jeannamichel
Written on Nov 20, 2019
After an attack on earth, all reflective surfaces become weapons to release monsters, causing a planet-wide ban on mirrors. Despite the danger, the demand rises, and 17-year-old Marty Callahan becomes a distributor in an illegal mirror trade - until he’s caught by the mayor's son, whose slate is far from clean. Both of them are exiled for their crimes to one of the many abandoned cities overrun by fog. But they soon realise their thoughts influence their surroundings and their deepest fears begin to manifest.
Together, the two discover the horrifying truth behind what really happened when the spaceship was destroyed, and what they must do to save earth from the total destruction no one knows is coming.
With fast pacing and riveting characters, this is a book that you’ll finish in one sitting.
- ISBN10 1624148905
- ISBN13 9781624148903
- Publish Date 1 December 2019
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 11 March 2021
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Page Street Publishing Co.
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 320
- Language English
Reviews
shannonmiz
Written on Oct 4, 2019
3.5*
I know that this doesn't come out until next month, and I usually am hesitant to review stuff that far out. But when I started reading it and found that it involves mental health in a non-contemporary setting, well. I knew it had to be done! Because not only is the main character's OCD a part of the story, it's a fairly significant part. And it's like... finally, you know? Because you better believe that my anxious, depressed ass is trying to figure out what exactly I'd do during the apocalypse. Med withdrawals, no support/therapy/self-care, and the stressors would be off the charts. And thank goodness, Naomi Hughes has written this very thing!
Now look, it's going to be hard to review this without giving anything away, so if you think I'm being vague... it's cause I am. At first, I found that I needed to suspend quite a bit of disbelief. But I promise that if you can do so in the beginning, it ends up working itself into making sense. There, that's as least-spoilery as I can make that while still making you understand that it's okay if it seems a little bananas at times.
Anyway, Marty just wants to find his brother, who he thinks might be in London. Clearly, these two are close, and that's pretty awesome. Brother books are so rare, and this book features two pairs of them! Marty ends up in exile with his nemesis, after which I can tell you almost nothing, but let's just say they have an interesting and intense journey.
Throughout the book, Marty has to battle his OCD. Before the attack, Marty had made a lot of progress in therapy and was starting to be able to manage his condition. But now, when the world is in shambles, Marty isn't having as much success. The thing I love so much about the mental health rep in this book is that the author has made Marty's situation so relatable, even if aliens haven't attacked us. Marty's OCD is inopportune, illogical, and creeps up on him just when he thinks he has gotten a grip on it. That is so many of us, just in (usually) slightly less dire circumstances. Marty has to continue to battle his OCD and challenge himself every day, just as he did when Earth was in one piece.
Bottom Line: Despite some initial suspension of disbelief, this was enjoyable! Fast-paced, filled with a lot of relatable moments and relationships, it's a great representation of mental health, with some aliens thrown in for good measure.