Book Review: Glimmer (Zellie Wells #2) by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

Summary: 

Zellie Wells’ life is changing. Her relationship with Avery is growing stronger every day, but their parents are still giving them ultimatums and trying to keep them apart. Her newly discovered powers have all but disappeared. Benjamin, another young Retroact, is back and has brought with him a painful shared vision and a troubled past. While working together to figure out what the vision means, Zellie discovers that Benjamin is a worthy friend and mentor. If only he could keep his hands off of her - if only she wanted him to... 

Review: 

Sometimes YA leaves me feeling unsatisfied. Some YA novels feel too young, too light, too teen-angsty, or too recycled.  Happily, none of that is the case with Stacey Wallace Benefiel's books!  She has created a world just like ours except for the addition of people with powers such as communicating with spirits, rewinding events to make them go another way, and seeing the future.  People with these powers have no other abnormalities and the rest of the population is left in the dark.  

Glimmer picks up where Glimpse left off.  Zellie and Avery are trying to be together despite warnings by their parents to stay apart to prevent Avery's death that Zellie glimpses every night.  Zellis learns more about her powers and has continued interaction with her grandmother and aunt, who are also gifted like Zellie. 


I found Glimmer to be faster paced than Glimpse.  The story moves along quickly until the surprising conclusion.  I actually gasped out loud twice---I love to be surprised like that!  One of my favorite things about Benefiel's writing are her well-developed minor characters.  They each have such well-defined personalities and add a lot to the story. 

I would recommend Glimpse and Glimmer to fans of paranormal fiction and YA.  They are such sweet books!

Just One Gripe: 

Christopher is a major character in the story.  He was introduced very briefly in book one, by his last name, which made his inclusion in Glimmer confusing for me until I figured out who he really was.   

The Best Thing About This Book: 

I just loved the sweet and tender love story.  The paranormal aspect was also very unique and well done. 

Appropriate for a younger audience: 

Yes

Score: 

Characters: 4/5

Plot: 4/5

Setting/Imagery: 4/5

Originality: 4/5

Ending: 4/5

Total Score:  20/25