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Double
When the sixteen-year-old runaway Chap is mistaken for a missing boy named Cassiel, his life changes dramatically. Chap takes on Cassiel's identity, gaining the family and friends he's always dreamed of having. But becoming someone else isn't as easy as he hoped—and Chap isn't the only one hiding a secret. As he teeters on the brink of discovery and begins to unravel the mystery behind Cassiel's disappearance, Chap realizes that he's in much deeper danger than he could have imagined.
After all, you can't just steal a life and expect to get away with it.
Award-winning author Jenny Valentine delivers an explosive mystery where dark secrets, betrayal, and loss pave the way for one teen's chance at redemption.
After all, you can't just steal a life and expect to get away with it.
Award-winning author Jenny Valentine delivers an explosive mystery where dark secrets, betrayal, and loss pave the way for one teen's chance at redemption.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2010
51 people are currently reading
2354 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Valentine
38 books181 followersJenny Valentine moved house every two years when she was growing up. She has just moved house again, probably not for the last time. She worked in a wholefood shop in Primrose Hill for fifteen years where she met many extraordinary people and sold more organic loaves than there are words in her first novel. She has also worked as a teaching assistant and a jewellery maker. She studied English Literature at Goldsmiths College, which almost put her off reading but not quite.
Jenny is married to a singer/songwriter and has two children.
In 2007, Jenny won the Guardian Prize for Children's Fiction with her debut novel FINDING VIOLET PARK.
Jenny is married to a singer/songwriter and has two children.
In 2007, Jenny won the Guardian Prize for Children's Fiction with her debut novel FINDING VIOLET PARK.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 346 reviews
July 1, 2021
3.5 Stars
Well this was a very engaging YA mystery and I am thrilled we have 3 copies of this in the library!
Chap is a teenage orphan living on the streets who dreams of a loving family and place to call home. An opportunity falls into his lap when, in a case of mistaken identity, he steps into the shoes and life of Cassiel Roadnight who went missing a couple of years ago. The family's desperation to believe he has been found and the fact that he is the spitting image of Cassiel means he slots straight into family life. However, when local teen outcast, Floyd, demands to know what happened 'that night' and why Cassiel told him his life was in danger, Chap realises he may have walked into the shoes of someone who was actually murdered. This is a great novel for Readers looking for a reasonably straight forward YA mystery with a very engaging main character. Shame about the really weird cover! It looks like one of the bully ghosts from Casper.
Well this was a very engaging YA mystery and I am thrilled we have 3 copies of this in the library!
Chap is a teenage orphan living on the streets who dreams of a loving family and place to call home. An opportunity falls into his lap when, in a case of mistaken identity, he steps into the shoes and life of Cassiel Roadnight who went missing a couple of years ago. The family's desperation to believe he has been found and the fact that he is the spitting image of Cassiel means he slots straight into family life. However, when local teen outcast, Floyd, demands to know what happened 'that night' and why Cassiel told him his life was in danger, Chap realises he may have walked into the shoes of someone who was actually murdered. This is a great novel for Readers looking for a reasonably straight forward YA mystery with a very engaging main character. Shame about the really weird cover! It looks like one of the bully ghosts from Casper.
August 16, 2017
3.5 stars. This is one of the mysteries that isn't about what's being told. Rather, this book is all about how it's told.
Double is a mystery revolving around Chap, a boy who looks identical to a boy who disappeared last year. It's a pat plotline, a simple concept, but it's executed in a very tense way. Valentine makes this book very tense, even despite a fairly simple plot. Even though none of the twists are quite that surprising, it's hard to figure out who did what. The book is quite fast-paced and eerie.
While the characters aren't particularly special, they definitely feel like real people. It's easy to root for them, despicable and deceitful as they are. Chap especially is easy to like, despite his actions.
VERDICT: Short review for a short book, I know, but this was quite a solid read. It's extremely quick, but it's so full of tension and atmosphere. Definitely solid.
Double is a mystery revolving around Chap, a boy who looks identical to a boy who disappeared last year. It's a pat plotline, a simple concept, but it's executed in a very tense way. Valentine makes this book very tense, even despite a fairly simple plot. Even though none of the twists are quite that surprising, it's hard to figure out who did what. The book is quite fast-paced and eerie.
While the characters aren't particularly special, they definitely feel like real people. It's easy to root for them, despicable and deceitful as they are. Chap especially is easy to like, despite his actions.
VERDICT: Short review for a short book, I know, but this was quite a solid read. It's extremely quick, but it's so full of tension and atmosphere. Definitely solid.
February 13, 2012
3.5. Stars.
Double is both a who-dunnit and a tale of a sad lonely boy on his own in England. At first, Double appears to be a case of mistaken identity, but really that storyline is just to pull the reader in. The premise is crazy, unbelievable. – a teenage runaway (Boy #1) who is living in a home for runaway children is thought to be the lost son and brother (Boy #2) of a family that lost a son of theirs two years ago. And this runaway boy (Boy #1) is able to convince the family of Boy #2 – that he is their son. The runaway boy (Boy #1) is “Chap” , however he is believed to be “Cassiel” (Boy #2). When Chap first looks at a picture of the lost and missing Cassiel, Chap thinks it is a picture of himself. The resemblance between the two boys is exact. So what does a lonely boy who has nobody to care for him do? He steps into the life of Cassiel. The act of being Cassiel was almost not a conscious act. The social workers thought he was Cassiel and Chap is so alone, he is desperate to have a family and he is desperate to be someone. If you have read The Likeness by Tana French, then you know the basic (but crazy) set-up.
Double is told from the point of view of Chap (Boy #1). His pain, his insecurity and his loneliness are described in a way that I was able to believe it Chap is desperate for a life, for a family but the life he steps in to is not as perfect as he imagined. He is immediately sucked in to an intrigue of why Cassiel is gone. Every step Chap takes, every word he says, he wonders – would Cassiel have said it this way? Will they know I am not Cassiel? Does she know I am not Cassiel? Chap has such sweet love and appreciate for his new “mom” and his “sister”. The love he feels and appreciation he has for having a “home” was truly heartbreaking. It made my heartbreak for children who do not have a home or parents. This ache for love, for relationships was so well-described. Ms. Valentine captures very well the level of insecurity a young unloved and alone in the world boy would feel. My only complaint is there is too much of this fear and inner monologue going on in the story. But hey, it is told from the perspective of a teenaged boy, so it is believable.
In the background of the story is Chap’s tale and this is where the beauty of this book lies. Through flashbacks, Chap remembers where he came from, “who” he is and why he is alone and on the run. So woven through the tension of who killed Cassiel and the whole will-they-know-I-am-not-Cassiel-thing is Chap’s own background story.
Double has quite a few twists and turns which are done really well. I had a few theories about what happened to Cassiel, who caused his disappearance and why Chap was on the run. But I was only half right. This is a gripping and emotional tale that will likely keep you guessing.
