Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Jun 2014
400 pages
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History
Publication Information
Nolan doesn't see darkness when he closes his eyes. Instead, he's transported into the mind of Amara, a girl living in a different world. Nolan's life in his small Arizona town is full of history tests, family tension, and laundry; his parents think he has epilepsy, judging from his frequent blackouts. Amara's world is full of magic and danger - she's a mute servant girl who's tasked with protecting a renegade princess. Nolan is only an observer in Amara's world - until he learns to control her. At first, Amara is terrified. Then, she's furious. But to keep the princess - and themselves - alive, they'll have to work together and discover the truth behind their connection.
A fascinating premise, clearly and compellingly written and imagined by a startlingly original debut writer.
"Starred Review. Original and compelling; a stunning debut." - Kirkus
"Starred Review. Numerous plot twists drive the story along, and it's grounded in worldbuilding that creates a believable, authentic setting. Duyvis makes ingenious use of a fascinating premise." - Publishers Weekly
"Duyvis creates a humdinger of an adventure that contains the agony of loyalty, the allure of magic, and, most gratifyingly, the element of surprise." - The Horn Book Magazine
"Some elements of the magic that brings them together are unexplained, and the open ending might frustrate readers who want everything tied up in a neat bow. But readers who want to be left thinking after a story is done will appreciate this stand-alone title. Grades 8 and up." - Booklist
This information about Otherbound was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
A graduate of the Clarion West writer's workshop, Corinne Duyvis is an author, artist, and avid alliteration aficionado.
She and her bug-eyed cat live in Amsterdam, where she (Corinne, not the cat) writes young adult science fiction and fantasy novels plus the occasional short story.
She also sleeps an inordinate amount.
Visit her online at corinneduyvis.net.
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