Jill Hathaway
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Source: Erica @ The Book Cellar
Goodreads | Purchase
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 distant lately, 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.
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CATCHALL
Slide was a fun read. I mean, I really, really liked it. Even so, there were definitely a few things missing. It captured my interest and was hugely entertaining, and yet it was a bit more predictable than I liked, and I felt that the story needed to be fleshed out more. Not everything was just so. Even so, Slide definitely has a place somewhere in my heart. I adored it, if I'm honest, despite its faults.
THE HEROINE
SYLVIA
Sooo. Vee. I actually had a difficult time connecting with her. And it's not like she was particularly unlikable. I just felt really disconnected from her. She tells the story in a very detached way at the beginning. Eventually, it becomes more emotional, at which point it was easier for me to relate to her. There are definitely things to admire in her. She's vulnerable, but she also knows her strengths. She can be insecure, but she also knows a lot of who she wants to be.
THE LOVE INTERESTS
ZANE
I love, love, love Zane. I just do. I don't like some of the secrets he keeps. They put Vee in danger and although I believe he cares about her and did want to protect her, it honestly just wasn't enough. Even so, he is very sweet and he really does treat Vee well. He also makes her laugh, and smile when she's upset. He really is there for her in a way that no one else seems to be. He comforts her when she needs it. Even when she doesn't. But he is never pushy about it.
ROLLINS
Rollins was largely absent in this book. It was pretty obvious from the beginning that he's in love with Vee. A little too obvious, if you catch my drift. Even so, he wasn't the most compelling character. He definitely leans toward the whole cardboard-character thing that I'm so fond of mentioning lately. I do think he's a bit quirky, and I like that he does have a few unique things about him. Also, I'm definitely looking forward to learning more about him.
THE PLOT
Predictability. That was this plot's greatest downfall. I hate being able to guess what's going to happen before it, you know, actually happens. Especially in mysteries. It's fun to have guesses and figure it out near the end, but figuring it out in the middle is just not cool. Even so, there were unpredictable elements which I liked.
The problem is, once you figure out a mystery all the side distractions that mislead the MC just become really annoying because all you can see is how stupid they are for not seeing the answer that is right in front of them.
Vee's mystery has some pretty high stakes, and yet they never feel overdone. It doesn't have the feel of something that's been overdramatized. It feels very natural. Expected, even. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
And, although the story started off very detached for me, eventually it really hits the emotional area hard. I definitely felt tears welling up in my eyes at some points. It really did get some of that stuff right.
I also feel that there could have been more to the story. I feel like there were too many unanswered questions and things that were a little too convenient.
Overall, it really was fun and original. Extra points for original. If it has been less predictable and more fleshed out, I am sure that I could have loved it more. As is, it was a pleasant read that met my expectations, but did not exceed them.
THE ROMANCE
The attention that is showered on Vee by Zane really makes her feel good about herself. And it becomes pretty clear early on that they've fallen for each other without taking on instalovey tones (quite a feat). I love the dynamic that Zane and Vee have and the scenes they have together are often cute or serious, but always full of emotion. That really rang true for me. It was also interesting to watch Vee's relationship with Rollins evolve. Theirs isn't always an easy one, but they care about each other enough to try to make their friendship work. And maybe something more.
THE WRITING
I like Jill's writing a lot, but I believe that there is a lot of room to grow. Vee's voice is often a bit on the immature side, and sometimes even detached, and sometimes rubbed me in the wrong way. Even so, it's honestly good, solid writing. I especially like the way she writes the dialogue. She really seems to have a talent there. It is in the dialogue and banter, more than anything else, that emotions and connections really shine through.
THE ENDING
The ending didn't shock me the way I wanted it to, since I'd really been expecting it from the middle of the book. Still, even knowing this, there was an expect to the ending that I never saw coming and absolutely shocked me. That really, really helped the book rack up some points. It left enough undone to intrigue me for more, too. And it kind of broke my heart, but anyway.
WRAPUP
Overall, I enjoyed Slide, but I will be looking for more from the sequel, Impostor. Slide was good, but I did cut a bit of slack since it's a debut, and I won't be doing that again. Would I recommend Slide? Yes, I think I would. It isn't incredibly masterful, but the concept is unique. There is a measure of suspense even with the obvious mystery, which is fun.
