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Refraction
Marty Callahan still remembers the earth before the fog, before all the mirrors turned deadly...
Everything changed one year ago when an alien ship was destroyed over earth. No one knows why the shattered ship covered the world in fog, or how it turned mirrors into portals for vicious monsters. All Marty knows is that his small coastal town is one of the few remaining safe havens. Though all reflective surfaces are now illegal to protect what's left of the population, mirrors still have unique uses and the demand continues to rise.
Seizing the opportunity, Marty becomes a distributor in an illegal mirror trade until he's caught by the mayor's son, whose slate is far from clean. The punishment for their crimes is exile, and both of them are sent to one of the many abandoned and dangerous cities overrun by fog.
But the nightmarish streets hold a mystery far greater than anything they could have imagined. Together, the two discover the horrifying truth behind what really happened when the spaceship was destroyed, and what they must do to save earth from the total destruction no one knows is coming.
Everything changed one year ago when an alien ship was destroyed over earth. No one knows why the shattered ship covered the world in fog, or how it turned mirrors into portals for vicious monsters. All Marty knows is that his small coastal town is one of the few remaining safe havens. Though all reflective surfaces are now illegal to protect what's left of the population, mirrors still have unique uses and the demand continues to rise.
Seizing the opportunity, Marty becomes a distributor in an illegal mirror trade until he's caught by the mayor's son, whose slate is far from clean. The punishment for their crimes is exile, and both of them are sent to one of the many abandoned and dangerous cities overrun by fog.
But the nightmarish streets hold a mystery far greater than anything they could have imagined. Together, the two discover the horrifying truth behind what really happened when the spaceship was destroyed, and what they must do to save earth from the total destruction no one knows is coming.
320 pages, Unknown Binding
First published November 5, 2019
17 people are currently reading
2398 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Hughes
10 books439 followersHi! I'm Naomi Hughes, writer of quirky young adult sci-fi and fantasy. I write #ownvoices mental health representation into everything I can, because I want my readers to see that people with mental illnesses are main characters, too. I live in the Midwest US, a region I love even though it tries to murder me with blizzards every winter. When not writing, my hobbies include reading, gaming, watching anime, and traveling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
June 13, 2019
Hey! I'm Naomi Hughes, author of Refraction. I wanted to use this space to add a bit of detail that I wasn't able to put in the book itself.
First, yes, this book is ownvoices for OCD. In part because of that, writing this story was one of the most intense journeys of my life, and also possibly the most rewarding. I hope it's as meaningful to you as it was to me!
Second, I wanted to include a note on some potential triggers that are present in the story. Although some of these are general (like descriptions of dead bodies and people being killed), others are a bit more specific and also more likely to specifically trigger anxiety in people who have certain types of OCD. Some of the trigger warnings also relate to spoilers; I'll hide those with the spoiler tag so you can choose whether you want to see them or not.
I'll make this list as comprehensive as I can, but there's always the possibility that I'll miss things either through oversight or my own ignorance of things that might cause anxiety in others but not me, so please read with care if you tend to get triggered while reading this type of book!
Trigger warnings:
-Characters are attacked by shadowy monsters of all types that crawl out of mirrors in a highly creepy fashion
-Death of a minor character by
-Description of both recently-dead and long-dead bodies
-Teens being intentionally placed in danger or directly harmed by parents
-Characters being held at gunpoint/sustaining gunshot injuries
-
-
OCD-specific notes and trigger warnings:
-Marty has safety-related obsessive concerns, and performs checking compulsions (tapping door frames, re-checking locks, putting keys in specific pockets) along with some limited counting compulsions throughout the book.
-If you have intrusive thought OCD or existential OCD, there are elements of the plot--such as--that may trigger anxiety.
-If you have scrupulosity or responsibility OCD, it may bother you that Marty (who has neither of those types of OCD) intentionally threatens other characters and/or puts them in danger throughout much of the book in order to further his own goals.
-Throughout much of the story, Marty is very hard on himself, demanding perfection in his recovery and dreading the return of his compulsions and obsessive thinking. This might be hard to read for people who struggle with similar issues themselves. A note on the tone of the ending as it pertains to this:
That's it! Thank you for reading Refraction, and feel free to ask me questions about it (or about my other books!) over in the "ask the author" section of my author page. If you enjoy this story, you might also like this other book I wrote, a standalone YA sci-fi called Afterimage that involves panic disorder, wibbly-wobbly timey-wimeyness, and a girl determined to do whatever she must to prove her mother's innocence after a massive explosion wipes out an army base.
Best,
Naomi
First, yes, this book is ownvoices for OCD. In part because of that, writing this story was one of the most intense journeys of my life, and also possibly the most rewarding. I hope it's as meaningful to you as it was to me!
Second, I wanted to include a note on some potential triggers that are present in the story. Although some of these are general (like descriptions of dead bodies and people being killed), others are a bit more specific and also more likely to specifically trigger anxiety in people who have certain types of OCD. Some of the trigger warnings also relate to spoilers; I'll hide those with the spoiler tag so you can choose whether you want to see them or not.
I'll make this list as comprehensive as I can, but there's always the possibility that I'll miss things either through oversight or my own ignorance of things that might cause anxiety in others but not me, so please read with care if you tend to get triggered while reading this type of book!
Trigger warnings:
-Characters are attacked by shadowy monsters of all types that crawl out of mirrors in a highly creepy fashion
-Death of a minor character by
-Description of both recently-dead and long-dead bodies
-Teens being intentionally placed in danger or directly harmed by parents
-Characters being held at gunpoint/sustaining gunshot injuries
-
-
OCD-specific notes and trigger warnings:
-Marty has safety-related obsessive concerns, and performs checking compulsions (tapping door frames, re-checking locks, putting keys in specific pockets) along with some limited counting compulsions throughout the book.
-If you have intrusive thought OCD or existential OCD, there are elements of the plot--such as--that may trigger anxiety.
-If you have scrupulosity or responsibility OCD, it may bother you that Marty (who has neither of those types of OCD) intentionally threatens other characters and/or puts them in danger throughout much of the book in order to further his own goals.
-Throughout much of the story, Marty is very hard on himself, demanding perfection in his recovery and dreading the return of his compulsions and obsessive thinking. This might be hard to read for people who struggle with similar issues themselves. A note on the tone of the ending as it pertains to this:
That's it! Thank you for reading Refraction, and feel free to ask me questions about it (or about my other books!) over in the "ask the author" section of my author page. If you enjoy this story, you might also like this other book I wrote, a standalone YA sci-fi called Afterimage that involves panic disorder, wibbly-wobbly timey-wimeyness, and a girl determined to do whatever she must to prove her mother's innocence after a massive explosion wipes out an army base.
Best,
Naomi
November 15, 2019
Thank you to Page Street Kids and the FFBC for the finished copy and for including me in the instagram tour for Refraction!
I actually read it in two sittings, the synopsis is not exaggerating at all when it says faat pacing! I was hooked from the start to the end, for a few different reasons.
First off I liked the characters. After an alien invasion, any reflective surface can now spawn vicious shadow creatures, so mirrors become illegal. Marty deals in illegal mirrors which are still prized for their potential to create electricity in the dystopian society that has developed on the island. Elliot is a great character too, I enjoyed watching the two boys begrudgingly work together and then become friends.
The plot was absolutely breakneck, and after the boys are exiled and start learning what is happening to Earth, it became awful hard to put the book down. It is hard to not give spoilers but the main character has OCD, which ties into the rather large psychological aspect of the story.
The way that the action is framed can be done either very well or very poorly, and I was nervous at first but the author did it VERY well I thought, because it made sense. You'll see what I mean when you read it!
