The Strange Power (Dark Visions, Book 1) [Paperback]

L.J. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Series: DARK VISIONS | Publication Date: December 1, 1994

The bestselling author of The Vampire Diaries offers a winning new trilogy of romantic horror. Frightened and isolated, a girl hopes for a new life when she is invited to an institute with four other psychically gifted students. Soon they learn the truth about an experiment that threatens their sanity and their lives.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

L.J. Smith is the bestselling author of the Night World and The Vampire Diaries series, and has written over twenty-five books for young adults. She lives in the Bay Area of California where she enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling. Her favorite place is a cabin in Point Reyes National Park. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 230 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (December 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671874543
• ISBN-13: 978-0671874544
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #707,907 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Let's see, I've known that I wanted to be a writer since I was about six, when a teacher praised a horrible poem I'd written. I wrote my first book in high school, finishing it in my first year of college. Then I became a special ed teacher before I was able to become a writer full-time. That's about it!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ANother wonder for my collection, January 5, 2002

By 

April (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Strange Power (Dark Visions, Book 1) (Paperback)

Being that I have recently become one of L.J Smiths fans. I have found it VERY difficult to get her books. But this one I was lucky enough to reach before the "Out of print" label reached it first. At first I was skeptical because of the cover and everything. You really have to be an anti "judge a book by the cover" reader, to get this book. Which also goes for the Secret circle..... Anywhoo This book was really captivating...

A group of five special psycic teens from all over the U.S are bribed (to put it mildly) into going to a home in California. Where they could start a new life and get PAID for it! All needed of them were to do some harmless tesing on their psycic powers on a regular basis(or so they thought). Soon Kaitlyn is sent clues that Mr.Zetes is up to no-good with his researching, she starts getting suspicious. And it doesnt help that the messenger is put into a mysterious coma soon after. It was THEN that she decided to find out about Mr.Zetes and what he really wants from them. She and the others decide to search for the truth and they find a secret...(nope cant tell you that)well files that...(Nope cant tell you that either)Sorry. Well what I CAN tell, is that on their mission for the truth Gabriel makes a mistake and links them all into a stable psycic link. Which makes them read into each other's thoughts. They keep their secrets from Mr.Zetes scared of what he might do if he found out what they "knew". But then Kaitlyn and Gabe are caught into a bad situation, they are trapped with Mr.Zetes with no power to hold against him....LISTEN Im not much of a storyteller so do yourself a favor and get the book! Its much better when you read it. Youll be suprised with what happens and be happy that you got it! As a matter of fact get the whole trilogy!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good start, September 15, 2003

By 

"celes1" (Havre de Grace, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Strange Power (Dark Visions, Book 1) (Paperback)

Kaitlyn Fairchild has always been unnerved by her uncontrollable ability to draw pictures of the future. So she's thrilled when she gets into a special school for psychics. For the first time in her life, Kait is surrounded with people she feels she belongs with and she's especially interested in kindhearted Rob. But she begins to suspect that the owner of the school has an ulterior motive, one that could get Kait and her new friends killed.

The Strange Power is an intriguing but a bit slow start to the Dark Visions Trillogy. I probably should be continuing L. J. Smith's The Vampire Diaries series but I decided to take a break from that. This series was a nice chance of pace. I really enjoyed the characters and am curious to see what happens next. I have no clue why The Vampire Diaries seems to be the favorite of many L. J. Smith fans. This series and all her others are much better.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've read this book five times!, December 15, 2000

By 

Katherine (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Strange Power (Dark Visions, Book 1) (Paperback)

This is a great book. Along with the Secret Circle Trilogy it's my favorite by her. The Dark Visions trilogy is wonderul. I love the characters. They stick with you, especially Gabriel. He's a wonderfully well developed character. It's strange because he's not the main character but somehow you walk away with more of an understanding of him than you do any of the other characters. It's amazing! Not that the other characters aren't good. Kait is very interesting and I just love Lewis. Anna was cool. Even Rob was nice although he's the one character I think could have stood to be developed a little more. Not that you would notice if it weren't in such contrast with Gabriels character. Hey, I'd buy the book just for the timeless sarcastic remarks made.