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Windswept: A Fantasy Novel
“A poignant and heartfelt journey.” —Wendy Higgins, New York Times bestselling author of the Sweet Evil series, on Cold Summer
Every day, Sam endures the same subway ride on her way to school, but when she meets a boy named Reid, suddenly her daily commute isn’t so ordinary. Reid has the ability to teleport—or, drift, as he calls it—and for the first time, Sam has the opportunity to travel anywhere without a passport or plane ticket.
But as their two worlds come together, Sam discovers her family had been keeping secrets from her, and meeting Reid was just the beginning of unraveling the truth. When drifters begin to disappear, Sam has no choice but to face the threat when she finds out her family is among the missing.
As Reid and Sam start their search for the missing drifters, help comes from the most unexpected of places. After a significant breakthrough, Reid is taken, and Sam finds herself alone in a world she knows nothing about. With the enemy closing in, she soon realizes she’s the only person who can save them all.
Every day, Sam endures the same subway ride on her way to school, but when she meets a boy named Reid, suddenly her daily commute isn’t so ordinary. Reid has the ability to teleport—or, drift, as he calls it—and for the first time, Sam has the opportunity to travel anywhere without a passport or plane ticket.
But as their two worlds come together, Sam discovers her family had been keeping secrets from her, and meeting Reid was just the beginning of unraveling the truth. When drifters begin to disappear, Sam has no choice but to face the threat when she finds out her family is among the missing.
As Reid and Sam start their search for the missing drifters, help comes from the most unexpected of places. After a significant breakthrough, Reid is taken, and Sam finds herself alone in a world she knows nothing about. With the enemy closing in, she soon realizes she’s the only person who can save them all.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
26 people are currently reading
553 people want to read
About the author
Gwen Cole
9 books216 followersGwen Cole is an award-winning author of Cold Summer and Ride On. She grew up in northern New York and after moving to Virginia, she met her husband while playing in a hardcore band. When she’s not writing, you can find her playing Xbox, skiing in the winter, playing softball in the summer, and always watching too much Netflix. She now lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family, always longing for colder winters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 24, 2025
This was a fun and fresh read that I enjoyed from start to finish. I wish it had been longer and delved deeper into the plot since it was a very quick read. There are a few things I didn't like which kept this strictly as a 3.5 to 4 rating. First, Reid stalked Sam for the first few chapters because he was interested in her. Sam obviously didn't care which brings me to the second issue which was instant love between the two. And even though I label this as instant love, it might be better to call it instant infatuation since Sam and Reid constantly thought about each other but didn't kiss until the end.
Third, Sam's best friend Nella was annoying and hypocritical. She forces Sam to tag along to an illegal dance and fight club so she can meet up with the guy she likes. She doesn't even tell Sam, until they are driving there, where they are going or that she is ditching her for a guy. This leads me to the hypocritical part since Nella becomes enraged, jealous, and hurt when she finds out Sam has been spending time with Reid. She whines that she feels replaced and doesn't want to be the third wheel because Sam is choosing a guy over her.
Fourth, because this book was so short, I felt like the conclusion was swiftly solved when there could have been more room to drag out the tension and mystery. The idea could have been expanded instead of Huge Problem Happens, Huge Problem Easily Solved in a matter of pages. More explanations on drifters and sliders also would have been nice.
Thank you Edelweiss for an ARC.
Third, Sam's best friend Nella was annoying and hypocritical. She forces Sam to tag along to an illegal dance and fight club so she can meet up with the guy she likes. She doesn't even tell Sam, until they are driving there, where they are going or that she is ditching her for a guy. This leads me to the hypocritical part since Nella becomes enraged, jealous, and hurt when she finds out Sam has been spending time with Reid. She whines that she feels replaced and doesn't want to be the third wheel because Sam is choosing a guy over her.
Fourth, because this book was so short, I felt like the conclusion was swiftly solved when there could have been more room to drag out the tension and mystery. The idea could have been expanded instead of Huge Problem Happens, Huge Problem Easily Solved in a matter of pages. More explanations on drifters and sliders also would have been nice.
Thank you Edelweiss for an ARC.