I would fully recommend the book for any fans of sci fi, psychological aspects, and there is a touch of horror and supernatural as well. There is something for everyone here including found families and a lot of personal growth.
Thank you again for including me in the tour!!
I actually read it in two sittings, the synopsis is not exaggerating at all when it says faat pacing! I was hooked from the start to the end, for a few different reasons.
First off I liked the characters. After an alien invasion, any reflective surface can now spawn vicious shadow creatures, so mirrors become illegal. Marty deals in illegal mirrors which are still prized for their potential to create electricity in the dystopian society that has developed on the island. Elliot is a great character too, I enjoyed watching the two boys begrudgingly work together and then become friends.
The plot was absolutely breakneck, and after the boys are exiled and start learning what is happening to Earth, it became awful hard to put the book down. It is hard to not give spoilers but the main character has OCD, which ties into the rather large psychological aspect of the story.
The way that the action is framed can be done either very well or very poorly, and I was nervous at first but the author did it VERY well I thought, because it made sense. You'll see what I mean when you read it!
I would fully recommend the book for any fans of sci fi, psychological aspects, and there is a touch of horror and supernatural as well. There is something for everyone here including found families and a lot of personal growth.
Thank you again for including me in the tour!!
December 7, 2019
Refraction: the way light bends and breaks and scatters when it’s caught by a prism, or by a lens. Or in this case, by the tiny droplets of liquid that make up the fog that’s drowned the world.
📚 Series: No.
📚 Genre: YA SciFi.
📚 POV: First person.
📚 Cliffhanger: No.
⚠ Content Warnings: Death. OCD Triggers. Graphic descriptions of being murdered and dying.
⚠ Read if: you want to read a SciFi with an #ownvoices OCD rep.
I usually steer away from SciFi but this book drew me in because of the interesting blurb. It is about living in a remote island where a person's worst fears can crawl out of mirrors, so reflective materials are banned from use.
Marty, the lead, was a seller of these contraband items. He does this because he seeks to be reunited with his brother who he believes is in London.
Marty has also been diagnosed with OCD, and his struggles is shown on his thought processes in the story.
The action began when Marty encountered Elliot, who is the mayor's son. Though they initially had opposing beliefs, they eventually had to work together so that they can survive.
I don't want to spoil too much on the story, but I can honestly say that it is a little scary to me and the action kept me at the edge of my seat. I was lost on how the story should go, and this made the book very exciting to read.
The book also expressed mental health concerns without being too intense on it. I can't talk about the accuracy of it, because I don't know much about OCD. But, it is said to be an #OwnVoices read, which highlighted how the author views her own experience.
All in all, I enjoyed this read & I'm looking forward for the author's other works.
☁ THE CRITERIA ☁
🌼 Blurb:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Main Character:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Significant Other: ⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Support Characters:⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Writing Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Character Development:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Thrill Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Ending: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Unputdownability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Book Cover:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
☁FINAL VERDICT: 4.09/5 ☁
Much thanks to The Royal Polar Bear Reads and Page Street Kids Publishing for this complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and opinions are fully my own. Also, all quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
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October 15, 2019
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
3.5*
I know that this doesn't come out until next month, and I usually am hesitant to review stuff that far out. But when I started reading it and found that it involves mental health in a non-contemporary setting, well. I knew it had to be done! Because not only is the main character's OCD a part of the story, it's a fairly significant part. And it's like... finally, you know? Because you better believe that my anxious, depressed ass is trying to figure out what exactly I'd do during the apocalypse. Med withdrawals, no support/therapy/self-care, and the stressors would be off the charts. And thank goodness, Naomi Hughes has written this very thing!
Now look, it's going to be hard to review this without giving anything away, so if you think I'm being vague... it's cause I am. At first, I found that I needed to suspend quite a bit of disbelief. But I promise that if you can do so in the beginning, it ends up working itself into making sense. There, that's as least-spoilery as I can make that while still making you understand that it's okay if it seems a little bananas at times.
Anyway, Marty just wants to find his brother, who he thinks might be in London. Clearly, these two are close, and that's pretty awesome. Brother books are so rare, and this book features two pairs of them! Marty ends up in exile with his nemesis, after which I can tell you almost nothing, but let's just say they have an interesting and intense journey.
Throughout the book, Marty has to battle his OCD. Before the attack, Marty had made a lot of progress in therapy and was starting to be able to manage his condition. But now, when the world is in shambles, Marty isn't having as much success. The thing I love so much about the mental health rep in this book is that the author has made Marty's situation so relatable, even if aliens haven't attacked us. Marty's OCD is inopportune, illogical, and creeps up on him just when he thinks he has gotten a grip on it. That is so many of us, just in (usually) slightly less dire circumstances. Marty has to continue to battle his OCD and challenge himself every day, just as he did when Earth was in one piece.
Bottom Line: Despite some initial suspension of disbelief, this was enjoyable! Fast-paced, filled with a lot of relatable moments and relationships, it's a great representation of mental health, with some aliens thrown in for good measure.
3.5*
I know that this doesn't come out until next month, and I usually am hesitant to review stuff that far out. But when I started reading it and found that it involves mental health in a non-contemporary setting, well. I knew it had to be done! Because not only is the main character's OCD a part of the story, it's a fairly significant part. And it's like... finally, you know? Because you better believe that my anxious, depressed ass is trying to figure out what exactly I'd do during the apocalypse. Med withdrawals, no support/therapy/self-care, and the stressors would be off the charts. And thank goodness, Naomi Hughes has written this very thing!
Now look, it's going to be hard to review this without giving anything away, so if you think I'm being vague... it's cause I am. At first, I found that I needed to suspend quite a bit of disbelief. But I promise that if you can do so in the beginning, it ends up working itself into making sense. There, that's as least-spoilery as I can make that while still making you understand that it's okay if it seems a little bananas at times.
Anyway, Marty just wants to find his brother, who he thinks might be in London. Clearly, these two are close, and that's pretty awesome. Brother books are so rare, and this book features two pairs of them! Marty ends up in exile with his nemesis, after which I can tell you almost nothing, but let's just say they have an interesting and intense journey.
Throughout the book, Marty has to battle his OCD. Before the attack, Marty had made a lot of progress in therapy and was starting to be able to manage his condition. But now, when the world is in shambles, Marty isn't having as much success. The thing I love so much about the mental health rep in this book is that the author has made Marty's situation so relatable, even if aliens haven't attacked us. Marty's OCD is inopportune, illogical, and creeps up on him just when he thinks he has gotten a grip on it. That is so many of us, just in (usually) slightly less dire circumstances. Marty has to continue to battle his OCD and challenge himself every day, just as he did when Earth was in one piece.
Bottom Line: Despite some initial suspension of disbelief, this was enjoyable! Fast-paced, filled with a lot of relatable moments and relationships, it's a great representation of mental health, with some aliens thrown in for good measure.
December 24, 2019
After an attack on earth, all reflective surfaces become weapons, releasing monsters and causing a planet-wide ban on mirrors. Despite the danger, Marty Callahan become a distributor in illegal mirror trade—until he’s caught by the mayor’s son, and both are exiled, now having to fight for their lives in the abandoned cities overrun by fog. But then they realize their thoughts influence their surroundings, and their greatest fears begin to manifest.
The Mist meets Bird Box meets Doctor Who meets the Matrix in this creepy and fast-paced dystopian sci-fi novel. And Hughes pulls off all these elements flawlessly in just 300 pages. I’m still in awe of her ability to create such a strong, thrilling story in such a small book. This story was non-stop and exciting, and I finished in just two sittings. I could have finished in one, but I wanted to make it last.
