Friday, March 15, 2013

Review and Tour Giveaway: Open Heart by Emlyn Chand



Open Heart (Farsighted, #2)
Open Heart by Emlyn Chand
Simmi Shergill's life is a mess. Her powers of psychic feeling are on the fritz, and Grandon Township's sudden population boom has brought quite a few unsavory characters to town. She also looks like an over-blown balloon in her size 14 pants, but not even starving herself seems to be helping.
At least she has Alex, the boyfriend who loves her so much he'd do anything for her. Last summer, he even risked his life to protect her from the mysterious boy everyone was convinced wanted to kill her.
Just one problem: she's not so sure she feels the same way. Is Alex really the man of her dreams? Why can't she stop fixating on her would-be killer, Dax? Part of her wants to run screaming in the other direction whenever Dax is around, while the other part longs to run into his embrace, no matter whom she'd hurt or what she'd risk.
Simmi's loyalty is on the line. Whom will she choose—the blind seer who loves her, or the charming telekinetic with "bad idea" written all over him? Emotions run high in the tension-packed book two of the Farsighted series.
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Published May 25th 2012 by Blue Crown Press
Genre: YA fantasy
Source: blog tour
Series? Yes. Farsighted is the 1st, Open Heart is the 2nd, Pitch is the 3rd and releases May 21st 2013, 4th is Vertigo and releases May 2014, and Refrain is the 5th and last and releases May 2015

Buy it: Amazon US, Book Depository, Amazon UK, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, or iTunes.

Find Emlyn online: site   twitter   facebook   book trailer

 
 
    It was different to see this world from a new set of eyes, as this second book in the Farsighted series is from Simmi's point of view, and the first was from Alex's. Simmi has a different gift, so therefore processes things differently, she of course can see, and she is a girl. So while I ultimately enjoyed her character (even if I despised how she handled certain things) and her voice, it took a bit to get used to the different narration.
    She was also pushing away Alex at first, and being harsh with him, but I quickly figured out that was partly due to a self esteem issue. I, of course, had no idea what she looked like, just her smell and personality from Farsighted, so the fact that she is a size 14, a size she thinks is huge, contributes to her insecurities. (I am totally a 12-16 depending on pants, so I get the insecurities and feeling like most everyone is bigger than me.) There were a few other things that I can't really talk about without spoiling that made me doubt her actions, and wonder where she is coming from, because on the surface it is selfish. Maybe it is more because I was in Alex's head for the first book, but I don't know.
    It was nice to see the theme of family involvement carried over. I appreciated that Simmi and her parents had dinner together with her little sister, and that they were concerned about her.
    The issues of the eating disorder was very realistic. The way she tried to hide it and felt like she had control over something, when she in reality was losing it piece by piece. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and knew that it had to catch up to her. I wasn't really expecting something like this in my fantasy, but the dose of contemporary was unique. I really hope that more healing and understanding about real beauty comes to her as the series goes on.
     It was so hard seeing her struggle with her feelings--I guess I should have been prepared from the summary and the end of Farsighted, but it didn't make it any easier. I can definitely see the appeal of Dax but I just think the betrayal is hard. I wish she would have just handled it all differently. I think when she had the first doubts about Alex, she should have backed off and maybe it would have been better. I am also nervous about the turn of events with her gift at the end and really hope that she can learn to control it, and only use for good. I believe she has a good heart, and regardless of some questionable decisions that all teens make at some point, I hope that the negative can't consume her.
    As far as Dax goes, I hope that we are in his head really soon, because from the outside I am really liking what I see. He is gentlemanly, and learning to control himself so that no one else gets hurt. I hope that Alex is just jealous and letting that come before forgiveness, and not because he truly still feels or has seen something truly horrible that Dax will do.
    Open Hearted is paced well, and I like how the plot continued, although I don't really feel like we are given a true ending to this one. It feels like it just stopped, and I can't wait for the next book.

Bottom line: The Farsighted world from new eyes, dealing with hard hitting emotional issues, and a choice that will hurt someone regardless.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
If you had to chose-seeing the future of how it could be or controlling emotions, what would you pick?

