Review of Invisible by DelSheree Gladden
Invisible by DelSheree Gladden
About Ms Gladden:
��DelSheree Gladden lives in New Mexico with her husband and two children. The Southwest is a big influence in her writing because of its culture, beauty, and mythology. Local folk lore is strongly rooted in her writing, particularly ideas of prophecy, destiny, and talents born from natural abilities. When she is not writing, DelSheree is usually reading, painting, sewing, or working as a Dental Hygienist.
About Invisible:
The story started out in a rather unusual way. ���My best friend is not imaginary. He���s not a ghost, either. And I���m pretty sure he isn���t a hallucination. He���s just Mason. He is, however, invisible.���
The first chapter goes on to explain how this ���works��� in every day life: Mason lives with the main character of the story, Olivia, and her family. They are the only ones who know about Mason���s existence, and have managed to keep him a secret from everyone else for twelve years. The reader can see that over the years Olivia and Mason have found a groove that works for them. They have learned to live with and accept Mason���s uniqueness. However, at the time this book opens, their quiet life is about to be thrown into disorder.
Firstly, Mason has known for some time that his feelings for Olivia surpass hers for him, and he knows that it isn���t long until he has to talk to her about that. But also a new girl turns up at their school, and she can actually see Mason. Together they have to work out what this means and whether she is a friend or a foe.
I felt the first part was a little hard to get through. I didn���t get a strong ���feel��� for the story until about a third of the way in, when it accelerated in pace and I began to read more comfortably. I recommend that you give this book a try until at least 50%. Before that you won���t have a very good handle on the style of the book.
Essentially Invisible is a teen love story, dealing with the inevitable teenage angst, rivals and misunderstandings. However, the paranormal element adds another level of interest which will hook lovers of sci fi fiction. If you liked Twilight, this one is a definite winner, as it has many of the same combinations, with a little bit of an extra mystery, as no-one knows who or what Mason is, least of all himself.
The characters are believable and well-rounded, even if a little obtuse (well, they are only seventeen). There was a little too much drama (angst) for my liking, but again I don���t think I���m the target audience, and teen readers I���m sure will adore it. The relationship between the two main characters was pretty adorable up until they began to absolutely cling to each other as though they were each other���s oxygen. (Think Twilight). Mason is a wonderful protagonist, cool and calm and interesting. There is a lot about himself that he doesn���t even know yet, and I���m sure more will be revealed in the next book of this series. Perhaps without Olivia distracting him, or clinging to him and begging him not to leave her, he will have a chance to stretch a little. I also think that for fans of science fiction there may be a stronger sci fi feel to the next book, rather than a stress on romance.
DelSheree Gladden���s website: http://www.delshereegladden.blogspot.co.nz/
Invisible on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18681291-invisible
Available for FREE on Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/429346