July 28, 2020
Finally a Gwen Cole book that didn’t wreck me. It sure tried with that slow burn romance, though.
——
Cover Reveal!
Check out the cover of Windswept, get your preorder on, and enter the GIVEAWAY HERE for signed copies of Cold Summer + Ride On!
——
Cover Reveal!
Check out the cover of Windswept, get your preorder on, and enter the GIVEAWAY HERE for signed copies of Cold Summer + Ride On!
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December 28, 2015This book was fantastic! I fell in love with the characters (Gavin being one of my favorites). The writing was also great and unpredictable. I laughed and cried feeling for Reid and Sam. Hoping for a sequal!
April 20, 2015
It was one of the best books I've ever read. Though I can't remember much because it has been a while, I would recommend it to any anyone who loves fantasy and action with a hint of romance. :)
January 1, 2024
My go to re-read wattpad book. I've since bought two published books by this author and she never disappoints. Would highly recommend.
August 15, 2022
Sam moet elke dag de metro nemen om op school te komen. Als ze daar een jongen genaamd Reid ontmoet, wordt die verplichte reis ineens niet meer zo saai. Reid kan namelijk teleporteren, of driften, zoals hij dat noemt. En voor het eerst heeft Sam de mogelijkheid om overal naartoe te gaan zonder paspoort of vliegtuigticket.
Terwijl zij elkaar beter leren kennen, komt Sam erachter dat haar familie geheimen voor haar heeft achter gehouden en de ontmoeting met Reid is maar het begin van alles. Als drifters langzaam beginnen te verdwijnen, heeft Sam geen andere keuze dan te helpen, want ook haar familie is ineens spoorloos verdwenen.
Reid en Sam starten een zoektocht en de hulp die ze maar al te hard nodig hebben komt uit onverwachte hoeken. Het duurt niet lang voordat Reid vermist raakt en Sam blijft achter in een wereld waar ze geen verstand van heeft. Terwijl de vijand nadert komt ze er langzaam achter dat zij misschien wel de enige is die hen kan redden.
Vanaf het moment dat je Sam leert kennen, lijkt ze een heel normaal tienermeisje. Ze besteedt misschien niet zoveel tijd aan make-up als andere meiden, maar ze gaat gewoon elke dag naar school, zij het met iet wat tegenzin. De eerste pagina’s van het boek brengen de wereld goed in kaart. (There doesn’t seem to be anything off) Er lijkt niets vreemds aan de hand te zijn, ook niet wanneer Sam een jongen in de metro ziet die haar interesse opwekt. Haar gedachtes worden goed beschreven en komen erg realistisch over. Er wordt niet te veel tijd aan bepaalde details besteed, gewoon precies genoeg om het verhaal interessant te houden. Vanaf het moment dat Reid en zij elkaar beter leren kennen wordt het verhaal een stuk interessanter.
De perspectiefwisselingen tussen hen zijn ook erg van meerwaarde. Reid gebruikt zijn krachten als drifter al snel en de manier waarop de auteur dit in het verhaal verwerkt, laat het heel natuurlijk overkomen. En dat is het voor Reid natuurlijk ook. Hij weet al jaren niet beter dan dat hij zonder moeite naar elke plek in de wereld kan teleporteren. Hoe beter je hen leert kennen, hoe meer je erachter komt dat hun werelden misschien wel veel van elkaar verschillen, maar qua persoonlijkheid minder. Het duurt een poos voordat je meer informatie over Reid krijgt, maar dat is met een reden gedaan. De auteur maakt goede afwegingen wanneer bepaalde informatie wel of niet met de lezers wordt gedeeld.
Over het algemeen is het verhaal vrij simpel om te begrijpen. Het woordgebruik en de regels van het driften zijn vrij vlak en maken het boek gemakkelijk leesbaar. Toch verandert de mate van diepgang in het verhaal wel. De eerste helft is redelijk simpel en gaat het vooral over Reid en Sam en hun interesse in elkaar en natuurlijk Reid’s krachten. In de tweede helft van het boek gebeurt ineens een hoop meer. Er komen meer personages bij en de gebeurtenissen wisselen elkaar sneller af. De spanning loopt op en het fenomeen driften wordt vaker beschreven. Er komt op een gegeven moment een stuk meer actie in het verhaal en de manier waarop de auteur het driften door de personages laat gebruiken is erg interessant. Tijdens deze omslag in het verhaal komen ook nog enkele verrassingen aan bod. Hier en daar kan het verhaal toch wat voorspelbaar zijn, maar dit doet niet af aan de verhaallijn of het leestempo
Een YA Fantasy standalone waarin het gebruik en het misbruik van superkrachten gevolgen heeft op het normale leven van een tienermeisje. Vernieuwend, uitdagend en sterk geschreven. Een goede aanwinst binnen dit genre!
Terwijl zij elkaar beter leren kennen, komt Sam erachter dat haar familie geheimen voor haar heeft achter gehouden en de ontmoeting met Reid is maar het begin van alles. Als drifters langzaam beginnen te verdwijnen, heeft Sam geen andere keuze dan te helpen, want ook haar familie is ineens spoorloos verdwenen.
Reid en Sam starten een zoektocht en de hulp die ze maar al te hard nodig hebben komt uit onverwachte hoeken. Het duurt niet lang voordat Reid vermist raakt en Sam blijft achter in een wereld waar ze geen verstand van heeft. Terwijl de vijand nadert komt ze er langzaam achter dat zij misschien wel de enige is die hen kan redden.
Vanaf het moment dat je Sam leert kennen, lijkt ze een heel normaal tienermeisje. Ze besteedt misschien niet zoveel tijd aan make-up als andere meiden, maar ze gaat gewoon elke dag naar school, zij het met iet wat tegenzin. De eerste pagina’s van het boek brengen de wereld goed in kaart. (There doesn’t seem to be anything off) Er lijkt niets vreemds aan de hand te zijn, ook niet wanneer Sam een jongen in de metro ziet die haar interesse opwekt. Haar gedachtes worden goed beschreven en komen erg realistisch over. Er wordt niet te veel tijd aan bepaalde details besteed, gewoon precies genoeg om het verhaal interessant te houden. Vanaf het moment dat Reid en zij elkaar beter leren kennen wordt het verhaal een stuk interessanter.
De perspectiefwisselingen tussen hen zijn ook erg van meerwaarde. Reid gebruikt zijn krachten als drifter al snel en de manier waarop de auteur dit in het verhaal verwerkt, laat het heel natuurlijk overkomen. En dat is het voor Reid natuurlijk ook. Hij weet al jaren niet beter dan dat hij zonder moeite naar elke plek in de wereld kan teleporteren. Hoe beter je hen leert kennen, hoe meer je erachter komt dat hun werelden misschien wel veel van elkaar verschillen, maar qua persoonlijkheid minder. Het duurt een poos voordat je meer informatie over Reid krijgt, maar dat is met een reden gedaan. De auteur maakt goede afwegingen wanneer bepaalde informatie wel of niet met de lezers wordt gedeeld.
Over het algemeen is het verhaal vrij simpel om te begrijpen. Het woordgebruik en de regels van het driften zijn vrij vlak en maken het boek gemakkelijk leesbaar. Toch verandert de mate van diepgang in het verhaal wel. De eerste helft is redelijk simpel en gaat het vooral over Reid en Sam en hun interesse in elkaar en natuurlijk Reid’s krachten. In de tweede helft van het boek gebeurt ineens een hoop meer. Er komen meer personages bij en de gebeurtenissen wisselen elkaar sneller af. De spanning loopt op en het fenomeen driften wordt vaker beschreven. Er komt op een gegeven moment een stuk meer actie in het verhaal en de manier waarop de auteur het driften door de personages laat gebruiken is erg interessant. Tijdens deze omslag in het verhaal komen ook nog enkele verrassingen aan bod. Hier en daar kan het verhaal toch wat voorspelbaar zijn, maar dit doet niet af aan de verhaallijn of het leestempo
Een YA Fantasy standalone waarin het gebruik en het misbruik van superkrachten gevolgen heeft op het normale leven van een tienermeisje. Vernieuwend, uitdagend en sterk geschreven. Een goede aanwinst binnen dit genre!
