An astonishing friendship. A cascade of mysteries. A snarl of secrets. And a couple steps away from disaster.
All Jessica wanted was to keep things from getting worse. With her family shattered, her older brother vanished, and an outcast at school, she stalked through her days with a simmering anger that was never far from exploding.
But her world turns inside-out when she encounters a “lost girl” in a lonely place, an ordinary barefoot kid dressed in misfit clothes—except that the girl can seemingly slip through cracks in the universe and make astonishing things happen just by playing music.
There were too many questions. Who was the girl, really, and how did she learn to do such unbelievable things? Why won’t she talk about her past or where she comes from? And why does she seem so thrilled to get Jessica’s help?
Seeking the answers will take Jessica down a rabbit hole of twists and mysteries, and through heights and depths beyond her imagining. Will her bond with the strange girl give them the courage to make it through? Or will their mistakes and buried secrets leave them stumbling into disaster, in a place beyond hope?
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: With ample twists throughout, Gaston has created a heartfelt mystery with strong themes of loss and friendship. Gaston weaves references to literary characters giving the reader an idea of who the whimsical character is while maintaining a sense of intrigue throughout.
Prose: Gaston's prose is age-appropriate and engaging, with tone shifts effectively conveying shifts between fantasy and reality. The author successfully casts an ominous tone at appropriate times, which highlights an overarching sense of being lost. Occasionally stiff exchanges between characters proves to be a minor off-note.
Originality: Gaston constructs a unique storyline that blends the relatable struggles of a young girl with an alluring and uncanny mystery.
Character/Execution: Jessica is an appealing lead, faced with painful family dilemmas, seeking certainty, and grappling with anger. Mitch, meanwhile, proves to be a likable sidekick. The otherworldly elements are nicely parsed out as Jessica and Mitch attempt to unravel the secrets behind the appearance of a strange, music-playing girl and her ability to travel across time.
Date Submitted: April 13, 2024
