What do you think?
Rate this book
Switch
"So, try to get your brain around this! Suppose, without any warning, you found yourself in another place and time? Zap. Just that fast! And even worse, in someone else’s body. Then, a month later, zap. You’re back where you were before, as yourself, trying to explain to people what had happened to you. But no one believes you because during that month, people didn’t think you’d been gone at all. Just that you’d been acting really weird. Because someone else had been there in your body, someone who claimed she was another person. Everyone would think you were completely nuts. Right? I can promise you they would. Because that’s just what happened to me. "Why do Alyssa (Ally) Wallis, a soccer-loving teen from Texarkana, Texas, and Emmeline Caywood, a prim, artistic British immigrant to South Africa's 1820s Cape Colony of Bathurst, suddenly switch places and bodies? Has Emme been cursed by the local Xhosa chieftain for breaking a taboo, as her maid insists? Did a fall launch Ally into a world of hallucination where what seems so real is no more than a creation of a wounded mind? Or does each have a role in rectifying a centuries-old injustice that will change forever both of their lives and the lives of those they love? "Switch" is a page-turning journey into the lives of two young women whose bond over time changes who they are, who they become, and the lives of everyone they love.
- GenresTime Travel
317 pages, Paperback
Published July 2, 2019
65 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Allen Kent
24 books35 followersAllen Kent is the author of the popular “Unit 1” thriller series, the Whitlock Trilogy in historical fiction, and a number of other mysteries and action novels. His books are published in electronic form by Kindle Press and in paperback by AllenPearce Publishers. He lives and writes in rural southwest Missouri.
Kent is a former Air Force pilot and educator who spent four years of his early life living in Iran and England. He has traveled and worked extensively in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia – experiences that are often reflected in his writing.
Writing as Kent Farnsworth, Kent has also published two works of non-fiction: “Grassroots School Reform” and “Leadership as Service.”
He and his wife Holly are avid travelers, gardeners, and conservationists, and live in an eco-friendly home near the community of Neosho.
See: https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Kent/e/B...
Kent is a former Air Force pilot and educator who spent four years of his early life living in Iran and England. He has traveled and worked extensively in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia – experiences that are often reflected in his writing.
Writing as Kent Farnsworth, Kent has also published two works of non-fiction: “Grassroots School Reform” and “Leadership as Service.”
He and his wife Holly are avid travelers, gardeners, and conservationists, and live in an eco-friendly home near the community of Neosho.
See: https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Kent/e/B...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 12, 2021
EBk-M, Kindle, @ 2019, Read 10/12/21. Fiction Time-Travel, Early 1800's in England and South Africa, and 2020 in Texas, U.S.A.
A fun and different time-travel, two 16 year olds switch places with each other every 28 days, but don't understand why, and can barely cope with the confusion of family and friends in the aftermath of each switch. 4☆'s = Very Good. I enjoyed this time-travel novel, probably because there was no romance, and there was a reason for the travel that took a while to ferret out!
A fun and different time-travel, two 16 year olds switch places with each other every 28 days, but don't understand why, and can barely cope with the confusion of family and friends in the aftermath of each switch. 4☆'s = Very Good. I enjoyed this time-travel novel, probably because there was no romance, and there was a reason for the travel that took a while to ferret out!
March 13, 2021
Review originally published at: https://lomeraniel.com/book-review-sw...
Alyssa Wallis, a teenager from 2020 Texarcana, and Emmeline Caywood, a young woman living in 1820 South Africa, suddenly switch bodies and are forced to live in the other’s time and place without knowing why. These switches happen periodically, making life difficult for both women and their loved ones.
At first, this book reminded me a lot of Kindred. In this case, it’s not just a woman traveling to the past against her will, but two women from different times and places, switching consciousness, while their bodies remained at their place and times of origin. It was quite entertaining, and there is a great deal of cultural shock as I expected. I enjoyed knowing more about South Africa in those times. I wish I was able to relate more to the main characters in this story, though. I think this book is mainly aimed at young adults, and I’m just not the target audience. Also, Alyssa is presented to us as an assertive woman with an open mind that clearly clashes with the South African culture from the 19 century. I found that her virtues were generally more praised and established as desirable than Emmeline’s, which I didn’t find fair, as she was just a product of her time.
There is an explanation about why the switches happen, which I won’t reveal here, but it didn’t make much sense. It involves a secondary character that doesn’t have much presence in this book. I guess I was not invested enough in the cause. Also, this didn’t explain how the switches happen, and there is an event at the end of the book that was just completely made up. It was an enjoyable story but one that doesn’t sustain itself very well if we’re picky readers.