There are young adult books that are clearly written for an older audience level, this is not one of those stories. This is a book that can be enjoyed by the older young adult crowd but is also appropriate for younger adult readers. I am grading it 3.5 stars because in the end, it was a simple story that while moving, was not fantastic. But, I am excited to have my daughter read this book and I am glad to have read it. I think it would make a fantastic movie.
There is no sex or romance in this story but there is a reference to being a virgin. There is some violence, but not graphic. This would be suitable for most 6th grade students and above.
Oh and for those who have read it or for those who are not going to read it,
Double is both a who-dunnit and a tale of a sad lonely boy on his own in England. At first, Double appears to be a case of mistaken identity, but really that storyline is just to pull the reader in. The premise is crazy, unbelievable. – a teenage runaway (Boy #1) who is living in a home for runaway children is thought to be the lost son and brother (Boy #2) of a family that lost a son of theirs two years ago. And this runaway boy (Boy #1) is able to convince the family of Boy #2 – that he is their son. The runaway boy (Boy #1) is “Chap” , however he is believed to be “Cassiel” (Boy #2). When Chap first looks at a picture of the lost and missing Cassiel, Chap thinks it is a picture of himself. The resemblance between the two boys is exact. So what does a lonely boy who has nobody to care for him do? He steps into the life of Cassiel. The act of being Cassiel was almost not a conscious act. The social workers thought he was Cassiel and Chap is so alone, he is desperate to have a family and he is desperate to be someone. If you have read The Likeness by Tana French, then you know the basic (but crazy) set-up.
Double is told from the point of view of Chap (Boy #1). His pain, his insecurity and his loneliness are described in a way that I was able to believe it Chap is desperate for a life, for a family but the life he steps in to is not as perfect as he imagined. He is immediately sucked in to an intrigue of why Cassiel is gone. Every step Chap takes, every word he says, he wonders – would Cassiel have said it this way? Will they know I am not Cassiel? Does she know I am not Cassiel? Chap has such sweet love and appreciate for his new “mom” and his “sister”. The love he feels and appreciation he has for having a “home” was truly heartbreaking. It made my heartbreak for children who do not have a home or parents. This ache for love, for relationships was so well-described. Ms. Valentine captures very well the level of insecurity a young unloved and alone in the world boy would feel. My only complaint is there is too much of this fear and inner monologue going on in the story. But hey, it is told from the perspective of a teenaged boy, so it is believable.
In the background of the story is Chap’s tale and this is where the beauty of this book lies. Through flashbacks, Chap remembers where he came from, “who” he is and why he is alone and on the run. So woven through the tension of who killed Cassiel and the whole will-they-know-I-am-not-Cassiel-thing is Chap’s own background story.
Double has quite a few twists and turns which are done really well. I had a few theories about what happened to Cassiel, who caused his disappearance and why Chap was on the run. But I was only half right. This is a gripping and emotional tale that will likely keep you guessing.
There are young adult books that are clearly written for an older audience level, this is not one of those stories. This is a book that can be enjoyed by the older young adult crowd but is also appropriate for younger adult readers. I am grading it 3.5 stars because in the end, it was a simple story that while moving, was not fantastic. But, I am excited to have my daughter read this book and I am glad to have read it. I think it would make a fantastic movie.
There is no sex or romance in this story but there is a reference to being a virgin. There is some violence, but not graphic. This would be suitable for most 6th grade students and above.
Oh and for those who have read it or for those who are not going to read it,
May 4, 2020
A really excellent reboot of Josephine Tey's Brat Farrar. That just so happens to be one of my favourite books of all time, and I'm pleased to say that this lives up to its memory. Both books are prince-and-pauper mistaken identity tales with murderous twists, and in both, the mystery really is the whydunit rather than the who. This is great for murder mystery fans, whether or not they've read Tey.
September 11, 2015
Quick review for a quick read. So I read this book a long time ago, and just forgot to write a review for it. I actually liked "Double" as it was my first read from Jenny Valentine, but thinking back upon it, I don't know if - despite its intriguing premise - it was all that memorable, particularly with how the resolution came across, but at least it was plausible.
The story revolves around a boy who ends up assuming the identity of another boy who's gone missing. Chap is someone on the run and so when he's mistaken for the identity of another boy named Cassiel Roadnight, he jumps at the chance to assume the other kid's identity. But as he tries to figure out what happened to the other boy...well, things get complicated.
This book sounds somewhat similar to the premise of Counterfeit Son, a book I haven't read in years. It's a very quick read, I think I read this book in a matter of hours, but while the prose is quick, the actual pacing of the novel is relatively sluggish. You definitely feel the sense of fear and awkwardness that Chap has when he enters the identity of another boy's while evading the life he left behind.
"Here was his mother holding me tight; here was his sister asking me in. But even the dust in Cassiel's room knew I wasn't him."
There was a part of me that liked the slow burn of the novel though, and some turns of the prose such as the line above. But it still feels somewhat staggered and it takes a bit for the actual mystery aspects to kick in. Mostly this book is an exploration of Chap's past, his struggles, and why he feels the need to escape into someone else's identity for a time.
Turns out that as the novel moves forward that his identity isn't too far removed from the boy he's replacing, but I can't mention what that is for measure of spoiling the experience. I will say that while there's an intrigue in the mystery of who Chap's replaced and watching the pieces fall into place as to what happened, this novel's strength lies more in the character's unveiling in terms of who he is, where he's come from, and eventually finding a place to come into his acceptance of himself as well as from the people who surround him.
Overall score: 3/5 stars.
The story revolves around a boy who ends up assuming the identity of another boy who's gone missing. Chap is someone on the run and so when he's mistaken for the identity of another boy named Cassiel Roadnight, he jumps at the chance to assume the other kid's identity. But as he tries to figure out what happened to the other boy...well, things get complicated.
This book sounds somewhat similar to the premise of Counterfeit Son, a book I haven't read in years. It's a very quick read, I think I read this book in a matter of hours, but while the prose is quick, the actual pacing of the novel is relatively sluggish. You definitely feel the sense of fear and awkwardness that Chap has when he enters the identity of another boy's while evading the life he left behind.
"Here was his mother holding me tight; here was his sister asking me in. But even the dust in Cassiel's room knew I wasn't him."
There was a part of me that liked the slow burn of the novel though, and some turns of the prose such as the line above. But it still feels somewhat staggered and it takes a bit for the actual mystery aspects to kick in. Mostly this book is an exploration of Chap's past, his struggles, and why he feels the need to escape into someone else's identity for a time.
Turns out that as the novel moves forward that his identity isn't too far removed from the boy he's replacing, but I can't mention what that is for measure of spoiling the experience. I will say that while there's an intrigue in the mystery of who Chap's replaced and watching the pieces fall into place as to what happened, this novel's strength lies more in the character's unveiling in terms of who he is, where he's come from, and eventually finding a place to come into his acceptance of himself as well as from the people who surround him.
Overall score: 3/5 stars.