This is a story about an alien invasion in which the aliens produce through mirrors, and although the mirrors are dangerous, some people take the risk of owning because of the electric benefits of the generating aliens. There were parts of the story when I thought “now, that doesn’t make sense. Something isn’t right here” and I thought it was weak writing, but no. It’s just part of the story, just give it time and you’ll understand. There were SO many twists that I either didn’t see coming or expected to be one thing when it turned out to be something else. It definitely kept me on my toes the whole time!
There are two main characters: Marty and the mayor’s son, Elliot. Hughes did a phenomenal job fleshing out these characters, and it was such a unique experience to watch them battle their inner demons, and each other. On top of all this amazing content, the author also manages to successfully add in a main character with OCD. I don’t want to spoil anything, but it’s handled beautifully and adds a very interesting psychological element.
One of my favorite things about this book was ZERO romance. None. It was so refreshing to have a story that didn’t rely on a romantic relationship to have substance. Instead, the focus is put on mom-son and brother-brother relationships, as well as enemies-to-friends. This book… wow. Just wow.
The Mist meets Bird Box meets Doctor Who meets the Matrix in this creepy and fast-paced dystopian sci-fi novel. And Hughes pulls off all these elements flawlessly in just 300 pages. I’m still in awe of her ability to create such a strong, thrilling story in such a small book. This story was non-stop and exciting, and I finished in just two sittings. I could have finished in one, but I wanted to make it last.
This is a story about an alien invasion in which the aliens produce through mirrors, and although the mirrors are dangerous, some people take the risk of owning because of the electric benefits of the generating aliens. There were parts of the story when I thought “now, that doesn’t make sense. Something isn’t right here” and I thought it was weak writing, but no. It’s just part of the story, just give it time and you’ll understand. There were SO many twists that I either didn’t see coming or expected to be one thing when it turned out to be something else. It definitely kept me on my toes the whole time!
There are two main characters: Marty and the mayor’s son, Elliot. Hughes did a phenomenal job fleshing out these characters, and it was such a unique experience to watch them battle their inner demons, and each other. On top of all this amazing content, the author also manages to successfully add in a main character with OCD. I don’t want to spoil anything, but it’s handled beautifully and adds a very interesting psychological element.
One of my favorite things about this book was ZERO romance. None. It was so refreshing to have a story that didn’t rely on a romantic relationship to have substance. Instead, the focus is put on mom-son and brother-brother relationships, as well as enemies-to-friends. This book… wow. Just wow.
November 7, 2019
In a dystopian world where aliens came and launched an attack on earth using a strange fog and mirrors to set forth horrifying creatures on the population, only a few places survived. Mirrors have now been banned but of course, there are always those who rebel against these laws and bans, such as one 17-year-old Marty Callahan who distributes mirrors illegally, until the day he’s caught by Elliot, the mayor’s son and they are both exiled into the fog, at the mercy of unnatural beasts.
Marty was a scoundrel—selfish, unrepentant and he did whatever it took to get what he wanted, no matter who he hurt. He also had OCD. For all those who live with OCD, you know how your mind can be a hellish place, an inescapable prison chaining you with your deepest fears. In spite of those constraints, Marty kept his illegal business going without being caught.
Until Elliot, who was the complete opposite of Marty. Elliot saved people, he tried to do what was right—tried to earn his mother’s approval which wasn’t forthcoming. They were forced to work together in order to survive and along the way, shocking truths came to light.
I have to admit I liked Elliot better but I also admire Marty at the same time for trying so hard to fight his OCD. I understood him and I could relate with his struggle. Both Elliot and Marty were strong personalities and the author did a great job showing their character growth.
Let’s talk plot. The plot was excellent with an intriguing storyline wrapped up in secrets and superb twists that kept me turning page after page. The scenes were fast-paced and dynamic. The author’s writing style was pretty good and I had no trouble envisioning the scenes in my head.
I enjoyed this book way more than I’d expected. Refraction was a solid, good story with a clever plot-line that kept you guessing and wanting more.
Posted on Blog
July 18, 2019
My official thoughts:
On an isolated island shrouded in malevolent fog, your worst fears crawl out of mirrors. Nowhere is safe. The entire world is not safe...
Refraction is a first contact story like no other, and it packs a punch! Seen and experienced through the eyes of the narrator with OCD, the horrors of this intricately woven world become particularly tangible. With tension escalating and shocking revelations coming on every page, Refraction is an edge-of-your-seat tale of unlikely allies forced to work together in order to survive a nightmare, but at what cost?
Highly recommended for the fans of psychological Science Fiction exploring the concepts of sentience, alien communication and survival.
My unofficial thoughts:
I was incredibly lucky to receive an ARC of Refraction directly from the author (thanks, Naomi!). I love SF, and first contact stories are my particular “catnip”, especially those rendered in unusual, new ways. So naturally, I had high expectation. And OMG, this book not only exceeded those expectations—it completely blew them out of the water! This book destroyed me in the best possible way! It made me THINK! It asked all the right questions and then answered them in a way I totally didn’t see coming! Please, PLEASE read this amazing book!
On an isolated island shrouded in malevolent fog, your worst fears crawl out of mirrors. Nowhere is safe. The entire world is not safe...
Refraction is a first contact story like no other, and it packs a punch! Seen and experienced through the eyes of the narrator with OCD, the horrors of this intricately woven world become particularly tangible. With tension escalating and shocking revelations coming on every page, Refraction is an edge-of-your-seat tale of unlikely allies forced to work together in order to survive a nightmare, but at what cost?
Highly recommended for the fans of psychological Science Fiction exploring the concepts of sentience, alien communication and survival.
My unofficial thoughts:
I was incredibly lucky to receive an ARC of Refraction directly from the author (thanks, Naomi!). I love SF, and first contact stories are my particular “catnip”, especially those rendered in unusual, new ways. So naturally, I had high expectation. And OMG, this book not only exceeded those expectations—it completely blew them out of the water! This book destroyed me in the best possible way! It made me THINK! It asked all the right questions and then answered them in a way I totally didn’t see coming! Please, PLEASE read this amazing book!
November 18, 2019
I really have been off of YA lately just because I have my own teens at home, and the angst there is enough for me! LOL! However, I do read one once in a while if something strikes me, or it’s from an author I like. The plot of this book really struck me, and I had to read it. I’m very glad I did! This tale, from beginning to end, was very hard to put down. I love how the author weaved in OCD, but not in an in your face way. It made it that much more real. Twists and turns kept me guessing which is hard to do as I usually figure out twists before they even appear. The characters did have a good depth, and Marty is a great main character, though at times I did have a hard time relating to him. This was a fast-paced, action-packed great book that I do recommend!
December 9, 2019
So, I fully admit that I'm going to be one of the few people underwhelmed with this book. So many people love it.
I did love the idea of an OCD main character facing an SF/Dystopia world. That adds such a layer of tension and drama! I would love to read more characters like this.
I also loved our boys. I admit that I kind of wanted them to be romance rather than bromance, but I did really like them. Excellent characters!
But I did not love our world. I never, ever bought into it. I actually had stopped reading this at about 60% or so. Someone told me that I should go back and continue - that something would happen that would explain things. I did and it did and I was still just completely separated from the author's world.
So, this didn't work for me, but it really does for a lot of people. Recommend downloading a sample to see how you get on.
I did love the idea of an OCD main character facing an SF/Dystopia world. That adds such a layer of tension and drama! I would love to read more characters like this.
I also loved our boys. I admit that I kind of wanted them to be romance rather than bromance, but I did really like them. Excellent characters!
But I did not love our world. I never, ever bought into it. I actually had stopped reading this at about 60% or so. Someone told me that I should go back and continue - that something would happen that would explain things. I did and it did and I was still just completely separated from the author's world.
So, this didn't work for me, but it really does for a lot of people. Recommend downloading a sample to see how you get on.
December 26, 2019
This idea sounded awesome, but sadly this wasn't a favorite book. I liked the descriptions of the aliens in the fog, the OCD rep was well done and the general synopsis made it a quick read. But this book lacked some atmosphere to feel danger for the characters, very weak world building and the characters were only surface level. Some sentences even didn't read nicely if you read them aloud. But for teens that are getting into sci-fi and want a short book, this is one to recommend but I have read better books in this genre. Mini review is now live!
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November 12, 2019
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review. Also, thanks to Page Street Kids and The Fantastic Flying Book Club for sending me a finished copy!
All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication.
Content Warning: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Death, Gore, Injury
Refraction is a fast-paced Sci-Fi thriller packed full of surprise and character depth. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that the story was told by a male lead, and there was no romance! (It’s such a refreshing feeling to read about a different character dynamic. I'm getting tired of the “strong female lead who doesn't need anyone to help her” being in the spotlight constantly).
Marty Callahan does not disappoint in character. After an alien invasion on Earth, he has had to learn how to survive on his own, and survival doesn’t always look pleasant. Marty has taken up the occupation as a mirror-dealer. Since the invasion, mirrors, and anything with reflective surfaces have become outlawed as they cause fears to manifest. Desperate to buy passage to London--one of the few cities still contactable since the invasion, and where his brother was last known to be--Marty will stop at nothing to get there. The eerie fog surrounding the island makes escape to the mainland utterly impossible. Anyone who enters the fog is killed within moments by the creatures that lurk there.
The island becomes smaller and smaller, and Marty is finally caught. He’s banished to the mainland, AKA his death, along with the mayor’s son. What makes his banishment most interesting is Marty’s struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. His struggles are craftily worked into the scenarios throughout this story that make his character tangible, as if the reader is living his story. I thought that this aspect was done so well, and I really enjoyed how the author crafted his entire character.
Refraction is a unique story that brings to light how fears can consume someone if they aren’t kept in check. This will be the perfect read for anyone who likes The Illuminae Files.
Vulgarity: None.
Sexual content: None.
Violence: Moderate.
My Rating: ★★★★
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All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication.
Content Warning: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Death, Gore, Injury
Refraction is a fast-paced Sci-Fi thriller packed full of surprise and character depth. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that the story was told by a male lead, and there was no romance! (It’s such a refreshing feeling to read about a different character dynamic. I'm getting tired of the “strong female lead who doesn't need anyone to help her” being in the spotlight constantly).
Marty Callahan does not disappoint in character. After an alien invasion on Earth, he has had to learn how to survive on his own, and survival doesn’t always look pleasant. Marty has taken up the occupation as a mirror-dealer. Since the invasion, mirrors, and anything with reflective surfaces have become outlawed as they cause fears to manifest. Desperate to buy passage to London--one of the few cities still contactable since the invasion, and where his brother was last known to be--Marty will stop at nothing to get there. The eerie fog surrounding the island makes escape to the mainland utterly impossible. Anyone who enters the fog is killed within moments by the creatures that lurk there.
The island becomes smaller and smaller, and Marty is finally caught. He’s banished to the mainland, AKA his death, along with the mayor’s son. What makes his banishment most interesting is Marty’s struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. His struggles are craftily worked into the scenarios throughout this story that make his character tangible, as if the reader is living his story. I thought that this aspect was done so well, and I really enjoyed how the author crafted his entire character.
Refraction is a unique story that brings to light how fears can consume someone if they aren’t kept in check. This will be the perfect read for anyone who likes The Illuminae Files.
Vulgarity: None.
Sexual content: None.
Violence: Moderate.
My Rating: ★★★★
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April 6, 2019
This is the book that made me realize I can no longer say ‘I don’t really like science fiction.’ Wholly original, it’s a real window into the horrifying world of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Join black market mirror dealer Marty on his quest to find his brother after the fog arrives on earth, spawning Beings that shred humans in moments.
Monsters that spawn out of mirrors, fear that turns us all into the true monsters, and finding goodness where we least expect it. Oh, and aliens. To say I’m a fan is an understatement.
Monsters that spawn out of mirrors, fear that turns us all into the true monsters, and finding goodness where we least expect it. Oh, and aliens. To say I’m a fan is an understatement.
November 30, 2019
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
A science fiction... nice!
The premise caught my attention and I had to read this book.
First, why must every book be broken down into this grouping or that grouping, this category or that category; showing this trigger or that trigger, has this mental health issue or that mental health issue. Can we just love the damned book for being a great freakin science fiction? I mean come on... I have anxiety and depression, I'm medicated, my daughter has OCD... BIG WHOOP! More importantly--this is a GREAT SCIENCE FICTION!!!!
Seriously, we get it, we get it. Our young people have mental health issues that we are now openly acknowledging and categorizing. Frankly, that's great... but why must we now be expected to label everything and everyone in our books too? Why can't we sit down and just... enjoy it?
It's so that we can relate to the characters, it's about marketing, it's because in the young adult genre, it's what youth want to see as a mechanism of support... sure, great. They need to relate in order to buy the book. So if there's a diverse character with acne all over his/her face, all the acne-laden youth out there will buy the book because they can relate to the acne infested MC? Seriously?
Ten years ago if a person had measles all over their ass, you didn't see all the measles-laden youth rushing to the stores to buy a book so they can relate. They bought the damned book because it was good!
This science fiction book is good. Did the conditions of the MC make the story any better? Not really. If we took his conditions away and just had the story stand on its own, would it survive the test of time? Maybe... Maybe not. Did having this MC with these conditions push the story along and make it crucial to its success. NO. So why have it? I don't know, you tell me. All I know is that reading about every OCD action by the MC grew tiresome and was distracting.
Fortunately for me, I love science fiction. I also love supernatural elements in a story. Put them together and you have me after the title and blurb. To keep me interested, there had better be superb writing to hold my attention or I DNF faster than a speeding bullet.
As I weeded my way through this garden of science wonder and alien invasion, a destroyed ship and funky mirror monsters, annoying fog and suspenseful writing, I found that I actually did like this story. It moved fast and was an excellent page turner. I just wish... Can we not just write and let the chips fall where they may? You want diverse characters, then put them in. Do so in a way that we don't trip over them or their conditions, but rather have them and/or their conditions useful to the story moving forward. Otherwise, lose them. You want diverse characters, then make THEM important to the story, not the color of their skin or their medical/mental health issues. Triggers... UGH. Why prepare the reader? If it's done right, there'll be no need. Listening to a list of triggers in reviews prior to reading a book is like listening to directions to a castle filled with treasure: at the corner turn right, then left, then go twice around the court, then back counter-clockwise, then straight ahead up the hill, turn right, left, straight, left and right, around the block, up the one way street, etc., ... AND get no written instructions to get there. It's a waste of time!
Let the reader imagine and experience, read and be surprised! Give the reader some credit--they'll figure it out!
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
A science fiction... nice!
The premise caught my attention and I had to read this book.
First, why must every book be broken down into this grouping or that grouping, this category or that category; showing this trigger or that trigger, has this mental health issue or that mental health issue. Can we just love the damned book for being a great freakin science fiction? I mean come on... I have anxiety and depression, I'm medicated, my daughter has OCD... BIG WHOOP! More importantly--this is a GREAT SCIENCE FICTION!!!!