January 9, 2021
*4.5 stars*
Very interesting book. I liked the characters and the story. It was a nice short read, but I feel like there could've been more in it.
Very interesting book. I liked the characters and the story. It was a nice short read, but I feel like there could've been more in it.
August 13, 2023
What I love about reading challenges is that they sometimes lead me to unexpected books. For the Autumn Semester of the Magical Readathon I needed a book recommended by a bookseller. Most booksellers can't really recommend me much. I read too much. I know too much. I'd be an awesome bookseller myself. So, I posted a request on Hebban to get some recommendations and they came with a really surprising book I had never heard about. Time to check it out.
Since I had asked for emotional reads I was a little disappointed that this book didn't make me cry or scream or laugh out loud. However, that doesn't mean it was a bad recommendation. On the contrary actually. I'm really surprised that this book is never talked about and that it seems that only so few people have read and reviewed it. It's a really nice YA that should absolutely speak to the original target audience of YA novels.
Like with most YA novels Sam seems to be a very normal girl. She goes to school, she's very introverted and she prefers anime over parties. But when she meets Reid while traveling to school by subway she discovers that her normal life has come to an end. And even though this book does the "the normal girl is special after all"-trope. The author actually does it in a way that works, that makes sense and that strays from the chosen one trope. It's all classic genetics.
And although we don't get an explanation when it comes to how the special powers came to be, I like that everything else just makes sense. There are rules, there are limits, there is logic. And that makes the paranormal aspect of the book easy to explain and understand and therefore leaves enough room for the characters to grow and learn. And growing and learning they do quite a lot. Which does lead to some really touching scenes in the finale.
Since I had asked for emotional reads I was a little disappointed that this book didn't make me cry or scream or laugh out loud. However, that doesn't mean it was a bad recommendation. On the contrary actually. I'm really surprised that this book is never talked about and that it seems that only so few people have read and reviewed it. It's a really nice YA that should absolutely speak to the original target audience of YA novels.
Like with most YA novels Sam seems to be a very normal girl. She goes to school, she's very introverted and she prefers anime over parties. But when she meets Reid while traveling to school by subway she discovers that her normal life has come to an end. And even though this book does the "the normal girl is special after all"-trope. The author actually does it in a way that works, that makes sense and that strays from the chosen one trope. It's all classic genetics.
And although we don't get an explanation when it comes to how the special powers came to be, I like that everything else just makes sense. There are rules, there are limits, there is logic. And that makes the paranormal aspect of the book easy to explain and understand and therefore leaves enough room for the characters to grow and learn. And growing and learning they do quite a lot. Which does lead to some really touching scenes in the finale.
August 8, 2020
"He was gone. I searched the dark streets, saw no one, and stared at the place I had seen him seconds before. The only evidence was the leaves blowing across the sidewalk…"
Every day, the quirky and quiet Sam rides the subway on her way to her new high school. She normally dreads this ride until one day she meets a mysterious boy named Reid. Suddenly her daily commute isn’t so ordinary. Reid has the ability to teleport—or, drift, as he calls it—and for the first time, Sam has the opportunity to travel anywhere without a passport or plane ticket.
As their two worlds come together, Sam not only learns more about Reid and his abilities, she also discovers her family has been keeping secrets from her. Meeting Reid is just the beginning of unraveling the truth. And she may be the only one to save them all.
"Every day that passes I feel like I'm less alone. Like I've finally found my place in the world. Even though life is really messy right now, it's part of me."
This sweet YA fantasy romance is a blast and such a creative concept for a book. The world of YA fantasy is SO diverse...from the gentle greek myths of Rick Riordan to the intense romance and world building of Sarah Maas. This falls somewhere in the middle. The world building and plot is simple and the resolutions tidy. I feel like this one definitely fell on the younger side. More middle school to early HS.
I also could have read about Sam + Reid for days! Just when they finally start to get to know each other, he is taken. Along the way, Sam has to solve a mystery and find her missing family and boyfriend. Sometimes I had to remind myself this all took place only over ONE WEEK.
