The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger

Summary:You are more than you think you are.


THAT IS THE ANONYMOUS MESSAGE that Beth Michaels receives right before she starts seeing things. Not just a slept-through my-alarm-clock, late-for-homeroom, haven't had-my-caffeine-fix kind of seeing things. It all starts with some dots, annoying pink dots that pop up on and over her mom and her best friend's face. But then things get out of control and Beth is seeing people's pasts, their fears, their secrets, their desires. The images are coming at Beth in hi-def streaming video and she can't stop it. Everyone thinks she's crazy and she's pretty sure she agrees with them. But crazy doesn't explain the gold envelopes that have started arriving, containing seeing keys and mysterious tarot cards. To Beth, it all seems too weird to be true. You are more than you think you are? But here's the thing: What if she is?

My Thoughts: I want a sequel!!! We meet Beth who is a normal teenager who has hopes and dreams. She has a crush on Richie, one of the two brothers every girl wants. She lives her life like any other teenager and than that changes in an instant when she starts seeing people's past, secrets, anything that rotates off them. All of a sudden these gold envelopes start appearing with mysterious keys and tarot cards. Beth's mom is not on her side during all this, she puts her into an psychiatric ward and says its for her own good. Of course from the get go, we realize that her mom knows more than she lets on. She than starts to connect with Richie and he can read her thoughts. I won't give away the whole book here but I just want to say this is a great story, something original, and you don't see the whole plot and things surprise you. My favorite part of the book was when Richie and Beth were laying on the bed in the hotel, listening to music. If you want to know what happens to Beth, pick this book up. You won't be sorry. And all I can say is, I want a sequel and Jessica needs to hurry up and write one!!!

Overall: Really liked it a lot. I really liked Beth and Richie together. And I liked Beth's friends who were there for her, especially the one she makes while in the psych ward.

Cover: The cover is neat. I like the angle of her back and it gives me an idea of who Beth is. I also like the glare off the title.

What I'd Give It: