Invisible

Apr 23, 2013 Arlena rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-stars, chit-lit, contemporary, death, drama, ebooks, excellent-book, alcohoic, my-reviews, mystery, twist-and-turns, women-fiction

Author: Carla Buckley
Published by: Bantam
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA

Rating: 5

Review:

"Invisible" by Carla Buckley was some good mystery read. I feel this read would appeal to the women-chit-lit. This novel will have you still thinking of it long after the read. "Invisible" was all over the place with a real complex family relationship to environmental issues that lead to a deep mystery. There will be many twist and turns...along with some surprises as you re...more Author: Carla Buckley
Published by: Bantam
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA

Rating: 5

Review:

"Invisible" by Carla Buckley was some good mystery read. I feel this read would appeal to the women-chit-lit. This novel will have you still thinking of it long after the read. "Invisible" was all over the place with a real complex family relationship to environmental issues that lead to a deep mystery. There will be many twist and turns...along with some surprises as you read through this novel. "Invisible" is told in first person by Dana Carlson (aunt) and in third person from Peyton Kelleher's who was a sixteen year old.

"This story is an environmental warning story, as Dana discovers a possible source for the increase in kidney in Black Bear. The potential toxin that Dana uncovers is an interesting topic, and it makes you wonder about the possible dangers of modern products."

We find Dana Carlson gets a call from her niece letting her know that her mom, Julie was very ill, Dana rushed back to Black Bear, Minnesota to her sister. Even though Dana had not spoken to Julie for over twenty years, when arriving Dana find that Julie had died.Now, this is where and when all the secrets began to come out and when I say to you that you must pick up this good read to see not only where and when but you will also get all of the what and how in this excellently written read. It is some intriguing read that I wasn't able to put down until the end only to see how these two were telling this to us.

Questions that will be asked and answered.....
"Is there an environmental problem in the town? Will Peyton find out the truth? Will Joe? What happens with Joe and Dana? Dana's job? Peyton? Will Peyton's grandma ever tell her the secrets? Could this work of fiction be true?" "Invisible" was definitely one of "lost chances, forgiveness, and healing." How does all of this fit together?...well, this is where you will have to pick up the good read to find out.

I felt this author did a good job making you wonder if this really could happen. Only leaving me to say Wow, what a read. If you like family drama and secrets with realistic characters .. you have come to the right place for "Invisible" would be a excellent read for you that I would recommend.
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Nov 28, 2012 Shelley aka Gizmo's Reviews rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-releases

*Genre* Contemporary, Mystery
*Rating* 3-3.5

*First thoughts*

Invisible, by Carla Buckley, is filled with twists and surprises and should hold readers attentions throughout the book. The story is told in the first POV by Dana Carlson and third person from 16 year old Peyton Kelleher’s perspective. Readers may or may not like the alternating POV’s, but, the one positive aspect is that they actually change after each chapter and not in the middle which is often confusing.

Dana Carlson's life takes a d...more *Genre* Contemporary, Mystery
*Rating* 3-3.5

*First thoughts*

Invisible, by Carla Buckley, is filled with twists and surprises and should hold readers attentions throughout the book. The story is told in the first POV by Dana Carlson and third person from 16 year old Peyton Kelleher’s perspective. Readers may or may not like the alternating POV’s, but, the one positive aspect is that they actually change after each chapter and not in the middle which is often confusing.

Dana Carlson's life takes a detour after a body is discovered under the debris of a building she just imploded. Since Dana was the one to trigger the explosion, guilt lies heavily on her consciousness. She then learns, via mysterious phone call, that her older sister Julie, whom she hasn’t seen for 16 years, lies dying in the hospital of her former hometown Black Bear, Minnesota. By the time she arrives back in Minnesota, Dana is left with more questions than answers.

16 years ago Dana made a fateful decision which she never looked back from. She moved on and did her own thing. She became a partner in a business called Down To Earth Implosion bringing down buildings that are eye sores or no longer necessary. She never thought she would have to return to her hometown where memories are etched in her brain and won’t ever go away from things she and Julie kept secret from everyone, including Julie’s own husband Frank.

