Series: Companion to Ultraviolet
Author: R. J. Anderson
Genre: YA Science Fiction/Psychological Thriller
Ratings:
Craft—4, Content—3,
Overall—3.9 out of 5 stars
Excerpt
from the prologue, “Aliasing” of Quicksilver:
(Spoiler alert: This beginning gives
away some of Ultraviolet.)
On June 7, the year I turned sixteen, I vanished without a trace.
On September
28 of the same year I came back, with a story so bizarre that only my parents
would ever believe it and a secret I couldn’t share even with them.
And four weeks later I woke up in my hometown on Saturday morning as Victoria Beaugrand and went to bed that night in another city as a completely different person.
That last part wasn’t as bad as you might think. There’s something exciting about reinventing yourself, even if it means leaving all your friends and the only life you’ve ever known behind.
My only fear was that I might not have made myself different enough.
When an investigation raises some uncomfortable questions, a
teenage girl assumes a new identity in a new
city
The
Craft: While I didn’t enjoy Quicksilver quite as
much as Ultraviolet,
this novel remains a fast-paced and enjoyable read.
For while both familiar and new characters grace the pages,
this story excels in its plotting. Stakes rise at every turn. Unexpected twists
keep the reader unbalanced. Tension pulls every nerve taut and then stretches
them even further. I admit, one subplot did wrap up a little too conveniently
for my taste, but otherwise all the ends tie together in a surprising and
climatic way.
Those elements, mixed with a strong narrator voice and good
character development on multiple levels, will keep you turning the pages late
into the night.
The
Content: Like R. J. Anderson’s other books, Quicksilver
carries a light hand thematically, the worldview forming more the foundation
than the focus of the story. Rather, she tends to raise questions, in this case
about obedience, trust, protection, freedom, and love.
Personally, I would have loved to seen more development with
the spiritual thread and verse from Isaiah. I believe it could have added
another dimension to the story, with it affecting the character as well as the
plotting, even if only to raise more questions. Instead, its truth seemed to
become lost within the story. However, I also understand that sometimes the
character and plot, and sometimes even publishing constraints, will not permit
such development, and that this is a personal taste I have concerning books.
Beyond that, there is little to denote. There is a light
romantic thread, which is kept low-keyed; no magical elements, with the unusual
attributed to science; and little violence, except one attempted suicide and
for a few brief, but necessary pages at the climax.
Summary:
Quicksilver is a heart-pounding and mind-bending read.
Recommended for teens and adults, especially those who enjoy a strong suspense
element.
Ratings:
Craft—4, Content—3, Overall—3.9 out of 5 stars
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