Sunday 6 October 2013

Review & Giveaway: 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil

3:59
3:59 by Gretchen McNeil
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Publication date: September 17th 2013
My rating: 3.5 stars


 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.






3:59 was a fun action packed read from start to finish.  Throw in some romance, mystery and danger and I was a happy girl.

Josie’s life has been less than ideal lately.  With her parents separated, her mother consumed with work, and her boyfriend, Nick, distant lately, she feels a little off-kilter.  Right off the bat, things go from off-kilter to bad, especially in the romance department, and your heart goes out to poor Josie.  After an explosion in her mother’s home workspace, Josie starts to see herself, a different version, in the mirror at the same time morning and night at exactly 3:59.  The Josie in the mirror, Jo, appears to be the improved, happier version, with parents still together, and Nick still normal.  Josie longs for things to return to normal so she switches places with Jo temporarily.  Josie learns the hard way that things are not always as they appear. 

I picked this up after my last read wasn’t clicking, and was immediately hooked. The pacing was great and fast and I felt for Josie right away after she’s dealt a terrible blow! There are two Nicks in this story, her boyfriend from her world and then the Nick in Jo’s world.  Josie develops a relationship with Nick in Jo’s world, but I felt it was a bit rushed and lacked depth. I think this is somewhat inherent in a plot driven novel, and I love reading about a romance that feels real in its connection, so this was a little bit of a disappointment. Still, I did enjoy this book and I was eagerly turning the pages to find out what would happen next. 

I liked the concept of parallel existences, but to be honest, some of the plot felt farfetched.  I’m no expert on parallel theories or quantum physics so this may be due to my ignorance (probably, lol!) but a lot of it went over my head.  All in all it was a fun, fast read and I was surprised when I looked at the page count (368) because it seriously didn’t seem that long at all.  I’m wondering if there’s a sequel planned because the ending didn’t seem quite like and end.  I’ve looked but I couldn’t tell.  













I'm sharing my ARC copy with one lucky reader. The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL, simply fill out the rafflecopter below for a chance to win. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

41 comments:

Unknown said...

I really enjoy books with parallel existences, but I need to be able to understand them. I do have a copy of 3:59, and will try to read it.
Nice Revuew, Rachel!

Richa said...

I can't wait to read this one! I love Gretchen McNeil. And to answer your question, yes I totally would switch places xD

Unknown said...

I love the first book and I can't wait to read this. Thanks for the chance to win, Rachel :D

-Dannielle

Anonymous said...

Hmm maybe? It would be interesting to visit another world. I've always wanted to see the universe or become an astronaut, but I'm not good in science lol. Thanks for the giveaway!

-leigh

RaeAbigael said...

hello! yes i will! it will be an adventure :D

xoxo,
rae
http://raellarina.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Great review, Rachel. I'm looking forward to reading this book; though I'm worried about the lack of depth. I don't like rush romances either. I think I'll still check it out when I have the time. :)

Melanie said...

Hmm, not really loving the sound of far fetched plots... We'll see. Hey, what poll did you use for choosing which book to read? I am planning to put a poll in on blogger for Finding Fright in Books but I don't know which poll company thingy ma bob. I hope that question made sense.

Lovely review, Rach! <33

Mary Preston said...

So long as I could trade back any time.

Siiri said...

When I have an exam the next day, I'd definitely trade places since it'd be fun to do something to loosen up and get rid of the nerves, heh. I love my life though so it must be something really, really good to get me to change places for a while ;)

As for your review, I know how much you love your romance and I'm sorry it disappointed you a little. I'm not a huge expert on parallel universes either, but I LOVED LOVED LOVED Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris. It made perfect sense, was character-driven and the romance? To die for! I hope that when you pick up your next parallel universe story, you'll love it a bit more. I'm glad you enjoyed it overall though :)

Mel@Thedailyprophecy said...

No, despite the fact that it sounds exciting and fun. I'd be too scared to get stuck there and I'm far too happy with my life :)

Hmm, an ending that doesn't feel like an ending. Not really my thing, but the whole concept of this book is so interesting. I like the idea of switching with your mirror image.

Zsofia said...

No, I don't think so. :) I like my own life and I'd feel myself very uncomfortable.
(Zsófia Sz.)

Keertana said...

I'm never a fan of books that stretch believable plot lines and this author's debut didn't receive rave reviews, so I'm not entirely sure her work is for me. Still, I'm glad you enjoyed this one for the most part. :)

Unknown said...