Now, with her sister dead from Kidney disease, Dana decides to put her life behind her, and find out what is making the residents of Black Bear sick including children. Dana gets a quick lesson on nanotechnology and the supposed good uses it has for humans, as well as the things we take for granted like sunscreen. Dana is also forced to realize her own mistakes and short comings over the past 16 years that have left her standing on the precipice of permanent change in her life.

As for Peyton, you will find her chapters to be a life’s lessons in marine biology. It is almost as though Buckley was trying to piece the pieces together from point A, from when Dana made her fateful choice, to point B, when Peyton and Dana realize they are stuck together no matter how much one may not like each other.

Invisible really is a shock to the system once you read about the amazing new technology known as nanotechnology and the possible side effects it has on the citizens of the world. One of the main things I liked about this book was that the author doesn’t talk down to the reader or info dump a bunch of useless information for readers to wade through. She takes her time exploring the characters, and the world they live in.

*ARC recv'd via Edelweiss.com Expected publication: September 25th 2012 by Random House, Inc. (less)

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Jan 25, 2013 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dana Carlson has been estranged from her sister Julie for almost 17 years, when she gets a call Julie's daughter, Peyton. Julie is in the hospital. Dana rushes back to her hometown, but is too late. Julie has died from kidney failure. Dana discovers that Julie was suspicious that something was making people in the town ill, and Dana starts investigating.

This story is an environmental warning story, as Dana discovers a possible source for the increase in kidney in Black Bear. The potential toxin...more

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Jan 21, 2013 Patty rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Invisible
by
Carla Buckley

My summary...short...to the point...

Two sisters with a 16 year old secret have not seen each other in years. Tragedy brings one sister back home...and opens up a ton of secrets.

My thoughts after reading this book...

Hmmm...this was one of those lovely books...that begins with one old secret and just sort of meanders around to reveal quite a few old secrets. There is dysfunction and anger and sadness and it's always a great story when one of the main characters has been gon...more

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Jan 16, 2013 Ashley rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-must-reads

I struggled with a 3 or 4 star rating here- there are shortcomings to the book but the stories overcame those easily. Read on to see why.

Carla Buckley’s Invisible is the first of my 2013 must-reads. From the first page, I had a hard time putting it down. Buckley gives us two compelling stories. First is a fractured family dealing with secrets long buried. Second is an epidemic of kidney disease in a small town in Minnesota. The two stories converge in the character of Dana Carlson.

Invisible was...more I struggled with a 3 or 4 star rating here- there are shortcomings to the book but the stories overcame those easily. Read on to see why.

Carla Buckley’s Invisible is the first of my 2013 must-reads. From the first page, I had a hard time putting it down. Buckley gives us two compelling stories. First is a fractured family dealing with secrets long buried. Second is an epidemic of kidney disease in a small town in Minnesota. The two stories converge in the character of Dana Carlson.

Invisible was certainly fast paced, exploring not only Dana’s past but also possible chemical threats. There was enough plausibility to the nanotechnology angle that I found myself googling it just to see what is out there about the subject. I liked Dana, and I especially liked her niece, Peyton. Peyton felt like normal teenager to me, not someone drawn to a dysfunctional or perfect extreme. Buckley’s descriptions of oceanic life as metaphors for Peyton and her life were especially well done, and somewhat educational.

It’s hard to say what I liked so much about the book without giving away key plot points, so apologies for lack of a lot of detail here. Suffice it to say the story was intriguing and kept me interested from start to finish.

However, when Invisible ended my reaction was, “Wait. What? Is that it? It’s over?” It’s not that the ending is wholly unsatisfying, it is that it feels unfinished to me. It may be that Buckley’s intention was to leave so much open ended- the book does end on a hopeful note, after all- but it felt incomplete to me. Dana’s job was a major plot point at the beginning and Buckley spends time talking about Dana’s relationship and dissatisfaction with her business partner, but then doesn’t really close out the issue. We also don’t get to see closure with many of the relationships from Dana’s past that Buckley introduces.

Still, the story was compelling enough to me that Invisible overcomes the shortcomings of the ending, and I have already been recommending this book to friends. This is Buckley’s second book, and I’ve already ordered her first one to add to my reading queue.(less)

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Dec 20, 2012 Lori L (She Treads Softly) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Invisible by Carla Buckley is a mystery that features complex family relationships and a mystery. Dana Carlson's sister, Julie, is dying. When Dana is called by Julie's teenage daughter, Peyton, she hurries back to Black Bear, Minnesota. After being estranged from Julie for 16 years, she arrives too late to say good-bye to her sister. Peyton, who is already emotionally distant from her peers, is understandably suffering and Dana stays after the funeral to try and help her and Julie's husband, Fr...more Invisible by Carla Buckley is a mystery that features complex family relationships and a mystery. Dana Carlson's sister, Julie, is dying. When Dana is called by Julie's teenage daughter, Peyton, she hurries back to Black Bear, Minnesota. After being estranged from Julie for 16 years, she arrives too late to say good-bye to her sister. Peyton, who is already emotionally distant from her peers, is understandably suffering and Dana stays after the funeral to try and help her and Julie's husband, Frank. Frank, however, resumes drinking and resents Dana's presence.

Adding to this already volatile mix is the notebook Julie left behind. She was sure that something caused her illness and it was making others in town sick too. Dana, amid her own regrets and worries, takes on the investigation her sister started, much to the resentment of the whole town.

Invisible has been favorably compared to novels by Jodi Picoult, which I think is a fair comparison. While there is an overwhelming mystery over the cause of Julie's illness, as well as another mystery in Dana's life, there are also many underlying themes, including regret, redemption, addiction, greed, secrets, government safety regulations, to name a few.

The chapters alternate between Dana's and Peyton's point of view. Peyton's chapters open with her discussing a different marine species, which gives clues to her emotional state. Both Dana and Peyton are well developed characters and you will gain some understanding of Julie through their eyes. Frank was less developed and a bit more formulaic.

The plot for the main mystery and the family drama, although somewhat predictable, is engaging and kept my attention. In some ways the mystery involving Dan's demolition work felt like an unnecessary addition to the novel, although bringing up her issues with her partners made sense. Even though circumstances had me reading this novel over a much longer period of time than I would normally take, I enjoyed the pacing of the plot and never felt as if I should just rush to the end.

Highly Recommended

Quotes:
Read an Excerpt
http://carlabuckley.com/invisible1.php

Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Random House and Netgalley for review purposes.

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Jan 07, 2013 Kathy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite-authors, favorites, highly-recommend

In a word, oustanding! Carla Buckley delivers another page turner in her second novel, Invisible. She may be the most underrated published author that I read. Not that many people aren't reading her, but the national spotlight hasn't focused on her, yet. It will. Nobody does characters better than Buckley, and that includes a lot of better known authors, who might do them as well, but not better. Buckley's two novels, The Things That Keep Us Here and now Invisible, will grab you from page one. N...more

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Apr 29, 2013 Steph rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013

Let's start off by saying that this isn't a bad book. In fact, it's quite an interesting storyline. An Erin Brockovich-esque novel, really. I was drawn to this book by the summary and it wasn't a novel I struggled through, really.

However, this novel felt predictable. I felt like I was one step ahead of the author the entire time when it came to all the plot-twists. The foreshadowing was painfully obvious throughout the entirety. None of the surprise twists were really that surprising.

I felt lik...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Heather Boustead rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, drama, ebook

Dana Carlson is demolishing a building when her niece calls telling her that her sister is sick and needs her. Dana Carlson rushes to Black Bear Minnesota only to find out she is a few hours late. The longer Dana stays, the more she realizes her niece and brother in law need her and what killed her sister may take the rest of her family if she doesn’t put a stop to it.