I loved following the angsty outsider Sam's journey of self discovery. As she comes to accept Reid's talents and lifestyle to learning more about her own. She's so confident and calm through some seriously crazy circumstances you watch and feel her become more comfortable in her own skin. I think my biggest "issue" with this book (or like my regret since I did enjoy the story) is that is was so short. This easily could have been another 200 pages. I am used to reader BIG YA, so I would have liked more background into the history and culture of drifters and sliders.
I'm already hoping for a sequel as this one introduced us to some pretty cool characters and concepts.
Every day, the quirky and quiet Sam rides the subway on her way to her new high school. She normally dreads this ride until one day she meets a mysterious boy named Reid. Suddenly her daily commute isn’t so ordinary. Reid has the ability to teleport—or, drift, as he calls it—and for the first time, Sam has the opportunity to travel anywhere without a passport or plane ticket.
As their two worlds come together, Sam not only learns more about Reid and his abilities, she also discovers her family has been keeping secrets from her. Meeting Reid is just the beginning of unraveling the truth. And she may be the only one to save them all.
"Every day that passes I feel like I'm less alone. Like I've finally found my place in the world. Even though life is really messy right now, it's part of me."
This sweet YA fantasy romance is a blast and such a creative concept for a book. The world of YA fantasy is SO diverse...from the gentle greek myths of Rick Riordan to the intense romance and world building of Sarah Maas. This falls somewhere in the middle. The world building and plot is simple and the resolutions tidy. I feel like this one definitely fell on the younger side. More middle school to early HS.
I also could have read about Sam + Reid for days! Just when they finally start to get to know each other, he is taken. Along the way, Sam has to solve a mystery and find her missing family and boyfriend. Sometimes I had to remind myself this all took place only over ONE WEEK.
I loved following the angsty outsider Sam's journey of self discovery. As she comes to accept Reid's talents and lifestyle to learning more about her own. She's so confident and calm through some seriously crazy circumstances you watch and feel her become more comfortable in her own skin. I think my biggest "issue" with this book (or like my regret since I did enjoy the story) is that is was so short. This easily could have been another 200 pages. I am used to reader BIG YA, so I would have liked more background into the history and culture of drifters and sliders.
I'm already hoping for a sequel as this one introduced us to some pretty cool characters and concepts.
July 14, 2020
Actual rating: 4.5🌟
What an enjoyable read.👍
Let me start by saying I've been having a blast on my recent ARCs from Edelweiss. I luckily found books that are my jam.😌
This was a fast and exciting read for me. We have two POVs for this book and I both love them. We have Sam, an ordinary girl who met a drifter - someone able to teleport. She was not irritating like my usual feelings for young MCs. 😅 The drifter is Reid who has a lot of secrets of his own. I very much adore Reid even though at times he's too guarded on everything.
This book has a bit of romance on it and some family dynamics. But what I really like on the book is the friendship and brotherhood shown in here.❤ It was so refreshing to read about non-toxic friendship. Just simply being there for each other.😊
The plot is somehow solid and a lot of action scenes. I love how it all ended but hoping for more. I want a book 2!🙏 I feel like the world created by the author has a lot of potential for succeeding books. It has a definite ending by the way, not a cliffy. Please give me book 2! 🙇
Thanks for Edelweiss, the publisher and author for making this available for review.
What an enjoyable read.👍
Let me start by saying I've been having a blast on my recent ARCs from Edelweiss. I luckily found books that are my jam.😌
This was a fast and exciting read for me. We have two POVs for this book and I both love them. We have Sam, an ordinary girl who met a drifter - someone able to teleport. She was not irritating like my usual feelings for young MCs. 😅 The drifter is Reid who has a lot of secrets of his own. I very much adore Reid even though at times he's too guarded on everything.
This book has a bit of romance on it and some family dynamics. But what I really like on the book is the friendship and brotherhood shown in here.❤ It was so refreshing to read about non-toxic friendship. Just simply being there for each other.😊
The plot is somehow solid and a lot of action scenes. I love how it all ended but hoping for more. I want a book 2!🙏 I feel like the world created by the author has a lot of potential for succeeding books. It has a definite ending by the way, not a cliffy. Please give me book 2! 🙇
Thanks for Edelweiss, the publisher and author for making this available for review.
