Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The vanishing game by Kate Kae Myers –NOT RECOMMENDED

Myers, Kate Kae The vanishing game, 368 pgs. Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 2012. $11.35. (Language-PG Violence: PG; Sexual Content-PG13).
Jocelyn’s world come’s tumbling down when her twin brother dies. Jack was everything to her, what kept her going through their sad childhood and many foster homes. When she gets a mysterious letter from him, she knows she will do whatever it takes to figure out the puzzle he is trying to get her solve. Jocelyn enlists the help of an old friend, a fellow foster care kid, Noel. They are let on a wild goose chase that forces Jocelyn to revisit her past and both of them to be placed in grave danger.
This is one of those books that really grabs you and keeps you reading, and then disappoints with its ending. I think the multiple layers of mystery, and the life replays were incredible, but again overshadowed and ruined by the ending. (Spoiler Alert:) The ending was overcomplicated and had a supernatural element which was totally unnecessary and down right stupid. There is such a thing as combining too many genres and this author chose to use it to detriment. I would almost equate this read to a story where you find out it was all a dream, I think teens would find it just as much a disappointing cop-out as I did.
MS, HS– NOT RECOMMENDED Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate.

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