Earthbound - Book Review

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Aprilynne Pike's Earthbound is definitely the start of something great. I don't know if it's going to be a series, but the way the book ends things, I really hope that there are more books! (It would also be cool to see this book made into a movie.)

Tavia is the sole survivor of a plane crash that also kills her parents. Sent to live with a stepaunt and stepuncle that she doesn't know very well, Tavia attends physical therapy sessions to mend her broken body and therapy sessions to mend her shaky mental state. Soon, Tavia starts seeing triangles everywhere and a boy named Quinn who looks familiar but is definitely not from the present time. Tavia doesn't know what's going on. Are these things really there or is her brain so damaged that she's just imagining it all? She can't confide in her aunt and uncle, so she tells the one person she can trust, her friend/more than a friend, Benson.

But that brings Benson into the mix as Tavia learns just what her visions mean, and the two of them end up traveling from New Hampshire to Maine in search of answers and Quinn. As they uncover more of the truth, Tavia learns that her visions come with powers and that her powers come with a startling responsibility: save the world.

I really did enjoy this book, even though at times I had a little difficulty following the plot. Sometimes I had to re-read passages just to make sure I understood what was going on. Because there is a lot going on! This book is sort of like a Da Vinci Code meets Tomb Raider with magic thrown in that young history buffs and fans of teen romance novels will enjoy.

The book is recommended for ages 12 and up/grades 7 and up. The main character in the book is 18. I kind of feel that this story might be over the heads of some 12-year-olds. But it seems a pretty good bet that kids 14 and up (so more like grades 8 and up) will be able to follow and really get into the storyline. There is some cussing, heavy petting, and violence.

Earthbound will be available to purchase starting July 30, 2013. It is published by Razorbill, a division of Penguin. I received a free advanced reader's copy for my honest review.