Oct 5, 2011

Review: Eyes in the Mirror by Julia Mayer


Title: Eyes in the Mirror
Author: Julia Mayer
Publisher:  Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: 8.1.2011
Pages: 214
Genre:
Series: No
Source: Finished copy for review from publisher

Rating: B-

Summary (from Goodreads):
Every teen girl fantasizes about having a double and best friend rolled into one-an alter ego with whom she can trade places, allowing her to disappear. Samara is a troubled and lonely adolescent, prone to cutting, who desperately craves both intimacy and escape from her unfulfilled life...until she meets her reflection, Dee, the seeming answer to all her problems.

With dual and dueling points of view, Eyes in the Mirror provides a perspective on one girl's life never before seen in YA fiction: her own and from her freer, wilder reflection.

Review:
When I was approached about reviewing Eyes in the Mirror, the initial description really grabbed me. Pairing that with the cover it was given, and I was all set for a good paranormal adventure. Reading the actual novel was somewhat of a disappointment on that front because the story is less paranormal and more realistic, but with a fantasy twist. Make sense? So, I suppose I should say that my disappointment didn’t come from Julia Mayer’s writing, but rather the way I thought this was proposed to me.

The novel is told from dual points of view—Dee and Samara, who eventually switch places in the mirror and experience the other half’s life. Both personalities are different enough that there is no confusing them (a blessing when the novel keeps shifting back and forth between them), and it was fascinating to see how each interpreted the same situation. Samara seemingly has it all on the surface, but is falling apart. Dee, on the other hand, comes from a family struggling financially, but has a great group of friends and a mom that loves her.

I felt the story kind of stalled in some places, but then shot forward out of a cannon at others. The cadence of it didn’t flow all the time, but the overall story was still entertaining and kept me interested. Some if the dialogue felt off and stilted, but it was something I eventually got used to. I cannot praise Mayer enough for addressing the issue of cutting. So few YA novels have the guts to tackle issues that many teens face. I felt this was especially important to me because I knew a cutter in high school.

While the premise and other parts of Eyes in the Mirror are far-fetched and unbelievable, it’s a good, fun escape-ish novel that I breezed through in an afternoon. I recommend you check it out for yourself. I highly doubt you’ll be sorry you did.

17 comments:

  1. Mary D
    zenrei57 (at) hotmail dot com

    Wow - terrific review!! Now I've just got to read this book :D Love the dual perspective idea, this will be an interesting book I am sure!

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  2. I've been looking at this one for awhile now, it looks pretty crazy! I'll definitely have to check it out sometime soon :) Great review!

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  3. Love the honesty in your review. I haven't heard of this book before, but it sounds very interesting. The premise is very intriguing, switching places with your own reflection. I'll be looking out for it!

    Kristan @ Lost Amongst the Shelves

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  4. You've definitely got me more curious in this books. It sounds different from what's on the market. Thanks! Very helpful review :)

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  5. Thanks for this amazing giveaway - I would love to win! I liked your review! This books sounds interesting and I like the idea of it being told by two viewpoints after they switch places. I'll have to add it to my TBR list.

    susanw28 (at) mindspring (dot) com

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  6. I'd still like to read this book though some of the stalling and cannon talk sounds a little deterring haha.
    Pabkins @ Mission to Read

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  7. Sounds interesting. The dual point of views are sometime that are common in books nowadays. So I think I would like this! :D

    Great review!

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  8. This sounds like something I would love to read. The dual points of view is one of my favorite writing styles.

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  9. Wonderful review! :D The cover & the description look amazing. I'll make sure to add it to my TBR pile. (:

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  10. the cover looks really interesting and the summer is grabber.

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  11. Sounds very unique and interesting. Great review!!
    momkelly2003(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. Great Review! I'm adding this book to the long list of books I want to read.

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  13. Good review. I;m going to have to go add it on GR. I agree I don't see many YAs that deal with cutting, and very few that have the emotion to them. Does that make sense? Anyways, sounds interesting.

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  14. This sounds so great. I just added it to my TBR list.
    Thanks for the great review.
    http://sosimplesara.blogspot.com

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  15. Thanks so much for the review! This is a serious issue that needs more attention.I think I will give it a try!
    sqwalker2@hotmail.com

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  16. Sounds like a nice easy read. I may have to pick this one up. Thank you for taking the time to review.

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