Riley Cartwright is sane. Or at least she thinks she is. It’s like the chicken and the egg, and she’s never sure which came first—her acknowledgment of her supernatural gift or the gift itself. But one thing she does know: when it started. Right after the car accident that would change the entire trajectory of her life and would leave her always questioning: What is this gift? Where does it come from? Why me? What does it mean?
Can something that happens when you’re twelve years old affect the rest of your life? Yes, if its fingers reach and spread, insinuating themselves into every dark recess and wide-open space that make up who and what you are. And if those same fingers stay to bear witness to the results and repercussions of their power.
Bibliointuitive is the story of how a shared past shaped the future for two lonely survivors. It is also the story of a girl who became a woman when she learned that her gift was a blessing, not a curse.
Assessment:
Plot: Barker sets up an intriguing contemporary premise that will appeal to seasoned readers.
Prose/Style: Barker’s painterly descriptions lend life to an emotionally weighty plot. The reader spends a lot of time in Riley’s head as she reminisces over her youth, which is not unwelcome, but can feel a bit heavy as she ruminates over her past.
Originality: Although the premise of characters walking out of books is not a new one, Barker puts enough of a twist on the concept to refresh it.
Character Development/Execution: Riley and Adam jump off the page, and Riley’s personal quest for stability will resonate with readers. At times, the involved nature of Riley’s internal dialogue makes her voice sound too mature for her age.
Blurb: Barker’s novel suffuses heart with drama. As Riley turns inward after the sudden death of her friend, she finds that losing herself in books turns out to be more literal than she imagined.
Date Submitted: August 09, 2021