Seriously, we get it, we get it. Our young people have mental health issues that we are now openly acknowledging and categorizing. Frankly, that's great... but why must we now be expected to label everything and everyone in our books too? Why can't we sit down and just... enjoy it?
It's so that we can relate to the characters, it's about marketing, it's because in the young adult genre, it's what youth want to see as a mechanism of support... sure, great. They need to relate in order to buy the book. So if there's a diverse character with acne all over his/her face, all the acne-laden youth out there will buy the book because they can relate to the acne infested MC? Seriously?
Ten years ago if a person had measles all over their ass, you didn't see all the measles-laden youth rushing to the stores to buy a book so they can relate. They bought the damned book because it was good!
This science fiction book is good. Did the conditions of the MC make the story any better? Not really. If we took his conditions away and just had the story stand on its own, would it survive the test of time? Maybe... Maybe not. Did having this MC with these conditions push the story along and make it crucial to its success. NO. So why have it? I don't know, you tell me. All I know is that reading about every OCD action by the MC grew tiresome and was distracting.
Fortunately for me, I love science fiction. I also love supernatural elements in a story. Put them together and you have me after the title and blurb. To keep me interested, there had better be superb writing to hold my attention or I DNF faster than a speeding bullet.
As I weeded my way through this garden of science wonder and alien invasion, a destroyed ship and funky mirror monsters, annoying fog and suspenseful writing, I found that I actually did like this story. It moved fast and was an excellent page turner. I just wish... Can we not just write and let the chips fall where they may? You want diverse characters, then put them in. Do so in a way that we don't trip over them or their conditions, but rather have them and/or their conditions useful to the story moving forward. Otherwise, lose them. You want diverse characters, then make THEM important to the story, not the color of their skin or their medical/mental health issues. Triggers... UGH. Why prepare the reader? If it's done right, there'll be no need. Listening to a list of triggers in reviews prior to reading a book is like listening to directions to a castle filled with treasure: at the corner turn right, then left, then go twice around the court, then back counter-clockwise, then straight ahead up the hill, turn right, left, straight, left and right, around the block, up the one way street, etc., ... AND get no written instructions to get there. It's a waste of time!
Let the reader imagine and experience, read and be surprised! Give the reader some credit--they'll figure it out!
October 30, 2019
REFRACTION is a highly readable/devourable book that is certainly a page-turner. In the post-apocalyptic future, a small island appears to be the only place to have survived an alien landing. A strange ship showed up in the sky and mirrors are the tools through which aliens have sent Beings to destroy humankind. The island has survived by outlawing mirrors.
Marty has hopes that his brother is still out there somewhere, and he is determined to get to him. He illegally deals in mirrors to gather the funds he needs to find his brother. The penalty for such dealings is exile, which essentially equates to death with the Beings who are out there. When he is caught by the mayor's son, and they are exiled together, their journey becomes even stranger than the lone island they came from, and bigger questions and answers arise.
To avoid spoilers, I will be somewhat vague. The plot was quite creative with plenty of twists and turns. A lot of questions come up earlier and they are all answered by book's end. The strongest part of the book is the main character, Marty, and how he lives with his OCD. The book does a great job of describing this as well as his past therapies/treatments, and the portrayal really brings OCD to life for people who do not have this disorder. Given the setting/other events, this may seem like a smaller part of the story, but I found it to be the most poignant and the biggest takeaway from a solid sci-fi/dystopian read.
Overall, this is a great YA sci-fi read- not only for the page-turning, fast-paced, and mind-stretching plot that keeps the reader hooked, but also, mainly, for the powerful #ownvoices portrayal of a main character with OCD. Highly recommend picking this one up.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Marty has hopes that his brother is still out there somewhere, and he is determined to get to him. He illegally deals in mirrors to gather the funds he needs to find his brother. The penalty for such dealings is exile, which essentially equates to death with the Beings who are out there. When he is caught by the mayor's son, and they are exiled together, their journey becomes even stranger than the lone island they came from, and bigger questions and answers arise.
To avoid spoilers, I will be somewhat vague. The plot was quite creative with plenty of twists and turns. A lot of questions come up earlier and they are all answered by book's end. The strongest part of the book is the main character, Marty, and how he lives with his OCD. The book does a great job of describing this as well as his past therapies/treatments, and the portrayal really brings OCD to life for people who do not have this disorder. Given the setting/other events, this may seem like a smaller part of the story, but I found it to be the most poignant and the biggest takeaway from a solid sci-fi/dystopian read.
Overall, this is a great YA sci-fi read- not only for the page-turning, fast-paced, and mind-stretching plot that keeps the reader hooked, but also, mainly, for the powerful #ownvoices portrayal of a main character with OCD. Highly recommend picking this one up.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
March 17, 2021
This was exactly what I needed right now from a book. Super gripping pace, creepy alien sci fi beings, horror mirrors and a world that changes in response to your anxious thoughts ... INTENSE enemies to friends arc ... very twisted plot. I listened to the audio and I loved it.
October 31, 2019
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Refraction has been on my TBR ever since I heard of it. Having read Afterimage, Hughes' debut, I am such a big fan! If you love books that almost feel like a mirage, that are hard to pin down, then check out Refraction! I loved the idea of mirrors as soon as I read it in Refraction. The idea that a surface designed to show you a reflection, an image of the world, is actually used as a vehicle for mystical and dangerous beings? Count me in. While I was totally geeking out about the almost science fiction/fantasy elements within Refraction, the characters are what kept me reading. Marty, a teen with OCD, is part of the illegal mirror trade and to me, his character was so fascinating.
Because when mirrors are weapons, you ask yourself, why does Marty keep trading in mirrors? But he's actually a complex character who is, in some ways, motivated by hope. Contrasting the other character, the son of the mayor, they believe that they are both on the right side. One who is convinced the mayor is brainwashing us all into obedience, another who believes that the mirror trade kills.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
Refraction has been on my TBR ever since I heard of it. Having read Afterimage, Hughes' debut, I am such a big fan! If you love books that almost feel like a mirage, that are hard to pin down, then check out Refraction! I loved the idea of mirrors as soon as I read it in Refraction. The idea that a surface designed to show you a reflection, an image of the world, is actually used as a vehicle for mystical and dangerous beings? Count me in. While I was totally geeking out about the almost science fiction/fantasy elements within Refraction, the characters are what kept me reading. Marty, a teen with OCD, is part of the illegal mirror trade and to me, his character was so fascinating.
Because when mirrors are weapons, you ask yourself, why does Marty keep trading in mirrors? But he's actually a complex character who is, in some ways, motivated by hope. Contrasting the other character, the son of the mayor, they believe that they are both on the right side. One who is convinced the mayor is brainwashing us all into obedience, another who believes that the mirror trade kills.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
December 5, 2019
Listen, I read this book in one go on my phone while my house fell around my ears because it was too good to stop. I read it again in hardback and threw it against the wall because it was too good to stop!! It was wholly original and unexpected, I thought I'd see the BIG THING coming but I was totally wrong-- which was a great feeling!! The writing is so tight and well paced. My mind couldn't shake it for weeks after that first read and lines STILL pop in my thoughts from time to time. Do yourself and a YA reader you love a favor and read this book. Then go read Afterimage, because it's separate but also great.
November 15, 2019
See this review and others at Whispers & Wonder
Refraction is Naomi Hughes’ recently published blend of YA Science Fiction and Horror, and is a gripping tale of conquering fear. It’s an account of monsters – both as external physical threats, as well as more personal perils of the mind. At its heart, this is a deeply sentimental story about a crass boy’s unwavering journey to find his brother in a shattered and haunted world, but in the end discovers the goodness that lives in his heart. Along the way he learns to not only trust in others, but in himself, as well. A beautiful fusion of chilling terror and melancholic hope, the pages of this book flew by far too quickly, and left me craving more.
