Once again, I find myself having read two books back to back that are ridiculously similar. And yet, so very different.

Book 1 : The Other
1. The Other was written in 1971, takes place in 1935, yet is very much NOT a period piece and despite some dated scenes, I remained grounded throughout.
2. The characters were well-developed, and although the themes were familiar, the story was well-paced in this horror novel with an unreliable narrator.
3. Details are intricately layered and all the pieces come into play for a satisfying ending.

Full Title : The Other
Author: Thomas Tryon
Book Blurb: Holland and Niles Perry are identical thirteen-year-old twins. They are close, close enough, almost, to read each other’s thoughts, but they couldn’t be more different.
Genre: Occult Fiction

Brief Synopsis: Horrible things happen to the Perry family as told in this horror story, much like The Bad Seed meets The Good Son.

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Book 2 : I will Save You
1. I bought this 2011 publication at the Half-Price Book Store in Rockford and am always pleased and impressed when the $6.99 author/title/audiobook that I’ve never heard of turns out to be a true winner.
2. I enjoyed the pacing and unraveling of this gritty young adult novel with an unreliable narrator.
3. Details are intricately layered and all the pieces come into play for a satisfying ending.

Full Title : I Will Save You
Author: Matt De La Pena
Book Blurb: Kidd is running from his past and his future. No mom, no dad, and there’s nothing for him at the group home but therapy. He doesn’t belong at the beach where he works either, unless he finds a reason to stay.
Genre: Teen & Young Adult Fiction

Brief Synopsis: I Will Save You deals with abuse, teenage depression and mental illness, but also the insecurities and drama of growing up. Unfolding as a love triangle between two runaways from a halfway house for troubled youths and the rich girl who gets caught in the middle. The ex-best friends come into conflict as the behavior of one of them turns increasingly erratic, culminating in an act of violence.

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As always, if either of these novels pique your interest, I would recommend you read them. I loved both titles, both had great readers on audio, and if they were more mainstream, I would recommend them to everyone. Considering previous reviews, that’s huge, lol.

To read previous posts for 3 Sentence Reviews : Books
The Locked Door
The Perfect Marriage
The Burnt House
The Sun Also Rises
The Girl Beneath the Sea
Project Hail Mary
Later
The Line
and a 3 Sentence Review : TV
Paper Girls