Review: Slide

Book: Slide
Author: Jill Hathaway
Series: Slide #1
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray for HarperCollins
Pages: 256
Source: publisher (Thank you so much, HCC!!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Publisher
Stars: 4/5

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:  

Wow! Slide defines what an awesome murder mystery novel should be like: twisting, original, somewhat creepy yet completely unexpected. I couldn't put this down until I was certain who the killer was, and in this rare case, it wasn't until the very end of the book!  

Fast-paced and enticing, this is the kind of novel you should clear your schedule for because you won't be able to stop! Not only is this one of the most surprising mysteries I've read to date (and as a girl who dreams of being the next Nancy Drew, I've read a lot!), but Slide also incorporates a really cool supernatural element too.  

Our fantastic, spunky, and pink-haired heroine Vee can slide into the minds of other people. She can literally see things from a person's eyes just by touching an item that belonged to them. Vee is such a multi-layered and realistically flawed character that I felt for her from the beginning, and connected with her even more as the story progressed.  

Each of the secondary characters — from Vee's little sister to her dad to her best friend Rollins (who was an amazingly genuine character!) — had their own little mysteries surrounding them, and that made it all the more intense to read. You also can't help but second-guess the incredibly sweet new boy, Zane, just because the sweet new boys are always suspicious.  

I bet that 99.9% of you won't guess the killer correctly if you were to stick with one person! My only wish is that the mystery could've been wrapped up a bit better because mysteries should be able to stand on their own (although that doesn't mean this end on a cliffhanger at all!), but other than that, Slide is definitely one of the better YA mysteries out there! ;) 

BUY or BORROW?: This book is a must-have for anyone who loves a great mystery — especially a riveting murder mystery with a cool supernatural element, awesome characters, and a twist at the end that will throw you off your feet! :) 

-Mimi