Author: Lauren Miller
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: HarperTeen (May 14, 2013)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 3.5 Stars!
Book Description:
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.
My Thoughts and Review:
I was pretty intrigued by the premises of Parallel from the moment I read it (okay maybe I was actually interested from the moment I saw the cover, the cover whore in me can't help it!). I knew that I wanted to read it and I was pretty sure I was going to love it. I love all books about time travel or parallel universes and the tv series Fringe was one of my favorites and this really just reminded me of something I would see on that show (oh how I miss Walter Bishop!).
This is definitely one story that you really need to pay attention to all the details from the get go or you will be a little lost and will have to play catch up to figure out what exactly is going on. I didn't realize that (and I hope I am not giving anything away by saying this but I don't think that I am) we weren't just getting two parallel worlds but, in fact, three, which is what threw me a little at first. I was a tiny bit confused until I figured it out, so, hopefully that little bit of info will actually help you along the way.
I was pretty interested in this story from the beginning. I really liked Abby, she wasn't perfect and her character (and alternate character) made some mistakes, some very big, others not so much but ones that still altered the course of not only her future but the lives of those she knew and loved as well.
This wasn't just about different universes colliding, it was also about finding those in your life that are your soulmates. Those souls that are friendships that will last forever, family members always meant to be in your life or those loves that will never die.
Even though this felt a little convoluted at times (just the switching back and forth so much between years and universes) and while this probably isn't a read everyone will enjoy, I definitely think if you like the genre it is one you should try.
I miss Walter too! *cries*
ReplyDeleteI've been trying so hard to get into this one and failing spectacularly, but after reading two lovely reviews today, yours and Jenny's, I'm super determined to give it another go and succeed this time. I don't know why I'm struggling so hard with those first few chapters.
Lovely review!
Thanks Maja! I hope you can push through it!!
ReplyDeleteI agree, this one definitely could be confusing at times! And there were 3 worlds? I completely missed that. I fail. Once my brain stopped hurting over the whole multiverse collision thing, I really enjoyed this one, and I loved exactly what you said - the concept of a certain core group of people that are just supposed to be a part of your life:)
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad Jenny, that was hard to catch until the towards the end! I didn't realize it either until it was almost all over.
ReplyDeleteHopefully this one doesn't go over my head too much... I do have it in my pile to read this month, but I have some others that take priority so I'm not for sure I'll manage fitting it in. It sounds pretty intriguing though...
ReplyDeleteI hope you can fit it in Candace, I do think it is worth the read!
ReplyDeleteGood to know you struggled a little, this one has been on my radar, and yes the cover whore roared over this one!
ReplyDeleteAnd that is why I love you Kim! :P
ReplyDeleteI loved this book! But 3 worlds? I didn't see that. She started out in her current universe, got pushed into the one we follow throughout the book, and then they straightened out and she went back in her original one. When she went back, it didn't pick up were it left off on her birthday, but instead later on.
ReplyDeleteI love stories about parallel universes, so I'm definitely giving this one a try. Glad you enjoyed it overall. Thanks for the heads up about paying close attention to the details. It does seem like it could get a bit confusing. Lovely review! :-)
ReplyDeleteChristy, I think that is where I got confused. I think I thought the later was another alternate! Thanks for clearing that up!
ReplyDeletei have read many wonderful reviews on this book :D it does sound fantastic. Not sure I have read a parallel world book in a while if ever that I can recall.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure about this, but it sounds like it might be worth checking out. I do like the parallel world concept. Thanks for another great informative review.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know ahead of time that paying close attention is important. I love what they did with the cover font.
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