June 26, 2016
Double is one of those books that has been sitting on my shelf for quite a long time now. Finally, I was able to pick it up and was surprised by the mystery that is inside this book. I actually thought that Double is your typical Young Adult story that tackles about love and family and such but I was oh so wrong because though there is family on the story it lies more on the mystery, deceit, secrets, murder and money. The plot is interesting and the setting has the “mystery” feels into it.
Chap has no identity. He’s nobody.
On a shelter he went through, his life radically changed when he saw that he’s the exact spitting image of a lost boy named Cassiel Roadnight.
For 250+ pages, this book surely does have a lot. I love how each chapter the mystery and the story continues to unravel. I also like getting glimpse of how Chap’s life has been before he pretended to be Cassiel Roadnight.
The plot is good, the characters are interesting, the villain is such a failure, but overall it was one quick, intense and mysterious read.
*For more reviews, please feel free to visit Reads and Thoughts*
Chap has no identity. He’s nobody.
On a shelter he went through, his life radically changed when he saw that he’s the exact spitting image of a lost boy named Cassiel Roadnight.
For 250+ pages, this book surely does have a lot. I love how each chapter the mystery and the story continues to unravel. I also like getting glimpse of how Chap’s life has been before he pretended to be Cassiel Roadnight.
The plot is good, the characters are interesting, the villain is such a failure, but overall it was one quick, intense and mysterious read.
*For more reviews, please feel free to visit Reads and Thoughts*
May 27, 2019
2.5 estrellas.
Vaya, leer este libro fue una experiencia rara. Por un lado, tiene partes muy interesantes (como todo el pasado del protagonista, me encantó leer sobre su abuelo), es de lectura muy fácil y al ser un libro corto, se lee bastante rápido, lo cual para mí siempre es una ventaja.
Por otro lado, a pesar de ser corto y que se lea rápido, es lento. Ni yo entiendo cómo pudo lograr eso, pero no es hasta más o menos el 80% que comienzan a pasar las cosas, y entonces todo pasa de forma acelerada al final.
También sentí que la escritura fluye de una forma un poco accidentada, pero no sé si esto es culpa de la traducción :/
Vaya, leer este libro fue una experiencia rara. Por un lado, tiene partes muy interesantes (como todo el pasado del protagonista, me encantó leer sobre su abuelo), es de lectura muy fácil y al ser un libro corto, se lee bastante rápido, lo cual para mí siempre es una ventaja.
Por otro lado, a pesar de ser corto y que se lea rápido, es lento. Ni yo entiendo cómo pudo lograr eso, pero no es hasta más o menos el 80% que comienzan a pasar las cosas, y entonces todo pasa de forma acelerada al final.
También sentí que la escritura fluye de una forma un poco accidentada, pero no sé si esto es culpa de la traducción :/
February 14, 2012
From the summary and the seriously creepy cover, I expected Double to be a thrilling, action-adventure ride. In fact, it's not. There is mystery and suspense, but the bulk of the novel was surprisingly understated. Actually, I liked Double better for that, for not taking the easy way out and focusing on the more obviously dramatic side of things.
Chap made a good narrator, very well conveying his own sense of discomfort and fear. He obviously isn't completely innocent, but he considers every action that he makes. It would be hard not to feel for a boy who misses his grandad, the only family he ever knew, from whom he was separated at the age of 10. Chap had to grow up fast, and has been unloved through so much of his childhood. Given these circumstances, it is totally convincing that he might choose to be someone else for a while.
My favorite characters were definitely Edie and Floyd, which I guess wasn't much of a competition, since the book doesn't have a huge cast. Still, I loved Edie, perhaps because her prickliness reminded me of myself. She's both so happy to have her brother back and so distrustful of how he seems different. Floyd is delightfully flamboyant, and incredibly smart.
More than anything, Double is about a boy trying to figure out where he belongs. The mystery plot is definitely secondary. The pacing of the book is somewhat slow, although I was not bored, so this would likely not appeal particularly to reluctant readers. If you're looking for an action-packed thrill ride, this is not the book for you. However, if you like to read stories of people searching for their identities, Double's worth a read.
Chap made a good narrator, very well conveying his own sense of discomfort and fear. He obviously isn't completely innocent, but he considers every action that he makes. It would be hard not to feel for a boy who misses his grandad, the only family he ever knew, from whom he was separated at the age of 10. Chap had to grow up fast, and has been unloved through so much of his childhood. Given these circumstances, it is totally convincing that he might choose to be someone else for a while.
My favorite characters were definitely Edie and Floyd, which I guess wasn't much of a competition, since the book doesn't have a huge cast. Still, I loved Edie, perhaps because her prickliness reminded me of myself. She's both so happy to have her brother back and so distrustful of how he seems different. Floyd is delightfully flamboyant, and incredibly smart.
More than anything, Double is about a boy trying to figure out where he belongs. The mystery plot is definitely secondary. The pacing of the book is somewhat slow, although I was not bored, so this would likely not appeal particularly to reluctant readers. If you're looking for an action-packed thrill ride, this is not the book for you. However, if you like to read stories of people searching for their identities, Double's worth a read.
April 10, 2011
The Double Life of Cassiel Roadnight manages to deal with heavy themes in the style of a light, satisfying read.
It is important to note that the cover, the easy-to-read formatting and the simple storytelling style all seem to be directed at a younger audience (perhaps 10 to 12), yet the serious themes and occasional bad language are more suited to an older readership (I'd suggest mature 13s to 18).
As a good murder mystery the story is built on lies and secrets, murder and money, and there's even medicinal use of prescription drugs to help some of the adults to cope. And since much of this happens within the family, the overall situation is quite nasty.
However, there is no gratuitous detail that leaves you with too much information, and most of the story doesn't deal with these themes at all. Instead, it focuses on the guadual unravelling of a mystery which doesn't come clear until the end.
And most of the characters are not as bad as they seem. In fact, there is a strong undercurrent of goodness that grows out of the misfortune, and it is precisely those who've suffered most who have the strongest yearning for a loving family and a desire to right the wrongs of the past.
Of course the main evil character has suitably distorted morals, but as soon as we are able to see beneath his careful facade his actions are clearly deplorable.
All in all it's an easy, engaging and worthwhile read that offers some variety to the standard teen action-adventure.
It is important to note that the cover, the easy-to-read formatting and the simple storytelling style all seem to be directed at a younger audience (perhaps 10 to 12), yet the serious themes and occasional bad language are more suited to an older readership (I'd suggest mature 13s to 18).
As a good murder mystery the story is built on lies and secrets, murder and money, and there's even medicinal use of prescription drugs to help some of the adults to cope. And since much of this happens within the family, the overall situation is quite nasty.
However, there is no gratuitous detail that leaves you with too much information, and most of the story doesn't deal with these themes at all. Instead, it focuses on the guadual unravelling of a mystery which doesn't come clear until the end.
And most of the characters are not as bad as they seem. In fact, there is a strong undercurrent of goodness that grows out of the misfortune, and it is precisely those who've suffered most who have the strongest yearning for a loving family and a desire to right the wrongs of the past.
