Book Details
Written by
Genre
More details
See more book reviews

Dark Visions: The Strange Power; The Possessed; The Passion (by L. J. Smith)

common sense media says

A whole lot more boy drama than teen psychic thriller.

parents & educators say
  • 33% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say there are positive messages
See all 15 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this psychic teen romance is much, much milder than the author's Vampire Diaries series. There's a love triangle with lots of kissing (and an energy-draining process that seems rather sexual), one teen is attacked by a drifter and saved, and some teens fall into madness under the effects of an evil psychic crystal. A few minor characters die from far-off "psychic attacks" that are barely described.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: Lots of teamwork displayed among the "mind mates" (teens linked telepathically). Plus much talk about what's good and evil and overcoming those who are out to hurt people with their psychic gifts.
Positive role models: Kait comes into her own by the end of the trilogy -- she's not out to be rescued by boyfriends anymore, finding her inner strength. But she still plays the rescuer, going after the angry, interesting boy in hopes of making him "good" again. Anna, Rob, and Lee are all positive characters who look out for one another. The evil Mr. Zetes has an opulent home and tempts psychic students with riches.
Violence: More "psychic attacks" than actual physical ones, where deaths of minor characters are mentioned, but the main character is physically attacked once by a drifter who follows her off a late-night bus. A sensory deprivation chamber is used against psychic teens, making some mentally unstable, some display violent tendencies, and some appear grotesque. One girl pulls another out of the shower, and they briefly fight. One character ends up in a coma.
Sex: Plenty of kissing in the love triangle, but not much else -- surprising since teens live together and travel together throughout the trilogy. But when one character sucks the psychic energy out of another, the description is rather sexual in nature.
Language: Very mild. A "damn" or two.
Consumerism: A small sprinkling of brands: Coke, Glamour magazine, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Captain Crunch, Liz Claiborne, Anne Klein, plus a Macy's shopping trip.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Passing mentions that the "bad" psychics are off drinking and smoking. One scene in a night club. Mr. Zetes offers a teen a drink at his home.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Dark Visions: The Strange Power; The Possessed; The Passion

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about what makes or breaks a fantasy-romance. How could this really long read have been better? What are your favorite fantasy-romances?
  • If you could have a psychic power like the teens in this book, what would it be? Would you trade some sanity for more power, or not?
  • What do you think of Kait's tempation to go for the "bad boy"? Do you think she could really change him and get him to open up to her? How hard is it to change a person?

What's the story?

What's the story?
When Kait is offered the chance to develop her psychic gifts at an institute in San Francisco, she jumps at the chance. She's one of five teens chosen by Mr. Zetes -- a mysterious, rich, powerful man with the requisite number of guard dogs and evil secrets. It doesn't take long for the five -- Kait, Rob, Anna, Lewis, and Gabriel -- to raid Zetes' secret files and get a sense of his evil deeds; turns out the first wave of teen subjects didn't fare so well in the presence of a crystal that enhances powers ... at the price. In the second of the trilogy, The Possessed, the fivesome goes north in search of a good, healing crystal to combat Zetes. The third story in the trilogy, The Passion, finds Gabriel going to work for Zetes and Kait going in after him as a spy. She and Rob are an item, but there's something about moody Gabriel that's just too tempting to ignore.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

It's hard to figure out what makes this a bestseller. It's probably just because the author wrote The Vampire Diaries and the three-in-one set is a bargain at $9.99. Sure, the ideas are intriguing -- and when the five psychics get mind-linked, that's a fun touch -- but the writing isn't worth 700+ pages of anyone's time.

If you're in it for the romance, yeah, Kait gets whomever she decides to go after. But Rob is such a wooden character that he makes Gabriel much more appealing by comparison; it's no wonder which way Kait's head turns. If you're in it for the fantasy, there are many better options out there, none of them centering on a hokey crystal.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: L. J. Smith
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication date: September 8, 2009
Number of pages: 752
Paperback price: $9.99
Read Aloud: 12
Read Alone: 12
This review was written by Carrie R. Wheadon
 
 

Review It

 

