I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Split Second
by Janae Marks
Published by Quill Tree Books on October 1, 2024
Genres: Middle Grade Mystery
Pages: 251
Format: Audible Audiobook, Hardcover, Kindle, Paperback
Source: NetGalley
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon
New York Times bestselling author Janae Marks delivers a stunningly crafted and twisty mystery about the tests of friendships that examines what matters most when everything can change in a split second—perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead and Anne Ursu.
That clock can’t be right. When Elise wakes up the morning after her birthday celebration, she’s surprised to find herself in her bedroom. Last she can remember, she had fallen asleep next to her best friends at her slumber party in her basement, and it was October. But now she’s alone, and her phone says it’s April 8. Elise doesn’t understand. How could she have woken up six months later?
No one else is acting like anything strange has happened, yet Elise can't remember the last half year. To make matters worse, her friends refuse to talk to her and Elise doesn't know why. She also has no idea how she got signed up for photography club or why her former best friend, Cora, is talking to her again. Is it a memory problem? Could it be magic? Every day that passes takes Elise further from the world she knew. Thankfully, Elise has Cora to lean on in this new reality, and the two come together to investigate why Elise woke up in the future—and, more important, how to get her back to her past and away from this nightmare.
A Split Second by Janae Marks tells how a simple wish changes everything.
Will Elise get her time back?
Elise Jackson
Elise Jackson went to bed in October, celebrating her birthday, and woke up the next day on April 8. She has no idea what happened or why her two best friends aren’t talking to her anymore. Elise has an easier time making friends and doing things more socially than I would have been able to do at her age, even if we both share the love of reading books.
I didn’t like Elise at first, but as the story progresses, I find her tolerable.
Cora Burroughs
Cora was Elise Jackson’s best friend before the pandemic happened, and then after it happened, they just stopped. She is artsy and would rather be into her arts and crafts than talking with people. Cora only had Elise as a friend and struggled to make some new ones.
I liked Cora and thought she was a good character. I liked her growth the best.
Five Stars
My rating for A Split Second by Janae Marks is five stars, which I recommend. Ms. Marks made me think back to middle school and about my own insecurities and how, if I were put into one of the girls’ shoes, would I do the same thing? Honestly, I don’t know. Finding the right friends for yourself is always a tough battle.
Ms. Marks does an excellent job with this story.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of A Split Second by Janae Marks.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
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About Janae Marks
Janae Marks is the New York Times bestselling author of the Zoe Washington series, A Soft Place to Land, and A Split Second. She has an MFA in Writing for Children from The New School, and lives in Connecticut with her husband, daughter and miniature schnauzer named Cookie.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2024 Goodreads RC
- 2024 Middle Grade Reading Challenge
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