Tuesday, March 20, 2012

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

35 comments:

  1. This sounds great! I've received signed bookmarks from Jill, now all I'm missing is the paperback copy to put it in. It's on my TBR, so I hope to read it soon.

    I'm glad that you described Vee as realistic (and flawed) character. It's so promising. :)

    Thanks for the review!

    Agnieszka @ Nook of Books
    Check my international giveaway!

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  2. Great review! You've got me really interested in the book! Now I have to make a decision between buy or borrow!

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  3. The romance isn't my motivation for reading this one. I've heard too many mixed things about it. But I do want to get to know the book for where it shines, which, apparently is the mystery, the supernatural element, and spunky Vee. I'm really excited!

    Asher

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  4. Ooh a murder mystery paranormal. I love these kinds of books because I know it's not all going to be romance driven. And how can you go past wanting to know who the killer is? Although I never seem to be able to guess these kinda of things anyway!

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  5. I've read this book as well and absolutely loved it! I couldn't guess the killer at all too, Mimi! I am not a good detective! I really loved Zane although I did not expect that he was more than what he is! Rollins didn't quite intrigued me until closer to the end of the book and I really loved the ending!

    AWESOME AWESOME review, Mimi! <3 So glad you enjoyed it!

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  6. Excellent review Mimi! I've been wondering about this one and now I know I am so going to have to check it out. I love murder mysterious too, so I'm sure I'll speed read through it for the answers!

    Thank you for sharing! <3<3<3

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  7. This one is new to me, and it sounds really good. I'm interested in the mystery aspect. Great review!

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  8. While I wasn't a huge fan of this book, but I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this book. Great review!

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  9. I love mysteries but am awful at guessing who done it so I'm sure I'll have no idea in this case either when I do get around to reading this! Thanks for the review!

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  10. The twist was um, certainly interesting. I wished it wrapped up a little better too because I was left feeling, "Huh." I noticed that there was sequel though which I guess explains things. Ack, I'm so behind on commenting so please excuse the barrage of comments that are about to come to your blog! Wonderful review as always, Mimi. ♥

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  11. Ha! You as our resident Nancy Drew! Love it!!! I don't think there is a girl in the world who didn't want to be Ms. Drew at one point in her life. I'm not really one for mysteries because I'm the type that needs all the answers right away, but they are growing on me. I'd probably think I have correctly guessed the killer then find I was completely wrong, and that prospect is kind of exciting. I love to be surprised by books. :)

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  12. Woot! We're almost review twins Mimi! I have this review going up tomorrow, but honestly, I can't at all remember what I said about it. I got this one on a tour a few months back and have entirely forgotten how I felt about it and what I wrote. Awesome. I think I had a few small issues with it, but overall I think liked Vee and thought her ability was something really interesting:) So glad you loved it!

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  13. Brilliant review, Mimi! You make me want to re-read this book. I enjoyed it quite a bit too! :) I didn't realise Vee had pink hair though! Or maybe I have just forgotten about that... :P

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  14. This really sounds like my kind of book! I was drawn to it from when I first saw it, but I needed to hear the opinion of someone I trust before buying. And here it is. Off to preorder a copy right this second. I bet they released it already on The Book Depository.
    A pink-haired heroine that can slide into people's minds sounds amazing.
    Fantastic review, Mimi!

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  15. Ahh I'm so excited to read this one! I read the first couple chapters in a sampler a few months ago and really enjoyed it so I can't wait to read the rest of the book. I love mystery books and this one definitely sounds awesome. I'll have to pick up a copy soon. Awesome review :)

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  16. Oh man! smacking head on ipad. I passed this one up because I saw some negative reviews, I also did that with Starters and then grabbed it. I need to have you review them first.I love good mysteries especially ones where you can't guess. Plus a pink haired heroine, Maybe I will want pink hair after reading this(i really wanted blue hair after reading Daughter of Smoke and
    Bone). Have a happy Tuesday Mimi. So glad to hear you are enjoying Masquerade.

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  17. "just because the sweet new boys are always suspicious"

    Aww...is that my influence wearing off on you, Mimi? Lol! Glad you enjoyed Slide though. I'm looking forward to reading it myself!

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  18. I'm such a sucker for a good mystery and I want to know more about the workings of Vee's weird ability. Oooh and I just thought of something, but I won't say it cause the guess could possibly ruin the book. Anyways, sounds like a great one with well written characters and an intense mystery. Those are the best kind. I'll have to put this one on the tbr when I'm in the mood for a good YA mystery novel.