Review Dark Visions: The Strange Power; The Possessed; The Passion

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

What parents & educators say

15
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say it's educational
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

dark moon
teen, 14 years old
12
 
I think anyone 12 and up should read this book.
I absolutely love the book and I just started reading it too. But I love it any way ,its totally awesome . I'm also 13 years old, plus one of my best friend can read a book big chapter book like this one in a whole day.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)
NoseStuckInABook
teen, 15 years old
13
 
Pretty good.
Dark Visions is a pretty good read. It's not shallow, sexist, and uncreative like Twilight. One of the male characters lifts up Kait's skirt to heal her (it's later explained that he had an accident and wasn't the same around girls like other guys, so in other words, sex doesn't really appeal to him).
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (2)
Book_Worm92
adult
16
 
One of the best
This is a book that I love to read. The love, betrayal, friendship and suspense rock! I would read this book over and over again. L.J. Smith is a great author.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
2ltchurch
adult
17
 
i completely loved this series. my parents bought it for me for christmas and i just finished it today only picking the book up 3 days. you will get hooked in the words, but i wonder...will it ever become a movie or a series like her other books have?
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)
LindyWindy
teen, 14 years old
13
 
Awesome for 13 year olds.
I'm 13, and i loved it! I love the night world books, so I tried this book. I'm normally a slow reader, but because it's so hard to put down, I just started the third book, and can't wait to see someone tell Gabriel off, in a way that he'll care about.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
bookluver98
teen, 17 years old
11
 
for 11 and up love it buy it
i love this book it is hard to pt this book down like with how much of a mystery Gabriel is sadly i am only starting the book and am now on chapter 12 but i wonder what is going to happen in that place they are in ! and i can't wait to find out
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (3)
dicapriofreak94
teen, 15 years old
10
 
Great book for people who love romance!
I ABSOLUTELY ADORE THIS BOOK! It is everything a tween/teen could hope for in a book; romantic, exciting, great story, keeps you on edge. I love this book. L.J. Smith is definitely one of my favorite authors out there. She always has exciting books (like this book) to read. Absolutely spectacular!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
KatherineLovesJake
teen, 14 years old
2
 
Love it
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (3)
gigi98
teen, 14 years old
12
 
really good
I loved this book, the summary on the back of the book is not very good but the book it's self is great. What i worry about in books is the sexual stuff but this book is perfect b/c there is romance but nothing too bad. I loved this book!!!!!:)
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)
FaerieTears
parent of 4 year old
12
 
Great :)
I've owned this book since I was probably an 8th grader. I re-read it every few years. The characters are cool and enjoyable. The plot is different. The villain is creepy, though not scary.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
MakeupGuru07
teen, 15 years old
12
 
This book is good for ages 12 and up, very good description.
Love the book. I have the time to read the 700+ pages. I dont think it is a waste of time, and I am a big fan of L.J. Smith. I think she did a good job of writing this book.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (3)
Beliefs-Wonder
teen, 15 years old
9
 
Passion? Hmm.
The word passion. . hmm, I've always thought of it of a fruit, passion fruit, it sounds tropical. . . P.S. I don't believe in love triangles, I believe in love circles, cuz they'll all figure it out and run into eachother like lines do in a circle. RESPECT.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (1)
Hosna ...
kid, 13 years old
12
 
Awesome book!!!
This book was great!!!! It was so intense. At times, it could have gotten a little kissy and stuff like that, but, a 12 year old kid can handle that. Two boys compete for Kate, but she makes her desicion at the end. There's nothing really that extreme. One time, Rob puts his hand up Kate's skirt, but he is kind of "stupid" cause he had this accident and he forgot everything about girls, so he just wants to help give energy to Kate, so he decides to put his hand up her skirt.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (1)
Antoinette B.
teen, 17 years old
13
 
Perfect for teens
This is the beesssttt!!!! I love itt!! it hahs so much suspense and love and what togetherness is really about. How to stick up for eachother no matter what!! and how to look deep inside someone.. yu never know
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (2)
Rosemarry Dragon
teen, 15 years old
12
 
i loved this book i love L.J smith's creative style it was a very good experce to read. as soon as you pick this book up your like WOW this is a HUGE book but as you contine to read you will fall in love become heart brocken then shock then happy and before you can relize it you are done with the book
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (2)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you read Dark Visions: The Strange Power; The Possessed; The Passion?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already read it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Better fantasy-romance reads
For kids who love fantasy and romance
Browse more books
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines