I Can See Clearly: Rise of a Supernatural Hero

by James A. Cusumano

Sixteen-year-old star basketball player, Luc Ponti wins an important tiebreaker game for the Palo Alto Vikings with a three-point basket during the last few seconds of play. He is simultaneously critically injured with a flagrant foul by a player from the opposing team. Luc dies for several minutes but is revived after having a near-death experience (NDE). He inexplicably begins to develop superpowers, which change the course of his life and have a profound impact on the world.

Luc becomes caught in a tangled web of espionage, blackmailed by the CIA to use his powers of remote viewing to spy for them. This creates conflict in his life, most significant—how can he pursue his long-time dream of playing varsity ball for a top college; major in engineering; and possibly go pro after graduation. I Can See Clearly is the story of a talented teenager seeking the Meaning of Life and his Life Purpose, while fighting the grip of the CIA.

Kindle Edition

Published December 6, 2020

Reviews

[Susan Hampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is the first book in a promising new series that builds foundations for adventures in future books. Within the first couple of chapters, I had met the hero of the story. Luc came from a family that was dominated by his father, and who was dealing with personal issues badly. His frustrations were often taken out on his family, the only time he felt that he had control.

I liked Luc from the start, so I soon felt empathy for him. A freak accident changes his life forever, but at sixteen he is scared to tell anyone about what he has seen and short of guidance as to what to do with his new abilities. The story takes on a supernatural element as Luc’s life branches onto different roads.

I found that at times it felt a little overwhelming with so much taking place all at once. The story went quite in-depth with a lot of detail on the religious aspect of different planes of awareness which slowed the story down somewhat and felt quite deep. I wasn’t too sure of the other choices of characters that were to become part of the team either. It seemed a little too convenient.

I am looking forward to seeing what the team will tackle in future books as I would quite happily read a second book, for this series but hope that there is a little more action than explanation in it.

I wish to thank Net Galley and FSB Associates for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

My name is Luc, and it's hard to believe I died. Don't worry, the doctors saved me, but I now have some new abilities that I can't explain. I can tell what's going to happen, my mind can leave my body to explore other places, and I have other powers that scare me. The CIA found out, and they're blackmailing me to do remote spying in China. However, I feel like my handler is holding something back, and I'm not sure I trust her. All of the things happening are confusing and overwhelming, and I wish I could talk to someone who knows what's going on. My best friend Bella thinks a visiting monk may be the one, so I'll give it a shot. I've got to do something before I kill someone.

I received an ARC from a friend, and I discovered it didn't really fit with most of the books I review. It was definitely for young adults, not middle grade. Luc went through a near death experience, an NDE, and emerged with the powers mentioned above. The book went a step further and made him an Avatar, a person put on earth to improve mankind, like Jesus and Buddha. The story continually said it's more about spirituality and philosophy, not religion, and that's how it came across. It was a way of thinking and discovering our inner selves. If that sounds pretty deep, well, it is. My biggest concern with the book was that the pace dragged in the middle pages. The monk's lessons for Luc were very long and detailed, and they were not easily grasped. Even Luc needed breaks! With that being said, the conflict with the CIA guided the overall story and was very compelling. It was clear something else was going on, but what? Personal relationships with Bella and Eric added to the story. Was Bella Luc's best friend or something more? Eric's character underwent a huge transformation following his violent, first appearance. Overall, this was an entertaining book, but it will most appeal to young adults.

[Marie (IfCatsCouldRead) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very excited to get my copy of I Can See Clearly. The concept of a 16 year old having a near death experience then gaining superpowers was enthralling. It starts with a scene from a monastery in Tibet, talking about Avatars who are special people in our history. Then we meet Luc, a high school basketball player who has an accident and develops powers that the CIA are interested in. Eventually Luc meets a monk called Thay who helps him navigate his powers and use them for good.
I didn't find that the story held my interest even though the plot is an amazing idea. The language Luc and his friends used (rascal, wise guy) is not something you'd expect to hear from a teenager. The dialogue was not realistic and the spiritual learning seemed a bit forced although interesting at times. There is a supplemental learning section in the back of the book which makes this seem more instructive than entertaining (which the author explains at the beginning). The technical information while Luc was working for the CIA was seemed over the top and unnecessary to the story in such detail. The action picked up at the end and leaves an opening for another if this becomes a series. Perhaps certain teens will love it, but it wasn't for me.
Thank you to FSB Associates for the copy in return for an honest review.

[Becki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luc isn’t sure if his newly discovered gifts are a blessing or a curse. His whole life is changing, and he doesn’t feel in control of any of it.

The prologue for this story really sets the stage. In 2017, a monk tells a teenager of a very important arrival predicted for 2018. The foreshadowing going into the actual story was excellent.

In 2018, Luc is introduced: a great basketball player under enormous pressure, especially from his father, a former ball player who chose not to go pro. What should have been a minor injury if any ends up rupturing Luc’s appendix, leading to fevers, infections, and even his death, but he’s sent back to the world he’s always known.

Once Luc recovers from his injury and near-death experience, he keeps discovering new talents including traveling outside his body, reading minds, and telling the future. While the gifts sound helpful, they continually put Luc and his friends and family at risk.

The characters in this book, the first in the series, were interesting. Luc was a believable typical teen dealing with some pretty non-typical experiences. His friends Bella, and then Eric were also regular kids having to come up with new responses to unique situations. The monk, Thay, who becomes sort of an advisor to Luc is fun and quirky, if a little wordy at times.

The story-line is of course a bit far-fetched, by design, but well told. It felt like the author wanted to impart a lot of philosophical and spiritual wisdom, which sometimes got tedious, but the rest of the intrigue and adventure played out nicely.

Overall, I’d give this book 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for those with some paranormal or philosophical interest who also like a bit of government spy stories. I look forward to checking out what happens next for these teenagers with unusually exciting lives.

http://booksithinkyoushouldread.blogs...

[Cathy Eades · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy in return for a review.

This was an interesting idea and the characters were diverse. The plot was easy to follow and the pace was adequate. The downside was unfortunately the writing style. It was a little thick and the characters spoke in a strange 2 dimensional way. The characters have this habit of repeating and talking with too many words. At first I liked the odd italian word thrown in but at times it was too much and cliched. Maybe that was the overall this g holding this book back. It felt cliched. It had a unique concept with the NDE link, and yet it felt obvious and dated. The final thing was things didn't really get going till the last 25% and even then it was a little stunted.

[William Bentrim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Can See Clearly by James A. Cusumano
This is a strange book. I can’t decide if it is a philosophic treatise or a human interest story. The topic of spiritual physics has never come up in my reading before. The story has Luc Ponti having a near-death experience and resulting paranormal talents.
Luc’s paranormal talents include far-seeing which is discovered by the CIA due to the inability of a researcher to keep a confidence. Luc’s talents lead to counseling with a Buddist monk who helps Luc expand his consciousness.
Luc inadvertently makes a new friend with Eric and improves and changes his relationship with long time, maybe more than friend, Bella.
The author clearly is selling a philosophic premise through fictional media.

[Christina Marie Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the premise for this book rather intriguing! All in all, it was an interesting read with well developed characters. It wasn't exactly what I expected and was quite different than anything I've read before.

[Sandra Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent combination of story and science - quantum physics. A must-read if you enjoy both.

My Review

[Michelle Malsbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this YA book. I love the psychic and NDE aspects and how they come together in a confluence of good over evil.