***2012 Debut Author***
Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: March 27, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins / Balzer and Bray
Pages: 256
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: ARC trade
Summary:
Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.
Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.
Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.
Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again. (from Goodreads)
My thoughts:
Slide was an amazing read for me. I could have read it in one sitting if I had the time - I really never wanted to put it down. The characters were easy to like (or not) and every action of theirs felt genuine. I can't say enough how much unrealistic characters and social settings can ruin a book for me but with
Slide, happily, I felt like everything was real - like it could really be happening to someone I knew.
And speaking of characters, there is one in particular that I absolutely loved! He made the book for me really (not saying who for fear of spoiling the ending!)
Oh! And speaking of endings - I was not prepared for this one. I really really thought I knew what was going on and I was a little disappointed at the predictability of it - BUT! I was so wrong! I love being surprised by an ending. And this wasn't an out of left field type of surprise - it really made sense once I saw all the pieces.
I couldn't help but be reminded of Lisa McMann's Dream Catcher series when reading
Slide so if you're a fan of those books, you'll really enjoy this one. On the flip side, I liked Vee from
Slide a little better then Janie from Dream Catchers - both in personality and in paranormal ability so if you didn't love Lisa's books I still think
Slide is a great book to try.
Final verdict:
With an ending that both gave me closure and left the door open for more,
Slide, in my opinion is perfect as a standalone book. However, there will be a sequel and this could not make me happier! Also, the way
Slide ends? It's going to be hard waiting for book 2 (because I love the characters so much) but I'm not on pins and needles NEEDING to know what happens next. I WANT to know what happens next and this makes all the difference when it comes to really great series books for me.
Highly recommended! A great YA paranormal read that is quick yet satisfying. The perfect book to read as a pick me up. Jill Hathaway is an author to keep your eye on! Fantastic debut!
Overall Rating:
5 / 5 Stars
Books in the Slide Series:
Slide
Impostor (March 2013)
Linkage Love:
Author's blog
Goodreads
IndieBound