by Emily Hainsworth
Published on October 2, 2012
By Balzer + Bray
Source: e-ARC from the publisher via Edelweiss. Here's my FTC disclosure statement.
I think the less you know about this book, the more you'll enjoy it. Part of the fun is trying to figure out where the story is going. If you hate spoilers, avoid the full synopsis, which gives away some major plot twists. Mine is as spoiler free as I could make it. The Goodreads summary is even shorter!
My summary: Cam is grieving the untimely death of his girlfriend, Viv, in a car accident. One day, he's hanging around the impromptu shrine at the site of the crash when he sees a green apparition. It’s Nina, a girl he's never seen before. Nina claims to be his former best friend. She beckons him into a parallel universe, a world in which the car accident had a completely different outcome.
Through To You is one part Ghost (the 1990 movie) and one part Coraline -- it's a book about ghosts, physics and second chances. The story takes a bit of time to get off the ground. Once it does, it’s a page-turner.
When Cam first sees Nina, he thinks he’s crazy. Then he's sucked right into the seductive appeal of the parallel universe. Just as the two worlds are different, Nina and Viv are two completely different kinds of girls.
Cam’s class is reading Ethan Frome, and while Through To You definitely is not a retelling, the two stories have interesting parallels. Through To You is an intriguing YA debut that's one half contemporary, one half paranormal romance. I really enjoyed it!
I really want to make time for this one now! I'm sure I read the full synopsis at some point, because I requested the book, but I've forgotten it now, so yay! :P I've never read Ethan Frome. Should I read that one first so I can comprehend the parallels?
ReplyDeleteNope. Not necessary. Just read this one!!
ReplyDeleteooo sounds good. Another book to add to the TBR!
ReplyDeleteHow on earth do you have time to read with a brand new baby??
DeleteThank you SO MUCH for the warning about the synopsis. Why do they do that?
ReplyDeleteAnyways, sounds very intriguing, I'll be sure to add it to my ever growing TBR!
Well, it is a tough balance sometimes. You want to intrigue the reader without giving too much away.
DeleteIf a book is really confusing (this one is NOT) I find the synopsis helpful. But I think a reader would enjoy this book either way.
Ugh I hated Ethan Frome (and also the teacher I read it with which may have been part of the problem) but I'm sure this is better. It would be interesting to see if I can pick out the relations to EF while reading this because I do love the sound of an alternate world.
ReplyDeleteDO NOT be put off by this one if you hated Ethan Frome. That was not my favorite book either.
DeleteWhenever a YA author has a class study something in the course of the book, I always try to figure out what themes they're trying to highlight.
Anyway, check this one out and then tell me what you think.
I've been curious about this book since I first saw it on goodreads.I wasn't aware that it would be like Ethan Frome but I'm still interested. Great review!
ReplyDeleteIt's not that similar to Ethan Frome, but I did definitely see some common themes.
Deletei've read a few reviews for Through to you. I'm not sure if I would like it because of the parallel universe but it does intrigue me.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. Well, I liked it. Let me know if you give it a try...
DeleteOh, I loved Through to You. I completely agree that the best part of reading was trying to figure out what was going on. So happy you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeletei've heard the best things about this novel but i've read the synopsis. Still i'll check it out!
ReplyDeleteawesome review
Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf
That's okay. You'll still like the book.
DeleteI already really wanted to read this book, but at the mention of the movies Ghost and Coraline, I am so going to make sure I read this book!! Awesome review! I love a good mystery that keeps you guessing.
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think!
DeleteI've been so excited to read this one! I was just putting in an order at amazon for a couple little Christmas gifts (yes, I KNOW!) and needed something to put me over for free shipping so now I am adding this to my cart! :)
ReplyDeleteI know -- I plan to do a little shopping myself in the next couple weeks!
DeleteWow! Loving the sound of this one! Think I'm going to have to get a copy of this!
ReplyDeleteIt's really good!
DeleteThank you for this spoiler less, but exciting review. I can't wait for it. Parallel universe, great :D
ReplyDeleteAlways keeping it spoiler-free!
DeleteI'm so glad you really enjoyed this one!!! It's sounds utterly fantastic and I can't wait to get a copy! <3
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed it!
DeleteI LOVE the sound of half contemporary and half paranormal since I adore both genres. The premise of this sounds so dark and intriguing and I love books like that! I'm glad you ended up enjoying this one. :)
ReplyDeleteIt does have a lot of contemporary features -- the main character's parents are getting divorced and he's coping with the aftermath of the accident. Then there's the paranormal stuff..
DeleteSince I love both GHOST and CORALINE the mind boggles.
ReplyDeleteThen you should try this one for sure!
DeleteI have this one waiting one me but I love, love, love books with parallel universe themes! I don't think I have ever read Ethan Frome though! That's almost embarassing!
ReplyDeleteEver since I saw Sliding Doors, I was fascinated by that stuff!
DeleteIs Ethan Frome the one with the pickle dish? I have to admit I read this a long time ago, don't remember it but my husband and his sister have some weird thing/joke about the pickle dish. It's what happens when you marry into a family of intellectuals. Good review!
ReplyDeleteLOL, yes, I think there is a pickle dish.
DeleteI love Edith Wharton but that is not my favorite of her books. But still, there is an accident and two girls, etc.
I want to read this soooo much! And I didn't know about the Ethan Frome connection, but that's cool, because my husband actually read that book because he used to like Patricia Arquette and she was in the movie (with Liam Neeson, I think?), and when I first met him he made me read it too- because when people find out you're a reader then they also have a book you just have to read!
ReplyDeleteOkay, that was all rambling, but I'm tired from Zumba and my brain is all mush from watching the debate last night (why, why do I torture myself?!).
No, I love these personal stories. He made you read Ethan Frome? LOL. I didn't see the movie...
DeleteOne of my really good friends bough me a copy of A Prayer for Owen Meany because she was shocked that I'd never read it. And I still haven't read it.
Hey I need more details! LOL I am so so so curious about this but worried it is sad. HEA???? I feel so bad already that he lost his girlfriend and is so desperate for her he wants a parallel universe version of her. But like Coraline I'm guessing that is a bad and evil version?! LOL
ReplyDeleteI was on board until you mentioned Ethan Frome. I hate that book. So so so very much.
ReplyDeleteThis book is NOTHING like Ethan Frome!!!
ReplyDeleteI really liked this book! It was creepy and intriguing! I loved the whole Coraline-type aspect that it had, the alternate universe. It was great. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
I really need to get this one! It seems like one to dive into and not climb out until your done - love books like this! Sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your review :)