Prism

by Faye Kellerman and Aliza Kellerman

California high school students Kaida, Zeke, and Joy fall into a parallel universe in which all resembles their normal lives except that there is no medicine nor health care, which could mean big trouble for Joy, whose arm was injured in the accident that started their troubles.

• ISBN10: 0061687219
• ISBN13: 9780061687211
• Publish Date: 23 June 2009
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Out of Print: 13 October 2011
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc
• Imprint: HarperTeen
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 224
• Language: English

Reviews

"Not everything works in reverse, Ozzy. It's like a prism. Light goes in one way and comes out another way. It's still light but vastly different." (Kaida Hutchenson)

Prism has a unique premise. Kaida, Zeke and Joy are stranded in an alternate reality an accident on their class field trip. This alternate reality is a scary world with no medicine, health care, nurses, doctors and hospitals.

The lack of world-building in Prism makes the plot weak. There are so many plot threads that aren't dealt with and information that is mentioned and then brushed aside. There are unresolved character arcs, a government and its corruption that isn't dealt with, holes in the explanation of the inner-workings of an alternate reality as well as a world without medicine that doesn't make much sense.

The resolution of Prism is extremely unfulfilling. This book ends with so many questions and a feeling that Kaida didn't achieve what she set out to do nor did she solve the problems that she was supposed to solve. And also the little things like, What happens to Ozzy?, Does Kaida find a way to get back to the alternate world? What is her life like now? Does her new found relationship with Zeke and Joy remain the same? Does she ever find Erin White? What happens to the Kaida in the alternate world and does she experience the repercussions of the actions of the Kaida in our world?

I also feel extreme character detachment. I didn't feel anything towards the characters and their romances. Kaida, Joy and Zeke are the main characters and I enjoyed the development from hate and not knowing each other to friendship. However, Zeke wasn't properly portrayed as a main character and I don't understand his role in Prism. I also enjoyed the sibling relationship that Kaida has with her brother, Jace.

Prism is a fast read with a unique plot. However, the plot execution is weak and the characters aren't easy to connect with which makes for a detached reading experience.

"Sometimes when you're in a situation that you know is important, you take note of all the details around you without even realising it." (Kaida Hutchenson)

[wyvernfriend]

Kadia Hutchenson goes on a school field trip, finds herself with the school jock Zeke Anderson and loner Joy Tallon and not with her best friend. When they're involved in an accident and while trying to get to safety they end up in a cave where a bright light flashes and they wake up at home. However it's a home that they don't remember, a home that they have issues with, there are subtle differences and those differences could kill them. Their biggest problem is getting back to the alternative world that they recognise.

It's not a bad read, quite a quick read actually but it somehow didn't quite work for me.