I can't wait to read this one! And to answer your question, yes I totally would switch places :)

Leonor (Ner) said...

I think I would... to be honest, I'm having a hard time answering 'cause I like my life but I sometimes I would like to see other worlds. So I think "yes" might be the answer :D

And this book was pretty awesome. I'm glad you liked it ;-)

Thank you for the giveaway ^_^

XX Ner

The Cover Contessa said...

Depends on what their life was like. But I might, so I can experience something new!
Thanks for the giveaway!

Carina Olsen said...

Great review sweetie :) I'm glad you managed to enjoy this book. <3 It does sound interesting. But my god, I know a lot about the romance, and I wouldn't enjoy it either :( so not reading this for a while.. sigh. But I loved reading your review, though :D Thank you for sharing. <3

Liss Martz said...

Yes. It could be so exciting to live in another world.. Just temporarly!

Anonymous said...

Depends on how their life was. I want to read your book!!!

Anonymous said...

Depends on how their life was. I want to read your book!

-Ashley Mconnell

erin said...

Hecks yay! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

I think it would depend on what is going on and how the other life is going-if the twin is happy why swap...thanks for the giveaway!!!

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I've heard some mixed things about this one, but I'm glad it hooked you! That's always a plus. I just finished a book that did that.

no need to enter me!

Tanja - Tanychy said...

I have seen this one around but haven't read it yet. I love the sound of the plot and characters. It's amazing when the pacing was right, you can always enjoy the story more. Too bad that romance lacked depth, but it usually happens. Great review Rachel :)

Anonymous said...

I'm not the biggest fan of parallel universe books, but this seems like it's quite entertaining with its fast pace and the exciting plot.
I did hear a lot of people complain about the plot being far-fetched at times and I don't think that appeals to me. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this though, Rachel.
Lovely review! :)

brandileigh2003 said...

Far fetched sure, but I too enjoyed this one a lot

Jenny said...

It's a shame about the romance being a touch rushed, I know you and I both love those slow burn relationships (hello Mac and Barrons) that are all tense and ripe with expectation, but this still sounds like a really fun read. Sometimes I just want a book that hooks me and keeps me flipping the pages even if it doesn't completely blow me away. Fantastic review my friend!

Jess said...

I love the sound of 3:59! I love books with parallel worlds and the synopsis to this definitely has me intrigued. Shame about the romance though although I also found that a problem in her previous book Ten. This sounds like a gripping read and it's firmly on my wishlist!

Chenise Jones said...

I really enjoyed McNeil's Ten so I'm super excited to read this one!

As for the question: hmmm that's tough! I think it would really depend on what the other world was like! If it's shitty then obviously I'd rather stay where I am.

Leanna Elle said...

I love the idea of parallel universes/existences but I've yet to find a book to love that deals with the subject; maybe this will be the one for me. Loved Gretchen McNeil's Ten!

Krazzyme(Young Readers) said...

Pity it was too far fetched for you . That happens sometimes. Great review though Rachel :)

Unknown said...

Maybe. I do like my life though.

Unknown said...

It depends on how great that alternate world is. If, say, it's something like the world of the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld, I would be up for switching places because I really want to ride a hoverboard! But I'm not too keen for the plastic-surgery craze in that world, though.

Sayomay said...

If its for a limited time, then hells yes! :D It would be an awesome adventure!!
Mary G Loki

traci16 said...

Interesting question...i think i would, temporarily of course. It would be exciting.
Great review...thanks for the giveaway!!!

Joana V. said...

I think my curiosity would definitely get the best of me! So yeah, I think I would :)

Joana @ Joana In The Sky With Books

ashley said...

heckkk yea as long as theres no dying earth or killin creatures cx

Anonymous said...

Since I watched Star Trek's Mirror Mirror episode, lol, maybe there would be hope in changing places with her after all xD

Thanks so much for the giveaway xD

Unknown said...

Yes, yes, yes! I'd like to try something new. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! :D

Unknown said...

It depends on what their life was like.... It would be a super cool experience though! Thanks for the giveaway! :D

aparajita said...

thanks for the giveaway and my answer to the question is it depends, if my twin in the parallel world leads her life in a fantasy world, of which we can only dream about..... if not then no chance i'm happy with my life in this world. :D

Amanda said...

LOL it depends if my twin is evil or not

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