Fracture

( 92 )

Overview


Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine
-despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, ...
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Fracture

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More About This Book

Overview


Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine
-despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

For fans of best-sellers like Before I Fall and If I Stay, this is a fascinating and heart-rending story about love and friendship and the fine line between life and death.

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Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
Miranda’s debut is a captivating and intelligent story of love and death with a dash of the supernatural. Seventeen-year-old Delaney Maxwell “dies” after falling into a frozen Maine lake. Rescued and revived by her best friend Decker after 11 minutes under the ice, Delaney spends six days in a coma and awakens with an itch deep in her brain that, again and again, leads her to people who are on the verge of death. Unresolved feelings and guilt over the near-drowning put tremendous stress on Delaney and Decker’s relationship, which is further complicated by Troy, a secretive older boy who is also drawn toward the dying. Delaney continues to struggle in the accident’s aftermath, and a devastating prediction of death only makes matters worse. Miranda’s riveting plot drives to an equally tense climax as she gracefully weaves together themes of suffering, compassion, jealousy, friendship, and trust. The fluid writing, empathetic characters, and big questions raised elevate this paranormal romance into a haunting meditation on what it means to be human and to truly live. Ages 12–up. (Jan.)
Children's Literature - Tiffany Torbeck
In the opening pages of this book, Delaney survives falling into freezing water, despite being under water for eleven minutes. This accident leaves her in a coma for several days, but when she awakes, she realizes that she is inexplicably drawn to death. She can tell when someone is near death, and strangely enough, there is another person in her small town that can do the same. Troy is dark and brooding and using his talent to end the suffering of his victims, while Delaney feels the need to protect and warn them. Delaney is a well-rounded character because she has worries other than her accident, such as her relationship with her neighbor and best friend, Decker, her mother, and keeping up her school work. The relationship between Troy and Delaney is captivating since they are really only interested in each other due to a common experience, yet they have completely different opinions about their talent. This book works as a good teen drama plot with a supernatural twist, so many libraries will want this volume for those that only want a taste of the unexplainable. Reviewer: Tiffany Torbeck
VOYA
Delaney Maxwell is a walking miracle. She survived an eleven-minute submersion under the ice of Falcon Lake before best friend Derek could pull her to safety. After emerging from a six-day coma, doctors cannot figure out why their patient does not require weeks of therapy even though her brain scan is a train wreck. As Delaney gears up to stay on the valedictorian track, she begins to discover that recovery is about more than overdue homework. Derek is riddled with guilt despite his heroic rescue. His and Delaney's platonic relationship was already beginning to shift into something not so platonic. Now it is just complicated. Delaney's mom, a control freak brought to the edge by her daughter's near miss, becomes completely overbearing. Delaney discovers her strange new sense—she is physically drawn to those in grave danger but powerless to help them. Enter mysterious Troy, another coma survivor experiencing similar symptoms, with a boatload of baggage and frightening ideas about what to with his unusual sensitivity. As a first novel, Fracture scores high points. Delaney is an engaging personality, and Miranda is able to sustain her protagonist's sharp voice throughout. Mom, Derek, Troy, and several minor characters are realistic, distinctive, and interesting. The story suffers minor flaws in its willingness to become cinematically predictable at times. Also, Delaney's propensity to run from Troy one moment and end up in his arms the next does not seem believable. Still, readers will find Delaney delightfully genuine and her story compelling. Put this in the hands of fans of Gayle Forman's If I Stay (Penguin, 2009/VOYA February 2009)and Where She Went (Penguin, 2011/VOYA June 2011). Miranda's promising first novel will build a fan base anxious to read an even better second one. Reviewer: Lauri J. Vaughan
School Library Journal
Gr 8 Up—When Delaney Maxwell, 17, falls through the ice, her best friend, Decker, saves her, but not until 11 minutes have passed. After six days in a coma, she wakes up with few side effects. Her MRI indicates brain damage, but she seems to show no signs of it. Of course, it causes concern that her hands tremble, and she is strangely drawn to people who are about to die. Delaney meets mysterious Troy, 19, who knows all about her situation and is drawn to the same dying people. Decker is obviously in love with Delaney, and she with him, even though they are both trying to fight this change in their close friendship. With the additional tension that Troy adds to the mix, Delaney's strange attraction to people on the brink of death, and strain among their circle of friends and families, readers are never sure if the pair will ever be together. The story sometimes seems to be headed toward the supernatural, and then it suddenly makes a sharp turn toward realistic science, and then back again. The love triangle, combined with the allure of danger, will carry readers through this story that pulls them back every time they might feel ready to give up.—Jake Pettit, Thompson Valley High School, Loveland, CO
Kirkus Reviews
Eleven full minutes pass before 17-year-old Delaney's best friend Decker pulls her from beneath the ice of a northern Maine lake. Can she recover from the bizarre results of her long period without oxygen? Or, perhaps more importantly, can their relationship, evolving from being soul mates for years toward being romantically involved, survive? Even though the doctors say Delaney should be severely brain damaged, the only aftereffect she can discover is that she's suddenly aware of--and irresistibly drawn to--those around her who are about to die. It's through that fixation that she meets handsome, intriguing Troy, who seems to share her new compulsion, but he has dark, disturbing secrets in connection to it. Delaney's mother begins an emotional disintegration that results in her trying to keep the teen drugged with sedatives, adding an unnecessary complication to the plot, and Decker becomes involved with another girl, leaving Delaney no one to confide in. Her first-person narration and her issues with Decker largely ring true, but her mother's problems feel contrived. Teetering between tired, predictable romance and edgy thriller, the breathlessly scary moments of this effort provide sufficient pizzazz to keep the plot moving forward, even though it's sometimes bogged down by Delaney's too-trite soul searching. An occasionally thrilling paranormal romance with enough spellbinding incidents to overcome the clichéd components. (Paranormal romantic thriller. 11 & up)
Mary Quattlebaum
…a compelling medical thriller-cum-romance that proves to be surprisingly life-affirming…The science angle gives this mystery a fresh, intriguing twist, and Delaney's intelligent first-person voice and sensitive reflections deepen it.
—The Washington Post
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780802723093
  • Publisher: Walker & Company
  • Publication date: 1/17/2012
  • Edition number: 1
  • Pages: 272
  • Sales rank: 140911
  • Age range: 13 - 17 Years
  • Product dimensions: 5.82 (w) x 8.54 (h) x 0.96 (d)

