What do you think?
Rate this book
The Inbetween
When Drake and Lexi died, they woke up in the Inbetween. For twenty years, they’ve waited together in this magical world, where they've learned how to manifest almost anything they need with a thought. Once strangers and now lovers they long for the arrival of someone to explain why they inhabit this world alone.
When Zoe wakes up on their shores they are horrified to learn that her arrival heralds the death of this vivid and beautiful world. Faced with an overwhelming decision, Zoe must decide if love, despite its loss, is worth more to her than the peace promised by the Mistress of Lost Souls...before they all run out of time and become ghosts trapped in their own stories.
When Zoe wakes up on their shores they are horrified to learn that her arrival heralds the death of this vivid and beautiful world. Faced with an overwhelming decision, Zoe must decide if love, despite its loss, is worth more to her than the peace promised by the Mistress of Lost Souls...before they all run out of time and become ghosts trapped in their own stories.
ebook
Published December 6, 2015
21 people want to read
About the author
H.K. Thompson
2 books4 followers In 2012, Heather was diagnosed with M.S. Unable to afford medical bills in excess of $50,000 a year, she was forced to short sale her six bedroom home in an American suburb. Heather had no choice but to fly with her two children and eleven pets, leaving behind friends, family, community and country to live as a ‘medical exile’, in one of the most deprived areas of England, where they are grateful to have dual nationality.
It’s been an interesting ride.
One day, she might write about it.
When Heather isn’t busy writing, creating 3D digital art or filmmaking, she loves to sit on the sand dunes on the beach, gazing out across the sea and dreaming up new stories. She likes the crackling of camp fires under the night sky, and the smell of fresh coffee, sipped in the morning mist overlooking a pond at her favourite campsite.
She loves to travel and hates to fly...but she finds new cultures, traditions and ways of life so fascinating that she tolerates the certain panic attack to do so. Heather loves to swim despite nearly drowning as a kid as long as she doesn’t have to stick her face in the water.
She has a keen interest in philosophy, religions, mythology, psychology and quantum physics, and earned her B.A. in Psychology and her M.A. in Buddhist Studies.
It’s been an interesting ride.
One day, she might write about it.
When Heather isn’t busy writing, creating 3D digital art or filmmaking, she loves to sit on the sand dunes on the beach, gazing out across the sea and dreaming up new stories. She likes the crackling of camp fires under the night sky, and the smell of fresh coffee, sipped in the morning mist overlooking a pond at her favourite campsite.
She loves to travel and hates to fly...but she finds new cultures, traditions and ways of life so fascinating that she tolerates the certain panic attack to do so. Heather loves to swim despite nearly drowning as a kid as long as she doesn’t have to stick her face in the water.
She has a keen interest in philosophy, religions, mythology, psychology and quantum physics, and earned her B.A. in Psychology and her M.A. in Buddhist Studies.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 11, 2017
Why do we read fiction? The answer is fairly universal: it’s an escape. If we don’t possess the means or the time to physically go somewhere, the next best thing is to send our minds there. The best of books do that for us effortlessly. That’s what this one did for me.
The fantasy genre is very popular right now. I can see it’s attraction - there are no rules, no restrictions, and no limitations. The author can virtually do anything. Still, sometimes themes get recycled and overused. When I read a fantasy book, I’m looking for something that will completely immerse and engross me. This book did both of those things. It took me less than a day to read. I poured through it hungrily, desperately needing to see what happened next and to solve the layers of mystery within. The author possesses an astounding imagination, from the setting to the conflict and creatures, down to the very premise itself. Her ideas are original and extremely well constructed. It was refreshing to read something that was unlike almost anything I’d read before.
The book also managed to tug at every heartstring I possess. There is pain, there is joy, and there is love - so much deep, life-changing love - contained within the pages. I did not cry, mostly because I read it at the library and crying in public is not my thing. But there were a few times that I definitely wanted to. Being a mother, the parts containing the manifestations of Dawn were the ones I found most heart-wrenching. However, I did appreciate the resolution the author gave for that aspect for of the story. Well played, H.K. Thompson.
There were a few missteps here and there: Lexi and Drake’s games in the beginning of the story came off a bit cheesy, Zoe was overly-dramatic at times, and there were a few grammatical issues and typos. All of these things were so overshadowed by how great the story was that I barely noticed them.
I realize that my impression of the book is sounding a bit hyperbolic, which is never a good quality in a book review. Therefore, you’ll just have to trust me when I say that I am ultimately a very critical, picky, never satisfied reader. Yet, today I got up early and left my house to seek the quiet of the public library, leaving the kids in the precarious care of my husband, because I wanted to an opportunity to read the book uninterrupted. That is how much I enjoyed it. Thank you for the ride, Ms. Thompson. You have definitely earned the five stars.
The fantasy genre is very popular right now. I can see it’s attraction - there are no rules, no restrictions, and no limitations. The author can virtually do anything. Still, sometimes themes get recycled and overused. When I read a fantasy book, I’m looking for something that will completely immerse and engross me. This book did both of those things. It took me less than a day to read. I poured through it hungrily, desperately needing to see what happened next and to solve the layers of mystery within. The author possesses an astounding imagination, from the setting to the conflict and creatures, down to the very premise itself. Her ideas are original and extremely well constructed. It was refreshing to read something that was unlike almost anything I’d read before.
