This is a quick read about Kate, a lifelong asthma sufferer who sees visions whenever an attack strikes. She's able to see the past as well as the future, but her ability doesn't do a lot of good when no one believes that what she sees is real.

She longs to be a normal teen whose family doesn't hover 24/7 and whose not always known as the "sick girl" at school, especially around Gil, the guy she's crushing on. When Kate suffers multiple attacks in one day and sees two different life threatening situations, one involving her sister and the other, someone close to Gil, she'll have to decide if telling him about her ability is worth risking their friendship. Not wanting either person to suffer, Kate figures out how to bring on the visions in an effort to use her "weakness" to help, but each time she does, she poses an even greater risk to her own life.

This was my first book by author Cheryl Rainfield (who graciously provided an e-book copy for review) and I found her writing style to be creative and enjoyable. I liked that Kate was concerned about others and willing to do whatever she could to help them, even if the cost to her was great.

Domestic abuse, bullying, rape and suicide are all relevant issues addressed in this book.

Toronto-based young adult writer Cheryl Rainfield’s recently released teen novel Parallel Visions is a simply written, slim book, but it’s hard-hitting nevertheless. Within the first few pages, for example, the issue of teen LGBTQ suicide comes up. The novel not only deals with homophobia, but also sexism, in two of its most explicit forms: sexual assault and intimate partner violence; in fact, it interrogates the intersection of hetero/sexism in its depiction of a secondary lesbian character (bonus points for her also being a woman of colour). Parallel Visions also deals with more commonplace concerns for teens, such as feeling like an outsider. Interestingly, Rainfield combines the gritty, realist setting and situations with a thriller storyline, and adds a supernatural twist...

Read the rest of my review here: http://caseythecanadianlesbrarian.wordpress.com/2012/12/11/a-life-affirimg-earnest-book-for-young-adults-a-review-of-cheryl-rainfields-novel-parallel-visions/

I realize the craze is for what is considered "young adult" paranormal fiction right now and it is easy to see many authors just following the fad. This book doesn't do that. The central character has a special power but it comes at a very high personal cost. Like any teen would, Kate struggles with it. The story is very well written for young adults and adults alike. The only bad thing I can say about it is that it is too short. I wish it were a full length novel and am looking forward to more installments in the story.

The main character, an asthmatic girl named Kate, has psychic visions whenever she has an asthma attack. This is an interesting concept I haven't seen done a thousand times before and I'm curious to see where Rainfield will take it. Kate isn't my favorite character - she possesses a naivety that I didn't have as a teen her age so she didn't feel real to me. That may have been the point - she has the type of mother who hovers. It's hard for anyone to blossom under another person's shadow. Kate is the hub of several plot threads that were hinted at for future installments. I expect her to grow as a character in future stories (and I will be disappointed if she doesn't).

That being said, I felt like the real story was just beginning when the novella ended. There's a lot of set-up for future installments of the series.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. I admit - I'm biased. I love Cheryl Rainfield because she tackles difficult topics like domestic abuse, rape, and suicide. I strongly recommend her works for parents who want to open discussions about these topics with their own children.

A good but quick read. A definitely solid work that I felt was a little rushed. Predictable but not in cliched way. Strong female characters with realistic flaws. In short, not as amazing as her other works but no where near bad.