The Loop

March 15, 2013
Two teenagers relive their violent deaths over and over when they find themselves stuck in a time loop. Ben and Maggie have met cute hundreds of times; they just don't remember. Ben experiences strong deja vu when he accidently spills iced tea on himself after crashing into Maggie on a mall escalator in New Orleans. That innocent encounter leads to attempted murder, 24 hours on the lam, an envelope full of racetrack winnings and a final showdown in a dirty storeroom, where they are shot in cold blood by the same criminal over and over for their misbegotten cash. Each time the teens attempt to change the circumstances that spell their demise, they are thwarted by the machinations of fate, which keeps placing them in the bullets' paths. Is escape possible, or are Ben and Maggie doomed to repeat the worst day of their lives forever? While the initial premise is captivating, the tendency of all the characters to explain exactly what is happening and why at any given moment in unimaginative dialogue quickly becomes monotonous. Ben's and Maggie's characterizations are thin, and the rules and origin of the loop itself are vague and unconvincing. But the short chapters, straightforward storytelling and slim size may make it attractive to some. Clever idea, flawed execution. (Fiction. 12 & up)

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July 1, 2013

Gr 9 Up-Caught in a time loop, Ben and Maggie are forced to repeat the same two days over and over. Each loop ultimately ends with their cold-blooded murder at the hands of a ruthless killer. While Ben experiences only a strong sense of deja vu, Maggie can remember certain pieces of previous loops. Together the teens decide to tempt fate, alter the circuit, and avoid destiny, thus beginning a life-or-death roller-coaster ride where danger, intrigue, and suspense linger at every turn. Readers will root for the likable although superficial main characters as they try to take control of their lives. A strong and fast-paced plot drives this short but gripping time travel adventure. While there are some questionable moments and loose ends, this debut novel comes to a satisfying conclusion.-Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2013
Grades 7-10 Lawson's energetic sf thriller begins in medias res with the murder of Ben and Maggie, then bounces back two days before the event, with Ben walking through New Orleans' French Quarter, experiencing a powerful, disorienting feeling of d'j vu. This feeling increases when he meets Maggie and ends up running from a violent criminal. No, this isn't a standard flashback. Ben and Maggie have died and started over multiple times, trapped in a time loop that ends with their death at the hands of the same man, like a video game level they must perfect to advance. Each time, things change in inconsequential ways as the pair remember what happened before and seek to resistbut they'll have to outsmart fate to fully escape. The basic mechanics of time loops are introduced before the story dives acrobatically away from such mundane needs as logic, concentrating instead on creating an unstoppable ride with characters that are superficial but relatable. This light, action-packed read will be particularly good for reluctant readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)