Between The Lives by Jessica Shirvington

Between The Lives
Written by Jessica Shirvington 
Contemporary, Paranormal
Published May 1st 2013
242 Pages
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★★★★★
For as long as she can remember, Sabine has lived two lives. Every twenty four hours she Shifts to her other life, a life where she is exactly the same, but absolutely everything else is different: different family, different friends, different social expectations. In one life she has a sister, in the other she does not. In one life she′s a straight student with the perfect boyfriend, in the other she′s considered a reckless delinquent. Nothing about her situation has ever changed, until the day when she discovers a glitch: The arm she breaks in one life is perfectly fine in the other.

With this new knowledge, Sabine begins a series of increasingly risky experiments which bring her dangerously close to the life she′s always wanted... But just what, and who, is she really risking. 
Almost eighteen year old Sabine hides a secret from both her families, she leads a double life. At midnight each night she endures the Shift, transported from two separate lives she leads, each life pausing until twenty four hours when she returns. In both worlds her name is Sabine, but that's where the similarities end. In one life Sabine is the golden child, wealthy, popular with a devoted boyfriend that she has never quite connected to. In the other, Sabine adores a younger sister, her parents work tirelessly and are never home. Two sets of friends. Two families. Two lives. And one girl that can't go on.
I was two separate bodies. And if I was two separate bodies... And if one of me was to stop existing... The other should continue. And I'd just have the one life.
It's always been that if Sabine cut her finger in one life, the injury would transfer into her other world. But lately the rules have changed when Sabine breaks her arm... Which doesn't transfer over. To test the theory, she begins to experiment with medication stolen from her parents pharmacy and self inflicted wounds, testing the limits of how far she can push herself before her other life begins to crack. What is she were to end one life, would she still exist in the other? Sabine must decide which future she wants more, the edgy girl with the absent parents, or the clean cut Sabine who has the world for her taking.

But when edgy Sabine finally decided to tell her parents, she's institutionalised. No one believes her until she meets Ethan. Ethan challenges her and seems to care for her regardless, but does he believe her? Ethan believes in living life to the fullest, but is he enough to convince her to stay?

Kelly's Thoughts

Jessica Shirvington, you are brilliant. Between The Lives drew me in, kept me enthralled and left me absolutely broken. From the first few chapters, I found myself emotionally involved in both Sabine's lives, and the real girl underneath both personas. She lived both lives as expected of those around her, but has held the secret of the two worlds her entire life. She feels incredibly alone.
My body trembled as I considered my cruel reality. I couldn't take it anymore. The freakishness of my existence was bad enough, but the loneliness that constantly tortured me was far worse.
But the genuine version of Sabine lines between her two worlds, where no one knows who she truly is. My heart ached for her situation, which could be considered a metaphor for how so many teens feel during those awkward years of finding their feet and their place in the world. It was beautifully written with almost a poetic tone, intelligent and unique. I loved how Sabine was able to retain a separate identity in both her lives, even though neither was a reflection of her true self. She was sassy and social aware, but leading both lives has left her tired and she tests the limits to see how separate her two worlds have now become. Until she meets Ethan.

I loved Ethan. His character was a turning point in Sabine's life and offered salvation, even without wanting to deter her decision. He represented life and urged her to consider her choices. But most of all, he was able to see the real Sabine, not the girl who was committed for an alleged mental illness or seemingly self harming. He was the support Sabine's character desperately needed, for someone just to see the real girl.

Jessica Shirvington is phenomenal. I should have prepared myself for the deep emotional investment after having read and loved Disruption. The stunning turns the storyline took left me breathless and emotionally spent. Another brilliant Aussie author added to my favourites list.

26 comments

  1. I feel so bad about not having read a single Shirvington book yet, but she sounds like an amazing YA aussie author. I know everyone raves on about Disruption but I'm loving the synopsis to Between The Lives much more. It sounds absolutely amazing! I love a bit of poetic writing so I guess I definitely have to check this one out, right? Fantastic review, Kelly! <3

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    1. OMG YOU ARE MISSING OUT!!! I have every single J.S book and I have to say I LOOOVED THEM ALL SO MUCH! Although the first one in The Violet Eden Chapters (her first book) had a lot of world building and things to wrap your head around to get into the series.
      YAYAYAY READ THEM! ALL HER BOOKS ARE INCREDIBLE!! :D

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    2. Thanks Jess. Disruption is an incredible dystopian read and can't wait for corruption to be released. This one will appeal to the wider audience though and I can guarantee that you'll fall in love with Ethan.

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  2. So glad to hear you loved Between the Lives, it was a really interesting and unique concept executed really well. Although one gripe I had was how two versions of Sabine could be so different, regardless of the circumstance that she's in. I actually liked this standalone better than Disruption. Great review hun.

