Envy

Olsen, Gregg.  Envy.  Splinter (2011). ISBN 9781402789571

Plot Summary

                As if the cover of this book isn't creepy enough to get readers to buy it, the story Olsen writes is relevant and captivating. While the book is fiction, the events depicted are based on true stories Olsen read about in the news (there is a note about this at the end of the book).  Twins Hayley and Taylor must put the pieces together when their old friend Katelyn dies mysteriously.  Some say it was suicide as she was found in the bathtub with the plugged in coffee machine in the bathtub with her.  As events unfold, however, Hayley and Taylor use their telepathic abilities to try and figure out what really happened.   What they discover is a web of lies and bullying, perpetrated by one of Katelyn’s former best friends, Starla.

                Meanwhile, the twins are dealing with some of their own problems when a nosy reporter won’t stop looking into the girls’ abilities.  When she discovers the truth and threatens to expose them, the twins are forced to take drastic measures.  In this gripping tale of the dangers of cyber bullying, readers will be so enthralled they won’t be able to stop reading until the story is finished.

Critical Evaluation

Hayley and Taylor are girls that readers can relate to, for the most part. Perhaps not in the telepathic way but Olsen portrays them as having very realistic personalities and characteristics of girls their age.  Envy gets readers to think about real world problems while being immersed in a fictitious world at the same time. At times, I wished I had been able to know Katelyn better and I definitely wished that the twins would have said some of their thoughts out loud to Starla. She is such a terrible person and she really could have used some humble pie. 

The mystery of Katelyn’s death is suitable drawn out.  The reader doesn’t find out what really happened that day until the end of the book.  It’s a fun ride, though, piecing together all of the clues and the reality of what actually happened will surprise everyone.

Reader’s Annotation

Haley and Taylor set out to discover how their friend Katelyn died but will end up needing to save their own lives in the process.

Author’s Information

Gregg Olsen is a NYT bestselling author with a total of 13 books published right now.  Envy was his first trip in the YA genre.  He currently lives in Washington with his twin daughters.  His website is here: http://www.greggolsen.com/.

Genre

Fantasy/Horror

Book Talking Ideas

I would hold up the book, so everyone could see the cover.  It is a haunting image and one that people will either be turned off by or want to read immediately.  This book not only has a huge mystery to solve, the main characters are telepathic twins.  That’s pretty cool.

Reading Level/Interest

12/14

Challenge Issues

Other than some scary scenes and thrilling aspects, this book will probably remain off the challenge board’s radar. 

Why Include This Title?

This is a book that combines a very real problem (cyber bullying) with a fairly realistic setting.  There are some magical elements to the story to make it just so far removed from reality that teens will be able to explore the topic without being too real about it.  It is also just a YA mystery book that is written well.