The book also managed to tug at every heartstring I possess. There is pain, there is joy, and there is love - so much deep, life-changing love - contained within the pages. I did not cry, mostly because I read it at the library and crying in public is not my thing. But there were a few times that I definitely wanted to. Being a mother, the parts containing the manifestations of Dawn were the ones I found most heart-wrenching. However, I did appreciate the resolution the author gave for that aspect for of the story. Well played, H.K. Thompson.
There were a few missteps here and there: Lexi and Drake’s games in the beginning of the story came off a bit cheesy, Zoe was overly-dramatic at times, and there were a few grammatical issues and typos. All of these things were so overshadowed by how great the story was that I barely noticed them.
I realize that my impression of the book is sounding a bit hyperbolic, which is never a good quality in a book review. Therefore, you’ll just have to trust me when I say that I am ultimately a very critical, picky, never satisfied reader. Yet, today I got up early and left my house to seek the quiet of the public library, leaving the kids in the precarious care of my husband, because I wanted to an opportunity to read the book uninterrupted. That is how much I enjoyed it. Thank you for the ride, Ms. Thompson. You have definitely earned the five stars.
February 16, 2017
A wonderfully well-balanced novel that perfectly pairs emotion with imagination.
Zoe, the protagonist, is one who feels deeply depressed after the losses continue to pile up. After an attempted suicide, she awakens in a mysterious world known as The Inbetween. However in the Inbetween, she finds new perspective. In the grips of death, she finds reasons to live.
The author excellent handles mixing the fantasy and relatable elements throughout. The land of Inbetween is so well described, but what makes it special is the integration of raw human emotion felt throughout for the characters.
While fantasy elements are clearly instrumental, this story is truly based in reality at its core. Anyone that’s struggled can surely relate to The Inbetween. To message found within The Inbetween is truly one that we all need to remember at such times.
Thompson tells the story with such vividness, but the core message never escapes the focus.
Zoe, the protagonist, is one who feels deeply depressed after the losses continue to pile up. After an attempted suicide, she awakens in a mysterious world known as The Inbetween. However in the Inbetween, she finds new perspective. In the grips of death, she finds reasons to live.
The author excellent handles mixing the fantasy and relatable elements throughout. The land of Inbetween is so well described, but what makes it special is the integration of raw human emotion felt throughout for the characters.
While fantasy elements are clearly instrumental, this story is truly based in reality at its core. Anyone that’s struggled can surely relate to The Inbetween. To message found within The Inbetween is truly one that we all need to remember at such times.
Thompson tells the story with such vividness, but the core message never escapes the focus.
March 20, 2016
An A++ book from beginning to end. Not only is the story captivating and imaginative, it also has deep emotional impact. Zoe feels live is not worth living after she loses the love of her life, on top of all the other losses she had endured. In the land of Inbetween, she learns so much more about life as her own thread to it hangs in the balance.
This story has so many wonderful descriptions of the land of Inbetween, where lost souls find themselves seeking a way back from the pain that brought them there. It gives you the impression that even in death, there is life. In the land of Inbetween, the elements themselves pulse with life.
"A fiery red substance burned through the veins of the mortar that held them, while the thick mud that swam within the rocks undulated in swirling pools of blackness. The movements both within and around the stones, gave the impression that the house itself was alive."
If you have ever felt the depths of despair, this story will take on its own meaning for you. It will wrench your heart to the breaking point, only to pull you back into the embrace of hope. Although so much in life is out of our control, our reactions to what life throws at us can make or break us.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This story has so many wonderful descriptions of the land of Inbetween, where lost souls find themselves seeking a way back from the pain that brought them there. It gives you the impression that even in death, there is life. In the land of Inbetween, the elements themselves pulse with life.
"A fiery red substance burned through the veins of the mortar that held them, while the thick mud that swam within the rocks undulated in swirling pools of blackness. The movements both within and around the stones, gave the impression that the house itself was alive."
If you have ever felt the depths of despair, this story will take on its own meaning for you. It will wrench your heart to the breaking point, only to pull you back into the embrace of hope. Although so much in life is out of our control, our reactions to what life throws at us can make or break us.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
April 9, 2020
The Inbetween, by H.K. Thompson, is a 170 page novel that deals with life, death and the In-Between state. It is convoluted, with multiple characters and other-world descriptive events. A world has been created, in which Drake and Alexi have dwelt in since they passed on from earth. Things can simply appear on a whim. New characters come on the scene, including a water and a fire dragon, adding to the mystery. What is this all about? What is it about the arrival of Zoe that triggers and ending of this world?
I thought the main characters were well developed, though they often tended to show a juvenile/immature (young teenager) side that lessened the direction and intensity of the story. We see their strong relationships and adventures along the way, some which add to the tale; other parts seem to drag along.