Of course the main evil character has suitably distorted morals, but as soon as we are able to see beneath his careful facade his actions are clearly deplorable.
All in all it's an easy, engaging and worthwhile read that offers some variety to the standard teen action-adventure.
May 22, 2019
Este es una historia corta, rápida y fácil de leer. Me mantuvo todo el tiempo interesada en saber cómo terminaría todo, me atrapó desde el inicio.
Me recuerda mucho la historia de un documental que vi hace un tiempo. The imposter, (se los recomiendo).
De cambiarle algo, me hizo falta un capítulo más o un epílogo, pero igual disfruté mucho de esta historia. Recomendada.
Me recuerda mucho la historia de un documental que vi hace un tiempo. The imposter, (se los recomiendo).
De cambiarle algo, me hizo falta un capítulo más o un epílogo, pero igual disfruté mucho de esta historia. Recomendada.
December 24, 2018
I originally was going to give this two stars, but then I realized that was double the number of stars it deserves.
This is a somewhat tense, "thrilling" novel with little soul and no imagination. The plot twists are somehow simultaneously obvious and ridiculous, and there's not much in the way of good prose. The characters are all one-dimensional, Chap's character is fickle to the extreme - at the beginning he's a remorseless criminal, then twenty pages later he's concerned for the well-being of others and risks his life for theirs? I'M CONFUSED.
Would not recommend.
This is a somewhat tense, "thrilling" novel with little soul and no imagination. The plot twists are somehow simultaneously obvious and ridiculous, and there's not much in the way of good prose. The characters are all one-dimensional, Chap's character is fickle to the extreme - at the beginning he's a remorseless criminal, then twenty pages later he's concerned for the well-being of others and risks his life for theirs? I'M CONFUSED.
Would not recommend.
September 7, 2012
I should've abandoned this book long before I finished it.
SPOILERS ALERT!
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You see, I have this thing. A knack of suspecting every character that has a single of dialogue in a book. Its my own personal thing that I think caught after my obsessive LOST and Harry Potter years, but that's not the point. And I'm not saying that just because every character didn't turn out as epic and imaginatively written as I'd gathered doesn't make an author lame or anything. What DOES make an author lame, though, is taking so idiotic and spineless and lazy route to try, just TRY, to make everything make sense.
I'm not often that blunt with it, but this book. THIS BOOK.
This really could've been something.
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I didn't expect anything completely original because when it comes to stories like these (unnerving look-a-like blends with missing look-a-like's family blah blah blah) you start reading already with a sure guess to all the mysteries. But you know what? Some authors have a gift making them seem amazing and out-of-this-world anyway. Shan't name names.
Can you blame me for going wild with theories about the teenager who brought Damiel (AKA Chap), the protagonist of this book, to the Grandad thereby gifting the old man with his first friend and whatever? This was halfway through the book and I'd already realized how disappointing it was, but I still wanted to believe that there might be something deeper to this story. Maybe that teenage girl, who doesnt even have a name, doesn't even have a description to herself let alone a backstory, could be that one key to the wild side of this otherwise dull tale.
I mean, how convenient is it that the girl just happens to, ya know, *stir up* a desire to burn down a home, run off with probably the ONLY infant in that home with an IDENTICAL TWIN, and ends up giving the infant away to an old man who's not a pervert but would still end up never telling anyone about said infant EVER making it seem very, very odd.
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You know its bad when I start craving for explanations ala LOST.
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I mean, I started already imagining John Locke yelling out "THIS IS OUR DESTINY!" by the time that teenager got into the story.
I know, I know its so stupid how the only character I seem to be interested in is a nameless, shameless walking livin' plot device but its just that that girl SUMMARIZES this book. Her very character defines it. Its her convenience. Her non-existence makes nearly every event happen and her convenience basically destroys whatever plausible tale this book provides us with.
She and Frank both. It would've been nice to know more about our so-called villain. It would've been nice to know why he's a controlling ass who loves his mummy but has no qualms killing his own baby brother for money. But no. Every character here ends up a caricature, and rather surprising is how useless the girls are around here. When the mother's husband dies the eldest son, Frank at eight years, is said to have tried running the family, "bore a burnt on it", and she ended up having a breakdown.
You know what? Hunger Games made it work for me. I understood why Katniss and Prim's mother broke down. Just living in that crapsack world would've broken me down too with or without a husband. But the setting of this is not a crapsack world, a dystopia, however the tone feels like. Its not 19th century London either. Forgive me for not being able to picture Frank as an eight year old shoved into a countryside sweatshop gambling with his life each day trying to earn a few coins to feed the family.
I guess those short four sentences the mother gives about Frank is supposed to be enough to justify his character. Its not.
So what really drives the plot of the story is MONEY, and Frank's obsession with it. And frankly I consider greed to be the cheapest reason for anything. Along with the teenage girl, there'd be no story at all if it wasn't because of Frank's obvious and convenient greed. It's not even the crippling greed that I might consider tolerable. Its just cheap, flatout greed.
Its money and the girl and nothing else. If you don't find yourself too partial to those three then I recommend that you skip the book. Its not worth it. The writing is fine. The writing actually makes it WORK at times, but its just not good enough to compensate for such a lazy story and such flat characters.
SPOILERS ALERT!
You see, I have this thing. A knack of suspecting every character that has a single of dialogue in a book. Its my own personal thing that I think caught after my obsessive LOST and Harry Potter years, but that's not the point. And I'm not saying that just because every character didn't turn out as epic and imaginatively written as I'd gathered doesn't make an author lame or anything. What DOES make an author lame, though, is taking so idiotic and spineless and lazy route to try, just TRY, to make everything make sense.
I'm not often that blunt with it, but this book. THIS BOOK.
This really could've been something.
I didn't expect anything completely original because when it comes to stories like these (unnerving look-a-like blends with missing look-a-like's family blah blah blah) you start reading already with a sure guess to all the mysteries. But you know what? Some authors have a gift making them seem amazing and out-of-this-world anyway. Shan't name names.
Can you blame me for going wild with theories about the teenager who brought Damiel (AKA Chap), the protagonist of this book, to the Grandad thereby gifting the old man with his first friend and whatever? This was halfway through the book and I'd already realized how disappointing it was, but I still wanted to believe that there might be something deeper to this story. Maybe that teenage girl, who doesnt even have a name, doesn't even have a description to herself let alone a backstory, could be that one key to the wild side of this otherwise dull tale.
I mean, how convenient is it that the girl just happens to, ya know, *stir up* a desire to burn down a home, run off with probably the ONLY infant in that home with an IDENTICAL TWIN, and ends up giving the infant away to an old man who's not a pervert but would still end up never telling anyone about said infant EVER making it seem very, very odd.
You know its bad when I start craving for explanations ala LOST.
I mean, I started already imagining John Locke yelling out "THIS IS OUR DESTINY!" by the time that teenager got into the story.
I know, I know its so stupid how the only character I seem to be interested in is a nameless, shameless walking livin' plot device but its just that that girl SUMMARIZES this book. Her very character defines it. Its her convenience. Her non-existence makes nearly every event happen and her convenience basically destroys whatever plausible tale this book provides us with.