FINE.
Slide was a fun read. I mean, I really, really liked it. Even so, there were definitely a few things missing. It captured my interest and was hugely entertaining, and yet it was a bit more predictable than I liked, and I felt that the story needed to be fleshed out more. Not everything was just so. Even so, Slide definitely has a place somewhere in my heart. I adored it, if I'm honest, despite its faults.
THE HEROINE
SYLVIA
Sooo. Vee. I actually had a difficult time connecting with her. And it's not like she was particularly unlikable. I just felt really disconnected from her. She tells the story in a very detached way at the beginning. Eventually, it becomes more emotional, at which point it was easier for me to relate to her. There are definitely things to admire in her. She's vulnerable, but she also knows her strengths. She can be insecure, but she also knows a lot of who she wants to be.
THE LOVE INTERESTS
ZANE
I love, love, love Zane. I just do. I don't like some of the secrets he keeps. They put Vee in danger and although I believe he cares about her and did want to protect her, it honestly just wasn't enough. Even so, he is very sweet and he really does treat Vee well. He also makes her laugh, and smile when she's upset. He really is there for her in a way that no one else seems to be. He comforts her when she needs it. Even when she doesn't. But he is never pushy about it.
ROLLINS
Rollins was largely absent in this book. It was pretty obvious from the beginning that he's in love with Vee. A little too obvious, if you catch my drift. Even so, he wasn't the most compelling character. He definitely leans toward the whole cardboard-character thing that I'm so fond of mentioning lately. I do think he's a bit quirky, and I like that he does have a few unique things about him. Also, I'm definitely looking forward to learning more about him.
THE PLOT
Predictability. That was this plot's greatest downfall. I hate being able to guess what's going to happen before it, you know, actually happens. Especially in mysteries. It's fun to have guesses and figure it out near the end, but figuring it out in the middle is just not cool. Even so, there were unpredictable elements which I liked.
The problem is, once you figure out a mystery all the side distractions that mislead the MC just become really annoying because all you can see is how stupid they are for not seeing the answer that is right in front of them.
Vee's mystery has some pretty high stakes, and yet they never feel overdone. It doesn't have the feel of something that's been overdramatized. It feels very natural. Expected, even. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
And, although the story started off very detached for me, eventually it really hits the emotional area hard. I definitely felt tears welling up in my eyes at some points. It really did get some of that stuff right.
I also feel that there could have been more to the story. I feel like there were too many unanswered questions and things that were a little too convenient.
Overall, it really was fun and original. Extra points for original. If it has been less predictable and more fleshed out, I am sure that I could have loved it more. As is, it was a pleasant read that met my expectations, but did not exceed them.
THE ROMANCE
The attention that is showered on Vee by Zane really makes her feel good about herself. And it becomes pretty clear early on that they've fallen for each other without taking on instalovey tones (quite a feat). I love the dynamic that Zane and Vee have and the scenes they have together are often cute or serious, but always full of emotion. That really rang true for me. It was also interesting to watch Vee's relationship with Rollins evolve. Theirs isn't always an easy one, but they care about each other enough to try to make their friendship work. And maybe something more.
THE WRITING
I like Jill's writing a lot, but I believe that there is a lot of room to grow. Vee's voice is often a bit on the immature side, and sometimes even detached, and sometimes rubbed me in the wrong way. Even so, it's honestly good, solid writing. I especially like the way she writes the dialogue. She really seems to have a talent there. It is in the dialogue and banter, more than anything else, that emotions and connections really shine through.
THE ENDING
The ending didn't shock me the way I wanted it to, since I'd really been expecting it from the middle of the book. Still, even knowing this, there was an expect to the ending that I never saw coming and absolutely shocked me. That really, really helped the book rack up some points. It left enough undone to intrigue me for more, too. And it kind of broke my heart, but anyway.
WRAPUP
Overall, I enjoyed Slide, but I will be looking for more from the sequel, Impostor. Slide was good, but I did cut a bit of slack since it's a debut, and I won't be doing that again. Would I recommend Slide? Yes, I think I would. It isn't incredibly masterful, but the concept is unique. There is a measure of suspense even with the obvious mystery, which is fun.
FINE.
***FINAL RATING: 3.25 RED ROSES***