Book Review: Within by Clare Marshall

Friday 13 January 2012 23:21 by Avery Olive
I’ve feel terrible I’ve been so quiet lately but between doing the finishing touches on A Stiff Kiss, getting it ready for production, my son’s fifth birthday, and a whole boat load of other things, time just hasn’t been on my side. I’d need a good extra ten hours in a day, I swear to get everything done that needs to get done! So, sadly blogging is the first thing that get’s kicked to the back seat, and I apologize for that.
But, anyways, we aren’t here to talk about me, no, no, we need to give a big shout out to Clare Marshall and her Novel Within. If you remember she was here for the 13 Days of Christmas Giveaways for an interview, well she’s back! This time around I’m a stop on her Within Blog Tour (January 9th – 30th)
So, why don’t we get right to it with a Review of Within. And for all you stopping by for the tour, why not sit down, hang up your coat and stay awhile, feel free to check out the blog, follow and or leave some comment love for Clare Marshall!
Now, I was lucky enough to snag a copy of Within by fellow Canadian Author Clare Marshall. She’s been a pleasure to get to know, and her novel was a unique read that left me satisfied.

Trinity Hartell’s life changed after the accident. Left with irreversible brain damage, she becomes a burden to her mother, a cause for heartbreak for her boyfriend Zack, and a flattened obstacle for her best friend, Ellie.
But then she starts writing. Perhaps it’s a coincidence that the psychotic, murdering protagonist of her novel bears a striking similarity to the charming Wiley Dalton, a mayoral candidate in the upcoming election.
Or, perhaps not...
--Quoted from Goodreads


This has to be one of the shortest, most intriguing blurbs I’ve read in awhile. It really leaves you with nagging curiosity.
And the cover, well only one word can really describe it, beautiful!

Now, this entire novel is heartbreaking, I’m not going to lie, have tissues on hand because Mrs. Marshall wastes no time getting to the action, leaving you feeling beyond sorry for the characters within the first couple of pages.
But quickly she turns things around, giving you a mystery that needs to be solved. The novel is written showing us many POV’s allowing the words on the page depth, tension and action. Through the eyes of the characters we follow not only Trinity’s story, the one she begins writing, but also from the antagonists whos on psychotic rampage to rid the world of imperfect humans.
Some of the scenes are a little hard to take.  The cruel and sadistic views of the antagonist have your stomach twisting but they are also integral to the story itself, giving you a novel that really is full of page-turning goodness.
Mrs. Marshall has done an exemplary job of writing both sad and emotional scenes, but also weaving together an intricate story line that will captures any reader.
And of course, since this in YA let’s not forget the boyfriend Zach and the best friend Ellie, the two of them have their place in the novel, adding even more interest to the storyline itself, and the pair are out to solve the main mystery of the novel, proving that Trinity has a special ability and the events of her story are not just to entertain anyone that reads them, but in fact are based on true events, pointing the finger at a very unlikely suspect. This gives a twist you weren’t quite expecting.
As I said above, this is a unique storyline, a breath of fresh air in a market that is filled with fantasy creatures and the like, and of course, fluffy romance. This has none of that giving the novel an edge of difference that reminds us that there is so much more out there. You can have a story with normal characters, a unique ability, and a murder mystery tied into one that is amazing.  

Thanks for stopping by, and if your not sure where to go next on the Within Blog Tour, click on the link below!
Within Blog Tour January 9th - 30th

2 Response to "Book Review: Within by Clare Marshall"

  1. Clare Says:

    Thanks for participating, Avery! ^_^

  2. Erin Says:

    Thanks for a closer look at Clare's book. I'm looking forward to reading this one!