She and Frank both. It would've been nice to know more about our so-called villain. It would've been nice to know why he's a controlling ass who loves his mummy but has no qualms killing his own baby brother for money. But no. Every character here ends up a caricature, and rather surprising is how useless the girls are around here. When the mother's husband dies the eldest son, Frank at eight years, is said to have tried running the family, "bore a burnt on it", and she ended up having a breakdown.
You know what? Hunger Games made it work for me. I understood why Katniss and Prim's mother broke down. Just living in that crapsack world would've broken me down too with or without a husband. But the setting of this is not a crapsack world, a dystopia, however the tone feels like. Its not 19th century London either. Forgive me for not being able to picture Frank as an eight year old shoved into a countryside sweatshop gambling with his life each day trying to earn a few coins to feed the family.
I guess those short four sentences the mother gives about Frank is supposed to be enough to justify his character. Its not.
So what really drives the plot of the story is MONEY, and Frank's obsession with it. And frankly I consider greed to be the cheapest reason for anything. Along with the teenage girl, there'd be no story at all if it wasn't because of Frank's obvious and convenient greed. It's not even the crippling greed that I might consider tolerable. Its just cheap, flatout greed.
Its money and the girl and nothing else. If you don't find yourself too partial to those three then I recommend that you skip the book. Its not worth it. The writing is fine. The writing actually makes it WORK at times, but its just not good enough to compensate for such a lazy story and such flat characters.
June 3, 2019
This was the book of the month for my book club and I have to say I really made an effort. The pacing is REALLY SLOW, and by really slow, I mean excruciatingly slow. I really gave it a chance but the writing was blotched and weird and it felt like the chapters were not connecting with one another. I couldn't read past 20% but go ahead and give it a try and see how it goes for you.
September 4, 2011
Originally reviewed for http://www.In-Interest.blogspot.com . Will be posted nearer to publication date.
Nobody goes into a youth hostel and Cassiel leaves. Somewhere inbetween, the boy that enters is falsely recognised as 14 year old Cassiel, who went missing 2 years previous. The boy, a first tries to protest, but Cassiel has everything he's never had. A family that love him. Friends. A life. He stops protesting and enters the not so perfect life of Cassiel Roadnight. His life remains a intense murky mystery that the boy has to solve. Double is the fantastic novel written perfectly by Jenny Valentine that will keep you on the edge of the seat, wanting more as she takes us on the journey with the boy.
I thought this book was excellent. It's just pure fiction that is hard to come by in YA anymore. There is not a romance or paranormal element in there which I think is ceartinly refreshing. The book, in someways, alternates between the current day and Chap's memories of him and his Grandad. As much as the decision he made was unquestionably wrong, Valentine manages to create a understanding at to why Chap chose to act the way he did.
Constantly feeling guilty with taking Cassiel's life, Chap accumaltes feelings for the family. He actually cares for them. Although they look the same, Cassiel and Chap are different. Whilst he is so thankfull for his new family and would do anything to helpthem, Cassiel was greedy and ungrateful. When Floyd comes along that's when the mysetery really starts as questions arise. Floyd claims that he was the last person to see Cassiel. Soon cracks start to show in the 'perfect' family. As Chap learns more he realises people in the his new family aren't really who they seem to be which takes him into dangerous territory.
There is another part of the story and that is the mystery sorrounding Chap's former life. This is the part that upset me the most. His life was shrounded in loneliness which I just think is heartbreaking. He dotes on his Grandad and you can realy feel the love they have. Even this was not true, just another mystery in Chap's life.
I read this book in one sitting, whilst having a migraine. I just wanted to know the answers so much so I decided to plough through it. I thoroughy enjoyed it and I'd recommend it to anyone. It is a short, thought provoking and heart wrenching read
Nobody goes into a youth hostel and Cassiel leaves. Somewhere inbetween, the boy that enters is falsely recognised as 14 year old Cassiel, who went missing 2 years previous. The boy, a first tries to protest, but Cassiel has everything he's never had. A family that love him. Friends. A life. He stops protesting and enters the not so perfect life of Cassiel Roadnight. His life remains a intense murky mystery that the boy has to solve. Double is the fantastic novel written perfectly by Jenny Valentine that will keep you on the edge of the seat, wanting more as she takes us on the journey with the boy.
I thought this book was excellent. It's just pure fiction that is hard to come by in YA anymore. There is not a romance or paranormal element in there which I think is ceartinly refreshing. The book, in someways, alternates between the current day and Chap's memories of him and his Grandad. As much as the decision he made was unquestionably wrong, Valentine manages to create a understanding at to why Chap chose to act the way he did.
Constantly feeling guilty with taking Cassiel's life, Chap accumaltes feelings for the family. He actually cares for them. Although they look the same, Cassiel and Chap are different. Whilst he is so thankfull for his new family and would do anything to helpthem, Cassiel was greedy and ungrateful. When Floyd comes along that's when the mysetery really starts as questions arise. Floyd claims that he was the last person to see Cassiel. Soon cracks start to show in the 'perfect' family. As Chap learns more he realises people in the his new family aren't really who they seem to be which takes him into dangerous territory.
There is another part of the story and that is the mystery sorrounding Chap's former life. This is the part that upset me the most. His life was shrounded in loneliness which I just think is heartbreaking. He dotes on his Grandad and you can realy feel the love they have. Even this was not true, just another mystery in Chap's life.
I read this book in one sitting, whilst having a migraine. I just wanted to know the answers so much so I decided to plough through it. I thoroughy enjoyed it and I'd recommend it to anyone. It is a short, thought provoking and heart wrenching read
October 31, 2011
"When I stole Cassiel's life, I thought it would be better than mine. I thought he was happier and healthier and more wholesome than me. I thought he had a loving, stable family. I wanted what he had. Now I had no idea what that was. I had no idea who any of them were.
When I only knew for sure that I was lying, how could I trust anybody else?"
Sixteen year-old Chap is a young man with no real name, no discernable past, and no future. He’s lived a large portion of his life being shuffled between foster and state homes, ever since the accident that separated him from Grandad. When he is mistaken for a missing boy named Cassiel Roadnight, he makes the choice to assume Cassiel’s identity, and “return” to his family. Chap knows he’s not really Cassiel – he’s certain that his scars and ear piercings will give him away – but he sees this as an opportunity to have a family, and an identity of his own. He’s welcomed back by Cassiel’s family, but must always be on edge, knowing that one wrong response or question could destroy his façade. But as Chap learns more about the family, and about what Cassiel knew and did right before his disappearance, it becomes apparent that there is something much more sinister going on in the Roadnight house. Something that Chap must act on, before his life, and not just his cover, is in danger.
Valentine has created a taut mystery, with enough suspense to keep readers engaged. The story drags a little after Chap assumes Cassiel’s identity, but it quickly picks up the pace as other characters are introduced, and the secrets of the Roadnights are revealed. Chap also has an intriguing backstory with his Grandad, one that sheds more light on Chap’s character, before the revelation of his true identity.
