Impervious

By Author / Illustrator

A.J. Hartley

Genre

Suspense & Thrillers

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

UCLan Publishing

ISBN

9781912979394

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

02-07-2020

Synopsis

Trina Warren didn't plan on being anyone's hero. She planned on going to fourth period as normal. But then there was a bang, and an overturned chair, and everything was different.Now Trina finds herself in a fantasy world, pursued by a faceless, nameless monster that only she can stop. Just one second is all it takes for Trina to turn from a regular clumsy high school girl, to a monster-fighting warrior. Just one second is all it takes for everything to change ...

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Reviews

Trina Warren did not set out to be a hero, she was just going to fourth period. For her it was just another normal day at school. As she attempts to navigate her way to class, whilst trying to avoid any more hassle from the mean jocks, she hears a loud bang. She sees an overturned chair and then everything changes.

Trina finds herself in an unfamiliar fantasy world where a faceless, nameless, evil monster is wreaking death and destruction. Her only clue is a necklace that has been mysteriously delivered to her house with a cryptic note inside. When she puts on the necklace she senses the voice of a spiritual guide and quickly discovers that she is the only one who can kill this evil creature. However, she's just an ordinary teenager - she has no weapons and no idea if she has the strength and skill to save her friends and herself.

This fantastical thriller will not disappoint. Impervious is an absolutely brilliant read. The intriguing plot is fast-paced and without ruining the story, the plot twist toward the end is immense. The main character, Trina, is very relatable and hugely courageous. I was routing for her throughout the book. The fantasy elements are tense, suspenseful and intentionally brutal. The story stays with you long after you have finished reading it which, given the subject matter, does fulfill Hartley's intention when you read his afterword at the end of the book.

I would recommend this for older YA readers due to the nature of the violence in the book. It is also a book that can be read quite quickly due to the length of the story. My advice before you read this book is this, because the plot twist is so epic, be careful not to read any spoilers before you have finished it as I feel this would make it lose its huge impact.

I also feel that Impervious has the potential to open up a lot of discussion and debate. Overall a thought-provoking and highly engaging read. I would recommend it for readers aged 14+.

208 pages / Reviewed by Julie Broadbent, school librarian