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    1. I thought that eventually they would have begun to blur together two, but when you've been living these two separate lives for as long as you can remember, I can imagine that you've probably mastered the art. I'm torn which one I enjoyed more. She writes paranormal as well as she does dystopian.

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  3. This review is just what I need to finally convince me to pick up the copy I have on my shelf and READ IT. I've seen fantastic reviews for it around, and yours is the icing on the cake. I can't wait to start this now, thanks for sharing :)

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    1. YES READ IT!!! :D :D :D :D ALL HER BOOKS ARE SOOOOO GOOD!!! I'm so happy people are finally catching up and reading her books! ^_^

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  4. CLEARLY I NEED TO READ THIS BOOK. I even have a copy of it. And Jessica Shirvington is going to the BTCYA event so I'll need to read it before then! That gives me - what, two weeks? EEK. So glad you liked it :)

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    1. It's actually a super quick read, so.you have plenty of time to squeeze it in. I read with a few hours, I was so absorbed and couldn't put it down.

      I'm so jealous! Not only that, you guys will have early access to Corruption as well. Been dying to read it. The release can't come soon enough!

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  5. Before I say anything else, I need to say this. DID YOU CHANGE YOUR DESIGN AGAIN? BECAUSE IT'S GORGEOUS and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

    Now, moving on, I am glad to see you enjoyed the book! :D I read this a while ago (like last year) and liked it but never really fell head over heels with it. I think it was the ending that really killed the book for me though .-. (killed as in I gave it 3.5 instead of 4 :P). I just felt like things could have gone differently.. plus ETHAN! *hugs him*

    Lovely review honey bunny <3

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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    1. I did. Aww, thanks poppet. It's been a while since you've been here.

      I completely understand that. The ending shocked me, I really didn't see that coming. Ethan was just so incredibly lovely. One of the best young adult male characters I've had the pleasure of reading in ages.

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  6. I loved this book! It was absolutely brilliant. And Ethan, oh Ethan! He is one of my fav book boys. So glad you loved this one, great review.

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    1. Thanks Rochelle and I couldn't agree more. He was brilliant wasn't he. I'm such a big Fan of Jessica Shirvington and can't wait for Corruption now.

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  7. I SO NEED TO READ SOMETHING JESSICA SHIRVINGTON. Like Australia is quite wild about her, but I do have the Disruption audio book. That...I will get to eventually. When I've finished destroying myself with Rose Under Fire. *RIPs feels with sadness* But I also want to read this one. Because: all the books. I want them.

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    1. Is Rose Under Fire a second book in the series about the Holocaust? Or am I thinking of something totally different.

      But yes, you must read her! At once!

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  8. This book was brilliant! I simply loved it. It's probably my favourite Jessica Shirvington book that I've read, though I'm yet to read Disruption -- and I've also heard really good things about that one. The storyline in this was the most unique that I've read in a long time, and I think I devoured the book within a few hours. Anyway, great review--I'm glad you enjoyed it!

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    1. Disruption is also absolutely brilliant. I love dystopians and this is one of the best ones I've read actually. Me too Kara, I just couldn't put it down. You'll have to grab a copy of Disruption before Corruption comes out soon. I can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  9. This sounds incredible. I have to stop coming to your blog or I'll end up broke. All the books you've been featuring lately are all up my alley. It definitely explores a different theme from what I've been reading and I would love to finally read a Jessica Shirvington book.

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    1. I've had a really good run lately with book choices and read some brilliant ones. This one is so unique, I just breezed through it. Definitely grab a copy, it's well worth the read.

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  10. After reading Disruption, my first J.S. book, I really want to read this one! The concept sounds fantastic and this was a great review. Another one I will have to bump up the TBR!

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    1. It's so incredibly unique, I can't recall any other book exploring the same theme actually. Not only that, the writing is absolutely gorgeous! And Ethan. You'll laugh, you'll cray and most importantly swoon!

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  11. Ok. Yup. It's very clear to me that I NEED THIS BOOK!! Great review! :)

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    1. You do Lisa, you really do. I think if you're a fan of young adult, something unique and a beautiful romance, you'll absolutely adore Between The Lives. I simply loved it!

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  12. OMG I am so reading this book now! I've seen this cover everywhere, but I've never really gone and looked into it! Brilliant review! I'm already hooked into this book from your review :)

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    1. Gina, you need this. Like yesterday. We tend to enjoy the same books and You'll absolutely love this!

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  13. Fantastic review, Kelly. I've wanted to read this book for a while now, but I haven't heard many things about it. I'm definitely going to have to pick it up sooner rather than later now. The concept sounds amazing and so do the characters.

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