When I only knew for sure that I was lying, how could I trust anybody else?"
Sixteen year-old Chap is a young man with no real name, no discernable past, and no future. He’s lived a large portion of his life being shuffled between foster and state homes, ever since the accident that separated him from Grandad. When he is mistaken for a missing boy named Cassiel Roadnight, he makes the choice to assume Cassiel’s identity, and “return” to his family. Chap knows he’s not really Cassiel – he’s certain that his scars and ear piercings will give him away – but he sees this as an opportunity to have a family, and an identity of his own. He’s welcomed back by Cassiel’s family, but must always be on edge, knowing that one wrong response or question could destroy his façade. But as Chap learns more about the family, and about what Cassiel knew and did right before his disappearance, it becomes apparent that there is something much more sinister going on in the Roadnight house. Something that Chap must act on, before his life, and not just his cover, is in danger.
Valentine has created a taut mystery, with enough suspense to keep readers engaged. The story drags a little after Chap assumes Cassiel’s identity, but it quickly picks up the pace as other characters are introduced, and the secrets of the Roadnights are revealed. Chap also has an intriguing backstory with his Grandad, one that sheds more light on Chap’s character, before the revelation of his true identity.
August 20, 2012
I was going to give this book 3 stars because it IS a 3 (3.5) stars type of book. But I enjoyed it SO much after Lost in Time that I decided to give it solid 4 stars. It's a book that caught my attention on Amazon a couple years back. It looked kind of good and I bought it. But as it happens with many books like this, it fell forgotten in my bookshelf while I was trying to catch up with other reading. I found it again this summer so I took it for holidays.
This is an interesting book. Not really for the plot, you know, the ending isn't that surprising, nor that clever. But because it is different. One book, one beautiful YA book, with a MALE main character, NO love interest, NO stupid high school drama and *drums everywhere* NO fantasy either. It was like a kind of unique thing in the world. I still have lots of still-not-read typical YA books in my bookshelf that I bought a couple years ago, but I ended so sick of them I cringe when I see them. This was a fresh breath.
As I said, not the best book ever. It is probably a 3/3.5 type of book and my actual rating is of 7 OUT OF 10 but I enjoyed it lots. Read it in around, idk, two days? While being on a trip with hardly any time! So I recommend, just if you want to step a bit away of typical YA books!
This is an interesting book. Not really for the plot, you know, the ending isn't that surprising, nor that clever. But because it is different. One book, one beautiful YA book, with a MALE main character, NO love interest, NO stupid high school drama and *drums everywhere* NO fantasy either. It was like a kind of unique thing in the world. I still have lots of still-not-read typical YA books in my bookshelf that I bought a couple years ago, but I ended so sick of them I cringe when I see them. This was a fresh breath.
As I said, not the best book ever. It is probably a 3/3.5 type of book and my actual rating is of 7 OUT OF 10 but I enjoyed it lots. Read it in around, idk, two days? While being on a trip with hardly any time! So I recommend, just if you want to step a bit away of typical YA books!
July 30, 2012
This is probably my favorite of the teen mysteries I've read the past month or so. Strangely, this is the 3rd book I've read where the MC is a teenage boy who poses as the long-lost child victim who has suddenly returned to his family (Counterfeit Son and Dead To You being the other two) after a years-long absence. In each book, as the boy returns to his "family" questions arise about the genuineness of his identity and the events of his past. This is really all the three books have in common as they each go in a different direction from there, and they are all quite good (although Dead to You has no satisfying ending...sequel?)
In this story 16 yr old runaway Chap is mistaken for Cassiel, a boy who's been missing for several years. Down on his luck with nowhere to go, Chap agrees to meet the family and assumes the identity of Cassiel. However, something is mysterious about his older brother, and a boy in town who meets him seems certain he can't actual be Cassiel. Is the real Cassiel dead?
I thought this was fast-paced, and it kept me guessing. It's set in England which can sometimes cause some cultural issues for readers in the US, but I found it all pretty easy to understand. It's a good mystery that will appeal to boys and girls equally.
In this story 16 yr old runaway Chap is mistaken for Cassiel, a boy who's been missing for several years. Down on his luck with nowhere to go, Chap agrees to meet the family and assumes the identity of Cassiel. However, something is mysterious about his older brother, and a boy in town who meets him seems certain he can't actual be Cassiel. Is the real Cassiel dead?
I thought this was fast-paced, and it kept me guessing. It's set in England which can sometimes cause some cultural issues for readers in the US, but I found it all pretty easy to understand. It's a good mystery that will appeal to boys and girls equally.
November 3, 2011
Chap is nobody - no family, no real name, no home. One day, in exchange for two meals and a roof over his head, he goes to a shelter and there things radically change: he's the spitting image of Cassiel Roadnight, a boy missing for two years. Something compels Chap to agree that he is, in fact, Cass and so his adventure begins.
Of course, he isn't and the differences in personality and size (although in two years, boys do grow!) raise a few suspicions (much like in the movies "Sommersby" and "Martin Guerre") but overall his family accepts him and is thrilled with his return. Interspersed with his new life as Cass is Chap's story of his previous life with Grandpa, a life that ended six years ago when Grandpa got into an accident and started Chap's life on the streets. Anything more would be spoilers, so I won't go into how this all plays out - suffice it to say that I did guess the twist but wasn't quite sure until the very end.
This was a Carnegie shortlist book and I can understand why: there's a good mystery, interesting plot and characters with no paranormal qualities, and nothing forced about the writing.
ARC provided by publisher.
Of course, he isn't and the differences in personality and size (although in two years, boys do grow!) raise a few suspicions (much like in the movies "Sommersby" and "Martin Guerre") but overall his family accepts him and is thrilled with his return. Interspersed with his new life as Cass is Chap's story of his previous life with Grandpa, a life that ended six years ago when Grandpa got into an accident and started Chap's life on the streets. Anything more would be spoilers, so I won't go into how this all plays out - suffice it to say that I did guess the twist but wasn't quite sure until the very end.
This was a Carnegie shortlist book and I can understand why: there's a good mystery, interesting plot and characters with no paranormal qualities, and nothing forced about the writing.
ARC provided by publisher.
September 24, 2012
It was between 2 and 3 stars, but it's going down the more I think about the plot.
The MC is annoyingly repetitive. The old brother is the worst villain ever. The no-friend Lloyd was like a master jedi with all the answers to solve all the problems. The mother was creepy. Only the sister was interesting and Granddad. I would have loved to hear more about Granddad, but well it wasn't his story... sadly. And this story was really, really predictable and ridiculously simple for a mystery.
It had some potential, but got wasted, pity!
The MC is annoyingly repetitive. The old brother is the worst villain ever. The no-friend Lloyd was like a master jedi with all the answers to solve all the problems. The mother was creepy. Only the sister was interesting and Granddad. I would have loved to hear more about Granddad, but well it wasn't his story... sadly. And this story was really, really predictable and ridiculously simple for a mystery.
