Jen's review of "The Glimpse" by Claire Merle

The Glimpse by Claire Merle
Publication date: June 7th, 2012
Publisher: Faber &Faber
Number of pages: 432
Format: Paperback
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Description: 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.

Led to believe Jasper has been taken by a strange sect the authorities will not intefere with, Ana sneaks out of her well-guarded Community to find him herself. Her search takes her through the underbelly of society, and as she delves deeper into the mystery of Jasper’s abduction she uncovers some devastating truths that destroy everything she has grown up to believe.

You live in a world where everyone is tested by their DNA. To determine whether you will get sick, which would pass onto to potential children. They are separated into Pures and the Crazies. 

After living her whole life thinking she was a Pure, Ana discovers a shocking secret her father had been keeping her from. A mistake he had made, but it is also one that could change Ana's  entire life in her community.
Ana was meant to be joined with fellow Pure, Jasper, but when suddenly he goes missing and nowhere to be seen, people start to suspect the worse: He has been kidnapped.

Ana takes it upon herself to try track down her missing mate-to-be, unable to handle not knowing what has happened to him, but to do this, she knows she has to leave the safe and guarded community she has known almost her entire life. She has to go into the unknown.... the place where the 'Crazies' are known to live. Sure its a risk, but what other choice she does have?

This journey takes her on something so completely unexpected. New friends and relationships starts t form, and Ana realizes the true meaning of true love. Its the kind that will get her in trouble, but also one she can't live without. 
Can Ana locate Jasper and discover the truth of what really happened? Or is he, and she also, lost to everyone forever?

I was captivated by this book. I absolutely loved the world that Claire built. Just when I think I have read them all, something comes along and changes my whole perspective.
The characters in this book all add something unique to the setting and to Ada. Whether its love, or friendship, or family. They are all tied together and brings out something special.

The relationship between Ana and Cole was fascinating to watch. But I also liked her relationship with Jasper. I kinda shipped them both I think, but story-wise and character, going through the book, you know which relationship will last and which one.
Both boys have their own qualities about themselves, but I think, I wish we had seen more of Jasper, because its like he wasn't given a chance in terms of Ana's feelings. Its like.. when things started to begin, he gets kidnapped... and end of story.

The end is sure of a cliffhanger, and I look forward to the conclusion to this duet, and see how everything starts to unfold.

                                             Rating: 4 out of 5