There are not a lot of surprises with this novel; it is more a play on the emotions. The revelations are a bit predictable but t...more

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Dec 11, 2012 Lora rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When Dana's teenage niece, Peyton, calls and lets her know that her mom Julie, is seriously ill, Dana rushes back to Black Bear, Minnesota--even though she hasn't spoken to her sister, Julie, or been home in almost twenty years. By the time Dana gets there, Julie has passed away, leaving Peyton to live with her dad, Frank--an alcoholic who's fallen off the wagon. We learn that Dana is Peyton's real mother, a fact that Julie and Dana kept from Frank and, of course, Peyton. Dana also becomes focus...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Eileen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

For the most part, I read for entertainment. I like to be swept away and into the story. I like tidy endings. I don't mind if there's a cliff hanger, as long as I know the next book is coming out. I was left hanging off several cliffs at the end of this book, which is the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars. There are several story lines going at one time and all of them disturbing. Is there an environmental problem in the town? Will Peyton find out the truth? Will Joe? What happens with Joe an...more

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Dec 13, 2012 Kayla Eklund rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, reviews-completed

*Note: This is my husband, Seth's, review as he is helping me with my gigantic review pile. On the blog, Invisible got a 3.5/5*

Invisible switches points of view every other chapter or so, from the adult female protagonist to the teenager female protagonist. The teenager has just lost her mother to renal failure (kidney failure) and is in the process of mourning when her aunt arrives on the scene. The mother was determined that there was something wrong in the town due to the high number of peopl...more

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Dec 23, 2012 Charlotte rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: advanced-readers-copy, nook

http://charlotteswebofbooks.blogspot....

I jumped at the chance to read Invisible. While it didn't suck me in as quickly as I had expected, I really did enjoy the story. I enjoyed watching Dana get to know Peyton. And you know what - there is a twist there that I haven't even mentioned, the reason why Dana left Black Bear all those years ago and never returned. It adds even more of a dramatic flair to the story. While it hasn't been eighteen years since I was "home", I only get back once or twic...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Christa Sgobba rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I just really did not like this book, which was a disappointment because after reading its synopsis, I was definitely looking forward to it.

The book had an interesting premise--estranged sister returns to her small-town roots to find out what sickened her sister and other neighbors. The book was told in two points of view. The first was Dana, the estranged sister. The other was Peyton, the daughter of Dana's sister. Dana's was told in first person, and Peyton's in third, which I think may have a...more

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Dec 11, 2012 Vivian rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dana Carlsen has made a series of unfortunate decisions in her life. Most of these weren't very well thought out and have resulted in somewhat dire circumstances. The first bad decision she made was a teenager when she ran away from her sister and niece, her only surviving family members, when she was seventeen. A series of rather dead-end jobs and a lack of training resulted in her accepting a business partnership with a somewhat unscrupulous man. Her business is under investigation and there a...more Dana Carlsen has made a series of unfortunate decisions in her life. Most of these weren't very well thought out and have resulted in somewhat dire circumstances. The first bad decision she made was a teenager when she ran away from her sister and niece, her only surviving family members, when she was seventeen. A series of rather dead-end jobs and a lack of training resulted in her accepting a business partnership with a somewhat unscrupulous man. Her business is under investigation and there aren't any funds in any account because her partner keeps using business money to bail out his family members overseas. Just when it doesn't seem like things could get any worse she receives a phone call that has her leaving her business and the investigation to return to her sister, Julie, and their hometown. Unfortunately her return is too late for reconciliation with Julie as she has died of acute kidney failure.

Dana finds that much has changed in her hometown. Her boyfriend is now a high school science teacher. The local bad boy has become the largest employer in the town. Her brother-in-law still can't stand her and apparently neither can her niece Peyton. It doesn't help that she hadn't called or returned in almost seventeen years. The death of her beloved sister Julie is just one in a long line of shocks that Dana must face. She knows that she can't make up for her absence but she tries to continue her sister's research into why so many people in such a small town are dealing with kidney failure. But Dana's research may put her family and hometown at risk. Obviously she couldn't save Julie, but can she save others including her niece Peyton before it's too late?