It had some potential, but got wasted, pity!
September 23, 2015
Un poco lento durante más de la mitad del libro, aunque tiene un buen final
November 14, 2016
Me gustó mucho. Bien Cinematográfico.
March 28, 2025
Jenny Valentine est une autrice anglaise dont j'ai adoré chacun des romans que j'ai lus. Celui-ci n'a pas fait exception.
Pourtant, l'idée n'était pas nouvelle. J'ai vu au moins trois films dans lesquels un homme ou un garçon se fait passer pour un autre et prend sa place dans sa famille. D'ailleurs, le film "Olivier, Olivier" (1992) est à voir absolument et je serais portée à croire que Jenny Valentine s'en est inspiré pour écrire "La double vie de Cassiel Roadnight" (2010).
C'est une histoire intrigante et courte. Pas parfaite, parce que certains aspects auraient eu avantage à être creusés, mais j'ai beaucoup apprécié ma lecture !
Pourtant, l'idée n'était pas nouvelle. J'ai vu au moins trois films dans lesquels un homme ou un garçon se fait passer pour un autre et prend sa place dans sa famille. D'ailleurs, le film "Olivier, Olivier" (1992) est à voir absolument et je serais portée à croire que Jenny Valentine s'en est inspiré pour écrire "La double vie de Cassiel Roadnight" (2010).
C'est une histoire intrigante et courte. Pas parfaite, parce que certains aspects auraient eu avantage à être creusés, mais j'ai beaucoup apprécié ma lecture !
April 10, 2019
MMMMMMMMM
A ver, "Chap" es confundido por Cass un chico que desapareció hace dos años, decide decir que es él y toma su vida. Tiene un dos hermanos y una madre esperando por él, y él qu eno tiene nada, miente y toma su lugar.
No me gusta para nada como lo desarrollaron, todo el mundo simplemente lo aceptaron y listo. Ajá estaba todo el misterio de que el chico desapareció, quien lo mató, las sospechas al hermano mayor.
No sé, simplemente me pareció taaaaaaaaaaaaaan falso.
A ver, "Chap" es confundido por Cass un chico que desapareció hace dos años, decide decir que es él y toma su vida. Tiene un dos hermanos y una madre esperando por él, y él qu eno tiene nada, miente y toma su lugar.
No me gusta para nada como lo desarrollaron, todo el mundo simplemente lo aceptaron y listo. Ajá estaba todo el misterio de que el chico desapareció, quien lo mató, las sospechas al hermano mayor.
No sé, simplemente me pareció taaaaaaaaaaaaaan falso.
July 22, 2023
I knew it wasn't gonna be amazing anyways so I think it was good. These kind of short thrillers are nostalgic to me bc I read one or two when I first got back into reading...I think it's a solid three star book which is good for these kind of books. I enjoyed it and don't regret reading it though it does feel as if a piece is missing at some point it was quite enjoyable. I'm finally leaving my book slump so I'm excited!!!
May 31, 2019
2.5
No es un secreto que no soy fan de este genero.
Y se que deben haber muchos libros muy buenos de este genero, pero todavia no me ha tocado uno 😂
Con este tuve muchos problemas de argumento, ciertas cosas que no me cuadraron, aunque todo termino resuelto.
Honestamente no le doy menos porque escuche el audiolibros y oh god la voz del narrador me encanto
Spoiler alert
Pero ya en serio, no me cuadro que la familia no se diera cuenta de que no es la misma persona, no por su fisico, its ok se supone que has estado ausente 2años you can change but not that much.
Fuera de EN SERIO MEN se pierde una persona y de verdad la policia no va a investigar a la familia🙄 y mas a un hermano que de la nada have so much money, no way
No es un secreto que no soy fan de este genero.
Y se que deben haber muchos libros muy buenos de este genero, pero todavia no me ha tocado uno 😂
Con este tuve muchos problemas de argumento, ciertas cosas que no me cuadraron, aunque todo termino resuelto.
Honestamente no le doy menos porque escuche el audiolibros y oh god la voz del narrador me encanto
Spoiler alert
Pero ya en serio, no me cuadro que la familia no se diera cuenta de que no es la misma persona, no por su fisico, its ok se supone que has estado ausente 2años you can change but not that much.
Fuera de EN SERIO MEN se pierde una persona y de verdad la policia no va a investigar a la familia🙄 y mas a un hermano que de la nada have so much money, no way
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2021
I already had a theory on how Chap's story would turn out, but I certainly did NOT expect for the author to actually pull something as cliché as that. I guess the conclusion, especially at the part where Cassiel's story is revealed, was a bit anticlimactic.
3 stars for a great plot and character build up tho.
3 stars for a great plot and character build up tho.
June 2, 2018
Supremely not good. A suboptimal experience.
Every bit of the story is told step by step. "I went to the store. I bought milk. I walked home." There's no emotion or setting or anything at all. It's incredibly boring.
On top of that, the big twist is so miles away from anything believable that it just came off as silly.
Definitely wouldn't recommend, not even if you just need something short.
Every bit of the story is told step by step. "I went to the store. I bought milk. I walked home." There's no emotion or setting or anything at all. It's incredibly boring.
On top of that, the big twist is so miles away from anything believable that it just came off as silly.
Definitely wouldn't recommend, not even if you just need something short.
January 13, 2020
1/12/2020: I've read this book now three times since the late 2000s and thought it may be time to do a review.
I have considered "Double" as one of my favorite books since I as a teenager. This was because I was a picky reader, and this book was one I ended up reading in a day. The second time I read it was a few hours. This last time though I decided to take a couple days between work and life to just really digest the book. As a writer, I wanted to see why I liked the book and to see if I really still considered it a favorite of mine.
The book has a pretty simple premise: Mistaken identity between a boy (Chap) and a boy (Cassiel) that was missing. Chap decides to impersonate Cassiel out of the longing for a family but gets sucked into the mystery of what actually happened to Cassiel. I had found a recent book with a similarish concept called "Here Lies Daniel Tate" by Cristin Terrill, though surprisingly I couldn't get through that book. Both deal with similar ideas but what really stood out to me about "Double" was that Chap's emotion and motivation was that he was lonely and searching for something that he didn't have. In "Here Lies Daniel Tate" the main character was straight up deceiving this family and just overall being very scheemy. Sure, Daniel was smarter and really did his homework, but it came across as uncomfortable (especially since the guy was pretending to be younger than he was). The heart of the book of "Double" I feel is that Chap is guilty of what he is doing, while Daniel lacked any remorse.
Chap's journey is interesting with being raised by his Grand Dad, heart breaking, and I found myself rooting for him all over again. That being said though, this identity journey was the main focus for majority of the book with the dive into the mystery popping up past half way into it. This alone is why I wish the book was a bit longer. The book could have really explored a bit more of the mystery of Cassiel's disappearance. Everyone else literally thought that he just ran away. No thought of him having been killed even when plot advancing evidence did pop up.