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  19. Vee was so great! I loved her. And I really and truly enjoyed the murder and like you, I had no idea who the murder was. The ending was shocking right????

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  20. Oh man Mimi I have got to get my hands on a copy of this book ASAP!!!!!!!!!! :) I have never been a big fan of mysteries...for some reason I'm never motivated to read them. The mysteries that I love and eat up like chocolate (lol) are the William Monk books by Anne Perry...and in those books as well you don't know who the killer is until the very last few pages. So I think that will be the main draw for me to read "Slide"... Plus I love what you said abut Vee and "sweet new boys always being suspicious"... Lol ;) thanks a million for this awesome review!!!! ;D

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  21. Ahhh! YAYAYA. So glad you liked this one! I've been so scared to pick it up after seeing so many being disappointed with it. I'm picking it up tonight and seriously cannot wait; I'm super intrigued! Great review. :D

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  22. Seems like a very interesting YA mystery book. I can't wait to read it. Great review, Mimi :)

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  23. I'll definitely have to pick this one up. I keep hearing such great things and I enjoy a good murder mystery now and then!

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  24. AWESOME AWESOME review, Mimi! <3 So glad you enjoyed it!

    this is so going on my wishlist

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  25. I've heard mixed things about Slide, but you make me want to give it a chance :) And they're going to release it here, too! Usually, murder and mystery are not my think (to stressing! lol) but maybe it's time I give the genre a chance, right? :)

    Glad you liked it, Mimi! Wonderful review ♥

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  26. I can't say I was as happy with this one as you were - I thought there were several serious flaws - but I will WHOLE-HEARTEDLY agree that Rollins = love. I wanted to hug him and cuddle with him. And yes, the mystery was pretty brilliant! I think as long as people read Slide for what it is - a fun murder mystery - they won't be too disappointed!

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  27. I used to read tons of mysteries when I was little but haven't read as many lately. Slide sounds like a terrific one though. I'm terrible at solving mysteries however so I'm pretty sure I'm not going to guess the killer. But, that's part of the fun right? Seeing if you're smarter than the character and can put together the clues faster than them.

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  28. OMG, you make me want to read it immediately, Mimi! SLIDE got a lot of mixed reviews so I'm so glad you loved it. You make it sound amazing! It's been a while since I've read a good YA mystery. Plus the blurb at the back totally gave me the chills! I like that it has well developed characters as well :)

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  29. Hehe, I think you would make an awesome detective, Mimi <3 If I ever have a mysterious case plaguing me, you'll be the first person I call! I think the fact that Vee has pink hair is just SO COOL. Her ability too, obviously but... the hair! I can't get past the HAIR! Awww, Zane sounds cute :) I can't help but fall for the sweet guys - hopefully that won't result in me trusting the villain here!

    I am definitely SUPER EXCITED to read this one, even more so now than I was before!! The mystery sounds really well done and I love the idea of going on kind of an adventure while trying to discover who the killer is. The characters sound great too and I need to display that fabulous cover on my bookshelf.

    Great review as usual! I think I'm going to start printing them all out and plastering them on my walls... I'll circle your name with hearts on each one ;) LOOOOOOL, sorry. I can't stop the creepin'.

    Sonia

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  30. MIMIMIMIMIMIMIMIMIMIMIMIMIMIIIIIII!

    "Slide defines what an awesome murder mystery novel should be like: twisting, original, somewhat creepy yet completely unexpected."
    You've said it P E R F E C T L Y!

    I LOVED Slide. I LOVED Vee (I even put pink foils in my hair after reading this), and it's SUCH a great book. LOVE your review! ♥

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  31. I have heard some mixed things about this, but your enthusiasm is ALWAYS ridiculously infectious and makes me get excited for books that I was unsure of. I love the idea for this one and who DOESN'T like a spunky, pink-haired protag? PINK HAIR! So cool. And the sliding-into-minds is both creepy and awesome. I especially love when the mystery is maintained until the end of the novel. Predictability can be a downer, so I'm really happy to hear this is a surprise!

    FANTAZING REVIEW! <3

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  32. Ahh! Thank you for this review. I have an ARC of Slide, but have been debating if I should read it or not. I am so excited to get started on it now!!

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  33. This sound like exactly my kind of read! I love a good mystery. Thank you for your review and recommendation!
    -FABR Steph@FiveAlarmBookReviews

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  34. Ooohh, so glad you enjoyed this one Mimi! I just finished this yesterday, and it was certainly a light and easy read for me. But I felt it lacked depth and like you said, I wished the ending could've been wrapped up a little better! Still...it was a fabulous debut <3 Awesome review, Mimi!

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