Meet the Author

Megan Miranda

Megan Miranda was a scientist and high school teacher before writing Fracture, which came out of her fascination with scientific mysteries-especially those associated with the brain. Megan has a BS in biology from MIT and spent her post-college years either rocking a lab coat or reading books. She lives near Charlotte, North Carolina, where she volunteers as an MIT Educational Counselor. Fracture is her first novel.
www.meganmiranda.com
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 92 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(53)

4 Star

(20)

3 Star

(12)

2 Star

(4)

1 Star

(3)
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 92 Customer Reviews

  • Posted Tue Jan 17 00:00:00 EST 2012

    more from this reviewer

    A Hauntingly Beautiful Love Story

    Let's start by saying that I absolutely love this cover. It's not just a pretty picture or generic cover, it's prophetic. It says everything about Fracture. I would recommend getting this one in print, the cover alone is worth it...not to mention how amazing the story is.

    So now that I've covered the cover, let's talk about the writing. This is another one of those hauntingly beautiful love stories that weave their way into your heart and head, refusing to let go. Megan is a master at description, bringing the settings to life in a way very few authors have the can. Fracture is told in first person from Delaney's terrifying point of view, captivating you on her shocking adventure through life and death, then the return to life. You feel every bit of her fear, heart-ache, loss, pain, hurt, and betrayal as if it were your own.

    Delaney spends eleven minutes submerged below ice only to awaken in a hospital room surrounded by doctor's who say she has no chance. She spends several days trapped inside her body, listening and feeling things around her, unable to let people know her brain is working. Finally breaking free, she finds that her best friend, Decker, has been by her side the entire time. Unsure of what this means, all she wants is to leave the hospital and prove to everyone that she is the same Delaney she was before the accident. This will be difficult to prove since she can literally feel the dead pulling her to and fro.

    Let's count the reasons I love this book

    #1 - Delaney faces repetitive loss...from her own, to her mother's withdrawal, to the friend she couldn't save. It's not always a deathly loss but so many things go tragically wrong that people around her disappear from her life, leaving her alone and unable to cope. She must continue to fight for her life even after she's survived a horrific drowning. Evil lurks all around her, always attempting to sway her but Delaney is a fighter and she is most definitely a survivor.

