Some Laneys Died

A Skipping Sideways Thriller

Young Adult - Thriller
268 Pages
Reviewed on 07/01/2020
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

The discovery of two young girls' bodies triggers an unprecedented phenomenon in the brilliant young adult mystery, Some Laneys Died (A Skipping Sideways Thriller) by Brooke Skipstone. When Delaney West was thirteen, she found her father in the arms of another woman. Laney tells her mother and life as they knew it exploded. Her father leaves, and three years later, Laney still hasn't heard from him. Visualizing how she could have handled the situation differently, Laney writes alternate versions of the incident. Recently, after reading about two bodies found in the vicinity where her father's faithlessness was exposed, things begin changing around Laney. She becomes obsessed with the girls and also begins seeing more alternative life choices. Her mother is a physics professor, and after reading some of Laney's accounts, she recognizes the similarity of Laney's different portrayals to the Many Worlds Theory. After her mother explains how each option exists in its own universe, Laney realizes she is experiencing more than imagination. Somehow, other universes are seeping into her own. Now Laney wonders if it is possible to skip sideways into another reality.

Some Laneys Died (A Skipping Sideways Thriller) by Brooke Skipstone is a scintillating young adult novel with a science-fiction theme. This dramatic mystery holds more than the usual teenage angst and drama. The intriguing concept of quantum mechanics, Many World Interpretations is the fabric from which the story is woven. It moves from space to space, threading through the anomaly of multiverses. It is a spellbinding story with infinite possibilities, an irresistible protagonist, and an intricate plot. This sensational and thrilling adventure will delight science-fiction mystery enthusiasts from sixteen years old on up. Word of caution; there are many scenes with violence, sexual acts, and inferences throughout the book which are not advisable for younger readers.

Tammy Ruggles

Some Laneys Died: A Skipping Sideways Thriller by Brooke Skipstone is a YA psychological/paranormal thriller featuring the main character named Laney, and her counterparts named Laney. The character tries to right wrongs, change circumstances, and make things bearable in the world in which she finds herself. The plot is interesting, to say the least, the characters are complete, experiencing a wide range of emotions, and the pacing and descriptions keep the pages turning. Along with the paranormal themes, the story is grounded in a reality that readers can understand and relate to--a girl finds out about her dad's affair with someone else. This sets the stage for the entire book, which unfolds in an engaging, entertaining way, and has a desperate edge to it.

At first, the idea of the same character living in different universes at different times, or at the same time, was a little confusing, but the author lays it all out in a way that makes it easy to follow. If you're new to this kind of concept, don't worry, just go with it, because the author truly is talented at making the most of the plot, character, and ideas. When you reach the end, you're quite satisfied with the outcome. Some Laneys Died by Brooke Skipstone is a great story for young adult readers, but I suspect that older readers can appreciate it too. It won't surprise me to find that the author will earn additional awards for her writing, which will cause even more young readers to connect with her, and her characters. This is powerful, unforgettable writing.

Anne-Marie Reynolds

Some Laneys Died by Brooke Skipstone is A Skipping Sideways Thriller. Laney was unfortunate enough to find her dad cheating and made the decision to tell her mom, even though he begged her not to. She did and life changed for everyone. Laney is constantly filled with regret, wishing she could rewrite history and change what happened, even more so when she discovers that a new universe appears for the opposite of whatever choice she makes. Laney wishes desperately that she could skip sideways, to one of the Laneys who didn’t tell on her dad, but she can only find escape through her imagination. Then a discovery, a story on the news, begins to blur things. Two skulls discovered in a river; two girls murdered at the same place and the same time as her dad cheated on her mom. As events begin to get strange, Laney is led to the belief that she is connected to the bones, that they are connected to the sister she wanted. And now she has to make another choice. Not all Laneys will survive this choice. And some of them even skip sideways between the worlds.

Some Laneys Died: A Skipping Sideways Thriller by Brooke Skipstone was a refreshingly unique read. The whole premise of the book seemed odd, but it really worked, and it was one of the books that, once you start reading it, you simply can't put it down. I’m sure we’ve all made a choice at some time in our lives we wish we could go back and change but sometimes the cost is simply too high. Brooke Skipstone has written a thrilling novel with well-rounded, exciting characters that you can relate to. She writes in a way that you feel you are there; incredibly descriptive, almost hypnotic writing that draws you into an action-packed story. The tension and suspense grow throughout the book and you really won't want to put it down as you’ll want to know what happens. This is a story of choices, wrong ones and right ones, and the chance to go back and put right what you think you did wrong. Great story and I'm looking forward to more from Brooke Skipstone.

