*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Title: Down World
Author: Rebecca Phelps
Publisher: Wattpad Books
Publication Date: March 30, 2021
ISBN: 9781989365595
Synopsis from Goodreads:
As the site of a former military base, there have always been rumors that East Township High School was the site of experiments with space and time. As the new kid in school and still reeling from the unexplained death of her brother Robbie, Marina O’Connell is only interested in one thing: leaving the past behind. But a chance encounter with handsome Brady Picelli changes everything. He will lead Marina to a startling discovery. The Down World is real and the past, present, and future are falling out of balance.
WOW! I can genuinely say that I was totally and completely blown away by Down World. It’s a bit of Inception meets Stranger Things meets Dawson’s Creek all wrapped into one unstoppable package. This sat in my TBR for what is probably a little too long, and after reading it, I’m sad I didn’t pick it up sooner. Marina has started a new school. She lost her brother Robbie years ago to an accident involving a train. She quickly discovers that her new school holds many secrets involving space and time. Something has changed. So much is unknown, but it is very clear that the world and dimension that she inhabits is quickly coming undone. Lines between dimensions are beginning to blur, and nothing is as it used to be. Only Marina can step up to save her world, but there’s a possibility that things might never be the same again.
Phelps is an absolutely masterful world builder. She has created infinite layers within this story and each world is so detailed and so real, that to both characters and reader, they all start to blur together. It’s impossible to tell where the author is going to take the story next–a feat that is not commonly accomplished in the world of YA lit these days. Phelps had me flabbergasted at every turn. I simply couldn’t get enough. The characters are complete and complex, even the minor ones. As the worlds begin to unravel, so do the characters, keeping everyone guessing what is the truth of the current dimension, and what comes from another parallel world? It’s impossible to say, but time is running out.
My heart was in my throat at every turn in this book. I stayed up late reading it and finished it in less than 48 hours (which, in the midst of moving to a new house with a 10.5 month old, is quite a feat I’d say). I absolutely recommend this to YA fans everywhere. In my humble opinion, this is the one to watch this summer.
Happy reading!
Worn Pages and Ink 