Review of eBook

Seventh-grader Aubrey Mia Vale, called “Dropzone” by the “popular” crowd [here known as the “Empire”], is at odds with her friend, Charlie Dean Baxter. Bullied by Megan Knight, the leader of the Empire girls, Aubrey doesn’t “fit in” with the popular crowd and struggles to find the place where she belongs.

One day, she is stunned to see a boy inside the plastic mirror hanging in her locker . . . a boy who tells her his world is collapsing and begs her for help. Fascinated by this communication, seemingly from another world, Aubrey finds herself apparently pulled through the mirror and into Truent’s world.

Can Aubrey find a way to save Truent and his friends before their planet, Othello-3, crumbles into nothingness? And will she be able to find her way back home?

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With friendship at the heart of this science fiction fantasy, the author takes aim at several issues facing middle school students. Sadly, the bullying Aubrey experiences is an all-too-real occurrence in many schools; readers are sure to empathize with Aubrey as the unfolding story reveals some of the less-that-kind treatment she receives.

Believable characters and a strong sense of place [both in the school and on Othello-3] anchor the narrative. The compelling plot takes several unexpected turns, keeping readers guessing as the telling of the tale brings some surprises.

Readers will find themselves pulled into Aubrey’s story; young readers are sure to relate to the characters. Unfortunately, the story ends on what seems like a cliffhanger; hopefully, the author has another Aubrey Vale book planned.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. ( )

This book had me hooked from start to finish, although some of that interest came from trying to understand the world of the story. My other main critique is that the cliff-hanger ending was a bit too obvious. However, it was a unique storyline and I could see a lot of tweens enjoying this read as a mix between the real struggles of middle school and the mysterious problems of a parallel universe.

As I read this I kept thinking about my students. I teach in a middle school and what Aubrey is going through at school could happen to any of my own students. Aubrey is like so many students who don’t fit in with the ‘popular’ crowd. She tries to keep all attention off of her but as you know that never happens. It seems the harder a person tries the more conspicuous they become. Aubrey opens her locker door one day and sees the face of a boy looking back at her. This boy tells her he needs her help. Aubrey’s best friend Charlie is another outcast. He has been at the mercy of the ‘popular’ group. The head of this group is a girl named Megan Knight. She is about as nasty as they come. Together the three of them will be drawn into an adventure involving the boy in the mirror. I loved the book. I hated the very ending unless there is a sequel planned for it. It left me hanging and wanting to know what will happen next. This author is very talented. I have several of his other books. I am looking forward to reading them all. ( )