Harper Teen, 432 pages
US Release Date: May 14, 2013
Format/Source: ARC via DAC ARC Tours - thank you!
Challenges: Debut Author Challenge, Stand Alone Challenge
Abby Barnes had a plan. The Plan. She'd go to Northwestern, major in journalism, and land a job at a national newspaper, all before she turned twenty-two. But one tiny choice—taking a drama class her senior year of high school—changed all that. Now, on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Abby is stuck on a Hollywood movie set, miles from where she wants to be, wishing she could rewind her life. The next morning, she's in a dorm room at Yale, with no memory of how she got there. Overnight, it's as if her past has been rewritten.
With the help of Caitlin, her science-savvy BFF, Abby discovers that this new reality is the result of a cosmic collision of parallel universes that has Abby living an alternate version of her life. And not only that: Abby's life changes every time her parallel self makes a new choice. Meanwhile, her parallel is living out Abby's senior year of high school and falling for someone Abby's never even met.
As she struggles to navigate her ever-shifting existence, forced to live out the consequences of a path she didn't choose, Abby must let go of the Plan and learn to focus on the present, without losing sight of who she is, the boy who might just be her soul mate, and the destiny that's finally within reach.
---------------------Goodreads summary
Notable Quote
"A most likely path," Dr. Mann agrees. "Which isn't to say our fates are sealed. In fact, I believe the very opposite is true. At every moment, each person has the freedom to choose a different path, thereby changing the trajectory of his life. Nothing is set in stone."
The Goods
*The science. It’s nerdy, but I love it and it makes so much sense. I love getting to learn why things are happening, or at least the plausibility factor.
*There are certain passages that just blew me away. Some about love, some about destiny, others about finding order in chaos. They were fantastic and eye-opening and I want to have them pasted around my walls.
*Caitlin. Such a great best friend and anchor throughout all the changes and effects. I love that she offers explanation at the same time as being a casualty, too.
*There are certain passages that just blew me away. Some about love, some about destiny, others about finding order in chaos. They were fantastic and eye-opening and I want to have them pasted around my walls.
*Caitlin. Such a great best friend and anchor throughout all the changes and effects. I love that she offers explanation at the same time as being a casualty, too.
The Bads
The only bad thing, and it was BIG, was the ending. I seriously want to just tear out the last 2-3 pages of the entire novel. I didn’t watch Lost for the entire series run, but I watched enough of it to watch the series finale, and I think Parallel’s ending is on the same plane as that. The whole “It was all a dream” effect.
The Consensus
Save the last 3 pages, Parallel was gripping and fantastic, with brilliant characters and a great intelligence woven through all the pages. I love that it felt like it was told in dual narrative (dual time is probably a little more appropriate).
The Recommendation
READ READ READ this book! There’s great insight into our lives and how we live it, how one choice or situation can change our entire lives. Just…perhaps stop 3 pages before the end. Or if you read it, just disregard them, as I am.
4.5 stars
So disappointed to hear about the end, but the rest of it sounds fantastic!
ReplyDelete