Invisible seems to make reference to many different things within the story. The first reference that comes to mind is Dana's invisibility with her family due to her prolonged absence. She may have had good reasons to disappear but it has taken quite a toll on her loved ones, especially her niece. The second reference may be to the invisible nano particles used in the manufacturing of body lotion. Dana seems to believe that these invisible particles may be the cause of the increased kidney problems in Black Bear but she's having a hard time convincing anyone else of this possibility. And finally "invisible" may refer to Peyton's feelings toward her father and her aunt. Peyton wants to be strong for her father, but she's beginning to feel as if she doesn't count since he's resumed his drinking. She also feels that her aunt has ignored her and her mom for all these years so they obviously don't matter. Invisible seems to be a coming-of-age story for both Dana and Peyton, mixed with family drama, along with a bit of an industrial-environmental mystery. The beginning of Invisible seemed to go a little slow with the constantly changing voices between Peyton and Dana, but I quickly became used to these dual perspectives and finished reading it with few interruptions. If you're looking for a well-written contemporary fiction read this winter, then I heartily recommend Invisible by Carla Buckley.
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Dec 10, 2012 Marcia - Book Muster Down Under rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley

I received an Uncorrected Proof of this book through NetGalley.

(u>The Blurb:

“Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Carla Buckley's Invisible is a stunning novel of redemption, regret, and the complex ties of familial love.

Growing up, Dana Carlson and her older sister, Julie, are inseparable - Dana the impulsive one, Julie calmer and more nurturing. But then a devastating secret compels Dana to flee from home, not to see or speak to her sister for sixteen years.

When she receives the news that Juli...more

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Jan 10, 2013 Toni rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013

I loved Carla Buckley's first novel, The Things that Keep Us Here. It received a solid 5 star rating from me. It was with this fond memory in my mind that I was anxious to pick up Invisible. I enjoyed the story, but I thought that it was not as riveting as her first novel. The subject that ends up being the center of the main character's investigation is frightening, and will make you think about what is being put in many items we use every day, but the interaction between the characters did not...more

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May 13, 2013 Marguarite Markley rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-fiction, readers-advisory-selections

Honestly, I did not finish this book. In the first 120 pages we are overloaded with so many issues and it just seemed like the book was going nowhere. I ran out of time to finish it for the reader's advisory group and I am not interested enough to pick it up and finish. I wanted to like this book. I really did, but there were just too many social issues thrown into one book and the progress was way too slow for me.

I will mention that others in the group did not have these issues with the book an...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Shannon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Invisible by Carla Buckley was incredibly written and utterly beautiful. From the beginning I found myself wanting to know more and more about each character. The novel goes back and forth between a woman Dana Carlson and a young teen named Peyton. Dana is the sister of Julie, Peyton's mother. Dana has left home where her sister lives for almost twenty years, and comes back when she finds out that her sister has become very ill. Throughout the novel you discover the lives of the people in Black...more

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Dec 28, 2012 Rebekah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads

Amazing! I could not put this book down! I really enjoyed how the story was told, alternating between Dana and Peyton. At first I was a little confused by all the talk of the ocean, I understood that it was a passion of Peyton, but at first I was thinking it was too much. But I started enjoying the comparisons of the different ocean species to the behavior of people, and then the twist at the end made the ocean analogies make even more sense. I didn't want the book to be over, I can't stop imagi...more

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Jan 23, 2013 Anncleire rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: galley-grab, november-2012

“Invisible” è finite nelle cose da leggere per caso, senza che io ne abbia avuto una reale concezione, senza che io ne abbia letto la trama, ma colpita dal titolo. Anche in questo caso mi ero fatta tutto un mio film mentale che non aveva nulla a che vedere con quello di cui il libro effettivamente tratta. Ma con il galley in scadenza l’unica cosa che potevo fare era iniziare a leggere, e così ho fatto e il libro mi ha interessata parecchio.