I really liked Gryphon Corpus’ narration. She did a fantastic job at giving different voices, styles, and accents to Alyssa and Emmeline, making it clear when one or the other was talking. I think it was very neatly and cleverly done. Her interpretations went well with these two very different characters, and it was for me, the best part of the book. She also did justice to all the other characters. A very well done narration.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Alyssa Wallis, a teenager from 2020 Texarcana, and Emmeline Caywood, a young woman living in 1820 South Africa, suddenly switch bodies and are forced to live in the other’s time and place without knowing why. These switches happen periodically, making life difficult for both women and their loved ones.
At first, this book reminded me a lot of Kindred. In this case, it’s not just a woman traveling to the past against her will, but two women from different times and places, switching consciousness, while their bodies remained at their place and times of origin. It was quite entertaining, and there is a great deal of cultural shock as I expected. I enjoyed knowing more about South Africa in those times. I wish I was able to relate more to the main characters in this story, though. I think this book is mainly aimed at young adults, and I’m just not the target audience. Also, Alyssa is presented to us as an assertive woman with an open mind that clearly clashes with the South African culture from the 19 century. I found that her virtues were generally more praised and established as desirable than Emmeline’s, which I didn’t find fair, as she was just a product of her time.
There is an explanation about why the switches happen, which I won’t reveal here, but it didn’t make much sense. It involves a secondary character that doesn’t have much presence in this book. I guess I was not invested enough in the cause. Also, this didn’t explain how the switches happen, and there is an event at the end of the book that was just completely made up. It was an enjoyable story but one that doesn’t sustain itself very well if we’re picky readers.
I really liked Gryphon Corpus’ narration. She did a fantastic job at giving different voices, styles, and accents to Alyssa and Emmeline, making it clear when one or the other was talking. I think it was very neatly and cleverly done. Her interpretations went well with these two very different characters, and it was for me, the best part of the book. She also did justice to all the other characters. A very well done narration.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
November 14, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. The author has done an excellent job at story telling and describing the complete culture shock that each girl experiences from exchanging bodies in a snap when the unexpected and sudden switch happens. They swap places every 28 days.
I thought the descriptions of the immediate reactions of each girl was insightful. From complete darkness and absence of sound except sheep bleating and the smell of her stale nightshirt in South Africa 200 years ago, to the astonishment of the existence of bright ceiling light, cars, computers and other marvels of modern miracles. The social norms and discomfort of both girls with clothing is also very well done. The girls and their friends try to determine why these multiple switches are occurring.
Each girl undergoes tremendous culture shock and personal growth. Really well done. I've already been recommending this book. This book can be read and enjoyed by anyone.
I listened to the audible version and I thought the narrator was excellent. She did multiple voices and accents with perfection. Read this book if you want a completely enjoyable experience.
I thought the descriptions of the immediate reactions of each girl was insightful. From complete darkness and absence of sound except sheep bleating and the smell of her stale nightshirt in South Africa 200 years ago, to the astonishment of the existence of bright ceiling light, cars, computers and other marvels of modern miracles. The social norms and discomfort of both girls with clothing is also very well done. The girls and their friends try to determine why these multiple switches are occurring.
Each girl undergoes tremendous culture shock and personal growth. Really well done. I've already been recommending this book. This book can be read and enjoyed by anyone.
I listened to the audible version and I thought the narrator was excellent. She did multiple voices and accents with perfection. Read this book if you want a completely enjoyable experience.
June 24, 2020
This review is for the Audible version. After a couple of chapters, although I was charmed by the concept of two girls, two hundred years apart and from different continents, suddenly finding themselves in each other's body, I couldn't imagine how the author could sustain this narrative. No problem! The story of how these girls interacted with their new and baffled friends and neighbors—not to mention family—was enough in itself. Someone from each time frame had to be convinced that our heroines were not insane—or possessed, depending on whether it was now or then. And yes, there was a purpose to this mysterious body switch, made even more complicated by requiring that when they went back and forth—on a schedule of 28 days—they performed instructions that would be left behind by the other. Or, better yet, acted upon to ensure that the whole purpose of this exercise would be guaranteed for the future. It was all deliciously complicated and well narrated by Gryphon Corpus, who really pulled off the voices and accents that never confused me as to where we were. Or when.
July 16, 2020
A Remarkable Time Slip
Wow. As a time travel buff, I love a good time slip… but, I expect discrepancies... Switch was a pleasant surprise. The uniqueness of the time transfer in Switch, by Allen Kent, made its own delightful rules. The time element is not explained, however once I got into the story there was no need.
