“FRACTURE,” by Megan Miranda, Walker Childrens, Jan. 17, 2012, $17.99 (ages 12 and up)
When Delaney Maxwell falls through the ice of a lake near her home, she doesn’t pray to stay alive; she doesn’t even have the presence of mind to think about her friend who was crossing with her. All she can think is “No, no, no, no, no.”
Pain comes first, then noise and then darkness, as she gets sucked further and further under water.
Eleven minutes pass.
Becker Phillips pulls his best friend, Delaney, from the water. Her heart isn’t beating. Her brain isn’t working. She’s dead.
Or at least she should be.
But apart from scans that show significant brain damage, Delaney is fine. She can walk, talk and understand questions. Everything appears to be working properly, and yet Delaney knows she’s different.
Strange sensations run through Delaney’s body, drawing her to those who are dying. What she doesn’t know — is she causing them to die or is her brain somehow predicting death.
When Delaney meets Troy Varga, she feels a connection. Troy recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities, though his outlook and motives leave her with more questions than answers. In the end, it’s up to Delaney to decide what she wants to make of her “gift.”
“Fracture” is as intense and compelling as it is quiet and introspective. Considering the topic and individual views on death, there’s a lot that readers will bring to the book, making it a unique experience.
I like that author Megan Miranda doesn’t give all the answers, and she’s not out to give readers THE best answer, just the solution that Delaney formulates. Paring down the scope has a personalizing effect lost in other books of this nature.
Delaney is believable as a character, even if her naivety is sometimes overwhelming. And her relationships with her family and with Becker and Troy have all the elements — including flaws — that make them work.
“Fracture” is a fine debut. It’s sophistication and readability make it a good choice for your “to read” pile.
**Read Cracking the Cover’s interview with Megan.