Dana è scappata dalla sua famiglia e da Black Bear per r...more “Invisible” è finite nelle cose da leggere per caso, senza che io ne abbia avuto una reale concezione, senza che io ne abbia letto la trama, ma colpita dal titolo. Anche in questo caso mi ero fatta tutto un mio film mentale che non aveva nulla a che vedere con quello di cui il libro effettivamente tratta. Ma con il galley in scadenza l’unica cosa che potevo fare era iniziare a leggere, e così ho fatto e il libro mi ha interessata parecchio.

Dana è scappata dalla sua famiglia e da Black Bear per rifugiarsi a Chicago dove ha iniziato a lavorare per una compagnia che fa esplodere edifici e cercando di dimenticare il suo passato. ma quando sua nipote Payton la chiama per aiutarla a combattere la malattia della madre decide di tornare nel suo paese, ma arriva troppo tardi. Decisa a scoprire la verità su quello che è successo a sua sorella Julie, Dana si ritrova ad avere a che fare con tutti gli spettri del suo passato, trasformati in un nuovo incubo. Riuscirà a fare chiarezza sul segreto di Black Bear ma a quale prezzo?

Ultimamente sto leggendo in particolar modo ya e contemporary romance ma generalmente sono aperta a qualsiasi tipo di lettura e non mi faccio dissuadere da nulla. Questo libro infatti è un mistery, e la vicenda che prende luogo a Black Bear ha la priorità rispetto al resto. La storia è raccontata a capitoli alternati sia da Dana che da Peyton e entrambe fanno i conti con questioni differenti.
Dana è piena di rimpianti per una vita che l’ha cambiata irrimediabilmente e naturalmente la costringono a rimanere chiusa in sé stessa senza la possibilità di confidarsi con nessuno. Rivedere i luoghi della sua adolescenza, tornare in un paese che la credeva lontana a studiare medicina senza aver ottenuto nessun risultato davvero importante è un dolore sconvolgente. Tornare solo per seppellire sua sorella è ancora più ingiusto. I personaggi che circondano il paese sono maledettamente chiusi e fissati, nella sua mente, negli stereotipi della sua adolescenza. Ma nessuno ormai è più come lo ricordava. Il suo sweetheart del liceo Joe è un insegnante nel liceo che frequenta Peyton, la accusa di essere scappata ed è incapace di concederle neanche un dubbio. La sua migliore amica Sheri, che non ha neanche avuto la premura di sentire è sposata e ha due figli, di cui uno coinvolto nel terrore che perseguita Black Bear e la riaccoglie anche se sono incapaci di ricostruire un vero rapporto di amicizia.
E poi c’è Frank il padre di Payton, suo cognato, un uomo distrutto prima dell’Afghanistan e poi dalla perdita della moglie che trova solo un modo per affrontare il dolore. Ma naturalmente non coglie occasione per accusare Dana e ne resta profondamente scosso.
Payton invece è una ragazza di sedici anni anomala, isolata dagli altri ragazzi della sua età se non per il suo fedele migliore amico, seppur anche lui si rivelerà un flop. Appassionata di biologia marina ha un acquario a cui riserva gran parte del suo tempo e ha mille progetti spezzati dalla furia della scomparsa della madre. Profondamente risentita nei confronti della zia non riesce a mandare giù il fatto che Dana non si sia mai fatta sentire e glielo farà pesare con la crudeltà tipica degli adolescenti.
Una scelta narrativa che ho trovato molto originale è quella di alternare i punti di vista di Dana e Peyton come dicevo prima ma mentre Dana racconta in prima persona, i capitoli dedicati a Peyton sono narrati in terza persona e sono sempre aperti da un passaggio dedicato alla vita nell’oceano, molto istruttivo, che mi ha insegnato molto.

Il particolare da non dimenticare? Una bottiglia di birra vuota.

Consiglio la lettura di questo mistery davvero avvincente, anche se forse non molto veloce a livello di narrazione. Ben descritto a livello emozionale è sicuramente un viaggio nei sentimenti di una donna che ha perso tutto per un errore e che ogni giorno ne paga le conseguenze.
Buona lettura guys!

