Review ~ 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil

Synopsis:

Josie Byrne's life is spiraling out of control. Her parents are divorcing, her boyfriend Nick has grown distant, and her physics teacher has it in for her. When she's betrayed by the two people she trusts most, Josie thinks things can't get worse.

Until she starts having dreams about a girl named Jo. Every night at the same time—3:59 a.m.

Jo's life is everything Josie wants: she's popular, her parents are happily married, and Nick adores her. It all seems real, but they're just dreams, right? Josie thinks so, until she wakes one night to a shadowy image of herself in the bedroom mirror – Jo.

Josie and Jo realize that they are doppelgängers living in parallel universes that overlap every twelve hours at exactly 3:59. Fascinated by Jo's perfect world, Josie jumps at the chance to jump through the portal and switch places for a day.

But Jo’s world is far from perfect. Not only is Nick not Jo's boyfriend, he hates her. Jo's mom is missing, possibly insane. And at night, shadowy creatures feed on human flesh.

By the end of the day, Josie is desperate to return to her own life. But there’s a problem: Jo has sealed the portal, trapping Josie in this dangerous world. Can she figure out a way home before it’s too late?

From master of suspense Gretchen McNeil comes a riveting and deliciously eerie story about the lives we wish we had – and how they just might kill you.

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Review:

I have been fascinated by alternate universes, particularly because I believe that somewhere out there is a buff, sporty version of myself wreaking havoc but that's another story.

In 3:59, that alternate universe is a scary and dark place. Josie is the reflection of people’s hidden desire to go somewhere where they are loved, popular and rich. But even that supposed paradise had a hidden dark side.

I love Josie's character because you don't see geeks as heroines these days. But, despite being a supposed genius, she was still trick in by her other self, Jo, into switching places with her. I mean come on, a popular, rich girl who seems to have it made would switch with your mediocre self? Kind of a red flag right there.

The science behind the way the alternate universe and the passage are quite sound and well researched. Although, I think the mirror bit should be a little more explained. I mean, how did that particular mirror become the only passageway to that dimension? What about other mirrors?

Plus, that explanation on where objects disappeared without explanation was switched around between worlds was enlightening. So that's where my old books went. I hope my alternate world self reads it. Or maybe not, seeing as I'm the smart, nerdy, homebuddy version.

~ Djan

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