Aleric’s life was turned up-side down when his
mother was killed in an accident two years ago.  His home life has deteriorated and his relationship with his
father is forced and awkward.  His
father has let the house and his son go. 
Aleric is suddenly thrown into an alternate world one day that shows
what his life would have been like if his mother had survived all through the
eyes of a girl named Naia. 

Aleric needs to find the circumstances that allow
him to go to this alternate world, and why this world split.  He forms an important bond with Naia but is
rightly jealous that she still has a mother, who happens to be his mother.  The sight of his mother brings all the pain
back and Aleric wonders how he can have his mother to himself.

Even though the reader is bounced between alternate
worlds, Aleric’s and Naia’s feelings are very real and poignantly written.  Naia feels for her new friend but is
thankful that she is not the one without their mother.  The hurt and rage Aleric feels about his
situation  is very real while his
changing surroundings may not be.  His
relationship with his father is written in a way a teenager will relate to.
This book contains some violence but is appropriate for teens.

Michael Lawrence does a terrific job combining
mystery with science-fiction. The ending leaves many questions which sets the
reader up for the next book in the trilogy.

© 2005 Amy Ridley

Amy Ridley received a Bachelor of
Arts degree in Psychology from Boston University.

Categories: Children