    #2 - Decker and Delaney have been friends for what must seem like an eternity but now their friendship is strained. Delaney's accident has attracted the attention of Troy...someone who knows what it feels like to survive an unsurvivable accident. Decker walks a fine line...always wanting more than friendship and always afraid more will send Delaney straight into the arms of someone else.

    #3 - The taboo subject of euthanasia. Troy believes that people who are dying should be put out of their misery. Of course, he doesn't ask their opinions...he takes matters into his own hands. Delaney is out to prove him wrong and stop him from his current course of action.

    #4 - The serious twist of fate and Delaney's epiphany. I cannot go into this without spoiling the book so...

    #5 - Fracture brings so many feelings bubbling to the surface that leaves you thinking for days. I can't imagine a more heart-felt and life-altering story.

    9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Mon Mar 26 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    I Also Recommend:

    If I Stay
    Fracture

    I absolutely loved this story. The emotional depth behind the m

    I absolutely loved this story. The emotional depth behind the main characters is stunning. I love the elements of crushing guilt, miscommunication, and sexual frustration that are constant in Delaney and Decker's relationship. This is not the typical love triangle of the sweet best friend and the mysterious new guy fighting for the attention of a girl. There are so many elements to the relationships going on in this novel that there are no expected conclusions. The riveting action began from page one and did not falter even at the last page. I would recommend this book to anyone.

    3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Sat Jan 21 00:00:00 EST 2012

    Great book! Great new voice!

    I've read plenty of mainstream thrillers and suspense, but this was my first YA thriller. I really loved it! In fact, I thought I would just read a few chapters and go to bed, but I ended up powering straight through because it kept me so hooked.

    Would definitely recommend it!

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Oct 08 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Amazing

    This book was absolutely amazing. I read it in one day because I couldn't put it down. The drama and details leaves you stunned. I found some mystery too. I left a little question in your head until you finished the book. The romance and tension between all the couples and friends makes you feel like you are them. You can relate somehow and understand all their feelings. I don't however recommend it to kids under 13 or 14. They do say some language that kids don't need to hear at that age. -H

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Apr 10 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Amazing! Plus, the first book buy this author!

    Amazing! It is a must read! Plus i love Decker! And i wanted to kill Troy! TRUST ME! READ IT!!!!!!!!<3'd it!

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Sat Apr 07 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    more from this reviewer

    I really didn't like this book that much

    I really wanted to love this book. The concept was intriguing, and when I saw it in the library, I snatched it up, ran home, and started reading it right away. Unfortunately, that little bit of excitement I had from finding it at the library finally was the only exciting part of this whole experience. The book just fell flat. The plot was flat, the characters were flat, the supposed mystery was flat, the "action" was flat, the "romance" was flat. Flat, flat, flat. *yawn*

    My first problem with this novel is that every character was a self-centered, stupid jerk. Decker was the worst friend ever. I wouldn't have been friends with him. But Delaney was a pushover, so that was fine. And Delaney, who was supposed to be sooo smart, if a little fat (which apparently made her hot, according to her... though she complained about it all the time but refused to work out - basically doing as much damage as an anorexic character would because not being active at all is unhealthy, too), keeps doing stupid, bratty things. She storms off in the middle of a freezing cold forest after drowning and almost freezing to death, for instance. She's just stupid. Carson is a manwhore, but that's okay and everyone loves him. However, Delaney judges Tara constantly because she's a whore. Sexual double-standard much? I mean sure, she's probably just jealous, but still. Very catty. Troy was also stupid, and I still don't know what his issue actually was. Anyway, moving on.

    The pacing was slow-as-molasses, and the supposed suspenseful parts weren't at all suspenseful. There really was no big mystery, and for such a unique idea, the plot was extremely predictable. The romances were all annoying, and of course, motivated by self-centered reasons. Needless to say, this was not a feelgood book. I spent most of the novel hating everyone and being bored. I asked myself on more than one occasion if it was over yet. Turns out it wasn't. Also, the ending didn't answer any questions really. I mean sure, one thing happened, but it didn't answer a question. It was just an action that had occurred several times before and led to various forms of disaster. So what would happen this time? Well, no one knows. A few things were tied up, but at the end I was left with two feelings: "This is very ambiguous" and "so what? This book did not speak to me at all."

