The Glimpse by Claire Merle

ISBN: 9780571280537

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Pages: 411

Raised on Lies

Transformed by Love

Bound to Destiny?

In a near future, society is segregated according to whether people are genetically disposed to mental illness. 17-year-old Ana has been living the privileged life of a Pure due to an error in her DNA test. When the authorities find out, she faces banishment from her safe Community, a fate only thwarted by the fact that she has already been promised to Pure-boy Jasper Taurell.

Jasper is from a rich and influential family and despite Ana’s condition, wants to be with her. The authorities grant Ana a tentative reprieve. If she is joined to Jasper before her 18th birthday, she may stay in the Community until her illness manifests. But if Jasper changes his mind, she will be cast out among the Crazies. As Ana’s joining ceremony and her birthday loom closer, she dares to hope she will be saved from the horror of the City and live a ‘normal’ life. But then Jasper disappears.

I received an ARC copy of The Glimpse for review from Faber & Faber, but initially, because of the vast amount of negative reviews, I delayed reading it. When I did eventually start reading The Glimpse, I was disappointed. It was a mixture of Pure by Julianna Baggott and Delirium by Lauren Oliver, but without the much needed finesse. I didn’t really have a favourite character, mainly due to the lack of character descriptions. I was more than halfway through The Glimpse before I discovered what Ana, the main character, actually looked like! Even though the cover of The Glimpse is pretty, I aren’t too keen on it, as to be quite honest, having read the book I can’t see the connection between the cover image and the actual story.

Available at Amazon.co.uk.