Kent’s writing style, description, and characters drew me into their wonderful world and the storyline, switching minds 200 years between Emma and Ally, held me spellbound.
I love the way the two heroines actually became friends of sorts, even though they never met each other. The entire story was very unique and extremely well written.
I would recommend Switch to anyone who loves time travel, historical fiction, or a darn good story! I truly enjoyed this book.
Wow. As a time travel buff, I love a good time slip… but, I expect discrepancies... Switch was a pleasant surprise. The uniqueness of the time transfer in Switch, by Allen Kent, made its own delightful rules. The time element is not explained, however once I got into the story there was no need.
Kent’s writing style, description, and characters drew me into their wonderful world and the storyline, switching minds 200 years between Emma and Ally, held me spellbound.
I love the way the two heroines actually became friends of sorts, even though they never met each other. The entire story was very unique and extremely well written.
I would recommend Switch to anyone who loves time travel, historical fiction, or a darn good story! I truly enjoyed this book.
October 10, 2022
This wasn't what I expected, although I'm not entirely sure what I expected. It was, though, a really fun read. I enjoyed learning about the reasonings behind the switches. I enjoyed the friendships the two main characters, Ally and Emme, had with their friends, both from their own time and the other person's time. I do feel like there were points where people believed Ally's and Emme's stories a little too easily, but it was fun that their friends were willing to help.
The sexual content and violence were pretty minimal. I will say that I found it a bit disturbing how obsessed the two girls were with the size of their own breasts as well as the size of the breasts of their counterparts. I didn't feel like these obsessions fit well with the characters' personalities otherwise. There is some swearing in the book. I'd say maybe 5-8 swear words total. Overall, it was an enjoyable book.
The sexual content and violence were pretty minimal. I will say that I found it a bit disturbing how obsessed the two girls were with the size of their own breasts as well as the size of the breasts of their counterparts. I didn't feel like these obsessions fit well with the characters' personalities otherwise. There is some swearing in the book. I'd say maybe 5-8 swear words total. Overall, it was an enjoyable book.
May 29, 2020
An entertaining YA story about 2 young women who switch places - one in. present day Texas, and one in the colony of South Africa 200 years ago. The story is well written and it’s fun to see how they find meaning in their new circumstances.
I listened to the audible version of this book and particularly enjoyed the narration. Gryphon Corpus makes it sound like she’s multiple characters telling a story of something that actually happened to them, rather than a narrator reading a book out loud. She also captures the different characters quite well, and you immediately know who is speaking as she works her way through the story.
I was given a free copy of the audible book and have left the review voluntarily.
I listened to the audible version of this book and particularly enjoyed the narration. Gryphon Corpus makes it sound like she’s multiple characters telling a story of something that actually happened to them, rather than a narrator reading a book out loud. She also captures the different characters quite well, and you immediately know who is speaking as she works her way through the story.
I was given a free copy of the audible book and have left the review voluntarily.
June 16, 2020
I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title.
An interesting time travel story, with the added scenarios of two women, 200 years apart, switching their spirits.
We get a glimpse of South Africa, 200 years ago, through the eyes of the English settlers.
We also see what a person, born 200 years ago, and dumped into today's world would think and feel.
Yes, there's a reason for the switches, but you need to read/or listen to the tale as the author intended it to be received and not through an abbreviated synapses from me.
It is ant intriguing tale and opens some interesting insights into human nature.
An interesting time travel story, with the added scenarios of two women, 200 years apart, switching their spirits.
We get a glimpse of South Africa, 200 years ago, through the eyes of the English settlers.
We also see what a person, born 200 years ago, and dumped into today's world would think and feel.
Yes, there's a reason for the switches, but you need to read/or listen to the tale as the author intended it to be received and not through an abbreviated synapses from me.
It is ant intriguing tale and opens some interesting insights into human nature.
June 7, 2020
It took a bit to get into Switch. But, I ended up loving the story. As the characters grow you become invested in their story. I loved how their experiences while switched changed them when they returned to their normal lives. Both of them made changes that had lasting effects on those around them. From health and sanitation improvements for the African villages, an inheritance to save a friend's mother, and changing views on slavery, to simply how you treat the people in your life. I love Allen Kent's books and look forward to more.
