In a World Just Right

February 9, 2015
Jonathan Aubrey is the only surviving member of his family, following a plane crash when he was a child. Since then, he’s lived with his often absent uncle, ignored by everyone at school. Physically and emotionally scarred, Jonathan learned to live in his imagination, only to discover he could create and travel to parallel worlds that operate on his terms—including the one in which classmate Kylie Simms is his devoted girlfriend. When “real Kylie” and “girlfriend Kylie” seem to be merging, Jonathan must find a way to complete the process or risk irreparable damage to both worlds and both Kylies. Jonathan’s somber internal monologue dominates Brooks’s debut—a decision that makes sense given his introversion and isolation, but that also gives the novel a claustrophobic feel and a slow pace. Only Jonathan and Kylie get much attention as characters in the first half of the novel, and while Jonathan’s world-making abilities offer dazzling possibilities, his manipulation of his relationship with Kylie never quite shakes its creepy edge, and a late-breaking twist may leave readers feeling as lost as Jonathan does. Ages 12–up. Agent: Alexandra Machinist, Janklow & Nesbit.

February 1, 2015
High school senior Jonathan Aubrey has a secret: He is a world-maker.Survivor of a plane crash that killed his family and left him in a three-month coma at the age of 8, Jonathan woke up with the ability to will new worlds into existence. Years later, a lonely and physically scarred Jonathan creates Kylie-Simms-is-my-girlfriend, a world in which the beautiful and popular Kylie Simms is his, well, girlfriend; he is sure the real Kylie has never even looked him in the eye. When Jonathan confuses the real and created worlds, the two girls begin to merge: Real Kylie becomes obsessed with Jonathan, while made-up Kylie questions her love for him. When another world-maker offers to help Jonathan set things right, Jonathan must decide whether to complete the merging of the Kylies and destroy the made-up world in which he is successful and loved and accepted by his peers. Brooks is a competent worldbuilder, adhering to the rules of her novel's world(s), but the pacing is slow and the story bland. A plot twist about 50 pages from the end finally speeds up the pace, but by then, readers aren't likely to care what becomes of the flat, one-dimensional characters. Though it has an undeniably thought-provoking concept, this debut doesn't reach its potential. (Fantasy. 12-15)

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February 1, 2015

Gr 9 Up-High school senior Jonathan Aubrey is a world-maker. After surviving a plane crash that killed nearly everyone onboard, including his family, Jonathan discovers that he can simply will new worlds into being. This comes in handy, because in the real world he has no friends, isn't graduating, and watches his crush, Kylie Simms, from afar. In the Kylie-Simms-Is-My-Girlfriend world, Jonathan has friends, a spot on the track team, college prospects, and Kylie's undying devotion. One day he confuses the two worlds, almost kissing the real Kylie Simms. Suddenly, the Kylie in Kylie-Simms-Is-My-Girlfriend grows distant, while real Kylie feels an inexplicable pull toward Jonathan. As the Kylies from the two worlds become increasingly intertwined, Jonathan must determine what is happening and how to fix it before both girls suffer catastrophic fates. Brooks's debut novel will find wide readership. Elements of science fiction, mystery, and romance combine in a well-paced story that still manages a surprising conclusion. Jonathan's transformation from teenage boy escaping reality to mature young man grappling with the ethics and impact of his decisions feels organic, rather than preachy. The romance between Jonathan and both Kylies explores deeper ideas about love while providing tender and appropriately steamy scenes. VERDICT A thoughtful story that still feels fresh amid the many other sci-fi/romance combinations out there.-Kelsey Johnson-Kaiser, La Crosse Public Library, WI

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2015
Grades 9-12 Jonathan Aubrey is a world maker. At eight years old he was one of a few survivors of a plane crash that killed his parents, little sister Tess, and pregnant aunt Carrie as they traveled to a Disney vacation. Initially he was in a coma and was then released to the care of his grieving uncle Joey. In the 10 years since the crash, Jonathan has created several age-appropriate fantasy worlds to escape his physical, emotional, and mental scars. When his Kylie-Simms-is-my-girlfriend world comes dangerously close to the real Kylie in the real world, his well-separated orbits become muddled. Debut novelist Brooks depicts a heartbreakingly lonely and sympathetic Jonathan, though she does depend on empathetic, dedicated readers to maintain clarity as they navigate between worlds. As the reason for Uncle Joey's absentee guardianship is revealed, the full understanding of Jonathan's split worlds is exposed in gripping fashion. Coping with devastating loss and near-death tragedy takes many forms, and, in Brooks' caring narrative, an appreciation for the rationale for world making is made to feel just right.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)