September 18, 2020
DNF. Sometimes, teen and YA novels keep my interest. This one has lost me.
It started out well, but has been mired in dull stuff for many pages, and I don't have the patience. There is a lot going on behind the scenes that I haven't been given enough to build real intrigue. That's a plot fail. And I find both main characters to be less deep than I prefer. She's way better than he is, when he is the one with this (apparently not that uncommon) power. I have learned too little about the "enemy" power as well. Altogether, that adds up to failing interest.
Teen me would have finished reading this. She finished everything she started. Older adult me has learned to bail when she gets bored. :)
It started out well, but has been mired in dull stuff for many pages, and I don't have the patience. There is a lot going on behind the scenes that I haven't been given enough to build real intrigue. That's a plot fail. And I find both main characters to be less deep than I prefer. She's way better than he is, when he is the one with this (apparently not that uncommon) power. I have learned too little about the "enemy" power as well. Altogether, that adds up to failing interest.
Teen me would have finished reading this. She finished everything she started. Older adult me has learned to bail when she gets bored. :)
June 23, 2020
ARC provided by Sky Pony Press and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
2.5 stars
Windswept is about a girl that meets a boy on the subway and gets swept along on a SciFi adventure that lasts a whole week and is filled with teleportation, kidnapped parents, and self discovery.
This book was really lukewarm for me. I had a hard time connecting with the writing style and the cadence of the book was felt very unplanned. From the very first sentence, I felt like I was being shoved information instead of learning organically as the story progressed, and a lot of the information seemed irrelevant to the plot.
I found Reid and Sam to be less than stellar characters. Sam seemed to be trying really hard to be quirky. She doesn't like school, she doesn't like crowds, she doesn't like traveling, she doesn't like hanging out with her supposed best friend. It was kind of irritating to have to keep adding things to the list of things she doesn't like. Sam came off as very disconnected from her life. There didn't seem to be anything truly anchored her into her own story so it made it hard to relate to her.
Reid has a bad case of insta-love. Normally I don't mind insta-love as long as it's done well, but this was not done well and it really effected the way I saw the characters when they interacted with each other. Reid just kind of came off as a love sick puppy with slightly stalkerish behaviors towards a girl he literally just met. The chemistry between them just wasn't there for me, but that's probably because all of the events that happen in this book from start to finish span maybe two or three weeks total. There just wasn't enough time in the storyline to develop any of the relationships between the characters so everything just felt rushed.
The middle of the book picked up a little. I liked learning about the drifting and all that cool little things that come with that. Drifting was actually the most well thought out part of this book. If the whole book had the amount of development that the drifting ability had this book would have been so much better. When I say the middle picked up, I don't mean by a lot though. It just got slightly more interesting because the conflict happened and we got to learn about some other stuff along with Sam.
The last 20% of this book was a mess. The ending action was extremely anti-climatic and frankly boring. Then a bunch of stuff happened in the last ten percent that had nothing to do with the plot or the ending of the book. It really through me off to the point that I thought I was reading a different book. It just felt like a shuffle of short scenes to try and tie up the lose ends but it just kind of felt like the book was spinning it's wheels rather than getting closer to the ending.
I didn't particularly enjoy this book, but I do think there are going to be some people out there that will. It was easy enough to read and follow the plot but it lacked the depth that I prefer in books.
2.5 stars
Windswept is about a girl that meets a boy on the subway and gets swept along on a SciFi adventure that lasts a whole week and is filled with teleportation, kidnapped parents, and self discovery.
This book was really lukewarm for me. I had a hard time connecting with the writing style and the cadence of the book was felt very unplanned. From the very first sentence, I felt like I was being shoved information instead of learning organically as the story progressed, and a lot of the information seemed irrelevant to the plot.
