest to convince me it’s not all like that. So we’ll see.
But DO read Dark Visions!!
PolishOutlander does raise an interesting point, with regards to N.W., the Soulmate Principle does have a bigger meaning to it, multiple meanings really, and they’re hinted at in the second volume.
In any case, I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this trilogy! As I mentioned before, it’s one of my favorites from Smith and was actually one of the first things I read from her.
Indeed, so much has changed. In ’95 the kids crossing the border with ease was no concern. Heck, my friends and I did it going to Juarez, Mexico all the time. Now though, it seems border security is tighter. At least with regards to the obviously underage travelers.
Cat Reply:
September 13th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
So, you’re saying I should give the second volume a chance? I haven’t even gotten through the last story in the first volume because I was so irritated by how repetitive it was! It doesn’t help that we found out my grandmother was dying of cancer when I started this series and in the first pages the main character is dying of cancer. Timing thing I think.
I wish I could have Rhiannon’s eBay luck with this series though. I don’t like the large 3-story volumes, they are hard for me to hold right now. I’d like them all in the orginal single-story format with the cheesy 90s covers!
If I suddenly find I have run out of things to read, I might think about Vol. 2 of Night World.
Joana Reply:
September 14th, 2009 at 4:50 am
Hey! I like those cheesy covers. XD Actually I like ‘em better than the new ones
Ah, you started reading Secret Vampire while your grandmother was suffering too. Yeah, that could put a downer on it. 
It seems like the books have a formula to them, the formula gets thrown about and messed with in the 4th book and up. The soulmate principle is still addressed, but it makes a lot more sense.
Ah, I have the whole series in individual books. I love them that way and just couldn’t bring myself to buy it in the volumes.
I keep hearing about L.J. Smith but I haven’t had a chance to pick up anything by her yet.
Not sure if I’ll watch VD or not, I’m not much for TV these days. I’ll try it out when there are a couple of other episodes released.
Oh I hated Night World volume 1. It was boring and predictable. Are any of the other Night World books any good?
I may look into dark visions. I was skeptical.