Sarah Says
Written on Feb 16, 2018
For as long as she can remember, Sabine has lived two lives. Every 24 hours she Shifts to her 'other' life - a life where she is exactly the same, but absolutely everything else is different: different family, different friends, different social expectations. In one life she has a sister, in the other she does not. In one life she's a straight-A student with the perfect boyfriend, in the other she's considered a reckless delinquent. Nothing about her situation has ever changed, until the day when she discovers a glitch: the arm she breaks in one life is perfectly fine in the other.
With this new knowledge, Sabine begins a series of increasingly risky experiments that bring her dangerously close to the life she's always wanted. But if she can only have one life, which is the one she'll choose?
- ISBN10 140833173X
- ISBN13 9781408331736
- Publish Date 7 August 2014 (first published 1 May 2013)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 29 March 2021
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Hachette Children's Group
- Imprint Orchard Books
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 336
- Language English
Reviews
Kelly
Written on Sep 29, 2014
Jessica Shirvington, you are brilliant. Between The Lives drew me in, kept me enthralled and left me absolutely broken. From the first few chapters, I found myself emotionally involved in both Sabine's lives, and the real girl underneath both personas. She lived both lives as expected of those around her, but has held the secret of the two worlds her entire life. She feels incredibly alone.
But the genuine version of Sabine lines between her two worlds, where no one knows who she truly is. My heart ached for her situation, which could be considered a metaphor for how so many teens feel during those awkward years of finding their feet and their place in the world. It was beautifully written with almost a poetic tone, intelligent and unique. I loved how Sabine was able to retain a separate identity in both her lives, even though neither was a reflection of her true self. She was sassy and social aware, but leading both lives has left her tired and she tests the limits to see how separate her two worlds have now become. Until she meets Ethan.
I loved Ethan. His character was a turning point in Sabine's life and offered salvation, even without wanting to deter her decision. He represented life and urged her to consider her choices. But most of all, he was able to see the real Sabine, not the girl who was committed for an alleged mental illness or seemingly self harming. He was the support Sabine's character desperately needed, for someone just to see the real girl.
Jessica Shirvington is phenomenal. I should have prepared myself for the deep emotional investment after having read and loved Disruption. The stunning turns the storyline took left me breathless and emotionally spent. Another brilliant Aussie author added to my favourites list.
boghunden
Written on Sep 16, 2014
It felt like going we were going back and forth forever and nothing really happened. She fell in love and that's it. The way she suddenly just knew how to deal with everything was just unrealistic. Because having two lives and being aware of it and switching back and forth between them are so realistic.
I don't know, it just felt like a contemporary romance novel, but with a twist. I was expecting more from the whole "two alternate lives" storyline :/
The characters are okay, I liked Ethan, I really did. Dex on the other hand. Wtf?! He was just a jerk, all the way through.
The ending though... So predictable, I can't even begin to describe it!