The full mystery could have been really pushed: Chap really diving into Cassiel's case, learning more about this family of his that he is now in (), and how someone else mentioned... . If the author really wanted to explore more of that, she probably could have. Though the full novel may have turned into a thriller and got away from the core of Chaps search of "who am I really?"
For what it is and for what age group it's aimed at though, I am happy to say that this is still one of my favorite books. It still was a nice and entertaining read and pulled on those heart strings that I like. The simple fact that I want more shows that Jenny Valentine did a great job with this short quick read.
I have considered "Double" as one of my favorite books since I as a teenager. This was because I was a picky reader, and this book was one I ended up reading in a day. The second time I read it was a few hours. This last time though I decided to take a couple days between work and life to just really digest the book. As a writer, I wanted to see why I liked the book and to see if I really still considered it a favorite of mine.
The book has a pretty simple premise: Mistaken identity between a boy (Chap) and a boy (Cassiel) that was missing. Chap decides to impersonate Cassiel out of the longing for a family but gets sucked into the mystery of what actually happened to Cassiel. I had found a recent book with a similarish concept called "Here Lies Daniel Tate" by Cristin Terrill, though surprisingly I couldn't get through that book. Both deal with similar ideas but what really stood out to me about "Double" was that Chap's emotion and motivation was that he was lonely and searching for something that he didn't have. In "Here Lies Daniel Tate" the main character was straight up deceiving this family and just overall being very scheemy. Sure, Daniel was smarter and really did his homework, but it came across as uncomfortable (especially since the guy was pretending to be younger than he was). The heart of the book of "Double" I feel is that Chap is guilty of what he is doing, while Daniel lacked any remorse.
Chap's journey is interesting with being raised by his Grand Dad, heart breaking, and I found myself rooting for him all over again. That being said though, this identity journey was the main focus for majority of the book with the dive into the mystery popping up past half way into it. This alone is why I wish the book was a bit longer. The book could have really explored a bit more of the mystery of Cassiel's disappearance. Everyone else literally thought that he just ran away. No thought of him having been killed even when plot advancing evidence did pop up.
The full mystery could have been really pushed: Chap really diving into Cassiel's case, learning more about this family of his that he is now in (), and how someone else mentioned... . If the author really wanted to explore more of that, she probably could have. Though the full novel may have turned into a thriller and got away from the core of Chaps search of "who am I really?"
For what it is and for what age group it's aimed at though, I am happy to say that this is still one of my favorite books. It still was a nice and entertaining read and pulled on those heart strings that I like. The simple fact that I want more shows that Jenny Valentine did a great job with this short quick read.
September 28, 2015
Quando si parla di narrativa per ragazzi, non si può non citare le splendide e avventurose storie di JENNY VALENTINE, bravissima e super premiata, scrittrice britannica.
IO SONO NESSUNO è un thriller per ragazzi, scritto ottimamente, con un livello di suspense e adrenalina crescenti. I teenager impazziranno per il protagonista di questa storia, il misterioso Chap. La sua identità è avvolta nel mistero. Chap non sa bene chi è. Ha ricordi confusi e, per tutta la vita, non ha fatto altro che scappare, finché un giorno, mentre è ospite in una casa-famiglia, i gestori del centro vedono in lui le sembianze di Cassiel Roadnight, un ragazzo scomparso due anni prima. La somiglianza è davvero stupefacente, Chap non può negarlo. La famiglia Roadnight non si è ancora rassegnata e lo cerca ancora disperatamente. Sembra una famiglia perfetta, più che benestante, e lui che non conosce nient'altro che la povertà, decide di appropriarsi dell'identità di Cassiel e fingersi lui con la sua famiglia e i suoi amici. Lo fa "Perché non sono nessuno. Perché non ho niente da perdere."
È bravo a vivere di espedienti e diventa un bravo impostore, mentre cerca di capire chi era Cassiel, sperando che non faccia ritorno a casa improvvisamente per smascherarlo.
Diventare qualcun altro è estremamente eccitante: "Tutti prendiamo qualcosa che non ci appartiene."
Però, quella che per Chap potrebbe essere una seconda chance, un'occasione per ricominciare, trovare una famiglia amorevole e una casa, non è così semplice come ha sperato e immaginato.
Presto scopre che varie ombre sia sulla famiglia, con cui va a vivere e che lo crede il figlio perduto, sia su Cassiel stesso. Qualcuno, infatti, è a conoscenza di una verità agghiacciante: Casseil è morto e molti sono i segreti da scoprire.
La letteratura per adolescenti, quando lo ero anche io, non era così entusiasmante ed avvincente.
IO SONO NESSUNO di Jenny Valentine è un romanzo di cui annotare subito titolo ed autore. Assolutamente un thriller young adult da leggere, per scoprire se Chap nel suo furto d'identità riuscirà o meno a falra franca.
July 22, 2016
Review will be published at Owl Tell You About It closer to publication date.
Double is a brilliant young adult thriller, a rare thing to find. It was so much more than I expected. When I first read the synopsis, I thought “that could be good” and I was yearning for something new. It’s easy to get bogged down by all the paranormal and dystopian books in the YA section. It was so nice to read something totally different that will still appeal to a young audience.
The mystery surrounding Cassiel’s disappearance is immediately gripping. Chap, as he calls himself, doesn’t care what happened to Cassiel. He just knows he’s stealing the life Cassiel left behind. Chap is pretty mysterious himself. He’s not even sure who he is. The book is full of suspense and keeps the reader on the edge as Chap pieces the truth together. It’s full of shocking and dangerous discoveries that put Chap in a more frightening situation than he bargained for.
I can’t really go into much without giving things away. Trust me, you don’t want that. This book is made of suspense and dishing out spoilers would just ruin everything. Just know that I loved it, and I recommend it. It’s a pretty quick read and it will suck you in before you know what’s happened.
Prude Filter: There’s a little violence and little profanity. Safe for teens.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Around the World ARC Tours. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obligated to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Double is a brilliant young adult thriller, a rare thing to find. It was so much more than I expected. When I first read the synopsis, I thought “that could be good” and I was yearning for something new. It’s easy to get bogged down by all the paranormal and dystopian books in the YA section. It was so nice to read something totally different that will still appeal to a young audience.
The mystery surrounding Cassiel’s disappearance is immediately gripping. Chap, as he calls himself, doesn’t care what happened to Cassiel. He just knows he’s stealing the life Cassiel left behind. Chap is pretty mysterious himself. He’s not even sure who he is. The book is full of suspense and keeps the reader on the edge as Chap pieces the truth together. It’s full of shocking and dangerous discoveries that put Chap in a more frightening situation than he bargained for.
I can’t really go into much without giving things away. Trust me, you don’t want that. This book is made of suspense and dishing out spoilers would just ruin everything. Just know that I loved it, and I recommend it. It’s a pretty quick read and it will suck you in before you know what’s happened.
Prude Filter: There’s a little violence and little profanity. Safe for teens.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Around the World ARC Tours. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obligated to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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