Book Review: Trance by Linda Gerber

SUMMARY:

Ashlyn Greenfield has always known when bad things are going to happen. Each time that familiar tingling at the back of her neck begins, she knows what's to come; a trance. She's pulled in, blindsided, an unwilling witness to a horrible upcoming event. But she's never been able to stop it; not even when the vision was of her mother's fatal car accident. When soulful Jake enters Ashlyn's life, she begins having trances about another car accident. And as her trances escalate, one thing becomes clear: it's up to her to save Jake from near-certain death.


OPINION: 4 STARS

The Short Version:
With a great twist on the vision scenario, strong characters, and a quick dive into the plot, Trance makes for both a fun and intense read. Ashlyn's way of life is different from those around her, apart from her sister, but she is suddenly more alone than ever. Struggling to deal and learning to cope, things start amping up in Ashlyn's life in surprising ways. With smooth writing and a well paced plot, Trance is well worth the read.

The Extended Version:
Ashlyn has a strength that seems hidden but has strong undercurrents throughout the book. She misses her mother and is racked with guilt over her death, struggles to make some kind of connection to her now distant father, and strives to understand why her sister- who also has trances- left. With years of experience telling her to continue to keep her distance from people but a burning need for some kind of friendship outside of her best friend, Ashlyn finds companionship in surprising ways. She has her flaws but they are minimal, and the trances are the primary ruler of her life. Ashlyn shows tremendous determination and personal growth throughout the story.

Jake is attractive and funny, and deep into his music. There is a quick connection with Ashlyn that stems not from his looks, but more from the way they interact and his immediate sense of caring. The romance angle of this book was well done, mixing in at the right times, playing into the plot in an important way, and adding some extra intrigue while not overtaking everything and running the show. Jake is likable and the reason Ashlyn falls for him is easy to see.

Gina is a very great addition to Ashlyn's life, jaded in her own way but having an even bigger personal, inner strength than even Ashlyn has at the start of the book. She has an interesting way of viewing things, and is both fierce and loyal for the things that are important to her. Her interest in numerology also adds a certain element without being simply there for convenience, and the overall interaction between Gina, Jake and Ashlyn is well written.

The plot is basic in nature but plays out in a seamless fashion. More details about the trances are not only revealed to the reader, but to Ashlyn as well, but Gerber continues to keep some things hidden until the right moment. The trance aspect of this story, from how they happen to the deeper portions of it is intricate and well done, with the level of thought and detail Gerber has put into it coming through quite strongly. Though some parts of the book were predictable, there are a few surprising, well handled twists and several intense, raw scenes. The climax is almost explosive in nature, before winding down and slipping into an interesting final outcome and ending.

Details:
Source: ARC received for review from author
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Speak; Original edition (October 14, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0142414158
ISBN-13: 978-0142414156