by Michael Lawrence. Published by Orchard Books.
Oh I hate computers. I just wrote a fully and nicely worded review; then I click update and it decides it no longer has a connection; so I click Back, and all my work has disappeared. So this review of a book called A Crack In The Line, is a bit shorter than previously I’m afraid because I hate doing things twice!!!
This is the first of ‘The Aldus Lexicon’ trilogy and is a great teenage read about two characters; a girl called Naia and a boy, Alaric. They happen to live in the same house, have had the same parents, but in different dimensions and under different circumstances. If fantasy/science fiction isn’t your thing; don’t be put off, because I wouldn’t normally pick up a book about alternative universes, but this was a really enjoyable and interesting read. It focusses mainly about the characters and their lives.
The book does make us remember to be grateful for what we’ve got; or not to be bitter about the bad things and life can be better if we want it to be. I suppose that’s a pretty deep underlying message actually.
The two main people work out how to go from one reality to another and the plot sets up some mysteries; some of which are answered and some are left for future books and I loved reading the book right up until the end; which should have finished 19 pages sooner. It just left too many questions like…. SPOILER WARNING!!!! DON’T SCROLL DOWN IF YOU DON’T WANT A CLUE AS TO WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END…
….How are two identical people going to live with one of them stuck in the wrong reality? I’m actually slightly suspicious about whether the author has fully worked out this situation. In the realities that Alaric and Naia have ended up in, by the reaction of their parents it seemed that they have taken the place of the previous Alaric and Naia; when before they have only been able to visit other realities, not swapped places with people. I suppose the ending has done its job and now means I have to read the next book, but I hope it’s going to focus on the two original characters and doesn’t get to confusing!