Ringrazio Edelweiss e Bantam per avermi concesso l’opportunità di leggere questo libro in cambio della mia opinione.

Recensione anche sul mio blog:
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Jan 04, 2013 Melissa rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was such a disappointment compared to her 1st book, The Things That Keep Us Here, which I loved. It felt like she changed her writing style to emulate Jodi Picoult and I did not enjoy it. The book was very predictable and the parts about the fish were so pointless that I ended up skipping completely. Also, the back story of the aunt & mom was so disjointed because it didn't go in order and kept jumping around; I felt like I never got the complete picture and it didn't seem believab...more

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Apr 03, 2013 J.N. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-reading-list, first-reads, own

Many thanks to Random House for giving me the chance to read and review this book from the Goodreads First Reads program.

The first thing I noticed about Invisible was the writing style. It was beautiful and made it easy to get swept up into the story. At first I wasn't so sure about the plot, but Buckley's writing was too good to put down. After I got past the first few chapters, I became more enthralled with the story.

Carla Buckley did a great job at not only piecing the story together and crea...more Many thanks to Random House for giving me the chance to read and review this book from the Goodreads First Reads program.

The first thing I noticed about Invisible was the writing style. It was beautiful and made it easy to get swept up into the story. At first I wasn't so sure about the plot, but Buckley's writing was too good to put down. After I got past the first few chapters, I became more enthralled with the story.

Carla Buckley did a great job at not only piecing the story together and creating an interesting plot but also developed some very realistic characters. They weren't perfect and made mistakes but were also likable for the most part (it was very hard to like Peyton's father). I especially enjoyed the two main characters--Dana, the aunt, and Peyton, her teenage niece. The book was told from both of their point-of-views.

The only thing that really bothered me about this book was how Dana's POV was written in first person and how Peyton's was written in third. Peyton's POV also started with fish allegories. At first these bored me, but as the book went on, I begin to understand how the information about the fishes tied into the story and I actually think it's pretty cool. It also ties into Peyton's fish interest.

I'm also a sucker for stories that involve a deep, dark secret, and while I easily guessed at the big family secret, it was still fun to read about. The estrangement between Dana and her sister kind of puzzled me, though, even though it was explained. The explanation didn't feel like a good reason for the sisters to stop talking, but I suppose I know people who have stopped talking over even more minor things.

While many parts of the book were predictable, the last section took me by surprise. At first, I was a little angry by it, believing the author would take a Jodi Piccoult approach since Invisible had been compared to her books. Thankfully, I didn't feel betrayed. The true identity of Peyton's father was also a nice surprise that I never saw coming yet made perfect sense once I thought back on it.

If you like family secrets, drama, and a compelling story with realistic characters, I recommend Invisible. (less)

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Mar 06, 2013 Kelsey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: thriller

Dana has avoided going home to Black Bear, MN for about 16 years. She must return now because her sister, Julie, has lost her battle with kidney disease. Julie has left behind her daughter, Peyton, and her alcoholic father. Dana finds Julie’s diary that shows a connection between the local factory where half the town works and the kidney related illness happening in Black Bear. Dana also runs into her high school sweetheart and her secret is going to be harder and harder to keep if he continues...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Starr Reina rated it 4 of 5 stars

It’s unfortunate that to some people, children are invisible and while that statement does echo one of the plots in this book, it is not the ‘invisible’ subject Buckley refers to. The invisibility of other things can be fatal, as Buckley shows us.
A powerful tale of the loss of a sister, a loved one who protagonist Dana Carlson deemed too upsetting to go home to see for many years. Their secret must be kept at all costs. And it is costly. Then Dana gets a call that her sister Julie is sick. She r...more

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Dec 12, 2012 Kimba (Caffeinated Book Reviewer) rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was intrigued by the synopsis of Invisible and wanted to know what secret the sisters were keeping. This novel offered so many different elements; compassion, addiction, mystery, a cluster of unexplained illness, and an emotional journey. I became swept up in the tale, the characters and discovering the truth.

