Between the Layers by SaraJean Panek

An Elephantine Publishing Tour
Most fifteen year old girls are trying to figure out who they are; I’m trying to stay alive long enough to figure out what.


I’ve always been on the run. From my guilt about the things I couldn’t change, and from the voice in my head that won’t let me be normal. But yesterday Tommy and I were in a car accident on the way home from school. When I woke up, Tommy was gone, and so was the world I grew up in. Now I’m running less in a metaphorical way, and more in a “pick up the pace if you don’t want to die” way. Why? Because my eyes are blue, and I’m lost in a fantasy world where that means I’m different. It means I might not be human. It means I should already be extinct, and someone called “The Regent” is determined to make me that way.


I need to find the way home, and before I do that, I need to find Tommy. He’s only in this mess because of me. I can’t do it on my own, but it’s hard to know who to trust when everyone keeps trying to kill me.

About the Author:

SaraJean Panek has loved books since before she could read. One of her earliest memories is of sitting with one of her two older brothers and following along the page as he read her “Rapunzel.” She’s been telling her own stories nearly as long.  “Between the Layers” is SaraJean's debut novel. She travels at every opportunity, but currently lives in her hometown of Virginia Beach and spends most of her free time writing, the work she loves.

To learn more, visit http://spanek88.wix.com/sarapanek
Twitter: @SaraPanek88
Review: 
Between the Layers is a cute fantasy read that is like a bit of Iron Fey series mixed with Alice in Wonderland. The story begins with Sera getting into a car accident and waking up in another land. The people there are confused by her arrival and some of her are convinced she is the lost Princess who will save them. 
In the beginning the 15 year old Sera comes off as very dramatic. She just wants to return home, really close minded to what the people are telling her about the land she is in. The fact that most of them don't believe her also makes her frustrated and overwhelmed. She does begin to make friends, animal friends as well. 
The story is a fantastical read with imaginative world building and strange creatures, both beautiful and deadly. There were parts of the story that made me laugh (The Toddlers) and made me cringe (The Honey Pot) really pulling me into the story and this other world of strangeness and danger. 
It takes a lot of coincidences and convincing that just maybe Sera is the Princess, even if she's not could they still get her help to fight?  I would recommend this book as a cute, clean read that is fun and at several times had me gasp aloud as it was unexpected and exciting. 
My favorite character was Reeky and there are a lot of different characters to fall in love with. Possibly a introduction to a love interest? Sera is put into dangerous situations more than once and she shows a lot of strength by the end of the story. I am looking forward to see what happens next!   4 Stars

 

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