We begin our adventure in Cisco City, one of the remaining bastions for humanity after a devastating extraterrestrial attack. In this alternate version of our own world all must be wary of highly reflective surfaces, because a simple glance at your reflection will summon the fog – and all the grotesque Beings made of deadly shadow it houses. The city’s mayor rules with an iron fist, and after a mirror deal gone horribly wrong, we find ourselves exiled into the persistent fog that blankets the majority of the world, where the struggle for survival truly begins. Hughes takes us on a mysterious expedition with a peculiar, ever-changing landscape, filled with a multitude of unexplained occurrences that kept me thoroughly enthralled throughout. Vividly expressed, these familiar and relatable settings are infused with the weird and wondrous where nothing is as it seems, forcing readers to question events every step of the way.
Expressed using the ribbing voice of Marty Callahan, readers witness first-hand the development and transformation of the two main characters of the story. Marty and Elliot couldn’t be more different – one is a criminal, the other enforces the law; one is selfish, the other is a protector. Their paths cross, and the cruel hands of fate deliver them both to the mainland where Beings reign. Although they’re initially resistant, there is a gradual building of trust and camaraderie, ripe with banter, that takes place as the chapters continue and they continue their way through a desolate Florida. However, secrets continuously threaten to break this tenuous bond that is forming between them. Through these conflicts, we catch glimpses into their pasts, making this a surprisingly emotional narrative. As they evolve, we begin to see them live to their fullest potential, and it’s really a beautiful thing to behold.
While attention to mental disabilities is not something necessarily new in the world of literature, Hughes brilliantly analyzes the ever-consuming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder through the eyes of a character that suffers its brutal effects. Like many disorders, this is one defined and dominated by fear, and one that allows those monstrous fears to manifest, whose sole purpose is to imprison. The use of reflective surfaces to trigger deadly attacks is the perfect way to illustrate the concept that a person’s worst enemy is the one staring back at them in the mirror. Another beautiful touch is a hurricane battering the city and beyond – I found this to be a perfect metaphor for the ongoing, and increasingly taxing mental battle one must face when tormented by their own mind. And finally, addressing these fears, regardless of the dangers they pose, is the only way to begin healing.
I wish I could go into more depth about what Refraction has to offer, but for fear of spoiling, you’ll have to unearth all the stunning and fascinating details for yourself. Completely exceeding my expectations, there’s so much more to this story than I originally anticipated, and I’m thrilled I was able to join Marty and Elliot on their paths to discovery. Replete with nail-biting action, twists and turns, and raw emotion, the revelations are both astonishing and satisfying. If you’re looking for a clever and uniquely executed story of the strength, and importance of family and friendship, this is the one. I highly recommend.
NOTE: A huge thank you to Page Street Kids for providing me with a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and also to the Fantastic Flying Book Club for inviting me to participate in the Refraction Bookstagram Tour .
Refraction is Naomi Hughes’ recently published blend of YA Science Fiction and Horror, and is a gripping tale of conquering fear. It’s an account of monsters – both as external physical threats, as well as more personal perils of the mind. At its heart, this is a deeply sentimental story about a crass boy’s unwavering journey to find his brother in a shattered and haunted world, but in the end discovers the goodness that lives in his heart. Along the way he learns to not only trust in others, but in himself, as well. A beautiful fusion of chilling terror and melancholic hope, the pages of this book flew by far too quickly, and left me craving more.
We begin our adventure in Cisco City, one of the remaining bastions for humanity after a devastating extraterrestrial attack. In this alternate version of our own world all must be wary of highly reflective surfaces, because a simple glance at your reflection will summon the fog – and all the grotesque Beings made of deadly shadow it houses. The city’s mayor rules with an iron fist, and after a mirror deal gone horribly wrong, we find ourselves exiled into the persistent fog that blankets the majority of the world, where the struggle for survival truly begins. Hughes takes us on a mysterious expedition with a peculiar, ever-changing landscape, filled with a multitude of unexplained occurrences that kept me thoroughly enthralled throughout. Vividly expressed, these familiar and relatable settings are infused with the weird and wondrous where nothing is as it seems, forcing readers to question events every step of the way.
Expressed using the ribbing voice of Marty Callahan, readers witness first-hand the development and transformation of the two main characters of the story. Marty and Elliot couldn’t be more different – one is a criminal, the other enforces the law; one is selfish, the other is a protector. Their paths cross, and the cruel hands of fate deliver them both to the mainland where Beings reign. Although they’re initially resistant, there is a gradual building of trust and camaraderie, ripe with banter, that takes place as the chapters continue and they continue their way through a desolate Florida. However, secrets continuously threaten to break this tenuous bond that is forming between them. Through these conflicts, we catch glimpses into their pasts, making this a surprisingly emotional narrative. As they evolve, we begin to see them live to their fullest potential, and it’s really a beautiful thing to behold.
While attention to mental disabilities is not something necessarily new in the world of literature, Hughes brilliantly analyzes the ever-consuming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder through the eyes of a character that suffers its brutal effects. Like many disorders, this is one defined and dominated by fear, and one that allows those monstrous fears to manifest, whose sole purpose is to imprison. The use of reflective surfaces to trigger deadly attacks is the perfect way to illustrate the concept that a person’s worst enemy is the one staring back at them in the mirror. Another beautiful touch is a hurricane battering the city and beyond – I found this to be a perfect metaphor for the ongoing, and increasingly taxing mental battle one must face when tormented by their own mind. And finally, addressing these fears, regardless of the dangers they pose, is the only way to begin healing.
I wish I could go into more depth about what Refraction has to offer, but for fear of spoiling, you’ll have to unearth all the stunning and fascinating details for yourself. Completely exceeding my expectations, there’s so much more to this story than I originally anticipated, and I’m thrilled I was able to join Marty and Elliot on their paths to discovery. Replete with nail-biting action, twists and turns, and raw emotion, the revelations are both astonishing and satisfying. If you’re looking for a clever and uniquely executed story of the strength, and importance of family and friendship, this is the one. I highly recommend.
NOTE: A huge thank you to Page Street Kids for providing me with a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and also to the Fantastic Flying Book Club for inviting me to participate in the Refraction Bookstagram Tour .
October 21, 2019
I never read sci fi. Never. In fact, Refraction by Naomi Hughes is the first sci fi book I've picked up in 2019. And I absolutely loved it. The description on the back of the book drew me in right away. Monsters coming out of mirrors? Fog and monsters taking over the world? A character in an illegal mirror trade? It sounded so intriguing and unique that I had to give it a try. I'm so glad I did.
The story follows Marty, an illegal mirror trader who is trying to find his brother who he hasn't seen since the alien ship came and monsters started coming out of mirrors. But he gets caught by the mayor's son, Elliot, and they get exiled to an abandoned city in the fog where the monsters run wild. And as they try to survive their exile, they start to find out more about the the monsters, the mirrors, and the destruction that's coming. It's one of those books you can't put down.
One of my favorite things about this book is the enemies-to-friends relationship between Marty and Elliot. It is perfectly done and adds a great element to the story. I also love the OCD representation through Marty. It plays a real part in his life and this book has some great messages to those who are dealing with it and how to help those who are dealing with it.
Pick this book up if you want a great sci fi story that has twists you won't see coming and a unique concept. It will keep you hooked until the end and I guarantee I'll keep thinking about it for days to come.
Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5
Thank you Page Street Publishing for the ARC! This book will be released November 5, 2019.
The story follows Marty, an illegal mirror trader who is trying to find his brother who he hasn't seen since the alien ship came and monsters started coming out of mirrors. But he gets caught by the mayor's son, Elliot, and they get exiled to an abandoned city in the fog where the monsters run wild. And as they try to survive their exile, they start to find out more about the the monsters, the mirrors, and the destruction that's coming. It's one of those books you can't put down.
One of my favorite things about this book is the enemies-to-friends relationship between Marty and Elliot. It is perfectly done and adds a great element to the story. I also love the OCD representation through Marty. It plays a real part in his life and this book has some great messages to those who are dealing with it and how to help those who are dealing with it.
Pick this book up if you want a great sci fi story that has twists you won't see coming and a unique concept. It will keep you hooked until the end and I guarantee I'll keep thinking about it for days to come.
Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5
Thank you Page Street Publishing for the ARC! This book will be released November 5, 2019.
November 11, 2019
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Author: Naomi Hughes
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: November 5, 2019
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Recommended Age: 14+ (OCD, suicide mention)
Synopsis: After an attack on earth, all reflective surfaces become weapons to release monsters, causing a planet-wide ban on mirrors. Despite the danger, the demand rises, and 17-year-old Marty Callahan becomes a distributor in an illegal mirror trade―until he’s caught by the mayor's son, whose slate is far from clean. Both of them are exiled for their crimes to one of the many abandoned cities overrun by fog. But they soon realize their thoughts influence their surroundings and their deepest fears begin to manifest.
Review: I read this book in 4 hours and I have to say it's one of the most imaginative and best alagorical works of sci-fi I've ever read in my life. The book did amazing to draw the connection between the world and the writing was amazing. I loved to have a realistic OCD rep in this book as well. I highly recommend this book.
My only complaints are that the fight scenes went a bit fast, the pacing is extremely fast paced, and the character development could have been better with some of the background characters. Other than those I absolutely loved this book!
Verdict: Get it now!
Author: Naomi Hughes
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: November 5, 2019
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Recommended Age: 14+ (OCD, suicide mention)
Synopsis: After an attack on earth, all reflective surfaces become weapons to release monsters, causing a planet-wide ban on mirrors. Despite the danger, the demand rises, and 17-year-old Marty Callahan becomes a distributor in an illegal mirror trade―until he’s caught by the mayor's son, whose slate is far from clean. Both of them are exiled for their crimes to one of the many abandoned cities overrun by fog. But they soon realize their thoughts influence their surroundings and their deepest fears begin to manifest.
Review: I read this book in 4 hours and I have to say it's one of the most imaginative and best alagorical works of sci-fi I've ever read in my life. The book did amazing to draw the connection between the world and the writing was amazing. I loved to have a realistic OCD rep in this book as well. I highly recommend this book.
My only complaints are that the fight scenes went a bit fast, the pacing is extremely fast paced, and the character development could have been better with some of the background characters. Other than those I absolutely loved this book!
Verdict: Get it now!
February 21, 2021
4.5 stars!
Callahan is a mirror dealer in a world where reflective surfaces can bring deadly aliens to Earth through the fog. New items are being added to the growing list of deadly reflective items every day, and now Marty is the only mirror dealer left on his island. And after a deal goes wrong, Marty and another boy named Elliot are tossed into the remains of the cities that have fallen to the fog and aliens.
This was an extremely fun SF, Own Voices book for me! Not only do we get aliens and a fun twist, but we also get to see some growth from Marty Callahan, who I affectionately named "Marty Wannabe McFly". I ended up staying up until 2 am to finish this book, as I cried a few tears at the end. I did adore Marty from the beginning, even if he makes questionable decisions sometimes. He and Elliot made a wonderful enemies-to-not-so-much-enemies team as they survived out in the fog. I also adored Elliot. He was the absolute opposite in Marty in a few ways, but he is definitely the type of person you want on your team in the apocalypse. Believe it or not, I actually can't say much more about the book because I would spoil some major plot lines. But just know that this book will keep you on the edge of your seat as Marty and Elliot fight for their lives and discover the secrets behind the fog and aliens.
Callahan is a mirror dealer in a world where reflective surfaces can bring deadly aliens to Earth through the fog. New items are being added to the growing list of deadly reflective items every day, and now Marty is the only mirror dealer left on his island. And after a deal goes wrong, Marty and another boy named Elliot are tossed into the remains of the cities that have fallen to the fog and aliens.
This was an extremely fun SF, Own Voices book for me! Not only do we get aliens and a fun twist, but we also get to see some growth from Marty Callahan, who I affectionately named "Marty Wannabe McFly". I ended up staying up until 2 am to finish this book, as I cried a few tears at the end. I did adore Marty from the beginning, even if he makes questionable decisions sometimes. He and Elliot made a wonderful enemies-to-not-so-much-enemies team as they survived out in the fog. I also adored Elliot. He was the absolute opposite in Marty in a few ways, but he is definitely the type of person you want on your team in the apocalypse. Believe it or not, I actually can't say much more about the book because I would spoil some major plot lines. But just know that this book will keep you on the edge of your seat as Marty and Elliot fight for their lives and discover the secrets behind the fog and aliens.
December 1, 2019
In Naomi Hughes’ new scifi novel Refraction, all reflective surfaces become weapons to release monsters, causing a planet-wide ban on mirrors. What begins as an adventure full of frightening monsters further evolves to psychological horror, and a meditation on how to keep our humanity in the face of the unknown.
Refraction is an #ownvoices book for OCD, and reading it has really helped me understand more about the nature of the disorder. My review and blog tour stop can be read in full here: https://princessandpages.wordpress.co...
Refraction is an #ownvoices book for OCD, and reading it has really helped me understand more about the nature of the disorder. My review and blog tour stop can be read in full here: https://princessandpages.wordpress.co...
September 13, 2019
A very interesting sci-fi novel. Not like anything I have read. I enjoyed it a lot except for the swear words scattered throughout the book. Otherwise it is clean. Great YA novel.
November 10, 2019
This was different from what I expected, but I relly liked it!
Full review: http://evelynreads.com/refraction-nao...
Full review: http://evelynreads.com/refraction-nao...
July 15, 2020
The main character Marty is taking some big risks by doing whatever it takes to make his way back to his brother, including becoming a dealer of illegal goods. Separated from his brother after an alien attack, Marty needs to find a way off the island where he was staying with his aunt while his brother was studying abroad. I wasn't a fan of how indifferent he was towards the death of the aunt who took him in when she didnt have to. This indifference was contrasted by how deeply he cared for his older brother. Their strong bond was forged in the absence of their drug addicted mother since they only had each to depend on. I do wish the drug addiction hadn't been glossed over as quickly as it was consdering its a pretty sensitive topic. On the other hand I did feel like Marty's OCD was handled with care and the representation seemed authentic.
With all the laws he's willing to break and people he puts in danger to achieve his goal, Marty knows he can be selfish, but he obviously cares more than he wants to admit. Elliot by contrast was the total opposite. He thinks hes a hero protecting the island and getting people sentenced to death, but hes only doing his mother's bidding in the hopes of gaining her approval. He was incredibly delusional when it came to his mother and blamed everyone but her even when she was clearly in the wrong. She was so interested in keeping a perfect image as the mayor she was willing to sacrifice both her children for it. I'm glad Elliot eventually redeems himself by standing up to her, but it was too little too late for me. I just couldn't get over his righteous attitude and the way he took out his anger on Marty to the point of being cruel.
The plot consisted of Marty doing whatever he could to find his brother and getting exiled for it along with the person responsible for his capture. The danger from the monsters and the strangeness of the fog added some great suspense. On top of that we get tension between Marty and Elliot with them being on opposite sides of the law, but having to work together to survive the fog. Not to mention theres a huge hurricane blowing in. The pace was rarely dull since the book wasnt very long and theres a good amount of action throughout. Plus things speed up when they are given a tight deadline to save everyone. I also found the mystery of trying to figure out what the aliens were up to entertaining. The tropes that were used are some of my favorites, but I don't want to spoil anything so I won't mention them.
Ever since the alien attack that happened prior to the start of the book, monsters have been coming out of mirrors when people gaze into them. That's why all reflective surfaces were banned even though they can be used as a power source. I liked how the fog surrounding the island and covering most of the mainland was infested with monsters, but the logic was a little shaky with no one left on the mainland to summon them by accidentally looking into a mirror. I thought the explanation for the monsters and the characters ability to alter their surroundings in the fog was really interesting. The person who ends up explaining what's going on was probably my favorite character in the entire book. They were just so pure and innocent I would love a sequel all about them.
*received for an honest review
With all the laws he's willing to break and people he puts in danger to achieve his goal, Marty knows he can be selfish, but he obviously cares more than he wants to admit. Elliot by contrast was the total opposite. He thinks hes a hero protecting the island and getting people sentenced to death, but hes only doing his mother's bidding in the hopes of gaining her approval. He was incredibly delusional when it came to his mother and blamed everyone but her even when she was clearly in the wrong. She was so interested in keeping a perfect image as the mayor she was willing to sacrifice both her children for it. I'm glad Elliot eventually redeems himself by standing up to her, but it was too little too late for me. I just couldn't get over his righteous attitude and the way he took out his anger on Marty to the point of being cruel.
The plot consisted of Marty doing whatever he could to find his brother and getting exiled for it along with the person responsible for his capture. The danger from the monsters and the strangeness of the fog added some great suspense. On top of that we get tension between Marty and Elliot with them being on opposite sides of the law, but having to work together to survive the fog. Not to mention theres a huge hurricane blowing in. The pace was rarely dull since the book wasnt very long and theres a good amount of action throughout. Plus things speed up when they are given a tight deadline to save everyone. I also found the mystery of trying to figure out what the aliens were up to entertaining. The tropes that were used are some of my favorites, but I don't want to spoil anything so I won't mention them.
Ever since the alien attack that happened prior to the start of the book, monsters have been coming out of mirrors when people gaze into them. That's why all reflective surfaces were banned even though they can be used as a power source. I liked how the fog surrounding the island and covering most of the mainland was infested with monsters, but the logic was a little shaky with no one left on the mainland to summon them by accidentally looking into a mirror. I thought the explanation for the monsters and the characters ability to alter their surroundings in the fog was really interesting. The person who ends up explaining what's going on was probably my favorite character in the entire book. They were just so pure and innocent I would love a sequel all about them.
*received for an honest review
July 18, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley for providing and eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Refraction is a book I wanted to love, after all it's sci-fi, and lately that is enough of a reason for me to pick up a book. The synopsis tells you very little. In a world where deadly monsters are created in reflections, a teen with OCD becomes a black market mirror dealer and risks his and others' lives to be able to find his brother. It sounds interesting and unique. It sounds like a recipe for a success... but I found it clunky.
Marty is an interesting protagonist. I've never read about anyone with OCD and I appreciate books with underrepresented topics and characters. There was nothing about Marty, or the OCD itself, I didn't like. He's a morally grey character, who often sees himself as the bad guy, and it definitely adds to his depth.
The second main character, Elliot, is also well developed and multidimensional. I especially enjoyed his relationship with his mother. I believe characters are the main strength of this book. I loved the dynamic between the two boys and I would like to see it develop a bit more, as I thought there was a lot of chemistry between the two.
The monsters spawning from mirror reflections sounded like the coolest idea ever. Just the right amount of spooky. Unfortunately, somewhere between the writing and pacing of the plot, the spookiness disappeared, and I was left with... chaos. I expected my heart to race every time there was even a possibility of one of those Beings popping up, but it just didn't. Something about the writing made it not scary. The Beings kept appearing every few chapters and not once did I fear for the main characters, not once did I think that maybe this time something will happen to them. And when it finally did – I didn't much care.
In many parts the book lacked atmosphere. I wanted to feel spooked. I wanted to be able to imagine the world. I wanted to find out about everything gradually. Unfortunately, the main mystery of the book and the plot was all handed to me on a silver platter in a form of a long info dumpy monologue. I feel like all the good ideas were there – the execution just lacked... It left me feeling meh. I speed read the last 3 chapters because I knew exactly where the story was going and how it was going to end.
The whole alien part didn't suit the story. I stand by it being an amazing idea – it really was, alien part included – but with the way it was executed, it felt nearly like a different story. I wish it was all connected better, described better and... just executed better.
In the end, I think Refraction had heaps of potential which wasn't reached, hence my 3 star rating. I think many people will still enjoy this book, I did, too, just not nearly as much as I wanted to.
Refraction is a book I wanted to love, after all it's sci-fi, and lately that is enough of a reason for me to pick up a book. The synopsis tells you very little. In a world where deadly monsters are created in reflections, a teen with OCD becomes a black market mirror dealer and risks his and others' lives to be able to find his brother. It sounds interesting and unique. It sounds like a recipe for a success... but I found it clunky.
Marty is an interesting protagonist. I've never read about anyone with OCD and I appreciate books with underrepresented topics and characters. There was nothing about Marty, or the OCD itself, I didn't like. He's a morally grey character, who often sees himself as the bad guy, and it definitely adds to his depth.
The second main character, Elliot, is also well developed and multidimensional. I especially enjoyed his relationship with his mother. I believe characters are the main strength of this book. I loved the dynamic between the two boys and I would like to see it develop a bit more, as I thought there was a lot of chemistry between the two.
The monsters spawning from mirror reflections sounded like the coolest idea ever. Just the right amount of spooky. Unfortunately, somewhere between the writing and pacing of the plot, the spookiness disappeared, and I was left with... chaos. I expected my heart to race every time there was even a possibility of one of those Beings popping up, but it just didn't. Something about the writing made it not scary. The Beings kept appearing every few chapters and not once did I fear for the main characters, not once did I think that maybe this time something will happen to them. And when it finally did – I didn't much care.
In many parts the book lacked atmosphere. I wanted to feel spooked. I wanted to be able to imagine the world. I wanted to find out about everything gradually. Unfortunately, the main mystery of the book and the plot was all handed to me on a silver platter in a form of a long info dumpy monologue. I feel like all the good ideas were there – the execution just lacked... It left me feeling meh. I speed read the last 3 chapters because I knew exactly where the story was going and how it was going to end.
The whole alien part didn't suit the story. I stand by it being an amazing idea – it really was, alien part included – but with the way it was executed, it felt nearly like a different story. I wish it was all connected better, described better and... just executed better.
In the end, I think Refraction had heaps of potential which wasn't reached, hence my 3 star rating. I think many people will still enjoy this book, I did, too, just not nearly as much as I wanted to.
January 14, 2020
I was hoping for a little MORE after Hughes' debut, but this was still just alright. Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
March 22, 2020
I love the characters and the delopement
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2020
I absolutely adored Afterimage so it didn’t take me long to order Refraction. On a side note, both books are gorgeous! The cover art, design by Rosie Stewart is stunning and fits each story perfectly. They also look brilliant on a shelf together which warms my little book dragon heart.
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