    All of that being said, Miranda's writing was fairly good and the idea itself was a unique and interesting one. I just feel that it wasn't executed as well as it could have been. I will try another one of Miranda's books because I feel that she does have talent. It just wasn't fully utilized in this book, I think. I'm sure some people will love this book, and it didn't have a lot of the annoying YA trends like insta-love or superhero vampires. It just didn't work for me. I'd say check this one out from the library before buying it.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Mon Oct 24 00:00:00 EDT 2011

    more from this reviewer

    Great book!

    I must say that this book had a whole other take than what I thought. I was able to step into the world easily and finding myself piecing together clues before I knew it.
    What I liked most about this book is the plot line. Filled with a great plot that keeps the reader hyped up and eager to read more. I love that it is also weaved in with a realistic looked at death. Not many of have us have experience death and live to tell the tale. I liked that it gave a whole new picture to what happens if you come back.

    I like that the main character started off naive but quickly caught on to the real story. She is strong yet resourceful. Delaney is one of those girl who is smart and beautiful. I loved that she didn't think about herself but she thought of others as well.

    The love interest is quite complicated but soon it all made sense. I knew something was off at first and well I'm sorry it ended that way.

    Fracture is a great story that has many secrets, desires, and what is expected to do. The breaking of rules, changing of others people lives is overflowing on this book. Consistent with great characters, plot and a paranormal trait that holds the reader, Fracture is an amazing read!

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sun Mar 10 00:00:00 EST 2013

    AM-A-ZING!!!!

    This was a great book. I was hooked from the beginning to the end of the book. I love that in the beginning the story jumps into action. Delaney is a sweet girl and her best friend is I. Love with her. But of course there are twists and turns. Delaney finds out that her and troy have the same unique power to sense when someone is about to die. It broke my heart when delaney' s friends were mad at her for surviving compared to how carson died of a siesure attack. Buy this book!!! Seriously!!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sun Jun 03 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Wake clarity wintergirls

    In this book the main character dies.....
    Then is a miracle and comes back to life

    Her old life is ruined....
    And her new life is not any better

    She knows what others dont....
    When a lifes about to end

    But doesnt know what to do...
    Till she begins to loose more than she has

    Then maybe...
    She'll realize it doesnt all have to be bad


    This is only a four star for me because i found myself really.starting to like the book 60% in, but altogether a good read!

    If you liked this try
    Wintergirls
    Clarity
    Wake
    and
    Hereafter


    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Mon Mar 19 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Loved this book! I would definitely recommend this read to anyo

    Loved this book! I would definitely recommend this read to anyone!!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Fri Mar 09 00:00:00 EST 2012

    I Also Recommend:

    The Hollow (Hollow Trilogy Series #1)
    Hallowed (Unearthly Series #2)
    Dead Beautiful (Dead Beautiful Series #1)
    Unearthly (Unearthly Series #1)
    Life Eternal (Dead Beautiful Series #2)

    I loved it! It was one of the best books I read. Man, was Troy c

    I loved it! It was one of the best books I read. Man, was Troy crazy, or what? If he isn't I must be losing it!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Mar 05 00:00:00 EST 2012

    i hate this book

    this book is so sad and depessing and i hate . i makes u so sad and treable death is and how said sucide is. WORST BOOK EVER!!! DONT READ!!! if u like sad depressing books u may like this

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Mar 13 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Really Interesting

    I really liked this book. It has a great story line. Recommended for anyone looking for a new book to read.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Feb 18 00:00:00 EST 2012

    MUY BUENO!

    MUY MUY MUY BUENO :D

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Feb 17 00:00:00 EST 2012

    Cool

    Cool

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Apr 20 00:00:00 EDT 2013

    Adventurous

    Sorry to leave u cold. But theres too many people too activley. Try again with hippo result 6.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Apr 04 00:00:00 EDT 2013

    Love the haunting story of Troy's past.

    Love the haunting story of Troy's past.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Mar 09 00:00:00 EST 2013

    I Also Recommend:

    Cryer's Cross

    I LOVE THIS BOOK!! It's one of the best books i read, if not the

    I LOVE THIS BOOK!! It's one of the best books i read, if not the best! you'll feel the emotions the characters feel and experience every situation that happens. The characters and expesially the plot is the amazing, and you will be at the edge of your seat. And the ending will shock you and you'll have to read it to find out.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Feb 18 00:00:00 EST 2013

    AMAZING!

    This story is extremely beautiful in many ways! A must read for everyone<3333

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  • Posted Sun Feb 10 00:00:00 EST 2013

    fracture. amazing best book ever

    fracture. amazing best book ever

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