K.C. Finn

Some Laneys Died: A Skipping Sideways Thriller is a work of fiction in the interpersonal drama, science fiction, and thriller sub-genres, and was penned by author Brooke Skipstone. Written for the more mature end of the young adult reading audience, the work does contain scenes of violence, sexual references and scenes, and the topic of suicide. The plot concerns the titular Laney, who goes through a family trauma when she catches her dad cheating on her mum. From here, each decision that Laney makes splits the world a little and creates another parallel where the opposite action takes place. So begins a mind-bending thriller journey as Laney battles, quite literally, against herself to find the truth.

Author Brooke Skipstone has crafted a truly superb work of thriller and speculative fiction which updates the classic ideas of sci-fi into a modern and relatable drama for young adult readers to enjoy. The sensitive themes are dealt with in an engaging and accessible format that does not seek to sensationalize them but weaves them into the drama with true emotional intelligence. Laney’s struggle is surreal in its concept but totally realistic and resonant in the feelings that life throws at her and how she finds the strength to overcome the obstacles in her path. I felt that the plot construction and the parallel universe concept was very strong and well figured out to give a really satisfying exposition and conclusion to the tale. Overall, I would certainly highly recommend Some Laneys Died for mature teens and adult readers seeking an accomplished thriller novel.

Sherri Fulmer Moorer

Laney's life was destroyed when she caught her father cheating on a camping trip three years ago. Suddenly, everything she knew falls apart as her parents go their separate ways and start new lives. She can't help but wonder what would have happened if she hadn't told about the affair, and how her life would be different three years after life as she knew it fell apart. Laney takes to writing stories about the incident, exploring different choices she could have made that would have rewritten her future. Then a news article comes out where the remains of twins are found in the same spot where she caught her father. Worse yet, the article says that the girls were killed around the same time that she witnessed her father's betrayal. When an Amber Alert is issued a few days later for a young woman who looks a lot like Laney, it makes her wonder what's real, and what's an alternate reality. Some Laneys Died, by Brooke Skipstone, is an exciting thriller that will take you on an unpredictable journey through mystery, intrigue, and even physics!

Some Laneys Died is the first novel I've read about parallel universes and dimensions that takes place in modern times. The concept of skipping through alternate realities is usually limited to hard sci-fi and very futuristic settings. I like first of all how Brooke Skipstone sets this novel in the here and now, showing how normal, everyday life could be impacted by such a concept. Better yet, she explains it well and weaves it into a compelling tale of intrigue with exciting characters and circumstances that are anything but your boiler-plate young adult novel. It's a unique and interesting tale, and the crossing of realities is handled well so you don't have to worry about getting confused or mixing up timelines or realities. All in all, this is an amazing novel.

Ankita Shukla

Some Laneys Died: A Skipping Sideways Thriller by Brooke Skipstone is a mind-boggling thriller in the YA genre. When Delaney, aka Laney, caught her father cheating, her world came crashing around her. Although he implored her to keep it a secret, Laney was too enraged to care for his pleading. She blurted out the truth to her mom. As a result, the decision was made and her parents decided to part ways. Unbeknownst to her, the moment she made the choice, in another universe where she lived was the choice that she didn't make. In fact, every time she had to choose among two or more options, the ones that she discarded created another universe. Soon, she found herself surrounded by peculiar events that no logic could explain. However, something did stand out among those events; a news report of two girls being murdered at the same place and time where she caught her father in the adulterous act. Her brain got entangled in this piece of information and just wouldn't let go.

If mind-blowing was ever an apt word to describe a book, Some Laneys Died: A Skipping Sideways Thriller by Brooke Skipstone would be one of those books that did it justice. The concept of each choice we make creating a universe that runs parallel to the one where we chose differently was fascinating, to say the least. The marvelous storytelling of Brooke Skipstone intrigues her readers beyond measure. And soon, along with Laney, readers become equally invested in solving the mystery of different universes. As Hannah, Laney's mom, attempts a scientific explanation regarding the bizarre events, the author's knowledge of the subject shines through. Besides that, the curiosity to discover the killer of twin sisters was another brilliant addition to the thriller. The plot has all the elements working in its favor. Readers who are looking for a thriller with a gripping twist should add Some Laneys Died to their TBR list immediately.