I found Reid and Sam to be less than stellar characters. Sam seemed to be trying really hard to be quirky. She doesn't like school, she doesn't like crowds, she doesn't like traveling, she doesn't like hanging out with her supposed best friend. It was kind of irritating to have to keep adding things to the list of things she doesn't like. Sam came off as very disconnected from her life. There didn't seem to be anything truly anchored her into her own story so it made it hard to relate to her.
Reid has a bad case of insta-love. Normally I don't mind insta-love as long as it's done well, but this was not done well and it really effected the way I saw the characters when they interacted with each other. Reid just kind of came off as a love sick puppy with slightly stalkerish behaviors towards a girl he literally just met. The chemistry between them just wasn't there for me, but that's probably because all of the events that happen in this book from start to finish span maybe two or three weeks total. There just wasn't enough time in the storyline to develop any of the relationships between the characters so everything just felt rushed.
The middle of the book picked up a little. I liked learning about the drifting and all that cool little things that come with that. Drifting was actually the most well thought out part of this book. If the whole book had the amount of development that the drifting ability had this book would have been so much better. When I say the middle picked up, I don't mean by a lot though. It just got slightly more interesting because the conflict happened and we got to learn about some other stuff along with Sam.
The last 20% of this book was a mess. The ending action was extremely anti-climatic and frankly boring. Then a bunch of stuff happened in the last ten percent that had nothing to do with the plot or the ending of the book. It really through me off to the point that I thought I was reading a different book. It just felt like a shuffle of short scenes to try and tie up the lose ends but it just kind of felt like the book was spinning it's wheels rather than getting closer to the ending.
I didn't particularly enjoy this book, but I do think there are going to be some people out there that will. It was easy enough to read and follow the plot but it lacked the depth that I prefer in books.
June 6, 2020
Wow, I flew through this in less than a day! Kinda similar to the movie Jumper but with a YA cutesy teen romance to it. Once the plot got going, it really got going. And what a fun ride! I’m really hoping there will be a sequel!
May 21, 2015
it was writen so good and i was sorry to finish it...definitly recomending this if you're a ya fan:)...
December 30, 2015
Only reason it didn't get five stars is the whole Gavin rushing in to rescue her from Troy..... I really REALLY want that trope to go away
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2017
a good book.
January 7, 2019
I just reread this on wattpad and there is so much nostalgia i have associated with this story
September 16, 2020
I should've known better - romance is not my genre, and the common tropes of young hetero romance are super extra not my thing. The cute but nondescript girl with the messy bun who doesn't know how special/beautiful she is, the beautiful and broody boy who produces a low laugh or wry smile or a chuckle at least once every chapter, the minor suite of side characters who have little to no characteristics outside of their service to the plot...more power to the folks who get something out of it, but I just don't see the appeal.
I picked this book up because teleporting, but the whole slider/drifter thing wound up being pretty unoriginal, and anything that might have been interesting about it got drowned out by Sam's blushing over the use of the word "boyfriend" in the middle of a home invasion and Reid's parenthetical appreciation of Sam's looks in the middle of his own kidnapping. And what is the deal with Reid, anyway? I get why Sam was drawn to him - she thinks he's movie star hot - but what was the appeal for Jake and Gavin? The dude has no discernible personality, and seems to be incapable of appreciating others for qualities they possess independent of their connection with him. Seriously, every time he expresses appreciation for someone, it's because they noticed him, or liked him, or made him feel a certain way. But maybe that's just because none of the other characters had discernible personalities, either - he can't appreciate qualities that aren't there. Fair enough.
For me, this book was the literary equivalent if wrapping your head in cotton wool and then dunking it in corn syrup. Lesson learned.
I picked this book up because teleporting, but the whole slider/drifter thing wound up being pretty unoriginal, and anything that might have been interesting about it got drowned out by Sam's blushing over the use of the word "boyfriend" in the middle of a home invasion and Reid's parenthetical appreciation of Sam's looks in the middle of his own kidnapping. And what is the deal with Reid, anyway? I get why Sam was drawn to him - she thinks he's movie star hot - but what was the appeal for Jake and Gavin? The dude has no discernible personality, and seems to be incapable of appreciating others for qualities they possess independent of their connection with him. Seriously, every time he expresses appreciation for someone, it's because they noticed him, or liked him, or made him feel a certain way. But maybe that's just because none of the other characters had discernible personalities, either - he can't appreciate qualities that aren't there. Fair enough.
