In a change of pace from her Faery Hunters series, Anderson blends paranormal, science fiction, and scientific elements in an intriguing story about a teenager who is convinced that she’s crazy—and a murderer—though reality is even more unpredictable. Sixteen-year-old Alison Jeffries awakens in the psych ward of a hospital, and is soon transferred to a treatment center for “youth in crisis.” The police, meanwhile, believe Alison knows something about the disappearance of her classmate, Tori. She does. Alison had watched Tori disintegrate before her eyes, and she believes that her barely understood “powers” are to blame. With the help of Sebastian Faraday, a mysterious neuropsychologist, Alison starts to get answers: she is a synesthete—her senses of smell, taste, sight, and hearing intertwined in surprising ways—as well as a tetrachromat, able to perceive ultraviolet light. Alison’s conditions allow the author to give her some enviable abilities and use some creative descriptions (Faraday’s voice tastes, to Alison, like “ark chocolate, poured over velvet). Anderson keeps readers guessing throughout with several twists, including a very unexpected divergence in the last third of the book. Ages 12–up. (Sept.)
"Anderson, a Canadian author of fantasy, is an assured storyteller with a knack for creating memorable characters. The barren, northern Ontario setting—where NASA astronauts once trained for moon landings—slyly accents a twisty plot refreshingly free of YA cliché." —starred, Kirkus Reviews
When Alison wakes up in a mental hospital, she has no idea where she is or how she got there. What she does remember is that after a violent exchange with Tori, her archrival, Tori disintegrated before her eyes. Narrator Justine Eyre’s youthful voice has a sharp, reedy texture that fits 16-year-old Alison. Alison’s sensory peculiarities—sounds taste like flavors; numbers become colors—and Anderson’s startling plot leap—from a story of young girl’s offbeat reality to an unexpected science fiction tale—are convincing and gratifying, thanks to Eyre’s truthful performance. A persuasive explanation of the glitch in Alison’s neural net, what became of Tori, and what lies ahead for Ali, combined with Eyre’s credible narration, make this a thrilling listen for older teens. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine
When Alison wakes up in a mental hospital, she has no idea where she is or how she got there. What she does remember is that after a violent exchange with Tori, her archrival, Tori disintegrated before her eyes. Narrator Justine Eyre’s youthful voice has a sharp, reedy texture that fits 16-year-old Alison. Alison’s sensory peculiarities—sounds taste like flavors; numbers become colors—and Anderson’s startling plot leap—from a story of young girl’s offbeat reality to an unexpected science fiction tale—are convincing and gratifying, thanks to Eyre’s truthful performance. A persuasive explanation of the glitch in Alison’s neural net, what became of Tori, and what lies ahead for Ali, combined with Eyre’s credible narration, make this a thrilling listen for older teens. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine
Once upon a time "science fiction" was not invariably preceded by "dystopian," nor was it just a handy synonym for "paranormal." This breath of fresh air reintroduces readers to traditional science fiction, with the bonus of a strong heroine.
Alison, 16, has been hospitalized ever since her beautiful, popular classmate, Tori, disappeared. Her claim that she disintegrated Tori landed her in the psychiatric ward and soon gets her transferred to a residential treatment facility for seriously disturbed teen patients. Confused, conflicted, fighting the deadening effects of medication, Alison is desperate to leave the hospital yet fearful of what she might do if freed. These worries are complicated by her long-held secret: She has synesthesia. This sensory cross-wiring causes Alison to experience numbers as colors; she hears stars and tastes lies. She's long obeyed her mother's warning to tell no one. Now a mysterious, attractive young doctor has nosed out her secret. Anderson, a Canadian author of fantasy, is an assured storyteller with a knack for creating memorable characters. The barren, northern Ontario setting—where NASA astronauts once trained for moon landings—slyly accents a twisty plot refreshingly free of YA cliché.
In bracing contrast to her passive, vampire-fodder counterparts, Alison steers her own course throughout her multi-layered journey—a thoroughly enjoyable ride. (author's note) (Science fiction. 12 & up)