June 21, 2020
A fantasy/historical fiction with likable characters and an interesting backdrop of 19th century colonial Africa. 16-year-old Ally wakes up in the body and life of another girl her age, Emme, 200 years in the past. Emme, in turn, is suddenly living Ally’s life and forced to adapt to the strangeness off the 21st century. I listened to the audio book and thought the reader did a good job creating the various voices, accents, and personalities.
August 25, 2020
A satisfying time travel story
This story gave me exactly what I enjoy the most in time travel tales — characters discovering new things in the time they are transported to and having special skills that help the people around them. The book did not end in a cliffhanger but it did make me wish there was a little more. Even if you don’t normally read YA (which I don’t), I would still recommend it.
This story gave me exactly what I enjoy the most in time travel tales — characters discovering new things in the time they are transported to and having special skills that help the people around them. The book did not end in a cliffhanger but it did make me wish there was a little more. Even if you don’t normally read YA (which I don’t), I would still recommend it.
March 12, 2020
Excellent Read!
A thrilling mystery that’s part Freaky Friday and part The Mysteries of Udalfo! The author has a superb way with words and ties up the ending with an unexpected twist.
A must read for teens 9th - 12th grades and anyone who loves a good YA novel.
A thrilling mystery that’s part Freaky Friday and part The Mysteries of Udalfo! The author has a superb way with words and ties up the ending with an unexpected twist.
A must read for teens 9th - 12th grades and anyone who loves a good YA novel.
Read
August 30, 2020In my DNF Bc just can’t get into it. Maybe try again at a different time
January 18, 2020
So. On the surface, I had fun with this book. I liked the idea and the lack of explanation for the mechanic of switching didn't bother me.
But dipping below the surface, I couldn't enjoy it as much. There are some issues I have with the way female characters think/are written - beginning with how Ally describes finding herself in Emme's body and brief discussions of periods like they're a one-size-fits-all issue - and discussions of race. Now, there is some leeway for the book being in part historical fiction but still made me uncomfortable.
Also, the reason for the switch? Not my favorite, but oh well.
But dipping below the surface, I couldn't enjoy it as much. There are some issues I have with the way female characters think/are written - beginning with how Ally describes finding herself in Emme's body and brief discussions of periods like they're a one-size-fits-all issue - and discussions of race. Now, there is some leeway for the book being in part historical fiction but still made me uncomfortable.
Also, the reason for the switch? Not my favorite, but oh well.
January 11, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this unique time travel novel. It's one of the best I have read. The story is unusual with an imbedded cliff hanger every few chapters. It's fun to know they are coming but you just don't know when to expect them. It makes reading exciting and fun.
I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys the speculative ins and outs to time travel novels.
I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys the speculative ins and outs to time travel novels.
January 10, 2020
Wonderful!
This is the best example of time travel i have ever read. I loved it! Thank you for such a fantastic story!
This is the best example of time travel i have ever read. I loved it! Thank you for such a fantastic story!
Read
January 8, 2020Listed as a young adult. Sweet story and a fast read. Will definitely check out other titles by this author.
January 8, 2020
Loved it!
I love all time travel tales. This is no exception. I would recommend this to everyone of all ages. So I give it 5 stars.
I love all time travel tales. This is no exception. I would recommend this to everyone of all ages. So I give it 5 stars.
August 20, 2019
Disclaimer: I am not the target demographic for this book as it was meant for young adult audiences. Still I found it to be a pretty good read. Like all of the Kent books I have read the character development is excellent. The plot is good as well but the book starts a little slowly, though as the story unfolds it picks up pace. It is not, to my mind, as good as some of his others, but as I said, I am not in the age demographic he was aiming for. Still the plot is intriguing, the characters are well done, and overall it was a good read.
October 30, 2019
Surprise
I am a realist and steer clear of fantasy. However I know Kent so I got the book, but didn't feel drawn to read it right away. Once I did start reading it I was surprised to realize how much I enjoyed it. The writing was so very good that it really hooked me on the first page. Along with great writing, the characters were some of the most likeable I can imagine. The plot was fun and enticing up to the very last sentence. Enjoy a great read!
I am a realist and steer clear of fantasy. However I know Kent so I got the book, but didn't feel drawn to read it right away. Once I did start reading it I was surprised to realize how much I enjoyed it. The writing was so very good that it really hooked me on the first page. Along with great writing, the characters were some of the most likeable I can imagine. The plot was fun and enticing up to the very last sentence. Enjoy a great read!
September 28, 2019
Great story line!
I liked character interaction and how they were cast forward and back! The ending left me hoping for a sequel!
I liked character interaction and how they were cast forward and back! The ending left me hoping for a sequel!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews