Book Review: Projection

Combining today with Ancient Rome--yes, please.

Projection

Risa Green

Goodreads summary:
When 13-year-old Gretchen Harris's mother is murdered at Gretchen's 8th Grade graduation party, everyone in the town of Delphi, California, suspects a power struggle within the Oculus Society: Delphi's version of the Junior League.  Gretchen's best friend, Jessica Shaw, might even hold the key to finding the culprit withThe Plotinus Ability: the Oculus Society's jealously guarded secret power to trade souls, which hinges on a kiss. Gretchen's hope at finding the murderer ends in tragedy when Ariel Miller—the class outcast—stalks Gretchen and Jessica and surreptitiously films them exchanging a kiss to test if the Plotinus Ability is real, not knowing their motives. The ensuing YouTube video ("Popular Girls = Secret Lovers") goes viral, Gretchen's and Jessica's lives are further shattered, and they vanish from Delphi.

Flash forward two years later: Ariel is suddenly the most popular junior in town, but wracked with guilt over what she did to Gretchen and Jessica.  When both girls reappear after their mysterious absence, Ariel finds herself pawn, suspect, and key player in their scheme to bring the murderer to justice.

I'm on the fence about this book--I think it is a really great premise for a story, and I think the author did a phenomenal job combining the two time periods, but I feel like it is a little hokey how the teens are able to swap bodies.  For all I know, that idea came from research into Ancient Rome, in which case, I should eat my words.

I love the combination of the paranormal body switch and a murder/mystery.  Gretchen starts out in a feud with the same girl that eventually helps Gretchen and Jessica solve the mystery.  In the middle of the story, due to teenage bullying, the two girls leave, but come back in order to play-act their own feud to convince the people around them they are no longer friends to avoid and drama backlash.  The story gets a little foggy around this part, but stick with it.  The story unravels to reveal the reasons behind Gretchen and Jessica's relationship and the moves they make in this game of murder.

This story is a new twist on some cool ideas, and I think with an open mind, you will really enjoy it!