Betwixt

Tara Bray Smith
Little, Brown Young Readers (2007)
ISBN 9780316060332
Reviewed by Mary Johnson (age 14) for Reader Views (11/07)


If you like teenage Sci-fi, “Betwixt” is definitely for you. “Betwixt” is a book about three main characters. Nix, a young man who is down on his luck, Morgan who is a control freak with an attitude problem, and Ondine, who pretty much has herself a little identity crisis halfway through the book. But they all find out about where they came from, who they are, and that they have mystical powers in a kind of cult-gathering.

Tara Bray Smith, the author of “Betwixt,” was doing great with her sequences and telling what was going on halfway through the book. “Betwixt” is a 487-page book, so imagine what happens when you (the reader) get confused.  I had to keep thinking about which of the characters was now being used and who was talking. But the end is what baffled me the most; I mean what happened?  Did they win or lose? Did one them die? Did Ondine help? How did she get in the ambulance? These are all questions that have yet to be answered in “Betwixt.” I understand the whole thing of keeping people interested, hoping for a sequel, and keeping them wondering. But, this just shows sloppiness and lack of creativity.

“Betwixt” is definitely for genre interest, but, also not for young kids, especially under the age of 15. The purpose of this is because the language, drug use, and alcohol use (which is underage).  Also, that the cops didn’t do anything puts into kids’ minds that it is all right to do all these illegal dealings and provocative behavior, leads me to this conclusion. Although most of the words used aren’t new to young adults these days. I mean you have these in practically all books and movies now, but putting in that law enforcement puts up with this is really odd. I mean reading “Betwixt” makes a person think, O.K, all you got to do is get a Drug Dealing cult leader to hypnotize them and you’re “All Good.” But I guess “Betwixt” is entertaining if you like that kind of stuff.

Generally, all things aside, “Betwixt” is a good book that’s entertaining but, as I have said before it is confusing and the sequences are poorly-written. Some books should just have an ending. 

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