Book Review: The Glimpse by Claire Merle

Title: The Glimpse
Author: Claire Merle
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Publisher: Faber & Faber (UK)
Publication Date: June 7th 2012
Source: Publisher
Format: Arc
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Buy it: Amazon
Summary from Goodreads;
Once you've seen into the future, can you change your destiny?
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 interfere with, Ana sneaks out of her well-guarded Community to find him herself. Her search takes her through the underbelly of society and into the pits of the human soul. 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, but she also learns to love as she has never loved before.
Rating:
4 stars, really enjoyed it
Thoughts;
Look at the cover, it's so pretty! I love simple covers. :) I was hesitant to read this book because of the separation between Pures & the Crazies but gave in, and greatly enjoyed this novel.
The characters in The Glimpse each had their own personalities which I really enjoyed. No one had the same feel to them. They all felt like real people; someone you could meet somewhere. I wish I'd gotten to know more about the boy Ana was to be bound to, Jasper. I felt that he popped in and out of the story and I just wish I'd gotten to see more of him. Ana was a strong character but she got whiny at times which I could tolerate considering the situations she found herself in.
The romance in this book was really adorable but a teeny bit too fast and unbelievable in a way. One of the characters introduced towards the middle of the book has visions of the future, yes. I know. He manages to see himself and Ana together so technically that's all their romance is started and based on. They do however, get to know each other a bit more and spend time with each other.
This world Merle built is so, well, realistic. It's something I can visualize and see existing. The detailing was enough to visualize some things but not enough to get a perfect image. The pacing was great, not too fast yet not to slow. After getting through the first few pages, the book flowed smoothly. I admit some parts felt slightly repeated but it seemed to me it was more for emphasizes rather than just being repeated. The plot was not what I originally thought it'd be but instead came to result in a bigger picture. I can't wait to read on about Claire's world in the sequel to The Glimpse.
I recommend this to anyone looking for a riveting novel with a strong female character. Also, for fans of great world building, this is for you.