33 comments:

  1. That is such a hard question. Looking back, at the time I would have said controlling my emotions because I was sensitive and cared to much about others opinions. Now in my forties, I could care less what people think..so my answer would be seeing the future.

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    1. Gosh, I can't wait until I am at the point that I didn't care.

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  2. I'll choose B. I really don't think I want to know the future. That could be bad.

    Jen @ YA Romantics

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    1. True, because I wouldnt really want to change my past because it would change who I am... and the same for who I could become

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  3. I hate when books just stop on a dime. Glad you were able to enjoy it overall though. Ooh I don't think I'd want to know the future. I guess controlling emotions then, though that would be tricky too. Hmmm....tough one!

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    1. Oh yes, def would be tricky--without manipulating my husband and kids?

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  4. I've not heard of this series before. I completely understand issues of insecurities. I'm glad you enjoyed it though.

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  5. I think I would want to see the future, then I could make some changes.

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  6. I'd choose controlling emotions. It will be helpful specially when I'm angry. :)

    And seeing the future when it is a bad one is scary. I will feel hopeless and frustrated knowing I can't do anything about it.

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  7. Lovely review! This sounds heartbreaking but good! I'd choose seeing the future - I like the option of choosing a different path if I see a future I don't like ;)

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  8. Hmm. Simmi sounds like a really complex character, and I totally get her insecurities too-- I tend to be a size fourteen. But for whatever reason, I made peace with it very easily, and I'm okay with being a big girl, you know? I hope that she gets to that point soon. I haven't read the first book, so I actually have no idea really what's going on, so I'm totally glad that you focused on characters for this review. (:

    Option A. :)

    Loves,
    Megan@The Book Babe

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    1. It is hard to be happy with weight in this society, share your wisdom with me please :)

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  9. Good question, I think I wouldn't want to see the future, so I think I'd pick controlling emotions too.

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  10. Lovely review. To answer your question. I don't want to see the futures, for what it might hold. I would rather control emotions.


    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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  11. This sounds like a wonderful fantasy series that also tackles realistic issues. Thanks for sharing.

    I'd choose controlling the emotions - I prefer to live and create changes in the present moment :)

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  12. I'm always a little less into fantasy books so I don't know if this one is for me I confess. thanks for the review!

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  13. Not sure about this book. Perhaps I'd wait for the next to come out to decide, but I am curious about this whole series. As for the question... not sure I would want to do either. :-/

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  14. Really don't know the answer to that one! Not sure I'd want either!

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  15. I would choose controlling emotions. I wouldn't want to know what the future would be. Thanks for the giveaway.Please enter me. Tore923@aol.com

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  16. I'd definitely prefer seeing the future. How would you know what to do with controlling emotions? I barely understand my own emotions. Controlling them? I don't think they're meant to be controlled. Our reactions yes, but our emotions are something we feel, a gut deep feeling. I'd hate for someone to make me feel happy when I am really sad. Where would I put that sadness?

    Heather
    Believe me I've spent a lifetime with my emotions, I've thought about this alot! :)

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  17. Hmmm I don't really know what d pick. I don't know if I'd want either really

    Great review.

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  18. I haven't heard of this one, but for some reason it sounds very interesting. I'll definitely check it out. And I like the idea behind the story too. Great review! :D

    And I honestly don't know...knowing the future is pretty awesome but controlling emotions would be helpful in many emotionally draining situations. Maybe both?? lol ;p

    ~ Maida
    Literary Love Affair

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    1. LOL. That would be hard to juggle responsibilities of both gifts :)

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  19. Hm, I'm hesitant to read issue books so as soon as I read the words 'eating disorder' I cringed inwardly. But I love that it's so family oriented and the characters sound really lovely.
    Great review.

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    1. Yeah, know what you mean to some extent but I am one that thrives on issue books.

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  20. Really surprised how many chose neither or emotions over future!

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  21. Thank you for another awesome review, Brandi. Dax gets to wrap-up the series, but I promise Shapri's head is a good place to be, too. Can't wait to get her book out there this summer!

    Em <3

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