Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered. Vee knows this because she was there.
Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.
Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.
Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.
Not going to lie, after the first few chapters of Slide, I was reminded of one of my favorite movies: Heathers. Staging of teenage suicides is definitely something that Veronica (Winona Ryder) and JD (Christian Slater) did in the 80s. Haven’t seen the movie? GO WATCH IT!
Anyway, other than Slide giving me major Heathers comparisons to make (which I will spare you of), I really thought it was a great debut novel. Vee’s narrative voice was extremely entertaining and realistic, and I loved the different ways she expressed herself through her actions. I have to say that I really, really hated all of the cheerleaders–including Vee’s sister, Mattie–for what they did to poor Sophie. I really appreciate Hathaway’s talent to handle such intense issues like eating disorders, teenage drinking, death, and the relationship between children and their parents.
I wish there had been more of an explanation for why Vee has the ability to slide into other people’s minds, and why she is the only one in her family that can. Since Goodreads already lists a sequel, I’m hoping this will be explored in future installments.
Much like Veronica, Vee falls for the new kid in town, Zane. He’s mysterious, hot, intelligent–everything a teenage girl could want (like JD! Okay, enough of the Heathers stuff). However, the reader is also introduced to Vee’s best friend, Rollins, who is just as mysterious and loveable. BUT–don’t be fooled into thinking this is a love triangle, because it isn’t. There is more to this story than love. It is more a story of loss.
As for the murder-mystery aspect, I have to admit that I saw it coming. It didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the story, though. Overall, I think Slide is a great debut novel from Hathaway, and I look forward to reading more of her stories!
4 Bards.
Moving! 