The prologue left me baffled as we jump ahead sixteen years but the author slowly revealed things and the pieces began to click into place.We meet Dana Carlson a demolition expert who is...more I was intrigued by the synopsis of Invisible and wanted to know what secret the sisters were keeping. This novel offered so many different elements; compassion, addiction, mystery, a cluster of unexplained illness, and an emotional journey. I became swept up in the tale, the characters and discovering the truth.

The prologue left me baffled as we jump ahead sixteen years but the author slowly revealed things and the pieces began to click into place.We meet Dana Carlson a demolition expert who is in the middle of taking down an abandoned building when she gets a phone call from Black Bear, Minnesota. The call is from Peyton; her sister's child, the one she has not seen since her birth sixteen years ago. She learns her sister is dying and after all these years she heads back to Black Bear and the secrets she has buried there. The tale that unfolds has several stories lines and each kept me entangled as Dana confronts her past and races to protect the people of Black Bear.

The tale is told from the POV’s of Dana and that of sixteen year old Peyton. Dana is complicated in the beginning and her motives unclear, but as we slide back and catch glimpses of her past I came to respect and adore her. I will not give things away, but Dana is one tough cookie, who loves unconditionally with great sacrifice. Her only shortcoming in my opinion was that she put the needs of everyone else first and it cost her and her family. Peyton despite some rocky times has grown up secure in the fact that her parents love her, she is compassionate about fish, and at the beginning of each of her chapters she tells us about a species of fish. Read them because they hint to her thoughts and emotions. I liked Peyton, she is kind of a loner and I became emotionally attached to her. Peyton’s emotions were raw and felt real. I thought Buckley did a great job of developing the characters. Other characters added to the tale, and while there was a romance both for Dana and Peyton it took a backseat in this emotional tale.

Buckley did a wonderful job of bringing Black Bear, Minnesota and the tale to life. While not everyone will understand how a secret can drive two sisters apart; as both a mother and sibling I could grasp what the sisters were going through and I understand that sometimes time itself creates an impenetrable wall that cannot be broken through. The tale felt genuine, the people dying in town and the events that took place felt real as the author blurred the lines of reality. The tale she told has happened, does happen and will happen again in small towns around the world. The pacing was wonderful and I loved getting inside the minds of both Peyton and Dana. The only thread that bothered me was about Dana’s life in Chicago and I felt it did not really add to the tale and brought up some issues that could not properly be addressed. The ending was open ended and left me with a good feeling.
Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer (less)

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Aug 23, 2012 Nancy rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the book even though it is not the type of book I normally read. I think it has lots and lots of topics that would make great book club read. My only major problem was that the entire premise of the book is based on fact that sisters had absolutely no contact for 16 years and I never really understood why. Especially after first few years. Were they each afraid they wouldn't be able to keep their secret if they saw each other - I would have thought that would have helped make sure they...more

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Jan 27, 2013 Lori Wilson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Really enjoyed this book, maybe more than her first book. A lot of mysterious things are going on in Peyton's life, and things get more and more so as time goes on. They live in a tiny town where too many of the town's population comes down with kidney failure. this is whay kills Peyton' s mother in the beginning of the book. Then Dana, the aunt Peyton hasn't seen since birth appears out of the blue and discovers the skin care product factory may be the reason so many people are getting sick! Ge...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Kristin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really liked the idea of this novel, and I did think it was well executed. I also enjoyed the fact that it was written in two different point of views. However, I did not find that I made a connection to either Peyton or Dana. I also was very dissatisfied with the ending as I feel like I didn't really have any closure. An epilogue would have been much appreciated! I would pick up another novel by Carla Buckley because I did enjoy her writing style. It is worth the read.

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Feb 04, 2013 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Good book. Disliked how each chapter seemed to start off in the past then with no warning switch to the present. Most chapters I had to stop and reread then switch gears. For a speed reader, that is just aggravating on an OCD level. And the ending kinda left you like.. What's gunna happen?? No closure on any of the substories. The rest of the book was just plain awesome though.

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