Slide
Jill Hathaway
Release date: March 27th, 2012
by Balzer + Bray
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 off lately, more distant, 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.
Vee is able to “slide” into someone else’s head when she gets these fainting spells. This is when she figures out there’s a murderer on the loose. I loved this sliding ability. It’s original, clever, and it can make for some serious amusement. I was a bit disappointed that it wasn’t elaborated more thoroughly, though. Curiosity gets the best of me and I want to find out why, how, and the purpose of these paranormal elements in books. Where do they come from? How did they get it? Who else is affected? When these bases aren’t touched it simply feel out of sorts in an otherwise contemporary novel. Regardless, I still found it fascinating as it took us into the minds of several characters, and essentially enforced them with personalities.
I’ve been reading murder mysteries since I was in my early teens. I have always loved them – one of my favorite series was Veronica Mars (still sad it was cancelled). Consequently, I’ve developed quite the talent of figuring out who’s guilty, so in my case I thought it was fairly predictable, but I wasn’t too put down by it. I was still kept constantly entertained, mostly by the characters’ relationships and family dynamics.
Jill’s ability to write well rendered characters and their relationships is what I enjoyed the most in Slide. We’ve got very deep, emotional issues that are touched in this story. Absentee fathers, deaths (including suicide), bullying, affairs – she was able to create serious life problems that are dramatic, but also deeply realistic. It’s incredible the way Vee deals with difficult situations she’s thrown into. I loved her relationship with her sister the most. Being basically the one raising her, she has incredible patience and maturity to stand by her, supporting her through all her rights and wrong. This is only one of the many reasons why I absolutely admired Vee’s character.
The mystery is fun, the characters are wonderful, and the pacing keeps you on your toes. Even though it didn’t blow my mind, Slide is definitely a book I’d suggest for all fans of murder mysteries – a rare gem in current YA.
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| 3 Hot Espressos |
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Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
I was strangely drawn to this book ever since I first saw it. I’m happy to know that there are some good things about it. I dislike it when authors have a great idea (like sliding) and then fail to explore its full potential, which, from what I understand, is what happened here.
However, I am looking forward to the fast pacing and the well constructed characters. I can’t wait to read this! Great review, Giselle.
Christina
Glad it’s fun, even if it’s not mind-blowing. Every read doesn’t need to be.
Book Sake
Agreed – More murder mysteries in YA are needed! I too like the relationship that she had with her sister. It was kind of sad that it had to be that way, but felt very honest.
– Jessica @ Book Sake
Amy
I have been wanting to read this book because I really like Mystery / Thriller books. There really aren’t too many in YA, but it seems like they are starting to pop up more and more. I have heard a lot of mixed things about this book. I am still going to read it eventually though. It does sound good. Besides if you liked it, I am sure I will. Fab review chicky!!
Jac
I love the sliding aspect, what a neat idea! (Wow, I said neat… I’m turning into my mother!) I love murder mysteries (and another Veronica Mars fan!) but the twist of sliding sounds just awesome. I’m going to have to grab this one ASAP!
-Jac @ For Love and Books
Katie @ BlookGirl
Great review, as always! 🙂 I’ve heard the same mention in other reviews – that they wish Vee’s ability had been expounded upon, but hey, at least it was still a good read overall! I, too, love murder mysteries. I was reading Mary Higgins Clark when I was 11 and 12. LOL.
Slide is coming up in my TBR pile. Can’t wait to read it 🙂
Lilly @ (LillysBookIsland)
WOW ,,, when i saw the cover at first i thought that this book is a heartbreaking drama or something that why i didn’t even read the summery ,,, but know that it has some paranormal in it and form what you said in your review ,,, i can say it is the kind of book i will enjoy ,,, AWESOME REVIEW as always 😀
Kristan
Ooooh this book sounds so good. I’m impressed by your detective skills too! I’m AWFUL at guessing ‘whodunnit’ in books or movies so I’m sure I’ll be strung along till the end of this book. Even if it isn’t mind blowing, I’m looking forward to picking it up and testing my detective skills now =)
Kristan @ Lost Amongst the Shelves
Danny
I really loved this one!! I found the mystery part great, it kept me on edge the whole time. And.. the ending? I didn’t see that coming! Vee was a great character and I loved her relation with Rollins… :-))
Sam
Brilliant review, Giselle! I also enjoyed this book when I first read it but I have to agree about the paranormal aspect. I wish the author had revealed a bit more about the sliding, but I loved the thrill and mystery of the book otherwise. 😀
Tellulah Darling
Have you read the Wake trilogy? It reminds me of that with a mystery to solve and a character who slides into other people’s minds – in that case in the form of their dreams. Curious how the two compare. Anyone?
Sarah
This one sounds so cool. I love the idea of mixing up paranormal with a murder mystery. I’ll definitely have to check this one out. I used to read mystery all the time before I discovered paranormal so it would be a nice mixture of two genres I love. 🙂
♥ Sarah @ I’m Loving Books
Heidi
I agree that I was interested in finding out more about sliding. It seemed that Vee’s case was likely inherited from her mother, but as her mother has passed, we cannot confirm this. I was very curious if maybe her sister would start to develop similar abilities over time. Her relationship with her sister was also one of my favorite aspects of the book! I honestly couldn’t care less about the boys, but I thought Vee kinda won the big sister of the year award.
The Princess of Storyland
I totally agree with you! I grew up on good old fashioned murder mysteries and Nancy Drew books. It saddens me that there are so few of those in the YA world. While this one didn’t blow me away, it was enjoyable and I also loved the sisterly bond between Vee and Mattie. Looking forward to the second book in this series.
GABY
Hi Giselle! You already know I loved it, but I think your review is very fair 😛
Savannah Valdez
I loved the world building in this book. To know someone else’s thought is so cool! Nice review 🙂
Giselle
Thanks so much for the lovely comments guys!
@Tellulah Darling: Ugh I hated Wake! haha. No I wouldn’t compare the two – although it was the writing I despised in Wake. The ability is still very different though. If I remember correctly, in Wake she was sucked in anytime someone dreams – but in this she goes into someone’s head while they’re awake, and it’s (sort of) her who decides who she goes into.
Alison Can Read
Glad you liked this pretty well. I don’t like mysteries at all so I’m a little disappointed it focuses more on that genre. I’m more of a paranormal person. But I’m really intrigued by the paranormal angle.
Lexie
Awesome review. 😀 I definitely agree that she handles real life problems in a fantastic way; that might’ve been my favorite part of the book. Personally, I wasn’t able to predict it, but that’s because I’m shit at mysteries. 😀 Also, though I really loved the premise of sliding, I agree that there wasn’t nearly enough background. Hopefully we’ll see some more in the books to come.
Candace
Ive been seeing a lot of three star reviews and it sounds like its a good read but not amazing. I may pick it up if I see it come in at the library.
Rebecca (Kindle Fever)
It was a bit predictable, but it definitely wasn’t one of the most predictable mysteries I’ve come across. I loved her and her sisters relationship too! A little longer and a little less rushed, and I would probably have been even more happhy with it! Cause like you say, it’s a fun mystery with wonderful characters! 🙂 Great review!
Carrie at In the Hammock Blog
this one looks interesting, sorry it didn’t totally live up to your expectations.