For me, this book was the literary equivalent if wrapping your head in cotton wool and then dunking it in corn syrup. Lesson learned.
August 3, 2020
Have you ever wished you could blink and be where ever you wanted to go? Well in this book there are drifters who can travel anywhere in the world in the blink of an eye. Sam encounters such a person on the subway one day after school, but she doesn't know it at the time. She just knows there is a cute boy sitting across from her. Reid (the boy) notices Sam as well. He is a drifter and has dropped out of school, doesn't have a job and is homeless. He has one friend, Jake, who is also a drifter from Australia. As Sam and Reid begin to get to know one another he shares his secret with her and she begins to travel the world. Sam also starts to learn her family has kept secrets from her after they leave on a weekend trip. Reid learns about drifters starting to go missing and no one can find them. Sam and Reid begin working together to try to solve the mystery, but will they solve it before they get caught?
Told in two voices, the book reads pretty quickly and after the beginning of them getting to know one another I couldn't quit reading. I think boys and girls will enjoy this book, and I think it is perfect for middle school or high school. I could see this turning into a series...please?
Told in two voices, the book reads pretty quickly and after the beginning of them getting to know one another I couldn't quit reading. I think boys and girls will enjoy this book, and I think it is perfect for middle school or high school. I could see this turning into a series...please?
December 7, 2020
Sam meets a boy on the Subway and after finding out his secret, the ability to teleport, or “drift,” her life changes dramatically. Reid has been alone and homeless since his parents died a few years ago, with one friend his own age and an older “brother” who looks out for him. Meeting Sam makes him think of the life he’s been missing. The two main characters were from two different backgrounds, but ended up having a lot in common. When drifters begin to disappear, including her family, Sam teams up with Reid and his friend Gavin to try to find out where the drifters are being taken. I really liked this sweet teen romance, with danger, superhero abilities and a mystery to solve. I loved the teleportation, that’s always been the superpower I would choose, so it was fun to see the characters travel anywhere in the world they wanted in an instant.
July 10, 2022
If you read and loved the Jumper series, you will like this one which is very like it. I was so disappointed when that series ended, so even though this is by a different author (whose other books I've enjoyed) and it also features people who can jump (using a different word but same effect) instantly to a new place, and people who are after them. Details and abilities are a bit different, so that keeps the interest up. Off to look for the next in the series!!
September 14, 2020
This is a very fast paced book that is super easy to read and get caught up in, but I feel that it is very surface level and could have been better with a bit more detail. I also feel that there wasn't much give or take. Things were too quickly dismissed or accepted. Other than that, it was a good read.
August 3, 2020
An engrossing and entertaining read.
Interesting world building, good character development and a plot that kept me hooked.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Interesting world building, good character development and a plot that kept me hooked.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
October 31, 2022
This was such a great story. I do wish that the author would have gone deeper into the story and this world. I felt like this had only touched the surface of the world and story at large. I did love the characters and the story and I would love a book two.
Read
July 21, 2020So is this basically like . . . JUMPER starring Hayden Christensen? Or?
July 26, 2020
Finished in one sitting. It’s absolutely fantastic with a great story, lovable characters, and vivid writing style. Highly recommend this to fans of Jumper (2008) with Hayden Christensen.
September 20, 2020
Cool story
I love teleportation stories! This one was well written and sucked me right in. It's an easy read. I recommend it.
I love teleportation stories! This one was well written and sucked me right in. It's an easy read. I recommend it.
October 2, 2020
I mean, whatever. It was fine. My 11yo would like it. It's just not one of those YA books that will pull in us elderly readers.
December 27, 2021
I fell in love with the characters. They were easy to relate to and are so precious. Live this book so much, heartwarming relationships and fun story.
September 30, 2022
An absolutely fantastic read. Well written, with descritions and feelings that resonate within you. Funny and emotional and fantastical. If you haven't read it, I completely recomend it!
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