The best way I can describe The InBetween is comparing it to a puzzle. Typically, when finished, all the pieces are there and interlock into place, creating a full picture. However, this seemed to be a puzzle with a third of the important pieces missing. For example, some of the descriptions were rushed or so vague I could not envision them. Other parts held little significance and seemed to be more like pieces of puzzles stacked up on one another. I see a potential if the story were to be more streamlined and developed, and leaving out parts that were little more than fluff (most of the flash backs). Head-hopping pulled me out of the story on several occasions, making it difficult to truly relate at times to the characters.
The beginning of the story pulled me right in promising action and mystery. The ending was satisfying when a few twists are revealed. It’s just that the bulk of the middle part that could use more work to make it a better story altogether.
I thought the main characters were well developed, though they often tended to show a juvenile/immature (young teenager) side that lessened the direction and intensity of the story. We see their strong relationships and adventures along the way, some which add to the tale; other parts seem to drag along.
The best way I can describe The InBetween is comparing it to a puzzle. Typically, when finished, all the pieces are there and interlock into place, creating a full picture. However, this seemed to be a puzzle with a third of the important pieces missing. For example, some of the descriptions were rushed or so vague I could not envision them. Other parts held little significance and seemed to be more like pieces of puzzles stacked up on one another. I see a potential if the story were to be more streamlined and developed, and leaving out parts that were little more than fluff (most of the flash backs). Head-hopping pulled me out of the story on several occasions, making it difficult to truly relate at times to the characters.
The beginning of the story pulled me right in promising action and mystery. The ending was satisfying when a few twists are revealed. It’s just that the bulk of the middle part that could use more work to make it a better story altogether.
February 1, 2016
After Zoe attempts suicide she’s saved by a mysterious angel with dark wings known only as Kaden, who whisks her away to a world between worlds. There, trapped somewhere between earth and what lies beyond our lives, she encounters two people: Lexi and Drake. And while the land is beautiful and peaceful soon an encounter with opposing dragons, and a mysterious young girl, upends Zoe’s already tumultuous ‘life’ as she’s forced to save the In Between and discover her place within the universe.
While I’m not a huge fan of YA fantasy I have to say I dug this book. Ms. Thompson has got the chops when it comes to description, and the Fire Dragon’s exposition explaining her goal and the story’s stakes was natural and pretty dope. Though like I said, description’s where this story shines. The dragons, the people, and milieu all jump off the page, and the snippets of Zoe’s former life are given at just the right time to make the pace move quickly and effortlessly. It all makes this one fun, magical read.
December 19, 2015
After Zoe's husband dies and she attempts suicide, Zoe wakes up in a fantastical but dying world where she meets Lexi and Drake. In a race against time the three of them set out to rescue a unusual little girl. All the while Zoe must decide if she has the passion and desire to return to life or if she will move on or become a watcher in the Hall of Lost Souls.
This book is an intricately woven tale with beautiful imagery, relatable, 3D characters, love and heart throbbing decisions.
H.K. Thompson demonstrates a deep understanding of the human condition and a vivid imagination that combine in an unforgettable story of life, death and love.
This book is an intricately woven tale with beautiful imagery, relatable, 3D characters, love and heart throbbing decisions.
H.K. Thompson demonstrates a deep understanding of the human condition and a vivid imagination that combine in an unforgettable story of life, death and love.
February 4, 2017
Review Rating: 5 stars!
Reviewed By Charles Remington for Readers’ Favorite
"The Inbetween presents us with a strange allegorical landscape, an Alice in Wonderland world where anything is possible and each sentence, scene and setting may have a hidden meaning. H.K. Thompson has created a narrative full of symbolism, a tale of love and loss, of torment and redemption. From the time that Dante first journeyed the paths of Purgatorio, the concept of a world between heaven and hell has inspired and fascinated fertile minds. The Inbetween, a well-written tale by a competent author, is a worthy addition to the discussion. A thought-provoking book and highly recommended."
Reviewed By Charles Remington for Readers’ Favorite
"The Inbetween presents us with a strange allegorical landscape, an Alice in Wonderland world where anything is possible and each sentence, scene and setting may have a hidden meaning. H.K. Thompson has created a narrative full of symbolism, a tale of love and loss, of torment and redemption. From the time that Dante first journeyed the paths of Purgatorio, the concept of a world between heaven and hell has inspired and fascinated fertile minds. The Inbetween, a well-written tale by a competent author, is a worthy addition to the discussion. A thought-provoking book and highly recommended."
December 12, 2015
A thought provoking debut novel from HK Thompson that crosses the boundaries between reality and fantasy. For such a complex storyline it reads beautifully flowing from one chapter to the next. An incredible plot with well thought out round characters that you connect with immediately.
This is a recommended read for anyone who loves mythology, paranormal and romance in their library though especially for those with an interest in life beyond death.
This is a recommended read for anyone who loves mythology, paranormal and romance in their library though especially for those with an interest in life beyond death.
January 14, 2016
Much of this book takes place in a beautiful, creatively inspired world where many, but not all things can be manifested with a wish. Still, the things characters long most for allude them and the conflict that creates allows us to get to know the characters well. These characters are worth knowing, and the journey through the book with them is full of suspense and intrigue. It's fun to escape to H.K. Thompson's world for a while.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews